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!)