One Month with Beckham

Our little guy is growing so very fast and so is our love for him.

He's just a dream baby and he's quickly found his special little spot in our family.  

It seems that even Elle can't remember life without him now.  

When she wakes up, his is the first face she wants to see (and kiss and slobber on)

Already a pound heavier than Elle was at this age.  And we're not surprised in the least.  When he's not sleeping, you will most certainly find this little man eating . . .and eating and eating some more.

 Our sweet little sleeper dreams away most of the day.

(Much to Elle's disappointment)

She could stare at him all day long!

He's still unsure :)

When she's not playing the role of big sis, Elle and I are soaking up every bit of this perfect Spring weather.  Going down the slides is OK - but it's the climbing UP that makes this girl super happy.

She loves a challenge!

And she's hard to keep up with.

Elle has given up on walking.  She's only got one speed now - FAST....

Until...she crashes!

Sweet little girl loves so well - even her baby dolls.

In other Knotts family news, we finally feel like we're making progress on the house renovation. 

This weekend we picked out counter tops 

(with the help of Baby B)

SO very many choices!

And I'm sure no one is at ALL surprised that I picked marble.

I just can't WAIT to see it in the new kitchen.

Lots of love from our family to yours,

Emily 

Life Lately

Still so hard to believe that we're a family of FOUR!

These first few weeks have been filled with challenges; yet in the midst of finding our new normal, we've seen SO many glimpses of God's provision and grace.  So many visits from friends, meals delivered, and hours of babysitting from our sweet family.  We are beyond grateful!

Just this morning, as I was attempting to navigate the aisles of Harris Teeter with our two littles (one in particular who was endlessly begging for cookies at 9 am)- I was reminded of how much God cares for us. 

Feeling slightly overwhelmed and defeated, a sweet mom came up to me with an understanding smile on her face: "How far apart are they?" she asked.   

Secretly afraid of another "What were you thinking" response, I sheepishly answered: "17 months."  Instead of a look of pity, however, her face lit up!  "Mine are too," she pointed down the aisle to her 3 and 4 year old boy and girl holding hands and giggling.  

"They're best friends!  That first year was tough; but now I can't imagine one without the other.  It's been the greatest blessing."

It was as if she had read my mind (or maybe she just noticed my well worn workout clothes, disheveled hair, and half opened box of animal crackers spilling out of my cart.)  Or just maybe, God placed her on that cereal aisle for a very specific purpose.  Perhaps she gathered I needed that little glimpse of hope; because as she turned away to follow her little ones, she reminded me of one of my favorite lines:  "The days are long; but the years are short."  I could have hugged her real tight right then and there.  A stranger.  In the grocery store.  But it was just what I needed at just the right time.

{Big sis helping to give Baby B a sponge bath}

We really are so very blessed by sweet Beckham!  He's just the sweetest and most cuddly baby boy.  

I feel like I might jinx myself if I type this; but at nearly one month old, he really rarely cries and only wakes once or twice at night for a quick meal!  He spoils us rotten.  

And Elle...well she's just the sweetest big sister I could have imagined.  She covers him sweetly with his blanket, gives him his paci when he cries, and helps burp him (sometimes a little too vigorously) after he's eaten.  She loves "her baby" fiercely and I love her just a little bit more for it!

I know time will go all too quickly and before I know it, I will be the mom with the three and four year old holding hands in the grocery store.  Until then, we'll take LOTS and lots of walks together: my two little buddies!

Welcome Beckham Gabriel Knotts

He's HERE! And we couldn't be more thrilled!

Beckham Gabriel Knotts

6 lbs 14 oz  and 20 inches long

After a long and complicated labor with Elle, we were overjoyed to have quite the opposite experience with baby Beckham!  We were barely at the hospital for 24 hours before being discharged to go home.

 Already loved by so many grandmothers!

Passing his tests with flying colors.

 BUT life at home has been pretty crazy.  I've quickly discovered that raising two under two isn't for the faint of heart.

(A quick Target trip for milk turned into quite the adventure when we realized we couldn't all fit in a regular cart anymore.  Movin' on up to the big carts!)

We are certainly counting our blessings, though.  Elle seems to be in love with her tiny little brother and has been SO helpful and loving.  No signs of jealousy at all.  In fact, when she wakes up in the morning, the first thing she wants to do is find this squishy face:

And Beckham...well so far, he's just the most chill, cuddly, and easy baby!  He's seems pretty content wherever he is whether it be walking, hanging out in his bouncy seat, or just wrapped up in mama's arms.  He's even started sleeping some four hour stretches at night!  

We love you, Baby B and are so very thankful to God that he created such a sweet little miracle!

"I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good."

Psalm 52:9