Sweet Summertime!

Summer is in full swing around our house, complete with breaking in the new Slip-N-Slide, nightly desserts of PopIce, pigtails to keep cool, and fun summer visitors! We are enjoying these two sweet kiddos more and more each day. Though each are in such different stages, they are becoming very close. Campbell has the magic to calm her brother down when he gets upset, and Cooper could not be more obsessed with where his sister is at all times. Campbell continues to be fun-loving and dramatic at times, already giving us a window into what she will look like and act like when she is 16 years old. She is beautiful inside and out, and her heart is so sweet as she daily tells me, "Mommy, I love you so much. You are wonderful." And, my favorite as I clean up a dirty diaper, "Mommy, great job!" Cooper is generally pretty flexible and a good baby. We have had some trials this month trying to figure out which formula works best for him. We have now decided on Soy. Despite tummy trouble and acne breakouts, his smiles come very easily. Here are some pictures of recent highlights-- Campbell's first date night with Daddy to see "Madagascar 3", Cooper eating cereal, Slip N Slide fun in our backyard before dinner, a visit from Mom (aka "Ninah"), Campbell putting a bandaid on her brother's "chin pimple", and hanging out around the house. Happy Summering to all out there!

The new "norm"

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. Life, as I know it, has changed lately. Without getting into too much detail, I am finding that my life has a "new norm". And on a happy, flip side of the coin, that includes two precious children who give me more smiles than I could've ever imagined being blessed with. Campbell is an inquisitive 3 year old who asks me wonderful questions, gives amazingly sweet compliments to me, has a tender and protective heart for her brother, and whom I have discovered does not like the change that comes with getting older. She has moved up to the "big girl class", the 3 year old class, and the verdict is definitely out to whether she likes being a "big girl". She loves the responsibility of being a big sister, though. And even cried as hard as Cooper did, when he got his 2 month old shots. What a precious "Sissy", as she refers to herself! Cooper is perhaps the smiliest character I have ever run across. Ryan and I are so blessed to have an easy, chilled out baby boy. We can't remember Campbell smiling and interacting so early, but this guy already has a GREAT sense of humor and belly laugh. Like father, like son. He really only cries when he is in his car seat and ready for a nap. Otherwise, you'll just have an easy going, sweet child always trying to get your attention to smile at you. He has started sleeping through the night, which is like Christmas itself! Here are some pictures of what our house looks like these days. Usually, it's Campbell sitting beside or in very close proximity to where "Bubbie" (her name for Cooper) is, enjoying an after dinner Pop Ice, playing outside, shower time fun with Daddy, and Cooper in action on his activity mat.

Pray that your Spring has been wonderful thus far!!

Birthdays, Brunch, Bunnies, and Bubba...

What a fun Easter weekend we had! I pray that yours was as special as ours was.





Our sweet girl celebrated her 3rd birthday. I cannot believe how time flies by, and how old she is getting. She is such a joy to be around, and has the sweetest heart I believe I have ever encountered in a little one her age. I told her last night, "Campbell don't grow up anymore. I won't be able to hold you if you get any bigger". She said, "Aw Mommy (and came and held my face in her hands), it's ok, I'll fix it". Her heart is precious.





We had 20 family members over for a birthday brunch on Saturday, complete with a Monkey Bread "Dora" cake! It was wonderful to visit with family, and we couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day. We missed y'all TONS, my sisters, but SO enjoyed my parents and 90 year old Great Aunt Jo in town!







Easter morning, we went to church for the first time since Little Man's arrival. It was wonderful to see church friends and to worship again in the fellowship of such a sweet congregation. After church, Mom and I cooked a delicious Easter dinner, and we watched Bubba Watson clench the Masters. It was a relaxing, gorgeous, perfect day to celebrate Jesus' resurrection and LIFE.









I pray that each of you had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Lately...

Hello!

After a bit of a rough start, what with the 4 day hospital stay when Cooper was only 8 days old-- We are alive and well. A little sleep deprived, maybe, but our latest addition is getting the hang of this sleep-at-night-thing, we hope. Last night, he slept FIVE hours. Whoo hoo!

We continue to enjoy loving on these two sweetie-pies, and adjusting to life as a family of four. Campbell loves her little brother and is the biggest helper I could've hoped for. She enjoys retrieving diapers, burp cloths, pacis, helping put lotion on "Coops" after bathtime, etc., and is quick to tell me to be careful of putting a onesie over his head.

Here are some recent pics, including a newly emerging smile that graces us from Cooper.








We are looking forward to upcoming events such as Campbell's 3rd birthday, Easter, family in town for a visit, my return to work (bittersweet) and Spring fun!

Happy Easter to all... He has risen!

Some new pics...

We are enjoying being home and adjusting to life with a new family member. Cooper, so far, is a dream baby. He wakes up, like clockwork, every 3 hours to eat and sleeps very soundly. At his 1 week check-up, he had gained back his birth weight already plus an ounce.

Campbell, for the most part, loves her baby brother. She calls him "Coops", which I LOVE! In the morning, she usually enjoys holding him, but by nightfall, she is ready to just be with Mommy and Daddy, and Coops takes a major backseat. I pray that she adjusts quickly and smoothly, as her behaviors of rebelling to the new addition include alot of "No Mommy", general contrary-ness and ignoring us. This is perhaps the most challenging part of it all so far!

Here are some pictures that my sister took last weekend when we got home from the hospital. This little guy has already wiggled his way deep into our hearts!

Pics of our family of four....

Here are a few I was just able to download....