His Big Day

My heart is racing with excitement and nerves, 10 pm could not come soon enough 7 years ago. We spent that day shopping for the perfect "going home from the hospital" outfit for a boy, just in case.  We ate our favorite meal, tacos,  and had one last stop at the Creamy Freeze to kill a little time.  

I sit here tonight and can vividly remember every moment of the night of July 24.  It was the night we were going to the hospital to be induced to meet our first child. 

Tonight all those same emotion bubble up. Although tonight we are reminiscing by  showing Reece pictures of every detail.  It is so hard to believe that 7 years have past.

Reece, I will never forget the moment the doctors said "It's a Boy!" July 25, 2006 at 2:29 pm.  Daddy immediately said, "Reece". All that wonderment vanished and I instantly knew ever kick, turn, and jab I had felt for the last 9 months was coming from you, my SON! Time immediately stood still, you were so much more than we could have ever dreamed about!

Reece, 

We spent so many hours wondering and talking about you...what would you look like, what would your personality be like, what would you sound like.  

We have watched you learn how to smile, roll over, and walk, we have kicked the soccer ball, thrown a baseball back and forth so many time with you, we have bartered you when you have insisted on things being your way, we have experienced so many first with you, we have explained life's complexities to you, we have dropped you off at your first day of school, we have witness you shear determination to complete a task while finishing first, we have reassured you when your scared, we have pushed you to try one more time, we have answered your endless questions, we have tried our best to give you the most challenging math problems we are capable of that particular day, we have witnessed you take on the role of big brother and blow us away with your unconditional love, you are helpful and patient before we even need you to be, we are continuously amazed by your passion, enthusiasm, and zest for life, we have loved you through your disappointments or struggles (which are so few), we have witnessed your curiosity for nature and new challenges.  But mostly we never knew love until having you!

As Daddy has told you so many times, " We never knew we would be lucky enough to have a son like you!"  Your personally is magnetic, Reece.  The wonder and excitement you have for life is contagious. We could have never dreamed that 7 years ago we would have been this blessed to be called your parents.  

Tonight I sit hear with as much excitement and anticipation as I did those 7 years ago.  All the hours I spent dreaming about the moment I finally met you is no different tonight except now I am anticipating what you will do or say next.  It has been an amazing 7 years being your Mom and Dad!  We cannot wait to share and make more memories with you!

We Love You!!

XOXO

Birthday Party Recap

Well we officially have a 1 year old and in three more days a 7 year old!  

With one party complete,  we have our next one around the corner.

But to recap Graham's 1'st birthday party....

His birthday and party were a huge success despite a thunderstorm which resulted in the cow jumping the fence (the farm animals were terrified, poor things).  
When I started planning, I found a bunch of ideas on Pinterest and tried to execute several of my favorites but personalizing the party for Graham.  
I had so much fun planning and putting it all together.  

As I had previously said we went with a farm theme.  I couldn't have been more pleased with how it all came together. 

Getting things set up..

The one photo collage is a made up of several of our favorite moments and highlights from Graham's first year!

I really struggled to decide if I wanted a cake or cupcakes, so we did both.  I love how it turned out!!

In trying to stick with the farm theme for food but also keeping in mind the kids, we served veggies and dip, a watermelon bowl filled with fruit salad, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, tater tots,  pigs in a blanket, and sliders from Hunter House. 

My first attempt at a birthday banner.  Despite the work I was so pleased with how it turned out!

The farm table outside, complete with cowboy hats on the back of each chair for the kids.

Big brother Reece and his cousins loving their lemonade in mason jars

When I saw these give aways, I knew we had to do this.  They are egg crates cut in half and filled with farm themed goodies.  

The birthday boy watching the animals come in

Taking a little time to enjoy one of his favorites - animal crackers! 

The smash cake was a complete success!!

Our best attempt at a picture of all the 'little ones".  It was certainly the year of babies for our friends with no more than 5 months between the youngest and oldest.  

And no party is complete without relishing in the moment and a glass of wine, or two:)!

We feel so blessed to have shared Graham's special day with our closet friends and family.  He is such a lucky boy to be surrounded with so much love!

A Birthday Boy

A year ago at 12:15 pm, Graham Edward completed our family!  

Happy Birthday little man!

We are looking forward to a full day of celebrating YOU!

We could not be luckier that you are ours!

Photograph by Brittani Vaughn Photography

We Love You,

Mommy, Daddy, Reece

and Pressley

XOXO

It's Birthday Week!

With Graham's big day quickly approaching (and Reece's daily countdown), I cannot help but reflect back on how our lives changed a year ago.  While so many milestones in our family are special, I find myself more emotional and reflective on this year.  I think of the desire and struggle we had in wanting to add to our family.  As I often said right before I found out I was pregnant , I had come to peace with the idea that Reece might be our only child.  Then there are all the struggles while I was pregnant followed by a less than desired birth experience.  The first few months of Graham's life offered us their own struggles and challenges.  However, the moment we met our little man, I knew every obstacle and challenge we faced was worth it.  Graham, you are the answer to all our prayers and make our family complete.  

Over the years of trying unsuccessfully to have a baby I found myself promising if I ever had the opportunity again, I would treasure every moment.  So many people told me a second would be so different because we "now know what to do, what to expect".  While there is definitely some truth to that I have also found that life got much busier and I was forget all those little moments I promised myself I would treasure.  One of the great pieces of advice my Mom has given me is to write everything down because as time moves on, it will be those little things which fade.  So over the past several months I have been composing a "list" of some those moments in Graham's first year I don't ever want to forget:

Holding you on my chest with you legs curled up and bum in the air

Your furry ears and body when you were born

The dimples on your shoulders

Your so soft open mouth kisses

The way your toes curled up

The way you squint your eyes when you smile really big

When you are sleeping so peaceful in our arms after a late night feeding

Your belly laughs

How you "mmm" when you like a food

The way you try to lift your leg so it doesn't touch the grass (your not a grass fan)

Splashing in the tub and lake and squealing with excitement

Your wonder and excitement for discovering something new

When you cry so hard when we shut your door to say goodnight

The way you love to look out at the lake when you first wake up

So while I wish I could freeze this time, I know Graham is growing and changing everyday.  We love to watch the little man he is becoming.  Graham, this week we celebrate you!!

Holiday Recap

Mother Nature finally received the memo that summer is here and for the most part cooperate for a busy and fun filled weekend.

We started the festivities off Wednesday night with going to a fellow Superintendents course to watch the fireworks.  They also have a baby a two months older than Graham, so the little guys stayed back with a babysitter, while the big brothers joined in the festivities.  The fireworks were beautiful!  Although the mosquitos, eekk....

I started off the 4'th with a 10k race with my sister and brother in law.  My mom joined us with walking in the 5k.  We all agreed it was a great way to start the day.

It was definitely time to cool off after the race and days like this remind us how blessed we are to live on a lake.  

The island was packed with others ready to celebrate the holiday and sunshine!

 Despite everyone being exhausted we decided for this night that only comes once a year, we needed to headed out on the lake for fireworks.  As Reece said "These are so awesome, I don't even know which way to look!"  There were fireworks everywhere, and beautiful!  While we were unsure how Graham would do, especially being several hours past his bed time, he also couldn't decide which direction to look, and did great!  

Sitting back watching Graham and Reece together in this moment bubbled up all the emotions of this past year.  What a difference a year makes!

Friday morning was such a big day in our house...Reece lost his first tooth (with a little help from the dentist).  I had been ask at least ten times this past school year "when am I going to lose a tooth?" as all his friends and classmates lost theirs.  Like so many times in this parenting journey, I was so surprised that the pressure to be like others/friends/classmates, would have started so soon.  Well, he finally lost his first tooth and the pride of seeing himself in the mirror for the first time will be something I never want to forget!  That pride and excitement quickly turned into preparing for the tooth fairy.  What a special milestone!

Friday afternoon/evening was a visit with some dear family friends.  Shannon and her husband Jack now live in Calgary, while Kim is now in Dubai.  They were back in town which meant our annual lake time and BBQ.  Not only did this visit add two new members with Graham and Mila (Jack and Shannon's daughter) but more importantly a time to catch up and have a great time together.  

  

Mila and Graham meeting for the first time...

Aly and Reece getting their paddle board lessons from Kim

Sunday were our long awaited family photos with Purple Frog Photography.  (This is just a picture which I snapped of her attempt to get smiles and eyes at one time)  Five kids, eight adults, and dodging rain drops are sure to make a photo session adventurous but Alicia was amazing.  We are looking forward to seeing the pictures.

There was no better way to end the holiday weekend than a Sunday family nap time.  The rain showers came in just in time to make this an easy answer!!

While I was a little sad last night that the holiday had come and gone, we certainly had a lot of fun in making memories celebrating America's Birthday!!