Long Weekend

After my first week @ home without Chris (it went just fine, thanks to my wonderful Mama, who helped me out a TON!), I'm so happy for a long weekend! Chris took the kids to Town Lake to go canoeing and then pulled out the slip & slide when they got home. Best. Dad. EVER! Here's a quick update on the fam'.

Maya: Last 2 days of school coming up! I can't believe Kindergarten is almost over. She's had such a great year. I couldn't help but get teary-eyed at her end-of-the-year program last week. I'm so sad she'll be changing schools, even though I've heard nothing but great things about her new school. She's been a huge help to me this past week...especially in that she's been very sweet to Mason. He just adores her, and all she has to do is play near him and he's happy. She's done me one better, she's been playing with him. Gotta love it.

Mason: Mason adores Lucy. Change...not so much. He's been pretty weepy this past week. Needs a friend. Needs snuggles. Thank goodness for his sister! He's been spending lots of time with Grandma, too, which has helped. And just hunkering down and spending some family time playing Legos together has done wonders for him. Such a sweet boy.

Simon: Simon has been sick this week. And whiney. And sad. And no fun to be around. A trip to the doctor yielded a strep test (negative), so "it's just a virus". A familiar one we've had before...fever for a few days, no appetite, grumpy, but no other symptoms. After a few days the fever breaks & a mild rash appears, mood & appetite improves. That's where we're at right now. here's hoping he's even happier tomorrow. Sick babies are no fun.

Lucy: Wow, is this girl ever sweet! We're liking this girl so far! Sleepy, sleepy. Content if being held or fed. Good to sleep on her own. We are crossing fingers & toes, knocking on wood and praying that now that she's 2 weeks old, she doesn't wake up and start screaming. So far I've taken to calling her the Lucy Bear and/or LuBear, Lucy Goosie, the Luce, LuLou and Lucy Lou. She's got a wicked case of infant acne at the moment, and all that hair looks greasy 5 minutes after you wash it! But we don't mind, we think she's gorgeous. More pics coming soon.

As for Chris & I, we are hanging in there! We've had meals coming in (and still do this week - wow!), we've had so much help from family, and, well, we know that this round the clock baby action doesn't last forever. So we're snuggling it up and enjoying the Lucy-Goose.

Happy Memorial Day Monday! Hope you have a great week!

BlaBla

I had just been admiring the BlaBla dolls (via Armelle) when Chris brought home a big box of toys for the kiddos sent by some lovely coworkers of his...including 2 BlaBla dolls for Miss Lucy.

They are even cuter in person! And the only thing sweeter than gifts for the baby is gifts for the big kids, who might (are!) be going through...an adjustment period. Thank goodness for such thoughtful people! We are feeling spoiled...

The gifts all came from a new-to-me shop, Maukilo. Now there's a collection of gorgeous toys! I'm especially in love with the Haba play food...of course. It's always about the food.

Aden + Adais

Every time I have a baby, there's always a new "must-have" baby product out there for me to try. Last time, it was the Bumbo (which Simon did not dig...we'll have to see if Lucy likes it...). This time, it's the Aden + Anais swaddling blankets. One week into using them, I give them the "don't know how I ever lived without them" two thumbs up! They're amazing! The perfect size, the perfect (super-light) weight, so soft & gauzy. LOVE love love! Miss Lucy loves being snuggled up in them. Target carries a nice, lower-priced line of items, or check out their website for the original line. Highly recommended!

I Swore I'd Never Wallpaper

...but if Amy Butler thinks it's a good idea, I might have to go for it. Because if Amy's into it, I'm into it.

Check out all the options here. Drool.

Wish List

I always want a little something new to wear after I have a baby. You know, something that fits. Something that makes me feel cute (rather than chubby). Something like this...

or this...

hmm, maybe not something with this much waistline quite yet...

This might work, though. Great sleeve for the Texas summer.

Everything's Going To Be Okay

Chris goes back to work today. I always dread that after I have a baby. But...everything is going to be okay. {I really want this print. I'd hang it above my computer, just to remind me...)

A favorite quote a friend shared with me really got me thinking:

"It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace."

Pastor Francis Chan

I'm such a believer in God's hand in my life, and that I'm right where I should be. This reminded me that I need to get to work while I'm here in this great spot. Sure, baby's only a week old, I might need a little more time to bounce back (ha!), but I'm ready to get down to business here, maybe do a little good, something like that. In my spare time...;)

Happy Monday! Have a great week.

Four Cottams

That's right, count 'em, FOUR! I have to be cheesy and admit that looking at this photo overwhelms me...in more ways than one, but what I mean is...I'm feeling so, so blessed. I can't believe these little people have been sent to me. Such a blessing.

Simon - "Almost" 19 months | Maya - 6 1/2 | Mason - 4 | Lucy - 6 Days

My #1 girl, the one who broke me in to this whole parenting thing. She's quite amazing.

The world's sweetest boy - so lucky to have this one!

Then there's the one who convinced me that babies are so wonderful, we should have an unlimited # of them! Who is now the craziest, funniest little guy. (And the "unlimited" idea has gone away...)

And now, Miss Lucy Louise, the sleepiest & sweetest first-week baby of all times. (Of course, we don't expect this to last...)

She's been to the doctor every day since birth to have her little pin-cushion feet pricked. Her bilirubin levels are still high, but we're crossing our fingers that she's in the clear soon.

This makes her incredibly sleepy and hard to feed.

But a sleepy baby is hardly something a recovering-Mama is allowed to complain about! (Speaking of recovery, Lucy was my best delivery by far. A couple pushes and here she was! The fast exit caused the bruising which is causing the jaundice, but it has made for a nice recovery on my end!) :)

These guys sure love her!

Even this guy, who is still a baby himself. (Although, true to form, suddenly seems like a giant!)

He's still got a lot to learn about "being gentle", but for the most part, he's pretty interested in this little lady!

I'm sure they'll be best buds!

Of course, no one is more thrilled than this girl. Finally, a sister! (I'm partial I know, but geez, she's looking beautiful & grown up.)

I think she'd sit & do this all day long.

I have to say, I can't blame her. She's very kissable, Miss Lucy.

A few more shots for the road...

Those eyes! That hair!

She's definitely a keeper.

I think I'll hang on to the rest of them, too.

Lucy Louise

May 17, 2010 - 4:50PM
8 pounds, 12 ounces - 21 3/4 inches

Lucy means "light", which I love! And Louise is the middle name of my Grandma, Mary Louise Mason (who passed away recently) and also Chris' Grandma, Sylvia Louise Jones. (It means "Famous Warrior", which I also love. Mason's middle name Andrew means "Warrior" as well, so I'm raising my own little army, apparently.)

This was by far my best delivery (best pregnancy, too). She is a sweet, sweet girl. She's got the Cottam lip, but doesn't have the same entire face as the others have at birth. And that hair! All that dark hair!

Here's how the Cottam kids stack up, size wise:

Weight: Mason (9lb 8 oz) - Simon (8lb 13oz) - Lucy (8lb 12oz) - Maya (7lb 13oz)

Length: Mason (22 in.) - Lucy (21 3/4 in.) - Maya (21 1/2 in.) - Simon (21 in.)

What a big bunch! She'll fit right in. And we're so glad she's here!

I'm Not Sure I Can Pull Off The "Statement Necklace"

...but this makes me want to try.

I'm Obsessing About Rugs Again

This one in particular. Not sure I'm ready to take the plunge yet, though...

Outdoor Living, Anthro-Style

"Hanging out" outside while the kiddos swing + play in the sandbox would be even sweeter one of these ways...

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My Favorite...

...is a beautifully wrapped gift. Which is strange, considering that I'm the world's worst gift wrapper. (Think recycled gift bag + some recycled tissue paper...) My husband always clicks that little "Giftwrap" box when he orders online for me, and I have to say, it's always worth the extra $5 bucks.

This is my pretty Mother's Day package, from Layla Grace. (SUCH a favorite! So many things I want...)

Love the card...

LOVE & adore the bag!

It's HUGE! Big enough for toting baby + toddler stuff. Almost big enough to hide my gigantic 9 months pregnant belly! Less than one week to go...

{Like the rug? See the next post...}

Family Room Elements

I've finally got the family room mostly put together in the house. Someday I'm sure I'll take/post some "real" pics. For now, here are the elements...

3, count 'em, 3 different sizes of the gorgeous Field of Flowers rug

these pillows on the dark brown couch (they're more vibrant in person)

my favorite, favorite, most favorite ever picture

and the ever-needed reminder to keep calm...

Still needed...a few accent pieces & some additional artwork, but for now...we're good. It's my favorite room. (Well, aside from the playroom. Pics coming eventually...) It's so bright & colorful, and is a great place to just hang out & snuggle with my kiddos. So happy we're getting settled.

Grandma

My Grandma passed away last Tuesday. Although she was in her 80s, it was somewhat of a surprise. She had just sent Chris an e-mail the previous day checking to see how he was doing after having his tonsils out. I had commented on her Facebook status on Sunday. And then...she was gone.

She's my first Grandparent to pass away (surprising at my age, at least I think...) so it's been...weird. I'm not sure how to characterize how I'm feeling. Definitely the normal sadness, but sadness just doesn't seem like the right word. It's like it's own emotion, it's just easiest to describe as "sad". But it's different than just sad. It's a whole bunch of things. It's gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His great plan, in which I get to have an amazing Grandma not just here on earth, but after I die, too. Gratitude for my Grandma, her life (extremely) well-lived, her example, the wonderful father she gave me, along with the wonderful bigger family she started. Curiosity about what she's up to now. Concern for my Grandpa, who will, of course, not be the same without her. Sadness for my sweet Daddy, who will miss his Mama. And although I didn't see her often, my own sadness that she's not here anymore. So many emotions! And of course, there's my regret that, being 8 days from delivering this baby, I was not allowed to travel to be at the funeral. I know that she understands, I know that the family understands, but still. I wanted to be there.

Grandma was a really special lady. From her 3 children she had 19 (I think) grandchildren, and from there...about a million great-grandchildren. At our last family reunion, she & I were chatting and as I looked out over the huge group that made up her (our) family, I said "Grandma, you should be really proud!". Her response was "The Lord tells us not to be proud. But I'm very grateful and happy.". And she really was the most grateful and happy and positive person that I've known. She never missed my birthday...Chris' birthday...or the kids' birthdays (and the birthdays of ALL THOSE GREAT-GRANDKIDS!). She sent the kids a $2 bill on their birthday every year, and they loved that. She was awesome.

I will miss her. But I am "grateful and happy" to have had this special lady in my life. God be with you 'til we meet again, Grandma!