Tuesday, July 29, 2014

The Morning Tree

Oh yes, the simple things in life...they can be the best memories. I wanted to document our "Morning Tree." We have a tree at the end of our cul-de-sac. It is right in the middle of the circle. We take LOTS of walks during the day. Well, for 2 years now- we have walked down to the "Morning Tree" every day!
We named it the Morning Tree because we walk down every morning to tell the tree, 'good morning!' hahaha- only a mother would think of this activity! After a few mornings of "let's go tell the tree good morning" it turned into "let's go walk down to the Morning Tree!" At that moment, the Morning Tree has become part of our daily lives!
We take the Morning Tree a present everyday. The boys look hard for the perfect present to give the Morning Tree. We walk real slow, trying to find the present of the day! It's usually a cool pine cone, stick, rock, and sometimes we find things like stickers! We even found a Mardi Gras beaded necklace one time. We give the Morning Tree her present by laying down the 'treasure' near the trunk on the ground! We always say "Gooooood morning Morning Tree!"
We usually walk down to the Morning Tree after dinner to show Scott what presents they gave the Morning Tree that day! So far, the funniest present has been the dead/squashed frog that Trent picked up and insisted on giving it to the Morning Tree- yuck!
Everyone on our street knows our routine and will say "tell the Morning Tree hello for us!" It is SO cute and will be one of those little memories tucked in their minds forever! Our Morning Tree visits are so simple, but such a wonderful memory and tradition that makes life even sweeter!


Sunday, July 27, 2014

I'm Sorry

UGH!! I am SO SORRY sweet Faith Ann. I did it...what all mothers are terrified of doing! I cut off the tip of her finger while cutting her finger nails! She was scratching her face, so I decided to take on the dreaded task of cutting the tender nails of a sweet baby! I finished one hand and on to the next. I was cutting her pointer finger on her right hand...then, SCREAM!
Immediate pain cry, and my heart sank! What is kind of ironic is that my mom cut off the tip of my finger too- she always felt bad about that. Well, now I can wear the same badge of shame! There was blood on her little shirt as the blood was flowing out of her finger. I took her across the street because my neighbor is a nurse. After about 30 minutes of pressure, the bleeding slowed down. We bandaged it up, and laid her down for her a nap. She slept almost 4 hours, which made me wonder if she was okay! Did I traumatize her?! After a long nap, she was all better and her finger is healing nicely!

I just had to document this moment so I could always remember the first (of many) times I make a mistake with Faith Ann! It melted my heart because after I cut off her fingertip, she smiled at me with tears in her eyes....like she still fully trusts and loves me, despite my mistake! We can learn a lot from our children. How to forgive and love unconditionally! Sorry baby girl, mommy loves you!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

2 Month Stats

Weight: 11.12 lb
Height: 23.5 in

Taking all 3 kids to a doctor appointment is always quiet the undertaking. Considering the challenge at hand, they did great!! Our appointment was at 9:00. My doctor is usually pretty punctual...except today! Ugh!! We waited 45 long minutes in the room. 45 minutes in a room that you don't want your kids to touch anything- 45 minutes in a room with 3 kids 3 and under! We counted the tiles on the floor (a few times), we counted the dots on the ceiling, sang EVERY song from Vacation Bible School, played I-spy, rode bouncy horse on my legs!! Thankfully, Faith Ann was content in her carseat while I was busy entertaining! She was wide awake watching me make a fool out of myself!
Dr. Brack said that Faith Ann looks wonderful, always a relief to hear a doctor say that about your children! To say that I am grateful is an understatement! Dr. Brack was very very pleased with her growth! This peanut has doubled her birth weight and grew nearly 5 inches in just 2 months! The doctor said that growing this much is exhausting, no wonder she sleeps so good!! On top of our biggest blessing of health- this little girl is just beautiful!!
Just for the record...Trent's 2 year stats: 28.2lbs and 36.5in. He is very tall for his age. She predicts that Trent will be like daddy. Scott is almost 6ft 5in, so surely one of our kids will get his height. He is a big and healthy boy that is developing beautifully! Amen!!
Faith Ann screamed during her shots. She recovered pretty quickly after I held her, and after Hunter gave her 100 kisses! She fell asleep the second I put her in the carseat...sound asleep! So, we went to Einstein for lunch to celebrate our health and our freedom OUT of that room....yea!! Our days continue to be filled with adventurous summer activities and lots of playtime at home- Trent's roller coaster has filled our home with neighborhood kids to add to the laughter and fun!


Monday, July 21, 2014

Trent's 2nd Birthday Party

Simple and sweet...that wraps up Trent's 2nd birthday party! He LOVES airplanes- obsessed! He screams AIRPLANE every time he sees or hears one. So, I went with an airplane theme and donuts. We set up at a park near by. It is a wonderful park. It is shaded with great playground equipment. It has a nature trail with streams and bridges too, which Trent loves! We lucked out on the weather. It was supposed to be raining. Instead, we got a breezy, sunny day! Scott's car said 76degrees...what, in July?! It was a win-win for everyone!

 Faith Ann went with the flow. She wore one of my outfits from when I was a baby- it is an adorable outfit! She was held most of the party...passed around from person to person! She fell asleep in my brothers arms, so he placed her in the carseat where she slept in the shade.
We have her 2 month appointment, along with Trent's 2 year appointment tomorrow! She weighed 11.4 lbs last week at her dermatologist appointment. By the way, Texas Childrens is much easier to go to in the morning! We had an 8:30 appt, and we were back in my car by 9:15! The doctor said that her hemangioma hasn't changed since last month, and will probably not change in regards to getting bigger/darker. Then, around 6 months it will gradually start fading. She predicts it will be mostly gone within her 2nd year of life. Knowing that it is just superficial and cosmetic has put my mind at ease.

All in all...we had a great weekend. Trent was a very happy birthday boy and played hard at his party. Looking forward to our appointment tomorrow. The pediatrician hasn't seen Faith Ann since she was just one week old!! I am NOT looking forward to Faith Ann and Trent both getting shots- this will be interesting!!





Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Happy 9th Anniversary & Happy 2nd Birthday Trent

Today is a very special day. July 16th marks our wedding anniversary and Trent's birthday! We have been married 9 years and Trent is 2 years old today! Trent will always be my favorite anniversary present! Mom is on my mind today...I was born on my parents wedding anniversary! Crazy, huh?! Mom used to always tell me that I was her most special anniversary gift. And now I get to experience that same feeling on my anniversary! Gods timing is just so wonderful! Trent is gentle hearted, soft spoken, patient, but he is tough as nails! Trent captured a very special spot in my heart the day he was born. Such a tender and beautiful little boy!
9 years married to my wonderful husband. He is another tender, gentle soul in my life. Scott is my rock. He handles the chaos of life in such a quiet, balanced way. Scott and I totally "get each other." Our personalities couldn't be more different- but it just works so naturally! Our sense of humor is the same, and we have laughed SO hard over the years. We started dating when we were 15 years old. We have been through a lot. From day one, we clicked! We have grown up together, he is truly my other half. I don't know life without him!
I dug up some high school pictures of us. I found one from our 1 year dating anniversary!! Mom made us a candle light dinner in our backyard. She adored Scott from the start. I remember helping her cook this dinner. We were having girl talk. She said, "I bet you and Scott get married. Yall just fit!" She was right! Scott is a keeper. The place mats mom used to set the table are the ones that my aunt used to make Faith Ann's quilt!! Who would have thought, at 15 years old, we were eating dinner on our future daughters blanket. Wow!
Scott took the boys to have donuts this morning for Trent's birthday. I went to Texas Children's with Faith Ann. We had an early morning follow up appointment for her birthmark. Doctor said it looks great and should start the fading process soon- but more on that later. After donuts, Scott took the boys to Vacation Bible School. They are loving the pirate theme! The teachers sung to Trent and made him feel special. Then, we went to McDonalds with some friends to eat/play for more birthday fun!
We got Trent a mini roller coaster for the backyard for his birthday. Scott took off work early. He is outside now, setting it up while the boys nap! So, we will show Trent his gift when they wake and play all afternoon! Some cousins are coming over to take a ride on the roller coaster. I have some cupcakes so he can make a birthday wish! Then tonight, we have a babysitter coming over for Scott and I to have a date night for our anniversary...our first date night since Faith Ann was born. Feeling blessed and loved on this very special day!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Is Tonight the Night?

Here it is, 10:05 on a Saturday night. Scott and I decided that we would leave Faith Ann in her crib all night for her first time! She has been going to sleep in her crib around 7:30pm, then I feed her around 10:00 and put her in our room for the night. It's been working out great. But, we decided that we should just leave her in her crib tonight.
However, as I approach my night time feeding in a few minutes...Scott and I are feeling like she should come to our room after I feed her! Is it because Trent has been acting "off" today, and I feel like I will already be sleeping on edge? Or is it because she has such a soft cry, and I worry I won't hear her? Or is it because things are so smooth right now- why fix what 'aint broke?!
Or is it because she may be our last baby, and it is a BIG step to never have a "newborn" baby sleeping in your room ever again!! Scott and I were just talking about the fact that we may never have another baby sleeping in a bassinet by our bed. I may never roll over and crack one eye just to make sure the swaddle sack hasn't crept too close to her face! I like the comfort of knowing that she is safe, peaceful and sound asleep. I stare at her sweet face in the midnight hours. Putting her in her own room is a change. It makes her one step closer to growing up and out of the newborn phase!!
Scott said, "nevermind, tonight is not the night- I'm not ready for that!" I agree...it just doesn't feel quiet right yet! Why rush it? She is our baby! One day, I will long for the smell of a newborn and the sweet sleeping noises they make! We will know when it is the right time...maybe tomorrow night, maybe next week- but not tonight! Our baby girl will be next to us, tucked in and an arms reach away from her momma that loves her SO much!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2 Months

2 Months?! We have our 2 month appointment in a couple weeks, so I will have her stats then. I timed her appointment to go along with Trent's 2 year appointment...two birds with one stone! Faith Ann is just so sweet. Here are a few things she is up to.
 
- Sleeps in a swaddle blanket then I also put her in a swaddle sack to keep her all wrapped up! She likes to be a cacoon!
- Goes to sleep in her crib around 8:00pm, then I feed her around 10:30 and put her in the cradle in our room for the night.
- Sleeps from 10:30pm to around 5:00 (give or take). She is starting to go all the way to 7:00am!
- Breastfeeds every 3 hours during the day starting around 7:30am
- Lots of smiles and eye contact the past couple weeks
- Starting to making coo sounds
- Neck is very strong, almost ready for the bumbo chair
- Her brothers ADORE her
- She takes her long nap in her crib at the same time as brothers nap...wonderful quiet time for me!
- She naps from 1:00-4:30 or 5:00!
- The rest of her naps are on the go in the car (I don't think we will be able to stay home for a morning nap...sorry Faith Ann!)
-She is extremely peaceful and calm
- I haven't found a big "dislike" yet
- Getting so big and really filling out 

Faith Ann, we are blessed to have you! My favorite thing so far is to watch the sibling love! Your brothers- especially Hunter- love you so much! You are a very special gift, and we love you! 



Saturday, July 5, 2014

Happy 4th of July

Red, white and blue filled our day! We walked in our neighborhood parade. The kids loved looking at all the decorated bikes and wagons. I held Faith Ann most of the parade because it was SO hot, and I could see her hair getting sweaty in the stroller. She got a lot of admiration in her American flag outfit.
The parade ended at our neighborhood pool. Faith Ann was hungry, and I was having a hard time finding a "private" place because there were kids everywhere! So, I tucked myself behind the bar-b-que pit since I knew kids wouldn't be running there! There were a few people cooking the hot dogs, but I tucked my chair against the wall. This goes down as the most interesting place I have breastfeed Faith Ann so far! When Trent was a baby- I fed him in between granite slabs at a granite yard, on a floor model toilet at Lowe's hardware, and in a chicken coop. So, I would say that feeding Faith Ann behind a smoke pit while stranger men are cooking hot dogs isn't so weird!
She was sound asleep after her feeding. She slept on my chest while the boys swam in the baby pool. We met a lot of people in our neighborhood that will have kids in the same grade as Faith Ann. It was nice to meet the parents of her future friends! Tons of people came over to see her because she looked adorable all curled up with her 4th of July colors! We then headed home for naps.
Round 2 after naps...we headed back to the pool. I got in the big pool with the boys while Scott relaxed with Faith Ann. Then, Hunter wanted to go down the water slide and off the diving board. This was a two man job with Trent in tow. So, Scott got in the pool too. We set Faith Ann on a lawn chair and she slept for a good hour. Scott and I took turns checking on her. We could see her from the pool so we didn't take our eyes off her much. Besides, there were plenty of admiring eyes on her!
I sat on the lawn chair next to Faith Ann for a while. Trent came and sat on my lap and relaxed while we watched Scott and Hunter. I really loved this moment...a beautiful sleeping baby next to me, a cuddly little boy on my chest while watching my first baby play like a big boy! That was one of those mother moments that you bottle up in your memory!
We went to church to watch fireworks around 8:00. The boys were getting sleepy, but they had to see fireworks on the special day. With rain clouds about to fall from the sky...we loaded up! We met up with some friends, and it was so fun! We saw my dad there because he loves to listen to the orchestra that plays during the fireworks. Faith Ann slept in Scotts arms while Trent sat in my lap during the show. Sweet Hunter sat next to me and held my hand during the fireworks, he would pull my hand up and kiss my hand randomly...ahhh, what a sweet 4th of July!! Love my babies!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Happy Birthday Zsa-Zsa

Today is my mom's birthday, she would have been 69 years old. My family always gets together at Princes Hamburger for dinner in her memory, she loved a good hamburger! She also loved frilly, girly things- so of course, I dressed Faith Ann like a princess today in her honor...sparkly tutu, flowers, and bows! I often wonder what my life would be like if mom was here! She would ADORE my children and be eating up Faith Ann. My life would definitely be easier and my children would get an overdose of love. I have no one that can "drop everything and help me" to call on...that is what a mom is for! Yes, I am a "motherless mother" and it is pretty challenging at times. I hear my friends say, "my mom has the kids while I go to do this or that" or "the kids are spending the night at my moms house." Nope, I never get the oppurtunity to have that security or helping hand. But, it is also a wonderful blessing in disguise!
She gave me the gift of living motherhood in reverse. You see, I know what a mother thinks about upon her death. I know what a mother regrets, I know what a mother remembers and wishes she did differently. Knowing what I, one day, will think about as a dying mother has shaped me and has shaped the way I mother my children. It has given me a wonderful view of motherhood that many never get the gift of having! God gave me a different journey than most young mothers. While it is hard, it is also such a gift that I am growing to appreciate!
In my mom's last days, she told me so many treasured pieces of motherhood advice. I often use her words to get me through tough days and moments. My children may not have my mom in their lives, and I may not have the help that only a mother can provide...but, my children do have a mother that truly knows the depth and value of each moment- thanks to my mom! My experience with mom has made me enjoy motherhood way more than I would have- for that, I am thankful! Happy Birthday MOM!