Since having to go back to work the beginning of June, Rick and Connie (Greg’s folks) have stayed with us to take care of Zac. This made the transition from being a stay at home mom to a working mom so much easier for me in that I know Zac is being taken care of the way I’d take care of him. What better babysitters than loving grandfolks? Not only have they been looking after Zac, but they have been doing all the house and yard maintenance as well as the cooking and cleaning. Greg and I appreciate this so much!! No words can express how thankful and grateful we are that you chose to uproot from your normal lives for a while to come up and help us out. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful, caring parents as y’all. We love you so much!

Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted.
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, peed on, or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body and all my feelings.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was OK.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much……
……before I was a Mom.

…Author Unknown

Lord I’m asking for Your help
To raise my newborn son,
Give me strength and guide me
Cause I know that You’re the one.

That sent this angel to me
A little heaven here on earth,
For now I know my place in life…
I’m no longer who comes first.

Once I had no answer
As to why it is I’m here,
But when I looked into my baby’s eyes….
It all became so clear.

This little bit of heaven
Owns me, heart and soul
And it’s You that sent him to me
A greater love I’ll never know.

So take these rugged hands of mine
Help me to understand,
Just what it is I need to do
To raise this little man.

Help me build a boy that knows
It’s You that holds the key,
To all that heaven holds for us
Show him Your love through me.

-Mitch Speed

Zac couldn’t be more blessed to have you as his father. You are such a wonderful dad!

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … “DAD!”

-Author Unknown

My Baby Boy and Me

It’s three AM, they’re all asleep,
and no-one’s here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby boy and me.

His little hand is feather light
Tucked up against my chin.
I hold his tiny hand in mine,
and stroke his baby skin.

The house about us creaks and groans,
The clock hands creep around.
He snuggles closer to me still,
And makes his baby sounds.

I love these quiet hours so much,
And cherish every one.
Store memories up inside my heart
For lonely nights to come.

All too soon he’ll be grown up,
His need for mama gone.
But until then I still have time
For kisses and for song.

Time for quiet hours like this
With him cuddled in my arms,
Where I wish he’d always stay
Protected, safe and warm.

And yet I know the day will come
When his tiny little hand,
will be bigger than my own.
He’ll grow to be a man.

But until then he’s mine to love
With no one here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby boy and me.

…Author Unknown

It was such a wonderful visit!

Katy and Mom helped me get some cute pictures of Zac with a photo shoot at home. (I’m sure you know what photos are from that.  Zac had his first (of many, I’m sure) trip to IKEA. We visited the Naval Museum in Bremerton before riding the ferry to Seattle. We took a stroll through Pikes Market and then got some sea food on the pier. We took walks around the neighborhood and had some great food since Katy cooked most of the time. Dad’s biscuits and gravy were the bomb! We all did a lot of relaxing too, which was nice. Marley and Diesel had a blast playing with each other! (They slept very well at night.)

Aunt Katy couldn’t get enough of her new, little nephew. She help bathe him and even changed most of his diapers while she was here. She is such a good Aunt!! Zac so enjoyed when Auntie Melissa gave him airplane rides. I think for Uncle Ryan and Aunt Tricia, meeting Zac made it very real for them knowing that they’ll have a little one soon too! I don’t know if you can tell from the pictures, but the grandfolks are just beaming with pride to have such a wonderful, little grandson. Mom loved holding and hugging him and Dad loved playing with him in his swing. Zac is very much loved!

All in all, this was great time spent together and I’m so glad my family was able to visit for a few days.

Love and miss you all!!!

It’s crazy to think that Zac’s due date was actually today…

Cluck!

No Easter would be complete without a picture with the Bunny!

Just hatched

Baby's first Easter

Brea and Logan love their Uncle Awesome!

All tuckered out

Brea loves her cousin

Gettin in lots o' hugs before we head back home

Ready for the ride home