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!  

It's Time!

     No, not for the baby...YET!  But, it is getting closer...I actually can't believe we're (hopefully) less than a month away from being a family of four.  Are we ready?  Probably partly, but definitely not completely!  I'm not sure I know how to be until he's here!
    
     SO...it's time to start making some predictions!!!  Jonathan and I started a little poll between the two of us, and I wanted to open it up to everyone else.  When do you think Becker will join us, and what do you think he'll weigh?

Jonathan - July 3, 9lb 4oz
Bailey - July 9, 9lb 9oz (no I'm not hoping for this, but my first baby weighed the same as my mom's first, and her second was 9lb 15oz, so I'm just wishful hoping for a grace of 6oz!! And, no, I wasn't the ten pound fatso...that would be my sister - haha - LOVE YOU)!

*We are thinking that he could be 9lbs because I'm a little larger this go around (for those of you that can't see me).  Emrick was July 12 and 8lb 1oz (just so you know)!

Leave a comment here, or on the link on Facebook...If I can think of something fun, that my husband will agree to...I would love to give a prize to the closest guess!

Before and Afters

      We've been up to alot around here, so this post promises to be a ton of before and after pictures, plus some others for those too far away to see us for themselves!  Have fun!

The Living Room (BEFORE):

 The Living Room (AFTER):

The Hair (BEFORE) - Sorry its blurry!:

 The Hair (AFTER):

The Boys' Room (AFTER) - 

Because I don't have a before...I referenced this project on Facebook...this is the project that Grammie and Poppy helped us get accomplished in one weekend:

 LOVE these cubbies...and Emrick is really learning to put everything on the shelves!

PS-He is totally cheesing here, he HAD to be in the pictures

 We are planning on removing the dresser to the left and changing table (they make getting into the bathroom difficult to say the least)...anyone want/need them...first to come get them can have them!

The dresser in the back is a new purchase and fits clothes for both boys and serves as a changing table too!

      As far as the boys' room goes, there are still a few things I would love to do...shelves for one, and pictures of this sweet boy in my belly, two; but I guess I'll have to wait on the second one!  

      The next several pictures aren't before and afters, but just show what we've been up to!

This is what happens when you try to repeat a picture two years later...such a mess:

Two years ago:

This picture isn't really great, but my belly cracks me up in this picture!  No wonder I can't ever breathe!

This is from my shower at work-it was pretty much AWESOME!

 One of my co-workers made this cake...isn't it precious!  And, it's a shame you can't taste it...YUMMO!

 This picture does our reality no justice.  The green thing in the bottom left corner is a pack-n-play standing upright.  After our two showers, mainly my school shower, the amount of diapers is just as tall. In front of the diapers are all the wipes we were given.  I think we're set for a little while, and we are quite blessed-Thank you sweet co-workers...you AMAZE me!

Oh, and PS - the small blue area you see in the bottom right?  YEP, my belly!!!

AND...

because he's so darn cute!

Our Life Lately

So a little bit of what goes on at our house any given afternoon or night!  We're loving life!

Playing with my Daddy:

Singing & Dancing with Mommy:

*I must give credit where credit is due...Emrick learned this song, and these moves at school!  He absolutely loves school, and he comes home all the time with new stuff they have taught him!

A Friend's Passion

     Last fall, Jonathan and I started hanging out with a couple of college kids (Heather and Michael) that have quickly become some of our favorite people.  In many ways they remind us of ourselves, and for some reason, they don't mind hanging out with us from time to time.  Heather even watches Emrick for me, as I'm sure that Michael would too if I were in a bind (only Heather might have to come change the poopy diapers for him-but he's a college kid, and I'm not sure many college boys have or would be willing to change a dirty diaper, so we'll let him slide)-but I digress!
     We admire their passion for ministry (both of them have it), and its exciting to see them ready to move toward whatever mission God has for each them.  One of Heather's first conversations with me was about her passion to help bring awareness to the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation industry in the United States.  She made the point that while most people aren't terribly surprised that this industry exists in other countries, few know or at least want to admit that it is in America.  It exist in your neighborhood.  We've talked here and there about it since that conversation.  I know that her desire is to start a group of interested individuals that would help her bring awareness to the issue.  So, when she recently handed me a book called Renting Lacy by Linda Smith, and asked me to read it.  I wasn't surprised, and I knew it would mean alot to her if I actually read it.  I am not a big reader for those of you that don't know...or a reader at all.  I mean my goal for this year was to finish three books!  That's it - 3!  I told her I would.  Little did I know that this would be the first book of the year that I finished.
     It's hard to describe this book.  I can't say it's a good book...it's terribly heart-breaking, and uses terrible language from time to time.  I can't say its not a good book, I couldn't stop reading it (and again, for a non-reader like myself that's huge).  But, its real.  It uses the language and the scenes that actually exist in the world that these girls live in.  It is incredibly insightful, and humbling.  There are times that it will make you sad, and others that will make you insanely angry.  Would I recommend it?  Yes, but be forewarned...it's graphic (to use Heather's words)!  Then as it says at the end of the book, tell someone else to read it too!  If you ever want to talk about it, I'm willing, and I'm sure Heather would be too!

I Told You!

I told you we missed that face!  Here's a cute video, but first a few disclaimers:
*the video does this moment NOOOO... justice
*pay close attention to Emrick's face...that smile didn't leave (expect when I tried to hold him while Jonathan got his luggage...he was stuck to his daddy)
*you can't hear it, but as soon as Jonathan lifted Emrick up, he said, "my daddy," and I can hear it replay in my head over and over...absolutely the sweetest words I've heard him say!
*after the video, we were walking toward baggage, and Emrick kept saying, "mama, mama" and tapping Jonathan...it was almost like he was trying to say, "Mama, look, look, its daddy...I found him, its daddy!"

Oh, my gosh, how I love these two (and a half) boys.  They make me smile!

Missing This Face...

The daddy face that is....

We are missing our daddy for sure, but know that he is doing some awesome work in Nicaragua this week!  He brings so much to our family, so we know that he is bringing so much to his team, and the people they will serve this week.  Please join us in praying for their team, the people in Nicaragua that they are ministering to, and the families (there are lots of teens and pre-teens missing their moms and/or dads this week) that are waiting patiently for them to return.  We are so proud to call this face...daddy!

And this one, too...



Her birthday was today...I won't tell you how old, but we should celebrate her greatness anyway!  We love and miss you Mimi!

Oh, and this one....

Her birthday is tomorrow!  We love and miss you Grammy Sue...Happiest to you!

One Blue Cake!

We were seeing blue this afternoon at our "What will it 'BEE'?" shower!  Looks like Emrick will be having a little brother join him in July!  We had such a fun, sweet time finding out with some of our friends and family!  We missed you if you couldn't join us, but enjoy this video of the reveal, and several other photos too!!!

The bakery did a great job!

My two amazing hosts and I (and yes, we all matched the theme)!  They really thought of everything!

Cake Table

My Mom and I

Favors

Snack Table

Such a fun time!  Thanks to everyone that came and made it special...and thanks to Libby and Carrie for putting so much thought into the day for us!  Now, onto figuring out a name for this precious little boy!

It's a ...

post with lots of different baby pictures.  We recently went to our twenty week ultrasound.  The tech said that baby cooperated and she could tell what the baby is...we didn't look or find out that day, because we're having a revealing shower this Saturday!  I am really excited about everyone being able to find out at the same time.  BUT, let me tell you it was tough, tough, not looking when she did.  So, there is one person that actually knows what we are having, and it isn't us!  The good news is that everything looked good, and baby let us take some good pictures of it.  See:

Also, most people that know us well, think that Emrick favors daddy, as do I!  There are so many times a day when I think, holy cow, you look just like your daddy.  However, there are seldom moments that do see me in him.  So, what do you think.  Here is a picture of all three of us...



























































Love to you all, and we hope to see many of you on Saturday!

Just a Little Update

We have been pretty busy lately, and while its been fun, it makes me tired!  HA!  The first of February Jonathan took Emrick to his 18 month check-up.  He's getting so big so fast.  He weighed about 24 lbs which puts him in the 20 something-th percentile (I'm going off of memory because I'm "resting," and can't go get the paper).  I don't remember how tall he was, but he was in the 70 something-th percentile (but the doctor said the measurement could be slightly off)!  Either way, the boy is tall and skinny!  He's getting really fun, and I find myself laughing at him all the time.  He's learning so many new words, and continues to be super sweet, and such a ham.  Everyday when we leave daycare, he has to tell the whole building "bye" especially the baby room and the director.

We (and by we I mean, his grammy and poppy) recently got him a toddler bed, and got the baby a mini-crib so that they could have more space in their room.  I really thought that there would be a week or so of transition time, but so far Emrick has done awesome.  He hasn't had one night in the last six that its been hard to get him in bed.  I sure hope that this continues!

We got a sweet package in the mail from my aunt, Jeanne.  She sent us a Valentine, and included was a precious love bug blanket for Emrick...he loves it!

I put it on his bed, and tried to film him...I was trying to get him to say "thank you" and then just share some of his new words for everyone.  Except, he was way more interested in playing.  Its not really that interesting of a video, but if you are family, you'll love seeing how grown up he is.  So full of  life and fun!

In other news, we go on Monday for our twenty week ultrasound.  Emrick will go to daycare, and Jonathan has the day off, so I am excited about spending some one on one time with Jonathan.  I, however, get anxious before the twenty week ultrasound because it is so much more than finding out the gender...they do lots of measuring and assessing, and that always brings a new level of anxiety for me.  Please be praying that I will fully trust the Lord, and find a peace in Him!  We could find out the gender on Monday, but we aren't...we are having the tech write it down, and we will find out with many friends and family on March 5....I'm not sure that I will be able to contain myself those few days!  So excited!

And, we are still raising prayer support and funds for Jonathan's trip to Nicaragua in March.  Thanks to everyone that has committed to pray for Jonathan and to those that have given financially.  If you want more info about his trip, please click here to read his post about it!

We are so blessed!  I hope we always remember that, and try to take nothing for granted!