An Announcement

INTRODUCING

HARRISON PENN PACKER

BORN

December 15, 2014

1:03 p.m

7 lbs 9 oz

20 inches

Dear Harrison,

This is my first of many love letters to you.

I hope that first and foremost you know that you are special and WE love you.

Here is the beginning of your story.  

Your pregnancy was a little dramatic at times and in similar fashion so was your arrival.

I was so ready to meet you.  I spent weeks preparing for your arrival.  Cleaning the house.  Shopping and wrapping for Christmas.  All things nesting were involved.  I even spent the day at the spa getting my nails done.  Just for your special day.  I chose red.  

Finally it was go time.  They decided to induce me bright and early on a Monday morning.  Both dad and I were in great moods.  laughing and joking all morning with our nurse.
The room was so nice.  Dad fell in love with the lounge chair and enjoyed watching sports center to pass the time.  Our nurse was so helpful and we couldn't wait to meet you.  

Your heart rate was dropping and making us nervous.  I spent the morning switching sides nothing seemed to help.  Luckily you decided to make a quick entrance into this life and we didn't have to have an emergency c-section.  You gave us a bit of a scare.  The cord was around your neck and left a bruise behind your right ear.
I won't forget the way I felt when I saw you for the first time and more importantly when I finally heard you.  A little dramatic.
Instant love.

I know I wasn't the only one that felt that way.
Your brothers and dad were just as excited.  The genuine kind.  Their faces say it all.

Lewis just wanted to sit on that stool and stare at you.  Unfortunately there was sickness in our house the weekend you came and so we told your brothers maybe they should wait a few days to hold you.  Lew's face dropped.  His eyes filled with the saddest tears.  He waited so patiently to meet you and he couldn't wait another minute.  We gave in.   While he was holding you, you started to cry.  He was afraid he had hurt you and felt so so bad.  He ducked his head and his eyes filled with tears again.  He is so gentle and loving with you.  

Daddy is so so proud.  You make player #4 on basketball Team Packer.
You really made him nervous when you were entering this world.  He already cares so much about your safety.  He wants the best for you and hopes to give you everything in this life that you deserve. That doesn't only include the physical comforts of life, but the emotional confidence and spiritual perspective that you will need.  I hope you can listen to him and most importantly follow his example.

Thomas thinks that every face you make is the best and funniest.  He is constantly showing us just how cute you are so we don't miss a thing.  He calls you Harry and Buddy.  He was so sad to be sick on the day he got to meet you and had a hard time keeping his distance.  He is such a good helper and thinks you are the best thing to happen to our family.

Welcome to the family Harrison.  We feel so blessed to have you in our lives this holiday season.  We are enjoying every snuggle and kiss we can get from you.
Our family feels more complete (and tired) with you in our lives!

xox
I love you more everyday
Momma

Two Brothers

Sunday December 14, 2014

The last day that we just had two brothers

The time they had alone was so special.  4.5 years.

Enough time to create a special bond

Completely opposite Best Friends

Before we dropped the boys off for the night 

We couldn't seem to get enough of our little family of four

We read stories and just enjoyed each others company

Excited for the next day and the new addition

But, feeling as if things were about to change and just trying to embrace the now

Two brothers...  

I really love the men you are turning into 

Even if it entails elementary boy humor more often than not

Meeting Santa

T sat on Santa's lap at his schools activity night.
He asked Santa for an iPod.
Then unfortunately came home with a fever.  Yuck.
We have had questions this year about Santa.  (darn kids at school)
Hopefully this cute Santa and Mrs. Claus helped us to feel some of the magic and make our own decisions about the matter.

Lew waited and sat on Santa's lap at his preschool Christmas program.
He asked for an "Octimus Crime".
And got a Rescue Bots Blades.
I think he was excited.

T lost a tooth

Thomas lost his first tooth.
It was a pretty big deal.  He was one of the only kids in his class who hadn't lost a tooth.  He was starting to wonder.
He came from school and ate a gummy shark.  Told me his tooth hurt.  Tried playing with it for a few minutes and we pulled it out.  Easy and drama free.
He lost the same tooth as his cousin.  Just one week later.  Pretty special.
Welcome to the grown up life Mr. T.
I hope it treats you well.

HappyThanksgiving 2014

Not a lot to say except for that....
The company is always amazing.
The food is even better!
And it always comes too an end too soon.

This year didn't disappoint.
We are blessed.   I love focusing on that.

THIRTY

Big D turned 30.
That my friends is a big deal!  His face above says it all!
The day itself was low-key.
Pumpkin pie oatmeal for breakfast.
Gifts.  A special blue ninja turtle that had been re-gifted.  Definitely from the heart!  The boys just can't help themselves.  They just get into the spirit of giving and give whatever they have!  It is actually very very sweet and thoughtful.
Work.  School.
A movie as a family.  Big Hero 6.  The boys loved it.  Lew couldn't look away.  Daniel loved sitting in between them both.  Just chillin.  He loves being a dad.  He loves being their dad.  I could see it in his face.
Dinner of choice at Olive Garden.

Cake.  German Chocolate.  His all time favorite.  It did not disappoint!
Special love notes.  He has continued to receive them throughout the week.  Just a fun reminder of how special he is!
He is special.  I love seeing him grow and learn and reach his potential.  I love seeing him become the man that I know he is.
I love that he was born.
I love that he made me a mom.
I love that he makes me laugh.
I love that he is good.
I love that he has been taught the importance of the Priesthood in his life.
I love that he sees a bigger picture.
I love that he is passionate and honest.
I love that he knows when to listen and change.
I love when he knows to lead and be bold.
I love when he wrestles with our men.
I love him and love that I get to share life experiences with him.  Definitely a journey!
Getting older isn't so bad.  It just means more lessons learned.  More wisdom gained.  More memories made.  I think that sounds nice.  But, I've always felt that way!
Happy Happy Day my love.  Wishing you all of the happiness that you deserve.

The first snow

Winter is definitely setting in.  I just love wearing warm sweaters, socks and boots.  SO Cozy.  I just don't love carrying the boys coats through the store!
We have already had a few intense snow storms.  (Even though as I type this we have nothing)
Nothing like just north of us.
Intense non the less.  Things like not being able to see to even get off the highway.  We had to keep on going.  Things like school buses sliding off the road leaving us sitting for hours waiting to get home.
The boys love and adore it.
The first snow is always so magical.  There is just something so special about it.  We all can't help but look out the window in awe.  And then run out as fast as we can to play in it.
This is our first snow of the season.  The boys couldn't even wait to get their snow pants on before helping me shovel the walk.  There was too much fun to be had.  Thomas couldn't wait to throw it and Lew couldn't wait to eat it!
I sure love my little snow angels and can't wait to be able to really get out there and play with them!

Ray

I surprised  Daniel with tickets to a Ray Lamontagne concert in Syracuse.  Just the two of us.  

I think that he was in heaven.  

He hasn't stopped talking about it!  

We left the littles with family.  T was more hesitant to say goodbye than we thought.  Lew could have cared less.  It's funny how that is.  

I love driving in the car with Daniel.  It is one of the only times we really get to just talk.  No distractions.  Just us.  We don't do things like this enough.  

We stayed downtown in a historical hotel.  Not quite what we imagined when driving up!

We walked around some shops and ate at an asian restaurant.  D loved his sushi.  I was told multiple times that I could not eat any.  

The venue was in an old theatre.  Very cool.  

We loved the saxophone player just outside the theatre.

We found a coffee shop across the street.  We drank steamers and cider.  A new favorite memory.  

Everywhere I went people commented on my belly.  Some really weird conversations were had.  

We had good seats at the concert.

Daniel bought a record.  

We were some of the youngest people there. 

We loved the concert and left loving Ray even more than before.  

His voice is so amazing.  

Daniel was like a kid in a candy shop.  Totally in his element and eating the whole thing up.  

Definitely another memory made.  A special one to remember.