Saturday, April 27, 2013

Starting Him Young

We have a divided house.  It is not easy for me.  There is no secret that I am what Jefforey calls "Auburn people." I am not ashamed. I bleed orange and blue from my head to my toes, and I have no shame in the pride I have in my alma mater. It is much more than just sports to me. Auburn is a way of life, and seriously... if you aren't a part of it, you cannot possibly understand it.

Jefforey grew up as an Alabama fan... pretended for a while to be an Auburn fan (so I would date him), and then went to Alabama the year I went to Auburn.  We have gotten along fine for years (especially well in the years 2002-2007) UNTIL we bring a kid into the mix.  I simply cannot stomach my sweet, handsome boy wearing Crimson, but I do love my husband, and I want to respect his wishes. I know it sounds trivial, but it is a serious discussion in our house.

On April 17-18, my Marshall County Leadership Challenge class had a trip to Montgomery.  Jefforey couldn't go because of school, so thankfully... mom went along to keep Trace so I could take part in the day's festivities (including pumping without a cover in the state house!  You've not lived until you've had that experience!) It was a bit crazy with a 4 week old, but hey... you do what you've got to do.  A silver lining of that crazy trip was that I would get to detour through Auburn on the way home so Trace would get a chance to see Toomer's Corner.  The trees were scheduled to be removed on the following Monday after A-Day that weekend.  So instead of seeing it like THIS (with 100,000 of our closest friends and AU family)....

We chose to see it like THIS (with our 4 week old)....
Now, we will have photo evidence that Trace Parker Morgan rolled the original Toomer's Corner (even if he slept through it).
Naturally, we had to do the pictures with all of the Auburn landmarks on this first trip.  Here we are with the University Seal.  There are many great superstitions about this seal... if you step on it, that means your kids will never come to Auburn.  If your Alabama-fan spouse steps on it for that purpose... it means that they will ;)  He has joked, but never actually stepped on the seal, by the way. And neither have I!
It was such a special day, and precious time to spend with my mom and little guy in one of my favorite places on earth.

I loved this picture of the sunset. Sunsets are ALWAYS more beautiful in Auburn than anywhere in the world... although, Hawaii has given my AU sunsets a run for their money!  I thought the sun setting on Toomer's Corner was poetic.

When we got home, in the interest of being fair and balanced, I did allow Trace to wear the Alabama onesie that Grumps got him in the hospital. I must say... he even makes Crimson look good!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

3 weeks already?!


Trace (with mohawk) and his Daddy


My husband has a great appreciation of music, and he got me hooked on Wayne several years ago.  I CANNOT stop singing their song, "Slow Down" when I look at our little guy...  Especially the chorus...
Pull back the reins and slow this mother down, I'm falling off 
The faster you move the closer to the end And there's a lot that I haven't done
 
 (because let's be honest... those are really the only words I know anyway. Generally speaking, unless I have sung it on stage at some point in my life.. I probably make up the rest of the lyrics!)


Has it seriously been 3 weeks since my life completely changed forever?!  I can't believe how fast time has flown!

3 quick observations from the first 3 weeks from this sleep-deprived first-timer:


First of all... just want to say THANK YOU to our amazing friends and family!  We have an incredible support system.  I do know how good we've got it. I can't thank you enough for bringing food, calling/texting to check up on us... and most importantly... praying for us in the past few weeks.  My mom has been an absolute God-send in every way..especially coming over to watch Trace and let me sleep a little during the day.  God has been SO good to us!  We are blessed to have each one of you in our lives... thank you for investing in us and showing us God's love!



Trace loves his Granna



2nd- I'm convinced that babies only poop in clean diapers :) And the importance of pee-pee teepees cannot be overstated!  I have been peed on countless times... once in my mouth. All of this could have been prevented if I didn't get cocky and think I could make it quick enough to not need the teepee.   Just use it.  Regardless.  Trust me!


3rd- Life really does change in an instant. Priorities shift.  Entire lifestyles re-focus.  It is unbelievable and indescribable. No matter how frequently you hear this mantra, you really won't understand it until you experience it.

I'm  also writing to share some pictures.  I'm in LOVE with all of the photos that Amber Stricklin took when he was 10 days old.  He has already changed so much.  I hope you enjoy the photos of my handsome little stud muffin (who kind of favors a wrinkly old man).









We have a happy, healthy 3 week old.  He is eating ALL the time-- very hungry, growing boy!  He also sleeps a lot-- as long as someone is holding him ;)...which truthfully, I'm more than happy to oblige. He is a very "active" sleeper-- imagine that, he is my child, after all!  We think he might be dealing with some reflux issues-- a lot of grunting and gagging... poor baby.  Even with the pain he seems to be dealing with-- He is SO snuggly and sweet-- such a good baby, who rarely cries. He is sort of getting over the extreme nocturnal nature he was displaying for the past few weeks. (Praise Jesus!) He is dealing with some baby acne right now, sadly, but apparently that just means his liver is working well... and the breast milk is too!  He already holds his head WAY up for long periods of time, and the little stinker rolls over to his side just about any chance he gets-- he's NOT a fan of laying on his back.
Trace Parker's first Easter- 3 weeks/2 days

Time is going by WAAAY too fast for this momma. He is already too long for some of his newborn clothes, and his face is starting to fill out a little, along with his belly.  He's still got some skinny arms and bird legs, though (which puts him in a very awkward sizing stage!) :) Your prayers are appreciated as I have to leave this munchkin to go back to work in just 3 short weeks :*(  I am not sure how that's even possible at the moment, and my heart is breaking just thinking about it!

Week 1


Week 2


Thanks again for all of your love and support!