Brain Dump

1. I love it when Levi lets me cuddle him close.  Tonight he laid on my shoulder and we rocked for a while.  He is such an amazing boy.

2. I'm so thankful that cuddles are universal. After a long HARD day with 9 children with severe disabilities, I rest easier knowing (well, actually just hoping) that their parents cuddle them despite everything that may be going on with them.

3. Rainbows are awesome.

4. Umm.... Lucy? What happened to the giraffe?

5. Is it Friday yet?

6. I've been in bed since 8:00pm.

6 months/26 weeks

Dear Levi,
I cannot believe that you are 6 months old today.  I'm both so happy and so sad all at the same time.  I wish your daddy was here to spend it with us.  I wish you weren't growing up so fast.  But I'm so glad that you are so happy and healthy.

This week you had your first plane ride.

You spent lots of time with family.

You started getting into the sitting position all on your own.

You started crawling really fast.

You continue to eat and sleep really well... although you are starting to wake up earlier and earlier... which Mommy isn't a huge fan of.

You will be growing out of your 6-9 and 9 month clothing soon.

You are amazing. We love you. We couldn't be more blessed.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Real runners...

Fall on their faces.

I was going for 2 miles tonight.... But only made it to 1.85. Oh well.

Who's Ready for Some Football? - 25 weeks!

Dear Levi,
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to stop growing up.  Please... pause right now.

 First of all... this week you started sitting up on your own and crawling up on your hands and knees.  Ummm... stop!

 You are SUCH a silly boy.  You have SO much personality.  You eat up everyone's attention and you are so precious! Your smile is contagious. Absolutely contagious.

 You have been going to "school" (Mommy likes this word more than daycare... because you are learning there!) for a little over a week now.  You are still figuring out how to nap there, but they all LOVE you.

 You love books and playing with paper (mail, napkins, regular paper).  You enjoy all "jumping" activities as well.

 This week you ate cauliflower and broccoli! And we are starting meats this week! You LOVE to eat.

 You still sleep 10-12 hours a night... so proud of you.

You now weigh 17lbs 3oz and are 26.5" long.  You are in the 25 percentile for height, weight and head circumference... I guess you are going to be a "little" guy!

Stay tuned... your first plane ride is this weekend!!!

I love you so much baby boy!
Love, Mommy

thankful

It is easy to get overwhelmed.
My parents always say I have to do everything all at once...
And my friends always say I like to do everything first...

Sometimes when you look back you realize how much has happened and how much you have to be thankful for.

In the past 2.5 years, we got married, graduated from college/graduate school, got jobs, got pregnant, bought a house, had a baby, became an active duty family and now have a *almost* 6 month old.

I feel like a broken record, but seriously I am asked one hundred thousand times a day how I "do it". My favorite responses are "well, I tried to quit but they wouldn't let me", "I just do", and "do what?"

The real answer is... I don't.

I have so many other people to thank for my "doing it"... making it. Even in the past few months I've been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received.

Our new church family is amazing. I am so blessed by the unearned love and support we have received from them in the short time I've known them.  The director of the preschool ministry sent me a "gift certificate" for Parent's Night Out. She also simultaneously recruited me to teach Sunday School... where I met some amazing people. I'm so glad to have another way to be involved and be surrounded by people who love the Lord and have the same values and ideas we do. It also helps that William felt comfortable there (the three times he went)... so I know I can get settled in without feeling guilty.

My friends have done so much for me. Erica, Tina, Nicole, Dana, Jonna, Nichole, Sarah, Kelly, Jenn, Troy and Chelsea... they have provided me with friendship, listening ears, extra hands and so much more. Kelly and her husband even served as witnesses for our wills and POAs.

My job/principal/school staff have also been great.  They gave me time to spend with William, they help me out when I need recommendations for resources in Richardson, and they are understanding.

My parents have been amazing... showering Levi and I with love, gifts, visits, and always being supportive. My little brother has become such an amazing uncle... not that I had any doubts.  I really am so glad that he is choosing to be a part of Levi's life and helping be a male influence to him.  (Although if William gets home and Levi's wardrobe is purely Polo... I think William would die). The rest of my family is always there for a text, a chat and some smiles. My Aunt Sherrie, my Robey girl cousins, all of my grandparents and my Aunt Susan are always there for me.

Soo... that's how I do it.  All of these people and so many more... they support me.  And I depend on them...

6 month: Sneak Peek

NO way am I letting him turn 6 months old! 

Dear ___________

Dear House,
Please stop breaking... I don't have the time or the money to deal with you. You make me cry.
Love, Your Owner (Yea... I OWN you!)

Dear Richardson Residents,
Anyone know a plumber?
Love, First Time Home Owner

Dear Big Pile-O-Trees,
I'm so glad you are gone and I'm pretty sure the house across the street is glad too.... since it went on the market yesterday.
Love, Smaller Than Pile-O-Trees Girl

Dear Pablo the Yard Boy (aka Daddy),
Please come help me reach my tall bushes... I'm too short.
Love, Your Daughter

Dear Luis the Real Yard Boy,
I'M SERIOUS! I'll pay you double if you would just trim my dang bushes.
Love, I'm Not THAT Broke Yet

Dear Dr. Wooten,
You are my new best friend.  I will visit whenever you tell me to.
Love, I Now Know What A Chiropractor Does

Dear Neck,
I'm so glad you turn both ways again.
Love, Your Owner (Yep... I most definitely own YOU too)

Dear DUET spraying planes,
You think you could kill whatever is eating my crepe myrtles? I'd appreciate that.
Love, My Thumb Is Flesh Colored... Not Green

Dear West Nile,
Stay away.
K, Thanks, Bye

Dear Sleep,
Please come fast tonight.  I'm tired.  And I do not want to lay awake for hours thinking about William.  And how sad I am for him and all he is missing.
Love, Sad and Lonely and I Miss My Husband

Holy Trees, Batman

Today was pay day... so like any good "adult" I tackled the next thing on our "wait until we have money" list.

I got the trees trimmed.

Behold... a WHOLE LOTTA TREE!