Dave and Brit Plus One

Just life and lots of love.

2012-01-23T16:49:00.000-05:00

The days fly by....

This is what happened last week.

We went to Stephanie's for a boy play date while big sis was at school.

Mason, Houston, Hudson, Wyatt and Ty. {in order by birthdate.}

I don't know? Maybe we should start a basketball team?

If that wasn't enough adorableness for you to handle in one photo.... here's what my sweet, special K has been up to...

Her FIRST show and tell! Transportation week at school and Kennedy takes her "Elvis Pink Cadillac" that she picked up in Memphis last year.

I stopped last night and took the time to look back on photos of her and wow! Wyatt's growth is so visible, but Kennedy's is sneaky! I mean, where did this second year of her life go? I was pregnant, so I'm guessing that's where. It makes me really sad, slightly panicky and definitely desperate to soak in these last few months with a 2 year old. I watched a video of her from this time last year and she has just blossomed into this full on, vibrant little girl. She is still sooooo sensitive. We call her our "Fragile Frances". God love her heart. HA!

She can be sassy and prissy, but there's also this very delicate side to her. She is having issues for the first time with being a sister. She loves her "blue baby" so much, but she often asks me "mom, but do you love me more than blue baby?"

In other words, "Have you replaced me?"

She is acting out a lot, and I have been disciplining her. It can be soooo hard. I know she sees us loving on Wyatt constantly and he NEVER gets into trouble. I feel bad because I know this is creating feelings she's not used to experiencing because she can't comprehend why she gets yelled at and he doesn't. However, I know she won't really remember this time, and the best thing I can do is discipline her and shape her little heart. It's just sooooo hard right now. Every day as a parent you face a new and uncharted venture. That's why I do believe it draws you closer to God. I rely on Him for my every move. I mess up a lot, but I try so hard to allow Him to show me the way to love and raise my children. I hope that someday when Kennedy reads this she can understand. {And Kennedy if you see this post and feel unloved because your brother has more pictures... get over it girl. I fight with you like crazy to get a picture! You will not let me! UGH!}

I have been getting really frustrated a lot. It's funny because when you look at your child as an infant you know that they are sinners and they are going to do things that push you over the edge. And still yet, it can be sooooo shocking when they finally do it and you feel that frustration towards them for the first time and towards yourself. Kennedy is the best thing that ever happened to me. By God blessing me with her, I was given the gift of motherhood. She changed my life, and ultimately saved me from myself. Wyatt completed our family in so many ways that I could never explain. It's sooooo easy when your kid is "going through a phase" to look back at the day and look over all the things they have done wrong.

I laid down the other night with her, and I held her while she was sucking her pappy {yes, I still give her a pacifier.} and humming. She is growing and changing {did I mention potty trained?}, but she still does this thing that she has done since she was a baby girl. She hums softly and chomps her pappy and is at complete rest in my arms as her legs dangle off of my lap. I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead and just had one of those "God I am so thankful for her" kind of moments. I sang her a song that I sang in church as a child. I'm including the lyrics for my Kennedy to read someday.

I Haven't Turned Out Yet

The other day I heard my mom complaining to my dad
It seemed she was quite certain I was turning out all bad
And so that night when she came in to tuck me into bed
I asked her to sit down awhile and this is what I said

I said, "Mom you do not need to worry"
I said "Mom don't give up on me yet
Those things you always tell me I never will forget.
Someday, I'll be a grown up And you'll be proud I'll bet
You see I'm still a kid mom, I haven't
Turned out yet."

My dad was tellin' grandpa he was worried as could be
It seemed his heart was broken' he was so ashamed of me
And so that night instead of mom, twas Dad who tucked me in
I asked him to sit down awhile, I started with a grin

I said, "Dad you do not need to worry"
I said, "Dad you do not need to fret
That spankin you just gave me I never will forget
Someday I'll be a grown up and you'll Be proud I'll bet
You see I'm still a kid dad, I haven't Grown up yet."

A little later that same night we heard both mom and dad
We peeked through the keyhole, they were kneeling by their bed
With arms around each other, they were talkin kind of sad
It seems that they were prayin' cause this what they said.

They said, "Lord we ask you to forgive us"
They said, "Lord we're so quick to forget
We were kids not long ago and we're not grown up yet
Please help us to be kind and not do things we'll regret
Be patient with us please Lord we haven't turned out yetKeep workin' with us please Lord, we haven't turned out yet.

As I sang to her in my broken notes and I really listened to these lyrics I have been singing since I was probably 9 years old, I finally got it. I had just told my mom that day how I didn't know what to do with Kennedy because none of the discipline was working lately. I was feeling like I was always nagging at her, and failing her as a parent that didn't know what to do. God reminded me in those moments that my sweet girl was still a baby. I think I have subconsciously started expecting more of her because she is the "big sister" and she looks so big to me now. Tears streamed down my cheeks and onto the pillow and in her hair. I love her better than my life itself.

I was saturated in those precious moments with the knowledge that I am still a Child of God that screws up constantly. Looking back on my pitiful attempt at living a life as a Christian thus far, somehow, after knowing every intimate detail of my life, He still loves me for me. I find rest and comfort in His love and His grace. As my girl laid and hummed and rested so sound in my arms--the ones that had given her a spanking that very day... she was completely at peace. I could NEVER stop loving Kennedy no matter what she does wrong in this life. I am trying to focus more on shaping her heart and making that my main focus when I discipline her vs. me being focused on making her do what I say to make my life more convenient for me. If I had a jar of marbles with "bad Kennedy moments" and a jar of "good Kennedy moments" from the day, I want to focus on the good no matter which jar has more. I want to love her the way God loves her, and I want her to know as I discipline her for the "bad Kennedy moments"... that my love for her is infinitely constant. I want to seek Him more in every detail of my life, so that I can be the mother He is calling me to live my life as on a daily basis. =)

Will God ever stop using her tiny life to teach me? She is such a precious gift. Goodness, how my cup runneth over for her.

And well, hello there good lookin'!

My little man is 13 weeks old, and what a handsome, stout little stud he is. HA!

Why yes mom... I know. This is the face of a "smart, handsome and very powerful man" as Dave likes to tell him every day. It's a joke. You know the line "You is smart. You is kind. You is important." from The Help? Well, I was doing that to Wyatt a lot and Dave thought it sounded too sissy. Therefore my husband changed it a little.

I am starting to think that Wyatt will be a blue-eyed boy!?

My boy is so sweet. He is laid back. He has to be put down a lot vs. held and he has to cry a lot more than his sister EVER did. He just goes with the flow. He holds no grudges. When he wakes up and I go to pick him up, the first thing he does is spreads his mouth from ear to ear, dimples sunken in and eyes wide with excitement for seeing his mommy. I'm not sure anyone has ever looked at me the way he does. Absolutely melts my heart.

He is a BIG BOY. He is 3 months and is fitting into a 6 months quite nicely. He is still wearing a size 1 diaper but I'm guessing that will change within a week or two. He is loving the church nursery and the ladies there. It's hilarious. He won't sleep for them though. As soon as I pick him up, it's like a sigh of relief and a peace that "my mommy is back so it's okay for me to sleep now." My child will not laugh. He grunts, gasps and chuckles. He even laughs silently if that makes any sense? We have a bet on who will get him to actually cackle first. He will for me or I'll DIE! I still remember Kennedy's first laugh out loud. She was around 3 months and I twirled a pink and green MudPie baby toy around her head and she would belly laugh. If he laughs for one of those ladies in the nursery I will have to give him his first spanking at 3 months. ;) He loves to be talked to and read to. He has started crying for attention which kind of breaks my heart. We will put him down to go help Kennedy potty or something else and he will cry. As soon as we walk back and just talk to him, he smiles and is content. I'm still working on balancing and being "okay" with myself when I can't do two things at one time. Hopefully it will teach them patience. He is soooo soooo good. Eats good, sleeps good. He makes my heart have a fullness that I never knew it was missing.

So I'm gonna let my love ooze on away from this keyboard now as little ones are stirring from naps. =)

Big Sisters and Best Buds

2012-01-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Ahem... Baby Ty was here a long time ago. As in November 25th long time ago. I have just been a slacker in reporting this news! =)

Did you just about die wondering if he made it here? HA!

Baby Ty is ~~Kennedy's best friend, Ava's, brother~~ Wyatt's best buddy! Ya follow?

Here he was on his birthday {black Friday} with his proud Big Sis!

And here was the first time Wyatt met his best bud.

This was taken over a month ago! Wyatt was born October 24th and as previously stated, Ty was born November 25th, so they are almost exactly one month apart.

And HERE are the little dudes now! This was snapped just yesterday! Wow! The difference one month makes in growth. CRAZY!

Just for fun! Here are the big sisters when they first met! Ironically enough, Ava was born April 1st and Kennedy was born April 30th, so they are one month apart like their brothers. Kennedy was around 8 months and Ava was around 9 months when we met at Gymboree classes.

and here are the girls now!

They were opening Christmas presents, and this is honestly the best picture I got! Apparently it's impossible to get two 2 1/2 year olds to pose for a picture. They have grown so fast too though. I guess we will just have to take advantage of posing their brothers for dorky photo ops while we have the opportunity!

Time is fleeting. It's fun to have a friend to make the most of it with!

Weekend Snapshots!

2012-01-09T14:44:00.000-05:00

Two birthday parties, watching the CATS play and church {where Wyatt went to the nursery for the first time and LOVED it!} Here is what a mommy has to remember her weekend with her babies by! =)

2 Months and 2 years 8 months

2012-01-06T23:29:00.000-05:00

My happy boy had to get his first set of shots this past Thursday. He is now 2 1/2 months! Time flies! I just love that he is smiling at me when I talk to him now, and he follows me and studies me with his eyes. He is so sweet. He has laughed out loud in his sleep twice now. I was so tired the first time he did it that I was certain I had dreamed it. The second time I realized it was real! So far, we cannot get him to laugh while he's awake. He has almost done it twice. He came so close once for me and on Friday for my sweet cleaning lady. I have to say, I would've been upset if his first giggle was shared with my cleaning lady and not me! I wonder what he dreams about that is so hilarious!?

He is so strong! I call him my little porker. He has awesome head control though. It's hilarious because Kennedy was my pumpkin head. She had a ginormous head and a tiny body. I am amazed at how well Wyatt is holding his head up, but I'm wondering if he's just normal since I can only compare him to my bobble head girl. hehe

Very serious. Wondering what these shots are all about I suppose.

It's funny because with the second child, for me at least, you don't get as worked up. I thought our lives were over when Kennedy had shots. With Wyatt, I was simply like, "meh let's go get poked." This laid back attitude must be from God. He knew that my boy would need his mommy to help him be tough and not make a big deal out of things. I've already raised one sweet drama queen.... hopefully Wyatt, especially since he is a boy, is in the clear. ;)

Right before his shots I was much more prepared second go around. Blankie. Check. Fresh Diaper. Check. Outfit back on after examination. Check. New Bottle. Check check.

Wyatt had to drink one of his vaccines. He acted like it tasted like candy. No problem there. Then right before the nurse gave him his three shots, he looked up at her and grinned and his ginormous dimples sunk in and melted her heart. She kept saying how he just made it ten times worse on her since he was so sweet and happy. Funny, I really think she was more upset than I was.

He screamed, of course. It was more of a whimper scream, which I have really never heard before. It was like "ouch mom! How could you do this to me? I trusted you!"

I really wanted to take a picture. But he needed my undivided loving attention and besides, that's just cruel. hehe

So his stats for 2 1/2 months are:

Height: 24 Inches/85%

Weight: 12#7/50%

Head: 16/ 75-90%

We have one BIG boy on our hands! I love my BIG boy in a BIG way!

Meanwhile, my little girl is busy growing up too! Here she is pictured before school, proudly wearing her big girl panties for the first time outside the house. {She had been wearing pull ups/slip on diapers to school because accidents are a hassle.}

And here she is after I picked her up! No accidents! So proud of my panty wearing princess.

{p.s. have any of you seen this AMAZING potty training party? You need to check it out! It's the cutest thing ever. Click here. Love x 1000!}

It's so funny because we have not really pushed potty training at all. She showed great interest right before Wyatt was born, and I was like "oh great!" The timing was kind of a hassle with a new baby, so I let her wear slip on diapers and we would just go when it was convenient/she wanted. At first when I tried to make her go... she would get so mad at me! She liked the reward of peeing in the potty, but she did not want to stop playing to go, so I just never pushed it.

It's funny because we are FINALLY to the point where she kind of just grew into it. No training. No rewards anymore. She just wants to go and has stopped having accidents. Go Kennedy! I'm so proud of her! Today while I was feeding Wyatt, she had to go. {It always happens like this! Great timing!} I put him down and went to help her and she pees as soon as her butt touches the seat. She looks at me with relief and says, "Shoooooo that was a CLOSE ONE mom! I almost peed ALL OVER MYSELF!" Goodness... that's when I realized that she really kind of has trained herself to go. Bless her heart. HA! I couldn't be more proud of her. It's sad to see your kids grow, but since that's what they do... my heart finds joy in seeing her begin to accomplish milestones of independence.

I'll end on a few pictures I took over the course of the week. Seriously... my dreams have finally come true! Two babies that I can dress alike! HAHAHAHA If Wyatt had been a girl ya'll would have been sick of it. Since he is a boy... I promise to him and myself not to do this sort of thing too often so he won't be too mortified looking back at pictures.

They are growing bigger and bigger and so is my heart!

Timeline

2012-01-05T16:25:00.001-05:00

Today was the first time I was able to sit and reflect upon this past year of our lives. I get that it's January 3rd {when I began this post}, but I've been kind of busy. {cough cough**bailing a loved one from jail**cough cough}

This time last year, Wyatt was just a thought, and now he is here. That alone blows my mind. Kennedy has grown so much. We have been healthy, and overall... it was a year with nothing but blessings for our family. Blessings I know I haven't spent enough time thanking God for.

I heard a song on K LOVE in the car on my way to take Kennedy to school and it got the Spirit moving in my heart. This is my sloppy, disconnected account of the way God worked in my heart this week to teach me. It may be hard to follow. I'm sorry. I'm writing my thought process the way it happened, and this is mainly for my children to read someday, but I'll share it with you too. =)

I have had a lot of roles throughout my life, but my favorite by far is the one that belongs to these two.... mommy.

When I look forward to 2012, I find myself anxiously anticipating some big events throughout this year in which I play several different roles.

Watching Mad in Legally Blonde ----->Sister

Mary Kate's Wedding ----->Friend

Kennedy's birthday -----> Mommy

Ginny's Bridal Shower----->Hostess

Summer Vacation with Family----->;Mommy, Wife, Daughter, Sister

Beth Moore Simulcast and Women's Ministry Spa Event------>Women's Ministry Member

Ginny's Wedding ----->Matron of Honor

Wyatt's 1st birthday-----> Mommy

Disney World Trip with our Friends----->Mommy, Wife, Friend

I can't wait for what this year has to bring! Plus, with all the holidays scattered throughout my long list.... we are going to be busy! That gets me excited.

I don't do resolutions much. I always break them. I do generic resolutions. Yeah, I'd like to lose weight. Yeah, I'd like to spend more time with Jesus. Yeah, I wanna be a better mom, wife, friend etc. etc. etc.

Facebook timeline came out right before Christmas. I. was. mortified. I didn't want past relationships plastered for the world to see! I didn't want the person I was in 2004 plastered all over the w.w.w. Eeek! I deleted my account and created a new one... erasing the past. I figured some things were meant to stay there. I should be proud of my account now... It's only the "good" stuff. Mommy stuff, friend stuff, church stuff, family stuff. No exes, no trashy/unethical send me to hell in a hand basket type of behavior, yah know, just a good, clean, and "Christian" life that you'd gladly let your preacher look at type of profile. My friend texted me and said something like, "you are crazy, you were never bad in the past." Wow, I should really take pride in that and the fact that I'm such a "good" person now too. {please, note my sarcasm in this paragraph.} HA!

You see, as this particular song which I'm about to share hit my ears and stirred my heart I realized something very scary. When did I become completely content with the level I am at in my intimacy with God? I mean, I read my Bible. I say I want to be better and closer and yada yada ya. I say it, but I don't think I have truly meant it for a while now. Woah. That was really hard for me to type. I am so ashamed. When did I become okay with just being a good person? When did I become more focused on my role as mommy, friend, wife, daughter, sister, blogger, church member, etc. than daughter of the King of Kings who graciously gave me each of these roles to begin with?

As a girl, I spent my whole life searching for who I was. Through musical theater, friends, boys, clubs, school, church, youth groups, etc. I yearned to be the "role" God created me to be. I was desperate at times because I would fall so hard. I failed over and over and over. From a book I'm reading called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

"This is not a path of continual success but of multiple failures. However, each failure is followed by a growth spurt, nourished by increased reliance on Me. {me referring to God}."

Shame on me for feeling "successful" in my walk with Christ.

So yes, Facebook Britney in 2004 you lived in sin. God forgave you. And yes, Facebook Britney in 2012, you still live in sin. God is still forgiving you.

I sat down with Dave when our kids were asleep. {God must have known we needed time because this never happens! HA! Holy intervention right there people.} We talked and we prayed.

Somehow we came to the conclusion that we have become satisfied with who we are. That scares my bloomers off! If you are a single gal or guy reading this, you might be thinking... wow {besides the fact my husband was arrested} that my life as a wife and mommy is pretty boring. I sometimes think I subconsciously think that too. I mean come on... this is a girl who had dreams of being the next Kristin Chenoweth or at LEAST living in a big city at one point. Then as my walk grew closer, my dreams changed to marrying Kristian Stanfill or the likes and leading big events like Passion. But then my dreams changed again when I met Dave in college, who later became an insurance salesman. We got married. We had two kids. We now attend a church we love, change diapers and participate in our friends weddings'. I get excited just typing that. HA! ;)

As a Believer, I know that despite what's considered exciting to the world, my life is exciting, because I am called to change and grow continuously. I am called to crave Him. I am called to allow Him to constantly shape and mold me into the daughter He wants me to be. I am not settling anymore in this role. The person I am right now is not who I want to be when I die and meet Jesus in Heaven. I play a lot of worldly roles that God has blessed me with, but when it comes to knowing who I am in Christ, I have been so stagnant for so long, that I have lost myself. I'm thankful that He has been holding me continuously in a time I didn't even know I needed it. When I feel like an insignificant housewife who has no chance of doing something really exciting or BIG for God..... I am reminded of His infinite, indescribable love for me. I see my children, whom He placed on this Earth, and I know that this, right now, is the most important mission field I have ever had.

When I look back at my Facebook Timeline I am able to reminisce on my past to see how God has blessed my life, and how He continuously changed me despite my sin and failures. I am reminded of His all-mighty power. I belong to Him, and His love that lives in my heart is big enough to give me a role in this life that is so full of purpose. This song is kind of my anthem for 2012.

Here are the lyrics:

Remind Me Who I Am

Jason Gray

When I lose My way,
And I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see,
Is who I don't wanna be,
Remind me who I am.
In the lonliest places,
When I can't remember what grace is.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you.
To you.

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home,
Remind me who I am.
When I can't recieve your love,
Afraid I'll never be enough,
Remind me who I am.
If I'm your beloved,
Can you help me believe it.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you, Woh.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you.
To you.

I'm the one you love,
I'm the one you love,
That will be enough,
I'm the one you love.

Tell me once again who I am to you.
Who I am to you.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to you.
That I belong to you, Woh.
To you.

And if you want to watch the video, which I HIGHLY suggest, then just mute my playlist at the bottom of the page! =)

So with that, my resolution for 2012 is to fully give all of me to Christ. May I surrender myself to allowing God to show me who I am to Him each day, each month, each year that I spend on this Earth. May I crave His presence in a way that I never have before, and as He looks throughout my adventurous "timeline", may He see a child that despite the sin, is growing towards her Savior.

God forgive me for feeling finished. I know that you are not through with me yet. Thank you for your grace and love that gives me hope and continual transformation. Renew me. Plant Your desires for my life within my heart. Use me. Help me discover who I am to You and hold that role of utmost importance.

True Life: My husband got arrested on NYE.

2012-01-01T18:18:00.001-05:00

Boy, I've dated a lot of "bad boys" in my time, but I never in a million years thought that the man I married, David Henry, would be the one I'd have to bail out of jail.

You should know a little bit about Dave before I get into this story. He's quiet. He never really did anything too bad growing up. He never really has highs or lows... he's just kind of a stable, predictable, yah know....normal type of guy. You would think living with such a sure-fire, laid back husband would be boring. Wrong!

This is the New Years Eve that tops them all; the one that just landed us a pretty doggone good story to tell in group icebreaker discussions {yay for me! I've never really had one of those!}; and the one that we will NEVER forget.

Once Upon a New Years Eve...

My husband, in his pajama pants, was instructed by the authoritarian version of myself to let our whining Westie outside to pee. Our house was a disaster from Christmas. No joke. This was our front foyer.

When Dave opened the back door we hear blasting sirens in our house. I run to put in the alarm code to shut them off. We just got this brand new alarm system installed right before Christmas because ~~I watch too many criminal related television shows~~ we were going to be out of town. I was here when the men installed it, and I swear they never told me what code to give to the dispatcher if we were to set it off by accident.

About 5 minutes after the alarm goes off, the phone calls start. They ask us for our code. Dave gives them what we think is the code based on my advice. Obviously, we were wrong.

The policewoman shows up at our door. Keep in mind our foyer looks like we truly have been ransacked by a possible robber. Dave answered the door in his pjs and I took off running upstairs with Wyatt because I was in a scummy t-shirt with no brassiere. Eeeeek!

I hear Kennedy and Dave being all chummy with our lady detective. They exchange some affable dialogue, the door slams, and I'm back to boiling some water in my kitchen.

In the meantime, Kennedy, who is potty training, decides it's time to poo. We sit her on the potty.....and sit and sit and sit and sit. I call my mom and laugh about the fact that a police officer came to Kennedy's house, and that I'm worried what the neighbors would think. Dave assured me they probably just thought it was a security system thing. I go back to attend my water {I was starting to cook some things for our New Years get together with our friends} and that's when we hear "the knock".

I grab my bare butt Kennedy and crusty faced baby and I haul tail in my indecent clothing up the stairs. I sit Kennedy on our upstairs toilet so she can finish her business and figure the lady badge bearer was back because....um.... she forgot her gun, maybe? Needless to say, I was cursing the alarm company for being so thorough in their investigation.

In the midst of poop coaching, Dave walks in with a white face. Honest to God the last thought on my mind was that my Dave was coming to tell me he was getting arrested.

This is his prologue:

"Apparently when I got pulled over back in 2008, they say I never paid some type of a ticket in Laurel County."

Me: Wait, where is Laurel County?

Kennedy: Mommy, I poo pooing! {All smiles}

Dave: I'm not sure, but I have to go with the officer and pay something, so I'll call you in an hour and you can come get me.

Me: Wait. What? ARE YOU BEING ARRESTED!?

Dave: Yeah but it's not going to be a dramatic thing like that.

Well... two police officers, handcuffs, neighbors staring out the window as my husband is hauled off in a cage later.... yeah.... my very predictable husband was wrong. According to my screaming Kennedy, who may have to enter some type of psychological treatment to deal with police women, it was that dramatic.

I freaked a little bit. Maybe even grabbed the pillow to my face and screamed? I'll never tell. I called my friend Whitney first {for those who don't already know... Whitney is a dear friend that I met through Kennedy being friends with her daughter, Ava} and asked if I could drop the kids off. Not every day you get to call your friends and ask them to watch your kids so you can go bail your husband out of jail. God, I'm thankful for friends that don't ask questions, drop everything and come and love on my babies regardless of what is going on in their minds. We are so blessed!

Whitney actually was at MY house within 10 minutes. While getting dressed I didn't really realize that I threw on some 3 sizes too small, pre-baby Yoga pants. I'm not sure if I was looking much more decent than I did to begin with. Nonetheless, after discussing how much money I needed to go get from the bank {since I don't keep cash on me}, I head out to search for ~~my husband~~ the convict.

First thing on the road, I call my friend that will remain nameless. I knew she had been arrested prior to me knowing her and she was from the town we live in and would know exactly where to go. No answer. Then, I call my friend Ginny, who's dad is from our town that we live in. {I'm not originally from the place we live now, so I'm unfamiliar with...well... let's just say I'm unfamiliar with the justice system in general.} Ginny's dad calls his defense attorney friend for advice. A million thoughts are running in my head.

I call my brother-n-law, Steve, and he finds out that I need to go to the detention center. I was so happy since I was already down town. The BIGGEST game of the year pretty much was going on downtown and there was absolutely NO parking anywhere NEAR the courthouse, so I head towards the detention center based on my brother-in-law's direction. Thank God I didn't have to parallel park or I could've ended up in jail too.

Isn't our detention center kind of pretty? {Don't you love the fact I documented my journey to free my bird.}

I arrived! FYI a detention center is a scary place. The parking lot is sketch. There are some extremely shady looking/criminal looking people at a detention center. Oh! Duh! And now my husband is one of them! Geez.

Let's just say I found it necessary to hide my wallet under my sweatshirt for fear of the crowd I was surrounded by. Call it judging a book by a cover all you want... I call it being smart! HA! I learned to be paranoid from my mamaw years ago... the Criminal Minds and Law and Order didn't help my problem much.

Just to make things more difficult, Dave had my debit card in his wallet. I had to go in and sign a bunch of paperwork for them to give me the debit card. Then, because their credit machines were broken, I had to go to the bank, go to the courthouse and then return with a bond for my husband's bail. Keep in mind that I'm on a time crunch. They informed me that if things started getting busy he may have to stay in over night since it was a Holiday.

Fun morning. What every girl dreams of.

As I leave the detention center, I am approached by the sleaziest little lawyer. He asks... "what's a pretty lady like you hanging out at a place like this?"

This was me. My husband in distress' knight in shining armor. Okay, I'm not stupid. I was looking about as skanky as ever this particular morning. My teeth hadn't been brushed, my hair was a grease pit, and I had my wallet rolled up in my sweatshirt creating a front butt effect. Maybe it was the x-rated, snug Yoga pants, but my guess is he was just an ~~ambulance~~ criminal chaser hoping to find a good case. It's a good idea, really. I would probably hang out in the parking lot of a detention center too on New Years Eve if I was a defense attorney.

This was my first of THREE business cards I received from a lawyer that initiated with some use of the words "pretty lady". Call me a pretty lady after a shower, but not looking like THIS! It turns to insult under these circumstances. HA!

Okay, in attempt to make a very long story short..... I was FINALLY able to present Dave's bail, and 2 1/2 hours later....

Voila! Dave is FREE AT LAST! Strike up the Lynyrd Skynyrd Free Bird!

And this is what we discovered after the incident. Dave had been pulled over passing through Laurel County on business in 2008 {I was pregnant with Kennedy at the time, we were living in a different house and Dave had a different job}. He did NOT receive a ticket, however, he didn't have an updated proof of registration with him. Dave says he mailed it in, but my momma told me to never trust a criminal. Supposedly some of the smaller towns in Kentucky are updating their systems through e-warrant {still unsure what that even is}, and basically lots of people are currently being arrested for silly things like failure to show proof of registration. The officer told Dave that some poor guy was arrested due to some type of parking citation in a smaller county from 1993! Consider this your public service announcement from my family to yours...... check your background for citations and make sure they are taken care of!!!!! My husband was arrested for owing $50 to Laurel County!

Funny thing, we have never received ANY mail informing us that this had never been taken care of. You would think it would cost them less money to mail some kind of a warning vs. arrest someone. Just saying! I find myself asking.... were the handcuffs really necessary? I guess though in all honesty, you can never tell when a person who fails to show proof of registration may go all rogue on you.

After all, he does look pretty sinister with his beard. My brother-n-law was glad to see that justice was served, and especially glad that Dave hadn't shaved in a while. It totally adds to the mugshot. Nothing like a true friend to send you your husbands mugshot via text. Thanks Ginny!

Dave said he was a little weary when one of the men in the holding cell was in there due to some sort of violence and the other due to possession of a crack pipe. He said his butt was squeezed together trying to think of some sort of scary crime to share with his cell mates. He didn't want to be known as the pansy who was in for failure to show proof of registration. No telling what those guys would've done to such a softie! HA!

I'm not sure what the funniest part of the whole story is... but it was pretty darn funny that Dave was assigned to the welcoming committee at church the next day. We had a GREAT time in Sunday School class this morning! Yep... Wyatt's daddy was arrested yesterday and he attended his first church service this morning!

One of our friends suggested Dave lead with "you know I was arrested once" someday when boys come to date Kennedy. No sense in letting them know the real reason. {Yeah... I let my dog out to pee once and...}

Dave never thought that this would be the NYE in his life that he would be arrested. I never thought this would be the NYE I'd be bailing my husband out of jail. You never truly know what tomorrow holds!

So yeah... there you have it. This is real life people! We had a real bangin' end to 2011 to say the least.

BUT we started 2012 off right......

In church, of course. ;)

Happy New Year Everyone! Cheers to a year that will hopefully not lead to any future arrests!

p.s. Dave wants me to add that he has no criminal record since there were no actual charges. Now that he paid his 50 bucks... it's like it never happened. HA!

Christmas This Year

2012-01-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

Thank you Jesus for being born so that I can live and watch these precious babies grow!

This was Friday night after a long car ride to my parents. I think my babies were happy to be out of the car!

Yuck sis!

Christmas Eve! Wyatt is 2 months old!

One of my greatest gifts!

Getting ready to head out to visit family for Christmas Eve.

Kennedy is a little more enthusiastic. ;)

My OTHER greatest gift!

Attempt at a family of four picture. Kind of awkward. We haven't quite gotten the hang of it!

With my mom and sister! They have made this past week so wonderful by giving me a much needed break from my kids. HA!

At my mom's parents. Granny LOVED holding Wyatt. Considering we didn't know if she would live to this Christmas due to battling lymphoma, a stroke and breast cancer.... I loved seeing her with both my babies! What a miracle! My papaw is a surviver of lunch cancer. Both of them are such a true example of God's answered prayers.

Kennedy was obsessed with my Granny's knick knacks. It was hilarious. She also exemplified her slight OCD by lining them up.

They say she gets the knick knack love from me.

Pop Pop and Wy. Both look worn out. My dad is officially FINISHED with the crazy Holiday retail season.

Kennedy posing with "bebe Santa".

This makes me laugh out loud. Wyatt holds a striking resemblance to my handsome uncle Clay don't you think? Maybe it's the hair? ;)

The TACKIEST and most fun house to drive by on the way to our next house for Christmas Eve. K loved it!

We did the same thing for my dad's side of the family. We headed to my Aunt Carol's to eat, play "the game" and let the kiddos open gifts. Kennedy was slightly a zombie.

So was Wy.

We made it home around 11 to put out cookies & milk for Santa. I should add that earlier in the day, K, my mom and myself took jeep ride on top of the mountain and saw a deer. Kennedy thought it was Rudolph. It was for sure Christmas magic.

sooooooo sleepy.

But we have to stay up long enough to help Aunt Mad with the food for Santa's reindeer.

Love the blankie dragging behind.

My sweet K. She was truly such a joy. The perfect age. She kept saying it was Baby Jesus' birthday, but she wanted a "birfday" too. HA! Doing my best to teach her the the true reason we celebrate Christmas. I tell her that Jesus was our gift on his birthday. God gave us Jesus and He is the most special present Kennedy has. Then I try to explain that we give gifts to show others we love them as an example of how Jesus loves us. I haven't figured out exactly how to work Santa into all this. I know she will eventually "get it". Just maybe not at two.

Our sweet Sam eyeing Santa's cookies!

Wyatt must have been VERY good in his 2 months of life because Santa left him this hefty pile of toys.

THE dollhouse that K asked Santa for!

The 50's diner ~~my mom~~ Santa got K.

The inside of the dollhouse! Thanks to Madison's boyfriend for helping put all her toys together!

~~Aunt Mad~~ Santa's elf helped set the blocks up.

K woke up at about 7:30 that morning. The shock on her face in this picture is so fun to see! She was completely blown away!

FOR ME?!

This was her conversation.

Kennedy: A dollhouse! That is what I wanted!

Dave: Who brought you that dollhouse?

Kennedy: {In a whisper} Santa Claus.

pause.

Kennedy: That is SO NICE!

We got it all on video. It was adorable.

Aunt Mad showing Wyatt his gifts. He didn't really care.

Checking to see if Santa's reindeer ate their food.

Looks like it's a yes.

My sweet boy snuggling with his aunt.

Bama {my mom} whips out the stocking!

Pop pop and Wy just chilling.

Strawberry Shortcake!

Kennedy got tired of opening presents. She was more interested in the unopened ones. She would beg us to help her. We laughed because we would say, "This one's from mommy and daddy" and she would say, "no, it's from {in a whisper} Santa Claus". It was hilarious. We got zero credit.

My doll baby!

My FAVORITE picture of my babies at Christmas. So sweet!

This one cracks me up. Wyatt has a severe poop face going on.

After the day playing and resting at my mom's, we then headed to my Aunt's for Christmas dinner. For Kennedy.... more time with cousins!

Cousins that she loves very much! {We were missing Emilynn, Crailey and the new twins!}

The kitchen was busy! Yum!

The most blessed Christmas! Me with my babies! I love them so. The greatest gifts! I could say it over and over.

Kennedy thinks her older cousin Grace is pretty cool.

I think Grace loves Kennedy too.

Meanwhile... Wyatt stayed chilling with Aunt Mad. He did a lot of that this Christmas.

After dinner talking and resting. So full!

While we sat.. there was a football game going on. I love this action shot!

My BIG two month old boy! He is starting to smile and interact and I swear he is just the SWEETEST!

We had such a blessed Christmas. This song sums up my feelings!

‎"Laughter starts before the sunrise,
I sneak downstairs to sparkling eyes,Oh what joy it brings to me,
The family around our Christmas tree,
And I thank the Lord for His favor As we sing the songs of the Savior
So love this season, it's a gift
When Love came down to let us live"
- from TobyMac's"Christmas This Year"

Thank you God for sweet Jesus. What a gift His life was so we may live! Prayers that we live

every day with thankfulness for His birth!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Update on Baby Crailey

2011-12-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

I have been so bad about updating the blog lately since my children have been sick. I wanted to thank you again for praying for my cousin Crailey, who just went through open heart surgery. The surgery was a success!

Then last week, Ashley {my cousin} noticed that Crailey wasn't normal. She took her to the surgeon and Crailey had an emergency procedure to drain excess fluid around her heart. The condition is called pericardial effusion, and she is at risk for it to happen again while she is still healing from her surgery.

Here is sweet Crailey with Santa while in the hospital.

Thankfully, she is home now and will get to celebrate Christmas there! Her diet will be changed to help and she will have to be monitored very closely. Please continue to pray that Crailey's body will heal and she will be free of any trips to the hospital!

I've Got My Hopes Set High

2011-12-22T17:43:00.000-05:00

I was absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of a very special childhood friend this week.

I was 10 years old when I met Kristin. {Long brown hair over one shoulder pictured above.} She was cast as the lead in Jenny Wiley Theatre's production of Annie. I was her "little Molly". That summer was the first play I had ever been in. It changed me for the better, and she was a big part of it.

{Me as Molly. Kristin is in the red wig.}

From a little girl who was afraid to speak her name in front of one person... I was able to perform in front of hundreds. From our Fazolis mother/daughter dates between grueling practice at the David School, to her teaching me the "Miss Suzy had a steamboat" song & the Lorena Bobbitt version of In the Jungle, to sleepovers where we'd paint our toenails and she would share her dreams to be a star mixed in with a few stories of her pot belly pig... I had the best fun. She was so charismatic. She could light up the room by walking in. The energy surrounding her and her mother and the fun they brought to life was infectious. That summer was one of the most fun summers of my life. It wasn't just about that though. Kristin made me feel special. Here was this beautiful girl who was beyond talented....

She was gifted, and she took the time to make 10-year-old me feel good about myself. She helped me to believe in myself, and because of that summer with her... I was and never will be the same.

I have held the memories of that summer near and dear to my heart. In a way... she was my childhood idol. She was everything I wanted to be. I'm not sure if there was a person that beamed more than me when she opened for a Shania Twain concert. She never treated me like the annoying little kid that I'm sure I was... she loved me and encouraged me and made me feel like the most special little girl.

When Kristin's mom passed away a few years after that summer, I'll never forget when I found out. I was at a Little League baseball game, and I think I immediately turned white. My heart fell out of my chest. Kristin's mom was just as wonderful as Kristin. My mom and I loved Bobetta dearly. She died in a terrible car accident, and I can remember walking into the funeral home shaking. Kristin and Bobetta had the best relationship. There was nothing to prepare me that day for what I would see. As I walked to hug Kristin, she fell to my arms in the ground and weeped. I weeped with her. There were no words. We just held each other and cried, and I knew in that moment that Kristin was never going to be the same. Her hurt was deeper than anything I have ever experienced. My heart still aches just thinking about it. I didn't have to say anything that day... in those moments when Kristin was so vulnerable I knew that she knew how much I loved her. I often think about all the people I love that hurt. If my love was only enough to help the pain. Thankfully my Savior's is and my prayers are heard.

Kristin sang a song at church called I've Got My Hopes Set High by Amy Grant. Some of the lyrics go like this... "When it all comes down. When it all comes down. If there's anything good that happens in life it's from Jesus."

Through the years I lost touch with Kristin and what was going on in her life. She went on to marry and was blessed with three beautiful boys. Somehow I grew up too. It's a funny thing when your childhood idol and you end up on the same level. We rekindled a friendship through Facebook, and were able to share stories about our kids, and it was fun to be updated on one another's lives.

I was shocked to hear that Kristin passed away yesterday. I didn't feel like the adult version of me hearing the news of a friendly acquaintance. I felt like my 10-year-old self again losing my biggest role model...losing my friend. And then my heart ached for her three babies. The oldest is only 8 years old. It's Christmas and I know any time is a tragic time to lose a loved one...but it's Christmas.

Life is full of bad things- death, being one of them. Life is also full of some really great things. I am reminded of who those great things come from in the lyrics to the song that Kristin once sang. I am thankful for the time I had with her. I'm thankful for the good that came from my relationship with her. I know God crossed our paths for a reason, and somehow everyone that was a part of that summer is connected in some indescribable way. Kristin not only had a huge influence on me, but God used her to impact so many. I know that was from Jesus. "I've got my hopes set high" for Jesus to bless those three little boys with the greatest love and peace and comfort that only He can give.

Lastly... just wanted to share this. This song brought me great comfort when Kristin's mom passed away. Who would have guessed it would bring me comfort upon Kristin's passing too? May they and her sweet brother, Dusty, all rest in peace together. No doubt they are making beautiful music together in Jesus' presence. {Please mute the playlist at the bottom of the page.}

Healing for the Holiday!

2011-12-22T16:03:00.000-05:00

So again... we've been MIA. I sent this text message after unfortunately bumping into a friend the other night. {Not unfortunate because of the friend... unfortunate because I was in one of those... "please Lord don't let me see anyone I know because I look so scuzzy" type of states.}

"I have acne, bags under my eyes, a Dolly Parton tee, my hair has more grease than a Papa John's pizza, I'm sandwiched in the backseat between my crusty kids' car seats to the point I can barely breathe, and I'm pretty sure I stink. If I don't, my car sur as heck does--pee diapers, old chili dog containers, and now some soured milk of K's that I just spilled; but no, two kids is honestly a piece of cake. ;) "

This is the quick version of what our lives have been like this last week.

Last Thursday night we freaked out when we saw this rash on our 7 week old.

He was covered all over his torso and neck and head. We immediately called the nurse line, but since he wasn't running a fever they told us to wait it out until the next morning. That has been a popular phrase for the past week-- "wait it out.".

He woke us up at 3 a.m. coughing so hard that he was gasping for air. It was scary. He coughed from 3 a.m. to about 6 a.m. and then from there it eased up. I decided to take him to the doctor on Friday since the rash was still in full force. You would never believe the little guy was sick based on the above pic. Why is it whenever you take your children to the doctor that their symptoms suddenly start to disappear and their mood is also improved? Never fails.

The doctor did a test for RSV. My poor baby screamed. It was kind of like how they test for the flu. They had to ram the swab way up in his nose. Ouch! The test came back negative so the doc concluded it was a viral infection. He did do a breathing treatment on my little man and sent us home to use a humidifier.

Friday night. Oh my. We didn't sleep a wink. Our baby was screaming, wheezing, coughing, and hacking. His fever was low grade and teetering. The doctor told us that if his fever reached 100.4 then we should be concerned. It was a scary and awful night.

The only relief my baby got was in my arms. There was nothing more pitiful than watching him suffer and not be able to do anything for him.

Saturday night was worse than Friday night. My mom came down and helped us on Saturday. We were exhausted. My baby was so hoarse and his breathing was short. He would cough so hard he would throw up. After Saturday night I was sick of waiting it out. I wanted to know for sure that Wyatt was, in fact, okay for us to be the one's monitoring him. Our pediatrician's office sees patients on Saturday and Sunday that are sick.

This little guy saw a doctor Sunday morning. He cried, but nothing came out. He had no voice. The doctor checked him and said he was definitely wheezing and all of his symptoms fell into the category of bronchiolitis. Basically he had an infection in his lungs. Most of the time this type of a viral infection is caused by RSV, however, Wyatt tested negative on Friday. She told us that we could test him again, but the treatment would be the same, and all the test would do is tell us how the Bronchiolitis came about. I opted no since it was so painful for him the first time.

So that said. We were sent home again because his fever was not high enough to cause concern, and since it was viral, there was nothing the hospital could do any more than we could unless he needed oxygen to breathe or an IV for dehydration. The virus typically lasts for a week and the cough can continue on for up to 14 days. Wyatt was one sick baby. I didn't want him to be hospitalized, but there is only so much timing your baby's breathing one can do before wishing for a professionals help in monitoring. Dave and I were nervous and didn't really feel qualified to make the call... "okay he really is turning blue this time."

Anyways, we headed home and after a bath and a warm steamy bathroom stay to try and open up his lungs... we were hopeful that Sunday night would be better. Boy... I had no clue what was in store.

My little baby spiked a fever to 101 that night. He was lethargic. His breathing was labored with lots of wheezing and he would have coughing spells that were similar to asthma attacks. I was so happy that my mom had taken K home with her on Sunday. There is no way I could have managed both of my babies that night.

Our doctor called us after being paged, and we talked several times through the night. She gave us some tips to help bring the fever down. They worked and we didn't end up in the hospital.

Daddy Dave finally snoozing after what seemed to be the longest night of our lives.

Wyatt wasn't eating well, and I believe this caused the fever to spike due to dehydration.

My poor baby lost a little over a pound.

The fever finally broke Monday morning, but my baby has remained sick with the congestion since.

Yesterday I finally began to notice major improvements.

Wyatt was alert and smiling, and I was one happy mommy!

Tomorrow will be one week of sickness. This has been a lengthy version I don't wish to ever replay. It makes it so much scarier when they are so little. I believe we will all be well enough to celebrate Jesus now! YAY! We are so thankful for all of the loved ones who have asked and prayed about Wyatt. We are going into this Christmas vacation with a little boy who is almost completely healed, and we feel so loved. My heart is full, and I am so relieved.

Surviving.

2011-12-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

Time flies when you are having fun! It's so true. I can't really believe I'm saying this, but two kids is not really that much harder. Gasp! Yes, it's more work, but harder? Not really. Granted, it's been a while since I've been able to blog, and Dave and I have had zero time for ourselves... but we are just busier. I guess some would argue that means harder? I just keep thinking back to poor Baby K and her colic and reflux and incessant crying night after night. This is a piece of cake compared to that! It felt like such an adjustment too! Life before having a kid and life after having a kid is a HUGE change. Now, we are already parents so we "get it" and are just adding another into the mix. Thank God, Wyatt is a very happy, content and easy baby! Therefore, we just are a little busier than before. Extra blessed! With greater blessings comes greater responsibility! =)

And because I don't want to forget a thing... here's what we've been up too!

Wyatt at 5 weeks old!

He now wears a size 3 months! They are so different in so many ways and so I don't like comparing my kids, but I'm not used to this growing up soooo fast business! Kennedy was early and it took her much longer to grow. He's growing like a weed! I feel like I'm gonna blink and he'll be towering over me with armpit hair asking to borrow my car. gulp.

So for now... I savor every tiny inch of my growing boy.

I tell him every day that he is mommy's boy. I heard the quote "A daughter is a daughter for life and a son is a son until he takes his wife." We have been having many good convos about this. Luckily for me, he is such a good listener. {Can you psychologically begin damaging your son as an infant? hehe}

All jokes aside.... as I watch him staring at his mobile in his crib, it blows my mind to think that someday he will grow to be a big man! Such big responsibility for me! I feel a little nervous, but oh so blessed!

As for my girl.... she just LOVES Christmas! She is obsessed with baby boys {hence our "you will love your baby brother" brainwashing}, so the fact that Jesus was a "blue baby" too has made her really into the story of His birth and why we celebrate. She is also into the decorations and Santa and elves this year too. So fun!

She was frozen {above} watching the video my mom made for her from Santa Claus via Portable North Pole.

If you haven't heard of the site, you can go and make a video from Santa Claus to someone to see if they are on Santa's naughty or nice list. Can you guess which list Bama {my mom} made the video tell K she was on?

NICE of course! YAY! We cheered!

Kennedy's school ended last week until the first of the year. Her teachers are just the sweetest, and we are soooooo blessed to have them. They helped the kids make special gifts for mom and dad!

Our Christmas ornament she made!

And she made this too! I love the things she brings home! She is so proud to give me things, and I am equally and sentimentally proud to be on the receiving end. =)

My favorite thing is when Kennedy will say, "Can I hold blue baby?" She doesn't call him Wyatt. She calls him "blue baby". She loves him so much! Not that I want things to speed up any faster, but I can't wait until they actually start interacting. I know he is going to be mesmerized by her!

There are days when I hear, "put blue baby down and hold me" and there are days when her fake cries outnumber his real cries, but then there are as many moments like this.... to outweigh all difficult transitions. Knowing the love and childhood bond they will share is so special to me. I know that no matter what happens to me and their daddy, that they will always be connected in a way that cannot compare to any other relationship. They will be the glue to our family's future, and I'm so thankful God gave them one another.

Wyatt's a pretty lucky dude for having such a cool big sis.

He is my drag along baby. Just going to and from Kennedy's school is a process. In and out and in the cold and out of the cold. I would have died if I would have had to drag Kennedy around this much when she was born! HA! Oh how things change. First time parent vs. second time parent. Life goes on and you can't be afraid to go outside and live it. After all, the two year old won't let you be that way! He doesn't mind though! Not even when we have to go to the doctor. That's where we were last Friday.

6 weeks old! So sweet!

After a week of having a cold, last Thursday night I noticed Kennedy having a terrible cough. I took her to the doctor Friday morning and after pneumonia was ruled out, we were sent home with antibiotics to heal a nasty upper respiratory and sinus infection. {Mother of the year. sigh.} My poor girl was so sick, and the medicine has made her sooooo hyper! She is like a mad woman, and then she crashes. She hates the orange flavored augmentin too. It is a battle every time we take it, so finally we started serving it to her in yogurt. Yogurt that the "yogurt monster" is on his way to eat if she doesn't gobble it up! I need to do an entire post about the "white lies" of bribery I use. I'm not sure if this is good parenting? Oh well... whatever works? It's about survival, right? Don't answer that.

And Ho Ho Ho! Look who's now 7 weeks old, in a size 1 diaper and loves smiling and interacting when you talk to him!

My 11 pound boy was FINE yesterday morning before I left him for a few hours with my mom. We noticed a rash on his face when I got home and his eyes were oozing some nasty "boogers". I was more concerned about the rash since he has had a stopped up tear duct since birth and kind of oozes eye boogers anyway. I decided to take him to the doctor for the rash. By the time we were at the doctor he was screaming and his eyes were matted shut with the nastiest, thickest brown discharge. Gross!

Sure enough, my boy has a nasty eye infection. We have antibiotic eye drops and an ointment for his rash. I can't believe that we have been to the doctor twice in one week for two separate illnesses. Welcome to life with two kids! I keep waiting for them to pass their sickness to one another. {knocking on wood....hard.}

In sickness and in health... my goodness.... I'm the luckiest gal in the world! Look how precious my sweet babies are!?

Wouldn't trade one day of caring for them!

Kennedy is feeling better but still not 100% and Wyatt is still contagious. We were supposed to go play with our friend, Hudson, this morning, but after sleeping in after a rough night and with Wyatt's crusty eye boogers, we decided not to drag our germs into Hudson's house.

Instead, we took our germs to the mother load cesspool of bacteria and parasites..... in other words.... the children's museum. Ha!

We had a blast! Wyatt slept while I pushed him in his stroller, and K and I played. We had the ENTIRE museum to ourselves. So much fun. That has NEVER happened. {Did someone tip the germaphobe moms off that my sick kids were coming? Thanks, if so!}

Afterwards, we went to the Cosi located in the same building and K and I made smores!

Yummy!

She was amazed that her marshmallow could catch on fire! Look at that chocolate all over her mouth!

"Wow mom! This is amazing and cool too!" Her. exact. words. I swoon.

A reflection on our transition.

5 weeks ago I was freaked out about how much I missed Kennedy and how demanding Wyatt was. I cried at the thought of how in the world I would do this without help. {a little dramatic... I know. ;) }

2 weeks ago I stressed about how I would divide my time to give them both enough of me.

Today.... 7 1/2 weeks post partum, I realized as my sweet boy slept peacefully and my beautiful girl smiled from ear to ear... that I'm not gonna be the perfect mom. I'm not able to do enough and give enough of me. Not every day is gonna be a GREAT day! That's okay though...because today was a great day. With the sick days, the ~~hard~~ busy days, the boring days and the really great days like today.... we are doing exactly what every mom with more than one child told me we would do.... surviving.

And to be honest... if you are lucky enough to say you get to survive this kind of life on a daily basis... well, then you have a lot to be thankful for. I know I do.

All I want for Christmas....

2011-12-04T14:57:00.000-05:00

is YOU!

Definitely won't be asking Santa for anything for Christmas this year! I have my sweet, precious babies!

And I have my handsome, amazing man!

I've got everything a girl could ever dream to wake up on Christmas morning and have!

Now, Kennedy on the other hand...well... she had no problem asking Santa for a dollhouse! ;)

Merry Christmas! It's December! Yay! Praying you feel the love of Jesus as we celebrate His birth this month!

"Normal is just a setting on a dryer."

2011-11-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

I posted something regarding finding my new normal {or whatever that is} on Facebook a few weeks ago. A very sweet, Christian lady that attends the church I grew up in shared this with me.

"Hey girl! I saw your mom's post about adjusting to a new normal! I hope your day has moments of joy and peace among the chaos. Speaking from experience in your shoes . . now that you have two tiny bundles of blessing . . . "normal" is just a setting on a dryer!! Just love on them and make sure you get lots of sunshine and laughing!!!"

So today I have had a good day. A really good day. Isn't it funny how after having a baby you feel like your life is a tornado spiraling so fast and out of control? Maybe no one else feels this way, but I truly feel like a "hot mess". Although it has been much better with Wyatt, I still have had moments of anxiety that feels like an elephant sitting on my chest. I know. I know. It seems so silly because you have this huge blessing handed to you, but with it, comes great responsibility...oh and exhaustion. I had severe "baby blues" after Kennedy. I was humiliated and felt guilty to admit that, but now it's kind of like this.... for some reason God decided to give me some hormones that can be...well... whack. HA! I don't doubt He created me the exact way I was meant to be, but I also know that I couldn't get through having a baby and dealing with my high and low emotions without Him. It's funny because this time around, I have not experienced the "baby blues" as bad. I think the first two weeks I was a little out of touch with myself, but that has all gotten better. This is actually not a post about baby blues. I'm getting off topic. The hormones and baby blues can add to the effect of the tornado of life that comes with finding your "new normal" after having a baby. That is my point in this short rant.

However, one day you wake up and you are doing the daily routine without hesitation and it hits you. "Wow! I actually have a daily routine! This must be it! This must be my new normal." And then goodness gracious if things don't change again! HA! It's a never ending cycle. Kind of like the loads that are consistently going in and out of my dryer.

I wrote a few posts about how our lives changed with having Kennedy and as she grew. Check them out here and here.

In my 2 1/2 years of motherhood I think I finally realize that there is nothing normal about life. Funny the irony. The very thing I never wanted to have this young because I thought it sounded so mundane and boring... {the ordinary life as a wife and a stay at home mom}... is the very thing that keeps me growing and changing more than I ever have in my entire life.

Today I managed to drop Kennedy off at her school with Wyatt for the first time without help. That is a huge accomplishment in our lives right now! {Especially since I am still unable to lift due to the c-section.} I told Dave that I am slowly beginning to forget what life was like before Wyatt, and I'm okay with that. I'm thankful that he's here and healthy and we can start living as a family of four. The hard part is the balancing act that we women have to do.

So today, I felt pretty confident in my accomplishment of juggling the kids, keeping my house clean, and making sure my laundry was caught up, so just as I sat down to have some "me time"... it hit me. I am starting to get so focused on adjusting to being good at being a mom of two that I'm forgetting to focus on the ONE who allowed me to be a mom of two. Womp. Womp. I fail.

So I prayed and I cried and I asked for forgiveness. Boy, I'm sure thankful that God forgives me. Somehow in all the daily things... I have to find time for Him. I want to. And so the balancing act and the juggle of the "new normal" continues. Christina was right. Normal is simply a dryer setting and shouldn't we all be thankful for that? I'm thankful today that Christ grows me and changes me as my life unfolds and changes. I'm thankful that He is the potter and I am the clay. I am thankful that today we made it to school for the first time without assistance, and I'm thankful that even though tomorrow might be a day of utter chaos & our next attempt at going to school could be disastrous... He will remain my constant in it all. I pray that in my diaper changes and in my laundry folding and in my house cleaning that I will bring Him glory in all I do. And just because this is funny... the most normal thing in my daily life is that, oddly enough, my children normally poop at the same time, cry at the same time, get hungry at the same time and just today, get the hiccups at the same time. HA!

Every day is a new learning experience. We are learning more about Wyatt and Kennedy as they grow. We are learning more about ourselves as we grow too. In it all... I am feeling humbled by the fact that we are growing in our Savior's grip.

Pray for Crailey!

2011-11-29T10:07:00.001-05:00

Because of a cough, Crailey's surgery was moved to today. Please pray for her, the doctors and her family!

This was taken right before surgery! The open heart surgery started NOW and hopefully she should be in the ICU in about 6-7 hours. She could be on a vent for up to 24 hrs.

I would give anything to be in Memphis waiting with my family! My heart is with them! Please pray for this little girl, and that this will be the start of a healthy life. We love you Crailey!

One Love,
Brit

Thank You Lord for Blessing Me!

2011-11-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

We stayed home this year for Thanksgiving. Wyatt turned one month old, and we needed the rest. We usually travel to my hometown which is around 2 1/2 to 3 hours away. Since we will be venturing that way for Christmas, we decided to just relax over the Thanksgiving break. How cute are my two loves in the above photo!? This was taken before heading over to my sweet sister and brother-n-law's home.

Kennedy is thankful for her "blue baby!"

My baby girl is growing up so fast! Already oner 2 1/2! Gasp!

During this break we tackled "potty training!" I must say.... Kennedy is officially out of diapers {except for sleeping.} She has done so great! The only reason we have accidents is because she is too stubborn to stop playing to go to the potty, and she lies and says she doesn't need to go. HA! I went to Meijer and bought sooooo many junk toys out of the cheap bins. I filled a big Dora gift bag up and every time she went I would let her pick a toy out. You would think these dollar toys were the best things she's ever seen! My bribery worked! We have a potty trained Kennedy! YAY!

I'm so proud of my sweet girl! She continues to make me laugh, fills my heart with joy and surprises me every day! Thank you Lord for this sweet girl.

Can you believe my baby boy is one month old!? Eeeeeeeeee!

He is growing like a weed! Seriously... he sucked down FIVE ounces today. He will be eating us out of house and home before long!

He has started becoming more alert. He studies my face and will smile when I talk to him now. I love that! I think he had a great 1 month birthday and a happy 1st Turkey Day!

What I am thankful for most this Thanksgiving! TWO healthy babies!

A huge thank you to my sweet sister-n-law, Meagan, who cooked her first Thanksgiving meal and included us! I never would've have known this was her first big Turkey! She did a great job. Her food was delicious. Thank you Steve and Meagan for having us! We love you all so much.

Check out Meagan's cooking blog!

http://meagansfirstkitchen.blogspot.com/

This is Steve and Meagan's baby, Greta! We were happy to celebrate with her as well!

It was wonderful to be able to get up, enjoy the parade, and go eat! After we ate we all went on a walk through Steve and Meagan's neighborhood. I wanted to try out my new double stroller, and Greta didn't mind a walk! The weather was beautiful! Meagan took the above photo of our family of four! {Check out Wyatt's mohawk!}

After we left Steve and Meagan's, we headed to see sweet Ava and her family! They were hanging out and preparing for the day AFTER Thanksgiving!

Here's why.....

Ava became a BIG sister on black Friday! Look at what a beautiful baby Ty is! Mommy and baby are doing great!

We truly had so much to thank God for this Thanksgiving and EVERY day following! Counting our blessings for sure!

Thankful for Prayer Warriors!

2011-11-24T11:11:00.001-05:00

As we gather around our tables and eat with our families...as we celebrate our blessings and show our gratitude to our Savior...please remember those that are experiencing heart ache. I know the Holidays can bring a smothering of emptiness for those suffering. I can't stop thinking about the adults and children who are too sick to eat today. (on a day where food is such a highlight!) Anyways, I have a few special prayer requests today. As you gather around your turkeys and bless your food, please remember those whose lives are filled with hurt today. May their blessings come through the raindrops! Thank you prayer warriors!

-The family of Jean Justice (Mama Jean). She passed away yesterday. May today her family feel the love and peace that only Christ can give. She was a truly special lady that shined and not just because she loved glitzy things. I know Jesus has some special jewels for her. I'm so thankful she was a part of my life.

-Please continue to remember my cousin, Crailey Faith. She is 1 and will be undergoing open heart surgery asap. She is truly a miracle. The doctors suggested her mom should abort her pregnancy. Time and time again she has proven that Christ is greater than all! Crailey's surgery was supposed to be this week, but due to sickness she had to wait. Pray for her healing and for her family as they await the surgery.

-Pray for one of my dear friend's cousin, Elizabeth Azar. She is 28 years old and was diagnosed with transverse myelitis and is in the CCU. She can't move her legs, one arm, etc. She is engaged and her fiancé has not left her side. Please pray for her healing and for her family!

-Please continue to pray for the Jones family. They are my neighbors from my hometown who suffered tremendous loss in their family when the grandfather, brother and father all died. Please lift them up as the holidays are always hard.

-Please pray for my dear friends Ginny, Lucy and JD as the sting of their mother's death is more evident during this time of year.

-Praise God for the life of baby Ty! Pray for my dear friend Whitney as she will be going in to the hospital to be induced tomorrow morning! Yay!

And as always...may we all remember those less fortunate!

Thank you Lord for the privilege of prayer, your grace, your perfect plan for our lives and brothers & sisters in Christ who are prayer warriors!

Happy Thanksgiving!

One Love,
Brit

Wyatt 3-4 Weeks.

2011-11-22T20:24:00.000-05:00

My baby will be a month old on Thursday! Here are our updates. Hopefully after Thanksgiving I will be up to date on my posting. =)

Wyatt is currently growing a perfectly fluffy, spiky mohawk. I have to admit... I really love it.

His sweet little fingers. I have cut his nails so many times. He is growing so fast!

Speaking of growing.... here were his 3 week stats from his doctor visit.

Height: 21 1/8 inches --- 75th percentile

Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz --- 25th/50th percentile

Head: 14 1/2 inches --- 75th percentile

Wyatt is still in newborn diapers and he is still wearing newborn size clothing, although in Ralph Lauren he can wear 3 months because it runs a little smaller. He is growing so much faster than Kennedy. Any newborn clothing with footies are getting too short.

His eating is hit or miss. Sometimes he just drains two ounces and sometimes he wants 3. He is up eating about every 2-3 hours, however, last night he did a 4 hour stretch, a 3 hour stretch and then a 2 hour stretch. I am really not too exhausted from the night time feedings.

Kennedy is finally starting to adjust to things better. The first couple of weeks were hard. We noticed she was talking louder and really acting out to get our attention more. She also had been having a harder time playing with other kids. Sharing went out the window! HA!

I am finally starting to feel like a good mom to her again as I am getting the hang of life with two! Shoooo... for a while I was worried. When my mom pulled out of my driveway and left me for the first time with them, my heart was in the pit of my stomach. I thought, "Lord how will I do this?" I cried for a minute and then I sucked it up. We had wanted Wyatt. We had prayed for a child and God answered our prayers. I found myself feeling guilty for being so out of sorts with life. I don't think we realized how used to life with Kennedy we had gotten until Wyatt came along. He is a very easy baby, but still yet, everything has changed. It's so hard to go anywhere right now. We will pack up and Wyatt will need to be fed or he poops. HA! There have been a few days where I have forgotten to eat or drink because I have been so incredibly busy. Everything is just an uphill battle and a lot of work! Work that I am grateful for! =)

Someone on Facebook told me that in terms of finding my "new normal"...well... normal is just a setting on the dryer. I have learned that to be true! We have NO normal right now, but somehow... I'm kind of getting used to it. You know it's bad when Kennedy's time at school used to be a pleasure experience for me... now it's such a hassle just getting her there! I'm so exhausted by the time I get home, and by the time I take care of Wyatt it's time to turn around and get her. Don't get me wrong... I'm not complaining. I don't mind the extra work, but I think I just didn't expect how much extra work there would actually be. It's so funny how fast you forget and how fast your child grows. I know this is just a season. Today I actually let my whole house get ridiculously out of control messy and I laughed and held my baby all day because as the old saying goes..."babies don't keep." Anyways, I am starting to tell a big difference in Kennedy's adjustment towards this "new dryer setting."

She has the sweetest smile I've ever seen. Makes me so happy! My little mohawk man is starting to smile more too, however, I'm not great at capturing it on camera. With K, I would just sit and stare and take photo after photo. I am finding myself saying, "oh shoot, I haven't taken any photos of Wyatt in forever!" HA! First child. Second child. I had heard of this before... but now I think I get it. There's just not enough time. Funny thing... K was an extremely difficult baby. She had colic and reflux and cried 24/7 just about. Wyatt is sooooo easy. I think that Dave and I are forgetting how much more difficult life could be. Thank you God for our "easy" baby. =)

Wyatt has the funniest hair. He looks bald in the very front other than some peach fuzz. He has lots of hair on the back of his head. In fact, it's so long on his neck... I'm wondering when he should get his first trim. The funniest part is right along the back center of his head where his mohawk sticks straight up!

I don't know what color his hair will end up being. Kennedy's hair was black as a baby and has lightened up. Wyatt's is much lighter.

We took our first trip to my parents house two weekends ago. I wanted my Granny Lorene to be able to see him while he was still little. With Wyatt growing so fast, I was afraid by Christmas he would be huge!

He got to see a few other people dear to my heart too. This is Austin, my childhood neighbor that I grew up with. He is the brother I never had. I think Wyatt stole his heart!

And this is Austin's nan, who I call Nan too. =) She had back surgery the week of my csection and came to my parents house AND held Wyatt. She was determined to see him! So sweet!

Some sweetness captured on my iPhone.

Wyatt never hardly cries. I swear. Maybe if he is cold or really hungry, but other than that... nope... he doesn't cry. He fusses quietly. It's hilarious. I pinch myself. The above photo was taken on a particular night when he decided to wake up and chill with mom. He wanted to be talked to. I'll take it over blood curdling screams any day.

And this is one of the RARE photos I have of his dimples! He's got them. Just like mom and big sis! YAY!

Does he not look so big!? I feel like I am finally getting to know his grunting language. It's a good feeling to understand what means "I'm hungry or I'm sleepy etc." He grunts so much and has a deeper voice than Kennedy did. He loves to be swaddled when he's sleepy. He hates a paci, but I am finally starting to force him to like it. He has a "fussier" time in the evenings where he is gassy, but usually if you hold him during that time he is fine! I pray he stays this way!

Kennedy was reading one of her toddler Bibles the other day. She is big into pretending like she is reading. She tries to tell the story from memory. Well, as she flipped through the pages in her Bible, I overheard her say, "Nola and the shepherds were stuck in the muddy mud."

I cracked up. Obviously "Nola" means Noah. Too funny.

I asked her if Jesus was in her Bible and she said just as matter of fact as she could be, "Noooooope, just Nola."

And there you have it. I have failed with teaching my daughter about Jesus! HA! Out of the mouths of babes.

I am definitely able to enjoy Wyatt more than I did Kennedy. It kind of makes me guilty to say that, but I was so nervous and had so much anxiety over Kennedy. I am much better with just relaxing and going with the flow this time around. I have said over and over... the hardest part about this transition is simply learning how to divide my time. I never was great at time management anyway. I beat myself up a lot, and I think a lot of the c-section recovery and not being able to lift and move like I want to has made it harder. I have learned that it's just going to take time. It took 9 months to get Wyatt here, so it's going to take a while for my body to fully recover and for us to fully adjust to life with two kids. I love this scripture:

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I know it's impossible to be the perfect mom. I have learned that with Kennedy. I do want to be the best I can be. I want to glorify God in all I do, and right now... my main ministry is my children. I have learned that even the little things count. On the days where I am tired of scrubbing bottles and staying up all night and running up and down my stair case to get things for my kids and changing diaper after diaper, I am reminded that Christ is my strength! I know that this role I'm in is not in vain. I pray that He is glorified and that I keep a home where Christ is the focus and my sweet babies will grow to know Him!

Christ has blessed me with hands that are full and during this season of thanks... I have never had more to be grateful for!

Newborn Photo Shoot

2011-11-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

I couldn't wait to show you all our first photo shoot as a family of FOUR! I don't have much time, so I will let the photos speak for themselves.

A huge thank you to Jaron Johns of Dei Gratia Photography who is not only a special friend but a wonderful Christian photographer! We are so grateful for these special memories captured during our first weeks at home. Click here for his blog post he did about the shoot. How will we ever choose!?

{Dei Gratia Photography}

I would be so thankful...

2011-11-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

I would be so appreciative if you all will please take the time to pray for my cousin's baby, Crailey Faith, this week. She will be undergoing open heart surgery on Tuesday. Please pray that God will heal little Crailey's heart through this surgery. Pray for her doctors and her nurses. Pray for her parents, Ashley and Jeremy. Pray for her sister, Emilynn and the rest of their family. Pray for the recovery process, and that God will have His hands on this little girl providing peace and comfort to all who love her!

Kennedy thought Crailey looked so pretty at her first birthday she just celebrated! We wish more than anything we lived closer to be there for my sweet cousin and her family, but I know God hears our prayers from my home just as He would from Ashley's. Please please please join me in praying. With Thanksgiving coming up this week... I would be beyond thankful for you and your prayers for my family and Crailey Faith.

Random Bits of Life Changes

2011-11-18T16:38:00.000-05:00

I am still in the process of getting caught up on sharing these past three weeks! It's been so crazy!

A continued look back... {this is gonna be random!}

This woman is my rock. My mom was sick during Wyatt's big debut, but she pressed on in her mask. {Please don't kill me for this picture!} When I say that she scrubbed her hands so many times that they were literally raw and bleeding... that is not an exaggeration. She helped so much with Kennedy while I was busy recovering and caring for Wyatt in those first weeks. I really don't know what it is about becoming a mom that causes me to need my own mom... but I am so thankful that she is alive and well and was able to be here for me during this big life change. There truly are no words that could express the gratitude I owe my mom.

Whitney {you probably know her as Ava's mommy} is truly the friend and sister that I never knew I needed until God intervened and BAM! There she was with a beautiful little dark, curly headed baby girl in her lap. Kennedy loves Ava so very much and Dave and I love Ava's parents very much. We truly have become like family, and I am amazed at the way God has blessed us and continues to mold our lives through so many things we share in common. Whitney helped take care of Kennedy early the morning of my c-section so that my family could be with us at the hospital. Kennedy {and now Wyatt too} is my life, so to have someone you can trust to be there at such a life changing moment and care for her like she was their own is something I am beyond blessed to have! Whitney should be having Wyatt's best buddy, baby Ty, literally... any day! We are as excited to welcome Ty into our lives as Whitney, Chris and Ava were to welcome Wyatt into theirs! God has truly blessed us with great friends!

My sweet blue baby... as Kennedy says. He is such an angel.

No shave November for Dave! HA! Dave was able to take the first week off of work to be with us. It was great having him home. He is the best daddy. I know everyone says that about their husbands, but I know mine truly is! HA! To see how far we have both come.... we had never even changed a diaper before Kennedy! Now, Dave is like a pro handling Wyatt. {However, the different gender "parts" have thrown us off a little! hehe}.

Is this not the sweetest picture of my babies? Kennedy loves her brother so much. The first words out of her mouth when she wakes up is "where's my boo baby?" She asks me 10 times a day {at LEAST} if she can hold him. I swear... I feel like the trending words in this post are "there are no words", but seriously... there are no words to describe the joy that fills up my heart when I see them together. I can't wait until Wyatt gets a little bigger because I know he will be just as much in love with his big sister!

For all of the "changes" happening in her life, my Kennedy has been such a sweet heart. Granted, we have had our moments of tantrums, needing attention, and defiance, but this is a big time life change for her and I know it's going to take some time to adjust. She went from being the center of our universe to having to share her spot with her brother. It has been hard for me too! Loving Wyatt is the easy part. Knowing that my baby girl is feeling any insecurities about how much we love her breaks my heart. We love her more than ever! I think with my c-section recovery and not being able to lift her like I used to has made it worse for the both of us. During the first two weeks I went through stages of "oh my goodness I miss Kennedy." She was right there the entire time, but our lives went from me and her 24/7 for the past 2 1/2 years to me her and her brother. HA! I LOVE snuggling and caring for Wyatt, but it has been hard when she is asking me to play with her and I can't because I'm feeding the baby, etc. It's been almost four weeks now, and this is already getting so much better. I am so proud of my sweet daughter! She is such a good big sister! I pray that God shows me how to parent both of my sweet children and divide my time to be the best for both of them!

Have I mentioned that Wyatt is the BEST baby? He eats and sleeps and only cries if he's cold or needs a diaper change. Every once in a while we get an evening belly ache... but it's really nothing too dramatic.

Dave is pretty proud for producing such a good baby. I quickly remind him of all the issues he "produced" with Kennedy. That poor baby girl was on the opposite end of the spectrum from Wyatt. She was miserable and we were a train wreck as parents. Bless her heart! I am so thankful for a healthy baby that feels good and is sooo happy! There was nothing worse than watching Kennedy cry the way she did and not be able to do anything about it! It's definitely different this second time around. I am able to enjoy him and savor each moment!

And savoring each moment is a must when you have a growing boy that is changing day to day.

I have no idea why this picture is all messed up, but this is my Granny Barb. She came and helped around the house while I was out of commission during the first week of Wyatt's life. Before she left she cooked a big Thanksgiving feast! {She was cleaning the bird in this photo! HA!} What an appropriate meal to cap off our first week of a family of four. We have so much to be thankful for!

Wyatt has a lot to be thankful for too! {Besides a big fat bottle!} We have so many dear friends that are having babies around the same age as Wy. Above is sweet Hudson! Check out his mommy's blog here.

I think it's so sweet that Dave and Hudson's daddy were childhood friends. Now these boys will get to walk in their daddies' footsteps! =)

They are just two weeks apart! This photo cracks me up! Hudson looks like he's screaming at Wyatt! HA!

And this is sweet Houston! {Not to be confused with Hudson!} He is 7 weeks older than Wyatt. They actually had almost the exact same birth weight and height!

Houston's mommy, Stephanie, is such a sweet friend of mine! I love her dearly! Once baby Ty gets here I think I'll have an all boys play date while the girls are at their school. =)

I told you this post was random! Moving right along.... Wyatt's first bath! {Technically it was a sponge bath due to his belly button.}

He loved it! As long as he's not cold... this boy is one happy camper!

The finished product! One handsome boy!

We have so much to be thankful for. Our family feels so complete because of this special little boy! =)

Home Sweet Home!

2011-11-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

My baby is THREE weeks old and I'm JUST NOW getting around to posting our coming home from the hospital pics! To say I have been busy is an understatement! HA! Two kids {newborn and toddler} definitely keeps you on your toes, but we are FINALLY getting into the groove of things and finding our "new normal". I will get back to speed on the blog, but since I use this as a baby book, I need to back track so I can make sure I have ALL of Wyatt's memories saved!

So let's do some time traveling for a few days.

We went into the hospital on Monday, the 24th October and were released on Thursday, the 27th. After I was released that morning, we had to wait on this little guy to see a pediatrician before we could go home! The pediatrician finally arrived at 2:00 p.m. to release us, and then we had to wait for a ton more paper work. I didn't think we would EVER get home.

Finally after a long day we were able to get his coming home outfit on!

Ready to go!

We didn't get home until around 4:00 p.m. Sam greeted Wyatt right away. I have to say that I was a huge grump towards poor Sam while I was pregnant. He drove me insanely crazy. The second I saw him with Wyatt, I decided I loved him again! HA! He is so protective and good with my babies. We couldn't ask for a sweeter, more lovable dog...and ESPECIALLY since he went from being our baby to just our dog. He loves us all regardless. =)

Kennedy eventually woke up from her nap to learn that the "blue baby" was really and truly coming to her home to live forever.

She was happy!

So happy that she wanted him to wear a party hat. Kind of looks like David the gnome. =)

Our first night was a rough one. I was sore and we were trying to figure out Wyatt's feeding schedule and he pooped twice. We were kind of an unorganized mess. I will say that we had a lot less anxiety though than when we had Kennedy!

He truly has been such a sweet baby from day one. Very laid back. Very easy. As long as he is fed and changed and warm... he's usually very happy. He sleeps in the Fisher Price chair pictured above. It's been like night and day from Kennedy! Thank you God!

We ended up having to take him to the doctor the next day for a checkup. He weighed 6 lbs and 14 oz and was healthy from head to toe! =)

My sweet babies!

Kennedy reading her "blue baby" a book.

Decorations my mom had waiting on us. =)

The first couple of weeks are kind of all a blur, but we were so happy to be home from the hospital and start the healing process for me and the adjustment process for us all with life with FOUR! I have recovered from the cesarean remarkably well, and we just feel that God had his hand on us from beginning to end! Everything went so smoothly and Wyatt is absolutely the most precious baby. We are so thankful!

A Few of Wyatt's Hospital Pics.

2011-11-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Snapshots from the hospital!

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

I wanted to be able to document some of our time at the hospital for Wyatt to see someday!

My baby boy!

Dana came to see him the night he was born.

Along with Mark and Traci.

My aunt Alisha drove from Louisville to see him on day #2.

My boy got a bad newborn hive-like rash. Completely harmless.

So sweet!

Looked like he was praying!

Mommy's boy!

Proud dad.

Dave's mother.

The nurse giving him some Tylenol before his "procedure".

Dave's dad.

Meanwhile...mommy is crying about him having any pain! HA!

The big sis shows up to cheer me up!

She has a special way of doing just what I needed... calming my nerves and surrounding me with peace and love. =)

Aunt Meagan and Uncle Steve. Wyatt survived the procedure ...and so did I! YAY!

Daddy looks exhausted. Those nights on the hospital couch were catching up!

Sweetness.

Little feet. I wonder where they will take him? He's got long toes like his daddy.

The back of his head. Party is definitely in the back. The poor front has some hair "trouble" as Dave says.

Go CATS! Gonna raise him up right!

A new day. Mommy is feeling better.

Bama and Big sis back again.

No words to describe how much joy this picture brings to my heart.

perfect.

Kennedy so excited that Kayla is here!

Sweet Kristin and I with our babies!

Lauren and Baby Farmer! No doubt... they will be great buddies like their daddies!

Changes....changes....

Mamma Suz stops by!

And brings our favorite... a BIG edible fruit arrangement! K was happy. =)

Did I take too many pain pills today?

2011-11-03T15:37:00.000-04:00

My mom and I decided that I needed to get out of the house today. Too long in your own house and you start hearing those cuckoo birds if you know what I mean!? I can't drive due to the c-section so I'm at the mercy of whoever is willing to haul my helpless self around until I am released.

Kennedy was at school, and we decided to go out and attempt a little Christmas shopping with Wyatt. {Breaking him in good.} The trip was a success, but I decided to go sit in the car with the baby so mom could check out. I was busy texting away on my cell phone when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a cousin-ittish looking creature in an auto worker jump suit holding one of those gigantic police officer flashlights and briskly approaching our vehicle. The car was running, Wyatt was in the backseat, and I was in the passenger seat.

I didn't think much of it. I thought he was just a pitiful homeless man wandering around aimlessly. Boy was I startled when I started hearing screaming and ranting outside my vehicle. I looked back and he was glaring me right in the eye with his hair shaking and drool dribbling out of the corners of his dirty cheeks. My first reaction was honestly, "Oh my goodness..... I'm such an idiot... I took one too many pain pills and must be hallucinating." I really wasn't scared. {So unlike me.} I was in this weird, fuzzy, perplexed state. DUH!?

I see the man grumble along to the store my mom was in. He opened the door and started SCREAMING into the store. His face was blood red. He was waving his flashlight like it was a weapon and his eyes were bulging from his head. I still didn't know what the heck he was screaming about. I then began to think..."Do I sacrifice my mother, hop in the driver seat and storm off before he comes back?" I do have two children to raise after all. Nope. The force of motherly hormonal instincts set in instantaneously.

I wasn't afraid.

He came back to my vehicle... this time on the drivers side. He could have busted my window and tried to steal us while in the vehicle. {Too many Criminal Minds.}

"Gibberish, gibberish" pause. drool. "OKAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY?" he screamed and dangled his flashlight towards me as I puffed my lactating chest out like one of those wild animals on Animal Planet displaying their "you better back off" stance to their predator.

We are talking about a crazy homeless man with the ability to harm my baby.... I. don't. think. so. Wyatt is sleeping in the backseat and doesn't know he's in the world. Thank goodness my sweet girl was not with us... I think this would have been one of those childhood things that would have called for adult counseling sessions later on.

The man continued screaming, and I was seriously about to open a can of you know what..... I mean... the momma bear claws were sharpening with every scream he made.

I began to ponder....."Does this man not know that I have just had a child, I'm exhausted, hormonal doesn't even begin to describe the up and down emotions I'm experiencing and I just needed to get out of my house for a breath of fresh air for the first time in over a week!?!?!? I have every possibility of being just as insanely scary as him. {Ask my husband.}" I honestly think I could have taken his own flashlight and beat him silly with it... all c-section wounded up and all!

Just when I prepare to throw down.... he scurries off just as quickly as he appeared.

I felt confused again. Should I be scared? Should I call the police? Good Lord! Should I check on my mother who is still inside the store? {Meanwhile she is causing a scene in the store running towards the door to check on me. I think she scared some people herself into thinking old grandmama bear was going to attack!}

One of the owners came out to my car and smiled at me with such warmth. I rolled down my window and he informed me that the man was harmless. He was a schizophrenic man that will eventually go away if you just ignore him. He informed me to to just continue ignoring him if he returned. Well... today was his lucky day. HA! He didn't return, but I laughed. Only something like this would happen to me! All I could think about was how fortunate this man was. Good thing he ran off when he did because honest to God, I think I could have whipped him. Shoot... I'm about borderline schizophrenic myself right now! You never know when I will snap either! In fact, I was about to release some built up new mom anxiety and just scream back for the heck of needing to blow off some steam myself. HA!

So here is my sweet baby boy....

....completely and utterly oblivious to all the insanity surrounding him today. {And trust me... there was a whole lot of it!} I would say our first outing was definitely an adventure, and most of all, I am very thankful that no... I did not take too many percocets today.

p.s. I am a nut job lately... but who can blame me when I have two sets of dimples like these....

......to make my heart skip beats?

I am totally, utterly and insanely crazy about my babies! =)

Halloween, Halloween! Trick. or. Treat!

2011-11-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

A Halloween 2011 recap!

Mommy's little pumpkin!

Kisses for his mommy!

swoon.

How precious my babies are to me!

She is so in love with her brother!

My beautiful mermaid! HA!

Prettiest Ariel in the world!

My sweet mermaid and pumpkin.

My little pumpkin butt!

Sugar high!

Kennedy got to Trick or Treat with her neighbors! This year was sooooo much fun! It truly is the best of both worlds having a baby to snuggle on and having a toddler that is just so much fun!

I couldn't keep up with her. Trick or Treat was my first "big walk" out of the house since coming home.

Daddy had so much fun with his little mermaid princess.

Our neighbors have the most kind children. They helped Kennedy go from door to door and were sooooo sweet to her. She felt like a BIG girl!

She would squeal and giggle and yell "Twick or Tweet".

Ariel found Beauty {also our neighbor} and the girls decided to hold hands and walk along the sidewalk. It was the sweetest thing.

TWICK OR TWEET!

Taking a break to munch on candy.

Wyatt had the BEST first Halloween. Lots of milk, burps, snuggles and sleep.

Enjoying a yummy sucker. Kennedy was just the sweetest thing. We had so much fun with her. Words cannot even describe. =)

We had the BEST Halloween ever with both of our babies. We are so blessed. I hope everyone had a very very happy one!

Wyatt's Birth Story

2011-10-31T23:01:00.000-04:00

It's been a week? Really? It feels like just yesterday that Wyatt was inside of me and I was imagining him. Why is it that the first week of your child's life literally feels like it took place in one day? I mean, really? Time machine? Is it weird that as I type this post I'm feeling smothered a little in my chest? Shoooooo. One week. {The curser on my screen blinks slower than Wyatt's first week of life.}

So before I turn all sappy/post preggo irrational on myself and to the world.... here is Wyatt's birth story.

Sunday night my mom, dad, sister and grandmother arrived. We went to eat with my friend, Ginny, and her fiancé', Andrew. It was my "last" meal, so to speak. I looked like a hot mess and felt like one too. We had a visit with Whitney and Chris and sweet Ava, and then we got the car loaded up. So Dave and I go to sleep with a MILLION thoughts on our minds that night. We didn't sleep much. We got up at 4:15 a.m. to get ready and headed to the hospital. Above is my last full on pregnant photo! Another weird thought... I have already started forgetting the feeling of him inside of me. It's so weird because at the time I remember feeling so miserable that I thought I would NEVER forget.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. I was a nervous wreck. I missed Kennedy already. I was soooooo thankful though that Whitney volunteered to stay with her at the house during the surgery. How blessed we are to have good friends in our lives. The hospital was full upon arrival. Was there there a full moon? I keep asking that, but never checked. I was supposed to get a private room to be prepped in, but there were so many women laboring that I got put in the recovery room. Luckily, I was the very first cesarean of the day, so I had the room to myself. Have I already told you I was a nervous wreck? I kept fake laughing to the nurse "pretending" like I was cool with all the small talk and her jokes. {They weren't really that funny.}

Ginny arrived for moral support! I can't remember when I started crying, but after the nurse shift change, Freda, my surgery nurse, came in to explain some things. The fear, the nerves, the hormones... all just started pouring from my tear ducts. I laughed through it. I sucked it up pretty quick and then I decided... "I'm going to be fine."

I was so thankful Ginny was there to keep my family calm in the waiting room and to keep me calm too. What would I do without her?

Dave and I. He was nervous too. When he's nervous he doesn't talk. He already doesn't talk a lot. ;)

My sweet doctor. I LOVED her. She took amazing care of me! I feel very blessed to have her!

Moments away from the walk to the room!

Poor Dave... I was sooooo nervous... I didn't even realize that he had his eyes closed in this picture.

After this... I walked down the hallway. I had to pee, but I held it. The nurse said "if you can hold it... I'll put the catheter right in." Lovely.

I remember walking into an ice cold room with tons of people all masked and gloved up and waiting on me. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. HA! I climbed up onto the table. I made sure to cover my butt with the hospital gown only to expose it seconds later. Why bother, Britney? So I squirm up and the anesthesiologist, who was super, started the spinal. It didn't hurt too bad. No worse than the epidural I had with Kennedy. Seconds later I started going into La La Land. It was a nice place to be considering I was shaking all over.

There was lots of small talk going on, but I was in a good place thanks to all the medicine. The anesthesiologist started chatting it up with me and turns out... his nephew was one of my friends in college. Great. In my mind... "My college friend's uncle is seeing me naked." But those thoughts soon went away when the doctor started cutting me. I then hear, "Where's dad?" I remember saying... "oh please don't let Dave walk in while you are cutting me.... he may pass out."

Dave arrived and looked pale as a ghost. He was so nervous. I can remember us both just staring into one another's eyes and not talking but it was like we both knew exactly what we were thinking...."I'm sooooo stinkin' nervous right now!" The doctor announced that we would have a baby in less than five minutes. My heart dropped. All the emotions... scared/excited/happy/nervous/anxious/blessed... and all of the above could not be wrapped into words. Those few moments felt like an eternity.

I could feel pressure and tugging and the sensation of them cutting me and pulling Wyatt out, but it didn't hurt. It's so bizarre to me.

Then I heard the doctor say..."I don't see much hair...oh wait... he's got more towards the back." pause.

SCREAMING and CRYING from my baby echoed off the bare walls.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. I could hear him. I wanted to rip down the sheet to see him. Because I couldn't see him... I do think that the sounds of his first cry were the most PRECIOUS thing my ears have ever heard and maybe ever will hear.

I'm interrupted by the doctor saying, "He's peeing all over you mom. Okay, dad come and see."

Dave left me. I could still hear Wyatt crying but silence from Dave. I knew this would happen. They took the baby over to the side to clean him up, and it truly felt like an eternity before I laid my eyes on my precious boy. Dave declined to cut the cord. He didn't do this for Kennedy either. He says that he is not going to be the guy responsible for ruining our children's belly buttons. HA! Dave clarified for me several times that "he was perfect", but I was afraid he was lying to me. I was laying on a table being filleted like a fish, after all. The chances of him lying to me about the well being of our baby to keep me from freaking under the knife were high.

So I listened and absorbed every sound and cry from my baby and FINALLY....

They brought my sweet angel to me and I touched his cheek and kissed him.

It was like he knew me and my voice and somehow...the touch of my hand and lips to his face were more comforting to him than anything. He immediately stopped crying. This brought joy to my heart!

I was in love! Oh my GOD how you grew my heart in an indescribable way. A sense of completeness filled my heart and soul, and as I gazed into this perfect baby boy's face... I knew he was the missing piece to my life.

Wyatt Henry born at 7:52 a.m. weighted 7 lbs and 5 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

I remember thinking he looked so much like Kennedy... only larger and more masculine.

Dave and the baby went away to the nursery while I stayed to be sewn up. Those moments of laying alone while they pulled and tugged to sew me were so weird. It was a whirlwind. I wanted it to be over so I could see my baby.

I was soooo happy when Dave finally brought in Wyatt for me to hold him in recovery! {I am pretty sure Ginny came in to keep me company during the time in between.}

Holding my boy for the first time. My body was shaking all over!

I couldn't feed him because I was literally shaking from head to toe. The nurse had to come hold my arm down just to get my blood pressure reading to work. My mom came in and Dave and my mom had to help hold my arms steady enough to even be able to hold Wyatt!

Bama with her baby boy!

Mommy and daddy!

Three generations!

Getting his first bath!

So sweet. Not even crying!

Pop Pop holding Wyatt!

Aunt Madison!

Ginny!

Granny Barb! {I am using the !!!!! to show the excitement that each person had to see my sweet Wyatt for the first time!}

Oh how precious he is!

Nothing brought my heart more joy than seeing Kennedy see him for the first time.

She ran to me and asked me, "Where's blue baby?"

Daddy held her and she squealed and smiled. My heart melted.

love. love. love.

She was infatuated!

Our first family photo!

Kennedy got some special treats too! The "blue baby" brought her tons of surprises!

A BLUE Doodle Bear was her favorite.

And SHE brought him something special too. A blue Little Giraffe blanket just like her pink "blank".

I swear that there is nothing in this world that could bring me more happiness than seeing my precious babies together!

Kennedy is so in love with her baby brother!

Wyatt's birth was fast....much like his first week of life. At this pace... I feel like tomorrow I will be crying about sending him off to college! Seriously... life... could you please slow down?

I truly feel that my family is complete. My love has been multiplied beyond any of my expectations or wildest dreams. Wyatt is such a blessing and gift to our family. He is sleeping great and eating great. Every morning Kennedy's first words are "I want to go check on my blue baby." There is really no other way to put it... we are head over heels... crazy .....blessed... in love with Wyatt Henry.

Happy ONE WEEK birthday to my sweet baby boy!