Poor Baby

My sweet boy decided to try and give his mommy a stroke Tuesday and he fell down our concrete patio steps. I felt so guilty about it and before I got to him I just knew that we were going to be going to the hospital. His head hit the pavement so hard and he didn't move a muscle for what seemed like forever. He cried a lot, he bled, and mommy cried too. By the next morning, it already looked so much better, but he has a big goose egg on his head. So tragic... I love my adventurous boy!

Bounce and Spin Zebra!

Thomas finally loves his bounce and spin zebra that we have had in our family room for 8 months! Too cute...

Pictures from the fair!

We had an absolute blast with Thomas this year at the SC State Fair. Last year he was only 5 months old, so he didn't know what was going on, but this year was a whole different story. He loved everything! It was so much fun. He loved the lights, the people, the rides, the food (of course!), the farm equipment, and especially the animals! We ended up taking him 3 times!

This is a cow that Bobby won- Thomas loves it!

Big Boy Toys

My Dad, Papa to Thomas, has all kinds of big boy toys that Thomas LOVES! Today I only have pictures of the Rhino ATV, but dad also has a tractor and a lawnmower that Thomas adores. In fact, when we are at my parent's house playing outside, it is hard to tear Thomas away from one of those vehicles! My Dad takes Thomas all over, and Thomas laughes hysterically the whole time! Thanks, Dad, for taking so much time with our Thomas!

Here are Thomas and my dad on the ATV... more pictures to follow!

Because of my first baby...

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of the day I found out I lost our first baby. Even typing that makes my eyes well up with tears as that was an unexplainably terrible time for me. I still remember every second of that day from knowing something was wrong, to driving to the hospital, and having my fears confirmed. I remember sitting in my doctor's office having to call Bobby and my Mom to tell them the impossible news. I remember the doctor telling me my options and walking down the hallway to have surgery. I remember my loving family trying to comfort me and feeling completely alone even when I had lots of people that were all there for me. I remember feeling like I wanted the world to stop for me to just grieve as much as I needed to. I remember my first day back at work and my first day back at church. And I remember feeling like I would never get over that feeling and that I would never be able to function normally again.

After 3 years, not only am I able to function normally, but I have been given so much from that experience. Instead of thinking it every second, sometimes I even go a week without remembering that time in my life. But, because of my first baby, I love on Thomas in such a way that he should never doubt what an important part of my life he is. I often tell Bobby that Thomas is the only thing I really feel like I do well. I certainly don't keep my house up like I would like, we go out to eat way too much instead of me fixing a home-cooked meal, I don't keep up with my friends nearly as much as I would like, etc, but Thomas has my heart during his waking hours. Not that I wouldn't love him to pieces anyway, but because of the experience of my first baby dying, I feel how fleeting life really is and what a miracle a healthy baby is.

So, Thomas already wants down from my arms when I pick him up to grab a quick hug and he would rather be pushing his truck. Sometimes he pushes my face away when I am stealing too many kisses. But other times he curls up on my lap and brings a book when he is tired or not feeling well, and when I pucker my lips up, he leans his forehead over to let me get a kiss! So, I will continue to hug and kiss him more than he wants and tell him a million times a day that I love him in an effort to stamp that on his heart. And one day I will tell him about our first baby that we will meet again one day and how, through that experience, we were able to have him... our precious Thomas Levi. We are all so proud of him!

Here are some random pics of our favorite guy...

Best Buddies

These are our two boys, Thomas and Josh. Now that Thomas is mobile, they are best buds. I am not sure if Josh is as enthused about Thomas as Thomas is of him, but it is cute nonetheless. They chase each other up and down the hallway and outside, and Thomas is always reaching to rub Josh. Thomas also does this funny thing to Josh that I call a belly bump! Thomas even says Josh's name much more than he says Mama! Josh is really good with him and usually is really gentle. Here are some recent pictures of Thomas loving on Josh.

A day with Papa and Nanny

Thomas and I spent the day at my parent's house yesterday because we were having some work done on our house and I didn't want Thomas to help the guy paint! So, while Nanny was at work, Papa and Thomas got to play. They stayed outside the whole time that Thomas was awake! Thomas' favorite thing to do... and my parents have plenty of room to play!

My dad helped Thomas discover the birdbath! Thomas loves to splash around in it!

And some good news.... Thomas isn't scared of the police motorcycle anymore... YEAH!

Thanks to Papa and Nanny for letting is play at your house all day!