Sweetness

Luke painted his baby a picture

Luke demanded Alex snuggle with him and sent me to the couch

Stinky feet

Luke's favorite game since he was 9 months old

love them!!!

Location:So much fun

5 Months

Well, we are closer to 6 months than 5 but I didn't want to skip this. I think the big development step at this point is grabbing and holding toys in his hands. We also removed the swaddling blanket and he now rolls to his stomach to sleep. I think he's been wanting be a tummy sleeper since birth but this rule-following Mom was too nervous. He's sleeping from 7-6:30, wakes up, eats a bottle and then sleeps until 10. Big brother is sleeping until 8:30 or 9. This time from 6:30 until Luke wakes up has been great work time. Alex still gags on cereal and to be honest I don't have much time to try consistently. He's still a smiley little guy and loves attention. He does not like to be in his car seat if he's ready for bed. A lesson I have to be reminded of every few days is that he does not want to be rocked to sleep.  Despite the failed attempts, I will try every few days and he reminds me again that he wants to be put down in his bed.  Luckily, my two year old still loves to be rocked! Alex's little life is going by so fast. He is a perfect fit for our little family.

Brothers

I found them like this:







It is one of my greatest joys to watch the love they have for one another. I hope Luke always takes care of Alex and Alex always looks up to Luke with that sweet smile of admiration.







I'm totally overwhelmed and speechless by the gift of these two. I am a very nostalgic person. I'm not one you'd have to remind to enjoy these years. I would absolutely freeze time if I could. I love my babies being babies and wouldn't change the full-time job of raising these boys for anything. Don't get me wrong, we have our fair share of two year old tantrums, messes, diaper changes and sleepless nights. However, the moments that melt my heart happen in the between. And those moments somehow seem to erase all of those hard times. The moments when your two year old says "hold you (me) mommy" and then tucks his little arms between himself and your chest. Or the fact that he still loves to be rocked to sleep and as you do he wraps his arms around your neck and gives you kisses. Or that he insists on pointing out every picture of Jesus (oh what a name) when we read his Bible.  Or how he climbs in my bed, pats the pillow beside him, and commands, "it's yours mommy."
Or the excitement in a 5 month old's face to see you after nap. So much excitement that he pumps his legs and arms as fast as he can. Or the sweet smile behind his paci as you kiss his cheeks while rocking him to sleep.







Motherhood is a beautiful thing. It is a testimony of a God who lavishes grace on this ragged sinner. A role that God uses to sanctify me through and through. A reminder that he offers hope and new mercies each morning. And a sweet, sweet portrayal of the unconditional love our Father has for us (his children).

Luke and Alex, you are a blessing to me, my perfect gift, heritage and reward. I could not love either of you more.