Happy New Year!

I am truly amazed at all that can happen in a decade. Just 10 short years ago we were newlyweds. We had just bought our first house. I graduated from college. We decided it was time to start a family (we were so naive). We both had great jobs. We bought the Tahoe, our first car by ourselves, together. We did our first IVF and welcomed our Prince into our lives. Months turned into years. We made new friends and lost touch with old ones. We welcomed new family members into the world and had to say sad goodbyes to others. We lost furbabies and added new ones. We did IVF number two only to be left with empty hearts when it was negative. W watched our baby grow to a toddler. We did our third IVF which resulted in a chemical pregnancy and another broken heart. We decided we would not give up. We faced some hard times and some great times. We bought a new house, well new to us. We celebrated anniversaries and birthdays. We did our fourth IVF and got pregnant with our sweet twins. Then we lost them and our worlds felt like they were going to spiral out of control. We faced tough times at jobs and tough times with the economy. Wonderful vacations with family. Our fifth IVF and that finally worked. We held our breath for the next 9 months while we prayed and prayed that everything would be OK. We learned that Chase would get a baby sister. We walked our toddler to class on his first day of school and realized he was no longer a toddler, but a little boy. And now to end that decade we have welcomed a perfect Princess into our lives. It's amazing what all can happen in a decade. So many ups, so many downs. So many twists and turns in the road. It's all these little moments that make life what it is and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

May your 2010 be just the beginning of the best decade yet! Happy New Year from our family to yours!




***I am grateful for
1) a wonderful decade
2) little moments that make a lifetime
3) saying goodbye to 2009
4) saying hello to 2010
5) 10 years worth of wonderful and heartbreaking memories!

OMG, I'm gonna go broke (as if I wasn't already there)

I have never failed to find cute stuff for Chase from the moment he was born until now. I always hear people saying that boy clothes just aren't that cute and there's not much to choose from. Apparently they don't know where to look or shop because I've had no problems in that department. Just ask Jeff, he'll be more than happy to tell you I spend way too much on clothes for Chase and always have. At least my kid looks good, right?

Well, I will admit that little boy clothes have got nothing on what's available for little girls. OMG! Bows, pink, hats, pink, ruffles, pink, animal print, pink... see a trend? I'm pretty sure that I'll be broke(r) in no time!

Today I clicked over on KidSteals (because I always check BabySteals and KidSteals each day) and found just what I was looking for. Jeff will be thrilled. I am patiently waiting for the day that The Princess' nails will be ripe for painting and wondered how I'd go about ensuring that she didn't chew the paint off. Well, problem solved! Allow me to introduce Piggy Paint! LOVE IT!!!!

About Piggy Paint from the company:

"Why is Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish the safe nail polish choice for children?

Non-toxic
Low Odor
Water-based formula
Hypoallergenic
Fun, vibrant colors
Dries to a hard, durable finish
Piggy Paint™ is specially formulated from God’s natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ethyl acetate and acetone."

I am sooo getting the Toe-Tally Fancy Gift Pack and will let you know what I think when the time comes! You can also become a fan on Facebook and get promos and the latest news (I have). They rock!




***I am grateful for
1) one of each
2) Piggy Paint, just what I've been looking for
3) a new year's a comin'
4) naps - I am so taking one later
5) girly stuff

It could be worse I suppose....

Why is it that just when we get down to owing less than 2 grand on the Tahoe that it starts having problems? First the battery light/battery not charging warning and now the brake booster warning, all in less than 36 hours. Guess it's off to the shop tomorrow. Grrrrr, I hate days like this!

~Kahla

***I am grateful for (some days this is so hard to do)
1) a doctors office that calls back fairly quickly
2) patience (when I have it)
3) cold weather, just not wet, cold weather
4) warm shoes for the cold weather
5) new pillows, I think that's what I'll get w/my Tar.get giftcard

Princess Emery is 11 weeks old!

Princess Emery,

Today you are 11 weeks old! You had your first Christmas Eve and your first Christmas this last week and what a wonderful time it was!!! You did pretty good being passed around for two days straight, even if it did throw your schedule off a little bit. Everyone was so excited to see you and how much you've grown. We were excited to show you off! You looked adorable in your Christmas dress (see previous post) along with your big brother. You are two of the cutest kids on the planet and I would say that even if I wasn't your Mommy!

I'm afraid we have hit a rough patch in the eating department. You had been doing rather well with your reflux, we had the constipation under control, and the spitting up wasn't too terribly bad. For reasons unknown right now that part of life has turned upside down! You aren't really fussy with your reflux but you are spitting up (vomiting?) probably 1/4-1/2 of what you are eating and your bowels are super runny (I know that will totally embarrass you one day that I blogged about your bowels, but hey, I want to remember all these things... sorry). I'm not sure if it's a bug or if you are developing some kind of milk protein issue but something has got to give. We can literally go through two outfits, four bibs, and three burp rags in under five minutes. It ain't pretty. Well, it's pretty because you can even make spit up look good, but it ain't pretty for the amount of laundry that piles up!

Other than that things are good. You are getting more interactive every day and your smiles light up the room! We are so very blessed to have you!

We love you baby girl!
Mommy


****I am grateful for
1) bottles
2) smiles and coos
3) a proud big brother
4) a great Christmas
5) still almost a week of vacation left!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Jeff, Kahla, Chase, and Emery

****I am grateful for
1) Christmas
2) all that was given for me
3) traditions
4) happiness
5) cookies for Santa, carrots for Rudolph

Holiday Baking w/a Little Help

Chase loves to help in the kitchen and I love to keep what little sanity I have so we go for easy baking tasks! Today we decided to make some white chocolate holiday pretzels... w/sprinkles (for extra drive.me.crazy effect).

Sampling to make sure the pretzels were edible... they were.

Adding sprinkles and more sprinkles and more sprinkles - you get the picture.

I see evidence on someones face that he's been taste testing!

During all the fun Emery decided that she would just take a little nap, it is so exhausting being cute all the time!





***I am grateful for
1) holidays
2) time w/the kids
3) meeting some good friends later this afternoon
4) pajamas
5) sprinkles, even if they do drive me nutty at times!

Princess Emery is 10 weeks old!

Princess Emery,

Today you are 10 weeks old and I couldn't be more thankful! You are doing so well and such a sweet, little girl. You had your two month check up today and Dr. Q went on and on about how adorable you are. We totally agree! You are hitting all your milestones and she was very pleased. :o) Here are you stats:

Birth on the left, now on the right
Weight: 7.4, 11.3 (gained 3 pounds 15 ounces and are in the 50-75%)
Height: 19 1/2 in, 23 in (grew 3 1/2 inches and are in the 75%)
Head: not sure, 19 (in the 90% - apparently you have a big, adorable head)

I'm just amazed at how much you've grown! On the down-side, you got your first round of vaccinations today... ouch! You were smiling and cooing one minute and screaming the next. It was pretty awful and you even had real tears. You never have real tears! I broke my heart and I cried some real tears too. However, you got over it pretty quick and within minutes you were smiling and cooing again (see above picture). Then you zonked once you were in the car and slept for the next 4 hours! You are a little cranky but I'm guessing your little thighs are rather sore.

You also did something else that was absolutely wonderful this evening. When we were on our way home from MeMaw and PawPaw's house you laughed. Not a coo, but a laugh. We weren't sure that was what it was at first, but then you did it again and there was no mistaking it! It was awesome and I can't wait to hear it more.

I could go on and on, but you are fussing and I think you deserve to be held as much as you like! We have a busy week ahead and I want you to feel your best!

I love you my little Princess!
~Mommy


****I am grateful for
1) vaccines are available to protect my babies!
2) Emery still loves me even after the shots
3) I think the shots were harder on me than on her
4) 2 weeks off to be w/the loves of my life!
5) Christmas shopping almost done (now to wrap it all... ugh)!

Here comes Santa Cluas....

Even though the weather is wet and cold, we decided to venture out to see Santa Claus this evening. We had planned on going once before but then Chase started running a temp and we ended up canceling so we were determined! Last year Chase decided that Santa wasn't such a bad guy and it's been smooth sailing every since. He even said that he'd make sure Emery wasn't afraid and had a talk with her to let her know that Santa was a good guy. Such a good big brother!

We are lucky to have an outlet mall close that sets up an entire cottage for Santa each year. The Santas are always really good and the lines are always super short (read not one person in front of us today)! They will also allow you to take your own pics as long as you purchase something of theirs. These are from our camera but they are just about as good as the ones they took and I had to buy!

Wonder if Emery will like him this much next year! I adore this picture!!!

Santa and Chase

Another great shot!

****I am grateful for
1) Santa
2) believing
3) big brothers
4) little sister
5) memories to last a lifetime!

Princess Emery is 9 weeks old!

Princess Emery,

Today you are 9 weeks old! What a joy you are to everyone around you. You have done great at Nana and Paws while Mommy and Daddy are at work, but I'm so glad that after this week we'll have two whole weeks together!

You have fallen in love with bath time and scream hysterically when we take you out. Tonight I took the hammock part (I guess that's what it's called) off and let you actually sit in the baby bathtub. You splashed and had a grand time. It was so adorable I called Daddy over to watch.

You are also starting to coo and "talk" to us! I have a feeling that once you start truly talking, you'll never stop!

Happy 9 weeks birthday sweet baby girl!

I love you!!!
Mommy

****I am grateful for
1) 9 wonderful weeks
2) bedtime, is it bedtime yet?
3) four more work days until Christmas vacation
4) great Christmas movies on the TV, new and old
5) warm showers

A Letter from Santa!

Somebody got a special letter in the mail!

Who could it be from?

Did you say it's from Santa??!?!

Looks like Chase made the "nice" list!!!

Turns out that someone has been a very good boy this year and got a letter from the big guy! Chase was so excited that he wanted to call "everyone" and tell them. It was too cute! We managed to call the grandparents and greats, but finally convinced him that he could wait and tell the aunts/uncles, cousins, friends, friends' parents later. Gosh I love this little boy, he makes the holidays so magical!




****I am grateful for
1) surviving the first week back to work!
2) the joy on Chase's face when we got his letter
3) seeing friends this weekend
4) going to take the kids to see Santa this weekend, it will be so much fun!
5) weekends!

Princess Emery is 8 weeks old!

(this pic cracks me up and boy look at those baby blues!)

Princess Emery,

Today you are 8 weeks old! 8 wonderful, awesome, more than I ever dreamed they would be weeks! You have changed so much and each day seems to bring something new. I love it! I am a little (OK a LOT) exhausted, but I still love it!

Today was a big day because today I had to go back to work and you spent your first whole day with Nana and Paw. I missed you terribly and it broke my heart to leave you, but you didn't seem to mind a bit. Nana said you were so good that it was like you weren't even there. You spent the day smiling, being held, cooing, napping and swinging while looking at the lights on the Christmas tree. Definitely a good day! You do seem a little out of sorts tonight, but I think you are probably trying to adjust to having a different routine today.

You still don't sleep through the night and pretty much wake up every 3-4 hours. Sometimes less, rarely more. It wouldn't be so bad but you are a hard kid to burp (must be because you are SO lady-like) and it takes forever to get you burped and back down. I wouldn't worry as much about the burping but if you don't burp, your reflux causes you a great deal of pain. :o(

You are such a pretty little girl! Your pedi is amazed at the amount of blond hair you have and the fact you haven't lost it. What can we say, you are an overachiever already! You also have long, beautiful eyelashes just like your big brother. You are absolutely gorgeous! I will take full credit in the eyelash department! You also have the most beautiful blue eyes (see above picture), but I have to give your Daddy credit for that... I wonder if they will stay blue like Chase's did?

Speaking of your Daddy and Chase, they are just as much smitten with you as I am. You really seem to have that effect on people and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so stinkin' lucky!

Happy 8 week birthday Princess!

Love, Mommy

Your Awesome Big Brother - you are a lucky girl!

****I am grateful for
1) making it through the first day back at work
2) only 9 more work days until Christmas break
3) only 4 more work days until the end of the week
4) tomorrow I get to leave early
5) all my friends that welcomed me back and let me cry on their shoulder!

**sniff sniff**

Tomorrow my sweet Princess will be 8 weeks old. Tomorrow my heart will be heavy because I go back to work and leave my sweet Princess. :o( Yes, I know that Emery is going to be just fine while I'm gone. Heck, she'll be spoiled rotten, which is great. My grandmother adores her and my grandfather doesn't let her fuss for a second before he scoops her up. I've watched my grandmother with her over these past few weeks and it's more than apparent that Emery is the apple of her eye. They hold her and love her the entire time she is with them. I know that she is going to be content, happy, and well taken care off. But even so, my heart is so very heavy. I don't want to leave her and it makes me cry to think of it. I don't mind the work... I like my job, I miss my kids, I know I need to get back to my classroom... but oh how I want to be with my baby. Send some prayers that the day goes fast and I make it without too much of a breakdown. Even typing I feel my eyes beginning to leak. These 8 weeks went way too fast!




***I am grateful for
1) the 8 wonderful weeks I had home w/Emery
2) a good weekend
3) only two weeks back at work before Christmas break
4) I have wonderful grandparents that will be watching Princess Emery
5) Emery will be safe, happy, and well taken care of while I'm at work