Growing Up

Micah is 2 years old today. I can't believe how fast these last two years have gone by. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up at 4:30 in the morning & timing contractions before I decided whether to wake Joe. And at 2:56 pm that afternoon, we had the most precious gift we've ever been given! I can't even remember what our life was like before this sweet little boy came into the world! He has been such a blessing, and I thank God every day for sharing him with us & allowing us to be his parents.

Trip Home

Sorry for the delay. We have been busy! We left for North Carolina on the July 2 and returned July 13. We had a wonderful time! Here's a play-by-play (sort of) of our time home.

-Arrived in Marion & stayed for 2 nights with Joe's parents. Joe's sister & her husband were living there and in the process of moving back to Raleigh.

-Left on the 4th to go to Charlotte to stay with my parents for a few days. Visited the new IKEA and bought some furniture. I LOVE that store! We went to a Charlotte Knights baseball game that night because we heard they had the best fireworks in the area. Of course, I forgot my camera like I always do in big moments. Micah had a blast. He was so funny with the fireworks. He was sitting in my brother's lap during the fireworks & as soon as the first one exploded, he grabbed my brother's hands and covered his ears with them. Didn't miss a beat or get upset. Just didn't like the noise.

-Joe flew back to Jackson on the 5th while Micah & I stayed in Charlotte for a few more days. Micah got his first professional haircut.

uncooperative after his haircut

-Returned to Marion on 8th & left Micah with Nana and Paw for few days while I went to Raleigh for one of my best friend's wedding.

- Wedding festivities! I was in the wedding so I went down a few days early. Helped with setup for the reception; had a fun girl's night eating, bowling, and hanging out at a friend's new house; more wedding set up; rehearsal & rehearsal dinner; and the big wedding day! Joe flew back for the wedding & we stayed in Raleigh until Sunday morning.

Martha & her dad

Martha & Tim--just married!

the roomies together again :)

-On Sunday morning, we drove back to Marion & had a little birthday get together with Joe's parents, his grandfather, and his grandmother since they won't be here for Micah's birthday. They were so generous with our little boy & we had a good time just being with each other.

blowing out the candles

opening a gift from Aunt Susan, Uncle Jon, & Aidan

-On Monday, we made the long trip back to Jackson. It was nice to go home but such a long trip to North Carolina really made me miss it. I wish that we could get back there some day but am not counting on it.

rocking in a chair at the Tennessee welcome center

Since we've been home, I've been totally freaking out about the baby. I am 22 1/2 weeks along now. We have no name. We do not have the nursery set up. Joe thinks I'm going nuts, but the nesting phase is really starting to kick in. When I was pregnant with Micah, we were living with his parents until our house was completed, which was 10 days before he was born. I didn't have the luxury of nesting. This time, I am ready for everything to be DONE! I know there are 4 months left & that sounds like a long time but I feel like I'm wasting so much of it! Ah, the joys of pregnancy!

Micah will be 2 on Thursday. He is changing so much. We actually have conversations now. I think it's really going to make having this baby & being home with both of them more fun than last time. No offense to Micah, but I really didn't enjoy the "baby" stage...you know...from about birth to 6 weeks or so. I LOVED having him & being his mom, but the first couple months, it's like he is just there. And there are no adults to talk to. I didn't think I would feel like this before I had him, but I missed work terribly at that time just to have some adult interaction. Of course once I went back full time, I hated being away from him. This time, I'm only working 2 days a week so I think I'll get the best of both worlds...something of my own but lots of time with my boys!

I'm curious to see how Micah will react to the baby. We talk about him a lot, and Micah has now become obsessed with babies...at the store, on TV, on a cereal box...wherever. He will point that baby out & tell me to look. I'm not sure he'll feel the same way about one in his house, especially when the baby is crying. It will be interesting to say the least. I think he'll adjust well though because he's pretty laid back. He'll be a wonderful big brother!

posing after bath