Cap'n Trouble

Dominique bought Cooper this onezie when she vacationed in Savannah earlier this year...it was perfect for his Halloween costume. Of course he spit up right when I started taking pics, maybe that was the pirate in him. ;)

Adjusting

(For some reason this one never got posted, but it is from August 27, 2011)

Life has changed. There is less sleep...lots of feedings...and numerous diapers. There are lots of smiles. :) Giggles and many, many flutters of dreaming eyes. There are cuddles and scoffs (my favorite), whimpers and random singular cries in the middle of sleep - just one loud yelp before slipping back to quiet slumber. There are toe stretches and leg curls, head raises and long stares. Yes, life has changed. While I do yearn for eight hours of uninterrupted deep, blissful slumber...the gentle cry of my son is a treasure I would never give up. He is our love.

The Sweetest Thing

Heating Up

the days of 90+ weather
are not a welcome site
I'm burning up, I'm dying
I'm ready for a fight

I have a little heater
he keeps me warm enough
I don't need mother nature
flaunting, showing off her stuff

the humidity was worse
thank God there's no more rain
but this heat is killing me
it's becoming quite the pain

so I'm ready for my son
I'm ready to be cool
but I'll survive a few more weeks
so auntie can win the pool :-P

Showerd with love...

...and, of course, cake!

...Get Ready...Get Set...

There is an excitement, anticipation for the change that is about to occur. One that makes me eager for the days to fly and yet yearns for time to slow. Life has changed for us. Life will change again with the arrival of this new addition. A change I am excited to embrace, but a change that will forever alter the course of our lives. It is time. Time to end the honeymoon chapter and turn the page to family. A lifetime of joy and memories await us with this little bundle.


I never imagined six years ago when I met my husband that my heart could know such joy. I thought meeting him was the best. Then I thought falling in love with him was the best...moving in with him...marrying him...each stage seemed to eclipse the last. There is a love so deep no words can explain. (I know many of you are lucky enough to feel this too, because thankfully love is unique to the individual and can touch us all.) My husband's love has invaded my heart and conquered my soul. I have found someone to stand by me, who accepts my faults, encourages me and believes in my dreams with me (even when others are telling you to throw in the towel), he brings out the best in me...he is the love of my life. Bringing a new life into this world with my love, my best friend, my soul mate leaves me speechless. There is no greater joy I can think of but I imagine as we continue this journey through life there will be many more moments that once again eclipse the last.


Our son is going to be blessed with a patient, fun, encouraging, ornery father who will teach him to laugh, to play, to think logically and thoroughly, to have a kind and generous heart. My son is already blessed a million times over because of the father he will have.


As we near the end of this pregnancy there is a gentle reminder of the best decision I ever made. It is ever present. Thank you God for throwing an internship I did not want to pursue in my face. Thank You for moving my desk right next to this amazing man who I was too timid to talk to, for him asking me to dinner and me having the sense to say yes. Thank You for all the inexplicable coincidences in our lives that showed us we were constantly circling each other waiting for the right time before we would be ready for each other and then giving us the time to enjoy each other and prepare to be parents so we would be ready for our little guy.


We are as ready as we are ever going to be.

San Diego

Levi and I were able to take one last trip before we became a family of three. We visited Levi's best friend and his wife, toured the aquarium, took a dinner cruise and while Levi went off to ride dirt bikes I got to go shopping and...the Glee concert! (squeal) It was so much fun! I could not have asked for a better quick get-away for us before we welcome our new little buster. Here are a couple pics from our dinner cruise.

This is while we were passing under the Coronado Bridge. The "legend" is that if you kiss the one you love while passing under the bridge you'll have eternal love and happiness.

This is a picture of a ship at dock and it had red, white and blue twinkle lights strung across it. So beautiful. (You can't really tell from the picture :/)

The Bump

To everyone who has been asking for a pic, I finally remembered to take one!

10 Things to Teach My Son

1. Do Not Listen to Your Father: Scaring mom is not funny.

2. Take Risks: You'll learn more about yourself than you ever imagined.

3. Ride a Dirt Bike: You'll learn control and discipline while having a blast.

4. Play Volleyball: Everything you need to know about life will be found in volleyball. :D

5. Laugh Often and Laugh at Yourself: Don't take yourself or life too seriously, it's best enjoyed with laughter.

6. Believe In Yourself: Even when the world is saying you can't, and those you love are doubting Thomas', know with determination & hard work you can do anything you set your mind to.

7. Love Deeply: Love is the subtle bond that links us all; open your heart to the possibility even if it has been broken - holding back will only consume you with bitterness.

8. Don't Listen to Your Father: Scaring mom is not funny.

9. Forgive yourself: You can't change the past, release yourself from the shackles of regret, fear, or pressure you place on yourself.

10. Be Hopeful: If you look at the world through pessimistic eyes you'll only see the negative. Good and evil will always be at odds with each other, but you can have a heaven on earth if you focus on all the good you have in your life and let go of pessimism.

The Times, They Are A Changing

I can't believe that the little buster will be here so soon. Feels like it was just last week that Levi and I found out and were keeping this special secret to ourselves. Now I am past the halfway point. I feel lots of movement these days...he kicks me randomly, turns or tumbles when I finally try to relax and lie down at the end of the day...almost like he is saying, "mom, look what I can do!" I love it! He moves lots when I drink lemonade and he LOVES reese's peanut butter cups; he moves a bunch when I eat them. I cannot get enough of those and artichokes. :)

I keep wondering what he will look like or what his little personality will be. Will he have light or dark hair, will he even have hair when he is born, will he have my smile or Levi's, whose face shape will he have... The most amazing and special thing to me is this bond between Levi and I knowing that we have created this little person. I never knew my heart could grow and fall that much more in love with my husband, but it has and I find myself overwhelmed with joy. So overwhelmed with joy. I find that somehow through this process a peace has come to me and the worries that I once had are meaningless. All that matters is this family that I have with my husband. Of course there will still be worries and concerns - but different from those a year ago. Different from those 6-months ago. Just different - a difference I am anxiously and completely willing to embrace.

Worry Be Gone

I have finally finished telling the last of friends and, more importantly, my employer the news of our expected delivery in August. Anyone who knows me knows that I worry. And not only do I worry, but my vivid imagination is able to conjure up the many different scenarios that could potentially, but most likely will never, occur. So today is a W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L day because all those crazy worries have been put to rest.

As to update anyone curious about the little buddy, both baby and I are doing well. I have been extremely fortunate in that I did not have any morning sickness or real nausea in my first trimester. I was extremely tired and still find myself tired from time to time, but as one of my good friends put it, "You're creating something that is going from microscopic to an 8 lb baby in a short amount of time, of course you'll be tired." Touche.

All the check ups have gone well and we should deliver a healthy little one when he or she is ready. Another worry gone. As to the sex of the baby...we don't know at this time but we are going to find out. Levi and I are too curious to hold out until delivery. I don't feel like I have an increased appetite and the heartbeat is very fast, both signs - according to old wives tales - that we are having a girl. But who knows for sure and we'll find out soon enough.

So for the next few months this blog may be filled with news about the baby, funny stories about how my husband would like to take me golfing for my very first time when I am past 6-months pregnant (oh yes he is), or weird stories about why our cat has all of the sudden decided sleeping on my chest/belly is the best bed in the house. Entertainment is sure to follow.

So for today...it is Friday and my worries be gone! :)

Oh Brother

I was so lucky to be able to spend last week with my brother and his partner. He was in town for us to celebrate Christmas. It was such a good visit and so wonderful to see him. I love him so much. My brother has always been someone I look up to. I can remember being a kid and thinking he was so amazing - everything he did was admirable. He is so smart and talented. He is generous and has the kindest heart. I don't think I have ever seen a selfish action or word from my brother. I cannot even begin to count the numerous times I have seen him go out of his way to help someone or make them feel loved and acknowledged. When my brother was in high school he wrote a play that was far too deep for someone of his age, yet he captured the audience with ease. There was not a dry eye in that audience after the show ended. Everyone was on their feet. But that's my brother. He makes everything seem so simple but to any one of us it would be challenging. My brother is the most amazing person you have never met if you do not know him. (Of course I am bias...but it is true.)


I love my brother so much. He fills a spot in my heart that is warm and pure and all his. I still find myself looking up to my older brother with awe. Amazed at how much he has accomplished through all the struggles his life has brought him. He is still that amazingly gifted person who radiates love to everyone without pretense or discrimination. I am so blessed to have him in my life, to have him as my brother and to know the depth of his genuine love.