Merry Christmas

Praying the joy of Jesus is yours this Christmas.

Hoping for a wonderful New Year, too.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown 1 year {1 1/2 weeks}

Well, we've been home a good week & a half, and life is still feeling a little crazy.

Good, just different crazy:).

As it turns out, our baby boy is super sweet, easy going, & generally happy.

He's already on a good schedule & it feels good having that accomplished.

He eats every 2 1/2 hours or so, & at night goes 3- 3 1/2 hours between feedings.

I know....awesome.

Here are some good pics of our 1st week home:

Bringing my sweet one home.

Yes, he was a reindeer.

I couldn't resist.

The nurses loved him:).

This was right after Parker walked in the door finally coming home.

I can't even describe how good it felt to have all my chickens together.

Then she fell apart about an hour or so later...

A few days with grandparents: enough said:). Ha!

Parker's words about her brother:

"This is my baby sista." 

"Hi baby Tucka."

"His hands are dirty." (hmm)

"Tucka no can have goldfish mama."

She's been learning her boundaries with having a baby around, and after a good week, I'd say she's got the hang of this baby thing.

She's still not super excited all the time about him, but when he notices her, her whole world stops.

And those are such very sweet moments.

About the only time he gets really mad is diaper changing time & here:).

Bath time.

This was a picture from his 1st bath home.

Makes me smile. Ha!

Poor guy...

Parker was sharing her Minnie Mouse "baby" with her brother.

This happens a lot.

So sweet & yet that blanket could smother him!

I never discourage the sharing...

That pig caught his eye.

Made us laugh.

Parker is in love with piggies.

So, it only makes sense that he would like them too, right?

I think these 2 will be a lot alike.

Just a hunch.

A sweet boy with his sweet daddy.

I really love these guys...

Don't you just want to pick him up & squeeze him?

He's a good squeezable baby.

Just hanging out together.

I love those kids.

Happy Birthday Tucker

Tucker Brooks Mershawn

December 5, 2009

7 lbs. 12 oz.

20 1/2 inches

3:01 pm

Happy Birthday to our new little man.

Welcome to our family.

Thankful...a little late

For them.

And the Lord.

He saw fit to give them to me.

And, just to say it...

next post may have a little Mershawn boy in it.

We can't wait.

Enjoying my sleep FILLED nights till then:)...

Tucker update

Well....I'm 37 weeks, went to the doctor today, and here's the report:

NOTHING.

Apparently my kids really enjoy hanging out on the inside.

I never had any action with Parker either.

Looks like this guy is hanging in for the duration.

I guess that's what I should be striving for, just would like a little excitement added to the waiting:).

But, overall, he's healthy, so I'm good. Really good.

On to other things...

Parker tracked me down the other day with my cell phone.

She walked in her room as I was putting laundry away, and says,

"Here mom. Someone texted you."

Geez.

She's so darn cute I could just eat her....

Baby Tucker

We are now less than a month out from having a baby...if all goes according to plan:).

Our house has been abuzz with baby prep for weeks now, and it feels good to say his room is at least put together.

We still have a few things to do...frame to hang, shelf or 2 to buy, closet to organize.

But overall, it's ready.

And, I actually remembered to break out the camera for some painting pictures.

Poor Mitchel taped and taped and taped so we could get lines on the wall.

It was crazy.

Parker of course thought it was great fun sticking tape on the walls.

And on herself.

(that paint was dry- phew)

My man.

He worked so hard, as usual.

He did all of P's room by himself, and the majority of this one.

Poor guy. He's just darn good at it.

I did paint an orange line all by myself.

But this room is his.

Such a great dad...

Elmo chipped in, too.

And, of course, the big sis.

It was all so very exciting.

He painted a lot at night, so she'd help, then head to bed.

Then the next morning would wake up to see what all dad had done in Tuck's room.

Thrilling to a 2 year old:).

And here it is.

The bed, the dresser, the stripes, and the monkeys.

All waiting for a sweet little boy to move in.

I'm in love with those guys.

Mitchel's not jealous.

At least, I don't think...

My mom said she hopes we're not encouraging bad habits with the monkeys.

I hadn't thought of that...

hehe

Mitchel's monkeys.

Drew free hand, painted free hand.

I told you....the man is good.

I sat on the floor & talked while he painted.

What a great wife:).

It's so fun to watch him, though. He makes it look easy.

It's NOT.

We went to the doctor on Tuesday.

All is great. Although there's no action of yet.

My mom's always great to remind me that it's still early.

She was 10 days late with me & 14 with my sister. She's good at encouraging those of us who have to wait for our babies:).

I measured a little small (it was so refreshing to be called SMALL for a change- give me just a second to relish in that- ahhh- okay) but he told me it was fine. He's just low, so he's not filling up his space as much.

I did gain weight. Ho- hum.

We'll keep you all posted. Pray for us!

Patience & peace & health.

We're ready to meet this guy...

Pumpkin Patch 09

We hit the Rockwall Pumpkin Patch a couple of weeks ago.

We really enjoy the pumpkin patch.

Just makes it feel like fall.

Parker caught on to the excitement big time this year, which made it even more fun.

She was quite thrilled with every pumpkin that crossed her path.

She had hers all picked out before 5 minutes had passed.

I like girls who can make good decisions and stick to them! :)

My sweet girl.

Still find it hard to believe she's so big.

That's the one.

She found it, and didn't let it go.

It's sitting right out front as we speak.

Me and my girl.

Like her new "smile?"

It comes out with the camera.

Keep looking. It'll crack you up...or at least, it cracks me up.

Yep, always that sweet.

I love them.

He's just a special daddy.

She'll realize that one day...

Picking out a baby Tucker pumpkin.

Then we bought her one to paint PINK at home.

She had told me a week or so before that she was going to pick out a pink pumpkin.

So, I decided, since they don't come pink, she should get to create her own.

I have pictures of that, but we'll save those for later...

Then came the fun.

Picking out pumpkins is not the only thing to do at the pumpkin patch.

Oh no.

Didn't you know....there's face painting,

(where all the examples had to do with halloween, but my GIRL wanted pink- that's all she'd say, so the nice lady smiled & said, how about a heart- she whole heartedly agreed:).)

and crafts,

(yes, I know- I put this picture here on purpose- trying to keep memories alive- and I recently read a post about how important it is to make sure to have pictures of yourself with your kids-here's my contribution- ugh)

Hmm....

(Is that a smile??

That wreath is hanging on her door.)

and firetrucks!!

See, the smile continues.

Silly kid...

(she pushed every button she could reach on that truck)

We left with 5 pumpkins. 

One for each of us.

And one to be painted pink.

We also took home a beautiful fall wreath & a little 2 year old with a pink heart on her face.

And....I'll leave this long post with this...

Tucker update coming soon.

His room is completely painted (my kids rooms are my favorite in the house), his bed is assembled, his dresser delivered (and in a million pieces- poor Mitchel), & a big plan for shopping tomorrow. His laundry is being washed and folded, and I'm finding myself getting increasingly excited over this new little boy about to invade our family. I really can't wait to meet him.

I have an appointment on Tuesday, and hopefully I can post about that & have pics of his room.

So check back for monkeys & news:).

It won't be long....

and I can't believe it. 

A Pink "Yady-bug"

We had our staff Christmas picture taken tonight at the home of one our wonderful church members.

They're the kind of people who don't know how to not be sweet, kind, & loving.

They planned a little fall fest for our little kids, and we had them all dressed up for the fun.

Parker got candy, played games with her friends, and acted like a sweet little lady the whole night.

We've got such a great kid.

She wanted to be a pink ladybug. So, I tried my hand at creating a costume, and that's what I came up with.

I was so happy that she was so happy. Feels good.

Mitchel was impressed too:).

We ended our night with dinner & a hay ride with friends who are like family.

It was a good night.

Now, our ladybug is tucked away in bed, and we're going to watch a little Charlie Brown:).

Just not the same without him...