Four months!

My little morning glory!
Morning glory is exactly what you are. You wake up, and before doing anything else, you grin. It's like infant-speak for, "Good morning, world!" And that state of mind lasts for the entire day, unless that day contains vaccinations, which are the only days I've seen you upset to date. Sure, you have moments of crying, but even in the middle of tears, you'll stop and smile before remembering you are not happy.

You are so close to rolling over. You arch that back and throw your shoulder, and I've seen you make it all the way over except for the leg, which just can't quite hoist itself over yet. But that day is coming soon, baby dude. Sooner than I'm ready for!

You are a grabber - mama's hair, your paci, your blanket, your outfit, etc. When you are really tired, you want nothing more than to grab my hand as it rests on your chest. It soothes you immediately and you fall asleep. You've started sitting in your bumbo chair, and you love that perspective of the world around you. I know I've commented on your physical strength, and that factor hasn't changed. Even the doctor commented on it during your four-month well-baby visit!

In addition to smiling, you laugh. A lot. And you are a talker. You love to be around people, and you'd much rather fall asleep in the middle of a room with people than by yourself in the quiet. That works out quite well because your brother is not a quiet boy. He is also a talker, and currently a drummer and singer and clapper, so the noise level around here is fairly constant. You are fascinated by him, and if Levi is in the room, your eyes are on him. When I take a shower, I always put him in his crib to read some books, and lately I've started putting you in the same room in a bouncer. I think you both love it - he likes the company, and you love to watch him play. And me? I love to watch you both while remaining out of sight, just savoring these moments.

The older you get, the less you look like your brother at the same age. You still very much resemble each other, and it's clear that you are related, but the identical features are becoming less and less. I love how different you both are in terms of personality already, and I think the physical differences will be fun to observe, too.

Four months. That's one-third of a year. Time is a-flyin'!

Love you so, so, so much little man!
Mama

Wedding

Today, as I watched our friend Jordyn marry the love of her life, who happens to be another friend of ours, I couldn't stop smiling. I've been to a lot of weddings in my day - a lot of beautiful weddings involving people I love dearly. But there was just something different about today that makes it one of my favorite weddings of all time.

After thinking about it, I think the distinguishing factor about this wedding, this union, is the inclusion of the bride's and groom's community and that the personality of today was so them.

The size of the house and wedding parties is obvious evidence that this couple is well-loved and that they love people. Anyone who knows Jordyn and Andrew would say that. But beyond the official support roles of those individuals standing on stage with them, I recognized that there was a less visible army of friends and family who love them so deeply that they would jump in to help and support the couple in any way they could. You could literally feel the spirit of love in that place today. I'm not exaggerating.

I love that there was an air of carefree attitude and celebration today. I love that the wedding was outside, in the wind, in a park with everyday life happening around it. I love that there was no center aisle or dramatic pause at the bride's entrance. I love that one of the groomsmen hit his head on a wire while trying to duck and just kept going. I love that the bridesmaids' dresses were a reflection of their personalities. I love that Jordyn looked blissfully happy as she came down the steps. I love that her parents had to do a little dance to maneuver around her on their way to the stage. I love that the couple publicly honored their parents. I love that Andrew laughed the entire time Jordyn made her way to him because he was so happy and full of joy, and because there were some fun moments. I love that military helicopters flying overhead mid-ceremony didn't throw anyone off. I love that no one took themselves too seriously. I love that Jordyn and Andrew incorporated people who had played an influential role in their relationship into the ceremony. I love that her veil flew off and she didn't skip a beat. I love that the audience ranged from fancy heels and suits to jeans and chacos. I love that there were entire families there, kiddos and all.

I love that today felt meaningful. Many of us in attendance watched them fall in love, and today felt like a day of completion, yet at the same time a new beginning.

Jordyn, you were a stunning bride. We couldn't be happier for you both. Congratulations, Franklins!

Oh! What a week!

Team Park doesn't have many weeks like this one. I sat down this evening and mapped it out on my cute Erin Condren weekly calendar. I love Erin Condren organizational things these days. Here's a pic of my project, done by the light of March Madness on the tv. Appropriate.

One paper due.
Comprehensive exam due. You know, so I can graduate.
Three birthday events, one of those being for one of my best buds. I'm looking at you, Taylor.
Three short-term trip team meetings/gatherings.
One fundraiser.
Three meetings with three different folks, all whom I love.
It's Easter! 
AND, we close on a house. That we just bought.

Somewhere in here, I have two craft projects ready and waiting for Levi and Mama to do. Because it's Easter!

You can go ahead and pray for us. Please? I've got the joy, as the song goes… I'd just like to have it come Sunday. Here we go!

Good word

Aunt Leigh comes to town

What a treat! Because my sister lives on the other side of the country, I rarely get to see her for multiple days at a time. And, even more rarely is she able to visit at a time that's not during the holidays. So when she announced that she was coming this spring, her arrival date just couldn't get here fast enough!

I love my sister. I still have a dream that someday we will be neighbors, but until then, I'll take any time with her that I can get.

We did a whole lot of hanging out. We got pedis with mom, went shoe shopping, visited our childhood babysitter, went to a Thunder game and played with kiddos. Both of her nephews adore her, but her eldest nephew thinks she and Uncle J.J. hung the moon.

Here are a few fun snapshots of our sister time/family time. Go ahead and come on back, sisterbird! And bring that strapping lad you're married to with you next time.

Couch cuddles

Didi with one cool cat

Aunt Leigh gave him these sunglasses, and when he saw her put hers on top of her head, guess what he did!

Beautiful blues

Aunt Leigh carried her nephew the length of Bricktown. What a sweet aunt, and what a pretty pic!

Be impressed, folks. That's my seester. 

Teaching Little Dude how to hit the birdie.

Mimi showed Levi how to make whipped cream. He loves to help her cook.

The two of us with the kiddos and our childhood babysitter, who influenced our lives more than she'll ever know.

Three months!

My little joy baby,

This week snuck up on your mama. It held not only the first day of spring, but also your three-month birthday!

As I thought about this post, I began smiling at all of the things I love about you. To list them all here just isn't possible because, well, that list is endless. But here are some of the things specific to this stage in life that I can't get enough of.

I love that you are the happiest baby. You smile all of the time. Sometimes, you will even stop nursing just to look up at me and smile.

I love that you have begun laughing. Sometimes it's a simple laugh. But just last night, as your daddy was kissing on your cheeks, you gave the widest smile I'd seen from you yet (and boy does it look just like your brother's grin) and you belly-laughed. Beyond adorable.

I love your rolls. You have rolls everywhere, just as it should be. Rolls on your ankles and wrists, roll after roll on your legs, and rolls on your neck. It makes washing all of those rolls quite a process at bath time, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love your fire power. You can blow out a diaper with the best of them, and I laugh every time.

I love that you cuddle. I'm still not sure how, but even when I lay you down with space between us, I'll wake up to a little baby nestled right into my chest. If you are having some painful gas because your mother forgot, once again, that marinara doesn't sit well with you and she ate it for dinner, the instant I pull you next to me, you relax and fall asleep.

I love your eyes. Bright blue, inquisitive and observant. And even though you are still a wee thing, I think that you have kind eyes.

I love your strength. When I hold you, your neck is on a constant swivel, looking around, bobbing back and forth.  I love to watch you stretch out those legs when you stand on my lap. Even though you outgrew three month clothes a few weeks ago, sometimes I put you in a three-month sleeper, and I'm waiting for your legs to split the seams when you start moving all over the place. Sweet boy, you are strong!

Baby Dude, you are growing too fast for this mama. But it reminds me to cherish every moment with you.

We love you!
Love,
Mama

Melt me.

On the way home from our first Thunder game in years, and Levi's first one ever, in an effort to re-focus a tired toddler up way past his bedtime, Gib asked a simple question:

"Levi, what are you?"

There was a pause, so Gib continued, "You are mighty."

And from the backseat, the sweetest little voice continued, "and compassionate and strong and gentle."

There are so many days when I am well aware of the mistakes I make as a parent and wonder if any of the things that I want to be impressed upon his heart are in any way being communicated effectively. But tonight? Tonight, my heart melted with reassurance and I nearly cried from the preciousness of the moment. What a sweet surprise.

Yes, Levi Blaze, you are all of those things. And so much more.