A few pics

I've posted a few of our photos from our first couple of days as a family of four. You can view them here.

So far things are going pretty well. Sam is a pretty good eater; I'm still having to wake him sometimes during the day to get him to nurse. I'm sure it helps that mommy is more confident this time around and not as clumsy and inexperienced. At almost a week old he's of course sleeping lots...I know he's bound to wake up and show out soon.

Big brother is adjusting. He loves the baby and frequently announces, "hold it, hold it!" This is his way of declaring he would like a turn at holding his brother. We've had a few instances of him being a little possesive and often have to ask him if family & friends who are visiting can hold his baby. Most of the time he obliges. He's doing a lot less independent play and would prefer to be right by daddy's side. Of course, he settled for mommy yesterday. The biggest change is his temper or patience, which I guess is pretty on par for a two-year-old. He has frequent meltdowns, but they are always directed toward mommy & daddy...never directly related to baby Sam. Overall, we're pretty tickled with what an amazing job he's doing. Soon enough, he won't remember Sam not being around.

We're getting back into the swing of things slowly but surely. Since Sam is still in his sleepy phase, I'm trying to take advantage of one of my mornings without my toddler sidekick. So, I'd better run.

Sam is Here...

Sam arrived Wednesday at 2:33 pm weighing 7 pounds and 8 ounces and stretching 19 1/2 inches long. Everyone is doing well. More pictures and details to come once mommy and daddy get a little more adjusted to life with two little ones. Thank you to all our sweet family and friends for the outpouring of love and support you've already shown and continue to shower our way. We are thrilled to share this journey with you!

Thanks to Mer for the picture...made this post SOOO much easier/quicker to get up!

Coming Soon...

A new blog header I guess. We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the newest member of our family, Samuel Boyd Garrett. He's certainly making his presence known these days and making progress toward the outside world. Unless he makes an appearance in the next 36 or so hours, we'll do some encouraging on Wednesday morning.

We've been busy spending lots of time together on these our last days as a family of three. When the sun has emerged (albeit briefly), we've braved the cold and enjoyed time outside. Jack loves to play football in the yard and really loves his bubble mower...although the brisk wind usually makes for difficult bubble production.

On Saturday, (after much of the snow melted away and we were sure the roads were safe and I wasn't going into labor) we headed down to Atlanta to meet Josh's parents to celebrate his mom's birthday. It was such a chore, but we agreed to eat at Maggiano's...lol! Jack was a fan of the tiramasu, and I could have eaten 10 more dishes of creme brulee. Afterwards, we visited a couple of stores in the mall and Jack couldn't get enough of these sunglasses. I think he enjoys looking at himself in the mirror...what do you think?

Anyway, not sure if I'll get a chance to update the blog again before Sam's arrival. I'll try not to take too long a hiatus since these posts are such riveting news!

Ten Loves

So, a fellow blogger and sweet friend tagged me on a recent blog entry and encouraged me to share ten things I love. So, here goes nothing...

1. I LOVE this man. Josh and I have been together for more than 11 years and married for seven. Most times I can't remember not having him in my life. He continually amazes me and never ceases to make me laugh. (And if he were to make a list I think making me laugh would be one of the things on his list.) He's my best friend. The one person I know I can ask anything of. He's a dilligent provider; yet strives to spend as much time as possible with his family. I'm thankful to God everyday that He saw fit to bless me with such a wonderful husband.

2. I also LOVE this little man. It's been more than two years since we welcomed Jack into our family, and what fun it has been. Most days I can't believe I've been untrusted with such a precious gift. I'm thankful that I get to spend so much time with such a fun little man. I know he is going to make an awesome big brother.

3. I LOVE my family and that we make time for one another. I'm thankful to have my parents and siblings within an hour's drive. Josh's family is not too much further away, and I'm blessed that they don't mind making the drive to see us every few weeks. Jack is certainly blessed to have such involved and caring grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

4. I LOVE my friends and how dependable they are. Even though we don't see each other often, I love that I can call my best friend from middle school and we can pick up right where we left off. In addition to the friends that I've known since grade school, I've been fortunate enough to make some wonderful friends right here where we live. These precious friends have been a huge blessing to me and my family. They've embraced us and made us feel like we've known them forever.

5. I LOVE to write. Although I don't update my blog as much as I should, I actually enjoy writing. It's the reason I majored in public relations and got a degree in journalism. I wish I gave myself more time to do it.

6. Right along with #5, I LOVE correspondence. I love writing cards and letters and of course, love receiving them as well. It's almost a dying art form. For about two and half years of our dating, Josh & I lived in different cities. Thankfully, they were only about a 2 hour drive from one another. We got to see each other about every 2 weeks or so. During that 30 or so month stint I would guess I mailed him no fewer than 150 letters, postcards, etc. I aimed to send him something at least once a week. Sometimes during a visit, I would be with him when he checked his mailbox and found a sweet note among the bills and junk mail. I wish I made more time for correspondence as well.

7. I LOVE college football. I'm not really sure when this love began, but it certainly blossomed while I was a student at UGA. I can remember attending plenty of games as a kid and walking along the railroad tracks from the newspaper building (where dad worked) to the stadium and then back again afterwards. Gamedays were always exciting, and I guess I never realized how my excitement would intensify once I called the team mine. As UGA graduates, Josh & I both enjoy making the trek back to Athens on Saturdays during the fall. We're both looking forward to sharing the experience with our kids one day.

8. I LOVE reading my friends' blogs. Although so many of the blogs I read and follow are friends that I see pretty frequently, there is something about reading a funny story or seeing a friend bare her soul through her posts. I'm thankful that so many of my friends share these sneak peeks of their lives with me.

9. I LOVE taking and sharing pictures. Although I'm not very good at it (especially lately), I enjoy taking pictures of the ordinary things that take place around me. The project 365 was a wonderful way to document this last year, and maybe I'll get back to doing it again. But the joy doesn't just end with the taking, you have to share as well. The blog has allowed me to do that with so many folks...the most appreciative of this are usually grandparents.

10. I LOVE being a mom. Getting to watch Jack grow and learn over the last two years has been such a joy. It's crazy to believe we're starting over with a new baby in just a couple of days (or maybe sooner...who knows?) I'm sure this journey will be just as joyful and different in many ways. Although I know it won't be immediate and they won't always appear to be, I look forward to watching a pair of boys become friends.

Okay, so there are just ten things that I LOVE. I could probably go on, especially since I LOVE to write, but I'll stop here.

No Friends...Crayons!

Josh & I got to witness a rather hilarious exchange last night (at least we thought it was hilarious!) Jack has just begun to use role play with his toys and animal figures. In fact, one day last week his horse and chicken were fighting and he would tell them "No, horse!" or "No, chicken!" and then the animals would have to say "Sorry." As we were enjoying a dinner out last night, Jack was playing with a couple of crayons. I noticed that one of the crayons repeatedly was sent by Jack to timeout. So, I asked him what the crayon was doing wrong...obviously looking for a teaching moment and an opportunity to reaffirm what he may be role playing. I asked if the crayon was hitting someone. Jack said that it was not. He finally said, "Push?" Pushing is one of the most recent things that Jack has learned we don't do to others, especially our friends. So, he looked at me while holding up the guilty crayon and said, "push?" as to indicate he wanted the crayon to push the other crayon again. I told him that we don't push our friends. He said, "no friends." I said almost joking, "Oh, those two are not friends?" He looked at me very plainly (almost dumbfounded) and said, "crayons."

So, my poor son felt the need to educate his mother on the difference between friends and crayons. I'm sure it won't be the last education I get from him!

I Asked, You Delivered

Thank you to all you sweet friends and fellow mamas for sharing your wonderful words of encouragement after my last post. I couldn't ask for a better group of friends and only hope I am able to bring you all the same sort of encouragement and blessing you continually bring me! You guys rock!