Easter 2008

Easter Sunday 2008

Here we are just before church. This is the ONLY picture of all 5 of us at the same time.

After church, we ate lunch and hunted eggs at my Granddaddy's house.

We had a wonderful and beautiful day to spend together.

Here is my brother, sister-in-law, and two of our nephews.

(I don't have any pictures of my sister, brother-in-law or of B's sister and brother-in-law and our other 3 nephews all dressed up...will have to get right on that.)

A, R, and M (one nephew) hamming it up for the camera.
Now we have added M and B.
What beautiful girls!
I just love this one of M, so I had to throw it in.
This is just a glimpse of the eggs (you have to look real hard to see them lying on the ground). This is what we did when we ran out of actual hiding places. There are 14 Great-Grandchildren at my Granddaddy's, and we had 521 (yes, that is correct) eggs to find. I am not sure we found them all, and I was in charge of adding up tallies, so we will never know for sure. 12 of the 14 are 7 and under...hense the easy hiding. The 2 oldest (10 and 13) had their own area so that they could not be bothered by little ones. I am sure they appreciated that!

Looking up...
down...
and just sitting all around. M would get 2 and just shake them. I had to keep taking them away to get her to find more. I know that you are thinking I should have let her be, but remember we had 521 eggs to find.
Here is my nephew not pictured above. (Still no sister and brother-in-law).

Here are B and K. They are just over 6 weeks apart in age. Aren't they adorable? They are going to be the best of friends.
All smiles and basket #2.

Having some fun and her basket #2 as well.

The day was GREAT! We were worn out and ready for bed.

Happy Easter!

Look at ME!

M has discovered that she can climb up onto one of her toys. She thinks this is so much fun! Watch out world!

A Day at the Park

Last week we had really nice weather a couple of days, so the girls and I decided to make the most of it and head to the park after school. They all 3 had a BLAST playing and enjoying the equipment all to themselves.

Today was another story...COLD and snow flurries. Go figure!

We want the warm weather back!

R's poor eye

When I picked R up from school today she couldn't wait to tell me about her boo boo!

She and a friend were playing on the playground and the other girl's foot accidentally kicked R as she was flipping over a bar. A little ice and a picnic at the park made all the difference in the world. Isn't she just pitiful?

It is a good thing that school pictures were last week, softball pictures were yesterday, and Easter is still 6 days away.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here is hoping you have a GREAT day! And that you don't get pinched.

5 years ago

5 years ago I was 39weeks and 5 days pregnant with our second child. It was a Friday. I was scheduled to be induced after lunch. I took A to the babysitter like any other day, so that she could get her nap, etc. I went to work for half a day, met B for lunch at Wendy's, and then headed to the hospital to be induced. I had gone to the hospital the Sunday before with inconsistent contractions and was sent home after a couple of hours (despite the fact that I was already dialated 3cm and was carrying a "big" baby). The doctor on call went along with inducing me for no other reason than that my daddy was going to be out of town for the day on Saturday, and I knew that if we did not then this baby would come then. This was the same doctor who was on call Sunday night, but didn't even come to the hospital. The same one I saw in the office on Thursday (because they thought for sure I would have the baby before then). And was the same doctor on call Friday. Go figure! She REALLY did not want to induce me, but oh well, she did.
We got to the hospital around 1pm. We got paperwork filled out, and were sent to our room. When I called that morning to make sure there was room for me I asked for a specific nurse. This was a friend of mine who I cheered with in high school. Luckily, she was working and they let me have her. YIPEE! Off to a good start. By the time we started induction, I was 4cm...but I was not feeling a contraction at all. By 5pm I was 10cm and ready to go...and the doctor didn't want to deliver yet. My body was ready...too bad baby decided to play flip flop on us. Two weeks prior baby was head down, face down and ready for action. We thought this delivery would be pretty quick. Boy, were we wrong. After two hours of pushing and my epidural wearing off, the doctor decided to redo the epidural. Another 30 minutes of pushing and we were making no progress. The doctor was getting a little frazzled by this point...she was sure I was not ready (already proved that wrong), and that the baby was no more than 8 1/2 pounds. Well, exhaustion finally took over. I could not push much longer, so I let them use the suction. Two tries later and progress was being made. Only, then did they realize that baby was face up (better known as "sunny side up") and somewhat stuck. The doctor then made the comment, "I think I just broke the clavical (not sure of spelling)", and that was it for me. I was hysterical. I broke the baby and I was not pushing again. The doctor was deperate at this point. I remember her jumping on my bed and yelling at me that I had to do what she said so we could get the baby out. YES Ma'am. I did! And finally, at 7:47pm, our beautiful second daughter, R was born. She weighed 9lbs 4oz (B called it right on the dot), and was over 21 inches long. No hair whatsoever, but still just as gorgeous. We were in love. After all checks, no clavical was broken. The doctor was more spent than I was, and made the comment to me "I told you we should have delivered earlier this week". If I could have moved, I would have tackled her. She was really not expecting that big of a baby. Can you imagine if she would have not induced?

Now that chunky monkey is 5. She is skinny and finally has a head full of hair that can finally be put into a ponytail. It has taken this long. R is our comedian. She keeps us laughing. She loves to dress up and dance to High School Musical. She cannot wait to go to kindergarten and ride the bus like her big sister. She loves being the big sister too! A job that she takes very seriously.

R, we love you and are so proud of you!

Happy 5th Birthday, R!

This is R getting ready to go to school this morning. She got to be the snack leader today! She was so excited!

Beautiful day and Sidewalk Paint

Monday was such a beautiful day that the girls and I went outside after lunch and played. We blew bubbles, rode bicycles and chased M around the yard. M really loved it. This was her first time really playing in the yard with the big girls. Usually she has been outside but in the walker. This was a real treat to her. She could hardly contain herself.

Here is A with some bubbles.

Here R is blowing bubbles with M wondering what is going on.
Love the hair!
A with her bike and M getting excited.

M checking out R's bike. Boy she wishes she could ride one.

Well, if she cannot ride the bike, then she will just wear the helmet.

R posing for the camera.

A helping M back to where we can see her.

Isn't she so cute!

Once I put M down for her nap, A and R changed into shorts and tshirts. They were ready to give the sidewalk paint (birthday gifts from Mimi and Poppa) a try. Knowing that it was supposed to rain today, it was time to give it a try. They loved it, and it was very easy and washable.

And yes, it did rain today. The paint was gone in less than 30 minutes.

We had a great time enjoying the outside. We are so looking forward to Spring!

Cheerleading Awards

Saturday night was the night the girls had been waiting for. Awards night...or better known as the night they got their trophies. They have been so excited about getting a trophy, especially R. She even carried it to church with us on Sunday (I did convince her to leave it in the car). Here they are after the ceremony looking pleased with their first trophies.

Bowling Party Time!

We had A and R's birthday party at a nearby bowling alley on Saturday morning.

It was a BLAST! The girls had so much fun, and the parties were so easy.

The children loved getting to bowl and were awesome!

A had a Hannah Montana cake and got some wonderful presents from her friends and family.
R had a High School Musical cake (most days she wishes she was Gabriella). She also got many great gifts. She even Hannah and Miley dolls and the surf shack. She has been wanting some since A got some for Christmas.They both also got some Littlest Pet Shop toys. These are really a big hit at our house for all 3 girls. If we give M a moments of unsupervised attention, she will head to A or R's room to play with their LPS toys. We have to keep an eye on them all.

Here are R and her friends enjoying their cake.

M was worn out by the end of the party. However, she may have worn the 4 grandparents out long before. They took turns chasing her around the bowling alley. She loved getting their undivided attention for once....she doesn't get that much with so many other kiddos around.

Thank you to our family and friends for making the day special. A and R had such a great time. They thank you for sharing in the day with them.

11 months old

* Since there is not a 30th this month...we'll say she is 11months today!

M, it is hard to believe that you are 11 months old. It feels like we just brought you home from the hospital. Oh, how you have grown though, so we know that it is true!

* You got 3 more teeth this month, and all within 48 hours (for a total of 6)

* You got your first pair of "real" shoes to help you walk. They are adorable.

* You love to stick out your tongue and blow, because it makes a funny noise.

* When someone say "Awww", you will lay down on a pillow and pretend to sleep.

* You have reached the 20pound mark and are ready to face forward in your car seat. If only your age would catch up to your weight.

* You try to drink out of water bottles like your big sisters. Too bad you get all wet.

* You love to crawl all over your sisters (or whoever may be laying on the floor).

* You love when I open the garage door from inside, you laugh while the door is going up. I don't know why, but you look forward to it everyday when we leave to go pick R up from school.

* You had to go to the ER last week for a stomach bug...you threw up all that was in your tummy and then some. You had your first taste of an orange popsicle, and you LOVED it. You cried when it was gone and I threw the package away.

* You love when Daddy comes home from work. If you are awake when he comes in the door, you will smile and take off from whereever you are to get to him. So sweet!

* You are learning to wave "hello" and "bye bye". You especially love to do this first thing in the morning when I get you out of the bed. You start looking for your sisters and smile as soon as you see them. Then you start waving your arm at them. Just precious!

I cannot believe that you are just a few short weeks away from being ONE. I wish that I could make time stand still. But we would only miss out on all the fantastic stuff that is in store in the future. So, here is to 11 months. They have been wonderful. We love you very much!

So Very Tired!

Tonight after dinner we were playing a board game. About 6:30 R was laying on the floor saying how tired she was. This is not unusual since she is usually the first one of the kiddos up in the mornings, and has gone strong for about 12 hours at this point. So, we finished up the game (which she won) and headed upstairs. She brushed her teeth and Daddy read her a book while A was in the shower (she and M already had baths). I said prayers with her and put her in the bed. She was asleep in no time. About an hour and a half later B and I were watching Survivor downstairs when we hear something upstairs. B goes up to check it out, and this is what we found: R had gotten out of her bed and climbed into our bed...still sound asleep!

Isn't she sooooooo cute!!!!

Her daddy scooped her up (after I went back downstairs for the camera) and put her back in her own bed. She was none the wiser, and will not remember this in the morning.

Good night, sleep tight!

Locks of LOVE

About a year ago A heard about Locks of Love. She decided that she wanted to try to grow her hair out so that she could donate it. Then she found out that her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. A, had breast cancer AGAIN. Mrs. A is in her mid 30's and had a 7 month old at the time (this all happened during A's kindergarten year). A was sure this is what she wanted to do. Then, on Halloween we found out that B's sister, Aunt C (also in her mid 30's) has breast cancer...well this sealed the deal. A was growing her hair out to donate. So, yesterday, after waiting a LONG time for her hair to reach at least 10 inches to donate, we headed to Fantastic Sams (they sponsor Locks of Love, handle mailing the hair in for you, and the haircut if FREE), where A got her hair cut and sent it on to donate. Below are pictures of her process.

Before: her hair is so dark, but you can barely see how long it was...

Here are the ponytails they put in her hair to cut off...

First ponytail is gone...

All gone...

Getting is trimmed up...
All done...what a precious girl.

A, what you did was AWESOME! We are so proud that you chose to think of others. And you look adorable too! We are so proud of you! We love you!

p.s. Aunt C and Mrs. A, this is for you! We love you and pray that you keep kicking cancer where is hurts!

7 years ago

7 years ago yesterday (Sunday, February 18, 2001) I was 36 weeks pregnant with our first child. Despite the fact that I was the size of a house and swollen beyond recognition from my head to my toes...(I could only wear bedroom slippers because my feet were so huge)...I was a happy as could be. The baby was right where I wanted him/her to be. I remember my sister-in-law asking me "Isn't any part of you just ready to have this baby?" To which I replied "No, right now this baby is EASY, I can take him/ her with me whereever I go and I don't have to take any supplies." I should have kept my mouth closed...because only a couple of hours later my water broke. I still had 4 weeks. I was not ready. No bag packed. The house not cleaned. The nursery

was not finished. We hadn't even bought our rocking chair yet. This was not happening.

Well, yes it was. We went to the hospital just to make sure, and yes we were staying, my water had indeed broken. However, I had not even begun to dialate. We waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, around 8am (Monday, February 19th 2001) the doctor came in. I was about 2-3cm and still needed to have my water broken some more. With that out of the way, and needing some sleep, I opted for the epidural...it was GREAT. I couldn't feel a thing..not even when my leg would fall off the side of the bed. We waited some more. Around 4:30pm I finally reached 10cm and we were ready to push! YIPEEE! I was now ready. Once everyone was in place and the doctor was in the room we began. After just a few pushes, our Beautiful Baby Girl was born at 5:12pm. She was perfect. Head full of black hair, blue eyes, and she looked just like me. (smile). She was 7lb 3oz and 21 1/2 inches long. (Yes, big baby for 4 weeks early). She is named after both of her Grandmothers (just like I was). It was truly love at first sight. And we still cannot get enough of her, and we love her more and more each day!

We love you, A! Happy 7th Birthday!

We are so proud of you.

Teeth, teeth, teeth!

I know that I said a few weeks ago that it wouldn't be long.

M cut tooth #4 on Wednesday and #5 and #6 this morning.

All of them on the top. She now has 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom.

I bet A and R will keep their fingers away from M's mouth

from now on. She likes to hang on and bite down HARD.

Then she just laughs.

Also, A and R start softball practice tonight. Should be very interesting.

They are very excited. Have a great weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day...

...to my wonderful husband and 3 beautiful daughters.

I love you all very much and am blessed beyone all measures.

I hope you have a day filled with LOVE.

I Love YOU!