Promised Pictures

So last post I promised pictures...eat your heart out...probably more Edmondsessss than you ever cared see (well, actually the two little ones are pretty cute)! 

In no particular order:

Probably my new favorite picture of the eldest!

Jonathan proposed 5 years ago on Friday (the 24th).  A few weeks ago, we went back to "Our Spot"...here it is!  :D

And the view from there!

Sleeping Handsome...you know instead of Sleeping Beauty

We've been hard at work on potty training!

We went to The Grove Park Inn in Asheville a few weeks ago for a retreat with our church - here's the view

"Our Spot" that we went back to is on the Biltmore Estate property.  After our retreat, Jonathan surprised me with a one-night stay at the Biltmore Inn (also on the property).  This was our view from our room, and yes, it snowed that weekend, too!

A little blurry, but I LOVE it!

Always wants to help!

Just cute

An oldie, but goodie

Bathtime

Doing a little work!  Coloring, its a hard job!

These Days

I started this post literally weeks ago.  And, I started with how hard life had been lately.  But, since then life has slowed some...and Becker has slept some, which has helped tremendously.  So, I decided to scratch all the complaining and just post the updates! AND, even since then, life has gotten better.  Jonathan and I just spent an entire weekend away.  We needed it, and are blessed enough that Poppy and Grammie Sue were willing to watch the boys for us.  I have to give Poppy credit...there aren't many grandfathers that would have done what he did all by himself until Grammie could join Friday afternoon.  You guys rock!

The boys are doing pretty well.  Emrick is somewhat potty training but it is hard when I'm at work all week, then we go to church on Sunday.  The only day we are here all day is on Saturday, and one day each week just doesn't seem to be doing much.  Maybe Poppy and Grammie Sue can work on that in a couple of weeks when they have the boys!  ;)
He is getting so big so fast.  Some days I'm really proud, and others I'm super sad that he's growing a little too fast.  He talks more and more each day.  He's a great helper, and LOVES his baby brother.  He still calls him "Baby" most of the time (probably because I do), but will say his name now, too!  He loves to read, sing, and dance.  He likes to watch his reflection in windows and dishwashers.  His laugh is infectious, and he runs and walks like "Sid the Science Kid".  Man, do I love that kid.  He is such an easy child (so far).
Emrick's health has been decent I guess I'd say.  He's had one stomach bug this year.  But, he's had several ear infections.  This year, they don't seem to be as painful.  However, he just came off a super strong antibiotic because it just wouldn't go away, or would switch sides.  He seems to be a little better now.  And, after a follow-up at the allergist, he's on another antibiotic for a sinus infection...ugh.  I'm hoping we'll stay clear of having to do tubes a second round, but I'm not necessarily against it.

As far as Becker, he's a funny boy.  We've already noticed his little temper.  If a toy falls out of reach, or if Emrick tries to take a toy, he screams...he gets mad-for.real.  It's kinda funny, but I hate it for him...its going to hurt learning that not everything is his, and that the world doesn't revolve around him.  I think coming under authority is going to be a little tougher for him.  He's so big.  Above the 60% in every category.  He babbles more than I ever remember Emrick doing, but he doesn't have any teeth yet  I think he's about to pop his first tooth out (Emrick already had two by now).  He eats like a champ most days.  He is still exclusively nursing when we're at home.  I pump while at work (I pumped 70oz this weekend while we were away), and just started supplementing with formula at the beginning of January.  It's funny to me how different that part is...Emrick only nursed for four months and I was so done, but with Becker it's been hard (on me, not him) to even give him formula.  His favorite person is Emrick, but he also LOVES LOVES his daddy.  He is constantly looking and smiling at Jonathan.  It is quite cute.

All my pictures are on my phone, but I'll try to get some on here soon and very soon!

Anyone There?

Time for a picture update, don't ya think?  Me too, but first, just some sentences for fun!

1.  Jonathan and I discussed over Thanksgiving how fast this year has flown by, and yet we don't really remember doing a ton in that time.  My conclusion is either, we need better memories, or we aren't doing enough around us.  Life change should be occurring, and this conversation really made me think about what we were doing as a family and individually to make sure it is happening.  I am sure glad that grace renews in the morning!  

2.  Jonathan once made a comment when Emrick was born that children reveal how selfish you are...I thought, "You're crazy...I love this...I was made for this."  UNTIL Becker was born.  I have been a bitter mommy lately.  Jealous of anyone that gets to sleep uninterrupted, of anyone that can easily go shopping with only one, or better yet no children, of anyone that "gets to be sick" (because my boys are usually sick at the same time as mommy, so mommy has to push through).  In the past couple of weeks, maybe even months, I feel that selfishness that Jonathan was talking about.  I'm sure it was there with Emrick, but I see it constantly since Becker's been born.  I know this is just a season (and I am THANKFUL for that), and I want to be grateful for the greatest gifts God's given me-all three of my boys, so this is something I am trying to work on daily.  

3.  Emrick is halfway potting training (suggestions welcomed).  I plan to really focus on it over the Christmas break.  The 8-9 hour drive to Mississippi should be interesting!  Anyway, he gets a skittle every time he "pee pees in the potty" at school.  So, we started this at home to so that the routine is always the same.  Well....every time he goes, he gets one (usually not a red one), and mommy gets 4-5 red ones!!  Yep, I LOVE the RED ones!

4.  I actually asked Jonathan if we really needed a Christmas tree this year...We always go to the tree farm and actually cut one down.  Yep, he vetoed me.  Looks like we'll be continuing our tradition in the next couple of weekends.  AND, I am actually glad.  

5.  Since we both got iPhones recently, I hardly ever get on the computer anymore, which really hinders the blog updating!

6.  I miss my friend, LIBBY!  Do ya hear that, LIBBY???  Yes, she gets a shout out, which I don't normally do, because I always worry about leaving someone out.  Well,  we hung out about once a week after Becker was born, and I was on maternity leave.  I went back to work Sept 14, and she brought us dinner that night...and guess what...have NOT seen her since...true story...sad huh?!?!

7.  Cacy Collins Morgan...was gonna call you Cacy Collins...oh, my!  Anyway, don't know how much you come to this here blog, but so tremendously excited for you!  My heart is overjoyed!  REALLY need a phone date soon.

8.  Landon Thomas Spann, we DO love you, and one day we WILL meet you.  Between holidays, illnesses, etc, we have not met precious little man that was born Oct 22 to our beloved friends the Spanns.  It makes me oh, so sad...one day soon!  (and he gets a shout out because he's special...;) and shout outs are now over)

9.  This is here to make the list ten items long ;)

10.  There is nothing like the love of my family (especially my hubby).  Loving me despite of myself.  The boys smiles, Jonathan's devotion...it's awesome.  I am grateful for it, and hope it outshines my bitterness more than not.  

Okay, thanks for hanging around through what ended up to be a confession session...I hope all of you had a great and reflective Thanksgiving!  Here goes:   

Notice the tie...it's one of daddy's work ties!  Yep, we love CFA!

Emrick's new "CHEESE" face-Can't we just smile, buddy?

That's better!

Emrick is always singing to Becker, and trying to make him do the motions!

Bathtime fun...Please notice Becker's expression.

And just for comparisons sake: 

Emrick on Halloween 2009

Becker on Halloween 2011

See you soon...hopefully before two months from now, but no promises!

A Much Needed Update

     So life with two is busy.  I've meaning to update but it finally got close enough to Becker's two month check-up that I decided to just wait, and post about his growth.  What a different story he is than Emrick...at two months, Becker weighs 12lbs 12oz (70 percentile) and is 24.5 in long (98 percentile).  For comparisons sake, Emrick weighed 12lbs even at his 4 month check-up.
     Two of the most common questions we get are 1) Do the boys look alike? and 2)  How is Emrick doing with a baby brother?
     I am including pictures below for you to make your own decisions about whether they look alike or not, but here is what I typically answer: They favor, but Becker looks a little more like my side of the family.  Emrick came out looking just like his daddy, and still does.  Becker favors them, but has some Chip Smith genes as well.  Right now, Becker's eyes are lighter than Emrick's ever were, and I kinda hope they stay.
     Emrick has adjusted well to having a baby brother.  He always makes sure that the baby is near, if he cries, Emrick tries to help him and give him his paci.  He also likes to get close to him (whether on the floor or couch), and says "hey baby, hey" and dances and sings for him.  It is pretty priceless.  Yet, I haven't gotten it on camera yet, because the ham of the family usually stops talking to Becker, and starts saying "cheese, cheese".  The only thing with the brothers, is that Emrick still isn't saying "Becker" much, and never unless we ask him to specifically say "Becker".  If you were to ask him who Becker is, his reply is "babee" (his form of baby).  Maybe one day!
      While we are pretty tired most of the time, I don't think we would change this phase.  We are having a blast.  Emrick keeps us cracking up like crazy.  He's a mess.  Becker is just a sweet baby.  If he would sleep a little better, we might jump for joy, but he's sweet none the less.  Loves to be held and cuddled, and is getting pretty routine in his schedule.  I'll be going back to work in a week...I'm getting pretty sad about splitting my time from these precious boys, but Marietta CDC where they go is nothing but good to us, and Emrick loves it (he has actually been going for about three weeks already).  So, I am comfortable knowing they're in good hands.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder right?
      Now what everyone is actually waiting for...pictures:

First Smile on Camera...look at those eyes!

Again cause he's cute!
 

If you have time check out these videos of Emrick (they're short).  I don't have a ton of recent pictures of Emrick right now (usually when I get the camera out, Emrick is at daycare).  But, have shot a couple of precious videos of him!

The next two are for comparison.  Can you guess who's who?

Becker is the first picture, Emrick is the bottom picture!  What do you think?  Do they look alike?

Brothers!

I have blogged about Becker's entrance to this world here if you would like to read.  Be forewarned there is talk of dilation and pushing and such, so if that gets to you, just stick to reading this post about how the boys are adjusting!
Many people have asked me how Emrick is doing with Becker.  At first he seemed okay, just a little stand-offish maybe.  But in the last day or two, has really started to come around.  Yesterday, he kissed him a couple of times (which weren't initiated by me).  He is starting to talk to and about him more and more.  And just today, he asked if he could hold him...so I took the opportunity to snap a few shots!  So stinkin cute!

Becker's Arrival

Warning:  I plan to be open about Becker's delivery, which may come across to some as graphic!  FYI!

     As Becker's due date got closer and closer, and my body seemed more prepared for labor this go around (meaning I had actually dilated and softened some on my own), we decided that if Becker hadn't shown up by July 6, we would induce.  So, early Wednesday morning I called the hospital, told them I had an induction scheduled for 7:30am.  They said that there was a small "bed crunch" and to come in at 8 instead.  By the time I got there, got a room, got all the forms and waivers signed, we started pitocin by about 9.  My doctor stuck her head in, and checked on me.  She said that she would come back around lunch to break my water.  Then, we waited.  Jonathan even "facebooked"that the waiting was similar to two years ago referring to Emrick's 36 hour long induction.  At lunch I think I may have been at 5cm.  We had started the day at 3cm, so this wasn't very hopeful that things were moving much quicker.  Jonathan is also now convinced that my body doesn't respond to pitocin because the nurse was pumping that stuff up just as fast as she could and I was barely feeling any contractions.  Finally, my doctor returned, broke my water and said things would intensify.  And they did quickly!  Luckily, the nurse went ahead and put in for my epidural.
     All was good, until I could start feeling "break through" contractions on my left side, and they were very uncomfortable.  My nurse checked me and said that I was 8 or 9cm, so I was really nervous they wouldn't be able to give me any more medicine before I needed to push.  BUT, luckily they were able to!  Just about as soon as it began to work, the doctor came in and said, we were going to check and hopefully try to start pushing.  And that's what we did.  I remember looking at the clock and the granddaddies leaving at 5.  We pushed a total of four times, and Becker was here.  I looked back at the clock and it said 5:05.  The actual time on all of his paperwork says 5:04.  QUICK!  It was good, and can I just say that I LOVE my doctor...she's so calm and collective, and just all around great!
    
      Becker was 8lbs, 11oz, 21 and 3/4 inches long, and was delivered at 5:04.
    
       **Sidenotes:  The scariest thing about Becker's delivery is the news we got after he was born...not only did Becker's cord get wrapped around his neck (a couple of times I think), but when the doctor pulled his cord out, there was a knot in it.  The nurse mentioned how scary that could have been.  My mom or Jonathan's mom (can't remember) asked the nurse how we would have known he had done this, and what the result could've been.  She responded that there wouldn't have been a way to know other than his heart rate decreasing rapidly.  The realization hit me, that we could've lost him, and how very fortunate we are that he is here and that he is safe!  We are loving this little guy.

Dinner and Goodies

The last week of the month can sometime be a challenge on our budget, especially when I'm not working, running the roads, and eating lunch out constantly!!!  So, this week, I've been trying to come up with dinner solutions that we didn't have to buy many ingredients for, and found some crawfish tails in our freezer.  I decided, that I would attempt my hand at Crawfish Pies (empanadas really).  Tonight, Jonathan helped me as we sauteed onions, green peppers, and a little garlic...we added some dirty rice we had left over from last night's dinner, and I stuffed them in circles made out of pre-made pie crusts.  We baked them at 425 for about 12 min...YUMMO!  I also had Jonathan help me by boiling corn and potatoes in crab boil and water.  I really enjoyed it, and it was what I had pictured...hopefully he liked it too!  Here is a picture of our delish and easy dinner:

 A couple of days ago (maybe a week by now), I mentioned on Facebook that my aunt sent us some fun goodies for the boys.  This aunt's brother is the man that Emrick is named after, which means that she is an "Emrick" too!  She has constantly made us feel so incredibly loved, especially since Emrick was born, with special handmade, personalized gifts.  It all came at the perfect time too, cause I was missing my Nana knowing that had she still been here and herself, she would be making goodies for my babies.  Having Aunt Jeanne selfishly give to us in a way similar to what I know Nana would want swells my heart!  Thank you again, Aunt Jeanne, for loving us sooooo well!

She made both boys pillows with their names, a sweet monkey diaper bag that has Becker's name on the back, monkey lovies (we have had Emrick's for a while-the blue one, but upon seeing Becker's, we had to grab Emrick's), and two other soft and cuddly little blankets.  It is very possible that I left out something, cause she's just that good!

 Emrick has learned to be quite the ham...NO IDEA where that comes from.  He loves the camera, and anytime we get it out, he starts..."CHEESE, CHEESE MOMMY, CHEESE"  and this is his latest cheese face...it cracks me up!

 And, this is us cheesing in the kitchen tonight while daddy was trying to take the picture of our dinner.  My face is actually more "cheesy" than his...ummm....wonder what that means?

We are patiently waiting for Becker to make his debut.  Doctor thinks it could go faster (please) this time, and so I am basically just wanting the contractions to start-she seemed to think it would go fairly quickly once they started!  Which all boils down to, it could be tonight, or we could stay at a holding pattern for who knows how long!