Splish, Splash, Two Toddlers in the Bath

And yes, that is shaving cream. I love those two!

My life is.....

a sweet little boy with so much love to give



and

a little princess who knows she rules the world at 2



That is my life. Throughout the drama, the anger, the pain, everything, they are what matter. I look at them and instantly my day gets better. I know what they mean when they talk about giving your life in order to let them keep theirs. I would do anything for these two.

Happy Birthday Aslynn Grace

Dear, sweet, Aslynn Grace, where do I begin. Ever since I was pregnant with you, you have definitely shown that you are a princess and demand attention. I shed many tears over you while you were growing inside of me. First there was the excessive bleeding, which caused me to think I was losing you. That turned out to be a bigger scare for me, Placenta Previa. At that point in time, I dreamed of nothing but having another wonderful vaginal birth, which it seemed I wouldn't get this time. I was put on modified bed rest to make sure that you stayed put and safe. Monthly visits turned into high-risk bi-weekly visits to monitor the movement of the placenta if any. Your Aunt MiMi tried to convince me that it was alright to have a c-section, bless her.

Here is where you decided that you wanted to be stubborn and not let Dr. Aguayo see everything she needed to see to make sure you were developing properly. That led to a frantic call to MiMi and a trip to the Center for Imaging Excellence to see what the Radiologist could see. That hour, sweet girl, should have been enough to send me into labor right then. I remember how the Radiologist and the tech were oh so quiet and just stared at the screen as they scanned. It would be days before I knew anything, even if you were alright. You just wanted attention. You were just as healthy as you needed to be. It was observed that my previa was worse that they thought but we would just play it as it came.

You grew and grew, and boy did my belly show how you were growing. Countless trips to L&D for countless, serious false alarms were made but because I still had the previa, no contraction could be ignored. At this time, I had convinced myself that as long as you were healthy, I didn't care how you came into this world. I think you heard me and took that to heart.

Your brother's first birthday came and went, and thankfully, I was still pregnant with you. The question though was would you make it until your due date of July 4th. I knew I didn't want a holiday baby, but it was up to you. On the night of your brother's birthday, I broke my toe, and not just any toe, but my pinky toe and it just so happened to be the bone in the foot. Fabulous. By now, we were 98% sure that the previa had cleared, so I was given the go ahead for another vaginal birth with the disclaimer that if I started to bleed or anything showed you in distress then I would be whisked off to the OR.

I knew from word of mouth and such that the 2nd time goes a lot quicker. I took that to heart but I had no idea. The morning of the 23rd I started having serious contractions. They were unlike the ones I had experienced with your brother at that. I decided that it was time to go in. We got to the hospital around 6am. We got checked in and I was changed and confined to the bed. Oh dear girl, you were an interesting labor. You refused to allow us to keep a monitor on you, but we needed to because your heart was scaring us to death. Dr. Aguayo came in roughly around 7 and I was 4 and 50%. My water had already somewhat broken so she finished it off and we got an internal monitor on you. You didn't like that one bit. By 8 my contractions were completely unbearable. I needed that epidural. You had other plans. Between 8:45 and 11:59, I had had 4 epidurals, none of which were working and you weren't making labor any easier. Your poor father had never seen me like that. There was no channeling my thoughts to get through the contractions. Their were fierce and painful.

On the last attempt at an epidural words were spoken of a spinal. I was game for anything at this point. The Anesthesiologist and the nurse spoke, the nurse was okay with it because currently I was 7 and 100%. I had time she said. I had time for the Dr. to get there. Famous.Last.Words. No sooner than I was told I would be getting the spinal, I stopped her mid-sentence and "I think I have to push". "No you don't, you just think you have to." "No, I've done this before, and I feel pressure, I HAVE TO PUSH." I think at that point as the nurse was flying to check me she may have said " Oh Shit"

So needless to say, I went from 7 to 10 in a matter of seconds. You wanted to make your arrival something. You succeeded little girl. Although Dr. Aguayo's office was just behind the hospital, she didn't have time. You came out into the world like a rocket, only after 3 pushes, into the hands of the nurse with the Anesthesiologist serving as the nurse at 11:59. We won't even remind you of the fact that I still had this broken bone in my foot which I had to push against your fathers hand which. Yea, that hurt. So, sweet girl, lets recap the days events. Fast labor-roughly 6 hours, completely natural-that was an experience, broken foot bone and pushing and being delivered with no OB in site. Dr. Aguayo won the bet of when you would show up. She said before lunch, and well it was before lunch.

You weighed a dainty 6lbs 7oz and was 21 inches long. You had a head full of dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. You were so tiny. You still are to this day. Dainty. Although I think you might just pass your brother in height over the next year.

You no longer have brown hair, but your eyes are still as blue as the day you were born. You've been a princess since the day you were conceived and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon. You love having your nails painted and your hair done and love wearing pretties.

I love you, Aslynn Grace, more than you will ever imagine. You and I share a connection that your brother will never understand.

Aslynn's blanket

Her blanket is coming along rather nicely if I do say so myself :D I have 16 hexagons finished as of right now. With the rate I am going, it will be done before her birthday so I decided that I will make Brayden a different blanket for his birthday as well. Here are pictures of the first 5 hexagons that I made. They are all some sort of color pattern using the same 5 colors.

A close-up of one of the hexagons. The yarn I got at Hobby Lobby and is called something like " I love this yarn!" It it super soft and I love it.

A picture of the first 5 that I did.

I'm rather proud of myself, I'm now able to produce the rounds rather quickly and am getting better and it as time goes on.

Granny-ing along

Make any sense?

I'm crocheting. Again. After a 5 year hiatus. The first time was a horrible attempt and looked nothing like what I wanted. And it was just a scarf. I had previously fed my scarf addiction by knitting with a loom, which I loved and could quickly spit out a scarf in no time flat. Aslynn and I both have quite a few, lol.


So I got a wild hair and decided to trying and figure out what I was doing wrong. Well, long story short, I figured it out and even mastered a few other things to become rather proud of myself.


So, you may ask what is this granny-ing along....Granny Squares. Fell in love with them at first glance. They can be colorful! Which if you know me that is just well ME! And they can be any size, shape, pattern. They don't have to be square. They can have flowers in the middle, ect. The possibilities are endless.





So I have taken it upon myself, to spend my time, I guess, making Aslynn a Granny square blanket. I have chosen white, peacock blue, pink, lime green and purple. I wil be posting pictures and blogging as I go along, so that you can see my progress as well. I decided that I wouldn't make her a traditional square blanket. I am going to make her a blanket using a 6-sided granny square at which I found the pattern that Crochet Mania. She also has tutorials of each of her patterns on youtube, which has helped my out rather immensly.

Our Christmas

Christmas around here is usually a packed day or two. On Christmas Eve we go to Brad's parents for a steak dinner and to open presents. Then on Christmas morning we wake up and do our Christmas, play for a while and then get ready to eat brunch at Brad's Aunt's house. We usually spend a few hours there before we pack up to spend the evening with my Aunt and Uncle and MiMi and Craig. The kids always have fun and usually crash on the way home.

Aslynn with one of her many babies she got for Christmas

Brayden finally got into unwrapping the presents.

Aslynn opening her Cabbage Patch baby from Grandma!

Brayden with MiMi opening his Tag Jr. books.

Aslynn playing with her Tea-pot from MiMi and Craig.

Wordless Wednesday

Hello World!

So much has been going on that lately all I do is come home from work, play with my babies and go to sleep only to repeat the next day.

I have been working days at work now for about 2 weeks and I'm so thankful because now I get to see my children at night and give them their baths and their snuggles.

I also have registered for College yet again with the help of MiMi and Craig. Without their help and love I would not be able to. I'm just taking 1 class but that is what I believe I can handle and give my full attention right now and work and take care of my family.

I also have a 2nd interview at another company on Monday which I'm hoping works out. Not only will it bring me more hours and a constant schedule but it will also mean insurance for my family as well as more income...woohoo! Wish me luck on that because I really need it. I feel good about how its gone so far but we will see.

As far as the babies go Aslynn and Brayden both are trying to talk up a storm. Aslynn trying to talk has sparked Brayden into wanting to communicate more. Poor guy he tries his hardest sometimes.

Aslynn still only has those same 4 teeth but I'm not hurrying that one bit ;) She started walking around her birthday as well! Now she is a walking fool...she still has her sea legs sometimes but she tries.

Brayden loves loves loves to swim in Toni's pool now!! He is like a fish! I love it!

Happy 1st Birthday Princess

Aslynn Grace,

A year ago today you came into this world and have slowly evolved into the princess that you are. You captivated hearts and stole some the first moment they saw you. I know you stole mine.

This past year has been so much fun with you and with your brother. You two love each other so much. You just start giggling the moment he holds your hand.

You are so dainty and delicate in appearance but your inner strength shines through. You gave us a scare when you were first born. I guess you thought it would be a great joke to fail your hearing tests a few times. But we know now that you can hear just fine. The echo you have in one ear will eventually go away and all will be wonderful.


You started walking on me. That just means you are growing up into a little girl and not my baby.

I love you so much princess,

Mommy

Toofer picture

I took this the other day for grandparents and aunts and uncles alike ;) Its come through much more now but its still there.

My little girl is growing up so fast. Next thing I know she'll be walking and then it will be her birthday. or Vice versa :(

Toofers!

That's right, my little Princess has sprouted her first tooth. She doesn't look the same, it just adds to the cuteness that she is.

Dr's appointment...

for Aslynn went wonderfully. I just love her Pediatrician more and more with each visit.

For comparison purposes....

at birth:

6lbs 3 oz
19 1/2 inches long

6 months:

15lbs 3oz(30th percentile)
27 inches long(90th percentile)
42cm head circum(95th percentile)



We've started on actual baby food as well. So far we've ventured into sweet potatoes, sweet peas and applesauce. She eats off of a spoon so well. She's starting to teeth, slobbering like a Saint Bernard. She rolls all the time, constantly exploring and taking in new things. She's attempting to crawl also!

Shes growing up so fast :(

Happy 6 months Princess!

The day you were born

One of my favorite pictures of you

Sitting so big in your Bebe pod

Another one of my favorites...your facial expression and hair :)

It's so hard to believe that you have been here for 6 months. Soon it will be your first Christmas, my how these 6 months have flown.

I love you more and more each day little girl and I honestly don't know what my life would be like if you weren't a part of it.

Growing up quickly

Just a few short weeks ago I found myself blogging about how I can't believe that Aslynn was 4 months old. Now I catch myself saying that about her being 5 months old soon.

Now, not only is she growing in size but shes eating solid foods! Just this past Saturday we started her on cereal. Where did my little baby go?

I know she still has many things left to do to "grow up" but I can't help it. I want her to stay little forever.

Or atleast thats how I feel right now

4 month check up

We took Aslynn to meet her new Pediatrician today and have her 4 month well baby check-up. I love her new Ped. They are all wonderful people on the office and they are so friendly. They even play with the kids! How could you not. I'm hoping to get Brayden into her office as well.


Aslynn at 4 months:

13lbs 4 oz(50th%)
25 inches long(75th%)


just to compare...

Brayden at 4 months

16lbs 4oz
26 inches long


While she is dainty in weight compared to her brother, she will be talk just like him. Brad's sister is tall as well as his mom so I somewhat figured she would be but me and Monica were hoping that she would be on the shorter side of life like us :)

Oh well...here's to hoping!

Lyon Farms

So about a week ago we loaded up the kiddos and made the trek to Taft, Tn to Lyon Family Farms. We figured that since everyone goes to Tate Farms we would try a different pumpkin patch and I'm glad that we did. It's a fairly new pumpkin patch so it doesn't have all of the glitz and glam that Tate Farms has. It's really down to earth.

Of course there was the slides, the tire swings, the corn wagon, the corn maze, petting zoo and of course the pumpkin patch.

Brayden had a field day. He loved, loved, loved going down the slides. At first he wasn't too sure about the whole corn wagon thing but he eventually warmed up to it.

He successfully led all 4 of us through the corn maze. It took a little longer with a 16 month old leading the way but hey thats all in the fun of letting him do it :)

He was amazed to no end with the animals. He ran up to this sheep and just gave him a hug, scared the sheep half to death but other than that. He even fed them himself. Gosh, he is growing up so much on me.

Then it came time for the pumpkin picking.


We loaded up into the hayride, minus Aslynn's wheels for the day, and off we went through the bumpiest field I've ever been through, haha. Aslynn zonked out during the ride and thats how she spent the time we were in the patch.

As soon as Brayden got off the ride, off he went, and of course he picked his own pumpkin. And he then proceeded to pick sisters, which is really actually cool looking. And since he was having so much fun we let him pick our pumpkin as well.

My boy has good taste and high hopes let me tell you.

By the time we left we were all ready to crash and eat. Brayden of course had to try and help push the wagon out to the car and needless to say he didn't get very far in it and prefered to ride.

holy 4 months Batman

How can it be that my little Aslynn is 4 months old already??

I honestly feel as though I just gave birth to her and not in the physical ailment kind of feeling either. I feel as though she should still be in her preemie clothes and diapers, not trying to roll over or laughing or smiling. Just laying there like a log.



Oh dear.

My sweet little girl. Your Aunt NiNi prayed hard that you would be delicate and dainty and you are just that. You can't weigh more than 12 lbs and you still fit in most 0-3 month clothes.

Your eyes are this beautiful shade of blue that just light up with life when you laugh and smile.

I could stare into you eyes forever, they draw people in.

Your hair, what was once this dark brown has faded into this beautiful light brown that sometimes has a red glow to it. It's getting long, especially in the back, I joke you have a mullet. You are getting those same whisps of hair that Brayden had that told us his hair would have curls.

You laugh now, its the sweetest, most angelic thing that I have ever heard.
Not even Brayden's laugh sounded like this.
You talk endlessly in your bed when you wake up in the mornings. You don't cry bloody murder. You are attempting to roll over. You can flip on your side with the greatest ease, its just that last little umph that you haven't gotten yet.

Your sweet little feet and those little rolls on your thighs are my two favorite things about you. I have a feeling those feet will get you into trouble one day because just for the mere seconds that you stand with my support your eyes double in size with excitement.

Are you going to terrorize your brother or is it going to be vice versa?

Are you going to skip this whole learning one word at a time and come at me with full sentences?



I still cannot believe that already 4 months have passed since we welcomed you with open arms into this world. If everyone thought I freaked out about being pregnant with your brother they were wrong. Finding out I was pregnant with you while your brother was only 6 months old landed me on the floor. I doubted myself as a mother of one, but adding another into the equation I REALLY doubted myself. I've surprised myself.

I love you little girl and promise me you won't grow up to quickly.....

Happy 3 months little girl!

Honestly were has the time gone since Aslynn was born?? I still can't believe that shes here after months of moaning and groaning because I honestly didn't think that my belly could get any bigger than it already was.

I love this picture

This picture just makes me smile. I wish I had one of Brayden like this when he was that little.