Meet Tucker Graham Morris!!

Well, I dropped the ball on the blog. My excuse - Tucker! Tucker Graham Morris made his appearance 11 days early on November 9, 2009! We had a scheduled c-section planned for November 20, everyone had itineraries and plane tickets to be here for his arrival, but the boy decided to come on his own terms. Along with Jackson's birthday, it was the most exciting night of my life! Everything happened so fast. We put Jackson to bed, Sean went out to pick up dinner, and my water broke! I called Auntie T and UK, who only live a couple hours away. They packed their bags and hit the road to stay here with Jackson. In the meantime, our neighbor came over to make sure our big boy stayed safe and to let Tracy and Kevin in. We made all of our necessary calls and headed to the hospital. After a couple of hours, I was wheeled into the operating room and 15 minutes later, he was born! Tucker Graham Morris arrived at 11:38pm, weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. He's perfect and our family is complete! Since it was the height of flu season, Jackson couldn't come and see me and Tucker in our room, but Auntie T and UK brought him to the hospital so he could see Daddy and so that Tucker could meet his aunt and uncle. I missed my big boy, so we came home as soon as my doctor gave me the sign, almost exactly 36 hours to the minute after Tucker was born. Seeing Jackson's face when he met Tucker for the first time was the best gift I have ever gotten. It was a whirlwind after that! Nena came early on the 11th and Gumpa came on the 19th, as scheduled. Uncle Chip, Aunt Sara and Tyler came to meet Tucker and spend Thanksgiving with us and that started the beginning of a crazy, fun, family filled holiday season! Everyone left and we had a couple of days to settle in as a family of four. It wasn't long before we had more family come share our newest bundle of joy! We had a lot to celebrate this season, including Ma Maw Trexler's 83rd birthday on December 16th. The Trexler-Morris clan got together to have a birthday party and early Christmas and it was wonderful. Jackson got spoiled rotten and Tucker got to meet all of his great aunts and his great grandmother. We got a few more days of just the family before the Pettapiece clan came back to have Christmas here. At first I thought I was crazy trying to host so many Christmases but everyone helped out so much that it was a breeze. Having family around makes everything easier and better. This was no exception. After Christmas, it was kind of a let down and a relief. We were on our own for good this time. Sean was back at work on a regular schedule and I was here with both boys on my own. Thank goodness for great friends, because I couldn't have made it through those first weeks without them! Tucker is such a wonderful addition to our family and Jackson absolutely adores him. He loves to hold his brother, kiss him, throw balls at him, etc and I think it's the beginning of a great friendship.

This is it! My last few moments before meeting Tucker!

Sean in his scrubs, ready to go and meet the little fella.

Happy Birthday, Tucker!!

After recovery, two of the longest hours of my life. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this guy.

Sleeping on Daddy. There is no better sleep than on Daddy's chest.

Except on Mommy's. This is one chilled out baby.

Jackson and Tucker's first meeting. I've never seen such joy on a young face. Jackson still lights up when he sees Tucker.

Home with the family.

Relaxing with Auntie T and UK. It doesn't get much cozier and better than this.

Except with when you are with Nena.

Good times with Gumpa! Our boy was already holding his head up when he was just one week old!

Getting some love from Auntie T after a nice, long visit. You can already see he's trying to smile. Tucker is one happy kid!

How could he not be, with so many aunts and uncles that love him?

Uncle Chipper trying so hard to keep him awake. Learning to differentiate night and day is hard work! Uncle Chip is a great teacher.

Tyler is the best, so gentle and always wanting to cuddle with his newest cousin.

The three boys.

Gumpa and Jackson, doing their thing - laughing!

Doing what Tucker does best - chillin'.

Jackson loving on his brother.

Our first Christmas as a family of four!

Gumpa's got a pretty terrific chest for napping.

Aunt Sara helped Tucker learn to stay awake during the day, too. Mom and Dad need their rest!

Tucker opening his first ever Christmas Eve present.

Jackson and Tyler, all helmetted up, ready to ride bikes on Christmas Day.

Opening presents is hard work!

My three loves.

There's nothing like brotherly love!

After Christmas presents!

Jackson jamming out with his new drum kit! Do we have another Ringo Starr on our hands? I think maybe.

A half grin. We got a lot of these right from the beginning.

Stockings!!

The Pettapiece, Morris and Funk Clan. Best family ever!

Chillin on Tucker's play mat. Two peas in a pod!

Jackson got a digger from Nena and Gumpa and he loves to wear his hardhat. Safety first!!

One of the coolest toys ever!

Passed out cold, I think on Gumpa's lap.

Good morning! I tried to get the sunrise in the picture because it was very, very early. I've never known anyone to be so happy at 6:00 am.

For Valentines Day, Jackson got a flashing squishy ball from Nena and Gumpa. It was a hit then, and it's a hit now.

We got snow in Augusta this year! Almost 6 inches and Jackson loved every minute of it!

Tucker staying warm inside Daddy's sweatshirt.

Jackson could have stayed out in the snow all day long. Perhaps he's a New Englander at heart?

Here's the Tucker grin that we see hundreds of times a day. This is one happy kiddo.