Happenings this Week

Drew laughs! a deep baby belly laugh, I love it, if only I could get the video uploaded you would too.

I am excited to introduce our new friend, BobBob. I had gone back and forth about whether or not to get double Bob, but I love single Bob so much, and although Luke is quite the big boy these days walks, with him trying to keep up on foot or via trike just are not are same. Now that Drew is just about big enough, we hope to hang out with Bob a lot more once the weather stays on the warmer side. Our goal is to run the 10k on Memorial Day weekend in support of Capt. Jeff Haney's family, so we better start running.

Its actually been quite chilly here in Texas, like the rest of the country. We even saw snow (only for half a day), but it was fun while it lasted. Luke's first snow day! My handsome Steelers fans watched their team in the Superbowl. It may have been a disapointing game, but they were cute while they watched and it was a good picture opportunity.

Sweet Big Brother

Tonight before going to bed Luke said he had to say goodnight to Drew first, so he walked into the darkened nursery, climbed up on the crib, and quietly whispered, "Goodnight baby Drew". My heart melted. It touches my heart all the ways Luke shows his love for his baby brother: kisses, songs, soft touches, and baby talking chatter. When Drew cries he will say, 'Hey Mom Drew needs you, or go help Drew". Sometimes he will even try soothing Drew himself softfly saying things like "Its okay Drewpy, don't be sad". I don't know which is cuter, the little guy trying to make 'his baby' feel better or the fact that he calls him Drewpy. I Love that he knows and accepts that Drew belongs with us, so much so that he claims Drew to be "his baby". He seems to understand that Drew will grow and be big enough to really play with him one day and I know he looks forward to that day. Now, he is happy to give Drew's baby fist 'nugs', rock is bouncy seat, or shake some rattles. and I am happy to see all the sweet sweet ways Luke is a wonderful big brother.

Drew Month 3

My baby boy is growing up! Today you are a 3 month old, a sweet, happy, fun little 3 month old!

Still full of smiles I couldn't imagine a happier, easier baby. Lucky me to also have the cutest one ever made.
3 months is a pretty significant turning point in a baby's short first year. It is a time when your awareness expands, personality brightens, and a consistent schedule begins to emerge. 3 months marks a time when more play, more laughs, and more fun is on its way.
Lets look back at what this last month has been:
We started going to the gym and the sweet ladies there just love and adore you, of course, and so far you have seemed to really enjoy them too. You will go to and give just about anyone your handsome smile. My little charmer.
You have really mastered head and neck control although you are still not fond of tummy time. You would much more prefer to be held sitting up or even standing with those big beautiful eyes taking in all your surroundings. You love to be sang too, especially by your big brother, who loves to sing and loves you too. You have a great time just sitting and watching your hands, I think you have figured out that you might actually be the one controlling them and prefer to suck on whatever part of that sweet little hand you can get to your mouth. At night you usually end up getting at least one arm up and out of your swaddle and I know you look forward to the day we no longer need the swaddle just as much as I do, don't worry its coming soon. You are a peaceful sleeper, down for the night between 7-8 you make mommy very happy by "sleeping thru the night" for weeks now only waking once between 3-5 for a quick nighttime snack before dozing again till Mommy wakes you after 7. I look forward to seeing you at your happiest every morning and watching you grow every day. I love you, love you, love you.

Game Night Date NIght

Luke has a new best friend since we've been in Texas. Evan and Luke really enjoy playing together and it is interesting to watch a little boy play the way a girl likes to and visa versa. They play everything from trains and chase to shopping and house. I think playing with Evan has really encouraged Luke's own imaginary play and its always facinating the things they pretend to do and what 'grown up' things they will say. Well, last night while the grownups were watching the football game Luke and Evan proclaimed they were going out for "Date Night"! We were all rather surprised as we watched them walk together downstairs to go on this date. They were too cute. But I have to question whether Luke even really knew what was going on, because I know the Williams haven't had a date night in a very long time!

Dear Drew, 2 months

You have been charming me with your sweet little smiles for a few weeks now. I just can't get enough of them, which is good becuase you are full of them. You smile at anything I say, really anything, and not just any smile either, a full chubbyface makes your heart ache gummy smile. You are such a handsome boy. Still a pretty easy baby, you have extended your awake time to about an hour between feeds and naps, spending most of it just smiling away. Your still a sleepy head and although you would probably rather snuggle close in my arms you also nap well in your swing or swaddled in your bed. A healthy eater, you've already gained 4 pounds since birth wieghing in at 11 lbs 14oz and stretched to 23in. You are a happy, healthy, growing baby, and everyday you grow our love for you grows too.

A Williams Christmas in Texas

This year we happily had a full house to Celebrate Christmas. All of Andy's family came down to Texas. We enjoyed our time together exploring some of San Antonio, shopping, hanging out at the house, and hearing the kids play like crazy. Luke loved having his cousins, Uncle A, Aunts, and Mamaw and Papaw to play with.

Luke especially enjoyed everything about Christmas. With a better understanding this year, his excitement was obvious and a joy to see. With lots of help from Jaxson, the kids were sure to leave Santa his cookies and all the reindeer their carrots.
Excitement peaked Christmas Day, when it took just about the whole day to open his presents. Luke took his time to unwrap, setup, and play with each and every gift before moving on to the next. I know spending the time to do so will decrease quickly each year once he gets the hang of it like big cousin Jaxson who easily opened all his gifts in 2 min flat! The kiddos enjoyed playing with eachother and eachother's toys all day and the days to follow. It was a merry family Christmas and I am happy we got to share it with them all.

Short Newborn Days

Drew's days were short his first few weeks of life. My sweet baby just wanted to sleep. Of course I let him, and took advantage of his deep sleepiness by getting some good newborn pics. I found myself holding my breath as I watched him sleep, I didn't want to wake him. I was afraid that it was just a short matter of time until he would start crying and crying and crying the way baby Luke did. The way I kinda thought all babies just did. I tried to think back to the sleepless days of Luke's new life and remember when all the crying began because surely it was just a matter of time Drew did the same. Right?

No, it never really happened, and I should have known that first night in the hospital when he just wanted to sleep, or even the next night at home, when again he just wanted to sleep. But it wasn't until about week 2 that it sunk in, oh, not all babies just cry. Lucky. Blessed. Sweet! Having lived thru those early weeks of Luke's life has made me appreciate that much more the realization that Baby Drew is one of those easy babies I had heard of but didn't really believe in. It is the first of the many ways my boys will show their differences, and I look forward to discovering other ways in which they are the same and not.

Halloween 2010

Lukey Loved, loved, loved Halloween this year. He was a handsome, candy hunting COWBOY. So cute in his real cowboy hat and boots complitmented by his homemade chaps. He trick or treated with a couple good friends in base housing, asking after every treat if he could eat it. The boy loves his sweets as much as his mama. At one point Luke took a seat on the curb to count his loot and one by one the other kids joined him. They all had so much fun, It was a real treat for the grown ups to watch and remember this childhood joy.

Baby Drew was only 4 days old, but he and I walked the streets anyway for his very first Halloween. He made a very sweet baby pumpkin head!

2011 Resolution & 2010 Recap

The truth is I have never been a good blogger, but moving, having a kid, a baby, and computer issues deserving thier own blog post have made that an understatement. My hope is to better keep an up to date record of our lives to look back on as time flies and memories fade. So my new resolution is to post weekly, thats at least 4 posts a month! a big difference considering I barely had more than 4 posts last year!!
With as much growing as babies do in their first year, I know Baby Drew alone will make this possible. I am looking forward to 2011, watching Drew grow into is own little person and Luke grow as a big brother.
However, I will have to back track first and catch us all up.

Happy Birthday Drew Marshall

Drew Marshall was welcomed into the world 3 days early, on October 27, 2010 at 12:48PM after only 12 hours of labor, ten minutes of pushing, and weeks of anticipation. Because his pregnancy was so much the same as Luke's I thought for sure labor would be the same as well- that he would come a couple weeks early, need a few days of false labor for practice before the big day and then take his time through 26 hours of contractions before making his appearance. But things went relatively smoothly and quickly (besides the epidural procedure which is its own whole story! -lets just say I WILL NOT do that again!). Lo and behold before I knew it I was holding my sweet 7 lbs 14 oz of baby boy, but didn't know yet what to call him. So with the pressure to announce our boy's arrival we finally decided on Drew Marshall! I love it and I love him!

Happy Birthday Drew!