Happy FIRST Birthday Tucker Bear!

Click here to read last years post.... March 4, 2009

It's hard to fathom that this time a year ago I was still pregnant. There were still just a few short hours before I would meet you. All this week I've replayed this day in my head. I've asked myself where the time went, how did I let it go so fast? I promise it feels like I feel asleep with a newborn beside me and woke up to find you already turning one.

One year ago today my heart experienced something I wasn't sure was possible. I learned that I could love more then I already loved. I could be in awe of such a tiny little person, again. It amazes me that you are here, you are mine, and how much you've grown. The morning was cold, emotions were running wild (for me anyways), and you would be here sooner then I expected. I remember the day as vividly as I remember yesterday. It was the day I had waited nine months for. Family and friends filled the room and their company kept me calmer then they know.

12:24 p.m., just five hours and twenty-four minutes after arriving at the hospital I held you for the first time. I cried because once again God had blessed me with the greatest blessing a mother can have, a newborn child. You were as cute as I had dreamed, and just as precious as could be. Perfect in every way, ten fingers, ten toes, and healthy. 

I instantly fell in love. I was proud, I was honored. I had that instant motherly connection, and couldn't wait to hold you again! I watched as our friends and family met you for the first time. They were so excited. Everyone was guessing who you looked like and it was obvious, it was your Daddy.

Big Brother, Carter, was on cloud nine. His baby Tucker was here. He immediately stepped into his role as big brother and has been doing an amazing job every since. He shares with you, he watches out for you, and he protects you.

You weighed a small 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Your little round head was covered in red fuzz! You had cheeks of a chipmunk, and the longest slender feet I had ever seen! Those aren't the feet you have now, that's for sure!










The year has flown by me. I look at you here a year later and I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I really do feel like I just brought you home a few short weeks ago. You've changed our family for the good. We are more complete, and share more happiness with you here. You are my thinker. You take everything in and some days you give me a run for my money. You have a quiet, not so sure about this world personality.










I know the year that lies ahead of us will be full of adventure. You're already on the go, there's no stopping you.










I love to hear you babble, I love to watch you dance. When you wrap your pudgy little hand around my finger, my heart melts. You make each day exciting, and each night as I put you to bed I thank God for how perfect you are and how much joy you bring to our lives. Most importantly, you love me regardless of my bad days and always flash me that toothy smile when I need it most.







Your smile will warm many hearts, your giggle will be contagious. Those sparkling blue eyes melt me when you look my way and give me that crooked little smile, just like your Dad.  







Milestones & things you love:
Current weight 24 pounds, go big guy!!
You have 11 teeth, and your 12th will be cutting through any day!
Your not a fan of juice or sweet tea, but you love strawberry soda and of course milk

Walking (01/10/2010)
Says Da-Da
Sleeps through the night

Loves to swing
Loves to dance
Loves to eat...anything!
Love, Love, LOVES bath time, or playing with the shower curtain




Says Bubba
Climbs everything you possibly can
Not a fan of the sippy cup in any way, shape, or form




Enjoys playing in your crib
Giggles when you chase the cats, or Carter
Managed to play in the fireplace coals

Says Nana and Momma all day long
Loves your ABC Learning Bear
Your blanket is a must have to go to sleep

Playing outside

Riding the 4-wheeler

Cows 

Tucker-Bear, I love you. I need you, and God knows that. You remind me that what I'm doing is the most important job of all. Your sunshine smile brightens my day each morning when you wake up. Your giggle makes me giggle, and the little happy dance you do is one I'll never forget. You are a blessing to our family, a joy to my soul! I am so grateful to have you in my life and I can't believe that today you are turning one! It is my prayer that God watches over you, keeps you safe and well! Always know how much I love you!!Happy Birthday my little man. Love you always... Momma. 

Remembering

Remembering back to a year ago tonight, I remember the fear and excitement that filled my mind and heart. I was so nervous but it didn't matter. Everything that everyone told me would fall into place, did. Everything that I fretted over being right, really didn't matter after all. Carter is perfectly okay with having a  brother, so much so that he's now asking for a sister!

God is so very good to me. Tucker has been a blessing to our lives. There have been difficult days but each day a blessing. It feels a little strange to know that a year ago I was waddling around here making sure everything was just so. Our house last year at this very time was spotless, nothing was out of place. Ha, if you were here tonight you'd think a family of about 10 lived here! :)  Now, here I am a mother of two. Still waddling around but only because my back is killing me from lugging that 24 pound cutie around! He was easier to carry around last year!

Carter is so excited about Tucker's birthday tomorrow. Nana is going to come over and go with us to lunch and spend the day with me and the boys. Tomorrow night we have a mini birthday party planned for the birthday boy. Little Bear is lying ever so peacefully in his bed. I could watch him sleep for hours. I can't believe that a year has come and gone. He's my little sunshine, my heart, my joy!  Hope you'll all stay tuned for tomorrow's birthday post for Tucker-Bear!!

Cake, check. Party supplies, check. Mom okay... uncheck.

It's birthday week around these parts. Who, you ask? Tucker's first birthday! I've been singing Happy Birthday to him every morning since Monday. He just looks at me like I'm nuts, and then smiles. He's caught on to how the rest of the family sees me, LOL!!

I'm busy, I'm running like a chicken with my head cut off. You know all the little things you have to have in order before you have sixty guests enter your home. I one of those people that things I have to clean from top to bottom or someone will 'talk' about me. The floors still need to be mopped, bathrooms need to be cleaned, and I have plants that are still awaiting their place on our front porch. Travis tells me each evening, "I'll get them tomorrow"Hmm, we'll see. I bet they get hung Saturday morning at 10:00. The party is at 11:00!

We're doing a farm themed birthday party, pretty fitting huh?  Tucker, has no idea what's going on. Carter is upset that the week is not all about him. He keeps asking if he will get presents, and if his friends are coming to the party.  No, and yes... your friends are the only friends your brother has for now! ;)

I'm in a bit of shock that my little Bear is turning one tomorrow.  I think I have as many emotions about him turning one as I did the morning I went to the hospital to have him.  I'm so grateful for this sweet child. I know God has great plans for him, and I can't wait to watch him grow this coming year.

Now, you all have a job. You have to pray that I don't spend the majority of tomorrow crying. I don't know why I'm so emotional, it's weird. Hmm, who knows.  Hormones, they're a lovely thing!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Time to change a few things

The big 3-0 is creeping up on me. I'm not really concerned about turning 30, but I'd like to make a few changes. I decided yesterday to go darker with my hair, and put some streaks in it. I have also decided that I'm going to do Weight Watchers. I'm not a gym kind of girl, and I don't like diets that only allow me to eat 'their' food.  I am a snacker, a junk food lover, and oh my stars if they did away with fast food or drive thrus' I'd probably cry my eyes out. I love McDonald's. I love french fries, I love Coke, but these things are not going to help my waist that looks more like an tire!

I have about 20-22 pounds that I'd like to lose.  I'd be content with 20, really happy with 22, and ecstatic if I lost 25. I look at pictures of myself and I just shake my head. It's my fault, so it's time that I make the change. I don't really know why I've decided to blog about this, maybe for more accountability who knows.  The weight watchers meetings are on Monday evenings, so maybe I'll do Monday check ins with you all.

Let's just pray I can stay away from the cookies, cakes, and other goodies that line my pantry!  How much willpower can I really put forward????  That my friends is the question. Oh, and of all weeks to start a new weight loss adventure I pick Tucker's first birthday week. Seriously, stress more then normal and I choose this week to count points?! I'm nuts, it's official.

This picture has nothing to do with the post... well maybe the chubby cheeks (and I say Tucker looks nothing like me, yeah right)and that extra chin, but I like it anyways the picture that is, not the chin!!!!

Monster Jam 2010

Last year we decided two hours before the show to take Carter to the monster jam. Travis and I were both extremely sick and I was big, big pregnant but we still went. This year we decided to take him again, and as expected, he loved it!!

Blue Thunder was, and is his all time favorite!  He sat through the entire event patiently awaiting to see Blue Thunder crush the cars and jump the hills. We were at the top of the stadium, and by top I mean about seven rows from the top. I felt a little closer to Heaven Saturday night!  The wind was blowing but our backs were to it so luckily we didn't feel too much of it, but it was still c.o.l.d!  I had on an undershirt, a wool sweater, my gator hoodie, and a windbreaker jacket over that and holy batman I was still freezing. About fifteen minutes before we left I had to put my gloves on. Travis just shook his head in disappointment. I don't know why, he knows I hate the cold.

Anywho, enough about me. Carter was on the edge of his seat the entire night. His excitement really blesses my soul. Seriously, there were times I even caught myself tearing up watching him having such a good time. I know, how silly but it's true. Please, someone, anyone tell me I'm not the only mom that does this. I can only imagine when we take him to Disney, I'll be a complete basket case.  He cheered for Blue Thunder, Superman, and Gravedigger.  To hear him say, "ooh baby, that's what I'm talking about" is absolutely hilarious!!


About twenty minutes before the show was over he looked up at me and said, "can we go home now?" Poor guy was exhausted. He had been up since about 6:45 that morning.  It was close to 11:00!  I asked him if he wanted to watch Blue Thunder jump the cars and he said yes but that he wanted to leave as soon as that part was over. As promised, we left when Blue Thunder rolled over on his side.  The walk to the truck he was still excited. Once Travis put him in his seat, buckled him in it was literally less then five minutes and he was out!!


We enjoyed spending one on one time with Carter-bug. He's growing so quickly, and I know he too misses just having us all to himself.  Nights like this one make us really enjoy each other more.  Now, on to next year. Hopefully we'll order tickets before all that's left are the nose bleed, close to Heaven seats! :)

Beautiful Blogger

This afternoon when I logged on I found that I was given an award. How sweet is that?! Lori over at The Ladybug Lounge felt my blog was worth of the Beautiful Blogger award!!  Thanks Lori! Now, I'll share with you a few blogs that I feel are also worthy of this award. If you enjoy reading, and are looking to follow a few new blogs then check these out!! :)

Fabulous Fuston Family Kara's blog is a joy altogether! Her little girl is just precious!


Journey Blessings My best friend Renee, just joined the blogging world and already she has touched me in so many ways with what she writes.


Life is change. Growth is optional. Sarah is always an inspiration to me. She has a way with writing and I always enjoy what she has to say!  Great music on her site too!

Publish Post

A touching story

Do you ever read something that just over takes you? Are you ever touched by something someone else is going through? I guess what I'm trying to say is tonight as I was reading through new blogs that I've discovered today, and keeping up with the latest Facebook updates, I was moved. I went to a link about a little girl named Layla. As I read the story, I could feel the mother's pain for her child. I could feel the fear, the sense of helplessness, and the love she had for this sweet child of hers. I was moved to tears. My heart ached, and still aches for a family that I don't even know.

I'm going to be very honest tonight, as a reminder to myself. I've discussed that I have whirlwind days around here, days that I feel I accomplish absolutely nothing. This year alone has been trying going from having one child to two. We've had colic, we've had just pure out grumpiness, but that doesn't matter. I've had days that I long for nap time, I long for quietness, but I have to stop doing that. I have to stop worrying about the dust, the laundry that's building mounds, and quit wishing nap time would come sooner. My children will only be this size once. They'll only need me this much for such a short time in their lives. I worry about things that really don't matter. It is my prayer tonight that God will show me even on my toughest of days that the whining, or the crying, the messes, whatever it may be that day are blessings. I pray that I find a calm, and a way to enjoy the times that normally make me want to pull my hair out. All to often, I lose it. I get frustrated when I really shouldn't, and I need reminding that I can't stress the small stuff. I say this to say that I've been praying to God seeking a way to be a better mother. A more calm, laid back, go with the flow mom. I want to be a mom that my boys enjoy... everyday!  I don't want them to remember a mom that yells or constantly says no, or has too many 'un-necessary' rules (come on, you know what I'm talking about).

Tonight when I clicked on Layla's story and read the words her mother had written there was no doubt in my mind that God led me to that blog. He led me there to show me that I have so very much to be thankful for. I have healthy children. That alone is one of the greatest blessings I could ever have. I take so much for granted. So what that Tucker's cutting his fourth tooth this week, had diarrhea, and a low-grade fever. This week I thought I was going to lose my mind at some points. He wouldn't let me put him down, he only wanted me. Looking back now, I'm ashamed of myself. I'm ashamed that I take for granted that he's waddling up and down the hall, dragging toys from one room to the other, or spilling milk or cookie crumbs on my freshly mopped floors. He's healthy, so why am I complaining? I hate to admit I watched the clock for nap time. How dare I?  How dare I not want to spend every waking moment listening to their sweet voices? I prayed for these children, and now I pray for nap time?! How absolutely ungrateful do I sound???  These are all questions I've been pondering since I read this story.

Tonight, this mother that I don't even know has reminded me that holding my boys is the most important thing on my to-do list for today, tomorrow, next week, and three months from now. Playing Hi-Ho CherryO for the tenth time is what really matters. Layla's mother dreams of having 'those' days back. Sweet Layla has been diagnosed with cancer, and she is really struggling with it now. This family, like all of us, is not promised tomorrow with Layla. They are living their lives minute by minute, second by second. I'm not promised tomorrow with my boys. I have to live each day as if it were their last. I can still be their "Momma" and have rules, but I must let go of the little things. Their giggles won't sound this way forever. Their cries, won't last forever. The chaotic evenings will soon be a thing of the past. One day I'll stand within these four walls and dream of having the noise, the ruckus, the busyness back in my life. Just moments ago, Carter says, "Daddy, can I just sleep in your room on the floor?  I only have two mommy and daddy days (a.k.a Saturday and Sunday)" I would usually say no, you need to sleep in your room. Not tonight. He's in our room lying on the floor watching Swamp Loggers. If those are the little things that he'll remember, then so be it. Times are changing around here, you here me?!

Lord, forgive me. Forgive me for not enjoying each and every moment that You have given me with Carter and Tucker. Forgive me for wishing days away, or wishing for the peaceful days of my past. Change me Lord, make me into the mother You would have me to be. Let me be a mother that doesn't wish the day away. Teach me to be more compassionate, and understanding on the days when they need me more then most. Thank You for this sweet family that is battling cancer with their young child. Give them comfort, peace, and strength. I pray that You wrap Your loving arms around them and let them know they are not alone. Carry them, may their hearts never lose the joy they've shared with Layla. May their final days with her be peaceful. We don't understand why cancer strikes, Lord, but we know you are in control. I pray that through this little girl that Your love will be shown. I pray that you bless this family even in their extreme time of need. I thank you that I came across their story, because it has changed my heart.   Amen.




I don't have a huge number of followers, but it's not about numbers. God doesn't care how many there are, He just cares that we all come together. I ask each of you that reads this post tonight to keep this dear family in your prayers. I am proof tonight that you do not have to know someone to be touched by their story, or to pray for them. If this story has touched your heart tonight, please visit http://laylagrace.org/   and let the family know you are praying for them.  Thank you!

Friday Follow

I love reading blogs. I love meeting new people, and today I've decided to meet even more new bloggers!  I'm participating in the Friday Follow.  This is a fun way for us to all find new blogs that we enjoy reading, and meeting new followers of our own!  If you are a blog lover, follow the link to Friday Follow and list your blog as well!!!

I look forward to seeing your link there!!! :) If you're visiting from Friday Follow, thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy your visit and come back soon!!

Happy Friday my dear friends!!!!