Blessings...

Here I sit on New Years Eve day and I am reflecting on QUITE the year we had... a new baby, a new house, a new job... lots of change. And through it all, we have done remarkably well in adjusting. Yes, it has been trying at times, but I think our family recognizes how lucky we are to have each other and to be each others family. Closing out a year brings lots of thought and reflection, and also brings promise for more beauty to come. It is a time where you really are forced to pay attention to the things that count, and not sweat the small stuff. This is a lesson the O'Bryant family has vowed to keep close and work better at in 2010. It is so easy to get hung up on details or get frustrated over little things. Just this morning, I was feeling so sleep deprived and frustrated with the lack of sleep I am regularly getting. And then I took a moment to look at my precious babe- a baby that is pure sweetness and laughter and one who by most standards is among the happiest, smiliest babies out there. SO, he doesn't sleep the greatest at night. I am choosing to focus on the fact that he is only little and will need me this way once... I am blessed to be able to nurse him and have time with him in the darkness of his nursery... so this I will focus on. Sleep will come... later :)

I am so excited for what life will bring in 2010... mostly because of my beautiful babies!!

Happy 6 months Logan!

It is hard to believe my sweet Finny Pooka (as Colin affectionately calls him) has only been in our lives for 6 months. And yet, in another way it feels like a blink- only seconds ago I was bringing our beautiful son into this world. Within seconds, my sweet boy found a perfect spot in our lives and in our hearts and this has only become clearer and clearer as our love for him has grown. He is undoubtedly, the smiliest baby I personally have ever seen. Friends, family and even strangers continue to comment on his amazing disposition and his enormous smiles and it just can't be helped to smile back into his adoring and curious blue eyes.

Of course his calm and peaceful nature is during the day. By night, he is a little devil these days and loves to be up and being held. I somehow AGAIN managed to make the same mistakes I made with Colin in being a bit too attentive in the night and fostering a clingy night baby... DARN IT! I guess I just couldn't help myself in wanting the closeness of co-sleeping... and now I am paying the price :) One cuddle and a boob solves all problems in the night and so I continue to say... "someday I will sleep" :)

Logan is incredibly strong... rolling and scooting and pretty much sitting as of late. It is clear he is in awe of his big brother and absolutely loves it when Colin makes him laugh and interacts with him. That to watch, is pure sweetness. It really doesn't get better than that.

I am so thankful for my precious family and the love and joy Logan has brought to us. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

Purple Presents

Last year, Colin was PETRIFIED of Santa. As cruel as it sounds, I still wanted a photo to capture the moment so paused a minute for the photo to be shot before whisking Colin off of Santa's lap.
This year, Colin couldn't wait to sit on Santa's lap. He was quite comfortable cozying up and clearly communicating his desire for a "Purple Present". Morgan nor I have a clue where this came from but I definitely get a chuckle out of it as I was obsessed with purple as a kid. Now "Santa" must find something purple. Not sure what that will be (although clear it won't be Barney!!) so a huntin we, I mean he, will go.

Logan as always sat in pure contentment, always happy in any set of arms. And the fact that we could avoid the mall and instead go to the little house along downtown which hosted Santa was the topper. It reminded me a bit of Ashland which is always a great thing at the holidays! :)

Changes...

I have just completed my first week in my new position with Hospice. I am sitting here in awe of all the changes that have occurred in fewer than 6 months. Logan was born, we moved out of LA, I left ABC and started a new position. PHEW! With this new career path - I still am in marketing. But as Director of Development, I will focus more heavily on fundraising and event marketing for this incredible organization. And I am mostly in awe because all these big changes just reaffirmed my belief that you can manifest what you want in life. When it was right, came the perfect position at the perfect time and in the perfect setting. I am 11 minutes door to door to the offices (although I won't really be in the office much) and after 3 months, Fridays will be off and spent with my babies. This is the scenerio I wanted - to find a position that was fun, creative and contributed to the betterment of this world, and that was about 30 hours a week. I got exactly that. And to boot, it came all within a couple weeks of my projected return date to ABC. The final offer letter popped up in my email inbox the day before I was to return which was absolute fate I believe. And with that, I was able to have an additional few weeks with my boys, a total of 6 months off. Life feels so balanced and good. And of course, mainly because of these two little faces that I adore.

Brothers

Growing up with sisters, it is completely mesmorizing for both Morgan and me to watch our boys together. I can honestly say, it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Colin from day 1 has loved Logan with all he has. He must kiss him and hug him and squeeze him 40 times per day. And Logan...well at only 5 months old, he lights up like a christmas tree when he sees his big brother, kicking his feet wildly and grinning from ear to ear. They laugh non-stop and giggle together for what seems like hours. I truly hope our boys are the best of friends always and forever and ever, take care of one another.

5 months

My pooka was 5 months yesterday! What a bundle of happy baby we have. Logan continues to be an incredibly happy and EASY baby and we thank our lucky stars every day he is ours. These days it's all about rolling... It is the cutest thing ever when he rolls onto his belly, holiding his head strong and high and then breaks into a huge smile as if so proud of himself. He so rarely cries and his smiles are just the best.

This past month, the boys began interacting and wow does that bring new meaning to sweet. Colin LOVES to be silly with his baby brother and Logan laughs uncontrollably at the silliness. It's evident that he is already completely in awe of Colin and lights up any time his big brother walks in the room. I had been warned that seeing your kids play is up there on the list of most amazing experiences and that warning was true. To watch them love each other is something special.

Sleep is getting better as our baby boy is solidly on 2 90 minute naps a day plus a mini nap in the evening. I had mixed emotions about moving from co-sleeping to the crib but the day came when it was necessary due to a complete meltdown from mama. He adjusted quickly to his crib for naps and nights are getting a bit better these days. Similar to Colin at this age, he still ends up in our bed half way through the night but at least begins the night there and the stretches are lengthening... and I really can't resist the snuggle time. Yes, I'm a softie!! :)

We are so blessed with an amazing family and I am really cherishing his babyhood as 5 months feels like 5 seconds. I feel sooo lucky to have been home with him these 5 months and will continue to be home for another couple weeks until I begin my new job. The stars really have aligned and I am so content in my new position being 10 minutes away, the hours being 8:30-4:30 and after a brief 90 days, going to Monday thru Thursday schedule. Those Fridays will be reserved time for mama and her babies and life really can't be better for the O'Bryant's these days.

Visitors

We had so much fun this past week! Grammie and Dave came for a visit from Oregon and we loved every second they were here. Thank you for making the drive and for your loving ways (especially when I was about to lose my marbles with sleep deprivation) with our little ones! Colin and Logan couldn't get enough of them and I think/hope the feeling was mutual!

Once they departed, my good friend Juliette came for a visit. She's the kind of friend that although we are on opposite coasts, it feels like no time has passed when we see each other. We didn't come up for air and still felt like we could have gabbed for another week!

We miss you already Grammie, Dave and my twin Jule!

My bumbo buddy

I love that Logan is now big enough to sit in the bumbo. In the morning, he hangs out in it while I'm in the shower - happy as a clam. And from there, I move him from room to room so he can be part of the action. His favorite room to date is the laundry room. Something about the white noise, he is all smiles and makes folding laundry a lot more joyous for mama! :)

My munchkins and halloween

We did it up this year, and loved every second. Yes, it's about the kids but we couldn't help but jump on the Wizard of Oz bandwagon after deciding Colin would be the lion, Logan the scarecrow and Siena, our good friends' daughter, Dorothy. Morgan pulled off the tin man brilliantly (with some awesome makeup touches from my sis, Tam) and I went as the witch. Friends Joe and Jenny were the perfect lollipop guild guy and Glinda the good witch.

I've always loved halloween and this year was especially awesome. And thanks to Auntie Tay Tay and Uncle Steve for sharing it with us. Perfect Halloween!!

4 months

Logan, my sweet angel, is 4 months today. In the past month I have seen his personality develop ten fold. He is a smiley baby beyond belief. I literally cannot count how many times people have asked if he is always like this. YES! He is smiles and coos and giggles and just pure love. He has a twinkle to those big blue eyes and some little looks that just melt my heart. He is now rolling and holding his head up so high while on his tummy- wow is a strong boy!

Yesterday he had his 4 month appt and is as healthy as can be. He weighed in at 17 lbs, 9 oz. 92nd percentile for weight and 75th for height. Our pediatrician looked up Colin's weight at 4 months and he was a full 4 lbs lighter. I'm fearful for how our Finny is going to eat us out of house and home when he hits his teens. And I wouldn't trade it for anything- I love the chubby thighs and full cheeks... just precious.

This baby is something else and I fall more deeply in love every day!!

2 1/2

Today Colin is officially 2 1/2 years old. To me, it definitely feels like he is in his twos as he is on par with many things we think of when we think of a child in their twos... Independent, stubborn, energetic, curious, playful and um did I mention independent? "Colin do it" or "let me do it!" are phrases I must hear 30 times a day!!

Colin is definitely into daddy beyond belief these days. Not that he wasn't before but ever since Logan arrived this has magnified. Daddy must do everything and I'm hopeful that my first born some day will care if I exist :)

In the meantime, I'm thoroughly enjoying him develop a true sense of self as well as sense of humor. Boy is my kid funny sometimes! For instance, the other day he successfully earned a sticker for his deposit into the elmo toilet. Morg and I were enthusiastically praising him for doing a great job and Morgan said, "Way to go Colin, you made a snake". Colin took a look into the potty (which it's contents did indeed resemble a snake) and shouted "I want to make a dog!!" Moments like these actually make toilet training a joy, and the twos fun as hell!

Colin with his baby bro!

Baby Dashton is here!

We are so happy for our sweet friends Amy, Jeremy and lil Camden who welcomed Dashton Bleu Weber into the world yesterday at 7:30am CT. Dashton came out healthy and gorgeous as can be weighing in at 7 lbs, 2oz. Mommy and baby are doing great and the Weber family is enjoying this very special time as a new family of four! Clearly, Camden is already in love with his baby bro and we know the proud parents are feeling the same way about their new miracle. Congratulations y'all! We love and miss you!! xo

Pumpkin Patch!

Fall.. the best time of the year. And even better with my sweet family.

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

Thursday, Mr Finny-Pie decided to roll over for the first time. It just so happened that I was taking a shower and had put him on a big soft cushy mat outside of our glass shower. As I was washing the shampoo out of my hair, I glanced out and watched as he finally made it up and over his right shoulder and onto his belly. His look of accomplishment was so priceless, I quickly finished up and jumped out so to have him reinact this feat while I captured it with photos. Too adorable!

Here he goes...

Up and over...I did it!So proud!!

punkins

My sweet punkins are so much fun these days. Over the weekend, we enjoyed friends who came to stay and although the house was crazy with 4 kids under four, silliness and laughter was heard non-stop.

Dancing fools...

While Logan slept away. **Note those thighs... I love them! :)

I personally had an "omg" moment when I stayed with all 4 while the other "drinking-capable" adults went out for an hour to enjoy some wine tasting. Wow, 4 kids would definitely be interesting!!

We went to feed the ducks and Logan as always was our smiling champ!

A rare shot of just me and my sweethearts!
Happy Boys!!

School Days

There's something about September... back to school shopping, holidays just around the corner and a newness that I always attributed to the start of school. Of course, those days are long behind me, but a new generation is beginning as my sweet Colin has now entered this world (if only for Tuesday and Thursday 1/2 days). I had a moment of disbelief a couple weeks ago when a school pictures form came home with my 2 year old. Then last week the pictures were shot and Morgan and I couldn't help but come along to watch as his first class photo was taken. I tried to ignore the comment I heard by the photographer, "tall kids need to be in the back". **Note Colin is in the front on the floor- that was me my whole life!! :( At any rate, we couldn't be more pleased with his school and especially Miss KK, his teacher (shown in the center, top row), Ah, it's just beginning...

3 months

My sweetness is 3 months today! I couldn't dream for a more amazing little babe. These days he is smiling more than ever and not a day goes by where multiple people see him and ask, "is he always this happy?" I proudly and truthfully answer, YES! :) He is cooing and talking and really is the more peaceful yet squirmy little lad. I'd say Logan is close to rolling over and loves to move and thrash and stare - mainly at Colin. Colin can evoke such smiles and even a few chuckles have been heard in the last week. I absolutely love cosleeping with my punkin- there is nothing more wonderful than cuddling up close and waking up to his sweet smiles. He remains a great eater- so much so that he is still up 2-3 times per night to nurse. I honestly don't mind because it just allows me more moments to be close to him. Ask me in another month and I may be ready for a full nights sleep! Until then, I am just in love, love, love with this baby and will take every moment I can to stare into his sweet face. Just gets better and better!

Beach time

We visited Coronado beach with Cici a little over a week ago and boy did the kids love it! Logan was all smiles during his first beach trip, and Colin had an absolute blast being such a big boy. He ran in the waves with his daddy, built sand castles, and loved being buried in the sand. He laughed non-stop all afternoon. What a fun day!

Pure Sweetness

Cousins!

It is so much fun to watch Baby Logan and Baby Mikayla (7 weeks apart) together. And throw Colin in the mix, well it's sheer entertainment. Wild to remember how I was so bonded to my cousins- really more like siblings. And between Morgan's siblings and mine (both big families), cousins are sprouting up all over the place and I love it!

Logan, 2 months & Mikayla, almost 4 months

Diaper Babies

Logan Finley!