Spicy Magnolia

We Made It

We made it! We made it through the swirling month of birthdays. We made it through some of the most tumultuous days of parenting yet…and lived to tell about it. We survived bronchitis and a double ear infection for the boy and the girl’s first ear infection. We made it through a visit from Matt’s folks that was wonderful even though it was sprinkled with some of the three year old’s maelstrom.

Only today, after much trepidation of what the day would hold, not wanting to wake up to what I might face with my man-child, I am breathing a sigh of relief. My boy, newly turned over into the 3s, shows signs of extra determination to get his way and displays an eruption of emotion otherwise, (typical of what many of you mothers of 3 year olds have testified to). But the deep sigh of relief comes because it looks like 75% of the meltdowns of gargantuan proportions, the stinging scowls and accompanying attitude over the last few days were stirred by the ear infections and bronchitis.

Granted, my own wretched mommy moments (of which there were many the last few days that prompted a number of sincere apologies to the treasured ones I’m supposed to be a good steward of), didn’t help matters; I made it worse. What’s even more troubling is that they occurred when my children weren’t feeling well!

I’ve found Ann Voskamp’s seventh point in her Joyful Parenting Manifesto to ring true: in the moments where my child’s behavior and attitude are most grotesque to me, I’ve found the act of drawing ever closer to that child melts away the hardened heart and tears. A smile. A gentle touch. A soothing word. If only I’d remember this and not let my voice raise to a high shrill. If only I’d remember this before I walk away in utter frustration wanting to wring my hands out in anger. If only I’d remember that love covers a multitude of sins. “God, help me,” is a prayer uttered in both silence and out loud throughout my days. May it be so for evermore.

And today, after some war-wounds from the last few days, I am breathing a sigh of relief and giving thanks that we made it! At least through this bit of time, we made it. It’s enough to spur up enough desire and energy in me to tell you how we celebrated Brennan’s third birthday this year.

Brennan Matthew turned three years old on January 16th. We had a few of his and Kensington’s buddies over for a small play group, which would have worn him out if that was the sole activity of the day. But we piled on the celebrating by going to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch on top of it. My momma came into town to join us and Matt met us there, too. The five of us chowed down on some pizza and the chocolate pie Mees made for her grandson. Out of the three times we’ve been to Chuck E. Cheese, this was the first that Brennan wasn’t afraid of going on the rides. And it should come as no surprise that his favorite was the horse race.

While the little girl conked out, the birthday boy was so hyped up after his play group and lunch that he couldn’t nap. It made for a very long but fun-filled day.

The next day, Matt, Kensie and I took Chick-fil-A to Brennan’s school to eat lunch with him. I’ve done that a few times since he started going and I love joining him and his two teachers and eight other classmates for lunch! We all sit around the same table to eat together. It gives me opportunity to know each of the kiddos by name and get glimpses into their personalities. For example, I know the quiet and reserved ones, and I also know who gets the conversation going rapidly and with gusto. Brennan falls somewhere between those two <grin>.

I came a little early to pick him up so I could deliver his birthday cupcakes to his class and eat along with them.

I made sure Kensie was dressed up for the celebration.

Matt’s parents arrived on his birthday, the 19th. Here are Papa and Nana, meeting Kensie Jane for the first time. What an answer to prayer!

As part of the continued birthday celebration for the three year old, we all took Brennan to Shepplers for him to pick out a cowboy hat. Upon getting in the car to tell him what we were going to do, he added, “And boots?!” We kept telling him we were going to get a hat. And every time he added, “And boots.” A true cowboy has to have both, I guess. So that’s what he got <grin>.

Little girl had to try on a hat for fun.

I had to try on a cowgirl hat and boots, too.

On Saturday, we took advantage of our fully decked out cowboy and took him to a farm in Georgetown to ride horses. What a fantastic time we had! My momma drove into town for the rodeo haulin’ a big ol’ chocolate cake! We stayed out there for about four hours and took a picnic lunch. Matt and his dad rode, too, and so did yours truly. But I came to the realization that my son is braver than I.

Three different horses were saddled: Comanche (a pony), Big Mama, and Poncho. Brennan rode all three! Big ‘uns are his favorite, but he did trot on Comanche. Poncho was awesome and walked Brennan around slowly without any of us leading him, but Poncho also had a wild side that moved pretty darn fast when Papa and Matt were riding.

For the record, we kept trying to push Brennan’s hat back so he could see, but he liked it better the way it was.

Brennan even enjoyed leading them on his own.

Little Kensie girl in her boot tights from Nana.

This was a rare moment when Kensie smiled around the horses; otherwise, she broke out into a large grimace and started crying. Molly is the largest animal she’s comfortable being around, I suppose.

Our cowboy had a blast!

Absolute craziness:

Brennan’s first birthday on the left; second birthday on the right.

And now, his third.

Our love spills over for this cowboy, “we-made-it” days and all!

A Heart Stealer

Baby girl, in addition to the months you rapidly add to your life as you grow, the joy and delight you bring to our family also increases by leaps and bounds!

On December 29th, you turned five months old. That fifth month of your life was packed full of adventure, discovery, special moments, and firsts. Here’s a peak at what that month held for you:

Lots and lots of PJ days! You and Brennan were sick 3/4 of the month, and you occasionally joined Mr. Brennan for movie time.

You picked out your first Christmas tree, Filbert.

The jumper became one of your favorite play time activities, and has since contributed to you being quite the mover and shaker when we’re holding you. Brennan wanted to share his hat with you here.

Starbucks runs on Thursday mornings were our continued hang out spot before moving onto our special corner at Brennan’s school where we play before picking him up. You still take two short cat naps in the morning and a long one (2 hours) in the afternoon. I obviously enjoy holding you for some of your cat naps, and Daddy loves you sleeping on his chest for naps, too.

As a note, our Starbucks time is coming to an end because you are on the move: wanting to discover, play, touch things, learn, be active. You are full of life and zest!

A brand new adventure took you to see a live Bethlehem reenactment on your first train ride!

You watched your first Denver Broncos win (yeah, Tebow!) at BJ’s.

 

Your big brother thinks you come quite handy as a pack horse, and you had the privilege of witnessing Brennan’s first ever school Christmas program. You think he’s pretty cool.

Some other discoveries and developments include: grabbing for toys and passing them back and forth between your hands; the use of your tongue and lips to make all sorts of sounds; the recognition of your name; the fun times your toes can bring you!

You experienced your first really cold winter day. Well, it really wasn’t as cold as this picture alludes, but by Austin standards, it was pretty cold. And your Daddy takes extra care in making sure you’re bundled up nice and warm.

You celebrated your very first Christmas at Pops and Mees’ with Uncle Mac and Aunt Julie, too! Your brother made sure you felt special and would bring you your presents and help you open them. He’d also show you how to play with them.

(I have to throw in that last picture of Christmas morning to show our Internet peeps how much I goofed on your Christmas PJs this year! It’s a tradition for our family to open one present on Christmas Eve, and it’s always a set of PJs. Since being a momma, I’ve wanted to buy my kiddos their PJs and well, look how it turned out. Kensington wore a six month one-piece but it ended up being way too short, and I ordered 5-6 size for Brennan, thinking it was the same as 5T. Obviously looking at how we tried to roll the pants up 80’s style, I was dead wrong. He can wear them for years to come! It’s taking every bit of will power in my Momma to keep her from snatching the responsibility of buying Christmas PJs for my kiddos, too!)

You’ll never outgrow this hat, right?!

You’re discovering your love for puppies!

You continue to be quite the buddy to your big brother, watching him incessantly and admirably! And oh, how he makes you laugh. Your all’s bath times together are hilarious. We have a number of videos as family treasures of your giggles, which seemingly come effortlessly for you. Just about anything can spur on those heavenly sounds. You are undoubtedly a very happy, content and easy-going baby. One of my favorite times of the day is to get you from your crib after waking up because you’re so smiley. Only when you get really tired do you turn into our little punkin’.

You had your first taste of playing in fall leaves, albeit a very delayed one.

You had quality Popsie time before he headed back to Florida.

You are also on your way to being a big Daddy’s girl! The way you light up when he comes into view melts this own Daddy-girl’s heart.

There’s no doubt about it: you have stolen our hearts, Kensie Jane!

Hibernation

This time of year always ushers in a season of hibernation for me on the good ol’ blog. From Thanksgiving to the end of January, our family has one celebration after another. Depending on my outlook, I can be found either coasting through each day calm, sane, and enjoying the season of immense celebration or frazzled on the brink of watching a tornado rummage through my soul. Usually the emotions alternate depending on the day, or the hour. This year, I am most thankful that the former has ruled in my heart more than the later. There were definitely sacrifices made and things I chose to let go (i.e. no birthday party for Brennan, no cake balls for Aunt Julie). Also, the state of my mind still being freshly “baby-brained” gave way for me to unintentionally forget some things all together until the very last minute (who knew I had teacher gifts to get this first year of Brennan’s preschool? Not I!). 

This has been one of the sweetest Christmases of my life. It was slow, simple, intentional, celebratory, scattered with new family traditions, and treasured. This has been my favorite Christmas with Brennan, who is growing in his understanding of and excitement for the season. Most of what occurred these last six weeks has been written out in my personal journal and will remain tucked in my heart for the duration of my life to ponder and hold dear. 

Sandwiched between our new family celebration of St. Nicholas night (December 6th) and Christmas, Matt and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. It was a gift that my momma came up the week before for Brennan’s first ever school Christmas program and stayed the evening to let us have an early anniversary date night, because our anniversary proper was filled with more bodily fluids expunged than the sum total of what we’ve encountered from accidents the last week of potty training! 

Now that we’re through Christmas and New Years, we have a little man-child’s third birthday in a week and a half to celebrate, as well as a much older man’s thirty-fourth birthday! Plus, after a few months delay in getting to meet Kensington for the first time because of Ed’s heart attacks, we are most excited that Matt’s parents will finally get to lay their eyes and hands on our girl!

Alas, good and right reasons for my hibernation.

For the time being, I want to leave you with a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson called In Memoriam—Ring Out, Wild Bells. I came across it for the first time earlier this week and love it for the New Year.

Until I meet you here again, dear friends, Happy New Year from my family to yours!

In Memoriam—Ring Out, Wild Bells

By: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Simply trusting,

 

 

My Peeps

Happy Thanksgiving week, dear ones! It’s been way too long since I’ve hopped on here to post somethin’. What better way to give a little update than through some pictures? And an update is sorely needed.

Here are my peeps.

Bare with me as I travel back in time nearly a whole month to Halloween. Pitifully delayed these are!

It took Brennan awhile to warm up to the idea of his costume, refusing to put it on for costume day at his school. But a few nights before Trick-or-Treating, this is what ensued:

You got a glimpse of Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger in the last post, but here is his trusty sidekick, Miss Lady Bug, who snoozed the whole time we were collecting our goodies around the block with some of our best buds.

 

Tummy time is never a favorite, but she sure gives some of her best poses.

Seeing as how Texas has been in a disastrous drought for the past year, we take advantage of any day where there’s a hint of rain or a slight drizzle. On the way home from church a few weeks ago, it was overcast and sprinkling off and on, which made us want to hunker down as a family with hot chocolate (Brennan calls this “coffee”), good books, football playing in the background, and some lengthy afternoon naps. We picked up our “coffee” on the way home and sat outside talking and playing with the umbrellas.

Brennan has become quite the cowboy and lover of horses; for his birthday, he’s asking for that magnificent creature. Case in point:

This is not the best picture, but one I treasure. After a rough day that I was nearing pulling my hair out, I attempted to kill time by loading the kids in the car to run an errand.  Wearing his cowboy hat, Brennan pleaded, “Momma, momma, put your hat on, too!” Mind you, it’s my gardening hat, but the sheer delight on his face was enough to put a smile on mine and put me at ease. After all, I am his “Jessie girl”.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we met my dear friend, Sara, and her precious kiddos, Aaron and Abby, at Waco’s children’s museum. She has a lot more pictures, but I snagged just one. We had the best time meeting up again after our first rendezvous a year ago! What a great example of how the Internet can be used for good when you meet precious friends like Sara.

I had such high hopes for this picture. Brennan looked so handsome and Kensington was going to wear her beautiful smocked dress to match. This is the only shot I got because five minutes later, Brennan was in tears after throwing up all on the carpet and his shirt, commencing the seven day battle with a nasty stomach virus last week. Maybe next time.

Look at this kid! He looks huge! Recently, Matt and I were going through pictures of Brennan taken back in the spring and mourning how overnight, he changed from a baby to a little man. He made this “nest” pretending to be a baby bird and discovered it made a comfortable recliner.

 

Ever since his last horse ride, Brennan asks incessantly to ride a horse. Matt took the kiddos to Kiddie Acres last weekend where Brennan rode Mary the Horse. He looks like a natural!

My beautiful Kensie Jane in a lovely dress from her Aunt Kimberly.

Today was my precious Momma’s birthday! We met her in Dripping Springs and picnicked together. It was a bit chaotic with the high winds, two little ones, and an off-and-on stressed momma of those two, but what a delight and gift it was to be with her on her special day! One of the joys was hearing Brennan sing “Happy Birthday” all the way through on his own for the first time and his excitement writing ‘words’ in her card. We just had to bring home the nest he made <grin>.

In the likelihood that I won’t be on here again before Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and yours! Despite the propensity to be harried this time of year, may we together be renewed in the simple delights of the day and filled with grateful hearts. Never in my wildest dreams could I fathom I’d be gifted with these precious peeps.

Thankful,

 

This or That

Tonight was a special night of firsts for our little girl. She had her very first Daddy-Daughter date with Matt! I got her dressed up in her Sunday best this morning, knowing the high risk I was taking by putting her dress on eight hours before her date. Poop and spit up have a way of intuitively knowing the most inconvenient time and garment to make a surprise appearance. Selfishly though, I wanted to enjoy my doll in her first smocked dress, courtesy of Mees. She looked beautiful!

Matt pulled up at 5:30 p.m. sharp to sweep his girl away on their date to a park. I noticed a colorful assortment of blossoms in his lap as he drove into the garage. I thought, “Awww, how sweet. He brought me flowers.” But then the light bulb went off in my head, triggering the emotional side of my brain sending waves of affection through my heart, thereby activating my Lacrimal Glands that resulted in eyes filled with tears.

Speaking as a Daddy’s girl showered with love throughout my days, I can attest to how blessed Kensington Jane is that her Daddy brings her flowers, gorgeous flowers, as a gift that will remind her of her treasured-ness. Off the two went to share sweet moments that mark, what will hopefully be, the first of many prized memories shared between just the two of them.

While my man and my girl were out on the town, I had one-on-one time, which I’d been craving, with this boy:

While we munched on our dinner, I started a get-to-know-you game by asking what his favorite was between “this or that”. At 33 months old, these were his answers:

Blue or yellow? Blue

Pizza or hot dogs? Pizza

Baseball or football? Football

What’s your favorite book? Toy Story

What’s your favorite song? With a huge grin, “Michael Buble”. (His I Just Haven’t Met You Yet song)

Throwing or kicking? Kicking

Green or purple? Purple

Cookies or ice cream? Cookies

Swimming or soccer? Swimming

Crayons or markers? Crayons

Paints or stamps? Stamps

Strawberries or blueberries? Blueberries

Ham or turkey? Ham

Chalk or stickers? Stickers

Pumpkin bread or banana bread? Banana Bread (His answer greatly surprised me, so I asked, “Really? Have you even eaten banana bread?” With a chuckle, Brennan responded, “No.”)

Pie or cake? Cake

Dolphin or whale? Whale

Cat or dog? Dog

Tomato or guacamole? Tomato

Carrot or Broccoli? Carrot

What’s your favorite movie? Dolphins (I’m not sure to what he’s referring except that I told him that he and I would be going on a date soon to see a movie about a dolphin <grin>.)

Buzz or Woody? Buzz (To which I breathed a sigh of relief since he’s incessantly calling himself “Buzz” and has a Buzz costume for this weekend.)

Cows or horses? Horses

Kisses or hugs? Kisses

For kicks twenty minutes later, I asked him again, “Kisses or hugs?” The second time around, he answered, “Hugs”, while wrapping his lengthy arms around my torso and gently patting my back with his hands. It’s a good thing he likes both, because he got a good dose of the pair! He was all smiles. And so was his Momma.

Simply trusting,

How the Mice Played

The cat is back. But the mice played. The mice played hard.

The weekend highlight was the pumpkin patch at the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm that I took the kiddos to on Saturday morning. The high was supposed to be 90 degrees, which put a damper on the whole Fall ambiance, but the clouds and few sprinkles worked in our favor.

It was a bit of a balancing act doing it by myself, but Kensington was a trooper coming along for the ride as I trucked her in the Bjorn. Brennan was patient as we took time to feed her. And we only had one minimal meltdown when in line to pay for one last horse ride, I discovered I lost my last $20 somewhere and Brennan wasn’t going to be able to stroll around on top of that magnificent beast he’s fallen love with. Thankfully, either I left it at the pay window where I got the change or some blessed saint kindly turned in the money they saw blowing across the driest Texas straw grass you ever set foot on.

The main event for Brennan at the Pumpkin Patch was the pony ride. Or rather, the horse ride. It was the first and only animal he pet, making regular visits throughout our morning:

When he found out he could ride one, he asked about it incessantly while I fed Kensie. A bit unsure if he’d actually get on, I braced myself for tears. Instead, just the opposite occurred. Slightly in shock, I watched my son take his ticket to the horse leader and ask specifically for a “big horse”. Without a second thought or even a slight glance back at his Momma, that boy of mine climbed on Barbie, the biggest horse out there. No fear. No intimidation.

And off he went.

It must have been his watching of the race scenes in Secretariat (that he comically reenacts) or how we’ve told him that Uncle Mac had a horse and was an avid rider that spurred him on. I don’t know, but my Daddy texted this when I told him about our budding equestrian: “It’s all over. In two or three years, you’ll be buying a horse.” I’m watching my childhood with my brother replay before my very eyes. Full circle moment. All I needed was a ribbon to hand to my son, just like I handed to Mac during his horse shows.

We had a blast the rest of the time playing on the playground; making a buddy on the tractor hayride that Brennan followed through the corn maze…

…watching a Border Collie successfully herd sheep; eating hotdogs listening to live Blue Grass music, and having no qualms kissing each other with ketchup face…

…picking out a pumpkin; and riding a big horse one last time.

This is the only picture I have of the three of us. The kids’ faces crack me up.

And a pumpkin patch wouldn’t be a complete visit without a couple of patch pictures.

Jumping to Sunday morning, Brennan saw the outfit I picked out for Kensington and asked, “Kensie going to be a lady bug today?”

Well, I guess she is:

The other highlight for me was attending a Mother’s Blessing Sunday afternoon. A number of ladies from our church lovingly prepared a time to pray over and encourage moms of the newest born babies in our congregation. It was a special and very sweet time.

Another praise about one of my scatterbrained moments these days: a momma had an extra bottle on hand because I ran out the door without one. I was probably too preoccupied trying to get some mother-daughter pictures of us before our special event.

I have to put this one in here for kicks because the expression is comical.

But Kensington would want me to end on this one.

We mice are oddities. We had a lot of fun together, but we’re overjoyed the cat is back. The momma mouse especially!

Simply trusting,

 

Favorite Fotos Friday

Beauty.

Last weekend all four of us ventured up to Ft. Worth for my cousin’s wedding. It’s the first time we braved staying in a hotel room with both kiddos. The black circles under my eyes were a dead giveaway as to the late nights we spent partying (ha!) and the outcome of being in a hotel room all together.

Pops came into town for the festive occasion, and he confessed that one of his highlights was getting to hold and walk this girlfriend.

There is a tiny boy on planet earth who is crazy, head-over-heels, in love with his uncle and aunt (who are officially home owners…whoop!!). One of the main reasons we didn’t get any sleep is because this aforementioned boy (who shall remain nameless <grin>) wanted to be up every waking moment to play and/or watch Secretariat with Uncle Mackie and Aunt Joooolie.

All dressed up before the blessed event. The kiddos stayed back and were loved on by Matt’s aunt and cousin who generously watched them for the evening.

I now have two delights who join me in the kitchen while I cook, or in this case, bake pumpkin bread (a timeless treat in our family).

On Wednesday, Matt treated Brennan to a “morning at Daddy’s work”.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work they go!

Brennan got to meet all of Matt’s “friends”, and who wouldn’t Brennan make his own friend when hot chocolate (also known as “coffee”) and donuts are involved.

Brennan is still chattin’ up a storm about this memorable outing.

Y’all, Matt is going away on a small men’s retreat this weekend, and I have both kiddos to myself. I think a party is in order so I can score some points with these two munchkins I oversee. Maybe a pumpkin patch? Or a soccer game? Some frozen yogurt, burgers and fries? A movie and some football watchin’?

What do y’all like to do when the cat’s away <grin>?

Simply trusting,

Nearly Three

In less than four months, you will be three years old.

At two and a half, while the thought makes me weepy, I already know the song I likely want to dance with you at your wedding: Michael Buble’s, I Haven’t Met You Yet. You’re a big fan, and we dance together to it at least a few times a week.

You tell Daddy you’re still a baby because Momma says so. Right on, dude!

Instead of introducing yourself as Brennan, you say your name is Buzz. You are one determined aviator.

My leg has been a good hiding appendage for you when you’re shy or unsure. People may not get a ‘hello’ from you right away, but more likely a hand shake. Sometimes you’ll throw in a ‘nice to meet you’.

No longer do you sleep with your pacis! We are so proud of you and celebrated big time with lunch at Mighty Fine, and you got to scope out Toys R’ Us for a toy of your choosing (within a certain price range). We thought you’d get the much talked about Mack truck from Cars, but you found a box with a number of Toy Story characters and held onto it saying, “Take this home.”

“I did it!”; “Look at me.”; “Mys" (Mine) are frequent phrases we hear pass your lips. We’re grateful that “please” and “thank you” also grace our ears. You’ll smile and say, “excuse me”, after you burp or toot sometimes. It’s pretty cute.

You’re sweet on your sister and call her “Little Missy”. You get upset at her for crying occasionally, but in the next moment you’ll push away a little girl who got too close to “Mys sister”. You nearly gave me a panic attack the other day when you took a leaping jump over her. But oh, you are an incredible big brother, and Kensington adores you!

You love, “Mys school!” and declare such every time we pull up to it. Cooper is your favorite buddy there. I hope my incessant asking of questions when I pick you up is something you get used to so it doesn’t annoy you the older you get. You make me swoon when you run into my arms saying, “Mommy!” when you see me. The word your teachers use to describe you: sweet.

Your teachers, Miss Kellie and Miss Shannon, sure knew what Mommy needed last week: a bird’s eye view of what you’re up to at school. I thought my heart was going to burst with joy last week when Uncle Mac, Kensie and I brought you lunch to eat together. We got a sneak peak into your Spanish time and cheered your class on while hitting the piñata for Fiesta Day.

I treasure your desire for cuddles, kisses and hugs. Physical touch is most definitely one of your love languages, as is quality time.

These two other boys are some of your best buds: Evan and Alex. (Edited to add: Most of your fits and tantrums are related to saying we need to stop playing and go inside for dinner).

You’re one big kid. People think you’re at least 3 or 4. I bought you size 5T clothes for fall/winter!

You have thick, blonde hair, just like your Momma did when she was a little girl. I’m praying you’ll let the lady cut your hair this weekend and not have a fit like you did last time.

Animals are a favorite interest of yours, especially lions, giraffes, and elephants. Maybe you’ll go to Africa one day.

You love to sing! Before bed you ask to sing “Alleluia”, “Jesus Loves Me”, or “Goodnight, Goodnight”. Other favorites are “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”, “A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down”, “The Wheels on the Bus”, “ABC’s”, and “Itsy Bitsy Spider”.

We’re starting some Scripture memory. You seem to have your Momma’s memory, which is a very good thing…so says Daddy who doesn’t have the greatest memory <grin>.

Books, books, books. You still love books and can focus on them for a long period of time.

If you watch something on television, you either ask for Sesame Street or Thomas the Train. As for movies, you’re still on a kick with Cars, Toy Story, or the racing scenes from Secretariat.

You’re tender-hearted, but full of vim and vigor at the same time. I have perfected my ball throwing, flying skills, summersaulting (my neck can attest to such), and tackling skills. You ask me to tickle you all the time.

We got to work together on your first take-home art project for school. Your momma was stoked! It was a family tree, and you chose a different art for each person of our family, including Molly.

For the past six months, you have nick-named me your “Jessie Girl” (from Toy Story). You have me at, “Play Toy Story together, Momma.”

Your vocabulary has taken off! I am amazed at the conversations we have. You’re still not sure though how to answer ‘why’ questions.

Oh, Brennan, my angel boy, you are FUN! Full of life and kindness. There’s no other place in this world I’d rather be than by your side watching you grow and learn; there’s no one else I’d rather be than your “Jessie girl”. You have my love forever and always. I love you deeply, Momma. <Yodel-eh-he-who!>

Favorite Foto Friday

Does it count that I started this post on Friday?

Thank you all for agreeing with me in prayer in my last post. Matt has been in Canada since Tuesday, and we will be overjoyed to have him home tomorrow. At the same time, we will be so sad to see Mees depart. She has blessed us tremendously with laughter, helping hands, food, and fun outings. I could not have done it without her help! 

Our family is also grateful for Matt's dad's recovery. We were not sure Ed was going to make it through last week; it could have gone either way because of a blood condition that makes him highly prone to clotting. Such clotting around the stents after his heart attack last week is what caused his second heart attack on Monday. He has a lengthy recovery ahead of him with a few glitches like allergic reactions to some meds, but we are hopeful and anticipate his discharge from the hospital either Sunday or Monday. While his and Ruth's meeting of Kensington will be postponed until later this fall, we praise Jesus for the gift of more time and the opportunity we trust he will have to meet her.

Now here are some of my favorite pics from the last two weeks.

The Mister and Little Missy soaking in the rays and the blessing of a bit cooler days outside to play. Who knew 90 degrees could feel cool?

She looked so pretty until her Guinness Book of World Records diaper blowout that covered nearly her entire belly and backside and leaked a huge puddle of poo onto my pants. You know you have good friends when they stay to help you in the parking lot after lunch to get you and your daughter cleaned up. I have rightfully earned the nickname, "Meghan Poopy Pants", thus saving my precious girl from the shame.

The smile. Oh, the smile.

 

Football season has commenced! The next few pictures were taken last Sunday before the TX A&M game and our dear buddy, Evan's, birthday party. Brennan needs his Uncle Mac to help him with the "Gig 'Em" sign, but the school spirit is still evident (he's just waving his index finger up and down).

This picture cracks me up. Kensie is top-heavy with the big bow while Brennan looks at her annoyed that she's crying.

That's better.

Can't believe this was him 2 years ago:

And this is him now:

This past Tuesday, Brennan started a two-days a week preschool/Mother's Day Out. He was ecstatic! The day we met his two teachers he ran in the room, waved at me and said, "Bye, Bye, Momma". I wasn't sure I should cry over his confidence and excitement or that he is old enough to be going to 'school'! 

Some of his all-time favorite books are the If You Give A Mouse a Cookie series which includes If You Take a Mouse to School.  I surprised him with a small stuffed mouse character from the books for him to take in his back pack to school. Along with his Toy Story cup, the dude is set.

Oh, my heart.

We pulled into the school parking lot the first day with Brennan saying, "My's school! My's school!" After hearing, "When I going to school?" at least twenty-five times that morning before leaving, I wasn't surprised in the least when once again, he went into his classroom with a smile on his face, beelining it for the play animals. 

Kensington and I went home and took advantage of some rest time. I felt so lost walking into our home without Brennan. What a great start I was off to when I woke up in a startle at 12:55 p.m., five minutes before I needed to leave to pick up our bestest boy buddy (and I was hoping to feed Kensie before leaving)! I was gonna be the mom who was late picking up her child the first day of school because I overslept! Thankfully, we made it in time, but goodness gracious, Meg.

Thank you, again, for your prayers and encouragement to our family! I'm grateful, dear readers.

Simply trusting,

The First Month

While there are parts of the day, particularly the mornings, when I have to remind myself to slow down and breath, that there’s no reason to be hurried and stressed trying to get everything together for two kiddos, the parts of the week when my heart swells with so much joy it might burst, outweigh the frenzy. I am astounded at what God has graced me with these two children.

We are a family of four. The word that describes it for me: complete. The urge to jump on a plane or hop in the car spontaneously for a family vacation has been precipitated not just to escape this hades-like summer, but more so to start making memories as a family. Not that we’re not doing that already or that the ones with just Brennan are lessened. But sometimes it feels as if life as our family is just beginning. It makes me want to burst through the gates with gusto and embrace it. Relish it.

Our sweet Kensie is a month old. That first week of her life I was a mess, constantly sitting in a puddle of tears feeling as if the rug had been taken out from underneath me and I’d never be the same.

Week two looked slightly brighter. My Momma’s presence was comforting and helpful. Although the thoughts of, “How in the world am I ever going to do this,” dominated my mind.

We also discovered Kensington lost the weight she gained back after coming home from the hospital and dropped to 6 pounds. It was a shocking blow when I thought feeding was going so well. Thus the latter part of week two and all of week three were pretty excruciating and painful. Back and forth I was about what was best for all of us. Unlike Brennan, the feeding issues pertained to my own body, so said the lactation consultant.

I wrestled (and occasionally still do) with insecurity and the fear of what people think based upon our decision. Finally, and thankfully, we arrived at a very freeing decision based upon what is best for our family. Right now it works for us. I am pumping three times a day, which is very workable at this time, and something with which my body is very familiar. Then we’re supplementing with formula. I share this info publicly with you because I have a testimony with Brennan that is just as powerful to me today as it was then. And it’s also a way I can confront my own battle with the insecurity I faced in making the decision. There might even be another momma out there who would hopefully feel less shame and embarrassment knowing the joy of gazing into her child’s big eyes while giving her  a bottle by reading some of this.

That said, my little girl is finally growing and putting on some weight. She’s a lanky thing with long arms and legs. But her face is filling out and she enjoys her food immensely. She has a very cute ‘licking her chops’ sound with her puckered lips. I anticipate finding out her weight next week.

She has one small dimple on her left cheek. The tiny birthmark on her left eyelid is diminishing, but she still has some angel kisses on the back of her neck.

Pure sweetness is what she is. She’s a very laid back baby like her brother and doesn’t mind the car seat or driving, which is a good thing because we haul her everywhere. While one of the things I struggle with is guilt over feeling like I’m neglecting one child over the other depending on what I’m doing at the moment, Kensie fits into our family really well and loves to be a part of what we do as we tote her from one activity to the next.

Kensington loves to be held. She’s most content in someone’s arms, preferably with their hand resting gently on her cheek to feel even closer, safer. We manage to go on a few walks in the morning and play outside a bit, but it’s been so hot she mostly enjoys the outdoors by looking out the window. If she’s really upset, the best soothing technique we have is to step outside with her and it will calm her in a matter of seconds. Matt thinks it’s because the heat sucks the life right out of her <grin>. We’ve taken her to the pool with Brennan a few times where she seems to sleep better than in our home. She does not like to be cold! Warm baths are soothing, and like her Momma and great-grandmother, her nose is always cold.

She’s still in newborn-sized clothes and diapers, but we have so many cute summery 3-month outfits that I’m dressing her in those, too, before we run out of time and it gets too cold. I’m praying for cold weather in faith.

She perks up whenever she hears Brennan. He helps with her diapers, her pacis, and wants to be with us when she has a bath. She welcomes his affection.There will be times he gets frustrated when she’s crying and say, “No, Kensie.” He wants to know what’s wrong: “Kensie hungry?” “Tummy hurt?” “Dirty diaper?”. The other day when Brennan was playing with the Cars character, Sally, I asked him if he thought Sally was pretty. He said, “No, Kensie is pretty.”

My darling girl eats about every 3 hours and can do a 4 hour stretch with sleeping. We’re still figuring out the first and last feedings of the day as well as naptimes. I used to keep very detailed journals about Brennan’s feeding and sleeping. Not so with Kensie. Matt and I both are pretty tired as the nights have been touchy with both kids. But that means I can snuggle with her during our afternoon nap, which thankfully, has lined up with Brennan’s.

Sara asked how we came up with the name Kensington Jane. I first saw Kensington on a birth announcement in my doctor’s office and really liked its beauty and uniqueness. It grew on Matt, who really liked the nickname Kensie (which we’re now spelling with an ‘s’ to have less confusion than with a ‘z’. We like to be complicated like that. And we have no preference on which you call her). ‘Kensington’ doesn’t have a special meaning other than ‘an English town’. Mac and Julie asked if she was named after our honeymoon spot in England <grin>. No, no she’s not. Ha!

Jane is very special, and we knew it would be her middle name for awhile. Jane is not only both my Momma’s and Gaga’s middle names (Donna Jane and Sarah Jane, respectively), Jane goes back in my family all the way to my great-great-great-great grandmother. I have much joy in my Momma and grandmother being Kensie’s namesake. I think it’s a lovely name and means “God is gracious”. May Kensington know that to be true and leave a legacy on generations to come testifying to it.

Simply trusting,