Holidays!

The holidays are upon us and the count down begins to Fiona's birth. I am happy to say that this pregnancy has been so much easier than Greer's. Maybe it is because I knew what to expect. I am also thankful that it is almost time for her to be evicted. I am aware that I don't really know what I am asking for but I want my body back!!

We are excited for Christmas and all the wonderful joy it brings. It is especcially fun this year because Greer gets that he is supposed to open the presents and there things inside. He has really become such a little boy as of late. He is climbing on the chairs and onto the table, closes doors with an obcession, and is very independant. We are sad to see the baby leave but welcome the boy that is emerging. We are truely blessed everyday for the union we made.

From our home to yours- We wish you love, joy and peace in your lives. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Greg, Jana, and Greer Simmons

Life is good.

We are heading into December. I am amazed at how fast this pregnancy has gone. I have also been very reflective of life. (Must be the hormones). My baby, Greer, is turning into a little boy right before my eyes. He plays with Julian and Jaxon, and our neighbors. He used to just watch-now he actually tries to take part. He loves music. He will stop whatever he is doing for the right song just to dance. It thrills my heart!

I don't think that I have ever loved my husband more than I do right now. He is so thoughtful and kind. Not that he hasn't always been but it is being noticed a bit more. I am so lucky to have him for my husband. Not to mention the great father he is! Every time I see him with Greer I fall in love all over again.

Enough sap for one day-just thought these things needed to be said outloud.

Halloween 2007

We had such a great time. It seems like yesterday we brought Greer home looking forward to all the things he would do "someday". It seems our someday is here. This year we took Greer to a couple of houses in our neighborhood. He wasn't real sure about the whole process, especially since I wasn't giving him any candy. He did enjoy giving out candy and all the people. I was sure the costumes would scare him but not our social bug!!

He was dressed as a Dragon. I tried for weeks to get him to growl but no go. In good fashion it brought tears to my eyes to see our baby getting big enough to walk from house to house (even if it was prompted). Here's to all the things yet to come!!!

It is a girl!!!!

Well, time has certainly gotten away from me. We found out that we are having a baby girl!!!! We have named her Fiona Grace. I wouldn't even entertain that it was a possibility so when the doctor said girl I started hysterically laughing. She didn't think it was quite that funny.

I have started debating all the questions that go with having two. Do we buy another crib? Do we transition Greer to a toddler bed? Will he be ready? Do we decorate another room or do they share for a bit? It seems to be an endless amount of questions with no true answers.

Greer is walking everywhere and is really wanting to talk but the only coherent words are more, ma, Dada, eat and every once in awhile bye. He has a wonderful sense of humor and typical of a boy LOVES outside. He also loves Julian and Jaxon. I think he has developed a pattern of when they come. He smiles greatly when they arrive! It is wonderful to know he looks forward to them. His other new past time is opening and shutting any door he can! That is the picture above. The front door is his favorite!

Friends

I am in the process of watching friends adopt their second child, a son. He is from Vietnam and they are there now. I am reading updates through their blog. I have link to their story (click on Hodges). All I can say is after, dare I say, 24 years of friendship it is truely amazing. I wish this family all of the joy and true love that they deserve. I think that this process is the most selfless and gratifing that life has to offer. Much love to the Hodges Family. All of them Chuck, Jean Anne, Lucy and Eli.

Greer's 1st Birthday!

CAKE IS GOOOOOD!

As you can see Greer had a wonderful time at his first party.

He enjoyed the friends and family, presents and of course the cake.

It was such a nice time for all of us.

I think Greg and I were so amazed at his patience when opening gifts.

It is very strange to think that this beautiful being came into our lives a year ago. It seems like he has alway been a part of us. He is so curious and observant. He is also very funny and outgoing but he tends to try to be shy when first meeting people. It doesn't last long. I can say that this has been the most rewarding yet challenging year of my life.

I think from here on out each one will bring its own challenges and rewards. I can't wait!

Happy First Birthday, Greer!!!!!!

Thoughts from July

So here we are. I have made it thru the first trimester of pregnancy! Yeah me! (Greg and the kids).
Greer is fastly approaching his first birthday! We are celebrating his actual birthday at the beach! I can't wait-Gulf Shores here we come! When we return, we are having our friends and family over for cake and ice cream. What else I am not sure yet-maybe something will hit me at the beach.
I am amazed at how fast this time has gone by. I know everyone tries to tell you. He is trying to be brave enough to take a few steps. Maybe by his birthday.
The funny or not so funny stage that he's entered-screaming and the tantrums on the floor. Yes our son has mastered the art of throughing oneself to the floor while crying and looking up to see if anyone is looking before carring on! Who knew it happen this early?!
The cute stage is that he is really wanting to say words-bye-bye, Da Da and E(which we think might be Sophie). Not so much for the Mama.
He is so very happy and loves to smile and laugh. His smile can make me laugh even at the most inappropriate times. Like when he is throwing dinner over the side of his tray to feed Sophie while screaming EEEEEEE! Moments I really hope to never forget.
I am glad that he will have a sibling to play with but I am also afraid of the trouble these two are going to cause and get into! What have we done to ourselves?
My sister in law assures me I will be fine if I can make it to two years. Cocktail hour may be instated after I finish breastfeeding.
No, seriosly, we are so very blessed and couldn't ask for more in life. A happy marriage full of love, a healthy happy baby boy and another baby to join us. Can you really want more out of life?

The gifts just keep comming!

Well, if you work hard enough and long enough good things will come. We are now expecting #2!!! It took eight months to become pregnant with Greer and it only took two months for this blessing. We are so very blessed (and hopeful) with another baby to enter our family. It seems, like our friends, we are going from a family of three to four. What a wonderful blessing!!! I will be sure to update as news becomes available.
Greer is now pulling up on everything! He amazes us at how fast he is growing!

Mother's Day

Today is the first official Mother's day at our home. It seems just a bit sunnier, the air is just a bit nicer today and seeing the face of my son makes everything in the world just right. I waited so long it seems for this day to apply to me-more than a celebration of my mother-who by the way is a wonder woman in my eyes. I am taking it easy and enjoying the company of my mother in law and husband. Later we will be joined by my mother, great aunt and my neighbor, Linda for a luncheon cooked by Greg. All of these women are remarkable to me. They all have influence in my mothering. It is nice to be in the not so secret society called mother. I celebrate the fact that I myself have given life to the most extrodinary human that exsist in my world-Greer. There is not possibly a sweeter sound not yet heard-Momma. Til that moment I relish the gift that God has given to Greg and I for his safe keeping. Hail,Hail all the Mom's. I love you all.

9 Months

Greer turns 9 months tomorrow.
I am looking forward to the doctor visit because it assures me his growth is on track but I dread it because he gets shots. I think that is worse than getting one myself because he has no idea why it is happening.
So, all in the matter of a weekend, Greer has decided to sit up by himself and try to pull up on things. I am so excited and terribly afraid at the same time. I guess he is tired of being left behind by the big kids.
He is exclusively on table food. He will not tolerate anything remotely resembling baby food. He loves anything green-peas, green beans, spinach, sweet snap peas and avocado. He also loves to chew. It is the funniest thing. He either shaves it with his front teeth or gums it to death.
He also makes a great face doing it.
Because he has the eight teeth, and they are slow to move down, he takes great time to investigate with his tongue. If you have ever watched a dog eat peanut butter- it is similar.
He is just too cute-of course. I'm his mom! It has been the most wonderful jorney thus far.

Being the new "me".

In the quiet time in my house, I have time to reflect. I am thinking of all the changes that have occurred in the past 5 years.
1)I used to be so lonely and wait for the day I would meet my "Mr. Right". Then out of the blue I met him. I am truely blessed just by his presence in a room. I feel happy, safe, loved and hopelessly giddy. I pray that this feeling stays forever.
2) I used to go to the bar or out for fun. Now I am content to stay at home and just be. I find that there is more entertainment and fulfillment here.
3) I, for so long, felt that I would forever take care of others children and never be a mother myself. Now I look at my son and thank god everyday that he found me worthy of being a parent.
4) I had several last names in my life. None of which felt like mine. Now I share one with a family. My family. Not that I didn't have a place to belong before but there was an identity crisis for those around me. Now I just simply share a name. It ties me to my husband, son and the family unit that surrounds us.
5) I often wondered what I'd be when I grew up. Yes, I know, those of you who have known me for a long time wondered exactly when this was going to happen. I figured it out. I am going to be me with a little bit of wife and mother mixed in.
These aren't profound statements just a bit of what I am thinking for today. Being thankful for the person that I have become. Anticipating who I will grow into next. Always pondering the meaning of my own life and the person I strive to be. If you are reading this-know that you are part of the reason I am who I have become. You have great influence on my life. Thank you.

Things I hope to never forget

I was rocking Greer to sleep today and thought to myself " One day he will be too big to sit in my lap and rock." That will certainly be a sad day. I treasure the days of rocking. Especially the end of the day. I know, or presume, he has had a good day when he lays his head on my shoulder and coos himself to sleep, and in the midst of his sleep sometimes, I notice that he is smiling. I take this as a good memory on the days events. One day he will no longer be so willing to share his thoughts so openly and I am praying that the small smiles now will carry me back when that time comes.

8 months

I can't believe Greer is 8 months old today. It seems only yesterday we announced we were pregnant. I didn't have the most graceful pregnancy, as most of you know, and then a c-section. Well, now we are on our way to sleeping through the night, crawling or walking and Greer has 8 teeth!!! He wants so badly to eat real food and does every now and again. But we have to watch for allergic reactions. He finds his own humor in life and loves the boys(Julian and Jaxon). He is so very outgoing for a baby. He is also nosey-which I am pretty sure he got from me! He might miss something good. He is good for a cuddle and loves to feel soft materials. I am so amused by him everyday and can't wait to see what lies ahead but now know what parents mean about it all going so very fast. I am watching ,and before my eyes, I no longer have a baby-I have a baby who's turning into a little boy.

Daddy and Greer for the first ride around the cove!!

Easter Egg Dyeing!

Easter 2007

Easter is about family. We went to the lake and celebrated where Gerji(my mom) joined us for the day Saturday,. It seems that our family is in transition as there were no children, who were either old enough or young enough, to hunt the eggs. Although Teresa did say" If you can find someone to hunt-I'll hide 'em." I was tempted to ask once everyone had had enough drink to see who the real kids are in the cove!
I had to take the excitement from being a kid to having a kid. Greer dyed eggs and tasted the vinegar(which didn't seem to phase him) and ended up with pink fingers. He recieved a basket with a golden egg, shirts and some plastic eggs. Mimi gave him a new toy that turns this way and that making a clack sound as it moves. He is very entertained. Uncle Chet gave Greer his first Nascar sippy cups! I am sure that they will hold all sorts of delights in the future! Speaking of first-Greer tried his first bits of sweet tea(and hopefully his last for a while). Thanks Aunt Teresa!!! He also went for his first ride on the 4 wheeler! It was cold and Daddy made one lap around the cove. I am pretty sure he will be like the rest of the Simmons clan grow to love the ride!!
Greer also broke out in hives thanks to his over zealous mother. I fed him strawberries, cantalope, grapes and blueberries. I am pretty sure it was the cantalope. I am on the line of elimination now. He is better now.
We can also report that the amazing flying Greer will not be making anymore appearances at the cove. He has been grounded by the flight crew of Mom & Dad. Yes, we have the done the thing that I have feared for awhile-Greer was left to nap on the bed WITH pillows and fell off. He has a slight little scrape on his nose and is fine!
It was truely a wonderful weekend of friends and family!

Greer-The funniest thing.

Well, we are entering into the phase of parenting where it really gets fun. Last night Greg was playing with Sophie with Greer in his arms. Out of nowhere our son decided this was the funniest thing ever!!! He laughed a big hearty laugh and squeeled with delight every time Greg kicked the toy and Sophie ran after it. It made my heart melt and of course, in true fashion, we have it on video. These are the moments I live for. It is good to be a mom.