Uh oh.

I think we're in trouble over here. Lucas is now three weeks old. And yes, I've cried several times over the fact that he's already getting bigger than teeny. Matt can attest to emotional instability and impracticality. Lucas was the sleepiest baby ever until two weeks old, when suddenly and without warning, a switch flipped. He is now The Child Who Loves to Be Awake.

Yes, he still takes a gloriously long morning and afternoon nap. But when awake, he's just SO AWAKE. So alert. So annoyingly needy.

Okay, there's really no other way to put this... view this picture:
What the freaking heck!? My kid's holding his head up. No, this is not a fluke shot. He held it up there for about a good minute or so before it got too heavy.

I'm really not prepared for a kid of this caliber.

Should have hired someone.

Yes, I am admitting this. I should have hired a photographer. Not that I can't or don't take pictures that I love. It's just that you lose track of time and you're absolutely exhausted. Every ounce of inspiration is gone. Spent, instead, on making the food for an entire little person. Good enough excuse?

I do still have the hope of getting a couple more shoots in (perhaps even some with ME in them... tho, don't hold your breath) before he isn't teeny tiny anymore, but I fear that ship has sailed. What we're dealing with now is the fact that Lucas LOVES to be awake. And I'd prefer him to sleep.

Enough excuses. Here's what I've got for you.

You know how babies faces and appearance change SO much those first few weeks. I've been trying to keep up.
I really love his expression in that one. Oh, and this one...
And some sibling shots.

And really. Nothing says, "Love" like a big brother offering a little brother his adored thumb.
But no, he wasn't actually offering it. It just looks like it. And for those wondering, Miles LOVES him. I was really worried that there'd be problems. But so far, so good.

Just one for Dad.

Thought my father might enjoy this:
No, I'm not giving her back yet. I get a couple more days.

I'll be honest.

#1. I've been totally spoiled. Matt's had off of work for the last 2+ weeks, since Lucas was born. He's been immensely helpful. And understanding. And my husband rocks.

My mom has been here since Monday. I've had two extra sets of hands helping with cooking/cleaning/child holding. I havent' had to cook. I haven't changed a single poopy diaper from Miles all week. It's like I've reached some kind of postpartum nirvana. Which brings me to point #2.

#2. I'm terrified. Matt goes back to work on Monday. My mom leaves Wednesday morning. Wednesday is my first day flying solo. Alone. All by myself. With the 4. Alone to take care of things like taking Abbie to/from school. Alone to make lunches and ohmygosh dinner. Alone to attempt things like grocery shopping, going to the library, going to the park, taking four steps outside my door with a mewling infant who requires feeding every 1.7 seconds (seemingly) and poops every 20 minutes (literally).

Isn't there some way to wean yourself off the help? Any words of advice?

All work and no play...

Just in case you thought that we (collectively) were incapable of taking a simple snapshot photograph...

I bring you, "The Reason You Take Pictures Even If Not Everything Is Ideal"
Things I Love About This Picture (TILATP):
Eye Contact From Miles
Look at all those sets of hands... something about this makes my heart full.
Anna's Expression... merciless giggling.
TILATP:
Four kids. People... I have FOUR children. Wow.
Again with Anna's expression.
Miles is totally posing. Right after he heard the shutter click he said, "I wanna see!"
Four sets of feet.
Abbie always looks great.
He he. Miles's bare chest.

Let's see what else we've got.
As you can tell, these aren't the greatest exposure, and I've done little to NO processing on most of them. I think it's important to capture real life. And sometimes, I think we (especially me) get caught up in getting the perfect shot... and I miss all the in-between perfectness. Does that make sense?

At any rate. One shot of Matt. I totally metered on the wrong area. But I didn't want to miss the moment... and then when I saw it on the viewfinder, I wanted to recreate it, but the moment was gone. And I ADORE this image.
Something about the closeness and the backlighting. Love these boys.

And as a special treat, a couple of pictures of me as taken by Matt. Lucky you.
And what good is photography, if not to provide you with something to laugh about, right?
We call this shark-bite!

I guess I just wanted to encourage everyone to get our your cameras and take pictures even if they're not perfect. These pictures I showed are so imperfect; out of focus, grainy, underexposed, etc. But they capture real feelings, real emotions and real life. So start shooting!

And finally, since you know I can't be all play and no work either, lol.

Linked Up.

I finally (!!!) got around to updating my link list. If you find yourself on this list you either:

1. Are related to me.
2. Were in my church ward (congregation) at one time or another.
3. I've known you online for as long as 6 years.

Note that there are no photographers on this list... I'm working on another page entirely for that.

Have I ever told you that I'm subscribed to 214 blogs in Google Reader? You're just getting a TINY sampling.

And now, a featured blog:

Audrey! Audrey is my sister-in-law. Matt's sister. She rocketh. Check out the flipping awesome bitty booties she made for Lucas! She is seriously crafty. Also, she designed and programmed her blog entirely on her own. She's a genius. I mean that quite literally. Also, she lives in Hawaii. You know you're jealous. So go on over and check out my adorable niece.

Stalkers!

Finally, you can stop hitting F5. I am updating. I'm well aware that you all have nothing better to do that sit in front of your computers and wait for new pictures of my precious, sweet, perfect-in-every-way son. You should all join the Peace Corps or something... better yet, take up clogging.

But I SUPPOSE, since I've got new pictures, I can share them.

First, we took him to the doctor on Monday, for a routine well baby check. He's done the typical weight loss thing and was down to 6 pounds 2 ounces. They're not concerned, but gosh almighty, he's a tiny thing. And I was having a hard time expressing that in pictures. So, I took this one:
This is NOT trick photography. And no, I do not have disproportionately large hands for my body. He's just THAT small.

Also note that the bright yellow sleeper he has on is super small. The smallest piece of newborn clothes we own. We bought it at the D.I. when we were expecting Abbie. Mostly as a joke. Each of our kids have worn it. I'd fish out pictures of each of them wearing it, but that will be another post. Possibly.

And some more traditional "newborn" studio type portraits.


My friends, check out those fuzzy shoulders. He's a total beast.
And finally:
Looking ever so peaceful.

Pardon me.

You're interrupting my babymoon. I'm extremely busy over here.

Doing things like:
Sniffing him 43 times per hour. Very time consuming. I have to memorize his scent. He, on the other hand, has mine down already.


Lamenting his sad cowlicks. Two right in front, two more at the back/bottom. Poor kid gets that from me. We're (the Solters) a unruly-haired bunch. Just check out Jenny's kid if you need further proof.

Kissing those LIPS.
Oh my goodness, those delicious lips.

And if you need further proof that he's a total white-boy:

No, sorry. He doesn't really look like Matt.

FINALLY!

Flashback.

So, there's this:
Which I absolutely adore. And which triggered in me, the memory of a photograph. Taken nearly 27 years ago...

Yes, that is my mother. With 4 of her 5 children (at the time). Yes, that's me on the left. Then David, Andrew and my younger brother Matt. My mom was, I believe, 28 at the time. I am 28 now. Doesn't she look amazing?

There is also this:
Which, my word, doesn't that little girl look cute with her chubby thumb in her mouth? Kinda cute like this also thumbsucker:
Sigh.

And since I know you're all dying to get a proper look at the new kid.

And with eyes open. (Don't let this fool you, this kid is shrimpy looking!)
I have a ton more, but I'll have to do a slideshow or something soon.

I just love an obedient child.

If only all my children were as obedient as Lucas.

What's that? You didn't get the memo? Oh sorry. I should have warned you to keep your eyes over there.

Lucas Adam was born on April 3 at 6:43am. A short 9 hours after my letter of complaint. Those are the kind of results I've been longing for!

He was 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long. I'll have more details later, but for now be sure to check the memo for pictures and enjoy these.

Dear Unborn Child-

Please. I'm begging you. I'm desperate. I really am done with this whole production known widely as "Pregnancy: Hell on Earth." Don't you feel cramped in there? Wouldn't you like to get some fresh air?

See, it's not really the kicking and the wiggling that I mind. It's the grinding sciatica and disfiguredly swollen ankles that bug. Also, I'm not looking so hot, lately. Whale-sized is kindof looked down upon out here.

I suppose I could thank you for the intensely strange urge to clean and purge my house of all things "dirt," but it does make it difficult on your brother and sisters as they are intensely keen on dirt. Also, I feel I should be allowed to draw the line on this "nesting" thing. I mean, dreaming up things for me to clean is a bit much, eh? Can we please go back to the bizarre dreams about dog-fighting and mail order husbands?

I've done as much as I can think of to encourage your early arrival. All the walking in the world, carrying heavy furniture, and jumping up and down just hasn't been enough, eh? I really and truly just can't fathom the thought of another 2 weeks. Please, I'm desperate.

Love,
Your Mother - the one doing squats.

P.S. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, you'd better be making some "headway" or your name is MUD!