Happy Birthday Little Lizzy :)

I can't believe that just one year ago I was trying to convince hubby that I was really in labor...

and then an hour later trying to convince the nursing staff that I was in labor...

and then an hour later hearing someone say, "Call Dr. Angstman, and tell him to RUN!!"

and as he and hubby were getting suited up for the delivery, the nurse and I were 'gently' yelling at them to hurry because this baby was coming NOW, with or without their gowns and gloves on...

and come she did...

right into our lives, our home, our hearts.

... and now, one year later, she is more full of life than I could have every imagined!

... she took up walking by storm about a month ago and has been a pro ever since, 

finding a whole new world at her reach... 

(much to mom's chagrin!)

She was just a little freaked out by the sounds coming from the 'noisy' wrapping paper,

until she realized it was a doll... one that didn't care at all when she pulled it's hair and poked it in the eyes, and even giggled at motion... what more could a girl ask for ?

(... and mom has only been freaked out a couple of times when getting up in the middle of the night only to walk by and 'activate' the baby giggles...)

Her favorite present of all, however, was a little grocery store find - her own 'talking' cell phone!  She has even relinquished her constant quest to find mom's cell phone and do funky things to it.  Wahoo!!

How can you have a first birthday post without the smooshy-cake picture?!

...it only took her about .5 seconds to get the gist of the grab and go eating style that is offered on this day only... and boy did she dig in!

Happy Birthday Little Lizzy - sure do love ya!!

Busy Lizzy

Yep, she's everywhere, and wanting so much to be  part of the gang.
I am convinced that she has that disease that makes you age super duper fast.
I swear just yesterday I was holding her in the hospital, fresh and new
and now, she is trying desperately to take her first solo steps in this wide open world.

It's so interesting to me how I pushed the twins to always get to the 'next phase' in their earlier years, pushing them to sit up, roll over, crawl, walk.
Now?
I'm over it.
Please somebody,
tell me where the pause button is.
Life is moving way too fast.



Somewhere along the way,
when I happened to blink,
my little twins grew up

and have taken their siblings right along with them.

And this mom isn't quite ready for that.

So please, Busy Lizzy,

Stop.

Come back

Be my little snuggle bug forever.

I am convinced...

That the bodies which belong to 5th children are put through a more rigorous pre-spirit filled qualifying test, and must be made of a more durable fabric than the average every-day body.

... the bodies must pass extra tests of being stretched, squeezed, squished, kissed, grabbed, stickied, and just plain used and abused.

I am convinced that the spirits which come to those over-tested bodies are also put through some pre-life qualifications themselves, including extra doses of patience, long-suffering, smiles, and unconditional love.

Otherwise, there is no way that 5th children (or the mother of 5th children) would ever live to see their first birthdays with any sort of sanity in tact.

... and that's all I have to say about that.

It's amazing...

How something so teeny...

... and so tiny...
... can fill such a big hole that we never knew existed in our family until she came.

I was sitting watching this little angel sleep today, and it amazed me how fiercely I love her.

...How completely consumed I am by her little life right now.

...How our (not-so-little) family was just great before, and now that she's here, I wonder how we ever got along without her.

...How just when I thought my love capacity was filled with my other children, she has jumped right in and stretched it even farther than I knew was humanly possible.

In just 2 short months, she has successfully wrapped each one of us around her tiny little fingers, and we are all pretty much head over heals in love with our newest member.

Her smile truly does melt my heart, and bring shear joy to all who are around her. The kids will do anything to get a little smile out of her, and their squeals at her tiny smile makes my own heart smile.

I try to write about it, yet words just don't seem to do justice to how utterly and completely each new little life takes up housing in my heart and holds me captive in their embrace.

I am truly, madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with my family.

I am blessed.

I am grateful.

I am content.

I am mom.

Can someone find the pause button, please???...

Because, this little sweetheart...

is already growing up waaayyyy too fast!

We blessed Elizabeth Jane Brewer on Sunday, January 3, 2003

Daddy did an amazing job - I wish I could write fast enough to have caught all of it.

It was a very sweet and tender moment

All of Jerry's siblings joined in for the festivities

Traveling from Virginia Beach (Thanks Robin and Darren!!) and Nebraska (Thanks Stewart and Shannon!!), our house was full of family and fun the entire weekend,

and I loved every second of it!

Group shot of all of the Brewer Cousins, from oldest to youngest...

And monday, as the last family unit pulled out of the driveway and I dropped the twins off at school, the house seemed way too quiet.

Man, I love family! Thank you so much for helping to make this weekend so special! We love you, and miss you already!

Just in case you haven't gotten enough baby pics :)

Just having some fun with little Elizabeth...

It always amazed me how small their hands and feet are...

sweet sleeping baby

... hey, it's never too early to start the 'ever-so-gentle' BYU coaching... ;)

... notice the smile?? She likes it! She likes it!!

Welcome home!!

Introducing:

Elizabeth Jane Brewer

Born 11/2/09

9 lb. 6 oz.

20 3/4 inches

Here she is, all dolled up and ready to hit the real world!!

Daddy with Elizabeth in the car seat, which suddenly made her look very tiny!

The official 'home entrance' scene

Bailey sniffing out the newest member of the pack...

Elizabeth was welcomed home by a forest of flowers.

Thank you so much Gramma& Grampa Mission and Gramma Sue and Grampa Steve!

... just a random shot of Elizabeth with her eyes open...

Life is good... and crazy all at the same time. She has already wrapped us all around here tiny little finger. Her brothers are completely enamored by her, and Sarah has her next years wardrobe already planned out. Needless to say, she is well loved!!

Introducing...

Jessica/Elizabeth/Rachel/Princess Leia...

Okay, so we are not so great on the decision making, like where to go out to dinner on a date, or on what to name our new baby girl...

But we sure to love her, and are so happy to have her here!!

(Jerry even got to do the full delivery - fun times!!)

More comments later - gotta feed the little one...