Somebody Else Turned 31.

I'd like to say it wasn't me (in my head I'm still a teenager), but it was.  We celebrated at my parents' house with my brother and his wife and my grandparents.  My dad cooked his famous fish tacos and my mom kept order in the kitchen (which is a job in and of itself with my dad), handled the fixings and made a yummy blueberry crumble for dessert.  It was a great night and a perfect way to celebrate with a three year old and baby.

My boys and me on my birthday -- what precious gifts!

This is why man to man defense is so important.

There's Fawn's sweet smile.



I hope I remember Fawn's sweet voice singing me happy birthday -- and helping me blow out my candles (Mom mercifully gave me only three).  And, I hope I remember Fawn's excitement in giving me my gift.  Pink camo sunglasses.  Enough said.

Month Three Recap.

Once again, we did this month's picture sans Fawn.  He was at school and it was much easier, much calmer.  But, I have to brag on Fawn -- he is embracing his role as big brother more and more each day.  It is precious and I hope is planting the seeds of a lifelong friendship between my boys.  I know I can't force my kids to be friends -- or, frankly, even like each other.  But, I pray they will be buddies and each other's biggest supporter (besides Buck and me and their future wives, of course!).  I only have one sibling -- a brother.  Growing up my dad told us when we were arguing or not getting along that we needed to be nice to each other because we understood each other more than any other person in the world could understand us.  Not only did we share genetics, but we shared an upbringing and history that we would share with no other person.  This "life lesson" has always stuck with me -- and I hope I can instill it in my sons. 

Back to Fawn and Small Fry -- Fawn loves to make Small Fry smile and laugh, and Small Fry loves the reaction he gets from Fawn when he showers him with smiles and laughs.  This is generally accomplished by Fawn singing a funny song or kissing Small Fry on the cheek.  Too sweet.

Small Fry continues to grow like a weed.  I'm talking most size six month clothes don't fit this kid.  He's so long that when I wear him in the Baby Bjorn his head covers up half of my face so I have to talk around him.  So, we've graduated to the Scootababy side carrier (though Fawn continues to insist that Small Fry likes the Baby Bjorn better -- easy for him to say since he's not the one carrying the baby). 

He's cooing and babbling up a storm and will belly laugh daily.  He is such a happy boy -- when he gets his beauty rest, that is.  I was such a stickler with Fawn in terms of his nap schedule; I still am, though the "exception" days come much more often these days.  I used the ever popular Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child book to learn about sleep (highly recommend this book!) -- and implemented the one to two hours of wakefulness with Fawn.  It worked like a charm, and I would love to use it daily for Small Fry as well.  But, it's just not possible with an older child to make sure Small Fry gets each nap "on time".  Poor thing, he's dealing well.  But, is definitely happier on days he gets really good naps.  Just something we will have to deal with until he is a little older and a little more adaptable. 

As for night sleep, if you'd asked me two weeks ago I would have said we were doing great.  Small Fry all of a sudden dropped multiple night wakings and was only waking up once (sometime between 1 am and 3 am).  We've regressed some -- back to two wakings and sometimes an extended period of time awake in the middle of the night.  But, at least I know he has it in him to give me a little more sleep!  So there's a light at the end of the tunnel.  The middle of the night is still precious alone time with my little one so I'll continue to look on the bright side and enjoy the snuggles while they last. 

This month has been a bit of a blur in terms of what we've been up to.  The fever virus hit our house hard -- Fawn was sick for almost a week and got Buck sick too.  It was no fun around here.  Small Fry had a low grade fever for a couple days but seemed to fight it off really well.  I thankfully stayed well (someone had to be the caretaker!) but was exhausted.  One night between Fawn and Small Fry I was woken up eight times between 10 pm and 6 am.  I really shouldn't have even bothered trying to sleep!  I've battled mastitis for the second time with Small Fry (I had it twice with Fawn as well).  No fun -- those of you who have had it know how horrible it is; if you've managed to breastfeed without getting it good for you (and be so thankful).  I know we've done our usual Zoo, Overton Park, Tot Lot,  and Triangle Park; and, I know despite the sickness we've had a really great month.

I can't believe my little angel is three months old.  I think it's the book The Red Tent that says "Time is a mother's enemy."  I feel like time is my enemy right now.  I wish the days would be longer and the weeks go by slower.  While it is tough at times, it is such a joyful time of life.  When I meet my Maker I certainly intend on asking Him why babies have to grow so fast.  I'm sure He has a great reason.

Month Three in Pictures.

9 weeks.

10 weeks.

11 weeks.

12 weeks.

Puppy love.

Every boy truly does need a dog. Thanks to Buck for choosing and raising a great one!

Fawn's Funnies.

This kid is totally cracking me up on a daily basis.  He is hilarious.  Case in point:

His nickname for me is "girl".  As in, "I love you sweet girl" "come here my girl" "hey girl."  It's very endearing -- but makes me laugh out loud too.

He's too funny with Small Fry.  He likes to greet Small Fry with this upon each new meeting:  "Baby baby arti baby.  What you babying baby?"  Translation:  he's taken "okey dokey artichokey" and turned it into "baby baby arti baby" (he also uses this greeting on me occasionally -- "mommy mommy arti mommy").  As for the second half of the greeting, he used to always say "What you doing baby?" but it has slowing turned into "What you babying baby?"  Not only does this result in laughs from Buck and me -- but Small Fry grins as well.

I sing to Fawn before nap and bed -- still, I know.  But I hope it doesn't end any time soon.  One of the songs he loves is "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music (my all.time.favorite movie).  After the line "Mi, a name I call myself", he screams "I call myself [Fawn]". 

Hope your house is filled with laughter and smiles too!

Say cheese.  (By the way moms -- I read that you are better off getting your kids to say a word that starts with "m" instead of the traditional "cheese" to get the best smiles...we're obviously still working on it.)

Easter 2012.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ, the Lord, is ris'n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply: Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ had led, Alleluia!

Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

(Words: Charles Wesley, 1739. Music: Easter Hymn, composer unknown.)

I have always been inspired by the music of Easter.  While worshiping through music is an integral part of how I praise God throughout the year, there is something stirring and lasting about the music of Easter.  Perhaps because the "classic" Easter hymns -- like the one above -- are sung year in and year out, they are imprinted on our hearts.  But, I think it is also that the Easter message is so awesome and life-altering that the music of Easter is likewise special.  I also think it is incredible to realize that Christians have been singing the same Easter songs of worship for literally centuries.

I love Easter, but it seems especially meaningful with a baby.  For me, it's a reiteration that God is faithful -- both to me and my children.  That through His grace salvation is available to me and to them.  That no matter the chaos of this world or the hardships and struggles we will face in this life, He saves and has prepared a place for us in heaven.  As a mother, there is nothing more comforting than knowing my Savior is seeking my children and will freely offer His gifts of grace and salvation to them.

I can distinctly remember rocking Fawn as a baby on Easter in the cry room at church; and I did the same thing with Small Fry this year (dressed in the same sweet bubble!).  I hope I remember this one in the years to come.

Buck's parents came by after church to take some pictures of us with the boys and them with the boys.  Not a bad attempt at a family picture.

Daddy and Small Fry.

Mommy and Fawn (munching on a chocolate bunny -- what a treat!).

Still munching...

 

After a morning at church, taking pictures, and discovering goodies left by the Easter Bunny (who came to our house while we were at church -- how nice of that bunny!), Buck had to get ready to be gone for a week for work.  I headed to my parents' house for a visit with the boys.

Fawn was playing music for us -- James Taylor (a boy after my own heart).

Small Fry snuggled in the Baby Bjorn.

Easter Egg Hunt.

Buck was out of town for work for a week starting the Monday after Easter, so we held our annual family Easter Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter.  It was very low key this year -- instead of coordinating with all of the aunts and uncles we just invited the grandparents.  And, I didn't cook a thing.
 

Fawn loved the camo eggs (of course!).

LOVE this picture of Small Fry and Daddy watching the action.

Shaking an egg.

Fawn quickly determined that not all of the eggs were filled with goodies.  This was not acceptable to him, so he proceeded to shake the eggs upon retrieval and keep those worth keeping (the ones with candy) and leave the ones that were empty.  It was hilarious!  As a side note, I encouraged the Easter Bunny to fill all of the eggs (predicting that Fawn would pick up on the absence of treats in some eggs) but the Easter Bunny insisted that it would be fine and enough eggs were filled.  After the hunt, the Easter Bunny acknowledged that momma knew best after all.

Enjoying the new swing set.

Belle was there too!