"The Itch"

I can remember standing in the driveway talking to a neighbor when Blake was 9 weeks old and the neighbor jokingly asked, “So you ready to have another one?” I didn’t want to tell him this for fear he'd think I was a bad mother but in my head I was thinking “Absolutely not!” Of course I loved Blake but at that point I was so sleep deprived, nursing was taking its toll, and Blake was a fussy baby and I couldn’t imagine why anyone would sign up for that AGAIN! Though things did get better over the next several months, as everyone said they would, and Blake became more fun each month than the month before, I still held onto that memory of being so incredibly tired (and I love love love my sleep).

And then tonight I was holding my little boy who has a cold and is getting his molars and just wanted to be held and cuddled (a rare moment since he is always on the go now) and I remembered that feeling of holding a newborn and I got “the itch”. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving this one on one time with Blake and am going to hang onto it for as long as I can (breathe Randy, breathe) but I see now how people start to get that feeling that they’re ready for another one. There’s something about a newborn and all the experiences that come with getting to know that little person. But for now, I'm going to enjoy my sleep, which isn't the 8-10 hours I used to enjoy but is probably more than I'll get as a mom of two!

Who knew a water hose could be so much fun?

It's already hot enough for the pool in Texas! Last weekend we put water in Blake's little blow up pool but he had a far better time playing with "Poopah" (Cooper) in the water hose. I wish I had started the video earlier to get him laughing hysterically but the pictures still crack me up! He LOVED it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X4cJQZw8SM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

"Thanks guys, this is fun"

"But this is SO much better!"

Costa Rica!

Last week Randy and I went to Costa Rica to see our good friends Chad and Hilari get married on a gorgeous beach at sunset. We needed that trip! Seeing 2 friends who are so perfect for each other get married in a beautiful ceremony plus an ATV tour, ziplining, lots of great seafood, laying by the pool, sleeping in, spending lots of time with good friends, beautiful sunsets, and I actually got to start and finish TWO books!

Nonni and Papa (my parents) stayed at our house to keep Blake. That was the first time I had ever spent a single night away from Blake, much less four. And let's not forget I left the country! I missed him a ton but did a lot better than I thought I would and Blake did great too. A Skype session and lots of emails and texts from Nonni and Rhonda so I knew exactly what he was wearing and doing throughout the day. I mademost of his food beforehand and put together an extensive Blake manual that included a menu, likes/dislikes, daily routine, and general safety tips that Nonni followed to a tee (I've never actually written that word out but it is "tee" and not "t" fyi). Blake had a great time with them and so did Nonni and Papa. I get the feeling they had a harder time leaving him this trip. Here's one of the pics I got during the trip of Blake filling up his cozy coupe:

Here's some of our pics from the trip (no Facebook account needed):

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2115980&id=1390612057&l=9f2dd12e62

Boys Are Sweet Too...

Randy and I were really excited when we found out we were having a boy. I was glad Randy was going to get to experience that special father-son relationship. To be the mom of a boy though, what immediately came to mind was sports, dirt, trucks, and sweater vests (couldn’t wait to get him in those!). As I started telling my friends with sons that we were expecting a boy they all told me how wonderful boys were and how much they loved their moms. I never really understood what they were talking about but now I get it. We’ll be strolling the aisles of HEB or Target and Blake will just absentmindedly grab a finger or two and hold on for a little while. The last time he did it I had to snap a picture so I don’t forget what this sweet little hand looks like when it grabs onto mine, for no other reason than just because. Little boys really are sweet too.

"Hush Little Baby"

Randy was singing Hush Little Baby to Blake (when Blake wasn't crying I might add). He got to the verse about "if that diamond ring don't shine" and finished it up with "Daddy's gonna buy you a (pause) bottle of wine." Realizing those probably aren't the words, we got curious about how that song really goes and looked them up. Thought I'd share since I'd be surprised if anyone know all the words to this song:

Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover won't bark
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

Late Pointer

So like any type A first-time mom, with each passing month I look at “the book” to see what Blake should be doing, what he’s probably doing and what he could possibly be doing. I go down the list, such the proud parent...playing peekabook-check, pulling up to standing-check, playing pattycake-check, cruising-check…..pointing to something to get needs met…hmm, Blake isn’t pointing to stuff. I start to worry..why isn’t he pointing at stuff? I make a mental note to start pointing at things in hopes that he’ll pick up on it. I think about it off and on for a few days and then mention to Randy while we’re en route to a Christmas party tonight, “The book says Blake should be pointing at things. He’s not pointing at things.” Randy pauses for a minute and then in typical Randy fashion says, “It’s okay, I was a late pointer too.” Okay, I get it. In the grand scheme of life, the fact that Blake isn’t pointing at things probably isn’t a big deal. Then I made a mental note to chill out a little bit. Thanks to my husband for balancing things out around here and keeping ME in check.

The Train to See Santa!

Yesterday we joined some little friends to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole to visit Santa. It was Blake's first time to see Santa and sit on his lap. Of course he pulled on his beard, but he didn't cry!

Blake sees the train pulling into the station:


One of Santa's special elves...he's going to drive the train to see Santa!


Woo hoo! We're ready to go!


Thanks to Bea for capturing the mad dash to get off the train to see Santa. Blake will surely be part of this crew next year!


Nice to meet you Santa:


A private conversation:


Mom, who is this guy?


Wh..what...what's under there?

Gotcha!

Playing in the winter wilderness:

Don't forget your jingle bell:

Bye Santa! See you at Christmas!