Christmas Catch Up, Part III

Ok, I promise this is it :) Photos, 1000 words, you fill in the captions :)

Photo by John Paul.  Quite the stager.  Nativity at Hogwarts.

Happy Birthday Aunt Amanda!

Man, she looks good for 16 doesn't she?!  Aunt Amanda...we hope your day is awesome.  We love you!!

Raise a glass to your first birthday as a MOM.

It's a...GIRL!!!

Yep.  My little brother, Daniel, and his wife, Amanda, had a baby girl tonight.  (Well, Amanda did all the hard work, Daniel was a great cheerleader.)

Ava Marie (seriously, is that not one of the prettiest names you've ever heard?)
5:38pm
6lbs. 2oz.
17.5in.

Scott went to 9:30 Mass with the kids this morning, while I stayed home with Luke.  He didn't see D&A there and none of us had heard from them.  So, on my way to 11:30 Mass, I called Daniel and said (with a touch of sarcasm), "So, are you at the hospital?"  HAHA.  Joke's on me.  They had a long night, but Ava arrived safe and healthy this afternoon.  I have to say, it's weird being on the other side of childbirth.  I was anxious all day waiting for the texts from Daniel.  Then, we journeyed up to the hospital tonight and it was just breathtaking.  Parenthood suits them well.

After being in the NICU for so long, I've come to appreciate that whole "miraculousness" of childbirth.  No doubt in my mind that every birth has a healthy dose of that grace.  Praise GOD their's was blissfully normal...as it should be.

Oh, Daniel and Amanda...life will change.  And, I know you've heard that like a bazillion times.  But it's so darn true.  A new chapter.  A new life.  If I could bundle all the bits of advice people have given us, package it and send it your way, I would.  But, that's called life experience and best lived, rather than heard.  Just know you have our love, our prayers and our kids' germs.  They can't wait to really love on Ava.  I'll make sure they're sanitized first :-)

And, because I'm kindof a sap these days...Daniel, I'm quite proud to be your big sister.  You and Amanda just looked so happy when I walked in that room tonight.  Amanda, so confidently nursing that baby.  You, making sure they had everything they needed.  It reminded me of how precious and new life is, the first time around.  I love that you gave me the best hug ever.  I found myself looking forward to Ava and Luke being good buddies.  Her, making sure he doesn't fall for a really icky girl.  Him, protecting her from all the icky boys.  Dadhood is the best and no doubt you will come to cherish Amanda's role in her vocation of motherhood.  Watching her care for Ava will most definitely bring tears to your eyes and your prayer life to its knees.  Amanda, seeing Daniel dote on a daughter will allow you to appreciate, on a whole other level, the relationship between a father and daughter.  (insert squeal of excitement here)  I am SO excited for the chapter.  It looks like you are, too.

I will post some fantabulous pictures later in the week.  Promise.  Here's a peek from Amanda.

Now for some good news

I thought sharing some fun pics from ALG's 4th birthday might brighten the blog this week - and my day :-)

Because of the pending move, we weren't sure what state the house (and we!) would be in come Anna-Laura's birthday. This one was all my mom's idea and it was brilliant. Nana, Aunt Amanda, ALG and I met for a morning of shopping and pampering. It was awesome. Clearly, the birthday girl felt treated right.

If you live in Austin, you must visit Polkadots, a cupcake factory. Shannon, thanks for getting us addicted. We wanted to find a cute cake and we stumbled upon this one...I'd go so far to say it's the cutest stinkin' cake I've ever seen. But, then again, you haven't seen what else this bakery can do. Anna-Laura lu-uved it.

This photo just cracks me up. She was waiting at the table, not so patiently, for all of us to gather 'round and start the singing. I mean, cake IS why one has a birthday party, is it not?

My brother, the photojournalist, took most of these. He's our official birthday photographer. Par usual, he's not in any of them. Daniel, at Clare's birthday, I'm taking one of you, deal? And, you get payback when it's your kiddo's turn at the candles!

Notice the festive "Merry Christmas" plates? Yes, this is what happens when you spend more time hunting the perfect cake and totally space on the plates and napkins. 4 kids. Pregnancy brain. Whatever.

It was a low-key, family birthday, and the birthday girl felt like a princess. Birthday party a success!

Hip, Hip Hooray!

Another baby is on the way!!! Clearly, we are not the culprits this time (you've already heard our fantastic news), but another little Farnum IS on the way. My brother, Daniel, and his lovely wife, Amanda, are expecting bambino number one December 13. Can you say excited?!

Their news came a couple of weeks ago and I think my brother's feet finally hit the ground this weekend. He and Amanda have permanent grins on their faces. Love that.

Scott's brother and his wife broke us into being "Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Scott," but this time around it's a little different. It's my little brother who is about to be a dad, okay my younger brother. He is 6' tall.

These two babies Amanda and I are carrying will share a special bond, I hope - being nearly the same age and growing up near one another. I wish I could bottle up all the amazing things that Scott and I have experienced and hand the package with gleeful excitement over to them, but I can't. Some things in life you just have to experience. Parenthood is at the top of that list.

So, to Daniel and Amanda, here's to your great new adventure...the best one you'll ever take.

First Communion!

Is that the face of a proud little boy, or what? Saturday evening, we journeyed up to the parish for Will's First Communion. Now, as a convert, I had my first communion, along with confirmation, about an hour before my wedding. My fancy white dress with a veil, proud parents and nervous energy were for a totally different sacrament! To be on the other end, the convert Mom whose son was making his First Communion, was a rush of emotions. It's difficult to eloquently express the pride, the love, the joy and the twinge of sadness Scott and I experienced on Saturday. But, I'm gonna give 'er a whirl.

The family arrived early for pictures and a very special Godmom joined the bunch. La, it was an HONOR having you here. Thank you for bringing your sweet spirit and Fr. Kevin's joy along with you. We certainly felt his presence and we are thankful you both are a permanent part of our family. Granny, we hope the day brought back some sweet memories for you as you reflected on Scott's First Communion. Mom and Dad, thank you for being such supportive grandparents, being truly present - physically and spiritually - for all these moments. Cory and Jennifer, we know an illness with Master Alex kept you from being here in person, but we felt the prayers. Daniel and Amanda, you have no idea how happy we were to see both of you there. I know life was meant to take you to Louisiana on Saturday, Aunt Amanda, but having you here meant more than you know. Daniel, thanks for the squeeze when I saw Will step up on that altar...

As happy as these three were to see Will on his big day, I think they might've been more motivated by the promise of cake at the reception if they made good choices. Hey, we're not above bribery.

Will and his buddes, Evan and Connor.

Is it me or do these guys look like they're 80 and discussing last night's game?

So sweet, so innocent and a wee bit mischevious. Love that.

The whole gang.

I know, stop with the cuteness, right?

One very happy second grader.

The tie. Always the tie. Dad had to do some straightening.

I think Dad was a little jealous Clare got the first sip and not him.

Clare was the hug bunny at the party afterwards.

Will, it is my prayer that you will someday know the happiness we experienced on your special day. First Communion is more than the sharp blazer, dashing tie, big smile and praying hands. It's about something much more - the beginning of a beautiful relationship with God. When I joined the Catholic church 13 years ago (wow, has it been that long?), the Eucharist is what drew me to consider the conversion. Experiencing Jesus himself, not merely a symbol, in that bread of life has brought me peace. Peace in knowing that everyday we make mistakes, but there is always forgiveness and always love.

When your Dad and I watched you make those steps confidently up the altar to receive the Eucharist, we were overwhelmed with God's presence. I think I gasped for a breath because it was so beautiful. YOU were beautiful. HE was beautiful. That moment will forever be etched in my mind.

I'm so proud to be your mom.

Happy, Happy Birthday Aunt Amanda!

To a great aunt, we wish many blessings today. Shoot, you're still in your 20s. What's not to celebrate, right? I am incredibly thankful to have you as a sister-in-law. You've seen me at my worst (really, you have) and hopefully at my best. You're always willing to help with the kids - which they love and we totally appreciate - and you love my brother with all your heart. What more could a sister ask for?

Make it a great Aunt Abanda (as John Paul so lovingly says). We love you lots!!

The Dark Knight Parties

Yes, TWO weeks ago we celebrated the big day for John Paul. Can you tell I'm behind in the photo department? He started talking about this year's birthday party exactly two days after his birthday last year - no lie. The kid has obsessed about his party. Gee, wonder where he gets that from. Weird.

Anyhoo, the black-caped crusader invaded our house and the kids had a blast. We made bat planes (which I thought they would love because they could decorate them...silly me, these are BOYS, we had planes flying all over the house), played Bat Collector outside and did a little "Riddler" clue game that led us to cake and ice cream sandwiches. John Paul loved being the center of attention and I stood in disbelief that his funny self would be in Kindergarten this fall. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we've already started talking about next year's party...The Joker. We'll see how it all pans out. Mom still has 3 more parties to go before summer!!

As a sidenote, I just have to say, I love birthdays. I've never understood why other people don't feel the same. It's the day you started life people, what's not to celebrate??!! So, without further adieu, proof of the fun...

The wind-up...this is my absolute favorite photo. It captures him perfectly. Once again, kudos to the amazing Uncle D who documents every family birthday. You rock.

Getting "happy birthday's" from Uncle Cory & Aunt Jennifer

Oh, and lest you think I skimped on the QOTW this week, here it is:

"Mom, I'm so lucky I get to have TWO parties this year!"John Paul, commenting on how he celebrated at school, on his actual birthday, and on Saturday at the Batman party.