Family before Blog~

I've been feeling a pull lately (for the last couple of months, really). A pull to take Everyday Occasions in a different direction. After reading this beautiful post by Darcy (who designed my blog, by the way) about her business bringing more exposure to her personal blog and, as a result, her family, I knew I had to share my feelings with you all.

With the advent of my business, Anna K. Originals, getting underway (just waiting for licenses to be approved) my contact information will be floating around for anyone to see. This leaves my boys and the Hubs vulnerable.

I, as a wife and a mom, have to think of their safety and dignity and, ultimately, their happiness.

The Hubs, who is going through some health problems right now, needs to be left some semblance of privacy and dignity. The Bubs, who is getting older, is becoming increasingly aware of what I post about him...with that awareness comes the very real potential for him to be uncomfortable or embarrassed. They are all so precious to me and nothing is worth them being made to feel uncomfortable or put on display just so I can have a blog post.

Does that mean Everyday Occasions is going away?

No.

It's just time to take it in a slightly different direction...maybe a photoblog, of sorts. I'm still working on ideas but, come what may in the next few months, I hope y'all will continue to stop by and share with me. I know you'll understand that this decision comes from a mother's prayerful heart.

Somethin' to smile about...

There they are. Our boys. How they brighten my world, y'all! When those two are together and happy all's right in our little part of the world. Of course, when little E-man is old enough to get into the Bubs's trains those moments may be a little less frequent!



The Bubs will be "graduating" from Kindergarten tomorrow. Oooohhhhh...insert big, heartfelt sigh here. My baby (who will always be my baby no matter how many times he rolls his eyes at me) is growing up. He's a smart, inquisitive, charming little guy that his Dad and I are quite proud of.



He's been Poppi's (grandpa's) buddy the last few weeks. Shopping excursions, contraband snacks, sleepovers, and laughter has abounded. Of course, since staying with Poppi is such a blast the Bubs now wants to move in with him! He did say once, however, that he wanted to stay with Poppi so he wouldn't be alone.

Who says children are always selfish and never think of others?

What a year this has been...uh, year in the terms of a school year. We've had great joys and a great sorrow. I know that more of both will come our way because that's what happens in life. I truly hope, though, that we're able to make the most of every joy and allow our Heavenly Father to see us through the sorrows. This is what I want our boys to learn from us.

Yay, we've survived! Can I sleep now?

Our li'l precious has been home for a week now. With a lot of teamwork from Hubby, the mother-in-law, Bubs and me we've managed to survive. Things aren't nearly as overwhelming as they were (or felt like they were) after we had the Bubs. Maybe it's the fact that I'm a bit older or maybe because the Hubs and I now have a touch of "been there, done that" goin' on. Who knows? I'm just glad that, this time around, I'm able to simply enjoy our new precious one rather than focus on how inept I feel.

We've all been delighting in our new li'l man's many expressions and baby coos and noises. Who needs a t.v., right? When his sleepy, grey-blue eyes open we all come a runnin' and generally make fools of ourselves while trying to capture his fleeting attention. So much fun!

The Bubs is a little bummed because Gammy (the MIL) leaves to go home tomorrow afternoon while he's in school. I know that he's loved having some undivided attention after all the fuss of a new baby bro. Especially with Ammah (my mom) being in the hospital again to get rid of more harmful fluid build-up. We're hoping that she'll be able to come home in the next couple of days. Then she can get plenty of grandbaby lovin' time in!

He's here!

"Just one look and I felt so, I

I, I'm in love with you"

"I found out how good it feels to have your love

Say you will, will be mine forever and always..."

Just One Look by the Hollies

That's right, y'all! Our precious new bundle is here! After the labs confirmed that I was preeclampsic, I got the call to come in Friday afternoon to be induced....and to stay calm. Ha!

Well, at least I had our bags partially packed.

After several different bags of i.v. meds, an epidural and some really harsh/rushed contractions our little guy was born.

8:06 a.m.

7 lbs. 11 oz.

19 in. long

He looks a lot like what the Bubs did when he was born, just in miniature. The Bubs was right around 9 lbs. at birth and looked like a toddler in comparison to this new little one. And speaking of the Bubs, he is thoroughly enjoying his new role of big brother. He's always willing to lend a hand, sing a lullaby and give kisses. The Hubs and I are working hard to help him transition into new routines and to understand that we are also having to learn new routines. *chuckle* I think that threw him for a loop, but he understood.

As for me, I'm feeling like I've gone a couple rounds with a prize fighter. Even so, I'm still not feeling as rough as I did after I had the Bubs. My main problem is the usual lack of sleep and not being able to be as active as I want to be. But the Hubby is home for the next couple of weeks and I have family that's here to help (or are coming) so I'm a blessed woman to have so much available help.

Well the baby is waking up and lookin' restless...Gotta go!