Sweetums Newborn Session

We have an infant living in our house.  No surprise to anyone.  Well naturally we did a newborn session with our little sweetums.  Here are some of the ones I like the best:

Who says newborns don't smile?

Tiny Feet

Tiny Hand

Little Tiny

I love this one, I think it might have to be framed and hung in her room.

I can't believe just ten weeks ago she was so small.  I am happy watching this tiny little miracle grow before my eyes.

Carnival

At the end of September we did a photo session with Eternal Treasures Photography for Cian's third birthday.  No, he wasn't three yet.  Yes, it was the first thing I have ever been early for.  I really wanted to do a session for our family while I was pregnant and there were just three of us.  I love being a family of four and couldn't wait for Isla to be here but I knew we would have plenty more family sessions with the four of us.

When Christina suggested going to a fair or carnival for the photos I was immediately on board.  Steve wasn't so sure but I was really excited.  We went to the Cannon County Fair in Manchester and ended up having a really good time.  Christina and her husband followed us while we just played and rode rides.  Well, ole prego me didn't ride anything but the boys did.

Here are some of my favorites:

I love the guy in the background with the eagle shirt.  America, heck yeah.

Mr. Serious

I started to put a "Casey Jones' caption here and realized it was inappropriate 

Hugging his alien buddy

Belly

LOVE this photo of our little man

They look like they are having a great time!

Love

Did you see that train Steve and Cian were riding?  It went about as fast as I can walk but I couldn't ride it because I was pregnant.  I think I was more at risk walking through the fair.  Oh well.  I am so thankful that we have family photos that we can look back at this time in our lives and pass the photos and memories on .

Christmas Day in the Cabbage Patch

"Christmas Day in the Cabbage Patch is a Happy Hoopdie Doo." Picture a cute little four year old Becca bouncing around the room singing and dancing to this cabbage patch song. Adorable right?  Now picture a 30 year old Becca doing it.  Not quite as cute. Would it make it better if I said Cian was dancing too?  Some of my fondest memories are of my brother and I listening (and dancing) to a Cabbage Patch record.  I am so thankful for all the Christmas traditions my family had throughout the year and it is wonderful to start traditions with my little family.

 We had a great Christmas this year.  We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house and celebrated with my Dad's side in the morning then with my parents and brother and sister in law at night.  My mom always makes this awesome breakfast casserole with specialty breads, fruit casserole and bacon.  I may or may not sneak bacon before breakfast is finished.  This year my brother and his wife Bonnie told us they had a gift for everyone but it wouldn't be here until August 6th.  When they said this I really thought, "What in the world could be on back order until August?"  My dad was the first one to pick up on it (or at least to say anything) and he asked if it was a baby.  Sure enough, they are expecting a baby in August!  Cian and Isla will have another cousin.

the parents to be

Wendy, Paula and Charlie

Super Boy with his sidekick Batman (notice those sleeping folks in the background?)

Practice

Christmas Eve night we drove back home so we could be here when Santa came to visit.  We got here pretty late and word on the street is Santa had some gifts to wrap.  Steve woke up around 6:30 and decided it was time to get Cian up.  We could see what Santa brought and eat Christmas breakfast.  There was one small glitch, we had zero groceries.  I mean I guess we could have had canned green beans for Christmas breakfast.  I became one of the people we always talk bad about and set out to find breakfast.  Walgreens was open so I got some overprices bacon and eggs.  Smooth.

Turns out Santa did come to visit.  Every time Cian would open a gift all day he would say, "Let's see what  it is" in the same sing-songy voice.

That evening we went to Bill and Karen's to celebrate with Steve's family.  We had a great Christmas dinner and some Christmas cookies and pies for dessert.  My sister in law Amanda is Martha Stewart and make a lot of cookies including some for everyone with their names on them.  They were so cute and so good!  I bought the side dish we were supposed to make.  Is there an opposite for Martha?  Cian had fun with all his cousins and we enjoyed hanging out with everyone.

Cian and Will

The Belchers

Bill and Karen's tree

Rob and Kyle

Tracy and Taryn

Somehow the uni-bomber showed up

Karen and Amanda get excited about gifts.  It is pretty cool.

Of course everyone got some pretty good gifts but the most important thing is that we all were able to get together and spend time with our precious family!  I am so thankful for Jesus and being able to celebrate his birth and enjoy it with the amazing families I have been blessed with.

Loss

It is New Year's Day.  I will have a Christmas post and year end review but today is not the day.  Isla is asleep on the bed and Cian is eating mandarin oranges. We are about to pack and leave for a funeral.  Not the funeral of a person who lived a full life but the funeral of a seven month old baby.  The baby of a close family member who was a sweet, smiling, happy little guy.  My heart is broken for his parents and siblings and as I hug my healthy babies tight I can't understand why such innocent little lives have to end so soon.  I am not God (clearly, not even close) so I can't understand the reasons. I don't have the whole story like He does or know what is in His plan. Jesus can give us peace and comfort though the storm and is truly the only person I would want carrying me through hard times.

My heart breaks for those two parents that can not kiss their baby boy, can't see him smiling and cooing, can't change a diaper (even a poop up the back diaper), can't hear his cries for comfort in the middle of the night.  There is comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus right now.  I like to think that he took a nap thinking about his family and woke up snuggled in the arms of Jesus.  I know that he was loved, loved by everyone he ever met.  He will never feel the pain of this world, never suffer a loss like this or have his heart broken. He will never feel ridicule or hurt.  He was a sweet little angel and will stay that way.

I can't explain why these things happen and I can't imagine the grief of losing a child and being left on this earth without one of my babies.  I do know that when we love someone we need to tell them. We don't need to harbor anger or take for granted that we will have a lifetime with them.  Hug your kids, spouse, friends and parents tight.  The people in our lives are a blessing and we need to thank God for them every day.  I hope the smiley happy guy didn't hurt and that maybe he woke up and wondered where he was and Jesus said, "you are home."

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!  I hope you didn't get stressed out with all the traffic and crazy rude people at the mall this year.  I'm not going to lie, getting and giving gifts is really nice but Christmas is truly about spending time with the people you love.  It is also a birthday celebration for Jesus.  I have been talking this up with Cian and I am afraid if we don't have cake he will be disappointed in the birthday party.

This year I am truly thankful to be spending time with my little family of four.  As I look into the face of my infant I think about Mary and how she looked into the sweet sleeping face of a baby who would grow up to be a man that would make the ultimate sacrifice.  I so thankful for that baby and for my sweet baby.

 And the angel said unto them, " Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2: 10-12)

Does anyone else hear Linus' voice when reading that scripture??

My Mamaw

 Last week I lost a woman who was very precious to me, my Mamaw.  I wrote a little about her a few weeks ago after we had gone to visit her in the nursing home where she lived.  She suffered a stroke a couple weeks ago that they thought was minor at first but turned out to be not so minor.  There was bleeding in her brain and she couldn't live with the effects of the stroke.  She went to spend Christmas and eternity with my Papaw and Jesus last Friday, December 17th.

Me, Papaw, Ben (my brother) and Mamaw

I want you to do me a favor, play this song while you read this.  You'll see why in a minute:



My mamaw married my papaw a long time ago.  They didn't have any money.  They told me about their house and how you could see the chickens running underneath it.  She was embarrassed about a photo I used at my wedding because of the clothes they had on.  I thought it was beautiful because they were young and in love.  They lived in Alabama but moved to Chattanooga when my mom was 18 months old.  They still had a farm in Alabama and used to take my cousins and I there.  They had this big white bull named Rocky.  They had a bunch of cows too but those ladies never stuck around long enough for me to know their names.  We stayed in a little trailer at the farm and had to watch our step for cow patties.

At any give time in the warm months you could show up at my mamaw's house and find her shucking or picking some vegetables under a huge tree they had in their back yard.  They grew all kinds of fruits and veggies.  This included watermelon which my brother, cousins and I ate on their back porch.  The watermelon was the juicy kind that you have to wear a bib or take your shirt off to eat or at least we did as kids.  It might not be so appropriate now.  On this same porch was a swing. She would push us in the swing and sing Mr. Sandman and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.  I imagine that she new that chariot was coming to bring her home as her days became few.  She even told my mom that she was "going home".  She always talked about leaving the nursing home and going back to her house but this time she said home.

She had the softest hands I have ever felt.  I held her had last week and she squeezed mine, her skin was still as soft as ever.  My mamaw didn't have a middle name but she would have chose Virginia if she did.  Spending the night with mamaw and papaw was a treat; we always got a bath and then I would sit on the floor next to the couch where she was sitting.  She would brush my hair so gently while we watched Golden Girls.  Mom said she could do this because Mamaw was as tender headed as I am.  She also had her shows that she watched in the afternoon, law these were booooring.  I hated when her shows came on but she didn't miss them.

My mamaw and papaw took me to church when I was little.  I wouldn't go to children's church because I was too shy (I know right?) and so I went into church with them and I was so incredibly bored.  One day when I did go to children's church they were talking about Jesus. (Well they probably talked about him lots of days but this day I remember.)  It was that day at their church that I started my long journey with Jesus, you know the one where you give your heart to Him.

Mamaw told you like it was whether you wanted to hear it or not. This included when you gained weight, lost weight, gave her fear you couldn't take care of your child, dated someone who was catholic that might make you drink and many other instances.  If you ask me about it I will tell you the story of her infamous comment one Christmas.  It is not pc enough to post here.  She once said to me, "I know Steve is catholic, he doesn't try to make you drink does he?".  My reply was just "No Mamaw, he does't try." It wasn't a lie.  She had this look that she would do where she gave you an intent stare and bit her lower lip.  If you were getting this look you knew she was thinking something not so nice about you.  Generally when you met her gaze she would turn away.  She most likely told the not so nice thought.  My brother can mimic this look perfectly.

She used to tell us that there was a man in the attic to make us go to bed at night.  This scared the piss out of me, not sure it helped me fall asleep.  She would always take a nap with you in the middle of the day.  Looking back I know these naps must have sucked for her.  She told me once that I was all over the place in bed and would toss and turn trying to go to sleep.  Sounds like a certain three year old I know.

Mamaw made the most awesome cake.  I called it chocolate cake but it was really white cake with a fudge-like chocolate icing.  This stuff was to die for people.  I really want to learn how to make this cake.  I hope it is not gone forever.

Me looking longingly at my "chocolate cake".  Ben seems to be eyeing it pretty intently as well

Mamaw loved her grandchildren.  The minute you walked into her house you knew you were loved.  I am so thankful for her and her life and that I got to be her granddaughter.  I will miss her terribly.  I will also have to start working on my comments, someone has to carry on the tradition.

Two Months Old

 Baby girl you are two months old today!  We went to the doctor last Friday and you are definitely a growing bean.  This is where you measure:

weight: 9lbs 12oz (28th percentile)
length: 22 1/2 inches (63rd percentile)
head: 37 3/4 cm (30th percentile)

Right now you are long and lean, it would be nice for you if you stay that way!  Judging by your mom and dad and your brother so far that is doubtful.  Here are some things about your second month:

• You are an absolute sweetie. You smile and coo and try to talk to us.
• You do NOT like to be kept up after your bedtime.  You get really cranky at night when you are ready for bed.  
• You go to sleep between 10-12 and sleep until 4:30-6.  This is awesome.  Your brother never slept this well, he still doesn't.
• You can still wear most of your newborn clothes but are staring to grow into zero to three.  You have started wearing size one diapers.  I am a little sad because my tiny tiny baby girl is growing.  I am really glad you are healthy though.
• You love to move and grove.  You kick kick kick your feet around and move your arms.  It is pretty darn cute.  I can't wait until you can join Cian and I for dance parties.
• I am pretty sure you are the cutest little girl I have ever seen.  You may not be to everyone else (they are blind) but you are to mommy and daddy.
• Your brother is still super smitten with you and loves to rub you cheek and give you kisses.  If you don't mess up his toys he may always be this nice to you.  I won't count on that though.
• You are getting pretty good at holding your head up, you have less head than your brother so you have it easy.

One Month                                                                                      Two Months

I love watching you grow and I know you are going to do so much more growing during your first year.  Hopefully you won't stop there cause you would be really short.  It makes me a little sad to see you grow because I know that I am slowly losing my sweet baby.  I am holding you so close and rocking you and singing to you because all too soon you will be a big girl and won't let mommy do those things.  I love and cherish each moment with you, my Isla Kate.