Pacifier Weaning 101

... man I wish someone would have a class like that! Today was the official start to weaning Ayla from her (most precious friend) paci, or"pappy" as she calls it. Im not sure why today- but Ive been nesting and realized how soon lil Leah may make her arrival.

My main goal is to keep the transition as smooth as possible for her. I know its not going to be "smoothe" or easy, but Id still like to try. Today she helped me wash and hang up some of her old clothes in Leah's closet. It was so weird seeing all those little clothes and remembering the first time Ayla wore them, and wondering if Leah would be as tiny as her big sis was. Wow. If I wasn't so tired right now I could cry.

Back on track....

Paci patrol is on full force in our house. I felt the most humane for my 20 mo old was to limit her paci time to when she was in bed. So every time she asked for it, we explained that she could have it when in bed and that she was a very big girl. She definitely showed me what she thought of that... HA A couple times during the day she needed to go to her room and have a lil paci time in her bed and she was quiet can be. I think that really helped her to know it wasn't gone-gone.

As night approached we had some meltdowns, but honestly I think it could have been much worse!

Tonight I am deserately seeking experienced mommies who have been down this road before. I just need some reassurement that its not too early or mean or whatever. My times of cluelessness when parenting are frequent.

Koen Hunter: Prayers Please

Update: We saw Koen again this morning. He looked amazing, all snuggled up in his mommies arms! His oxygen sats are staying normal without supplemental oxygen and he has his first nursing session this am! :) Thanks for all your prayers!



Koen Hunter Davis was born this evening! Jessie is doing really well. However, baby Koen is having some difficulties breathing due to pneumonia in both lungs. Unfortuneately, he must stay in the nursery all night and get some oxygen. We need to surround this family with prayers of healing and patience.
While I was at the hospital, Koen's color seemed good and he seemed to cry more (this is good). I got a couple pictures to share, but am in a hurry tonight. Will post some tomorrow.
Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Prayer Request: Twins

December 26th, Jackson & Noah Cosby were born. At 35 weeks, their lungs are premature and are having a rough start in this world.

Jackson Ryan, Baby A, is currently on a c-pap machine. This essentialy forces air in his lungs to keep his respiratory rate under control. He seems to still be struggling a bit, but has good output and decent coloring. He has a full head of soft, fluffy blond hair and likes to be cuddled on his tummy.
Noah Westley, Baby B, was placed on a vent this morning when they found a sm air leak in his lungs. This has caused and area of his lungs to collapse. Since being on the vent he is resting better and adequately perfusing oxygen, but we'd much rather he be weaned off asap! He seemed comfortable and able to move around better, but his urine output is poor so he is holding on to too much fluid.
This family needs your love and prayers right now. As mommy & daddy (Matt & Kerri) sit and wait for the time they get to hold their little ones for the first time. Please help them find strength and patience. As for the boys, we need them to keep fighting and not tire out on this long road. We are very optimistic of thier recovery especially with your prayers surrounding them.

Merry Christmas!

Tis the season to give... and you all will recieve. Remember a few posts ago of the chocolate-ty heavenly concoction? Well, if you don't... let me remind you..

Ok- looks good right?

My original goal was to bag up the basic ingredients and give them to my girlfriends for a small holiday treat. I may still do this sometime during the winter, but for now. If you'd like to make it yourself it is worth a try.

This recipe is for Chocolate Mug Cake. The "mug" part is because you put this recipe together in a lg coffee mug and "bake" it in the microwave. It was pretty good, especially for a naptime chocolate attack. Definitely not better than a real chocolate cake, but it deserves it's own acclaim.

Chocolate Mug Cake

1 coffee mug

4 T. flour

4 T. Sugar

2 T. baking cocoa

1 egg

3 T. milk

3 T. oil

3 T. chocolate chips

small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the beaten egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla. Mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. The cake may rise over the mug! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. I know I did :)

Leah Hope: 21 + 3 days

Leah,

I apologize lil one... Mommy has not been very good at chronicaling your journey with us so far. This is really the first "official" belly picture of your stay in my tummy. We are over half way there and are starting to feel more like a family every day.

Mommy is starting to feel you move more and more every day. It reassures me that you are comfy and safe within me. Daddy loves to talk to you and make me laugh. Ayla kisses you and prays for you every night before bed. I can not wait for you to meet her. :)

Stay safe and warm for now. We are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus soon. And the arrival of a few close friends this month also.

Mommy loves you very much!

And the award goes to...

.... ME?! Wow. I am sure honored and laughing because I didn't realize many people read my blog. At least I know Leah does! hehe That is why I am naming my child after her... haha Ok, not really "after" her, but they will share it. ;)

Ok.

Along with awards run great responsibility, I must pass it along to 5 other lucky bloggers & 2. List 5 addictions of my liking.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

I am going to nominate 5 wonderful woman:

1. Tera @ September Sweeties... because I love reading about all the fun things she does with her two beautiful girls. What a great role model.

2. Jennifer @ Clower's family blog... because I have known her forever and are finally reconnecting each other's lives via the internet and love seeing her lil boys pics!

3. Mandi @ Loving Life.... because she has shown me and so me others how to live by faith, be humble and grateful for life through all the good times and bad we encounter.

4. Brittney @ Sweet Baby Bean... because she is hilarious and I am always looking forward to hearing what she has to say. Plus, she's a great friend, who is Always thinking of others!

5. Abby @ The Yoder Clan... because she always has the most beautifully decorated blog. Love her pictures, real life. She is also expecting another little one very soon!

My 5 addictions (wow that sounds harsh):

1. My family. I have the best husband and the sweetest, cuddly lil girl!

2. Blogging... writing, reading, snooping, whatever.... hehe It's all good.

3. Being pregnant. I am finding myself loving feeling my lil Leah move. I can tell she gets stronger and stronger every day. Esp today she has wiggled alot! :)

4. My playgroup (shot out!) The women are fantastic, Christian women who are so fun and funny! :) We always have a great time. I joined up in June-ish and looked back this holiday season and realize how much all of our kids of have grown up since. Its so great having them!

5. Being a stay at home mommy.... I love to cook & bake, I love being in my sweatpants when I want to, I love taking pictures as often as I can, I love teaching my babies about the love of Christ, and knowing I will not miss the "big" stuff.

Fun Night with Friends!

Tonight we had a get together with friends to celebrate the holidays. The Knepps home looked so great with her beautiful trees and Ella's room ready for arrival! I thought it was going to be just our playgroup mommies + spouses, but was pleasently surprised when a few other familiar faces joined! It is not often that Jeff and I get a night to just be a couple.

The crew:

It was so much fun! Good food and even better company. We played a couple games (guys vs girls) and I think I could've laughed my butt off (well, I wish!- ha)! It was funny to see everyone's competitive side come alive and the silly things that come out when you're comfortable with your company. Let's just say... it was more PG-13 rated ha.... I will leave it at that.

We all so intently played... I had some funny pics, but I didn't want to embarrass anyone with their claymation of Barbie! HA!

Otw, I hope everyone can take some time this holiday season to get with friends and laugh. It is such good therapy! You all deserve it!

The preggers... two Dec babies -Ella & Koen then Leah in April!

Have a fantastic weekend....

Ayla's Holiday Treats

After nap today Ayla and I worked on a recipe that will hopefully bring a smile to some of our friend's faces. I have been racking my brain for some kind of "little somethin'" I could give or do for some girl friends of mine. After searching alot of recipes I finally found one that really intrigued me!

My lips are sealed, of course, of details and such. At least until I can get these packaged up and sent to the lucky recipients! :) After which... I will post you the recipe as your own holiday treat.

I couldn't resist however posting pictures of said goodie. Hopefully, it will make your mouth water and your hopes high. Ayla was hilarious in the kitchen. She is a bossy lil thing! haha I guess that means she's ready to be a big sis?

A Special Thank you!

This a special thank you post for the Beans. Thank you for coming over and braving the weather so my family could have memories of this holidays season. They came over yesterday evening and took the most beautiful pictures of my family (it helps we're so beautiful, huh HA). I posted one as our header for a sneak peak, but Im going to wait to post more til our Christmas cards come out.
Thanks again guys!

20 weeks and counting...

We had our 20 week apt today. I was So nervous. I am not sure why, but I have been much more anxious with this pregnancy than with Ayla. Possibly because there is so much more at stake... with worrying about being a mommy to two sweeties, not letting Ayla feel neglected (how could she?), not being able to focus completely to every whim my body tells me like before?

I will stop rambling now...

Little baby Owens #2, whom we affectionately call Leah Hope, was curled and cuddled, tumbling and floating, yawning and sucking her hands. It immediately put me at ease and I have been a happy mommy since (except when Ayla threw a fit at lunch). Leah has long froggy legs like her big sissy and had them crossed much like Ayla always has since birth. She also had her arms crossed with her hands in her face making it Very hard to get her "head shots" taken. But, Im sure she is a beauty queen already!

We were talking the other day at our small group about listening and learning to recognize God's promptings, His voice. One thing we read was if you feel anxious it is not Him you are hearing. I know, my nervousness came from me. I need to remember to check myself at the door and remind myself who is in control.

What a great day it has been! We're going to get our fam pics taken by a friend today soon- So excited, better rest up!

Ayla's Buddy

Ayla just loves going to see "Nanie" (Lanie) her lil buddy. They are very cute together and its been alot of fun watching them grow up next to each other and go through all their different stages. Lanie is about 2 1/2 mo older than Ayla. She is very sweet, smart, and hops better than any 21 mo old I've seen!

(what a difference a year can make dec 07 & dec 08)

We love that Ayla will have a good Christian friend to grow up with! :)

Traditions

Our black friday tradition is to put up our Christmas tree. I look so forward to have the house lit with its warm glow! We got a great start on our decorating for the season. I have my entry way done (i think) and the tree is up. Ayla looked so big helping me put the ornaments on this year. :) She is getting to be such a big girl! I hope we can continue and give our children special traditions for years to come. (even though, i was pretty jealous of all the deals i had been reading about from blogger-shoppers!)

Many Thanks

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. What a great feeling to see all our family, laugh, and eat great food. I am exhausted. I haven't yet figured out why just being pregnant automatically makes you tired? Huh... Anyways, my fave part of the day is when we went around the room and said what we were thankful for. I thought for a second that someone would try to get out of it, but everyone smiled and listened to the many different choices from family, friends, our health, etc. When it came to my lil nephew his little voice became so clear and loud as he proclaimed, "I'm thankful for my dog". Precious. Don't take the many moments for granted that we have.

Im thankful that we have forgiving & loving Father who gives us life. Im thankful for that life... the life in my belly, the life of my child, the life in the wind that blows the fall leaves and not just today... tomorrow and forever.

Be thankful and give thanks. Every day.

Updates

Hello All! Just an update on the happenings around here.... Getting ready for the holidays has proved to be a bit tiring! But, Im hoping that we'll be able to relax (haha) when the time comes. :)

Lil baby girl #2 is moving around alot lately. Its SO great be feeling her tumbles and kicks. Daddy was even able to feel her last night. YAY!

Ayla is growing up so fast and such a sweet girl. She is speaking more and more daily- she loves to repeat things and is always polite saying "peas & tank ou". I got a break today from my lil toddler, my sis n law watched her so I could visit a friend and do some Christmas shopping. It was really nice, I got alot done, but Im tired! We just put Ayla in bed and she waved her babydoll's hand to me as she and daddy went to her room. SO CUTE!

Oh yeah... we SOLD our house! :) So thank you for all your prayers.

Anyone need a spa day?

Ayla always gets Christmas pictures with my brother's little boy Parker. So, we woke up early, bathed, ate, and painted our nails in prepartion for the big day....

Big day it was :)

Let's go back to painting our nails... hehe Ayla loves to have her nails painted so I did them this morning. I went to go pack her bag and potty. While running around I heard Ayla saying "mommy" I called to her. Then again, "mommy". She came down the hall- covered in bright, red nailpolish. Covered head to toe. (It's 5 min til pic time) As she totters toward me in the hallway she places her hand on the wall and looks like she knows something is bad. Very bad. I yell for her to sit immediately- as I assess the situation. She of course, starts crying because now she is really sure its bad, very bad. ha About a 2-3 ft. section of my new carpet is swirled just in time for the holidays with Christmas red nail polish.

(big deep breath)

I go back to my screaming child, painted red. I scramble to find what I have left of my acetone and start to peel the color off her hands. Trying not to cry myself. Thinking bad mommy and trying to make the most of what the day has left! I know you all are either laughing or holding your breath... I assure you one day I will laugh, but not today.

**P.S. Pictures turned out just fine. We have multiple sessions set up with family so it was kinda a warm up.

Prayer Request: Home

Calling on my blog friends to come together with me and my family to pray over the selling of our home. If you follow my page much, you know we've moved and currently have 2 magical house payments. As the holidays approach, I have prayed for this to not affect our family (too much) & for the family belongs in our old home.
We have delt with many negotiations recently and both parties have came to an agreement!
Yahoo. maybe. It still has to go through the rig-a-ma-row of selling a home. SOOO.. we are quieting our excitement and waiting to see how it pans out. In the meantime, if you have time please say a quick prayer for the buyer, realtors, & sellers (us) as it will be good for all parties.
Thanks!

Hello, God?

I feel like I don't share enough about our lil babe to be. Its so easy to see Ayla and her accomplishments & brag. I can't help but connect my relationship between my unborn daughter and my relationship with God.
Alot of times its so easy to go to Him and talk and "brag" about the wonderful stuff I see, touch, and experience in my life. But, what about the unspoken miracles & plans He has for me. Why does it take me til it smacks me in the face to thank Him or ask for his help?
I know life is busy, but there is no excuse for me to not place Him in front of every single situation in my life. So why not start now?

Lord, Thank you for the day, for my life, my children, for the air I breathe. I pray that I can be more aware of you in my life in every situation. I know you are patient and unwavering...

As far as my sweet, baby girl #2.. we are already so in love with her. My belly is becoming increasingly round & pregnant. hehe Ayla kisses my belly and calls her by name (hopefully, can announce this offically soon) & Daddy loves playing classical music for her before bedtime, the same one we played for her big sissy. I long for the day I can feel her move inside my belly. I can say this thought consumes my thoughts most of the time. Paitence is a virtue.

Measuring up!

I recently got Ayla a growth chart. Its so cute! I really wanted to start it on her 18mo birthday- but days fly by so fast that day came and went. So I settled for a normal busy Wednesday night. What better time, really? :)

She didn't want to stand still and thought I was crazy writing on the "picture" on the wall. She is now 30 1/2 in tall. Over 10in longer than the day I first laid eyes on her. She sure looked so tiny then and so big now. One day I'll look back on this and she'll be 40 in and so on.... I guess that is a good thing, huh?

Growing up isn't easy

Ayla has been growing up so quickly! Its amazing to know that I have had a part in shaping the sweet, silly, crazy little girl we love. Things have been hectic lately with moving and adjusting to mommy being pregnant. I haven't noticed her recent developments....

On Sunday she started saying "thank you" & "welcome"..... let me tell you, it is so sweet to hear! Other new words include cracker, cake, mamaw, papaw, mimi, no. Monday, we caught her snooping for her Christmas presents for the first time, also. I put a few gifts we bought on Saturday in the spare bedroom closet. Jeff came home for lunch just as she was pulling a dolly stroller out of the closet. He said her eyes were as big as pancakes! She came out to the kitchen screaming for us to open it. It was hilarious. Last but not least.. she came up to me yesterday, tapped my leg, and said "mama, I wan jews" :translation for those w/out toddlers- She wants juice. AH! It was the first time she really clearly put words together like that! I hopped to it and got her her jews, I mean, juice. hehe

Now we're trying to figure out what 2 kids will be like. Im sad and glad and kinda scared. Sad that Ayla will not be the baby anymore. Glad God trusts us to be parents again. And scared, well, I almost can't even remember what to do with a little baby anymore. Jeff happily reminds me that we really didn't know what to do before Ayla either! ha

Hope everyone is having a great COLD week. I sure don't like it!

Drum Roll Please.......

Well, today was the day. As Jeff has been explaining it- he says, it will mark which path our lives will take for the next couple years. He may be right, but really our lives are already set on a wonderful path.
We have two beautiful girls now in our lives now! That's right folks we're having a girl! :) I am in complete and udder shock! I really thought we were having a boy. It is still early so we're not painting the room or anything, but its a fun thought of having two sweet sisters close in age. Names have been thrown around for some time now-- but I don't know if I have clearence to release anything! hehe Baby Girl #2 looked great... cute legs (like her daddy), swallowing well, and wiggling like a wiggle worm!
Thanks for everyone's prayers! Have a great weekend.

Ayla's first haircut!!

Ok- so I broke down and did Ay's first haircut! Those of you who don't know, my mom is a hairdresser/business owner here in Washington. So its just what she does. She's been asking me to do it for awhile now. Ayla did SO good :) Sat really still, said "cheeeeese" for the camera, and looks too cute with her new bangs and cut in the back.

Enjoy!!

She got a sucker for being such a Big Girl!!! :)

Sneak Peak....

Here's a sneak peak of our house... or certain rooms. I included a pics of the dirty kitchen, ayla's room, master suite, and our sunroom. They are good, because the house wasn't particularly clean. We still have a few boxes and things to figure out, but its really nice being here. Thanks for everyone's interest (nosey-ness) into our lives. We love it!

Our master (keep in mind this was a garage!)

Ayla's room- the one room we still have stuff to do to

View into my dirty kitchen

Sunroom- off the master its my fave room

Visit from Lauren

My uncle Matt & Kerri came into town today for a surprise visit!! We were so excited because Ayla doesn't get to see Lauren very often. Kerri is currently expecting twin boys so we're not sure if we'll be spending any holidays together?!

Here are so pics from our short visit....

Fall Fun

Here is some fall pics, including our little bunny from my camera. I uncovered my camera cord today and found out how to dl them temp to Jeff's computer! Yay! Hope everyone is having a great weekend. We are so far. Tomorrow we plan on taking some house pics- so be on the look out!

Ayla & our pumpkins

Supporting Hatchet Football!! Good luck at Sectional Finals...

Our little bunny... just love that tail! :)

We had a small group party last Tuesday. The girls painted pumpkins and we carved ours. It was alot of fun! I heard we'll be having a new member too... Congrats Jamie & Scott!