Kensley's 2nd Birthday

(Written on March 7th, 2010)

Dear Kensley,

Today you turn 2 years old and I can not believe how fast the time has flown by. To think that two years ago I was still in labor with you, anticipating what you would look like and who you would be like. Really that day is now such a blur of excitement and emotion up until the moment I held you and I remember at that moment it was like the world stopped spinning. I held you in my arms and you looked right at me and I couldn't breathe you were just that beautiful.



The funny thing about life is that when you are pregnant the hours seem like days and the days seem like years up until the day you are born. Then the hours seem like minutes and the days seem like hours. It goes by so fast. Every mother will tell you it does but until you have a child of your own you don't fully comprehend how quickly the time will go. I know I didn't. I was not prepared for today and how soon this day would come. Last night I was packing up some of your baby things and I found the dress you wore when you had your one month picture taken. I held it up- it was such a tiny dress- and remembered that you once fit your little body inside it. I smelled it, held it against me and cried. I cried because although it is so fun to see you grow and change it is hard for this momma to see the baby you were slip away. To know that one day you won't need me as much as you used to.



You are becoming such an independent little lady. You got a bicycle for your birthday and you looked so proud sitting on it. You were ready to go! Your daddy and papa pushed you around the living room and you had the biggest grin. Even after everyone had left you still took your daddy's hand and walked him over to that bike and showed him that you wanted just one more spin around the living room. It won't be long before we will be chasing behind you on that bike.



You are the funniest kid I have ever met. The things you do and the way you do them just crack me up. There are nights when we ask you if you want to go "night night" and you take us by the hand and lead us up the stairs without a peep. Other nights when we ask you, you pretend to lay your head down on the floor and then look up with the biggest grin as if that was you showing us how to go night night. Everything is "Ooooh" and "WOW" and it is so fun to think that your world is really full of things that amaze you.



You are extremely loving. The best part about you being two so far is that you are a constant giver of hugs and kisses. You may not give them every time we as but you give them plenty and often. There are times when I am not paying attention and feel you wrap your arms around my legs and squeeze. Or you kiss the back of my head when we sit together on the floor. These are the moments I treasure most of all. When people ask how we think you will handle being a big sister we usually say that you will probably smother your brother in kisses. You are the kindest and sweetest little girl. You are also the world's biggest flirt. You blow kisses and give hugs to men twice your age and I really think your daddy should keep an eye on that.



One thing that may be tested in the next few months is your patience. If you want something, you want it NOW. If you want to go play in your playroom and I have to first go to the bathroom or if you want dinner and I have to heat it up first it usually ends up being the end of the world. I am hoping that with the arrival of your little brother will come just a tiny bit of patience for me. I may not be able to do things for you at the drop of a hat but I will definitely get to it when I have the first chance to do so.



This has been one amazing year for us and as sad as I am to watch my baby become the big girl, I am so excited to watch you learn new things and grow into a fabulous big sister. I can't wait to see you and your baby brother together. This year will bring so many new things our way and I am nothing but grateful to get to have these days with you. For when we played the baby lottery we truly hit the jackpot with you.



Love,

Mama

First Haircut

In preparation for Kensley's second birthday we figured it was time to take her for he first haircut. The ends were looking sort of stringy and were all different lengths. We didn't think this was going to go over well because she won't let me brush her hair or put cute hair bows in it anymore, so needless to say- we were a bit worried.



And at first she did fuss and was a little skeptical of this lady coming at her with a comb and scissors.



But we found a big box of crayons and paper that kept her distracted.



And we even got some SMILES!



Oh and this adorable face where she really looks like her daddy.

So over all it was a lot easier than we were expecting. She did amazingly well and she looks as adorable as ever now. It made me sad to think that we just cut off hair that was on her head the day she was born, and now she is one step closer to growing up. I have a little bit that I kept for her memory box. And what a good memory this well be.

Ultrasound Details and Pics

Dear Rowan,

Yesterday your Daddy and I got to have our BIG ULTRASOUND, the one where we found out that you are indeed a little boy. I have had a feeling for awhile now that you were a boy, just because this pregnancy has been different than your sister's. While I could only keep down fruit and Sunny Delight with her, I could eat Taco Bell and boneless buffalo wings with you. I think my morning sickness was a little more extreme with you as well. Your Dad on the other hand was absolutely convinced you were a girl. He just couldn't imagine having anything other than all girls because that is what he firmly believed he would get.

When we went into the room to have the ultrasound done your Dad was still saying that he bet you were a girl. I said we will find out soon enough and when the ultrasound tech waived the wand over my belly the first thing she said was, "Oh, it's a boy!" I think your Dad sat there in shock and muttered out "You win" to me, but the truth is we both win. No matter what we would have been over the moon excited for you and that is what we both are.



Being a parent the second time around is a little different than the first. I now know what to expect during this pregnancy and maybe even a little of what your birth will be like. I know all about the sleep deprivation, nursing, diaper changing, (although I do hear boys are a little different than girls when it comes to diaper changes. Try not to pee on Mama ok?) and drool. There are just going to be some things that I am a little bit more prepared for with you thanks to your big sister. But you also present a whole new world for us. A world of dirt, trucks, dinosaurs and all things BOY. For up until now our lives have been filled with pink, sparkles and baby dolls. I saw a sign the other day and it explained the definition of a boy as the following-

Boy (noun) : A noise with dirt on it.

I had to laugh out loud at that and thought it to be pretty true. You are going to be so much fun and we can not wait to see you and your big sister in action. Your similarities as well as your differences. And although you are our second baby I hope you never doubt for one instant that we love you any less. You are our first son, our sweet baby boy and we love and look forward to meeting you just as much as we did your sister.

You are also being named after two very important men in our lives. Your middle name- Alexander- is after my uncle Steve. It was his middle name as well. He passed away when he was only 24 but his life had such a wonderful impact on every one he met. He was hysterically funny and full of life and personality and if you inherit even a small percent of that you are profoundly lucky. Your initials match those of your Daddy's Grandpa. R A B. He had a huge impact in your Daddy's life and he loved him very, very much. It is an honor for you to share the initials with such a beloved man. And although these men have passed on and you will never get to meet them in your life here on Earth, we have no doubt that they will be watching over you and protecting you and we know that you will make them very proud.



Now all we have left to do is wait for the day we get to meet you. We are looking forward to that day so much, little man. In the meantime maybe you could take a little break from the soccer practice you have going on with my bladder. Your kicks already seem so very strong and I am sorta scared at what those kicks may feel like in a few months! Just know that we are anxiously waiting your arrival and your Daddy and I are so very lucky to call you ours. Our sweet baby boy.



I love you now and I'll love you always,

Mama