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!