1 week new

This little sugar lump is 1 week old. I cannot get enough of him. He's precious and sweet and sleeping and eating very well. We love this little dude... 

Isaac is here!

I will do a longer, more detailed post later (or maybe not) but Isaac Watson Bass is born! Nora keeps asking, "he's born now?? Yay!"

Isaac arrived on Feburary 11th at 1:40pm. He weighed 8 lbs and 2 oz and was 20.5 inches long. He was 1 week and 3 days early from his due date but I started progressing quickly and it was time. At my doctors appointment on Tuesday morning, I was already 1/2 way there so I went straight to the hospital and he was born a few hours later.  I had an appointment Monday morning and he projected this may happen, in fact he was quite certain it would.

We all were surprised by his weight, including my doctor and nurses. We thought he might be a little guy because my belly was the smallest this pregnancy than the others, or at least closer to Nora's size and she was 7.5.  I knew I could feel him all over my insides though- he must have been really crammed in there!

I'm so fortunate to have had a quick and easy labor and delivery and a healthy baby boy. I'm afraid I'm really going to spoil him because I love holding him and enjoying these warm snuggles and know how quickly these days go by. 

He's a sweet, sweet baby and looks a lot like his big brother but with lighter hair. DF is just crazy about him and sooo happy to have a baby brother. We knew Nora would be baby crazy, because she loves babies, but David Franklin has really been just smitten with him. Watching the kids with him has been a joy, and work.  They might love him a little too much, they want him in their sight or touch at all times.  I know the new will wear off soon enough though.

We got home from the hospital this morning and are looking forward to life as a family of 5.  We feel so grateful and unworthy to be so richly blessed!! 

Here are a few first pics...  I will load more from my camera soon.   He had such a warm welcome to the world with many visitors, calls and texts.  He just doesn't know how loved he is already!

Minutes after delivery- one happy, happy momma!

They saw him for the first time getting taken care of in the nursery

The gang's all here!!  Df's pose- ha!

On our way home from the hospital. 

Waiting on Ikey Baby

Ok, we are in the home stretch and cannot wait to meet this baby boy!! I'm in week 38 and have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor. He's been out of town this week, and I've been experiencing more pains and some contractions so it's been a long one for me. Not to mention snow and ice storms have given me a little anxiety as to actually being able to get my kids taken care of and to the hospital.

I know we will all be fine, just so ready to see his sweet face and hold him in our arms! 

Maybe one of the last belly pics taken after church today :). The kids love the snow and have been playing in it as much as possible- I've been mostly watching and taking pictures and videos from the deck. Daddy has been so much fun, thank goodness for him! Sledding in the backyard.   They both loved it! 

Broken blues

This week marked the 10th anniversary of David's death. We went to glenwood to visit the cemetery and leave some flowers. We didn't stay long. The kids ran around and saw where many of their ancestors are buried and DF thought it was "fun". He said, his bones are here but his heart is in heaven. :) 

Saturday many of David's friends put together a reunion type thing for their friends at the races. They also sponsored a race in David's honor named the "David Johnson Commemorative Classic." Around 60 people were there! Jason, Lauren and Matilda came in from

LA and it was so much fun to be with them. It was Matilda's first birthday so mammers had a birthday party brunch for her. 

Saturday was beyond my expectations in so many ways.  I knew it would be fun to get together and see everyone and have a good time at the track, but I experienced so much love, peace and joy from everyone.   It was such a blessing to me.  I was so touched and really moved by how strong that groups' friendships are and were, even though so much time has passed.  Friendship really is forever.

Yes, it says a lot about David and the impact he had on so many people's lives.  We know how he showed so much love and how he made people feel just being around him.  He made us all feel happy, and loved and special, because to him, we were.  He was magnetic and you just wanted to be around him, you know laughs were a guarantee, and possibly a fun adventure. I personally felt comfort just from knowing he was in the same room as I was.  Even though he was my little brother, he felt like a protection and a big brother in a lot of ways too.

BUT, it says equally as much about the guys who put this together.  The time, money, organization, forethought, etc. that was put into this weekend says a lot. Many people, rather most people,  would love their friend, miss their friend, but to take this much initiative to actively honor their friend and his family in the way these guys did is pretty much unheard of.  The devotion to David and his memory is inspiring and so touching.

My mom was totally surprised by the race, and said she just can't even put into words how she feels.  This will be a day and a memory that she will hold and keep dear the rest of her life.  She said, the love and the joy she felt was overwhelming.  She told me yesterday, that although we will always miss and long for David and have great sadness that he isn't here, the winning horses' name was symbolic of how she feels.  "Broken Blues."  There will be blues and times when we feel the blues again, but yesterday she felt like the blues were broken a bit.  That is a such a gift to her.

Thank you sounds like too little.  It's definitely not enough, but thank you to all who organized this and came on Saturday. Thank you for helping to keep David's positive legacy alive.   It was a great 10 year commemorative classic!  You all are such a special group of friends.

We got to go on the track after the race, super cool!

The best group shot we could get, and that is not everyone.

Phone pic round up

DF loves Bella so much! He is sad she doesn't sleep with him any more since she can't quite climb up on to his top bunk.

We went on mother/son and daddy/daughter dates last week. DF and I went to TRex golf and taco mama.

We went to the museum of discovery with the Vaughts one afternoon in Little Rock. It was a hit and we will definitely go back!

Seeing how long the large intestine is with Robbie and Hallie…and turing it into a little tug of war :)

DF and Hudson ran outside past his mother and I one afternoon after school last week. It was January and in the 40s and they stripped down to their superhero undies! I'm saving this one for the Senior yearbook!

Nora won't be the baby much longer, which makes me sad,  but she is so ready for "her baby" to come! She's been practicing a lot with her dolls! I am crazy for this girl! 

Christmas Day 2013

On Christmas Eve, we went to Candlelight church service and then home for deer chili Franklin made. Mammers spent the night on the third bunk with the kids so in their book, Santa coming, plus a sleepover with Mammers = best night EVER!  They were so keyed up and excited I wasn't sure they would ever fall asleep!  But they did and awoke bright and early to see what Santa brought!  We had breakfast and played with toys and then went to Mammers for lunch with the Ligon family.  It was a DELICOUS meal, and one just like my mam-maw would have fixed complete with my favorite Cherry Crunch pie! Nora really liked it too.  The kids had such a fin day, Nora didn't ever get still enough for a nap.  Then we finished the day at Meme and Grandpa's with the Vaughts, Boo and Robbie for more presents and food!  We had a Merry, Merry Christmas.  Nothing under the tree was as good as being with the people around it on this special day.  Blessed indeed.

They kinda love each other :)

Putting out the reindeer food (that bella actually ate and eventually threw up in our living room!)

The Ligon Family Christmas at Mammers.  Minus Franklin who was the photographer.  We were also missing the Morphews today but glad we get to see them soon. 

With my girl cousins, Sarah and Mary.  Nora loves them both!

On to number 9 for Christmas round 3 (or so)