365:148 - miss amur's visit

365:148

(notice every boy is on Amber's lap)

Amber (who Samuel calls "Miss Amur") came over to visit today! It was such a blessing because my parents just left yesterday and it was feeling a little lonely around here. Amber is one of my dearest friends who has been such an encouragement especially during our time in CA! Today was no exception as we shared stories and she served me through washing dishes and fruit for me :) She also sat for over an hour holding Gabriel while he slept! It was so sweet!

(5.28.14)

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365:147 - piggy bank and tummy sleeper

365:147

The boys have a piggy bank that they just LOVE putting coins in! Joshua gives them both some change almost every night. 

Here we have our little tummy sleeper! He's great.

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365:146 - train tracks!

365:146

Joshua went to IKEA yesterday and came home with a LOT of train tracks for the boys to add to their existing collection! It's nice because there are enough trains for everyone to have some and the boys can even make their own tracks!

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365:145 - early morning reading

365:145

Starting the day off right reading some The Little Engine that Could from cousin Didi!

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365:144 - a visit from cousins

365:144

My mom's cousin Didi and her husband Steve came to visit from San Francisco bearing lots of toys and books for the big boys! Didi is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Steve is a Neonatologist so needless to say, they were both in their elements being around our toddlers and newborn baby! Didi ran around with the boys and their new balls with so much energy and Steve held Gabriel is such care! It was so nice to spend some time with them :)

(5.24.14)

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365:143 - strawberries and grandparents

365:143

Finally, we had a few strawberries grow before Benjamin (the vermin) was able to eat them all! So Joshua gathered some, washed them, and let the boys devour them!

Later in the evening, Grandpa read a book to the big boys while Grandma held Gabriel :)

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365:142 - kid cuisine

365:142

Don't judge me ;) We had an opportunity to go on a date while my parents watched the big boys so I gave the boys Kid Cuisines for dinner. It was later in the day and I realized I hadn't taken a photo yet, so here it is :

(5.22.14)

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365:141 - tummy time and brother time

365:141

Our first attempt at tummy time! And some brother time to top off the evening :)

(5.21.14)

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365:140 - miss lauren and first bath

365:140

Praise the LORD for our sweet friend Miss Lauren! She has taken the boys numerous times since we brought Gabriel home to play with and show love and attention to! The boys have been showing lots of signs of needing attention and Lauren has done a pretty good job at loving them during this transition. We are super thankful for her and her sweet spirit and love for the boys!

This evening pictured was also Gabriel's first bath at home :)

(5.20.14)

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365:139 - First day home

365:139

Our first night home went really well! Benjamin slept and ate great. Don't worry, y'all! We don't keep the elephant in his bed while he's sleeping. Joshua just placed Elephant in there for the photo :)

(5.19.14)

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365:138 - dr. yuan

365:138

This is a shot of me with our doctor, Dr. Francis Yuan! We love her! I started seeing her early on in the pregnancy and found that I really liked her and respected her opinion when it came to prenatal medicine! Also early on in the pregnancy, we decided that I would be induced early which also allowed for Dr. Yuan to deliver Gabriel which was SUCH a blessing! Thankful for great doctors!

(5.18.14)

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365:137 - brothers

365:137

This was the most precious moment when my older boys met their younger brother! I didn't get a great photo of Benjamin meeting Gabriel, but they will come, I'm sure :) Samuel just ADORES his baby brother and loves to gently touch him. I am so blessed with these beautiful boys!

(5.17.14)

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365:136 - Gabriel Joshua Clutterham

365:136

Today, our third son, Gabriel Joshua Clutterham, was brought into the world! I plan to write a full post about his birth-day but for now, here are two of his first photos! (Click here to see photos taken by our friend, Katie Drumm!)

Born at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital at 9:16pm weighing in at 9 pounds 6 ounces at a length of 22 inches! Our biggest boy! :)

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365:135 - parktime

365:135

This was our last day before baby Gabriel's arrival and we took advantage of grandma and grandpa being here and went to the park. The only problem was that it was 101 degrees and just TOO hot to be outside! 

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365:134 - gettin' ready

365:134

Today I did my last load of baby laundry (well, a friend practically did it) before Gabriel arrives on Friday and put them away in the drawer! I also finished packing my hospital bag besides last minute things (i.e. phone charger, camera, camera batteries, computer, computer charger, wedding ring, blanket - this note is for myself :)) This bag is the one I bought specifically to use as my hospital bag for when Samuel was born… sweet memories!

Tomorrow is our last day as a family of 4, Lord willing! 

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365:133 - last supper

365:133

Tonight I made a baked ziti meal for my parents (which was super yummy) and was planning on cooking dinner tomorrow as well. However, we all decided I shouldn't cook again so this was my last time making dinner before we get induced on Friday! At least it was good and everyone was full & satisfied :)

All the pics are black and white because the color and lighting were awful :( 

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365:132 - movie night + flash

365:132

Tonight, we had a late-night movie night with abba! It was going to be his late night at the office, but he decided to come home at 7:30 so we let the boys stay awake to watch Pinocchio! Here, I am trying to use my external flash, which Joshua thought was super impressive because these shots were taken in almost pitch black. However, I know nothing of how to REALLY use my external flash to get really awesome photos. Maybe in my late nights of nursing, I'll do some researching :)

T-4 days.

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365:131 - mother's day

365:131

Here are some flowers that Bill, my father-in-law, brought by in the morning for Mother's Day :) Beautiful and fresh! And the second picture is of Samuel waiting to go to church. Just thought he was sweet sitting there looking at a book and patiently waiting. 

(Mother's Day was sweet as I got to spend the entire day with my precious little boys and husband!  First, Joshua let me sleep in a little and got the boys up and ready. Then we went to Western Bagel because I'm obsessed with bagels (my grandma used to say that I was going to turn into a bagel!), then we got some special coffee drinks at McDonald's on our way to church! After church we went to SAM's club (this all might not sound very exciting but I love it, so it was a treat especially to be with my family), came home for a nap, and then woke up and went to Pita Pit for dinner! - Didn't get a single picture of our outings!)

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365:130 - oreos

365:130

How can I receive a "Family Size" package of Oreos in the mail and wait 6 more days to open them?! (And no, I did not just eat two. This was before 4 sounded much yummier.)

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365:129 - blessed by far away friends

365:129

Today was a rough day with lots of things to get done and an overwhelming sense that Gabriel is gaining weight and what that does to me physically! We got home late from small group and I opened the door to a care package from some sweet, caring, thoughtful friends from Florida! It contained all sorts of goodies including my favorite postpartum snack (OREOS), new nail polish, practical things that I can bring in my hospital bag, and precious notes! I feel so loved and blessed.

(1 week from today!)

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365:128 - Benjamin and Jake

365:128

Benjamin has been LOVING Samuel's birthday present from grandma and grandpa - Jake and the Neverland Pirates Ship!

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365:127 - story time with grandma

365:127

Today, my parents arrived from Florida to be here for Gabriel's birth-day! This shot was of my mom reading to the boys shortly after they got here!

We are excited to have them here! 9 more days until baby arrives!

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365:126 - abstract

365:126

Today, Lauren asked if I could help her with a project for her photo class! Of course, I was all about that as I LOVE photography! This photo was one of the first photos we took of streaming light with a very slow shutter speed. By the end, I understood which settings to use to get the perfect image but it took some experimenting. In traditional photography, you're typically trying to get in as much light as possible, but this project was stretching as we were actually trying to limit the lighting while having a VERY slow shutter speed (5-20")! The good ones are on Lauren's SD card, so perhaps I'll post a couple of those another day :)

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365:125 - boy stuff

365:125

Today, I was observing my boys as they played and all their little toys. I realized, once again, "wow. I am a BOY mom!" From swords, to rocks, to water guns, to trucks, I am surrounded by things that shout "BOY!!" And you know what? I love it!!! Praising God tonight for little boys to raise to become men! And also thanking God that I have an amazing husband as an amazing example for them!

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365:124 - coming home

365:124

The other night we were given a spontaneous date night and went to Babies R Us to get a few things for Gabriel! One thing that I was anxious to get off our "To-Buy" list was a coming home outfit for our little guy. Well, just recently we decided to make the elephant Gabriel's official animal so we bought him this SUPER cute elephant outfit! Eeek! Can't wait!!!

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