Birthday Blessing Weekend Extravaganza- Part 2

Sunday, September 2nd, was Grace's actual birthday. However, because that was the day we were blessing Christian, we decided to celebrate her birthday on September 1st.

The day started out in standard birthday fashion: balloons covering the living room floor. Did I mention that my baby is three? THREE! When on earth did that happen?

She opened a few gifts from Mema and Poppy. Bed-head was in full force.

 Then it was a trip to the donut place for donuts with "Pink frosting with sparkles," according to Grace. Grandee and the birthday girl.

 Eating the actual donut part is totally optional

 Hi Papa.

 After we got ready for the day we all headed up to the big mall to meet up with Stacey, Cade, and the kids for Chick-Fil-A (what else?) and a carousel ride.

Christian got a picture with his two Grandpas and we called this group the "Chrome Dome Trio."

 We all made it home for naps and meal prep and then headed to the pool for a BBQ

 Christian getting some love from Phoebe

 We dipped Christian in the pool for the first time and he was definitely not a fan. The water was super warm, but I guess it just wasn't his style. He required some love from Stacey to recover from the unfortunate water dipping experience.

 Love this Phoebe.

Aaron passed on his Kabob grilling duties to the other men so that he could head to the airport to pick up Trey. Trey Clark meeting Christian Clark for the first time.

 We headed inside for presents and cake. I honestly don't think we have ever had so many people in our apartment before. It was blissful chaos.

 We ended the night with Grace's favorite part. She has been talking about her "Party Cake" for months. We went to Costco together so that she could pick out which cake she wanted. She was thoroughly disappointed when we couldn't take it home with us when we ordered it. Finally it was time for her party cake.

She requested to eat the blue balloon. I'm pretty sure it was the only part of the cake that she ate. And unfortunately it led to her spitting up blue in her bed that night, and I think it dyed all of her insides blue.

But overall, her birthday was a success. An entire day to love on a spoil my girl.

Birthday Blessing Weekend Extravaganza- Part 1

Friday, August 31st, was airport pick-up day. It would be the start to the Birthday Blessing Weekend Extravaganza. An all out party of sorts. Despite having a history of failed airport pick-ups (remember this one?), I decided to attempt two airport pick-ups in one day. Aaron and I are very lucky kids and both sets of parents were able to come out for the blessing. We made DFW our home away from home that day.

My parents were the first to arrive that morning. Shockingly, my posse and I made it with time to spare and met my parents at the baggage claim.

 This was the first time that my Dad, aka Poppy, or P. Pops Anon, met Christian. They spent the morning bonding. Christian always made me work for smiles, but gave them away quite easily when Poppy was around.

While my parents headed to their hotel to check in, I packed up my posse and we headed back to the airport for round two. And, wouldn't you know, we made it on time then too. We even had the chance to go to the bathroom beforehand.

We waited by their baggage claim and a few minutes later Grandee and Papa arrived. Grace was in heaven. Two sets of Grandparents in one day, pure bliss. This was also the first time that Aaron's Dad, aka Papa, was meeting Christian, so some airport snuggles were in order. Unfortunately, due to a cell phone mix-up (and how ridiculously crowded the airport was) I wasn't able to get any pictures with Aaron's parents at the airport :(.

Once they were settled in their hotel we all went off for some dinner.

Dear Blog,

I've missed you.

Love,

Kara

I really enjoy blogging. There is something extremely therapeutic about writing down my thoughts during any given point and being able to put pictures with those thoughts. Unfortunately due to recent circumstances and attempting to find my "new normal" I haven't been able to blog, and that, my friends, makes me sad. It isn't for lack of desire, but more purely for a lack of time. I keep thinking at some point I will catch up, but that has yet to happen. So for the next few weeks I will do my best to get back on track, whilst mixing past events and currents events as I'm able to catch up to them. I'm being forced into a much more "go with the flow" lifestyle instead of the uptight "I want things done a specific way," that I used to jam with. Having two kids will beat the "tightwad-i-ness" right out of you, that's for dang sure.

In the meantime, here is a picture to hold you over.

I had to go to the store to buy more diapers but was one diaper short. CCB in a size 5 diaper.

Told you I was learning how to go with the flow.

Back to School, Back to School...

After an intense, 9am to 9pm week-long orientation, Aaron was prepped and ready for his first day of school. I wanted to get a picture of him by the front door with the kids so that I could compare it to his last day of school pictures. Christian will be two for heavens sake! Unfortunately Grace was still asleep, so it was just Christian in the picture.

People had informed us of what to expect with Aaron getting his MBA. I had heard things like, "It's crazy and super intense." But just like with marriage, and having kids, you have no idea what it is actually like until you're in those phases of life. So, I convinced myself that despite the warnings, business school would be cake compared to Aaron's job. Holy moly, was I wrong. He is on campus from 7am to 11:30pm during the week and normally goes back to campus on Saturday for study groups, or seminars, etc. There were a few days last week where Grace never saw Aaron, morning or night.

In response to this sudden change (and one I was warned would happen), we have fallen back into busy season mode where we text and send pictures all day.

Took the kiddos to the fountains. I'm loving the weather in the low 90s.

 All aboard the basket train. Poor Christian.

 Headed to the doctor with this chunky-monkey in tow.

 Apparently I should have put sunscreen on before I sat outside at the splash pad with Grace.

 Dinner time!

 This is a common sight. It's just how my posse rolls.

 Worst. Day. Ever.

 Grace is getting more brave with the fountains. She is actually standing on one!

 CCB is a gangsta.

 Always fear Grace being quiet whilst nursing the baby

 Grace was disappointed when I couldn't play "Candies" with her, but was excited when she realized she could just have Christian play with her.

Hopefully things will calm down, and if not, hopefully the days go by quickly. Until then, I am extremely grateful for my phone camera.

Always Remember, Never Forget

I took note of September 11th on the calendar and reminded myself to do something patriotic for today. I'm ashamed to say that in years past I have actually forgotten beforehand and treated it as any other day.

I remember in the days that followed 9/11 I told myself that I could never, and would never, forget that day. The thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sights that I took in and experienced are engrained in my mind. I could tell you when, where, and how I was at any given point that day. But years of change, and growth, and thousands of other thoughts and responsibilities have laid neatly over the top of those memories. And in years past I haven't dug down deep to find them, and give that day the remembrance and respect that it deserves.

But this year, I made sure it was different. Last night I laid in bed and told Aaron, "Tomorrow is September 11th, I'm going to dress us all up in red, white, and blue." Aaron said, "That's a really good idea." Mentally I already had everyone's outfits picked out.

Wearing patriotic colors is not the grandest of gestures, but it was symbolic for me in remembering what happened on this day 11 years ago.

It's crazy for me to think about these two beautiful little babes that weren't even here on that fateful day. I wonder if they will talk about it in school. Will it be in their history books? They have never known life without the day that America was attacked. I hope I can do it justice and make them truly understand the selfless sacrifice of those who fought to save others.

I'm sure they'll roll their eyes and think "My Mom is so old she was actually alive when 9/11 happened." But maybe, just maybe, they will learn to respect this day and to love this country the way I did 11 years ago.

To all of those in the military and the service men and women throughout the world, thank you so much for fighting for our country, and for allowing me to raise my kids in this wonderful, and free, nation.

God Bless the USA.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Christian was born with a full head of hair. The back was more lush but the top had it's fair share as well. I looked forward to the days and weeks of normal hair, and smiled at the thought of not having to bring my hair cutting shears off of the shelf after I had retired them due to the Justin Beiberizing incident. 

But as the days drifted on, so did his hairline, and he lost all the hair to the crown of his head.

I shouldn't have been surprised since his genetic code had "baby receding hairline" written all over it. My Dad rocked the look way back in the day,

And so did Aaron.

More recently was Grace. Her hairline was identical to the one that Christian started rocking.

Christian had new hairs growing in.

However, the blond baby hairs had no effect on his Mr. Clean-ness.

I remember thinking when I got Grace's haircut at 3 months, that it was ridiculously early to be cutting my child's hair. At a mere 7 weeks I was itching to cut Christian's but still felt totally crazy for doing it since he was only 7 weeks old.

One fateful Friday, I decided to go for it. I took some before pictures.

Comb-over?

I got the clippers out and found the shortest plastic covering and got to work. I was surprised by how much hair I actually cut off, and I definitely left patches all over the place (I had zero desire to subject my poor baby to more haircutting in order to fix them), but I was pleased with the results. Even hair all the way around.

I then sent a picture out to Aaron informing him of Christian's new 'do.

The haircut made him look so different to me and I found myself staring at him trying to take in his new "look." Despite the difference I was so glad that I cut it, and I will admit, all of the "he looks like an old man" comments totally stopped.

I love my little buzz cut boy.

The Second Baby

Having the second baby has been a different experience for me than having the first. With Grace I was always worried about doing the wrong thing. I wanted to do everything the experts suggested/required. I wanted to hold her enough, but not too much. Feed her the right amount at the right time. Lay her in the proper positions without blankets, and not have her in our room very long to establish boundaries. I had absolutely no experience to go off of and desperately wanted to do the "right things" to make sure my child had the optimal growing and learning experience. Even typing this all out makes me look back and know that I was being totally ridiculous. But, in all honestly, that is exactly how I felt.

The second time around I basically said "screw it" and I did whatever the heck I wanted. I didn't let my mind be governed by outside rules or restrictions that told me this was better than that. I still practiced necessary caution and safety, of course, but when it came down to what was "best" for my baby, my policy was just to love him as much as I wanted.

It made the first days and weeks of Christian's life pure bliss. I'd nuzzle his neck and breathe in that newborn baby smell, convincing myself that oxygen was totally overrated and newborn baby smell was all I needed to survive. I'd slowly trace my finger across the skin on his face watching and trying to memorize the way his eyes shut and slowly reopened as I traced my finger down the ridge of his nose.

 I'd kiss his lips, his cheeks, his chin, his belly and whisper into his ear, "I love you so much baby boy."

In the mornings after I nursed him I'd lay him in between me and Aaron and pat his back until all of us unintentionally fell asleep.

There would be moments where Christian would be sitting in his bouncy seat and I'd pick him up and hold him because, gosh darn it all, newborns shouldn't have to sit in a seat they should be loved and cuddled and held all the live-long day.

The different perspective helped me to soak up and cherish these newborn moments. I had done this before and it flew by so quickly that I knew I couldn't take it for granted again. I did my best to live in the moment and I feel like those sweet experiences, the ones where the minutes and seconds seemed to stop ticking by, are now engrained in my memory, cutting deep grooves into my mind.

I can feel the newborn-ness fading and Christian is starting to coo and become aware of his surroundings and as I watch his brain taking in this new world that he is a part of, I know that he is growing up. Although I will miss this phase I know that I really, truly, did enjoy it with everything that I had, and I look forward to the next phase that is coming.