Beautiful Baby Lauren

The hospital had a professional photographer come in when Lauren was a mere 24 hours old. I can't believe she is already 3 months. I was going to post her 3 month pictures and realized I have not shared her 24 hour pictures.

Lauren came in to our lives at 8:37 in the morning on the one of the most windy days in Chicago history. We dropped the boys' off at Aunt Wendy's house just 1 hour prior to her being born. 1 hour after she arrived the hospital was without power. If her birthday is indicative of anything look out world. (It is just an over site that her name is not Wendy Storm).

Lauren is the sweetheart of the house. We often spend a good amount of our day trying to make her smile or laugh. She is told stories of dragons, monsters, and super heros. Adam has already bought her a batman shirt (a purple and pink batman shirt). This princess will not need a prince to rescue her because I have not doubt her brothers will teach her to fight her own way out.

Welcome to our world Lauren, thank you for having more smiles than tears. Thank you for not minding loud noises. Thank you for being my daughter. I can't wait to get to know you better.

What we have been up to.

Smiles for Mommy






More smiles






Bro Bros hanging out with little sis






The boys entertaining themselves while mommy tends to little sis






The boys helping out.

Lauren Ann Hauf

37 weeks and patient.

I am sitting here trying to let go, and enjoy the kicks. I want to enjoy this kicks that are just mine and hers. A special little conversation between mother and daughter. I want to feel her move and enjoy her presence. It is just an ordinary miracle, but the best miracle of all. It is these moments that our lives should be consumed by. It is these moments that are imprinted on our hearts and minds forever.

So to the mom inside of me who is worried that someone saw a booger in the boys' nose. To the mom who is worried that their nails were dirty when Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. To the mom that gets worried by other mom's who worry or are judgmental or competitive. To the mom who gets that nervous mom sweat when her kids act out. To the mom who is worried about dumb little things...

Remember these kicks. This is life. This is a miracle. This is what I should think about as I try to fall asleep tonight. Which I guess tonight I will be because this little one is giving me quite the heartburn.

It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

Heaven is Not Too Far Away

Needless to say as Tucker has been the first major loss in the boys' life we have been talking a lot about heaven. Heaven through a child's eyes although sad is magical.

Here are some of the questions and observations of the boys'

Adam: "If we drive really fast and turn left then turn right - could we go there?"
Nathan: "Tucker barks really loud, I think I can still hear him"
Adam: (after I said we could get another dog) "I want to go to heaven and get a heaven dog"
Nathan: "I need to go feed him. He is hungry"
Adam: "His family is there."
Nathan: "It is like a dog park."