Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday was the day of Alec's scheduled pre-op cardiac catheterization and MRI. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning. Within a half hour of checking in, they were pre-medicating Alec with sedation to prepare him for intubation and general anesthesia. We were overwhelmed, but he was a trooper. Braver than I even thought possible. We sat impatiently in the waiting area, trying to keep distracted as best we could. This wasn't our first rodeo, so we knew what to expect, but let me tell you, it never gets easier. After about an hour, Alec's nurse came and gave us an update. He was still in MRI. Not even halfway done, but at least one hour down. Another hour passed and his nurse came out again, but this time she called us back to meet with the doctor. His physician informed us that the views of his heart obtained in MRI were thorough enough for the surgery team. He would not need any further information; therefore, the cardiac catheterization was not necessary. It was the most blissful news, music to our ears! Within a half hour, we were able to see our little bug again. He was just waking up from anesthesia and he woke up peacefully. We were further educated on the surgery to come and, soon enough, Alec was discharged. We were home by noon and we spent the rest of the early afternoon lounging and resting from our eventful morning. As the evening approached, we were all in need of a little change of scenery, so we decided to take a little trip to Longwood Gardens. We brought along our actual camera and were able to capture some twilight photos of our family.

Yesterday had potential to be a really rough day for all of us, but thankfully the best case scenario occurred. To say we feel blessed is an understatement! One less test, one less hour under anesthesia, one less battle to fight. We are feeling pretty relieved over here! Although the days to come are sure to be challenging, I know there is light at the end of this dark tunnel. I know in my heart of hearts that my little boy is going to come out on top of all this. He is going to be stronger, healthier, and happier. In the end, it will all be worth it.

HellooOOoo.... It's me.

Well let's just say life has gotten the best of me. Since having my second little bambino, blogging has sadly been pushed aside. But lately, life has let up a bit, and I am seriously starting to figure out this mama of two situation (I think). So here I am, blogging! And for some reason, I figured the best way to make my return would be with a ten things post... here' s hoping this isn't the last time you seen me this year! Enjoy!

Ten Things

...that caught my eye across the web...

been eyeing up this delicate flower crown for a wedding I'm in next month

this instagram account is a stunner and worth the follow

the best new show on television

nordstrom anniversary sale: one, two, three

the most versatile weekender bag

once leisurely reading becomes a thing again, this will be the first book on my list

one day, i will travel here, with friends and family

loving this off-the-shoulder trend: one and two

for my kitchen, found courtesy of house tweaking

24 hrs in Philly, a venture I'm willing to try!

next up... a book report. a new post I am going to try and do monthly. our most five favorite books currently, for toddlers and babes.

Introducing...

Our baby boy. Isn't he just the sweetest little thing you've ever laid eyes on? 

Things are going well over here. Kiel is officially back to work after the long holiday weekend and it's just me and the boys from sun up to sun down. I was nervous. How was I going to comfort both of them when needed, how will I find the time to change two poop-filled diapers at once? But to be honest, it's okay. I'm figuring it all out, slowly, but surely. 

Life with two is actually pretty grande. I often find Alec standing over baby Wes in his swing... speaking softly "hi baby wes, how ya doin in there". And just before bed each night, we all five cuddle up in our big king bed. Alec watches a little show, Wes nurses into a deep snooze, and all is well in the Drake household. That's not to say we haven't had our fair share of hiccups here and there. Nursing a newborn is challenging. It sometimes feels as though my arms are always full. My husband has mostly been tending to Alec and it makes me happy to see their little bond grow, but I can't help but feel a bit envious too. It's interesting and somewhat difficult to embrace the new dynamic. But so is life, and I realize that things will change, and it will get easier and we will all eventually adjust in due time. For now,  I am doing my best to embrace it all. To soak up that little baby smell, to bask in those quiet moments that I am nursing in the wee hours of the night. After all, they are only this little for so long... and who knows if I'll get a chance to do this all a third time. 

I hope you all had a lovely holiday amongst family and friends. Ours was one for the books. We ended the day with stuffed bellies and full hearts.

And yay for the upcoming holiday season! Bring on all the Christmas cheer! 

Home Stretch

39 weeks, 2 days. 

baby boy, 

your family is so ready to welcome you into our world, mama especially! your 'brudder' has read all the books to prepare himself for his new role. he remains skeptical, but I know he will love you more than imaginable once he lays eyes on you. mama and dada stay up late each night talking to one another about you. we wonder how you'll look, another red-headed firecracker we hope. we talk about how exciting and amazing our lives will be once you're in it. we will admit that life out here in this big world will be a little bit of an adjustment for you, but we promise to give you all the love you will ever need. you are such a blessing and we will treasure you all the days of our lives. 

xo, your little family of drakes

p.s. hurry up. the excitement is kind of unbearable.

Baby Prep

Nursery. Nearly complete, needing a few minor touches here and there. Tour coming soon.

Name. Got it, love it, yet saving to share until the his big arrival.

Pump. Ordered and should be arriving any day. I am excited to give breastfeeding another shot. The first go-round came with lots of challenges. From latching initially, to dozing during his midnight feeds... Al could just never seem to nurse long enough to fill his little belly. He was tearful, I was tearful, and so the unfortunate double breast-pump was our solution. It did the job, but it was more of a hassle than anything else. I was bottle feeding, pumping, washing bottles, repeat... it was three times the work and eventually, after about 5 months, I tuckered out. My supply dwindled during his recovery, mostly due to stress, but also because I headed back to work, which was an additional stressor. Towards my final month of nursing, I did breastfeed him some during the day here and there, and my comfort level did grow quite a bit. I started to kind of love and look forward to those quiet, special moments of bonding with my boy. I really pray this next time comes easily to both me and my littlest one. I know now not to put too much pressure on myself. I know to focus on his hunger cues as opposed to the clock. I know about 'cluster feeding' in the evening and how to prepare for it. I know that breastfeeding is beautiful and to not be overly modest about such a normal and natural thing. I'm ready to give it another go.

Hospital Bag. It's packed and ready to roll. Just the essentials.
For Mom - a button down pj set, slippers,  flip-flops (for showering), two nursing tanks, new (large, cotton) black undies, leggings, a loose tunic or two, and my go-to prenatal vitamins.
For Dad- comfy sweats, slippers, chargers, iPad, camera, and snacks.
For the Babe - a going home outfit, hat included (newborn and 3 months, just in case he's a chub), swaddles, a boppy pillow for nursing, pacifiers, and a soft blanket for the ride home.

Big Brother. Well, I'm not sure if he's fully prepared, but it's safe to say we have made a solid effort to prep Alec for this huge life change as much as possible. We've read about five books about becoming a big brother (at least 15 times each). We've taught him the importance of being mommy and daddy's big helper once baby arrives. We've purchased at least three new 'big bro' tees for him to rock when he visits his new little brother at the hospital. We have lined up my parents to watch him overnight for a couple days or so. They will be staying at our house, with the goal being to disrupt his routine as minimally as possible. We have put together a special big brother kit, consisting of some new toys, movies, games, and snacks to keep him occupied while we are away. I realize that no matter what we do to plan for our new babe's arrival, it will no doubt be a large adjustment for Alec. But I figure every effort to make the transition just that more gentle is worth it.

Baby Gear. Fortunately, because it's our second, and because it's a boy, we have most of what we need. We have the swing, the rock'n'play, and the pack'n'play. We have a play mat, a bumbo seat, and about a hundred swaddles, velcro included. We have bins upon bins of clothes that will hopefully translate into the appropriate season. We have three different baby carriers, an infant car seat with two bases, and three different single strollers. But although we have a ton of things baby, there were a few new things we needed to invest in.

A double stroller, we chose this one, currently on sale at Babies'r'us for only $239.99 (which is actually a stellar price). I was initially interested in this one, but after reading a ton of reviews and an actual test drive at the store, I was super happy with our choice.

A bassinet. I actually didn't have to purchase a bassinet, as my sister had one that she was willing to lend. I'm sure some folks don't think this item is incredibly essential, but to me it is, and I'll tell you why. Alec slept in the rock'n'play for his first few months of life. Because that darn piece of baby gear is so dang cozy, we literally had to wean him out of it. The crib transition was incredibly challenging, involving a wedge, a fleece blanket, AND a towel roll. Excessive I know, but it was about survival. Sooo, in an effort to avoid all the extra hassle, the bassinet is going to be my initial go-to.

An additional crib. We chose this one, super basic, but all we should need for the first six months or so. I just didn't feel like Alec was ready to go into a toddler bed. He has been sleeping so well in his crib, I figure, why disrupt the routine right before a huge life adjustment. So we will attempt the crib weaning, as well as, potting training after the hustle bustle of the holiday season. Hey, if all is well, why rock the boat?! At least that's my motto.

Some fresh pacifiers and a few bottles. I didn't go to town when purchasing these two items, because I remember going through lot of trial and error before we found the go-to pacifier and bottle that worked for Alec. Every kid is different, so I didn't want to limit baby number two to what worked for baby number one. I'll let him decide what he likes best, and take it from there.

A sound machine. A must in my book, especially now that we have two children. These handy little devices drown out just about every noise, and allow for a restful night's sleep, even when chaos is potentially brewing in another room of your home. That noisy trash truck, not a concern. Putting away dishes during nap time, no problemo. I also love the projector feature on this particular model. We didn't use it initially, but now gazing at the stars has become part of our nightly routine with Alec.

Anyways, that's the extent of our baby prep. I've done some intense cleaning, rearranging, and organizing as well. And at this stage in the game, I am feeling more than ready to welcome our new little babe into our home. I pray that labor comes easily. I pray that Alec adjusts well. I pray that God gives me the strength and patience to handle two little ones on my own each day. Wish me luck! And a huge shout out to all you moms out there doing your best to make it work each and everyday. Motherhood is quite possibly the most rewarding, yet challenging, adventure that I have taken on in my lifetime that is for sure.

I am so ready to experience this cuteness all over again. Bring on that baby smell, those snuggly warm naps, and milk comas galore. 

Fall Must-Haves: Alec Charles

I know people love Summer… and I am also a fan. I love hitting the beach and laying by the pool, but being 8 months pregnant in this ninety degree heat has left me yearning for Fall. These coming months are, by far, my favorite time of the year. I love the crisp air, football,  hot apple cider, pumpkin pie …really all things Autumn-esque. I love the anticipation of the holiday season and frequent family gatherings. Not to mention, that this Fall, we have another little Drake arriving and I really couldn't be more ready for that. 

I also love the clothes. Boy, do I just love the clothes. I love chunky sweaters, wool socks, and flannel. I love layering knits and tossing on my favorite pair of denim. And before kids, I didn't think that shopping could possibly get any more fun, but then it did. Below are a few fall must-haves for my big boy. 

Both long-sleeve tees are from Old Navy. They have a solid selection right now, most of which are on sale for under $10 a piece. Being that my little toddler man makes quite a mess during meals, I have a hard time investing immense amounts of cash on tees, so these are right up my alley.

This north face is the perfect fall coat. It's lightweight, yet incredibly warm. It has a hood, which is a must. And Al will still fit comfortably in his car seat/stroller without all the bulk. Plus, I love the look of the heather grey material, adds quite a bit of character to a basic piece.

This little fox sweater is from Zara kids. I love their children's clothes. I have a hard time spending the money, but every now and again, I find one item that is really worth the cost.. like this little fox sweater. 

All the pants, as well as, the socks are from baby Gap. I love their clothes, because a. they are always having some sort of sale online and b. they are quality-made and won't fall apart after only a few washes. I've already purchased the jeans and hope to add the other two to his collection. Al has the teeniest waist, so the draw-string is clutch.

I love TOMS, I really do. Not so much for myself, but their kids shoes are quality-made and actually easy to get on their feet. I am digging the 'leather' look for Fall/Winter and I think Al would get a ton of wear out of these. He is mostly in sneakers because boys play hard, but it's nice to have a decent shoe to throw on when we are going out to eat or to a family gathering.

Happy shopping folks! A "Fall-Must Haves: Baby Edition" is in the works for later this month. 

Alec Charles, age 2

how did this happen?

happy birthday little one. you are our sunshine. you make our world go round. we are thrilled to one day soon see you in the role of big brother. we know you will make us so proud, just as you always have.

-you amaze us with your broadening vocabulary each and every day

-your love for trucks and airplanes is more than we could ever have imagined

-you live for the outdoors… always asking to go outside, even when it rains

-you know your abc's and 123's .. only leaving out a few

- before bed, you love to look at the moon and you often join in on 'twinkle, twinkle' (we love your version oh so much)

-your favorite food is pizza, and when you eat you often make the cutest 'mmm' sounds we've ever heard

-you love your lala dearly and sleep with that little owl blankie each and every night

-we cannot take our eyes off you for one split second because you are quite an independent, adventurous little bug

-you say 'love you too' and it melts our hearts into a pile of mush

alec charles, you have the most beautiful sparkle in your eye. you are truly one of a kind. without you, we would be lost. mama and dada love you more than you will ever know. happy second baby boy! and although it is your birthday, it is you who have given us a gift. we are so blessed.

#2

Guyyyyys, it's a ....BOY! Another beautiful bouncing bundle of blue, and with a perfectly formed heart at that. Our newest little addition has us over the moon with joy. I truly think this was the way it was all meant to be. I can already tell that Alec is going to be the most stellar big bro. There is nothing he loves more than the company of other children. It is so incredible to imagine my two, sharing choo-choo's and trucks.... To imagine seeing our second wear some of my favorite pieces from our first's "too little"  wardrobe... To see Alec's reaction to his little brother in those very first moments when they meet. 

And to think how lucky I am that I get to love on, not one, but two little boys. I am a lone soldier, heavily outnumbered by a house full of boys. Chaos, noise, and mess will soon surround me and I will embrace it all (or at least I will learn to, won't I?!) Life is crazy and in this bout of craziness I am learning to let go a little. I am learning that it's okay if things aren't perfect. It's best to just live in the moment and soak it up because these are some of the best moments of my life. God has an interesting way of teaching us lessons and shaping us into who we are or who we need to be. I am getting there. I'm on my way and this little babe is all part of the plan. 

And to answer everyone's soon-to-come question... Yes, we may try for a little girl in the future. BUT that doesn't mean that I am not totally content with the way things turned out. Because, to me, there is something very unique and wonderful about the way a little boy loves his mama. I feel blessed to have been granted this opportunity. To be a mother again is really a gift and to know that we can worry a bit less this time is probably the best feeling in the world.

Life is good.

Here and Now

It's hard to believe that in less than two weeks (12 days exactly but who's counting) we will be heading in for our little one's anatomy scan. I am overwhelmed with both excitement and angst when I think about this upcoming day. April 12th, 2013 we found out that Alec was a little boy, but at that same appointment, the doctor also discovered his heart defect. A beautiful moment overshadowed by devastating news. Possibly the best and worst moments of my life within a few short minutes of one another. I am incredibly anxious to know the sex of our new little bundle but I am even more anxious to know that they are forming properly within the womb. Although, to us, our Alec is absolutely perfect in every way, I hate knowing that he has had and will continue to deal with more than any child should. I pray every night that he will remain strong and continue to thrive as he has. I pray that our unborn child doesn't face the same struggles that he has faced. I thank God every day for the good fortune that we have been blessed with thus far. June 15th can't possibly come soon enough. 

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant. I am feeling strong and better than I have in months. This summer has gotten off to a fantastic start, and I can already tell it is going to be one for the books. We have hit the beach almost every weekend since mid-May and Alec has loved every second. The weather has been perfect, with exception of this week, and I couldn't be more grateful for all the time we've been able to spend outdoors. We've been soaking up long weekends together as a little family of three, knowing that the dynamic will drastically change come fall. I am hoping for many more 'feel-good' days and lots of summer adventures to come. 

Whoaaa Baby

Well, if you follow me on social media you probably already know... the cat's outta the bag, WE ARE EXPECTING again! A new little addition due in Mid-November. My little hiatus from this here blog can be ever explained by my overwhelming exhaustion and countless bouts of excruciating heartburn. But alas… we are hitting week 14 and things are looking up over here. My energy levels are improving  (slightly) and I have learned to avoid most of the foods that make me feel like my chest is on fire.

As most avid readers know, as previously stated in this post, this little babe was NOT part of the 2015 plan. We had originally decided to hold off on expanding our little family until Alec was through his next stage heart surgery. But as it turns out, I am learning that (once again) I have absolutely no control and that God has his own interesting plan for us. So although very surprised (shocked is more like it), we are incredibly excited to be expanding our little brood.

This go-round has been a bit more difficult for me. For starters, I wasn't really expecting it, so I wasn't mentally prepared for the side affects of growing another human. I swear I have never been this tired in my life. I doze off nearly everyday during Alec's afternoon nap. I am incredibly unproductive, I'd even go out on a limb to say that I have just been plain lazy (which is very out of character for me). I haven't ingested a salad in weeks, and lucky charms have become a staple in my diet. I'm not proud of it… but to be honest, I don't really care. I'm just trying to survive. Dramatic, I know, but any Mom of more than one can probably relate.

So I haven't been feeling fantastic. And I don't know if it's my hormones or what, but this time just hasn't felt quite the same as the first time. I am still in the slightly chubby phase of pregnancy, and I just can't get comfortable in my own skin lately and that's something I'm not super used to. Despite not loving my current look, I am really doing my best to soak all this up. This is a blessing. What is happening inside me is pretty out-of-this-world amazing and I am super lucky to be able to do this again. I am focusing hard on the one-on-one time I have with Alec, knowing that this will only last a few months longer. I am napping whenever possible, knowing that naps will be few and far between with two little ones. And I am enjoying trips to the local creamery once or so a week, and I'm not holding back, because who knows when I'll be able to eat ice cream again guiltlessly.

All this change is so exciting, and so (sort of) scary. To imagine loving another little human as much as I love Alec is just crazy to me. But it's funny, I already feel my heart making more room. There is no experience in life that I have ever loved more than being a mama. Sure it has it's challenges, but it's the best darn job there ever was and I am beyond pumped to experience it all over again. I will keep you all posted on how things are going. On June 15th, we have our second trimester screening. This appointment is super special because not only do we get see that our baby is healthy and perfect, but we also get to find out the gender. Right now, my bet is a little lady, but I change my mind daily so who knows. Please keep baby Drake in your thoughts and prayers as he/she continues to grow and thanks to all for the well wishes and support.

9/52

                                                 

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week in 2015"

Okay, I cheated this week and used one from my iPhone camera roll, but it was just too cute not to share. Plus, this week has been nuts and I haven't really had the opportunity(or energy) to break out the real camera.

 Little man rocked his 18 month check-up. Didn't even tear up with his shot. This kid blows my mind, such a tough little cookie. Also, he is totally glasses-obsessed these days. He puts them on and says "cooooool". It really doesn't get much more awesome than that. 

18 Month Must-Haves

1.2.

3.4.

5.6.

7.8.

1. The GYRO bowl. It's a non-spill snack bowl. We use this just about every afternoon after his nap. He likes to enjoy some cheerios and milk while we shake out the cobwebs and catch a bit of Daniel the Tiger on the tube.
2. Books, specifically bright baby books. First 100 words is a current favorite. I feel so proud (and nervous) when the room goes quiet, and I find him sitting in the corner of the room flipping through a good book.
3. Elmo's World dvd's & Daniel the Tiger on Netflix
4. LEGO my first number train. This will keep him occupied for 20-30 minutes and it has the added benefit of teaching him how to count to ten and color differentiation.
5. Melissa and Doug Animal Magnets. Let's just say, he now knows ALL his animal sounds. He will sit at the base of the refrigerator and 'moo' away while I prepare dinner.
6. Mini iPad and velcro car holder. Judge me all you want, but this bad boy has saved us a many times. Long car rides are now a breeze, and tears during Alec's cardiac tests are minimal. We only break this out when absolutely needed, and when we do, it's a true life saver.
7.  Chunky Wood Puzzles. Mickey is our favorite, of course.
8. Circo Smoothie Cup. A special sippy cup used only for his daily smoothie. Without this little guy, I'd never get Alec's heart meds in. I crush them, and sneak them in daily. I also use it to sneak more fruits and veggies into his diet.

Snow Daze

Today marked Alec's first official snow day! He knows the word 'snow' but had only ever experienced it from the window. This afternoon, we bundled him up, (Next year, we're going to have to invest in some appropriate snow pants and gloves) and trekked out into the backyard. Kiel introduced him to snowballs and sledding, ya know, typical boy stuff. And he and I took a scenic stroll along the line of woods behind our home. Alec was a total skeptic… he didn't have any desire to roll around in that powdery white stuff (And to be honest, neither did I. It's frigid out there!) Either way, it was a fun moment that I am sure to remember and cherish. I so look forward to all of his 'firsts'. It's so amazing to experience life all over again through my little one's eyes. Parenting has it's challenges, but I wouldn't trade any of it for world. 

On the Upswing

It's been a rough week, to say the least.

We went into the hospital early Monday morning for Alec's heart catheterization. In fact, we were all checked in by about 6:15 am. They had pre-medicated Al with some sedation prior to the case, so by 6:30 he was fast asleep with Elmo and La-la, by his side. At around 6:45, Anesthesia picked him up and let us kiss him goodbye before they wheeled him off to the procedure lab. (Let me tell you something folks…. kissing your baby and wishing them luck in a hospital hallway is by the far THE WORST experience any parent should ever have in a lifetime.) The procedure, itself, took about three hours so we did our best to keep busy and stay calm in the waiting area until the nurse came to get us. They updated us hourly which alleviated some stress, but every minute felt like an eternity and I couldn't wait see my little again. Years were taken off my life in that waiting room, years.

By around noon, the doctor had come out to speak with us. All went well and we'd be able to head back and see him shortly. We visited our sleepy boy and remained by his side until his eyes creeped open one by one. He struggled a bit coming out of anesthesia, but overall, there were minimal hiccups. We were surprisingly discharged to home the same night and given specific instructions on how to care for Alec once we left the building. The ride home was dreadful. We hit 95 during rush hour traffic, Alec was starving, miserable and nothing could bring a smile to my little guy's face. Not even Elmo, which is really saying a lot, because he adores that silly monster. We made it home at around six that evening. He ate like a prisoner, chugged an ungodly amount of milk, and within thirty minutes of being home, he was fast asleep in his crib. He woke several times throughout the night, he was uncomfortable and feverish. Lots of tears were shed. We gave him tylenol and rocked him in our arms until he dozed.. over and over.

The fever and discomfort lasted the remainder of the week. Nighttime was the most challenging. None of us slept, and without sleep, the Drakes are not a fun bunch. The days were long. Lots of calls to and from the nurse practitioner. The high fevers were definitely a concern. On Wednesday, we visited our pediatrician to rule out any clear source of infection. All was negative, ears and throat clear. He got blood work (twice - which was a seriously awful experience). We are still waiting on those results.

Last night, we finally slept. Alec slept through the night and when he woke, he was without a fever. Such a relief. The MD seems to think the fever was related to the coils they placed during the procedure. A heightened immune response to something foreign and new within the body. Today, he has finally seemed like himself again. Smiling and playful. An increased appetite (but still poor). I am starting to see the light and I am finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. We are on the upswing, all four of us and it feels really good. I feel blessed to be able to spend this Valentine's Day at home with all three of my boys. (Obviously, Ollie is included here.)

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend, full of love and cheer. Thanks for all the kind words, prayers, and well wishes, We are very fortune to have such a stellar support system. xo - L

6/52

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2015"

Alec Charles Drake, the bravest little cub there ever was. 

5/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015"

This boy has my heart, through and through.

It's February, so that also means that it's Heart Awareness Month. Each year, 1 million babies are born with congenital heart disease. In 2013, my beautiful babe was one of those 1 million.  Our story is a lengthy one, which you can read about here and here. Since November of last year, things have been on the upswing for our boy. He has thrived beautifully and hit all his major milestones right on target. He is pretty darn amazing and we couldn't be more proud. There are moments in our every day life, where I truly and honestly forget that his heart is any different at all, which has been such a gift. Sadly, in January of this year, we visited Alec's cardiologist and we were given some unfortunate news. Alec would need a procedure this month, a heart catheterization with possible balloon dilation of his anastomosis (the connection site they made during his first open heart surgery). We are scheduled to go in on Monday, February 9th. We are worried, but incredibly optimistic that all will go smoothly, as we are in the best hands possible. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers this week (they have been working for us, so keep them coming!) We are forever grateful for all your support.

Another request I have is that you be aware of how fortunate you are to have been born with a healthy heart. That being said, take care of it. Stay active, eat right, don't smoke. Be grateful and recognize your blessings. It's a harsh reality, but we are all not so lucky as you. 

4/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015"

Alec Charles and his Lala, a love story.

3/52

I've seen many other bloggers do it and I've always wanted to jump on board. The 52 project is a personal photography project in which you take a portrait of your child, once a week, for 52 weeks a year.  It's a great way to encourage us mamas to break out the camera and capture these beautiful moments of our children. They grow up too fast.

Although I am a bit late, I figure now is a better time than ever to get started.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015"

Alec Charles, lover of all blocks, specifically, Tegu magnetic blocks. And those cheeks, I just want to eat 'em up! 

Update on Alec: 16 Months

We had a cardiology appointment up at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia this past week. We hadn't been up to see his specialist since the beginning of September so there was much to discuss. Alec has been growing well, both physically and cognitively. In our daily lives, there are often moments where I totally forget that his heart condition is even an issue. But, there are also rare moments of concern when he's sick and we are forced to break out the ole pulse ox machine… attempting to hold him still for as long as we can, or until a number shows up. All his numbers have been trending appropriately until just recently.

The past couple of echocardiograms have shown some narrowing between the two major vessels the surgeon connected back in November of 2013. We have been watching his connection over time and praying that it would grow as our boy grew, but unfortunately, that has not been the case. The connection site remains very narrow so we have been scheduled for a cardiac catheterization next month. The hope is that the physician can manipulate the site with a balloon, widening the space between the two vessels so that more blood flow can pass through. Fortunately, this procedure is non-invasive and our hospital stay should be short, only one to two days. We are grateful there is a fix, but so very sad that he has to go through all of this.

We also talked to the docs about Alec's second stage surgery. We are planning for next Spring. Alec will be about two and half for round two, and even though that is a whole year-plus away from now, I am already losing sleep over the idea of it all. With all that to consider, Kiel and I have talked thoroughly about our family and Alec's needs. We think it's best to wait to have more children until our boy has recovered from his next operation. It saddens me to wait, but I know that it will be better for our family in the long run. And to be quite honest, in this very moment, I just feel grateful to have brought one beautiful child into this world. My baby boy is the light of the my life and I feel lucky as hell to have been picked to be his mama. If he is all God grants me, then so be it. My heart is full.

With all that being said, Al is doing great. He's currently rolling around in his crib, sweetly reciting all the new words he has learned throughout the course of the day… snow, sad, clock.. the list goes on and on. He is the cutest little parrot, I swear. For now, he does not know that his heart is different than anyone else's. In this moment, he is so happy, so loved and isn't that all you really need.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your continued prayers and support. We've got some pretty amazing people in our lives and we are grateful everyday.

Snapshots: holiday home edition

 This is how we do Christmas at our home...

Kiel took a few pictures of the outdoor decor the other night. Alec is enamored with all the christmas lights. Lots of "wow's" paired with big bright eyes and smiles. It really is the cutest thing.

Our tree WAS stunning, but lesson learned… maybe don't buy a tree the first weekend of December… or maybe water your tree every now and again. Because our beauty of a Christmas tree is wilting away and will most likely not be making it to New Year's.

Alec inherited his papa's old table and chairs. They are just his size and he loves them so. My brave little climber is making me nervous though. I can't take my eyes off him for one second.

Lots of eucalyptus and berry arrangements to spruce up the table for Christmas Eve supper. And lots of booze to make the holiday extra joyful.

The table is set. It is my year to host and the total head count is twenty five. Here's hoping we can pull this off so they let me host again in the future.

Ten pounds of potatoes for Christmas dinner. It's a true labor of love, yet I couldn't be happier to do it. The holiday just wouldn't be the same without Grandmom's make-ahead baked mashers.

Did you know that fake poinsettias are not just a decoration… they are also the perfect toy for a sixteen month old babe. Al has been carting this thing around for days and tears flow when I force him to part with his little flower. 

Time is flying by and this crazy month of December feels like a complete whirlwind. How is it Christmas already? I am thrilled, yet sort of depressed to think that all this will all be here and gone so quickly. I don't know about you, but the Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of the year. I, for one, love gift giving. I truly love it. I love decorating my home and baking cookies. I LOVE spending quality time with family and close friends. I love watching Christmas movies and crying at Apple's amazing collection of holiday commercials. And this year has been especially great because I get to experience all the joys of Christmas through my child's eyes. There really is nothing cooler than that.