Baby Steps

At some point I'll get caught up. I have *almost* all the pictures from July posted on the girls photo blog now. Which sounds impressive until I point out that tomorrow is the first day of September (our busiest month of the year) and that I have all the pictures from the many things we did in August still to post. So coming soon to a photo blog near you there will be the following posts...

• Park Playdates
• Mia's First Birthday
• Jon's 30th Birthday
• Our trip to the Sacramento Train Museum
• Anyah's First Baby Food
• Our trip to Turlock Lake
• The Girls 1st Bath together
• A Lazy Saturday at home the first weekend after Mommy went back to work
• Layla & Nannie's Puppy
• Anyah rolling over
• Anyah's first time in the Bumbo
• Anyah's first time in the exersaucer
• The girls playing with Emily and having ice cream in Nannie's Yard
• Adorable pictures of Anyah finally laying on her tummy
• The Washington Cousin's Birthday Party
• At least 3 videos of various children doing adorable things

(AND THAT'S JUST THE STUFF I DOWNLOADED FROM MY iPHONE THERE ARE STILL ALMOST 100 PICTURES I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT ON MY CAMERA!!!)

So being as we're doing a post in bullet points, why don't we talk about things coming up this month (in no particular order)

• It is both open enrollment for health benefits and schedule bidding season at my work which means it's busy even when you're not busy
• Anyah is teething & rolling...the combination of which keeps everyone on their toes
• Layla is sick, I think she has a UTI (which will be confirmed with a test tomorrow at the Dr's) but needless to say a 2 year old with UTI has a lot of accidents and cries ALOT
• It's Labor Day Weekend this weekend which means the Newman Fall Festival (because of the 2 bullet points before this one I might not make it but I am still going to try)
• My Mom's Birthday is this weekend (stop by on her facebook at give her some love)
• Our Anniversary is halfway through next week
• My MRI is on our Anniversary right after work
• I need an MRI...that's it own post so I am sure it earns it's own bullet point (most of the people who cared sent a text, called or messaged about this so I am not in a hurry to write this post but it will be a long one)
• Layla's 3rd Birthay is coming quickly
• Layla needs 3 year old pictures
• Layla's party invitations need to be addressed and sent
• Layla is having a party...that's also a big thing

(AND THAT'S JUST THE BIG TO MEDIUM BIG STUFF)

So I'm sorry if I don't have time for much this week. This post was written entirely while my iPhone did a sync it's needed for over a month and then I'm going to write back to the 8 emails I've not had time for and head to bed where my baby is all snuggled in without me.

It's gonna be a long month... Mommy needs her sleep.

Big Daddio

I married him because he was just enough long haired hippy that I knew we'd be a perfect match. I watched him grow as a person, as a father, and as a technology junkie. I have been honored to experience many things with my husband, not the least of which was his 30th birthday last week.

He is a man of many talents with the heart of an all American Good Guy and the soul of a long haired rock drummer. He is handsome, charming and now that he's seen this post probably just a tiny bit more cocky than he was when he got up this morning.

Happy Birthday Jon! We love you *this much*

The Places We'll Go - Autumn Edition

The weather this August in California has been mild. Very mild. So mild that the last two times I have taken the girls to the park in the morning (we do that sometimes on the weekend so Daddy can sleep in) I've had to leave early and drive them around in the car with the heater on to get them all warm and toasty again.
So with the end of summer slowly trickling off behind us and my return to work hitting us hard last week I am totally glad that I once made that list of things to try and do over the summer and that we managed to check off most of them... so that got me thinking...

We go to the park. We go to Nannie's. We go to the grocery store. We go to the library. I go to work. Jon goes to get the mail. Every day we go somewhere... but it was really nice to have some ideas on hand of places to go on the weekends or on our days off when the free time was blankly there staring at us in the face.

So where will we be going this Autumn?

Well the first three things on the Autumn list are three things left over on the Summer list that we never got to (it wasn't bad really we did all of them but 4- one was a summer only activity) and then I thought up some new fun adventures we might try.

• Go to the SF or Fresno Zoo
• Paint Pottery at Color Me Mine in Modesto
• Visit the Stockton Discovery Museum
• Go to the Corn Maze & Pick out Pumpkins for Halloween
• Picnic at Donnely Park & Feed the ducks before they are gone for winter
• Go visit Pa at the Ranch and let Layla ride a real horse
• Attend a Renaissance Faire with my husband and kids *this item has been removed frmo the list due to scheduling issues-until next year*
• Go to the Newman Fall Festival (Labor Day Weekend)
• Take the kids into the mountains to hike around in big trees
• Have Layla help Mommy make bake bread on an Autumn Day
• Gather a leaf collection and press them in a journal
• Go apple picking & make a Pajama Party Apple Pie or caramel apples
• Pick Halloween Costumes, attend a carnival and go trick or treating
• Watch all our favorite Halloween movies with the girls & eat caramel popcorn
  

So that's a sample of 14 things you might catch us at this Autumn. Of course things tend to get added and subtracted from the list but it's good to have some ideas up your sleeve. I don't know how many we'll actually get done. September is a SUPER busy month for us every year...but darn it...we're gonna try.

I can smell the apple cinnamon candles and feel my warm fuzzy blanket on a rainy day already.

**this post has been/will be edited as things are done on the list **

To Anyah @ 4 Months Old

(sorry about the iPhone picture for your monthly post baby but I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when you give people this look)

My darling Anyah-bean,

Let me tell you four months with you seems like a lifetime of love. The other day I went back to look for an old picture of myself taken while I was pregnant and stumbled into some pictures of your sister from April before you were born and the folder seemed empty without some pictures of you in there with the pictures of her. It's like you've always been here.

This month you've progressed from newborn to baby. You sit up in your bumbo, swing, exersaucer, jumper or on the couch without help (ok not so much on the couch but you're working on that one). You've decided you're finally ok laying on your tummy to play (but only with daddy). You've started eating rice cereal because DUDE you are ALWAYS hungry. It's crazy!! And you have started actually playing with people and things. You still love rattle baby but you've also decided the purple elephant your sister used to love is amusing.

The thing that amuses you the most is definitely your big sister. You giggle while she dances and you stare at her while she plays rolling from side to side so you can keep an eye on her. She's recently decided you can be entertaining to. Before this month she was all about "oh no baby crying" and dragging us to your side. Now she's all about getting you toys, bottles, and pacifiers and making you life while your hanging out on the floor or in your exersaucer.

You still roll from your back to your tummy but you haven't adventured to roll the other way yet. You've also started putting your own pacifier back in when the mood strikes you. You have crazy hair and you have mastered the Jeffery stare down (pictured above) which you give people when they are doing something mildly amusing that is more annoying to you than pleasing...you know... like singing off key. That picture above was your first spoonful of baby food. It took me 6 minutes of stupidity to get your to laugh and open your mouth so I could get that spoonful in there.

You are a rock star of physical development. You sit better than some 6 month olds I know. You already push yourself up to standing position and can hold up your weight on your legs...you do that over and over and over.

So your likes include (but are not limited to)- soft jingling sounds, cuddling while being rocked to sleep, watching people do silly things, sitting upright, bubble baths (that switched lists), trees dancing in the breeze, co-sleeping, puppy kisses, and being talked to. Dislikes include (but are not limited to)- cold things, loud noises, daddy sneezing, when mommy leaves for work in the morning (oh yeah I went back to work this month), when sister tickles you (which isn't very soft and gentle yet), hats, extended tummy time, being held by people you don't know well and the rash you got from cat dander.

As far as personality goes you are the opposite of your big sister. Where she is sassy and playful and loud you still remain peaceful, content and observant. You guys make the perfect pair though, balancing each other out and playing off of each others strengths. Good times. I enjoy taking you both out to fun outings and watching how you process things differently. Her running around trying every single thing she can think of while squeeling...you grinning shyly, watching intently and trying to take in every little detail.

So we enter month four with a wide variety of new things ahead of us... I mean your eating things, you napped in your crib once, mommy went back to work so you are getting to know Nannie and Daddy better, you're moving around more, your rocking your punk hair, you love your sister, you live in every moment this most aware and peaceful breath of fresh air.

Four months... and you've changed the way I look at everything... because even though my heart feels like you've always been a part of me... my soul is drinking in the newness of your tiny little life.

Love,

Mommy

Getting it Together

This was eye level in our closet under the stairs last week.
The stuff was stacked eye level high from the very back all the way to the door.

Two days ago we went on a mission to clean out the closet and get it put back into some sort of order. It didn't take long once Layla was at Nannie's house and Jon was alternating between helping me with the closet and helping me with Anyah.

This is what this week is made of at our house. Monday I go back to work. I already had a conference call with work this week and the reality of "oh my god I'm leaving my baby at home" has finally sunk in all the way.

I think I am ready.

My mom is staying with the girls here at the house every day until Jon or I gets home from work. That is a HUGE blessing. I love leaving my girls with someone I know loves them enough to always do the right thing for them.

But, I don't want to leave her here in chaos. So closets have been cleaned out. Bathroom cabinets organized, dishes put back where they are supposed to be, pantries sorted, baby clothes have been put in right drawers for easy access.

Mainly, I am trying to get my shit together so I can hopefully spend a few days feeling like my shit is together before it all changes back to working mom chaos.

I am blessed to have a job and to have had 5 months at home (1 with just Layla and almost 4 with both girls). Now if I could just keep that perspective while I hyperventilate about Monday.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

A nuclear warcloud of family drama hit here a month ago. If you are reading this then it hasn't resolved itself because I am writing this post and setting it to post on 8/8 which will be three weeks after "it" happened.

I'm fighting the same battles only now instead of people being understanding and saying they are going to do something about it... now they'd rather say things they can't take back and leave.

Lesson learned on both parts...

You probably learned not to ask why someone is pissed unless you're ready to deal with it.

I learned that sometimes people can't love you enough to choose you over something else.

So if you're reading this it's been a month and I'm sure the yelling was followed by a long period of silence because everyone is pissed and we all should be. I am watching something/someone drive a wedge between me and my father that hurts so much I can't even look at it anymore with an objective eye.

What would you sacrifice for love?

God I hope I don't have to answer that question...because you shouldn't ask yourself questions you're not ready to deal with.

Let's Pretend

My Laylabug has a HUGE imagination. She's currently sitting on the floor playing with her doll house, the Mommy & Daddy doll have been taking turns kissing the baby and putting her to bed.

This week we busted out the dress up clothes that got handed down last year (but were a little too big at the time) and Layla spent the day bouncing from princess to princess, sometimes combining them to make her own princess.

Last week she was a doggy most of the time because Nannie got a new puppy so now she's got more stuff in her catalog of doggy behaviors to mimic.

She takes her fingers and pretends they are people on an adventure, walking her fingers up her arm and pretending it's a slide to slide back down.

It's amazing to watch a little person come up with this stuff all on their own.

It's also sort of fun to get in on the action. I think I'll go have a pretend juice and some cake made of blocks and served on tiny dishes now.

Splashin' Good Times

Layla and cousin Faith playing in the water...
Jorie was nice enough to hold Anyah for awhile so she could watch everyone splashing about...
(the baby in the background is Brooke, none of the pictures of her that I took came out well)

The girl cousin's from Washington have birthday's that are remarkably close together. Mel & Garratt decided to bring the girls down for Faith's 3rd Birthday and Brooke's 1st Birthday so that they could celebrate with family.

There were sprinklers, kiddie pools, chalk and cake...all the makings of good times when you are little. Layla loved seeing the girls and talked about it the next day.

Happy Birthday Girls...

Sacramento & Trains!

Alternate Title : Why I married Jon...

So yesterday I had big plans which fell completely apart in oh I don't know...4 minutes... right about the time I got up.

So today I got up and immediately asked Layla if she wanted to go to the park (so daddy could sleep in) and let me tell you...never before in the history of the world as a toddler wanted to go to the park more. There was jumping around, there was speed style hair brushing and dressing and off to the park we went.

With a small detour to the local Starbucks first of course...

So two small children and I found ourselves at the park just before 8 am armed with sugary goodness and the play commenced. After an hour being trapped by the park sprinklers in weird areas of the playground they finally let us free to play where-ever we wanted and a few other kids from the neighborhood wandered in and out to play (without parents) and were all wonderful to my overly excited 2 year old.

After 2 and a half hours we packed up and headed home (but Layla wanted to drive around and look for a train first). While looking for a train on a track in Turlock Layla had a potty accident so we went home (to her dismay) and we woke up daddy (with the loudness of her dismay) and he suggested we take her to Sacramento to see real trains.

Ok his suggestion was "too bad it's already 10 we could have taken her to Sac to see the trian museum" and my answer was "that's a great idea we could eat lunch at Joe's Crab Shack first"

and that's all it took...

In 30 minutes Jon was showered and dressed, all little people had been prepped and packed for travel and we were on the road to Sacramento (with a brief stop for more Starbucks of course).

The kids were great in the car, Layla talked about trains the whole way and we prepped her for "first we'll watch boats on the river and eat lunch then we'll see choo choo trains". When we arrived I slipped Anyah in the carrier and we went to lunch on the outdoor patio and watched some boats and ate yummy things.

Then off to the train museum for a few hours before Anyah (who napped in the carrier) decided she was hot and she had had enough. Then back to the car with a choo choo train for home and back on the road.

Always marry someone with the same level of get up and go as you have...

Today we had nothing... except for that quick trip to the park and the road trip to AWESOME followed by a trip home to play with new things...

I can't imagine how boring life would be if we *always* had a plan.

We're hot but we're here

Wow when things get busy around here they really get busy. We've been to the fair (pictures included in this post) and we've got a birthday party this week and another one next week. Jon's 30th birthday is coming up at the end of the month. I go back to work in 2 weeks (well more like 1 and a half now). It's busy busy busy. And I have so much to blog about but I keep writing half of blog posts and not finishing them and I have a few I REALLY need to finish so hopefully I'll get to that soon.

So a few small updates to hold you over.

Anyah is laughing, rolling over, holding her head up, playing in exersaucers, grabbing toys and shaking them and eating...boy is she eating...which means she's growing like a champ. Other than an intense dislike for loud noises and being VERY attached to Mommy she's a very content baby. And right now she is teething (or at least it seems like she is teething) so she's had me very busy with lots of cuddling, bouncing and walking in circles.

Layla is potty trained and we don't really have accidents at home anymore. She's very into puppies (Nannie just got one), ice cream, drawing/painting and acting like a silly crazy tiny person. She really enjoyed the fair and was a good sport about rides until it was bedtime and then she was done and ready to go home. She's a tiny bossy little thing which is amusing since both her parents are also bossy so we just all sit around being stubborn and waiting to see what happens next.

Family life is good. Busy... but good. Birthday's to attend, birthday's and anniversaries to plan, jobs to get back to and a busy hubby work schedule too...

We're blessed to be stressed around here.

The Tale of the Potty Princess

One summer, not so long ago, in a land, not so far away, there lived a princess who liked mud pies, pink toenail polish, 90's cartoon series' and chocolate milk. Her mother came to her one day and said, "little girl it's time for you to be a big girl and pee pee in a potty like everyone else." Because Mommy was tired of being a slave to the King Pampers and his evil minion wipes.

It was a long week of training. Prices were won. Battles were lost. And much to the Mommy's excitement the legend of the book of "Attachment Parenting Potty Training in 5 Days or Less" actually worked.

And they all danced around and wore stickers on their shirts...and lived in a land without size 5 diapers forever and ever... (or at least until the baby princess gets big enough for them).

The End.

To Anyah @ 3 Months Old

Dear Anyah~Bean,

This has been a month of tiny little discoveries for you. You figured out how to get your hands into your mouth (which you prefer to a pacifier). You also figured out how to roll from your back to your tummy. Ironically, this discovery has lead to the none-to-happy discovery that even when it's your idea you HATE laying on your tummy. So the scene plays out rather amusingly with you laying on the floor, working away kicking and flinging until *pop* you roll over, and then screaming bloody murder until someone puts you back on your back.

You like to sit up and watch things. You're quite the little watcher content to be propped up on the couch, set on the floor, left in the swing or held in a sitting position. You rock the head holding and Mommy has stopped helping you with that all together. You like your jingle baby doll, pulling Mommy's hair, watching your sister dance and rubbing your blanket up against your face now that you've figured out how to grab it and move it around.

You despise loud noises. You are very aggressive about screaming the second an offensive noise happens anywhere near you. At this point loud noises are the only thing you really hate. You've finally warmed up to daddy and like to smile and laugh at him just as much as mommy (well when he's being entertaining that is)...Mommy on the otherhand is always fascinating and worthy of free smiles (lucky me).

You also warmed up to the concept of baths finally. You like a bath most of the time. The exception is when your sister insists on helping...then you LOVE a bath. I don't know what Layla does differently (as she's 2 and I am standing right there it all looks the same to me) but if she gives you a bath you giggle and kick the whole time. She doesn't mind this new chore at all, just this week she told Mommy off for trying to bathe you without her.

Your relationship with your sister is the main change this month. Suddenly she is a little protective of you, a little interested in you, a little excited to fetch a pacifier or a toy and a little bit invested in your happiness. And I totally get that because you WORSHIP her and everyone needs their own fan club.

This month has been all about growing up... and you my little bean...are sprouting into a graceful, peaceful little flower.

Love,

Mommy

Layla's First Movie Theatre Experience

We went to see Despicable Me today in the theatre. We had nachos, popcorn, M&M's, Gummy Bears and soda. We watched in anticipation. And we laughed...oh how we laughed...those minions are hilarious. When it was scary Layla hid behind the row of seats in front of us and watched through the cracks. Most of the time she sat on someone's lap. She leap frogged from Mommy to Daddy to George to Nannie and then back again. She was completely well behaved. She loved the movie itself. She kept telling George "look a big movie on the big tv at the show" over and over. Too cute!

Definitely a wonderful thing to knock off our fun list of things to try this summer. The first movie in the theatre was a HUGE success.

This week

We ended Sunday night (4th of July) with fireworks in the front yard. Layla and I wrote her name in the sky with a sparkler (checking yet another thing off the summer fun list) and then at 10 p.m. she was tucked into bed and so tired she slept through fireworks going off all over our neighborhood. Anyah on the other hand hated hearing picalo petes and kept me up very very late.

Monday was a day filled with over tired toddler antics and a baby who just wanted us to all.be.quiet.please.for.the.love.of.god. Which resulted in Layla and Daddy playing outside in her pool and Mommy and Anyah going for a 2 hour long drive in the car so Anyah could nap and Mommy could recollect her calm.

Tuesday Layla went to Nannie's for part of the day and I finally caught up the dishes and laundry.

Wednesday we had a pajama day and watched Sesame Street on DVD.

Today is Thursday and Layla is off having fun with Nannie so that I can spend time sorting baby toys, cleaning dishes, blogging, calling SDI and enjoying a noise free baby naptime.

Tomorrow is the Farmer's Market (without Nannie) and Saturday is going to be Layla's first movie at the theatre... we're going to take her to see Despicable Me. We heart Disney.

And if I make it to Sunday then I am going to nap...because I am exhausted and if it's this tiring to keep up and be home all day I am starting to dread thinking about what it will be like in 5 weeks when I go back to work and keep up while missing the crap out of being home with my kids all day.

So I am enjoying this busy week in this busy summer and thanking God that I got to be home for as much of it as possible.

All American Traditions

Yesterday we packed up the girls for the short drive downtown to watch the local Independence Day Parade which is something I was totally looking forward to this summer. Layla enjoyed the parade and watching all the classic cars for the car show driving by. I loved the wide eyed wonder of a toddler at a parade. I love the way her little flag waving would pause when something cool distracted her from her duties. Anyah slept through most of it.

Today we'll be enjoying another set of All American traditions... we'll have BBQ and play outside in her plastic pool until the sun goes down and then Daddy will set off fireworks and we'll write our names in the sky with sparklers.

Verbs

Anyah is always watching something. Watching me talk, watching the toys move, watching her sister play, watching the scenery go by, watching strangers down the way, watching Daddy on the couch...watching...

She went from the baby who was always asleep to a baby who now drinks a bottle while trying to turn herself around to watch what is behind her...because what is behind you is always cooler than what's in front of you...in case you haven't noticed.

Layla is not a watcher. She will search for things she likes and point them out to you but then she's perfectly content to move on to the next thing. In fact, if Layla had a verb (even as a baby) it would have been going. She was going to roll over early, going to grab that, going to kick, going to run, going to climb, going to the park, going with Nannie, going to the room where daddy is, going on an adventure in her imagination, going dancing, going to be a puppy dog...going...

From a going-baby to a watching-baby is an easier transition than the other way around I suppose but still I find myself staring right back at her sometimes and wondering what Anyah's thinking in there. With Layla it was easy...she was thinking about where she was going next to get herself into a little mischief. With Anyah...not so sure really...

I can't wait until she can tell me

Grow Time

With your first baby it feels like everything is just dragging along. It takes forever for them to sleep through the night. It takes forever for them to hold up their head, to grow to the next size, to smile... you just wait and wait and wait.

With last baby it's all a blur. Just yesterday I gave birth and now she's 2 months old. I know it's been two months because I see the next size of baby clothing, the smiles and coos, the head held up and looking around for someone she knows.

It was a rush and I feel like I am missing parts of it. Then I catch a glimpse of something and I know I'm not completely missing it all.

Layla never had pudgy little baby legs...she was long and skinny. I watched these little legs get chunkier and chunkier this month. I didn't miss that.

I didn't miss Layla deciding she is no longer afraid to crawl up the side of things at the park without my help either.

So we're spending what's left of my maternity leave and the summer that stretchs out in front of us trying new things and making new milestones so we can keep growing together while at the same time growing all on our own.

2 Month Check Up

She's 10 lbs and 12 ounces. She's 22 inches long. She's passing her milestones like she should...

And right now she's napping to recover from the vaccines they poked her with.

Freedom

Lately the bliss of summer and the burden of motherhood are duking it out at our house. I want to sit in the kiddie pool with a margarita and watch my kid splash about. I want to eat all the smores I can stomach and BBQ every night for dinner. I want a lot of things.

But mostly I have dishes to do and things to pick up and unexpected adventures in ant slaying and baby bouncing until you stop-screaming-for-the-love-of-God. Layla has not adapted to the "shh baby is sleeping" naptime concept. Anyah doesn't like loud noises.

Layla wants more attention. Anyah wants another diaper and another bottle RIGHT NOW!

Balance...juggle...bask in the freedom of knowing that in the long run the attention and the bonding over a bottle matter more than the state of my kitchen floor or the fact that I find myself in my pajamas several days a week when Jon gets home from work.

Laugh it off...

You probably don't have another option.

To Anyah at 2 Months Old

My Darling Baby...

First let me say that you are "my baby" not because you're my favorite (I don't have a favorite *wink*) but because you really only like Mommy at this point in your tiny life. You will tolerate other people but your bat senses go off when I leave the room and it makes me feel very very important and needed. Daddy on the other hand is less than thrilled that you keep him constantly on his toes no matter how good of a loving daddy he is being.

You, for the most part, are a pleasant baby. You stay happy most of the time but when you are unhappy you get very loud very quickly. You already smile (but only for Mommy), you hold up your own head, you squeak at people (it's not really cooing but I think that's what your going for). It took Mommy 6 days to figure out that you wanted to go to bed earlier and for those six evenings at our house it was HORRIBLE. I thought you had colic (because you are very full of hot air) but as it turns out your just a bedtime diva like your sister. When we miss the sweet spot you get very vocal about your distress.

The other thing that distresses you is the bath. You hate the bath so much you cry when I change your clothing just in case I have taken off your clothes for a bath and I haven't told you yet. Heaven help us all if you actually hear running water... my ear drums are still ringing from the other day when I held you while I had the nerve to try washing my own hands.

You aren't a fan of loud noises. This displeases your sister very much because she is a huge fan of loud noises but she hates it when you cry so she's been much quieter lately. She definitely has the opinion that no one can make "her baby" cry but her. She still doesn't want to hold you but she gives you kisses and holds your hands now. She also runs to find someone the second you start to cry. You help her out though by winding up for a long time before you *actually* cry. I call it your squeeking bean sound.

So far you love snuggling, your swing time, co-sleeping, being worn in the sling and most recently laying on the floor talking to the ceiling fan. That ceiling fan is awfully entertaining as it turns out. You love warm bottles, socks, swaddling and fuzzy blankets. You recently decided you like the rattle doll your Grammi gave you when she was here visiting from South Carolina, the radio and the mobile above your swing (where you nap).

You adapt well to new situations which is good because we're constantly going somewhere. You love to watch things (people, trees in the wind, reflections of light) so you tend to entertain yourself with wonder.

You've grown quite a bit. I think you probably weigh close to 9 pounds. We won't know that for sure until your appointment later this week. You suddenly wear 0 to 3 month old clothing and you need bigger socks. You still look tiny to me though because you are just now the size your sister was when she came home from the hospital.

This week you got dedicated at our church (on Father's Day) and we promised to help you grow your relationship with God. I think someday God is going to use you for great things. You are soft, patient and always observing everything around you... what wonderful things will that grow into as an adult? I'm not sure but I can't wait to see.

And we love you very very much. I can't remember what it was like before we loved you because it feels like you were always a part of our love. I look at you with your crazy hair and your stink eye looks when I don't get your pacifier fast enough and I know you are a perfect addition to our chaos. Your family...we go big or we go home.

And little girl...for someone so quiet...you definitely go big when it counts! It's like watching a firecracker...awed by your power and beauty already and you just got here.

Love,

Mommy