Mother's Day 2012

Solo with Two

Steve was TDY this week to Tampa (poor guy) making this my first 5 days/5 nights alone with both boys. Steve is usually only home for about two hours before the boys' bedtimes anyway, but those two hours make all the difference. I've said it before, but now it rings truer than ever- I have MUCH respect for single parents, and I am that much more grateful for a wonderful, helpful husband!

Things I learned this week:
1. Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy Ice Cream is a.maz.ing!
2. Christian's pajama-dressing routine is different than his morning dressing routine and he is very certain it has to be done in this particular way. (Steve has been putting Christian to bed regularly for the past 4 months.)
3. Having lunch's leftovers for dinner is okay.
4. Coinciding naps are the best thing ever- Wait, I already knew that, but it has been a Godsend this week.
5. New activities, snacks, and even toys make the days a little more exciting for everyone. I made "Slime" one afternoon (thank you Pinterest,) a childhood favorite of mine.

Things I am thankful for this week:

1. Lucas sleeping through the night because the days were so long (6:45 am - 8:45 pm!)

2. Christian being an overall good helper and obeying Mommy (especially since he has been testing us quite a bit lately!) For example, he cleaned up all his toys while I nursed and put Lucas to bed. I was pleased to find this surprise :o)
3. Christian doing awesome in his potty training = diaper changing for one instead of two.

And at last! Daddy is home!!

Loving Our Boys

It has understandably been a little bit hard for me to keep up with the blogging and updates lately. We are doing well in R household. To sum up the past couple weeks: Christian is an excellent big brother, always wanting to kiss "Wook" and love on him. He has also been enjoying lots of one-on-one time with Daddy. In fact, during the weekends it is ALL about Steve, and Christian will not let me do anything for him. Lucas is a growing boy! Last Monday at 5 weeks he weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. He is still eating well, is mostly on a schedule, and is sleeping okay at nighttime waking once or twice (still better than Christian at this age.) Steve is busy at work with a new job that he is not thrilled about with longer hours (on the plus side no traveling.) We are hoping that it is temporary and he can return to his old job sooner rather than later. I am busy, busy, trying to figure out how to balance everything and be a good wife and mommy for two. And we (Steve and I) are still trying to catch up on sleep while maintaining our busy schedule. So now for the pictures from the past week or so (the most important part anyway):

Nana's Special Visit

I have to say I have felt very blessed these past three weeks since Lucas has been born. Steve's parents were here for one week, and a couple days later my mom flew in to help for nearly two weeks! I had no idea what to expect during this initial transition with two little ones, so our family's help was fabulous!My mom's visit was wonderful. We had our own personal chef, house cleaner, nanny, laundress, etc., etc. :o) We were very spoiled, and really, she was so helpful that I am not sure what we are going to do now that she is gone. Time to get into a new routine (tomorrow is my first day solo with the two boys!) There is nothing better than having your mom around in the midst of life changes and a new chapter. Mom- we are so grateful for your help, mommy advice, and yummy cooking (Steve thanks you again for those fabulous cinnamon rolls and calzones. Also, the new upstairs bathroom is in the making.) Every time we are around our families it makes us just that much more homesick for Colorado. We are hoping and praying that God will lead us back there next.

Christian is Two

It's hard to believe that our baby is 2 years old! I know I always say this, but the time just flies by.

We cannot get enough of our sweet, bubbly little boy. Always full of energy, galloping, running, and jumping around the house. On many occasions he has made me catch my breath, but he always gets up, hardly fazed by his risky stunts....the life of a boy, I guess I had better get used to it. :o)

Christian is talking more and more, and especially enjoys socializing with other children. He has been going to a "Parents Morning Out" preschool-type setting one day a week, 9-noon, and I can already see how he is learning and growing. (Mom enjoys the little break too.)

Though normally not the most fabulous eater, Christian must be going through a growth spurt because he has been eating better and more variety lately. He weighs 27 pounds 6 ounces, and is 35.5 inches tall.

Christian's favorite toys and activities include: whales, balls, sidewalk chalk, walks and wagon rides, his "Woody" toy from Disney Pixar's "Toy Story" (that daddy bought him,) books, airplanes, and his shape sorting barn.

"Na-na" and "Ba-ba" flew into South Carolina on the 16th to celebrate Christian's birthday. We enjoyed a simple time with family, cake, presents, and candles...and then took a fun trip to Charleston. (Post to come.) Basically, Christian's birthday celebration seemed to spread through the entire week.

Happy Birthday big boy! We are so thankful for you and the light that you bring into our lives. :o)

Our Big News!

We are excited to announce that Christian is going to be a big brother! We are expecting a little someone around January 8, 2012. (Which also happens to be my dad and Steve's brother's birthday.) This may even be a December baby considering how early Christian was born. I am almost 14 weeks along and feeling really well as we move into the second trimester. Thankfully, the first trimester was just as smooth and easy as it was during my pregnancy with Christian, however I think I was much more tired this time around (maybe it has something to do with keeping up with a toddler?)

We have seen the doctor twice now and the baby is healthy thus far with a heartbeat of 169 at 8 weeks and 178 at 10 weeks. I feel as through my belly "popped" out really early at only 6 weeks, which I guess is common for second pregnancies, but I knew we had better tell everyone the exciting news before they started guessing on their own. I am especially eager to find out what we will be having, a baby brother or sister for Christian? Regardless, we are praying for a healthy baby and delivery this winter!

First ultrasound at 8 weeks.

First baby bump picture at 13 weeks.

Mother's Day 2011

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommies! I am so blessed to know you and am grateful for all the lovely women in my life.

My Mother's Day was nice and relaxing. Breakfast at IHOP, church, an afternoon nap, and a fun BBQ at a friend's house. Such a sweet, simple day shared with the ones I love.

Christian was not about posing for pictures. Can you tell?
P.S. Christian had quite the week of bumps, bruises, and boo boos. Steve was TDY half the week and I had the privilege of reporting the day's accident each night. The scratches on his nose were from a tumble in the driveway. All boy!

Christian is 19 Months (tomorrow)

Sitting in his "new" big boy chair on the back patio:

Gahh! Growing bigger by the day. This week C had his very belated 18-month appointment. He weighed 26 pounds, and was 32.5 inches tall. Putting him in the 50th percentile for both weight and height for children his age. This also means no more vaccinations until he is four! Woot!

He is also talking so much more these days. His current list of words are:

• Mama


• Dada


• Nigh Nigh (Night Night)


• Ba Buh (Bye Bye)


• Baul (Ball)


• Hi-ya (Hi)


• Hat


• Hot


• Eat

It's really a fun age since he picks up on so much and understands more than we know even if he can't always express it himself (of course, this is why the pre-verbal stage is so difficult at times too.) Christian will often try to repeat things that we say and we really get a kick out of him saying words (and sounds) in his sweet little boy voice...sometimes very LOUD boy voice. :o)

Christian has quite the arm. He loves to throw (hopefully a ball) and is gaining quite some distance and speed when he does so. He loves balls right now!

We love you little buddy!(Above) At the Riverbanks Zoo this past week. (Below) Playing at the playground at Swan Lake.

Christian is 18 Months

I cannot believe our "baby" is a year and a half. Christian is looking more and more like a little boy, rather than a baby or toddler. He is thinning out from all the running and constant movement. I think his smile also makes him look older...all those teeth! Despite being a little ornery at times, Christian is truly a joy. He has such a fun personality, sense of humor, and a great smile, although so very hard to catch on camera sometimes (then again, it is hard to catch him on camera other than the back of his head.) C has been talking away, not a lot of clear words yet, but A LOT of animal, car, and plane sounds. Other than the not-so-fun discipline part of this age, we truly enjoy watching Christian learn and interact with others. Such a blessing to see the world through the eyes of a child.