This time last year...

This time last year, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of this little guy, Austin Clay!

It's amazing to me how quick one year can fly by, though there were so many memories made, milestones achieved and experiences that will forever be treasured.

As we embark on turning ONE years old, I wanted to capture each month. I believe that with photographing memories, it's almost, in a way like pushing the pause button on life, even if for a moment. 

This day was nothing but an ordinary Sunday afternoon, but it's special to me because it's a day that God gave us to be thankful for the little things, to love the people around us and to know that we are loved in return. It's special because after today, it is only a memory that we are able to keep in our hearts.

It's never easy watching your little ones turn a year older. With every year they grow, a piece of your heart is left with their littleness that they leave behind, but one thing that keeps my mind at ease is finding the beauty in the midst of our messy, but wonderful life, despite how fast time passes us on by. I like grasping onto those things so that when I am older and my littles are older, I still have those treasures to look back on.

A few things that you are doing now:

Walking!!!

Talking and a lot! I am sure to us it is just jibberesh, but for you it is serious talk!

You have four teeth and LOVE to eat. You're like a little piggy sometimes and you even snort when you laugh.

You wave the cutest little wave with your cute little hand and say "bye bye" 

You look for daddy around the house anytime someone says his name.

You love playing with your brothers and are always right there with them, observing their menacing, perhaps even taking notes.

You are the happiest little guy I know, other than your older brother Asher. You two will be extremely close one day I believe as you are both very loving and humorous and seem to share a lot of common ground for little people.

I don't want to let this littlness of yours go, I wish I could hold on to it for as long as my heart desires, but I know it is God's will for time to march on and as it does, your mommy is right here soaking up all of this sweetness that life has to offer and that God has bestowed.

Happy 11 months baby boy!

::

The Last Bit of Winter + a 24 week Bump

Winter has gone by surprisingly fast for me this year. I am sure that having my husband gone so much, working, leaving me reaching for every weekend, has something to do with it.

I have found myself wishing days and weeks away, but am humbly reminded that even when i am anxious or looking forward to the future, I don't want to wish life away or miss special moments or grace filled blessings because I was too busy wanting time to be over with.

"Each new day brings new adventures! New memories to build, new chances to love and nurture and new opportunities abound, as we create loving atmospheres for our families. The precious moments are lived out right alongside those regular routines.

Every day with it brings with it, the joyful anticipation of surprises, blessings, unforgettable moments and the increase of love. Enjoy the adventurous life in your home today."

-M Kauenhofen

After reading this excerpt today I was greatly encouraged to take a minute and reflect on all the good things to be thankful for in my every day here at home. It is so hard not having my husband here and my heart aches for him while he's gone, but I love having this treasured opportunity to share, teach, instruct and love my littles all the while, watching them grow and change every day.

This life, even the mundane is adventurous and there is so much to be thankful for. There is so much beauty hiding in the corners of these long, exhausting days at home. 

And that is what makes my heart the most happy, is finding that beauty.

Speaking of things to be thankful for, I am so thankful to be having such a wonderful pregnancy with this sweet baby girl.

I am 24 weeks with 16 to go! I can't believe six months of come and gone just like that, but am so thrilled to watch her due date approach along with Spring come into bloom...

So much happiness bottled up in one!

Until next time...

June Can't Come Soon Enough!

So this past week has been a very exciting week for all of us here at the Tucker household.

My husband and I had been keeping a tiny little secret for quite some time. Two months to be exact! It was so hard, but I thought that there was no better way to announce baby #5 than with a pink bow on her head proclaiming we were having a GIRL. 

I wasn't 100% sure that it WAS a girl, however I had a very strong intuition that it could very possibly be for the very fact that this pregnancy so far has been a completely and dramatically different experience for me. 

I haven't been sick at all with the exception of a week where I had light nausea every night.

It quickly faded and I have felt so good and energetic. 

This is how I always imagined pregnancy to be like. When pregnant with the boys, I honestly did not enjoy it at all. The first 4-5 months a sickness took over that would sometimes force me to go to the hospital for fluids. I went through medication after medication in attempt to help with the nausea. Nothing would work.

I felt I had zero energy all the time and could just never get enough sleep. By the time I felt good enough to eat again I would still lack the energy to do anything constructive, including taking care of my body.

I am so thrilled that this LAST pregnancy is treating me so well and leaving me feeling so very good about myself. And yes, this is our last. I definitely thought that Austin would be the baby of the family, but who knew that God had another plan and I am rejoicing with praise to Him for giving me the blessing of getting to experience having a daughter. Something I've always always wanted.

I love my boys SO much,t hey are awesome boys who love their momma and are so kind, smart and unique in their own ways. The older boys are so well behaved and have really grown so much. I have thoroughly enjoyed being their momma and getting to watch them every day change and grow and learn and strive has been such a blessing. Austin is my little baby man and my heart just explodes when I look at him. But I am also looking forward to having a completely different type of relationship with my very own daughter. 

I hope that God instills in me a good heart and mind to teach her and set examples for her as she grows and matures. That God grants wisdom and instruction to Randall to love her and show her what to look for in her future husband.

She will one day become a women like myself and my hope is that in her older years she becomes my best friend as well...like I am with my own mother.

June can not get here quick enough! <3