and then there were two...

I didn't write this, but it makes me teary. I sure hope it's true.

And Then There Were Two...

As I hold your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship, I suddenly feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder how could I ever love another child as I love you? Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you've never shared me before. I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me." And I hear myself telling you in mine, "I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again. You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again. But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her--as though I am betraying you. But then I notice your resentment change; first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection. More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times --only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other. I watch how she adores you --as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement: Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you--only differently. And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love. There's enough of that for both of you--you each have your own supply.

July is here!

Yahoo, my brother and sister in law are home from Vienna for a summer visit! We had a blast with them while they were in Seattle. We crammed a lot in to our time together, including a camping trip (which ended abruptly when Tony got sick--he's better now after a few days in the hospital, PTL!), a picnic, a backyard bbq with P&B's Seattle friends, lots of eating, a spades game (which Peff and Shan dominated), a shopping trip, and lots of good conversation. It was awesome just having some time with them.

We just celebrated our 6th anniversary! Still in love. :)

We also learned that our new baby is a girl! I am so excited at the prospect of two little girls in the family. I always wished for a sister, so I'm happy that Bailey will have one. I was amused at Darin's reaction--one of the first things he said was "how are we going to pay for two weddings??" He is such a fantastic, hands-on, loving, funny and patient father. Bailey just adores him. I am really looking forward to seeing him with his two little girls!


A mom and son moment....

We started swimming lessons. The first day was spent with Bailey shrieking, "I don't want to get wet!" and "I'm terrified!" the entire time we were in the pool, while the other kids splashed and laughed happily. She got over it though and now will jump into the pool into my arms all by herself!

Picnic in the park with Peff and Beth

4th of July weekend, hanging out in the yard and trying on lots of hats.

Cooling off at our local spray park...

Camping at Gold Basin--here Peff demonstrates how to roast an Oreo. Truman huddles on Beth's lap, where he insisted on remaining 99% of the time.



Hanging out around the campfire...

Reading with Uncle Peff and nosy Truman



Who knew we had an athlete on our hands? Little Truman likes to play ball!

After a trip to visit Tony in the hospital one night, we were all feeling punchy. We went across the street for some dinner at Shari's. This is what ensued. In case you miss it, Bailey bonks her head on the window which she finds utterly hilarious.

Happy June!

Hello from the beautiful Puget Sound! I'm writing to the sounds of birds singing in our lilac tree outside. It's a warm sunny day and absolutely gorgeous. Our latest news is that we have put our house on the market. We've decided to see how it goes and if things work out maybe find a bigger house in a new neighborhood. The market is slow but we had a showing today, so we're hopeful! Thankfully we serve a God that is bigger than this sluggish economy. :) In other news--though most of you probably know by now--we're expecting!! Baby #2 will be here in early November. We'd been hoping and praying for another baby for some time. God is faithful!!

Little B has been a busy girl lately. Here are some photos and videos to fill you in...

out for a hike

enjoying a day at NW Trek where we saw her current favorite animal--an owl!

Cousins Ian and Luke, take note: Grammy's house is now equipped with a pool. Mom and Dad filled this with warm water from the bathtub. :)

Beach babe


beach self-portrait

reading in her big-girl bed

Hanging out in the backyard

click play to hear the next American Idol..this is typical Bailey--if she's not talking, she's singing!

Sampling her "stone soup."

...and this is the naptime face

We went on a tour of a pizzaria and she got to make her own pizza.

Step 1--don a cute apron.

Step 2--get to work! She kept putting the toppings in her mouth first, then if she liked them she'd take it out of her mouth and put it on the pizza. Logical, but the pizza man was not amused by this.

Step 3--wait....

and wait....

and finally--pizza time!



I'll leave you with this video of B singing a bathtime song composed by Daddy. It has also become a favorite song to sing anytime we stop to put gas in the car.

just pictures

she just couldn't understand why they kept running away

contemplating the playground

brave girl going down the slide!

while daddy's at work we like to spin in his chair, wear his hat and make silly faces.

Truman and Bailey are good buddies.

Bailey's cousins Ian and Luke came for a visit last weekend and we had an impromptu breakdance party in the middle of Jamba Juice.

Then Ian surprised us all with this move:


the cousins checking out animals in the pet store

pocahontas and the train

One of Bailey's favorite things to do lately is to make her toys "talk" to each other. We are amazed (and entertained) at some of the things she comes up with at only 23 months old! Here's a conversation that happened tonight between a tiny Pocahontas figureine and a Thomas Tank engine.

Pocahontas: "I'm riding on you, train!"
Thomas Train: "Yeah!!"
Pocahontas : "Whee!--oops, I fell off!"
Thomas Train: "Are you okay?"
Pocahontas: "Yeah! Would you like me to hold your hands?"
Thomas Train: "I don't have any hands."

catch up...not ketchup

B's signature dance move....the PJ spin...note the announcement of "I like kitties!" mid-dance.

Once again the months have slipped away and I have not been the diligent blogger that I set out to be! Thanks to those of you who have prodded me to get with the program. :)

We are snug and cozy in our little house tonight with a dusting of snow outside. I'll let these photos fill in the gaps from the last few months:

finding the perfect pumpkins...

....is a lot of work!

a fun and messy night of carving and...ta-da!
We had fun at the fall party at church...unfortunately most of our photos from that night were lost due to a camera malfunction! Here's our little chick. She still wears the duck feet that go with this costume quite often.
In November, we celebrated Darin's 35th birthday! M. and T. joined us for dinner out, then we came home for homemade strawberry cheesecake and presents. On the way home, B and Grammy provided the entertainment.

On Thanksgiving we made the short drive to Grammy and Papa's house. We had a relaxing day playing in the yard, making goofy faces, and eating of course! My mom can cook. For this, I am thankful.

Tony and his teeth, always good for a laugh...

Bailey was thankful for the trampoline in the yard.

...and no lazy Thanksgiving evening would be complete without a claymation Christmas special!

Somewhere in here I recieved a very special early Christmas present from my very wonderful mother-in-law--a puppy! We named him Truman. He's 7 lbs. of fun. He likes to come with us on our walks, and when he gets too cold he lounges under the stroller.

And most recently, we have been preparing for my favorite holiday of the year--Christmas!! Wahoo! A few nights ago we had a family Christmas-cookie decorating extravaganza:

We've also been riding on every carousel within a 100 mile radius. Very festive. Bailey LOVES them.


Merry Christmas everyone! Hopefully it won't be another 3 months before I post here again!