House Special #4

We have always conferred with a professional baby-namer when deciding our children's names. This year, her top suggestion was House Special #4 (I think she had just eaten Chinese). She wanted us to name Lucy either Bam-bam or Hertie Gertie. ACTUALLY, she's not so much a professional baby-namer as she is a co-worker of Chris'. But we always enjoy her creative opinion. We went another direction, though.

So what DID we name Barney Boy #3 and Barney kid #4???

Mark Henry! Isn't it lovely? He was born just a day past his due date and weighed in at 7lb 4oz. He's absolutely perfect (I think the jaundiced look gives those first weeks of baby pictures a little bit of a Hollywood "fake bake" look). He's eating, sleeping, and doing all of the other unmentionables babies love doing without any problems! I am eating him up. I always dread the new born phase and once the baby is born, I fall in love and wonder what I was so concerned about! Then again, I've had a lot of help in my mom and husband this week so ask me again next week...I might be a bit more frazzled. But now I am quite enjoying this sweet new spirit. The rest of the family loves him, too. Sam's already given him a dance lesson and Ben enjoys holding him for up to 10 seconds at a time, as long as he's sleeping.

She LOVES this boy! She begs to hold him whenever I'll let her.

The kids (with Grandma's help) made a welcome home sign for us. I loved coming home to see their shining faces and excitement for the new addition.

Chris got put in as bishop about 8 days after the baby was born.

It was quite a surprise for our family when he was extended the call, but we have already seen the Lord's hand in blessings we've received since then. We had a big family gathering for Chris and blessed the baby right after in our home.

Here's the Barney family circle.

Here's the Roundy representatives (Mom, as usual, was keeping busy swinging kids and holding babies).