TEAM Hardison: 2016

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Leaving Birmingham

Last day at the Birmingham house

You figure six months into this thing I would be ready to tackle this post head on, but I'm really not, especially when my tender-hearted three year old told me just last night that she missed her old school and her friends in Birmingham. How do you sum up a significant portion of your adult life thus far into one blog post? I can't, and I won't even try. The fact of the matter is that I have been avoiding writing this post because I knew it would bring to the surface all kinds of emotions that I have been stuffing away for the last six months.

If you had asked me 8 years ago if I would have ever been sad to leave Birmingham, I would have answered with a resounding no, and probably would have laughed in your face. But there's something to be said about your first home, where Matthew and I began our married life, where we navigated the ups and downs of our early marriage, grad school, and nursing school (twice). Where we made life-long friends that were with us through every milestone (even when we lived in Houston), and cried with us when God turned us another direction, e.g. Houston and Nashville. A place where we began to raise our children with friends who were so like-minded, we were convinced God's divine providence placed them in our life at just the right moment in time.

So, when people ask me how glad I am to be back "home", my answer is always "yes, but...". I could follow the "but..." portion of the sentence for days. So, instead of feeling sad on this perfectly beautiful Thursday, while my kids are upstairs napping (even Burton!), I am going to choose to be happy and look at it this way... I feel blessed to have been able to live in such a wonderful city, be friends with some of the most selfless people I know, to worship and fellowship with some of the most genuine followers of Christ, and to have worked with people who were both supportive and kind. I am blessed because our life there was so full, as God truly provided us a home, a true community in Birmingham, when at first glance, I didn't think it was possible.

So, while we are happy to be in Nashville closer to our families, a small part of me will always still think of Birmingham as "home".

These three crazies the weekend we moved. These aren't the only people I am talking about above, I just don't have pics of anyone else the weekend we moved :(

Monday, February 15, 2016

Burton- 12 months!

I CAN'T EVEN... One whole year. These monthly posts are sadly coming to an end, although I won't miss the guilt of being late anymore. This precious boy has been with us for 12 hectic yet joy filled months. While the first year of Burton's life might have looked a little different than we were anticipating, e.g. a move to Nashville, I am so thankful for God's constant provision.

Burton Christopher here are your stats at 1 year!

Height: 31 inches (85%)

Weight: 21 pounds 14 ounces (60%)

Head circumference: 18.5 inches (75%)

Sleep: If I say anything, I'm going to jinx myself. Let's just say you have been showing some improvement in the nap area. Sleep for 12 hours at night!

Eating: You stopped taking a bottle a few days after you turned 1. I thought you might struggle a bit going to bed without a nighttime bottle, but you've handled it like a champ. Must be due to the fact that you eat like a horse. We are constantly amazed at how much food you can put away...it's impressive. You love veggies, specifically peas, green beans, corn, and carrots, fruit, bread, turkey, pretty much anything except avocados (sister loved them).

Likes: Playing with your sister, getting into cabinets, dancing to music, being tickled (you have the most infectious little laugh) and eating

Dislikes: You don't like being left anywhere if you happen to catch me leaving the room, and being hungry (I understand Burtie, that's when Mommy is at her worst too)

Favorite Toy: you love the play kitchen, and the red cozy coupe

Diaper Size:4

Clothes Size: 12-18 months

Milestones: you started taking steps right after you turned 11 months, then a few weeks ago started getting more brave and would take 7-8 steps in a row. Then this past week you decided you were going to take off. I think at last count you had gone 26 steps in a row. You still crawl half the time as you are still trying to figure things out :). You started putting your hands up to your head when we say, "oh no!". You are getting 4 more teeth in up top! The two front teeth have poked through, and any day now the other two will as well. You will go from having 2 to 6. I think I'm going to miss the gummy smile.

Words: Dada, Mama, Nana, Ah Ee (Your word for Avery). You used to say bye bye, but I haven't heard you say it a while.

Personality: People in the church nursery always talk about how chill you are, which is hysterical to me, because you are a little more high maintenance at home. I will say though, that you play really well if you know someone is in the room with you. You love to give big kisses to family, and sometimes will just come over and lay your head down on Mommy or Daddy for a quick snuggle. I can't wait to see how your personality grows over the next year!

We love you sweet baby boy. 12 months of crazy, but so worth every sleep deprived minute.

Here you are at one year: