Maternity Leave Bliss.

No matter how hard I tried to soak up these past eight weeks and tried to make them drag on, it couldn't be helped...they flew. But boy did we make the most of them... Maybe not the very most. My mind can think of a bajillion things that didn't get done around the house and I definitely didn't finish my thank you notes. But my time with these boys, yeah, we had a ball.

One of Bennett's first walks down Roehampton Avenue. 

Graham had his first In-n-out burger. His own. All for him. We now order 3 burgers when we venture over to our favorite lunch spot...once a week. Nah. But kinda. 

   
Nipooooomooooo! Perfect family down time. Walks, Avila Barn, and trains. 
Our favorite things about a Nipomo getaway.

**We were so very, very thankful to have my mom come stay the first week of our 2-kid life. A complete blessing to a busy bee grandson, a hard working son-in-law, and a tired daughter. 
**Graham has a bunch of new "friends" that he loves to take care of.
**Spring started popping up here and there. GTU is in "fo-fo" heaven.
**Bennett got his first one on one story time with Aunt Jill.
**Park time, picnics, park time, picnics. Sigh.
**Peggy came up and stayed with our little family, too! So lovely. We celebrated.

Thank you Sea World for loving teachers! Caitlynn and I cashed in on our free year pass and opened Graham's eyes to sea life captivity and cheesy animal shows. But seriously, it was a blast. So much more fun with a one year old taking it all in for the first time. Graham would look back at us and point at everything. He wanted to be sure we weren't missing all of creatures he was finding. He should have made sure Bennett was awake, because littlest definitely missed every tank and every show.

Kyle turned 28! We practiced singing Happy Birthday and now Graham thinks it is always only "Da-da's" birthday. Handsome boys.

 

A couple warm days meant Dad and Graham washed turnouts together. Amazing to think this will be a frequent scene in our years ahead. 

Together moments are the BEST. The way Bennett looks at Graham and smiles a huge-o smile. Or when Graham tries to bounce Bennett or giggles at his sneeze. THE BEST. 

Look at our boys. One is ready for a party. One is ready for a flood. Or to hit the mall with his gangster friends. 

Hi little Bennett Boy. Aren't you just the sweetest thing ever? 
(Also over my maternity leave, B's acne faded!)

Weekend mornings in bed with Daddy... So thankful to have Kyle on some sort of regular schedule during these weeks. Yes, it has been crazy making sure Kyle is busy not being an individual with his academy. But we're counting down academy days. And we're counting down school days. Come oooonnnnn June 14th!

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I felt the pressure of my last week closing in... The zoo was too far. I didn't want to mess with a story time. So a trip to Murray Farms it was! Oh my goodness. So fun, so delicious, so deserted. Highlights: a bird pecking Graham's finger, corn pit, pillow jumping, hay ride, strawberry fields, tractor driver holding Bennett while we picked fruit, and red-stained face/hands/t-shirt of a boy in love with strawberries. Thanks Mom for joining us. We'll be back.

See that precious hand grabbing mine? Yeah, I've been taking dozens of mental pictures to drag back with me to Room 3. I loved being home with my precious boys. 

And I know it will be tough being away. 

My purpose has been to show Jesus to my boys. But now the Lord wants me to go and show His love to 20 kindergartners for 37 more days. And He has allowed my boys to be with their Grandma each day. And what a beautiful peace I have knowing that they are with someone who loves them to death. And loves Jesus more. 

(That was a lot of ands)

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Overwhelmed with thanksgiving.

37 more days.

Hello Bennett

1 month already? Seriously? Am I going to say that every month? Probably.

Sigh, I forgot how absolutely wonderful a newborn baby could be. Thank you for reminding me of that with your sleepy sounds and sweet cooing...Your little balled up fists and the way you open and close your fingers on my back when you're resting on my shoulder....Collapsing like a sack of flour...Your shifty eyes darting all around the room...And towards the end of this first month, smiling! Sometimes just a side smirk or sometimes a big, silly grin that scrunches those eyes closed...This month has been a pure blessing.

I'm sorry your sleep is so rudely interrupted by gas. I'm sorry your brother dragged Battleship onto your head. I'm sorry you often accidentally grab a fistful of your own hair and won't let go. I'm sorry you fell off the couch. (I honestly thought you were just making cute, baby talking noises to Graham and I when we were making breakfast...woops.)

You are a handsome little man. Your full head of wavy hair gets you a lot of attention in the grocery store. You are a great eater and are becoming a big guy already! The doctors were so impressed. You are a splendid napper and go back to sleep after you eat in the night... Thanks for that. 

We can't wait to see your personality unfold in the coming months... Love you, littlest. 

Happy Birthday, Kyle Chandler!

My best friend, my partner, my love is 28 today.

I love you, husband.

I love being married to you.

I love being us.

I love that our "us" now includes two handsome boys 

who can look up to an amazing daddy who loves the Lord.

Thank you for working hard, playing often, and loving selflessly. 

Gosh, we're glad you were born. 

Hello Graham.

You called me mama. Not in a babble. Not connected to dada. 

You saw me and called me your mom. 

Thank you. I don't think I've been called anything sweeter. 

Every time you say mama I can't help but smile. 

My son, you make my heart so full of love and joy I feel like it might burst. 

You make me the happiest mama on the planet. I am your mom. And now anyone listening to your adorable chatter will know it. 

Thank you sweet boy. Worth the wait.

Welcome Bennett Scott.

On Friday, February 15th, 2013, I was pregnant. 

Friday, I wrapped up my last day of work. 

Friday, Kyle came home from academy for a three day weekend. 

Friday night, Kyle and I played  Battleship 

and decided to stay up until 11 because we are so hip like that.

And in the middle of that Friday night, I started having contractions, drove to the hospital, and welcomed our second son all within two hours.

I had no concept of how long or short my "laboring" should be...But all of a sudden my contractions were strong and fast and we needed to be going to the hospital STAT. 

(Stat means now!) 

We pulled into the parking lot at 4:45am, and precious baby boy graced us with his presence at 5:22am. No time for drugs, no time for an IV, no time for Carolyn to take a shower (she missed it), no time to meet the doctor or nurses...

There was time for Kyle to do an extra loop around the Garces traffic circle. It just wouldn't be my husband if he didn't continue with his I'm-so-hilarious traditions. And I was in between contractions so my sense of humor and patience hadn't totally been obliterated.

And on Saturday, February 16th, 2013, at 5:22am, after two contractions and four breaths of pushing... 

Bennett Scott Underwood was born. 

He was 20 1/2 inches and 8 pounds 15 ounces. Our beautiful miracle. 

With the umbilical cord wrapped and knotted twice, the doctor told Kyle he should play the lottery that day. 

I still look at my handsome boy and stare in awe of the beauty of the Lord... 

overwhelmed with thankfulness for giving Bennett life.

Bennett miraculously came into this big world 

and immediately began to change our little one.

The Lord is so, so good. The day held some heavy news that shook us up. 

But the Lord is good. And we gripped tightly to that truth.

Sweet brotherly love...Expressed with head patting, innocent poking, squirming, ignoring, and a lot of nervous laughter. 

Welcome Bennett Scott. 

Your arrival was beautiful. 

The Lord's timing was gorgeous.

Hello Graham.

Welcome to 1 and 1/2 years! 
You are at the most adorable and precious stage right now. You very busy developing, and showing off, your very own personality, sense of humor, and endearing quirks. 

Loves: trucks, airplanes, cars, basketball, fire trucks, cooking, putting, trains, magnets, candles, flowers, cleaning and putting things away, and being outside! 
You also have a new love of dipping everything in sauces. You go to the fridge and ask for ketchup and mustard. You even dip your fruit in them...

Also, this just in, you have favorite clothes that you like to wear. I think you've worn your orange vest 4 days in a row this week...And you want to wear your truck and guitar pajamas everyday. You even fish these near-and-dear pieces out of the dirty clothes...

Oh, Grahamy. You are an absolute joy. 
We are figuring out your language. You understand everything and want to say so much...
You are growing, growing, growing and I want to soak up every 
story time, bug chase, wagon ride, wrestle match, 
and night time prayer as you grab my hand and say "p p p" to pray again...

Love you, sweet boy.
I never knew I could love so much.

Baby Love

February sure came quickly... The time came to celebrate the new life that was due to come into this world. It was time to eat, drink, and spread some love to Baby2. 

Katie really out did herself...I mean, I knew the afternoon would be delightful and delicious. But it was seriously one of my favorite days ever. 

I felt incredibly honored and loved and spoiled. I still think about it and smile...

There were other sweet friends not pictured at the par-tay. And it was a joyous occasion.

Straight out of a magazine. Stunning decor, fabulous friends, delicious food, 

generous gifts, and lovely conversation and laughter. 

 My absolute favorite things bundled into one splendid shower.

Thank you K.C.Cunningham...and Megan. and Ally. and Shelbey. and Julie...

You sure know how to spoil a girl.