A Mother's Love

I was blessed to have my sweet mother, a.k.a., my "bff" here for 2 weeks surrounding Savannah's birth. I wouldn't have had it any other way, except of course having her here longer.

Mom said several times how I was in love with Savannah and hurried to get her in the crib just as she did me, her own baby girl. It was quite a treat to share in having my daughter with my mom here since we are so close.

We tried to get a few pictures of the three generations and only 1 little bitty person wasn't so happy about that. Lucky for me..this is a rare face for her. SO FAR she only screams bloody murder when she is being changed or is overtired or needs to release a good burp. All reasonable problems. Unlike her brother as an infant, she remains pretty peaceful and chill. Let's hope it sticks.

Of course Carver got some lovin' from Grandma.


Atleast a few times a day he asks to kiss his sister's chubby cheeks.





How grateful I am to have shared the first moments with my mom, my best friend. Now I await the time she says she is coming back! Thank you, mom for all you did while here but most importantly for all you do in my day to day life. What a huge piece of my heart you fill!

xoxo

Life as we know it

Savannah Chavez was born on Saturday, February 12th after a beautiful, short 4 hour labor. We figured it would be a long night but boy were we wrong. We were at the hospital at 6 o'clock and not a contraction (my water broke) until after 9pm and she was delivered just before midnight, at 11:56 p.m. What a doll she has proved to be. I am completely smitten. Diving into parenthood the first time around with Carver was such a shock to my system that in retrospect, I don't think I enjoyed this newborn stage. I stressed and opened the books every day desperate for answers, only to never find them. Now I am just in awe of all that a newborn represents. Sleep deprived and all.

She's a beauty. We're gonna keep her. She is 8 days old today and already I am saddened that time is lost. Time stops for nobody and as much as I look forward to our new family of 4 and all that we will experience together, it's quite a thought that every day moves ahead of us out of our control.

I'll spare you any more of my delirious, emotionally-charged thoughts.

Savannah Chavez, welcome to our family sweet baby girl.

And big brother, Carver, has shown no jealousy yet. Nothing but love.

But he remains busy as ever- digging and playing in the backyard with his daddy.

Week 2, here we come!

January 2011

Not much to show for this month in pictures. But guess these capture just how random it's been as we slowly truck along, waiting for Savannah to join us.

Four weeks until my due date, but I'm already dilated 2cm so hopefully she'll come a little earlier than expected. I gotta feelin' about the 15th?

"Maryln" is his newest favorite pet to sleep with, given by our

elderly neighbor, Ms. Jo

Quick day trip to Salado for lunch with old friends

led to an hour of throwing rocks in Salado Creek...

and mommy always going for the extra snuggles.

If my next post were to be in February, then hopefully it'll be with pictures of a newborn.

Until then....

33 weeks and counting

7 weeks until February 25th, my due date. I cannot believe it's that close as much as I can believe it. This pregnancy has not been quite as glamorous as the first, but the end is near. I am definitely at the beginning of the end. (tums, leg cramps, insomnia) However I am soaking up my evening rubbin' from my sweet loving husband, and all the special attention sweet Carver gives to me.

He has always been an uber-affectionate child (thanks to me) but I think I'm smothering him even more as the final days of just him & I grow near. Here's an example of a weekday morning that he doesn't have preschool and we (s)nuggle without any time constraints.

I will steal or gladly accept every last 2 minute kiss. He lays it on pretty heavy, ladies beware.


Lounging with Savannah.

...and talking to her.

..huh, go figure, sister gets a kiss too.

Let's hope this trend continues as he adjusts to life with a baby in the house.

Thanksgiving 2010

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of the family this year. We spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in Cleburne/Arlington with the Chavez side then flew to N.C. to see my side of the family.
BUT before all this, we jumpstarted the celebration with a trip to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party. Carver reluctantly stood next to Chucky for a picture. He USE to be very frightened of him. It always amazes me how much these little ones change and grow in between visits to the same places.

Arlington bound for Teta's house with cousins Wil & Jonathon

We took Carver to the Ft. Worth Zoo for the first time on our way to

Cleburne to see the other side of the family.

Just a little ode to the baby girl in my belly...

I wonder if Savannah will get this many solo shots?

Last time we were at Seaworld, Carver freaked out in the bird feeding area and we had to

make a quick exit. That was just 4 months ago. Now look at him. Again reiterating how

much they grow both emotionally and physically so quickly.
My baaaaaby boy.

I really love this picture as we leave the zoo. His face is a reflection of the good time had by all!

Next up was a backyard Thanksgiving party with the Chavez family.
Games, lots of food & family.

The cousins again.

Carver adores these boys.

I know people have done it for ages before, but I feel bad for them if they didn't

have a portable DVD player for the airplane. Golden.

Thanksgiving 2: North Carolina

Wish I'd captured a picture of Carver's face on the zipline.
Priceless, entertained the kids on end but tiring for adults to lift.
It was really difficult for me from my chair. :)

Cousins Carver & Payne - 1 yr apart and very cute together.

Some things don't change.

No, this can of beer is not open.

Yes, she is teething and yes, Ryan needed a shower!

Payne, Blake, Carver

Mama of 4.
Sister in law, Angela with baby Mills and of course, my little Meryl.

Where else? The A.T.L. baby. Gotta love flying through there.
Got us some candy and a picture of big brother standing by

little sister's name on our way home.

Until Thanksgiving 2011!