Logan Turns 3...

My baby boy is 3 years old (well he will be on Monday anyway)! Where does the time go?! I know babies change a lot in their first year but I have to say that from age 2 to age 3 has been a time of huge growth for mister Logan.  I can still remember when I found out that I was pregnant with Logan in May 2008.  I was only three weeks pregnant at the time and Brennan and I were enjoying the end of my traveling and our second year as a married couple.  We hadn't even been trying to get pregnant that long and were so excited to get the news.

Here's my 7 week ultrasound!!

As my belly grew I got more and more excited about having a baby.  When we finally told our families at week 8 that we were expecting they were overjoyed.  Our families planned multiple showers in North Carolina and Minnesota and we were showered with love.

We found out we were having a baby boy on Sept.16th, 2008 and I have to say that as much as I really thought I was having a girl...I didn't care that it was a boy, and I know Brennan was super proud! Logan was a busy guy even inside the womb and have proven consistent throughout his life so far.

Logan has been such a blessing in our lives.  He is an incredibly sweet, active, smart, quick-witted, and charming little boy.  We have watched him this year go from an busy little toddler into a little boy.  Logan fills my heart with such joy each and every day and he has the purest soul of any child I know.  He never lies and he always wants to have fun.  Here's a few pics of the past year...

This past year Logan got a big boy bed, started drinking regular milk (he was on soy before that), started eating a slew of foods I never thought he'd touch, he became a big brother, got all his baby teeth, is 99% potty trained and goes to preschool.

Here are some pics from Logan's first birthday party...you know where we actually invited his friends instead of ours!! (It was "Cars" Themed, I know you're all shocked!)

  

 

Wow what a year it has been! Can't wait to see how much my boy grows this year!! I will leave you with a few more pics...

Here's a picture of the shirt Logan will be wearing to school on his birthday, January 30th.  You all know this is totally something I would do and although Brennan thinks it's silly, it's still happening!! 

Happy Birthday Logan Jerome! You're a big boy now!!

Love,

Diana

5 Years

I cannot believe Brennan and I have been married for 5 years!! I mean, we have two kids, so that kinda makes it more real, but still so much has happened in 5 years it's hard to believe that much time has already passed!

Brennan and I met almost 9 years ago when I was in college and he was at his first station in South Carolina.  I know it seems cliche to say this but it was truly "love or connected" at first sight.  When we first met there was just something about him that made me want to be with him all the time.  He was funny, charming, and definitely a guys guy. He worked hard and liked to play hard and we always had fun together.  Brennan told me he loved me after we had known each other all of three weeks and I have to say it didn't take me long to say it back.  My family thought I was crazy but I just knew this guy was different.  We dated all through my college years, commuting back and forth between our two apartments which were an hour away from each other.  Brennan would get up at 4am sometimes just so he'd make it to work in time.

Brennan was always supportive of my education and my extra curricular activities, including all of my sorority work.  He didn't even mind when I applied for a job where I'd travel 4-6 weeks at a time after college, even though that would be our first year of marriage...see Brennan proposed to me on March 16th, 2006.  He was in Virginia the days leading up to the proposal and drove straight to my apartment and surprised me by proposing on my doorstep. It was simple, sweet and completely unexpected which is what made it so awesome.  Brennan has even arranged to be off of work all weekend and had made reservations at a great restaurant, 82 Queen for Saturday night.  We immediately called all of our family and friends and my brother, who lived in Charleston came over with a bottle of Champagne that he has been saving for the occasion!! It seems like everyone knew I was getting engaged but me! My friends brought me flowers and we spent the whole weekend celebrating!

After our engagement we started planning our wedding and picked January 27th, 2007 as our date.  I cannot even explain how excited I was to be preparing to spend the rest of my life with Brennan. I feel so lucky that he picked me.

Here's a picture of the Grooms Cake from the Rehearsal Dinner.  It says "Smith" with Nautical Flags!! This cake and our wedding cake were made by Cake Lady Jill and were phenomenal!

We had our wedding ceremony at the Charlotte Marriot in Downtown, Charlotte, NC.  We had aboue 240 guests and it was incredible.  It was a Jewish Ceremony and Brennan did an amazing job saying our vows in Hebrew!

This is our "Katubah" - it's our marriage license and is an original print created just for us!

Brennan and I went to St.Lucia on our honeymoon and it was amazing! We had so much fun just relaxing together and having some fun in the sun.  We went snorkeling, had a spa day and went to some awesome restaurants! 

After our honeymoon life returned to normal and I was back traveling and Brennan was back at work.  We started preparing for a move to Minnesota that summer and were so excited!! I traveled for another year after moving and got pregnant with Logan in May 2008.

Wow how our life has changed since Logan came along.  I think it has made us closer and we've really had to work at being good parents and good spouses.  It's a hard balance to find and sometimes we both struggle with it, but I couldn't imagine a better partner to be taking this journey with me.  Brennan is an incredible father and was the best birth coach a girl could ask for.

We moved to Mississippi in June 2010 and got pregnant with Emmett in September 2010.  Pregnancy was much tougher with a toddler running around but Brennan really stepped up to help me as it became harder and harder for me to do things with Logan.

I went into labor two weeks early with Emmett and as we sat in the hospital waiting for his arrival Brennan and I discussed how different his delivery was, since it was just the two of us this time.  It was so special for us to do it all by ourselves and really allowed us to celebrate our little creation together.

I have to admit that I think Brennan is extra proud that he has two little boys.  I mean, I think he would be happy no matter what...but when I see the three of them playing together I just know he's extra happy.

Please forgive the kind-of "cliff notes version" of our 5 years this blog has turned our to be but I didn't want it to get too long or too sappy.

So our first 5 years of marriage has meant: 3 moves, 2 kids, and 1 happy couple.  I'm not saying we're happy all the time but I am saying that we've survived this long, another 5 years shouldn't be that hard.  No matter how much Brennan can upset me sometimes (and I him of course) I cannot imagine living my life with anyone else by my side.  I have truly married my best friend.

                                                              "Ani L'Dodi, v'Dodi Li"

"I am My Beloved's, and My Beloved is Mine"

Here's to another 5 years, B!

Cheers!

Diana

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe 2012 is already here!! I know I haven't blogged in a while but I've had a good excuse - sick kids!! I have spent most of December nursing my children back to health...Logan had a cough, then a sore throat and fever then Emmett got RSV - the scariest thing we've had to deal with with either of our kids! Luckily we were able to buy a nebulizer and give him treatments at home.  The doctors said either we were miserable at the hospital or miserable at home, so I'm sure you know which we choose.  My mom and sister came to celebrate Hannukah with us and were so helpful when Emmett got sick, I don't know what I would have done without them.

This year has had many peaks and some valleys and I have to say I am so excited to see what 2012 has in store for us.  Emmett was born this year and has brought such joy to our lives.  I swear it's like looking in the mirror when I look at him and it's so fun to have a child who resembles me and a child who resembles his daddy...I mean, Logan is the spitting image of Brennan!! 2011 marks the year that Logan got all his teeth, started preschool and became potty trained (98%).  He's becoming more and more of a little boy everyday! He has the sweetest, yet stubborn way about him and he's so much fun to be around.  The best part is he absolutely adores his little brother. He loves to make Emmett laugh and is so excited when Emmett learns something new or becomes more physically capable.  I cannot wait for the day when they can chase each other around the house.  And Emmett...he's on the move and so curious.  Everything goes into his mouth and he's always smiling.  He worships his big brother and loves his mommy and daddy.  Both boys love to cuddle and explore the world around them.  I am truly blessed to have such an incredible family.

My step-sister Jessica had a baby this year and we are so excited for the boys to have a cousin to play with!! We cannot wait to meet Cylas and create many memories together!!

One valley we experience this year was the passing of my Grandfather, Solomon Levine.  I miss him every day and am so thankful he got to have a relationship with one of my children.  I know he and my grandmother, Shirley are looking down on us.

2012 will bring many exciting adventures.  We are moving to Portsmouth, Virginia this summer and are so thrilled!! We will be so close to my family in North Carolina and I know we will spend much time together! Logan turns 3 this year and Emmett will turn 1.  We will have to say goodbye to the first school the kids have ever known and the first place where we've really been part of a community.  I know it will be bittersweet.  Brennan and I will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary this year and I look forward to remembering where we started and looking toward our future together.  

My family has been amazingly supportive this year in all that has occurred and I am eternally grateful to have them in my life.  I am thankful for all that I have.  I wish everyone a happy and healthy year in 2012. 

Here's to looking forward...

Cheers!

Diana