New Normal

I feel like I am returning back to my "normal" self.
I like to think of it as my "new normal" with 2 kiddos.
Ford is 2 months now and sleeping better at night, sleeping from about 10:00- 6:00, hallelujah!
He's giving us that sweet gummy smile that is melting my heart.
Brooks is saying funny stuff,
he likes to pretend to talk on the phone and he rattles off all of our family members names.
He loves to sing Jesus loves me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and ABC's.
It's one long medley with a lot of missing words.
As usual, we can't get enough of his cute self.
Finally some more pictures from his 2nd Birthday party at Krispy Kreme.
Krispy Kreme is an excellent birthday party option,
cheap and so easy.
Perfect for one month after having a new baby.

Sweet Brooks,
You have given us 2 years of abundant joy!
Until you, we never knew we could love so much!
Until you, we couldn't begin to grasp how much our God loves us!
My love for you teaches me every day about how my God loves me, and that is something nobody else can give me (except your baby brother).
We love watching you discover this big world through innocent eyes.
We have big hopes and prayers for you kiddo!
I am so very thankful that you made me a mom,
I am so very thankful that God gave us you and picked us to be your mom and dad.
Love you kiddo!

1 month

Ford is just over a month now.
1 month stats,
Height- 21 3/4 (50-75%)
Weight- 12lb 5oz (95%)

Time is moving fast with this one! Can't believe he is almost 6 weeks already!
This kid eats like a champ, he's already reached 12lbs!

1 month appointment

More to come soon on Brooks big 2nd Birthday week!

2 years

Hard to believe Brooks will be 2 on Monday!
I know it's typical of every parent to say "Can't believe he/she is already ........ years old"
but it's true.
I got Brooks out of bed the other night and was carrying him downstairs and he felt HUGE in my arms.
It's hard to believe just 2 years ago he was Ford's size.
Crazy how quickly kids grow.
We had his 2 year appointment last week,
Height- 34 1/2 ( 50th %)
Weight- 30 lbs (85%)
He started out great at his appointment,
then the finger prick came and it all went down hill from there.
Lots of tears at this appointment!

pictures before the flood of tears!

We took Brooks to the Peachtree Dekalb Airport last weekend for the first time,

he loved watching the airplanes take off.

It was a fun first for us.

All week he has been talking about the airplanes.

progress

Today was a big day for me,
We all got out of our pajamas,
I took both kids to Target,
the grocery store,
and the park,
all before nap time!
It was my first time taking both kiddos out by myself.
It was a big milestone,
knowing I CAN get out on my own.
I am moving slowly into my new normal with life with 2 kids.
I am trying to make sure Brooks still has a normal routine and is able to get out of the house for fun activities!
I am thankful for family and friends who have taken him out and about these first couple weeks.
Ford is back to his birth weight and then some last week at his appointment, 10lbs 12oz!
He sleeps a lot during the day and occasionally has trouble going back to sleep at night after feedings.
But so far he has been pretty easy.
Brooks is still so sweet with Ford, always giving him kisses and saying "I love you", or "bless you" when he sneezes and covers him up with a blanket to make sure he is warm.
Some pics from the last couple weeks!

coming home from hospital

first night at home together

in Ellijay while we were at the hospital

Children's Museum with Aunt Lauren and Lanier

Welcome Ford!

Brooks was wrong,
It's a boy!
I should have known the Allman genes would take over.
We are so excited for Brooks to have a little brother to play with!

Ford Allman Doster

January 16th 2013

10lbs 9oz

9:12am

That's right, he was 10lb 9oz!

It explains why I could hardly walk the last week.

Although carrying a big baby during pregnancy is rough, I love having a big baby after the fact!

We are slowly adjusting to life with two.

Brooks has been awesome, and loves his baby brother. 

He gives him kisses all the time and says "bye bye baby" every time he leaves the room. 

They days with baby Ford have been good, the nights not so much. 

But it's still early and I have to keep my mind focused on my God above during this trying time with a newborn.

It's all I can do sometimes.

Trip has been super husband and dad,

always helping and loving me amidst my emotional hormonal breakdowns. 

We can't wait to see Ford's personality unfold in his first year of life. 

We are thankful for a healthy baby and healthy delivery.

Twas the night before you were born.....

Well tomorrow is baby #2 day!
We are so excited to meet you little one!
What a strange feeling though knowing when you are going to have your baby.
I wanted to make this day a little more special for Brooks, being his last day as an only child.
But the weather was really gross and rainy,
and I feel like I can hardly walk.
So we settled on taking him to the mall to meet daddy at the food court and ride the carousel and eat chick-fil-a and have an ice dream!
Although he won't remember it,
I wanted to have a little something to remember of this day.
I told Trip at dinner last night that I know that things are about to get harder,
it won't be easy adding another,
I know that a new baby is tough the first few months,
we're about to do it all over again,
but I am so excited to get to watch another person grow up in front of our eyes.
When I think of all that we have enjoyed watching Brooks do for the first time,
we get to experience it all over again with a new face!
I pray we enter this season well,
I pray we remember that it is just a season, the good and the bad.
I pray for overwhelming joy amidst the trying days.
I pray Brooks will love his new sibling well both now and especially in the future and one day as an adult.
Brooks said "baby sister" tonight, we'll find out tomorrow if he knows something we don't!

at the carousel on the eve of baby #2

Brooks, your world is about to change and you don't even know it!

We love you so incredibly much and we know you are going to be the sweetest big brother!

Can you say Nesting?

The last couple weeks have felt extremely long,
like a waiting game,
because Brooks was born a week early I have had it in my head that this baby will be early also,
and it might still come early but I thought it would have already come by now,
So while I still haven't hit my due date yet,
I still feel like this baby is late!
Everyday we wonder will this be the day,
and I haven't made many plans thinking that we could have this baby anytime,
so I have been "nesting"
really hard core "nesting".
I have cleaned out my car,
cleaned out the pantry,
cleaned out the spice cabinet,
put up new shelves for toys,
cleaned out the basement (really Trip did that),
vacuumed a lot,
cleaned out the junk drawer,
washed sheets,
hung pictures,
all things I would never be motivated to do otherwise!
There really is something to the "nesting" that occurs before having a baby.
I believe it!
I am so ready to meet this baby!
I'm trying to take advantage of these last days with just Brooks.
He's my little buddy and these last two years with him have been a treasure!