Call me crazy.

My mom has been here for the past 2 weeks helping with the babies and she left today. I am one sad momma to have her gone. Thank you, mom, for being such a BIG help!!

And now, this is me. 

We have laughed daily wondering how I am going to survive this. We landed on good friends, wine and lots of prayers. Call me this time next year, I may have a minute to chat ;). 

bittersweet.

Here I am, in the last week of pregnancy, and my, it is so bittersweet.

Sweet in that my body is just about at maximum capacity. Sweet in that I will appreciate sleeping comfortably, wearing regular clothes, not aching everywhere and getting myself back in shape. Sweet in that my hair will hopefully not continue to fall out in chunks, my face won't be all crazy different shades and my ankles and feet won't look like baked potatoes.

But bittersweet, still. Bittersweet in that this is most likely my last time being pregnant. That I will no longer feel the sweet flutters in the early weeks or strong kicks as the baby continues to grow. Bittersweet in that I won't be the only one in the world bonded with a sweet baby who hasn't made his appearance into the world yet. Bittersweet in that I won't have the excitement of seeing the lines on a stick and sharing the joy that a new little person will soon be joining our family. And bittersweet in that I won't have my belly to rub, knowing a beautiful blessing is growing inside of me.

It's a crazy feeling, really. All the emotion, the smiles and excitement, the joy, the fears and anxiety. The worrying, the praying, the longing to hold and see that sweet face for the first time. No experience is quite like it. I have emotions I wish I could bottle up and save forever. The anticipation. The love. Even some of the funny glances I get when walking around looking like I am about to pop.

And then the day comes. The day you meet them. And you are so fully, deeply in love. The wait is over. They are here. Another one of God's precious angels has emerged into our world. For a family to love. To cherish. To raise.

And all at once, there it is again. That feeling. The bittersweet cycle continues. Time goes too fast. They grow up too quickly. The days may be long, but the years are short. They change right in front of us with each passing moment. Time is fleeting. Little ones are learning and changing. And we long for one more time to rock them to sleep. To hold them. To sing "Jesus loves me." To make them laugh and hold them close when they cry. To make sure they know they are loved with every shred of our being.

Bittersweet. It's all so bittersweet.

The almost big-sissy.

As the day gets closer to meeting little brother, I have been soaking in every moment with the soon-to-be big sister. She is getting so big and I know the moment we bring home Baker, she won't seem like a baby anymore. I just want to enjoy every second with her that I can.

She will be 16 months on the 10th and is toddling around everywhere. To say that time flies, is truly an understatement. I look back on pictures and videos and just cannot believe how fast this last year and 3 months have gone. She has quite the personality and is just too funny. She loves to play and insists on taking her blanket and sippy cup everywhere. She has also acquired a love for bows and carrying a purse. She loads up her stroller with whatever toys she needs, grabs her blanket, swings a purse on her arm and off she goes. She loves to play in her princess tent and load up her Dora car with toys.

She loves baby dolls and rocking and snuggling them. She loves to dance and it is absolutely hilarious. She could play outside for hours. She loves to read books and each night before bed she picks out the 3 stories she wants (9 times out of 10, they are the same ones we read every night).

She is quite the snuggle bear and I just eat it up.  She loves to be held and is quite a momma's girl. She is quite the chatter box, although, most of it we can't quite understand. She loves to talk on the phone and walks around often pretending she is having a serious conversation with someone on the other line. She says "daddy" constantly. She also says "mama," "sissy," "uh oh," "kitty," "bye bye," "hiiiii," and a few other things. 

She is still a really great eater, although she is a bit more picky when it comes to the texture of some food. At dinner time, we pull her highchair up to the table with us, and she clasps her hands together when it's time for our prayer. Melts my heart. 

Some other favorite things:

- dancing to any kind of music (especially her sock monkey)

- her blanket (we go no where without that and her paci)

- shoes

- bows

- bath time and splashing

- singing (or trying to!)

- giving kisses and snuggling

- swinging

- stroller rides

- our kitty and seeing other animals

 - playing in the kitchen cabinets

What a joyous 15 months with her it has been. I can't wait to see her and Baker play together and grow up being buddies (once we get through the shock of a new sibling, ha!). 

Saylor, you are my precious, darling, first born. I love you to pieces. You taught me how to be a mama and love so much it makes my heart feel like it's going to burst. I love you, tink tink. 

Christmas catch up, part 2

Christmas Eve, we headed back to Columbia to be home for Santa's arrival. We left cookies and milk out and sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard. Alex, our elf, made his final appearance of the year, as he prepared to head back to the North Pole until next Christmas.

Santa left a few goodies for the girls...

The fire truck my parents gave Baker found a cozy spot under our tree...

Christmas morning...

Saylor may have loved the box more than what was inside :)

Hubs cooking us up a Christmas morning breakfast...

We relaxed during the day and then prepared for Christmas dinner. My parents arrived that evening and we enjoyed having both families together.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Christmas catch up, part 1

As I look back over the pictures of Christmas, I am soaking in all the magic. The smiles, the moments. Some of which happened between the walls of our own little home in Columbia. Others which happened in my parent's home while we were visiting throughout the holidays. And others which happened, as Sean and I shared giggles over Christmas music in the car during our various travels.

The joy of Christmas really does stay with us. The decorations are put away (with the exception of a few icicle lights hanging outside - read: my husband doesn't love heights and ladders, ha). All gifts have been opened and are now on their way to being well used. My new boots have already been broken in and spilled on (such is life with littles). But the magic... the magic lingers. And I love that.

My parent's host a Christmas Eve party at their house every year. I think this was year #11, and it happens to be something I always look forward to. This year, it was on Christmas Eve "Eve." With us living 3 hours away, this worked so perfect for us. We wanted to be home Christmas Eve night to see what Santa brought the girls, so we were able to spend a few days pre-Christmas with my family in NC.

Christmas Eve Eve, in pictures...

Saylor was super sick with a virus, so she spent most of the holiday with a fever, sleeping off the sickness. However, she did make a short appearance in pajamas at the party...

Baker family Christmas tradition... Opening pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year, the pajamas took a turn for the better, in my opinion, but if you ask my brothers and husband, probably for the worst, ha! We bring to you, sock monkey pajamas, in all their footed glory...

We woke up Christmas Eve morning to a visit from Santa (or one of his little elves)....

It was a wonderful few days and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our families. Happy Christmas, part one... from our house to yours. 

It has been a whirlwind around here, but I am happy to say, life seems to be slowing down, thus giving me the opportunity to let it all sink in and reflect. The decorations have been taken down and I am left with the after Christmas emptiness. The empty spot where the tree sits. The undone mantels and railings. The leftover glitter in every single corner of our home. But I'm also left with a renewed sense of love and family. A renewed sense of what's really important. That days can be long, but the years are short. That love and family are really all that matters. That as we embark on a new year, I am reminded to enjoy the small things, the small moments. To be more patient. To laugh more. To love harder. To hug those we love a little bit tighter.

The holidays were truly wonderful this year. We loved being surrounded by laughter and love of family for weekends on end. We spent Christmas in both North and South Carolina. We visited with all of those we love, making fun new memories, building on old traditions and soaking in the true spirit of Christmas.

I have quite a few posts to get done, and am hoping to have them up this week. Until then, i'll leave you with this, brought to you by red sock monkey footed pajamas...

Baker Family Christmas, 2011



Counting down to Christmas

"The joy of Christmas, stays here inside us. Fills each and every heart with love..."
-Faith Hill, Where Are You Christmas

This Christmas season has been so busy, yet so joyous. We have spent the past few weekends on the road visiting friends and family and celebrating this Christmas season.

We headed to Charlotte this past Friday night for the Stutts Christmas party, and as always, had such a wonderful time.

Saturday, we were at my parent's house, and my mom and dad kept the girls for the afternoon while Sean and I finished up some Christmas shopping, sans kids. We really had a great day. We had a lunch date, shopped, had a coffee date at our old favorite spot, and really enjoyed the day. Thanks mom and dad!

Saturday night was my oldest and dearest friend's 30th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday, Carrie! We gathered at her parent's house then headed out on a party bus to celebrate. It was quite entertaining and we had such a good time. Carrie and I have been friends almost 25 years and she is such a special part of my life. Most of my memories include her!

Some of the girls at the party...

Sunday, we headed to Winston-Salem to celebrate Christmas with Sean's side of the family. We enjoyed a really nice brunch and the kids had a great time playing together. Three 5 year olds, a 2 year old and a one year old. It was busy, to say the least.

The girls pre-brunch...

We hit the road back to Columbia that afternoon, and both girls slept all 3 hours home. To say that they were pooped is an understatement. 

Sunday night, Sean and I put the girls down early and snuggled in to finish watching Family Man (which by the way, is a really great Christmas movie).

We have spent this week wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies, and getting ready to hit the road again to celebrate the holidays.

Watching the girls excitement for Christmas this year, I am reminded of our Lord and Saviour, God's only son, who was born on this day. "Behold, the Lamb of God has come." May we believe in the magic of Christmas and not forget our Lord's birthday and the real meaning of this joyous season.

Christ is come, let all creation sing

God's own Son, oh hail the newborn King

The word made flesh, now dwells among us

Christ is come

-Big Daddy Weave, Christ Is Come 

Catch up and Phone dump.

It's Friday and another week has flown by. We are gearing up for the holidays and lots of travels coming up. We'll be spending Thanksgiving in Charleston with family then flying to St. Lucia the next week for a dear friend's wedding. As soon as we return, I imagine we will jump in to Christmas full steam ahead.

Saylor has been sick as a dog the past few weeks and the cough got so bad this past weekend, we ended up at the pediatrician Monday morning. They sent us home with a nebulizer and we were told to do treatments twice a day. The first few rounds of treatments were hard, pitiful and heartbreaking for this momma. Saylor just didn't quite understand what was going on. It has gotten much better throughout the week, though, and we went back in to see the doctor this morning. He said she looks and sounds much better, to move the treatments to once a day, and hopefully we should be good to go. Praying baby girl is on the mend.

Sean and I started watching the Friday Night Lights series about 6 weeks ago and finished the series last night. Best. Show Ever. Hands down. Today, I am mourning the loss of it being over. Texas forever.

I've been doing some Christmas shopping and am feeling pretty good not to be stressed out about it. I've gotten quite a few things here and there, which puts us about half way done with shopping. Love that.

Baby Branch is growing and as of this week, my belly has officially popped out (see recent bump photo here). I feel the little fella move around quite a bit more, especially in the evenings when we lay down to relax. Sean hasn't felt him yet, but I am sure it will be soon. His twists and kicks are getting stronger. Momma is also hungrier these days! I seem to be starving all the time. Oink.

I am so excited about all the new babies joining us in 2012! I have many sweet friends all having babies right around the same time as me, as well as my brother and sister-in-law welcoming their first in May. I heard from one of my dearest friends yesterday that our little boy will be having a girlfriend come April. I am SO excited for them and can't wait to meet their little angel.

And because it's been a little while since I have done one, here is my iphone photo dump friday:

Happy weekend, yall.