The boy & the bump

19 weeks

Our cool date

This week's date with my beautiful babe consisted of our Mama and Me class and a trip to eat some frozen yogurt.

As we left our class, at 11 a.m., the day's heat almost knocked us down. So, since I'm the mama, I decided we could enjoy some frozen yogurt that early in the morning.

We made a concoction of strawberry, chocolate and peanut butter yogurt topped with sprinkles (my favorite) and gummy bears (his favorite).

Then we sat outside and enjoyed our cool treat in the shade.

Just me and him. Enjoy it we did.

Then we headed home so Lane could hang with Papa while I went to get a cavity filled.

I love being this boy's mama.

Lane and the giant peach

Yesterday, I went to put some towels from the washer to the dryer. When I stepped out of the laundry room back in to the kitchen, this is what I found.

Lane and three peaches perfectly plucked from the fruit bowl with perfect size Hoo Bird bites in each one.

He's (I'm) going to do just fine

I'm feeling much better - and much more secure - about this whole second baby, big brother situation.

Thanks to many of you - your reassuring words that you felt this way too and that all will work itself out in time with the two babes - and to two other babes who stopped by last week, my insecurities seem to be a lot less.


On Thursday, Laura brought 12-week old Teddy over to hang for a little while. I loved catching up with Laura and watching her with her babe.

Lane was such a little gentleman to Teddy. Showing us his baby seat and lightly touching his toes and knees.

Although it has only been a short while since Lane was a wee one, I quickly forgot the newborn ways.

Teddy got a little tired - and a little grumpy.

He needed his mama to help him to sleep.

Lane thought George would do the trick.

While Laura was loving on Teddy, Lane quietly went to his playroom and retrieved George for Teddy.

He's going to make a fine big brother.

And, I'm going to be fine too. Papa says I'll look back on all this worrying and laugh that I wasted so much time and energy on it. I think he is right.

I've realized I'm not taking anything away from Lane. I'm actually giving him a really great gift.

A little brother. A best friend. (And, I'm sure a sometimes worst enemy as well!)

My blond headed boy helped show me the way without even knowing it.

Drew stopped back by Friday afternoon after Pre-K. (Say it isn't so.) His mama just gave birth to Preston a few hours before.

Lane and Drew played all afternoon and in to the evening. Papa and I couldn't believe it. Drew transformed Lane in to a big boy.

Lane mimicked almost each and every one of Drew's moves - from tumbling on the floor with the short hair to drinking his drink when ever Drew drank his.

He couldn't get enough of Drew.

By the end of the day, I couldn't wait. I realized that in just a few short months, he's going to be the big brother. And, in just a year or so, his little brother is going to idolize him.

How cool is that?

I think he's (I'm) going to do just fine.



P.S.
Yes, Preston Ryan Ward was born on Friday, August 6. He's perfect - and I've got pictures to prove it.

And, yes, Bro Bro is for sure a boy. We got to check him out late Friday morning. He's perfect too.

House Guests

We had a special guest here on Allison Drive earlier this week. A certain little boy who anxiously awaits the arrival of his little brother.

With promises of a spend-the-night at "Baby Wane's" house when his mama goes in to labor, Drew has his overnight bag packed full of books, toys and balls (for the short hair).

With all of us crossing our fingers and wishing for immediate instructions to head to the hospital, Stephanie prepared Drew that his baby brother might arrive Monday night and he would need to stay at Lane's house.

Excitement got the best of him, and he made his mama and Nana bring him over a little earlier than Stephanie's scheduled doctor's visit.

With Lane napping, I had a little Drew time all for myself.

We made it rain popcorn.



Then added some M&M's to the bowls as we munched on our treat and watched old episodes of Tom & Jerry.

The short hair didn't miss out either. Eventually, once all the treats were gone, she climbed on to the couch and the three of us snuggled together and waited for Lane to wake.

When he did, we headed outside to enjoy the cooler (than 100 degrees) weather Monday gave us and draw on the driveway with chalk. (A going away gift from Val to Lane.)



The boys played together so nicely. These two boys who will soon be big brothers.





The curly blond hair boy has got it down. He's ready to be a big brother. We know he'll do just fine. He loves babies. Always asking to help feed a babe. Hold a babe. Help a babe put on his shoes.





He's got it down pat. Stephanie's ready to deliver our newest addition and begin the newest phase of her life. The Ward family is ready.







As for us, I'm not so sure. It hit me last week at my monthly appointment. I'm going to have two babes. I got excited. I couldn't stop talking about our newest little babe, who is growing just as he should be.

Papa's been excited. He's ready. Ready for two boys to take on camping trips. Two boys to wrestle. Two boys to teach to hunt one day. Two boys to love.

And then there's me. I know I've got enough love in me for two babes. I know I'll recognize his face as soon as we meet. I know I'll feel the same way I did with Lane - unstoppable love and the feeling as though I've known this little person my entire life.

Then why do I have moments of sadness. Moments when I feel like I'm taking so much away from my first babe. The babe who made me a mama. Our days are spent together. Playing, reading, singing, snuggling, loving. Most of the time, it is just me and my boy.

And I wonder what life will be like when it is just me and my boys. Will Lane feel sad? Have Papa and I made a selfish decision? Should we have given Lane more time to himself?


I look at this face and feel so much love. I don't ever want him to feel as if I don't love him as much tomorrow as I do today. Will he know that once another babe takes up some of time?

I've been reassured by other mama's of two that this feeling is normal. That, there is in fact, enough love in your heart for both. That these fears of hurting one while loving another will soon disappear after the birth of your second.

Yes, there will be jealously. There will be an adjustment period. So, as we meet the halfway mark of this pregnancy, I've decided to designate one day a week our date day.

I know we're together every day. But, on this one day, I'm going to take my babe out for some fun. We went Wednesday. Mama and me class and lunch at Chick-fil-A - just the two of us. We talked and played and I reminded him of the day he became mine. Of the day he made me mama. I thanked him and reminded him how much I love him.

I told him we'd have a babe soon. A special house guest. However, he will always be my love. I plan to take my babe out each week - even after the babe arrives - for a special date.

To remind him how much he means to me.


Until then, Lane and I will continue to enjoy all the beauty that surrounds us. The friends we have. The good times we share. The new babes in our life. And these special house guests who played alongside us Monday afternoon - Mrs. Flutterby and Mr. Hopper.

20 months

is so much closer to two years old than one. That makes my heart a little sad.

Yet his wonderful, funny, talkative, head strong, shy yet outgoing almost-two-year-old personality makes me so happy.







I love this age.

Leftie

Whenever Lane draws, throws a ball or uses a fork, he tends to favor his left hand.

Will he be a leftie like my Pop Pop?