Kona, Hawaii

How blessed I feel that we were able to go on vacation with my entire family; that Liam and Aidan got to spend a week together, that we were all "back at the house" with Mom and Dad again, that Steven and Brian joined in on the fun. When I was growing up I have so many memories of the family going to Disney World, The Smokey Mountains, Texas, California.... We weren't able to go many places in the past several years because the boys were very busy with football. But this year, we all went to Hawaii. And our family of 6 has grown to 11, with one on the way.

The plane ride. This was a bit of a concern for me going in. But I couldn't have asked for the boys to do any better. Aidan sat with Nanny and Paw Paw and was content as could be. He got to pull things out of the treasure bag and play with new toys and books. But all he really needed was his Paw Paw. Brody sat with Brandon and I and slept or ate the whole trip. He is such a happy, content baby.

Hawaii is paradise. Our condo was right on the water and we all could sit for hours and listen to the waves. The weather was perfect. We often went to the beach behind the condo and swam with the turtles, we snorkeled, the boys took surf lessons from the self proclaimed legend, we went to a luau. Don't get me wrong, vacationing now is much different from vacationing 3 years ago. Our beach trips in the past were spending 6 hours laying on the beach, deciding on a whim to go on an atv excursion or take out the catamaran. Now we spend 3 hours packing the beach bag to spend 1 hour on the beach and the boys fall asleep on the way home. But this is the time and season we are in and I'm embracing every moment.

I am truly grateful to my parents for making this trip happen. There were many wonderful memories made.

Let's Make Something

Maybe it's the Spring weather, or our upcoming trip to Hawaii, or just a need to vent creatively, but I have been in the mood to make something. Here are a few pics.

A pair of seersucker pants

A pair of drawstring plaid pants

I added a tie to this plain white t-shirt

I made Aidan a retro bag with an "A"

I upcycled some old t-shirts to piece these pants together

8 weeks fly by

My little Brody man will be 8 weeks old tomorrow. It has flown by. He is such a sweet, content fellow. What a joy it is to be the mommy of my two boys. Aidan loves his brother. His favorite thing to do is kiss the top of his little head. Brody is growing like a weed. We go for our 2 month appointment next week, but I think he is weighing in around 10 pounds. He is a good eater and a good sleeper; last night he slept 7 hours straight. I'm crossing my fingers that this will happen again. I see some similarities between Aidan and Brody's looks (eyes, nose..), but I think they also are very different. Brody has darker coloring and darker hair, he also has Brandon's ears and a fuller face. Here are some of our latest pictures.

Me and my boys

Sweet Brody

Aidan loves his brother

Aidan had so much fun playing

in all the snow this winter

Just content to hang out in my bouncy

The Nursery

Since the arrival of Brody, we have worked on the nursery to make room for two cribs. Here are some updated photos of the boys' room.

Aidan's side of the room

Brody's side of the room

Welcome, Brody Garrison!!

We were blessed with a late Christmas gift this year. On December 29, Brandon and I headed to the hospital after a day of labor pains, and 4 hours later, Brody made his debut. It was a quick delivery - 3 pushes and he was here weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 18 inches. He is a laid back, easy baby. Sleeping well! Eating well!! And only cries when he is hungry or has a dirty diaper. (I am knocking on wood as I type..)

Aidan loves his baby brother. He can't yet say Brody, so he is just "Baby" for now. He came to visit us in the hospital. He patted Brody on the head, pinched his nose, and wanted me to take him out of the blanket, "open it", so he could check out his toes. At home, he likes to keep tabs on where Brody is and once he knows, he goes on with his playing. Every now and then, he goes over to the bouncy seat, grabs Brody's feet and says "Come'on". I try to explain that Brody is still too little to play with Aidan, however I don't think he has accepted this answer.

I still can't believe that Brody is here and 2 1/2 weeks old. I feel overjoyed and very blessed to have such a wonderful and healthy family. My boys are very special and although I hope to enjoy every little moment, I look forward to a lifetime of adventures.

Brody arrives at 11:49 pm

Aidan meets Brody

My boys

While we were at the hospital, Aidan seemed to grow overnight

Such tiny little toes

Nanny, Paw Paw and their boys

The coordinating outfits begin

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

4 Weeks and 19 months

4 WEEKS:

That is about how long we have before we meet Baby 2. In the last couple of weeks, it has really hit me that we are going to soon have another baby in this house. With the great excitement, also comes great anxiety. There is still so much to do to prepare. Just over Thanksgiving, we finally decided on a name. Brody Garrison will make our family of 3 grow to that of 4. Over the weekend we brought home a crib, now we have to put it up, buy a mattress, I need to finish the bumper pads for the bassinet, clean, freeze dinners...... the list could go on and on. I know when the day comes, Brody will come when he is ready and he won't judge me for how many items are still left on my To-Do list.

19 MONTHS:

My little man has turned 19 months. I can't believe how big he is getting. He is talking so well and has even said a few phrases... "Music on please", "Hey, Daddy".... It is still just as amazing as ever to witness this little person learn and discover new things. Aidan is in school two days a week and is doing very well. Well, except that he hasn't taken a nap at school for the last 3 days. I love my little tuff guy more and more every day. I can't wait to see how all of our hearts grow to make room for Baby Brody.