Porter's Everest

Porter will be a year old at the end of this month. It's crazy how fast the time has gone. He is such a happy boy - a ball of light and joy! He is trying to be more mobile, and right now it's in the form of an army crawl. I'm not in any hurry to have him crawl or walk. I know what those things bring - lots of running for me! The stairs are a source of wonder and delight for Porter. I think he feels if he could just figure them out, the world would be his for the taking. As it is right now, he makes an effort, but climbing his "Everest" is something he's still working on. :)

Authentic Life

Authentic Life. That phrase might mean something different to every one of us. To me, it defines those moments that life is made up of. No pretense, no filler, nothing but raw life. Raw. Life. Experiencing those moments are far and few between, but undeniable while they are happening. Moments like new life entering the world, jubilant celebrations of the heart, great sadness, and death.

Death. It's a hard word. A word that encompasses vast extremities of meaning. Within that word many emotions, thoughts, and experiences dwell. Great sadness, tears, joy, happy musings, laughter, finality. The ending of this life, but I believe the beginning of a better one.

This summer my Grandpa, Earl "The Pearl" Haggerty, passed away. I had the absolute privilege to be with him during his last days. It was a time I wasn't looking forward to. In fact, you could say I was dreading it. I remember having the very conscience thought that "This is what being an adult is all about. Knowing ahead of time something is going to be excrutiating. That it will forever alter your heart, and going into the situation anyway." My mom, Porter, and I started our drive to Great Falls thinking we were going just to be with him before and after surgery, but within the matter of 3 hours after we arrived, it was apparent there would be no surgery. This was it. This was the end.

Walking in and seeing my Grandpa was like someone puncturing my heart. This man, who I have loved from the beginning of my life, who had held me as a child with his arms of steel, who encouraged my imagination, taught me to play cribbage, who was the very image of honor and integrity, was now an unimaginably weak, older man. He was dying.

The next few days blurred together and were filled with many tears, laughter, discussion, heartache, and ultimately joy.

When I think back on those days the memories I have are almost like snapshots of moments in time. Witnessing the first, and what would be the last, meeting of great-grandpa and new great-grandson. The soul-to-soul connection that flew across the hospital bed as their eyes locked. Holding Porter as he lay sleeping while my mom sat next to her dad and cried as she recounted to him what made him so fantastic in her eyes- those moments she lived with him that made this amazing human her dad. Recounting my own memories with him of so many joyous times spent together, the life lessons he instilled, and how very much he meant to me. He was my most revered Grandpa. The original cowboy.

I watched as nurses and a myriad of other personnel passed in and out of his room for any number of reasons, and I remember mentally yelling to them "He's not just some old man. He's my grandpa and he is AMAZING!" Being desperate for them to see who he was, not what he was.

The time finally came for me to say goodbye. We both knew this would be the last goodbye. I kissed him, told him I loved him, and that I could not express how much I would miss him. He looked right at me, said he loved me too, and to take care of my wonderful family. I walked out of that room knowing I would never again see him alive. Was I sad? Beyond words. Did I leave a piece of my heart on that hospital bed? Yes. Would I have, if possible, changed anything? No. Absolutely not. Being with him in his final days, final hours, was a tremendous blessing. An unexpected gift. Raw life. Authentic life. One final gift from the man I have cherished from the start of my life. My Grandpa.

Little Crush

While I was pregnant several of my friends that have boys told me how they have little crushes on their little men.  While I could appreciate their sentiments, I had way of truly understanding what they meant.  However, after having Porter I can say with wild abandon that I definitely have a crush on my little guy!

My dear friend Jen is one of the most talented photographers I know.  She doesn't do it professionally, but she should!  She graciously offered to snap some shots of Porter, and the results are breathtaking.  I will post just a few and will restrain myself from posting all 48 shots because, and I say this truthfully, all 48 are absolutely amazing.

He's Here!

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Fain family! Porter William was born on March 31st at 1:09p.m. He weighed 7lbs 3oz and was 20.5 inches long. He is the most delightful baby, and Blythe loves being his big sister! We could not feel more blessed!

Oh, the Delicious Hot-Pinkness!

Blythe's dear Grandmommy Susan sent her perhaps the cutest, warmest, most darling pink coat ever. And where did she get it? She made it! The coat is fabulous in every way and Blythe has gotten so many compliments on it (which just makes her beam with pride). Thank you, Grandmommy Susan! We love you!

Updates

It has been a while since I have posted anything, and so I thought I would take this opportunity of quiet time in the house to update our blog and let you know what's been going on in our household lately!

The first order of business is to talk about Christmas. Never have we had so much fun on a Christmas morning! Blythe was magical to watch. She loved opening all of her presents and took a moment to savor each and every one. We were able to witness pure delight coming from her little soul, and it was wonderful. Wonderful - and short lived! From start to finish we had opened all of our presents in roughly 45 minutes. I think this picture sums it up nicely!


Little Miss has become quite the independent, "I can do it myself" person. She challenges me on many of my directions, and always lets me know what's on her mind. She makes me laugh every day, and she remains so sweet and tender. Her newest phrases when I ask her to do something are "I'm too busy", "Just a minute, Mom. Just a minute.", and my all time favorite "Not right now, thank you." The wonderful workings of a two-year-old mind!

This is Just Crazy

Last year we thought we got a lot of snow, but this year we have gotten even more! It hasn't stopped snowing since yesterday morning at 7:30a.m., and we are well past 24 inches of snow. Here's a look at our winter wonderland!

You can just make out the window of Matt's car in this picture.

Blythe's First Game

When Blythe turned two she received her first game from her Grandpa Tracy, Aunt Brook, and Cousin Sala. Each duck rotates around the pond and has a particular symbol and color. The object of the game is to pick out the ducks that match your symbol, and the first one to collect all three wins. Blythe is just now old enough to get the concept of the game, and her colors and shapes. So, for the first time we installed the batteries in the duck game, and it was a huge hit from the start. She loves the game, and likes the sound of the duck quacking even more!

Wonderful Winter Weekend

Last weekend Matt declared he had a surprise for his girls, and we could not have been more excited! The day started off with breakfast at one of our favorite little bakeries, Madeleine's, and it was GOOD! Blythe had an cranberry-orange scone (mom and dad helped too!).


After breakfast we headed "up north" so Blythe could pick out her own ornament. This is a tradition my parents started when I was a young girl, and every year the three girls would get to pick out their own ornament with the idea being that when we eventually had our own tree we would have 10+ ornaments to decorate the tree with. It was so much fun, Matt and I have continued the tradition between the two of us, and now the three of us. It was a great day!

Sunday, he had yet another surprise in store for us with a Gingerbread Iron Man competition between local businesses at our gorgeous Davenport Hotel. We even got to decorate our own gingerbread house. It was a super fun weekend!

Happy Halloween

Say hello to the sweetest and cutest bag of leaves you'll ever see. I also thought it would be fun to progession of Halloween over the years - my how she's grown. Happy Halloween everyone!

2006

2007

2008

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend my mom and dad came up to visit, and it was such a joy to have them! We ate at this great little bakery, went to Phantom of the Opera, went to dinner, and visited the local pumpkin patch. Blythe picked out her own pumpkin and got a few "practice runs" in on the John Deer. The weather was super and the fall weather fantastic. It was an all-around fabulous weekend!

What a Face

Fun with Daddy

Last weekend Matt took Blythe out to a local farm co-op for some outdoor fun. There, she got to ride a pony and pet some goats - both were firsts for her! Her pony's name was Baby Blue, and she took to him right away. I think the smile says it all!

Oh So Helpful

Several weekends ago I had some girlfriends coming in for a girls weekend. I was in the process of cleaning the house, and asked Blythe to take all of her books into her room (most of which were slewn about the living room). I was in the kitchen cleaning and she comes in and says "I did it, Mom!" I immediately thanked her profusely and then went to check on her finished product. This is what awaited me.

Could she get any cuter?! I think not.

p.s. Notice the open cupboard in her room that was waiting patiently to be filled with books. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Holy Moly

Where did the summer go? Why is it that as you get older, time starts to go faster? We have been busy, busy, busy and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. We recently found out we are expecting baby number 2!!! Our next bambino will be due in early April, and we are trying to prepare Blythe for the new member of the family. She understands little about what a big sister is, and when we ask if a new baby is coming to live with us she says "No. No baby." What can I say, it's a work in progress!

I also started school yesterday. I'm taking an online Psychology class, and it was VERY overwhelming for me yesterday. I didn't know if I was going to make it! But, after a good night's sleep (amazing how that changes your perspective), I feel much better about the whole school thing today. I will survive, and I will kick butt doing it! :)

Scotland, Part II

Culloden Battle Field where the infamous "breaking of the clans" took place. Amazing and horribly sad at the same time.
Ancient druid stone circles.

Castle Urquhart at Loch Ness.
Our Highland Tour group.
Hamish the Highland Cow!

Scotland

Scotland was in the truest meaning of the word....AMAZING!! Mom and I had the best time traveling around our "home land". We spent most of our time in Edinburgh with jaunts to Glasgow, Stirling, and the Highlands. We discovered so many things about this country we love, including Nutella Hot Chocolate (I will be making that this Christmas!). All in all, it could not have been a better trip. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures. Thanks for this stunning trip of a lifetime, Mom!

Love the name of this pub in Dunfermline!

12th century church
Views from Stirling Castle
Abadoned Abbey
In the forest at Killiecrankie
Mom outside of Edinburgh castle.

The Royal Mile - Edinburgh
A nice pint of ale.
Royal Mile
The most magical pathway...
More to come tomorrow including pictures of the very famous "heilan coo". I know you're excited already! :)

I'm Back!

Many apologies for the non-existant posting status I have been experiencing for some time now. The excuses I have are good ones: it's summer, we have had many delightful people visiting, and I spend my day chasing a 2 year old. All in all - we are busy! But, I did finally manage to get my pictures of Blythe's birthday and my trip to Scoland loaded on the computer. So as not to overwhelm you, I will be posting these events (and other captured Blythe moments) over the coarse of the next week. First up, Blythe's birthday. We just had a few friends over for cupcakes and ice cream. Blythe seemed to enjoy herself, although she was not great about sharing her new toys. Who could blame her? It was her birthday, after all! :)

Not too sure about the candles...

Notice the princess chair that she had to be sitting in!