Unexpected Visitor

Yesterday, as Matt was bringing up the trash can from the driveway, he was startled by an unexpected visitor.  Check out this "little" guy.  He was good size, his shell was at least a foot in diameter and he had found himself a cozy little spot in the shade beside our bushes. 

Get Well Soon...

Today I packed up my little bundles of joy and dropped them off at their Nonni's house.  What did I do with a couple hours of freedom?  I went to go pamper my best friend!  My poor Taylor has not had the easiest year medically speaking, the last two days have been particularly tough.  She had her third surgery of the year on Monday.  It was supposed to be laparoscopic (meaning she could go home the same day) but the surgery did not go as well as we had hoped and ended up being fairly invasive causing her to stay in the hospital for three days and two nights.  Assuming all goes well tonight, she will be able to go home tomorrow. 

In hopes of raising her spirits, I showed up at the hospital with a chocolate milk shake, magazines, and a bag full of nail polish for a manicure from yours truly :)  Even though I hated seeing her with an iv and in pain, it was kind of nice having some time to spend just the two of us.  No husbands.  No kids.  Just us.  Best friend time.  And it was wonderful. 

Happy Monday!

We had a fabulous weekend filled with family, swimming, long walks and yummy food.  I am ashamed to say I took no pictures this weekend (so unlike me).  I think I was a little too in the moment and enjoyed myself a little too much (is that possible?!?).  I promise to do better next weekend.  I could never leave you without a picture, so here is your daily dose of precious Wade babies :)

Growing Girl

We just got back from Harper's one month check up and the girl is a growin!!!!  She is up to 10 lbs 6 ounces (which is a 2 1/2lb gain) and 21 inches (she has grown 2 inches).

And just for fun, here is a picture of both of my babies taken on their one month birthdays.  What do you think, do they look alike to you?

One Month.....

My sweet girl is already one month old.  Even though it has only been 30 days since she became a part of my life, I now can not imagine my world without her.  I am quickly learning what makes her happy...and angry.  I am learning her cries, her facial expressions, and what ways she likes to be held.  She has made our family feel complete.  As feisty as she may be sometimes, for the most part she is a very easy baby.  She has been a rock star when it comes to nursing, and I can not complain one bit at her sleep schedule.  She has been so easy going with our busy schedule.  She has not slowed us down one bit.  We pack up on almost a daily basis and venture out to play dates, stores, family's homes, church, or the park.  She loves riding in the car, in the stroller, laying in her bed, and swinging....but her favorite is being cuddled by her momma.  I wear her in my Moby wrap on a daily basis and love feeling her so close to me.  She eats (during the day) between every two and three hours.  At night, she has two 4 hour (sometimes 5!!!) stretches of sleep which is very much appreciated by yours truly.  She is the queen of poopy diapers which I am happy to change because it means my little girl is eatin' good :)  She is still in newborn size diapers and clothes, however she is getting longer so she may be moving on up to 0-3 month clothing soon!  For those that know her, they can vouch for her noisy grunts.  Trust me when I say this little girl likes to be heard.  Her loud noises do not mean she is unhappy, I think she just enjoys exercising those vocal chords...even if it is at 4 am :)  She is slowly becoming more alert and awake during the day.  I can not wait to watch as her little personality starts to bloom! 

One day old

First car ride

Rockin the bow

First bath

Wordless Wednesday

Cousin Time

Last weekend, we got all of the cousins together for pictures to surprise Nonni (Matt's mom) for her birthday.  To use the word "challenging"  would be an understatement.  Six children under the age of six (Kyleigh 6, Kean 4, Kamaren 2, Harrison 21 mo, Kaden 5 weeks, Harper 3 weeks)....we did good just to have them sitting on the same blanket :)  Here is my favorite shot from the day.  Enjoy!

And here are some pictures taken of the cousins within the last two weeks....we love us some family time!!!!

Father's Day

Wow, I am one very blessed little lady.  Yesterday was Father's Day and boy did I have a lot to celebrate.  I was so blessed to have this wonderful man as my Daddy.  I will say that his example as a father left some pretty high expectations on what I thought my future husband should do/be.  My dad has been one of the most influential people in my life.  I am who I am today because of his love for me.  He provided me with a life that full of loving encouragement.  He makes me laugh, encourages me, comforts me, and loves me.  He is also an amazing example of what a walk with Christ looks like.  Everyday growing up, I saw my dad on his knees praying, reading his Bible, and every Saturday night his Bible, books, and notes were scattered all over the dining room table as he prepared his Sunday School lesson.  So part of yesterday was spent celebrating him...my daddy.  He deserved it. 

Now, for the other amazing daddy in my life.  The daddy of my two precious babies.  As I stated above, the man I chose to have a family with had some pretty big shoes to fill....and this guy is proving to be more than up for the challenge.  My sweet husband is loving his role as a daddy and has made it possible for me to stay home with our children, and I will forever be grateful to him for that.  He is such a hands on father and I love watching him sing and dance with Harrison, read to him, build train tracks, race down the street, play in the sprinkler, or just snuggling with our babies.  He has also turned out to be one awesome diaper changer/bath giver :)   

Yes, I am one very blessed little lady!

21 months of awesomeness

1. You are an amazing big brother.  You have embraced your role as big brother and love on your sister every moment you get.  You talk to her, sing to her, hold her hand, kiss her head and hug her every day.  This absolutely melts my heart and makes me so happy to be a mommy to you both. 
2. You love playing with your train tracks and can now put them together all by yourself.
3. You love to put things in a row.  Whether it is toys, rocks, spoons, blocks or well whatever you can find....you love to line them up.
4. You have mastered puzzles.  You love playing puzzles all by yourself.
5. You listen very well to your parents.  Especially when it is diaper changing time.  I love how easy you are!
6. Even though you listen to us, you are not perfect all the time :)  Mommy and Daddy have been going to a parenting class on Sunday nights at church.  We have been learning some awesome tricks and have been implementing them at home.  We started time out with you about two weeks ago and you have been responding really well to that and you dont get up till I tell you to!
7. You LOVE Jeeps.  Pop has a big red Jeep and you love to sit in it with him and go for rides or just listen to music.  Now, when we go for walks in our neighborhood, you love to point out all the "Jeep Jeeps".
8. Before you were a big brother you did not care to much for sitting in a stroller.  But now that you can sit next to your sister (in the side by side stroller), you love to ride in the double stroller.  
9. Your favorite shows on TV are now Imagination Movers and Yo Gabba Gabba.  Anything with music gets you so excited you dance around the house with a huge grin on your face.
10. You would live outside if we let you.  You love to play in the sprinkler, on your swing set, with bubbles or just walk around.
11. You are a big fan of all things fruit.  So far I can not name a fruit that you do not like!
12. You are a good eater, but you are not a fan of carrots.
13. You still take three hour naps and sleep for 11 - 12 hours at night.
14. Daddy and I know every word to all 37 movers songs on the cd.  That is all you let us listen to in the car.
15.  When I start singing the clean up song, you drop what you are doing and start cleaning up.
16. You love balls, cats (you call every cat Reesey), bubbles, gummies, hats and babies.
17.  You are starting to repeat more words that I say, but you are still not talking much.  That, however, does not keep you from communicating.  You are able to tell me anything you want. 
18. You love being read to.  Daddy and I read to you all the time.  You love when we read in silly voices or sing the stories.  You try to imitate how we read the books :)  You even have a couple of your favorites memorized!!
19. You sleep with a stuffed Elmo and in the mornings when you wake up you like to talk to him.
20. You are still obsessed with your Auntie Lolo.
21. You have become such a helper since I had Harper.  You like to get me diapers, throw diapers away, help burp her, give her her paci and rub her head.  I can not believe how big you seem now.  You understand whatever I say to you and you are learning so much every day.  I have so much fun just sitting back and watching you discover the world.  I love you more than you will ever know!!



A week of firsts

Last week was my first week solo as a stay at home mom of two. I went on my first grocery shopping trip with two, we went on our first play date, we started taking family walks every night after dinner, and Matt and I had our first date night since bringing Harper home. It was the first time that I felt I had a handle on life with two and we are somewhat figuring out what our routine looks like. I have to say, my two sweet babies have been rock stars when it comes to sleeping and surprisingly, I feel much more sane than I thought I would at this point.

Yes, I conquered the Shelbyville Kroger with a  new born and a toddler :)

 Breaking out the double wide!!

Waking up from nap time

Harrison's first ride on a fire truck!  He wasn't a fan of the siren...

Harper's First Play Date

On Wednesday Harper went on her first play date.  It was a play date that I have looked forward to for some time.  When Harrison was 6 months old we started going to a play group and in this play group, we both made some wonderful friends.  It was about 9 months ago, Harrison and I went to play and I shared the news that I was pregnant again.  I was so excited to find out that I was not the only momma adding to her brood.  In the next 9 months, I was able to share the joys and complaints of pregnancy with Rachel and Melissa....not to mention the excitement we shared about all things pink and girly! 

Ruby 8 weeks

Warren 2 weeks

Harper 2 weeks

As the mommas sat around and compared stories of life with two, nursing, deliveries and everything else related to newborns, our boys played hard.  They were even treated to a slushy from Mr. Lee!!

Mine

Yes, these precious little people are all mine :)

Our new backyard

Matt and I thought this would be the perfect summer to enjoy our own backyard.  With the addition of Harper, we knew life would be slowing down a bit for us and we did not want that to stop Harrison from playing hard this summer.  The solution to our little situation..... this awesome score on Craigslist!!!!!  Yes, I heart Craigslist!  A family was moving and was asking for an offer, can you believe they accepted our $200 offer?!?  I am still in shock.  It took a lot of work to get from its old home to its new home, and once it was here it got some serious TLC (power wash, new swings...).  I could not be happier that our family will have this to enjoy for years to come.

It was a serious upgrade from his last swing set.... 

Harrison found a way to still enjoy it though :)

And just because she is precious :)