One week after Adaleigh's birth, Nick and I celebrated 4 years of marriage. We didn't go on a fancy date or give expensive gifts... instead we gave the little ones extra hugs and kisses, and reflected on the last 4 years over a simple lunch.
In 4 years we have grown into a family of four, found success and happiness in our careers, and are currently waiting to move into our first custom built home. We have laughed and loved, yelled and cried... but we have done it all together. We have survived our first deployment and months apart during training. We have battled through the challenge of infertility specialists and miscarriage, and have been blessed with 2 beautiful, healthy children.
Nick and I have spent the last decade together. One-third of my life with the man I love. I have watched him grow into an amazing man, and the greatest father anyone could ever ask for. I'm grateful to have him, but I'm even more grateful that my children have him as their father. He is patient and loving, and there's nothing he loves more than his family.
Four years have taught me the challenge of marriage, and the need to work and grow together every single day. Our relationship has rarely been easy, but that has made us so much more appreciative of what we have and the effort we've put into growing our amazing family. Our story isn't perfect... we aren't perfect... but our love is everything we've ever needed and more. I hope more than anything that our children feel the love that binds our family together, and never once doubt the love we have for each other. I hope to teach them that commitment and faith will always overshadow any bumps along the road.
Our family will always be what I am most proud of in life. Every day that I wake up next to the man that I love is truly a blessing.
Life with 2 under 2 is crazy in the best of ways. It is challenging at times, but so amazing. This is the life I always dreamed of, and I couldn't feel more blessed or grateful for it all.
Logan has continued to go to daycare most days. He doesn't go everyday and I try to pick him up by early afternoon, but we decided it was best to keep him enrolled while I was on maternity leave. We wanted to keep him in a routine while the rest of his world was turned upside down, and he loves school! The socialization has helped his development so much. I'm also not supposed to lift him for the next few weeks, and I can really feel the difference on days that I cheat.
Yesterday I survived my first outing alone with the kids. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to take an impromptu shopping trip to TJMaxx after picking Logan up from daycare. If I had really thought about it, I would have never gone. But instead of thinking I just did it, and the kids were angels! Logan was a little cranky at the end, but we survived without any major meltdowns. I walked out of there with my head held high. I don't think I could have been more proud if I had just won an Olympic medal.
Logan is really embracing his role as the big brother. He loves nothing more than to kiss all over his little sister. It must be the first thing he does every morning, and the last thing before laying his head down at night. He gets so worried if she cries, and doesn't like for her to be left alone anywhere. I expect things to change when she becomes a little more active and mobile (and capable of "borrowing" his toys), but for now everything is perfect.
Logan has also started warming back up to me since bringing Adaleigh home. He loves to steal a little snuggle time on my lap any chance he gets, and sits as close as possible with his protective little hand on my leg when my lap is already occupied. I've stolen back bath time duty, although Daddy still reads the bed time stories. Everything is falling into place.
I can't quite explain how perfect our family of 4 feels. Life was wonderful with Logan, but I feel like there was always a place waiting for Adaleigh to join us. It's as if I've been waiting my whole life for this exact moment. Everything smells a little sweeter when these two precious babies are around. It usually sounds a little louder, but definitely smells sweeter.
I wish I could say it was love at first sight. After all the tender moments between Logan and Adaleigh when she was still safely tucked in my belly, I wish I could say that from the moment Logan laid eyes on her he became the protective, loving big brother. I wish I could say he was happy to see her.
When Logan first entered the hospital room the afternoon that Adaleigh was born, he didn't know what to think. He didn't know where Mommy had been all day, why she was now swollen and lying in a new bed surrounded by tubes and cords, and who in the world was hiding under her gown and taking his place lying on my chest. He was very apprehensive to do anything more than give me a quick kiss, and was definitely not happy sitting next to me and his new little sister. He showed no interest in her, and wasn't sure how he felt about his Mommy anymore.
Luckily on Day 2, he started to warm up a little to the idea. He was finally interested in seeing who this new little baby was, and touching her hair and arms to see if she was real. We encouraged him to love her and kiss her, and to our surprise he started snuggling her tiny little body in Daddy's arms and didn't want to stop. She wasn't that bad after all.
Every day he shows a little more interest and love for his little sister, and is growing more protective of her. As soon as he gets up in the morning he runs to find her in the bassinet and give her a nice pat on the arm or leg. He doesn't like for her to be left unattended, and wants us holding her constantly. He worries if he can't find her, and brings her toys and pacis whenever she's around. Just yesterday I watched as he moved his activity table across the room, so he could sit and play next to the pack and play where Adaleigh was sleeping.
I so grateful he's adjusting as well as he is. Even though I am head over heels in love with our new addition, I hate that we've turned his world upside down. I will always feel guilty for stealing the attention away from him when he was still so young, but I hope that giving him a playmate and new best friend more than makes up for it. I know it will take some time for him (and all of us) to fully adjust, but I look forward to the challenges of the ride we're on. This is exactly the life I've dreamed of.
She's so tiny and perfect! We are over the moon in love with her. My heart melts every time I think of my beautiful, perfect family of four. More updates and thousands of pictures to follow!
It was love at first sight. From the moment you blessed this world with your tiny, sweet presence, you have melted my heart. You have made me fall in love with being a mom all over again. You are nothing less than perfect in every way, and you have us all wrapped around your little finger.
You are a champion eater! I never thought anyone could compete with Logan's love of eating, but you sure are giving him a run for his money. You love to nurse, and thankfully we've breezed through latching and learning without any problems. I think (and hope!) we'll be doing this for a long time.
I love everything about you, and I'm especially fond of the little squeaks you make to remind us you're still here. It is the softest, sweetest sound to my ears. Most of your squeaks come while you are sleeping, and are often followed by a warm little smile across your face.
You're such a sweet little girl already. You rarely ever cry, and sleep through all the loud noise and chaos of your big brother running around the house. You will sleep for 3-4 hour stretches through the night, and always look so content and peaceful.
Our lives will never be the same. You are so much more than anything I've ever wanted or wished for. You will always have a piece of my heart and a special place in our growing family. My love for you brings tears to my eyes.
Our last night as a family of three. Your last night as an only child, before you transition to your new role as the big brother. One last day of being spoiled with Mommy and Daddy's attention, without any distractions. One last day to soak in everything we love about you, that made us fall in love with becoming a family.
I hope you know no one will ever take your place. Our love will grow and our hearts will fill, but it will never change the love we have for you. You are our firstborn. The first to teach us patience and overwhelming, unconditional love... the first to make us a family. You will always be the one that made us question how we ever lived without you. You made us forget what life was like before children... before the reason we wake up and love life every day. You will always be so, so special to us.
I can't help but spend the days wishing that time would slow down. Wishing for a few more seconds to run my fingers through your thin, blond waves, or a few more minutes of sunlight to watch you run and explore the world around you. For so long I have wished and waited for the next milestone, but all I want to do now is freeze the little man you've become. Every little thing you say or do is so much fun.
How do I even begin to describe the little boy that runs wild through my life? You are saying and doing so much now. If we ask you what time it is in the evening, you always know the answer is "bath time!" and scream it down the hall as you lead the way. You say "please" and "thank you", "bye bye", "all gone!", and any and every word you can think of that begins with a "B". I think you surprise me everyday with a new phrase or word when I least expect it. Of all the different things you say, I think my favorite would have to be the "awww" you let out when sharing a kiss or hug with me or your daddy. You are truly too cute for words.
You are still a champion eater, but we have to get a little sneaky with the vegetables and watch how much fruit you eat. We still haven't found a fruit you don't like, and you scream in excitement every time you spot fruit from across the room. I'm even guilty of sneaking you a few grapes in the grocery store when you spot them in the cart. You're eating with a spoon and fork now, and doing an amazing job. Your coordination gets better and better every day. You still amaze everyone you meet with the amount of food you can fit in that little belly.
You are so independent and brave, everything I've always hoped for you. You run through the halls of daycare like you own it, and you're rarely shy or reserved. Instead, you light up every room you enter and spread happiness wherever you go. I couldn't be more proud of your beaming, cheery personality.
Everything in our lives is about to change, and strangely I think you sense it coming. You're a little more cuddly and clingy, and we've shared a few nights in bed for the first time in months. I know this little girl is going to rock your world, but I hope you never resent her for it. I hope you embrace the changes that come, and know that you will always be mama's little boy. No one can ever break the bond we share. I will always cherish the 18 months we had together, just you and me.
Yesterday (6/15/13) was a big day for us... Logan finally got his first hair cut! I've been thinking about it for quite some time, mostly because those long curls tickled his ears and he always had hair in his eyes. But as much as I knew he needed it, it was so hard to willingly cut the long blond curls that defined our little boy's look.
We went to Pigtails & Crewcuts in Murfreesboro on the recommendation of a friend. I can't say enough good things about them! We had such a great experience, and although a little pricey it was worth every penny.
We chose an Army airplane for Logan to sit in, and as we put him in it they went into action. The owner blew bubbles to keep Logan entertained, and most of the time he had no idea anyone was messing with his hair. He was a perfect angel! He held tight to daddy's hand the whole time, but no tears!
For the first time this pregnancy, Logan's first haircut brought the hormones out. I may or may not have teared up a little when he showed off his new big boy haircut. He is so grown these days, and his new hair matches his new little boy independence.
Logan has been steadily walking with a little help for weeks now, but couldn't find the courage to let go of those last few fingers to venture out on his own. On May 24, the night Nana and GP were on their way to Nashville for Memorial Day, he took his first few steps on his own. He would stand or walk as steady as could be, but as soon as he noticed he was on his own he would set his little bottom on the ground. It almost became a game... Daddy and me cheering him on with excitement, and him letting out high pitched squeals and giggles as he teased us with only a step or two.
It wasn't until Thursday night (June 6), when Grandpa and GG came in town, that he finally took off on his own (apparently he saves all of his best moments for the grandparents). He hasn't stopped since!
I can't begin to describe how proud I am every time he puts those little shoes to use. I guess a part of me never though he would actually do it! What an amazing feeling to watch your children grow and learn, and take pride in everything you've taught them and prepared them for along the way. Nothing is cuter than a little boy teeter-tottering his way around town. 16 months and 4 days, and not a day too soon.
