Coe Check in...

Dear Coe Baby,

You are the wind in my sails, kid. You're almost 9 whole months old, and one million percent amazing. You have a smile that could end wars and the temper that could start them. You're standing on your own now, if only for just a few seconds. You say ma-mom and da-da. You have 4 teeth that have popped up, and unless you're just messing with me by screaming in the middle of the night, I'd say you have more on the way.  We cal you, "Coe baby, Rooster, Ros-co-co, and Red"

You adore everyone and just about everything. & we adore you.

3 Years

Dear Hendrix,

October 2011

November 2011

You're three. Or, "free," which is equally as awesome. I still catch myself every time you tell someone how old you are. It cannot be possible that you are three entire years old, but it is. I hate it.

December 2011

January 2012

You are so full of life; it geeks you out. I'll watch you calmly playing with a toy, and then all of a sudden, you start dancing, or throwing stuff around. You are electric with energy. Don't ever let anyone (including myself) make you shut that off. I promise I'll stop negating it, and try to help you source it into awesome stuff like shuffle ball changes or yoga stretches.

February 2012

March 2012

You are so funny, Hen. You come up with these stories while playing that put your dad and I into hysterics. You have a way of saying things that is so completely you. You are just plain weird and quirky. Hands down, you are best story teller I know. I promise that I will encourage that humor in you, and I will help you to use it when life gets hard or kids get mean.

April 2012

May 2012

In the past year, you became a big brother. Every day, I am seeing these tiny glimpses of how awesome you are going to be in that role. You LOVE your little brother; you protect him, and you are the apple of his eye. I promise to encourage the two of you to love one another; to respect each other. I pray that you two will be the best of friends, because you both deserve a brother that is your other half.

June 2012

July 2012

I'm amazed that I can write this, but you are potty trained, and done with your pacifier. We conquered both of those Mount Everest together, with a lot of love and a ton of accidents. So many people gave me such a hard time about forcing you into both of those transitions. And you know what? The more I'm your mom, the more I realize you move at your own pace, and that other people's time frames and expectations are for them. We are our own little family, and it's okay to take the time to move at our pace. No rush on any other type of transition in the history of ever. Take your time, kid.

 August 2012

September 2012

Watching you become YOUR OWN PERSON instead of a blinking ball of baby is so insanely awesome. You are a growing, breathing miracle, every inch of you. I get frustrated, and so far, three has tested every reserve of patience I thought I had an unending flow of. But, we get better, and we dig deeper. I so badly want to be the mom you deserve, a perfect one. I can see all these hints of this adult that is growing inside of you, and I'm so proud. You are my moon and my stars, Hendrix. Three is going to be one great year, little buddy. To say I'm excited doesn't even cover it.

Hendrix's First Year

Hendrix's Second Year

Halloween Throwbacks

 Hendo as a Pumpkin in 2009

Elmo in 2010 

 Sheriff Woody in 2011

Hendrix as Captain America and Roscoe as Buzz Lightyear in 2012 

Must Haves for Moms of Two

I had a friend of mine ask me about becoming a mom of two. She asked specifically for suggestions on what to buy and have around the house. I thought I'd share with y'all! 

Little presents (or candy) on the reserve for the older sibling. As incentives or rewards, having little toys at the ready can be a life saver. In the first few weeks of Roscoe's life, Hendrix had a LOT to get used to. Being able to tangibly reward expected behavior helped a lot. I had a ton of toys (that my mother and mother-in-law had won in a Goodwill auction) hidden in a closet, and when Henry did something nice I would get one out. In the months leading up to baby, you could build quite a stash for not a lot of money.  Not to mention, a new toy in the hands of brother equals a little hands free time, or time with baby.

I am such a huge fan of bins. BINS. BINS. BINS. Having a place for everything just makes life easier. If you know where to go for all things baby, there's less frustration for everyone. 

This rocker is AWESOME. It transitions from infant to toddler, and it holds up to 40 pounds! My mother and father in law bought this for Roscoe, and it is BY FAR the baby device that gets the most use around here. Also, it's nice to have something for baby that Hendrix can climb in as well. 

Arts, crafts, coloring supplies. During feedings, it's nice to have SOMETHING for big bro (or sis) to do. So, I try to have all that type of stuff on hand near my feeding station. You can find great big coloring books for cheap at the dollar store. Also, then you get some awesome artwork you can hang up to give big bro a little boost of self esteem. :)

ERGO. ERGO. ERGO! There is no better or more comfortable carrier out there. And trust me, you need a good carrier.

In the interest of planning ahead, keep a ton of fresh produce around. The more fresh fruit and veggies you have around, the more likely you are to keep big bro and you eating things that are healthy, instead of all those chips you have calling your name. :)

Say it with me: DOUBLE STROLLER!!!!!! I did a ton of research, and put off buying this until I got a close out color for 100 dollars off the normal price. Ultimately, this stroller goes everywhere with me. It's a lifesaver.

Well mamas? Anything else to add? What are your must haves?!

my boys

5 months!

It seriously looks like I took the same picture with different camera settings. My boys. Twins, born 2 and a half years apart.

Roscoe's Rollin'

Roscoe started rollin' over. We're well on our way to crawling. This "screaming" is him on a daily basis dealing with anything that is even remotely challenging. Such a funny lil' dude.

Rain Dancin'

 "Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams." -Hosea Ballou

It doesn't rain much in Texas, but when it does, you better believe we're outside dancing in it. Hendrix reminds me to get out and be a part of what is going on. Sometimes, it's tough for me to put aside what I am doing and go along with what he has planned, but I'm always glad I did. Yes, that means my house is a mess, and I am usually pretty tired. But, when Henry lays down at the end of the day, he sighs the most perfect sigh. He still curls up into my chest and breathes, "I love you" in half sleep perfection.  I live for those moments, and my days are filled with them. A clean house has never made me feel so fulfilled. 

Tears of joy for miles. 

a few things

Roscoe is almost 16 weeks old. That can't be right, but it is. He's the sweetest human being I've ever met. Absolutely magical. I still stare into his face and can't believe it's real.

Henry is becoming this true kid, all full of grit and fun. He's creative, explosive, fascinating and kind. He's started sleeping in his own bed-- all night, by himself. I feel like that is some sort of miracle. He'll tell you stories, if you ask him. They're usually full of Avengers, bad guys and righted wrongs. This stage is so much fun.

As always, I feel like time is slipping through my fingers. I need to slow down; I confess I'm not doing a good job of doing that lately. Breathe. Pray. Forgive. Move forward. Get better. The usual.

Hendo Quotes...

"I've got a present for ya! It's a poopy!!!" 

"I'm not Iron Man! I'm Captain America, and I have a shield!"

"Who cares anyway?"

"You've got a cookie mommy?! That's nice! I can have one, too, right?!"

Basket Boy!

So, I found this on Pinterest, and I HAD TO DO IT. Mostly, because it looked insanely easy. I always have a full basket of clothes! 

Of course, who knew this kid would almost be out of the basket already!? 

              

                                2 weeks                                                              8 weeks

Things are going beautifully here. Being a mama of two has been a surprisingly simple transition for me. I thought it would be so much tougher, but I've found that being calm and trusting myself gets me pretty far. It gets me through grocery stores and even to the park! :)

Hendo has been doing so much better. Lately, I've turned around to find Henry bending over Roscoe saying, "Hey, yittle brodder! I yove you!" It's pretty much the best.

Soule Mama "this moment"

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

2 Baby Boys

Hendo just told me, "I'm a tall baby, mama!" And I'd have to say, this is the truth. The whole fascinated with the baby/ jealous of the baby/ still wants to be a baby thing is still in full swing around here. And you know what? That is okay! I'm in no rush to have this kid growing up on me. He can stay little as far as I'm concerned.

I talked with a mom when I was probably 4 months pregnant with Roscoe, "OH MY GOD," she told me, "TWO IS IMPOSSIBLE!" The conversation was completely negative, all about her awful experiences, lack of alone time and overall stress. Even then, I said, "Well, I'm so sorry to hear that! I just have faith that it's going to be awesome."And you know what? I think it is what you make it, BABY! 

28 years young.

Hendrix's new favorite thing to announce is, "I have two babies, mama!" He usually pulls that one out while I'm nursing Roscoe and cuddling him at the same time. He'll sit back and say it as though he's realizing it for the first time, "I have two babies, mama!" Sometimes, he says it more like a question, "I have two babies mama?!" as though he's trying on the idea for size, moving around in his new role as a sibling.

I find myself whispering that to myself in the middle of the night between feedings. I curl up with my pillow after laying a perfect, sighing Roscoe down in his bassinet, in awe of my new life. "I have two babies. Two babies..."

In a lot of ways, I can barely reflect on the past year, because so much of it is all about this. I have two babies. My boys are my whole world. I am happier than I have ever been; I feel more at home in my skin than ever before. Life is so good.

A year ago, as I wrote this, Roscoe was a mere possibility, a conversation. Now he's here. My little boy, my family. I have two babies. There's not much else to tell right now; I am so blessed.

Roscoe Everett!

My little champ is already a week old! I can't believe that's possible. Roscoe is right now the joy of our life. He's absolute magic. I had no idea what to expect welcoming another member to this family, and I have to say, it's just right. He is meant for us, so perfect. He is our family.

His birth was intense. I'll be working on his birth story for a while, I'm sure. Things of note? I had my membranes swept at 10:30 in the morning on March 8th, and he was in my arms by 9:15 that night. It was back labor again. It was absolutely intense. My voice is still hoarse. I terrified most of the other people on the birthing floor. But? It was all natural, not even a tylenol. I died with love right away.

Hendrix loves his little brother. He does. Watching them meet was absolutely amazing.

It hasn't been easy. I can't tell you how much I wish I had 4 arms. Hendrix has been my EVERYTHING for the past 2 and a half years. There isn't a whimper that hasn't been answered immediately by me. And now, there's another whimperer in my house. As a matter of fact, he's kind of a screamer. He can't help it, really. That has been so hard to watch Hendrix deal with. As a matter of fact, I feel like I'm going through it with him. There has been a lot more melt-downs. He's become more aggressive. He's been fighting sleep like a ninja. It's everything you read about, you try to prepare yourself for, but there's nothing like experiencing it. Obviously, it has been breaking my heart. Last night, Eric walked Roscoe to sleep while I rocked Hendo, whispering a million love notes into his ears. He just kept kissing me and saying, "Yove you so much, mommy." I cried and cried after he fell asleep.

Think they look alike?

Obviously this is such a short season in our family. I'll blink and these boys will be fighting over the video game controller. But I so want to do right by the both of them. I want to love them both fully, to give them everything they need to feel whole and safe. For now, I have to remind myself that I'm doing all I can, and trust that all the love I've given and am giving Henry will help him to deal with this transition, and come out of it an even more confident and secure little 2 year old.

GAH. So, there's all that. I love my boys so much. There aren't words. We are so blessed.

Roscoe Everett

March 8th, 2012

7 pounds, 7 ounces

19 1/2 inches

perfect.