Life

haircuts

i remember when we took hayden to get his haircut for the first time. i cried, he did amazingly well. he sat on scot's lap the entire time completely content with a lollipop. in an instant, or thirty minutes, he transformed from a baby to a big boy. the first hair cut is the initiation into big boy hood. today wasn't liams first haircut but when they were done those glimpses i had from hayden's first haircut all came storming in. he looked so mature. his new haircut goes with the flow of life right now. the stage of vocabulary skyrocketing. the word no and why have filled the walls on the house for the past few weeks. his curiosity cracks me up every time. 

i brought my camera along to document their haircuts. it's something that goes by so quickly in childhood. haircuts are such a dramatic change. i will look back at photos i have taken on my phone before i download to the most recent photos and cant believe how much their hair grows in a short span of time. and yet every time they get a haircut im taken back to those tender mommy memories of the "first time". i'll never get tired of holding liam when he needs mommy during a haircut, or giving hayden a high five for being awesome. i want these sweet moments to last for as long as possible.

my parents came along to help distract while one was in the chair. liam was having the time of his life discovering the chairs and blow dryers. he was anxious to get his hair cut until hayden was finished. i snatched some photos of hayden, photos of liams haircut will come after this weekend. for now i will soak in these new appearances until it's time to start again.

my little giant

I have been waiting for this day for the past four years. Teeball has started and I am to the moon excited about this new adventure for Hayden and the rest of us. He is amazing and having a blast! It brings so much joy and love to my soul seeing him light up and get outside of his comfort zone. 

Here are a few photos from opening day parade.

Life has been so crazy and busy. I will add more later this week.

swing batter batter

These past couple of weeks have been such a blessing to witness. Tee ball is in full swing. Hayden's first season. Our first season. Our first huge milestone transitioning from toddler life to big boy status. At his first practice he was shy and timid. He got upset on the field and shed a few tears clinging to Scot's leg. Scot by the way is to the moon excited over the fact that he is one of Hayden's coach's. When the practice was over we had a pep talk the entire way home about how he is going to be awesome, that he is awesome, and that he can do this.

We have alot of these. I believe in pep talks. I believe in encouragement. I believe in giving your children that confidence booster leading them to success. And if success doesn't come or the outcome isn't what they were expecting, they will get back up and try again. It's the greatest feeling in the world seeing Hayden open up.

Today was a testament to that shyness dissipating away.  He was laughing, messing around, and enjoying everything about baseball just like I knew he would. He's a natural. I always try and encourage Hayden not to be bashful and here he is right in front of my eyes making friends and just soaking up life. Tonight was a mom moment for me. A moment that brings so much joy to my heart.

Liam could sit and watch Hayden play all day long. He is finally grasping that it's Hayden's time to be a big boy and he can't go sit in the middle of the field and play in the dirt. Not quite yet. I know that day is going to approach us sooner than later. We will be juggling more than one practice, game, get together. We will be quite the busy bees. Good thing I love being busy. I love these two boys so much. 

Here are some photos from tonight's practice. My parents came for the first time and brought my nephew Bryson along for the ride. 

living in the moment

why i love my daddy

we don't buy into the hallmark holiday, but we do invest in the love we have for one another. this year the boys made scot, " why i love my daddy mason jars!" 

i asked both of the boys why they love their daddy and we documented their answers on a piece of card stock and sealed them with some embroidery floss pom poms and lace ribbon.

and of course valentines day wouldn't be complete without chick fil a for lunch.

i think scot got a kick out of the boys responses.

here are some of the responses that the boys, with extremely serious faces, told me to write down.

hayden

"daddy hurts monsters"

"suddenly i like him"

"daddy saved the dragons"

"he's really, really funny"

"i want to get him a bike"

"ok i love him" 

"he farts loud"

yes, he said the last one. i couldn't help by cackle. boys will be boys.

liam

"uhh, daddy"

"uh, i don't know"

"i [liam's version of love] youuuu"

"dad, day"

"boo, boo" [he was pointing at his toe]

"yes"

"mmhmm no mama"

liam's responses cracked me up, too. he's the sweetest and even if he can't tell scot he loves him because he hurts monsters yet, we know his little heart is bursting with love for daddy.

valentines day happens everyday in the shepherd household. i don't need a dozen roses, or cheesy cards. i am one blessed mama to celebrate the love my children have for life, each other, and of course their daddy. 

life changes

february has been a month filled with milestones.

this month we have signed up for school and registered for baseball.

this year will bring so many changes. changes that will be positive for the boys. changes that will alter our schedule. changes that will force me to let go a little. changes that will allow me to grow as a mother, experiences that will confirm everything will be ok.

it's hard being a stay at home mom to two amazing little boys for the past almost four years and then send them off to school a few days a week. it's going to be a transition. a transition that will be followed by tears,laughter, and thankfulness. a thankfullness that this will be the boys first time on their own without me and they will get to grow along with me. create new friendships. they will start their little journey in life later this year and i'm looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time.

hayden;

my handsome little hayden. you have been the light of my life for the past almost four years.

i have watched you grow, watched you take in the world around you.

you are so intelligent and i love seeing the world through your eyes.

it's hard to believe the time has come where you will be in the hands of someone besides me during the week.

it's hard for me to wrap my head around.

my hopes and dreams for you are to be successful in all that you do.

i know you will, i have no doubts.

you are turning into such an amazing young man.

i will hold my breath and cherish these next few months taking in your laughter and comedic catch phrases.

i know you will thrive in school, and make friends with everyone.

you are so amazing.

liam;

you never seem to stop amazing me. 

you have filled my life with laughter and a tender heart.

i love your free spirted nature.

you're a free soul that explores all aspects of life beyond these walls of our home.

your spunkiness brings out the child in me.

you make my mama heart burst at the seems.

i love the love you have for your older brother.

it brings back my childhood. the childhood comfort of having siblings.

i love that you're a mamas boy.

that my touch calms you. allows you to fall asleep.

the love for your blanket and that thumb will be a permanent vision in my eyes and heart.

i know you won't stay little forever, but you will always be my baby.

we have our first baseball practice tonight. the excitement is brewing in our house. hayden is so proud of himself and liam is following in his footsteps with his own little bat and pack of teeballs. my heart is full.

so thankful.

 *photo credit: Nine Sixteen Photography