Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was a special and memorable one for us--it was our first with Luke and the first one I've ever hosted! Instead to traveling to Kentucky, we stayed HOME for the first time since we've been married. (It was so fun not to have to travel or pack, unload, and re-pack the car several times!) Corey's parents and my parents along with my nephew all came up to Indy for the holidays. I loved coming downstairs and hearing all of the voices in my living room. I loved waking up Christmas morning in my own bed, watching the kids open gifts under our tree, making Christmas dinner, and creating new memories. I'm already looking forward to next year!

A few things I don't want to forget about this Christmas are the favorite gifts from this year, opening "the big red one," and Drew's candy canes. The first thing the kids did on Christmas morning was open their stockings, and each stocking had several candy canes sticking out of the top. Drew was more than excited about his candy canes! He had one in each hand and wouldn't put them down. It was hilarious to watch him figure out how he was going to open his first gift without letting go of his new favorite treat! (Who knew we could have just given the kid candy canes and called it a day?) :) One of the most talked about gifts was "the big red one," which happened to be a basketball goal. The other top favorites from this year were the dart guns, talking Woody, the spaceship, and Ty's "Kindle." It's actually a V-Reader but he likes to call it a Kindle since Mommy has one too (which was one of my favorites this year).

Finally, Christmas 2010 was special because we talked a lot with the kids about it being Jesus' birthday and why we give and get gifts--Jesus was SO special that even KINGS brought Him gifts! And because His is the MOST important birthday of anyone ever, EVERYONE shares presents with EVERYONE all over the WHOLE world! That's how special His birthday is! I hope to be more creative over the years in celebrating Jesus' birth and creating family traditions and memories. I'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas if you'd be willing share! :)

We also had our first Christmas Eve service at our church...at 10:00 PM. It was late for our little ones but such a sweet evening. We sang Christmas carols and our pastor (Corey) talked about the Prince of Peace. It was special and memorable for all of us!

Christmas 2010 in pictures

checking out one of their gifts

dimples

Drew's candy canes

Nonna and Luke

love Ty's face in this one

cousins

talking Woody--one of the favs

playing in the snow

"Baby Bear"

Nonna and Poppa with their grandkids

Mimi and Grandpa with the grands

snuggle puppies

Merry Christmas!

Funny story: So, this is our 2010 Christmas card. Just to preface this a little bit...Corey hates taking family pictures. I can't really blame him. The kids are often uncooperative, someone is usually crying, and bribing them with candy doesn't always work. I, however, always have this idea in my head that it's going to be smooth and easy. It took several (that's an understatement) tries to get it (because of someone not looking at the camera, an awkward smile, etc). We finally got a good picture of everyone except for Luke who was totally pooping--grunting, squeezing, red face, etc--and since this was his debut (confession: I didn't send out birth announcements--terrible mom!), I couldn't have him pooping! So, I downloaded a trial version of photo shop (I was really committed to this thing) and then photo-shopped a different head of Luke's from another picture onto his body! Because I'm not very tech-savvy, it took hours and Corey kept asking me, "Is this really worth it?" Yes! It is! :) Merry Christmas 2010 from all five of us!

my boys

I love them more than anything in the world!!!

3 months

Someone loves his thumb.

2 months!!!

Hi everybody! I'm two months old now, and I'm growing like a weed! My mommy is a little bit sad about that, but I can't help it. :) I like to eat and I love to sleep, and I smile all the time (especially if you talk to me)! I love my big brothers too! They like to rub my head and "pet" me and tell me that I'm so cute. I've always made lots of little noises, but I just recently started "talking" up a storm! I can coo and make lots of "ooh" and "aah" sounds. Come visit me and I'll talk to you too! =)

WE LOVE FALL!!!

Ty and Drew playing in the leaves with our friend Dennis, an elder at our church

This picture was actually taken a few weeks ago at a friend's house. Brian and Mindy invited us and a few others over for dinner, and Brian saved a large pile of leaves for all the kids (and for some of the grown-ups too!)

*Don't worry...pictures of Luke are coming soon! :)

Happy Halloween! ;)

from Peter Pan, a little pumpkin, and Buzz Lightyear

Pre-K

It was kind of in the midst of craziness--I think Luke had been home from the hospital for less than a week--when Ty started school! He's in Pre-K now and loving it! He went on his first field trip last week to a pumpkin patch, which his daddy got to chaperon. It's hard to believe that my baby is now in school, we have three kids, and I not only drive but love my minivan! How did I get to this stage in life? :)

blueberry face

We have been on a pancake with blueberry syrup kick lately. This one, however, forgoes the pancakes (or waffles) and just wants the blueberries...every time! Go figure.

little artists

This art project went from paper on an easel to painting each other (glad we had our "painting smocks" on--AKA Corey's T-shirts). :)

big brothers

best buddies

my 3 sons

I was a little surprised by Ty and Drew's first reaction to Luke. They ran in the hospital room saying, "Where's the baby?" but when they saw him, they ran right past him and went to play on the other side of the room! :) I don't think they quite knew what to do with him. They started out not wanting to touch him at all, then they would poke him (and sometimes run away), but now they've progressed to gently rubbing his head or tummy and even giving him kisses! Ty has held Luke once (with my help) and even helps me "carry" him upstairs (he puts his arms out for support). They also like to run in and whisper, "Goodnight" to Luke before they go to bed. Anyway, they are proud big brothers and often talk about how they are going to protect their little brother. It's very sweet! I'm so thankful for my three boys!

saying goodbye to Nonna

My wonderful Mom got the call at 11:30 pm (12:30 Indy time) that my water broke. She didn't hesitate for a second but jumped in the car and made the 6 hour drive to be here for her grandson's birth. She said she was there for the other two, and she wouldn't miss this one for the world. She walked into my hospital room at ten 'til 7 and Luke came at 10:10. I'm so thankful you were there for the births of each of my babies, Mom! I love you!

Nonna stayed for two weeks to help with everything, and she was wonderful! She worked her tail off and loved on her grandboys. We are going to miss her!

first week at home

3 days

4 days

7 days

9 days

meet Luke Brian Smith!

He's here! Our precious baby boy! Luke was the first of my boys I carried full term! He was actually a day late! (Ty was 9 days early; Drew was 3 weeks early!) I love that he surprised us! Luke was born on 9/10/2010 at 10:10 AM! (Lots of 10's--easy to remember!) He was also our biggest baby weighing in at 8 lbs, 3 oz and 21 and 1/2 inches long! I have to say, I was kinda proud that he was an 8 pounder! ;) Luke is perfect! He has the sweetest little face, perfect features, light brown hair, and the cutest little mouth. We love him so incredibly much and are so happy to have the new addition to our family!

sweet baby

I love how big he looks in this picture...all sprawled out under the warmer!

new family of 5

dirty hands

I love this pictures because it reminds me of how much fun my kiddos have outside and of how it's almost impossible for boys NOT to get dirty. I love it. :)

reading and silly faces

the things you say...

The other night at dinner Corey asked Drew, "Can you smile?"
Drew: "No, it's dangerous."
Corey: "It's dangerous to smile?"
Drew (smiling): "Yup!"

This morning, Ty turned off the Today show I had just turned on (for a brief moment while I changed Drew's diaper) and said, "This is not appropriate." (It was the cooking segment, by the way. I think only PBS Kids would have been "appropriate" this morning. He was excitedly waiting for "Super Why.")

water guns and the hose

It doesn't take much to make these two happy. Today it was water guns and the hose. They had a blast. (I wish I had captured Drew before this moment...he was smiling. I think he melted because the hose "wasn't working." Oh well, I couldn't resist getting a shot of that face!)

tucked away

Today marks the day that I have officially been pregnant the longest of all three of my kiddos. Ty was 9 days early, Drew was 3 weeks early, but this little one is 8 days away from his due date! He's content being tucked away--warm and cozy in there. I wonder if he's going to be a laid back baby...

38 weeks (+ 3 days)

I woke up this morning at 4:30 AM with contractions! This is the first time that has ever happened to me (unlike most normal pregnant mommies!) :) Usually, my water breaks and then nothing else happens...for a long, long time. So I got up, packed my hospital bag, paid some bills, and sent a few emails. (Why not, right?) Corey was sweet...he was right beside me counting the time between my contractions. After two hours, they subsided and we went back to sleep. I had a few more contractions this morning (around 10) but nothing since then. We'll see...this little one might want to be a September baby!

flexing in snow boots (in August)

My boys love to put on their snow boots and pretend to be construction workers. Drew's outfit today, in particular, made me laugh. Here he is showing off his muscles: