My Sweet Boy

Oh, how I love this baby. Erin so beautifully captured his sweet personality in these portraits. Happy 8 months, Mr. Man.

Family Photo Shoot

It's been pretty quiet here at the old blog during the past couple of weeks. Practically every author of all the blogs I read has complained of feeling stale lately, so it must be contagious. I could say that I've been busy with our trip to AL or getting ready for Thanksgiving, but truly I just haven't taken many pictures lately. Which is funny because I just finished a 4-week-long digital photography class, so you would think I would have been taking tons. Oh well. :)

Anyway, I know many of you have seen these pictures on Erin's blog or at Facebook, but for those of you who haven't, here are some of the gorgeous family shots my bff took of us while we were in Huntsville two weeks ago. How lucky am I not only to have the most wonderful, generous, intelligent best friend in the world, but also one who is so incredibly talented? And to think I picked her before she even knew what she was doing with a camera. :) To have Erin in my life is one of the greatest gifts I could ever ask for, and to have her so artistically document my family's life is just icing on the cake. Love you, Miss Erin.

This last one cracks me up because it was like 35 degrees while we were taking pictures, and William was so unhappy sitting on cold bricks. Neither one of my children has ever cooperated much for poor Erin during photo shoots, so it is a true testament to her talent that she can still manage to create such beautiful works of art.

Next post, I'll share Erin's pics of my main man.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A cozy house. . .

A delicious meal. . .

The family I love. . .

Yes, I am truly Thankful.

family picture by erin cobb photography - Hope you don't mind, Erin - I didn't get around to taking a family pic today!

The Devil

No, not the baby. . .



My dear friend Lynda brought over her jumperoo for William to borrow - he thinks it is the best thing, ever.





Grandma sent a new Max and Ruby dvd for Caroline, and she would watch it all day long if I let her.

Why is it that the activities that my children would do all day, every day (and let me get other stuff done!) are supposed to be strictly limited? No fair.

We're Home!

I actually took my camera with me to Alabama, but it never made it out of the bag. Head on over to Erin's blog if you want to see pics from our weekend!

It was a great trip - it felt exactly like the olden days, except there were four loud, demanding little people, and the adults kept shaking our heads and wondering where they came from. It was crazy and chaotic with babies everywhere and little girls refusing to go to bed, and I wouldn't change one single minute. The girls slept together in Sarah's bed, which was just about the cutest thing ever. Erin and I snuck away for some much-needed girl shopping. Steve and I fueled up on Sonic, over and over. I spent a lot of time wondering why we live so far away from our best friends, and trying to figure out a way to move to Alabama. We love you, Cobbs.

Oh Blog Readers,

Don't you cry for me,
I'm off to Alabama
With a baby on my knee!

Best Friends

I think for so many moms, myself included, the second pregnancy is bittersweet. You spend a lot of time worrying about how the older one will adjust to the new baby. You mourn the special time you've had as a family of three. You wonder if you will ever love that second baby the way you love your first. You know you want another child, and you know you want your first child to have a sibling, but you worry about upsetting the apple cart. And then that second child is born, and your heart doubles in size, and you fall madly in love. You are more busy, more tired, and more stressed, but it is so very worth it. Everything has changed, and you can't imagine your life, your family, without this new person in it.

Ever since William was born, I've felt like I've had post-partum euphoria. Some days are hard and I sometimes get bogged down in the tedium of raising two small children, but most of the time it's just so good. I love the feeling of the four of us together. I feel so satisfied pushing two in the double stroller. I feel like my family is full, complete. And that is, I think, the secret of the second child: the incredible, unpredictable love. And perhaps the best part is knowing that you have given your children the best possible gift. Each other.

Caroline and William are really starting to bond and play together. He thinks she is the most entertaining, hilarious thing he has ever laid eyes on. She is, usually, sweet and loving towards him. I can't wait to see what relationship they will build with each other over the years. As a parent, it is pretty incredible to watch them together and to know that they have each other forever.

For Sale:

One baby. Male, seven months old. Wants to be held all of the time. Also going through a phase in which he wakes up multiple times in the night. Doesn't care that his Daddy is travelling and his Mommy might lose it if he doesn't return to his sweet, easy-going self soon. Accepting offers immediately.

PS: I tried calling in sick to Steve, calling his "emergency contacts" (my sister and BFF) to come pick him up from "daycare," AND asking Grandma to come over. Nobody took me seriously. I need new family and friends.

PS: if you offer enough, I would probably be willing to throw in a blond 3-year-old, as well.

PPS: he was screaming bloody murder until I pulled out the camera. Then he stopped and started smiling at me. Stinker.

PPPS: Dear Child Protective Services, I am obviously not really selling my child on the internet. This is obviously a joke. Don't come to my house.

It's Over

The church we attended in Colorado had a time during the service for worshipers to share "joys and concerns." You could raise your hand and share any kind of news, and ask the congregation to pray about it. Lots of people shared joys like a new baby on the way or the engagement of a young couple. Others shared concerns like the loss of a job or a serious illness. On the Sunday after the 2004 election, one member raised his hand and made a very opinionated comment about the outcome of the election. Our minister, however, completely changed the tone of the situation by praising God for a safe election and a country in which we all get a say in our leadership. It really made me realize what is truly important about election day in America: aren't we lucky that we live in a nation where we all get to vote? Aren't we lucky that we don't worry about facing violence as we head to the polls? Aren't we lucky that our children are safe, and that our female children will have a voice? As a mom, that's how I am feeling, more than anything, today. I'm proud to be an American.

God bless America and God bless President-elect Barack Obama. It is certainly a daunting task he faces as he takes leadership of this great nation.

Election Day!

We voted. Did you?