With Smiles Like These...

...Who has time for blogging?

**I must post about Ajay turning three on March 19th 

and about Zakary starting to crawl at 5-1/2 months old!**

Little Z

He's five months and one week old.

He's been scooting for 2 months and really moving across the floor these days...

Rolled from back to belly a few days ago...

I predict he will be crawling before the month is over...

He sort of allows Ajay to ride on him 'froggy back' style...

He is constantly moving unless his daddy is making a face or gesture in his direction...

Zakary wants to be a bird, I think (he flaps his arms like a fledgling!) 

He runs like Luigi whenever his feet are off the ground (maybe he'd rather be a Mario Brother)...

He coos and babbles loudly and constantly (okay, so he's aspiring to be exactly like Ajay)...

He definitely said, "Momma" (by accident, but still my heart!)... 

****

These days are unpredictable and trying with two, 

but this big baby blue can turn each one of us round right 

with his generous, wholehearted smile.

'Tis a gift to be free.

Thank you, Zakary!

Good Afternoon...

Someone needs a nap.

Four Months!

Dear Bree,

Here you go!

Love,

Bryce

In four months we've seen Zakary come alive with personality, wiggles, giggles, and smiles...

He rolled belly-to-back about two weeks ago and is so close to rolling back-to-belly...

He is active and interested in all things Ajay...

He babbles and bubbles 24/7...

He smiles with his entire face and lights up the whole room...

He is super strong, pushy, and sweaty...

He is cuddly, warm, and sweet...

He is still so little but as heavy as a beef cake (Weighs about 17 pounds?)...

He's creamy and chubby and absolutely perfect!

We are so glad he is ours!

Splish, Splash

Two is New

Transition. Elation. Reality. Patients. Endurance. Excitement. Exhaustion. Partnership. Understanding. Forgiveness. Grace. Enjoyment. Balance. Flexibility. Thankfulness. Willingness. Change. Foresight. Adjustments. Relaxation. Flow. Acceptance. Maturity.
Outward. Upward. Appreciation. Gratitude. Togetherness. Tenderness. Oneness. Adoration.

Adored, Too

From Bree's living room (and blog) straight to my heart.  

This family pulls and tugs on my heart-strings like no other.

I have so much to say about each one of them, 

but with dinner to be made and children to be held,

I will sum it up this way.

Each one of you has given with your presence, never taken away.

Each one of you has loved our little family, always unconditionally.

Each one of you has helped us transition, more than I imagined could be done.

Thank you, Bree & Todd.

Thank you, Evan & Chloe.

Sweet Sleep

 Here are our favorite few closeups for you!

He's Here!

We are so pleased to announce the arrival of our second child,

Zakary Ellex Schroeder!

 Born at home on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

at 2:14 a.m.

weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces,

measuring 21 inches long

 Ajay has joyfully taken on his new role as Big Brother and is adjusting well.

I am looking forward to sharing our second home birth story with all of you!

More photos to come...

Today Is The Day!

 It has begun!!

Birthing Ajay was amazing and I confess nothing less than amazing with this Baby's birth.

I am so honored to be a woman.

We're laboring today

and dancing 

and 'brrmming' 

and laboring some more.

Chris and I will keep you posted!

Thanks for your prayers, blessings, and support.

Our Stuff

Ajay stuff...

 ---Rolling around everywhere all the time, stretching and growing---

---Dancing in Spirit and in Truth, singing all manner of songs, especially anointed music by Isreal Houghton---

---Toting "Big Boy Frog" around with him everywhere.  Here, Frog is going for a ride on "Daddy Frog's" shoulders around the block (the cardboard sidewalk)--- 

---Playing in the rain in his organic, PVC-free rain jacket from Granny--- 

---Taste testing the fat raindrops--- 

---Building things with headlights and brake lights--- 

---Creating things specifically for certain characters to drive.  This one has "a cab for Lego Ajay"---

 Daddy stuff: 

---When Chris isn't in the "offick"= office, Ajay is right by his side, in his arms, or on his shoulders--- 

--Doing yard work together, building together, and just being together--

Mommy stuff:

--Treasuring these last days with our family of three--

--Anticipating Ajay's involvement in the homebirth of our new baby--

--Celebrating the arrival of fall, and the month of October, and the signs of light labor!--