dear row

Dear Rowan Wright...
Before you were in my tummy we prayed for you...we prayed that God would send us a precious baby...we knew that we could not be responsible for making the decision about when or where you would be born so we prayed that He would send you in His time...when we found out that you were growing inside of me, we thanked Him for his wisdom...we loved you...I am still in awe of how perfectly planned you were...as you continued you to grow, you gave us a few scares...we prayed that God would hold you and protect you and help you to be strong and healthy...we loved you...we prepared your big brother, Parker, for your arrival...he was so excited for you to get here, and was constantly talking about how much he loved you...how much we loved you...when you wouldn't come on your own, we prayed that He would keep you safe until it was your time to arrive...we daddy said, 'it's a girl,' we praised Him...our hearts were bursting with love for you...

When you were first born, we didn't sleep...we prayed for God to give you peace and comfort so that you would be able to sleep...we praised God that, despite little sleep, you were so happy during the day...you made us smile every day...we love you so much....you wanted to be anywhere Parker was...he could make you laugh unlike anyone else...we thanked God for the blessing of watching you two together...

Then you began to move...we praised God for your energy and daring personality...you were fearless...we once caught you inside of the fireplace not knowing you could climb that high...your smile melts our hearts...you still wanted to be wherever Parker was and soon began to find the joy in taking his toys...we are so grateful for you and Parker...

Along with moving came talking...at first just jabbering but soon we could make out the differences between words...we thanked God for your beautiful voice...we could listen to you talk all day long...when you are not talking, you are constantly giving kisses...you are such a mama's girl (which I love), but you give kisses freely to those closest to you...we love you so much...

In the last year, you have filled our hearts with so much joy...we cannot tell you how grateful we are for God's perfect plan...every night we pray that you will be faithful, kind, generous, determined, successful, humble, slow to anger...we pray that you know how loved you are and how wonderfully blessed we are to be your parents...

lost moments

I am desperately trying to keep up with this blog, but I am failing miserably.  Both of my children are changing so quickly that I am terrified of forgetting the little moments.  So, in an effort to keep track and remember...here are a few summaries of lost moments...

Parker is a bit girl crazy...he came home from preschool one day and told us that he Cayman was mad at him for stealing his girlfriend...he also said that he stole her because Cayman wasn't taking care of her and he would...he also explained that 'taking care of her' meant being near her all the time...

Parker also told me that he wanted to marry Babette because she is 'soooo pretty'...pretty sure she's taken...Uncle Landon is going to keep his eyes on you, little man...:)

Rowan began crawling...at 6 and a half months...we were not ready...she also started climbing up the stairs around 8 months...she crawled onto and then into the fireplace last week...yikes

Rowan went through a major 'no' phase...she loved shaking her head no anytime she didn't want to eat or knew she wasn't supposed to do something...that has now given way to the 'I don't care if I'm not supposed to' phase...

Rowan has a temper...if we do not get her more food quickly enough or do not get her the toy or object she wants quickly enough, she tenses up and screams...gosh I love her...

We have been saying Parker and Rowan's blessing every night before we go to bed (may the Lord bless you and keep you...) Parker never lets me forget his blessing and likes to look me in the eye while I say it...it is so sweet...

Rowan has basically had everything under the sun...including 6 ear infections...we now have an appointment with an ear, nose and throat dr to talk about tubes...we are praying that they help!

Rowan has a special sound she makes that is reserved just for me...it is like a super loud inhale that she does when she is really, really excited (mainly to see me)...I love it!

Parker is such a good big brother...Brady and I just feel so blessed that he loves her so much and protects her...oh, and she loves him more than anyone...

Parker just finished his first season of soccer...it was so fun to watch him improve with every game...he takes the game pretty seriously and we were so proud!

Gosh, I love them so much and just wish that I could slow down the clock!

sweetest sounds

Maybe it's just me, but I can't think of anything better than listening to the noises that come out of my two favorite people (I just read what I wrote and realized that it sounds all -encompassing...I'm referring to the noises that come out of their mouths, ha!)

For the last month or so, our house has been filled with the most wonderful sounds.  Rowan has been babbling up a storm and it just makes me melt.  We have heard lots of 'blah blah blahs' and 'ya ya yas' (usually when I'm talking...I feel like I am getting a glimpse into her teenage years).  Then finally, on Brady's birthday, she said 'dada'...perfect.  My favorite, though, is when she says, 'mmmmmmaaaaaaa.' She has been doing this for a few months now and I swear she is talking to me.  Brady thinks I am crazy, but since she was around 2 or 3 months, she has been say, 'mmmmmmaaaaa'  when she is sad or upset.  I just love it.

We have also had an unusual amount of grunting going on.  Sometimes she grunts while flapping her arms and you swear she is going to take off like a bird.  The very sweetest sound is her giggle.  She doesn't give it freely, but when you hear it, you melt.  Her favorite person to laugh at is Parker...he can make her giggle like no other!

So....if you are in need of a pick-me-up, just come to our house...the sounds alone will make you smile:)


Not to mention, you might get a country serenade by Parker:)

the little things

...how rowan cries every time I leave the room and lights up when I walk in again...(I know I shouldn't be smiling at this)
...when parker tells me that 'you're not English' when I try to use an accent while reading him a story...
...how parker truly loves his sister and will rush to her room when she wakes up crying...
...watching rowan do 'baby sit-ups'...
...listening to new sounds and consonants come out of her precious little mouth...
...watching parker play countless games of football and basketball and listening to him rattle off all of the players and their positions...
...watching my children with my parents and brady's parents...
...watching row enthusiastically explore every new toy...
...the way she lays her head on my shoulder...
...the way parker wants a new 'pretend' story every night and lately they involve crocodiles...
...the way rowan lights up when parker is in the room...
...my husband...watching him with our babies...how he loves us...we are so blessed...