Labor Day Weekend

We had a great and relaxing Labor Day weekend. I've been anticipating this weekend since we booked the cabin in April. We and some of our friends with their kids rented a cabin in Broken Bow, OK. The cabins are in the national park right outside the town. We left on Friday night and got there really late and stayed until Monday morning. It was a perfect weekend getaway.

This was E in the bedroom with us. We rented a 3 bedroom and our friends had the two bedrooms downstairs for their kids and themselves, and we had the master bedroom upstairs. It was big enough to fit both an air mattress and J's pack and play in it.

She was so excited to sleep on her air mattress that night. 

On Saturday morning, we went exploring around the national park. We were kind of limited since we have a 3 month old, but we did stop on a look out and hike down to the lake so that E could put her feet in the water for a few minutes.

We came back for naps and this little cutie slept really well =). 

We grilled out that night with the grill on the property. The kids played out on the wrap around patio while we waited for the food to be ready. They hunted for pine cones and played with toy airplanes. 

She was so so proud of her pinecones. A few of them made their way back home with us.

The next day after breakfast, we went to the cute little train that goes through the national park. The ride is only about 10-15 minutes long. The kids really enjoyed it, and we got to see some wildlife really close to the train. 

E was sitting with us before the train ride started, but then quickly decided she wanted to sit with her friend instead. Sigh..it's already started...

This deer was so close to the train. They didn't even seem phased by it.

This little guy didn't know what to think of it all. 

They had a drawing at the end of the train ride and E's ticket won! She won some cotton candy, but she didn't really want to try it. So we enjoyed some for her and got rid of the rest.

While our friends went hiking with their kids, we decided to take E on a paddle boat. She had been asking to go on the lake since we got there so we thought why not??

She enjoyed doing it so much and my momma heart stood on the deck and tried not to panic =).

We went back to the cabin for naps and hung out for the rest of the afternoon. After dinner that night, we started a fire in the fire pit and roasted some marshmellows and had smores. It was E's first experience with them and she loved them!!

Smores make people happy!

The next morning we loaded up and went home. We enjoyed this place so much, and we have already talked about going back again for weekend getaways in the future. If you don't live far from this area, I would definitely put this on your list of things to do!

E's Birthday Party

We celebrated E's birthday a couple weekends ago at a splash park in a nearby town. It was Cinderella themed - chosen by the birthday girl. It was a perfect warm (read: hot) morning that was perfect to play in the water!

Ready for her party in her Cinderella swimsuit

This cake was a labor of love. The layers kept collapsing on me the night before and I was for sure it was going to be one big crumbly mess when I opened the refrigerator door the next morning. It wasn't that bad, but it had collapsed enough that you could see Cinderella's underwear. Oh well. The birthday girl was happy, and that is all that matters.

Singing Happy Birthday to my sweet girl

Blowing out the candles 

My sweet 3 year old

She stopped for a few minutes to open a few presents, but she was too busy playing to want to open presents at the time.

She had so much fun at her party, and we are so thankful for all the people who came out to celebrate. She is still talking about her party several weeks later so I know it was good. 

One month and two months

Doubling up...sigh..2nd child syndrome..

Dear J,
You are one month old today!! How can one month have already come and gone? The days go by so quickly and I'm trying to soak them up as much as possible. You fit right in to our little family and we are so excited that you are here with us.

You don't really have a schedule. You hate to nap during the day. Hate it. I'm lucky if I can get you to nap for an hour during the day. For the most part though, you are happy so at least you are a happy tired baby =). You eat every 1 to 2 1/2 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours during the night. You have acid reflux just like your sister. I have taken out dairy from your diet, and so I am hoping that will help. However, the reflux is pretty bad at night so your daddy and I take turns holding you at night. You will fuss a little bit during the day because we can tell that your tummy is hurting but honestly you are pretty happy. For the most part you are a content little baby except for the whole not taking naps thing. If you nap, you sleep for maybe 20-30 minutes at a time.

You had your tongue tie fixed at 5 days old. We went to an ENT who did it and you started breastfeeding so much better! It was pretty painful for mommy up until then but then once you had it cut, it was so much better for both of us. You only eat from one side for most feedings just like your sister. You really like to gum me though so that kind of hurts. We are trying to work through that.

You tolerate tummy time pretty well. You came out of the womb lifting your head up so well so you can already hold your head up when on your tummy and you are getting your arms underneath you pretty well. You are strong, little boy. When we hold you up at our shoulders, you will pop that head up and try to look at us. It makes my heart melt. You love to be outside. If you get fussy we just take you outside and you immediately calm down. We have spent several nights at bedtime walking you up and down the sidewalk in front of our house to calm you down and eventually you will fall asleep. We even have done it in them middle of the night too.

You have had several visitors this month. Nana (my mom) stayed with us for 2 weeks after you were born to help out and you loved being held by her. Nana and Papa (Jason's dad and stepmom)  were also here for your birth and you got to meet them. My dad, your papa, also came down with your Uncle John one weekend as well to meet you. You've met our next door neighbors Margaret and Trey and their two kids. Lots of people want to see you!!







Firsts include: first bath, first doctor's visit, first grocery trip with your sister, first Target trip, and first church service. You had your very first outing at 3 days old because your sister had a dance recital. You slept the entire time in your ring sling except for a feeding. You are about 10 pounds and about 21-22 inches long. You were size newborn diapers. We haven't started cloth diapers yet because your bottom area is so tiny that the diapers are just too big! You were newborn size clothes. I have put in some 0-3 month clothes but some are still baggy.

Your sister just adores you. She wants to hold you all the time and you enjoy her as well. I can't wait to see how your relationship grows.

We love you so much J.


Love, Mommy and Daddy

Dear J,
You are 2 months old!! We are so thankful for you sweet boy!

You still don't have much of a schedule. You will wake up between 6-7:30 in the morning and then sometimes will take naps in the morning. If you do they are about 30 minutes long. I can get a longer nap from you during E's nap as long as I am holding you. You are still a happy baby for the most part. You still feed every 1-2 1/2 hours during the day and 3-4 hours at night although sometimes we can get a good 6 hour stretch between 7 and 1AM some nights. We still have to hold you at night because of your reflux.  You feed really well when we are out and about and don't fuss when underneath the cover to feed which helps us during outings (thanks so much for that). Your reflux is still pretty bad at night but during the day doesn't seem to bother you much. You have seen a chiropractor a couple of times and dairy has been out of your diet so that has been helpful.

You still love being outside and enjoy being out when its not too hot. You love your sister and will calm down when she talks to you. It is so cute. In fact, you will only take a pacifier from her. You spit  it out for me every time. Ha! You had your first bottle this month since Mommy had to have an emergency appendectomy and couldn't feed you for 30 hours. You took it like a champ and was kind of mad to have to feed from me after the 30 hours was up but we settled back into our routine just fine.

You started smiling at us at 5-6 weeks. We love it. You smile with your whole face and it just brightens our day. E loves it when you smile at her and you give them to her all the time. You can roll from your tummy to back pretty consistently. You are great at tummy time, and you can hold your head up really well and push up on your arms. You are starting to bat at objects. You really like the toys that are on the play mat gym and will stare at them forever and try to reach for them. You have found your hands and like to put them in your mouth. You have started to coo and make sounds at us and will "talk" all the time. You have a lot to say. =) You are a pretty happy baby but when you get mad, you will start out fussy and if I don't get to you in a proper amount of time you will do this scream/cough that is pretty dramatic.

You weigh 12 pounds and are 23 inches long. You still can wear some newborn outfits but are in 0-3 months and 3 month clothing. You are pretty long so you need bigger clothing to fit and button on your bottom. Speaking of bottom, you don't really have one so I have a difficult time putting shorts on you because they just fall off. Haha!So you wear a lot of onesies and rompers. You wear size 1 diapers. 

You had some more firsts and some more visitors this month. Your great grandmother and Jason's mom (MawMaw) came to visit you over 4th of July weekend. You met your great Aunt Holyn and Uncle Guy too. You had your first road trip to visit family in Colorado. You met your great Aunt Barbara and your great Aunt Julia plus some cousins. You did pretty well in the 12+ hours we were in the car. You absolutely HATE the car seat and make it well known that you hate it,  but we survived the road trip.

 We are so thankful for you sweet boy. So glad you are a part of our family.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

What's Up Wednesday

I'm linking with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel for What's Up Wednesday!

1. What we're eating this week...

We are eating Mushroom Rigatoni from Mix and Match Mama. One of our favorites. Yum.

2. What I'm reminiscing about..

How this little one is about to turn 3 tomorrow. Where has the time gone? I swear I just had her yesterday. She is just so precious to me and I just want to squeeze her and never let her go.

3. What I'm loving...

We've had family come into town two weekends in a row. It was so nice to see my parents and Jason's brother and his family. I love family time.

Yes they are twins. My hubs is the one in the gray. 

4. What we've been up to...

Lots of birthday parties. E has a lot of friends with August birthdays including her own. She had her birthday party last weekend,  and we have three birthday parties just this weekend to attend. We have had our fill of cake this month!






5. What I'm dreading..

Nothing really =)

6. What I'm working on..

 Starting up a curriculum for E's preschool time. I plan on taking some curriculums from the internet and making my own and including a Bible story for the week. I'm really excited. Plus I'm going to be using a pretty Erin Condren notebook for my organization and schedule.

7. What I'm excited about...

Celebrating our little girl tomorrow. We have a family day planned together. I plan on decorating her door when she goes to sleep tonight and decorating our kitchen table. I just love celebrating the people that I love especially my kids.

8.  What I'm watching/ reading...

I'm reading Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers. I love Francine Rivers.  Redeeming Love and the Mark of the Lion Series are some of my favorite books. This one has been pretty good. I'm enjoying
it.

9. What I'm listening to...

Nothing really. Currently I'm listening to Big Bang Theory reruns on TV...

10. What I'm wearing..

Right now..yoga pants. Ha! But I am dreaming about the days that I will be wearing leggings and boots. Come now fall!!

11. What I'm doing this weekend..

Did I mention all the birthday parties we are invited to this weekend?? Haha. Most of Saturday will be dedicated to going to parties.

E at a birthday party earlier this month

12. What I'm looking forward to next month..

We are going to Broken Bow with some friends of ours over Labor Day weekend. We rented a cabin and are going to relax and let our kids play together. I am so excited!!

Plus...everything pumpkin. It may be 100 degrees still in the DFW area but in my heart it is fall time which means I will enjoy all things pumpkin!!

13. What else is new? 

Nothing else is going on that is worth mentioning right now! Just soaking up the days with my two little loves...

14. What are your favorite back to school traditions?

 I don't have any kids in school yet but I do love all the pictures of my friend's kids with their signs of first day of ___ and then what they want to be when they grow up. So so cute. I can't wait to start traditions of my own.

August Goals

Alright so here I am to give an account for my July goals and to write out my August goals. I think I will give myself a B- for accomplishing my July goals. Considering I still am trying to figure out this 2 kid thing, I will count that as a win.

Here's a recap and update on my July goals:

1) Read 2 leisure books. Done! I read The Heir by Kiera Cass which I loved. It's the 4th book in The Selection series. I've enjoyed the books and are easy reads. I also read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. HATED IT. Just don't even get me started on that book. It was just awful.

2) Start/finish E's 1 year book. So I started it but haven't finished it. OH well.

3) Catch up on the blog. I did pretty good with this. I just need to finish up  my one month and 2 month posts for J. I have what I want to say I just haven't put it up on the blog. I plan on doing that this week.

4) Blog 3 other times. I did 2/3 times. I think that is pretty good!

5) Book place for E's party! Done! We are having it at a splash park!

6) Start planning for E's party. Done! She has picked out the theme (Cinderella) and I have picked up some things for little crafts. It won't be as crafty as my other parties just because it's at a splash park but I do have ideas and plan on finishing up the crafts this weekend and plan the menu next week!

Now for my August goals:

1. Choose curriculum for preschool and plan first lessons. I'm really excited about this. I don't want to send my daughter to preschool. I know I can teach her the basics and I want this time with her at home. Plus, I plan on homeschooling as well and I want to see if this is doable.

2. Begin decorating guest bathroom. I have some cute ideas to make this a bathroom for the kids but also for guests. It will be slow in progress but I at least want to start it this month.

3. Read 2 leisure books.

4. Finish planning E's birthday party. 

5. Try 2 new recipes. I love to cook and need some new recipes for dinner. It's time when I don't want to cook our regulars because I'm tired of them.

6. Organize toys better.  E will be getting new toys for her birthday and now J needs an area to put toys that he will be playing with as he gets older. I just want to have them better organized in the living room and put toys up that aren't being played with for rotation purposes.

7. Blog at least 4 times.  I think this is pretty doable and it's starting to get easier to find time to blog.

What's Up Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! I'm linking up with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel for What's Up Wednesday today!

1. What we're eating this week...

We are eating Mix and Match Mama's Turkey Spinach Lasagna. So easy to make and delicious too. I even made a couple of these as freezer meals before Judah was born. They tasted great even from being frozen as well.


2. What I'm reminiscing about....

10 years ago I was coming home from studying abroad in Spain and we made a stop in London on the way home. I knew I loved London before I went there because HISTORY but once I was there, I was smitten. My love affair with England/London had begun. Oh to be back across the pond today...

3. What I'm loving..

That the Kate Spade multi glitter stud earrings are going to be coming to me in the mail really soon. When Sheaffer announced on Facebook last week that these earrings were back in stock, I jumped on it. I can't wait to get them!

4. What we've been up to...

We just got back from a week vacation in Denver visiting family and relaxing in the cooler weather. I'm kind of sad to be back in the sweltering heat of DFW. Give me the mountains any day.







5. What I'm dreading...

Nothing really. I'll keep it that way =). 

6. What I'm working on...

This little girl has a birthday party coming up in a couple of weeks. She decided she wanted a Cinderella party, and I finally decided on invitations today. Nothing like waiting to the last minute, right? I've been scouring Pinterest for cute decoration ideas, and I'm going to get started on them this weekend.

7. What I'm excited about..

The month of August..Lots of fun things happening and big celebrations in our family happen next month. I can't wait.

8. What I'm watching/reading..

I just finished reading Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee. It. Was. Awful. If you haven't read it yet, just don't. Live in the bubble that Atticus is a great person. Mine has officially been burst.

9. What I'm listening to...

My daughter loves the music from Teen Beach 2. I let her watch some of the dance numbers from the movie, and she loves it. This music has been on repeat on our house. She loves a good musical - I've done something right.

10. What I'm wearing....

I just ordered some maxi dresses from Target during one of their sales. They are super cute and bonus: nursing friendly! I'm excited because they will transition great into the fall with a cute jean jacket as well.

11. What I'm doing this weekend...

Nothing major planned. I know a certain little one who would be happy playing in the backyard pool all weekend. We may just make that happen.

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...

Celebrating 8 years with this guy and 

celebrating this little girl turning 3! How did that happen? 

13. What else is new...

Well, today I go to my post op appointment with my surgeon for my surgery 2 weeks ago. Oh wait, you didn't know? I had an emergency surgery to remove my appendix. Two weeks ago on a Thursday, I woke up to feed Judah at one in the morning and noticed that my stomach was hurting. I didn't think anything of it until I woke up again at 5 to feed him and the pain was still there. I thought I was coming down with the stomach bug. However by noon that day no other symptoms had shown up except the ever increasing pain underneath my belly button. I called Jason to come home from work later that afternoon and we went to the urgent care. They proceeded to check me out and said I needed to go the ER. Several hours and a CT scan later, the doctor came in and said you have an appendicitis, you are having surgery tonight. Just what a mother with a 7 week old and a 2 year old wants to hear!! The surgery went fine and I'm feeling much better. I'm also happy to say that J was just fine with our little glitch in our breastfeeding journey. I had plenty of pumped milk, and he took the bottles like a champ but is now happily back to nursing from his momma.

14. What will you miss most about summer? 

Honestly, my kids are so small that the summer is the same as every other season. I am not a fan of hot temperatures so I won't be missing that at all.

Judah's birth story!!

It's official. Our little boy's name is J. It took us a long time to settle on a name for him but we love the meaning behind his name. Just a wonderful story of redemption and God's plan from the beginning. If you know our history of infertility and miscarriage, then you will understand why redemption and trusting in God's plan is so important to us. We never wanted to walk this road but I see God's beautiful redemption and grace woven into our story. We are so thankful for this precious gift. Our firstborn son this side of heaven. Onward to his birth...

J decided to not make his appearance earlier than his induction date so early on May 27, we gave kisses to E, left her with my mom who was staying with us, and drove to the hospital 45 minutes away. We arrived at the hospital a little after 7:30 in the morning. We got settled in and they started the Pitocin at about 9:00a.m. The contractions weren't really bad all morning long. I entertained myself by watching the Today Show and HGTV and phone calls and pictures from my mom about E. I sat on the birthing ball and walked around as much as the monitor belt would let me. At 12:30, my doctor came in to break my water to possibly help my labor progress as it hadn't done much all morning. Having my water broke was definitely a weird sensation considering that it broke spontaneously last time. The contractions did start to intensify after my water broke but I still could tolerate them. I was really wanting to try to get to a 3 or 4 before getting an epidural because I wanted to be in active labor. At that point I was only dilated to a 1 1/2. 

My contractions continued to intensify for the next couple of hours, and I was having to really breath and moan through them. We had bought a TENS unit before coming to the hospital to help with pain and I started using it with some relief. By about 4:30 -5, I was in a lot of pain and was really hoping I was dilated more. My doctor came in a little after 5 to check me and said that I was at a 3 1/2 and 60% effaced so I could get my epidural. Words I was so excited to hear. My wonderful nurse called for the doctor to give me an epidural. It seemed like an eternity (I'm sure it was probably like 5 minutes) but the doctor gave me my epidural at about 5:30 and I started feeling better. Right after I got the epidural and was being laid down in bed, my nurse checked me and I was at a 4 1/2. I had planned on taking a little short nap once my epidural finally took effect since I had been up way early and I was getting kind of tired. 

However, J had other plans. My contractions intensified (although I couldn't feel them thank goodness) and I kept progressing quickly. Every 20 minutes or so my nurse would check me and I would be another centimeter dilated. By about 8 cm, J's heart rate would decelerate with each contraction but it would go back up afterwards. It made me so nervous because I could hear it but they assured me that it was ok because it went back up. They told me the cord was probably being compressed somewhere during a contraction. By 7:30, I was at a full 10! In 2 hours, I had dilated 7 cm! Crazy. I could feel J's head and needed to push but I couldn't because my doctor wasn't there yet. He was definitely crowning and you could see his head (or so I was told). I was ready to push because I wanted him out because the heart rate deceleration was making me anxious.  My doctor got there pretty quickly and started putting her gloves on and when my next contraction came, she told me to push. Two contractions of pushes and our little boy was out!! He was ready! He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice but there was no problems. They put him quickly on me for a few minutes and I got to meet our sweet little boy. 

They took him to weigh him and get his Apgar scores and then they brought him back to me and Jason, me and J got acquainted with each other. He was such a beautiful baby. I was smitten from the start. I was starving since I couldn't eat while in labor (Stupidest rule ever by the way) so since Jason's dad was in the waiting room waiting for J to be born, he went and got me a milk shake from Sonic (strawberry cheesecake to be exact) and got Jason and me Raising Cane's for dinner. We stayed in the labor room until about 10:15 ish and then they sent us down to our recovery room. It was so late that Jason's dad and family just decided to go back to the hotel and see J the next day. Jason and I went to bed soon after that with our sweet little boy next to us.

*Blogger isn't letting me upload pictures right now - lame!*