2 months

We had our 2 month appointment a couple weeks ago for Ford.
Height- 23 (50%)
Weight- 14-5 (85-95%)
Big Boy

Ford is sleeping good. I am putting him down about 7:30 and feeding him at 10:00pm and he's sleeping until about 6:00am!
I've never been one to go crazy over newborn babies, of course I love my own but I don't just love the newborn stage. So I am starting to really enjoy Ford more. His little grin is so cute and he's starting to "wake up" to the world. He has been a pretty easy baby so far, he's usually pretty content if he's fed and rested. His hair is out of control, he's such a goober! Not quite sure what to do with it.... it has a mind of its own.

And Ford and Brooks have a new little cousin!

Welcome to the world Liza! 

She's so beautiful!

Just taking note

One thing I love about being a mom...
It keeps me in check,
I feel like it causes me to ponder a little harder about God,
and how he shows up in my life.
It makes me a little less dependent on myself,
and a little more reliant on him.
I guess it's because I have this overbearing feeling like these kids lives are in my hands and I don't want to screw it up!
I don't want to miss opportunities,
I don't want to regret,
I don't want to miss what God has planned for us as a family.
I simply want to be closer to Jesus,
because I know my kids (and husband) will be better off for it.
Being a mom and a wife is hard at times,
life is hard,
I don't want to look back and feel like I missed what mattered most because I was too busy chasing the mundane stuff in life that has no real significance.
God willing, that I go before my kids do,
I want them to remember me as somebody who was really close to Jesus.
not as a mom who was really skinny, had a great sense of style, and bought them nice things when they wanted them.
I want them to remember me as the one who prayed the most for them.
I want them to remember me as the one who always, always, always pointed them towards Jesus.
I got some work to do, not to earn my salvation or to earn more love from God because I know where God stands in his love for me,
but to set an example for my kids,
because I don't pray enough for them,
I don't spend enough time with Jesus,
and I do want to be a mom who "acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with my God" (Micah 6:8)
because that's the best I can offer them.

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.