The Siblings Meet

Here are some shots of John V and Kailey meeting Levi the next morning after we had gotten a little bit of rest. It was so nice to have them come in when we were all rested and refreshed. There are few things more precious and exciting than siblings meeting for the first time!

They were excited to show off their goodies from their bags

Levi's Birth Day

I thought I would give all of you a glimpse into why I have my babies at home. I know the cons are obvious in your mind but I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pros. I know it's not for a lot of people but it has certainly been two beautiful experiences for us! Birth days are full of such special, life-changing memories!!! Kristin Morales took these beautiful pictures and many, many more. It has been so special to have her pictures of my two home births!

Sent the kids off to Marmee's with their big brother/big sister goody bags from Mom, Dad, and Levi

My personal labor chef because I get to eat while in labor!

Several hours into labor and happy that we are getting nearer to the end

John supporting me through a contraction. We laughed because it kind of looked like he was having one too!

John staying awake with his coffee

Sweet Ann trying to get some rest while waiting - she ended up heading to another birth after mine! She had three moms overdue at once that weekend.

My wonderful husband getting me through the final minutes - the room is so calm and peaceful waiting for Levi's arrival. The midwife prays and speaks words of blessing over the baby and delivery as she encourages and comforts me.

First moments with Levi Joshua

Our precious baby boy

My team (minus Cindy who adjusted me during the birth - oh yeah!). They were all there just for me!

Snuggles with Dad

Cleaning up in the herbal bath. The babies love this part and so does Mom!

Baby feet!

Daddy dressing Levi in his first outfit

Comfy in my own bed with my baby - a good way to end the day

Whew!

Well, I have been chastised long enough for failing to provide my adoring readers with pictures of Levi. The last seven weeks have been a whirlwind! I have much to update everyone on but will have to do it bit by bit. To hold you over, here is our little guy at six weeks. He is growing like a weed. I know he weighed twelve pounds at five weeks and who knows where he is now! He smiles a lot at his siblings, never stops moving, and loves attention. He seems happy to be along for the ride. He's eating, sleeping, and surviving well in our busy household. He does seem to be my most sensitive baby to noise so I'm not sure how that's going to work out for him. : ) As a matter of fact, Kailey apparently just woke him up so I'll have to go for now. She has got to stop doing that!!! I hear John V telling her that as he yells up the stairs to me that he'll handle it. Hmm, why am I not sure I want a four-year-old "handling it?" I'll try to do better about keeping you posted!

Welcome, Baby Levi!

Levi Joshua Critz arrived at 2:45 am on July 19th. He weighed 8lbs. 9oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. I'll give more details soon, but wanted to get a few pictures out here for those waiting to see him. We are all doing well and loving our new baby! We are extremely grateful for his safe arrival! Thanks to all of you who have been praying faithfully for me and for him!

28 vs. 18

This week I celebrated my 28th birthday. It feels so strange sometimes to be an adult. To be a mother of three and have married siblings with nieces and nephews. To take care of a house and family and teach my child to read. All the things I watched "the moms" do, I am now doing myself. When did that happen?! Someone mentioned my approaching 30th the other day and I realized that I have absolutely no qualms about reaching that milestone. I love where God has me. I love the difference in how I feel at 28 vs. 18. Here are some of my favorites as I compare this year to when I turned 18 ten years ago.

• Instead of a beginning and still unsure relationship with John, I have the fruit of ten years of relationship and almost seven years of the most amazing marriage I could have dreamed up at that point.
• Instead of a job taking care of other people's children, I am taking care of my own favorite babies.
• Instead of constantly wondering what others are thinking of how I look or act, I feel much more free to focus on what God thinks of me.
• I am a person who feels deeply about people and their problems and joys. Instead of worrying if they feel the same way about me, I feel free to dig in and just think about what I can give to them.
• Instead of a faith founded on the belief that God was there and would provide and take care of me, I now have the far deeper trust of someone who has been carried through each struggle and pain by a God who is more real than the things I can see with my eyes.
• At 18 God was my Counselor, Friend, Comforter, Teacher. At 28 He has become far more crucial to my very being. He is Breath, Life, Wisdom, Love, Salvation, Existence.

I would never go back. I would not trade the responsibilities, lack of sleep, or non-existence of alone trips to the bathroom for any carefree fun I had at l8. Life is a lot of work right now. My body has been taken over by a tiny being who will continue to claim much of it for the next several months. My mind is full of things to be done, tasks to be performed, countless jobs that rest with me. My spirit can no longer focus only on my own growth and relationship but has a constant heart's cry for the salvation and relationship with God of my children. And my heart is full. Full to the breaking point with love and gratitude for where God has put me. Full to the point that I can't imagine there being room for more until suddenly God sends someone new and I find that my heart only gets bigger. So if this is life headed toward 30, BRING IT ON!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" Psalm 103:1

Baby Brooklyn Birth Day Pictures

Well, I got the pictures off my camera from yesterday as promised. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture that actually shows the baby! In my defense, I was using Brittany's camera to take TONS of pictures for her when Kyndall met Brooklyn for the first time so I did take lots of pictures of her, I just don't have them. I'll try to get one up here for you to see her soon.

Going to meet Brooklyn

Singing "Every Move I Make" all the way to Denton

A small portion of the crew waiting for sister!

A proud auntie with her new niece - love that girl so much already!!!

Welcome to the World, Baby Brooklyn!

My fourth precious niece was born this afternoon and she is another keeper!!! I'll try to get my camera up here and get some pictures posted tonight or tomorrow. After a fairly long and tiring labor, Brittany was successful in her desire to have a vbac after two c-sections. Go, Dr. Cummings and Brittany! Brooklyn was 8lbs. even and 18 1/2 inches long. She looks a lot like Kyndall and is precious and perfect in every way. We were able to keep Kyndall today and she had a fun cousin day. All three kids played like perfect angels before going to meet sister and cousin tonight. Thank you, Lord, for her safe arrival!!! For my family, that is one baby down and one to go. We're next!

Wrapping It Up

Our excellent boat driver

That's Kailey under there napping. Can you see her foot sticking out?

They were so cute in their life vests!

Some Bubba/Sissy snuggle time when she woke up

EVERYONE driving the boat

Our other excellent driver - we asked him to smile for the camera and he said seriously, "I'm driving!"

Mom and all three kids! : )

One view from our room

Here are the final pictures from Destin. We rented a boat on a spur-of-the-moment whim while walking through the marina and took it out for our last full afternoon. It turned out to be one of our very favorite things and one we will definitely do again. We drove it across the bay to a sandbar where the water was only a few feet deep. It was fun having the ocean surrounding us but still room to move around. Our family, a cooler of snacks and drinks, a ball to throw, and we were in great shape! So many memories. . . can't wait to do it again!

Return to Destin

I am going to wrap up these beach pictures before I start posting shots of Levi. Here are some of my kids hanging out. There are great walking trails at the Sandestin resort and these were taken on those and at the marina. The kids loved the parrot. They really thrived on just being together as a family for a solid week!

Up in the treehouse

Playing a giant game of checkers

Yummy breakfast!

Walking with Mom

Couldn't you eat them up?!

Quick State of the Household Address

For those of you interested in more of an update than pictures from our vacation two months ago, here is the latest.

I am 37 weeks pregnant. If I go by my track record, this puts us looking at 1-2 weeks until our little man arrives. I live with very frequent contractions for the last month or two so they have become a constant addition to my life. Right now I am blogging at 4:30 in the morning because I just can't sleep through them. . . again. I try to ignore them but hopefully will not ignore them at the proper time. I feel like I hit that wall where I just want to have the baby. You know, the one where you feel like a hippo, you remember at some point being a nice person, your husband talks in a high-pitched, syrupy voice whenever he absolutely has to speak to you, and your kids scatter when you walk in the room. : ) Maybe that's a slight exaggeration. It was precious the other morning because I got dressed, feeling huge and bulky and when John V walked in the room he said, "Mom, I love that shirt! And your pants! You look wonderful!" It melted my heart that he would know just what to say when he is oblivious to how it feels to be me right now. God is good to encourage us through our children. Especially when those same children also like to do this:


Yep, that's what I found in my closet after a few minutes of silence from my sweet angels. It was every piece of clothing from the drawers they could reach and several of my lower hanging items. Oh well, time to reorganize the drawers, right? I love them dearly, but will be thrilled when bending over to pick up after them makes me feel a little less grumpy. : )

We are all anxiously awaiting Levi's arrival and trying our best to get all those last pre-baby details taken care of. Thank you for your continued prayers that he arrives safely and in the perfect time!

Three "Wittle" Cousins

Kyle and Brittany ended up, unknown to either of us, planning their vacation in the Destin area for the same week as ours. That's what happens when two pregnant ladies are trying to get their traveling done before their time is up! : ) So, we took advantage of our close proximity and took a few pictures together after a yummy dinner. Our kids had a blast running around together in the village all holding hands. It is hard for me to describe my feelings for my precious niece. She is such an answer to prayer, a ball of energy and life that gives and gives to our family. She was the joy in the morning after the night of suffering. She perfectly embodies how you feel when you have longed, prayed, and waited for something. It has incredible value to you and is always held a little closer and dearer for the struggle that preceded it. Kyndall, I love you! I can't wait for you to have a sibling who is here with us until you can meet your older brother! Baby Brooklyn is almost here!

John and "the girls"

My little cutie patootie who wouldn't wear her cute, white sandals that actually WENT with the outfit.

Holding hands

John will always be a protector for both of these girls! He loves them!

More Beach Pics

And now for our annual "Turquoise on the Beach" shots. And before you think I'm terrible for sitting here blogging on Father's Day, my sweet husband is playing in a golf tournament. : ) We'll be ready for something fun when he gets home!