The Party is Over

Well, the time has finally come. I go back to work tomorrow. My time with my newborn at home - kissing, loving, holding, and playing - is over, at least during the week. This has been one of the most wonderful times of my life - equal to being at home with Beau, of course. But a giant shove back to reality is required.

Funny, I thought I would spend this time at home not only gazing at my newborn, but losing all this baby weight (and then some), getting a nice faux tan out of a bottle, trying to whiten my teeth, cooking healthy (and quickly), becoming a better partner in my marriage, teaching my 4 year old manners - you know - all the self improvements that I learned about while watching Rachel Ray, Dr. Phil and Oprah. ha ha. But sadly, the only thing I did besides gaze at my newborn was get addicted to FOUR Soap Operas!!

But seriously, in some ways it feels like I have been home forever, and then in other ways, it feels like we just brought her home. I've watched one season end and another begin. I started the maternity leave wearing sweaters and slippers and drinking coffee to stay warm. And I ended this maternity leave literally sweating one day in the house because it had got so warm, and I refused to turn on the AC. I got to see the grass green up, the flowers bloom, and the sun shine into the house. That was a wonderful way to start this year with Brenley May.

The maternity leave did also bring some wonderful visits from friends I haven't seen in a long time. I got to see my friends Heather from Topeka, Heather and her son Tyler from California, and my friend Stephanie and her son Talon from Stillwater came to visit on Friday. All of these friends I haven't seen for way too long, and we never once skipped a beat when we got together. That is what good friends are all about and I am so glad they got to meet Brenley.

I've said it before. We are very blessed to have an amazing and smart little boy and now a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I am thankful for this time at home. It makes me appreciate both stay at home working mothers and out of the home working mothers even more - because both jobs are very tough.

And our family ended this weekend with the annual March of Dimes March for Babies Walk that is very near and dear to our hearts. We have walked in this every year since Beau was born prematurely in 2003. This year we got to take Miss Brenley with us to make it even more special. As a family, we raised $450 to help March of Dimes in their research to prevent prematurity. Thank you to all our friends and family that donated money.

I promise I won't have any more "journal" entries in our family blog, but just little snippets of funny and new moments in the lives of Brenley and Beau - the loves of our lives.

Where does the time go?

I need to update our fun from last week. We had a busy week! Brenley got a visit from Pa Pa and he got to babysit while Mommy ran an errand. And the next day Mommy got to take Beau and two preschool friends to the Children's Theatre for a showing of 3 little pigs, while Brenley got to play with Grandma. Finally, on Friday, Brenley got to spend some bonding time with Daddy all day. She even made her first trip to Lowe's! She got all kinds of lovin' from her family and was a good girl for everyone!

The weekend was spent planting flowers outside, celebrating Uncle Kyle's birthday, and going to the zoo with some friends! This picture is of Beau and his new friend Lindsey. Isn't she a cutie? The weather was amazing and the kids loved being outside, as did we.

The week went by in a blur. It's now Monday.....my last week of maternity leave. I knew this transition would come. My head tells me everything is going to be fine and this is the right thing - going back to work - but my heart is heavy, though. This little girl is such a ray of sunshine in my life. She is so pretty and so sweet. I just love her so much. I am going to miss spending my days with her. But just as I never thought I could leave Beau, I did. And I know that time does heal all. Here is to a wonderful, happy, and hopefully VERY SLOW week here at home.

Another week

Another week has flown by........where is the time going? Brenley is now 9 weeks old. She had her two month well-baby check this week. She weighs 10 pounds, 12 ounces and is 23 1/4 inches long. This is a 4 pound gain in weight and 4 inch growth in length since her glorious birth date. According to the doctor she is long and lean - coming in at the 50th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for length. The vaccinations were tough to watch. She took 'em like a champ. I was a little worried as she literally slept all day once we got home, but the next day she was back to her usual happy self. She grins all the time and we swear we might have heard a small giggle the other day. Both her Dad and big brother are completely smitten, and her Mama is also pretty whipped. She is just such a pure joy.

My other joy is Beau Charlie. I decorated his room this week with a new NASCAR poster of Dale Jr. and I also hung up some other NASCAR pictures. He loved it. As he and his Dad were reading their nighttime story last night when he told his Dad that his Mom made his room beautiful. I hope he will always be so easy to please.

This week the weather has been rainy and gloomy. I have to admit, I am a bit gloomy too. That dreaded "back to work" date is looming large, but I will continue to say my prayers of thanks that I have had this time off to bond with my new, beautiful best friend that happens to be the spitting image of her brother and Dad. I continue to be so blessed.

We took a road trip on Sunday to Stillwater to celebrate Brady's 6th birthday. Beau couldn't take his eyes off the NASCAR race that afternoon, but we had a nice time with our family nonetheless. Speaking of NASCAR, Beau did become an official member of Jeff Burton's fan club this week - he now has an authentic membership card, JB hat, pin, and picture. He is super excited.

This week has also shown us how he seems to be trying to find his way. His hair has always been a big deal for him. He likes to get it cut short and never lets us mess it up. Yet this week he has chosen to wear it messy (aka. bed head) to school. He claims none of the kids liked it, yet he had worse bed head this morning, but insisted he wanted to go to school that way. Tough for his type A personality mother to let him go out the door with un-fixed hair, but I am learning to let him find his own way - even at age 4. His personality and attitude is constantly evolving.

As for Miss Brenley......she turned 8 weeks old this week. She continues to get a little stronger, more alert, and prettier each day. Her Dad already seems pretty whipped. That toothless smile is all he needs to make a bad day go away. I'm sadly counting down the days when day care starts for her and I go back to work. I'm trying to make the most of each day with my little blessing.

Until next time........

Easter

To play a little catch up, I have to discuss Easter. This is a picture of my pretty princess and her handsome brother on that day.

It was a big time in the Levings' family. Not only were we celebrating Easter, but Blake's first birthday was also that day. Courtney was baptized at First Christian Church. We wished cheers to Makayla as she turned twelve on Good Friday. This was the first time my brothers and their families met Brenley. And of course, we had to hunt Easter eggs at Uncle Troy's and Aunt Lori's house in Stillwater. It was a big celebration day. The kids were wiped out when we got home Sunday evening, and I even think we wore Me Ma and Pa Pa out too, but it was definitely a good time had by all.

This is the Levings' clan in their glory. Baby Brenley made ten grandkids for Mom and Dad.

My first attempt at blogging

My very good friend Kelly told me about how she is blogging and attaching pictures of her beautiful baby girl Lucy. This way family can always tune in for updates. I thought it was a great idea. Daily, Brian and I share warm smiles with each other at the things our children say and do. Our oldest son Beau says the funniest things and our new baby Brenley does new and wonderful things every day.

So I thought I'd step into the 21st century and give this blogging thing a go. We love our children so much. I want to capture memories and share them with our loved ones.

For a quick update..........Beau had his first T-Ball practice this week. He loved it and so did Dad. Dad said he was the biggest boy on the team. Now we are out shopping for a bat, bat bag, pants, etc. He has to look the part! And as soon as he gets his jersey, we'll take his picture with Dad with both of them wearing their "uni's."Miss Brenley is getting bigger every day. She is really starting to coo and she smiles a lot. She brings a lot of joy and peace to our lives as she is such a good baby and so easy to love. More later!