Better...SOOOO much better!

First, I would like to publicly apologize to all of you that had boys before me if I laughed at you when you told me your son was going crazy around the house. I did not understand this situation. Many, many days, Jen has come over because Drew is going bananas inside and they couldn't go outside due to weather. I was like, what? He won't just watch a movie? My Kennedy, my precious daughter, will entertain herself for hours. She LOVES to be at home. She said today, "Mommy, I love when we are home." All this to say, Whit woke up today 90 to nothing. He was wide open all day. I was given instructions to keep him calm and resting for 3 days. Right, right, I'll work on that. He feels SOOOO much better, but by noon I was going crazy. He was bouncing off the walls! He would run up to Kennedy, grab what she loved most, and run away with it laughing! We're glad you're back Whitty Whit. It was good to see you again. Soon, we will be out of the house and you can RUN like crazy! Boys.....they are SO different than girls! I am glad I have one of each! I think 2 of either one would be CRAZY! ;)

Survival :)

We got up around 4:30 AM today and were out the door in the 30 degree weather to take our sweet baby to Savannah for surgery. It is hands down my hardest moment as a parent. I am good about helping with shots and things like that with my kids when I know it is for the best. I know it will be over fast and I can love on them. This was so different. I had to willingly give my child over to a room full of people knowing they would be causing him pain. WOW. I do love our ENT and he was wonderful with Whit. The ENT surgical center is not in a hospital which was nice because we got to be in the back a lot. I got to go back to the operating room and hold him while they put him to sleep. I NEVER want to see that again. Watching my baby go limp in my arms.....I think I was filled with some super human power because not a tear fell from my eyes. If you know me at all you know I am a cryer. I needed to be strong for my baby and God gave me that strength today. I totally would have lost it. But instead, I held him, kissed his sweet face, prayed over him one more time and the room full of hands that were on him and had to walk away. Pause here because this was big for me. It was a quick surgery and the next thing I knew the doctor was talking with us and he was fine! He still had fluid in each ear (one had really thick fluid) and his adenoids were really swollen. We even got to see a piece of it. Interesting....:) This made me feel better about our decision. I know it was a good one. Then we go back to my baby, being rocking in a nurses arms. He immediately reached for me and settled down a little when I talked to him. They said, "You have a feisty little one. He is strong willed! He told us when he didn't like something!" Yes, yes, he is. He spent the next hour in recovery yelling NO and Uh Uh at each nurse that came by. I left covered in throw up ( the sign of a good mom) with a tired baby. He slept all the way home and is currently fast asleep again. He is pitiful today. I have just held him and loved on him as much as I can. Today was a hard day. It wasn't one of those joyful mommy days, but it was a day I am again thankful. I'm thankful for such a group of wonderful friends and family that have prayed and prayed for my baby. I'm thankful for a wonderful doctor and staff that took such good care of my baby. I'm thankful for a successful surgery. I look forward to a happy and healthy baby from all of this.

Aaaahhhhh......we all survived. :)

My Miracle at 3!

Birthdays got a new meaning when I became a mom. I thought they were all about me. It was in fact, my birthday. Now I see that they are about the day you were born, but it means so much more to the one that had you. It is the day I first held my baby in my arms. It is the day I first saw her face. I'll never in my life forget that moment. It is the day I was changed forever. This little girl, once just a hope and a prayer, is now 3. 3!!!!!!!! Life is flying and I know all too soon she will be running out my door and driving away. I hold onto sweet moments. I hold onto her a lot. I try my hardest to soak it all in because I love this. I was made to be a mom. I can see that in her already. She knows the role. She'll be a great one, too. She mothers everything she has, even Riley, that poor dog!

Kennedy,

I am honored to be your mommy. I am proud of everything you do. You have such a gentle spirit, yet at times it becomes a feisty spirit. You are giving and loving to those that mean so much to you. You truly know how to love. Your sweet little friends are your heart. You love your family so much. You truly appreciate togetherness and I love that about you. When we sit down as a family you announce how happy you are that we are all together. You love to tell stories and talk and talk and talk and talk...get my point? I love to hear everything you say. You have even started to discipline me. I said stupid the other day and you gave me a very long speech about how that was a bad choice. You are a good listener my dear. :) If I could pick any child in the entire world to be my daughter, I would choose you. You've made me a better person. You've made me appreciate the small things in life. You've shown me how a prayer can become reality and how God's love is SO great! All in 3 short years....3 quick years...you've changed me forever. I love you, my daughter. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy

Braving Santa

Now, this is a BIG deal. Her first Christmas she sat in his lap. She stared at him with a very mean face, but she sat there. Last year, she refused. She shook when we talked about it. So, I had a sweet picture of my 5 month old with Santa and no big sis anywhere to be seen. :) Then this year, she wanted to be brave. She said she wanted to. She was serious about it. We were in Savannah and stopped by Bass Pro to see their Santa (totally free with a picture..fyi)

Waiting in line...

SUCCESS!!! Who would have known?
I'm proud of you Kennedy!

Christmas Eve

We always go to the Christmas Eve service at church then head to MeMa's. It is tradition. I love a tradition. My grandmother was very serious about having EVERYONE at her house on Christmas day. I loved when it was full of everyone. I remember the days of getting to sit at the big table...finally! I was the one who was sad about everyone growing up and getting married and having to rotate holidays. I liked the traditions of Christmas. Greg's family always celebrates at Mema's for Christmas Eve. They made a big deal when I joined the fun. It really is a fun tradition. We even announced we were having Whit 2 years ago at this fun night. It is full of memories and traditions for me now, too. I like that. :)

The two of us....we rarely get to smile at a camera alone. Hard to believe 3 years ago it was just us!

And now.....I am blessed beyond words

With Nette

And my oh so fabulous sis-in-law....:) LOVE her!

A Very Merry Christmas!

I can now officially say that I think this was by far my favorite Christmas ever. My children are old enough to enjoy it and that makes it even more magical. We hosted Christmas dinner at our house so for the first time in at least 7 years we got to stay home. My kids got to stay in their jammies until 11:00 and just play. They got to have both sets of grandparents with them on Christmas day and it was special to me. We were all sitting down to lunch and Kennedy says, "We're all together!" She gets it. I love her for that. So, thanks, to all my family for breaking tradition and making this year so sweet for us. Even Kennedy appreciated it. Here are some pics from Christmas morning.

K and her Bitty Baby. She named her Little Bitty...original,huh?

Boy toys! Yay!!!

Helping Kennedy with her baby stuff.

Checking out her Santa stuff

So happy!

Playing!!!!!!!

Kennedy and Whit: You are the greatest gifts I have ever received. This Christmas it was truly a gift to see my precious miracles enjoy and celebrate the season. I hope you learn that this day has so much meaning to us. I hope you see through my words how much I am thankful to the God who blessed me with you two. You are precious and perfect. You bring laughter and joy to our home. You two make me a better person and have also shown me that God's power is greater than anything I could have ever done. This Christmas I am more thankful than ever. I love you both dearly, my precious babies. Merry Christmas!

Who knew?

Does that feeling ever fade? You know, the one that you get when you do something for your child and their eyes light up with excitement. I can't truly describe the feeling but it is one of my most favorite parts about being a mom. When she was a baby, it was the way she looked at me. It was the first time she said my name or the first time she held those sweet baby arms up for me. It melts you to pieces. Yesterday, when she woke up from her nap, she woke up to a house busily getting ready for her party. She walked into Whit's room where she could see the giant princess bouncy house going up in the yard. I don't remember all the words she used, but I'll never in my life forget the excitement in her voice. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. She turned to me and hugged me so tight and said, "Thank you, Mommy!" I am thankful for those moments. My little almost 3 year old, old enough to explode with joy, knows to say thank you and truly means it. I am proud of you, my Kennedy. I hope you can look back and see how much we love you. At 3, you have so much heart. You care so much about the ones you love. What a precious, precious, little girl you are. You chose the perfect theme for that party of yours....our little princess.....just perfect!!!!!!!!!