And We're Back...

As you can tell from my previous (short) post, we are back home and back to reality. Sometimes that leaves very little free time for me and on a rare moment where I can steal away some peace and quiet, I opt for a nap (when I am lucky), but more often than not, I am in fast forward trying to clean the house, do laundry, wash dishes, cook dinner, talk to mom, reply to text messages and brush my teeth all at the same time :). Despite the craziness, it's good to be back home. I will have to admit that it was nice not to have to wash a bottle or prepare formula for eleven days (thanks mom) and it was even more nice (or nicer, which is correct?) to have extra arms to love on baby B and entertain J (thanks Guncle).

Anyhow, baby B, you are 12 weeks old today! It seems like the same chorus line on repeat, but really, um, where did the time go? You are an awesome baby and now you are even more amazing when you smile, talk and laugh with us. You LOVE talking to your big brother and have just recently discovered your hands and the connection between your hands and your mouth. Well, you'll be three months old next week, so I will save the full updates for that time. But yeah, so you have finished your last trimester according to the baby books. You are out and in the world and we wouldn't have it any other way :). I try not to miss a moment of enjoying the time that I spend with you and your brother and I am so grateful that I am still able to enjoy every day with you without the pressure of working right now.

J, you are such a big boy. I was sooooo proud of you this am. You were so super excited to be going back to school that you literally RAN down the hall when I dropped you off to get to your classroom. You are doing so well in school and are the smartest kid in the class (well, of course, I think so, but yeah, so do your teachers!!!). Keep up the good work :)

To recap the holidays and the past week or so (I know this is a bit out of order, but just indulge me)...B, you did super well on your first airline flight. The flight was about an hour and ten minutes and mom, dad and J were so proud of you. You ate upon take off, fell asleep for a little bit, talked to us and refused the bottle when we were descending. I was worried that you would be fussy with your ears and the change in pressure, but you didn't make a sound. I think you're going to be an expert flyer by the time you are four just like your brother!

The boys met lots and lots of family and friends while we were at home. With my grandmother's funeral, they were able to see and meet more family than they would have on a normal holiday visit, so that, of course, was bitter sweet. I am still trying to get over the sadness that my grandmother never got to meet baby B (so don't get me started on the emotions I still have when I think about how much my dad would have adored him...it chips away at my heart each time J asks for his PawPaw as well)...Anyhow, my uncle, aunt and cousins came to visit us and we had a grand time. We also enjoyed time with the boys' paternal grandmother and great aunts. Everyone is amazed with J's growth and the development of his language and capitvated by the new little man in the family.

We brought in the new year separated. Dad had to get back home to work and we stayed behind for a few more days. Nonetheless, we were all grateful and blessed to see the year turn on the calendar. As he usually does, J stayed up with Mimi to see the stroke of midnight and celebrate in his own little way. B and dad brought in the new year in their dreams. Mom hung out with Guncle a little bit and had a good time, but missed being together with everyone. Next year, we know our celebrations will be different as we will all plan to be in one place and start our own traditions!

Well, I think that's all for now. I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of my dudes...(as the little one now awakes for food--BTW, I added a teaspoon of rice cereal to his night bottle for the first time today, let's see how it goes...)

Love yall!

Home on the Range...Or Something Like That

Hello folks in internet world! All is well here. I didn't realize it had been a few days since I put up a blog post, sorry about that. Nothing new really since my weekend updates in my last post. B is now four weeks old and wow, I can't believe it'll be his one month "birthday" in two days! It seems like it took forever for him to get here and now it seems like the days fly by. But by all accounts we are doing okay. B goes back to the doctor Friday, so I will have an update on his stats then. I have money on the fact that he's more than ten pounds now...This boy can EAT! I guess he's trying to catch up to J :)

In other news, we got the proofs back from our first family photo shoot. I am so excited to share them. Once I get the CD in the mail, I will post a few images. Let me just say that I have two of the most handsome boys on the planet! Our amazing photographer did a great job of capturing some oh-so-sweet moments during the session. I can't wait to get them back over there for our holiday shoot. But in the meantime, I won't leave you in suspense too long, so I will post some pics by the end of the week.

I had my check up at the doctor yesterday and all looks good. I am so thankful for great professionals here who have taken great care of me and my body. Even with the extensive surgery I had last year (more on that later), everything went much better than expected and by all accounts, all looks better than expected on the inside! I am amazed really given all that my little girls parts have been through. Just so glad that I found skilled doctors to pull me together enough!!!

Anyhow, off to take a quick nap...trying to make myself nap these days (who am I kidding, I won't go to sleep)...So off to clean and wash the dishes before this little one wakes up to EAT again...

Later loves :)

On the Sands through an Hourglass

This crazy concept of time is one that I struggle with...Well, I guess in more ways than one...For those who know me IRL know that I have this habit of being late or getting places right at the appointed hour. Being early never really was my thing. But before I digress, that's neither here nor there. The "time" I am referring to is the passing of time--from seconds to minutes; minutes to hours; hours to days; days to weeks; weeks to years...

It seems like just yesterday, I was bringing J home from the hospital...A wide eyed, calm (except at feeding time) newborn with a world of potential locked inside his little body. And now, I look at that "not so little" body of his--who am I kidding--I look at that HUGE body of his and wonder where the time has gone since that August day in 2007. It just doesn't seem real that he's now a four year old who has his own demands and doesn't hesitate to articulate them. It all seems like a blur. When J was an infant, I tried to make a point of making mental snapshots of special times that would burn in my memory so that I would always have them to recall. I would snuggle him tight, close my eyes and commit every detail of that moment to my memory. I can still recall sitting in a hotel room with him when he was a few days old, sitting on my bed with him playing when he was a few months old. And I am grateful that I can recall those times so vividly. I can only hope that it always stays as fresh to me!

And now, when I look at B, I want to create those same moments in my mind. I want to be able to have those images to recall years from now because as I can now see, the time goes so quickly. So as B's days have turned into weeks (HAPPY 3 weeks B!), I am not eager for the weeks to turn into months and years. Of course, I want him to grow and thrive and hit all his milestones accordingly. But I also want him to be a baby and for this time to go slowly and the moments to last as long as they can.

I wonder what my own mommy thinks when she looks at me and my brother...I know the time seems to go in fast foward. I can only hope to look at my boys the same way one day.

Cherish the day!

Going it Alone

I love every minute with my little guys. As I said, J keeps me on my toes and is in constant motion. B, well, he's doing all things newborn right now and it's a constant up-and-go attending to both of their needs. I don't have to tell the moms out there about the round the clock feedings, diaper changes, comforting AND the reading, playing with cars, preschool runs, etc. Ahhhh, the life with a newborn and preschooler...and oddly (or not) I wouldn't change the madness for anything.

BUT I know that I couldn't do this alone. I guess you do what you have to do, but geez, without my mom and big J, I would probaly be a royal mess by now. On top of healing from my C-section, I couldn't be as effective or present without them. I guess this all has a way to humble you. I now know, if I ever had any doubt, that I am not superwoman...and I am proud to admit that (cue the jaws dropping)...but seriously, as an over achiever, coming to that realization should be rather upsetting to me, but it's just the opposite.

You see, I have always been "that girl" ... You know, the straight A student, president of the class, model, dancer -- well rounded and successful in all things. At work, I produce great events and constantly stand out on top. I am a go-getter and I don't like to settle for less than the best. So I guess I have this drive to be that superwoman...but looking at my sons, I have realized now more than ever that some things are just more important. The don't need me to channel my super hero powers, they need me to be the best me I can be...to love them, provide a safe and secure environment, foster their dreams and to be FULLY present.

And I couldn't be any of those things without help. So to J and my fab mommy, I say THANK YOU fully.

I don't know how folks go this road alone...

Blessed!

Please Vote for MY COUSIN!

I have the most amazing cousin yall! I mean, really, she's someone that I have always looked up to from afar (like thousands of miles apart). Nonetheless, I remember when her first two books were published and though we got the paperbacks at the house for mom (I was probably too young to be reading them then anyhow), I stole the books and stayed awake at night reading her words. As someone who always loved reading and writing, I marveled at the fact that someone I knew, my cousin, was actually an author--had her words in print in a book! At a time when Af-Am lit was not that relevant in my world, she opened doors to me that I still enjoy today.

Fast forward years later and I am still amazed by this woman. We share the bond of both making the decision to become adoptive single mothers. And I think we'd agree that we have two of the best sons on the planet. So long story short, my cousin has a way of saying (or writing) things like you wouldn't believe. Her words give life to the thoughts we all try to express.

So here it is, she's entered a contest...and we need you to vote. Click the link and submit your vote. It's that easy!!!!

VOTE HERE
Thanks and goooooooooooooooooo Nef :) (her full blog is at www.mommiejonesing.com)

Trying My Hand at This

When my first was born, I started a Babysite to document every minute and every milestone so that my family and friends, near and far, could share everything with us. Fast forward four years and lots of changes later, I am going to try this blogging thing to see how it works. So where do I start?

This blog will keep you guys updated on our family life...specifically, updates on J and his progress, my job, random stuff...AND an introduction to the newest member of our family--Baby B!

New baby=new blog! So check in on us, let me know what you want to hear about and we will keep you updated.

Here's where we are now:

J--a fiesty four year old who is enjoying his time in Pre-K. He's into cars, the Cars movie series, monster trucks, baseball, basketball, football...all things BOY! He definitely keeps us on our toes at all times. J is a big boy (about 65 pounds now, size 7/8) but he's still my baby and I love him to pieces.

B--wow...B is the little one who made his debut into the world two weeks ago. The time is already passing so quickly. B is already a smart baby who will not hesitate to "speak up" to let you know what he needs. He's a great eater (4 ounces every three hours) and sleeper (though we are still working on that whole day/night thing). B has already gained a pound from his birth weight, and is 8 lbs 12 oz and also grew two inches, now at 21 inches tall! He's the sweetest baby and loves his big brother.

I think that's all for now. How's that for a first post? Once I figure out how to put up pictures, I will do that too! #newblogger :)