19 and 3

My babies are 19 and 3 months old tomorrow! Good gracious, it's gone by fast! It's been a chaotic, non-stop adventure that often leaves me exhausted and a little frazzled; however, I wouldn't change it for the world. They truly are a gift from God and even when it's an awful day where both are crying and it's getting the best of me there are moments every single day that I'm grateful for--(like when they're both asleep...hahaha). They're already so close and love each other.


 I'm happy that Tate is such a great big brother. He truly loves Bowen. When he's around he says "BAY--by" in a high pitched baby voice. It's adorable and so funny. He also brings me diapers when I need to change him and loves to put the binkie in Bowen's mouth, even if he doesn't want it.  Bowen loves when Tate talks to him and will smile and coo at him. I'm not used to that because Tate wasn't a very smiley baby. It makes me so happy to see them interact and I know it's going to be so incredible when they can start playing together and enjoying each other even more. Although it's so difficult trying to maintain an active toddler and a helpless infant I really don't want to rush this time because I know I'm going to miss it so much. 

Sweet baby boys

I couldn't have been luckier more blessed to have two sweet little boys who love each other so much already! Tate always wants to kiss and love all over his baby and Bowen just grins when he's near! I'm loving watching these two grow up together. It's stressful with 2 under 2 but I wouldn't have done it any other way. 

At the checkup

Today my Mom was sweet enough to join me and the boys on a trip to Odessa for their 2 month and 18 month check up as well as my much delayed 6 week postpartum check up. It all started off on a sour note. Manic meltdown mania of epic proportions ensued this morning and I had a terrible feeling it was gonna be "one of those days"...you know, the one where you're pretty sure that banging your head against the wall might be better than dealing with what's at hand?! Yup, so both kids are screaming and we are driving to pick up mom and a sweet little peace came over the car. Both decided to simultaneously take naps. I know, craziness, right?! 


We drove the 2 hours chatting and luckily had no need to leave them to be raised by coyotes. 


Their appointment was at 3 and not 3:30 like I had thought and after picking up mail from our old house it left no time to lolly about. So we headed to Odessa and my stomach was in knots thinking about the wait at each appointment, fussy kids, and worse of all- the dreaded vaccinations. Eekkkk...traumatic?--YES!


But to my surprise, we got in right away and the kids had stellar check-ups. Bowen is 14.3 pounds, and I think 26 or 27" (the  nurse didn't measure him right the first time and Dr. Ranga remeasured because she was sure he looked way longer than the measurement the nurse gave). He is in the 95% for height and 75% for weight. Tate weight a whopping 30.5 pounds (off the charts in the percentiles) and 35.25" (95% percentile). Then came the shots. First Tate got up there without a fuss and let the doctor even look in his ears and never even tried to kick her. He barely noticed when the nurse gave him a shot! I was shocked! I was very proud of him. Then came Bowen. I could've puked. I hate when they are in pain. It literally makes me a little sick. She held him down and I was at his head trying to comfort him and with speed and agility he got FIVE shots! You heard me right, FIVE! GEeeZE! That's ridiculous! I was just as upset as he was. But he cried for a few minutes and then was over it. Whew! Luckily, they both did really well afterwards. Thankfully, too because next was my appointment down the hall for my post partum.


I went in expecting a wait and another meltdown but I got in really quickly to my surprise. I weighed 122 pounds and blood pressure was good (color me shocked). As we were waiting Bowen fell asleep and Tate ran around the room trying to create havoc. He's pretty good at that. He ended up tripping and hitting the door frame face first :-( it left a good size bruise. Bless his little heart!  Everything went well there and we hit the road again.


Both slept pretty much the whole. I'm so very grateful my mom went with me. I desperately needed her help and was very happy I didn't have to do that by myself. Thanks Mom!!!


And when I got home my wonderful husband had got me and Mom a giftcard to a fabulous boutique in town I love for all of our hard work today! How lucky am I?!  I'm very, very blessed for my beautiful, healthy baby boys and a wonderful family!

Rest in Peace

On July 21st we lost a beautiful woman who touched our lives dearly. Grandma Kropp (and Great Grandma to Bowen and Tate) passed away after a long fight with cancer. She will always be in our hearts! I'm so glad that she was able to hold Bowen! The viewing and spreading of the ashes was very touching and truly special. As Trevor recalls his Grandma, "She was a quick-witted woman who was never afraid to tell you how she felt and was true to herself and loved her family dearly." We love ya Grandma Kropp, may you rest in peace!

It's the little things

There are so many times in a day that I just want to savor! I guess I'm just a historian. I want to document when and where and how all these special things occur. I'm glad I can capture a lot of special things with photographs. I'm a photo fanatic with my babies...the poor things might have flash blindness from all the pictures I take of them. It's just so hard not to when they are so adorable. 


But I get a little sad each day knowing that the moments are passing and they are growing up every second of every day (some days I'm a little happy that this is the case though- can we say, "terrible twos"!) 


The things I cannot photograph are the simple pleasures, the sweet smell of a Bowen's baby hair and skin, the breathy gurgle of a laugh that makes me almost cry it's so precious, and Tate's hilarious personality in all it's glory.


I just hope these memories are strong and ever present in my mind that I can always remember this wonderful time in our lives.  Some days are long and stressful and exhausting. But never is there a day that I wish it was any different. I'm so very blessed to say that this is my life. 

Sweetness

No words can truly describe the sweetness of a child. They are pure and gentle and perfect!

Bowen is 2 Months Old

Our sweet baby boy is 2 months old!

-He's extremely strong! He holds his head up and loves to look around and has no trouble turning his head in any direction with great stability.

-He is in a few 3-6 month clothing, but mostly 6 months and wears a size 2 diaper. 

-He has been sleeping pretty good, usually waking up 2 times a night (usually around 2:30 and 5 or so). I've been sleeping with him since his hospital stay. We just kinda got used to it and I love to snuggle him. I feel like both of us are getting more 'sound' sleep. Nursing is just easier than having to get up out of bed and getting him up. It's probably just laziness but I think we both like it. I'm planning on moving him into his crib when we get settled in our new house so it'll become a norm and not so crazy like it is now.

-He will get his 2 month shots on the 15th of this month at his old doctor's office in Odessa because we weren't able to get him into his new pedi here yet. I hate shots :-(

-He is sooo long! I think he is much longer, but skinnier than Tate at this point. 

-He is more happy now! Thank GOD! He will coo and even giggle a little. He's so sweet and he likes to just lay and kick around. He smiles a lot when we talk to him and it makes me so happy!

-I think he has darker hair than Tate at this point and has more of an olive complexion. 

-I still wear him in the wrap, just not as much. He usually falls asleep soon after I put him in it. Most of the time he loves it, but there are times he just cries so I give up.

-He has a wide space between his big toe and second toe! He could probably pinch someone with those toes! We call him a tree climber! 

We love you baby Bear! You are so precious and a true gift from God! I'm so blessed to be your Mama!