Sleepless nights

Hi Baby Henry,

It's pretty early in the morning and you are kicking me like crazy. I thought it would be a good time to check in with you while you aren't allowing me to go back to sleep. Here's an update.

We are approaching 27 weeks, which is the last week of the 2nd trimester. You move constantly and often times I'm required to take a walk just to get comfortable. My belly is rather large with you. I get the constant question of if its twins....I don't love getting asked this question. You sure are worth it though.

My sweet tooth is hard to resist with you and I've also craved salads. So I'm hoping there's a nice balance.

Your sister doesn't quite understand being gentle around my tummy. I'll just go ahead and apologize now for all the poking, prodding, yelling, singing at-the-top of her lungs... She's means well, I promise.

She's very excited to be a big sister. She thinks it will be a very special job. I sure hope that continues.

We are slowly finishing your nursery. We just have wall decor and finishing touches. As usual, Daddy and GPa painted your room. All with love and it looks great! 

We sure are excited to meet you. I'm praying for a very healthy baby and smooth delivery. Have fun growing in there sweet boy. Just watch the jabs, it's not often that your sister sleeps through the night. I'd like to have a chance as well.

Love you baby! 

Bella's big girl bed & the halfway point

Bella Girl- 

You made it your first night in your toddler bed! You slept he entire night, not a peep. I'm seriously over the moon right now. You may think it's no big deal, but for weeks you haven't been sleeping in your crib throughout the night. It's been a REAL struggle. Last night, you my sweet girl were a rockstar.

Now, I know that you are a toddler. The highs are high and the lows are low. The bottom could fall out of this any night this week, but I am choosing to live on cloud 9. All rested and refreshed on cloud 9, thank you very much.

Mr. Henry,

Hi sweet boy! You are doing great in there. I'm feeling you flutter around right now. We are looking forward to Saturday. Why? You ask. Well, Saturday is our halfway point! We will be closer to meeting you sweet face. I ordered your crib, dresser and bedding this weekend. I plan to get Daddy busy on your nursery. It's getting exciting around here. Don't worry we won't have too much fun without you.

Love you sweet babies!

Momma

Two is coming

Bella-Bella,

So I haven't posted in a while. Why, you ask. Well, it's because you are so close to TWO you can taste it. Guess what it tastes like... Meltdowns, independence, boundary testing, fit throwing, wild girl, fasting moving, momma needs a nap sweetness. 

It's mind blowing that you can be screaming and throwing a mega fit and I still want to do nothing more than hug and kiss all over those sweet cheeks. It's also minding the rate at which this emotional roller coaster of toddlerhood travels. I mean, we are at warp speed.

You are super fun though! Most days I feel like we are in a production of some sort. You have a song, dance, prop or wardrobe change of some sort, constantly. You make me laugh ALL THE TIME. Just not when you are screaming like you are on fire at 3:00 am.

So, our blog time as pregnancy and infancy was so precious. Which means I need to give Baby Henry some love.

Take care Peach!

Hi Baby Henry,

So, you should know as the second child your blog is going to lack luster. I won't have bump updates or cravings to post. I mean let's face it, you are a boy and we've chosen a name and this is my first post to you. Sorry kid, your sister is a handful. 

Please don't feel as if you are less loved or wanted, that's just the way it goes. CC has album after album of Uncle Will. There's about 10 pictures of me. Most of which include Will. Don't worry I'll be sure to tell Bella, "give the baby what he wants" all the time. 

So little mister you are in fact a mister. We've also decided on Henry and will probably sneak Hank in as the nickname. Middle name is after GPa, John.

 We are so excited for you. Bella sings to you at night. She also lays & sometimes elbows you. Sorry about that!

You are growing quickly and moving a ton at 18 weeks. I hope this isn't a sign of you being wild too. I'll love you no matter what.

Stay safe in there little fella.

Love, 

Momma 

Long time no blog

Hi Baby,

I know, I know, I know long time no post. How in the world are you going to be able to look back and see what kind of sweet toddler you are. Well my little princess there are enough pictures from Hon and videos from Momma, Daddy and CC to almost get you day-to-day. Yeah, we are pretty obsessed with you. 

We are obsessed with your funny personality. You repeat everything we say. You are simply brilliant in what you retain and how you problem solve. While playing alone I've heard you sing 5 different songs, count to 10 (sometimes 12) and sing your alphabet including the last verse of "next time won't you sing with me". You sweet cheeks are the apple of my eye. 

So before you go thinking you are all rainbows and butterflies to live with just hold on a minute. You are a true toddler. You are still working on your patience. If you can't get your wagon or baby stroller up the step you shot out "help please". Only once, maybe twice before you are face down crying about it. Your favorite phrase is "No Daddy". You like things your way and aren't afraid to throw a fit about it. You favorite method of public fit throwing is the go completely limp and force Momma to drag you out over her shoulder. It's never graceful and I'm usually hot and sweaty trying to keep from yelling in public. Poor Maddy probably takes the brunt of your orneriness. You step, lay, squeeze, smother with blankets all over her. In your defense you think you are taking care of her.

You do have a great heart for taking care of your babies. You love babies furry or baby doll, you cherish them with hugs kisses, stroller walks, rocking, singing, the hot dog dance and covering them up to go "night-night". I mean they are face down and covered from head to toe, they may not have oxygen, but they are pretend so we let it pass. You have such sweet mothering skills.

It makes me excited to tell you...You're going to be a big SISTER! Coming in September you will have a real baby in the house. I'm so excited to see you with the new baby, very supervised of course.

Until then you better soak up Momma's undivided attention! 

Love you,

Momma

Busy Bee Part III

The day came. I dreaded it and I couldn't wait for it. The day came, it came in perfectly. The day came, in which we celebrated your first birthday. Bella Girl, this day was beautiful. I kept thinking back to your birth. Kept thinking back to the itty bitty you. Then you would come crashing in. You would giggle and I would enjoy the moment. 

You started the week being very sick. Very sick. Fever, cough, lethargic. You stayed with GPa and Hon a couple days. We were worried you were contagious (you were, just ask Aunt Randi). We asked all of our friends with kids to stay home and not risk a break out of what you had. Adults came and celebrated you. It was so much fun and a beautiful day. You played so hard. Stasha and Kennedy got a lot of fun play time with you. They went all over the playset. And you loved it. 

We had a nice little lunch that Daddy grilled and moved on to the cake. We all gathered round, smiling from ear to ear. We highly anticipated a big handful of cake. You did not smash the cake. For once in your life you were delicate and did not like the food in front of you. Wild, I know. I don't get it. I'm not pushing you to like cake. Momma knows that addiction all too well. 

After the cake we hosed you down for more playtime. Finally, we ended your party with a two hour nap on Nannys life. Perfect. 

Baby girl, I'm shocked you are one. You have grown like a weed. 31" and 26 lbs. You love a foods (except cake), but you really can't go without yogurt or puffs. You are even more attached to lamby. Love Maddy and shoes (a girl after my own heart). You are best when we keep you routine, even if it's a 6:45 bedtime. Your giggle melts my heart and your big 8 toothed smile is the prettiest thing I've ever seen. Your vocabulary includes Ma-ma, Da-da, Daaag (dog), Baaaal (ball), down, puff, shews (shoes) & we are working on thank you ( you can kind of hear it). You love to sit on the bathroom counter while I put my make up on every morning. You take brushes and put them on your face and hair just like momma, pretty darn cute. 

We love you baby, we love you oh so much. You are our sunshine, the light of our lives. 

Busy Bee: Part II

Hi Bells,

So, the second activity of yours in May was our first Mother's Day. It was such a special day. I was so very thankful to have you as my reason for this holiday. I've always thought I would have kids, even envisioned a daughter. I never connected the dots of me as a mom.

Well, little girl, you made my unknown dream come true. I couldn't be more myself than I am today. 

Let me remind you how strange this is. I love sleep, you take it away. I love to relax on the couch, I don't even sit on the couch anymore. I'm pretty selfish and can be self absorbed, it's been 4 days since I've washed my hair...forget about the last time I actually made it to the nail salon. Daddy and I never once talked about our bathroom business, your poop is a daily topic, daily topic I tell you. We have researched what milk options, yogurt options, meal plans and toys are best for you more than we have checked the weather, been on Facebook, looked at land and just used google alone. You my little have made a whole new me, one that I never thought would feel like home. Sister, I'm home. I'm home giggling with you, toting you around, playing peek-a-boo, getting in the baby pool, rocking you to sleep and checking on you a million times. I'm right at home. I'm the best version of me, all because of you. Thanks sweet princess for making me have a Mother's Day!

Love,

Momma

Busy Bee: Part I

Bella,

You have been on busy little bee this month. You've hit a few milestones to say the least! 

The first and most humbling experience happened the Saturday before Mother's Day. Daddy & I dedicated you at church. This is called child dedication, but it is much more like parent dedication. We are dedicating our parenting to God. We are choosing to be intentional with how we raise you. Making decision that will provide you a life rich in love and a joyful relationship with Christ. I hope you understand we don't want to enforce religion or rules on you. Your

walk with Christ is your walk, not ours. We can't do this for you. We can't force you into church groups or prayer time. We are simply choosing to publically committ our example for you. We are two people who have found joy and true unconditional love with Christ. We tithe, pray and serve because of our relationship with Christ. We pray this dedication for us will be a standard for you. 

AnnaBella, Christ loves you no matter what you have done. You can never be too bad and you can't earn him by being good. You need to walk and talk with him daily. He's your father and your friend. Healer and compass. I pray you see this always.

We love you very much,

Daddy & Momma

Run the race

ABJ,

This post means a lot to me. I hope through my words you learn a few valuable lessons. It's a 3 parter, so follow along. 

Here's the back ground story...Aunt Kym went to Galveston to a bacherlorette party. The bacherlorette party consisted of a group of girls running a 5k while the bride & a friend ran a half marathon. Tragically, when the bride crossed the finish line she collapsed and passed away. 

Part I: I want you to see the bride is this story. Her name is Kaytie. I didn't know Kaytie, but now I'm fully aware of her legacy. A young woman who was loved, loved others, loved God, loved health & fitness...Kaytie left an amazing legacy. I pray as you live your life you keep in mind the legacy you are leaving. What will people remember you by? 

Part II: One of the girls that was at the race when Kaytie passed had planned to run a relay marathon with Aunt Kym. After the event she wasn't emotionally ready to run the relay. Aunt Kym asked around for runners and I volunteered. I hope you see a few things here. I hope you see Aunt Kym picking herself up after a loss and fighting. I hope you see that she's such a good friend to your momma that I offered to run 7.6 miles for her. Lastly, I hope you see that when you have a good friend you should be there for them in any circumstance. I hope you understand you can listen, talk, run to them. Sometimes you can just run.

Part III: This entire story has one consistent verb. Running. Running is my therapy. Through running I am strong, able, relieved, refreshed and happy. I can push myself to places I've never been. Accomplish new goals. Challenge myself. Find new friends. Fit into a community. Relate to many people. When I was a high school athlete running was punishment. I wasn't on the track team, I wasn't particularly fast, I couldn't run for long periods. I really had no desire to run until your Daddy bought me a pair of running shoes and a subscription to Runners World for Christmas, after I told him I thought I wanted to train for a 5k. Then after training and meeting other runners I have realized that it's truly not that much about your distance, pace or ability. It's not about how you place against others. If you lace up those shoes, shuffle down the road, push yourself. You my sweet girl, you are a runner. 

So, long post I know. You have to admit you have a pretty wise Momma. That's 3 topics of life lessons. Leave a legacy. Be a good friend. Run, just run.

Love,

Momma

11 down, 1 to go

Let the countdown begin little girl!

We are one month away from your first birthday! Wow! Crazy! My head is spinning. Lately, I've been looking back at your pictures wanting to rewind those moments. You have changed so much this year. 

We love you more and more each day. You are fun, energetic, silly and a little dramatic. 

You have a total of 8 teeth. You use them to chew all over books, toys and as many puffs as you can get your chubby little hands on. 

You play very well by yourself in your playroom, but still love the company. Usually, you want me to sit in your chair while you play. After a while you then throw a fit until I realize it's because you want to sit in the chair. I make that my cue to do dishes. 

You still love outside and your swing. You love to swing, but want me to sit in the swing next to you. You also love the stroller. Many of naps have been taken while Momma or Daddy walks you around the neighborhood. 

Daddy is outside with you right now. Usually about this time you start to get sleepy. In order to keep you awake he takes you out to play. PJs and all. 

You have gotten Momma with Momma down and Dada with Daddy down. We like to play a little game when Daddy gets home. We hear the door open and I ask "who's here?" You look at me and then scream Dada!!! Once you see him you start crawling as fast as you can to him. It's pretty darn cute. 

You had Easter this month. You received two baskets from your grandparents. You loved them. You took adorable pictures and enjoyed outside time with the family. 

It's been a great month. I'm not looking forward to your birthday. I want you this size forever. 

Stay little, little one

Momma

The big 1-0

ABJ,

You are 10 whole months old! You are the light of our lives and we couldn't imagine one day without you. 

What have you been up to this month? Well, we moved into a new house just a few miles from your school. You love your 5 minute commute. You were bumped up into the one year old class with a new teacher. You were clingy for a few days, but you've gotten over the change. You eat almost everything Momma and Daddy eat. You're favorite is probably green beans and some type of chicken for dinner. BUT you're number one has and still is yogurt. A girl after my own heart. You love it as much as momma. In particular you like to share Momma's. 

You are a down right ball with your giggles, showing all 7 of your baby teeth, blowing kisses, waving bye-bye, clapping for yourself, making the "th" sounds, your loud squeals and chuckles to yourself.

You love Maddy Dog, you call her Daaag. You can also say shhhew and you point to your feet. You say Momma and Dadda pretty clear. We are still working on getting it for the right person. 

Your play time is getting better. When we first moved

you wanted someone right there. You are working on playing alone. You still love books and playing peak-a-boo. 

At our new house we have a swing. You love it. You crawl over to the door, pull up, point to the door handle and start yelling. We are outside a lot. 

We are settled in and you are getting so big. I'm ready to start stacking books on your head. No matter how big your britches get you will always be my baby. 

Love you little bit,

Momma

Calm before the storm

ABJ,

Here I sit in our Owasso house. I have just dropped you off with Hon. Daddy dropped Maddy off with Nana Great. He is on his way home with the moving truck. 

I am here waiting on our friends, family, a big moving truck and one crazy day. It's going to be filled with packing up all these boxes cluttering our house. Today we are moving. We are changing zip codes to be closer to our jobs and family. My prediction is you will do fine with the move. You are easy going, I don't expect it to be hard on you. Maddy will be ready to go home the minute we get to our new house. She does not like change. I'm praying for this change. I'm praying you have more time with Momma & Daddy. I'm praying you are in a car commuting less. I'm praying you get to see Aunt Aub, Uncle Shayne & E a lot more. I'm praying you and E grow up together. I pray you are friends. 

The house has a pretty awesome playground set up in the backyard. You are welcome. It does have three blue rooms though. We plan to fix that. I think you will like it once we pink it up a little. 

I want you to know that moving has taught Daddy & I a few things. 1) we are disorganized people & loose things easily. We plan to work on this. 2) Our family, especially Hon, is the best family we could ask for. This has been a very easy process. Hon has worked her tail off. 3) our friends are incredible. They were almost happy to come help. It's very humbling. Friends new and old, they have been asking more about time and place than anything else. 

I hope you can learn from this. Keep your family close, you can't do things without them. They make it happen. Cherish your friendships. They will be like family. They always have your back. 

With this baby, we start our new adventure in our new zip code. It's a fun ride toots. Now, Momma needs to finish packing!!! 

Nine and lookin fine

Bella Dozer,

You are NINE whole months. You couldn't be any cuter. You couldn't laugh any sweeter. You couldn't be any more busier. You little one, you are our sushine. 

You love, love, love to laugh. You are so playful these days. It's very fun for Momma and Daddy. This month we have been focusing on taking away a bottle (sorry about that). You are down to two. You've handled it quite well. You are eating lots of different table foods and less baby food. You love snacks (that's genetic)!!! You also love water. You get excited when you see your sippy cup. You will drink it until it's gone. 

You moved up into the one year old class. This broke Momma's heart. You are growing too fast! Miss Linda is your teacher and there are new kids. It was a major transition for you. This has also happened at the same time you started to be very clingy. You still don't act thrilled when I drop you off. I know you get over it quickly though. 

At home you enjoy pulling up on everything, walking around furniture and climbing the stairs. We've let you pet Maddy some, she's been great with you. She sits quietly while you aggressively pat her. We tell you to "be gentle" , but I'm not sure you understand. 

This month you had a check up. You were off the charts, yet again. The doctor said you are average for a 15 month old. Big is beautiful baby and you rock it well. 

You my little ham are barrels of fun. I love you to the moon and back, baby!

Love you,

Momma

Ocho

Baby girl- 8 whole months! You are big, a big ol mess. You are in to everything. Crawling and pulling up and diggining in purses and pulling out baskets and drawers and eating remotes and shoes and finding dog toys and trying to climb stairs and wrestling your pig and showing your baby teeth and feeding yourself snacks and too wild to change diapers and and and and

The list goes on forever. You my girl are becoming a toddler. I don't like it, so stop growing up. Well, Daddy and I are having lots of fun with you. I just hate that the infant days are behind us. You are pretty crazy. You like to talk a LOT, you are into everything and you love to cheese to show your baby teeth. Speaking of teeth you have two with THREE on the way. 

This month you did such a better job sleeping. I can't thank you enough on that one. You are still very attached to Momma and Daddy sometimes, but really Momma. You really should figure this one out. I promise I'm onto your ways, Daddy is puddy in your hands. 

We squeaked by this month with no major illness, just a sad little baby cough. You are still playing paci ninja at school and patting a little rough. I think you are being just like Daddy and pestering people. He disagrees. You have also latched on to a friend, Denton. Yep, that's a boy. Daddy doesn't like it. 

You are so fun at this age. You are very playful, sweet and learning so much. You make my day, every day. I still can't believe you are mine. 

While I think you are oh so wonderful I would appreciate you stopping some things. Your aggressive grabbing on my face & neck fat. You leave scars. Your inability to lay still while I change you. I will say my diapering while you crawl away has gotten much better. Lastly, please stop crying and having a panic attached when we change your clothes. I know you like to go naked, but it's cold. 

You my darling are an adventure, you are a magnificent book. I can't wait to turn the page. 

Love you toots! 

7th Heaven

ABJ is 7 months! 

Wow it's just crazy to think we are closer to one year old. This little girl is our sweet angel and makes us happier every day. This past month has been plagued with another cold. Apparently, babies get sick. Her ears, lungs and chest still sound great so we just continue our routine of slather the Vicks, run the humidifier and elevate, elevate, elevate. Outside of the sickness we've just been having a ball! 

Bella rolls from one spot to another, scoots on her tummy and refuses to crawl. Things I'm learning from this 1) I really don't care if she ever crawls or walks because she's already into way too much. 2) this is a strong foreshadowing that this little girl will do things her way in her time. 3) she is so persistent with the rolling thing that there is no corner or obstacle that she will not maneuver in rolling position and avoid to crawl. Stubborn like her daddy. 

She is still loving school and still the only girl in her class. She out weighs most of the boys and I think is getting a bully reputation. She likes to give affection by patting aggressively and pulling hair. I'm guessing she isn't well liked by the 3 boys. She has officially received the nickname of "paci ninja". Any where there is a paci, she steals it and puts it in her mouth. We probably get talked bad about a lot.

Here are some favorites....

Half of a year

6 short months ago Hibdon and I moved into the twighlight zone. Life as we knew it is gone. Our days of freedom, 12 hours sleeping, daytime naps, leisurely eating, clean clothes...it all over. 

That's a bit dramatic, but yes it's been 6 months since the Bella Dozer blessed our lives. We are tired most days, but we would not trade one minute for the world. We are so in love with our giggily, wiggly, wild woman. She's our sweet angel baby. She melts our hearts when she uses her soft happy baby voice to chat, especially when it sounds like she's saying "hiiii" or "heeeey". 

Our lives are brighter with her giggles, structured with her eating, napping and sleeping schedules. When we travel we are sure to take little Lamby (yes he's still around) and big Lamby (her new stuffed lovey). She loves stuffed animals. She also loves books. When we travel in the car she gets her paci and a book to occupy her attention. 

She's a big wiggly mess most of the time. She needs to stand or jump when you hold her. When she's on the ground playing she starts out upright, moves to the crawl position, flops to her belly and then rolls to every toy around. We aren't crawling yet, but I'm sure it will be soon. Then my life will be flipped upside down. 

I've started trying this "no" word. Just taking it for a spin. See how we like it. It doesn't phase her. She looks at me and grins. Just like her Daddy. Great news. 

We've had several foods under our belt. Momma has been redeemed. We have adjusted to carrots in rice cereal. We love apples, bananas, and butternut squash. 

We had the stomach bug this month. Yeah that was awful. We lived off pedialyte for 4 days. It was hard on Momma and Daddy. Probably worse on Daddy because Momma caught it later. During this time ABJ was a little whiny, with good reason. However her whiny-ness led to "mmmummmmma". Yep, my name came first. Now I know it's not real talking, but when you smell like throw up for 3 straight days you get to claim whatever you want. 

Oh these past 6 months have been glorious. I mean that though. The best 6 months of my life. I'm shocked and saddened they have went by so fast. Every month I want to freeze my baby. I want her back in her new born diapers. It's fun, but it's going too fast. I don't care how cliche that sounds! 

Here's our Q&A sesh...  

Daddy-

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Saying "hiiii"

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? Taking her to daycare in her pretty new pink coat.

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She can almost crawl. 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? She's going to crawl! 

This is what I said....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Play in the floor. I pick up a toy and she takes it out of my hand. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? When I walk into her class and she flaps her arms excited to see me. 

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She dominates the jumper now.

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Our first Christmas! 

Momma's Cookin'

You always hear people talk about their Momma's cookin'. They love it, there's nothing like it, and they miss it when it's not there every day. I remember wanting my mom's spaghetti all the time after I left home. That's the way I make my spaghetti now. When you think of Momma's cookin', you think of fondness. Well, not my kid.

Bella Dozer had her first vegetable. Now let me tell you I've been EAGERLY awaiting this day. I was truly excited to make her baby food. Hibdon always jokes that he married me for my cooking. So, naturally I was excited to give my baby the same happiness. Yeah, not exactly how it happened.

I purchased this awesome baby food processor by cusineart. (Highly recommend, A+++. It's easy and works great.) I made a full batch of carrots, thinking she will love carrots. They are a sweeter veggie. My mommy dreams were crushed. She literally acted like she was gagging. She left the carrots on the tip of her tongue, hack and gagged. Slightly on the dramatic side. We tried for quite some time to get the down. Didn't work so well. We've tried them 4 days now. She's getting to be okay with them. That's it though. Not excited. Some people are hard to please. 

I'm not going to let it drive me too crazy because what really does this kid know about food? She's only had milk. Yeah, that's right. I can still be the Pioneer Woman of the Hibdon house. Right? Please say yes. I'm a mom this really is about all I have.