Christmas 2013...

Christmas 2013 was memorable but alas, is over. For one, it was Baby Drew's first Christmas. Two, it was the second one we spent at our house. And three, we got to find out what Baby McGehee is...(a boy!  Sorry, Boo, you should update your blog more often. My almost-1-year old boy is older than your 2-year old in blog posts...).

Both David Scott and Drew seemed to love Christmas. DS is starting to understand the reason for the season...even if he gets a little (or a lot) sidetracked by all the presents. And Baby Drew spent most of his time this season crawling over to the tree to mess with ornaments, or pull down lights, or just try to get under the tree. I know plenty of people who don't put up a tree or who put up a really small one when the kids are little, but we are not some of those people. We went with a ceiling-grazing 10-ft tall tree this year...Note to Self:  9.5' would be sufficient for future years. 

Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house was really nice. Traveling with one child had gotten more difficult with all the "logistics" involved. And last year, I was so close to delivery, that we had Christmas at our house and everyone pretty much catered to me (really nice!). So this year, with two kiddos, we asked out families ever so nicely about making some adjustments to our typical holiday festivities. Having been there and done that with us when we were kids, everyone was more than accommodating. So MiMi, Mamaw, and Lee came to our house Christmas Eve and stayed through Christmas Day. Then we left te day after to go to Winnsboror for Christmas with Gran, Papa, Boo, Dusty, and Big-brother-to-be, Anders. Both gatherings were nice, not stressful, and semi-relaxing. And although we were able to continue most of our respective family traditions, we did have to miss out on some. So who knows what we'll be doing in the future for Christmas, but I feel like we may have more holidays at home than we've had in the past.

My LoveBug...

Pre-Christmas excitement!

Really, Mom...more pics???

It's a Christmas Gift Explosion...

"Now can we eat banana bread???"

Baby's First Christmas...

Finally, Boo is having a baby in May!  She and Dusty found out a little before Christmas what the baby's gender was. But they were waiting until Christmas to share it with the families. She had a pacifier ornament wrapped up and when DS opened it (Anders was too involved in playing), it was revealed to be a BLUE pacifier!  Another boy!  A sweet baby brother for Anders!  Another nephew for "Aunkie Sayah" (Aunt/Uncle Sarah :/ )!  Another cousin for my boys!  And a FOURTH (!) grandson for Gran and Papa (and Bud Bud, too!). 

11 Months...

Drewsky,

You turned 11 months old on December 9th!  I can't believe you're almost a year old. Time has certainly flown by. You're starting to say little words here and there and it's so cute. Like when David Scott was a baby, we LOVE watching you reach each milestone, learn new words, and become your own little person. People are always commenting on how happy you are -- and you are a happy baby...especially if I am holding you or are nearby. My little Mama's Boy...I love it!  You have the sweetest smile and gorgeous green eyes; and your strawberry blonde hair is the cherry on top of all your gorgeousness!

Drew, currently you are:

• 28 1/2 inches tall

• 22.5 pounds

• wearing 12-18 month clothes

• wearing size 3.5 shoes but you're growing out of them

• wearing size 3 diapers but I'm about to put you in size 4s to sleep

• still on formula and taking about 4-5 bottles a day; we'll be moving to whole milk soon!

• eating a bunch of table foods but I still give you baby food too 

• saying words:  Mama, Dada, this, hey, bye-bye, Dav-s (David Scott). You've also said Papa and thank you a couple of times. 

• so close to walking!  You've taken two steps in succession a few times but that's all. You use everything as a prop to help you stand and cruise all over the place. It won't be long!  For now, you just go Mach-10 crawling everywhere. 

We can't wait to celebrate our first Christmas as a family of four -- and your very first Christmas!  

Love, Mama

4 Years Old...

David Scott Rainwater, Jr.  My boy.  One of my greatest blessings. My Lovebug turned 4 on the 18th; we had his superhero-themed birthday party two days before. A great time was had by all as we celebrated the boy who loves Batman. Superhero costumes/apparel were worn by most of our guests. And the cake. Oh my!  It was amazing. 

Most importantly, though, here's an update on my favorite 4-year old:

David Scott,

You are your father made over.  You are full of life and character. You also seem to have a pretty good sense of right and wrong...and we've figured out your "tell" if you are not telling the truth...you avert your eyes. You are strong-willed and won't hesitate to throw a fit if we want you to do something you don't agree with -- like going to bed, or wearing something besides a Batman/superhero shirt. You recently told me that "listening is not my favorite thing."  We know that, because, if you get in trouble at school, it is almost always for not listening -- to your teacher, the soccer coach, or your TumbleTime instructor. But you love to help and will do almost anything if it involves "helping." You have such a big heart. And you love to snuggle with Daddy or me and you do not hesitate to say you love somebody; you love your family. You love, love, love Baby Drew and he unequivocally returns the love and adoration. I can't wait to hear him say your name which you are trying to teach him is "David Scott Rainwater, Jr.," which it of course is, but there's no way your little brother is going to be able to say your whole name any time soon. But it's still cute for you to occasionally request it. You are a great eater and will try just about anything...including sushi -- you recently are a few bites of my crunchy roll...delish. 

You love to watch movies and totally get engrossed in them blocking out everything else (...not listening). Your favorites are -- what else -- anything superhero-related. Daddy took you to see the second "Thor" movie on your birthday. You had a great time and I hope you're able to continue this tradition as you went to another movie on your birthday last year.  To celebrate on your birthday, we also went to eat "bread, french fries, and fruit" (aka Outback) for supper. 

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday -- helped by the fact that I kept a time log of the events. It doesn't seem like you've been mine for just four years. In some ways, it seems like my life began on November 18th four years ago. And in a way, I guess it did. I literally have no clue what I did in my "spare time" before your arrival.  I know I went to a lot more football games and movies than I get to go to these days. But I also know that life wasn't nearly as joyful as it is today. I know I got to sleep later on weekends.  Both you and Drew are early birds like your Daddy. I've never really been the sleep-til-noon type, but sleeping til 7 is a luxury these days. Because even when Daddy takes parental duties to let me sleep later some weekends, I can hear you laughing and having such a good time that I usually don't sleep in past 7:30 or so as I want to join in on the fun/can't sleep due to all the fun happening throughout the house. 

At four years old, here are a few fun facts about you. You are:

• 36 pounds

•  ? inches tall (I need to measure you)

• wearing 3T pants and 4T shirts with size 9.5 or 10 shoes

• capable of dressing/undressing yourself but you prefer to have help

• loving pizza, cereal, and guacamole as your favorite foods

• changing favorite colors -- blue has always been your favorite but you've recently expressed a love for green

• wanting to be a daddy and an "animal doctor" when you grow up. Two excellent choices, in my opinion. 

I am so proud of the boy you've become and will continue to evolve into. I can't believe you're almost big enough for real school. It's so bittersweet to see your child getting older and growing more independent and confident. But mostly, being your Mama makes me proud:  Proud of your concern for others and the love you show to your friends and family. Proud of the good manners you use most of the time...something many kids these days don't exhibit, strangely enough. Proud of the sweet, funny, lively, always-on-the-go, curious, talkative boy that you are. My heart is full...

Love, 

Mama

10 Months...

Gah!  Here we are at the end of another month and I haven't done my monthly update on Baby Drew. But for the one or two people who actually read my blog, here it is:

My Sweet Baby,

You turned 10 months old on November 9th. And boy are you growing!  Currently, you are:

• 21 pounds

• 28 Inches tall

• wearing size 3 diapers (still)

• wearing size 3.5 or 4 shoes

• wearing 12 months-sized clothes -- even some that are 18-months!  I don't think you are that big, but you're bigger than some of the over-12-months old kids who will be in your next class at daycare. 

• still taking 4-5 bottles a day and eating more and more people food and less baby food. So far you've had at least a bite twelve of pretty much everything we eat. You especially like guacamole, ravioli, and anything with rice. Mama's Boy...

• still cruising on the furniture -- but more than you have been...really cruising now, though. 

• cutting your 8th tooth -- the fourth one on the bottom. 

Baby Drew, you can be so sweet, giving me kisses...just before you try to bite me, always wanting to be held...only by me. You really are a Mama's Boy.  I love it!  Really, I do. I know this time is fleeting and one day you and David Scott will be bigger and won't want to be with your mom. So I will continue to purposefully enjoy the chaos, exhaustion, and frustration because it comes along with much joy, excitement, and pride with each new milestone you boys reach. 

Love, 

Mama 

9 Months...

Baby Drew,

You are growing and learning so fast!  My baby is turning into a big boy. My littlest love, you are such a sweetheart...to me...you are such a little Mama's boy. You do fine at daycare, but at home, you want me and me only. But I'll give you a pass because I know this stage is fleeting and one day you'll just roll your eyes at me. So I'll continue to enjoy it. :) My little Drewsky, you are currently:

• 20 pounds

• 28 inches tall

• wearing size 3 diapers

• wearing size 3.5 shoes

• wearing 9-12 month sized clothes

• eating baby food and some adult food -- rice, mashed potatoes, little pieces of meat, noodles, etc.  I haven't given you much that you didn't like. You're snacking on puffs, crackers, and Cheerios. 

• you're crawling at turbo speed all over the place. You're pulling up on everything and cruising on some furniture. You're also standing unassisted for a couple of seconds at a time. You'll be walking before too long. 

• you can say Mama, Dada, bye, and hey. 

• you WORSHIP David Scott. You want to be wherever he is and doing whatever he's doing. You like to wrestle with him and don't seem to be the least but bothered when he plays a little rough with you. 

• you have a total of 6 teeth but I think another will be here imminently. 

Love always,

Mama

8 Months...

Baby Drew, 

Now that you are crawling, you are able to get all over the house. And little guy, you are fast!  You and David Scott are playing together and he likes for you to "chase" him as he runs in circles (around you) through the living room and dining room. You also follow him wherever he goes which is nice most of the time since I can kind of corral you and "guide" you to the part of the house I need you -- or don't need you -- to be in. You are growing so fast and I know you'll be all grown up in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday that we were enjoying this phase of your big brother's baby-hood...and now he's almost 4. My little butter bean, you are currently:

• 20 pounds

• 26 inches tall

• wearing size 3 diapers

• wearing a few 6-month, but mainly 9-12-month-sized clothes

• I have no clue what size shoes you wear because I never put shoes on you. I'm sure that will change soon. 

• cutting 2 top teeth -- that makes two on bottom and four on top!

• pulling up on everything -- the ottoman, a side table, your exersaucer, chairs, toys...everything. I think you'll be walking before your first birthday. 

• eating baby food at every meal and taking about 5 6-oz bottles a day. 

• sleeping through the night. You go to sleep about 7:30 and wake up about 5:30 or 6. Every day. Even on weekends. I'm not sure when you'll want to sleep late on weekends, but DS still hasn't gotten the memo either as that is still his wake-up time every day as well. 

You are generally a happy baby and everyone comments on how happy and good-natured you (and your brother) are. I don't know how we lucked out with you boys, but we hit the jackpot with you two. Don't get me wrong, you can both throw epic fits, but fortunately those only come when you're tired. We love you, sweet boy!

Love, 

Mama

Vacation 2013...

We spent a week in Orange Beach at our "go-to" condo. With it being on the beach, and with both outside and inside pools and a splash pool for the smaller ones, we love this particular place (Escapes! To the Shores is the name). We had a good time. The first part of the week was just us and then Mamaw, MiMi, and Lee drove down/over for the last few days.

Before I include the pics, here are a few things we learned:

1.  Don't lose your parking ticket when you go to the New Orleans Aquarium which is what happened when we stopped there as we were making our way to the beach. It costs $72 instead of the $15 that it would have. Barf. 

2.  Scotty should only wear cheap sunglasses or maybe just don't wear your good sunglasses in the water. 

3.  Always pack board games for when it rains. You should know by now that there will be at least one rainy day while you're there. 

4.  Don't go to the zoo at the beach after it rains. It's muddy and it smells. Really bad. Also, don't forget the sunscreen or a hat for your baby. Luckily they sold sunscreen at the zoo, but still...

5.  No matter the size of your vehicle, over-packing is apparently a requirement and your vehicle will never be big enough. 

But here are some pics:

Brotherly love...upon arrival...

Loved, loved, loved the beach...

Buried in the sand...

Happy baby...

Sweetheart

Daddy and his boys...

Mama and her big boy...

DS got to "jump like Spiderman" at The Hangout...

Feeding the animals at the zoo...

I was so excited to meet up with Alicia and meet her twins!

Mamaw and her favorite great-grandsons (and their mama!)

Mimi loved trying to get Drew to smile

Happy boys!  Love the beach!

Lee, Mimi, Scotty

7 Months...

Drew, 

It's too bad you weren't born at the end of the month b/c then my posts would be on time since that's when I seem to post these monthly updates for you. This past month, though, we've been pretty busy...chasing after you (and David Scott, of course). On August 9th, you turned 7 months old, my sweet boy. It was that evening, when you did your first "real" crawl in the living room!  We knew it was coming but had just assumed you'd do the army crawl for a couple of months like your big brother did. Nope!  You just went for it and have been going 90 to nothing ever since. You're also starting to pull up on stuff and several times I've had to come "rescue" you when you've gotten up but couldn't get back down. Needless to say, we lowered your crib mattress this month too. 

You are currently:

• 19 1/2 pounds

• 25 inches in length

• wearing 6-9 month and some 12-month outfits too, Chunky Monkey!

• I don't really know what size shoes you're wearing as we rarely put you in shoes. 

• wearing a size 3 diaper

• exclusively on formula and baby food. You seem to like everything we've put in front of you, which makes me think you might be a good eater like DS is. He will eat just about anything!

• sleeping through the night!!!!!!!!!  I cannot stress enough how happy this makes me. When everyone in the household gets a full night's sleep, things are much more pleasant. You usually go to sleep around 8 (give or take 20 minutes) each night and will usually wake up about 6:30 the next morning. 

• cutting teeth.  You have two teeth on the bottom and I think you're about to have one or two coming in up top. 

• a generally happy baby...unless you are tired or hungry...or just want Mama, which seems to be happening more and more lately. I'll blame it on the teething for now. :)

• babbling...a lot!  You can say, "Hey," which was the first recognizable word you said and you've said, "Mama" a bunch. We're working on "Daddy/Dada" and poor David Scott desperately wants you to say his name, but I don't know how to tell him that it's probably gonna be a while before you're able to say his mouthful of a name. He prefers that you call him "Big Brother" if "David Scott" is too hard. I keep suggesting "BB" for "Big Brother" which would be much easier for you, but nobody seems to like that suggestion, so we'll keep working on it. 

You are a sweet boy and you love playing with Big Brother. I have to frequently remind him that you're still a baby and he's being too rough, but it's kind of hard to enforce when you're constantly giggling anytime you play together. My sweet boys. So cute and sweet with one another. David Scott is so proud of you and likes to introduce everyone to you and show you off wherever we go...even at daycare. Every day. It makes my heart swell knowing how much he loves you and how much you adore him.  

Love, Mama

6 Months...

Here we are. Another month has passed. And I have got to get more timely with my posts. Granted, I'm not as behind as Boo who still hasn't posted about my nephew's first birthday...last October...but still...

Drew,

You are such a mess. You can be high maintenance at times (i.e. if you are hungry, tired, or just want your Mama), otherwise, you're pretty content -- especially in the morning. I certainly can't complain. Or not that much anyway as you do your fair share of spitting up all over me and you pull my hair every day even when it's pulled up, you find a way. But when you are happy, you are one happy boy -- cooing and laughing, especially if your big brother is nearby. You two were playing with one another so sweetly just a little earlier this evening. Without further ado, my boy, you are currently:

- 17.5 pounds
- 24.5 inches
- wearing size 6-9 month clothes
- wearing size 3 diapers
- sitting up, and you do pretty good but can be unsteady at times so we keep the area around you pretty padded to avoid any issues with you tumping over (side note: is "tumping over" a real phrase?)
- cutting your two bottom teeth; they've broken the surface
- eating baby food in addition to now being totally on formula. And BTW, you haven't met a baby food flavor you haven't liked. I hope you are a good eater like David Scott.
- trying to crawl. And making progress. You'll be crawling before we know it!

You are such a joy to us (even when you're screaming/crying), and I always try to remember that you're only a baby this one time. Even if I have to get up with you in the middle of the night, I try and cherish that time. I love you, my little Lovebug.

Mama

Father's Day 2013

This year, Scotty and David Scott went to  see "Superman" at the movies on Father's Day. Drew and I met them for lunch afterward and then we went home afterward to play and relax. Or at least, that was the plan. We ended up working in the yard before it was time for any relaxation.

Scotty works so hard to provide for our family. And then on the one day of the year when he'd have a free pass for relaxation at home, he wanted to take his big boy to the movies and work in the yard. He is the best. One of the gifts Scotty got for Father's Day was a framed Q&A with David Scott. His answers were hilarious and Scotty loved it. Best gift ever, he said.  I am so fortunate to have such an amazing person as my husband an the father of our boys.

 

5 Months...

I'm convinced the time is passing quicker with two kids vs just one as I blink and it's already been a month since my last post. We've not been doing much other than hanging at the house playing, swimming, watching movies, grilling, and generally enjoying life with our little family. However, in the meantime, Drew turned 5 months old. 

• 17 lbs
• 26 inches in length 
• wearing a size 3 diaper
• a "supported sitter," but you have sat up, unsupported a bunch
• drooling non-stop.  I've called you "Drewl" a few times. 
• cutting 2 teeth.  On the bottom, your two front teeth are coming in.
• mastering all of your musical, noise-making "things."  You've been shaking the rattle and keys, but now, when sitting in your stationary/exersaucer/bouncer thing, you hit the keys to trigger the music.  You also hit the music-maker with your feet while on your activity mat. 
• you really only cry when you're hungry or you're tired. However, most evenings you also indulge in the witching hour which is fun...not.
• just starting to jump a good bit and being more active in general. 
• eating baby food at dinnertime most nights.  This last week was carrots and then sweet potatoes. We'll try squash and maybe some peaches next week. 
• still waking once in the middle of the night.  A couple of nights you woke up multiple times. I blame this on teething.   
• blowing raspberries and starting to kind of baby talk back to us. You're also starting to give "sugar" which I just love getting. 

The summer is flying by. And these boys are growing up and changing with every day. We're doing our best to slow it down...but have not quite mastered exactly how to do that. 

4 Months...

Drew,
At 4 months old, you are:
• 15.5 pounds
• 23 3/4 inches long
• wearing size 2 diapers
• wearing size 3-6 months clothes
• STILL eating every 3-4 hours.
• STILL taking catnaps during the day. But...STILL sleeping good at night. You wake up between. 2 and 4 am if you wake up at all. I know I certainly appreciate that!
• eating baby cereal once or twice a day; you take it pretty good!
• you can roll over both ways. But you like to be held most of the time so you really don't spend that much time on the floor at home. Besides the fact that I miss your face during the day, I know you get enough of that at daycare. :)
• you are keeping your hands in your mouth. A lot! But no sign of any teeth just yet.
• you babble, making incoherent sounds to us and smile SO big. I love your dimple.
• you've got cradle cap or some kind of rash on your head. Dr. K suggested we put some hydrocortisone on it which helps a ton. I think laying on your mat also irritates it which is another reason why we don't really lay you down in the evenings.

Big Guy, you are getting too big too fast. But I love the fun stages you're about to get into -- sitting up, trying to crawl, ahhh! Goodbye, baby blob! Hello, interactive baby! You ADORE your big brother. It doesn't matter if he's singing his ABC's or harassing you, you always have a huge grin on your face every time you see him. I hope you always look up to him and that he continues to love having a little brother. Siblings are your oldest and lifelong friends and I hope you and David Scott are as close as Daddy and I are to ours.

Love,
Mama

Mother's Day 2013

This was my first Mother's Day as the mama of TWO kiddos. Two is definitely different from one -- and not in a bad way other than there not being enough hours in the day to devote a whole lot of one-on-one time with my D-Sco right now. But he doesn't seem to mind too much. And when he does, I try to stop whatever it is I'm doing so I can focus on his needs. A lot of the time, I'm in the middle of folding clothes or unloading the dishwasher -- both of which I will happily abandon in favor of more time with my big boy.

As I've said before, I'm convinced my purpose on this Earth is to be a mother. And although I couldn't be a SAHM to my kiddos at this age, I'm grateful to have the option of working while sending them to a daycare where they are both loved and are taught new things daily. I have truly enjoyed these last 3.5 years of being a mother and I love getting to know my boys better and better with each passing day. Being a Mama is so bittersweet, but as long as the sweet outweighs the bitter, I am ok with that.

What's Going On...

Whew! We have been busy taking care of two little boys. We've had a few fun things in between parenting duties and work, but not much.

David Scott has been playing soccer at daycare since last fall (or was it summer? I don't remember). We decided to let him play in the spring league. His games were at 8:30 every Saturday (except for the one before Easter) for about 8 weeks. I think most of the family got to come see him play for one game or another. It was...an experience. And I'm sure DS would tell you he loved it, but it was brutal for Scotty and me. There was joy, frustration, numerous tears, numerous goals made, complaints, pouting, excitement, and pride. And that held true for every single game. Like I said, brutal. Needless to say, we will continue the weekly soccer lesson at school, but are not going to participate in the summer soccer league.

Fierce...

Showing off his "participation medal..."

DS had his first field trip to the strawberry farm. He loves "strawbabies" as he used to call them, and he told me as much throughout the morning. We could never have a strawberry farm; David Scott would eat all our profits. He was literally eating them as quickly as I could put them in the bucket. They were delicious, though.

Lots of messy strawberry juice on that cute face...

We have some other fun things coming up -- a field trip to see Disney on Ice, which DS thinks is us going skiing, no matter how many times I tell him it's a story, like a movie, and that we won't actually be on the ice. He's going to be sorely disappointed tomorrow when he can't throw snowballs at his friends. Then next week, DS starts his 2-week session of swimming lessons. And then at some point, we've talked about him playing t-ball if somebody (ahem, Scotty) would register him for summer. He seems to be much more adept at t-ball than soccer. Hopefully it will be a much more pleasant experience for us all.

Twins!  (Can't get pic to rotate)

And Baby Drew is just growing like a weed. He's still a carbon copy of his big brother except for his cute dimple. He turned. 4-months old today so I'll do a post on that in the next few days (I hope).

Scotty and I have both had a lot going on at work, with him doing a fair amount of traveling during the week. I think we're both tired of his travel schedule so hopefully that will ease up soon.

Today we had Muffins with Mom at daycare. DS and I had a nice breakfast together. And I got a nice card, some artwork and a pot of flowers, and my sweet boy loved it which was enough for me. Nothing brings me more happiness than my sweet boys.