Happy 6 month Birthday Bear!!!

***This post will have a lot of pictures & possibly some rambling***

He entered our world just six short months ago today.  His little chubby cheeks, his perfect red hair and those beautiful blue eyes stole my heart the minute I touched him.  It seems like it was just yesterday I was fretting over going to the hospital to have him.  

Those fears are gone, our lives have changed, and that uncertainty that I had is gone.  This little person was a missing piece to our puzzle. He is another joy, smile, laugh, and piece of my heart. Tucker bear is my more hesitant child.  He makes you work for a smile, no freebies here.  He's a true red head, demanding and tempered!  He's a cuddle bug.  

I look back over these past six months and already in this short time I stand in awe of this little person.  Just when I thought my heart was as full as it could get, God sent one more gift to fill it even more.  I can't fathom where the time has disappeared to since March.  I feel like the 'baby' days are already gone. Those little tiny baby sounds, the little teeny tiny clothes.  

Carter loves his brother more then anything.  He wants to be the first to get to the crib in the mornings.  He very rarely hesitates to help out when it has to do with Tucker.  They already have this special little bond.  Tucker is amazed by Carter.  He always smiles for Carter, always. He'll even throw a chuckle out at Carter.  Carter talks to him as if they are the very best of buds.  It's my prayer that as they grow their bond becomes stronger and stronger.  They kind of remind me of the Dukes of Hazard.  Oh stars, if they get into that kind of mischief, I'm in b.i.g trouble! 

You know how they say everyone has a twin out in the world somewhere?  Well, Travis doesn't have to look far.  I am sure you will agree with me, I think Trav could have spit him out.  Each day, it blows me away how much they are a like.  They have the same grin, the same smile, the same personality.  They both are notorious for giving you that, "are you kidding me?" face. I'm so glad he looks like his Daddy.  

Now we both have a mini-me!  When Carter was smaller all we ever heard was, "wow!  He looks just like his momma!", now it's Trav's turn.  It used to always make me smile when people would say how much Carter looked like me, and now it makes me smile to hear people make over how much Tucker looks like Travis. Hmmm, wonder what a third would look like? 50/50 maybe?  Maybe light red hair with olive skin and hazel eyes?! We may never know but I can still think about it, right?

So much has changed in six months.  I'm still missing the beloved sleep that I once knew. Unfortunately it's truly been gone now for about four years.  I sometimes think what was it like to have a quiet home, or to go to bed at 3:00 a.m. and get up at noon?  What was it like to decide spur of the moment to go out with friends, or hope on the four-wheeler and stay out all night.  Those thoughts usually come in those heated moments when one child is screaming, the other is on the potty yelling, "I need help!"  I'm not going to lie or make out like my life, our life, is perfect.  It's not.  We have bad days. I'm a grump, grouch, or a witch somedays... I'm a mom, remember?  BUT at the end of each day when I kiss my babies good night, it's at that moment that I thank God I'm not out with friends, or doing something that would take me away from them.  I tell you, we miss them so terribly bad when they aren't with us.  We've let them stay the night with Granny P. once.  Then she offered to watch them the other night so we could have some time with some friends.  We took her up on the offer, but asked if she would watch them at our house so they would be there when we got home.  Again, nothing sweeter then going to bed knowing my little ones are tucked in bed and my entire family is all together. We had fun in our 'early' years, but where we are now is where God wants us to be and that is just fine by us.

I talked about the change we would face bringing this little bear into our lives. Change is good my friends, change is good!  I don't know why I was so hesitant, so nervous about having two children.  Everything falls into place. Days can be chaotic, but chaos is what makes good memories?! :)  I remember thinking when we brought Carter home, what did we do without him?  Here I am again thinking, what did we do without Tucker bear?  God's plan is amazing. It's also amazing that we don't know His plan, but it always turns out for the good.  I'm so grateful He chose me to be this sweet child's mother.  

God sent me Tucker to teach me that I need to F.R.O.G,  Fully Rely On God.  I prayed for months to get pregnant with Tucker, and 12 months after we started trying, God answered. Through the months of waiting, God was teaching me to understand that things don't happen when Jennifer wants them too.  I have to wait for God's perfect timing.  I can truly say I learned that.  My timing means nothing.  I've never mentioned this to anyone but in April of 2008, I had a positive pregnancy test.  The doctor sent me for blood work and called to advise me I was pregnant but that my HcG levels were dropping.  I was devastated.  I had waited for months for that positive and now it was not going to be.  It was that day that I let go and let God.  I've spoke many times about how I am not patient and thus far with both of my children, God has taught me more about patience.  I'm learning daily that if I just trust in Him, look to Him, and seek His will, things in my life will happen at the best time possible.  I say all of that to say, July 1, 2008 God gave me the sign that His timing was now.  9 months later, we welcomed sweet Tucker bear into our lives and I'm so grateful that he is here.  

What is Tucker up to these days?

* 18 pounds, and going strong!

* He's rolling, EVERYWHERE, just ask Travis... he stepped out of the room and he rolled under    the coffee table! :0

* Eats anything you give him.  Pickles, cookies, cake (watch Carter he'll slip him some when          you aren't looking!)

Anyone for some spit up, LOL!

* He's wearing 6-9 month clothes, the ones labeled 6 months are too small.

* He hates shoes!  Could be a problem come Fall time.

* Sitting up

* Takes off down the hall like a wild man in his walker.

* He loves balloons.

* His green John Deere blanket is his favorite to cuddle with.

* His green froggy is probably his favorite thing to chew.

* Bathtime is out of control, he splashes like a whale!

* Rubber Ducky is his favorite bath toy.

* He doesn't like you to put him down.

* Why hold his own bottle when we'll hold it for him.  In other words, he's lazy!  ;)

* He's a bit of a momma's boy, although he did let Papa Joe rock him to sleep last Saturday!

* He's an outdoors lover, already.  Another huntin' buddy for Daddy!

* He has almost out grown his car seat!

 

We all know I love pictures.  As I went through to choose pictures for this post, the day immediately came back to me. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day!  Love you sis!

Every moment, the people that shared in his arrival, the joy & peace that I felt.  I'm so thankful that I asked Kari to photograph the day for me. I still look at these pictures at least once a week, and they bring tears to my eyes.... priceless!  I know I have posted a lot today, but it's Tucker's 6 month birthday, that's big stuff my friends!!! :)  Some may be duplicates of ones you've seen before, but he's so stinkin' cute I'm sure you won't mind. 

Tucker bear, you are my extra sunshine in my mornings, more hugs for me to love.  You are the gummy grin I love to see, the chuckle that is sweet music to my ears.  I love the smile you give each morning when it's time to start the day.  The excitement in your smile, the kicking of your legs, it makes me think you like us... could it be?!  Your shy, timid little smile makes me wonder who you will become. The sparkle in your eyes can't be ignored.  Your pudgy little feet and legs just make me laugh.  I love to watch you explore new things, the cat (poor Timone doesn't know what he's in for), Carter's head (he doesn't know what he's in for either), beating your hands on my face (I'm pretty sure I know what I'm in for).  You are one of a kind.  I never thought that my two boys would be so different, yet so much the same.  I treasure every day, miss the ones that have already passed, but can't wait to see what the ones that lie ahead will bring.  I'm sure the upcoming six months will bring much excitement to our home.  Crawling, walking, talking... I can't wait.  I love you my sweet bear.  God sent you to us, and we love you very, very much.  Happy 6month Birthday sugar bear!  

All my love, 

Momma  xoxo