My Boys

As I sit here on a sunny Sunday morning with my cup of coffee next to me, I am watching my boys sleep. Eric is on the couch soundly sleeping. Porter is in his pack and play sighing and making those cute noises that he emits when he is sleeping soundly. The house is peaceful. It isn't as clean as I would like it- there are dishes in the sink, the bathroom floors need to be cleaned, and there is a thin layer of dust on the furniture if you look closely. Before Porter, this would have bothered me. I would be frantically cleaning on Saturday morning in order to get the house put together and cleaned for the weekend and following week. I could be cleaning or at least doing a load of laundry. Instead, I sit here watching my boys sleep and taking in the pure serenity of the moment. With March quickly approaching, I realize that the luck of the Irish has found me and blessed me two times over.
Porter has a cardiologist appointment on Friday. He is a happy, thriving little boy. I have no doubts that the appointment will go as planned. Although, I have to prepare myself for the chance that because he is growing and changing, so is his heart. Any change-especially growth- can put stress on his valve and increase the possibility that he will need another procedure.

But I have Irish on my side- and hopefully the luck that usually goes with it. If all goes well we will be back for another appointment in June. And as much as we like Dr. Neuberger, seeing him every 3 months is enough for us!

Whoa...It's February!

It takes a snow day and Porter napping to get me to update the blog...kinda pathetic, but that is my life lately! So much has happened in the last month (insert slacker comment here), I guess I should give everyone an update! So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in. Here we go...

The biggest change and transition in our crazy life with a 3 month old is going back to work. I have been back to "the grind" for over a month now and it has seemed like forever. It is still a challenge to get up, get dressed, get Porter ready and fed, and get out the door. I hate that I am not with him all day, but we are so blessed to have my Dad coming to Porter-sit daily. I know that Porter is in great hands, but still jealous that I don't get to spend the day with my little boy- instead spending it with other people's children. We have settled into a routine nicely and enjoy our nights and weekends even more than we did when I was at home.

Porter is growing and thriving. He is sleeping through the night- often 10 to 11 hours at a time. He takes 2 naps during the day with an occasional "cat nap" in the afternoon. We have him on a great schedule, that will be easy for him to transition when he starts going to Mimi's house 3 days a week in March. We have also introduced cereal to Porter in the morning and evening. He loves it! He was unsure about it at first, but now eats like a champ! It is one of my favorite times in the evening, being able to feed him from his highchair- our boy is growing so quickly!

Last night, Porter rolled from his belly to his back for the first time. Now, we just need to get him to roll from his back to his belly again. He does NOT like sleeping on his back and lets us know it! He is also scooting around his crib each night. Often times he is facing a different way than when I laid him down. He is constantly active- kicking and waving his arms. It is amazing to think that in a few short months he will be mobile. Let the baby-proofing begin!

Porter continues to be a happy little boy with a sweet personality. We are going to the pediatrician for his 4 month check up this Friday, the 12th. We are anxious to see how much he has gained from 2 months ago. March 5th is the next check-up with Porter's cardiologist. We are hoping to be cleared for another 3 months. My goal is to post before then, but I don't want to make a promise I can't keep. :)

Happy Snow Day!

Busy Mommy

My mom has been very busy lately. I am sure you have noticed by the lack of activity on my blog. Here is a quick update from the last 3 weeks...

My first Christmas was great! I was given lots of special gifts and had a great time spending the holidays with family. I am looking forward to next Christmas when I can open my own gifts!

Mommy went back to work after the first of the year. It was sad for me, but more difficult on Mommy. We are on a good routine and I am having a blast with Papa Turner. He comes to my house each morning. We play and read all morning and afternoon. In between times I take long naps and can't wait for Mommy and Daddy to get home in the afternoon. Gram even stops by after school to spend time with me. I am a VERY luck boy! Our nights go quickly, but I have been getting great sleep at night- I have been letting Mommy and Daddy sleep all night. I am looking forward to going to Mimi's house in March for part of the week and spending the other days at my house with Papa.

I love it when the weekend arrives and Mommy and Daddy are home to spend all day and night with me...and it is the best part of their week as well! Hopefully Mommy will get some more time on the weekend to keep everyone updated- she has really been slacking! Enjoy the pictures from the past few weeks. I am a growing, busy boy!

Porter's Baptism

Thank you to all of our family for helping us celebrate Porter's baptism last Sunday. It was a very memorable service with Papa Turner as Assisting Minister and Gram Turner reading the scriptures. Our little man was a champ and made not a peep during his "big moment." Eric's Poppa Murphy said it perfectly when he said, "He went quietly into the faith."

Congratulations Porter William!!

Christmas card

We had really expensive pictures taken for our Christmas card and Porter's 1 month pictures. The photo sitting was a disaster. We had left the house early so we could feed Porter right before the sitting- and we got lost. We were late, but finally made it. Baby fed, check. Hair combed, check. Clothes neat, check. Smile for the camera- not a chance. Our normally happy, mellow baby was extremely fussy. Incredibly the pictures were good-the price tag was worth it. Lots of choices for the Christmas card...but looking at the pictures and looking at Porter- not the same baby. In just a matter of 2 weeks he was no longer newborn, but a more alert baby boy with the sweetest smile.

So we attempted to take our own Christmas card picture, and learned why photographers charge so much. Add that to the list for my next occupation...with some training of course.

Pitiful first attempt. Let's get it together Mom!

Oh, you want me to look at the camera?

Just missed the smile...quicker trigger finger Mom!


Thirteen shots later...it's a keeper!

Simple Blessings

Porter is being baptised this weekend. My great-grandpa Penn would say that he officially becomes Porter on Sunday; he will become the newest member of First Lutheran. Eric and I jokingly say that he is getting the Devil kicked, or in this case, washed out of him. Our little boy is getting the ultimate blessing. Ironic, when he has blessed us in so many ways.

• Smiles in the early hours of the morning that reminds us why we are getting up before the alarm.
• Snuggles when both Porter and Mommy need them.
• Spending all day in comfy clothes because we don't have anywhere to go but stay in our warm home.
• Enjoying the quiet of the Christmas tree in the middle of the night- because of a hungry baby.
• Reading classic children's books- again.
• Excited relatives so happy that you braved the cold and snow to come to the holiday party- and brought the baby!
• Enjoying each and every minute with our sweet boy.
• A heart so filled with love that it is difficult to swallow at times.

2 Months

Where has the last 8 weeks gone?! Our little man in growing and thriving. We had an appointment with Dr. Neuberger, Porter's cardiologist this week. We took it as a good sign when he walked in the room and said, "Well I don't need to ask if he is eating okay." Porter is now 10 pounds and growing. He was a champ during his echo and exam. All looked great- no change from the last appointment, which means that we are cardiologist-free until March. YAY!

Now time to enjoy my last 3 weeks off of work and Porter's first Christmas.


Speaking of Christmas...it has always been my favorite time of year. The tree is up the day after Thanksgiving, listening to Christmas music is no longer forbidden, the calendar starts filling up with family parties and shopping trips, and let's not forget about the baking. The best part of our holiday season this year is our new little man. Holiday movies seem more festive, we have an excuse to send out the really cutesy holiday cards, holiday lights seem brighter, the food more delicious, and the music more beautiful. It is truly amazing how much Porter has changed our lives.

He is our ultimate Christmas gift...a healthy, growing, happy baby boy. The gift that keeps on giving!!