Fun Stuff

This weekend has been great. Its been the first weekend in awhile where I haven't felt it flew by. We relaxed, cleaned, planned, and played. It was great. Jeff was home all weekend which is rare and Loved by all the woman in this house! He was able to clean out our entire garage- which was a huge feate! Im so proud of him.

Today was family worship in the park. What a perfect day! It was beautiful and chilly. The park was filled lots of families under blankets. Plenty of people stayed and picnic-d. Ayla loves "park-time". Leah was in a great mood too! We ate, rode the train and then headed home for naps. After naps was delish dinner with Mimi and Papaw- and guess who got dinner too?

We gave in. Leah been showing signs for weeks now that she was ready for solids. She did awesome. It was almost like she has always been eating. No funny faces. No spitting out with tongue thrust. Somewhat uneventful. But, very cute!

Ayla & Leah first foods

Hope you all had a great weekend too. Let's hope for an even better week!!

Giveaway!

This super cute etsy shop is having a super cute giveaway :) Check it out!

Got you!

I guess I got you guys. Jeff saw me putting my last post together last night and laughed. He even commented "you know people won't even read it they will think you're pregnant!" HA

And he was right.

Shock me.

Nah. I knew you'd all jump. But I got your attention, huh? Regardless, I would be a crazy mama if I were preg right now. Though things would work out and be grand in the end. If we're being honest here, and I am.... I have taken at least one pregnancy test since having Leah. (Reminder: she is only 4 1/2 mo) Phew. The joys of motherhood.

Hope everyone is enjoying the start to their weekend. We're having a low key weekend here at home. Cleaning, planning, packing, and exercising are all on the list for me. Even contemplating starting Miss L on solids? We started Ayla at 4 mo even and Leah is approaching 5 mo soon.... she seems to want to interact at the dinner table BAD.

I'll keep ya posted...

12 months 10 days....

Twelve months and ten days ago we had a big surprise. Not that Leah was an "oops" baby. She was planned. We just didn't know it would happen SO quickly! We have been truely blessed to feel in tune to God's plans for us and childbearing. I love our two sweet babies! I could not imagine our lives without them- for even a second.

How sweet it is to look back one year ago.... my first was so little. And I was so shocked to be holding that test. My body is very sensitive to pregnancy hormones. I have found out with both my girls at 3-4 weeks. Which is very scarey! Now, I sit here with 2 healthy, beautiful children.

I have battled anxiety since this very day. Im not really quite sure what changed. But, I knew what I would be missing if something happened to that baby inside me. Things haven't changed. I still pray every day to help me find reprieve from my worries. I know God does not want me to live this way. But, its hard in our society to watch and read all the awful stories of kids shooting their grandparents because they told them No.... teenagers loosing their lives in car accidents... sweet Mother's never getting to bring their children home.

I will overcome because I have God on my side. My children will always know a happy Mommy. I promise. Because they are my life. We all struggle with things, but looking back to just over a year ago today reminds me of how far I have came!

God can do immeasureably more than we could ask for or imagine. Ephesians 3:20

Thankful Thursday

I came across this blog today. Oh man. I held my breath as I read.

I don't have a clue what they are going through, but I know its gotta be SO difficult.

Today their little man is having surgery... extensive surgery to repair is heart.

Please read his story and pray.

Im posting this as Thankful Thursday- you will understand why it is appropriate after you read his amazing journey during his short life.

He has the Great Physician on his side and we know HE can do miracles!

Updates on Us.

A few have asked how things were going... so I thought I would oblige. There are alot of things going on around here. I think maybe you all may be able to help too?

Nursing. Its going. Haven't given up, and think its getting better. I started taking Fenugreek herbal supplements daily. Makes me burp, but I think it is helping a little. No over abundance by any means, but its getting me over this hump. Leah is very attached to Mommy and nurses well. I love that. But, she would love to spend her day there if Id let her. That's a little harder. With a toddler running amuck and trying to keep up it doesn't fit. Leah and I are still chugging a way at it though. No plans for stopping anytime soon. Still plan to put her on a weaning schedule sometime to where she nurses half of the day and bottle other half. However, Im not in any hurry and neither is she. Thank you guys again for all your love and support!

House Projects. We are always in never-ending house projects. You all know its a theme around here. Though things are getting crossed off the list recently. That big hump of dirt I have foundly referred to is gone! PTL! Someone from Jeff's work graciously came by and just did it. And like that it was gone by the time naptime was over. I didn't even realize it was happening. Sorry Tera! You also saw my laundry room reveal. Feels good to have that done. The next BIG thing is painting the brick on our house. We started this last fall folks. Yep. Procrastination at its best. Id say being pregnant and needing to get the inside done had something to do with it. But, its looming over my head and I cringe everyday I see it. I think its laughing at me. Its a big job. I bit the bullet and had it quoted to be painted for us-- gulp. Definitely not in the budget. Since Im not pregnant I don't have any excuses not to help. So Jeff and myself will be tackling that soon. sigh. Know any cheap painters send them my way.

Vehicular Debate. We are in need of a bigger vehicle. Let me rephrase. We are in want of a bigger vehicle. I heart my Nissan. Its awesome. Always wanted one. BUT with two carseats and toys and cups and strollers and my dance gear and this and that. Its stressing me out. I need a bigger vehicle for my sanity. One that I can get in back to buckle the girls up, hand them toys, drive more passengers than just my crew, etc. We are on the hunt. Have been for a long while. We'd like to find one before we take our road trip to Nashville over labor day weekend. Know anyone who sells cars or is selling theirs or would be interested in my soccer mom vehicle. Let me know.

Dance. Most of you know I coach a dance team for our high school. This is a year round project for me. Very little time off and even smaller payment. But, I do it for the girls. I love dance & I love sharing that with the girls. Its a great place for me to mentor. Even better place for me to go and act a fool. These girls Always make me laugh. Right now I am eveloped in choreography, trying to find the right music, picking the right girls for my team, planning competition dates, setting up practices, etc. Its definitely fun for me, but I take it seriously. My job is coaching the competition team so we travel alot of weekends throughout the winter. Our team primarily competes in hip hop, but I help girls with solos and ensembles which often includes contempory dance. A few years ago God laid it on my heart to use my passion for dance as a worship for Him. Since then I have choreographed for a couple different churches in the community. Most of the time using my girls from my team. I have done lyrical dances and mime acts to praise music. Very powerful. I am a visual person. Id love to branch out and do more so if you ever hear of a need for a service, children's program, etc Let me know, I always try to fit it into my dance schedule if possible.

Travel. You've probably noticed I've mentioned a trip to Nashville coming up soon. I am really excited. My hubster is turning 30 on labor day. So wanted to take a trip and figured why not take the girls? We're just doing a long weekend in Nashville, TN- zoo, shop, eat, swim, site see... whatever. Super excited about getting out of Wash for awhile. Trying to get used to traveling with two kiddos. Have major plans for a big vaca in the winter, too. Hopefully that will play out!

Enough about me..... what are you up to?

Toe-tally Awesome

Guess who found their toes yesterday? No, I know where my toes are. Though if I don't start exercising more I may not be able to see them again!




As I was saying... Guess who found their toes yesterday?



Miss Leah, of course.

(This is one of my fave milestones bc I l.o.v.e. baby feet!)

We are so proud of her. She's so cute and lovey. It seems like she is hitting milestones all over the place. :) Other things this little one is wow-ing us with lately:

Her skills in the exersaucer. She has been in it once a day (roughly) for about a week. But now can move herself around with her toes in a circle to examine all her toys. She loves being upright and checking out the scene.

When placed on her belly she pushes up High as if she wants to crawl. She is showing us signs of it by scooting herself backward and in circles on her belly. I have never seen this before. She turns in circles to hear the commotion. So cute.

This little one will be moving up to size 2 diapers today. Once Mommy gets time to go to the store. She also is stretching out most of her 3 mo size clothes. I was expecting these to last the rest of summer, but its not looking this way. I have a huge list of clothing needs to be met for our whole family!


Any way you put it, I am toe-tally infacutuated with my little ladybug. She is so smart and fits in so nicely with our family. The first thing Ayla asks for in the am is "Where's Leah" and she is the last one she kisses goodnight before bed. It is by no means perfect around our house. There are trantrums & time outs, there is cuddle time, learning time, & elmo time. My dishes are not always done and I hate to iron. But, we got alot of love around here....

Weekend Wrap Up

Not really sure why Im trying wrap up this weekend before the weekend is actually over. Maybe its because Im tired. Maybe its because its quiet enough in my house to think. Maybe its because both of the girls are napping. Maybe its all the above? Maybe.

Anyways, on to my pre-weekend end weekend wrap up. Really. Catch up.

You should know better by now.

We had two family reunion/get-together's this weekend. Smooshed into one Saturday. Blech. Ayla was loving her some park time, as she calls it. "Mommy, park-time?" So cute. Thankfully Mommy could find something for both the girls to wear and not freeze in our unseasonably chilly day. Leah is growing out of her 3 mo size but fits akwardly into 3-6 mo size still. Plus, both my girls need a serious wardrobe makeover. Im not as lucky as my friend Brookeanne, to be done with fall/winter shopping. To tell you the truth I have sadly not begun. Minus a few wonderful finds at yard sales early in season and a generous drop off from my cousin Lauren for Ayla. Definitely looking forward to some awesome shopping on our upcoming trip to Nashville!!

Not sure if you can tell, but Ay's toes are almost hanging off the top of her sandals... time to shop! Libby... Im talking to you! ha

So we had brief park time with lunch. Ayla got to ride the train. A must for all parents with toddlers. Its so cute. I rode it myself as a wee one :) So its pretty cool to see Ayla on it. I didn't get a whole lot of pics (rare of me, I know). But, my aunt requested me to take some shots of her only granddaughter Maren. Maren my newest lil cousin is just shy of 6 mo old and will surely grow up to be great friends with my girls. Aren't her cheeks chewable?!

Jeff's cousin's family and aunt & uncle came into town. We get to see them about 1-2 times a year so this was a treat. The kids all played together really well. And the weather held up to be a decent day. It made me start thinking of how much I love fall!

After church we had a few nibbles before everyone left and now Im sitting here in my quiet house, editting pictures and trying not to doze off while Jeff cleans out the car. What a good man, huh?

That's been our weekend so far. No injuries, a few temper tantrums, lots of laughs and love. Here's to hoping the girls sleep good tonight and someone wants to make dinner for me :) What did you do this weekend?

Funny Friday

Ayla tell us how you reaallly feel about this

photo shoot....

Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for alot of things...

Warm summer nights

Swimming in our underwear on laundry day

Our choice to delay immunizations

Happy, Healthy Babies.

Baby got a brand new bag..

Well, it not a bag and its not new persa. We brought out Ayla's old exersaucer. I remember how much Ayla loved it. I got it for her for a great price at a yard sale on her 4 mo birthday. Now her sister is in it and lovin' it! Ayla likes having something new in the house and showing her sis all the cool features. Leah very much likes to play and be social. Though she is showing us a bit of her fear of new faces. Eek. Hopefully, we'll grow out of that. Ayla is our shy girl! Hopefully, we won't have two of them....

This is Ayla her first time trying it out.... What do you think? Does Leah look like Ayla?

Laundry Room Reveal

I can't begin to tell you the mess our house was when we moved in. Have I ever shown you before pics? Hmm... Anyways, we took a chance on an older home. Crossing our fingers that the bones were strong and we could turn water into wine- so to speak. Honestly, I was just praying we wouldn't be turning water into kool-aid. Really. We had never taken on a project so big.

We are still currently under project (after project, after project). But, its good. No miracle took place, but we love our home and have put a lot of "love" into it. One of the things on my wish list was to have a laundry/mud room off the garage. Don't ask me why.... just always thought they were appropriate. So my husband delivered. We salvaged cabinets from the gutted kitchen and painted it the prettiest blue and wa-la.

Not bad... huh?

These are real life pics man. No need to pick up laundry!

Now... that was the BEFORE pics... even though they are technically after construction, before update pictures. You following.... Ok, catch up. It gets better...

AFTER:

I cleaned up the cabinets and refreshed them with a coat of paint: $0

Removed hardware and sprayed it pewter: $0

Added baskets to match our laundry basket: $8/ea x4= $32

Added molding to top: $5

Not bad for under $40?! I am really happy with how the cabinets turned out. I am available for hire- but with a price.... kidding. Maybe.

Very Special...

You all are very special to me. I truely felt uplifted from all the words of encouragement I recieved. Emails, Phone calls, Comments... it all surrounded me and helped me realized I am not alone. And they haven't stopped since I posted. Thank you again for everthing. It was all so helpful. I am sure I will get through this thanks to all of you...

A Mother's Fear

I think it is every mother's fear to not be able to provide for her children. I am very happy to have been able to nurse both of our children and plan on doing it with our future children. It was this time 2 years ago when I had to wean Ayla. My milk supply dramatically decreased around 4 mo and her need would obviously be growing. I hated this. But, she took the switch over so well it was great. I didn't even fight it.

About a month ago I was telling myself how much better a nurser Leah is compared to Ayla. I didn't expect it run into the same issues I did with Ayla. But, here I am. Noticing each day I pump and every time Leah wants to eat more frequently. It started a few weeks ago Leah stopped sleeping long periods through the night and wanting to nurse every 2-3 hours again! Also, my milk doesn't drop as frequently. Its been rough. I was reading through some materials recently and realized for her age she should be taking in approx 7 oz at each feeding. I know I am not producing that. :(

Granted, every child is different. Its sad not being able to provide for her myself. I was already going to start a weaning schedule so that I could work and do dance, etc without interrupting her current schedule. But definitely still planning on nursing 9pm-9am. Sigh.

I am asking all Mommy's for advice. I know there are herbs and teas out there to drink to build your supply. Has anyone taken these? Do we know any other effects from them? I do plan on calling my MD about my birth control to see if that could help. I don't want to just Stop unless I am forced into that.

Help.
Please.
Thank you.

Manic Monday

Ok... it really wasn't manic, but it was busy. I got alot of stuff done. I finished up a long time project (well, mostly finished) in the laundry room. Be ready for an entire before and after reveal later this week. I got 3 freezer meals done. Tried a new recipe... it was tasty too. Had Mere over to swim with Ayla. Cleaned my house. Painted. Bit my nails. Ugh. I hate that habit of mine. And really just relaxed. It was a good busy.

You know what I mean.

Right?

Here's a few juicy pics of the kids swimming. We love having Mere over. Ayla and her play really well together for their ages. And that means Mommy gets to chat with Brittany. :) Bonus.

It will be fun when this little one can play too. But for now I am enjoying not having to chase both of them! ha

I just had to share Ayla's pony with you. I could just eat it up!

Life at 4 months

Four months ago today I held my littlest for the first time. It was at that moment when I looked into her eyes and knew that my life was going to be changing (for the better). As love filled my eyes in the form of tears I wondered how I deserved such a perfect, swollen face, sweet baby as this. But, my faith reminds me that God already knew I would be here. He gave me this opportunity; this daughter.

Mommy loves you, Leah Hope.

In four months, Leah has grown to show us so much personality. More than I remember noticing with Ayla at this age. As a first time mom, you worry and read and "think" too much. Now I just try to make sure to slow down to cherish everyday with both of my girls.

At 4 months Leah....

mimicks laughter in conversation.

smiles often.

gets a little stranger danger.

rolls both ways and all over the place.

has a very strong standing reflex & loves to jump.

nurses well, still every 3 hours. Takes one bottle a formula at night.

starting to watch daddy's fork as he eats and smacks her lips!!

plays with toys well.

drooling and chewing alot!

On every month birthday I have done a little photo shoot with Leah. Ayla usually gets dragged in to join. Today was beautiful weather. Jeff worked in the yard. I painted alot. And then took the girls outside before dinner to snap a few shots. Im going to go out on a limb here, but Im pretty sure I have the most beautiful girls Ever. Really.

Funny Friday

Because Princesses have to Potty too....

Thankful Thursday

Though this photo may seem imperfect at glance. It is something I am very thankful for. All these children were created by God. All different with different purposes in life. Ayla is reaching for Ridge, the mother. Wyatt is being silly, because he loves to make us laugh. Ridge is loud and makes himself known especially when music is being played. Fischer is holding Leah because is likes to in charge and he often reminds me how"big" he is. Leah is loving being held, she is a little lover.

See, we are all different. However we are all connected. Connected by love.

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

John 13:34

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8

S'more Time with my Family

Summer is winding down... Im loving every minute of spending time with my family in the nice weather. I get severe winter blues and depise being shut in. So we made another fire and had s'mores on just a regular weekday. Nothing special except for the company...

Leah of course couldn't partake of the goodies, but she had a good time regardless. It will be soon enough I will have to bribe her to eat veggies before dessert! So, Ill savour this time while it lasts.

Ayla l.o.v.e-s sweets. "Mar-mellows" are a new treat. She could care less about waiting to have them toasted and smooshed perfectly between graham crackers & chocolate. So, I think she stole 17 mar-mellows just to pass the time. Then washed it all down with a swig o' milk. Yum.

Daddy manned the fire. No we are not out in the wilderness. That is the huge hump of dirt that is my back yard. Ok, exaggerating, it is only a small portion of the back yard. Though it is a huge hump of dirt. Jeff says it will be gone this weekend...... we'll see :) I've grown accustomed to seeing it. ha

Im not sure whoever "invented" the s'more. Though, Im sure it was Sandra Smore or something like that. One, because Im sure it was a woman to concocted this lovely-ness and 2, because I said so.