running...

last night i ran in the rain... in the rain. thank God for the rain. now those of you who know me well know i am not a runner. but every evening casey and i take roxy for a walk, maybe 2 miles. lately i've been trying to run every other block or so. casey had started wanting to bail out of the stroller, so i wondered how to make our walks more interesting for this toddler boy... speed! and i guess i get some exercise out of it as well.

well yesterday evening we were blessed with some much needed rain. it had tapered to a drizzle, but the drops were still coming too strong to take casey along. so roxy and i headed out, and i ran our entire route, okay almost. but it was so refreshing! not only did i not have to fight with the jogging stroller, but roxy didn't stop to eat cat poop every yard, there was a breeze, it was 76 degrees, and a light rain fell on our faces the entire way. it felt great. here's hoping for some more really soon.

it's me again

i am just so blessed. things over the past year have been amazing. our little family is flourishing. i thank God each and every day for what all he was given us, though we prove to be so undeserving. so this welcome back to me post will consist of some pictures of our precious boy growing like a weed. casey james is 16 months today!

picture by Van Reet Photography, June 3, as part of a Father's Day surprise - wonderful!

playing at the park with momma.

a day at Guadalupe State Park, such fun, July 3.

my precious little, july 4.

sweet boy.

i had to show off my favorite outfit. he wore this to his nephew's (Braeden's) 9th birthday party on saturday. i can't believe our b is 9! 

casey had his two-month check-up today, he is 9 weeks old. he is now 13 lbs, 2 ozs and 24.25 inches long. growing boy! we did survive together 3 shots and 1 oral, but it was the hardest thing to watch his sweet, smiling face change so suddenly. alas, momma cried longer than he did. he just awoke from a nap crying (which he rarely does, really) so i knew he was in a bit of pain. grape tylenol and a bottle and he's back asleep, with two looney tunes bandaids on his chubby thighs. love.

smiles!

they have arrived! the real, meaningful smiles on my baby boy! casey is now responding to our voices and faces with the greatest smiles and brightest eyes, especially in the mornings. they make all worries cease, tired eyes glow, and God's miracles more and more apparent. i know this is only the first in a mountainous series of changes we will see over the next two years...and then some. it's his first response, and soon we'll have words to accompany his smiles and pouts. he is "cooing," singing sweet songs and telling sweet stories. it's the greatest sound.

casey is growing before my eyes. i look at him on his changing table lately and his little thighs (more cute rolls!), waist and arms are getting thicker and he is so long! he was 8 weeks old on monday, may 10; he's wearing 6-month clothes; and i'm pretty sure we're close or right at 15 pounds...goodness! we'll find out next monday at his doctor's appt (prayers please, this involves 4 shots). we'll survive.

lovin' this life!

surfin' dude

casey met the beach this weekend! we went "home" to the island where trevor's parents live. it is always so nice to get away, and this time, we had a baby in tow! the weather was overcast, which was nice, as we were able to take casey down and get some cute pics (all we do for pictures!). he is doing well, growing like a weed it seems. he is 5 1/2 weeks, and just the sweetest boy. momma goes back to work monday...am feeling a bit sad about that, but i know soon we'll be settled into our new schedule.

at the beach casey enjoyed being out on the deck and listening to the seagulls. he makes the best faces, and he is so alert when he's awake. we took him down to the water so his official first "dipping" and it was cold! bless his heart! but i got my longed-for picture of his sandy feet - too cute! oh how i love this!

meet casey james

our boy has arrived! casey james joined our family on monday, march 15 at 5:56 PM and weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz and 21 & 3/4" long! i cannot express how much we love him. the entire experience on monday was so amazing, absolutely the most joyful moment for both trev and me. casey is so precious, so healthy, and our miracle baby. i just watch him all the time and tell him how blessed we are and just cry and cry! :) thank you, Jesus, thank you, father God, for this beautiful blessing. love to you all.

getting closer...

have you heard that song "zoe jane" by staind? i keep singing the "sweet zoe jane" part to my belly, but of course i say "sweet casey james." he is quite the squirmer, and it's amazing. the best part is how much i can tell he's grown, especially through this third trimester. i feel him ALL over the place now. in the evenings, trev and i watch and laugh as his little knees poke up and roll across my belly button, too fun!

tomorrow marks 37 weeks. it's hard to believe. i remember so clearly the first morning i took the first pregnancy test - the second line was just barely visible, and i went a little nuts. :) now, the nursery is ready (i need to post some pics), clothes are washed and put away, and trev and i are so excited we can hardly stand it. we spend evenings on the couch envisioning him in our arms. come on sweet casey james!

i send prayers for many blessings on you and yours.