my sweet buz

tomorrow (09.07.08) is buz's birthday.

today he went with my cute dad to a football game 3.5 hours away. that's 3.5 hours each way. clearly, my husband and father get along.

so tonight, before he gets home, i want to try to honor him.

which is tough.

because he's that guy. the guy that does NOT take a compliment well. the guy that never asks for anything specific. the guy that never has anything on his birthday or christmas list. the guy that is totally content giving ME something for HIS birthday.

i know.

so tonight, i am determined to make a fuss over him. and lieu of the time i have before he gets home, none of this will be in any form of chronological order. forgive me. (yes, it's killing me that it's out of order. oh well. anything for my man.

always helping goo be a part of what big h is doing. even though she doesn't ever thank him. ever.

the one time a year i see him OVER THE TOP excited. when the newest version of either Madden or NCAA football comes out on playstation. this year was even bigger. what my parents and his parents got him? playstation THREE.

oh my word. since he's a guy and doesn't care about age like women do, i'd like to go ahead and share that he is THIRTY-NINE. see the grey in his beard? yeah, but he still loves playstation.

always doing the job that no one wants. in this case, making sure goo doesn't fall on her face (i.e. goo duty). he even asked, "who do you want? goo or big h?" and selfishly, i said " big h." because he's easier.

(for those of you know me in real life and HAVE KNOWN me for some time, can you believe i would ever say "because big h is easier?")

this guy does ANYTHING for my little boy. anything. he loves him to the moon and back. and my little man? feels the exact. same. way.

see? cut him some slack. this is july 4 of this year. they are out past big h's bedtime. big h is wiped out. and already in his jammies, i'll point out. but buz? smiling. because like i said...he will do anything for him.

where am i in this picture? at home. with goo duty. because she was asleep. see? i got the easier job.

cute. that's all.

there is dad. always in the middle of all the action. what was i probably doing at the time? laundry. making someone's bed. reading a blog or eight. not buz. he does not want to miss a minute.

seriously. i am head over heels for this guy.

oh my heavens. our first official date. new year's eve. first of all, what material is my dress made of? anyone (other than my mother) noticing my sweet watch? i'm cool. and the bangs? kelly and i have a tendency to get our hair cut when we're together. this was an unfortunate event. but then, just look at buz. he's going to KILL me when he sees this picture. clearly, it was december. because the color of our skin? i'm blinded just looking at it.

and if you really want to know...no kiss. because it was a group date. awkward. that's another post for another day.

buz being THRILLED on my baptism day. i was honored to have him right next to me.

again with the always doing anything for big h.

i have to tell a fun story about the next picture. we took the car seats out to clean one saturday. and in true buz fashion, he decided to make a game out of it. he pretended they were rocket seats. he would shake them. then say blast off. and they would go flying. they both loved it.

know what i would've done? just cleaned the carseats.

i know looks aren't everything, but oh. my. right here -- green bay, wisconsin. another time i saw buz totally pumped and full of excitement.

see the theme?

grrr...

big h took this picture. impressive. and for you photographers out there, what do you think of big h's use of flare?

mavericks game. straight from work. seems as though buz had a long day.

buz dancing with my mom at our wedding. and i'll say it. he is the BEST son-in-law. ever.

when buz surprised me with my fantasy dream vacation -- new york city at christmas. he is so thoughtful. that was on my list of things i wanted to do in my lifetime. and he made it happen.

first time we ever went to the horse races together. and he won. and i wore a "horse race hat" because his mom told me to. and she knows best with these kinds of things.

i love that he is SO handy around the house. he does so many things himself that we could probably just hire someone to do. but the pride that comes from doing it himself is so fun to watch.

the first time he met my brother and his wife. they totally hit it off. that sealed the deal for me.

the night we got engaged. please tell me i've told that story. i haven't? a different day.

buz and my awesome father-in-law doing a house project. that's where he learned his mad handy man skillz.

our first date once we were "dating." after dinner here at the magic time machine, we went to the movies. and held hands. and i can't begin to tell how my heart raced.

when we went to dinner with our moms. they loved each other instantly. which again...sealed the deal. oh, and look how sweet he is with his mom? holding her hand? in his thirties? he's the whole package. (and when i scanned the picture, there was a piece of paper on the scanner. which is why i appear to have a huge white triangle on my arm.)

i love that buz is willing to do anything for me. like to take sorority pictures in the backyard. this is part of the dating era.

this was, according to buz's brother "the first time you will see janet in a swimsuit." good times. nothing like bringing the obvious to the table. but let the record state that the enormous fish on the left that i am holding? yeah, i caught that. those fish that buz is holding? someone else caught. he just wanted something to hold. that picture is on the wall in our room. it makes me happy.

big h. daddy. no more to say.

goo's first birthday. she's thrilled, obviously.

vacation without children. and me with an ice cream cone.

buz swears that goo isn't that into him. i beg to differ. so does she.

big h. daddy. right. got it.

the day we brought goo home from the hospital.

the day after goo was born.

the spiritual leader of our family. always loooking towards Christ for our every need.

bottom line. my mom summed it up best one time when she said, "there is nowhere that guy would rather be than with you and your childrne."

and as conceited it sounds, she's right.

buz gives me/us 110% of himself 110% of the time. and never, NEVER asks for anything in return.

buz. thank you. thank you for being my best friend. for being my husband. for being the best father big h and goo could ever ask for. and for being the leader of our home.

i love you. i hope you have a wonderful birthday. you deserve the best.

recap #2

so today was goo's first day.

i so planned to get up early, take a shower before the kids were awake, prepare everything that needed to go into bags. basically...amaze even myself.

the shower didn't get taken. which was good. because i was sweating from all my nerves.

lunches got packed. but the stipulations on the method of packing the lunch for goo was pretty strict. (no ziplocs. no cheese sticks. no juice boxes. basically, they prefer you use a divided rubbermaid, which they provided.) by nature, i am a rule follower. dorky, i know. have always been like that. so i wanted to pack her lunch perfectly.

i know. i'm a peach to live with.

and thanks to Sunni, i decided to make first-day-of-school gifts.

and, of course, it just happened to be Donut Friday too.

because i wasn't already worried about being prompt.

but we did great. big h got dressed quickly. goo was fine with everything. we headed to the donut shop but ate in the car. i refused to let myself be late to the first day of school.

we got there and were greeted by big h's best school friends. L and L. twins. mom is rad. and goo knows them really well too. even better.

we headed inside and waited for the doors to open. goo put her mat and sleeping bag in the bin outside the door.

i said as loud as i could (with all of the commotion in the background), "i love you, goo. have a great day."

home girl didn't even turn back.

and that was it.

then, i dropped big h off. he was way pumped to get inside.

and then, i walked to the car. seriously not knowing what to do with myself. having not been by myself in FOUR YEARS.

i took one of the longest showers i have ever taken. fixed some coffee to go. headed to one of the most barren malls near my house and the school. found a really comfy chair. and plopped myself into it for THREE HOURS.

i wrote letters to big h and the goo. talked on the phone for a while. clipped coupons. watched people. watched mommies with their children in strollers. and for several hours, looked at them as though they were foreign. it was weird to be out in the middle of the day. without my children.

and all i could do was think about both of them. and smile.

i got some lunch. and ate it really slowly. and surprisingly did NOT get heartburn. walked into two stores.

and then...i couldn't wait. i had to go so that hopefully i could get there a little early. to peek in on my goo.

i peeked. she was standing on a stool next to one of the teachers. washing her hands. by herself.

and all of the sudden, she looked like she was five.

oh. and by the way. she was THE CUTEST girl in her class today. and yes, i am TOTALLY 100% biased.

i got her first. she gave me the biggest hug i have ever received. and don't mind me. i cried.

and then we went to pick up big h. right across the hall. all four feet of it. and the reunion of those two?

i'm still crying, just so you know.

um, big h's comment when we got in the car? "mama. i'd like to have some skechers. they're shoes that light up. mason has some. how many dollars are skechers? because i'd really like to have some."

oh no. it's already starting. and i just thought he didn't pay attention.

i talked to her teachers, and they said she did great. ate lunch. loved the pretzels at snack time. played in the sandbox with a boy. (you go, goo.) napped on her mat. listened attentively and sat still at story time.

screech.

come again?

sat still and listened attentively? goo?

miracle workers. that's what preschool teachers are. they're MIRACLE WORKERS.

we went for ice cream and then to mcdonalds for some playing.

good times had by all.

recap #1

i am tired. for no other reason than i have been thinking about how to perfectly get everyone out the door with as much enthusiasm as possible.

but not too much enthusiasm. you know big h. he doesn't do perkiness.

i prayed and prayed and prayed last night. i'm a mom. i stay up late thinking about and talking to Jesus about my sweet little people.

God had compassion on me. seriously.

this morning could not have gone ANY BETTER.

big h got up and wanted to cuddle.

let's just stop there for a moment.

anyway. goo still not awake. ???

so big h and i had breakfast. and he proceeded to check everything off his 'morning routine' checklist. the kid ADORES structure. adores it.

when i saw that it was getting close to leaving time, and goo STILL wasn't awake, i wasn't nervous. i took big h outside for a 'first day of school' picture. again, because i'm a mom. and that is what you're supposed to do.

even though this is the first time i have ever done it.

let's comment on this photo for a minute, shall we? the boy is shiverring. in september. in texas. people, it was a beautiful morning. in the SIXTIES. that's winter around here. hallelujah.

also, let's take note of the cinnamon roll. could not NOT bring it out there.

and why? why must boys make faces like these?

wait. what do you know? apparently, i did it once. his first day of mother's day out.

he was in a great mood. we talked to Jesus about giving us a great day. then, he wanted to carry his lunchbox. and of course, he had to look inside. and ruin the surprise i had in there for him. a note from me (even though he can't read) and a picture of our family.

i basically got goo out of bed and into the car with a cinnamon roll and some juice.

we got there, and he was so pumped about playing.

(it's ok. i know you clicked to enlarge. and you're dying to leave something in the comments section about if he is wearing anklets. no. those are batman socks. picked out by big h himself.)

and here is where the one tiny thing that went 'wrong' today comes in.

here is big h playing and getting ready to meet new friends.

see goo in the back? and the girl in the pink? the lovely, sweet, mild-mannered, meek little girl in pink?

she's the one who was goo's victim this morning.

bless her heart.

i was getting ready to take big h's picture with each of his teachers. when all of the sudden, from the other side of the room, i hear "uh, MINE! uh, MINE! help! help!"

of course, i think goo has fallen and hurt herself.

only not.

she is stealing a tea cup and saucer from sweet little girl in pink. who didn't know what hit her this morning.

so the beautiful goodbye i had in my head went a little differently. like mommy holding goo under her arm while she screamed "no! no! no!"

i barely hugged and kissed big h and told him i loved him, and we were out of there.

we'll see how tomorrow goes. when she picks on someone her own age.

when did i raise such a hoss?

who knows? but tomorrow i drop BOTH OF MY CHILDREN off. at the same time. for the same amount of time.

the two things on my to-do list?

drink a cup of coffee or two. and journal.

and maybe nap.

will probably nap.

pray for goo. actually, pray for the kids in goo's class.

and just for a little *humor*, i thought i'd throw this in.

tomorrow

well, i've read all of the kindergarten posts that i can read. and i was so cruising along, not thinking anything about my two little people. not thinking i'd be sad. not thinking any of this whole back to school stuff would phase me.

last night, buz and i had a 'date.' i use the term date loosely because we stopped at taco bueno for a quick bite and then we headed to big h and goo's parent orientation. after the general session, we split. buz headed to big h's 'session,' and i headed to goo's.

buz didn't give me a lot of detailed information. but he's a guy. he never gives me a lot of detail. but seeing as how this is his fourth year of preschool, we kind of know the drill.

as for goo's informational session, we had our share of the "moms who like to talk to hear themselves speak." more competition among the mommies. the same competition that several people have talked about. these mommies talking about how impressive their little darling's THREE AND A HALF HOUR NAP is. or how their little sweet pea is already potty trained at 25 months.

seriously. i'll admit it. i secretly rolled my eyes once. or two or six times.

(deep breath in. deep breath out.)

and i've been that gal who has been sharing encouragement lately. "it'll be ok. your little one will do great. preschool is awesome. yes, it's sad the first day. but your little precious will love it."

blah, blah, blah. today? was meet the teacher. and i caught myself once or twice getting a little misty-eyed.

surprisingly? i didn't take my camera. on purpose.

i know.

big h met his teacher first. really no big deal. these two women have very big shoes to fill. his teachers from last year set the bar. really, really high.

so he was cool. "hey, what's up? i'm big h. don't mind me. i'm just going to casually play with these toys. and stuff."

have i mentioned that somehow big h has a VERY chapped upper lip? very, very, very chapped. we have been keeping vitamin e on it for a couple of days. but i'm here to say. that first-day-of-school pictures tomorrow? will feature one of the two: 1) really, really red lips or 2) very, very shiny glossy lips.

but let the record state that big h has had a history of "things on his face" for big occasions.

for example. on school picture day (which i totally forgot about), big h was proudly wearing his gauze and athletic tape (per dr. g) covering the topical antibiotic for his infected mosquito bite.





(see him? second little boy from the left on the back row? with the thomas t-shirt? holding his hands together? that's my ALMOST FIVE-YEAR-OLD.)

good times.

then, we went to the playground to unleash about three months of energy. some girl pushed goo down onto the mulch.

goo pushed her back. and held her own.

oh, heaven help us.

i couldn't decide whether to high five her to showing that girl who was boss or hang my head in shame because i was the mom of "that little girl."

so we went to goo's meet the teacher. her teachers are DARLING. one of them was big h's spanish teacher from last year. he was so confused. SO confused.

goo was THE ONLY girl crying at the end of the little thirty minutes. she kept yelling "drink! drink!"

and some sweet mommy thought she wanted a pen on the counter. and goo.

my precious goo?

threw the pen on the floor and yelled "NO THANKS!"

nice. and four years ago, i thought i was going to have to worry about big h.

bless my heart.

tomorrow is big h's first day. friday is his second day and goo's first. it's also donut friday.

don't count on hearing from me that day. i will be very, very busy. :)

light at the end

there's a reason this blog has been dry lately.

this girl?

she's two.

oh. my. word is she two.

and you know what? there's a reason i didn't blog when big h was two. because i was a peach to be around. and so was he.

or not.

and lately? i'm surprised i still have friends, really. because whew. the grey hairs are popping up all over the place. because of her.

and in case you didn't know. it's still summer. and will be for a long time. which just might have something to do with my sour, pitiful mood.

but college football starts soon. there's some hope.

but here is what has been going on around here.

everyone i know has a kid going to kindergarten. seriously. everyone i know. or so it seems. (don't you agree?)

big h is starts his last year of preschool next thursday. five days a week. big kid. it won't hit me until the second day in a row.

(for the record, this is a picture of big h's FIRST popsicle. ever. i know. he's a different one, that big h.)

but the day he starts? is the same day goo starts.

heaven help those teachers.

she's only going once a week. and those other four days? i'm thinking she may not like leaving the building without big h. just a hunch.

yesterday was interesting. we're noticing new things about goo left and right. first of all, her vocabulary is CRAZY. we NEVER had this with big h -- the "normal" development in the area of speech. i know. you can't believe it. but she is repeating things all the time. and it has been so fun to watch her do so. and most of the things she repeats are things that big h says. so we've been talking to him so much lately about setting a good example for her. and he takes this job VERY seriously.

oh, the things he says to her. hilarious. like, when he said the other day, "sweetheart. i'm sorry, but that is not ok for you because it is dangerous. i'm so sorry but i want you to make a good choice, goo. ok? show me how you can make a good choice."

i was dying.

anyway...yesterday. we walked to the local mcdonalds. it's close enough. i thought it would be nice to walk. hot outside, but we could get there, eat lunch, and play at the play area. all was well. didn't have the double stroller. just the single and the backpack. goo would have NO PART of the backpack. but big h would. so i walked for a while with him on it until i could go NO MORE. on the way home, goo fell asleep in the stroller.

(i'd like to add that it wasn't just hot. it was blistering hot with one kid telling me how hot it was. and i felt like i hadn't showered in two weeks. it was hot. don't let my one mention steer you from the hard facts. it was really hot. not sure why i decided to walk to freaking mcdonalds.)

so i did the lift and lay. she cried for a minute but then was quiet. i thought i had succeeded. so big h and i snuggled on my bed and fell asleep together. bliss.

apparently, goo was NOT asleep. when i walked in, i noticed there was a shadow on the wall by her crib.

and so.

i said to myself. "please, Lord, let it NOT be poop. let it not be poop."

i turned the light on. and oh my word. both walls (her crib's in the corner) were/still are COVERED in red crayon. nice. no amount of magic eraser will get that stuff off. (pictures to come later. camera is in her room.)

and so... i think we will repaint.

new year. new room.

my birthday? was ok. i played with a friend and her children instead of going to the play care. great friend. still should've gone to the play care for an hour or two. did go on a date with buz. who continues to be as dreamy as ever. had dinner and then just walked around a couple of stores. perfect.

and you know what buz got me for my birthday? this. freaking awesome.

and the best part of my day today? watching buz do the hula and kick some tail at it.

hope all of you with sweet little ones in kindergarten are surviving emotionally. know that i'm thinking about you.

can't stay long

i have tv watch and covers to be under.

but here's the deal.

someone. anyone. give me feedback on when you go to the grocery store.

because i've decided that when buz and i win the lottery or get rich, the FIRST thing i'm going to do is hire someone to go to the grocery store to buy groceries.

because OH. MY. GOODNESS.

whipping.

beating.

i menu plan far in advance. usually, i go once every two weeks. i buy food for two weeks of meals. but sometimes i have to go back to the farmers' market to get more produce.

but i decided i might try going once a week. just getting one week's worth of food including my weekly trip to the market.

so i went tonight. sunday night.

when the store apparently gets restocked.

(read: they are out of everything. like garlic. and milk.)

oh, and this grocery store? remodeling. i'm pulling my hair out as i type this.

and one main line of lights was about to burn out. which meant flickering. lots and lots and flickering.

and lately big h has wanted to go grocery shopping with me. at night. once goo is asleep. it's actually kind of fun.

but last time he said, "mama, this grocery work is so tiring. can you drop me off at home?"

i second that, kid.

so again...when do you do the grocery shopping? and if you say with your kids, well, then your answer doesn't count.

i've gotta head to bed.

ok, so i apologize

to all you facebookers.

because you? have wished me happy birthday. you, who on any given day would have no clue when my birthday was. but with your friendly little facebook reminder and all. you're so on the ball.

thank you.

so let's get it out there.

i am thirty-three.

i know.

seriously.

thirty-three.

today? my dad did what he has done for years. he called to wish me a happy birthday eve. i don't know if i started this tradition or if he did. but it's our little thing. it's quirky. but still. our little thing.

tonight? buz came home and fixed mac 'n' cheese for big h and the goo. and i went on a date with my mom. to dinner. where we got free queso.

she bought me cinnamon bears.

and some flip flops.

and gave me some cold hard CASH.

really, she's a woman after my own heart.

and she's the woman that tells a certain birth story every year on august 20. the one we've all heard and can recite word for word.

(and the same kind of story i will tell every year on my children's birthdays.)

and tomorrow? i'm thinking of living large and taking my kids to a drop-in playcare center for a couple of hours. and then heading off into the sunset.

to either read a book or take a nap.

it doesn't get much edgier or more hip and urban than that.

and then tomorrow night, my freaking awesome babysitter is coming to kick it with the little people. (i.e. feed them, clean them, and put them to bed)

and buz and i are probably going to sit somewhere and look at each other and remember how much we love each other.

and i might wear one of my token two "out" outfits. you know the ones. the ones you see in the store and say, "oh, that would be so cute to wear one night when i go out." mine will most likely include my white jeans (which i most certainly would NEVER wear around goo and her current pen/pencil/marker/crayon fetish) and some "top." notice i said "top." not t-shirt. tops are what you wear when you "go out." or at least that's what the young kids say. and that top might be paired with something other than my red new balance running shoes or flip flops. and perhaps even jewelry.

i know what you're saying to yourself. "whoa. slow down, sister."

and we might get something to eat.

and it's supposed to rain. all day. and be in the eighties. not 107.

let's give Him praise! Amen!

oh, i kid about all of this. but you know what? my life couldn't be richer and i couldn't be more thankful.

there is nothing i would rather do on my birthday than wake up with my 4-year-old's iceberg toes on my legs and a "good morning, mama. i just came in to snuggle."



or head into goo's room to get her out of her crib and hear her say, "hi mama! muh. button off." (muh is the name for pink blankie and the button is on her aquarium.)

and to hold hands with my very, very best friend and gaze into his unbelievably attractive bearded face and count our blessings together.

oh. and you thought goo was sassy?

check this girl out. this girl who knew white sunglasses were in. and so were red handbags.

work it, janet. work it.

um, yeah, my babysitter?

is freaking BREATH. TAKING.

oh. my. word.

seriously.

oh. my. word.

so i've spoken of my super rock star babysitter perhaps once or twice? and if not more than thirty-six times, well then shame on me.

she has this ease with my children. big h is always like, "oh hey J, what's up? don't mind me. i'm just watching a little max and ruby. oh this shirt? this old thing? i just happened to throw it on (when i heard you were coming over)."

and goo? well. you know goo by now. she's indifferent to pretty much everything. so she throws out the peace sign to her j-dog and gets back to coloring on the front door or fireplace or television or herself. with sharpies.

and just in case you're wondering...no. you most certainly CAN NOT have her phone number. she's ours. and we're possessive.

but today? i had possibly the coolest opportunity ever. she is a senior this year.

(cue the sound of me crying)

and i got to take her senior portraits.

(and i should say. senior portraits have changed drastically since i was a senior. in my laura ashley floral sundress. and matching headband or bow. and navy heels. also with bows.)

and besides being cute, witty, smart, disciplined (she runs cross country every morning at 6am), cool (with all her texting and whatnot), loving, gentle, etc., etc., she is extraordinarily beautiful.

oh, you want proof, do you?

well, see for yourself.

told ya.

shameless plug. seems that 5 minutes for mom is having a bit of a contest. a summer photo contest. and so...

here are the two i am sending. i know, i know. you've seen them before. but maybe they haven't.

sweet buz

so i've clearly documented my undying love for my husband here once or twice or eighty-two times.

but tonight? well God love him. he just couldn't be any cuter.

he's at game stop. in line for his 'voucher' to be able to purchase madden 2009 at midnight.

have i mentioned that my husband is the early to bed, early to rise guy in our house?

yeah, well, i'm not sure if i can remember the last time (other than the occasional new year's eve) that he has stayed up past 10.

and his man crush? traitor. seriously. we both have crushes on brett. and now he's in freaking new york city? playing for the jets? seriously? you sold out, dude. you're supposed to be inducted into the hall of fame leaving the team that helped you achieve your greatness. the packers, man.

to say we're disappointed is a bit of an understatement.

another understatement? to say that apparently we have nothing else going on.

buz is taking our camera to try to capture some of his evening. i am so proud of him.

sad that i will still be awake when he returns.

i would really love to post about my trip back to my hometown in full detail. but really? wasn't about me so much. er...at all, really.

was about casey.

and her new baby.

and the fact that she delivered a baby right in front of my very eyes. and was a complete and total 100% HOSS. seriously. four pushes. and no vocal noises.

i know.

it's beyond me, really. me in all my c-section glory.

here's her story. from my point of view. and don't be prepared for anything eloquent. i canNOT do this event any amount of justice.

(i promise i won't go into detail. honestly, because i'm ready to go nighty night.)

she and martin had to be at the hospital at 6am. and because of hotel circumstances that occurred during the night, i was able to rise earlier than i had planned. (read: still picking the crusties out of the corners of my eyes.)

so i got ready and headed out of the door at the glorious hour of 4:54am. those of you who know me are shaking your head in true disbelief. kelly, i really was in the car at that hour.

and the whole time i just kept thinking about sweet casey and martin and the fact that they were about to welcome a new little peanut into their world. i was beyond ecstatic for them.

(not to mention casey ready to have "normal non-swelling, non-pregnant feet" again.)

so i got to the hospital at five o'clock with my journal. writing down thoughts and prayers i had for them.

heavenly father, i can only pray the very best for this day. that martin and casey would connect in a way only you could provide. that sweet baby would make his entrance in a safe way. that he would be healthy. that the staff would be kind to my friends and make them feel like this was their first baby.

and all the while, it was a brisk eighty-two degrees outside. at five o'clock in the freaking morning. granted, i doubt that's what they were thinking about. but geez.

and so they arrived. and began filling out paperwork. and more paperwork. and OH MY, MORE PAPERWORK.

and then things got started. IV started. blood drawn.

contractions started.

like before the epidural.

my friend casey? she likes herself some narcotics.

see? she was back in business. ahhh...much better.

things were going along fairly smoothly. and then that pesky blood pressure of hers decided to drop. or plummet, if you will.

things looked a little more grim than before.

but with a little oxygen, life got better again. though, we couldn't understand a word she said with that mask. (shhh...don't tell her, but we pretended like we could understand by just nodding our heads.)

and then all of the sudden, seems she was fully dilated and ready to meet little mr.

oh my word. this girl? uh-may-ZING. she pushed FOUR TIMES. (she says five. i say four. what does she know?)

and then? this little beauty began crying. that beautiful newborn cry. that made me do that adult female ugly cry.

meet samuel edwards. arrived at 1210pm on friday, august 1, 2008. (even though the room's STUPID clock read 1216pm. darn that clock.)

her SMALLEST baby weighing in at 8#6 and 19 1/2 inches long. smallest baby. head of hair.

mom and dad were elated.

daddy could NOT stop touching this little guy's hand. just couldn't. and why not?

and mama? head over heels in love.

and me? so honored to even call casey and martin friends. so glad to meet samuel. and so privileged to be a part of this miracle called life. praise Jesus for a wonderful day.

love you, guys. thanks for letting me share in your joy.