It's been 538 Days

We announced our second baby in December of 2011 and at 20 weeks I decided to start documenting each week of my pregnancy. Guys, my nose. Why didn't you tell me?! I lived in denial thinking it wasn't that big, but holy cow, that sucker could have had its own zip code. If there was ever a time I would want a picture of me to not be forever stuck in the abyss of the internet my pregnancy photos would take the cake. Even the post where I show off my belly in one of those crazy wraps would have been better.

Anyway, when Addison turned one I decided to read back through all the love letters I wrote to her, you know, just to find out how crazy I actually was during my pregnancy. Geeze Louise. Let me publicly apologize. I honestly didn't realize that I had a serious case of the Debbie Downers in a few of the posts. In a split second I thought about deleting those posts, I mean who really wants to read that depressing stuff anyway. We live in a pretty messed up  world and there's no need for an emotionally-drained Mom adding to the mix, right? But after playing the mind game of do-I-want-my-daughter-to-know-I'm-somewhat-unstable-or-not I finally decided against it thinking at some point she would have to know that pregnancy is hard, raising babies is even harder, AND that giving birth to her turned me into a raging Allison Reynolds for a brief period of time (watch The Breakfast Club and you'll understand). 

Interestingly enough each letter has provided a small glimpse into my life at that time (even the bad has shed some insight into the rocky road back to sanity). Gosh there were some good ones, the melt-my-heart kind of good type even. I can't believe I am even admitting this, but a few of the letters made me miss that deep connection we shared during pregnancy. And let's all take note that this is not nor in anyway a feeble attempt of me admitting to having baby fever.  I'll give Brecken to you for an hour, he's the type of birth control that makes people decided to "wait."

;)

Seriously though, these letters. Well, they're kind of like prized possessions to me and I hope they are to her someday. I now find myself continuallylo oking back on them wondering if I am living up to the expectations I have so solemnly promised to in each of them. Am I loving her? Listening to her? Helping her? Teaching her? Sharing my passions with her? Am I tempering my craziness so as to not pass it on to her (I can wish)? She may only be one but I hope that I am making lasting impressions, mostly of love and kindness, that will impact that type of woman she becomes someday.

Geeze she melts me. 

Bebe's Birthday

I am really beginning to understand the whole concept of "in-a-blink-of-an-eye." Addy turned one a few weeks ago and it just seems like time went into warp speed. Maybe it was the newness of parenthood with the first, but it just seemed as like Brecken's milestones lagged on forever. Now I catch myself saying "that was quick" "where did my baby go" "I didn't think Brecken learned that as quickly." And as if it's a cruel joke the newborn stage with the second one seemed to be gone before we could enjoy it. I mean, shouldn't the second child's milestones be enjoyed more as veteran parents? You would think so.

So as if to commemorate the rapidness of her life we celebrated in style with a birthday party that lasted nearly a week (much to John's dismay, of course). Do we need an excuse to party? I think not.  But this little lady deserved it. Calm and collected with a soft spot for her brother she really has brought so much completeness to our little family. And as if she knew her place in our family before she arrived she has already developed a knack for sharing, which is not Brecken's strong suit. But she's nailed it like a champ. 

Happy Birthday (again)  bebe! 

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day. You were cold. But that didn't stop my babies from enjoying your wonderful parades and endless hours of park-going fun. And when it all comes down to it you really deserve a big "Thank you." This weekend was a real reflection of the freedoms we have and all those that have given their lives to protect those rights. You may be cloaked in BBQs and shopping sales, but deep down you aspire as a gem of our nation and all those that have fought to call this place home.

Happy Memorial Day.  

p.s. Today is that last day to enter the Skip N' Whistle shirt giveaway!

Things are looking up.

Things are looking up around here, in more than one way actually. Throughout the last week or so I've been constantly catching myself staring up at the trees when we take our daily walks down to the park. Geeze these apple trees are mesmerizing,  their blossoms falling to the ground like gentle snow and the buzzing of bees adds a relaxing flare to a chaotic process of pollinating each flower. And just when I thought that it couldn't get much better a late spring storm has made the snow capped mountain peaks glisten against the greenery of the hills. It really is quite the site to behold. 

Come visit. You won't be disappointed. 

 

//She doesn't give out smiles liberally that's for sure//

We've also been soaking up the Vitamin D like no tomorrow.  For weeks (or maybe even months I suppose) I've  been itching for the smell of green grass and lazy afternoons sitting on the porch. I really am a creature made for warm weather, but alas there is something about this place that tugs at my heart strings even in the dead of winter and somehow it pulls me back in with its wondrous Spring-time treasures. 

For those that know me well it's been a difficult adjustment moving back to a small town and Sunday marked our one-year "moving" anniversary. The people are friendly and the extra time with my family has been such a blessing. My personality on the other hand has always craved movement and a more fast approach to life with little regard for schedules. We live however, in the epitome of Grassroots America--small quiet streets, one grocery store, and a Dairy Queen-like restaurant that is open oply seven months out of the year. All of which have seemed to pull my life into a sort of daily (and dare I say, mundane) rhythm. And for someone who loses interest in routines I've found it to be a bit more difficult to adjust.  So I've had to change--I've learned to need less (that hasn't diminished my love of online shopping though) while also  finding solace for simple moments in life. And the quietness. It's really quiet. 

The awakening of Spring has helped to change our routine as well. The kids has found a new appreciation for all things outdoors and the dirtiness of each day has proven that playing outside is hard work. The lilacs have also come back in full-force. Their smell has taken me back to my childhood in Utah and to our pretend tea parties where lilac soup was the entree' of choice. Bush upon bush line the streets and the overwhelming smell seems to always brighten my spirit. I'm sure everyone says this but you would be hard pressed to find another place that marvels Montana in beauty. 

I think I am starting to like it here. But let's just keep that between you and me...


And don't forget to enter the fun giveaway sponsored by Skip N' Whistle!