Well November started out with a bang! Meet Miss Caroline Ann Smith. Named after her aunt Teri Ann. Ha! No, I wish. Actually named after my mom and Grandma. She was born on November 1, day after Halloween. Jen was sure she would come on Halloween which she desperately did not want to happen. But nope, she was a good girl and stayed put until the day after.
I didn't get to see her until the day after. I had been at work all day Friday (the 1st), Jen got to the hospital around 3:00 pm that day. And that was it for my brain. I was so distracted from there on out. Calling my mom every half hour for updates, Jen's labors move so quickly and by 8:00 that night, she was here. Only 5 hours. Everything went perfectly smooth until about a half hour after she was born and then Jen started hemorhaging. Really bad. Couldn't get the bleeding to stop. Tossing around terms like "hysterectomy" and all that fun stuff. Finally after about 6 hours they got it under control. Poor Jen. She was so sick. All kinds of medications they were giving her which had some nasty side effects. She was pretty out of it. Caroline spent that first night curled up in her grandma's arms, while her mama was struggling and her daddy was right next to her mom's side.
But oh was she worth it. You guys, I can't even tell you how delightful she is. Has Katelynn's same face and features except K was bald and Caroline has a thick head of brown hair!! Tons of it. She is CUTE!
Oh my sweet girl. Crazy urges for her. She has got my already baby hungry self even hungrier. I want to steal her for myself.
Oh these nieces and nephews of mine. It's crazy to think that this is the 10th baby for us sisters. I have got to love and welcome 10 of these little ones into our lives. I can't even stand how much I love them. Of course my kids are at the top of that list, but I never knew how much I would love the babies of my sisters. Love them like they are my own, my heart just beats faster whenever I look at them. So blessed to have their little spirits in my life, and to have such a close relationship to them. So grateful to be their auntie!
In other news, I snapped this quick pic of my boy and his "Reflections" project. Their teacher strongly encouraged them to participate in the "Reflections" program sponsored by the PTA. The theme was "Dream, Believe, Inspire". My art loving boy was so excited. He drew a small map of Disneyland including some of his favorite rides. Had to write a passage to go with it and how his drawing related to the theme. He talked about how it had always been his dream to go to Disneyland and this past year his dream became a reality. He spoke about how grateful he was to go and the lasting memories it created. He ended by saying sometimes when he closes his eyes he feels like he is there again and he can still see it in his mind. I thought it turned out so great, I was so proud of his efforts.
Had to snap these next pictures of my baby. I am usually anti-charachter shirts for my kids. They are loud, and tacky, and annoying. However, I find myself caving a little when it comes to this. First I let a Transformers shirt sneak in, before I knew it I was buying Spiderman and Batman hoodies. And now this little number, including the hat. I just couldn't help myself. Pretty sure I have mentioned this boys' love of all things superhero. He was just freaking out when we saw this hat at Target. Had to get it for him. And he thinks he is pretty much awesome in it, let me tell you. Best day of his life. We went to my moms for Sunday dinner this day and he was proudly showing off his outfit to anyone that would look. Love him.
How can you not let him have it. Only young once and look how happy it made him. Even I can admit he looks pretty dang cute!
My Lincoln boy and baby Boston. The kid is obsessed with babies. Its hilarious. He wouldn't leave Miss Caroline's side when he finally got to meet her. They bring out his softer side.
And lastly...yep, we did it. Our Christmas is out. My halls are officially decked. I'm not sorry. Some people tend to get quite worked up over this subject. All the "Save Thanksgiving" business. I am on the other side of that arguement. To me the holidays go hand in hand, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. They are all apart of each other, thats why they are called "the Holidays". I think its funny when people say "Save Thanksgiving" just cause my Christmas tree is up doeesn't mean I am not a Thankful person. Christmas isn't about the hustle and bustle, or the presents, or the commercialism. Its the feeling. The love. The family. The magic. The innocence of childhood. The memories. The smells. The beliefs. The gratitude. This time of year touches me like nothing else can. It makes me strive to be better in everyway. I bring out the very best mom in me. I try to create something beautiful that my children will never forget. I hope when they think back on "the holidays" they remember the sound of Josh Groban's "Oh Holy Night" echoing in our home. The smell of our pine scented candle. The chocolate crinkle cookies right out of the oven. The nights we spent in front of the fireplace reading our Christmas books. Driving through the neighborhoods with hot chocolate while looking at the lights. Singing along in the car as loud as we can to "Santa Clause is coming to town". The coziness of our Christmas tree lights as we watch "Home Alone". Those are the memories I carry from my childhood. The ones I hope my children carry with them. I will prolong that as long as I can. So yeah, my Christmas goes up before Thanksgiving. So I can enjoy it, so I can feel it, so the season can last just a little bit longer. So there is my spill on it all....
Another night etched in my mind. This family tree of ours is so special to me. I just bought a brand new tree for my front living room. New tree, new decorations...its beautiful and super fancy, gold and deep maroon. I spent a hefty price tag on it all and it sure does make me happy. However, this little tree in our downstairs will always hold a special place in my heart. Full of memories. Every year my mom took me and my sisters to Hallmark to pick out an ornament, when I got married those came with me. Then me and Thiago carried on with the tradition. Ornaments that say "our first Christmas together" and then "parents to be" when Carson was on the way. Then our boys came along and we did the same for them. Then my mom took over the tradition and gives each grandkid an ornament of their liking for Christmas. We have iceskaters and Barbie dolls from when I was little. A Red Sox player and a Tigger kicking a soccer ball from Thiago. We have Bob the Builder, Mickey Mouse, Batman, Jack Sparrow, a stormtrooper, babies first Christmas of all my boys. We have the ornaments they have made me in school, preschool, and church. Oh this tree makes me cry. So many memories. So many happy memories. Love this little tree.
And so do my boys...they are constantly down there studying it. Pointing out which ornaments are theirs. Talking to the ornaments and making up little games. Love that they love it so much. So glad that something that brings me so much joy, brings them joy as well.
See its what its all about...and we are just getting going.
No comments:
Post a Comment