A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...or in my Case, a Great Mother's Day Gift!

Pictures are so important to me.  And unfortunately, I don't have the kind of husband who gets excited about taking photos for me, especially the candid photos that I love oh so much.  So this year, for Mother's Day, I went ahead and booked myself a Mommy & Me session with a local photographer.  The session included copyright to five photos...but of course, I couldn't pick just five so I shelled out $50 for five more!  (Now I know why she takes so many more...tricky tricky!)  Hey, they're only little once, right?!

Photos:
Becca Blackburn Photography

Outfit Deets:
dress \\ mama necklace \\ earrings \\ shoes
(Boys outfits are old)

Brantley is F I V E

And just like that, five years of motherhood has flown by in the blink of an eye!  Five years ago this very moment I was taking my last baby bump photo and headed to the hospital, anxious for what was to come, but ready to meet you - our little Brantley Carter.  You arrived after just a few (six) hours on Pitocin and so many of our fears about your fetal diagnosis (hydrocephalus) were quickly replaced by enormous feelings of love and admiration for our firstborn baby boy.  A few hours later, you were whisked away to the NICU (for pneumonia and meningitis) and we had to endure 14 nerve-wracking days in the hospital, but we finally made our way home on your two-week birthday--with a healthy baby boy--and it's been smooth sailing ever since!

These five years have been everything I could have dreamt of - and more!  You made me a mommy, Brantley, and for that, you will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I love watching you grow, learn, and mature.  You remind me of myself in so many ways, and you are (ahem, can be) the sweetest big brother there is.  I simply cannot believe you've been ours for the past five years.

I can't wait to see where you go in the next five, twenty-five, and even forty-five years.  How you will change, who you will become, and where your interests will go.  I can't predict what life will bring, but I do know that your daddy and I will always be very, very proud of you and all you do!  I love you more than words can express and I hope you have the best birthday yet!

Happy F I V E, Brantley boy!

Five M O R E Things That Never Made the Blog

I'm catching up - round two!  Here are five more things that never made the blog!

*Caution: Another photo heavy post!* 

| one |

Fishing with Papa.  My parents came to celebrate Holden's birthday in April and it was nice enough to walk across the street and do a little fishing.  Of course, to me it was just an excuse to take photos; though I know my dad loved every minute!  Brantley may have caught more fish, but Holden caught a turtle! 

 

| two |

There were a couple of rainy, cloudy, dreary weeks in April and May.  As much as I hate not seeing the sun for multiple days in a row, I love these photos that were a result of the rain!

| three |

My parents brought along my Grandma Fritz when they visited in April.  She got to meet Rhett and see where we live!

| four |

We took the boys to our first Royals game this year...and Rhett's first game period!  Things that actually happened at that game: 1) We forgot Rhett's paci (which didn't end up being a big deal--he looked around the entire time, didn't even fall asleep!). 2) We made a lap around the concourse with a helmet full of nachos, seven hot dogs, two beers, and three kids (and didn't lose anything or anyone.) 3) We dropped the same toppings-loaded hot dog on Brantley's seat TWICE (mustard, onions, and sauerkraut all over). 4) We got Rhett's first game certificate and the lady questioned how to spell his middle name - Kauffman 5) High faves with Sluggerrr 6) Lots of stares, smiles, and basically looks of "Whoa they're crazy for bringing three kids ages 4, 3, and 5 months to a baseball game...on a school night nonetheless". 7) The lady ticket taker asked if our third kid was an accident. Who does that?!?!  And 8) Memories made and our annual family photo in the outfield!

| five |

I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mama of three!  First, I attended Muffins with Mom at Brantley's preschool.  While there, Brantley tripped on the playground while running and hit his head on the edge of the sandbox.  I have no idea how he didn't need stitches (again) and the scariest part was seeing him wobble like a drunk person as he walked towards me crying.  Luckily, he was okay and ten minutes later, ready to go play again.  Never a dull moment.  We celebrated Mother's Day by going out for brunch and Craig and the boys gifted me some Nickel & Suede earrings and a new, rose gold bar necklace that includes the names of all three of my kids.  It was a great day!

If you stuck with me this long, good for you!  Slowly, but surely, I'm getting my blogging mojo back!  I still have a few past things to blog about, but I feel like I can soon switch gears to summer things!  Happy Friday!

Linking Up With:

Momfessionals and A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites 

September F A R M for Oh, Hey Friday

Smidge of This for Five on Friday

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