Siblings..

Laylie Joanelle 

Rael Gracelynn

Holton Peter 

Being A Family Of 5 For A Week...

There is something so special about a newborn. Their tiny little body sleeping on your chest, the way they coo and make those adorable little sounds, and the way they smell so delightful. We are soaking it all in as much as we can and I am loving every second of it. I must admit that we are adjusting pretty well now that it has been a full week.

Holton - He is a complete delight to our family. He is the sweetest baby and hardly ever cries unless he wants to be changed, fed, burped or put to sleep. He has already put himself on a little sleeping schedule, and we all want to hold him all day long. This mama really really likes her sleep, but for some reason this 3rd little baby is extra special because I now enjoy being woken up in the middle of the night. It is just me and him, the house is quiet, and there is no one else for me to take care of but him. I have extreme love for this tiny little baby and maybe it's because I now know how fast they grow up.

Rael - My sweet little firecracker and passion-for-life little girl - she is having the biggest adjustment to having a new baby in the house. It took her a while before she wanted to get close to Holton, even though we knew she couldn't wait until he arrived. She is noticing that she isn't the baby anymore and is now a big sister. Day by day, Jason and I are noticing that she is wanting to hold him, brush his hair, or kiss his cheek - we encourage it all. We are giving her extra love and letting her know that she will always be our special little girl forever.

Laylie - Holton's second mama. The instant she wakes up in the morning, she runs into our room and wants morning snuggles with her new baby brother, She sits on the couch for several hours holding him and talking to him if his tiny eyes are opened. During our first shopping trip to Target with the entire family, she felt so big pushing his stroller around all by herself. Laylie sure is in love with her little brother and with her help I feel like I just might be able to handle 3 kids by myself when Jason goes back to work.

Jason - My helper, my rock, my amazing husband, and the best loving daddy. He is always there in the middle of the night willing to change a diaper, burp him, or get anything that the girls or I may need. We both are always running close to empty at the end of the day, and he never complains. He is there when I am really happy and also when I feel like I can't do it all. I am so thankful!

This Mama - Feeling extremely blessed and truly thanking the Lord for my family. At times, I am on a complete high with so much energy because I am loving this life! And there are moments where I get really overwhelmed easily by just having a few visitors over. Friday night, when my milk fully came in, so did my hormones. I cried and cried like every other mother of a newborn has done. I cried about Rael having a hard time adjusting, I cried about Laylie asking me to do things while I am nursing that I can't do for her until Holton finishes, I cried about hoping that I am a good mom, and I cried some more about tiny little things that don't even matter. On top of it all I was coming down with a breast infection, so that didn't help either. In the middle of the night, I was woken up and couldn't go back to sleep, as God put on my heart that I could call on Him at any moment and He would give me grace. He reminded me about this verse 2 Corinthians 12:9 "...finally He said to me, "My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness." I need to remember this daily as I begin this new stage of my life. I woke up so refreshed and ready to conquer anything. My heart is full, my life is great, and I am fully enjoying each moment of every day. I cannot put into words how much I love being a mom and I am truly living my dream.

This week has been complete BLISS and we LOVE having Holton in our lives -

Holton's first sponge bath 

Holton even met his best friend Kian who was born 3 weeks before him. Jason and Brian have been best friends since Kindergarten and now they are proud papas of boys. 

First morning snuggles 

First outing to a park for a picnic 

Children are a gift from the Lord and we are so grateful He has gifted us with our 3 amazing treasures that we adore with all our hearts. 

Our Baby Boy - Holton Peter Has Arrived...

Holton Peter White 

Saturday, May 9th at 3:17 pm
8 lbs 13 oz & 21 inches 

Saturday morning I had a few contractions, which started our day with us thinking that maybe we would be able to meet our little boy sometime during the weekend. After snuggling in bed with the girls and making breakfast for the family, the contractions stopped. We decided to get ready for the day and head off to the Rancho Santa Fe golf course to walk a 2 mile loop around the beautiful grounds. I had a few more contractions that I was able to breathe through while waddling like a duck. After finishing the walk, everything stopped again. I started feeling a little disappointed because I was so completely excited to meet Holton. When we arrived at home, I took a nap - I slept so soundly, but after an hour and a half of sleeping, at 1 pm I was woken up with some very strong contractions. I knew things were getting started, as the contractions were already 1 minute apart. I called for Jason to start packing the car, and without any notice he ran around completely stressed out like a chicken with its head cut off, but also trying to seem so calm. He was able to call my doctor, my mom, and my sister, to let them all know that we were heading to the hospital. With a couple of more contractions, my water broke with a gush of water. Laylie so sweetly offered to clean the floor, and then grabbed 1 square of toilet paper and gave it her best shot. She also grabbed me some new shorts from my bottom drawer to replace the soaked ones I was wearing. She then ran downstairs to wash the dishes and get the entire house ready for us to leave. I truly have an amazing 5 year old! I knew now that we should head to the hospital. Once my parents arrived, we kissed Laylie goodbye, and Rael was upstairs taking a nap. Jason drove like a race car driver and I continued to tell him to calm down and that I didn't feel any pressure yet. I laughed and joked with him that he would love to have a home birth. My mom followed close behind our car to the hospital with us. Around 2 pm, we finally arrived, and I tried my best to walk into the labor and delivery area, We saw our doctor, Dr. Cap, in the hallway and he told me he would be back to see me in 30 minutes after he finished a medical procedure in the operating room. He told my nurse to be careful with me because I am a "tricky one" and that my babies come fast without notice. We signed in, and Jason was now as calm as can be. We breathed through a few more contractions in our labor room, while I leaned on him for support. Then I decided to lay in bed for a moment as Lisa and my mom rubbed my feet. Jason was right by my side telling me to breathe "in/out". I answered the nurse's questions and signed a few papers as the contractions were getting more intense, I tried my best to breathe through each one, but the nurse noticed that something changed in my face, and she asked if I wanted to push. I told her I did and that she should check me. What wonderful news she told us: "You are 9 centimeters, and almost ready!" 5 minutes later, Dr. Cap walked in and told me that it was time to have our baby boy. Just like at every other birth of mine, when I hear those words, I always have tears of joy. My heart gets so full of emotions: I get to meet my baby in just a few short minutes, I freakin' finished labor, and now life is going to change again in a beautiful way. After a few tears, I pushed 3 times and Holton Peter was in my arms at 3:17 pm. I brought Holton up to my chest and he let out his first cry and melted right into my chest. That instant, I completely fell in love with my little boy and knew that God gave me a precious gift. He is so beautiful! He has my lips, Jason's toes, and looks just like his sister Rael. Jason and I could not believe that our baby boy was born so healthy, so perfect, and so adorable. A few hours later, Laylie and Rael arrived to meet their brand new baby brother. We were now officially a family of 5! We are in love with our little guy and we all cannot get enough of him. He is perfect in every way!

And to my amazing husband, Jason - Thank you for always being my rock through each labor and being by my side. Every birth that we conquer together we fall deeper in love. I am so grateful for you and I love you more than words can say.  Cheers to raising 3 beautiful children together!