Is That Life is Constantly Changing. Mike and I started preparing Benett for Andrew's arrival a few months ago when we turned the guest bedroom into his "Big Boy Room." We started out just playing in the big empty room after we moved the guest bed to the front bedroom. Then we bought him his bed and furniture and began decorating it for him. Once the bedding was purchased and the curtains hung, Benett started taking naps in his Big Boy Bed. It has been a little over a month since we started his naps and I am proud to say that the past 2 nights he has slept in his Big Boy Bed successfully.
First nap in his bed.
I can't believe that he is out of his crib. It was a little strange for me to see his nursery door wide open and crib empty as I was going to bed last night. Little ones grow up so quickly. I think I am also getting a little sentimental about Benett being a baby because I have been working on his baby book the past few days as well. I never got around to finishing everything from his first year and know that if I don't get it done before Andrew gets here it will stay incomplete for a long time.
Interacting with Benett lately has been so much fun! He is really starting to talk A LOT! He repeats things we say and surprises us with his own thoughts often. He also recognizes and can tell us about half the letters of the alphabet. Just this morning he was drinking out of my glass of "Dadda juice," which is what Benett calls orange juice because Dadda always has a glass for breakfast, and Benett pointed and said "y." I was again impressed with how much he is learning. Benett is also beginning to understand what is going on around him. He knows that Mike goes to work in the morning and will say "bye, bye Dadda, work" when Mike leaves. He also tells me "Dadda home" when he thinks Mike has returned to the house or when he wants Mike to be home. One of the cutest things Benett has started to say is "Yay, Mama" as he throws his hands up over his head (He will also say "Yay, Dadda" or "Yay, Nana"). He totally came up with that phrase on his own one morning when Mike and Benett came in to get me up out of bed. Mike sat Benett next to me and he was so happy to see me that he threw his hands in the air and said "Yay, Mama!" Talk about a moment that just makes a mom's heart smile and feel loved.
Along with getting Benett prepared for Andrew, I too have started getting things organized and cleaned up around here. Most recently I got the car seat and baby papasan out of storage and cleaned up. Benett is of course always interested in what I am doing and needed to try out both for himself. Needless to say he is a little too big for these items now.
Seeing Benett in these pictures makes me again just marvel at the extreme changes that children go through in such a short amount of time. It's no wonder that Benett can go from happy, content child to throwing a tantrum because he just wants to do something that Mama and Dadda won't let him do. It is probably a good thing that as adults you don't remember your early years of childhood. Since Benett's days can sometimes be very polarized with his mood and emotions, I try to stay as consistent as possible in my emotions even when he is literally all over the place. God has definitely been helping me A LOT with my patience and keeping my emotions in check these days as I am raise a 21 month old and deal with pregnancy hormones. I don't think I could make it through a day without Him.
As we progress through the next few weeks, my belly will get bigger, I will probably get more stretch marks (since I didn't get any with B, I had no idea that they could be so uncomfortable), Benett will continue to impress us, and Andrew will make his debut into this world. Although I don't know what to expect with the arrival of a second child, I do know that our love for God and our little family will increase more than I can imagine. I know there will be moments of pure joy and moments of tears, and through it all there will be love.
I decided to test my photography skills using Nana's camera today to take some photos of Andrew. I had so much fun setting up a little studio and snapping a few pictures of my new love. I tried to get Benett to sit down and take a few as well, but that didn't work out. He is much better about taking pictures when he is at a real studio. Anyway, here are a couple of good shots I captured of Baby Andrew.
On Wednesday, August 4th we welcomed Andrew Christian into the world at 5:13 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long. We are so blessed to have this amazing little boy here in our arms. We love you Andrew!
This past weekend Jenny, Roxy and Amber hosted a wonderful diaper shower for me. Thank you again for blessing me with such a fun afternoon! We had such a good time eating, playing games and chatting about the adventures of motherhood. It was so nice to get together with my close friends. I appreciate you all so much!
Is That Life is Constantly Changing. Mike and I started preparing Benett for Andrew's arrival a few months ago when we turned the guest bedroom into his "Big Boy Room." We started out just playing in the big empty room after we moved the guest bed to the front bedroom. Then we bought him his bed and furniture and began decorating it for him. Once the bedding was purchased and the curtains hung, Benett started taking naps in his Big Boy Bed. It has been a little over a month since we started his naps and I am proud to say that the past 2 nights he has slept in his Big Boy Bed successfully.
We spent this past weekend around town doing a few new things and a few things we love about Austin. We kicked off the weekend riding the Zilker Zephr, a first for all of us, and playing at the cool playscape next to the train station. After which, we headed to one of our favorite warm weather restaurants, Hula Hut. This preggers lady finished an entire Pipeline Enchilada...another first for the day (although I'm not sure I should brag about this one). Sunday was spent relaxing at home and then on Memorial Day it was time to head out to the splash pad and playground at Brushy Creek Park. We enjoyed a nice picnic under the trees and headed home, a tired family ready for a nap.
Benett really liked the old fire engine at the park.
Benett and Mike ready for the train ride.
Under the bridge...
and through the tunnel we rode.
Mike taught Benett the difference between smooth and rough. It is so cute hearing Benett stroke Mike's cheek and say "mooth" and then his chin and say "rough."
Heading out to the water sprinklers at the splash pad.
After we had lunch, Benett wanted to chase all the birds through the park.
Mike recently completed our backyard remodel project that turned out to be a much bigger undertaking than originally planned. Who knew that building a deck would take close to 2 months to complete (February - March). Mike spent countless hours planning and creating the beautiful deck that now stands out our back door. Benett and I started to think that Daddy lived in the backyard in the evening and on the weekends. We would watch Mike work through the window as he tirelessly (a couple of nights until 2 or 4 in the morning) constructed his wooden masterpiece. We also spent a weekend landscaping and cleaning up the "pea gravel corner" of our backyard that was completely useless until now. In the end, all Mike's time, effort and sacrifice has paid off. We now have a completely landscaped and functional space that we can enjoy as a family. Mike, I am so impressed with the work and design you created. Way to go! I would also like to send out a special thank you for the volunteer hours of Uncle Matt, Papa, JR, and Gerardo. I think having friends help out along the way kept Mike sane through the process.
Washing and moving pea gravel is not fun.
No turning back now...
A strong foundation is key for a great deck.
This was the Saturday that "The Jig Genius" JR spent 13 hours working with Mike and Matt. Mike developed a new love for JR that day.
My two favorite things about the deck are the corner steps and the railing. Both were under much debate in the planning process.
Looking out into the herb and vegetable garden.
Ahh to have a lawn! Even though all the sod hasn't grown in yet, this is much better than the dirt and weeds we previously had.
Once the weather warmed up and we welcomed our newest addition to the family, Mike's very own Big Green Egg, we invited a few friends over to enjoy some BBQ and play time.
Benett and Lanie are ready for the kiddie pool!
Maybe Lanie wasn't quite as ready as we thought. She preferred to stay with Mommy even though Benett kept "asking her to come in and play."
Benett LOVES the water!
Everyone enjoying good shade and good company.
Mr. Nathan trying to coax Benett to look at his "cool fish that splashes." Benett has played this game with Mama and knows what comes next when he goes over to see the fish. "You can't fool me Mr. Nathan!"
The late spring has also brought us our first peach crop. Benett grabbed this one off the table and started eating it before I could even get a chance to wash it. By the time he was done, there was peach juice all over his shirt.
We also made a delicious peach cobbler on the BGE with all the peaches we harvested. Hot peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream...mmmm, tasty!
