Kendall's Second Birthday!

December 2009- I waited 10 long, agonizing days past my due date to meet my precious {little} baby girl- if "little" includes 9 lb 14 oz babies!  In days that were very dark due to my brother's recent passing, she really brought light into our lives!  Our Kendall tried to "mend-all" of our broken hearts with her coos and giggles, all with Uncle Derek on her shoulder as her special angel. 

December 2010- No stranger to airplanes, we celebrated Kendall's first birthday in style...a special trip to California.  We watched as our one-year-old pulled herself up any furniture within reach, ambitiously tried to walk with Mom & Dad's help, and made everyone around her smile.  Though she hadn't figured out her words yet, she communicated well with her big blue eyes and excitedly waving hands.  She tore into her birthday cake and set records with the mess she left behind.

December 2011- Our little baby is turning two!  Now, we watch in amazement as she walks, talks, laughs and learns.  She recites numbers in order, knows colors and shapes, tries to sing songs...even choreographs her own dance routines!  She shows off her nurturing nature with her stuffed animals and "babies".  And now, she has a REAL baby to dote on...her very own baby brother.  Kendall is a model big sister, helping "brother" with diaper changes and trying to console him when he is fussy.  We couldn't ask for a sweeter daughter!

Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

There's Still My Joy

For those who grieve, the holidays don't pass by without some tears.  Not that we don't grieve the rest of the year, but the holidays mean noticeable absences from dinner tables and family traditions.  For me, it's remembering the only person with whom I shared childhood Christmas memories.  Derek would get up early in the morning eager to check our stockings, then make his way back up the stairs to wake me up and report to me.  As we got older, he continued to do this, even though he'd likely go back to bed afterwards.  Derek was the one who would distribute all of our family Christmas presents- excitedly as a boy, then somewhat begrudgingly as a grown-up (he secretly liked it).  And I'll never forget the face he would flash in my direction when he received an ugly sweater or ridiculous gift- he knew I'd be laughing inside.  I miss that.

I would be lying if I said the sting of the holidays hasn't blown through my camp for the above reasons.  But I'm also aware of the miracle of Christmas- the joy we have in our Savior's birth.  Because Jesus came to earth, the gap between us and our God was bridged, and eternity became available to those who recognize Him as Lord.  Because of this day, I'll see Derek again, and enjoy that snarky smile that I miss so much.

I found this song a couple years ago and have been wanting to re-record it, but for now this version (complete with cheesy random google images...just close your eyes and listen...) will have to suffice.




There's Still My Joy

I took my tree down to the shore
The garland, and the silver star
To find my peace, and grieve no more
To heal this place inside my heart

On every branch I laid some bread
And hungry birds filled up the sky
They rang thy bells around my head
They sang my spirit back to life

One tiny child can change the world
One shining light can show the way
For all my tears, for what I've lost
There's still my joy
There's still my joy
For Christmas day

The snow comes down on empty sand
There's tinsel moonlight on the waves
My soul was lost, but here I am
So this must be amazing grace

Slow Down, Christmas!

I've been trying to figure out why it feels like the Christmas season is passing me by at warp speed this year, and I've come up with a few theories; 

1)  I didn't leave my house for a month.  Okay, that's an exaggeration.  But my trips to the mall and other highly decorated stores were few and far between around Thanksgiving.  You say Michaels had Christmas decor out in August?  I had no idea.

2)  If Christmas music has been playing for more than a week on the radio, I didn't know anything about it.  Why?  Nothing plays in on my car stereo except Little Einsteins and "Mick Mou" DVDs.  I haven't had a chance to get sick of Christmas music*!  (*With the exception of the highly over-covered "Breath of Heaven" and "Mary, Did You Know".  Seriously, musicians, please write new stuff.)

3) We haven't attended any Christmas parties.  Not. A. Single. One.  Typically, we have Chris' work parties to attend, and some kind of Church leadership gathering.  This year, nothin'.  I'm pretty bummed that I haven't had a reason to dress up and get out of the house!  I'm thankful, however, that the free food and drink at such extravaganzas haven't brought about unholy gluttonous temptations :)

4) Our mailbox has been pretty void of Christmas cards this year.  Obviously, most of our friends haven't updated their address list to include our new address.  Slowly, they're trickling in as forwarding (to another incorrect address, might I add...) kicks in. 

5) I've been preoccupied with other things.  What, you ask?  You obviously haven't been around this blog very long.


Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year.  So, the fact that this is the LAST week to legitimately enjoy the sights and sounds of the season saddens me (sure, I can pop in my Glee Christmas CD in February, but it's not the saaaaaaaame.)  I'm hoping this week brings opportunities to slow down and savor every last drop of Christmas, and I wish the same for you!

ICKY!!!

Lazy Saturday afternoon...so Kendall and I made some play-dough!  It was Kendall's first go with the sticky substance, and my little neat-freak was pretty concerned about the "icky" on her hands.  But with a little coaching from mom, she got into the doughy spirit and made lots of "pancakes"! 

There was a lot of one-fingered play to begin with.

 

When she really got going, it was impossible to get a still picture.  That blue blob is getting a good beat-down.

Play-Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup salt
Mix above together and separate equally into two bowls.
Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to 1/2 cup water.  Add to one bowl and mix.
Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to another 1/2 cup water.  Add to other bowl and mix.
Ta-Da!

The New Man In Town

GUILTY....of letting my camera get a little too dusty while getting acclimated to the new little guy!  By this time in Kendall's life, I had several albums FULL and a newborn photo shoot in the books.  The second time around...I'm just not as trigger happy.  And, he's much more restless than his sister was- stretches of contentment are few and far between.  If this is a "boy" trait, I'm in for a rough ride.  He's adorable, nevertheless...has his sister's sparkly eyes and droopy cheeks :)

Sleeping angel

Sparkly eyes!

Bonding with Daddy

The Toddler Brain

Having a newborn in the house makes us very aware of how much Kendall has grown (wow...they really start out tiny!) and sometimes painfully aware of her "toddlerhood".  There are perks of having a toddler- she loves helping out Mommy and Daddy, and gets excited to help change Carter's diapers.  She is entertaining as all get-out, and we love communicating with her in big-girl words!  Still, she is often an enigma as we try to figure out what she really wants.  This diagram is pretty helpful :)

As frustrating as it can be, it might just be my favorite age yet!

Born to Breed

As I was walking into the mall to finish some Christmas shopping yesterday, I couldn't believe that just a week ago I was in the hospital having a baby!

Yup, as of November 28th, I'm officially not pregnant :)  We welcomed Carter at 8:23 p.m. last Monday, four days overdue.  And, as I could have predicted, he was BIG.  At 9 lbs 12 oz, he still failed to eclipse his sister!

It was an anxious and emotional few days leading up to Carter's birthday...both of my parents were visiting us on fixed travel schedules, and after my dad had to return to CA prior to meeting Carter, I was beginning to think they both would completely miss it!  My plea for induction before Thanksgiving was met with rejection, so all I could do was hope it would happen naturally- and soon.

I went in for a doctor appointment/non-stress test for the baby that Monday, and after looking at my monitor feed, the nurse informed me I was having contractions.  I was completely unaware of this because 1) they didn't hurt, and 2) my labor with Kendall was all in my back.  She was pretty optimistic that I had made some progress with dilating, so I looked forward to the doctor's opinion.  It didn't take him long to ask me "if I wanted to have a baby today".  YESSSS!

I had a couple of hours before I was to check in to the birthing center...enough time to make sure I had everything packed, call the necessary parties (including Chris at work), and spend some special time with Kendall.

My labor started out pretty difficult, being that I waited longer to get the epidural this time around.  But once that sweet relief came, the rest was a breeze!  Just a few pushes and Carter was out.  My doctor told Chris to pick up a shirt for me that says "Born to Breed".  :)

Hospital bound...one last hug for my "baby" girl!

Here we go....round two!

I'm focused on contractions and Chris is focused on....his football scores :-/

First minute of life!

Baby?  Who cares!  There's a BALLOON!!!!!

So glad my mom was here to be a part of Carter's birth!

BAM!  Family of FOUR!

Time for your close-up, Carter!

Kicking our feet up after a long day!

Daddy's favorite boy.

Our handsome little guy!

Home sweet home!