Savor

Avey is one week shy of two months old-- my oh my how time flies. This past year was a blur of change. I was caught off guard a few days ago when a friend asked me what my word for the year was going to be. I spit out the first word that came to mind-- Savor.

Because she is never going to be this small again.

In a few weeks we'll find out how much she's grown since her last check-up. I know that if I blink once this year I'll open my eyes and she'll be one--and we'll have another one on the way-- because life is fast paced and crazy like that.

After giving it a little thought "savor" is my perfect word for this year. 

I intend to slow down. Drink in my new baby. Drink in my husband. This fast paced crazy life is going to simmer down and I'm going to let the taste of it--my new life--her new life--linger.

This week we spent a lot of time at my parents house because the boys re-discovered their love for RON (Rise of Nations) and it's been a game fest all week long. Cousins, brothers, husbands, fathers, young and old-- join together nightly in a meeting of the laptops.

Who am I to object to such grandeur? Especially if it means I get to watch The Bachelor on a big screen TV while snuggling with my momma and my baby in my parents king sized bed?

Heaven.

We take lots of pictures. Most of them include a pillow of some kind. Let me explain. Avey is happiest and most cooperative after she nurses. I always nurse with a pillow on my lap because eight pounds gets heavy after awhile and my forearms aren't made of steel. All that to explain why the backdrop of all our photos is a pillow.

I was snapping away at a milk drunk Avey the other day and I got distracted by my favorite piece of jewelry.

I couldn't help myself.

He went to Jared.

 If you want to get me out of the house-- a feat in itself-- just dangle food in front of me. The promise of soup, salad, and breadsticks still ringing in my ears was just the motivation I needed to drag myself out of bed Friday morning. We bathed. We blew dry. We beautified.

Sister feigned sleep in this picture.

And she's back with us.

She slept her way through lunch. A blessing for Mommy who scarfed down some enchiladas after being told the wait at Olive Garden was over 45 minutes.

And we don't wait for nobody.

I can't believe my little brother is getting married in a few months. Another thing to savor this year--a wedding--a new sister--two becoming one.

Brady and I thought this photo was super funny. She looks like a total creeper.

Do something worth remembering this weekend.

A Great Many Things

This is Levi. He used to be my boss. Levi is three. 

Levi knows all his colors. He's a show-off baby. His favorite show is Handy Manny and he loves music. He loves music so much he made up his own sign for "more music"-- when he wants to hear more he signs "more" on his foot. See? Show-off baby.

Levi is in the business of enriching peoples lives. He teaches you how to love the unexpected. He makes you hold your breath in anticipation-- because you never know what amazing thing Levi is gonna do next.

This is Levi. Levi is three. Levi has MECP2 duplication syndrome and he is a miracle. He has taught me so many different things. His family has taught me so many different things-- namely; how to love the unexpected. How to love passionately despite a diagnosis or a life expectancy. How to dance in the living room- oh yeah! They taught me all the words to Spongebob's theme song and all the names of Manny's tools. They taught me that "if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things... about Holland."

read holland poem here.

This is Levi. Levi is three. Levi is a miracle.

Avey and I got to spend some time with the Jones family this week. Levi did not like how sister was hogging his momma.

It was a long overdue visit. There was lots of excitement. Like when Lake decided he wanted to walk around the living room with Avey. You should have seen his sister and his momma jump into action. It was hilarious-- terrifying-- but hilarious.

 I love how much the people I love-- love my child. It fills up my soul to see my friends and family shower her with kisses and affection. I think it's because I know it fills up her soul as well. Sister is never going to doubt that she is loved by a great many people-- just like I have never doubted that I am loved by a great many people.

She is the apple of her Daddy's eye.

The love of her mommas life.

She is going to be such a great many things.

I Came From Where?!?!

Avey and I are having  a lazy morning listening to Big Daddy Weave on Pandora and hiding underneath the covers while the sky pours outside.

I am so blessed to have a husband who works hard so that I can stay home. Being Aveys mommy is the most fulfilling and rewarding position I've ever held. I realize that getting to spend every moment with her is a privilege and that not every mommy is afforded the same privilege. Thank you Lord for providing for my husband and I.

She is so silly.

As is custom for every person on earth in January-- Brady and I have made a resolution to begin a raw whole foods diet. We kissed being a carnivore good-bye for the time being. I'm excited to see what improvements are made in our health.

 Hi-Yaw! Kay-Raw-Tay!

As most of you know I have Hypo-Thyroid disease. I had accepted the fact that I would be on pills everyday for the rest of my life. After watching a documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead where  an Australian man cured his autoimmune disease with a juice fast-- I've been encouraged. If his body can heal itself so can mine. It's time to clean out this temple and start this year fresh-- healed-- Holy.

Baby girl agrees. It's a grand idea. 

Yesterday was our anniversary. We spent some time at home and took our time getting ready. We went ghetto and decided to eat at Applebee's because we had a giftcard. Our waitress was awful but aside from that it was a nice lunch that neither one of us had to prepare or pay for. We held hands the whole time while making frequent glances at the sleeping baby in the carrier.


Note the dirty diaper. Classy.

I was surprised the other day when I laid Avey down after her 2am feeding when she didn't cry-- she just laid there smiling and chatting quietly to herself.  I went back to bed and so did she. She did it again last night. It's a relief to know that my independent girl doesn't need me to rock her to sleep every time I lay her down.

Shes got this. 

Her eyes are still blue-- she's rockin' it.

Tana came for a visit. All the way from Alabama just to see little one. Well-- not exactly but Avey fueled her motivation.

Blessed to have friends that care for me and my family. Tana and Tori oohhed and aahhed like Avey was glitter.

She is pretty impressive.

Sometimes we just sit and have nonsensical conversations. I have a feeling that we'll continue doing this until one or both of us are gone. She's just so cool and I thrive on her sweet baby coo's, face engulfing smiles, and kisses. I could live on her kisses.

Have a beautiful Monday. Don't work too hard. Hold the ones you love close. Inhale their scent. Make strives to never forget these moments.

And with this I leave you with the words of the winner of the facebook caption contest-- Zuzu Ford:

"I came from where?!?!"