better than i could have imagined

Nolan @ 3 weeks

2013-05-21T21:40:00.001-05:00

We are still trucking along here! Nolan turned 3 weeks old yesterday. And so far (and I may regret writing this, ha!)...he is my best baby. Not sure if that's just his temperament....if it's because he's the 3rd and so he has to be easy going with our somewhat busy schedules....or if since this is my 3rd, I'm not stressing my baby out all the time like I know I did with my first? Or God just knew this was all I could handle. :) Either way- I'm soaking him up.

I asked Geoff the other day if he thought I was taking more pictures of him than I did with he other 2. He said no. But then I started thinking- and I think I do! This is my first baby with my smartphone...so just in phone pictures alone I have so many. You usually hear that by the third there are less pictures because there is less time (and that could still end up being true)...but I think for now...I'm taking so many pictures because I don't want to forget how little. How this is probably my last baby. And I know first hand just how fast the time flies.

Nolan @ 3 weeks:

-still napping well during the day. we are having more awake time, but some days he still does seem more drowsy than others.

-I try putting him 'down for the night' between 8pm and 9pm...and if successful....he will usually wake up only 2 more times in the night around 12-1am and then again around 5am. So at night...he's still going between 3-5 hours between feeds. Most of the time he will let me lay him right back down (a few nights he's a little more difficult and needs to be held and such and it takes me an hour or 2 to get him back down). I know I do complain to Geoff about my lack of sleep, but really- I should not. He's really such a good baby and I know it could be so much worse!

And he spent a little time sunbathing yesterday. Maybe this will help a little with his jaundice? He was so drowsy yesterday that he actually fell asleep in the bouncy seat for the first time. And he stayed asleep in that bouncy seat until his sisters came and started talking to/messing with him. ;)

this and that

2013-05-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

these are just pictures from my camera that don't necessarily fit into a specific post, but wanted to post nonetheless.

the girls had dance pictures this week and, at the time, had energy to take pictures with my big camera, too. (buy the time thursday rolled around i didn't have that same energy)

grace and payton. they are too cute.

my granny is still in town and i was lucky enough to have her come hang out with us on thursday morning for a while. it was so nice to visit and she held nolan for a good while. he was so good sitting in her lap.

tummy time! on monday at nolan's well-visti, they gave me a little handout about tummy time. after i saw it, i though, "oh yeh- tummy time!". so much that you forget about these tiny littles. so we gave it a little try and he looked so cute doing it. although- it seemed like he was most interested in chewing on his hand. ha!

getting it a little higher!

and rest.

sweet little hand.

for the record....the girls ask me to take their picture with nolan, not the other way around.

my loves.

and these feet. i can't handle it. those curled toes!

this one's my favorite....with parker holding his hand in the background.

and then just a boring ole pic of him sleeping in his rock and play. i still love this thing.

and while i was taking pictures of him....parker ran and got my phone so she could be just like me and take his picture, too. the sound was off on my phone and she even asked me to turn the volume back on so that it would 'click' when she took a picture.

and then she posed, of course, for me to take one of her, too.

our week

2013-05-17T20:13:00.002-05:00

This past week has flown, but the days sure did seem long at times. :)

We started off last Saturday morning with some awake time for Nolan...and his 2 big sisters just doting over him. I think many times they overstimulate him!! They don't quite understand this concept yet. :)

Saturday evening we had my stepsister, Aubrey's, wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and I fully intend to blog about it at some point, but just haven't found the time yet. Ha! All the girls did so well being the flower girls...but by around 9:30ish...Grace started crying telling me she was ready to go home and she wanted to lay in my lap. Sweet girl.

Sunday was mother's day...and we had a low-key day. Nolan got dressed up a bit for our lunch out.

Monday- Nolan had his 2 week well-visit. Everything went well there, and I'm so thankful for that!

I'm having so much fun dressing him up in the boy clothes he has. I'm not sure if I've taken more or about the same amount of pictures of him as I did the other 2. I keep going back and forth between feeling like "this time is so fleeting and lamenting over how he's already gotten so big since he was born"....to "he won't be eating everything 3 hours 24/7 for the rest of his life, right??" And I just can't seem to get enough pictures of him right now because I want to remember just how little and cute he is.

Tuesday- Geoff went back to work...so Wednesday morning was my first morning to get all 3 kids dressed and fed and out the door by 8:15. It was a success and I even had time to spare for this picture.

I have to keep Nolan close by me at all times because I can't really trust the girls with him at all. Sure- they love him SO much and can't get enough of him...but that's the problem! I think one or both could very easily unintentionally hurt him and I do not, do not, do not want that to happen. Anyway- wherever I take him, though, they are not far behind.

While Grace had her dance pictures Wednesday...Parker had her pictures on Thursday evening.

Thursday caught up with me and I. was. exhausted. My sister kept Grace and Nolan for the hour I took Parker to get her pictures...and I ended up picking up fast food for dinner because I didn't have it in me to do anything else.

Well...wouldn't you know...right before we leave my sisters...Parker throws up on her kitchen floor. At the time- I think she's fine...it won't be that bad? Well...until the ride home. Ev.er.y.where. SO very thankful Geoff was home when I got home and he helped me get the girls in bed (all the while Nolan is screaming his head off)...and get the car all cleaned up.

So today we took it easy again.

I put Nolan on his belly for a little tummy time for the first time. He didn't seem to mind it and did pretty well.

I knew she still wasn't feeling 100% when she actually asked me to put Nolan down so I could hold her. And I was thankful that Nolan did, in fact, let me lay him down and was able to cuddle her a bit.

She ended up sitting up after a while and fell asleep. This girl hasn't napped since she was 2. So when she naps when she's sick...you know she's sick. Praying so hard that this virus will skip over Geoff, Nolan, and myself (I'm pretty sure Grace already had this on Mother's day).

I feel like I earned another patch on my "mother vest"....the "I survived kids that were throwing up all while having a newborn" one. There were several times this week where I was almost brought to tears just feeling a little sorry for myself...but then Nolan would sleep and allow my hands to be free for the other 2...or Parker would have a moment where she was feeling better or just being extra helpful...or Grace would have a moment where she was just being super sweet. I wouldn't say it has been easy....and I am worn out! :) It's definitely all worth it, though, and I wouldn't change a thing.

And also....I'm so thankful for the weekend!!!

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all by myself

2013-05-15T21:24:00.002-05:00

Today was the first day I had all 3 kids by myself. I was a little bit nervous, I'll admit. Having Geoff home the past 2 weeks has been so helpful. We made a pretty good team- he usually had the girls and I had the baby. And at times we'd switch it up so that all kids would get some attention from both parents.

I was mostly worried because it wasn't going to be just an easy laid back day at home.....I had to get up, get Parker ready for school, come home, get Grace ready for her dance pictures......and somewhere in there... I needed to feed the baby. That was where most of my planning came into play- when to

feed the baby! And coincidentally- each feeding tended to land at a time we would not be home. So needless to say- I fed him early a few times.....and most of his napping today took place in his car seat. Such is the life of a third kid, I suppose.

Anyway- I'm happy to report that we were on time for every place we had to be!! It helped that my kids were good today- obeying the first time they were asked and just them being in decent moods helped tremendously. ;)

We even had time to take this picture before we left for school!

Grace at her pictures. All the girls looked so cute.

A little afternoon snuggle time....

And after picking Parker up from school- we had a little Sonic happy hour to reward ourselves. :)

This guy was a trooper being drug all around town today. He was more awake today, too, so that was kind of fun to see. But then he wasn't as predictable. :)

Tomorrow we plan to take it easy. We've had somwhere to be every morning for the past week or so...so it will be nice to just stay in our pajamas a little longer and take it slow. And I will probably let the girls watch too much TV tomorrow, too. Although I really could not have asked for this day to run any smoother- I am physically exhausted. My abdomen is sore from putting Nolan in and out of the car, and I think from just being so much more active than I have been in the past 2 weeks.

I'm starting to switch into my 'stay-at-home-momma' mode...trying to figure out our new normal while Daddy's at work....and juggling a newborn with the 2 kids we already have. Nursing has been more of a challenge this time around just because of how much we are out and about with the 2 older ones....whereas, when we had Grace- we only had Parker and she was 2 years old at the time and in no activities. Now we just have a little bit more going on. I know we'll figure it all out eventually. ;)

Nolan @ 2 weeks

2013-05-13T22:30:00.003-05:00

Nolan is 2 weeks old today! In some ways I can't believe he's already 2 weeks old...and how these weeks have flown. And in other ways- it's already hard for me to remember what it was like before he was here.

Today he had his 2 week well-visit. Good news! He weighed in at 8lbs, 8.5 oz (the 50th percentile). When we went for his weight check at 1 week, he had only gained an ounce....so the doctor wanted him to gain an ounce a day since then...And he did.

He's now 21 inches (he's grown 0.75 inches since birth)....and is in the 75th percentile.

And he's still a little jaundice...but the bilirubin levels are still really low for his age and such, so the doctor is not concerned. Hopefully it will go away within the next few months.

My mom made this adorable blanket. It's the perfect weight for the warmer weather and we use it everyday.

After the weight and measurements by the nurse...we had to wait a little bit before the doctor came in. So he took a little catnap.

Nolan also hit another milestone today. He had his first bottle. I wasn't sure when the 'right' time was for this...but with Grace- I think we waited 3 weeks and she ended up not taking a bottle for 4 months!! And with me going back to work in July...I need him to take a bottle. He drank about 3 ounces and appeared to do pretty well with it.

I took his picture in this cute little outfit because it's size NB and it was a little tight today....so this will be his last time wearing it. But it's so darn cute. :) I've been having fun dressing him up in little boy clothes.

Yawn!

This girl loves her brother so very much. I find myself getting a little annoyed lately because it's like she just can't help herself and wants to touch him and pick him up and just constantly in his face...even after many, many reminders of not doing such things. But after uploading these pictures today and seeing in her face.... just how much she loves him....it's given me a new wave of patience (not that I won't ever lose it again, but feeling a little refreshed tonight). I made them stay at the table while I took the pictures above....and Parker kept asking, "Now can I come see him?" She couldn't stand the wait.

See how she looks at him.

Looks like brother's already going after the glasses.

Middle sis joined in, too. :)

__________

And speaking of cute outfits....I took these pictures yesterday.

Superman!!!

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Nolan @ 2 weeks: He eats about every 3 hours or so during the day. It takes him about 30 minutes to nurse....which I am hoping he speeds up eventually! During the day- if he doesn't wake on his own, then I wake him up. My thoughts.....I want him to get his nutrition during the day, not the night! ;) At night- he usually wakes up every 3-4 hours.....and most of the time...he lets me either swaddle him and lay him in the pack and play....or just put him in the rock-and-play sleeper. All in all...he's a pretty good baby. He doesn't really have a specific fussy time in the day yet like the girls did...and I'm hoping this stays true. I'm nervous to even write all of this out because I'm sure he'll make me a liar tonight. Ha!

mother's day

2013-05-12T21:01:00.001-05:00

Me and my kiddos.

Usually- on mother's day I title my post "Me and my Girls"....but this year I can't say that. ;)

We had a low-key day. Lunch with my mom and Terry, and Kristin and her family. We came home, I fed the baby....then me, Grace, and Nolan took a little nap. I told Geoff to get me up after only an hour because I didn't want to sleep the day away....but, man, I think I could have slept for a few more hours.

Geoff and Parker ran to the store after we woke up, and picked up dinner on the way home. Only...before dinner was over, Grace threw up. Happy mother's day! Haha ;) The good news is....she only threw up the once and was fine the rest of the night...so praying it has passed and that no one else gets it!

The girls drew me some pictures for mother's day.

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get a picture of me with the 3 of them today, but since Grace was acting like she was feeling ok...we went ahead and tried right before bedtime. When I uploaded the pictures...I saw this one and laughed out loud and said, "I should post this one. This is how it really is." Geoff agreed.

And for good measure....the one where we kind of act like we have it all together. ;)

insta-friday

2013-05-09T22:16:00.000-05:00

Again...these insta photos end up being some of my all-time favorites. I do love it when I take the time to drag out my big camera because you end up with a cleaner shot....but this phone is so good at the fleeting moments that we'd miss if we tried to grab that big camera each time. And I love it. ;)

This girl is adjusting pretty well to being a big sister. We still have a lot of teaching and reminding to do....but she really is doing well and I'm so proud of her.

Nolan @ 5 days

Resting on Momma...

Sweet Little Feet

The first week of Nolan's life...he really liked to sleep during the day....at party at night. :) We are progressively getting better.

brother + sister

Conked out!

We all picked Parker up from dance this week...and just as she was getting in....Nolan started getting fussy. We told the girls not to touch him because they hadn't washed their hands, and I had forgotten the hand sanitizer. Parker was so sweet and said, "Mom- I really need some germ-ex because I need to touch him and all I can do is sing to him, " as she was singing Jesus Loves Me to try and calm him down. She is so sweet and tender with him and really wanted to help calm him down.

And these last 2 pictures didn't make it on instagram...but are on my phone.

The picture on the left is me. The picture on the right is Nolan.

Just enjoying some snuggles during family movie night this past Saturday. So sweet.

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mother's day tea and dinner guests

2013-05-08T21:44:00.000-05:00

This afternoon at Parker's school, they had a little Mother's Day Tea. All the mom's came up for some juice (or tea) and cookies. It was a fun little time with just my oldest gal. Geoff dropped me off and took the other 2 with him to pick up a few things at the store.

At school- the teacher asked the kids to answer a few questions about their mom. I love Parker's answers...she was correct on about 90% of them. Haha!

My mom's name is Marla

Her eyes are brown

Her hair is brown

Her favorite color is the rainbow (I LOVE that this was her answer. She used to always ask me what my favorite color was and I would always tell her that I didn't have a favorite color because it wouldn't be fair to all of the other colors...and that I loved all the colors.)

Her favorite thing to do is resting (ha! ha! ha!)

She does not like to stay awake all night (because of Nolan crying)

It makes her happy when I share with my sister

Her favorite food is nachos

My mom laughs when I play silly

My favorite thing to do with my mom is play "choir" and "AWANA's"

The best thing about my mom is the way she smells (????)

All in all...I'd say my she know's her Momma pretty well!

I've mentioned before that my granny is in town visiting with my great Aunt Pauline...and so we threw some chicken and BBQ sauce in the crockpot, and baked potatoes in the oven and had them over for dinner tonight. We usually just do dinner buffet style....fix our plate then come to the table. I thought it might be nice to do it how we did it when we were growing up....everything at the table and you pass it around to get what you need/want.

Parker was so helpful and set the table. Grace wanted some cuddle time with Granny. (This picture is so sweet to me. She was Granny's little buddy this evening.)

And Nolan took a little nap in Aunt Pauline's lap..

This is what Nolan did while we ate (which was SO nice of him to do and allowed me to enjoy my dinner!)

Sweet boy.

Dinner hit the spot and it was so good to visit with them. I really wish we did it more often. After dinner and dessert...we played a few dances from Dancing with the Stars...and the girls put on a show for us. It was a good day. And now I am up past my 9pm bedtime. ;)

since we've been home

2013-05-07T21:05:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a fairly boring post...just of pictures we've taken since we've been home. I want to give a little update that I don't think I included in Nolan's 1 week post yesterday (if I did, forgive me)....

The girls have been so good since bringing home the baby. We had prayed that they would make an easy transition and I, for one, was worried about Grace and her not getting as much attention. And really....the girls love him SO much. So much, in fact....that now I am kind of ready for his newness to wear off with them so they will maybe not be so 'in-his-face' all the time. {I'm never satisfied, I guess!} Now really- if I had to pick...this is the way I would want things to be so I am VERY thankful. We have to just watch both girls really closely because Parker wants to help out so much...and has even picked him up without us being right there (I saw her just a few seconds later and had a talk with her)...but that is scary!! He was crying and I told her I was coming right there and I would pick him up...and there she was..."helping". And then today- we had just got home from taking Nolan's newborn pictures and Geoff had sat the car seat in the middle of the floor and went back out to the garage to clean out the car. Well...in 2 seconds...Grace had tipped the car seat backwards and Nolan was crying. Scared me to death! The girls are older and very helpful....but they are just so excited and want to do so much for their little brother that sometimes...it's not that helpful. :) But like I said....all good problems to have!

As for Geoff and me. We are doing well. It is so good to be home together. I pretty much have baby duty...and he does most of the things for the girls. It's a nice trade off. Also...Nolan is mostly good about eating and going back to sleep at the night....BUT....he wants to be held. And so Geoff will usually take a shift for me and sit/sleep in the recliner with him so I can get a little sleep flat in our bed. I think today we finally hit a wall though and are pretty tired and worn out. Maybe we can both squeeze in a nap tomorrow? (yeh right, ha!)

We have also had some sweet friends and my sister bring us meals that have been such a blessing.

OK....onto just lots of photos (And words, too. Who am I kidding?)

My granny is in town visiting my great aunt...and so she was able to come over and meet Nolan last Thursday when we came home from the hospital.

Big sisters wanted their turn.

Saturday seemed a little 'nomal'. I had a long night with Nolan...and so when he finally got to sleep we both ended up sleeping til 10am. Geoff got up bright an early (around 6:30) with the girls. He made them breakfast and by the time I got up...they were ready to start working in the garden. We had originally decided to forego the garden this year...but at the last minute Geoff decided to plan only a few plants...some okra and pepper plants. So he cleaned out the overgrown weeds and got it cleaned up and ready. We hope to expand next year but it's really quite a bit of work and commitment and I just didn't think I had it in me this summer.

The girls picked up some flower seeds and so Geoff planted those as well.

Later that afternoon...my mom and Terry came and picked up the girls and to them to "Barbie and the Symphony" and let them spend the night with them. It was a nice little break and I know the girls had so much fun, too.

Geoff picked us up Raising Canes for dinner...and since we didn't have the girls...it was early enough to start a movie. He had rented us Silver Linings Playbook. It was pretty good. And so nice to have that time together to just watch a movie and hold the baby. And I was still in bed by 8:30!

I took these pictures while he was picking up dinner. I know he looks SO yellow...and he was pretty yellow this day...but I'm thinking these pictures make him look more yellow. Anyway....these are him and I just wanted to capture his tiny-ness because I know it's so fleeting.

Stretch!!!

I'm done!!

On Sunday- the girls came home and we had a good time just hanging out. If we lay him down on the floor for 'awake' time...the girls just swarm. It really is sweet.

And Geoff put together his swing. We wore out the swing we got for Parker when she was born...and then wore out Kristin's swing when we used it for Grace. I love this one. It even vibrates!

And since I had gotten some pictures of his hands on Saturday...I put him in a footless sleep so I could see those sweet feet.

I'm done, Mom!

I'm not sure who like the swing more...the girls or him? Haha. They kept saying, "You mean it swings all by itself?" and "What does vibrate mean?" All new things to them.

Our favorite phrases to say these days:

"Please don't touch the baby's head."

"Please don't touch the baby's face."

"Please don't pick up the baby."

"Please be easy with the baby."

"Please do NOT touch the baby's HEAD!"

one week new

2013-05-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

A week ago today- little Nolan joined our family. This week has been a blur. A good blur. But a blur.

And I have a post started with just a compilation of pictures I've taken since we've been home, but to sit down and write out all I want to write would take a little more time than I have today.

But I do have a few pictures from today that I want to post before I get too far behind.

We had a little check-up with the pediatrician this morning. At discharge- the doctor told us that if we thought he was doing fine with everything we could cancel this appointment and just come at the 2 week check-up...but I feel like he's still pretty jaundice and just decided to go ahead and keep his appointment just for my own sanity.

Before we weighed him- Geoff changed his diaper. And unfortunately- Geoff wasn't quick enough and Nolan sprayed pee everywhere. And this is what he thought of that.

Parker was in school so we just had this gal with us and she was in the best mood and kept us laughing.

He did well at his visit. His bilirubin level was higher since discharge, but still well below the "low-risk" area on the bilirubin chart. So we are not concerned for now- but by next week we would like to see that level go down or we'll end up having a blood test to check his level and try to find out the cause of his jaundice and blablabla. I'll get into all of that more later if it ends up being an issue.

He also weighed in at 8lbs, 2oz.... only gaining 1 ounce since discharge. And while the pediatrician is not concerned at this point... our goal is for him to gain an ounce a day between now and next week. We'll see!

So while he's healthy and such- there a few things that need to happen over the next week. I'm so glad we ended up keeping this appointment just as a baseline for us to know where we're at.

When we got home- I wanted to take a few pictures in his 'outfit'. He's pretty much been in a sleeper since birth...and since we were getting out today I wanted to dress him up a little. Sister wanted in on a picture too and this picture has turned out to be one of my all-time favorites.

And....

We have the return of the growth chair pictures!! I did this with Grace and love how it turned out. I know this is the chair we will use with Nolan...but not sure if we will keep the N in the picture or not? What do you think? We may try to retake them tomorrow.

insta-friday

2013-05-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to drop in real quick to post my phone photos from the week before I get too far behind.

This week has truly flown by. Hard to believe that the picture below is from 6 days ago. I took a little time to take pictures of my pregnant belly one last time.

In church on Sunday- Parker used these stickers to make this picture of our soon-to-be family of 5.

Then- Monday, April 29th....this little guy was born...

Parker holding Nolan. The love and enthusiasm she has for him has been so much fun to experience.

Ready to go home! Sweet boy.

Our hearts {and car} are full!! Headed home with all of our babies.

I tried to gather up a few games to play with the girls that would help keep us entertained on the days we're stuck at home. Candy Land is one of them.

Geoff has been so good to all of us...and this morning he took both girls with him to run errands and I had 2 hours with this little guy. He slept the whole time and I was able to shower (wonderful!!) and just spend some time in the quiet. Much needed.

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the first few days

2013-05-01T19:58:00.000-05:00

Just as the last few months....the past few days have flown by. I still want to write out all of the details from his birth-day....but I know that I will eventually get to that. But there are also a few things from the first few days I want to write out before I forget (or before I just don't do at all). :)

Aside from family (which I'll post later)...Ginger and Derek were our first visitors on the day he was born. Just 10 hours old here. :)

and they brought us this beautiful plant.

Nolan's first night was a little rough. Between my nurse, his nurse, and him not really wanting to nurse or sleep...we didn't get much sleep. He finally went to sleep around 4am and I was able to sleep until 6am when my nurse came in to have me do a few things...and then Geoff was able to sleep until about 8am. Still not very much. ;)

We kind of just went through the motions on Tuesday and I didn't take many pictures at all...just a few on my phone and a few on the big camera.

Aubrey and Greg came to visit and I completely forgot to take a picture of them!! Errr!!! But they did bring me these beautiful flowers and adorable door hanger.

Parker is absolutely loving her baby brother. My mom, sister, and girls didn't make it to see us until later in the afternoon, and she couldn't get enough of him.

They were all pretty good (and loud)...and after they had all had their turn holding the baby and we had decided it was enough...they settled in on the bed with their electronic devices. The silence was golden. :)

Emily came to visit and brought me a Sonic Dr. Pepper.

Emily's daughter, Lizzy, was on her best behavior, too!

Uncle Phil came straight from work to meet him.

Brittany and Leslie came and we had a good visit with them, too.

Last night was SO much better than the first night. He did have a pretty fussy episode lasting from around 10pm to 10:30 pm and Geoff and I were at our wits ends. The nurse came in asked if she could take him for us until the next feed. This was the first time anyone had offered and I quickly said yes. When she brought him back- she said he was fussy for a little while and the charge nurse wasn't too busy so she held him until he calmed down and then he just slept and slept. So that was good to hear. And it was good to sleep! The rest of the night I would feed him and then just let him sleep on my chest and we were all able to get some decent sleep. Some much needed sleep.

This morning, Geoff left early to pick the girls up and take Grace to dance. We had made arrangements for Kristin to pick Grace up from dance so that Geoff and Parker could head back up here a little earlier, and Parker could get some one-on-one time with Nolan and some special attention from me. But before they got here...I enjoyed an uninterrupted breakfast while watching Live with Kelly and Michael....and a shower. I was feeling so much better today and so I got the camera out and tried to take a few more pictures.

Aunt B and Uncle Dave came to visit us. Love these pictures of them with Nolan.

Right before Aunt B and Dave left...Parker and Geoff showed up. She wanted to hold him right away. She was so excited to be here. And in such a grown-up, and mature voice...was talking to me....asking me questions like how much he cries, sleeps, eats, etc. She just wanted to know all about him. And my heart still melts. I love seeing her like this and love him. So different than when we brought Grace home when Parker was just 2 years old....and I am loving it.

After Parker got to hold him some and we all ate lunch...my girl hopped up in bed with me to watch a little movie on the iPad. (I guess my hands are still a little swollen.)

I ended up taking a 1-hour nap and she was so good to just watch her show and let us rest. I didn't hear a peep from her.

Right as I was waking up...Nolan started moving around...and Parker was right at his side. She was ready for him to wake up, but had waited patiently while he slept.

It's just the way she looks at him....I can't get over it.

Geoff changed his diaper for me before I fed him (and I have to brag on Geoff a minute....he's been so good to him {and me}...and I did not change Nolan's diaper until this morning for the first time because Geoff was always there to do it so I wouldn't have to get up). Nolan was pretty fussy and Parker would just stand there and watch and sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" to him.

A little later in the afternoon- my mom and Grace made it out to visit. Grace was SO happy to see him. And she even gave her Daddy some loving, too. Yesterday- for whatever reason- she would have nothing to do with him. Today it seemed she really didn't have much to do with me. Nevertheless- she seems to be doing ok (other than being really tired)...and was excited to be here.

We also got a few more visitors....Lisa- our children's minister at church....

Kasey

and Kay

And, of course, my sweet mom who, I'm sure, has been run ragged by our oldest 2 this week!

He's here!

2013-04-30T12:46:00.001-05:00

Nolan Whitt was born yesterday, April 29, 2013 @ 9:21am weighing in at a whopping 8lbs, 12 oz and 20.25 inches long.

After a rough delivery {that I plan to write out really soon so I don't forget!)....Nolan was born without any complications and I am recovering well. Although things didn't go as I had hoped....the end result did turn out like I had hoped: Everyone happy and healthy! And so blessed.

The girls are in love with their baby brother. They just want to touch him and love on him and hold him. Parker was only 2 years old when Grace was born....so seeing their excitement at ages 5 and 3...it's really the sweetest and neatest thing.

Our first photo as a family of 5!

My heart is full.

today

2013-04-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

My thoughts are racing. I'm not really sure how to summarize how I feel and that's ok. But it's somewhere between really excited to meet our son....worry for the girls and how they are going to react to this big life-changing event....nervous for the surgery....and praying for a healthy baby. I'm not going to lament on all of those things right now because 1) I don't think I could articulate it, and 2) I'm exhausted. ;)

But here are a few random tidbits from our day.

This morning at church....Parker used these stickers to make this picture of our soon-to-be family of 5. I absolutely love this. So sweet and just perfect.

39 weeks.

this is my view looking down towards my feet....:)

After church- we headed to lunch at Outback with my mom and Terry, and Kristin, Phil, and Payton. Today Payton turned 4! Lots of April birthdays in our family. Lunch was so good- the food and the company.

Once we were home...Geoff cleaned out the car and put the infant car seat in. The girls were in a really good mood and were 'helping him', and I asked him if he minded if I laid down for about 30 minutes just to get a little bit of energy to finish up all we needed to do. He didn't mind at all...and the 30 minutes turned into 1 hr. I made myself get up because I still had quite a bit to do...but it did make me feel SO much better.

I've been packing the girls' bag since about mid-week. I think I finally got everything.

Stuff for Nolan. :)

I want to eventually do a post on all of my handmade gifts because I feel like I was given so much and I love it all....but my mom just finished the boppy cover and gave it to me today. And I love it!

We had a good rest of our evening at home. Like I already mentioned- the girls were in a great mood today. Parker is really SO excited about tomorrow (She's excited about Nolan and staying with Gramma and Poppa, but also that she gets to miss school! haha). So they played around together with minimal arguing (which is SO nice because they are just really at each other's throat these days!!) while we got some things done.

Grace said in such a serious-matter-of-fact way, "So...when we come home with baby Nolan....we're going to leave him in the car, right?" Bless her heart. So I sat her down with me and had a talk with her to try and explain what all was going to happen. I think she 'know's' what's going to happen....but I think she has no idea. :) Much like all of us, I suppose.

And before bed...we set the camera up on the coffee table and set the timer and tried to get one last picture of our family of 4.

Grace was being so silly. Right after the picture snapped...she said, "Oh man! My eyes were closed." It was so funny. Little stinker closed her eyes on purpose! She's such a character at times.

Love my family.

2 days away

2013-04-27T21:49:00.000-05:00

Here we are today.... just 2 days before baby! (Now- really as I type this...we are only 1 full day away. Eeeek!)

Over the past day or so...I've really become sentimental about this being my last pregnancy. A part of me really does feel like I'm done....like 3 is enough. Like I don't think I could handle more. And then there's another part of me that doesn't really feel 'done'....like this part of my life...of having babies...will be over. Geoff feels completely done....and is now ready to enter the new stages of our life...where things get 'easier'...where we just raise our kids and enjoy them. So we'll see. :)

Anyway- I wanted to take a few pictures of my belly one last time (although I'm sure I will take some tomorrow, too!). With Grace...I took pictures of my bare belly almost every week...and with this one I have not a single one of my bare belly until today. So I have a few. ;)

I wanted to do it today just in case tomorrow morning before church we were in a frenzy or something (you know how Sunday mornings go). Before Geoff could take one picture...Grace ran up and wanted to be in one with me.

Then one with both girls with none other than My Little Pony.

Me and Baby Nolan at 38 weeks + 6 days

When I first saw this picture I said, "My belly looks lop-sided in this picture." Geoff replied, "It IS lop-sided." Hahaha! He was moving all around. I've said several times it feels like he's trying to get out of my belly through my belly button because he just pushes so hard and my stomach muscles are non-existent there...so I can feel him really well there.

We got dressed and headed to Ikea for a 'really quick trip'. Seriously- there were 3 things on our list. And yeh....well....it ended up being a 2 hour trip! The girls did really well, but it's all a part of us getting our house in order and organized and I can't wait til we finally have a place for everything. It'll take a few more weeks, obviously, but we're moving in the right direction.

Per Parker's request...lunch at The Cheesecake Factory (which is at the mall that we were headed to next). There were no complaints from Geoff or me.

I took this picture of them..

...and then Parker said, "No wait....take one like this!" So sweet!!!

After a great lunch where I ate WAY more than I should've....we let the girls ride the carousel at the mall.

After the carousel- the girls were able to pick out a 'surprise' at The Disney Store. Oh my goodness. They took for.ev.er picking something out! I guess they come by it honest, but geez!

We were all tired by this point and it was time to head home. Parker played well with her new toy and Grace and I ended up taking a little cat-nap. Sweet girl.

By the time we got home...it was time for our Family Movie Night. We've only done this once before, but I told the girls yesterday we were going to have another and Parker was SO excited. When we got home...she locked herself in her room and left strict instructions for all of us to stay out. So we did.

Right before we started the movie she asked, "Is it time to start Family Movie Night?" We said yes and then she handed us each an envelop with our name on it and a note inside. It was just the sweetest thing. She told us we would have to help Grace read hers. :)

We were going to make a pallet on the floor...but since we got a new bed at Ikea....we went ahead and moved our mattress into the living room since we would have to anyway for Geoff to put the bed together. This was an EXTRA special treat! And while we explained to them that this would not happen again...I told Geoff that movie night on our bed was the way to go. I was comfortable the whole time.

We watched Up- a movie we haven't watched in at least over a year and that I don't think Grace has ever seen- because I didn't want to just watch a princess or Barbie movie that we always watch. I wanted it to be 'new,' but then I couldn't think of one we haven't seen (although I'm sure there are a lot). I was worried that it wouldn't keep Grace's attention, but it did. And let me tell you....they asked us 146 questions throughout the movie. It was non-stop. I told Geoff that you could definitely tell it had been a while since we last watched it because I don't remember her asking this many questions...back then she just watched and enjoyed. They're really growing up!

During the movie the girls ate dinner and we enjoyed our cheesecake. Parker asked if we could have movie night again tomorrow night. And maybe we will.

soaking 'em up

2013-04-26T21:15:00.001-05:00

I wanted to try and spend some good time just me and my girls before the baby gets here next week. We tried to get out and do some 'fun' things yesterday and it just didn't quite work out. The girls had woken up really early and were tired and grumpy...I was tired and grumpy...the stars just did not align.

But today they did!

Grace slept til 7:30!! And Parker til 8:00!! I was SO thankful!!

And because it was that kind of morning...I decided to treat us to donuts. I asked the girls to run get their clothes on...and guess what? They did. Yes- no one asked why....or said that they wanted to wear their jammies...or that they needed help....or drag their feet. They did what I asked. The first time I asked. And they even picked out something decent which was an added bonus. :)

We came home...ate breakfast...then headed to Target in order for me to get a few more things I needed before Monday. The girls knew that I had some things I needed to get and that if they behaved and did what I asked of them the first time I asked them...then they could get a little surprise. This was not a free-for-all...they knew it couldn't be 'too expensive'...and knew that if they picked something out and I said no...they could not throw a fit. And wouldn't you know it....no fits were thrown! It did take Parker close to 30 minutes to figure out what she wanted (I was feeling very generous). Grace ended up with a mermaid barbie for the bath (that she picked out right off the bat and never changed her mind) and a small My Little Pony, and Parker ended up with this Tinkerbell doll (yes she already has one that is similar but not quite the same, and I put up quite a fight to get her to get something else...and then just caved....why fight it? ) and a small stuffed My Little Pony doll. They were both so happy and proud of their choices. When we were leaving I felt like I wanted to let everyone know that I had survived and hour and a half in Target alone with 2 small girls aged 5 and 3...and no one

We got home, had lunch...and the girls were settling into The Little Mermaid movie and I decided we would try to go and get a pedicure. I knew I wanted one before Monday and just didn't know when I'd have the time otherwise. We had attempted to get one yesterday but the girls were just so argumentative, hornery, and disobedient that we had to leave before getting anything done. They had meltdowns and time-outs and spankings....and I think I may have gotten my point across (at least it appeared as though I did by their actions today). :) I had every intention of not letting them get one at all and I would go by myself...but like I already mentioned- if I didn't take them with me...the likelihood of me getting one at all was small.

So.....we went. And they did SO good. And I'm glad we had one together. The last time Grace sat in the chair right beside me- so this time it was Parker's turn. Grace was so cute and sweet sitting across the way from us getting her toes done. It is a special treat to get 'their feet washed'.

Anyway- because the girls had been so good today...and I think I'm just feeling extra ~~hormonal~~ giving because these are our last days together for life as we know it....I asked Parker if she wanted her finger nails painted, too. She asked if I was. I told her that no I was not...that I don't usually like for my fingers to be painted, but that she should if she wanted. And she said no- she did not want hers painted because I didn't. She even has a little leftover polish on her nails and told me she wanted to get that off, too, so that her nails would be nice and clean like mine. She'll never know how much that just makes my heart overflow to hear her and see her want to be like me. So many times I think she doesn't 'like' me because I don't do this or don't do that or whatever it is that I'm telling/asking her to do that she is unhappy with. But it's in these moments where she wants to wear a long dress (maxi dress) like me...or sandals like mine....or her nails unpainted like mine....that I just want to freeze time and not ever forget. I can totally see myself reading this years from now....bawling my eyes out because she wants me to drop her off at her friends house a few houses down (that better not ever happen!!!).

I asked Grace if she wanted her nails painted and she was overjoyed. And as much as I loved that Parker didn't want her nails painted...I loved that Grace did and was SO excited about it.

She just sits there so still and cute. Uh- I just want to eat her up. And is {mostly} patient while waiting for them to dry.

After nails...we came home and finished up The Little Mermaid. Parker and Grace ran an errand with Geoff while I got my hair cut. Then we met up for dinner....came home....and the girls put on a dancing show for us with Dancing with the Stars on in the background.

Geoff is now off of work, too, til baby is born and we are planning to soak up our girls and hopefully have some good, quality family time together this weekend. Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend, too!

insta-friday

2013-04-25T22:56:00.004-05:00

Geoff and I were both off all last weekend...and so we had a good family day on Saturday.

We took the girls ice skating...Parker has been wanting to do this for a while now. She was SO excited to go. And she picked up on the skating pretty well, I thought.

Anyway- Geoff thought he was SO funny photo-bombing this photo. Kids.

It was also a special treat for me to be able to go to church on Sunday since I usually work. The girls got these new ponies and one side of the ponies' hair is twisted/braided....and the other side is curly. So per Parker's request....she wanted me to curl her hair...and then make a small braid on the other side to be just like her pony. I love this kid so much.

I do not like this picture of myself. My face is squishy and puffy and my eyes are squinty, (or really I think the 30lbs I've gained over the last 9 months is catching up with me!). But anyway- I love that I have a picture with my girls...so on the blog it goes. We ended up being pretty matchy-matchy! Not something I planned, but kinda liked that we were. :)

Monday was my last day of work until after maternity leave. Grace still asks me every day (even though I've already told her that I will be off for "a lotta lotta days") if I am going to go to work the next day. But I do think I finally got the point across with her today when I told her that I couldn't go back to work right away because of Nolan....and then I overheard her telling Parker so matter-of-factly that "Momma can't go back to work ever since she will have Nolan." So while it's not the whole picture that she's getting just yet....but it's a step in the right direction. :) I know I've just been working over 2 years...but it's like I can't imagine how my days are going to be not going to work. (I mean I know it will be GREAT....but just hasn't sunk in.)

In all 3 of my pregnancies- I have developed a sweet tooth. I feel like I need to have dessert after every meal (even breakfast sometimes). Thankfully this sweet tooth has dissipated shortly after having the babies...and I hope this time will be no different. Anyway- this has been my go-to dessert almost every night after the kids go to bed for the past few weeks. I made this bowl and so it's not as appetizing as what Geoff makes me when he's home.

Vanilla Blue Bell ice cream covered in chopped up m&ms....and now he also adds extra creamy Reddi Whip. Oh my goodness! It is so good.

Oh my girlies. Early birds. I think they think they are going to miss something. Both of them up this morning at 6:30....just ready to start the day. Thankfully- they were in a loving and playful mood (for all of an hour today, but we'll take what we can get) and colored and watched cartoons while I was able to get their breakfast and get ready for the day.

I really hope they sleep til at least 7:30 tomorrow. Pretty please?

_____________

early labor??

2013-04-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

If you had asked me last night (or very early this morning, rather) around 2am.....I would have said yes....I think I am in early labor. Now? Meh.

Around 9:30ish last night my lower back started hurting pretty good. I thought maybe it was just the couch cushion (mine's getting pretty worn out and smooched in and probably needs to be switched out/rotated). I was so uncomfortable I just felt like I had to get up and move around...sitting made it worse.

I ended up getting into bed around 10:30...lower back still hurting...some Braxton-Hicks...but nothing too significant because I'm pretty sure I fell asleep very soon after my head hit the pillow.

2am rolls around. It's raining. Or I think that's what that noise was. I was a little confused because I didn't know it was supposed to rain. No thunder. But there was rain I'm pretty sure. Anyway......

I get up and use the restroom. Lay back down. Lower back is hurting pretty good now. I cannot get comfortable at all. And I think I'm having some contractions, too.

I finally decide to just get up. So I surf the internet and am experiencing quite a bit of pain, but not really able to time my contractions because they aren't very regular. But even in the absence of the contractions......I feel the lower back pain and still a tightness and pressure in my abdomen.

Around 5am I am completely bored and uncomfortable and just ready to sleep. Still debating if I should tell Geoff right then or just wait it out. You see- although this is my 3rd pregnancy...I've never really actually gone into labor and not sure exactly what to expect or feel. I decide to wait it out and lay down.

5:15 am rolls around and who should come out of their room, but Grace. Oh sweet Grace. I decided to rock her in the recliner in the living room for a bit thinking that this could possibly be the last night I'll rock her as my baby. I thought she'd fall right to sleep. Well...no. She did not. You see- I have no room on my lap and so neither one of us could really get comfortable. At one point I must have been rubbing on her feet pretty good because she said out of the blue in a sweet whisper, "Momma....don't do that to my feet anymore." I wasn't even aware of what I was doing because my thoughts were just racing.

I put her back in bed only for her to get back out of bed again. This time I put her in bed with me and I think we both fell asleep around 6:00. Parker was up at 7:30 and we scurried to be ready for school (we were on time!). I pretty much took Parker to school wearing sweats and a tee and a sweater. I looked really good. :)

Anyway- the day went on. Lower back pain still persists. I'm having contractions, but still irregularly. I'm still pretty uncomfortable. And I don't just mean "I'm uncomfortable because I-am-9-months-pregnant-uncomfortable." I'm uncomfortable due to the lower back pain and the contractions.

I did call the doctor to see when he would want me to come in just so I'd know...and he said when they are 4-5 minutes apart lasting around 45 seconds. Well- I'm not there yet. I do have an appointment tomorrow that was already scheduled so it'll be good to just go in and see where we're at.

I don't think I've mentioned it on here....but I've said to several people that I wouldn't mind going into labor a little early on my own. I'd still end up with the c-section...but to have that little element of surprise of not knowing the exact time and date would be kind of fun. So I don't know if I was willing all of this to be labor or not. But I did read my devotional this morning....and it was all about waiting on God's perfect timing. In Exodus 12:41- it talks about how the Israelites waited 430 years to the DAY to be freed from Egypt. How the people waited and waited. And they were delivered all in His timing. I had to kind of laugh when I opened up the email. I acknowledged, "Ok, Lord...I'm waiting on You. I hear you loud and clear!!"

You see- above all I've been praying for a healthy baby and safe delivery. And then my selfish heart has still wanted to go into labor on my own even just a few days before the scheduled date just because. But today I really have a peace about it all. Still excited and anxious to meet our baby. Wondering if this is a true labor pain or just a tease. ;) His timing is perfect and I'm just going to try to enjoy the ride.

mini bathroom makeover

2013-04-24T16:45:00.000-05:00

We started making over the bathroom months ago....and I think I can finally say it is done. It's actually the only room in the house right now that doesn't have something that still needs to be done. :)

These pictures are really poor quality because there is no natural light and the lens I used, but you get the picture.

This is the kids' bathroom (also the bathroom that guests use since we do not have a half bath). Just a regular ole bathroom with two sinks, toilet, and tub. ;)

Before:

After:

We {read: Geoff) painted the walls by Behr (these pictures make it look a little green, but it's not at all...it's more of a taupe color and I really, really like it). I knew I wanted to add some 'color' because I have so much white in there and I just needed add a little something. ;) But I have trouble with committing to color. I love other people's homes that have color on the walls...but for me- I'm so fickle and doubt myself and then drive my myself (read: my husband) crazy.

Most of the bathroom was inspired by this bathroom.

So Geoff spray painted the molding a glossy black and glued to mirror to make the frame.

I think it adds so much. Believe it or not...we framed our mirror in our first home waaay before Pinterest. :) Our first home was a foreclosure and basically trashed...so we did a LOT of work to it. Anyway- we had to take the bathroom mirror down and it accidentally cracked. He came up with the idea to frame it and I always told him that it was a great mistake to make because it made such a difference in the bathroom!

I saw this sign on pinterest, as well, and knew it was what I wanted to go in their bathroom.

I purchased this white shower curtain soon after we moved in. I did try to get a different shower curtain over the summer and it hung in there for a few months, but I just wasn't feeling it. So I put the white curtain back up....which then motivated me to add the color to the walls because it was just too white! :)

With baby #3 coming...I also knew I needed a better way to hang their towels to dry. We had the original towel rack that is good for drying 1, maybe 2, towels at a time. Not very functional.

So when I saw this a while back...I knew that's what I wanted to do.

My sister, Kristin, made these towels for the kids and my mom embroidered their names. I love how all of this turned out. And, of course, after Nolan is born...we'll take new pictures for those frames. :)

I guess I would like to still change out the light fixtures....but this will do for now.

______________

The Creation Story- Preschool Activities

2013-04-23T14:55:00.000-05:00

Over a year ago-- we had a Creation Story themed week. We read and talked about the story from Genesis 1 and reinforced the story with some activities. I never got around to posting this because there were a few activities I still wanted to do and thought we'd eventually get around to it. Well...I don't think its going to happen now. :)

Parker and I had such a fun time going through this. It's been fun looking through these pictures to post them.

For ease (mine and yours)- I'm going to just start off by giving the links that I used to come up with these ideas. If you have an questions, I'd be glad to answer.

Creation Lapbooks- this is a great resource with a lot of printables and ideas
Creation Bible Printables
Creation Bean Bags (never got around to doing these, but thought they were a great idea)
the book The 7 Days of Creation
Sunday School Resources

A matching activity with animals, birds, people....all things God created. ;) She did this several times throughout the week and really enjoyed it.

We made this Creation Lapbook throughout the week....

Coffee filter 'earth/world'. I can't remember where I got this idea. But I let the girls color a coffee filter with blue and green washable markers.

Then lightly sprayed them with water. Well- it was supposed to be 'lightly.' :)

Creation Pinwheel....that we never really quite finished.

Going through each day and what was created....

I had intended to do more....but this is the finished 'inside' of the lap book.

And finally- she made a creation book. This was the last activity that we did, and this is the activity that I feel like it all started to come together for her. She would 'read' it to us....and was really able to tell us what happened each day. She was proud of her book, too.

Her finished book {in blurry photos}...

{this is a picture of us resting in our beds}

Maybe we'll do a creation themed week again this summer for both girls and I'll get around to doing those activities we never did. ;)

38 weeks

2013-04-22T21:22:00.001-05:00

(**I took this picture before I left the house this morning around 5:30am....and it's definitely not my favorite....my face is looking ~~a little~~ a lot on the puffy side, among other things.....but I wanted to document this day nonetheless)

I'm 38 weeks + 1 day pregnant today. And in one week...we will have met our son.

I know I say this every week....but I really can't believe it. I know I have had 2 kids before. I have carried them for 9 months ...brought them home from the hospital and all. But it's like you forget....and I'm excited and nervous and just can't believe it all in one.

Today was my last day of work until July. I was so thankful to have a good assignment that didn't have me running around too much. :) The day kind of drug on though....I think knowing it was my 'last' day made it that way. But I did spend quite a bit of time in thought today (I think I think too much, haha!) Just a little reflecting on this pregnancy....how fast it's gone....and how blessed I am to have been healthy. How I made it through my entire first trimester working the night shift (which I loathe, by the way, and pray that I never have to work the night shift again)...and how it was only through His strength that I was able to do that. And just the fact that I've carried him to term is a blessing. Praying now for a healthy remainder of this pregnancy, and smooth and safe delivery. (I know far too much for my own good as a NNICU nurse!)

I had a check-up this past Friday. Baby measuring 1 week big...and heart rate good. I took both girls with me and they did so good. I let them have 2 suckers! (I'm not sure if that makes me a good or bad mom?) There's one nurse there, Rose, that's just so sweet to them. I normally always find someone to watch them for my appointments....but now that my appointments are just belly and heartbeat checks...then it's kind of just easier to take them with me. Parker loves it and giggles every time she hear's his heart beat. It's the cutest thing.

What I've been eating: Chips and dips sound good to me daily (although I am not able to eat this daily). Fruit and yogurt smoothies. And vanilla ice cream with crushed up m&ms and whipped cream. I eat more than this....but this is what I would eat every day, all day, if I could.

How I've been sleeping: It depends on the day. Some nights I'm up 4-5 times...getting comfortable, using the bathroom...not being able to breath....thinking. And others...I get up once and go straight back to sleep and not even the ringing in my right ear keeps me awake. Another variable that effects my sleep is if Grace gets out of her bed. I feel like she's getting better.... and then the next night she'll do it again. So who knows.

2 things the the girls have said recently that I don't want to forget:

Last week Parker said (while looking at my belly)..."Momma....I think baby brother is big enough to come out now." I agreed! :)

And almost every day Grace will ask me sometime in the morning, "Is it going to be night-night tonight?"

Me: "You mean, are we going to have to go night-night tonight?"

Grace: "Yeh."

Me: "Yes baby....tonight after we eat dinner and get ready for bed and brush our teeth, it will be time for night-night."

Grace: "When we get up in the morning to do you have to go to work?"

And if I answer : "Yes." She says, "NO!! I don't want you to go to work." And she comes up to me and hugs me or makes me hold her.

Melts me.

And if my answer is "No." She says, "YAY!!! I'm so happy you don't have to go to work tomorrow! You're my favorite."

We are thinking Grace might have a little bit of a tough time adjusting to not being the baby anymore. I mean- it will definitely be an adjustment for all. Or maybe I'm the one having bittersweet emotions about her not being my baby anymore. Oh, the ~~hormones~~ emotions! :) She'll always be my baby girl though.

a good ole family day

2013-04-20T22:57:00.003-05:00

I guess one of the good things about hardly ever having a full day off together with Geoff...is that when we do...I really think we appreciate them more. And with a new baby being added to the mix in just over a week...I really wanted us to do some fun things together in our final days as a family of four. I thought maybe the zoo? The arboretum? A picnic? But nothing really jumped out at me. Then- yesterday afternoon- Parker asked again when her daddy was going to take her ice skating. And that was it! I had to get a go ahead from Geoff and then our plans were set. :)

So we woke up this morning (around 7:30 which is actually sleeping in, ha!). Made fruit smoothies, pancakes, and eggs for breakfast. We all got dressed and eventually out the door. :)

We ended up getting there before the rink was open to the public...so the girls played in this play area for a bit and then we ate lunch. Geoff and I had our first Raising Cane's experience. I thought it was SO good. Loved the sauce. Geoff didn't seem too impressed. I'm actually wanting to go back there tomorrow. ha! :) I think that sauce may have some kind of addicting component to it.

After lunch- it was time for ice skating! Grace wasn't sure if she wanted to skate...and Geoff wanted to start with just one kid at a time.

She stuck to the side a few times around. She was a little wobbly and fell a few times (which is a given, I'd think)- and I have to be honest...I thought she'd end up frustrated and quit. But I was so proud of her and how she just kept trying and was doing SO well by the time we were done. She had so much fun.

After a couple times around the rink- Geoff decided he'd be ok having both of them out there. Grace was ready!

And Parker did just fine on her own while Daddy helped Grace.

I think Grace went around 2-3 times and she was done. I thought she did really well though. She just wasn't that into it and needed Geoff to hold her all the time (which is what I'd expect anyway).

Parker really is a daddy's girl.

Happy girl.

Geoff!!!

She skated for about an hour....and I think she would have gone for longer, but she started getting a blister on her ankle from the skates. First skating trip = success!

After the skating I thought we could all use some ice cream. :) (yes- mine is the largest one on the table. and i ate it all.)

Then Geoff had the brilliant idea of stopping on the way home to get some popcorn. He got me jalapeño ranch. Confession: I ate the whole bag by the time we got home.

We came home and did a few things around the house. Geoff gave the girls a bath and got them dinner while I took a little power nap.

Instead of watching a show to wind down the past 2 nights...we've just been playing in the girls' room for a while. They love it...and I'm pretty sure they've gone above the recommended quota of TV time over the past few weeks.

I gave them the '5 more minute' warning....they started to clean up {a little}....but what she really did was line up all of those princesses above her headboard....

...and put the barbies on top of her nightstand (aka 'a boat')....and she wanted to leave them there so they'd be there and ready for tomorrow.

When the girls were brushing their teeth tonight...Parker said, "Today was the best day!"

It was, sweet girl. It was.

Insta-Friday

2013-04-19T06:40:00.004-05:00

The weeks are flying by!

This past Saturday we hosted 2 showers....

a bridal shower for my stepsister Aubry....

And a baby shower for my friendly, Amy....

On Monday- they were overstaffed at work and I was able to stay home. So thankful!! We were able to get some stuff done in our office/sewing room/hopefully-one-day-functional-school-room. This room has pretty much been a mess since we moved in (3 and a half years ago!) and I do have hopes that one day (very soon) it won't be. I have gone back and forth several times on where I want everything to go...where the 'stuff' should go...and how much 'stuff' just needs to be thrown out!! Almost there.....

While cleaning out the office...Grace found my adult stethoscope that I used in nursing school. Without prompting- she immediately put it on my belly. So sweet.

On Tuesday- the girls had swim lessons, and my sister took them since Geoff and I had to work. She sent me this picture of Grace saying that she was doing so good and even floating on her back by herself.

This little girl did well, too. After her first week (where she enjoyed her class)...by the second week she had decided that swimming was not for her and put up a fight. Well after some discussion (and pretty much not giving her an option)...she went back to class this week. She went under water several times (which is what she was worried about). And even last night she was so excited about showing me how well she is going to do next week.

Wednesday morning I just woke up feeling so large. I know it's normal and all...but I got several looks when I dropped Parker off at school and one "You're so big!" comment. I know nothing was meant by any of it...I am, in fact, large. :) {Just over 1 week left.}

And leave it to Texas weather to be 90 degrees one day and in the 50s the next. But it didn't stop me from wearing my flip flops anyways. After rall- it's pretty tough reaching my feet these days! :)

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Amy's Baby Shower

2013-04-16T06:34:00.000-05:00

We didn't stop our shower fun this past Saturday after Aubrey's bridal shower. Later that afternoon- we threw a baby shower for my friend, Amy, whom I've been friends with since junior high (if you do the math...which I reluctantly do...that was 20 years ago!). Amy's sister, Lauren, and I threw the shower with lots of help from my mom and sister, too! ;)

Amy's nursery theme for her sweet baby boy, Gibson, is the skip hop tree top friends....and so we kind of ran with that. It's so cute and I love all of the bright colors!

These bottles turned out SO cute. Lauren made the owl cutouts and they are just adorable.

My mom made all of these bibs and burp cloths and the tie/suspender onesie for this clothesline.

This is just too cute. Complete with a paci holder. ;)

Lauren made some really cute decorations! I love this little bird cage that she put up little pieces of paper on with clothespins so that people could share words of wisdom with Amy.

The party favors...

Lauren also made these adorable signs.

Along with my girls, and Payton (my niece)...2 other little girls attended the shower. And our girls just thought this was the neatest thing. I think Parker was 'in charge'. Ha! Anyway- at one point, Parker ran into where I was and told me to grab my camera so I could take a picture. They were all sitting in this plastic container together. So silly. But I love it!

Lauren also came up with some great shower games that I will definitely be using for any future showers I may be throwing!

Lauren and Amy

It was so fun to see these girls. Jill, Amy, Me, Melissa. We've also all known each other since junior high, but I had not seen them in years. It was so good to see them.

Me and Amy: 37 and 31 weeks, respectively. So fun to be pregnant together and having BOYS!

So so so happy for Amy and her first baby! Love that we've been friends for so many years and looking forward to experiencing motherhood together, too!

Aubrey's Bridal Shower

2013-04-15T10:48:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday- my sister and I hosted a bridal shower for our step-sister, Aubrey. She's met a wonderful man and we couldn't be happier for her! Her colors are grey and pink and I think it's just beautiful!

Sprinkles cupcakes! Yum!

Silly girls!

But they are so excited about Aunt Aubrey's wedding!

Grace and Aubrey

Judy and Aubrey

Susan, Mamie, Aubrey, Barb, and Sharon

Aubrey and the girls

Aunt Pauline and Aubrey

Aubrey and Granny

Aubrey and my mom

Aubrey got us these super cute monogrammed aprons as our hostess gifts. Love it!!

Me, Aubrey, Kristin

Kristin and Payton

Me and my girlies.

Can't wait for Aubrey and Greg's special day! So excited for them and their new life together!