Maren Grace

Dear Maren,
I prayed for you...for the past five years I have just had this feeling that our family wasn't complete.  This feeling that we were still missing something.  I started praying...praying that God would either send us a baby or change the way I felt.  And then one day, it happened...God gave us you.  We were so excited.  Parker and Row were over the moon.  I spent every day praying that you arrived safely and you were healthy.  I had a feeling very early on that you were a girl...everything gender-neutral somehow seemed too masculine. I found myself ordering bows and dresses-just in case.  We even knew your name very early.  It was the first name we mentioned and we never went back.  You have always been Maren.

The night before you were born Parker and Rowan wanted to have a sleepover in Rowan's room.  We read stories together and talked about how excited we were to meet you.  Gram Gram, G-Dawg and Grammy all stayed the night too.  It took Daddy and I soooooo long to get to sleep because we were so excited.  We had to wake up at 4AM and Rowan and Parker woke up and came into our room so that they could see us before we left for the hospital.  That was such a sweet time...getting ready and listening to them giggle with excitement.  As we left the house, they were waving from our bedroom window.

We checked into the hospital and began the process of prepping for surgery.  I was so scared.  I could not wait for you to get here so that I knew you were healthy.  Surgery was quick and Daddy was the first one to say, "it's a girl!"  We were both so happy.  You cried the loudest of all three kids and we laughed at how you had already found your voice.  Holding you for the first time was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Luckily, the nurses let us sneak parker and rowan in early so they could meet you.  They were both excited...until Parker cried, ha.  He was definitely overwhelmed.   Rowan held you right away and was smitten from the start.  Parker needed a minute to digest everything, but when he came back the next day, he fell completely in love with you.

We came home after three days and two days later, Gram Gram, G-Dawg, Uncle Landon, Aunt Bette, Ellis, Nana and Papa Bill all came to celebrate Thanksgiving at our house.  You were loved on so much.  Even as a newborn, you brought out the best in each of us.  We could not love you more.

Florida Vacation

This sounds crazy, but we have never been on vacation with just the four of us.  We decided that we needed just that before the Rookie comes in November.  The kids only request was the beach...all they wanted to do was play on the beach.  At 25 weeks pregnant, that was something I could definitely do.  We ended up in Clearwater Beach, FL and had the best time.  We spent hours every day on the beach, went on a pirate cruise where we saw dolphins and ate lots of seafood (per Parker's request).   While there, Rowan decided she was going to live at the beach when she grows up...we decided that she was probably going to be a street entertainer and swim all day and dance hip-hop at night to make money.  She is definitely the free spirit in our family.  We also realized that Parker is so.much.like.me...after a couple of days at the beach, he was ready for something new.  I usually plan our vacations down to the hour, so this was not the norm...he is so my child.   He also found a new friend every day we were there to play football with on the beach.  I loved watching them so joyful.  

The Rookie

When Rowan was around two, I started talking about wanting a baby.  Brady thought I was joking...we had always said we wanted two kids, a boy and a girl, and lucky us, that is what we had!  Why in the world would we want to add to the crazy?  We have man-to-man defense, one child per adult, the perfect scenario to make our life the least amount of complicated.  I couldn't let it go though...a longing for a bigger family...a knowledge that life would be crazy and hard for a few years, but the joy would be so worth it.

About a year ago, Brady said that he was willing to see what happened.  We both prayed about it, and in our hearts believed that God would provide our answer.  It was a need of mine to let go and let Him take control.  An acknowledgement that everything good in our lives has happened when things didn't go exactly to our plan (see the originally title of this blog: shocked and knocked up:)...lifting the burden of planning everything to the minute.

Warning, TMI coming...in early February, I was a day late and just had a feeling.  I was running errands while the kids were at church and decided to buy a test at Target.  Normal people would wait until they got home...I'm not normal...I couldn't wait...I took the test in the bathroom (after I paid, of course)...POSITIVE!  I called Brady right away and we both just laughed.  We had our answer...we were going to have a baby.

I had a rough first trimester...nausea, vomiting, exhaustion...keeping it a secret from the kids was hard.  We told them around 8 weeks...we originally wanted to think of a creative way to share, but we're too impulsive.  One night at dinner we just couldn't keep it any longer...we turned to the kids and said, "we have a secret to tell you..."  Parker's response, "you're pregnant aren't you?"  Ha, no fooling that kid.  They each called our parents and told them and were so excited...probably Row more than Parker, ha.

In the weeks that followed, our secret was out...I'm pretty sure at least twenty people knew within 24 hours of telling the kids, ha!   We also had to find a name to call the baby...we are not finding out the gender so it couldn't be too specific.  For a while, Row was calling him/her 'sucker'...all I could think of was 'welcome to the family, sucker!'  So, we finally decided on The Rookie.  It is the perfect name for this perfect little babe.  He/she will be the rookie of our family and the kids are definitely going to show him/her the ropes.  Our hearts are so very full.

Row

Rowan is growing up so fast; every day she learns to do something new on her own and is so proud.  She told me yesterday that she is certain that someday she will not need me to do anything for her, but she still wants to live here with her husband when she gets married (or at least next door).  I am not ready for her to grow up.  Sometimes she seems like such a big girl and then like my baby again all within ten minutes.  Time has just gone too fast.

Row seems to always know when I need a hug.  She still wraps herself around me when and rubs my back when I pick her up.  She absolutely hates being in trouble and will start crying almost before we say anything to her.  This means that she doesn't get into trouble much...I think she has watched Parker get into trouble too often, ha.

Rowan loves to dance.  Her body almost moves on its own the instant she hears music.  She is always dancing around the house and loves dance parties and dance class.

Row has started saying, "boom," every time she makes a point.  I'm not sure where she learned this...actually, I take that back...she learned it from Parker.   Having an older brother means she sometimes learns things I wish she didn't, but also means she is more willing to take chances outside of her comfort zone because she has watched Parker...basketball, soccer, etc.

Right Now...

Right now Rowan wants to live at home forever, never get married and go wherever I go...
Right now I am completely fine with that scenario...
Right now parker wants to play with his friends every.single.day. after school...
Right now Parker also feels like he doesn't get enough time with me...the struggle is real...
Right now I feel like I am constantly on Parker to "do things right the first time..."
Right now Rowan gets super proud when she isn't 'shy' around other people...yet she bosses everyone in our house around and has a way of timing tantrums so that we inadvertently give her whatever she wants...
Right now Parker is constantly dribbling a basketball and has recently started teaching Row..."pocket, window, shot..."
Right now Rowan is playing basketball and can finally make a basket!
Right now Parker is between little boy and big kid and that is hard...
Right now we are still trying to decide whether to send Rowan to kindergarten or hold her for a year...I'm fairly positive I am the one struggling more...
Right now I am realizing that Rowan has as big of a personality as Parker...she constantly clicks her lips after making a point and sounds like a teenager when she talks...we are in so much trouble...

Yo Row!

Tonight we were sitting at the dinner table when Rowan tells us, in her best gangsta voice, "I just want a cookie, yo!"  This was in response to our request that she finish her dinner around the time she was twirling around the floor.  We are constantly laughing at her antics...even when she has completely destroyed the house by getting out every single toy possible.  I just love her to pieces and have so much fun watching the character she is turning into.

love of sports

Parker has loved sports for as long as I can remember...we even had a golf-themed first birthday because he was already swinging a club correctly, ha!  We have hit the age where he plays whatever sport is in season which means most evenings and weekends are booked with games or practices.  Right now is baseball season...he wakes up by six and puts on baseball pants, runs downstairs and finds a baseball game to watch on tv...while tossing a ball in the air.  If I let him, he would go play baseball with the neighborhood boys all.day.long.  He just can't get enough.  Luckily, Parker's baseball team advanced to the second round of their end-of-season tournament and he gets to play a few more games...the boys were just so excited.

Rowan, on the other hand, is perfectly content playing with dolls or her kitchen or coloring.  However, at this very moment, I am watching her play indoor baseball (eeeek, I know) with Parker.  She is loving it!  She also played soccer this spring and actually did pretty well.  And when I say 'well' I mean as well as a three-year-old can play.  I coached her team and there were several times kids were crying on the field because the other team stole the ball, but I am proud to say the tears were never Row's.  At one point, she was even the only one still playing while everyone else was on the sidelines crying!

They both are just changing every day.  I am so proud of the little people they are becoming.

so many friends

I'm not sure when it happened...maybe it was going to the neighborhood NYE party...maybe it was the first nice day in January...I'm just not sure, but my kids are now dying to go play with the neighbor kids every.single.day.  Don't misunderstand...I love our neighborhood and I love having kids nearby with whom they can play,  but I am missing my babies.  Parker can hardly finish his homework fast enough before wanting to run and play basketball with the boys.  Poor Row, her face is so sad when he goes...however, now we have new eight-year-old twin girls across the street who like to mother row and she gets so excited to play with them at the park.  With Row, I feel the need to still be nearby watching, but I was just not ready to not feel needed.  So silly I know.  I worry about the decisions they make when they are with friends...Parker has such a need for acceptance...I'm not sure if it is because we moved so many times and he went to so many new schools in the beginning, but I worry that he will try too hard to please...I'm constantly praying that he makes good choices.  

They are just growing up too fast...here are some of the latest...

• Row started calling Parker, 'Parker'...for the longest time she said 'karker'...even though she could say 'park', she still said 'karker' out of habit...the day that changed was kind of a big deal.
• Parker started piano lessons...he enjoys the lessons, but getting him to practice is sometimes a struggle...we have told him that he has to play piano first in order to learn guitar so that is his motivation right now, ha!
• Row has started trying on every piece of clothing in her closet when she is supposed to be going to sleep...she loves picking out her own clothes...
• Row cut her hair...it looks very much like a mullet...thank goodness for her cute face...
• Parker is playing basketball and Brady is coaching...we are working on passing...sometimes a struggle...
• Row has started defending Parker when he gets into trouble, "mommy, don't say that to my brother!"  Uh oh...
• Rowan and I have 'girl talk' when she lies down for rest time or bed time..."mommy, let's have 'girl talk'"...the tone she uses just kills me...
• Whenever I call Row my 'sweet baby' she calls me her 'sweet mommy'...melts my heart...

I feel like I am forgetting things...I'm so afraid of forgetting...time slow down...

rowan wright now

Rowan is such fun right now...she is small for her age but packs a giant personality into her tiny frame...she copies EVERYTHING parker does and has the most infectious giggle after she does it...she loves to play house and is constantly asking parker to be the daddy...she says she's going to marry him...she is super curious and takes everything in before saying anything out loud...she got a Frozen, stand-up microphone from Santa and sings with such drama...she is so my child...she tells me my dancing is hilarious...and weird...she loves 'donalds' and gets so excited for the treat...gymnastics is one of her favorite things and I can't wait for her to start dance...she asked daddy to dance with her tonight and my heart melted as I watched them twirl...she wore her new 'belle' princess dress all.day.long. today...she has already rolled her eyes and told me, 'you're the boss'...she now changes her clothes as often as parker...she is such a big helper...she has such a big heart...

Parker E Alexander

Parker turned seven...SEVEN...I mean I just can't believe we are here.  I know everyone says this, but it really does feel like just yesterday that I could pick him up and carry him and now he is over four feet tall and more than 60 pounds.  He has gone from toddler to little boy and his personality feels more like twenty sometimes.  He takes everything in and then tries to adjust his behavior to try and make everyone happy.  We are so hard on him sometimes because he is so capable...so very capable.  I am so very proud to be his mama.

A couple of weeks ago, P was MVP at school and I had to write a poem about him for the teacher to read aloud...it sums him up pretty well...

Let me tell you about a boy named P
Who makes this mama as proud as can be
He is sweet as pie and as funny as a clown
and, by far, one of my favorite people to have around
He is a great big brother and Row loves him to the moon
Someday he will probably make another girl swoon
His favorite things are sports, any sport you can name
One day he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame
If he's not playing sports, he is learning about animals
Not many people know more than he does about mammals
He has a heart for God and loves Jesus a lot
You can find him memorizing his verses more often than not
Parker is the best and fills my heart with Joy
I love him so much and am so blessed he is my boy!

Row's first kiss

Today Row came home from preschool and said, "umm, mom, little parker kissed me in the playhouse outside."  She calls him 'little parker' because of course she has 'big parker' at home.  After a few more questions, I realized he only kissed her on the back of the head.  I think we are safe...for now...

Rowan Wright

Once upon a time there were three bears...I feel like I hear that story in my head because Rowan will not go to sleep until I tell her this story...every.single.night. Full disclosure...we spend around 2 hours trying to get her to go to sleep, and it seems like every night I am anxious to get her to sleep so that I can have some time to myself.  However, it never fails, once she is asleep, I am suddenly aware of just how big she is and how fast she is growing and I want to go back to the bedtime struggle and snuggle a bit more.  She has such a sweet heart and is always thinking of others.  She holds my face when she kisses me goodnight and is still small enough that I can carry her like a monkey.  She is my baby and she is getting so big.  I am so blessed by her little personality and her big heart.  Tonight was her first night of Awanas at church and here was her review..."we stood in line and made duck tails, and then played with legos and watched a puppet show and then we had a snack, oh and Jesus loves me."  I just can't even believe she is old enough to go to her own class and next week she starts preschool...love her so.

Row turns 3

Rowan turned three today...where did time go?  No, seriously, between colicky nights in the first year, renovating in the second and moving in the third, I feel like time has flown.  Rowan is sweet, funny and serious.  She keeps her emotions under wraps (unless she's throwing a tantrum because I didn't clean something well enough, ha) and spends a lot of time observing others.  She LOVES Parker...seriously, right now she refers to him as her best friend and future husband.  She likes to make others happy but doesn't need to do something just to make someone happy.  I'm learning that she learns when and if she thinks it is necessary to know something.  She shares so well, seriously, she is definitely used to taking a backseat to P.  She changes her clothes often and definitely has a sense of what she likes and does not like.  She tries my clothes on often (and makes a mess).  Pink is her favorite color.  She never eats an entire meal and instead grazes all day long.  She is spunky, smart and the sweetest girl I know.

This year, we were able to celebrate with most of our family and a few of Row's friends (Haleigh, Emma, Charlotte).  We had brunch and then swam across the street at the neighborhood pool.  Row had such a fun day.

Did I mention?

Today I realized that I blog soooo infrequently that there may be things going on in our lives that I have not mentioned...I wouldn't be concerned if I blogged for others, but in reality I blog for my kiddos...so here's to catching up!

Did I mention that we spent half of 2015 renovating our kitchen in Valley Center?  Did I mention that right after we were finished Brady decided to take a new job in Garnett?  Did I mention that we then spent three weeks renovating our bathrooms so that we could put our home on the market...luckily, it sold in a day and we spent a few months living with my parents while Brady lived in KC with his brother...it was hard, but we made it through.

Did I mention that we moved to Spring Hill (south of Kansas City)?  We  moved into our new home six days before Christmas (and then hosted Christmas).  We are loving it, but I am still struggling to put the first nail holes in my pretty, smooth walls:).  Update...I have since hung shelves in the kids' rooms and a deer head in the living room (random, yes).

Did I mention that Parker had to switch from all-day to half-day kindergarten?  We struggled to fill our afternoons so that we both do not go crazy, but I love, love, loved spending more time with him.  I cannot believe that he will be in first grade in just under seven weeks.

Did I mention that Rowan started 'school'?  Well not school exactly, but kids day out.  She LOVES it. It is only one day a week but because she only has five kids in her class, she already feels like a part of the group.  She will go to the same church for preschool two days a week in the fall.

Did I mention that Parker played basketball again?  The smile on his face while he is playing is infectious.  He dribbles for hours at a time at home.

Did I mention that he also played soccer and baseball too?  I love watching him play sports...he studies the pros and then imitates everything he sees...from their stance to their uniforms...I had to convince him not to wear Row's necklace to the game, because 'all baseball players wear necklaces!'

Did I mention that Rowan hates when I wear a sweatshirt or sweater and will, no kidding, scream at me to take it off.  She is also super into my clothes and shoes right now.  She loves playing in my heels (at least someone wears them:), and is always putting on my shirts as dresses.  She absolutely LOVES when I wear a dress.  She also loves jewelry and purses.  She always has a purse on her shoulder with her 'wallet' and 'makeup'.  I just love watching her walk around like she is sooo big.

Did I mention that Rowan is OBSESSED with frozen?  Everything from nightgowns to notebooks...at least I know I can bribe her, right?  This has actually diminished a bit, but she loves anything princess.

Did I mention that Row's favorite phrases are 'I'm fine,' and 'sure'?

Did I mention that Parker can somehow make Rowan cry and laugh all within the same 60 seconds...my heart explodes watching them.

I did it!

This is the phrase that has shaped the way we think of rowan...we used to think of her as quiet, ornery, and dramatic, but recently, she has shown her sassy side (ok, let's be honest, we knew it was there:)...whenever we ask rowan to do something she believes she has already done, she answers, "I did it!" She, of course, says it in her sassiest voice possible.  This is just one of the reasons that I suddenly feel like my babies are way too old!

Parker takes everything in...feels guilty when someone is sad, can't hardly talk when he is in trouble, makes jokes when he knows he should be quiet (he is sooo my child)...he also plays sports like there is nothing else to do at home.  Even on days that I am completely exhausted and try to get him to sit and watch tv, he runs around playing catch with himself or incessantly dribbling...I swear I hear a ball bouncing in my sleep...

We potty-trained Row last week (after she took off her diaper and pooped under the Christmas tree)...you would think that I would be excited, but for some reason I can't help but feel sad...my baby is 'officially' no longer a baby.  It was so, after the first two days, easy.  She has been so good about telling us when she needs to go and she now seems so old (tear).

The two of them really do play so well together...it is sometimes shocking, really...the other day, I asked Rowan if she was going to be nice to her teacher and she said, "I will not hit my teacher..." then she said, "I will not hit parker...but I will tackle him!"  Ha!  He has taught her well, she is going to be one tough cookie.  Despite the tackling and ball-throwing, Parker is never embarrassed to sit and have a tea party with Row when she asks him:).

I feel like I am so tired all the time that I am missing out on some of the best moments.  I'm afraid of waking up and seeing them in middle school...if only Brady would let me have just one more......:)

this year

I'm being dramatic, but I need to start keeping track of my children again. I want to be able to look back at these posts and remember their little personalities when they are teenagers and I am longing for them to need me again:).

Right now, Parker is so independent.  He desperately tries to be big, but at the same time, wants to be little.  He still wants three stories at night and won't go to sleep until I give him his blessing.  Sometimes I feel like we are so caught up in our day to day activities and I cherish these moments.  He still loves country music and knows every word to songs that I have never heard before.  Right now, he wants to be a construction worker and has been helping us paint, sand, and anything else while we are working on the house.  He is thoughtful, joyful and faithful.  He sometimes dances like a fool and often doesn't listen, but I love him more every day.

Rowan is a firecracker.  She was using the toilet periodically, but since we have started renovating the bathrooms, she has no desire.  I guess I should be grateful considering we only have one bathroom in working order right now...in the basement.  She is still such a mama's girl and is the best snuggler.  She loves her babies and is constantly playing mom to something or someone.  She is sassy and joyful and treats each activity or errand as if it was her idea.  She has no fear and loves to swing as high as she can.  She is my baby goose (parker's name for her), and I love her so.

I just wish I could get days to slow down and truly take a step back from all of the chaos to enjoy every moment.

I'm thinking of a certain animal...

...is it a mammal...yes...does it have paws...yes...does it have retractable claws...yes...it's a TIGER!  Ha, just an example of the game that Parker made up and is now his favorite thing to do.  Every time we get in the car...'I'm thinking of a certain animal...'  Despite the hours and hours that we have played this game, I am so grateful for his imagination and ability to retain random facts.  Love him so.

lost time

I feel like I am losing time...my babies are growing up too fast.  Row is almost two and Parker will be in Kindergarten in the fall.  They are changing every day and I don't want to miss a single second.

Rowan is my daredevil...one minute she is climbing on the stove to reach a cookie and the next she is letting the dog out the door or hanging from the monkey bars (literally...by herself).  I love that she can be strong-willed and independent while simultaneously being my little cuddle bug.  She is my baby.  I love that she wants to be around me all the time and I am soaking in each cuddle I can.  Row loves her baby (Naked Ella)...she is such a great little mama and is constantly taking care of her.  She also is always looking out for Parker.  Any time she gets a treat or sweet, she makes sure that she gets one to give to Parker.  She loves him so much and wants to do everything he is doing.  I love that he can make her laugh harder than anyone.

Parker is half grown-up now.  Sometimes I can't believe the conversations we have.  He pays attention to every detail of everything anyone does or says.  Despite growing so fast, he is still my little bug.  He still lets me hug and kiss him in public and still runs to me when I pick him up from school or anywhere.  I love that he lets me squeeze him whenever I want.  He is reading more and more all the time and I love watching him figure out new words.  Animals and sports are his two favorite things.  He knows more facts about both than I do.  He is playing t-ball now and has a great swing.  He is so competitive and I can't wait to watch him play more.

So I am soaking in every moment so that I don't lose any time.

Growing

My babies are growing...growing up, growing out, growing into little people.  Our days are crazy busy and so much fun.  I want to to hold on to every little moment so that I don't forget, but everything changes so quickly that I'm afraid I might.  For my sake, here are my favorite things that are happening right now.

Row is talking more and more every day.  She just began saying 'yes' and it seems like a lifetime ago when all she would say is 'no'.

I love that when you ask her what her name is, she says, 'row row.'

Her two favorite phrases are, 'I did it' and 'I don't know.'

She is super independent and major mommy's girl...I love how she tries to do anything and everything Parker is doing.

I love how much she and Parker love each other.  The other day when we went to pick up Parker from school Rowan put her hands on her knees and yelled, 'PARKER!'  To which Parker replied, 'BABY GOOSE!'  They then ran toward each other and fell over in a great big bear hug/tackle.  I tried calling Row 'baby goose,' but was informed that was Parker's name for her.

Parker has been playing basketball at the Y and loving it.  At his first practice, he asked his teammate if he wanted to 'chest bump.'  Apparently we have let him watch too many K-State basketball games. Luckily, he has yet to kiss his biceps in public.  After his first basket, he told us, 'did you see that shot we made from downtown!'  Wow.

Parker recently had his adenoid taken out and he is finally sleeping and listening better.  I can tell that he feels so more like himself.

Rowan is wanting to use the toilet...I am not quite ready and she is so tiny, but I am trying to be supportive.  I love that she stands up saying, 'I potty!'  She is just so big.

Love them.

cabin fever

I'm not sure if I even have the right to use the phrase 'cabin fever'...we leave the house every day to take Parker to school and today we even had Row's gymnastics class...we have definitely been more house-bound than we are now...however, I kind of feel like my children are going crazy...endless games of indoor football and basketball have caused me to literally cry over spilled milk, and I'm pretty sure that Rowan has found each and every possible mess there is to make...right now I am writing this blog while letting them create more messes out of boredom, but I feel like it is necessary...if only to keep my resolution going strong (if weekly counts as strong)...anyway...while I do feel like I am forever cleaning up, I wouldn't change a single thing...they are definitely my little loves and tomorrow will get here...hopefully not too soon:)