Wednesday, October 31, 2012

buzz, woody & bullseye too

Halloween was so much fun this year! We had it planned in advance- Everett would dress as Woody (from Toy Story) and his bff Nolan would be Buzz. Last week, my mother in law dropped off a horse costume she found for Graham. It was a perfect fit and I decided he would be the perfect Bullseye.

I waited until today to even break out his costume. I know my boy and know that he's rough on toys and, well, everything for that matter. We've had to sew his Woody doll back together 3 or 4 times since March, so I knew his costume didn't stand a chance if we put it on early. He was so excited when I told him about his costume and trick or treating! We tried it on before nap time. Bad idea. He cried when I made him take it back off for his nap. He was pretty excited though when he woke up and got to wear it! He kept saying "howdy partner" around the house.



sweetest cowboy ever

love





love him

We headed to the Lusby's neighborhood to do the trick-or-treating. It was the perfect place to walk around. People sat outside their houses, many with little fires going and costumes on. Carla and I took the boys out while Aaron, Greg and Graham stayed behind to pass out candy. Everett and Nolan were so dang cute together. They got the hang of only going up to houses if there were "people" and saying "trick or treat" and "thank you" when they got candy. They held hands and made sure they each got candy at the houses we went to.




bffs



trick or treat

to infinity and beyond

unimpressed


After about 45 minutes of trick or treating, the boys (we) were done. We headed back to check out their loot, eat some amazing chicken tortilla soup and hang out. We had such a great night and the boys loved it. Friends are so much fun. Happy Halloween all!

jackpot

Sunday, October 28, 2012

brothers they are

I finally got some comparison pictures together of the boys. They are definitely brothers, but have their own looks too. When Graham was born I thought they looked nothing alike; however, the older Graham gets, the more similarities I see. Graham will make a face or do something and it immediately makes me think of Everett. I think the biggest difference between them is their noses. Everett had a little turned up nose and Graham has a little button nose. I think both boys have the same eyes and lips. Everett is a clone of me when I was a kid, but everyone is saying that Graham looks more like Aaron. I'm okay with that since I think my husband is incredibly handsome.


on their birthdays


2.5 weeks and 10 days with Mimi

10 and 6 weeks


best comparison?



Both boys are adorable, but then again, I'm their biased mama. You be the judge.



Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"officially" here

I love baby announcements. We've had so many friends having babies lately and I love seeing their sweet little faces on our fridge. I just sent ours out and absolutely love them. Lucky for me, I have an awesome, generous, talented friend Katie. She took a few newborn pictures for us, including the ones on our announcements. Here's just a few of my faves: 







my absolute favorite




And, without further adieu, our littlest love:


Thursday, October 11, 2012

one month with our Graham man

Graham-
You are precious. I love everything about you --- your smell and sweet noises, the funny faces you make, your soft skin and receding hairline. The way you want to cuddle and be held and recognize and are comforted when I pick you up in my arms. You are a perfect fit and a piece of our family that we didn't even know was missing. I could smooch you every hour of every day.









I treasure you and am so thankful to be your mama.



Monday, October 8, 2012

that little guy

Everyone has been asking how Everett is doing with his new little brother. And, the answer is awesome, incredible, and so sweet... but it didn't happen right away.



We got off to a slow start. I am sure it was confusing at first. When we left for the hospital, Everett cried. He wanted to come with us. He only partially understood where we were going and what we were going to do. When Uncle Seth asked him where mom and dad were he said, "the baby store" haha.

After laboring overnight, we needed some serious rest, so we waited to introduce Everett until after nap time on Tuesday. I think like most moms I built up that moment in my head --- like it was going to be some kind of heart melting moment and a big awesome kick off to a family of four. When he walked in he kind of looked indifferently at Graham and then proceeded to want to play with every button and wire in my hospital room. I'm not sure why I didn't see that coming.






We got a few little presents for Everett "from Graham." He loved that, but was still uninterested in Graham. He was getting restless so he took a walk with Daddy and Pop-pop. Everett was walking around with one of the presents from Graham and when asked where he got it Everett said, "from that guy- Grover." By the end of the night, Everett was warming up to Graham and even asked to hold him, but still wasn't calling Graham by his name. He referred to him as "that little guy" or "baby Maggie (our cousins baby born in June)." Looking back, I think that not knowing the gender of the baby made it a little harder for Everett to understand and adjust. And, regardless, it's a hard thing for any two year old to understand.

first time holding "that little guy"


headed home with a new backseat buddy

Every day after getting home from the hospital Everett has been more and more interested in little brother. It took a few days, but he stopped calling him "that little guy" and he started calling him baby brother and then eventually baby Graham too. Everett now wants to hold baby Graham most mornings when we wake up. He wants to help rock him and "change" his diapers. He wants me to take their picture together. He tells everyone about "his baby Graham" and is protective of his brother. He gets excited about having a bath buddy. He tells me that he loves baby Graham. These are the moments that I envisioned - those moments that you just want to live in. There is such a sweetness seeing the way Everett loves Graham.



still working on our his hold

"just like mommy"

kisses and McQueen


formal Woody introductions

bath time buddy

little brother's morning visitor


talking to brother

He's not perfect and wants to have Mommy to himself sometimes. He will usually say something like "Mommy- put brother in his swing." He seems to have figured out that when Graham is in the swing then I can play with him. He will say things like "burp me" or "feed me Mommy." My smart little guy knows that those things cause Mama to pay attention to Graham. And even 4 weeks later? He's still having trouble transitioning, but we know it's a process.


So, there is the long answer. My sweet boy is figuring out what it means to be the big brother. I am excited that one day my boys can have the kind of relationship that Aaron has with his brothers. For now, we're taking it one day at a time and in the hard moments, I'm trying to live in the sweet moments like this.




Monday, October 1, 2012

fleeting

The second time around,  I find myself more aware. I'm more aware of how fleeting my days with an itty bitty newborn are - how quickly they grow and change. how quickly they lose that sweet, just born smell. the sleepless nights, the way they curl up so perfectly on your chest, that little cry, the way their little bottom fits in the palm of my hand. I will miss these days when they are gone...








So for now, I'm savoring them: the sweet quiet times I have alone with my littlest boy, my newborn baby. Theres no getting these days back and I'm determined to spend them loving on my sweet Graham.