Little M is 6 months old today. HOW is that possible?! We just adore her. She is just a little gem; a sweet bundle of chubby squishy goodness.

At 6 months she:

• Smiles often…the kind of smile that lights up a room.
• Is really easy-going and usually content.
• Is almost sitting up but not quite.
• Squeals with delight when her brother plays with her.
• Sucks her thumb.
• And her toes:

We are enjoying our sweet girl. Joe’s even getting used to all of the pink things around. I think.

We interrupt the string of TX updates to bring you pictures of the cutest baby EVER. Little M tried out her exersaucer for the first time yesterday.

She enjoyed it. Thoroughly.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming

Most people tell us that Evan looks like Joe and Maren looks like me. They don’t look a lot alike!  Here are pictures of Evan and Maren at about 3 months:

What do you think?

Life is full of little blessings. I try to notice them.

Remember them. Enjoy them. Thank the Lord for them.

This week has been especially full of sweet things.

Fellowship. Friends. Laughter. Prayers. Hugs. Chocolate.

I made a cake and some cupcakes for a party:

A friend brought us some tulips:

Maren turned 3 Months old:

And Evan asks to hold her all the time. These two are really beginning to “play” together, and it makes me happy:

I say it often, but we are so blessed.

…milk stains, PJ’s, and all!

So many people have asked us how Evan is adjusting to having a baby sister. Overall, he is very sweet to her. He has certainly had his moments of being a bad boy more than usual- maybe because he’s not always the center of attention anymore? He asks to hold her a lot, and he hugs and kisses her often. He also likes to shake her hand - not so gently. Yesterday, he said, “she is DANGEROUS!” He actually meant “delicate,” as we have had to remind him often to be gentle with her! What a privilege to raise these two precious children.

…is pretty much the sweetest thing ever!

…is one week old.

…likes to eat - a lot.

…likes to be awake in the middle of the night, but we’re working on being awake more during the day.

…is so loved.

Thanks everyone, for all of your sweet comments and well wishes. We’re doing well, and just enjoying being at home together. We’ll keep you posted!

Okay, many have asked, so…

How is it pronounced? (turn your volume up)
Maren Pronounced (Press Play)Maren Pronounced

Where did it come from?
Well, my brother-in-law (L L) thought that I must have come up with the name Maren from some Greek or Latin word. Though, it didn’t happen that way. Maren is the name of one of our friends from college (you’re right, Jennifer…Danica’s sister!) Suzanne and I have both really liked that name for a long time and had the opportunity to use it, so we did!

What does it mean?
The most common usage of the name seems to be in Scandinavian countries (esp. Norway) and, hence, carries the meaning of “Pearl,” so Maren Grace would mean “Pearl of Grace” or, you might say, a very valuable undeserved gift! And that she is!

If we were to utilize the Hebrew meaning of the word “maren,” which is “bitter,” Maren Grace would be translated Bitter Grace. This would carry great significance, too, for much of the grace (undeserved gifts) we receive from the Lord may at first taste very bitter (e.g. labor pains, for instance!), but then manifest themselves as great blessings. We appreciate your prayers and pray that Maren Grace would live up to her name.

She’s here!!! Our little baby girl arrived yesterday, January 6, 2008. Thank you for all your prayers for her and Suzanne. They are both doing great. Here are the details:

Name: Maren Grace Thomas
Birth Date/Time: January 6, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
Weight: 7 lb 5 oz
Length: 18 3/4 in

And here are a couple pictures (see more on flickr):

Hey all! Just checking in to wish you a Happy New Year! We look forward to what the Lord has in store for you and for us this year, and we’re especially excited to start out the year with the birth of our baby girl. She’s not here, yet, but she should be soon. My due date is in one week!

Blessings to each of you this year! May we seek Him with all of our hearts in the days and months ahead.

We’ll keep you posted on baby girl and other happenings around here, so stay tuned for some posts with pictures. We love you!

That’s what I am these days. We have about one month left until my due date of January 10th. We’re getting excited to meet this little girl that is currently enjoying kicking my organs.

Here I am doing one of the things I do best…drinking hot chocolate!

I’ll be posting a few more pictures on our Flickr soon.