Like I have Time....

My husband asked me last night if I ever blog anymore. I gave him that "Are you kidding me?" look. Sure sometime in between changing diapers on two kids, frequently breastfeeding, doing laundry, vaccuming, cleaning bathrooms, dusting, mopping, doing bookkeeping, managing the finances, babysitting Monday through Thursday, trying to maintain friendships, not lose my mind, take a shower once in a while, building my jewelry business, planning meals, grocery shopping, and on and on and on I'll find time to write memorable and sometimes poignant blog entries.

Yeah right! When I do get 2 minutes to myself blogging is not the first thing that comes to mind. I can't even go to the bathroom without being interrupted. Blogging is the least of my worries......

Our Little Angel

What I Didn't Know About Becoming a Mother

I was reflecting the other day on how much my life has changed in 2 short years. Instead of office work my days are now filled with nursing, diaper changes, housework, playing trains, reading Curious George, and the list is endless. The journey of motherhood has been challenging at times, and I was thinking about all the things I didn't know before I became a mommy.....and what I know now:

I didn't know giving birth would not go as I had planned.

I didn't know breastfeeding was going to be so difficult.

I didn't know how tired you can be and still function.

I didn't know how many loads of laundry a baby can accumulate.

I didn't know how dirty my house could get after one day "off."

I didn't know hearing my baby cry could make me cry as well.

I didn't know how competitive some mothers can be.

I didn't know I'd have to put my screaming baby down and walk away until I could tend to him with love.

I didn't know how much a baby could affect your love life.

I didn't know how expensive children are.

I didn't know you could read the same story 7 times a day but still look forward to it if it meant snuggling with my child.

I didn't know how my boys came into the world was so very unimportant, but rather that they were healthy and fearfully and wonderfully made.

I didn't know hearing "I love you, Mommy" could overwhelm me.

I didn't know the smell of my newborn was something I'd always remember.

I didn't know looking into my little boys' eyes would be so amazing.

I didn't know having their little fingers wrapped around mine would make everything all right.

I didn't know his hug could make me feel like there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

I didn't know seeing them smile would make my world stand still.

I didn't know the first time I saw my sons I would fall so in love.

I didn't know having another baby could mean loving them both with all my heart.

I didn't know creating something with my husband could be so beautiful.

I didn't know the meaning of unconditional love until I held them in my arms.

I didn't know when my boy got a boo-boo I would feel his pain.

I didn't know how much I could pray.

I didn't know having children would bring my husband and I closer together.

I didn't know how amazing my God was until He wove such perfection within me.

I didn't know how much God really loves us until I tried to fathom the sacrifice of His only son.

Update on Mr. Hyperpants (aka Tennyson)

People keep asking us how Tennyson has done with the new addition to our family, and truthfully......the transition has been pretty smooth overall. However, his patience level is low. Very low. Poor little man was used to having Mommy and Daddy all to himself and now we have to be shared. I know it's good for him so he doesn't grow up thinking the world revolves around him, but it makes for some rough days around here. Maybe it's the "terrible twos" I've heard so much about, or the fact that I was my mother's only strong-willed child out of the bunch and it's since been passed along to my firstborn son, but temper tantrums are in full swing. But we're taking one day at a time, praying alot (for our own outpouring of patience), and making a conscience effort to spend more time just playing with Tennyson.

The good news is he has never, not once, shown any animosity towards Raleigh. In fact, he's ridiculously gentle with him. Tennyson likes to rub Raleigh's head and whisper, "Soft," and he giggles every time Raleigh grabs his finger. Melt my heart! He gets very concerned when Raleigh cries. I keep thinking how much fun it will be when they are 1 and 3 and they can chase each other around. Fun times ahead!

Also, we took Tennyson for his 2-year check-up a few weeks ago and he continues to be way ahead of most kids his age. The doctor was especially thrilled, since he's a boy with no older siblings, that he knows all his colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Tennyson has also started to guess what Tom and I spell to each other. And when we do spell something we don't want him to repeat he loudly says, "Yetters!" Haha! The other day Tom spelled s-a-u-s-a-g-e (because he didn't want Tennyson to beg him for some) and Tennyson guessed what he spelled!!! Oh boy, are we in trouble if he's got it figured out this early!

Tennyson is still hooked on Curious George and was recently introduced to Veggie Tales, which he affectionately calls "Bobby" (a combination of "Bob" and "Larry"). He loves climbing on Daddy's back for "piggy rides," really he loves to do anything with his Daddy. It's precious to see them together. And towards the end of the summer we finally bought a sprinkler, so guess what Tennyson wants to every evening now? He asks for "sprinkles."

Well, I think that pretty much catches us up to date on our little man. I have several more posts to do however, and once I find the time to download almost 500 more photos on the Mac I'll get right on that!

More Amazing Photos - Second Photo Shoot

Well, she did it again! Lisa came back to take more photos on August 15th and captured some beautiful images of our little family. Here are a few of them:

Thanks again, Lisa! You are so gifted and have blessed us so much by the images you have created!

Tennyson's 2nd Birthday!

Boy, has time gotten away from me. I am finally posting about Tennyson's 2nd birthday a month after the fact. At least I have a good excuse, right? :-)

Since Raleigh arrived much earlier than anticipated we hadn't planned a party for Tennyson's actual birthday (we were already planning on going to the waterpark on August 2nd). But my wonderful sister, Dawn, stepped in and planned a great party for our little guy on his birthday. She got balloons (one of which is STILL floating), pizza, and cake. Thanks so much Dawn for making his day a very special one!

One August 2nd a bunch of my family went to the Massanutten Waterpark for the second year in a row to celebrate Tennyson's birthday! Our little guy loves that place and the four-hour group pass is perfect since there were 18 of us. My sister, Lynley, and her husband, Dan, even came from Hershey, PA for the occassion! :-) After the waterpark we went back to my parent's house for a cookout, cake, and gift opening. Some of the gifts he got were "Cars", "Finding Nemo", "Veggie Tales", Playdoh, a new plate, toy cars, and a towel with Lightening McQueen on it. (Tennyson calls it his "racing towel.")

Here are the photos from his parties:

With Aunts Courtney (L) and Dawn

Tennyson really enjoyed that cake!
Walking with Daddy

You can tell by the look on his face he loved going down the slide
Catch me Cranky! (That's how Tennyson pronounces Courtney. Haha!)

Playing in the kiddie pool. This one might be my favorite.
Not a great quality photo, but I adore his expression!

Some of the waterpark crew

Yes, I took my 13 day old. I wasn't going to miss my other son's birthday party for the world!

The awesome, incredible Thomas the Tank Engine cake Carrie Harman Ashton made for Tennyson. It was truly a work of art!

After dinner and cake Tennyson asked to hold his baby brother for the first time. So you know everyone got their cameras out for that! My precious boys.....I almost cried....almost.

Our Dear Tennyson Harper,

Mommy and Daddy can hardly believe you are two years old already! It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are such an unspeakable joy to us. Every day you learn and say something new. We love to watch you play with your Duplos, trucks, and trains, and those "boy noises" you make fill our home and remind us what a gift you are. Some of your favorite foods are: black olives, chocolate milk, jelly sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, cucumbers, and mixed vegetables. You love to draw with crayon or chalk and Playdoh is a newfound experience. You love taking a shower or playing with your "yetters" (letters) in the tub. You love reading, especially Curious George. You love beating up....I mean, rough housing with Daddy, and going to the playground with him. You are so full of life and energy we can hardly keep up with you, but you are so fun and we love you more than anything.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

AMAZING Photos of Our Boys

My dear friend, Lisa, came and took photos of our boys on July 30th, Tennyson's 2nd birthday, and when Raleigh was 10-days old. As usual she did an absolutely wonderful job! We can't wait to see all of them!