Josiah at 1 month, First Bath, & Easter Blessings!

Being the photo-journalist that I am, this post if full of pictures from over the past month or so. I'm not much of a writer, but to me a picture is worth a thousand words!

It is so hard to believe our baby Josiah has been in our family for 7 weeks now! He is such a good, patient baby. That was one of my biggest prayers over the months that I was expecting him, was that he would be a good, happy baby- and God has truly answered that prayer. He is on a good eating/sleeping schedule now which helps out tremendously with having two other little ones. I never knew I could love having a baby boy as much as my little girls... I think I've fallen in love again!

The next few pictures were taken the day Josiah was 1 month old.

Josiah got his first bath at one month old. He really seemed to enjoy it except for the fact he was ready for his next feeding. But, boy, he felt good after that nice warm bath and a full belly =)

Of course, the girls had to help, especially Julie.

Julie loves helping take care of baby brother. I just know she will be a great mommy someday.

And now... Bathtime for the girls!

Alyson LOVES baby brother's elephant towel. She is so funny- after bathtime she enjoys running around in the house with just her diaper and hooded towel on. These years will go by too fast!

One of Julie's favorite things to do right now is take a bubble-jet bath in the jaccuzi tub. When you turn on the jets it turns into Bubble City!

Haven't you ever combed your hair with a fork?

Another one of Julie's favorite things to do is swing and sing. She makes up songs to Jesus.. I think she may become a song writer someday =) She is really good now at swinging by herself without having to be pushed. She can go really high!

Now this is the life... can it get any better than this?

This picture turned out a little blurry (I know- I wasn't quite in my photographer mode!) but I thought it was a sweet picture of Josiah's face.

One of my favorite things in the evenings is the sunset view behind our house. It is amazing to see all the different colors and designs God creates for us to enjoy. This particular evening was amazing. The picture doesn't show it's justice, but the sky was so orange and the sun was like a big flaming ball of fire.... wait, that's because it is=) Anyway- it was beautiful.

Easter 2009

I love Easter time. It is a wonderful time to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. What love He has for us- that he died to pay for our sins! As believers in Him we don't have to carry that burden anymore- He has paid it in full! I am so thankful he has forgiven me and washed my sins away so one day I can live eternally in that Heavenly home. Thank you, Jesus!

This year our church hosted the Easter Eggstravaganza in the new Kidzone building where tons of kids came to gather eggs galore! I took Julie and her cousin, Cambry. They had a great time as they left with lots of candy-filled eggs. They even had their picture with the Easter Bunny!

My sweet friends, Stephanie (from Memphis) and Libby (from Tulsa), and their husbands came to visit Easter weekend. They got to come by for lunch and visit on Saturday. I just love when they get to come into town. We always try and make it a point to get together and visit when they're here visiting their families. We've had to learn the hard way that life and close friendships are too precious to take for granted. Some friends come and go throughout life, but they are the kind of friends you have for a lifetime.

Above: Josh and Stephanie Brown (holding Josiah)

Below: Libby and Wyatt Wagner

That evening (Easter Eve) my family came over to eat and dye Easter eggs. I don't think my sister and I have ever missed a year of that tradition- It's always fun to see how creative you can be and who can make the most beautiful egg.... or shoud I say most interesting? (see Rachel's below)

Mom and Josiah

Some of Josiah's first smiles!

Daddy and Julie

Ok, this picture made me realize all of a sudden that my little Julie isn't so little anymore... look how long those legs are! And how much longer she is than Josiah next to her!

Easter Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Gray's

This is how Josiah spent most of his Easter.

Julie eating her favorite thing: a cookie; and standing next to one of her favorite people: cousin Cambry

Alyson and Aunt Amber

Considering the VERY rainy day, I didn't get any good pictures of the kids outside in their Easter clothes and Alyson wasn't feeling good that day, so she wasn't in the best picture taking mood, so this is about it. My external flash which I use for indoor photography shoots is in the shop being fixed (I dropped it during a shoot) and I didn't realize my ISO was turned up too high and some other setting off, so they aren't great shots, but I'm thankful I got some on that special day!

Josiah and his Daddy wearing their blue sweater vests. That morning after I had dressed Josiah, Brandon was a pretty proud daddy of that little boy. He just smiled at him and said, "That's my boy." They were both pretty handsome =)

Monday night Grandma Patsy and Grandpa Randy had their kids and grandkids over to hunt eggs and for some Popeye's Chicken (which by the way was my first time to eat it-- It was delicious!)

They had eggs everywhere! The kids had a blast as they ran around as fast as their little legs could take them, throwing eggs into their baskets.

Grandma Patsy and Alyson

Julie on the hunt!

Josiah and Aunt Amber got to hang out for a while. He gave her smiles several times, and each time I missed them with the camera!

Chad, Cody, Amber, Cambry, Josiah and Julie

Grandma Patsy and Grandpa Randy with their 5 grandchildren: Cody and Cambry, Julie, Alyson and Josiah

Josiah and cousin Cambry

Josiah and a very proud big cousin, Cody. He was so excited to have another boy in the family!

Grandma Patsy and Josiah

Grandpa Randy with his two grandsons, Josiah and Cody