July 4. {3 years in Baker Park with babies}

2013

 

2012

 

2011

Update

     Harper took steps today!  About 4 in a row before falling.  She's 9 months and 5 days.  She also got surgery a little over a week ago to remove her extra thumb.  She did so well with it all and I was more calm about the whole thing than I thought I would be.  She's still wearing her bandage and she goes back to the doctor for a follow up in a couple weeks.  She's a tough girl!

     Peyton is potty training.  He worn no diaper today and was mostly successful. He had two accidents.  One poop and one pee.  I'm not sure the pee was an accident because he watched himself do it in the corner of Harper's crib.  He's my stubborn boy! 

     I go back to work on Monday :-(  I'm not completely sad and I'm not fully happy.  I will miss my babies sooo much, but like every other year I know I'll adjust.  I'm looking forward to this year.  I'm looking forward to earning my Masters (only 3 classes left).  I'm sad to leave Peyton and I'm especially sad to leave Harper.  She is so different than she was before summer.  She has grown so much and has so much personality.  Peyton will be fine with his dad.  I know he will play outside, ride his 4 wheel and his bike, play with his new friend in our neighborhood and not even think about me :-(  Harper though, she's my little girl and I want to be there for her.

    Well... that is all (as the purpose of this is for me to record our lives.. I've think I've done the job- I wish I had the time to blog like I used to).  Here are some pics... closer to updated, but not fully updated.  Time just keeps moving along.

my harper girl is

7 months and 3 weeks old

crawling

pulling herself up on the couch, chairs, anything else she can grab

sleeping through the night (mostly)

eating A LOT

so smiley

just like her brother

In less than 8 months, Harper has taught me so much.  In the beginning, she really tested me.  She was demanding and difficult to understand.  She taught me humility and patience.  I also learned how to multitask and prioritize.  She helped me to fix my eyes on what matters most to me.  The first three months of Harper's life we're the hardest three months of my life as I learned to balance the responsibilities of being a mother to two children.  Harper has grown so much.  She is such a sweet sweet child.  I used to only get pictures of her crying, but now she's all smiles with her tongue sticking out on most occasions.  She loves her brother, she's fearless when it comes to our dog Nelly.  She explores and climbs.  She giggles and squeals.  She talks to us, and sounds very similar to Peyton.  I adore her and Peyton.  And I absolutely love that I get to spend my entire summer with them both- everyday. 

like a drum

Dear Brandon,

When life leaves you high and dry

I'll be at your door tonight

If you need help.

Your hope dangling by a string

I'll share in your suffering

To make you well, to make you well.

When you fall like a statue

I'm gon' be there to catch you

Put you on your feet.

And if your well is empty

Not a thing will prevent me.

Tell me what you need, what do you need?

I surrender honestly.

You've always done the same for me.

So I would do it for you.

Baby, I'm not moving on,

I love you long after you're gone.

You would never sleep alone.

I love you long after you're gone

You're my back bone.

You're my cornerstone.

You're my crutch when my legs stop moving.

You're my head start.

You're my rugged heart.

You're the pulse that I've always needed.

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating.

Like a drum my heart never stops beating...

For you. 

Happy 5th Anniversary!  I've loved you everyday.  I thank God with everything in me for blessing me with you.  I thank you for leading me and loving me.  

Love you always,

Karen

you think you know it all

     I haven't blogged in far too long.  My baby girl will be five months old in two weeks!  She has changed and grown so much.  No more colic, thank God!  I wish I could have enjoyed my maternity leave more, but I quickly got a huge smack in the face with the reality of having two children.  While I would never change my decision to have two kids or to have two this close together, it has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  With Harper crying nonstop in the beginning, it was made even harder.  Sometimes I think God did that on purpose to remind me that I really don't control anything.  I think I got a little cocky with Peyton because he's such a sweet and easy going kid.  I guess I thought for a minute that I made him that way.  I try my best to raise Peyton in the way that God intends for me to, but me thinking that I really had anything to do with the fact he was an easy baby... that was all God.  And when Harper came along, I quickly realized that I need to not take credit for things I really have no control over.  At the same time, I can't feel guilty for things I have no control over.  I learned to care less what people thought, because no matter what, if Harper felt like screaming she would scream until she didn't feel like it anymore.  She didn't want to eat from a bottle, so she wouldn't, and I couldn't care if I made people a little uncomfortable breastfeeding her when she needed to eat.  I learned to be more humble and I learned to be more accepting of other people who may have crying children and fussy two year olds.  We're all doing the best we can.  It's too overwhelming to think about the level of gratitude I feel toward God for giving me my children.  They are so special.

     Going back to work this time after leave was actually easier.  I thought it was going to be harder, but it was ok.  I'm come to an understanding that I won't be a stay-at-home mom anytime soon and it's ok.  My job is important and it gives me the opportunity to show God's love through my actions to kids who may never feel that.  Everyday I try to remind myself to be an accurate representation of who God is by the way I interact with them.  I remind myself daily to be compassionate, kind, caring, loving, and patient with them.  I'd be lying if I said it weren't a struggle sometimes.  Even though it was easier this time, life in general is definitely harder, which is to be expected.  It's nonstop from the time I wake up and go to work until both kids fall asleep, which is usually only thirty minutes before I go to bed.  I've learned to set aside the things that don't matter all that much.  I've become best friends with my DVR and learned that it's ok if I don't watch my show the same night it comes on.. or even the same week.  I'm still taking classes, but I'm finally getting close to my masters degree.  Adding classes to the mix, is just adding more to my already full plate, but I know that when I do have "free" time, I'll appreciate it so much more.   I'm also hoping that having my masters will give me more options, so that I have more time with my children in the future.  I couldn't do any of this without Brandon's support.  He, along with God, is my rock.  I love him so so much.  We of course still have our struggles, arguments, whatever, but he is my partner and my best friend and as much as I like to think I've got it all together, I would've been a hot mess without him in my life the last five months.

the peanut to my butter

This is pretty much how I feel about my beautiful boy.  I started this blog just about 1 year ago with the purpose of capturing and documenting moments with my family.  I started by documenting Peyton's 1 year old birthday.  Somehow he managed to turn 2 a few weeks ago.  I'm amazed by his sweet soul everyday and entertained by his silly demeanor.  He's so smart, loving, caring, and kind.  I love him everyday with so much of my heart it hurts.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel.

 The picture below demonstrates how truly sweet you are.  You hate to see Harper cry.  Not because it annoys you, but because you don't want to see her upset.  When she spits up, you run to get a wipe and clean her face.  You always gently rub her head with your little hands. You rock her and say "shhh Hapa."  I could have never imagined you would be such a loving brother and helpful son at only 2 years old.  You are so special.  I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be your mother.

The busiest and best time of the year

     From November through January we are busy in this house.  With Harper's birth, we were even busier this year.  Between Thanksgiving, birthdays, and Christmas, there's always a lot to plan for... but also a lot to look forward to.

Christmas this year was really good.  I did most of my shopping online and plan to keep that up in the future.  We got our tree early.. and even got to go back to the tree farm again to help my mom pick out hers.

     On Christmas Eve we went to church.  We first began attending our church on Christmas Eve three years ago.  I always say that making the decision to attend that evening was the best decision I ever made.  I truly believe that God led me and Brandon to our church.  We have grown so much there and my whole perspective on life has changed.  I've never once regretted my decision to place my faith and hope in Jesus.  Service was really inspiring this year and Harper did well in the nursery, which was great!  Later that evening, Brandon's dad made us dinner at home.

Christmas morning...

     I loved getting to watch Peyton open his presents this year.  We really took our time picking presents that we thought he would enjoy.  We didn't want to just get a whole bunch of gifts for the sake of getting gifts, so we chose five gifts for Peyton and two for Harper.  Christmas means so much more to me than it did in the past.  It is about spending time with family and giving, but the birth of Jesus, who came into this world in such a humble, vulnerable form as a baby, is why Christmas is so important.  It's more important to Brandon and I to teach our children about this event and it's significance than anything else on this day.  Next year we want to scale back even more.  I found the "4 Gift Rule" on Pinterest, and we're thinking of using this as a guide next year.

     As for this Christmas, I still think we did a pretty good job of keeping things under control.

     Christmas was even more special this year because it snowed on Christmas Eve.  It was the real first snowfall and it was completely unexpected.  Because it barely snowed at all last year, this was the first time Peyton got to play in the snow.  On Christmas morning, Brandon and Peyton went sledding in the backyard.

     Peyton and Harper got to spend a lot of time with several different cousins on Christmas day and later in the week.

Harper hung out... looking cute

     Christmas went by quickly, but our celebrations didn't end on the 25th.  I'll post again (soon hopefully) to recap the New Year, Brandon's birthday, my birthday, and Peyton's birthday.