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...