Soapboxin'...for babies

On my drive in this morning, I was searching for some "rainy day music"...for me, the rainy day artists usually have to include David Gray, Ryan Adams and Ray Lamontagne for starters. At any rate, their music usually compels me in some way or another - mostly in the way of being reflective, thankful & prayerful.

This morning my thoughts wandered back to a conversation Seth & I recently had about the names of all the babies/children that we pray for. The internet serves a wonderfully bittersweet purpose in that we have found ourselves connected very deeply to some extraordinary babies & their families just by "following" their journeys through blogs. We speak of them as familiar as family - we've cried and rejoiced with and for them - we constantly keep them close in thought and prayer.

The bittersweet part of it (for me) is that instead of mostly sharing all the lil' ordinary nuances of love, babies, children & family life (like this blog does) - these moms (and sometimes dads) are often sharing unfathomable struggles these children and families face. Not only are they sharing their "story", but they are sharing their faith and continuing to give their trust to God, knowing He is with them.

Beyond Seth, John & Ella - these families are my muse. They inspire me, they make me cry, they make me laugh, they make me a better mama - a better wife, they help me pray & to be thankful. Most importantly, they show me God's faithfulness and that each day with each other and our children is a most precious gift.

Here are some of our "extended families"...even if you don't click on the links, maybe you could say a quick prayer for them that they will continue to feel God's love and mercy even when days seem the darkest.

Tripp

Jonah

Nella

Daisy

Libby Claire

Sadie

Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me. Psalm 66:20

Fun things about the weekend...trip to Winston

Happy (want to insert expletive here) cold Monday morning :)

I bet every member of my house still has a little sleep in their eyes this morning. That glazed over "we jammed a lot into that 2 day reward we get at the end of a busy work week and now it's monday and time to get back to it" kind of look - I know it's all over my face for sure, ha. That or just the "excessiveness" of Saturday night is still looming. The boss just said I looked tired - sums it up!

We didn't even take the big camera this weekend, just the little Mickey Mouse one I carry in my purse. We got 3 versions of 1 solitary picture - I'll share later.

At any rate, Friday saw Seth & I both dodging out of work early to make the jaunt to Winston. We rolled in 'bout supper time to some delicious Brick Oven (thanks Nana & Pappaw). We quickly inhaled our food b/c we were quickly slipping from dinner time to bath/bedtime. After we got the babies to bed we finally sat & caught our breath. We visited a bit & I stayed up too late chatting w.my mom. All the empty Blue Moon/Shocktop bottles on the kitchen counter the next morning were a good clue as to why my head felt a lil' cloudy.

Saturday morning greeted us w.2 well rested children, so that was nice to wake up to. After breakfast, Seth packed up the younguns and headed to Haley's. They got to see and spend time with most of Seth's family, so that was great. In case Seth forgot to mention, thanks Haley for having everyone over :)

While Seth had the kids visiting, I spent time next door w.my Granny. It was the longest visit I've been able to have with her in a while. I will just say that I cherish that time w.her (deep sigh).

Saturday afternoon was a lil' relaxing and getting ready to go to Seth's stepbrother Bobby's wedding at 4:30. It was a sweet service. The reception was out on the heated (at times, overheated) patio at 4th St Filling Station in downtown Winston. We have about 2 favorite restaurants in Winston - that place is one of them. It was a good time and nice be able to relax, laugh & enjoy ourselves.

Because we were out & dressed, we knew we might make some sort of night out of it. We continued the fun a few blocks (thank goodness Mimi gave us a ride in the pouring rain) up the street at Foothills Brewery. Lots of drinks, laughs and more drinks were had. For me, when I find myself solo dancing up beside the band and I'm looking over their playlists w.them between sets - I know I'm having a good time :) I just wish I could have had a wingman up there w.me. At what point (age) does solo dancing lose it's cool and segueway into desperate looking - ha. In my mind, that will likely be never b/c if there's music playing, I'm always going to gravitate :) It was a fun night, I'll just leave it at that!

ps. to anyone's ear I may have "bent" a lil' much (Jason & Jessica) or anyone I was drinkin' & textin' (Kimberly) or anyone's bar tab that I may have exploded w.all my shot ordering (Seth ~ love of my life)...bless your hearts...thanks for enduring me :)

So, Sunday morning came early :) With sweet Ella Bella laying next to me smiling/chattin' away, I knew it was time to get up. She & John having had a good evening w.Nana & Pappaw were bright-eyed ready to go. We enjoyed a nice breakfast together before it was time for Nana & Pappaw to get ready for church. John went w.Nana & Pappaw to church & from what I heard, he had a big time :) Seth & I found some motivation and got everything packed and to the car while they were gone & Ella napped. We had a quick, but yummy lunch then got on the road. We were back to Raleigh by 3.

We swung by the Teeter on the way in & I made the dash in for some chili ingredients...could think of nothing better to have on a day like yesterday! Enjoyed putting that together & taste testing as it simmered on the stove. So, we got some food cooked, some laundry done, bags unpacked - it was nice to be back in time to settle before beginning the week. We got around outside to cover/bring in lots of plants & especially those beautiful ferns b/c Old Man Winter APPARENTLY didn't get the memo that it's springtime, not wintry mix/Freeze Advisory time :(

When our heads finally hit the pillow last night...deep sigh. A full weekend under our belt. So, here we at the start of a new week. Those temps look to be rising later in the week, hopefully I can put the "furburger" (Johnny-ism) boots up & put the flip-flops back on rotation...

Here's our solitary pic :)

Happy Monday :)

(um, this sounds familiar)

Dancing in both directions at once so everyone won't notice that he's never heard this song before ~Story People

Dear John,

Hey there buddy :)

Told your Deddy I was going to write you a letter today. There's so much going on in your lil' world right now & you sure bring smiles and laughter our way each day. Wanted to tell you a little about all your sunshine...

I'll start with the mornings...some find you dragging out of bed and some (like today) find you up & about w.pep in your step. Either way, you usually brush right by sleepy me with your "where's Ella?" and promptly place yourself right beside her on the bed. "Sweet pea" "Pretty girl" "Sweet Girl" or whatever other name you've recently heard us calling her is what you say hey to her with in your "only for Ella sweet voice." Because she's growing like a lil' weed, she now rolls to her side towards you, arms outstretched, ready to be close to you - smiling bright as the sun.

You let me know who's turn it is to get dressed - "her turn 1st." This morning while you were laying letting Ella have her turn, you were telling me how Carson has a lunchbox (yes, you always find random stuff to bring up - we can hardly fathom the rate at which your wheels spin). I told you that you had a lunchbox too - one with dinosaurs that was currently being used to hold all your balls. Your response, "Oh" (simple response, but I can tell the wheels are still spinning). You promptly find your lunchbox when we get downstairs (you go down 1st b/c that's how you "request" the order to go). Even though it has a short handle, you perch it like a purse on your shoulder and take to calling it your "pack-back" (translation: backpack). I tell you how your backpack's upstairs - the one w.the barn on it - you barely register that & come back with, "I want to talk about - my big barn. Where's my big barn?" I thought to myself, holy cow - my 2 1/2 year old just pulled a re-direct on me. As if to say, "that's great and all - what you're talking about...however, I'd prefer we discuss my big barn...what can you tell me about that?" Never...cease...to...amaze :)

Last night, I told you to pick a book to read, you came back w.a bible :) It's a kid bible, but nonetheless, not exactly a quick read - ha. I said "buddy, this may be a little long - how bout something else?" You decided on "Wee Little Lamb" a book your Aunt Shannon gave you for your 1st Easter. Now almost 3 years later, the inaugural reading of the book went pretty good. I was impressed so much when I would say something about the wee little lamb and you would counter with, "kinda like a sheep?!" - "yes, kinda like a sheep". Next page was a bunny - you, "kinda like a rabbit" - "yes, kinda like a rabbit." We thought Deddy was going to get to read it to you, but he forgot to read the inside cover inscription and you defeated his efforts quickly. So, you & I read it a 3rd time while he finished dressing Ella for bed. Of course we're all crowded in her room b/c her rocker is really the only place you care to rock & read. It's nice though - from the rocker, there's a clear shot into the bathroom where Ella's taking a bath and when she's done, we're all in there together. The only smaller room in the house is the 1/2 bath...funny how we congregate in small spaces :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, finishing that got away from me yesterday - so here's the rest of your letter...

Another thing I have to mention right now is how into birthdays you are. You'll gladly acknowledge and sing Happy Birthday for other people, but your real concern is with your own birthday. "When's it going to be my birthday?" "I'm gonna have a big cake" "It's gonna be real hot when it's my birthday" (b/c this is what I keep telling you) "I can't have my birthday yet". I was thinking Toy Story themed till you informed me the other day that you wanted Spiderman. We'll see :) I asked you if you wanted me to bring cupcakes to school for you to share with your friends. You didn't like that idea either - ha. We'll see :)

We've been pretty impressed lately - you're not showing strong partiality to much of anything. Unlike before, you're not all about a certain toy, your animals, any movies - you more just want to hang out. Most nights we're not even turning on the TV. The sound of TVs & movies has been replaced with A LOT OF TALKING :). Did I mention that you talk A LOT?! Sometimes it takes you twice as long to eat b/c you're talking so much. Sometimes we have to tell you to be quiet so that you can eat. There is no such thing as idle silence at our supper table - I have to laugh at the thought of it.

We usually try & get you to tell us about your day...what we get usually sounds a little like this...

to whatever we're eating, "I don't like ____"
"I don't like _____ either"
"where did my chicken go"
(smiling, b/c you know you just ate it)
singing/shouting, "My God is so BIG.."
"what's Ella talking bout?"
"hers eating her oat-milk"
"i...i...i...i eat my oat-milk after i wake up"
"i need more milk"
"the B-I-B-L-E"
"i not like this"
"happy birthday Nana/Corben/Taylar"
"you gonna make a happy bowl mama?"
"i not make a happy plate"
or
"I make a happy plate & I get a treat"
(holding half your food in your lil' fist) exclaiming,
"I make a happy plate" (no, no you didn't)
"i need to go pee"
"i need to go poop"
"what's chester doin' - him eat that food"

all that's barely tipping the iceberg...as aforementioned, not much chewing to be heard at the table amidst all the chatter/singing :)

Speaking of the bathroom stuff - you're knocking potty training outta the park!! You stopped wearing diapers except at naptime & bedtime like a month ago & haven't missed a beat since. Yes, I've had to hose down your "underwears" in the driveway on one occasion & there's been a couple of "I peed a lil' in my diaper" moments - problem being that you're not wearing a diaper...BUT, other than a couple minor mishaps, you're doing AWESOME. And thank goodness, esp. on the poop-front - you go roughly the size of a small horse - to the point where your Deddy wants me to constantly "come look"...we're just glad you're not putting those mass amounts in diapers!

You're still finding your way to come cuddle with Deddy for the last hour or so of sleep at night. Since Ella sends Deddy to the couch somewhere in the middle of the night, you know to go looking for him in "his room" :) I know your Deddy enjoys this time although he often tells me that it ain't much sleeping happening sometimes - says you do LOTS of tossing and turning. I think he's taken to sending you to the big chair, but I don't think anyone's getting much sleep in "deddy's room" at that point :)

For all your joy and laughter, I would be a lil' remiss if I didn't mention that you do spend a fair amount of minutes in time out. Not too much, just enough to tilt that halo a bit :) Mostly it's for acting out in frustration - usually by swinging arms/feet or tossing down whatever your playing with. We often threaten you that you'll have to leave the room when you're fussing & that usually puts the pause in the whining/crying. One day, we'll surely miss where not being in our presence is the punishment you want to avoid. I'm sure there will come a time where going to your room away from us will be a welcomed option...I hope that day's far far away.

I'll end with how "all boy" you are :). Being outside, wrestling, playing ball, getting in the dirt, running - all things you love. Deddy's also been teaching you some "moves" - learned this the hard way in a choking incident last Friday. All of sudden, while supposed to be eating, you bust out w.what sounded to me like, "CHOW, CHOW..." all while punching your fists. Deddy has actually taught you some "boxing moves"...what you were saying was, "Jab, Jab - Upper, Upper". I said what I thought you'd said & mentioned how it reminded me of "chow chow on my beans"...well, Deddy had you say that & for some reason it made me laugh to the point where the lemonade in my mouth went straight into my lungs. After nearly hacking up a lung, I told Deddy you could no longer be encouraged to say "chow chow on my beans" b/c apparently it was near-deathly amusing to me :). Short & sweet, even when you're not trying to be...you're beyond funny :)

So, thanks buddy. Thanks for reminding us that our God is indeed so BIG & His blessings are abounding in our hearts and our home. Thanks for making us laugh & for teaching us - you really make us want to be better people. There's a big world out there & so much to see & do. Being able to see it anew through your lil' perspective is opening our eyes and minds in ways we never imagined. Thanks for helping us pause and be present in the moment. Whether it's looking for "spiders", playing hide-n-seek, sneaking up on "that big rat", or bopping dinosaurs who get outta line on the nose...you captivate us more with each day. I hope your imagination continues to grow and run wild...we're just glad to be along for the ride!

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

Keep shining my sunshine ~ All my love, Mama

Rearview'in...Old Pictures

In keeping with the theme of my last post...

In the months between our engagement and wedding, I collected family photos from mine & Seth's parents & grandparents. The hope was to mesh them altogether to create a visual "family history".

Watching this now, my heart swells even more b/c this also represents a history for John & Ella too.

So glad to have this to watch, remember, cherish & smile...sigh

Rearview'in...circa 2006

Yesterday's "Fun things" and that song, "Falling In Love (With My Best Friend)" got my wheels spinning...had me wanting to "rearview" a lil' -



I made a video (shocking, right) for Seth as a wedding "gift" - it played at our wedding reception. The pictures and the songs summed up the journey to our wedding day pretty nicely. Some pics of when it was playing...


















and here's the video (sigh)...

Rearview'in

Commencement of Spring 2010 ~ thanks Seth! A joy to look back...

Happy Spring!

Fun things about the weekend...hellooooo Spring!

So, last week felt like a lot of trying to get our head back above water from being gone the previous weekend...I think we're finally level after the weekend :) Although busy, there was much time spent together, soaking up each other and all the beautiful signs of spring...

Looked a lil' like this...

TGIF-ing (Fisher style)...Driveway...Chairs...Beverages



Even Ella (note: "Mommy Loves Me" shirt was one she wore to school - she never makes it back w.any of the Deddy ones still on...just sayin')




"Holy hole in the donut, Batman" - look at those ferns! No, seriously - look at them - THEY ARE HUGE (can you tell I'm excited)...thank you farmer's market lady for taking all my cash in exchange for these beauties...the front porch also thanks you :)







Good morning Saturday :)







A lil' under the covers time - the rush of weekdays nowhere to be found :)







Ella Bella surrounded by Deddy and big brother - she will never feel unloved







Back porch ~ sunshine ~ tower building







Our lil' ham...his building prowess and charm are quite impressive :)







BHG ~ April edition ~ oh, how you make my wheels spin...







Beautiful blue skies ~ warm, sunny days ~ trees blooming...Spring, glad to have you!
(notice the fern)







Chunky baby legs pic - these are fun, right!? :)







Seth/John's new favorite chore (thanks Pappaw) ~ mowing...then taking the post-mow lap around the neighborhood







More shrimp & grits...yummy







Ella's 1st oatmeal :)





There was a lot of joy in this weekend. Some of it was captured - much of it wasn't. So glad to have a house full of blessings to wake up to each morning.

Life's pretty good ~ plain & simple :)



Heard a song on my way back from my standing Monday lunch date w.Seth...I laughed out loud w.a little tear or two in my eyes at the lyrics...



It's so good

what we got.

you and me,

we love a lot.

we're just friends,

simple as that.

I don't want it to end...

but im falling in love

with the best friend i got.



Boy, can I relate to those lyrics :)


This time 9 years ago, I didn't anticipate falling in love w.my best friend Seth...



Regardless of what we set out to be, there was no denying that we never wanted to not be there for each other...



I'm so glad I fell in love with my best friend and I'm glad he fell in love back...



It's still "so good" and we still "love a lot"...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These beautiful babies - they're just the icing on the cake!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Happy 1st day of Spring!

Joyful things about the weekend...

If possible, I think I overuse the word "blessed" sometimes. Thought I'd mix it up a lil'...I checked, "joyful" is a synonym when blessed is defined as "happy"...I couldn't think of a better group of words to describe this past weekend.

Someone (me) forgot to put the camera card in and I didn't get pics of them all - here they are, some in "mental pictures"...

Getting a bee in our bonnet Friday evening and leaving while there was still "bright" in the sky...enjoyin' reachin' back to take John's hand every so often during my "are you still awake" checks...enjoyin' our Friday, get-home soundtrack.

Celebrating Corben's 3rd Birthday! Watching all the kids tumble, play & ultimately wear themselves out at the party. Cake and ice cream, obviously.

Hugs from Meemaw & Papaw

McDonald's for lunch - John getting his 1st Happy Meal. There might never have been a cooler toy than SPIDERMAN! Enjoyin' our cheeseburgers back at Nana & Pappaw's...



Enjoyin' the view ~ soakin' up Saturday



Visits w.Mimi & Aunt Haley (not pictured) - but I heard it was nice. Lil' birdie also mentioned that he didn't know who was soakin' up each other more ~ Ella or Aunt Haley :)

a day of "glorious" wind



simply, cold beer



Gettin' the run-down at "Camp Seth"



Races



Some runnin' their own "path"



Exploring :)



and...break - time to hydrate



sweet Ella Bella having her own fun w.Nana



Celebratin' Taylar's 9th Birthday! All the cupcakes did get eaten - likely in record time!



Cousins - bees knees



Sunday porchin' ~ more sunshine, less "glorious" wind



A quick, girls trip (not pictured) to the Briar Patch ~ included a few flowers bought, ideas hatched, "egg-cellent" discounts and a quick store run for mo' beer :)

bare feet ~ essential to "joyful" weekends



pulling out & handing down some vintage awesomeness (Tay, you make me so proud)



deciding to hang around and make a day of it ~ yes, it made us all smile



more trips across the yard to Granny & Pappaw's



capturing Ella & John-filled moments (priceless)



catching a "Sunday in the South" moment ~ eating ice cream sandwiches & dreamsicles
(only a moonpie could have completed it more)



Riding home to Raleigh, full hearted. A blessing to be with family, to celebrate birthdays and bank some moments to carry us over till we're all together again.

Dear Ella,

Hey there sweet girl...

Thinkin' you're due for a letter about now. You've been at daycare and I've been back to work almost 2 mos now. Hard to believe...these days/weeks are flying by so fast. You're changing and growing at about the same rate :)

Even though you're almost 5 mos, we went for your 4 mo well-check yesterday. Girl, you make us SO PROUD. You were in the 90th percentile for height & weight. Since your 2 mo well-check you grew 2 1/2 in and gained 3lbs! You are now 26 in long weighin' in at 16.9lbs!! Nana says I shouldn't call you biggun' cause you're a lil' girl, but you're by no means a lil'un - ha!

I so enjoyed our time yesterday waiting for the dr. You were all smiles & just a talking. It was weird to take you to the dr. b/c you've not hardly been but for well-checks. By your age, we felt like we were already payin' the light bill at the dr's office with John. You've not had more than a lil' cold since birth & we are incredibly thankful for that. We're just not used to it :)

Dr. Shaw - "that ol' gal" as we affectionately call her couldn't say enough good things about you. She said you looked great. She had a neat mirror behind the examining table that you were all to happy to look at yourself in when she flipped you on your belly. You were doing quite the lil' push up and beaming proudly at yourself. You did have to get some shots which took the smile right off your face...but you didn't cry long. Comfort was quickly found in Deddy's arms. I think his feelings were hurt more than yours.

When I got back to work yesterday I was going through some old files. It's spring break here at State & you'd think I was on it too - just not much motivation this week. At any rate came across this...


This picture was taken exactly a year ago today - 3/9/10...you were 8 wks 3 days old. I recall still trying to wrap my mind around being pregnant. Excited at the same time though. My 30th surprise birthday was awesome, but becoming pregnant with you is the bar none biggest surprise of my life. The biggest and the best!

Speaking of - being pregnant with you was a joy (once the nausea stopped) and the time since your birth has been nothing short of joyful. You have brightened our lives so much. I can't help but smile at the thought of you :)


Between the babbling, blowing bubbles and giving us those long glances that when noticed cause your whole face to spread into a big grin...you have our hearts sweet Ella Bella. You're such a good and sweet baby. You really make it too easy sometimes :)

And we already think you're so smart. Your hand-eye coordination amazes us. You can manipulate about any object we place in your grasp and you continue to amuse us taking your paci in & out. And the way you turn your head to look up at us sometimes when we're holding you - we can only imagine how full your lil' "sponge" is getting watching and listening to us.


Speaking of watching & listening...your brother gives you PLENTY to absorb! I found myself having a heart full moment this morning. John climbed on the bed with you and pulled the covers up so yall were under them together, saying "I cover us up". You twisted on your side to face him and be close - him rewarding you with some nose-to-nose sugarz. He saw me coming with diaper in hand and told me "not yet" - he was so enjoying yall's time under the covers together. He loves you so much and it's so apparently mutual. There are so many moments where it's obvious you have eyes for no one but each other and I can't help but bask in your closeness. I'm excited to see how this bond will deepen over the years.

So, nothing real prophetic to say today - just want you to know how much you are loved & missed by me every day. Looking at the picture taken a year ago today - couldn't feel more blessed to be on this side of things. You're here, you're healthy and you continue to brighten our lives - we can't imagine our world without you. Daughter, Sister - those words feel so good rolling off the tongue...we couldn't be happier to have such a sweet girl to love and hold. Those bright blue eyes, those plump cheeks that beg to be kissed, those ever-moving lil' hands reaching for ours...you steal our hearts more with each day.

Continue to grow & delight sweet girl - we'll continue to enjoy every second of it. We thank God for giving you to us - we will always strive live up to the honor we've been given...

Listened on the way in this morning and although out of context, words from November Blue still make me think of you...

like the sunlight, however sweet it shines...I'm warm beside your smile...
you're everything I dream


Love you sweet Ella Bella ~ Mama

Fun things about the weekend...

Mama's been consigning...

New (to us) kicks



New (to us) hats



Taking advantage of "cheap labor"



Thanks Ghirardelli ~ Cookies!



Furthering the 2011 goal of "de-mystifying seafood" ~ this week's featured food...shrimp



"ta-da"...Shrimp & Grits



Enjoyin' some "just because" flowers - even John was excited about these



Potential disasters thwarted



Celebratory (we didn't have to put a large hole in the wall) cocktails...deeeeep sigh



Enjoyin' the Sunday rain (even when it was spraying on us) while the babies slept



2nd round of cocktails (just for good measure)



Enjoyin' a consignment buy...Jumping Jenny or Johnny Jumper...depends on who you ask



Celebrating our 4 (I know, almost 5) month old



Mr. "I want to take my shirt off too" jumpin' in for a pic



Playin' w.Grumpaw



Showing off for Mimi



There were a lot of moments not pictured/captured this weekend. Nothing inspiring or earth-shattering but some sure good-for-our-soul kind of stuff. From singing/dancing on Friday night to feeling the rain misting in on Sunday afternoon...it's sometimes good to not have much of a plan and just take the moments as they come.

Happy 2nd week of March ~ looking forward to gaining daylight this weekend!

Positive Affirmation ~ Story People
Leaving a trail of destruction behind her even though her current affirmation is happy happy joy joy.