To my first born

To Champs, my first born - the boy who made me a Mama, on the night before we become a family of 4 and you become a big brother.  Boy oh boy am I nervous!  Knowing so much is about to change, yet knowing it will all seem like the new normal so very soon.  If there's one thing I've learned in my two and a half years of being a Mama, it's that every stage is just that - just a stage - and it all goes SO very fast.  The sleepless nights, the teething, the sicknesses, the issues/concerns, the behavior challenges and yes - all the sweet stages too.  The sweet newborn stage, the first giggles, the sitting happy, the crawling, the just starting to walk, just starting to talk until one day I look up and my little angel is a real person - though you're still so young in the grand scheme - you are a real little person, who's hilarious, smart and the absolute light of my life.

I could never have imagined the joy you would bring me - the laughs, the hugs, the kisses and the thousands of memories we've made already.  To be just two (and a half) years old, you have such an interest in everything in this big wide world.  You are so inquisitive.  You want to know everyone's name, what they're doing and then talk about it some more.  You love people and words and talking.  You love to sing and hearing you do so makes me smile every time.  You love to laugh and there's nothing I love more than laughing with you.  I'm amazed at your little sense of humor - you really get when stuff is funny.  You are so kind and love to make Mommy happy and hate when you think you've made me sad.  You take in everything I say and it makes me laugh so much to hear you repeat expressions later that I then realize how much I say.

Though I know you are going to have a really hard time with me not being able to give you all my attention after tomorrow, you really are so excited about your baby brother coming.  You have kissed my tummy probably 300 times in these last 5 months or so.  You have helped me get all his stuff ready - accepting that he is getting your old room, chair and other odds and ends.  You have been so sweet telling everybody baby brudder is coming in January!  Well it's finally here, sweet angel, you are getting a baby brother tomorrow.  We will be a family of FOUR and we can't wait.  You will always be MY BABY, whether you are the actual baby or not!

After school I took Champs to get frozen yogurt for one last outing with JUST US!! 

Due Date thoughts

Hello everyone!  It's Jan 25th - the magic day that I've said for over 9 months now!  And nothing's happening! :)  I feel like I've been pregnant a year.  That Tuesday after my brothers wedding (May 18) that I found out I was expecting seems like a lifetime ago.  Regardless, we will have our sweet baby boy later this week and I can't wait!!!  I go back to the doctor this afternoon and will get our definite game plan.

We had a good, low key weekend.  We had only one activity planned for outside the house and that was the Circus Saturday morning at 11.  Other than that, we relaxed, made a lot of fires inside and played around the house.  I think Champs enjoyed it and I know we did.  The only downfall was that Barrett and I both had a touch of the stomach bug that's been going around like crazy.  Mine wasn't too bad - just felt icky for about 24 hours.  Barrett is still struggling so I am hoping it moves on today b/c we have something slightly important going on this week!!

Before any pics I had to share the questionare you've probably seen going around facebook.  I had to do it with Champs.

Without ANY prompting, ask your kids these questions. It's a great way to see what they think. Copy and repost with your child's name and age.
Champs, age 2
1. What is something I always say to you? I love you.
2. What makes me happy? Kisses
3. What makes me sad? When I wipe off your kisses
4. How do I make you laugh? Goof (This was something silly we had been saying on the afternoon I asked him these questions.)
5. What was (or do you think) I like as a child? A big girl.
6. How old am I? 30
7. How tall am I? Big
8. What is my favorite thing to do? Play with me.
9. What do I do when you're not around? At my computer
10. What am I really good at? My computer
11. What is something I'm not good at? I don't know.
12. What do I do for a job? Check email
13. What is my favorite food? Salad
14. What do you enjoy doing with me? Just playing

Champs wanted to wear a scarf like Mommy and it was so cold on this afternoon I said OKAY!!

Snuggling with Sammy, who he continues to be be OBSESSED with!  He calls this blanket the "circle blanket" and loves it too. 

We are ready for you baby brudder!!  Just checking things out in his room!

Saturday was our first time to the Circus with Champs.  He really enjoyed it!!  They let the kids go down on the floor for a "Pre-show" which Champs pretty much just did the bounce house obstacle course over and over for about 20 minutes.  Then we got to our seats which were perfect - about 10 rows up - and waited for the show to start.  It was funny b/c all this week when he was talking about the Circus, he of course didn't really know what that meant, so he was watching closely to see what this "Circus" was going to be!

On the way in to the Colonial Center - snow flurries were coming down!

In the bounce house!

 Mama and Champs waiting on show to start!

Watching the elephants come in for the first time!

 Loved his ($25!!!) light up toy!  It did provide some good entertainment for the almost 2 hour show!

We got popcorn at the intermission and Champs loved it.  I don't think he's ever tasted something so salty though b/c he kept saying "Mommy, I need more water!!"

Lazy days at home waiting on baby!!  Champs wore his Fireman outfit all day Sunday and then had to put it back on this morning as soon as he woke up, which was way early today for some reason.  I was waiting for him to fight me on wanting to wear it to school, but I quickly said oh I need to wash it - so that got him to take it off!!

Happy Due Date Baby Boy!  We can't wait to meet you VERY SOON!!!!

Labor Day pics

I realized I never shared these pics we had taken of us Labor Day weekend in Pawleys.  We used one for our Christmas card, but haven't done anything with any of the others. I need to print some!  I was about 20 weeks pregnant at this time and Champs was just over 2!  Champs was a total wild man during the "shoot" so many of the pics are RUNNING on the beach pics :)  I do feel they capture him and his personality very well!

Pawleys Island Photographer, Alli D did the pics.