Our Journey!

First Trip to Kenray Lake

Sawyer already loves his home away from home.
We didn't stay long. I am positive that Sawyer will make many memories at the lake over the years.

We stopped by to visit with some friends that had not seen our little fellow yet. Sawyer loves them already.
Ron

Becky

Johnny Mo

We had a very nice visit. Hoping to see more of these folks soon.

We had a surprise birthday party for Ely last weekend. One of his friends called and asked when Ely's birthday party was going to be because that is the only time that all of the friends get to see one another at once. With that I had to throw something together. A few phone calls later and here is what we came up with......

A good time was had by all and Ely was surprised!

Biggest (possibly littlest) Fan

CONGRATULATIONS on your victory tonight Lady Stars!!! What a game. Neck and neck the entire time and some of those shots... amazing! You all deserved this win.
After hearing what people have been saying as this day approached and after reading an interview with Damon and Alexa, I just want to state that it is so wonderful that this happened for the Bailey family. When I worked at Shawswick the Bailey kids were in elementary school there. All three children were always nice and personable and wore a smile on their faces. It is incredible that in 23 years there has not been one State Championship win for Bedford North Lawrence until now. Irony.
Sawyer was fixed to the screen.

"Hey, ready for some excitement? We are gonna win state tonight!"

"I am so thrilled to watch these girls play ball, I can hardly contain myself."

"hehhheeehehehehhee!"

"What? I don't get out much... this is my party! This is as thrilling as my life gets."

"Told you we would win!"

"We left'em seeing stars now didn't we?"
"Three cheers for the red, white, and blue, Bedford North Lawrence High School!"

"My daddy says I will be playing for you soon enough."
"Love, The Saw"

This Time Around

Sawyer is now 3 months old as of February 20th.

Having Sawyer in our lives has added a happiness to each of us that radiates for miles around. We thank our lucky stars each and everyday for every blessing that we have been given. Philly and I have truly been blessed time and time again.

Something that runs through my mind over and over again is how different I am having a baby today, at 31, than I was eleven years ago, at 20. Of course there are many reasons for those differences. First, I have already been through it. Those first time jitters are gone. Spit up doesn't bother me any more. How about the first time that you stick your finger in baby poo? Oooo gross! Doesn't bother a bit these days. It washes right off and it doesn't kill you or make your skin melt off.

Also, I have had so much practice with my childcare kids. I have heard what works and doesn't work form other mom's who have been through it already.

Eleven years post first baby, I now know how extremely quick the years go by. I can't exactly slow time down but, I can take the time to enjoy life more.

The little things that are so easily over looked and the joy missed like playing with tissue paper, boxes, wooden spoons, dirt, sand, and wearing daddy's great big shoes, all really get to my heart these days. I did enjoy these things while Ely and Amaya were tiny. But, years gone by, I know now what I have to look forward to.

I will be following my instinct more and taking advice less. Like starting cereal feedings... because it's really ok that we didn't wait until the recommended 4 to 6 month mark. It's no big deal if he doesn't like tummy time or if he is now out growing some of his 6 month clothing already. Sawyer will be just fine. These mile stones are not going to cause destruction if we don't stick to the book.

I will work less and play more. On the changing table, play mat, bath tub, at the park, wherever it may be. That's what kids do! Play time is the best time to teach children things we want them to know,things we want them to do, and things we want them to change. So when you see my house a mess, just know that we must have been playing lots lately.

I will be getting up close and personal, holding my baby as much as possible, taking a million pictures, listening for every coo as it becomes a real word. Sawyer stays right with us at all times. No more of that, "Let them cry themselves to sleep because crying is what babies do." I will hold him, rock him, sooth him in any way I can. Crying means something doesn't it?

I will share my baby with others. Babies are rare. That's why people are so crazy about the little things. You see toddlers and school age children often but the baby stage... only one year long...seems almost unfair doesn't it? They are only this little for a brief moment and when it's gone there is NO WAY to get it back. I love seeing other people love my baby.

My friend Lisa

My friend Angelique and her daughter Chloe

Phil's niece Emily, mom, sister Jeanie, and niece Sarah

Grandma Jinner

I will put fun clothing on him that he loves as well. Poor Ely never owned a pair of Bob the Builder shoes or a Monsters Inc. t-shirt...only pajamas (although he wore cowboy boots with basketball shorts quit often.) I was so concerned about him coordinating and looking stylish in the public eye. Bottom line is that it is only a few shorts years he will want name brand clothing and the newest high dollar shoes. I will let Sawyer be little for as long as I can stretch it out.

I will be proud of every new accomplishment that he achieves. He may not get there the way that I think he should, or take the route I want him to take but, he isn't me. Sawyer will find his own way.

finally enjoying tummy time

already strong enough for his exersaucer

figuring out how to get a hold of those toys hanging above him...

and how to pull the whole bar down.

As these little hands accomplish many tasks, help Sawyer crawl, pull items out of my cabinets, make huge messes with food all over my floors, smudge my mirrors and windows, I will say, "Thank you for this experience!" It's not just my experience... It's Sawyer's as well. I will use my hands to hold him a little more, for a little longer.

As people told me while I was pregnant with Ely, "Cherish every moment because it goes to fast." I thought, "Ok, I have heard that enough... I get it." But truth be it, you don't get it until you go through it. It's not that I regret the mom that I have been to Amaya and Ely. The only reason I know to hold on to each moment is because I have watched the years go and with no way to control the speed of time.

Picture taken early this morning. I can't get enough of this trio.

I do know for sure that this time around, I will be making everyday a wonderful experience,

Jen

What's New?

Lots of things are new with our new little man around.

We have all been enjoying the fresh prospective that Sawyer brings to our home.

Recently Saw has been grasping his toys. How much fun! He is starting to play. Yippee! And you know we love every precious minute of it!

How could we resist happiness when we are witness to this kind of a thing each day...

"I just want to hug you duckie."

"And give you a big sloppy Sawyer kiss."

"And lick you because you might taste good."

"Alright, let's chill."

"Maybe...

one more little hug."

Sawyer has been eating the time out of his hands (hungry or not.) By the way, this boy would eat every hour if we would let him. We compromise with every two hours for now unless he is extremely hungry.

Super Bowl Sunday, we discovered that Sawyer like Beyonce. With all of the movement on the screen during half time, I found his daddy's eyes fixed to the TV as well.