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!

Bye Blogging Break...Hello 2012

Well, I have a lot of updating to do. We are in the midst of a great holiday break. Recaps to come as my blogging break is coming to an end. I will have full blog posts again when we return home in a few days. The boys are doing great, enjoying time with family and friends and being spoiled by grandmothers. Though breaks like this are always welcomed and nice, it's also good to be back home in our own beds and back to our routines, so we are looking forward to that as well.

As we face the last few hours of the year that is 2011, I am reflecting on how life has changed. I am still sad that it was a year that my dad didn't get to see. He has missed so much and he is missed so much. We continue to carry him in our hearts always! I have been trying to think of three words to sum up the year (I love that feature on the Sunday CBS morning news)and too many words come to mind...I mean, can I do anything in three words? So after much pondering, I am thinking "transitions through blessings" summarizes my year. Yeah, when I think about it, those three words seem powerful and fitting. What would your three words be? Interesting to think about, right?

Anyhow, like I said, full recaps of the holidays and the boys are coming zoo. Thanks for your patience and blessings on a great new year to you and your families.

Saying Hello...and Goodbye

Well, the final preps are underway for our trip back home for the holidays. We are looking forward to a little time away from the 80 degree temps and sunny weather (okay, just kidding about that part). But seriously, it'll be nice to be in a familiar land with familiar people that we love and cherish. Sometimes it's so darn hard to be far away! Anyhow, I am thankful that big J managed to get a few days from work to join us for a little bit. The little guys and I will have an extended stay and look forward to spending the time eating (a lot) and visiting with family and friends.

I wrote in my last post that my Mawmaw passed away. I still don't know how to come to grips with this as it's like I have lost another tangible connection to my dad. They had the same eyes and I was looking forward to looking into her eyes this holiday and seeing the piece of my dad that shared so much with me and radiated so much love. But that's not to be. I wanted to see the smile on her face as she kissed J on the forehead and held B in her arms, but I guess our reunion will happen in another time and space. I hope she is rejoicing and has my dad in her love and embrace. This sucks. And what I have learned through all this more than anything is that life goes on...people come, people go...material things fade, but the world keeps spinning and we have to as well.



Since we will be away from the house for the actual "big day," Santa visited 2999 last night. He happened to come while J was taking a bath. To see the shock and excitement on his face when he came out was what life is all about. We didn't go overboard this year, but J loved every minute! He even opened gifts for his little brother and tried to explain them to him. B was more concerned with eating and getting off to bed this year :)...How that will change in a few years, LOL. So the spirit of the holidays definitely warmed our hearts through the eyes of our children.


So I am off to finish packing. Drop me a line and let me know if you'll be in town for the holidays. We'd love to see yall.


I'll leave you with our Christmas blessing...from my two special gifts :)

Happy Christmas everyone!

Double Digits

Baby boy, you are ten weeks old today! Wow...Looking back at some of the pictures (which seems like they were taken just yesterday), I have realized how you have changed so much. You are so much fun and we love talking to you and snuggling with you.

We have been super busy the past few days. Our bowl game went well last night and it was good for me to see my coworkers and friends. Of course, everyone was excited to see J and meet B...So after a few days in the hotel enjoying bowl week activities and spreading some Christmas cheer, we are back home. We'll have about a day to unpack, wash and repack before we head out of town for the holidays and I, for one, can't wait.

The holidays will be a little sad this year. I am trying to think of it positively by saying that I have gained another angel, but it's tough. Yesterday morning, my mawmaw passed away. She was hospitalized a brief time before she died. My dad's mom was awesome and always reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life. My heart is heavy that though she saw pictures of Baby B, she will never get to meet him or hold him. I am somewhat comforted by the fact that my daddy now has both of his parents with him in heaven and I pray that their spirits are all rejoicing together. But yeah, this sucks. In times like these, I wonder about faith and the fairness of it all. I am not going to get into it on this blog post, but that'll be coming soon.

We love you MawMaw (or Mamom as she preferred sometimes). Please watch over me and my boys. May you get your wings and be granted peace. Please hug my dad for me. You are both missed beyond measure!

The Halls are Decked

It's officially Christmastime at 2999. Okay, so I had this grand idea of how I was gonna decorate my B. Smith designer Christmas tree this year. I was thinking of repurposing the chocolate brown and bronze bulbs from last year and adding a teal accent bulb here and there along with some of those fancy winding sticks and bows and clear lights. I had grand plans and I was ready to see what my designer touch could fabricate...Enter the mommy tree. I will just say my boys had other plans...So as I gaze at the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-like tree, I am beaming as brightly as the multicolor and neon lights that adorn the branches. The rainbow assortment of ornaments scattered about and train going through the pine needles remind me of what I like the most about this holiday. The star and bow that have replaced my black angel still give me peace and most importantly the smile on my boys faces as they hear the train roar with music and see the assorted lights flicker is worth more than any designer tree could give me. So yeah, despite my initial thoughts, I have the best Christmas tree in the world!

Along with the holiday decorations, baby B is now more fun as well (if that were possible, lol). As with big brother J, around seven weeks, they both seemed to "wake up" and become more present in the world. So now, we are awakened by little laughs and greeted with the biggest, gummy smiles all the time. To say that it warms our hearts would be an understatement.

We are looking forward to a great, relaxing weekend and we hope that you have one as well. We are going to finish our Christmas shopping tomorrow. I did most of it online already, so we just have to pick up a few things...And oh yeah, if you're on our list, please send your gift requests ASAP. It'll still be a surprise if you take the guessing game part of shopping out of it for me :).

Big sports weekend on tap as well...we will find out Sunday who will head to my bowl game. Odd to not be in the mix with all the college football madness, but hey, my time with my family is way more important than that.

Okay, let me stop rambling and get on with the weekend. Drop us a line or a comment when you can.

Love yall!

THANKFUL

Just a quick post...I know everyone is posting about the holiday and what it means to them. This year, as every year, I have much to be thankful for. As I reflect on my time, the only thing that I long for is if my dad were still here. Regardless, I am still thankful for having him in my life and for him making me the person that I am. Laughing tonight as me and J are burning the midnight oil (hey, he's on vacation too)...I showed him a picture of me and my dad when I was an infant and J is insistant that the picture is of Pawpaw and B. LOL. I guess baby B does look like me after all. Okay, I digress, back to the point...

I am thankful for:
-Love and a loving God
-A healthy, happy family
-Being able to get through nine months of pregnancy
-The support of family and friends
-Shelter, provisions, transportation, luxuries
-A job to sustain our lifestyle
-Blogs, facebook, photography...capturing the moments of life
-Every minute that I am blessed with

Love you all!

with Many Thanks

in this season for holidays, family, friends and love, i pause to give thanks for all that is special to me and near and dear to my heart.

i am on a mini blogging break until after thanksgiving to enjoy time and live in the moment.

me and my three boys are sending you all big holiday hugs and plenty of kisses