"Want to come to sissy, Henary?"

These are the words of Ruby, when she is feeling particularly fond of her brother.

Nothing better than some sibling snuggles, jammies, and morning cartoons.

Baby Wearing.

Ruby wanted aunt McCall to carry Samantha doll on her back when they went up the stairs. This turned into Ruby wanting to carry Samantha on her own back, which meant me following Ruby around holding the doll to her back. When, light bulb, I had an idea, "Ruby do you want to put Samantha in a carrier on your back like we did with you when you were a baby?" She was sold.

I forgot I had these beautiful baby wraps that Mal brought home from Mexico back when I didn't have any children yet.

This was my Samantha doll when I was young. Her head fell off once and I was completely mortified and scared to tell my parents. I sheepishly walked out to my dad who was mowing the lawn, and stood there in silence. Finally I responded to my dad's "What?" and my words came out a mile minute, "Samantha's head fell off!" This story is a family classic.

Watching American Idol, still wearing Samantha.

Cooking some dinner, still wearing Samantha.

Eating a cookie straight from the oven, still wearing Samantha.

We had to pry Samantha off when it was time for bed. I hope she likes her new sibling as much as she likes all her dolls and stuffed animals.

In love.

With our little babe...babe #3. This will be the name of our newest addition until we get to meet him/her in August. Today was our 20 week ultrasound, so we got a sneak peak. Everything went well, and no red flags stood out to the tech. I feel very relieved, happy, and grateful. My heart has been full all afternoon. The suspense of the ultrasound was in the health and growth of our babe, so finding out the gender really was irrelevant...and Hugh and I are excited for the surprise come August. Babe #3 was kicking and grooving and stretched across my belly with its little bottom poking out and its feet tucked underneath (right above my bladder...explaining my frequent trips to the bathroom). Tonight when I showed Ruby one of the pictures the tech printed for us, she excitedly asked if we should put it in her room. She quickly raced into her room and I helped her put it on her shelf next to hers and Hughie's framed ultrasound pictures. She was pleased. I really think she is going to be a great big sister. I learned this with Hughie and I'm learning it all over again...love for your children only multiplies with each one, never divided between them.

the babe's little body all curled up in the womb

and a darling little foot

Tonight, in the midst of my excitement about this new little babe, my heart does ache a bit for our sweet Hughie. The ultrasound today was so different than Hughie's and looking back I realize just how concerned the tech was about Hughie from the start...the feeling in the room was like night and day. But as imperfect as Hughie may have seemed at his 20 week ultrasound, he really is more perfect than I could ever hope to be. And although our journey with Hughie was difficult and tumultuous, I'm not sure I would want to give it all back. Sure I wish everyday that I could just hold my little man, but tonight, as I looked at the ultrasound pics of my three precious children, I really felt so blessed. I'm grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for these blessings, and the bitter and sweet lessons that are learned from being a mother.