Summer 2016

Some of our summer adventures...

We started preparing for summer this year back in the spring. Patrick got Banks a playset and built it in our backyard, and I signed him up for swim lessons. We went to the Y for 4 Saturdays to get more comfortable in the water before a lot of summer activities started. It didn't help a ton, but I'm glad we did them just for some preparation. Every Friday at school, they set up a "water day" for the kids, and blow up several little pools, sprinklers, hoses, and other water toys. The kids LOVE it and Banks asked every morning if it was "water day." We also had a lot of "water days" at home, where I blew up the little pool in the front yard and put all the water toys in it. It's the best entertainment I've found for a two year old. We even invited friends over to join us - Asher, Rollins, Mattox, Logan, Gracie James, and LJ all took part in our home "water days" at some point over the summer, which was a lot of fun.

As far as trips, we took our first "official" family vacation to Hilton Head, and we couldn't have had a better time. We stayed at the "Beachhouse resort," which was within walking distance to plenty of restaurants, the pool, beach, ice cream, shops, and anything else we could have wanted. We only got in the car one time, to go to a Children's play museum (which helped us escape the heat for a few hours). I can't wait for more family vacations in the years to come!

And for our final trip of the summer, we headed to the river for the 4th of July. Banks' favorite part (besides spending some time with his cousins and Nannie and Pops), was shooting people with the water hose and watching them scream and run. He thought that was hilarious!

And we can't forget about the summer days at the lake...

The Not-so-terrible Two's

Oh, Banks! My sweet, sweet baby boy. You are well into your two's now, and I'm still trying to figure out what's so terrible about it? I have found myself saying at every stage of your life that, "this is the best age!" You have truly been such a joy, and I think so much of that has to do with you being YOU. You are such a special little guy.

With all of the worries we had during your medical scares - kidneys, head tilt, neurologist, PT, OT, helmet, and so on... you have always been so tough and precious. Caring for you during those times only made our love and appreciation for you grow stronger, but sometimes we weren't able to just enjoy and have as much FUN. I feel like we have really made up for it over the past year, and we have just eaten you up and enjoyed every second! You are mischievous in your own little way, but you are more of a little clown than anything. You love making us laugh, especially by saying things like, "Mommy, you're a cupcake!" You are surprisingly obedient for a two year old, and when we really tell you to do something, you usually just respond with the sweetest, "OK Mommy/Daddy." You are also very sensitive, and when you do get into trouble, we have to walk a fine line of disciplining you enough while not completely breaking your heart. You definitely want to make your Mommy and Daddy (and teachers, grandparents, etc) happy, and you don't like to feel like we are upset with you. You always want a hug and a kiss, and some cuddles, after coming out of time out. You are way more of a listener than a talker when in a group of your "friends," and you like to observe what's going on around you before diving in. Your teachers continue to praise you at school for following their directions and staying out of trouble for the most part. I've actually been told that we need to, "toughen you up," but I know that you are tough in your own way and I wouldn't change your sweet heart and gentle nature for the world.

You love all of your musical toys (mostly your guitar and "microphone," which is actually the stand for your mop and broom), and put on a nightly performance for us. We've decided that we're definitely putting you in children's choir and music lessons early. You also love using your golf clubs, or "cubs," so golf lessons will be in your future as well. Mops, brooms, vacuums, cloths, spray bottles, and other cleaning items remain in your top choice of toys. You are also getting more into tools and tractors. You get really excited when we have to call someone to come do work on our house, and you love to pretend that you are a "man" working too. You get your tools out, put on your safety goggles and tool belt, climb as high as you can on the couch, and say, "Look, I is a man." You have gotten more into books and reading, which we enjoy cuddling and doing together. You are starting to potty train, which you pretty much initiated on your own. You know most of the words to several songs ("Deep and Wide," "Jesus Loves me," "Row Your Boat," "Wheels on the Bus"), but you pick up on the lyrics to any song you hear really quickly, and love to sing along. You know several letters of the alphabet, all of your colors, most of your shapes, and you can count to 3 consistently. You are still such a good sleeper, taking a two hour nap daily, and rarely get less than 11-12 hours of sleep a night. You still want me and Daddy BOTH to tuck you in at night, but in the morning you always yell for, "Mommy" first (which I LOVE).

You are still an extremely picky eater (and drinker). It's a miracle if we can get you to try something new, and an even bigger miracle if you like it. You do, however, love you some sweets - cookies, cakes, ice cream, pudding.

You are understanding more and more that you're going to be having a baby sister, and you like to show us where she is going to sleep. Sometimes you put your hand on my tummy and ask if she is moving, and other times you get upset if she "kicks" you while your hand is on my tummy. Sometimes you ask to play with her. Your nurturing, loving, and gentle nature is made for a big brother to a baby sister. I tell you every day that you are my "sweet heart," which is the most accurate way I can describe you. I pray that the Lord forever protects your sweet heart.

Thank YOU for making the two's so much fun, and not terrible at all.

Preparing for Georgia

I can't believe we are already fast approaching Georgia's arrival. Since Banks was induced at 39 weeks and it was such a smooth labor and delivery, Dr.Shelley and I have decided that the best plan of action is to plan for another induction at 39 weeks for baby girl. So if she doesn't decide to come earlier, I will be induced on September 1st (which also happens to be the opening day of football season this year). September 1st is on a Thursday, which is the same day of the week Banks was born on, so that gives me happy thoughts. I have been closely followed by maternal-fetal medicine to check for any kidney issues due to Banks' medical history, and I feel so blessed to say that all looks perfect.

We have been so lucky that several of our friends have wanted to celebrate baby #2 with us. Kayla and Byron and Audra and Joey threw us a little cookout party at the Guffee's. Heather and Brad came from Charlotte, and Brantley also came. It was the perfect little group of close friends to celebrate with. The next week, Faith organized a "sprinkle" with a small group of girls from work at Earle Street Kitchen. We got lots of cute "girl" items, diapers, and books. With this being our second child, we really don't need much, but it's been fun to see what everyone picks out for our baby girl.

The nursery is complete...

As far as having everything we "need," we are ready! As far as being "prepared,"we have a lot more to consider this time around. A second pregnancy is so different, both physically and emotionally. I remember being so anxious about labor and delivery at this point with Banks, and this time I feel myself being much more relaxed about that, yet I'm so much more anxious about the life changes and postpartum stage with Georgia. My number one priority is, of course, Banks. The thought of how much his little world is going to change scares me and makes me a little sad, while also feeling so happy that we are giving him someone that will adore him and be there for him for the rest of his life. Change is never easy for anyone, and I know that once we get past the initial shock of the changes, it will all be perfect for our little family. I just pray that we are able to make sure that Banks never doubts that we will always love him the same as we do right now. I never knew how true it was that having a child is like having your heart walking around outside of your body, and that's the exact love I feel for Banks. I always refer to the day I had Banks as the best day of my life, and that is so true. It is the day I became his Mommy, and felt that love for the first time. The only thing I am completely confident of is that nothing, not even another baby, will ever be able to change that moment in my life, and nothing will ever be able to change the love I have for my baby boy and oldest child.

Carrie Underwood has a song called, "What I Never Knew I Always Wanted," and I sing it to Banks at bedtime sometimes (when Patrick's not home haha) because it describes my love for him perfectly:

"Never pictured myself singing lullabies
Sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of the night
In the quiet, in the dark
You're stealing every bit of my heart with your daddy's eyes
What a sweet surprise

And now I'm holdin' what I never knew I always wanted
I couldn't see; I was blind 'til my eyes were opened
I didn't know there was a hole
Something missing in my soul
'Til you filled it up, oh, with your love

Live has a way of showing you just what you need
And who you were made to be."

As we welcome Georgia next week, I know that life, and the Lord, will once again show me exactly what I never knew I always wanted, and that my heart will grow and expand in a way I can't even imagine now.