The Baby Wearer

I'm not a 24/7 baby wearer, but I can't say enough how much I love carrying Jefferson around in the sling. Every time we go out I get stopped at least once by someone asking me about it. It is comfortable, convenient, and Jefferson snuggles up and usually falls fast asleep while tucked up in the sling. An added bonus is that it keeps my hands free for anything Harrison may get into need.

But overall, there is just nothing sweeter than having my baby curled up against me cuddling. I know how fast these little guys grow, so I'm going to enjoy every snuggly, cuddly, hands free, baby wearing moment.

Determination

I love how determined Harrison is. When he sets his mind to something, he will accomplish it. It doesn't always mean he conquers the task without tears or frustration, in fact that is what happens more often than not. But what I admire, is that no amount of frustration or negative feelings keeps him from "getting back on the horse" so to speak. He is learning to ask for help when he is trying to accomplish something and can't quite get there on his own, but for the most part, the guy wants to go it alone. At the beach he set out to conquer the mountainous dune; a sheer wall of wind whipped sand stinging your legs and robbing the lungs of normal breathing as you ascend. But he did it...all the way up. Matt helped him for just a few yards of the monster dune, but this guy conquered it. He couldn't have been more proud...his face coming up over the ridge said it all.

Hide It In Your Heart

So do not throw away your confidence... ...it will be richly rewarded!

Hebrews 10:35

Resisting

The green of summer is starting to receded giving way to orange, red, and brown. The morning air is hinting a chill. The ground is slowly being carpeted with a dull brown of the dying Summer. Memories of warm breezes and sitting in the afternoon shade are starting to dim. No, we're not going into depression or anything over here, but saying goodbye to the sunshine and sprinklers is always hard. I'm so glad I have our beach pictures to look at over and over to make me feel warm when the days grow cold.
We will soon be enjoying bon fires and apple cider, raining vibrant leaves and hot chocolate. The Fall will fade to Winter and then Spring will push through the empty branches until very soon it will be Summer again!

Homeward Bound

With great anticipation we loaded up bright and early to head East. It was the start of 2 wonderful weeks back home with family. Unfortunately there are about 10 hours of driving time between all our households. Driving time is like the list price before taxes and fees. You have to add in rest stops, snack attack needs, gas fill-ups, little leg breaks and Jefferson's eating every 3 hours. This trip was starting to look pretty long! But hours of mountain after mountain, my boys did great! They slept, ate, played contentedly, and watched some movies. The 10 hour door to door trip was completed in just over 11 hours! I was pretty proud of us. Of course it helped when we would find fun and creative places to stop for a break. Harrison worked out all his leg kinks on a McDonalds playground in the morning and then in the evening we found a truck stop. The little guy had a blast watching the "Macs" and "Peterbuilts" come in and out. So proud of my little travelers!

BFF's

We all have different friends that we hang out with, but there is nothing like having my sisters as my best friends. We only get closer and closer the older we get. We share clothes and fingernail polish, have stupid inside jokes and quote way too many movie lines. We can make each other laugh and cry all at the same time. We love talking, joking, and just being quiet together.

Since moving away it has been hard to not be a part of all the important and fun changes going on in my sisters lives. I ache to be back close so I can share in the giggles, the excitement, the sad days, and even the boring days. And that's what makes us such good friends. Because we don't just have to do things together, we want to.

Seaside

This week we have been at the beach, the most amazing place in all creation - in my opinion. This week we have been listening to pounding surf and gulls calling to each other. This week we hiked sand dunes and then ran down as fast as we could.

This week we have been dozing on the warm sand, snacking on junk food, and completely emptying the ice maker of crushed ice to chew on. This week we saw sharks, dolphins, and starfish. This week we counted stars over the ocean.

This week we have been letting the white foam roll over our toes, explored the surf, and took morning runs for miles down the coast. This week we have been eating unhealthy and not caring. This week we have been chasing sandy toddlers.

This week we stayed up late watching movies or playing games. This week we put together too many puzzles with too many missing pieces. This week we made inside jokes and memories. This week we floated for hours across the pool surface soaking up the sun.This week we celebrated an engagement. This week we revived, renewed, and unwound. This week we grew stronger in our dreams, our passions, and our family. This week was needed.

Wrapped

I don't know how God made it to be, but there is nothing quite like a momma and a baby. Babies are born not knowing just how much they have their mommas wrapped around their fingers.

Those tiny little cries are enough to melt any heart and sound so pathetic enough to hustle any momma in to scoop up that little needy bundle and soothe and rock to sleep. But these innocent little babies learn oh so fast what makes their momma come running.

So the real cries become forced in an attempt to get their cuddle time instead of bedtime. They are smart little things! Unfortunately for Jefferson, I know this trick. His angry crying doesn't change my mind that sleep is more important for him than his desire to cuddle, (though I do make sure I enjoy plenty of cuddle time when it's not sleep time.)

But what I still haven't mastered is not being completely swayed by those very charming grins and huge wide eyed smiles. Those melt me every time! They get my little man swept up in my arms and showered with kisses and hugs. My two little guys have learned charm goes a long way with their momma, they have learned too well! And I admit, those smiles have me wrapped!

Iron Sharpens Iron

Harrison has a very close little buddy. He really likes hanging out with him. He thanks God for his friend when we pray, and he is always asking if he can come play.

These two little men are very entertaining to watch interact. They are so different and that makes them great friends because they teach each other a lot. Harrison is all muscle, he prefers tackling and and making people laugh. His friend is small and quick, he is creative and sensitive to others.

They bring out the best and worst in each other. Sometimes these two testosterone bundles get overly competitive and have it out with each other. Other times they enjoy a mutually agreed upon wrestling match and come up laughing all the way. They like getting sweaty, dirty, wild.

I grew up with all sisters and all girl friends. We played dolls and used our imaginations and our play times did not involve death defying stunts or "one-up-you" competitions. But this is fun to boys and it's neat to observe these little men's friendship. We are so thankful and very blessed Harrison has such a wonderful buddy.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Big & Little

It has been so much fun to go back through Harrison's baby pictures and compare them to Jefferson. I see a lot of similarities, but as Jefferson grows, he is starting to change a lot. Jefferson is about 3 weeks older in these pictures.

These are the beloved Redskins pajamas that Harrison wore and now Jefferson is in them! It really is neat to re-see these clothes on our newest guy. When Harrison was in them, Jefferson was not a thought in our minds and now we can't imagine our life without him.

What a blessing to be able to have two incredible sons. I look forward to all the things in this life my boys will both share and enjoy together.

Hide It In Your Heart

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith...

...act like men, be strong!"
1 Corinthians 16:13

Baby Loves

As Harrison grew up I forgot all the little things I love about having a little baby. Now Jefferson is reminding me of those sweet little things.

I love the sweet coos and huge smiles he makes when he sees me coming to pick him up. I love the big open mouth slippery kisses. I love the way he feels when I cuddle him in fuzzy jammies. I love his pudgy little hands squeezing around my finger.

I love how his eyes follow my every move. I love the way he smells right after his bath. I love rubbing his little arms and legs with baby lotion. I love his soft hair and kissing his little button nose. I love every minute with "Jeff Baby" as I know all too well how quickly babies grow up.

Mouth of Babes

Matt was talking to Harrison about all the things we could do while at the beach. He told Harrison they could build a sand castle together. Harrison said he didn't want to do that. Matt asked him why.

Harrison said, "That's silly to build a house on the sand Daddy. We need to build on a rock!"

"C" is for Cookie

This week in school we did the letter "C". Once again, Harrison quickly found a lot of "C" things he really likes!

We made chocolate chip cookies and he so willingly helped taste the dough! We talked about how sports teams have a coach.

We watched "Cars" and then made a crossroads with "Cars" stickers. We talked about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, but when we believe in Him we become Christians.

We talked about colors and had fun with paints and crayons. Of course you need water for watercolor paints and you can go ahead and use your imagination as to what Harrison may have done with that!

Of course, Harrison's favorite "C" word is candy! What a little sweet tooth he is. He tried hard all week to convince me he needed candy for school!

Our little guy is doing great in school. He loves the one on one time with Mommy and his favorite time is sharing with Daddy what he learns each day. Now I need to convince him that even though "C" says "cake", it isn't his birthday so we don't need to make one this week!

Hide It In Your Heart

"For You O Lord have made me glad by what You have done...

"I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands!"
Psalm 92:4

On My Toes

This little guy is a wild man. Let me just try to fill you in on some of his latest escapades.

Very rarely do I attempt to do any clothes shopping with kiddos, but sometimes the sight of a promising clearance rack is enough to entice me over even with the boys along. Harrison seems to enjoy the digging through clothes as he adopts the role of personal shopper and pulls things off of racks and tosses them into the basket all the while proclaiming at the top of his lungs, "This will be beautiful on you mommy! Wow! Look at this one, it's perfect for you!" While this does make me smile, I have noticed shoppers within the vicinity are not so grateful for his exuberant praise.

My laundry has multiplied more than the boy's two fish and five loaves. In one hour yesterday my boys had created enough dirty clothes for a whole load. We were trying to get out the door in a timely manner, which is laughable in itself because nothing is timely when you have multiple little ones. Harrison was so handsome in his dress shirt and Sperry shoes. He took off running out the back door and sailed through the air. My ears took in the unmistakable sound of water splashing and in an instant, I knew. Harrison had swan dived into his little pool on the patio, fully clothed, and was he ever giddy with himself.

And then there is this new dust buster, which he loves...maybe too much. We got it to aid in the quick pick up of his messes in the car and little "oops" moments around the house. Well, Harrison learned quickly that in order to use the dust buster there had to be a mess first. What an intelligent little boy. We now have to pull out the huge vacuum as he tries to create the need to use the dust buster.

I find my share of empty fruit snacks packages balled up in the glass bowls under my counters as he likes to hide in the cabinets to sneak his favorite snack. I'm going to research buying stock in magic eraser as I scrub matchbox tire tracks off my walls, and I don't tire of finding plastic toy cows in my refrigerator. He drenches my bathroom with bath water, has a blast reorganizing drawers, and loves to get my keys and set off the car alarm. I love this little mischief maker to a fault and I happen to find all of his antics quite amusing. Of course I put on a good show of motherly reprimand when necessary, but inside I am always laughing and looking forward to what this guy does next!

Two Months Old

Hard to believe you have been here with us for two months now! Time has flown by and you have already changed so much!

Today was your two month check up. You did great! You are almost 23 inches long which puts you in the 25% for height! You are already in a higher percentile than your big brother. You also weighed 12lbs. 2oz which, putting it plainly, means you are a tank! Just to give you and idea, you are in size 2 diapers and 6 month clothing!

You roll from your tummy to back, you talk a lot, and you are very opinionated. You are stubborn and determined, but content to snuggle too. You love to observe and take everything in. You are very curious if not a little nosy. Daddy and Harrison can make you smile the biggest but you love to "talk" to me after you eat.

One of your favorite things to do is watch your big brother play Matchbox cars on the floor. You could do that for hours. You love music and being outside. You aren't too keen on nap times, but you sleep 6-7 hours at night, so we really appreciate that!

You are changing so fast in the way you look, sound, and interact. You are becoming a little boy before our eyes and we feel so blessed to be the family that you get to grow up in. You are such a gift to us and we love you so much! Happy 2 months Jefferson Lee!