& Our Story Continues

As 2014 draws near, you can't help but reflect on the past. 365 days. 365 chances to make incredible memories, and soak them up. I think that I can speak for our family of four, and say that we did that.

January, coming into 2013 we took our first trip as a family. We enjoyed a couple of days in the mountains, giving Hunter his first taste of snow, and our first taste of road-tripping with baby. I learned that I am not a skiier, or snowboarder for that matter. I do however, know how to hold down a bleacher with a hot cup of chocolate in my hand.

 

 

February, my sister and I got big into the gym. & it was on the way to it one morning that I realized I might be pregnant. It was in that gym bathroom that I just couldn't wait and took a pregnancy test. & it was in that gym that it hit me. We are going to be parents again. Holy crap. I told Brock a couple of days before Valentines, spent weeks soaking that up as well as celebrating his birthday and V-Day. We loved knowing about baby #2 and I spent more than a couple of moments crazy in love {{yes already}} with my second child. But, Hunter's birthday was coming up and that brings us to...



March, we told our families. They were of course very excited. Hunter got his first hair-cut this month, officially turning into a little man. The end of the month we announced that were were expecting! We celebrated Easter with big plans, our first Easter basket, and a sweet pair of red sunglasses.



April, our big boy turned ONE! We enjoyed having our friends and family around us celebrating one of the biggest moments of my life, Hunter's birth! We also planted a huge family garden and got chickens, and spent a lot of hot days putting up fences, planting beans and crossing our fingers for fast growth.



May, Hunter started walking and the pace of our lives picked up. We also found out something you already know, our sweet little babe was a girl! The daughter I had prayed for. We were on cloud nine. A perfect little boy and a sister on the way...Can the year get any better? The garden started producing and we started getting eggs. Summer was in full swing, and we were loving it!

In June, I found out that it could. I was thrilled to take our first beach vacation as a family. We went to Tybee Island with our friends/family the Spears. Hunter hated sleeping in the condo, but his crying was worth it the first morning we got up as the sun was rising and took a walk to the beach. I cried like a baby watching my baby see the sand and waves for the first time. He was thrilled and I was thrilled watching him. I'll never forget him holding his Daddy's hands and letting the waves crash into his little feet for the first time, and the huge smile on his face as experienced it. Pure wonder. & totally amazing.

July, Turns out that 2013 was a year of firsts. For some ungodly reason we took our first camping trip together one of the hottest weeks of the year with me 24 weeks pregnant. Note to self: Get pregnant in the Summer next time. Being that pregnant in the Summer just ain't fittin. We also celebrated my nieces first birthday & started to realize just how fast our kids were growing. & last but not least we celebrated our 2nd anniversary.

August, My baby sister got married. We planned, and planned and argued, and planned but the day came and went and it in spite of the rain it was beautiful. Most importantly, she was beautiful & she was happy and I gained a brother in law and a nephew in the deal. {{Aren't I lucky?}}

September, Wait. Life is fast. Wasn't it just February? September was fairly laid back. We were enjoying the last few months with Hunter as an only child. I had a beautiful shower thrown by some amazing friends and family and we staretd counting the days till we got to meet our Haddie.

October, It was here. The month that we would meet our daughter. We spent the days staying busy, taking Hunter to the Zoo, and getting another yes, another haircut, and other things to bide our time. I started gearing myself up for a long wait, but our darling girl made her appearance on the 19th, a couple days before her due date. We were perfectly smitten and still are. & then came Halloween and before we knew it she was almost a month old. Where does the time go? We also Hadley's namesake, Betty Joyce Watkins. A beautiful, kind, loving woman, who taught me a lot in the short time I knew her. She also gave me the gift of my Brock. He get's his sense of humor and huge heart from her. I thank her for that and will miss her greatly.

 

November, We celebrated Thanksgiving as a family of four. I count my blessings daily, but it was a special day to relish all the goodness that we have in our lives. I can't even begin to describe how blessed I felt. 

& here we are. In December, and I am writing this and just shocked at how full our lives have been. Brock jokes that, "We met in 2009, started dating in 2010, got engaged and married in 2011, had a son in 2012 and a daughter in 2013. 2014 better be a quiet year." It's funny but that's how it has been for us. Fast paced but such a wonderful ride. We know that there will probably be no marriages or babies this year but I hope I can look back at the end of '14 and have this overflowing feeling I feel now.

Here's to special moments, and the people we get to spend them with! Out with the old, in with the new.

Hope everyone has a safe & happy New Year!!

Welcome to the World Sweet Hadley

I want to take a minute to record the whirlwind birth of our daughter, while it is still fresh in my mind. I am sure I will have little to no sanity left after the next few weeks.

Anyone reading this that has been in close proximity with me this pregnancy know that although I hoped and prayed this little girl would make her appearance before her due date, I secretly thought and dreaded that we would go way over like we did with her brother. At my 39 week appointment, when we made the 40 week appointment I almost couldn’t hold it together. You know how it goes, you are just beyond ready to meet the little thing you have carried for nine months. I wasn’t particularly uncomfortable this pregnancy, but I was just ready to have her in my arms. After experiencing Braxton Hicks for weeks, my body was tired and I was just game for anything. Or so I thought.

Friday October 18th, Brock and I took Hunter to Cumberland for some PF Changs. I had been craving it and thought the spicy couldn’t hurt. That evening we stopped by my mom and dads to just hang out and enjoy their company and I spent most of the night laughing. My dad has that effect on people. We went home, put Bug to bed and I poured the tiniest glass of wine known to man and jumped in the bath tub, trying to relax before bed. We went to bed, another day down. I woke up twice that night to pee, once at 3:00am and once at 6:00am. Both times I noticed a little cramping but nothing that kept me awake so  I would go back to sleep.

At 7:00am on the 19th a dream woke me up and I knew something was different. I woke Brock up and sure enough there was some fluid. I thought maybe I peed a little, but I got up and took a moved around just to see and when nothing else came out I figured it was not my water. As I was trying to get comfortable enough to go back to sleep I noticed I was having some contractions. I jumped in the shower and then started blow drying my hair, and we started timing them. They were a consistent 6 minutes apart. Sometime thereafter I noticed some pink when I went to the restroom so I figured that it was all just my mucous plug, no big deal, and that we would go on about our day. I called the midwife just to be sure it was okay to go stay at home. She said it was.

I had a nail appointment with my sister in law at 10:00 and with the okay from my midwife, I went ahead and planned to do that. I had contractions here and there but really didn’t time anything because it wasn’t enough pain to make me stop what I was doing. When we got back home, my sister in law took Hunter for the day so we could rest “just in case” this was the big day. I spent most of the day in the bath tub, which is the only thing that helped with the contractions. We did head to my Mom and Dad’s to take my mind off things for awhile. At this point it was close to 4:00 and I was starting to doubt that what I was feeling was labor. I thought maybe it was early pains but it would be days surely. We called my in laws and told them they could bring Hunter home. They did, and he went down for a nap. I continued the next couple hours on the ball, eating when I felt like it, and getting in and out of the tub. At 6:30 Hunter had been asleep for awhile and I told Brock we should wake him so he would sleep that night. He got in my bed with me and we cuddled. He was being so sweet. We spent the next couple hours being lazy, with me breathing through contractions that were still 6 minutes apart. Once again, I hopped back in the bathtub to see if I could relax a little. I quickly noticed that contractions went from 6 minutes to 3 minutes apart and I was finding it hard to breathe through them. At one point my Mom was on the phone, and one hit me and I just threw the phone a Brock and started moaning into the pillows. We called the midwife, and waited. And waited. And waited. It was probably only 15 minutes but it felt like an eternity. In the meantime we frantically started looking for someone to come stay with Hunter, Brock finished packing the car, and I lost my mind on the bed. The midwife called back, and said, “Come now.”

It hit me. We had labored ALL DAY and then, bam, come now. My sister in law got here, I kissed Hunter and we were gone. My Doula and sweet friend Val assured us she was right behind us and my parents and Brock’s mom and sister got ready to leave as well.

The drive was 45 minutes of torture. I tried to look out the window and stay calm but I was scared to death and I could tell things were happening, and happening fast. We were having a baby. Maybe not right away, but she was coming, and she was coming on her own! I couldn’t believe it! After a parking nightmare at the hospital we were checking in. I had one while we were waiting for triage and I could feel all the nurses watching me. Brock and I swayed till it passed and then we were going down the hall to triage room #4. They got a gown on me and I got on the bed. Off came the gown, I was so hot all of a sudden! She asked if she could check me, and we went over my birth plan for a few contractions. She explained I had to be monitored for 20 minutes. All of a sudden I had a contraction from hell. I yelled at Brock that I “COULD NOT” do this. I was scared, and I wasn’t going to do it. The nurse, a sweet girl names Jessica, grabbed my hand and my thigh and talked me down from the ledge. My doula made it in and we worked through a couple more hard ones and then Jessica said they had a room for me. We started down the hallway and I stopped along the way to ride another one out.

In the room, I sat down on the edge of the bed and they said they would get the tub ready. I decided to go pee before they got me all hooked up. Brock went with me and I peed, stood up and I had a contraction and all of a sudden my water broke! I screamed because I thought I had just had the baby. On the floor. In the bathroom. It was so loud and sudden. Everyone rushed in, and I could hear the nurses and midwives start getting excited. As I got back to the bed I could feel myself bearing down, (very much like having a bowel movement) and I somehow managed to tell whoever was holding me up that I felt that way. She said I was pushing and that was okay. They raised the bed and I got on my knees leaning over the back. Val kept putting cool rags on me and giving me water. I remember someone saying that we were having a baby. I thought they were lying. I thought they were trying to make me feel better. I wanted the tub. Someone told me there was no time.

After this, everything is such a blur. At this point I was contracting every minute or so and with each contraction I was pushing my baby girl out! I had no clue I was doing it, I just knew it felt better and I wanted her out! My body took over completely. They said they wanted me to turn over. The said she had hair. I started telling Brock I couldn’t do it. I told him I was too scared, and that I wasn’t doing it right. I kept apologizing for being a baby. It was completely instinctual. I moaned/screamed my way through them, gritting my teeth and gripping the pillow. Brock was always there, always telling me I WAS doing it, and that we were having our little girl. He told me “Good Job” so many times I started believing it.

We got flipped over and I pushed again. They said that was it! I was pushing her down! They could feel her. They asked if I wanted to and I said no. I wanted her out though. Funny now that I was trying to joke even then. I don’t know how many contractions we pushed. No one counted, or told me what to do, and I was glad for that. I wouldn’t have been able to listen anyways. Hadley and me knew what we were doing and we did it. It got really bad for a minute, I think she was crowning. Brock got all excited and I knew she was coming. We pushed and her head was out. I remember someone saying that it was out, and the shoulders were coming. One push later the shoulders were out and so was the rest of my little girl! They put her on my belly and I honestly can’t describe it. She was right there and so perfect! She was looking right at me, and was so beautiful! A head full of dark hair. Brock kissed me and I was in heaven. Here was my little Haddie all safe and sound and we did it together!

After maybe thirty minutes of pushing she was here. Hadley Joy Watkins was born at 11:25pm on Saturday October 19th, 2013. She was 7 lbs 6.5oz and 18 1/2 inches long. She looked incredibly, just like her big brother!

The nurse and I started cleaning her off, and they let her be. Just she and I and it was wonderful. They left her there with me until they had to take her to start working on me and it was seriously the most precious moment of my life. Brock cut the cord, and he was so proud.

I am still in shock. Looking back at the weeks I spent wondering it all happened exactly like it was supposed to. I remember reading stories of fast labors and just shrugging them off. That wouldn’t happen to me. Hunter took 28 hours and a C-Section, surely Hadley would be as stubborn!  From the time we checked in to the time she was born was only an hour and half. How crazy is that? I never had time to adjust. My body did, but my mind didn’t. Even as I was pushing out my daughter I was saying I couldn’t but I did do it! We did it together and it was everything I had ever hoped it would be! I am so proud of how my body took over and got my girl here the way it did. I was so proud of Brock, for never letting me doubt myself. & I was so proud of me! I trusted myself and I came through!

Now we are home with both babies. It is pure bliss. I look at this little girl and I am so grateful. I am more in love with Brock than I thought I could be. He amazes me with his willingness to take care of us and how in love he is with both our son, and our daughter. Hunter is amazing as well. He loves his little sister and I know he will be an amazing big brother. & then there is Hadley…

You create these tiny little beings, and you spend nine months or longer waiting to meet them. You picture their hair, and their nose, and their little smiles but nothing prepares you for meeting your children. She is everything I wanted and so much more. I love every little thing about her, from the way she keeps her tongue stuck out to the way she curls her hands up by the sides of her head to sleep. I will never forget the moments that got her here to us. Thank you Lord for your many blessings.

Embrace the Camera {{Family Photos}}

Lets be honest for awhile. It 11:50 at night, just rocked the baby to bed again. I just got the link to our most recent family photo shoot. I am in tears, both for good and bad reasons.

First off, they are beautiful. We chose to do a lifestyle session in our home. I had planned to have sunshine streaming through the windows. That was not to be. The morning dawned rainy and just ugly. We trucked on however and really did have a good time. Haddie fell asleep as the photographer (a good friend of mine, the very talented Jennifer) walked through the door. Hunter had other plans. He was a wild man. Rarely looking at the camera and althogh he is normally all over his sister, he refused to even touch her. Whatever. Moving on.

One week later and Jenn sends me the link. They are beautiful. They really do capture how in love with Hadley and life as a family of four we are. The reason for the sad tears is a silly one. I have never been happy with the way I look for one reason. It doesn't have anything to do with my weight, or how my hair looks, or whether or not my outfit is perfect. It's something that has scars that run way deeper. My smile.

I have always hated my smile. I hate my teeth, I hate how my smile makes my eyes look. I just hate it.

It may be the reason I picked up a camera and started shooting other people. Since getting married I have consistantly turned the camera around on Brock and Hunter, and now Hadley, rather than getting in the pictures myself. When looking through photos I am then saddened that I am not in any of them! & it's really all my fault.

However, do I really want my insecurities to keep me out of these precious photographs? No. Not a chance. One day I want to be sitting with the kids, poring over boxes of photographs and laughing or crying at them. Definately not crying because my kids can't find a picture of Mommy. && are they going to care how I was smiling? Nope. They will only see that I was. Pretty sure that is all that matters.

So.

How fitting that while taking a bath the other night I ran across this lovely blog on Bloglovin'. Emily has launched an initiative to {embrace the camera}! How wonderful is that? Won't you head on over and check her out as well as join in the mission to embrace the camera yourselves? I think I will work on it myself! 

& now for the photos

Thanksgiving

As cliche as it is, once again I am awed by how much I have to be thankful for. I know that thanksgiving should extend into every day of our lives but it's easy to get caught up in the real world and forget to be grateful.  I tried to not get caught up in the hustle of a traditional "thanksgiving" this year, and it really was the perfect time to do so. Most of our immediate family was out of town so we had a {friends}giving with our bible study friends and I really hope we can make that a tradition!! Thanksgiving day was pretty low key. We had some lunch with my parents, stopped by Brock's grandfathers for a little visit and ended up at home with leftover pumpkin cheesecake. At some point in our day this happened:

&& believe it or not I am thankful for that too. reminds us that life is ((real)) and too short to not enjoy the good moments!

I am perfectlly thrilled to announce that we had a tree up a week ago. Not ashamed one bit. I try to pull every last ounce of the holidays out that I can, and putting the tree up right around Thanksgiving and leaving it up until New Years is part A of that plan.

We are also excited to have these kids to plan awesome holiday traditions for and there are things we are going to do this year and things that will have to wait a few years but it is just such a joy to experience Christmas with kiddos in tow! A whole new ball game! Here are some things we are going to implement into our list of traditions:

-Want, Need, Wear, Read ((see previous post for info on that!))
-Christmas Eve Eve Movie Night: complete with snacks, new PJ's and a new Christmas movie
-Magical Nights of Life: We can check that off the list, as we went on Saturday! & had a blast!

I also have seen a few things that I cannot wait for in the future! One being the tradition of giving Haddie a silver charm each year and on her thirteenth Christmas, giving her the bracelet to put it on. How sweet is that?! I am racking my brain trying to think of something similar to do for Hunter...

Another is that each child has their own wrapping paper. A small piece is then placed in the bottom of their stocking and that's how they know what to start unwrapping! How fun is that? I feel like a little kid just thinking about watching the kids race to see whose is whose.

Any traditions you think everyone should participate in?

Simple Gifting

The addition of a second babe to our little family has made us do some thinking in regards to how we want to gift for the holidays. Brock and I both believe in the magic of Santa and want our children to experience the wonder in that tradition without teaching them that Christmas is about gifts.

Looking back I admit that even though I knew the meaning of Christmas I spent more than a little time reflecting on my gifts and worldly things. My time should have been spent with family, sharing in the joy of the season and really being thankful for the beautiful gift of of Savior. However, I was a child and I want my kids to be kids as well! I want to see their faces as they open up the perfect gift, and spend time with them picking out gifts for others.

So after much thinking we have come up with a way to do the traditional things while keeping things simple, for both our hearts and our budgets.We are going to implement a few things this year, the christmas eve gift and Want-Need-Wear-Read.

The Christmas Eve gift I found where else, but Pinterest.  The idea is that the night before Christmas the kids open a gift together that really is for the whole family. First is a brand new set of pajamas . I can remember coming home late from my Grandparents house and rushing to my bedroom to put on my new jammies! Nothing is better than going to sleep, waiting for Santa, in soft, brand new pajamas! To top off the night there will be a movie (Pixar or a Christmas favorite) and snacks (hot chocolate and something to munch on)! I am very excited for that this year since Hunter is starting to get into movies and lets face it, I have always been into hot chocolate.

Next is this idea of Want, Need, Wear, and Read. Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Doing my research and trying to find the perfect gift to fit each category has actually been much more challenging but also much more fun than just walking down the aisles of a toy store and throwing what looks good in the buggy. I know that both kids are a little young for me to be able to expand on the categories but I still have compiled a couple of "wish" lists for the babes! I think Brock and I might even adapt these guidelines for eachother as well!

For Hunter:

One. Two. Three.

Four. Five.

1 & 2. These two fall under Bug's "Want" category. He loves climbing up in the big chairs at the table with us. We are hoping that getting him one of his own will increase the chances of him sitting and doing sensory crafts and puzzles, things he normally wont sit still long enough to do! It comes from IKEA & is not only adorable but super affordable. The Melissa & Doug trains are because, well, what little boy doesn't love trains?? From what I hear Melissa & Doug products are sturdy and well loved!

3. Something to read. Pretty self explanatory. Learning our letters, so exciting!

4. Dual purpose. To wear and a need. Big time.

5. Another one that falls into two category. Hunter has one pair of shoes that fit and so he needs something to wear to dress up a little, instead of just his sneakers!

For Haddie:

 One. Two. Three.

Four. Five.

Hadley's list was mainly just fun for me! 

1. I just absolutely fell in love with this line of books. Jane Austen is a favorite of mine, and I love this spin on the classics!

2. Have you heard of A Tiny Arrow? Beautiful custom made hair accessories and more! I will probably be doing a headband rather than a clip but we will see!

3. BlaBla doll. More specifically Suzette the Fox. Maybe Hadley doesn't want it but her Momma wants her to have it!

4. Sophie the Giraffe is a need right?

5. Love Baby Gap. Anything from there is quality and will melt your heart!

Sleep

If you want to know what the purest form of torture is as a mother, get your one month old to sleep after about 4 hours of tears and frustration and then get settled down in the bed. Once you find the perfect cold spot for your feet and get snug as a bug, open up your ears because what's coming next is a tiny baby cry. There will probably be tears. From baby yes, but also from you.

& let me tell you, sleep deprivation is real. As a mother we are blessed with the ability to run on little to no sleep, but the line should be drawn at putting your sunglasses in the fridge and the butter in your purse. Yes, folks, the butter.

My point is that no two children are alike, and as a mother I am having to learn that the hard way. Hunter was a sleeper. I remember my brother in law always joking about his sleeping patterns. It was wild how often that boy was slumbering. Hadley is a different ball game. She plays by her own rules and let me just say that I'm not even sure what game we are playing, she is that good. However, we are learning together and the one thing this has taught me is that there should be no judgement in the early months of parenting. You truly do just have to do whatever it takes to get by. & yes, savoring the moments is important and so is all the advice from friends and family but at the end of the day you need to be doing what is right for you and your little. Sleep and sanity intact.

Any recommendations for peace in the early months? Other than prayer and pounds of patience??

4 Weeks

Our littlest one was a month old Tuesday. Mind blown. Completely shocked by the fact that I just recently celebrated my 23rd birthday and am now celebratig my baby girls one month milestone with an 18 month old in tow.

Wow.

Hadley is so amazing. She can now lift her head and follows my voice. She is spending more and more time bright eyed. She even gave someone her very first genuine smile & it took my breath away.  

She is eating like a champ, but is a very avid eater, spending most of her time nursing. She does like to sleep on her belly but likes to sleep in my arms even more.  She is just now filling out newborn and simultaneously can pull off some 0-3 month clothes. at our last appointment she measured 20 inches, and weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. My "little" chubby girl. 

I have been looking at pictures of her brother around this time and it is fascinating how much they look alike! In fact sometimes it's hard to tell them apart! 

I am almost sad about how fast she is growing. If only we could keep them little forever...

& here is my little Haddie Jo...

 

Dress & boots are Baby Gap. Leggings are Target.

Life with two

Well hello there.

Yes, yes I am still alive. Some day it feels like just barely but alive all the same. Right now a glimpse into my world and you would think you had gone on a field trip to the zoo. My house looks like it was hit by a tornado, and really I guess it has. A three foot tall windstorm by the name of Hunter. Luckily at this moment both kids are asleep. Haddie in her pack and play, on her belly, against the reccomendations of pediatricians everywhere. The only way I can get her to nap. It also means I have to check on her every five minutes to keep my mommy heart from racing. Hunter is in his room, which is about to make it's transistion to big boy room. My heart is cracking a little just thinking about it.

Which brings me to the whole point of the story. Our lives have changed by leaps and bounds in he past four weeks since Hadley's birth. That's right. My baby is one month old today. The thing that I notice the most, is that it is so fast. The pace has gone up considerably since she got here. I find myself grasping at the moments. In a world where it is so easy to be worried about what is coming next, I am trying so hard to hold onto "right now" before it is gone.

With number two I am trying to do things different. Take more pictures. Record more milestones. It is hard though, because she is number two. & that means that number one is somewhere tearing something up, but making memories of his own! How do I love them both as much as I want to? At the end of the day I just snuggle them both and hope they know that their Momma thinks they hung the moon and stars. When it's all said and done I have faith that no matter what happens in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that Brock and I are doing right by our babies.

 Number two also means that I have become a little lax about a few things. I am not nearly as uptight with a newborn now as I was with Hunter. I nurse when I need to and the days of hiding out in a room somewhere are long gone. I can do almost anything with one arm, because the other is usually supporiting the littlest and don't mention sleep because it just doesn't happen around here. Hadley is a cat napper by day and has to slleep with Momma at night. I worried for a few days, asking all my friends for suggestions and now I am just doing what I need to do to get us all fed, rested, and happy. If it means my girl needs her Momma at night for awhile, then she gets it. We will cross all bridges when necessary. When you add another baby to the mix, you really learn to pick your battles.

All things considered we are so blessed and we know it. We are happy, healthy, and we have these two beautiful and wonderful children that feel too good to be true.

Can it get any simpler?

Here we are living in a house that keeps us warm. We have each other and while we have our bad days, we are so crazy in love still. We have two kids who are healthy and there is nothing more important than that. We have a God that showers us daily with these blessings and I think that's all that can ever be asked for. My heart is full, and happy. Two is perfect. Two is crazy and wild and fast but so, so wonderful.

My Sweet Hadley

Hadley Joy,

This morning I realized I haven't written you, like I wrote your brother. My next thought was your Daddy. I wanted to tell you just how lucky you are. He worked all day yesterday. We missed him greatly but enjoyed the evening together. You, me, and Hunter. Then he got home sometime during the night and he wrapped us up in his arms and we fell asleep. This morning, as I am barely awake I feel Daddy pull back the covers, kiss you and tell you "I love you little girl." He does this, without fail, every morning before he leaves for work and every night before bed. Most mornings he excitedly tells me how you kicked him all night, and he is okay with that. You just don't know how much you are loved. You were hoped for, wished for, and we were blessed with the knowledge that you were indeed a part of our lives in February. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to tell your Daddy. When it sunk it that we were going to be parents to two beautiful children I just was overjoyed. From then on out I was planning. I was very excited to find out what you were. We had names picked out and I will admit, I guarded my heart and told myself I was having a boy. When they confirmed that you were a girl I was beside myself! I practically danced out of the office. A boy and a girl, what could be better? Honestly, nothing in my opinion. Daddy and I decided on your name. Hadley just because we both love it, and Joy after your great grandmother Joyce. I started planning and waiting on all of those milestones that would solidify that you were indeed growing, and all mine. You began moving and I could feel it very soon. Much sooner than with your brother. It was such an amazing feeling, I forgot how wonderful! && now, at 29 weeks I feel so close to you. Sometimes I am in awe at how lucky I am. We think about you so much. What you will look like, will you be like Hunter? Last Saturday we got to see you in an ultrasound. You smiled at us. We watched as your little cheek went up and you just grinned, right there in my tummy. How amazing that our Creator put you there, piece by piece, and just for us! I cannot wait to hold you. To examine all your little features and talk about who you look like. Daddy says my chin, and I think you have Daddy's lips. We will see little girl. Haddie, I love you more than words can say. You will never know the depth of it. 11 short weeks till you are in our arms. We can't wait.

-Mommy

28 weeks

Oh goodness, how did I forget to post for THREE weeks? Almost 4?

Oh wait a second, I have a wild and crazy 16 month old, and the baby brain is full on crazy right now.  I forgive me...

So much is going on right now! Let me start with a check up and then I will elaborate.

How far along: 29 weeks on Monday. yeah.

Total weight gain/loss: Back down another 1lb for a total of 10 lbs lost.

Maternity clothes: You know it, I am officially back in Brock's discarded tee's as well because none of mine fit.

Stretch Marks:Still using Momma Bee by Burts Bee oil.

Sleep: Yes, thanks to about 5 pillows, two fans and a crazy electric bill.

Best Moment this week: Keeping my sugar down just by diet alone! Score!

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly!

Movement:So much! Baby girl is moving and shaking in there. It is starting to get a little uncomfortable, and I feel VERY round. I wonder if she is facing my back like she is supposed to?

Food Cravings: Actually they have tapered off. Nothing strange that I can remember really.

Anything make you sick or queasy: Not since that awful two hour glucose test!

                                          Have you started to show yet: I am asked daily if I am "popping" soon.

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks pretty frequent, however thankfully not regular.

Belly Button in or out: In still!

Wedding Rings on or off: Weird thing, my rings are actually LOOSE! I take them off because I am afraid of losing them!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: We have a 3D ultrasound tomorrow that I cannot wait for! I can't wait to see if she look like her brother!

Okay, so as for the sugar references. I did fail my first test, and then after a nerve wracking week I found that I failed the two hour as well. They made me an appointment with the specialist (Who I love! We are so lucky with the team we have behind us!) and I saw him Monday. He assured me that my VBAC plans were still intact as far as he is concerned. Then I met with the dietitian and she went over our plan. Basically I am now on a pretty strict diet of 6 meals a day with specific requirements for each meal. I also have to check my sugar four times a day and keep a log. If I can keep my sugars down (which I am so far!) then things should go well for us. 

I was terrified of that needle prick. Seriously terrified. Brock had to do it the first time and I still cried like a baby. Then, sure enough it was just no big deal. I do it now no problem. Sometimes I prick, and nothing comes out and I have to do it again and then I get frustrated but all in all it just isn't too bad!

So that is that.

 

Hadley is still doing really well. I feel lucky to have had such great pregnancies. All things considered. We are attending our Bradley classes regularly and I am starting to feel so empowered by the choices we have made and the ones we are going to make. I am at a point where I am not trying to please anyone anymore. This is OUR life, OUR baby, and OUR birth and whatever choices we make are ours to live with. Ultimately we will do nothing that endangers our little girl. We want very badly (Brock and I, both) to experience this in the most natural way possible. He is 100% on my side, and so are the people we have chosen to surround us in this journey and that is all that matters at this point! So there!

 

Everything else is just icing on the cake. The room, her adorable clothes. The bows. Which I may or may not have filled a large jar with by now. Maybe. Maybe not.

 

It is all just such a fun and exciting journey for us, and for our little boy, soon to be big brother!

I think I might do a littler nursery post next week! It is looking adorable in there. Everything I ever wanted!

:)

 

 

Hello, Summer!

Boy it is HOT around here!

I don't know whose idea it was to plan this pregnancy around the summer (oh wait, was that me?) but bad plan! Next go around, it's a spring baby all the way.

In all seriousness I couldn't be more pleased with how things are flying by. It is already been five weeks since my last update and it shocks me when I realize how close we are to meeting our baby girl.

What's like been like around here?

Most days (when the air is at a frigid 69 degrees, and I have had enough popsicles to keep me and Bug cool) I feel pretty good and chances are good that I won't be a mad woman by the time Brock comes home. I am energized for most of the day, and sleep pretty good at night.

I am not really nesting. Some days I start cleaning the kitchen or go to find something in the pantry and am consumed with the need to clean said area from top to bottom, but I am not generally in that nesting stage yet. Basically, Brock hasn't found me on the ladder cleaning the ceiling fans like last time. It will come. I do spend a lot of time in her nursery, planning and organizing. I love going through her clothes and hanging them. I have even been known to take them all out of the closet, arrange them by outfit and go through her bows trying to make sure I have enough. (Lord, thank you again for a baby girl!)

As far as life outside of baby #2, we are good! Brock is working a lot lately which is good, but it means one thing I hate, rain. These storms have been relentless. The humidity is doing terrible things to my hair and skin but it means more work, and more work means more money, and more money means more bows. ;)

Hunter is really growing and changing these days. He is walking, running, climbing and generally making it look like we beat him with all of his bumps and bruises. The past couple days Brock and I have noticed a change in him, though, he is definitely getting much more sure of his steps. It makes for a fun but challenging day! He is good at amusing himself f for the mos part, but loves to bring me a book and crawl in my lap and still enjoys a little cuddle time every now and then. I am savoring the way he sometimes just comes running for me, throwing those sweet little arms around my neck. He loves to give kisses, and I am enjoying every single one. I know there will come a day I have to hog tie him to give his Momma a kiss! Verbally he is growing each and every day. He learns a new word almost every day. Book, ball, cat, dog, Papa, Papaw, Uh Oh, Whoa!, juice, and bye bye are just a few that he has learned and actually repeated on more than one occasion! I am thrilled when he finally starts repeating something. I talk to the little guy all day. The proof is in the pudding. He now takes my phone, puts it up to his ear says some jumbled sort of "hello?" and paces the floor talking gibberish. Wonder where he learned that from?

The farm is flourishing. We now are getting about 5-7 eggs a day as well as tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans. The blackberry bushes are full and I think we have all spent some time out there picking. I personally have already made a double batch of cobbler, an three half pint jars of jelly. I think I heard something about a blackberry pie as well, but I wasn't party to that particular deliciousness. My sister in law and I have frozen beans and squash already, and after a trip to the state farmers market I have also made peach pepper jelly, peach butter, and bagged and frozen about 12 bags of silver queen corn. I think there is nothing cooler than eating something you helped raise, grow, pick, or make.

All in all its been a great Summer, and we are so thrilled that at the end of it all we get to meet our bay girl! Hadley, Momma can't wait!

Here is the standard check up!

How far along: 25 weeks, hard to believe!

Total weight gain/loss: Gained about 2 lbs from what I lost.

Maternity clothes: I live in my maternity shorts from Target, as well as the Liz Lange maternity tanks! Too hot for anything else except a maxi dress here and there!

Stretch Marks:Still using Momma Bee by Burts Bee oil.

Sleep: Sleeping better, with the help of about 5 pillows.

Best Moment this week: Brock feeling her move, and seeing it for the first time.

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly!

Movement: All the time. She is so much more active than her brother. Unlike him, she is a Daddy's girl already and kicks when he talks to her or touches her. With Hunter I would put Brock's hand on my belly and he would cease all movement immediately. lol

Food Cravings:Still sweet tea. Brunswick stew? I have had to have it about 4 times. Also cheese quesadillas from Taco Bell. Yum!

Anything make you sick or queasy: Had a terrible incident with cleaning up baby puke the other day. Thank God for my Momma!

                                          Have you started to show yet: Oh yes, it is out there and very round. No one believe I am only 25 weeks!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks more than I would like!

Belly Button in or out: In, but starting to pop a little. It never did with Hunter so we will so.

Wedding Rings on or off: Both, good and bad days as.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: Seeing baby girl again on the 31st!

Proverbs 31: Take Two

So last night we are leafing through my Bradley class workbook and I jokingly say how nice the exercise looks that deals with tensing up my entire body, and letting my coach massage the tension away. & Brock balks. & I get upset.

"You never want to participate."

"Why can we only do nice things when there is a kick-back for you?"

& other things, that lead to. 

"I don't mind giving you a massage." 

"I'll just do it."

which leads me to say things like,

"I don't want you to mind doing it."

What if I didn't mind being his wife? What if it wasn't something I did joyfully?

Anyways, this argument had been days in the making. We had spent the days before giving each other the silent treatment. We had just had a long talk over dinner about our expectations and here we are fighting again. The kind where I am on the couch, and we are yelling, YELLING about nothing. 

However, the root of the problem is that neither of us feel cherished or respected in this relationship. for me personally, I feel like a lot of things. None of them being his wife, his partner & best friend. I feel like Hunter's momma, and some one's best friend, and some one's sister but not my husbands wife. & neither of us feel like we put the other first.

& well, we don't. Not at all. We are both very selfish human beings. I spend my days thinking the most important thing is my son and growing daughter. He spends his days thinking he can put in his forty hours and call it a week. We love each other, we really do. That never sways for either of us. It is unconditional. The vow we made before God we both take seriously. I have never looked elsewhere in our marriage, and neither has he, I know that without a doubt. But do we put one another first? No.

Tonight at bible study, I think we both realized why. I had emailed the girls (all married, all with kids) and ask they just cover our marriage in prayer and explained the issues. Come to find out, every single couple was having these same issues. One of us had linked us all to this awesome blog, and another of us suggested we look deeper into Proverbs 31. We looked at how the verses don't necessarily translate to today's time and circumstances. Do I need to get up before the sun to bake bread and feed my servant girls? No. If I had servant girls, I guess I would feed them (kidding!) but I don't. Nor is it important for me to start weaving our bed linens and dyeing our clothes in the wee hours of the morning. The meat of the issue though, is still very relevant. Do I still need to cover my husband in prayer daily, becoming someone he is proud to have as his wife? Yes! Do I need to make myself presentable and spend my day in fear of our Creator? Yes! & most importantly do I need to spend time with the Lord, preparing myself for my day, and consequently that of my husband and children! Absolutely! 

We talked tonight about how important it is to put our priorities in line. It's such a simple process when you think about it! Wake up every morning and wait for it, put God first! Not the house work, not the kids, not the husband. What? Marriage works without putting your spouse first? Yes, yes it does! Just like everything else in life, if we spend time every day clothing ourselves in God's armor and growing in the Lord then everything else will fall in line. Naturally, if I have my life in line, and my heart where it should be, then my husband will feel like he is the only priority I have. So will my children! How amazing would that be. & if Brock does the same, I too will feel loved and cherished and special. Because I will be!

It's such a wake up call. I know we both have so much work to do, but two years into this I think we have plenty of time. Especially now that we both see that the faults in our marriage do not lie within the other person, but rather are things we should be changing about ourselves. I cannot wait to examine my flaws, and start changing them. Knowing he is doing the same, and preparing ourselves to be the best possible mates & parents!

Meeting our Support Team!

So yesterday was a big day for us! Due to some insurance changes we missed our 16 week appointment for Hadley. Then we switches practices and so that was another stressor for me. Yesterday was our first appointment with the amazing staff at See Baby Atlanta, and Intown Midwifery. 

Brock took off since both offices are located in Atlanta and I am a complete moron when it comes to anything "ATL". We made it to our first appointment about 30 minutes early, and after a couple insurance issues that made me cry (go figure!) we went back to see the ultrasound tech. This appointment was focusing on the 20 week anatomy scan. The whole process took about 20-25 minutes and it was wonderful. Our sweet tech was so verbal about what we were seeing, and very personable. She confirmed that Hadley was still indeed, a girl, and had grown no extra parts! Great news!

As we were leaving, they asked us to wait, because Dr. Bootstaylor wanted to see us. Me being who I am, immediately thought something was wrong. Why else would he want to see us? Come to find out he just wanted to meet us! It was so great to have him tell me that everything would be okay, and he totally validated our decision to switch practices, as well as have the VBAC. He gave us a run down of our scan, letting us know everything looked great. Then he told us a projected weight, and so if I keep up at the rate I am going, we are looking at maybe 7lbs 7oz. Smaller than her brother, but a good, healthy weight!

Then it was over to Intown for our appointment there. We found it pretty easily, even if we did park in the wrong deck and have to walk a country mile. We met with Anjli who was just as lovely as I imagined she would be. She spent more time just talking to us, than every appointment combined with my pregnancy with Hunter. It was so nice to have someone be genuinely interested in my previous story and just as curious about what I expected from this pregnancy and birth. Brock and I both left feeling so empowered and supported!

Add that all to the fact we have the most dedicated and passionate doula/friend to go through all of this with us and we are so thrilled about how this will all happen! I am by no means against any form of birth, but I just want the birth experience I have this time, be the one I was meant to have. I feel like that because of the amazing staff at these two practices I will have just that!

So, we leave tomorrow for the beach and I have just an overwhelming sense of peace about everything at the halfway point. I can enjoy my vacation! Bring on the sunshine!

20 Weeks

Here goes...

 

How far along: 20 Weeks, Halfway baby girl!

Total weight gain/loss: Still down about 18, but baby girl is growing and my appetite is back most days so I should catch back up soon

Maternity clothes: All the old favorites. Leggings, maternity shorts from Motherhood that I live in. Most of my old tops and some new ones! Also broke down and bought the super soft maternity tanks from Target! They are fabulous!

Stretch Marks: Unfortunately yes, I hear they are genetic. Thanks Mom! Bought some Momma Oil by Burt's Bees I am giving a shot, as well as Palmer's Stretch mark cream.

Sleep: Sleeping much better at night. About 4:00 everyday I am ready for a good nap! Some days I get one, some days I don't!

Best Moment this week: I am going to guess it will be our anatomy scan on Thursday! Can't wait to see her sweet face!

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly!

Movement: Like crazy lately. Moving up closer to my belly button. Had my first kick that made me stop and go "woah!" the other day!

Food Cravings:Still sweet tea. Also fried chicken randomly the other day, and watermelon. I could eat it daily.

Anything make you sick or queasy: Water, but only if I drink it first thing in the morning. Which I always do.

Have you started to show yet: There is no hiding this big bump! Nice and round though so I am happy about that!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks every so often.

Belly Button in or out: In, but starting to pop a little. It never did with Hunter so we will so.

Wedding Rings on or off: On, loose actually.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: Our appts on Thursday with our new doctors and then our first family beach trip this weekend!

We have a "toddler"!

Today my boy & I:

-went to lunch
-showed each other where our "noses" were
-made sun tea
-drank sun tea
-played with fire trucks
-shared a couple of gummy bears
-went grocery shopping
&
-sang "Monkey Jamboree" about thirty times

& then, while I watched him try to put on my shoes I realized that in all the week to week excitement of Baby Hadley, I have neglected to record all the amazing changes we are seeing in our little boy! So here is a little update of where we are with his progress, and who he is quickly becoming.

Size: At last check, he was a slight 20 pounds and 26 inches tall. My little man! He is still able to wear some of his 9 month shorts, including bathing suits. We are however FINALLY in 18 month shirts, and one piece outfits with a coupe 12 month pieces mixed in. He has these short little legs (sorry buddy!) and people always jokingly ask if he is wearing shorts or pants!

Illness: We were very lucky with Bug. He caught RSV from a friend earlier on this year, and got an ear infection from that. Aside from that he has been relatively healthy. We had a little problem when we switched to whole milk. I was giving him way too much and it made his my hurt, but once we realized that was the problem we reduced it and no problems since!

Mobility: We FINALLY have a walker. A couple weeks ago, we let him out of our arms at his Nana & Papaws and little man just takes off for his Nana. About 5 awesome steps! He has since then gotten to where he walks almost everywhere. He still crawls when he falls down, mainly because he a hasn't figured out how to stand up without assistance from something stationary. We are still a little wobbly but he is doing so good, so fast!

Communication: Hunter is still saying the basics, Mama & Dada. We have heard "cat" a few times when Chloe startles him, and he can say "Nana". Other than that he has up just learned he can scream. It is a high pitched happy scream that makes people turn around and stare at us in the store! Sorry!

Sleep: I am happy to report that Bug is sleeping through the night, and without the paci! We took it away over a month ago and it was hard for a couple of weeks but he now gets a cup of milk, and either a bath or just a wind down and then we lay him down and he goes to sleep! He whines a title sometimes but he generally is a good little sleeper. No strict bedtime but usually 8:30, 9:30 at the most and sleeps till 7:30, some mornings he will go until 9:30.

Feeding: We are now drinking three 6oz sippy cups of milk a day. In addition to that he has his traditional 3 meals and snacks here and then. He loves food, however, he is a little more picky than he was as an infant. We did baby led weaning, and Hunter was always so good about a variety of foods. I think it is a stage though that's he is in where he does not do well with red meat, and he chews things and spots them back out (gross, I know). He also is now throwing his food on the ground, which mommy does not like. All in all, he still eats very well. We definitely know when it's dinner time in this house, as we get a little cranky if a meal is running late!

Personality: I say this in the best way, but Hunter is still a little high maintenance. With that said, he is the sweetest little thing. He crawls up in my lap and wants hugs and kisses and he has the sweetest little laugh. When we figure out what triggers it we wear it out making him giggle. He is also the most persistent little thing. When he wants something, he goes for it and no amount of distraction or diversion helps our case. He just has to pitch a little fit!

Likes: Blowing kisses, berries of any kind, when Nana sneaks him full strength sweet tea, walking, when Dad "roars" at him, going for walks, playing with the "big kids", he loves all his grandparents but adores his Papa & Papaw

Dislikes: getting dressed, the word "No", having his diaper changed, having to stay away from the hearth, getting strapped into just about anything, getting out of the bath, loud noises especially baby screams

So, at thirteen months our little baby is big boy. He is changing before our eyes and we are so proud and blessed to call him ours.

18 Weeks

Oh goodness. We are two weeks from being HALFWAY! That is crazy to me!

How far along: 18 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Down about 18-20 depending on when I weigh

Maternity clothes: Nothing new. Wear my maternity shorts a lot. About to suck it up and invest in some maternity leggings and long flow-y tops!

Stretch Marks: Unfortunately yes, going to grab some Bio Oil soon!

Sleep: When I sleep, I sleep hard. Random energy during the day!

Best Moment this week: Getting baby girl's crib. Had my heart set on a white Jenny Lind since we were expecting Bug. Found one and set it up. With her bedding I made it is just perfect!

Miss anything: Honestly, no. I am so ready to meet our girl!

Movement: Hadley Jo is a mover! Anytime I am bent over, she kicks like crazy! "Get off me Mom!"

Food Cravings: Not really a constant craving this week! Just something looks good, I grab it! Trying to balance that out by eating healthy when I can.

Anything make you sick or queasy: Eggs. With cheese. Which I love. Sad moment for this Momma!

Have you started to show yet: Lord yes.

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks every so often. I recently found out you actually experience those the entire pregnancy. Some feel them, some don't.

Belly Button in or out: In, and please let it stay that way!

Wedding Rings on or off: On, loose actually.

Happy or Moody most of the time: More moody than normal lately. Quick to anger, sorry Brock!

Looking forward to: Taking Hunter & Hadley to the beach in two weeks! Got to find some cute maternity beach wear!

So that's about it. A nursery update will be coming this week!

Scored this little baby yesterday for $15! I have been eyeing it for little girl for months. Its still pretty pricey online but was reduced by a ton in stores. Everything is 50% off today, so if you have a Gap nearby, get to it!

Dreams

I woke up this morning and in those couple minutes where you lay there & almost don't even know where you are I remembered my dream.

I think we were in the hospital. It was morning and I was sitting on the bed they have there for the husband, and my sister was with me. And Brock brings over this little bundle. He gives it to me, and I start unwraping and it is my sweet baby Hadley. She was perfect. Incredibly perfect. Dark hair just like her brother and this soft skin, and big blue eyes. As amazing as she could possibly be. & then Jenn & I start dressing her like a little doll. Putting on outfits, taking them off and trying on others.

I was in pure heaven. I have been so scared to have Haddie. I guess because this time I know what to expect. With Hunter I was oblivious to everything, and just knowing what could be there is certainly more anticipation and this just made me feel so much better. We have gotten our Doula, and are starting Bradley classes in May. I just feel so accomplished and peaceful. I hope someone reminds me of that in about 6 months!

What a blessed Mama I am :)

16 Weeks

How far along: 16 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Down 12-15 lbs depending on when I weigh

Maternity clothes: Finally splurged on maternity shorts! It is going to hot this summer and I was busting out of everything.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new

Sleep: Sleeping better at night, random spurts of energy during the day!

Best Moment this week: Finding out the sex. Sad to cancel the party when they couldn't tell on Saturday but so glad Wednesday that they could tell!

Miss anything:Not having heartburn

Movement: It feels like when you are driving kind fast and you hit a bump that takes your stomach! :)

Food Cravings: Hot pockets still. Ham & cheese specifically.

Anything make you sick or queasy: Doing laundry did it this week. So weird.

Have you started to show yet: Have to say I am

Gender Prediction: There is no prediction any more! We found out we are having a little girl! So excited to meet Hadley Joy in the fall.

Labor Signs: Lord, no.

Belly Button in or out: In, and please let it stay that way!

Wedding Rings on or off: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Emotional wreck, I tell ya. Songs, commercials, everything makes me cry.

Looking forward to: Getting Haddie's room put together

Over all it has been an amazing week! We are so very happy with everything that is going on right now. So happy that it feels like everything is way to good to be true!

Party Bust

So for weeks I looked at my calendar and counted down days till we would see our little one & finally give this baby a name and an identity! I know that sounds silly, but I delight in all of the small things you can begin doing when you know what you are having!

Anyways, to top it off, we planned a huge production of a party that included secret text messages, coordinating outfits and a big surprise at the end! I was thrilled. My family & friends were on board and who doesn't love a good excuse to get together & drink cold beer while talk about babies?

Sunday night I couldn't sleep I was so excited. Everyone was on standby at 10:00 Saturday morning as we walked in the door for our ultrasound. When we got there we noticed the office was a mad house. They were having technical difficulties and people were backed up for their appointments. Our turn came and we went back, explaining to the tech that we didn't want to know. We asked her to write down the results in an envelope. A few minutes into the scan, she shut off the projector and we waited. A few minutes later and she was telling us it was a no go. Baby wouldn't stop moving! I was a little broken hearted at having to cancel the party but thankful I got to see how big our babe has grown. It always blow my mind that from that first scan where baby looks more like a gummy bear than a baby, to the 15-16 weeks scan where we find out gender, there is so much change and growth. We saw the spine, and that is always a wow moment for me as a mother and a Christian. Something so small, and perfectly formed is growing inside of me and thankfully I was picked to be it's Momma!

They rescheduled us for this Wednesday which puts me at 15 weeks 3 days and I hope and pray our little one is a little more cooperative. To keep things simple, we will be going to dinner beforehand and our parents can join if they feel like it! No party, no plan, just a big moment where the tech confirms what we are having! Can't wait for that moment!

14 Weeks

14 weeks, wow! Time is flying by. I will probably say that everytime. It just amazes me! Nothing special today except for the questions. The big post will be next week when we find out WHAT WE ARE HAVING!!!

:)

How far along: 14 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Lost 15 lbs so far...

Maternity clothes: Bought some tank tops and shorts to go along with the fall-ish maternity options I had from Hunter

Stretch Marks: Nothing new

Sleep: Sleeping better at night, but still exhausted all day

Best Moment this week: Feeling baby move today! At almost 15 weeks I guess I could be crazy, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Almost 100% sure it was the babe!

Miss anything: Still miss eating a good meal

Movement: As previously stated...

Food Cravings: Lately, sweet tea & hot pockets. Totally healthy, thanks little one. A little healthier is lemon water. Gotta have it!

Anything make you sick or queasy:Specifically, baby spit up. Gross I know.

Have you started to show yet: Not much hiding this bump anymore!

Gender Prediction: Boy

Labor Signs: Lord, no.

Belly Button in or out: In, and please let it stay that way!

Wedding Rings on or off: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Emotional wreck, I tell ya.

Looking forward to: Gender reveal party 3 days!

Hunter's First Birthday Bash

So in true OCD fashion, I began the thought process for this birthday party when Hunter was about 4 months old. But being the procrastinator I am, and always will be, the party actually came together starting maybe month eleven. Go figure. I put the blame wholly on Pinterest. There are just too many good ideas on there, and a girl could get lost, for real.

In the end, I settled on something that wouldn't limit me to a specific set of decor, ideas, etc. Vintage Red Wagon. It allowed me to use things I already own. Classic white serving ware, vintage jars, and toys and I chose two fairly common colors. Red & Aqua.

After choosing a theme, the next step for me is always the invitation. I design all my shower, and party invites myself. Here is Bug's...

 

Then, the easiest thing for me was the menu. It was held from 2-4 so traditionally you don't have to feed people, but that's just not the way I do things. For the adults, there were meatballs, chicken nuggets, an awesome little dip called "redneck caviar" found here, french onion dip and chips, fruit salad and a delicious fruit dip found here (made with only 2 ingredients by the way, which rocks!). There were also sub sandwiches, and pasta salad made by my awesome neighbor (not sure of the recipe but it has tri-color rotini, onions and dill. to. die. for).I served a couple sauces with the nuggets and bread and butter pickles because I like them. Let me just go ahead and give you some advice. Plan for double what you invite, and then make more food. Seriously. I ran out, which has never happened to me before, but it did & I was mortified. It is always better to have extra than to run out. Take it from me. For the little ones I got decorative paper cups from Sweet Lulu and stocked those with cheerios, and served these awesome Veggie Straws as well.

Then you have the cake. My very talented sister in law made that, and it came out awesome! The topper I purchased from an Etsy shop, found here and it was adorable! I made the ombre smash cake myself. The cake sat on top of a wooden stool purchased from Hobby Lobby and stained by me.

 

For favors, I made (with the help of the bakery at Publix) 4 dozen sugar cookies, frosted them and piped a red "H" on them and put them in little treat bags. The tags were hand stamped with "thank you very much" and were tied with aqua twine. So fun!

&& for drinks I chose lemonade, soda and of course bottled water and served those with matching cups and striped straws from Sweet Lulu. Amazing little site for all your party supplies!

On the present table we wanted to give people a way to leave their mark, and for us to remember who was there. I ordered a book, "Red Wagon" from Amazon and set it up with a sign asking guests to sign the book and left pens out. Of course they all stopped working. Fail #2. Word to the wise, buy Sharpie brand. Don't go cheap like I did or you might have to hunt down your mother, who might also be a pen thief and ask for some replacements. Just maybe.

For another little corner, we set up my grandmother's vintage high chair and I hung a "ONE" banner from it. I found the printable banner here. I cut those out and then cut out some slightly larger from colored paper and pasted them to it. Behind his chair was an element of my own creation, the photo wall. I used chalkboard printable that I wish I had to give you, but have since lost on my computer somewhere and do not remember their source. They each said "One Month" "Two Month" etc. and I string those on twine, four to a string leaving space for 2 4x6's in between each. I hung those on the wall, and in the spaces hung two photos from each month of his sweet little life.

Another little decorative element were the chalkboard pieces. Outside the front door was a chalkboard that said Welcome to Hunter's party and balloons were attached to that. Behind the cake table was a black poster board that I drew on with chalk pens that listed his "stats". Favorite book, height, weight, etc. It was a hit and I had a ton of questions about it!  

I had a shirt made for Hunter and it was one of my favorite things!

The rest of the decor was pretty simple. Tablecloths & balloons that matched and of course matching plates, cups, silverware etc.

We let everyone eat, and socialize then went straight into the smash cake, and ended things up with presents. 

It was such a good time. However I will leave you with some things I learned.

1. Plan. Plan. Plan & when you think you are crazy for panning to early, you have probably started to late. Pinterest is amazing, but limit yourself to the things that matter and go from there.

2. As I previously stated, plan for more than you think. When the party is over and there is food left, you can always take it home.

3. With little ones, it is so important to plan when it's good for them! You do not want a cranky baby on your hands. He/She will be passed around like crazy and you want your sweet one in a good mood. For us, that meant after his first nap (11:00-12:30 or 1:00) and before his second nap (usually 3:00 but can be pushed to 4:00).

4. On that note, plan your schedule to allow for baby to have as normal a day as possible and at the party prioritize what you actually want baby to participate in. If you know you will have a grumpy baby on your hands an hour into the party, you might want to make sure you take pictures and do the cake first. Baby can't open presents anyways...

5. Have fun. Do what you can before hand, so that you can enjoy the big day. You don't want to be stressing over where you put the forks or how much dip you have or don't have. 

6. Last but not least, except help. I had my amazing best friend, my sister, mom, and in laws there to help me set up. My amazing husband kept Hunter at home doing his regular stuff until time to be at the party!

Enjoy planing! We all know that the first birthday is for us Mom's and it's a big day!