a new year

It's crazy how fast the last year went by.  In last years "resolution post", I had wrote about how it was going to be a big year for us. Man oh man, how right I was and that was before I even knew we were going to have to move uxepectedly.  It's been a year of many, many changes but it's also been wonderful. 

We learned a lot.  Our family grew. 

We grew stronger as a family. 

We're happy and that's what is important.

However, there is still much, much more to improve on a family level and a individual level.  Our family goals for the year will be talked over and decided at our next Family Home Evening.  This year I have plans of posting them somewhere we can see them every day and be reminded of what we need to be working on.

Last years post, I had goals of setting up an esty shop for my artwork, revamping my portrait photography, not loading so much on my plate that I'd always be overwhelmed, being a better mom and wife, planning a vacation, reading the Book of Mormon again, and working on the budget.  Unfortunely I didn't do most of those things.  Most of those things got put on hold or totally thrown out the window due to our move.  However, I think I definetly have become a better mother.  The wife thing could use some more work.  I did revamp my portrait style to where I wanted it.  And, It think I have been much better about the whole getting overwhelmed thing. 

But what about this year? 

Well.  Three words:

Organizing. Simplifying. Healthifying. (???)

But more specifically,

My 2012 "things I need to work on" are:

get the house organized, make it functional for us.

simplify my life.

be more active/exercise

budget and stick to it.

eat out less, cook more.

spend my time more wisely.

make personal prayer a priority.

Happy New Year!

rolling over

Grady is 7 weeks old today.  He's as sweet as can be.  He slept so good last night.  I'm one happy momma!

Also, he decided to surprise me during tummy time by rolling over...alot!  Take a look:

and:

He's only 7 weeks old!  Slow down, baby!  Slow down!

Also, check out his shirt.  Camera Magnet.  So appropriate!  Thanks Grandma Allen!

Art with Leon

I've decided that I wanted to start posting all the little art projects that Leon and I do.  It's really important to me to teach and explore creativity with my kids as they grow and blogging it will be a great way for me to record all the fun stuff we do and learn.  So, you'll be seeing lots of art work from Leon from now on and eventually from little Grady one day.  Take a look at some we did this last week.  While Mr. Grady did this:

Leon and I had some fun:

He's very serious while he works.

Now he's just showing off for the camera.

Here's one of the very successful pieces Leon did:  We used cut up tissue paper and stars to decorate a Christmas tree.

Here are some water color paintings he also did.  I love them, particularly the one on the right.  It's frame worthy.  It will be perfect for the playroom!

Super Mom?

Am I?  Maybe.  Probably not though.  However, I've only been left with the kids for more than a few hours at a time 3 times so far and each time has gone very, very well.  Today was one of those days were I keep thinking to myself "isn't supposed to be soooo much harder than this".  I realize that it's just the beginning and that we aren't in full swing of things yet.  Today I gave Grady a bath, got us all ready, played cars with Leon, fixed real meals, got Leon to take a nap in his own bed, took a nap with Grady, and cleaned up.  I think that's pretty good.  It made me feel like a super mom.  All I need now is a cape and a shirt with a large letter S and I'll be set!

The Second Time Around

Doing the whole baby thing the 2nd time around has been wonderful.  I've really enjoyed the last few weeks with our new little guy.  It's been so much more relaxing and stress free than it was with Leon.  I'm not worried about every little cry and whimper.  I know what to expect.  I trust myself and my instincts so much more this time.  It has been overwhelming at times, but in those moments I know it will pass so I don't panic or get too frustrated.  It's been so nice, so much easier.  I feel like I know what I'm doing and what a difference it makes!  Life with two kids is so much busier (which explains my lack of blogging lately) and maybe a little bit harder, but I still love being a momma to these boys.  Leon has been such a sweet big brother - sharing his toys, giving hugs and kisses, giving little pats on the head, and taking the time to come and talk to his new bubby.  Kyle, also, has been awesome about helping out.  He's taking really good care of us.

(little Grady, 3 weeks old, fast asleep)

I've also had a lot of people ask me how was doing a c-section the second time around.  All I have to say is that it still totally stunk.  There have been parts that were better - it was planned, I knew what to expect, we were prepared, the recovery seems to be going a bit quicker.  However, it still was a c-section.  It still was painful, inconvenient, painful, and did I mention painful?  It was worth it though.  I mean, look at that little sweetheart! 

Grady is doing really good.  He is a good eater and a fairly good sleeper.  I can't wait for his personality to show.  I can't wait for those first smiles and giggles, but for now I'm just going to enjoy him just the way he is.  I've realized with Leon that it is true what everyone says - it really does go by too fast.  All the sudden Leon looks so big to me, like such a little boy instead of a new toddler.  I certainly want to enjoy every moment with Leon and Grady.

First Bath

To our surprise, Mr. Grady really rather enjoyed his first bath.  I was sure there would be lots of sad faces and crying, but it was quite the opposite for our new little guy.  He just looked around and watched his parents and brother while we all washed him up.  He was quite content and it was incredibly sweet!  I guess we have another little fish on our hands.

Photos by Kim Davis

I'm very, very fortunate to have photography friends.  We could be bitter rivals, but instead we've made our love of photography into something else - a friendship where we encourage and help each other out...and on the occasion do photo shoots for one another.  It's wonderful and I'm grateful for them.  One of my photography friends from Lafayette, Kim Davis, came down to visit her family and take some beautiful portraits for us.  Take a look at some of my favs:

I have this theory that every mother needs beautiful photographs with her children.  I cherish mine SO much.  Motherhood is an incredibly, beautiful thing - it's one of my favorite things to photograph.  Kim did a beautiful job capturing these photos for me.

This is a fun one.  I love it.  It may become the new (and much needed) header for this blog.

Thank you so much Kim!  It means the world to me!

Grady - Newborn

This little guy is sweet as can be.  He is an eater and a sleeper.  He loves to sleep right by his momma (which I love too, all though it scares me a bit).  He's got the sweetest eyes and you want to melt whenever he calmly stares into yours.  Their color is very muddy right now - they have dark brown around the pupils and dark blue around the edges.  His expressions are to die for.  I'm just in love with him.  Can you tell?

a little side smile.  his smile is going to be so precious.  i just know it.

probably my fav:

brothers:

i asked leon to kiss his brother on the head.  this is the reaction i got:

he still is so happy and sweet

Grady's Story

We went into the hospital around 8:30.  The nurses (who were awesome) prepped me for surgery and took the time to help calm my nerves.  By 10:00 I was in the operating room.  It all went so fast.  The doctor and nurses were all amazing - talking to me and making me feel good.  I felt some pressure in my chest and then out came Grady at 10:21.  They all commented about how he was a big boy, but he looked perfect.  He didn't cry real loud, but made a little whimper and was brought over to a nurse to be cleaned up.  It was great because where she was working was actually in my line sight so I didn't have to wait another 30 plus minutes just to see him.  I was overwhelmed at seeing him.  His cheeks were so chubby and he had that dark hair like Leon did.  I was already in love with him.  They cleaned him up, wrapped him up, and then Kyle was able to bring him over to me for a closer look but of then they had to take him away.  He was having some breathing problems (fluid in the lungs) which I guess is common in ceseran babies.  Then I was having some issues - I got dizzy and told them I thought I was going to get sick right there on the operating table.  The anatigolist gave me something for the nausea and after a couple minutes of gripping Kyle's hand as hard as I could it was over.  They decided to send Grady to the NICU.  They stitched me up (no stables - horaay!) and sent me on my way to the recovery area for observation.  I spent most of the next two hours by myself.  Kyle visited me a couple of times, the nurse kept me company, and then my dad and Claudette (his wife) came.  After about an hour of Grady being in the NICU he was fine but the peditrician said they wanted to keep him a little longer just to make sure.  They took me to the post partum room where I visited with my dad and Claudette.   Kyle stayed with Grady.  Around 2:00 (the time I thought Grady would be able to come to me), Kyle came in and said they wanted to keep Grady for another two hours!  At that point, I was mad and frustrated and heart broken.  I wanted to hold him SO BAD.  I sent dad and Claudette to see their new grandson.  I tried to rest but between the itching (a side effect of the drugs) and my restlessness to see my baby which we still hadn't named, I just couldn't. So, I made phone calls to my family.  Finally at 4:30 - 6 hours after he was born- they finally brought him in.  I had my baby!  I nursed him, we talked about names, and things were perfect.  I had my baby!

I'm still overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude and love.  I'm a mother of two beautiful little boys.  We're a family of four.  Motherhood, parenthood is such a beautiful gift.  Grady is the sweetest thing.  I'll write more about him when I post his newborn photos.  I just am just so in love with him

*****

Here are some other pics, taken with our little point and shoot, of our weekend in the hospital.

Waiting for the big operation

Grady getting some extra help

Look at those cheeks!

Daddy and Grady in NICU

Papa and Claudie

They're goofballs!

Grandma Allen

Grandpa Allen

Nana.  Mom bought be the prettiest autumn floral arrangement while at the hospital.

Big Brother (of course he's picking his nose) and daddy took a break to get a snack