Trip Home

Last week we took our first trip back to AR as a family of 4. Our boys did so good in the car...and it is a LONG trip! Tucker slept most of the way and Griffin watched lots of movies! We had a great visit and were able to see most of our family- lots of whom had not seen Tucker yet. Griffin especially loved playing the drum set at Grandma's house. Here are some pictures and a video from the trip.

Tucker, 2 month pictures

Tucker, 2 months

Tucker turned 2 months today so I just had to write a few things about my little man. We went to the doctor today for his check-up and he is 12 pounds, 23 inches long. He is in the 50th percentile on everything, my little man in the middle. That seems to sum him up- Mr. Even-Keeled....most of the time. Over the last couple of weeks, however, I have discovered my calm, easy-going second child has a bit of a temper. You see he is so happy and contented most of the time, that it caught me off guard the first time that he screamed inconsolably at church when I was attempting to nurse him. I say attempting because when he gets in this "state"- and he has done it several times since- he will not eat, even if he is hungry. It comes on for different reasons and sometimes out of the blue, but I liken it to a child throwing a temper-tantrum- 30 seconds into the fit they have no idea what they are crying about- they are just mad and are going to let everyone know it. Luckily, Tucker's fits don't last too long and a walk outside or some pats on the back and he finally settles down and acts as if it never happened. I am a little scared to see how this might play out in the future.

Other than the occasional temper-tantrum, we have a wonderfully happy, fun, lovable little boy. He is smiling a lot these days, making some fun baby noises, becoming very alert and aware of his surroundings, loves to sit up, and loves trying to stand. He definitely knows his mommy now and I love that. He also loves watching Griffin- I can put him on the floor on a blanket when Griffin is playing around him and he will lay contented for a long while. He is a good eater and a pretty good sleeper, although the last 2 nights have not been that great. He usually gives me at least 5 hours the first stretch at night and then goes back to sleep for 3-4 more hours. He is a bit of a grunter in the morning- I usually end up putting him in bed with me around 6:30 after Nathan has left for work because he sleeps so noisily at that part of the morning. At first I was a little worried about his eating habits- he eats so quickly. But he seems happy and contented and is developing little fat rolls all over, so I would say he is getting what he needs.

Anyway, 2 months have gone by so quickly and I know it will only go by faster. I am trying to enjoy every phase a little more this time around.

I love you Tucker!

Pictures to come soon.

Happy Valentine's Day

While this holiday is one that gets mixed reviews from people depending on your relationships and past experiences, I have always loved any holiday whether or not it really applied to me. I guess I just love the excuse to do something, go out to eat, anything different. In my early years, I loved the balloons, the parties, the candy, the fun of another holiday and school party. Then came the MANY years of "flying solo" - intermixed with a date a couple of years- but I still managed to make it through, going out to eat with friends or watching chick-flicks in the dorm room at college. After these lonely Valentine's Days came the brief, but wonderful few years where Nathan and I were dating or married without kids. Nathan proposed on our first Valentine's day together, so it will always hold a special place in my heart- it was the best Valentine's and probably will always be. While we were child-less and had money (yes, those 2 things go together) we would go out to a nice, expensive restaurant, there were always flowers, presents, and cards- it is what I always wanted during the years without a significant other- and it was so much more because it was with someone I truly loved more than anything else in the world. Now, we are in the next phase- the kid years. Long gone are the days of fancy dining and dozens of roses. Disappointing...not at all. These days have been replaced with a much more meaningful and special time. Today Nathan woke up with the kids and cooked breakfast for me. He had a card and he helped Griffin make a card for me. They gave me 3 roses for my 3 special boys. Tonight, as I write this, Nathan is in the kitchen fixing dinner- steak, vegetables, and twice-baked potatoes- and it will all be excellent as he is a wonderful cook. He bought chocolate covered strawberries, a Valentine favorite of mine, and after dinner we will get ice cream from Culvers, out the kids to bed, and watch a movie. He did all the shopping, cooking, and cleaning...this, to me is a dream Valentine's Day! (amazing how our perspective changes) At home with the 3 boys I love most in this world- simple, sweet...I am So blessed.

So in honor of my 3 boys...

Tucker, you have only been with us for 8 weeks but I can't imagine my life without you. You bring so much joy and you fill a hole we didn't even know we had until you arrived. I love watching you smile, hearing you try and talk, looking at you as you sleep in my arms. I know you will grow up faster than I will be ready for, but I thank God for everyday I have with you. I love you!

Griffin, you are so full of life and love! I love that you have never met a stranger, that you will give anyone a hug or a kiss, that you enjoy so many simple things in life, and that you are always showing your love to me, with your hugs, kisses, flowers that you make daddy get at the grocery store, pictures you make me...you keep our lives interesting and we don't know what we did before you came along. I know there will come a day when the kisses and hugs don't come as often and the "I love yous" will be a little forced, but I am enjoying these days and soaking it all in. I love you!

Nathan...without getting too mushy for the whole world (or the few people who read this blog) I want to tell you how much I love you. You proposed to me on this day 5 years and I thought at that time life could not get any better. Boy, how wrong I was. You have given me 2 beautiful boys and have taken such wonderful, loving care of me and of our family. You are an amazing husband, and if possible, an even better Father. My greatest joy is watching you with our boys- cooking in the kitchen or reading stories to Griffin, holding and singing to Tucker...I know that this is what you were put here to do. Most of all, I am thankful for the love you have for our Father and the way that you lead our family to know and serve Him better. I love you SO much and I can't wait to spend many more Valentine's Days together just like this one!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Griffin

I wanted to take some time to write a little about my 2 boys so I can better remember what they are doing at this time in their lives. Since Tucker will be 2 months next week, I will start with my oldest.

Griffin is so fun and so challenging at the same time. He is smart, sometime too smart for his own good. He knows his letters and the sounds they make, numbers, colors, can spell his name, sing the Frog Street Press alphabet songs all by heart...plus a million other church songs, he knows countless Bible stories and has already learned his first memory verse this month after the 2nd Sunday. All this and I REALLY don't work with him on this stuff(some of you who know me may not believe that it is possible for me not be in teacher mode all the time, but then remember that I also have a newborn- no time! :)). He is just a sponge and has been from day one, doing everything early and it has all come easy for him. The flip side of this is that he has also learned how to talk back and develop an attitude much earlier than I would have expected. He is extremely strong-willed and stubborn and knows how to push my buttons and when he can get away with things (like when Tucker is nursing). We are learning to be consistent with our expectations for him and with his punishment when he does not meet them, and also to be patient as he grows and learns and challenges the world around him.

While Griffin gets many of the above mentioned characteristics from his mom, he thankfully did not seem to inherit my less than easy-going outlook on life (a nice way to say I am a little anal). He has no problem making a mess with all his toys, banging as loudly as possible on anything he can with his drumsticks, coloring on things he is not suppose to color on, and just generally being a boy...and that he is- ALL BOY! He loves cars, trucks, balls, tools. etc... although he has taken quite an interest in the cheerleaders at basketball games and enjoys pretending to put on my make-up and jewelry. He has such a love for life- always having a good time and always wanting to be on the go. He has his daddy's sense of humor and jokes constantly. He has never met a stranger- not sure where he got that one (maybe Uncle Jason!) and he will take food from anyone he sees with out hesitation. He talks and sings all day long and I just love listening to him. It is also very helpful that he plays so well by himself.

Despite his pushing of the boundaries, Griffin is a very loving boy who is always good for many hugs and kisses. He tells me daily that he loves me and that I am his best friend. He LOVES his littel brother and his friends and usually breaks down when they have to part ways. Most of all though, I am so enjoying watching his understanding and love for God grow. There is nothing more special than hearing your child say a memory verse or break out in a praise song to God or make a connection to a Truth that you didn't know they understood yet. I love you so much Griffin and I am so proud of who you are and cannot wait to see who you will become- just don't do it too fast!

Griffin's Night Out

Last Thursday I picked Griffin up from Children's Ark and we needed to stop by the church office. Of course, he wanted to see Mrs. Jackie, whom he loves (and loves to get suckers from). We talked for a while and she mentioned that she and her family were going to a concert that night- the African Children's Choir concert. Griffin said, "I want to go to a concert". I told him that that would be fun but we had basketball games that night and maybe we could go another time (poor guy- he spends most evenings running around the gym waiting on us to practice or play). We said our good-byes and went on with our afternoon. Later, while at the gym watching Nathan coach his boys, Jackie called and invited Griffin to go the concert with them. Well, he went with no reservations and had a great time. Jackie said he was mesmerized by the kids. Now anyone who knows Griffin knows that he LOVES to sing and loves music, so this was no surprise to me. He has a great night out with Jeff, Jackie, and their kids and they even went to Culver's (on Griffin's suggestion) afterward. My little boy is growing up- I can't believe he is old enough to go on a night out with someone else and sit through an hour long concert. I am so thankful to Jackie for making him feel special and get to do this "on his own" - I know that it is a hard time for him as he adjusts to having another brother taking attention away from mom and dad. Thanks Jackie!