How an Almost Three Year Old's Mind Works

These conversations for the past 4 months since Jenna's birthday

It's my birthday, Mommy.
Not yet sweet heart. It's coming up tho.

I got this for my birthday, Mommy.
No, you didn't get breakfast for your birthday, but it's coming up soon.

This statement as we are snuggling in bed the other morning

Mommy, my birthday is up.



Mommy, what does your shirt say
Miami
Your Ami?



Where are we, Mommy?
We're in our neighborhood
No, where are we?!
On Queens ct.
No, Where are we?!
In Nampa.
Where's Nampa?
Um...It's where we live
Show me



What are those, Mommy.
Um...(trying my best to think of an appropriate answer)
What are they, Mommy?!
Um...Grave stones.
Oh

The hardest of the four and I get an "Oh"

How Did You Begin Your Day?

I have such an amazing little guy. He sleeps 10 hours at night for me. I usually don't have a hard time getting up in the mornings, but last night for his last feeding I was too tired to sit up and feed him. I thought, "Oh, I'll just lay in bed and feed him, and when he is done I'll stick him in his bed" Not so. I conked out immediately. And thus began the whole cycle. I'm sure all you moms out there know what cycle I'm talking about, but just in case you need a refresher it goes something like this: Wake up because baby is nuzzling and looking for food. Aim in the general direction of baby's mouth and determine to stay awake to put baby back in bed. Fall asleep. Wake up because baby is nuzzling and looking for food. Switch sides. Aim in the general direction of baby's mouth and determine to stay awake to put baby back in bed. Fall asleep. 

SO...this morning I was a little more reluctant to get out of bed. 

Every morning Haddie gets in bed with me when she wakes up. It usually makes Jenna very mad to see Haddie get out of bed and just walk out since she is stuck in her crib. I snuggle with Haddie for a few minutes, but I have to get up at this point because of Jenna's wailing.  Like every other morning Haddie climbs up in bed with me this morning. UNlike every other morning Jenna isn't screaming and throwing a fit. I, grateful for a few minutes of extra sleep, roll over and snuggle in to go back to sleep. Not before aiming in the general direction of baby's mouth.

Mommy. 

Mommy?

Mommy!

I mumble in my sleep deprived state, "Shhhh. Go ba'g sleep"

Mommy.

Mommy?

Mommy!

Wha...?

Haddie in a very calm, matter of fact voice, "Jenna took off her diaper." 

I take a deep breath.

Mommy.

OK

Mommy.

OK, 'addie.

Mommy.

OK, Haddie. Thank you.

Jenna is poopy

My Jenna Beth

My poor sweet pea has had a rough go of it. I know I've posted a few things on here talking about how tiny she is. It has been such a long hard road with her. We've recently discovered she has allergies. Allergies to EVERYTHING.

I got pregnant when she was only 3 months old and since I have a hard time producing enough milk when I'm pregnant, I started supplementing with goats milk when she was about 4 months old. I completely dried up when she was 6 months old and switched her completely to goats milk. She would have about 6 bottles a day. Pretty much all winter she had a runny nose, gunky eyes, and a cough. I just kept thinking she wasn't getting over the cold that we had all gotten or she was continuing to get colds one right after the other. Her cough got so bad she would drink a bottle and then cough so hard she projectile vomited the entire 8 ounces she had just drank. She was interested in food and acted like she wanted to eat, but didn't have much of an appetite. At 11 months I took her in to the Dr. and we discovered she was allergic to goats milk. Everything made sense now! The constant congestion, the cough, the vomiting, and even her lack of appetite. We promptly switched her to an almond milk formula, dropping it down to three bottles a day and aggressively introduced foods so she would get enough nutrients. We started her on vitamins as well. Within a day I saw a huge difference. She immediately cleared up and began to devour food. She quickly gained half a pound. Up to this point she hadn't gained any weight for quite a while. I was so excited to see the improvements! Finally, we figured things out and it would be smooth sailing from here. How often do you run across goats milk in the ingredients? I knew it would be an easily avoided allergy and one we could live with.

After a while I started noticing she was getting congested again. She had a constant runny nose and her chest sounded asthmatic. She hadn't gained any more weight and she was having around 7 or 8 runny, poopy diapers a day. I thought she was probably allergic to wheat since she seemed to get the worst after she had had some so I tried removing that from her diet. It is so hard to cut wheat out! It is in everything! Even in spices. I wasn't very successful at it and it didn't seem to help much. She was seen again and we were told she had a leaky gut. She had formed an allergy to the almond milk formula and we figured she was pretty much allergic to everything. I put her on a strict meats and veggies only diet till her stomach had a chance to heal. We put her on probiotics, glutamine powder, and had to make a chart of her foods. Because of her leaky gut I couldn't give her things too often because she would form an allergy to it. I had to write out a menu and make sure she was only getting a food every other day or longer. I couldn't give her fruit because it was shooting right through her. Even her vitamins were too strong for her stomach to handle. I also had to pump for her. She needed the extra calories and nutrients my milk could give her.

I think this was the hardest time that I have gone through. Here my tiny little girl had allergies so severe she had a leaky gut and wasn't growing. It was an incredibly heavy weight on me. I kept beating myself up mentally for not breastfeeding her longer. If I hadn't gotten pregnant I would have been able to breastfeed her longer and protect her. Maybe I didn't try hard enough when my milk was drying up. How could I have not known what was going on with her and taken care of it right away? On top of all of that I had all the "normal" stresses of having three kids under three. It was hard enough having to sit down and feed Jackson as often as a newborn needs, but then having to pump for Jenna completely took all my time. I would feed Jackson, pump for Jenna (for like an hour and I would only get 2 ounces!), eat, go to the bathroom, and start all over again. I lived on the couch for three days. Finally, my milk supply increased enough so I only had to pump 2 or 3 times a day for about 20 mins each time. Thankfully my sister was here and able to help with everything.

 If I thought life was hard while I had her help I was shocked to discover it was much harder once she was gone. I was on my feet all day cleaning, feeding kids, changing diapers, dressing and redressing kids, and cooking. At the end of the day it looked like I hadn't done anything and I was lucky if I had gotten three meals that day! How was I supposed to do this?! I was on the verge of tears all day every day. I was constantly fighting them back because I felt like if I gave in and let myself cry I wouldn't stop. 

Jenna is so incredibly strong willed, stubborn, and determined. She knew she wasn't able to eat what we were eating so she would get into the pantry if ever it was left open. She would eat dry noodles and anything else she could get to. When I would sit Haddie down to eat Jenna would climb up Haddie's chair, on top of Haddie, and eat her food. The whole time Haddie was screaming and trying to keep her down. She would climb anything to get to food. It was a HUGE battle to keep her away from food she couldn't. She was so severely allergic to things that the little handfuls she was getting here and there were enough to keep her from healing up. 

I have an unusually large doorway between my dinning room and living room. I couldn't find a gate long enough, high enough, or strong enough to keep her out. She wasn't improving at all and had even gotten some serious injuries from falling while climbing to get to things. I felt so overwhelmed and helpless. HOW could I keep her away from the food?! Especially while breastfeeding. I would have to lay Jackson down and run over to her so many times in a feeding that Jackson would quit latching on after the first or second time. That was incredibly frustrating because he would then want to eat an hour later, and it would start all over again. I got sick of this so I walked through my house with a measuring tape trying to find ANYTHING I could lay across the doorway to keep her out of the kitchen. I no longer have a hallway closet door. It was long enough when laid on it's side that it fit perfectly and was impossible for Jenna to get over. 

Once food was contained in the kitchen Jenna improved very quickly. Her poopy diapers starting slowing down. Her nose and chest starting clearing up, and she quickly gained weight. At 2 weeks we took her off the probiotics and introduced fruits and vitamins back into her diet. She handled it just fine. We have seen a difference in her appetite as well. Before, everything she ate would shoot right through her so she was hungry all the time. She would eat huge amounts of food and she wanted to eat all the time, but she was never satisfied. Now she eats her 3 meals, a good amount of them, and has her 3 snacks. She usually has 2 - 4 solid poopy diapers a day.

I was told I could start trying to add things slowly back into her diet to see what she reacts to and I really wanted to, but I was really worried. We had worked so hard to get her to this point and I didn't want to go backwards. She was doing so good. But she got a good amount of wheat the other day by accident. I was really panicky and scared about it. I kept expecting for her to get that asthmatic sounding cough, congestion, the runs, anything, but she never did react to it. My first thought is that she is healed. I know so many people have been praying for her. Even now, tears are welling up in my eyes just thinking of all the people who took on this heavy burden with me and continually asked for healing for our precious little girl. If you are one of those people and are reading this...Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I felt every prayer and God moved on your behalf!

I do wonder if it is just that she hasn't had any thing since we put her on her strict diet, so her body is healed up and healthy, and the amount she got wasn't enough to cause a reaction. But I do know that my Lord is powerful and I could tell you story after story of his miraculous healing not only in my life, but lots of others as well. I do not doubt He is able. I just don't want to rush in and let her have whatever she wants only to find out she still has allergies. However; it has removed that fear of slowly trying things to see what she is allergic to now. Today I gave her rice. So far she has handled it great. It is only 3pm so we shall see how the rest of the day goes and I'll even continue to watch for a reaction tomorrow.

God is so good. I didn't know how I was going to get through that hard time, but I have. I no longer carry that heavy burden around. Jenna is even better than I imagined she could be, and it happened so much faster than I could have hoped for! We have settled into a routine, and I'm not on my feet all day every day working hard only to feel like I've accomplished nothing. I find my joy in the Lord and His redeeming power in my life. He truly is my strength and shelter in the storms! Even if my little Jenna isn't healed, I am so grateful for the people He has brought into our lives! Our Dr. who gave us all the medical advice and guidance that has brought Jenna to this healthy point today, and all those who supported us both physically and spiritually. I am overwhelmed by God's love and the willing vessels he has used to pour that love out on our lives!

Jackson's Birth Story

Jackson's Big Entrance

This little guy HAD to be "late". He waited 2 hrs and 14 mins after his due date to arrive. I thought for sure he was going to be "on time", but like his older sisters, he was just playing games. ;) His labor was incredibly fast. I called my midwife at 9:30 pm to let her know my contractions were anywhere from 5 - 12 mins apart which, is a sure sign of early labor. However, they were incredibly painful. I had to totally focus on them and focus on relaxing my body when they would hit. She told me I should just go to bed and if they fall into a more steady pattern to call her. I went to bed at 10:00 and slept on and off for an hour as contractions would come and go. At 11:00 I had such an intense one I woke up Jake and insisted we needed to leave. Right now. I was worried about it being a false alarm and getting everyone up all for nothing. I had done that the night before, but I KNEW this was different and kept second guessing myself anyway. I decided to hop in the shower to see if the hot water would help slow them down or help with the pain. By the time I realized this was in fact the real thing and we needed to GO, the contractions were two and three minutes apart. We had to get the girls up and loaded into the car so we didn't leave the house til after 12:00. My mom brought some "supplies" because she was certain we weren't gonna make it.

My poor husband. I know for certain I would NEVER want to have to drive a woman in labor ANYWHERE no matter how short the trip was! I was demanding he speed right through red lights and stops signs (which he did, I think, only because he feared for his life) At one point when a contraction hit and I was insistent he stop, he attempted to oh so SLOOOOOOWLY pull over to the side of the road. First of all, I needed the car stopped 5 seconds ago. And second, THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS BUMPY. I was insisting he just stop RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! Yes, in the middle of the road. Cars could have gone around. Yeah, looking back maybe he was the wiser one, but I know what I was thinking and if I was physically able...let's just say if ever I'm in the drivers seat and I've got a laboring woman next to me you can bet your life I'm gonna do exactly what she says...if my life matters to me at all at that moment.

This labor was easy physically, but mentally I was on the verge of panic the entire time. I felt like I looked like a wild woman with my eyes full of fear and bugging out of my head, my hair a wild mess and my mouth uttering the kinds of screams you would hear walking down the halls of an insane asylum. I have been informed I looked nothing like that and in fact made the labor look easy, but I'm doubtful. With Jenna I felt like I was on top of every contraction. I was able to relax in between. As each one would hit I would think, "OK, I can do this. Just this one. I can do it and then have my moment to relax.". With Jackson I was trying to convince myself in between each contraction that going crazy and freaking out was not going to do anything productive. And no matter how hard I tried I couldn't do anything to keep the next contraction from hitting. I never once felt calm, relaxed, or on top of things. With the girls I felt like I had to do the work. If they were gonna arrive I had to be the one to get them here, but Jackson...he was coming no matter what I did or didn't do. I was so afraid of the pain that at one point I was REALLY wishing for an epidural, which, never once crossed my mind with the girls. I've heard of stories of people giving up on the all natural birth and heading to the hospital. It never made sense to me. You're already there. It won't be long. The transport would NOT be fun. Just stick it out. But with this one if I had not been very familiar and comfortable with natural births I would have insisted we go to the hospital to get me an epidural. I wouldn't have made it. Or I might have made it in time for them to deliver the baby, but I definitely would not have gotten there in time to get my epidural. And I'm not sure the driver or passengers would have arrived alive. Anywho...I'm not sure why I was so afraid. A theory is that I just went through this experience not that long ago and I fully knew what was coming each. and. every. step.

Right when I felt like I needed to start pushing I started hyperventilating. I was in the water and it was way too hot, I was way too hot, and the baby's heart tones were way too high. I slowly moved to the bed. I had two contractions before I made it to the bed and on my back. The very next contraction he starting crowning and he arrived very soon after that. The pushing was so incredibly short. I asked the midwife how long I pushed for. She rolled her eyes and said 2 seconds. I don't believe her. In fact I know for certain she was not telling the truth. ;) I think what she meant to say was pushing went so fast they didn't have time to time it.

This little man felt different all the way through my pregnancy. All my cravings were the same and things like that, which made me second guess my gut feeling that this was a boy. His kicks and punches were much different from the girls. They felt like they belonged to a boy. His head came out and when his shoulders hit I had no doubt those were the shoulders of a boy. His chest was as big as his head. Now add the shoulders to that. Yeah, it hurt.

We loved our experience at the baby place ( http://www.thebabyplacehome.com/ )! The only complaint I have is that I had to travel there. We've already gone over that tho.

From the second he was born the most common reoccurring thought that goes through my head is, "I'M SO GLAD I'M NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE!". (The second one is, "I'm so in love with this little man!)  I think this thought at least 5 times a day. I felt better 3 days post partum than I did when I was pregnant. I felt so great after he was born. I was trying to convince the midwives to let me go home 2 hrs after his birth. They said they just had to do some paperwork. They came back 2 hrs later. Mmm...hmm...Clever little ladies. This recovery has been a breeze. At 2 1/2 weeks I lost the last 5 lbs of my pregnancy weight. (Thank you very much, Jackson!) And I feel so amazing!

I have the world's most amazingly, wonderful husband. Without ever being asked he gets up with the girls every morning. He changes Jenna, gets her her milk, and lays her next to me in bed. He convinces Haddie to lay on his pillow next to mommy till she gets up and then heads off to work. Not before kissing his very appreciative wife goodbye. Plus he is willing to change cloth diapers. That alone is an award winner.

After Haddie's birth I felt like I was just hit by a semi truck. People would ask me, "Don't you feel like superwoman?! Doesn't it feel amazing what you just did?!" I had no clue what they were talking about. But, after Jenna's birth right away I felt like superwoman. I was so proud of what I had just accomplished. I felt great and even wanted to do it over again (at a much later date of course!) With Jackson it took about 2 weeks to get to that point. Because I was so afraid and constantly trying to keep myself from flipping out, I felt like I was such a wimp. A baby. A loud mouthed whiner. Once I got over that feeling I realized what an amazing thing I had just done and I'm pretty darn proud of myself, thank you very much!
I am so happy to have him here! And I'm so happy I'm not pregnant anymore!!!

Girls Night

I LOVE my children and I'm so grateful I get to stay home with them. I wouldn't want it any other way! However, some days are just difficult. Changing diapers, feeding and cleaning up after, and dividing my time equaling between all three kids during the day and then being "on call" at night can be very exhausting. Physically exhausting, but also emotionally as well. 

Some days I feel like this!

Tonight tho...tonight was girls night! Woohoo! Kid free, coffee indulging, grown up talk, Chocolate friendly, blessed, girls night! It had been a particularly hard day and girls night couldn't have come on a better day. Jake would be home soon. I was ready to go. I just finished pumping for the baby (who I would be leaving at home). I set it down to run to the bathroom real quick (thanks to my three kids my bladder thinks it can't handle more than 1/2 an ounce at a time). I come back out to grab the milk to put away and....Jenna was holding the container, the EMPTY container, sitting in a puddle of milk on the couch. NO! My ticket to 3 hours of "freedom"! OK, forget about the coffee. I need a drink! I thought about changing the location to a place that offers a little bit stronger of a drink, but then, I'd have the baby so...forget the decaf. Give me a double shot of the hard stuff!

I'm losing my mind

Today while laying in bed listening to Jenna cry in the monitor barely awake enough to register it, my phone goes off. I frantically fumble around for it because two out of three of the kids are napping in my room and I'm not ready to take on all three kids yet. I didn't get a full nap. I close out of the text message and sadly look at the phone. *sigh* 1:30. I am soooo tired. Why couldn't she sleep longer? Look again. The 6th....feels kinda important. Someone's birthday? October 6th? What...I know I'm missing something! Nobody in my family has a birthday today...DUDE! It's my anniversary. 4 years. So I get up and change a poopy diaper. And indulge in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Happy anniversary.

My Remade Bench and Wall Art

I enjoy making things. Things I see that I don't want to buy. Things I need, but don't have the money to buy or I simply don't want to shop for. Things I see online and just have to try. Whatever the reason, I really enjoy creating things and remaking things. Haddie sees my love for creating and must admire it because today, while playing with a friend, she told her, "See that tree? My mommy made it.". Made my heart happy! :) Of course I promptly  explained that God made that tree, but mommy was cool enough she could probably do it too...not really. I mean, I didn't tell her that...but I bet I am ;) Now, before God strikes me dead, I meant to say I could probably REmake it.

A while back Jake came home with a couple boxes of cupboard and drawer samples from his job. I was quite irritated and asked what in the world we would do with a hundred or so of THESE?!?! Wasn't long before I put them to good use! :) I got this bench at an auction and fell in love with it. I, however, did not like the material so like any lover of all things remade, I recovered it. AND made some cool art to match. Now I only have 94 left to do something with ;)

It is my favorite spot in the house at the moment.

My Cloth Diaper Diaper Bag

Since switching to cloth diapers I've completely out grown my diaper bag. Having to have enough cloth diapers and "accessories" for two kids is a huge amount of stuff. I've started carrying my diaper bag and a big bag to get everything out the door with us. While surfing Pinterest (The greatest thing on earth! Next to my kids of course...)I came across this fun tutorial for a cute purse. I went thrift store shopping for the perfect tank top, but got distracted by some cute skirts. Hey! What if I just use a skirt instead of a tank top and add the straps! And it would be big enough to be my cloth diaper diaper bag. There were TONS of cute options! AND you can pick the size that is perfect for you. I had to force myself to stop at just two. This is the first one I got done. I'll have to post pics of the second one when I finish it.

 The straps are made out of an old tank top and some rings from an old purse that I don't like. I'm rather proud of the out come and can't wait to use it!

Maybe I'll make them and sell them....In my spare time....

My Too Big For Her Britches 2 1/2 Year Old

Ever have one of those moments when your heart drops to your stomach, but swells with pride at the same time?

A rather odd experience, I know. I got the pleasure of getting to go through it today.

While feeding Jenna in her highchair Haddie changed Jackson's diaper.

This entailed getting him out of his bouncy seat, laying him on the floor, getting a diaper and baby wipe, opening the snaps on his onesie, getting the diaper off, wiping him up, and putting a clean diaper back on. She wasn't able to get the snaps snapped back up.

Not once did Jackson cry or make a sound. I should have known when all I heard was silence that something was up. Now my 2 1/2 year old is beaming with pride and very confident of the fact that she can pick him up and/or change him whenever she thinks she needs to.

If all three of my children survive to adulthood it shall be a miracle...

An Old Post That Never Got Posted

My Life

Is about to get crazy! Three kids under three?! I've said all along that I felt like I could totally handle another baby. It's the pregnancy that was hard to "accept" and has been a hard one, BUT as this little one gets more and more "done" I'm beginning to realize how drastically my life is going to change. Some days I have panic attacks just thinking about it. Don't get me wrong! I can't wait to hold and snuggle this tiny little bundle! That sweet baby smell, and those tiny little sounds they make....I'm getting all excited just thinking about it, but the weight of adding another one to the mix when I've already got two that are still so needy gets a little heavy. 

I was sitting on the couch watching the birdies in the front yard with the girls. I felt sick to my stomach and thought, "yuck. This feels like morning sickness...GASP....What if I'm pregnant?!?! Oh my word! What in the world would....Oh. I. AM. Pregnant. !!! EIGHT MONTHS pregnant!!" That was a scary moment. I told Jake about it later and his reaction was to shake his head and say, "Yeah, you shouldn't have told me that."

This summer has been so incredibly busy! I was hoping for that so that time would go by quickly and we do better on a routine. So we have park days and swim days planned out plus the other things that you do and get invited to during the summer. I can't believe I only have 5 weeks left!! If you think about it...I could have a baby in two weeks. :-0 Prolly won't, but I COULD. 

I must complain about all my aches and pains quite often. I know I share when the baby has hiccups or moves. I'll grab Haddie's hand and let her feel. But lately when getting in to bed or doing something strenuous, Haddie will grab her belly and say, "Oh, ouch, *sigh* oh *groan*" Also she'll just be walking along and stop suddenly and excitedly say as she pulls up her shirt, "My baby just kicked!" She is pretty excited about meeting this little one. 

Jenna has no clue how much her world is about to change. She is such a sweet little thing that I think she'll handle it OK. She is getting so big! Not necessarily growing so big, just doing big girl things. She is so close to walking. I was hoping she would be steady on her feet by the time this one arrived, but it's not looking that way (I can feel a panic attack coming on now just thinking about it!) I do have to remind myself that I won't be pregnant AND carrying around two little ones. Believe it or not that does make a HUGE difference! She is now in 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes! I was getting so tired of her wardrobe options! She has got quite the appetite lately. As she eats I look at her tiny little body and wonder where she is putting it.

I'm so germ conscious it kills me to take Haddie to the bathroom in public places. I tell her as we're walking in, "don't touch ANYTHING." When I set her on the toilet I put her hands on her thighs and tell her not to touch the toilet. And of course I stand there dancing waiting for her to finish so I can go. As soon as I start to sit down she'll tell me, "Don't touch the toilet, Mommy! Don't touch ANYTHING!" She is doing so many cute things. At this age it's hard tho because to sit here and explain it to you it's not really that funny, but to witness it, it cracks you up.

Mommy guilt

Mommy Guilt

Why is it that mommies are plagued with guilt?! There is always this constant nagging that I didn't do enough today. I didn't do a craft with them today, I didn't stop what I was doing and read a book every time they asked, I didn't get to the snot on that little nose before it dried, I didn't have the patience that I ought to have had . Even the moms that I think have it all together and are on top of things all the time admit to having that ugly guilt remind them of their constant "failures". 

But who says they're failures?!?! 

Who sets those standards?!?! 

There are those legitimate things that we do as fleshly humans, things that we know are wrong, but we know they're wrong because our conscious is pricked, our hearts are heavy. We repent and ask God for patience, a soft spoken word instead of an angry one, wisdom in the situations we face day to day. But I'm not talking about those things.

We think we have to do it all, on time and right every time. 

We as their mothers want to give them the best. So why do we think we don't?! We do what we can and probably more and come out feeling like it's not enough, but if it's what we can do and it's the best of what we can do. Why is that not enough?!

There is always more to do, ALWAYS. So at the end of the day rest in knowing you did what you could. Leave tomorrows worries and tasks for tomorrow and rest in the joy of doing what God has called you to do FOR THAT DAY.  

I didn't get to the dishes, or the laundry, or the bathrooms, so what? They will be there tomorrow, only difference is they won't flourish in the time I spend with them. So when all I've gotten to today leaves my house looking neglected, instead of tallying up all the "failures", I'm going to delight in the fact that my children went to bed with full love tanks.

“You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty.” – Sacha Guitry

The Difference Between a 1st Time Mom and 2nd or 3rd Time Mom

Phone conversation of a 1st time Mom: Sorry, I think I hear the baby. I better go.

Phone conversation of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Sorry, Haddie took a toy from Jenna and Jackson is hungry.  I can't hear you. Can you speak up?

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Diaper check of a 1st time mom: 1st time mom gingerly checks to see if it's a poopy diaper.

Diaper check of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: 2nd or 3rd time mom leans forward as daddy brings diaper up to mom's nose to check if any offending odors are being emitted.

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Transport of a newborn of a 1st time mom: The whole car seat along with blanket, a car seat cover, and the visor attached and up.
 

Transport of a newborn of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: The infant

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Diaper bag of a 1st time mom: A cute, large diaper bag full to the brim of ANY possible item that we MIGHT need.

Diaper bag of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Her purse with a few diapers thrown in...and hopefully baby wipes.

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The putting away of baby clothes by 1st time mom: Folded neatly with all matching pieces together. Each drawer perfectly organized according to pants, shorts, shirts, long sleeve and short sleeve, socks...etc...

The putting away of baby clothes by a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Stuffed in the drawer that once was the designated place for such items, but is now a jammed mess of random articles of clothing. (The drawer is just going to be emptied AGAIN in a day or two by older siblings anyway)

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Handling of a crying newborn by a 1st time mom: Comforting words lovingly whispered as 1st time mom gently soothes baby while worriedly going through a mental check list of any possible reasons as to why the tears.

Handling of a crying newborn by a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Comforting words lovingly whispered as 2nd or 3rd time mom gently soothes baby.

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It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West

Jenna's First Birthday

My baby is ONE! Yikes! When and how did that happen?!?! I cannot believe how fast her first year of life flew by! 

I decided to keep with the pattern I've created of just doing small, easy birthday. Especially since it's just 1. But since it is summer and we could do it at a park I decided to invite a FEW friends. 40 people and an entire day on my feet preparing was not what I had in mind. Melyssa the Great had the GENIUS ( http://thedazeofus.blogspot.com/ ) idea of putting things on a stick for her daughter's birthday, fruit, meat and cheese, desserts. It was so yummy, summery, and looked fairly easy. Bah! I slaved over this all day Saturday. It was worth it tho. It was so yummy and it was a hit. Thanks Melyssa!! I know I'm vain. I took pictures of the food. If you're really not that interested just scroll down and you'll get to see my beautifully precious 1 year old. :)

I promise she started out with a very pretty dress on. It was off the first couple minutes we were there. This girl is a fruit lover like her mommy, who, doesn't like to use stain remover :)

 Singing to her. She sat there looking around quite confused as to why we were all singing and staring at her

 The cake!

 I wish I could have gotten her reaction after she would take a bite, the few that she actually took. She would crinkle up her nose and a shiver would run up her spine.

 She enjoyed flinging it all over the table with her fork. Surprisingly she didn't get very messy  :(

Despite what some of you may have seen on Facebook and how misleading these pictures are since Tawni is the one helping her open her gifts...I DID NOT give my girls away! I was right next to Tawni...most of the time.

 This was the funnest one to watch!

 If I didn't know better I'd say she knew what money was and it's value. She was hilarious with that $10!

 Best buds with their babies :)

 Haddie froze, but must have had lots of fun cuz she kept heading back out once she was warmed up

 I know the first one isn't the greatest picture of Jenna, but look at that guy holding her. Quite the stud muffin if you ask me! :)

 She had a blast! She conked out as soon as we got into the car.

She is my little fearless girl. She has no fear of animals, edges (no matter how far the fall), pretty much anything. She is such a sweet little girl. She loves to play with her big sister and up till recently would only blow Haddie kisses. She is ALMOST walking. Auntie Erin, Uncle Matt, and her cousins got her a walk behind toy and I swear since that night her walking has improved leaps and bounds. (No pun intended :) ) She is quite the verbal little girl. She does more yelling than anything else. She loves to imitate animals and her Daddy's infamous cackle. She is probably saying more than I realize. Well, there is a small update on my little sweet pea, altho not quite so little anymore. She is gaining weight and moving up in clothes sizes. Pretty soon I'll be posting pics of graduation and her car packed to the brim as she pulls away..sniffle..sniffle. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET PEA!!!

...Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it..." ~Sylvia Plath

 Our Day at the Zoo

We loved the monkeys! Some of them really put on a show for us, swinging like crazy from the trees and ropes.

 That is the only picture I got of Jenna. She fell asleep right away and napped the whole time..almost. Poor girl. We'll have to go again soon and get lots of pics with her. Taking these 3 gave me an idea of what next summer will be like...I was so incredibly exhausted and achy by the time we got home. And I still have 3 months left!

She looks like a little girl! :(

She LOVES elephants. I don't think she realized these weren't real. She touched it very hesitantly.

 She kept giving this silly face every time I asked her to smile.

I think this was my favorite moment!

Her first ice cream cone.

She had a blast. I have NEVER heard her talk so much! When we got home she went on and on telling daddy about all the animals in a very animated and excited way. Hearing her talking and then looking at these pictures I'm realizing she isn't a baby any more. :( I'm sure I'll be happy about that when this little one arrives tho. :)

We were all exhausted by the time we got home! We all took a nap from like 6:30 to 8....and then went to bed at 10 :S My wonderful husband gave me a foot massage before bed. I love that man!

P.S. I promise the middle little girl had lots of fun and was quite happy! She just has a very serious face most of the time.