this morning.

I was awake at 6:00 am. I put on tennis shoes to head outside when I heard the baby cry. So I took my shoes off and crawled back in bed with my baby. He stuck both of his chubby feet high in the air as he drank his warm bottle. Every once in a while, he would smile at me and lose his suction. There's nothing like the early mornings with a baby. Especially a cute one.

After Simon was fat and happy, I heard some rustling outside my room. My older three don't usually wake up until 8 but apparently Zack was ready to take on the day at 6. I greeted him at the door. He was wearing a cute summer outfit, socks and shoes and his Superman backpack. He unzipped his pack as said, "Mom, what do you need? A claw or a sword?" I told him that I didn't needed either, but I would take a hug.

And then took a toy out for himself-- a microphone that records your own voice. He climbed up on the bed, laid next to the baby and recorded, "I love you, Sy-Guy." He played it over and over for the baby to hear. Simon liked it best in fast-chipmunk mode. I preferred it in silent mode, but didn't say so. Instead I thought about how lucky Zack is to have such a cute baby to love so early in the morning. And how lucky Simon is to have a brother with so much zest and enthusiasm for life... a brother who is dressed and ready to take on the world at 6 AM, with sword in hand. And then I thought about how lucky I am to be their mother, to stay home with them and watch their relationship develop from brothers to best friends. This is definitely the good life.

neither of these pictures were taken today... my camera has been shipped out for repairs.