It's been two weeks since Mark was born and I'm pretty sure some day things will slow down enough for us to catch our breath. This has likely been the ultimate crash course in multi-child parenting. (Exclusive of anyone who has been blessed with multiples; may God have mercy on your soul.) While it has been very busy and somewhat hectic at times I can definitely say that we have enjoyed it all. And I can say that because I'm not the one getting up every few hours to feed the little one. Caroline has been amazing as usual and I continue to be awed by her toughness and devotion to our family. Mark and Emily are so lucky to have her as their mom. Since getting Mark and Caroline home from the hospital on Wednesday the 22nd we have been going non-stop. Thursday Mark went to his pediatrician for the first time, all good there. The next day we had my parents and Great-Grandma Lesem over to our house to celebrate Christmas and then went to Christmas Eve service at The Journey while Caroline's parents watched Mark. We celebrated Christmas Day with Caroline's parents and brother. Carol always makes our family Chrismas's together incredibly special and this year was no exception. Even with all the time she spent caring for Caroline and Mark she still made sure that Christmas day was perfect for the whole family. Last week was fun as Caroline began trying to figure out a new schedule for the family. I made it back to work after coming down with a cold and Emily got over a Christmas day case of pink eye. Caroline and I rang in the New Year at home. I was in bed by 9 but Caroline was up at midnight, feeding Mark. Our good friends the Schuepbach's and Scheldt's came over on New Year's Day to meet Mark and watch the Rose Bowl Game. I'm pretty sure that is the first get together Caroline and I have hosted where the kids and adults were at equal numbers. It was fun for Emily to play with her friends and neat to see the three boys together, Watson Schuepbach is six months and Will Scheldt is three months. It's going to be fascinating to watch them all grow up together. Unfortunately there has also been some sadness already in the New Year. My Great Uncle, Rev. Jim Linderman, passed away on Saturday. He was a beloved member of the family and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. In happier news we have just heard this morning that my sister is about to deliver Emily and Mark's first first cousin, Jack Ingle. We are very excited and waiting anxiously to hear news from Austin. Jon, if you're reading this, and I know you aren't, please text my mom an update. You'll be glad you did. [nggallery id=48]