HE'S HERE!!

We finally met Colt Shawn Reuter face-to-face January 23rd at 1am. He was healthy beautiful 7 lbs. 4oz. Just when you can't imagine having more love in your life, God has a way of overwhelming you at first glance of your newborn child. He's already a most blessed little boy to be born into so much love!

First glance...

Caleb sure loves baby Colt. The 1st time he held him he sang a song he made up about all the things he was going to teach him when he grows up! Cae loves being a " big brother" and can't keep his hands off him! Our little guy has no idea what he's in for... he'll be running at 9 months!

Colt's birth was just as beautiful an experience as Caleb's and Cae's births. I will celebrate them in my heart forever. We arrived at the hospital at 10pm and by 1am, Shawn caught his son for a 3rd time! As much as he jokes about our birth experiences, he's amazing and a natural. He should teach other husbands and fathers about childbirth! I am so thankful beyond words to have him as my husband, the father of our boys and to share this life together. I couldn't have done it without his love and strength. And of course, I can't thank enough the women by my side as well, Nonna, Abigail and Aunt Alicia, for the tender moments of encouraging words, prayers, massage, " hip sqeezes" with EVERY contraction, heating pads, ice chips ... and the list goes on and on...

Every birth reminds me how no matter how difficult, strenuos or painful at times life may be, it is the love and strength of God and of those around you, and the promise of joy to come, that will "carry you through".

" Weeping may endure for a night,

But joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

OUR JOY!

We can't thank Nonna enough for spending 2 WHOLE weeks with us as we adjust to life with 3 boys! What a gift she has been to us , doing eternal loads of laundry, dishwashing, driving the boys around, cleaning, giving Mommy breaks, cooking ...... We are going to miss her so much! The time has been so special for the boys and Mommy and Daddy. We are so blessed to have been able to share these first moments of Colt's life with her.

Aunt Alicia the " the natural doula" ... We are sure going to miss Alicia too, now that she's moving back to Atlanta. But we are so happy for her and the opportunity she's been given . She'll just have to come visit her nephews in Athens alot!

Our Uncle Rob and nephew #3!

THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US!

So maybe I set my blogging aspirations a little high, to say I would post once a month! October flew by us and I hardly remember most of November. But I suppose I have an excuse and can blame it on the little boy taking over my body!

And here we are with a Christmas tree in the living room and holiday parties on the calendar. But this is not to say we haven't fully enjoyed each day over the past couple of months. They have been full of questions and wonderings from why leaves change colors to feeling baby brother grow and kick inside my belly. Cae says he's ready for him " to come out and play", while Caleb knows what "the big brother deal is already" and seems content with him staying in me a little longer!

Despite the hustle and bustle of this season, it's still been a time of sweet reflection during such sentimental occasions like birthdays and Thanksgiving. Shawn and I celebrated 9 years since his marriage proposal, Cae turned 3 , I turned 34, and October 4th marked the 6th month anniversary since Mom's passing. Our lives keep growing and changing and our love is ever expanding with God's grace. We have been so grateful for all the blessings of 2008 over this Thanksgiving season.

Bon Fire in the Backyard!

PUMPKIN PATCH

It was a brave outing and wore Mom out, but of course fun. What's not to love about pig races, a petting zoo, hay rides and running wild through pumpkin patches?

OUR CAE IS 3!!!

So Cae turned the BIG 3 on October 9th! We celebrated a week long with little festivities from a preschool party to a family tailgate at a UGA game. He still thinks it's his birthday because we were singing " Happy Birthday" to him almost everyday for over a week! We forgot how fun the "battle of the wills" are in the three's. But, I'm just praying and believing he's getting it all out of his system before baby brother gets here in January!! It's hard to believe not even a year ago he was just speaking a few words and phrases. In the midst of it all we are loving every minute of it... at least most of them!!!