truth in advertising

I can't believe my little guy's already going to be seven weeks old on Wednesday. I tried so hard to keep him little through wishing and praying, but that didn't work. Bringing him home from the hospital I cried the entire way home, partly due to the crazy fluctuating hormones, but mostly due to the fact that it signified that he was already growing up. I'm not ready for him to be growing up. I feel like his brother has already grown up way too fast and doesn't need me nearly as much as I would like, so I'm really trying to hold onto this one:


Honestly, I think Link knows it, because he's such a momma's boy. He cries unless he's being held. There's points where he'll turn bright red in the face and gasp and choke on his tears, all because no one's holding him. Other times he does okay, but it always ends up in the same way: crying until he gets held. I'm trying to relish this nearness of him that it allows, all the while trying to hold him back and keep him from growing up and away from me. It's a losing battle but I just love this littleness so much that it's one battle worth fighting.

If there was truth in advertising, his shirt would read thusly (click to enlarge):

Meanwhile, the boy gets more and more independent and more ornery. He knows that when I'm holding Link or feeding him that I'll rarely get up so he knows he has a window of opportunity to get away with something he normally wouldn't. Exhibit A: afternoon snack has been thrown off the table conveniently onto the floor and Drake has mounted the table.

Don't worry, he got down later and ate the crackers off the carpet, much to the dismay of the dogs:

New Designs

I have some new designs up at my store. I'll be updating my store here shortly, as soon as the boys allow, with some more designs as well as types of designs. Check them out if you get the chance.

happy one month

Happy one month birthday, Lincoln! I can't believe you've only been with us for one short month. At times it feels like I've known you forever, like you're a song that I've been singing the melody to all my life but not quite knowing the words. Each day I get a little closer to knowing those words by heart. Other times it feels like you've only just come here, a little stranger intent on stealing my heart (which you've managed to do quite successfully).


In celebration of this event, I've taken some really cute photos. Enjoy!

great new website

Hey everyone, check out http://www.stlboutiquemoms.com/ which supports stay at home moms (SAHMs) in the St. Louis area. The founder was kind enough to find me and add me! It's great advertising and I love the support from other SAHMs. There's some really great shops there...check them out if you get a chance!

an update

Lincoln had his one month check-up today. I can't believe he's already a month old. I've been trying to cherish every moment, but I know that I'm getting to that sleep-deprived state where I'm really grouchy. I'm still relishing my two boys though and my life in general. I have it good.

Anyway, his check-up went really well. He left the hospital with more than 10% weight loss (which isn't exactly great) and at his one-week check-up he'd only gained 2 ounces. After another week he'd only gained another ounce. The pediatrician was concerned, but at that point Link's spitting up was starting to slow down, so he let it go until today's check-up. At today's check-up my little man weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces!!! He'd gained a full pound and eleven ounces in two weeks. I'm so proud you'd think he'd just gotten admitted to Harvard rather than just putting on weight.

Drake's starting to take to him now too. He gave him a kiss just the other night and he loves to comfort him by putting his hand on his head. He also still pets him like a dog, but that's cute too.

As for Link, he smiles at me now. Just me. Three different occassions. His little face lights up when he sees me and that makes all the sleepless nights that much more bearable now. The nurses at the doctor's office saw how he watches my face and just looks at me, and they said he must be in love with me too. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Hope you have something that warms your heart too.

Family Fun...Renaissance Style

My family from Ohio came in recently, bringing with them my eleven year old stepdaughter, Em. They didn't stay nearly long enough, but we enjoyed the time that we had with them. We took them to the local zoo, and I think everyone had a great time. It was nice to just get out of the house and enjoy their company.

Anyway, yesterday we went to the renaissance faire. We've never been and it was the last weekend, so we figured we should go before we miss our opportunity since we'll be moving soon. We ended up having a great time, despite the intermittent rain. Em had never been before, and I think that she really enjoyed it. She said she liked the joust the best, which was really just an opportunity for her to scream her lungs out while she cheered for our knight. We also had several other firsts...Em and I threw axes (I hit the board half the time..watch out world!) and she shot arrows. It was a great time and I'd highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

six years ago

Six years ago yesterday I was a young bride of twenty-one. Barely legal to drink at my own wedding, I was completely confident in my choice of husband. I admit that I'm the kind of person that always plans things out and hardly ever deviates from the plan, so it was no surprise that once I figured out that James was "the one" I accepted his marriage proposal and we got married right away. Why wait when you know what you want? I didn't cry at my own wedding. I figured that was for people who were torn about their decision or saddened in some way, and I was nothing but joyous and excited about my new life. I remember it made my father angry that I said I wasn't going to cry because I was nothing but happy and that brides who cried had something to cry about. He insisted that brides cry tears of joy and not sadness (which I do believe) but I didn't want anyone to misinterpret my happiness so I remained dry-eyed. The point is: I was completely and totally sure of my decision that James was the right man for me. Six years later I still am.