To My Son

Preston Ryne,

Time goes by fast, Baby Boy, real fast. Before you know it, I'll be writing (and weeping) a letter to you about your high school graduation right here on this blog....if there are still blogs in the year 2030.  The day you were born was the best day of my life.  It was such a wonderful experience carrying you inside me. I thank God every day for giving me such a perfect, beautiful, and healthy little baby. I look forward to watching you grow into a man and I hope I will guide you on the right paths. Daddy and I can't believe that we really have you. It feels like a wonderful dream.  I will always love you no matter what and will always be here when you need me.

In two beautiful months, you have taught me more about life and love than I can explain to you in this letter. I can’t explain it, because I don’t completely comprehend it.  My love for you grows daily, yet I don’t know how it is possible to love you even more tomorrow, but I know I will.  I promise to always take the extra time to show you how important you are to me.  I promise to spend the extra moments rocking you to comfort you.  I promise to never ignore your cry and to always make sure you are safe.  I promise to never feel embarrassed to dance or act goofy with you, no matter who is watching.  I would do anything to see your open-mouthed perfect smile that takes up half your sweet face.  I promise to always provide you with the healthiest options.  I promise to always take you to the doctor to make sure you are well.  I promise to always kiss your boo-boos as many times as needed to make them better.  I promise to always tell you how much I love you (even when you don’t think it’s cool anymore).  I promise to play cars and robots even though I don’t get it. I promise to let you climb and try not to show how scared I really am.  I promise to be the best wife possible to your father and love him no matter what.  I promise to do my best to be an example of a Godly woman for you. 

Life is not always easy, but I hope that you can always find the silver lining. People are not always nice, but I hope that you can give them the benefit of the doubt. That perhaps, before you judge them, you can try to put yourself in their shoes. Things are not always fair, but I hope that you will never let this fact make you bitter or hateful.  I hope that you will always choose right over wrong, even when it requires extra effort. I hope that you will always give your best. I hope that you will see the joy that comes from hard work. I hope that you will always strive to help others, even when there are no thanks received. I hope that you always remember that one might not be able to change the world, but one can start the change. I hope that you will learn and study what true leadership is, and seek to be a good leader. I hope that no matter how successful you are, you never think of yourself as better than anyone else. I hope that no matter what your circumstances are, you remember what truly matters in life. I hope that you always remember that happiness is a choice, not a price tag or a list of requirements. Remember that it is you who chooses your attitudes, actions and reactions.

 I hope that no matter what happens in your life, you keep hold of your faith in God. That faith will anchor you. It will be your true North when all of the rest of life may feel like it is spinning out of control. Remember that He knows the plan. Trust Him. I hope that every day you can find something to be grateful for.  Learn what joy is. It’s different from happiness or fun.  I hope that you are always respectful. I hope that you take care of yourself. Don’t get caught up in things that may seem fun for a while, but in the long run only cause sadness and regret. Choose your friends wisely.  You don't need 100. You only need a few.  I hope that you are wise with your finances. Avoid debt whenever possible. Live within your means, even when it’s not popular. Know how to save, how to give, how to spend and how to receive.

But most of all, I hope you always remember how much your Mama loves you. No matter what happens, no matter what you do or do not do in life, I will always love you. You will always be my Baby Boy.

Wonderful Weekend

Yesterday Preston, Sari, Janie and myself went to Uncle J's office in Preston Hollow.  He showed us around the model home and we were able to catch up.  He was amazed with how big Preston had gotten.  After we visited, we went to Target to get Preston some new toys.  Trying to find toys to stimulate a 2 month old is a lot more difficult then I thought it would be.  We picked him out a story teller for his crib that shows pictures on the ceiling.  We also got him a football that has spaces for him to put his itty bitty fingers and a cell phone rattle.  So far he just hits the football and puts the rattle in his mouth.  He will start to catch on soon I'm sure!  The rest of the day Preston and I spent with Chip just relaxing at home and getting dinner to-go.  Chip started his new job at Tenison this weekend.  He is working in the pro shop and seems to be enjoying it.  It is also only a couple miles from our house which is an added bonus! 

It was definitely a relaxed Sunday around here today.  Chip made breakfast this morning for us and we watched TV for a while.  Then the cleaning bug bit me and I was rushing to get laundry done and the house ready to start the week in between Preston's naps.  I am in our bedroom typing this blog and 2 loads of clean laundry is on our bed staring at me waiting for me to fold them.  It is always easier to wash the clothes rather then fold them!

I am dedicating the week to getting Preston's nursery finished as well as Chip and my bedroom.  It has been 3 weeks now that we have been in the new house and still have boxes that need to be unpacked, but that will not be the case by the end of the week! 

Here are some pictures from this past week!

The two absolute loves of my life.

Time Flies

So today is day 3 of Babywise... and Preston is doing awesome.  He had his bedtime bottle at 7 last night and he ate again at 10.  He slept from 10 until 4:30 this morning!  We played this morning and by the time 11 am rolled around he was basically begging to be swaddled up and put in his crib for a nap (he told me in baby terms of course)  I am very proud at how fast he is learning.  I thought it was going to be tougher then it has been, hopefully he keeps up the good work!

Preston had a milestone on Wednesday... his first actual tear drop ran down his face.  It was definitely a milestone I could have lived without ever happening, but I knew it was coming.  He is getting so big so quickly, and changing everyday.  Whether its a new face or sound he makes, or a larger size onesie I have to put him in, he's always changing.  Chip and I have tried to commit to not using the phrase, "I can't wait until" because in reality we both can wait.  Our next door neighbors just had a baby boy and we saw them bring him home from the hospital.  Chip and I looked at each other it brought us back to when it was time to take Preston home for the first time.  We were so nervous on the drive home, and Chip was driving WELL under the speed limit on the Tollway.  We got home and we immediately felt complete. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Preston's first two weeks of life

Babywise

So last night was the first night that I started Preston on Babywise.  I nursed him at 10, he fell right back asleep and then again at midnight.  He slept in his crib until 6:45 this morning.  AMAZING.  We played this morning and he went down for his first nap at 8:15 and is sound asleep as I am typing.  I know it is a little premature, but I really feel like this is going to work out for him.  It's hard to admit it, but I was doing this nap thing all wrong.  I hope he continues to do well on it, because a rested baby is a happy baby. And a happy baby is a happy Momma :)

Great Weekend

After fooling around on the computer for quite a while, I still have yet to get the complete hang of this... BUT I will keep trying!  As long as I can save what I write, I will figure out the cute stuff later. 

Well, last night was Preston's second night falling asleep in his crib.  Both nights when he has woken up to eat around 3am I have put him in bed with us and he finished out the night there.  I know it's not what I should do, but after having him in our room every night for almost 9 weeks I feel some separation anxiety... even though he is only 20 feet away.  We have a 1400 sq. ft. house and I still feel the need for the baby monitors to be full volume just so I can here him breathe.  I am trying very hard to get a grip on this though, for Preston's sake.  I want him to feel confident and secure when I am not around, but I know that will just take some time.

Chip's mother (Grandma Mike) came to visit Dallas from Houston this weekend.  She stayed at Kelly and Jason's and was able to spend some time with little Lexi on Saturday night.  She came over to our house Sunday afternoon.  Preston put on a giggle and smile show for her all night.  She also brought Chip's autographed Ryne Sandberg baseball from when he was a kid.  I think it will be really special for Preston when he is older.

Preston's first night in his crib. 02/19/12

Blogging?

I have finally done it! I have created my blog, even though I don't know how to do much on here yet.  I really wanted to do this blog mainly so I had a forum to document memories for my son.  With the hectic lives we all lead, so many things are forgotton.  I would like for him one day to be able to look at this blog, read stories about him and his family, and be reminded of just how much he has blessed my life. 

First official post coming very soon!!!