Changes.

I know they say that becoming a parent changes you...and I am beginning to realize that more and more each day.

I can no longer watch the news without getting super emotional. I have always been that person who cries at the news story about a dog saving a human from a burning building or a military parent surprising their child at school after a long deployment, but after the elementary school shooting in Connecticut I couldn't bring myself to watch the news - all I needed to know is that innocent babies died and families were forever changed because of a choice one person made. I did not need to know the specifics - teachers and students died...enough said.

Christmas Eve I learned of a high school classmate whose baby girl died in a tragic swingset accident - it was also my classmate's birthday.

After hearing of both the Connecticut school shooting and my classmate's baby girl, my first thought in each instance was a parent-thought - there were probably presents under the Christmas tree for each and every one of those children that would never be opened and there were bedrooms with clothes, un-made beds, hand-print artwork and stuffed animals that would be stopped in time forever.

It is these moments that remind me to slow down and enjoy each breath RF takes and each smile he makes.

Change happens so quickly - I am already packing up outfits that no longer fit and a car-seat head rest that was too constraining. I am watching him transition from a cradle by our bed to his crib in his room. I am buying Stage 2 diapers and am wondering what his first word will be as he coos and babbles when we talk to him.

Change happens each and everyday, whether we want it to or not. Understanding and embracing the change is the hard part for me. While I hope I never experience what those families in Connecticut and my classmate in Gulf Shores have gone through, their loss has reminded me, yet again, how incredibly lucky RA and I are to have such a happy and healthy baby boy.

As I type this, RF is sleeping on my chest and all I hear are his breaths and the tick-tock of the mantle clock. I know that one day he won't want to sleep in my arms, but I hope he knows he always can. With all the changes in our lives and in the world, one constant I know for sure is the love of a mama and her baby...that, my friends, will never change.

Christmas 2012

What a perfect day...absolutely perfect. After taking Christmas Eve photos in front of the Christmas tree, reading The Night Before Christmas and putting out cookies for Santa we tucked our little boy in bed for the night and prepared for Christmas morning.

RF woke up around 7:30 and we hurried down stairs to see what Santa had brought him. We spent the morning opening presents and preparing a traditional Christmas Day lunch for the family.

After lunch with my family, we made salt dough handprint ornaments, took a few more family photos and spent the afternoon watching A Christmas Story and enjoying all of RF's new gifts.

We are so thankful for all the blessings we have in our life and are looking forward to a great 2013!

Our perfect Christmas gift... :-)

Merry Christmas! 

Salt-dough ornament time

RF with one of his gifts from Santa, an original Snuggle teddy bear

RA putting together RF's play mat 

LOVING the play mat! 

Christmas is a tiring day...

I truly could not be happier :-)

TWO Months Old

We have a two month old baby boy. I am completely in awe of how much he has changed since he was born. He is much more interactive with us now and responds to our voices with smiles and sweet cooing noises. He likes to read books (short books with lots of big pictures), lay on his back and kick his legs, and be held in front of you so that he can see everything around him.

 

10/24/2012

11/24/2012

12/24/2012

RF's First Road Trip

Friday, December 20 we set out on our first road trip with RF. Our destination Friday was Perry, GA with a trip to Albany, GA on the schedule for Saturday before returning to Mobile on Monday morning - total round trip 900 miles...with an 8 week old. The potential for disaster was high, but we maintained one of my teacher/parent mantras - 'Be Proactive, Not Reactive' - and luckily RF responded well to our travel plans.

We're on our way!

We made it to Nana's house - now I can STRETCH out!

 

All ready to go to Albany - looking like a handsome little man!

 

One of my favorite activities - napping!

 

Four generations - Robert Alan's grandmother (holding RF), his mother and Robert Alan.

 

Back at Nana's house playing with the puppies :-)

 

Grady watching over RF while he eats :-)

 

Ladybug and Giraffe entertaining RF on the trip back to Mobile

 

I'm fairly certain he was thinking, "I love you mom, BUT I'm over all the car rides - are we almost home?"

Spending The Week With Nana

Have I mentioned how lucky we are to have such a supportive family? When Lola's schedule required her full attention for a few days, Mrs. Margie (Robert's mom) came down to spend the week with RF. We are so incredibly fortunate to have family members that will take time out of their lives to be such a constant presence in RF's life.

They LOVE him...

Sweet little baby boy...

Time to play...

HAPPY baby boy...

Tired mama and baby boy...

As this is my last week of school before the holiday break I am excited to get to spend three solid weeks with RF. I have accepted a position at Fairhope High School that will begin January 11th. While it is a bit more of a drive for me, it is a welcome opportunity to continue doing what I love - teaching.

We are headed out of town on our first road trip with RF this Friday - say a prayer that he is a good traveller. Between his first out-of-town trip and Christmas we will have lots to blog about next week while we are spending time together at home.

Happy Holidays!
The Hawks :-)

Christmas in Lights

Tonight we had a wonderful family outing to Bellingrath Gardens. The lights were beautiful, the night was cool and we enjoyed some quality family time together.

TOUGH week...

This week was quite tough as it was my first week back at work, but I made it through. RF got to spend time with his Lola each day and Lola made it easier on me by sending me photos and updates every few hours - just what I needed to make it through the day :-).

Happy baby boy...

Sleepy baby boy...

RF and Aunt Haydn

Snuggling with Papa Tad...

Precious protecting RF while he naps...

Hanging out observing Lola's house...

Month #1

Yesterday we attended our 1 Month Dr. Appt. - and can I just say...sheesh.

RF is not a crier (knock on wood). He has very specific squawks that mean different things - primarily feed me, change me or burp me. But yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, there were tears - real baby tears. I was doing everything in my power to hold it together and I must say that I wasn't sure I was going to make it. He did fine through the weighing, measuring and basic exam, but the shot and heel stick were another story - tears I tell you...real baby tears. Once things were over I scooped him up, consoled him and he was asleep before we made it back out to the car.

We certainly have a big boy - and a growing boy - on our hands.
At Birth:                    At 1 Month:
9 lbs, 7 oz.                 11 lbs, 8 oz.
21 inches long           24 inches long

Top Five Things I've Learned This Month:
*I can do a lot of things one-handed such as set a pot of coffee to brew, make a sandwich, laundry, type an email, vacuum, scrapbook, and even make the bed.
*There is absolutely nothing better than your baby staring into your eyes or sleeping on your chest.
* I am a lot stronger and more capable than I thought I was.
* How much more I love my husband after seeing him as a father.
* I've always known that people could communicate without speaking, but having a baby reminds you just how impressive the human connection is - we can tell what he needs/wants by looking at him, his movements, and his noises.

RF the night he was born - 10/24/12

11/24/12

Thanksgiving 2012

Our first Thanksgiving with RF was just perfect - low key, family-centered, and of course a fantastic meal. So much to be thankful for...

RF meeting his great-grandparents...

A happy little family...

Loving my new role :-)

Four generations...

Week Four - A Birth Announcement, A Photo Shoot and Lots of Sleeping

We have a four week old. A FOUR WEEK OLD! I cannot believe it...time is flying by.

This week we continued our hermit-like lifestyle and stayed at home.

You can tell RF is RA's child by looking at him. You can tell RF is my child by the way (and how much) he sleeps. He sprawls out and pretty much fills up his Moses basket and cradle already.

We also were able to send out the first round of RF's birth announcements this week. I LOVE THEM!

Lastly, Papa Tad and Lola came over this weekend to do our first family photo shoot. Again, we want RF to know how important family and home are, so his nursery was the backdrop for our photo session. The pictures turned out perfect (of course, Papa Tad took them!) and I will be sure to post more as soon as they are finished.

 

As we prepare for our first Thanksgiving with RF, we do hope each and every one of you remember what is truly important in life - not the things, but the people and the precious moments you get to spend with those you love.



Reasons to Give Thanks.

As I watched shoppers snatch up turkeys at the grocery store last night in preparation for Thanksgiving, I began thinking of all the things I am thankful for which includes, but is not limited to...

1. Babies...they are truly little miracles...Robert Franklin is the most amazing little person...
2. Love...it's the best part of life...
3. Husbands...I am lucky enough to have a man that is my best friend...
4. Family...I am lucky enough to have a family that is supportive through everything...
5. Doggies...pure unconditional love...just pure unconditional love...
6. Cameras...to capture all those special moments of life...
7. Coffee...moms know why...
8. YouTube...it has EVERY song imaginable...the song to calm a baby, the song to dance with your husband to, and even songs that teach students history lessons...
9. Pinterest...from dinner ideas, to DIY projects, to the animal page that can always put a smile on my face - LOVE Pinterest...
10. Fall/Winter...definitely my favorite seasons...the holidays, sweaters, soups, and snuggling...
11. Google...as a new mom I find myself with tons of questions and while I don't trust everything I read on the internet, it is nice to be able to get some reassurance to some of those new mom questions without always having to call the pediatrician...
12. Time...time that I can spend with my little family, time that I can rest and re-charge, time that I can sit in silence and just be...
13. Scrapbooking Supplies...to document all life's amazing experiences...
14. Facebook...a resource to share, explore and connect with friends and family...
15. NetFlix, Project Free TV and TV Links...websites that allow me to catch up on my favorite TV shows because, lets face it, life is busy (and life with a baby is even busier...)
16. Hugs and Kisses...because sometimes that's all you need to make things better...
17. Sweatpants...because they're comfortable...that's why...
18. Chocolate...no reason needed...
19. USPS, UPS, and FedEx...knowing that I can order just about anything I need from the comfort of my own home...
20. Chik-Fil-A...for those days when a turkey sandwich just isn't going to cut it...a chicken sandwich, fries and a diet coke hit the spot...
21. Scented Candles...for those moments when I don't have time (or don't want) to clean the house...
22. Nail Polish...it makes me feel put together even when I know I'm not anywhere near put together...
23. My Home...the privilege of taking care of a 110-year old structure and outfitting it with furniture and decorative items that have a story and a history...
24. Smiling/Laughter...when stress gets to you and there are those people (Robert Alan and Robert Franklin) who can put everything into perspective by making you smile/laugh...
25. Life...knowing that I have the opportunity to impact the world in some small way every day..through my role as a wife, mother and teacher...

Our first holiday season with a little one kicks off this weekend with a photo shoot to take our first family Christmas card pictures, then things officially begin next week with Thanksgiving as we celebrate with our families. Also, next week Robert Franklin will be a month old - time truly does fly.

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Week Three - Cartoon Faces, Naps, and Being A Hermit

This week has been quite calm. R2 and I are settling into a routine and we are spending our days at home - resting, relaxing, playing and napping.

One of the best parts about R2 so far are his facial expressions. Robert Alan says R2 is our little cartoon character because of the funny faces and sounds he makes.

I pray that even through the overwhelming newness of having a baby in the house that I never take for granted the time I get to spend with our little family.