Sweet Moment

I think that Graeme is finally starting to know what it means to be a big brother and is getting used to having Liam around and part of things. Today, we were headed out to go run a few errands and since it was a hundred degrees out, Graeme and I went out to start the car up and get the air running. Liam was hanging out inside in his car seat waiting in the a/c. I had planned to go ahead and get Graeme buckled up before getting Liam, but as I opened the car doors and went to start it up, Graeme looked around and then went back inside the house. I went back inside to get both of my fellas and there was Graeme standing by Liam in his car seat and looking at me as if to say "well, Mom, we can't forget the little guy". Once I picked up Liam, Graeme headed back toward the car and did his normal climb into his seat ready to venture out!

The Case of the Missing Diaper

The adventure of Hale-raising has taken a mysterious turn this week.

The look of joyous celebration shown here has been repeated daily by Graeme for the last several days. This picture here, however, is quite different from these daily celebrations-he is wearing clothes.

It really isn't much of a mystery as to why the diaper is missing and Graeme is running around is childish freedom and causing parental chasing (I may not like the carpet in our house, but I don't want any unexpected wet spots either). I had a great coupon for $6 off the BJ's brand of diapers. For any others who may have this coupon-DON'T USE IT!

The tabs do not hold well, so unless Graeme has on shorts he can easily pull on one side and let the diaper fall to the floor. He does it at unexpected times or right in front of me while I'm taking care of Liam and have to wait to chase him down. He takes great joy in running away as I try to catch him and put the diaper back on.

The real mystery will be if I ever buy these diapers again.

A Mother's Right to Brag

It has already been a month since William Dewitt Hale made his appearance into the world. As the mom of two pretty awesome Hale-boys, I am quite aware they are far from perfect little angels (they have a reputation to uphold after all) but in celebration of surviving this first month it is time to brag . . .

Liam's grown so big in so short a time but he still loves to be held. He is still somewhat confused as to when the best time of day to sleep is, yet he is still quite an amazing fella. If put down on his belly, he will move several feet ahead pushing with his feet in just moments. We don't have to worry as much about Graeme pulling him off the couch as we do him wiggling himself off. He will also sometimes push himself over onto his back and can hold his head up off the floor for a few moments already. He is getting so strong so fast. I'm trying to treasure these moments (except for grocery/store shopping-they do not plan that for a mom of 2 small children as the carts are impossible to use with the kids in them!) as I know that before long I will be in shock that he is almost 2.

Graeme is adjusting to this new life pretty well. He is going through a throwing and whacking things with spatulas, trains and whatever is handy stage so I don't think that Liam can really take that one personally (we have prevented most hits). Like Liam, Graeme is growing bigger and more amazing each day. He slides into his pool with particular glee when he is wearing non-swimming clothes (hilarious moment today when the sopping wet diaper fell off and he was running around the backyard in just a shirt). Graeme climbs on top of his train table and plays or walks around it in circles making anything with wheels ride the track. He loves to be chased and can't stand to have the tags on clothes sticking out. He is generous with his food, even when we wished he would just go ahead and eat it himself. I love watching him understanding and playing and interacting with the world.

And while I would have loved to add a wonderful picture of my delightful boys together, they are real children under the age of 2 so that just wasn't happening :-)

4 weeks and one day ago

I can't believe how time has flown. My baby boy is almost one month old and there is barely 3 months left until my big fella turns 2.

Needless to say the last couple of weeks I really haven't gotten much time to do things on the computer. Just getting sleep is still a major event. It is so hot outside that we haven't been outside too much and I haven't taken many pictures (I hope to remedy that part at least).

Here is to celebrating time and treasuring memories with my little guys as time continues to fly. I'm already reminiscing over their newborn pictures :-)

Graeme when he was born

Liam when he was born

The Memory of Sleep

How can someone so sweet and adorable think that he should be awake between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m.? Yet he does (even though this picture shows him in angelic baby sleep). We are having such a wonderful time with our two boys. We are truly blessed with two sweet and adorable fellas. Graeme is finally saying "momma" more frequently and being such a fun big brother. He is getting more and more interested in Liam and has tried to pick him up several times. I am trying to teach Graeme that gently touching his head or rubbing the back of Liam is the way to go. We'll see.

But back to Liam. He grows cuter (and longer-already an inch longer than when he was born 2 weeks ago!) everyday. This is a good thing because the one thing not being adjusted to out of the womb is when he should let mommy sleep. He sleeps so well during the day and early evening, but when mommy and daddy are ready to head to bed, he's up for a couple of hours. I'll send Mike off to bed (one of us should be semi-rested and he can't exactly nurse the baby :-) and begin night duty. I really do miss sleep and as a friend reminded me today-each day brings us closer to the day he will sleep through the night! I also am grateful that my semi-rested husband takes over and gives me a couple hours each morning so I can make it through.

Here's hoping that sleep becomes more than just a fond memory soon!

One Week

Wow. How fast time flies. It has already been one week since Liam made his arrival. Today, Graeme tried to pick up Liam for the first time. Luckily, we were right there to help him hold his little brother and have a very sweet moment.

It has been such a great week. We were able to come home pretty quickly. It was so awesome to be back with Graeme and to start family life. Graeme has started showing more and more interest in the little person who is apparently not going to be going anywhere anytime soon. Liam is still only interested in food and sleep, but it won't be long before he is ready to play!

Bring on week 2!

My Little Mini

Well, after 19 and 1/2 months of living with a little guy who shows no signs of looking like his mother AT ALL, I now have one that does! William Dewitt, we call him Liam, looks like his mommy. He has a head of dark hair and looks like he will also have dark eyes, but we will have to wait and see. The way that his hair lays and has a natural part, he looks like his hair is styled and he is ready to be on the cover of GQ baby. I keep telling Mike that I'm going to have to find him a little suit onesie to wear.

Graeme has been a great big brother. He has been playing and having pretty normal days

thanks to his wonderful Aunt Leanna. He has come to visit us each day, but has shown little interest in his little brother. At this point, he found the cabinets and buttons of the hospital room much more interesting. Now that we have come home and invaded the house, Graeme has taken a greater interest in Liam. He thinks that his little brother must always have a pacifier in his mouth. He is also learning about being gentle and what is okay around Liam.

We are blessed! Mike and I look forward to many "hale-raising" adventures with our little minis!