Cooper

Because we are glutens for punishment, we brought a puppy home last week. Please meet Cooper.

I know you’re currently doing the math, and you’re right. That means a baby and a puppy in one year. But we aren’t ones to turn down a good challenge (or a crazy one).

After losing Rebel just over a year ago, there was a void in our home and hearts that was begging to be filled. So this year will be crazy, cute, and exhausting, and filled with poop and pee. And exhausting.

But the good things are never easy, and we aren’t getting less busy. So let’s get this little guy potty trained before baby (got it, TYLER?).

Also, I’m hopeful Kahla will raise him. Wishful thinking?

That face, though.

Number Two.

That’s right folks, littlest Stubbs is due to shake things up this coming October – and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

Things are so different this time around. Besides feeling the need to pull out the maternity clothes like, NOW (in stark contrast to the 20+ weeks I made it with Jackson before taking the maternity clothes plunge), I’m also less sick and more tired. I could take three naps a day and still sleep like a baby at night – maybe that has something to do with chasing a toddler around during the day?

I’m also 1000% more calm this time. When we found out I was pregnant with Jackson, we thought we were prepared for what that would mean, but seeing that positive pregnancy test was actually kind of scary and overwhelming at first. EVERYTHING would change. I would have to give birth. What have we done?!

This time, I know (generally) what to expect. I know that this baby, just like Jackson, will shift our family to a new and better place – one we couldn’t have imagined before him or her. He or she will become the perfect missing piece that we didn’t know was missing, and soon won’t be able to imagine a life without.

Also, WHERE IS THE TIME GOING?! This pregnancy is flying by at warp speeds, just like everyone warned me would happen. I just hope to throw a nursery together, and possibly wash some blankets before the nugget arrives. Stay tuned…

Things you should know:

·      We won’t be finding out the sex of littlest Stubbs before D-Day (or whenever he/she decides to make his or her way), so I’ll be facing a patience, shopping, and design challenge like I’ve never experienced before. But I look forward to proving unisex clothes can be cute, and neutral nurseries can be stylish.

·      I’m in the second trimester now (when did that happen?) so I hope my energy levels will pick up. But if you can’t find me, I’m asleep on the couch (or I might be shoving my face with spicy pickles).

·      If you’d like to deliver gifts, please consider carbs. Bagels, toast, pasta. All.the.carbs.

·      I’ve officially reached the, “is she pregnant? Is she fat?” stage. Now you know: a little bit of both (thanks to the carbs).

I think that’s probably more than enough information for one day. I’ll attempt to post occasional updates, since you’ll be dying to know what I’m craving and how bad my heartburn is, and how much weight I’ve gained along the way. Sorry baby #2, I just don’t think weekly updates are in the cards. Welcome to life as a second child. BUT, know that you are loved beyond comprehension, already.

My heart bursts at the mere idea of you in our arms.

XO

Easter and Other Things That Happened in Colorado

Tyler has spent the last five weeks in Alabama, completing some necessary training. In an effort to break up the time that he was away, and avoid my inevitable pity party when Jackson and I spent Easter alone, the two of us headed back to Colorado for a week and a half of over-eating, relaxing, and playing catch up with friends and family.

And it felt like such a luxury - Colorado twice in two months?! Yes please.

The time we spent in Colorado overlapped with my mom's spring break, my dad's birthday, and, of course, Easter. Prepare for picture overload, per usual.

Like a boss.

Can you tell we're related? Maybe?

Apparently, I bring the weather.

Celebrating papa's birthday - like children. 

And Easter eggs!

Incredibly, the Easter bunny found us.

I could eat him up. Seriously.

Easter brunch with the crew.

The ol' Ester egg hunt. Don't mind the tie - fighting for eggs is serious business.

One last bed time story with Aunt Katers.

Homeward bound (which always means breakfast at McDonalds).

THREE

You’re three today, and I can’t wrap my head around how that happened.

It seems like yesterday that we found out I was pregnant with you. That day our world shifted, and we began the exciting, scary, and overwhelming journey of preparing for your arrival. We didn’t know it then, but our lives would never be the same in the very best kind of way.

In the early morning hours on March 9^th, 2013, we headed to the hospital anxious, nervous and excited for what the following hours would bring. By 5pm, I was holding you in my arms, and in that moment, you moved our world.

In the months and now years that have followed, we have experienced moments incapacitating fear and vulnerability, and right along with it, a joy that we never knew could exist. Your happiness is our happiness, your sadness is our sadness.

Sweet boy, you have added immeasurable love and joy to our lives. For each day that we get to be a part of your journey, we are blessed. You are a sweet, fun-loving three year old who loves big, plays hard, and hugs really, really tight. You are cautious and careful, and you are smart and funny.

We are so proud of the little guy you’re becoming, and can’t wait to see where the coming years take us (but we’re in no hurry).

Happy THIRD birthday, Jackson!