February 26, 2019

A Bubba Story

This story requires a little bit of background information. Bubba used to love bubbles, until he discovered that bubbles from adult shampoo can hurt your eyes. So now he hates bubbles.

Recently Andy took Bubba to the park to play. Oregon doesn't get a lot of sun in the winter, but the sun was shining on this particular day. Bubba looked towards the sun and quickly looked away covering his eyes and said, "Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!" He didn't like the sun shining in his eyes. Andy thought it was hilarious!

February 14, 2019

Valentine's Day

I feel so incredibly happy today because today is a day we get to celebrate love! I made purple colored oatmeal for breakfast-- it had cherries in it. Then the boys and I bundled up and headed out to deliver Valentine's to the elderly ladies who live in our neighborhood. Those who were home were really glad to be remembered.

Throughout the day we read books and sang songs that had to do with love.

We ended the day with heart shaped pizza-- that's a family tradition that started when I was growing up.

The Young Women left us some love notes and a plate of goodies.

Bear's feet.




When brother comes to your rescue.

So grateful for this little family of mine and the love we have for one another.

February 13, 2019

Bear At 2 Months

Has it been two months already? I can hardly believe it! These past two months have flown by quickly.

At two months old Bear's personality is starting to come out. This past week he started cooing and interacting with us. We've even heard him laugh a few times.



Some of my friends wrote messages on a package of diapers for me. Love reading the messages!

Bear is growing like a weed. He is currently wearing size 2 diapers and is ready to move out of his 3 month clothes and into 3-6 month clothes. We aren't sure what his exact weight is but we do know he weighs over 12 pounds.

He enjoys chewing on his fist.

We have also caught Bear rolling onto his side a few times already. Uh oh! He will be rolling over before we know it.





Bubba loves his little brother and goes running to his aid when he cries out. He will put the binky back in Bear's mouth, pat his head, help with diaper changes, he even tries to pick his brother up. He has recently tried driving his toy cars on Bear. When we read books together he points to all of the different cars and names them: Mommy, Daddy, Baby-- you can sure tell he loves his little brother. We love Bear too! Our family wouldn't be complete without him! We are so grateful he is a part of our little family!

Bubba wanted his picture taken too!


The proud big brother!

February 12, 2019

Valentine's

Several years ago when I was living in Utah, I received some handmade Valentine's in the mail from my Mom and my little sister. The two of them decided to make a bunch of Valentine's for some sort of non-profit group and they decided to send a few to me. I loved these Valentine's! I hung them up on the wall of my cubicle at work, so I would see them every single day and be reminded that I was loved.

Fast forward a few years to 2018. I made a bunch of Valentine's for Bubba and we mailed them out to some of the little kids in the extended family.

I wanted to make Valentine's again this year for both of the boys to send out. I knew if I was going to do it that I had to start early. Back in September I started gathering my supplies and around Christmas I started making Valentine's.

Initially I planned to just send them out to the kids again. And then I started feeling ambitious and decided to send them to all of Andy's extended family, my immediate family, some of our close friends and the elderly ladies in the neighborhood who live alone. I made more Valentine's than I would like to admit. I wanted to show the important people in our lives that we care and they are loved, I hope we accomplished that.





Bubba helped me stuff the envelopes and he tried to eat the glue stick on more than one occasion. Maybe next year he will be big enough that he can help me some more. He loved putting Valentine's in the mailbox with me and would say, "Mail" each time we would go drop them off.

Two people sent Bubba and Bear Valentine's in return. Bubba was so excited! He loved getting mail! (He's been known to cry when there isn't any mail in the mailbox).

Doctors Visits Galore

In the past week or so, I have been to the doctor's office five times. Twice for me, once for Bubba and twice for Bear. Bubba had his first real fever and it lasted for four days. I called the nurses line at the doctor's office and they told me they wanted to see him. He was diagnosed with a virus. As for Bear he had a three week check up. He is doing well and putting on lots of weight. As for Bear's other doctor's appointment, he had a bunch of clear liquid coming out of his eye along with green/yellow discharge. I tried putting breast milk in his eye but it didn't help. He was diagnosed with pink eye and put on antibiotic eye drops. It's starting to feel like we can't catch a break around here.

February 1, 2019

Feeling The Love

Postpartum Depression brings with it a variety of emotions and a lot of tears. The other day I told Andy how grateful I am to those who have served and reached out to our little family. I have felt so incredibly loved that it brings me to tears-- I'm not normally someone who cries. Words can't express the gratitude I feel. I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such kind and loving people.

Friends, neighbors, family and strangers alike have reached out to us. Meals have been brought in, flowers delivered, toys have been dropped off for Bubba, and baby gifts have been left for Bear. Our laundry has been folded, our dishes have been washed, our bedding cleaned. Care packages have been left for me and gift cards given to Andy. Text messages, phone calls and visits have been greatly appreciated. To those who have held or played with my children so I can sleep, that has been amazing!

A neighbor brought by the most beautiful flowers.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, I'm convinced that it takes a village to help a mama overcome her Postpartum Depression. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm working on it. Your good deed don't go unnoticed, they mean so much to us!