jaybird family pictures, 2018

Recently my amazing sister took new family pictures and I've just been bursting to share the sweetness!!!  I'm still blown away by the gifts these three people are in my life... and seeing us captured like this is so priceless.

haven rose, five months

haven rose, two months

It is so crazy that this sweet, chunkalicious girl turned two months old yesterday!!!  Honestly, the time hasn't flown quite as fast as you'd think (with some health issues I've been having plus how bad my anxiety can be, some days are loooooooong), but Haven continues to be such a joy and comfort amidst the crazy. 

july favorites

full to overflowing

Nearly three weeks ago, our precious Haven Rose made her whirlwind arrival into our lives.  After a short but intense labor (less than two hours), our second daughter was placed in my arms.  Our hearts are bursting with love for this sweet new child as we learn her and bond.  All is going relatively smoothly so far as we adjust to being a family of four.  Rennie completely adores her little sister.  I will definitely be sharing more of this chapter of life soon, but things are quite a bit busier these days so blogging hasn't been a priority.  My recovery is going pretty smoothly so far (only a few tiny hiccups along the way).  Thank you all so much for praying throughout my pregnancy.  We definitely covet continued prayers as we raise our precious daughters.  <3  So, till I can find some time for a better life update, here are pictures to tide you all over!  :-D  Many blessings!

maternity pictures and six years married!

Recently, my lovely sister, Natalie, traipsed around a local park with us capturing beautiful family moments as we celebrate adding another sweet baby to our tribe.  So, get ready for a picture OVERLOAD (not joking), since I had a really hard time whittling down which ones to share.  :-)

a bigger step

Where's the baby?

There it is!

Oh my friends.  In the last little-over-a-month since my last post, so much has happened!  Andrew and I met with a doctor (as I shared we would).  This was what we thought was our big "next step" towards growing our family.  Little did we know that as we set up tests and researched fertility drugs that a new life was already growing inside of me.  *tears!*  God has graciously given us the gift of our third child after ten months of trying to conceive (our only baby to be conceived within what is considered a "normal" range).

renniebird... 22 months {instagram}

togetherness... just some family-picture sweetness

mamabird life {twelve}

last week a chapter of our lives ended.

it was bittersweet.

last wednesday, rennie and i flew out to indiana.  with no return tickets.

it was a crazy three and a half months living with andrew's parents with quite a bit of adjusting for all.  it was so good though.  getting extra family time and watching rennie bond with her amazing grandparents was such a blessing!  i also got the chance to know my in-laws in a deeper way and will always cherish the time we spent together watching movies, playing games, and talking!!!  (and the wonderful-albeit-slightly-stressful driving lessons my dad-in-law gave me!)

mamabird life {eleven}

mamabird life for me right now is...

- trying to keep up with my sweet, energetic toddler.  she loves to climb, follow me around (even to the bathroom), give hugs and kisses, go outside, and try on my shoes! 

- not seeing much of andrew these days.  he's been working looooooong hours, BUT has been able to use up some of his remaining personal days to have a few three-day weekends.  that has helped so much.  i'm so proud of how hard he continues to work at his job.  he is determined to finish well.

our 2016 family pictures

recently our little family trekked up to a beautiful, mountainous area with andrew's parents to *finally* take some family pictures!  yay for having something besides selfies and tripod-with-timer photos.  :-)

mamabird life {ten}

mamabird life {nine}

seeing...

piles and piles of bins!  our little home is almost entirely packed.  it's a good thing too, since our moving date has been changed to even closer!

renniebird... one year

This sweet button turned one a week and a half ago...  I lingered over her as the clock struck midnight on her special day, almost believing something would magically change, turning my baby into a little girl.  Thankfully change is more gradual than that and the *toddler* who woke that morning was my same, dear Serenity.

serenity faye's birth story

How is it possible?

My baby girl turns one tomorrow.

A couple months after her birth I wrote the events of her arrival but never shared.  Since this is the day one year ago that I started showing early labor signs, how fitting is it that this precious story is finally told?

Hope this post is a blessing and encouragement!

renniebird... eleven months

bathtime

mamabird life {six}

seeing...  

my baby turn into a toddler.  she is waddling all over the place and it is the sweetest thing!!!  she is also starting to try to climb on things, which is a little less thrilling.  *wink*

renniebird... ten months