HB's Birth Story

The end of my pregnancy with HB brought incredible pain in my lower back and hip.  It was increasingly becoming worse.  On the Monday before my due date, I directed my Plant Science class to the greenhouse to spend the class period maintaining hydroponic tomato plants.  I trailed behind the students essentially “waddling” because walking was painful due to my hip and back pain.  I knew by the end of the day that I couldn't teach any longer; my body had reached its breaking point.  I let the school secretary know that my substitute teacher would be starting the next day.  I spent the remainder of that week trying to sleep, tidy the house and pretty much anything to make time go by.  I even washed Colby and JR in hopes it might help get the ball rolling.  I didn't have any contractions or signs that labor was even close to starting so it was a very uneventful but relaxing week.

HB’s official due date was Friday, April 20, four days after my last day of teaching.  I had a student whose birthday that same day so he was really hoping HB would come “on time.”  My 40-week OB appointment was scheduled for Friday afternoon.  I wasn't dilated at all so my OB suggested stripping my membrane as a possibility to start contractions.  She said it would hurt a little but I wasn't prepared for truly how bad.  I cried afterwardsL Thankfully it worked though and my contractions started almost exactly an hour later.  I can’t remember how consistent they were, but enough that I was having several an hour.  I made a green chile beef casserole for dinner and Dad and I headed to bed early.  Finally around 4am Saturday morning, I told Dad I thought we should go in.  I was fairly uncomfortable, although I didn't really know how much more intense my contractions could be since this was my first pregnancy.  I was also really worried about missing the window for an epidural so I may have been a bit over eagerJ We arrived at Banner Estrella Hospital and after checking into triage, the nurse checked my cervix and I was only dilated a little (maybe 4cm). They told me I wasn't dilated enough so I needed to try walking.  We headed outdoors – being the hungry pregnant person I was, I wanted McDonald’s before walking around the parking lot a few times. (I totally craved McDonald’s for breakfast during this pregnancy!) We went back around two hours later to get checked again and I wasn't dilated anymore.  I was totally disappointed, and frustrated, and even felt like a failure a little bit.  The nurse gave me a Percocet to help me get some rest.  At the time I didn't think I’d take it but ended up doing so at home and was so glad.  I was able to snooze on and off all day and not really even think about the contractions I was having.  Sarah Schroder brought La Placita by for lunch.  I think Dad and I both fell asleep in the living room watching TV that night; I remember waking him up to go to bed.  I had a restless night as my contractions continued to get stronger.   Around midnight on Sunday I was getting very uncomfortable with the contractions combined with my hip and lower back pain so we decided to go back to the hospital.  Again, I was nervous about missing the “window” for my epidural and at this point I didn't think I could deliver HB without one.

After arriving at the hospital and checking into triage a second time, we found out I wasn't dilated anymore than I was before, almost 24 hours ago.  When the nurse left so I could get dressed to walk the halls again I started crying and told Dad I didn't know if I could do this.  My hip and lower back pain was so bad.  I knew I had to try though because that was the only option I was given.  The nurse said we couldn't be admitted without being in active labor since there were no beds available.  (Who knew that would be the same problem we faced 2 ½ years later when we were ready with Richard? J)  Walking up and down the hall was a bit of a stretch, it was more like trudging.  I stopped every few feet to weather another contraction and the growing intensity of my hip pain.  I hadn't even made a full circle yet when I saw a nurse coming to get us.  She told us a bed had just opened up.  I would have jumped up and down and hugged her if I could have.  We picked up the pace a little and they showed us to our labor room.

Some of the next details are a bit fuzzy since I am writing this almost three years later.  The nurse requested an epidural immediately and once it started taking effect, I could actually relax.  I truly believe the epidural helped my body relax amidst the incredible pain I was feeling in my back and hip which helped me dilate further.  Even this much later I still think the pain in my hip was far worse than the contractions I was experiencing.  I think fell asleep between 4-5am and woke up around 7am when the nurses changed shifts.  My nurse for the remainder of labor was a sweet black woman named Sherry.  She was so kind and she told me to quit apologizing for asking for things.  Kelly left a little after 7am to get breakfast in the cafeteria (yes, biscuits and gravy) and my water broke, of course, while he was gone.  I dilated super quickly after that.  We were both certain HB would be here by lunch time.

I think I started pushing around 11-11:30am.  We didn't know it at the time but HB had a huge head for a newborn which made the whole process take a lot longer than this first time momma expected.  It seemed I was not making any progress.  I pushed and pushed and pushed, and the little guy did not seem to be getting any closer.  Thankfully, HB showed no signs of stress throughout the entire active labor period.  Just as we were nearing the end Sherry gave me a face mask with oxygen.  It was the only thing throughout my entire labor that annoyed me – it kept all of my hot breath inside and made me feel really sweaty and gross and like I could not breathe.  Kelly, being the sweet man he is, tried adjusting it to make it more comfortable and I remember snapping at him that I just didn't want to wear the mask.  I literally felt like I couldn't push anymore, and just about voiced my concern when finally, a little after 1:30pm, our sweet first born arrived with a full head of hair and made the entire process worth it.  My “official” OB Dr. Fernandez was not on call, so another doctor from the practice, Dr. Suarez, delivered HB and did a great job.  I was so nervous throughout my entire pregnancy about having a male obstetrician deliver our baby but in the moment I didn't even give it a second thought. 

It was all so surreal.  Three years later, as I write this, it’s a little less surreal, but I still have to pinch myself.  I got pregnant.  I baked a baby for nine months.  I had contractions for almost 48 hours.  I delivered said baby.  And then parenting began.  At the time I almost felt like I should have completed some type of training course at the hospital before we were discharged but looking back I know there is no teacher like experience itself. 

It’s been a joyful {almost} three years with our son.  I am tearing up as I write this.  Three years?  Time has truly gone by too fast.  Just last night HB came out to the living room about 30 minutes after I had put him to bed.  He’s been making this a habit so I warned him not to come out or a spanking would be waiting for him.  Just as I was about to chastise him, I heard a little voice telling me that he will only be this little for awhile longer.  It will only be for a little while that he wants to sit on my lap and just rock after his brother and sister have fallen asleep.  So instead of swatting him, I pulled him into my lap and smelled the little boy smell on his temple and laid a few smooches on his cheek.  I still can’t believe we get to call HB our son every day.

Happy half birthday, HB

It seems like everyday another friend posts about how quickly time is flying and that they can't believe their little person just turned one, or two, or three.  I find myself saying that same exact thing.  No matter what Kelly and I do, time seems to slip through our fingers.  Our little people are growing up way too fast.  I often wonder am I enjoying it enough, or savoring it enough?  I hope that by processing and recording a little bit of our busy life on my blog we can look back someday and enjoy it all again.

HB turned 18 months this past week - toddler-hood can be such a joy and a challenge; and I'm learning to enjoy the good moments because Lord knows a fit is just around the corner.  Much like the one pictured below.  This young man is getting really good at throwing himself on the floor.  These type of fits usually coincide with one of two things - either coming in from playing outside or being hungry.  Boy has no patience or grace for momma when his tummy is rumbling.

Our boy is a great eater though and that is a huge blessing.  He eats whatever Kelly and I eat and most often he eats it with gusto.  We are all about rubbing our peanut butter and jelly in our hair and on our neck.  Or our lasagna.  Heck, why not rub everything we eat all over our face, head and neck?

At 18 months, here are a few of the fun things our sweet boy can do:

• Starting to form actual words - mama, dada, baby, dirty, go, baa, moo.  Oh, wait, the last two are animal sounds.  
• Understands simple directions like "pick the toy up" or "give it to baby" or "sit on your bottom" or "go sit in your chair."
• Still loves to cuddle on your lap before bedtime.  Usually this is coupled with looking through livestock magazines and making lots of animal noises.
• Helps do chores outside.  He is surprisingly strong for someone sub three feet.  He tries dragging flakes of hay to the sheep pens or will grab whatever coffee can or bucket of grain he can.  He likes to keep it interesting too by randomly moving anything and everything within reach and relocating it.  This includes a drench gun, pliers, his own toys, and buckets.
• Mimics mommy in the kitchen by grabbing spoons and bowls and "stirring" whatever he can.  He is at the fun height where he can grab things like knives off the counter when his forgetful tired mommy doesn't move them far enough away from the edge.
• Starting to potty train, although it is going to require more consistency from momma and daddy to actually make this a concrete habit.  He has gone number one and two on the toilet, although the number two was more like a lucky save because he was headed for the living room when I made him sit on the toilet!
• He loves to kiss his baby sister.  His kisses consist of placing his face on you and making the sound "mm."
• As he grows the phrase "long and lean" comes to mind.  He weighed 26 pounds 4 ounces (50th percentile) and measured 34 inches long (90th percentile).  

He is definitely a goof ball and loves to laugh.  Please note the fire hat on backwards and the Twister game mat on the floor behind him.  We have not taught him to play this game yet but he loves to pull it out of the cupboard and drag it around.

HB, we love you so very much little buddy, and are so blessed to call you son.  While you occasionally make momma want to pull her hair out, we are both enamored with your charming smile, sweet offers of help and cuddly moments before bed.  We can already tell that there will be lots of laughter and fun ahead with you.

Play date at the "beach"

Throwback Thursday: Play date at the "beach"

Referring to our play date at the "beach" is a bit of a stretch.  Okay, a big stretch but we had fun anyway.  Our friends, Katie and Carson, hosted us for a mid-summer play date this past July.  HB is only two days older than Carson and they were both delivered in the same hospital.  If my memory serves, Katie and I actually  had the same due date.  I liked to refer to her as my pregnancy twin at that time.  It's fun to get together now since our boys are so close in age.

HB loved the water slide and sand table.  He ate so much sand that day I feared for his digestive tract.  No matter how many times I washed his mouth out with water he continued to go back for more.

Katherine was about six weeks old but I somehow failed to capture a picture of her on her first play date.  Truth be told though she didn't do much playing.  She napped on the patio table while the boys played and then napped some more while we snacked and played inside.  I also failed to capture a picture of Carson's cousins, Moses and Lancy, who stopped by with their mom Amy.  We love this whole family!  Thanks for a great time:)

Carson is trying to crawl up the water slide here because as I have learned with little boys, slides are meant to be crawled up.  Duh, mom.

It is seriously a feat to get more than one toddler to look at the camera at the same time and have them both look happy.

The awesome water and sand table I mentioned earlier.  Carson is showing HB how it's done.  Don't they look like two little old men?

HB is now getting his hands dirty along with throwing sand into Katie's beautiful lawn.  Sorry Katie!

3-and-4 month milestones

Who would have thought that my precious baby doll is four months old already?  Where has the time gone friends?  I now understand the absence of some of my blogger bodies after having an additional child - I am lucky to get the dishes done, most toys put away  and possibly a load of laundry at night before succumbing to sleep much less writing a blog entry.  Ah, but I found time for this one!  Finally!!

Katherine is rather serious in her 3-month photo but don't let her fool you folks.  She is a smiler, more and more everyday in fact.  She has the cutest chuckle - I wouldn't call it a laugh yet - and is very ticklish under her arms, over her ribs and under her chin.  Here is a small list of her achievements at four months old:

• She weighed 13 pounds 12 ounces at her 4-month old well check (50th percentile) and measured 25 inches in length (75th percentile). 
• She has just started grabbing items and bringing them to her mouth.  It was just this past weekend that she managed to get a set of plastic keys far enough in her mouth that she was gagging herself, repeatedly.  If that's not a milestone, I don't know what is.
• She also loves to grab her pacifier and try to re-insert it in her mouth.  She is not very successful at this yet but she has a mighty strong grip.
• I am still pumping four times a day so she can eat a hearty 3 1/2 ounces of milk roughly every 3 hours.
• Praise the Lord, she is sleeping through the night!  She hits the rack early though - 6pm - and wakes mid-morningish for a quick snack before sleeping in until 6am or so.
• She holds her head up rather well although she despises tummy time.  She loves to sit on my lap and watch her brother roving about as he lovingly destroys any semblance of order in our living room.



I almost captured a smile this time around.  Maybe next month.

HB continues to dote on his little sister bringing her toys and continually wiping her face and re-inserting her pacifier even if she does not want it.  He has brought new meaning to the phrase "temper tantrum" as of recent and is truly challenging my patience.  He continues to sleep great at night and eats almost anything I place in front of him.  He is a bit nosy and loves to watch everything going on around him.  And he is a lover of all things outside - dirt, sticks, livestock troughs, mommy's dog and all our livestock.  I take him outside each morning when Katherine goes down for her first nap.  We can be outside for an hour though and he still throws a fit when we come in.  Boys will be boys, right?  All in all though, he is a good natured, charming little guy that has stolen mommy's heart.

Loving on his sister in the swing.  He loves to lean in for a "hug"!

15 and 2

That's months, not yards and downs.  Although college football is right around the corner.  My babies are 15 months (on Sunday) and 2 months (on Monday).  It's hard to believe that I've survived eight weeks with two bambinos.  There were definitely points that I thought I might not make it, or maybe my one year old wouldn't make it hehe, but here we are.  Alive. Healthy. And joyful.  I can't post milestones for baby girl without mentioning a few outstanding things (and some not so outstanding) that my lil man has completed either.

Baby Girl, aka Katherine
Girlfriend has captured my heart.  She started smiling about two weeks ago which has made many a sleepless nights worth it.  She now likes to coo as you talk to her, as if we were really having a conversation.  She did not like the bath at first, but now might even slightly enjoy it.  Many baths ended in tears.  Just like the tears I encounter as I dress her each morning - Katherine does not like to have stuff pulled over her head.  I reassure her that I will not suffocate her so she should just calm down.  She ignores those admonitions though and continues to scream.  She has curly hair like her brother did as an infant but it seems like her curls will be bigger.  She has crazy hair on a daily basis (like her momma) that I typically only put bows in long enough to take a picture.  She eats every 2 1/2 hours and sleeps a nice long six hour stretch most nights.  I am sooo grateful for the improved sleep habits - removing dairy from my diet and starting a reflux medication have alleviated most of her tummy troubles.  She measured 23 inches long and weigh 11 pounds 2 ounces at her 2 month check up.

Her 2-month chair photo will be posted at a later date...when she is not madder than a wet hen and screaming at me.

HB is very sweet with Miss Katherine- he has quickly picked up on ways to take care of her.  He puts her pacifier in her mouth, even if she doesn't want it.  Thankfully she apparently thinks this is funny; most often she just smiles when he jams it in her toothless mouth.  He also thinks she needs his sippy cup - he doesn't have as good of aim with this though and it is often jammed into her neck.  Finally, he wipes her face down often with her burp rag.  If wiping her mouth is good, why isn't wiping her entire face even better?

Lil Man, aka HB
Our first born is testing the limits of my patience each day as he has recently learned to scale the dining room chairs and crawl across the table.  Each time I sit down to pump or feed Baby Girl a bottle, something must instantaneously go off in his brain that urges him to climb on the table.  So far he has drawn on papers that didn't need to be drawn on, torn up napkins, dumped the entire salt shaker out and only fallen off once.  He is becoming well acquainted with the confines of his room behind our new baby gate.

He continues to be a great eater although he has picked up a few poor habits that drive me C.R.A.Z.Y. He now throws his food or sippy cup as soon as he is ready to be taken out of his high chair.  I love having a clean floor so this is driving me batty.  He does have some redeeming mealtime qualities though - he started lifting his plate to his mouth to lick any remaining food off of it.  Kelly and I do NOT do this.  I repeat do NOT. So I'm not sure who modeled this behavior for him.  Maybe his Aunt Banana when he had his first sleepover with his cousin?  Hehe. He also loves to blow on his food - he blows on everything like it is piping hot.  He measured 32 and 1/2 inches long and 25 pounds 5 ounces at his 15 month checkup.  He also has almost 13 teeth - he just cut three molars on top, hence the almost.

HB enjoying our hillbilly pool aka livestock trough.  My Queensland was also enjoying our pool this day.  He thought it was the greatest thing to have my dog jumping in and out and trying to get him to throw her stick.

 
He runs around the house, stands on his tip toes and attempts the Irish jig. I joke about the last part.  I pretend to run and chase him so he now pretends to run too.  It is seriously the cutest thing he does.  He tries running in place but it's like his little baby legs are in slow motion.  I could just eat him up when he does this. He likes to close the bedroom doors but cannot open them yet so he is learning to be content for a few minutes after he closes himself in a room.  He has started trying to sort shapes with some of his toys and is working feverishly to rearrange all of the belongings of my lower cupboards.

Mothering two children has proven to be a blessing times two but has also revealed even more about my need for Christ.  I tire of dealing with the sin of selfishness over, and over and over as I struggle to be selfless with my children and husband.  I am reminded though that it is a blessing to know I need Christ.  I often feel like there are many big failures and only small victories to my days.  Motherhood has blown my mind.  I didn't know it would be so hard.  Or so good.  Through it all though I am beyond grateful for the grace of God which carries me through it all.

HB's First Birthday - A Day at the Farm

We had fun celebrating HB's first birthday by having family and friends over for lunch.  Kelly pit barbecued beef and lamb - we had a ton of beef short ribs in our freezer and they turned out super tender along with a the few beef roasts and legs of lamb we mixed in. My sister made her awesome crock pot beans and my mom contributed the world's best potato salad.  We ended up  having way too much food but really enjoyed the company of  everyone who came.  I think my favorite contribution to lunch was the relish "tray" I made using a box of wide-mouthed pint mason jars.  I filled each jar with various veggies and then served them in the box - I thought it was an interesting way to display the veggies.

I was really looking forward to getting some fun pictures of HB eating his cake and as usual the little ham cooperated and put on a big smile for the camera!  Grandpa bent down to see how the cake was and HB was very sweet and fed him some cake.  However, when I bent down to see how it was he threw cake at my face.  What an angel, right?  I made a coca-cola cake, which tastes great, but isn't that great for layering because it is very dense.  It was supposed to look like a farm field to go along with our farm theme which I guess was kind of realistic after the frosting was goopy and the cake crumbs I was going to press on were kind of spotty.  Oh well, he loved eating it and I think everyone else did too!

HB is one!

My sweet firstborn  son is one, sigh.  I can't believe how incredibly fast 365 days went.  We had a birthday lunch for our dear boy last weekend (cake eating pictures to come, I promise) and I hung up his monthly chair pictures for family to see.  He has grown so much!  The growth and development of a child is truly breathtaking and I praise God for the chance to see this on a daily basis in my own son.

Here's a list of his current accomplishments and milestones:

• Most notably, walking.  He took his first couple of steps two days before Easter and has since then has (almost) taken off running.  He now walks around the house in circles:)  He has so much fun walking I just love watching him. 
• He has started giving little shoulder cuddles, as I call them.  He puts an arm over my shoulder and lays his head down.  So. sweet.
• Started wearing hard soled shoes - okay, this isn't really a milestone, but it is new and different for my little man:) He doesn't really like them...yet...but I thought a little more support for his cute feet would be good now that he is walking. 
• More independent play.  This is certainly a blessing in my book.  Walking has brought on even more independence in his life and more than once a day he walks himself into another room to start playing.  He has a little Fischer Price chair that my friend Licia passed down to us and I set it in the corner of the dining room where I work on my laptop.  He loves to sit down in his "office" as I call it, look at our sliding glass door and talk, talk, talk.  Again, so cute.
• Waving!  His chubby little fingers fold in half to his palm and open again.  It's so cute (have I used that word enough?).  He even does it two handed sometimes when we start getting fancy around here.
• He loves to clap and does it to show excitement or to entertain himself while I change his diaper.  He isn't much for clapping upon request, he likes to initiate this on his own. 

HB at 11 months

I realize my last monthly post of HB was only two weeks ago, but it was two weeks late, so this post seems early but it's actually on time!  I hope that wasn't confusing...

At 11 months, my sweet son is:
-Cruising around furniture with quick efficiency.
-Trying to crawl away from me anytime a door opens or we are outside or any new place for that matter.  If he hears me coming or suspects I am chasing him he puts his head down and bores full speed ahead.  It  is cute however it would probably be cuter if I weren't chasing him at 32 weeks pregnant:)
-Eating table food quite well.  He enjoyed sloppy joes and corn last night!
-Starting to say "dada" but hasn't connected the word with the person...yet.
-Waving good bye, mostly to daddy, but occasionally other people too.
-Clapping with some encouragement! 
-"Mooing" when he hears our actual cattle balling or when we read something and I mimic a cow.  He doesn't quite say "moo" but he makes a low "mmm" sound.  I love it!

Enjoy the pictures - it's been a full couple of weeks around here as we prepare for his first birthday party and attempt to cross lots of "honey do" projects off of hubby's list before baby girl arrives in late May!

HB's chair photo at 11 months.  He likes to show off his "moves" rather than sit still for a picture!

Isn't tortoise riding an event at the National Finals Rodeo?  Well, maybe not, but we sure had fun watching this tortoise take HB for a spin! 

Posing with Mama after she scooped him out of the corn "patch" in our garden.  We had just watered it and he loved the cool, moist ground.  The sprouting corn did not love him as much.

Helping daddy plant the tomatoes and water them.  HB loves tomatoes!

HB at 10 months

At 10 months old, my Lil Man is still a charmer.  He loves to smile and giggle and has become increasingly active.  Here is a list that describes his current list of "accomplishments":

• He cut six teeth in the past three weeks!  Four teeth on top and two additional ones on bottom.  Combined with a head cold, the past three weeks have been challenging as we have worked through lots of fussiness.
• He is starting to cruise around on furniture - he loves to "walk" especially if it means he walks behind something as he pushes it on our tile floor.  I keep waiting for him to fall really hard but so far he hasn't, whew.
• On this same note, his balance is getting better and better.  He stands up for increasing amounts of time without holding onto anything.  Yes, I still hold my breathe each time, counting the seconds as they tick by before he falls on his cute little bottom.
•  He is getting better all the time at grasping food and chewing it, although a lot of that food ends up on my floor as he figures out what he likes.  This month's food firsts include a dill pickle, black olive (in honor of Uncle Paul) and meatloaf.  He loved all three!
• Sleeping through the night!!!!!!  He did this fairly consistently until the arrival of a head cold last week, but up until then he hits the hay between 7:00 and 7:30pm and wakes up around 5am for a small bottle then sleeps for another hour and a half or so.  I am still working on getting him to sleep until 6am or later without the small bottle...I am hoping to achieve this soon!
• Running circles (literally) in his exersaucer.  I place HB in this lifesaver of a device one to two times a day so I can load the dishwasher or have a few minutes during dinner preparation without having my sub-three-foot boy pulling at my pant leg.  He might complain for a few seconds but once he settles in he literally runs - and giggles too!

Motherhood is Messy

It's true.  Motherhood is messy.  In more ways than one.

Case #1: After returning from a play date at my sister's house, I hurriedly entered our home and sat HB down on his play mat so I could use the bathroom.  He was fussy from being in the carseat for an hour drive during his normal dinner time so I started getting some toys out to distract him.  I sat down and immediately felt something "pop" on my back side and immediately I knew what it was.  A ketchup packet.  A ketchup packet you ask?  Yes.  (This story also falls into the category of "I should have known better.") I had given my son a ketchup packet leftover from one of my fast food visits the prior week - he loved it.  It was squishy and I could refrigerate it and he loved that too.  (I know, I know, this is what teething rings are made for!)  However, I took the packet away from him during our drive home and put it in my back pocket for safe keeping...that, and common sense finally got the better of me and I was going to throw it away.  My mommy brain overtook me though from that moment on and I forgot to remove the said ketchup packet from my pocket.  I forgot about it until feeling that pop in my pocket and the subsequent gooeyness oozing into my backside.

Case #2: I sat down at the dining room table, aka my desk during the day time hours, to write a quick thank you note.  My son was happily occupying himself in our kitchen which is literally about 10 feet away from where I was at.  When I left the kitchen he was pretending to be a drummer on some of my finest tupperware.  Just as I was finishing the note, the overwhelming quiet struck me so I peeked around the corner and this is what I saw.

HB helped himself to the lowest drawer in our kitchen and quickly learned how to pull one trash bag at a time off of the roll.  I of course took a picture AND a video before distracting him.  Just as I walked up to him he began pulling the foil out to unroll it too!

Case #3: HB and I were running a few errands and the time came for a diaper switch.  I laid HB down on my front seat, removed his current soggy diaper and just as I was about to place a new diaper under his cute little tush, it happened.  My son, the surprise attack peeer, let loose.  Even at nine months he still loves to pee when his diaper is off.  A little fountain of urine hit the edge of the seat, the door jam of my truck and then my knee as it found it's way to freedom in the Costco parking lot that day.

Kisses...only 25 cents!

A few moms and their posses (aka kiddos) from around town got together for a Valentine themed play date last week.  HB and I enjoyed the outing; we took silly pictures, ate more than we should have and enjoyed making a Valentine card for daddy that combined fingerpainting Lil Man's hands and feet.  Enjoy the pictures below - I plan on black mailing my first born son with these adorable snapshots someday!

Mr. Sweet Cheeks!  He kept looking at Sadie the dog - I think he wanted to kiss her.

I can't resist planting a kiss on my wee one!

HB at 9 months

HB was 9 months old this week!  Time has flown by and I can't believe that he is already three quarters of the way to being one year old!  Reflecting back on my life instead of his for a moment, I never imagined children of my own in my future.  Although I have always loved kids, they were something I never expected from God.  I am so grateful for the chance to be a mama, and a stay at home one at that.  I am surprised daily by the joy HB brings me even in the smallest things he does.  Praise God for His good gifts.

HB's classic 9 month photo taken in his great, great, great grandfather's rocking chair. He's working on growing into his first straw hat!

In an effort to be remembered as a part of my son's childhood, I make an effort to be in one photo per month.  This was January's "momma and HB" photo.  Baby sister is still baking, quite happily, at 23 weeks.

Hubby has had Kolby, one of our guardian dogs, for close to 16 years now.  He's passed his working days of guarding our flock of 50 ewes but is really great with Brandy and HB.  I wanted to make sure we got some pictures with them together before we don't have the chance anymore.

Our daily lives are not complete and certainly not as joyful without big sister Brandy.  Momma and Daddy seem more like chopped liver when she is around.  HB lights up as soon as she walks in a room.

My firstborn son,

I am so grateful for you.  I love playing with you at this age; you love turning the pages on your books over, and over, and over.  You have started nodding your head "no" although you don't really associate the word with the action.  It is quite cute though, especially when you do it as we are strapping you into your carseat.  You love being outdoors especially because it allows you to stare up at the Cottonwood trees and look at the leaves as they rustle in the wind.  The chickens, especially our white rooster, captivate you whether you are up close or looking through the windows.

Eating has become even more fun at mealtimes now that you participate.  Although you'd rather stand in your high chair, you sure enjoy apple slices, tomatoes, bananas and avocados.  Eating from a spoon isn't quite as fun but you tolerate it.  You love your sippy cup too and often raise it over your head in victory, like you just won an eating tournament.  You are absolutely adorable too as you chew your food; I have loved watching you learn to chew.

You are proficient at crawling and I love the independence this has brought you.  You crawl really fast after your sister and anytime you see the door open up to the outside.  When you get really excited as you crawl you grunt and huff and puff.  You are making all kinds of new sounds, the most exciting of which is "da" - when you say enough "da's" together it sounds like you are calling your Dad.

I love you son.  I look forward to the awesome ways that God will continue to grow and develop you both physically and mentally.  I am already amazed.

Love,
Momma

Of Masquerades and Home Improvement

Brandy attended Winter Formal this past weekend and she looked beautiful!  I can't believe how grown up she has become in the almost three years that I've known her.  Our sweet neighbor gave her the dress (she wore it to a dance at a different high school last year) and she made the mask. 

After marrying almost two years ago, we excitedly spent our Home Depot and Lowe's gift cards. We purchased items for numerous projects including new bathroom hardware, door knobs, drawer pulls, paint and more paint, and new electrical outlets and light switches. We looked forward to putting a few finishing touches on Kelly's home after I moved in. We started several of the projects right away - "we" meaning Kelly did the work and I observed and took pictures. One project though was started but needed finishing, especially now that Lil Man is on the move and crawling around our home.

Kelly was kindly updating our light switches and outlets last week, with HB's help of course!



December festivities!

Our good friends, the Copeland's, met us in Cottonwood this past weekend to welcome December with some great family friendly winter activities.  We started the day by watching the Cottonwood Christmas Parade in my mom's "secret" spot which truly was an awesome location.  We parked about five minutes from the very start of the parade and got to sit in the shade and had the view all to ourselves - no one was even blocking us!  Although HB was sleep deprived after missing his morning nap and fell asleep in my lap, Jeremy and Rebekah's daughters loved the parade.  Enjoy the few pictures I remembered to take this weekend.

Rebekah, Miss S and Brandy

Jeremy and Miss E

Hubby, HB and I

My sweet mom watched the two babies while the adults and two older girls went on the Cottonwood Chocolate Walk.  What's not to love about an event where you get to sample 40 different pieces of chocolate in a charming, restored Old Town area?  We all enjoyed the chocolate but I think we were all especially ready for the hamburgers, chili and grilled cheeses we enjoyed afterwards!

Kelly and I are both so grateful to have great friends like the Copeland's and only wish they lived closer.  God has been so kind and generous in blessing us with fellowship like this - we are especially grateful for friends at this time of year.  Happy December to all of you!

Turkey Day 2012 recap - in pictures

My brother and his lovely bride hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year - we traveled to my hometown on Thanksgiving Day after Kelly got off shift that morning.  Gretchen always sets a beautiful table and provides delicious food after spending hours in the kitchen.  {I'm sad to say I didn't get a picture of the lovely host and hostess.}  Let me recap our family favorites:

Me: mashed potatoes (I don't think I've ever eaten such creamy, light mashed spuds)

Kelly: stuffing

Brandy: green bean casserole

I was touched by what everyone shared they were thankful for especially with the sincerity that the children shared.  I was probably the most moved by what my step daughter shared - she said she was most thankful for a loving, supportive family and for parents who push her because "it's totally worth it."  That statement really blessed my heart.  Parenting is not easy but step-parenting has its own unique set of challenges, especially when this insta-parent-child relationship is formed.  Please don't read between the lines and think Brandy is a terrible step daughter, because she is actually very, very, very easy to parent.  But there is a learning curve to teaching and admonishing children, especially teenagers.  I have been blessed this November as we have remembered God's goodness in our lives.  I pray we continue our purposeful giving of thanks even as we move on to the next holiday celebration.

HB turned 7 months on Thanksgiving Day - please notice the Turkey on his shirt.  I love it!

Kelly enjoying the beautiful weather with HB up in Cottonwood as well as some calm cows and calves that were close enough for HB to enjoy!

My parents holding two of their grandsons.  I truly think my parents had my siblings and I so we could make them grandparents.

Brandy (in the middle) with her cousins.

Brandy, Kelly, me and HB - we enjoyed spending the day with family!

Grandpa enjoying some play time with HB the morning after Turkey Day - HB can't get enough of cowboy hats and ball caps!

My sister spent Thanksgiving with her inlaws so we met for lunch on Saturday.  I love this photo - her son is tapping HB on the head with his little tupperware of Puffs.  They love each other:)  We ate at America's Taco Shop (read my sister's review of it here)and it was amazing!!  I'm already trying to figure out the next time I will be close enough to eat lunch there:)

I pray your Thanksgiving was restful and full of rejoicing for the many wonderful blessings in your life.  Enjoy the remainder of your holiday weekend whether you are burning off some extra calories, watching football or getting out your Christmas decorations!

HB at 6 months

I can't believe six months have already gone by - it seems just like it was last month that we were loading up to head home from the hospital with our first born.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a full time stay at home wife and mom now; this new season of my life has been rewarding and I am so so glad to be able to witness the rapid changes in my son's growth and development.  I want to savor the sweet things he is doing and each milestone that we reach.  I record as many details as I can in his baby calendar but here are a few of my favorite memories so far as well as a few favorite pictures from the past month or so.

HB -

• You abhor baby food.  I think I try to hard to push this new stage on you but I'm sure we'll eventually make it through.  Until then, here's to many messy bibs, clothes and high chair trays.
• You are sitting up so well now.  I absolutely delight in this.  You look so big and independent as you sit on your blanket in the living room and reach for toys.  You also have started sitting up in the tub and we have to be extra careful to keep you from baby swan diving into the water as you lunge for your floating rubber ducky.
• You love going outside and looking at all the livestock.  You especially love Johnnie Reb (momma's Queensland Heeler).  You laugh when she retrieves the ball or frisbee and comes back.  You think she is doing it especially for you.  She has figured out how to throw her ball or frisbee into the foot compartment of the stroller.
• Momma is obsessed with your feet.  They are so cute!  She always calls them "stinky feet" and then kisses them.  You laugh every time. 
• You now have your two bottom center teeth and look absolutely adorable.  Momma and Daddy could do without the accompanying crankiness, but again, this too shall pass.  With teething we have come to learn you pretty much hate anything going in your mouth and this includes Tylenol, teething tablets and Orajel.  Momma feels like she is wrestling an alligator as she tries to give you something to relieve the pain.
• We started going to story time at the library once a week and you love this!  You grunt and giggle the entire time and your little arms are swinging around like a windmill as you watch and listen.  {Thanks Emily for inviting us!}
• You are starting to show more and more of your likes and dislikes for certain things - you enjoy the swing but hate being buckled in.  You also don't mind sitting in your carseat but hate the actual strapping in part.  You grab the five point harness and start biting it and grunting/growling.  It's quite humorous and a bit challenging now to get you strapped in.
• Your smile is contagious and so is your laugh.  You bring light and laughter to our home and family.  Thank you for being the joy that you already are and will continue to be.  We love you baby boy.

Having lunch with Grandpa G and cousin Bassie.

Learning to sit in the high chair.  Dinner time is much more fun having a "seat" at the table!

Helping momma with laundry.

Attempting to eat sweet potatoes.  I think more ended up on your bib.

The official 6-month photo.  Happy fall!