Happy Birthday to my sweet firstborn son! You are such a big little boy for a two year old. Mommy and Daddy are amazed at how smart and perceptive you have become. You have more to say than a talk show host and string sentences together that always get our attention with a raised eyebrow. We are so proud of you and how you keep your brain working. You love to play and get into everything as your curious mind keeps you on the go. You love to sing songs and recite your ABC's just out of the blue. Daddy and I were saying just last night how much fun you are as a two year old as you discover your world around you all the time.

On the other hand, becoming a big brother has definitely rocked your world! It has been a major adjustment for you and we know that it is tough sharing mommy and daddy with baby Finley. But you are a wonderful big brother and it makes mommy and daddy real happy when you given Fin a gentle kiss on his little head ( or knee, elbow, etc. ). You also love singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to him which makes him smile. 

Carter, we want you to always remember that our love for you grows more and more each day and you will always be special to mommy, daddy, and Finley. Our birthday wish for you is to have not only a happy birthday but a happy life.

We love you forever, Mommy and Daddy. 

Yes, it's all coming back to me now. We are a week and 2 days at home with a newborn. How quickly you forget all the sleep deprivation, constant feedings, million diaper changes, and not to mention the unexpected hormone surges that make you into a blubbering idiot for no reason. Carter told me he loved me the other day and you would have thought I was at his funeral.

But, I also had forgotten the love you feel the first time you hold your newborn son and the swelling of your heart as you hold him and cherish each moment that goes by. Even when it's just Fin and me in the middle of the night, I feel so blessed and loved by this little person in my life. 

I am struggling, however, with the idea of making enough room in my heart to love Fin like I love Carter. I wouldn't say that the love is more or less, but just different. Carter was our world for going on two years and now POOF!, here lands this sweet boy that I am supposed to love the same. I told Will the other day that it is like I have so much love in my heart for the both of them, it's too much to contain. That's probably where the tears enter in. 

Overall, I am doing well. Recovery after a C-section has not been the end of the world for me and I am surprised how good I feel after a week and a half. We all are adjusting just fine. Carter is turning two in a week and a half and this is definitely showing but is a sweet boy most of the time. He comes over to Fin all the time and says, "Hi Finley!", waves at his face and sometimes plants a gentle kiss on his head. 

And Will still is the best daddy in the whole wide world!!

Finley was born at 4:30 pm on October 21. He was 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20.75 inches long. He and mother are doing well.

One of my greatest fears as a mother these days has been Carter falling out of his crib. It even wakes me up at night of the thought of my sweet boy falling to the floor. Well, today was the day! I woke up to the sound of "(THUMP!) AHHHHH FALLLLLLLLL!" Harley goes barreling through Carter's door and we find him on his knees on, (thank God!) his nice new thick rug we bought and put right beneath his crib. I think it scared the pants off the both of us more than any harm done. We sat on the floor of his room and held each other for about 10 min. I am not sure what he was thinking about, but I know all you mommies know exactly what was playing over and over in my mind. He is ok and back to his normal self with not even a scratch to show for it. We talked at length about how "we DO NOT climb in or out of our crib because it makes us fall and that makes mommy sad!" He can now tell you all about climbing out his crib and mommy being sad!

Our sweet little boy is growing up! Yesterday was his first day of pre-school at Young Children's World at our church, Highland Church of Christ. It's only two days a week from 9AM to 2:30. He was so excited to see all of his little friends from church, he ran in and sat in his chair right away. As a mother, this gave me great joy to know that my baby boy knows comfort and can adapt so easily. It also made the tears subside as I left my little buddy of two years in the hands of someone else.

I am sooo excited to see him learn and grow and make an impact in this great big world before him. But most of all, I am very thankful he is growing up in the Lord.

We are now at the 28 week mark and time is flying by. It really seems like yesterday was March 10th when we found out about our little blessing and what a blessing it has been. Since the first trimester yuckies, I have felt great. I must admit, I was fearful of a rough 9 months. However, my energy is sucked out of me daily by chasing Carter around the house!

Other than a little fatigue, everything is great. I have gained 18 pounds so far and my doctor says that I am right on target, "big and healthy". I have been having some braxton-hicks contractions since our trip to Vegas, but he doesn't seem that concerned and contributes them to the extra activity I do with caring for the first child. 

Overall, we are soo excited for the baby (name yet to come) to get here and for Carter to meet his new baby brother. 

Carter began his first set of swimming lessons last week. We are taking them at a place called Sunfish and I highly recommend it to everyone.

It is quaint little place with a great kiddie pool and the nicest people I have ever met. Carter's swim instructor is very good with children and is so patient.

I really enjoy the one-on-one attention he gets and the freedom to use the 30 minutes however he feels. He mainly likes to walk around in the kiddie pool chasing after a ball or fish ring.

He is learning how to kick his legs on his tummy, blow bubbles on the water, and jump into the water. He seems to like it for the most part. He has some days when all he wants is the sucker at the end. I guess we have to start somewhere.

We had our 20 week sonogram today and are pleased to share a happy report. Everything was there and in the right place and the baby is healthy. Praise God! and...it's another BOY!!!! We are soo happy that Carter will have another little boy to enjoy his dump trucks, bicycles, and buses with! We also had another check up right after the sono and I am doing well also.

We are truly so blessed and thank God everyday for this little miracle in our life!

(we will post the sonogram pic later) 

Happy Father's day to the best daddy in the whole world. I want to thank my wonderful husband for being so supportive, caring, and helpful with Carter. You truly are exactly what I envisioned a daddy to be. I love the fact that you are all about Carter and that Carter is all about his Daddy!  Thank you for being the most important thing in mine and Carter's life. We love you so much.

I am now 18 weeks along in the pregnancy and have been recently reminded of one of the greatest things you get to experience as a mother. A few weeks ago, I felt baby 2.0 ( as Will calls it) kick for the first time. 'It' kicks all the time now! Feeling this new life inside my growing girth just makes my heart swell and stop to realize truly what a miracle not only this baby is to us, but how God can do anything!

This subtle, yet special flutter inside reminded me of right after I delivered Carter. I was a touch sad because I missed feeling him inside me as he was always there within me. I love this special feeling that only us mommies get to share with out children and I want to hang onto it as long as I can.

On a separate note, all is going well with the pregnancy. Morning sickness is gone and no more headaches so far. We anxiously await anticipate June 17th when we will find out what we are having.

Stay tuned.