Hey, I'm pretty cute!

Wesley discovered himself in the mirror on the playgym. Seeing his reflection makes him smile.

more smiles and giggles

Graham's New Sleeping Bag

Tim got Graham a sleeping bag for camping trips and nights at Nana and Perpy's houses. It came yesterday, and Graham couldn't wait to hop in it and try it out. He thought it was great and wanted to sleep in it overnight. He wanted Wesley to get in it with him, but Wesley decided he prefered the crib. Graham did pretty well throughout the night. He needed Daddy's assistance a few times when he had gotten out of the bag and tried to get back in it.

My Built-in Babysitter

This is a picture of a typical day at our house. I'm leisurely talking on the phone while Graham takes care of Wesley. Ha! Just kidding!
Wesley continues to love to hang out in the sling. It always calms him down when he's upset and it works great for getting him to sleep while we are outside or shopping.




These are pictures that Amy took while she was visiting. Graham is very sweet with Wesley, and it's so fun to watch them together. Wesley is starting to smile more at Graham and really watch his big brother.

A visit from some good friends

My sweet friend, Amy, and her son Jonathan traveled a long way to visit us and meet Wesley. We had such a great time with them and was sad to see them go. Graham and Jonathan are enjoying watching the movie Cars. Graham doesn't really understand personal space and was always trying to give Jonathan hugs. Jonathan values personal space a little more so he wasn't too sure of Graham's longing to be close all of the time.

Amy, thanks so much for traveling all this way to see us. You are a dear friend and I miss you already!

Jonathan and Graham

Here are more pictures of the boys together and some of the fun things they did. Both boys have a love of cars, trucks, and anything else with wheels. They worked together to put all of the cars and trains from Graham's train table into two big trucks.

All three boys fit in the back or our car. It was a tight squeeze and Wesley had Graham's foot in his face a few times, but we all made it everywhere safely.
Graham and Jonathan both like stickers and took turns sharing stickers with each other. They also enjoyed wagon rides.
more hugs from Graham

Why God Made Daddies

I'm so glad Graham has a great daddy! Tim came up with the idea of letting Graham play in the rain today, and boy, did Graham love it! I don't think I would have done that, but I guess that's one reason God gave little boys daddies.

A Song from Church

This is part of a song we sang at church today. I don't know who wrote it but the words really encouraged me so I thought I would share it.

My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside;

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly;

Whose every promise is enough

For every step I take.

Sustaining me with arms of love

And crowning me with grace.

For every day I have on earth

Is given by the King.

So I will give my life, my all,

To love and follow Him.

Thomas the Train

Tim and Graham had the fun adventure of seeing Thomas the Train with Will and his family. They had an extra ticket and asked if Graham would like it. Graham loves Thomas so we knew he'd be thrilled. Kimberly's parents and grandparents came in town for the big event. Graham and Will are riding a ride with Will's Papa, Kimberly's dad, in the last picture. I stayed home with Wesley and took advantage of a quiet house while Wesley slept. Graham loved the time with his daddy, and he always is happy to be around Will.

To top off the day, we took Graham to a birthday party at My Gym. It was for Danny, a friend who is turning 5. There were about 20 5 year olds and Graham at the gym. It was so fun to watch Graham in the middle of the screaming 5 year olds. He ate it up! He wanted to join right in during circle time and as they played with all of the gym equipment. Tim and I marvel at his sense of adventure and his outgoing personality. We don't know where he got that because we were both shy as kids.

Wesley is two months old!

Wesley had his two month check up Friday and weighed in at 11.5 pounds. The doctor said he looks great and is doing very well. He's continuing to smile more and get into a good nap routine during the day. I hope he starts stretching his nighttime feedings, but I'm so thankful he goes right back to sleep now that he's taking the medicine. He still has a pretty fussy time in the evenings, but we're hoping that gets better over the next month.

Graham went to his first day of Mother's Day Out while we went to the doctor. He did very well when I dropped him off, and he didn't want to leave when I picked him up. I think he's really going to like his "new school". They have a great playground and the kids spend an hour on it every day. If the weather is bad, they get to play in the gym. Graham has tons of energy and it's great for him to get to play outside. The only difficult thing was he came home very tired. He stayed quiet during nap time at school but didn't go to sleep. So, when I wanted him to take a nap after he got home, he had a major meltdown. He did settle down and fell asleep on my lap. I think he'll have to have an early bedtime on Fridays.

I enjoyed the day to spend some time shopping, with Wesley, and cleaning the house. I think we're going to like Fridays.

The Sweet Gift of Dear Friends

Some of our very dear friends from Michigan are moving close by. We are soooo excited to have them near us. They were here without their kids this past weekend to look at houses and learn more about the area. We had a wonderful time with them dreaming about all the fun we will have raising our children near each other.

If you think about it, say a prayer for them that they will sell their house in Michigan soon so they can begin to get settled here as a family.

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles!

Graham loves trains, trucks, cars, and anything that has wheels on it.

My Favorite Fellas!

Enjoying Life

We're enjoying more smiles from Wesley.
I think he's enjoying life more now that his tummy feels better.
Tim found this Elmo towel for Graham. Graham loves to run through the house after his bath and flash us. His favorite game right now is chase. He's always saying, "Catch me, Mommy."

A Humble Mom's Thoughts

Wesley has been struggling with reflux problems which was making him pretty fussy after each feeding and keeping him up at night. He is now on medication, and it has started helping a lot. We are all getting more sleep because of it. He is smiling more which is so fun to see. I can be feeling so tired or frustrated, and when he smiles at me, I instantly feel better.

Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it's one of the most important things I'll ever do. These past six weeks have been extremely difficult, but God has been teaching me so much through it. My time with Him has become more precious to me, and He is showing me how much strength and wisdom He can give me when I feel so drained.

I feel so blessed to have two healthy boys, and being a mom brings me a lot of joy. It also has humbled me and shown me my weakness and need for God. For this, I am thankful. When I am weak, He is strong.

Several verses have really stood out to me during this time and here are a few of them. I hope they can encourage some of you.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalms 28:6-7

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Hooray for Sticker Charts and Chuck E. Cheese!

Graham has been struggling with naps for the last month, so my wise friend, Heidi, suggested making a sticker chart to give him some incentive to go to sleep. Everyday that he took a good nap he could put a sticker on his chart. After he earned 7 stickers, he got to go to Chuck E. Cheese. I thought he might like some time alone with me, so I asked him if he wanted to go just with me. He said he wanted Daddy, Mommy, and Baby Wesley to go with him. It made my heart smile that he wanted everyone there-even his little brother.
Wesley spent his first trip to Chuck E. Cheese asleep in the sling.

We had a great time with Graham, and he's already talking about a starting a new chart so he can earn another trip to Chuck E. Cheese.

I'm so thankful for good naps, quiet afternoons, and wise friends!

Wesley is one month old!

This is Graham when he was about 6 weeks old. See any resemblance?

Wesley is beginning to smile some. He also rolled over from his tummy to his back. I'm sure it was just a fluke but it made me excited. He's starting to be more alert and make good eye contact. The evenings are still pretty fussy for him, but he's happy most of the day. He loves to be in the sling so that's where he hangs out a lot. It's a very busy time for us, but I'm trying to enjoy this stage in his life. It'll be a little easier when I start getting more sleep.