A visit from the Petersons

My college teammate and friend Beth, came with her family to visit us for the long holiday weekend.  Her husband works for the Army and they are stationed in Virginia for a brief time.  I haven't seen Beth in almost a decade, so I was so excited for her to come visit me, especially since that meant visiting her new baby, Adelaide!  I don't know if her big eyes and look of permanent surprise were natural or a product of the two crazy boys she got to hang out with all weekend, but she was adorable both in looks and personality.

We had a great weekend of playing, watching some Carolina hoops, and some Bronco football.  Beth is from Colorado and made an instant fan out of "Bronco Brady."  Her husband, Shawn, is from Seattle (therefore a Seahawks fan), but failed to bring a t-shirt for Brady, so its pretty obvious where his support will be Super Bowl Sunday.  Yes, all it takes is a t-shirt.

Before we could watch the Broncos on Sunday, we took the Petersons to their first Carolina game on Saturday.  They proved to be good luck and the Heels came away with a much-needed win.  as you can see Adelaide was wide awake during the whole game.

Pardon the....distraction.

We took another visit to the Smith Center where a spirited game of PIG took place.  First person out: Eric.  Second person out: Shawn.  Not that its surprising that Beth and I were the last two remaining, but can you imagine how bad we would have beat them if we actually had shoes on?

Luckily, it won't be another decade before I see Beth.  We'll reunite at a wedding in Birmingham in less than two weeks!

Letters to Jackson: 8 months

Jackson,

You are 8 months today and what a month it has been!  Let's start with the good; you're very happythese days, with a few exceptions.  Now that you can roam the world freely, you are loving life!  You are proving what they say about second children and you're picking up things much quicker than your brother.  You've perfected crawling and you're on to bigger things...like pulling up to standing!  You're a little less wiggly every day and pretty soon, you'll be off!

Your brother continues to be your best friend, and I'm happy to report, the reverse is also true.  My favorite times is when you guys are playing by yourself in the playroom and I'll hear uncontrollable giggles.  I'll peak in and you guys seem to be in your own little world, a place I'm happy to let you stay (especially if I'm cooking dinner!).

You seem to have a bit more of a sensitive system than your brother did, and its been an adjustment for us.  When I take you to the nursery at the gym, about half of the time the workers have had to come to get me because they can't calm your crying.  Of course, when I come in, you're fine.  That should make me feel good, but it doesn't!  I've discovered that if there is too many people around and you don't have me with you, you get overstimulated, start crying, and it's hard for you to get back to a happy place.  So...we adjust.  I've discovered that if I go to the gym during slow times, you're fine!  In what might have been the roughest week or your life (for all of us), you had about a week long stint of night terrors.  It was right around Christmastime the change in environment coupled with a fever led to some all-night scream fests.  Looking back, putting your crib in a pitch black closet over Christmas might not have been the best decision.  But it seemed like a great idea at the time!

 
This is all to say, we have learned to adjust to you and you've taught me some lessons about parenthood.  Having an "easy" kid can be convenient, but lets be honest, parenthood isn't convenient and it wasn't meant to be.  I love your spirit and its clear at an early age that you've got one!  I thought Brady used to put up a fight on the changing table, but he doesn't hold a candle to your squirminess!  If you don't like something (getting your nose wiped, being put in the car seat, being on your back at all) you will let. it. be. known.  And there is a second child for you...make your voice heard, or everyone will ignore you.

Jackson, I am so glad you love your brother, but I'm also glad that you are different. I hope you grow up knowing that you can be whatever sort of kid you want to be.  Balls may be thrown in your face, but you don't have to shoot them.  If you prefer singing to swinging, we're ok with that.  We'll expect you to be polite, but you don't have to talk with every stranger that comes along. I love you so much now and can't wait to see the little boy that you will become.


Love,
Mom

Brotherly bums

When Jackson is crying tonight, I plan on playing this on repeat.

Project 365: Capturing the ordinary...every day of the year

Ask my husband and he'll tell you I usually have at least one project brewing in my brain (dang you, Pinterest).  My latest is called Project 365 and you may have heard of it before: the idea is that you take one picture every day for a year.  I have a nice camera, but use it sparingly and a project like this is just what I need to be a little more deliberate in my picture-taking.  And what better year to do a project like this...so many changes, especially in Jackson's life and let's be honest, the 2nd kids naturally gets fewer pictures taken, so I'm hoping this project will counter that tendency.  Its only been a week, and I'm sure my motivation will wane at some point, but I've loved it so far and its made me realize how many great moments we experience each day, without even trying!

 

 

I promise not to share the rest of the 359...but you might get a few!