heeduhbeeduh little dude

Sammy's 1st Birthday

I was going through some old pictures today and found this...it made me really happy.

The Aquarium

Sam got some free tickets to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta from one of his students who works there. We went last Saturday...it was AMAZING!!! Here are a few pics. The kids were beyond excited and didn't want to leave.

Grandma came to town!

My mom was able to come for a week or so to help out with the babies. She took the boys on a lot of outings which was exactly what I wanted. They had so much fun and I think it helped them feel less neglected through this transition period. She got plenty of cuddle time with Vivi, too.

the boys at the park

one of the hundreds of pictures she took of Viv:)

Henry with a black eye

Pumpkin Patch!

Saddest Picture of my Life

This was taken on Henry's first day of Pre-school. It was really hard not to cry. If I had been alone I know I would have been weeping, but Sam was there and some other friends who had a kid in the class so I held it together, but this is one of the things about Motherhood that is really hard for me...the first day of school. His teacher said 5 minutes later he was playing with everyone and happy as can be. He loves pre-school now and is always excited every Tuesday and Thursday, but still, this is a harsh picture.

In the Hospital

My sweet friend Nicole took pictures in the Hospital for us. Here are some of my favorites. They make me so happy!

Vivi's Corner

I've never had an actual nursury because we've never had the space, but my nesting urge was so strong this pregnancy I was determined to give Viv her own corner at least. Here is what I came up with. The dresser I got from a little old lady antique shop for a steal, I love all the little drawers, perfect for tiny baby things. I got the frame at a thrift store for a few dollars and then made it into a chalk board. I got the basket with a target gift card and made some burp cloths (this is a big deal since I don't sew). The shoes Darci found at a thrift store, they are antique and precious. I love how it turned out. Sorry if this is boring to you, but I find a lot of joy in making things simple and pretty.

and a few of Viv...I'm in love.

Another Love of my Life

Vivienne Darci Hirt was born on October 22nd ... 8 lbs 3oz...21 inches. I will give a detailed birth story, but for now, this is a Blog post my mom asked me to write for her Blog called Circle Mothers. Here is the post...


Where Heaven and Earth Meet
How often are we able to capture the ultimate essence of "new" . . . this rare and sacred chance was made possible two days ago . . . with the birth of my granddaughter

I asked my daughter to allow us to look into her window . . .


Where Heaven and Earth Meet

A New Mother’s Thoughts…

Holding my new baby girl fresh from Heaven two days ago and crying. So overwhelmed in every way. Overwhelmed that she is mine…that I am so blessed to be the one who gets to be Vivienne’s Mom. Overwhelmed at my responsibility… taking care of this gift from Heaven, making sure her every need is met emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually. Overwhelmed by the feelings of love I have received from friends, family, strangers, and my Father in Heaven. Overwhelmed at her perfection…you can feel Heaven in the room when you look at her, everything is peaceful and bright.

When my Husband Sam and I were in the delivery room I felt this overwhelming desire to keep this space sacred. It wasn’t something I consciously decided, but I kept the TV off and didn’t get distracted by things that didn’t matter, it was just Sam and I receiving this new life into the world. The room was mostly filled with laughter while I was laboring, until the epidural wore off:) Then it was filled with breathing and pain, and holding my partner's beautiful, strong, careful hand. I had never experienced those really horrible labor pains before since I am one of those women who admit proudly to loving epidurals, they are Disneyland! It was amazing though to see what comfort just the hand of a loving partner could do to ease my burden. Just when I thought it wasn’t possible to endure any more pain here comes my princess Vivienne out of my womb and onto my belly. So beautiful in every way. Sam and I took turns warming her skin to skin. So connected.

The next few days were filled with snuggling, cramping, laughter, visitors, crying, nursing, shuffling kids from one generous friend to the next, changing diapers, figuring out this whole business again… but, throughout it all, there was always Peace. Even though the life of a Mother is a hard path, and maybe some might look at my life with 3 boys (and now a girl), juggling our busy schedules, wading through the tornado that usually is our house, the poop, the throw up, the general high volume of children playing/fighting, and think it is too much…but, at the end of the day there is peace, peace in knowing who those children really are and that what you are doing reaches much farther than the walls around you.

Written by Kim Nelson Hirt (my daughter)

cheeks!!!

I know I have been a terrible blogger. I am determined to do better. Here is a picture my Mom took this morning. It's just for cheek lovers everywhere. More Birth Stories and pictures to come...

Henry is 3!

Last Sunday was Henry's Birthday! I am completely obsessed with this child. Everything he does, every sigh and laugh is just amazing to me(I am his mom). Sam and I just look at each other like "this kid is unreal."

For instance....

2 nights ago we had put him to bed and it had been several minutes and he walks nonchalantly into the living room where me and Sam are and says "Hi Friends" like he's coming to visit.

He loves to pretend to be a puppy. He will whimper like a puppy until you say "Good boy" and then he pants in happiness.

He shares his food with the dog next door through the fence. I caught him the other day lazily sitting by the fence taking turns biting a peanut butter sandwich with Atlas.

He's really into saying "Check this out Mommy" or "Check out my toy" or whatever he is holding. If he doesn't know what he is holding he will say "Check out my this, Mommy." The other day in the car he had a dirty diaper and said very matter-of-factly, "Check out my poo, Mommy."

He says things backward like he's speaking Spanish, for instance "Check out my Dinosaur Orange, Mommy"

If the boys and/or Daddy are wrestling he will just throw his body on top of whatever mass is rolling on the floor. He always keeps up with the big boys.

He has a raspy voice and an evil laugh.

I love his gap tooth, he looks like he has hippo teeth.

He's still a little soft and chunky with big cheeks. Both the other boys were rails at this point, I love that he is still squishy.

He says "I love you" a million times a day and he loves to give tons and tons of kisses. This makes me happy.

When he is tired he wants your faces cheek to cheek and he puts his arm fully around your neck. It is so sweet.

He doesn't have a blanky or a toy he loves, he just plays with your knuckles. Sometimes when he is sad in the car I just reach back my non-driving hand and let him pinch away.

He only responds to kindness. One of the boys can demand something like a toy back that he stole, but he won't budge unless they ask really sweetly, then he gives it up immediately.

If I am trying really hard to get him to do something (usually eat healthy food) he will resist and resist, but if I start fake crying, he gives in immediately. (I know I am probably messing him up with this one, but sometimes you got to do what works:)

...just a few reasons I love Henry.

Lemonade!

The boys were excited about doing a lemonade stand to earn money. I think they are adorable:) We had so many people stop that said "I remember doing a lemonade stand and I just wanted people to stop so bad so I had to stop." So sweet! I love nice people.

I love how Luke doesn't know how to wave his hands. He hits himself in the head:)

Kindergarten Grad

This makes me so happy! When they sang this song I teared up.

Kung-fu freaks

How will the new girl survive in this environment?

I am pregnant=I am weird

So here was my initial reaction to finding out I was having a girl:

"What, that is amazing!"

Then, fear....

"I don't know what to do with a girl."

Then, defensive...

"I don't need a girl when I love my boys so much."


So, I am a freak. I kind of felt this way when I was about to have Luke, like "I love my Sammy so much, I don't need anything else."

Now I know it doesn't work that way because your love just grows and expands. I think it's just because I have taken pride for so long in being a Mom of rambunctious boys and when I looked into the future I've seen them as teens and pictured raising them and I have never pictured a girl. So yes, I'm a freak. I know I'll love this baby, and I am very excited for a little pink in my life...but a little freaked out.


SHOUT OUT:

I have a lot of friends/family that also have 3 boys. Cra-zay!

This is a shout-out to: Camila, Heather, Stephanie, Jenni, Vikki, and Holly...you're next one will be a girl...we have to keep our club alive!

And to Julia...who leads the way:)

It's a........

I know you will be able to tell just by looking at the ultrasound pictures so I will let them do the talking