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.