Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Month Between

The rush between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a blur in any year, but this year was particularly bad because we found out 2 days before Thanksgiving that our landlord sold the townhouse we had been renting since we got married and we had to be out by the end of the year. (More on the unfortunate move in another post.) So naturally I didn't get to take near as many photos as I would have liked, but here are some from that crazy month in between.

Tennyson thought it was fun to walk around the house with this on his head.

Raleigh (4 months)

Tennyson helping my sister make cookie bars.

Santa Baby!

Raleigh loves Christmas!

Tennyson trying to decide which cookie to eat from the giant box.

Aunt Lynley had the magic touch and got Raleigh to sleep. (Christmas Eve 2009)

Brothers

(Taken 1.6.10 Tennyson 2, Raleigh 5 months)

I have to say it has blown my mind how good Tennyson has been about this whole becoming a big brother business. As his mother I can honestly say I wasn't so sure about it, since Tennyson was pretty much our whole world, how he would react having to share the attention. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to have siblings. It's healthier. But still I was worried about how he would treat little new little bundle that would require a lot of his mommy and daddy' s time.

What a blessing that I worried all for nothing! Tennyson has never, not once shown his brother anything but love and acceptance. They simply adore each other! Tennyson still calls him "Baby Rahree" and sometimes tells me, "He's a baby, Mommy. He's a baby." Just in case I forgot. Haha! Tennyson often says, "I want to talk to Baby Brudder." *sigh* It's so precious to see them interact.

I know there will be days ahead where they bicker, fight over toys, and maybe even the car someday, but right now I am LOVING spending my days with these two little boys that have completely and utterly stolen my heart.

Tennyson studying Baby Raleigh.

I think the look on Tennyson's face says it all.
He's so proud to be the big brother!

Showing Raleigh his trains.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Cathing My Breath

Oh my. Where do I even begin? There are so many posts I have wanted to do, but finding the time to sit and write is nearly impossible. Even now after the kitchen is spotless, dishwasher is running, and the bathroom is cleaned I am fussing at Tennyson for destroying his slinky and Raleigh is waking up from his nap. I really am loving being home full-time, raising these boys, and cherishing every moment. But.some.days.....

As you can tell I haven't even had the time to post about our hasty move out of the only home we've known since getting married. Or about our wonderful Christmas with my family. Or about the sad, devasting news of my dear brother-in-law's cancer diagnosis 3 days after Christmas. Or about Tennyson.....oh Tennyson. I could write a million posts about that boy! And Raleigh just turned 6 months old. Just so much to write about.

I wake up each morning and essentially do the same thing: nurse and change Raleigh, change Tennyson, get his breakfast, get him dressed, clean something, try to answer e-mails, more housework, play Playdoh, more diapers, snacktime, stories, tv, blessed naptime, etc. etc. etc. I tell you, if I ever get a shower 2 days in a row I think I'll explode with excitment!

Sometimes my mind drifts back to those days of going to the office every morning, working with numbers, helping people buy a house, business trips, meetings, conference calls, lunches, and constant adult interaction. I do miss the 50Gs I used to make, but I still wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world, even on the toughest days.

I know most of you reading this can probably relate to the Career Woman Turned Mommy syndrome. Ah, so good to know I am not alone.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Tasty Tuesday ~ Raspberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette


This was my first attempt at making salad dressing....without a recipe. I must say it turned out pretty well. Add more or less sugar, vinegar, or yogurt/mayo to your desired taste. I used light mayo for this recipe, but next time I plan on trying it with nonfat yogurt.

Raspberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups raspberries, fresh or thawed
1/2 sugar (or to desired sweetness)
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 Tbsp. poppyseeds
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup nonfat yogurt or light mayo

How to Make It:
1) Place raspberries in food processor and blend until smooth.
2) Add sugar, vinegars, and yogurt or mayo. Blend until smooth. (This part may require several tasting if you want to alter it.)
3) Pour into a serving bowl and stir in poppyseeds.

I served this on spinach greens with mandarin oranges, craisins, and toasted almonds. Yum-my!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

For This Child We Prayed

Black & White Photos ~ Raleigh

I took some photos a couple days before Raleigh turned 4 months old. These 2 are my favorites:


Raleigh Edward Davenport Bates ~ Baby Dedication

Since I am SO far behind in blogging I thought I'd just touch on the last few major events of 2009, and because there are several I'll do individual posts. In late October Tom's mom, sister, niece, and nephew came to visit. It was fun introducing them to Raleigh and them getting to know Tennyson better. I think they enjoyed it, too! Tom really wanted to do Raleigh's dedication while they were here, so on October 25th we had our second son dedicated to the Lord. We had a lot of my family there, but we were still missing quiet a few due to sickness or distance.

Our lead pastor, Merle, did the dedication and walked sweet, little Raleigh around the sanctuary while the slideshow played. We chose Rita Springer's song "Created to Worship," and I have included the words after the photos. Afterwards Tom read Psalm 133-134, just as he did every night to Raleigh in the womb. It was so meaningful to have him read that out loud at the dedication. Everything went well expect they cut the slide off just a minute or so in to it. I was so frustrated because my brother and I put A LOT of work into that! Since you didn't get to see the whole thing I will post that here on the blog.

Raleigh slept the whole time he was being shown off



I love this one of just our little family.

Thank you, Lord, for another precious son. We will raise Him up to know and follow you. What an amazing blessing Raleigh is to us and all who know him.

Created to Worship

I am your sacrifice
I am your offering
I was created to worship you
There’s nothing I could bring
That would mean more then this one thing
I was created to worship you.

You are all I have
All I have is you
You are all I am
All I am is you

Whatever you ask of me
There’s no one I'd rather be
Then one created to worship you
In all that comes my way
Poverty fame or pain
I was created to worship you

Without you there’s nothing Lord
Now and forevermore
I was created to worship you