Happy Memorial Day

This picture really moved me. I think we obviously appreciate our soldiers but forget the ones they leave behind. We all know the sacrifices our troops make everyday, but how hard it must be to lose the one you love without knowing what their last moments were like. Were they alone, did they feel pain, were they scared? A lot of these families don't see their loved ones for long periods of time before hearing of their death. They just wake up one day and realize that the last time they held them was it. What a horrible feeling. My heart really goes out to those who lose their loved ones for the sake of my freedom. Thank you to all of the soldiers and the families for making the ultimate sacrifice.

So far Ryan has been such a laid back happy baby. He is now cooing and smile more and is sleeping through the night...thank God! Austin has been adjusting pretty good I think. He has his moments but most of the time he is very sweet to Ry (who he now calls Little Fuzzy Head) Surprisingly, he has only referred to Ryan as Black Crayon once or twice. I added a picture of what the two boys do the most. Ryan sleeps and Austin plays with his many cars and trucks. I believe in this particular photo he is towing all of them to the "car shop". He's such a funny guy:)

Mother's Day weekend

This month is always a tough one for me, and up until I became a mother I would go into a dark depression this weekend. Two of the worst days of my life happened on and around Mother's Day. I first lost my cousin Andi to a tragic brutal murder and then years later I would lose a great friend in a horrible car accident. Until my sons were born the month of May seemed very dark. They are everyday reminders of the miracles of life, and I know that Johnny and Andi are constantly smiling down on them. Now on Mother's Day instead of complete sadness I can feel a ray of hope. Hope that although God has taken two away that I may never understand, he has also given two that are the best blessing of my life. I also have to remember that this month these two tragedies fall on two great women's birthdays. Andi passed away on her little sister Kristin's birthday, and Johnny on my wonderful Mother in-laws birthday who thought of Johnny as a son. We must not get so caught up in our own grief and forget to celebrate the birth of two wonderful people! This is how Johnny and Andi would want it. So Happy Mother's Day, and Happy Birthday Kristin and Dot! Thank you to my beautiful boys for giving me the best gifts in life.

Well, Ryan had his 2 month appointment today and was all smiles until they gave him 4 shots! He is in the 95% weighing a whopping 14 lbs and is in the 90% measuring 23 3/4 in. Looks like Ry is going to be much bigger than his big brother;)

I'am back!!!

Okay, so I started feeling guilty about not keeping up the blog for Ryan like I did for Austin. I remember growing up and Manda was upset that I had a baby book and she didn't. In my mom’s defense, it is truly hard to find the time with more than one kid while working a full time job. However, I will do my best to keep it up so that one day Ryan won't have his feelings hurt;) Just to catch everyone up...Ryan Turner Kirkland was born March 4th 2012 at 1:48pm 7lbs6oz. He's now 2 months old and so far has been pretty laid back and easy going. His little personality is really coming out now. He loves to play on his floor mat and so far is terrified of his older brother Austin;) Speaking of Austin...he has been taking it pretty well so far. He has his moments, and hates when Ryan cries. He say's Ryan has a cute fuzzy little head. I would like to note that my pregnancies were as different as my children are! In fact, so different that I could have sworn Ryan was going to be a girl! So far the boys only have their last name in common. Ryan is much bigger than Austin, doesn't sleep through the night, but when he does sleep it's he's nearly as mobile as his older brother.

I will do my best to keep you all informed and post lots of pictures!