Poor excuse for a blogger

Wow-it's been 2 months since my last post!? I am not sure if anyone will still even check this but kudos to you if you do and thank you for still checking after I have so sadly neglected you for so long. I have a silly monkey boy crawling all over me but I just wanted to assure you that we're all still kicking in our house! I will leave you with a cute pic of the boys in hopes of forgiveness!?

I can't think of a title :)

Let's see....I love having two little boys. I really do. They are starting to interact and it makes the days that much more enjoyable. Wesley is a super easy baby. He laughs and screeches and smiles and laughs some more. They are both super easy to bring places too so I can go to the store, walks, park, Y, etc and they are both usually happy just to be out and about. They are social butterflies! I wonder where they get that? =)

Phili is doing great at school. (He's in a pre-school room at a daycare 2 mornings a week but he likes to call it school). He gets "report cards" when he goes for the whole day and so far he's received all smiley faces on them....which to be quite honest, shocked me at first. I pretty much made his teacher look me straight in the eyes and tell me that he truly is a good boy at school. Come to find out, he really is! Makes Mama proud! He has been so fun to just have conversations with and hear what comes out of his little mind. He turns 3 in September and he is dead set on having an Owl themed birthday party. Hasn't changed his mind in months. We shall see what September brings!

I have been doing a Beth Moore Bible study at our church and also helping out when I can. I really like the study. I feel like I am trying to better myself in corners of my life that I never would have thought about before. The whole study is about moving to a higher level in our walk with God. I am so ready for that! I am really trying to not let any complaining, negativity or badmouthing come out of my mouth. It's amazing when you set a goal like that, so many opportunities arise that will tempt you!

I'm nowhere near where I would like to be but I am really trying. And thankfully, God sees my heart and not all my failures. I look back on how I used to be and it amazes me that I could criticize and bad mouth others so freely. What a sad way to live! I am so thankful that God has been working in my heart the last few years to get rid of that junk and just love others freely....the way He does.

Which brings me back to my favorite Joyce Meyer quote, "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I was!" God has been doing a lot of neat things in my life. Not all of them are joyful and exciting. Some are really hard and I need to practice discipline and obedience (and keeping my mouth shut!) but regardless, they all need to be done and I am thankful for the healing and the closeness it has brought me to God.

Wow, I was just going to quickly write about the boys! But in all honesty, I can't give you and update about my life without talking about my faith because thankfully, the two are so closely intertwined that I am not one without the other.

I have been having loads of fun taking Zumba (latin dance classes...think Shakira!) 3 times a week. They have it at the Y and I just love it. They boys do really well at the daycare there and I get to shake it and have an awesome work out for an hour!

Richie is still on shift schedule at work so he has some really good weeks and some challenging weeks. I am thankful for the challenging ones because they make the good ones that much better.

I hope you are all having an enjoyable summer. Having two little one doesn't allow me to catch up on blogs as much as I would like but I trust you're all doing great. Lots of Love always~

Life

Ok so I was giving my sister in law a hard time about not updating her blog and here I sit....one month later :)

Life is great. Wesley is off all meds (yay!). Phili is loving having a little brother. Wesley's face fills with delight when he sees his big brother. Richie has had a nice schedule this summer so that's been really enjoyable.

To be honest, I have just really been focusing my time on being the best mom, wife, Christian, etc. that I can be. I'm making it a goal when I wake up in the morning to not let any negative comments come out of my mouth. I haven't succeeded yet but I am still trying! It's amazing when you start to monitor more closely what you are allowing to fill your mind with throughout the day. Garbage in-garbage out! It's nice to be in a place where things (filth) start to bother you more on television. Do you know what I mean? I have lots I can write about this but for now, Phili is dressing me up like Mr. Potato head so I will have to end. But I hope you are all having a blessed summer!

3 months

Wesley is 3 months today. I feel like I have finally emerged from that foggy newborn, sleep deprived stage. I am pretty much madly in love with the little dude. He is just so darn sweet, I can hardly stand it. He is smiley and giggly and curious and just so chubby and lovable. I am at my parent's house so I don't have any recent pictures but I will post one soon.

He is getting a pretty consistent sleep schedule at night and when he does wake up once a night to feed, I actually get excited to go in his room and nurse him. I always thought moms that said that were crazy or slightly annoying but now I am one of them!

I am working really hard on balancing out my affection between Phili and Wesley (and Richie!). Phili is getting better with Wesley. He just has a really intense way of showing his love for him that is a little tough to handle. I have a very spirited 2 year old and I need to figure out how I can allow him to be all that he can be without squashing his spirit by getting upset with him over petty things. Parenting is tough stuff! But I feel very blessed to be where I'm at in life and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Hope life is treating you all well. Much love.

Down time?

I think that is what I am experiencing right now but it's been a while so it feels quite strange! I am up at my parent's house with the two little dudes. Life is settling back to normal. The outage ended this past weekend, so Richie is working 40 hours this week and it is lovely. (I had to come home for a funeral otherwise I would be thoroughly enjoying the family time at home). Richie is getting some alone time to work on the yard and such which he so deserves so it's all good.

Since my last post, Wesley went from being up every two hours to only waking up once in the middle of the night to feed. He was put on a medication for Thrush along with his acid reflux meds and that was the first night he slept like a champ. He must have been so uncomfortable until then :( He's usually a pretty happy baby. The meds make his tummy upset though so that always breaks my heart!

Phili is doing much better. It is amazing what spending time with Richie does for his soul. He's a different child when he doesn't get to spend time with him but when he gets daddy time, he is happier than can be. It's been this way his whole life. They have a pretty special bond. Since Welsey has come into our lives, I haven't blogged much about Phili but I want to share some things so that I don't forget and also for those of you who don't see him (or only see him at his worst!)

He is very imaginative and creative. He has a box full of toys that rarely gets opened. His favorite toys are kitchen utensils and anything that resembles a stick. He loves being out and about. He loves animals as much as his daddy. He loves to be read to. He LOVES our families. He is really good with numbers and letters, except when he wants to know how old another kid is, he asks me what letter he is? :) Richie doesn't like when I say this about him, but he is clumsy like me. I can't tell you how many times he trips over nothing or runs into a wall. He is one tough cookie though! He is just really excited about life and always in a hurry to move on to the next adventure. He's been going to "school" two mornings a week. His teachers say he does wonderful and he is always happy when I pick him up. He loves to sing. He always asks to see the scars on my forehead and elbow so he can kiss them. He is a really sweet boy (when he isn't tired!). I don't give him enough credit for what a good boy he usually is but I am working on that. Here is a picture of him with our neighbor friend Piper. One of his favorite things to do is go for rides with her on her Gator.

Stuff

1st off....Cooper Alan is here!!! He was born Tuesday morning. It was so exciting being at the hospital waiting for his arrival with our family and Abby's parents. I live for moments like that! Here is a picture of the handsome little guy.



Wessie is 10 weeks old today. Weighing in at a whopping 16 pounds! Can I get some fries with that whopper? His acid reflux is getting better. Still up every two hours at night but some nights he throws me a bone and sleeps longer. We'll get there. Phili was the same way too. What can I say, I'm raising a couple of party animals? :)

Richie is still working 74 hours/week but it isn't overnights anymore so I can totally handle it. We actually get to see him for a couple hours a night now which is pure bliss. Even though times can get hard, it really makes you appreciate it when they are good. And right now it is good :)

Potty Training

We've been working a little bit with Phili on potty training. Not too much but we're starting to get better at being more consistent with him going on the potty every day. Well today I let him wear big boy "Cars" underwear for the first time right after he went on the potty.

I kept asking him if he had to go potty every few minutes and he said no every time. Well, within a minute of me asking, I hear "Uh-oh...my cars are all wet!"

My immediate feeling was frustration at him for going right after he said he didn't have to but thankfully I had just read last night not to get upset with them when they have accidents.

So I went over to him and said "It's okay honey, it's just an accident."

To which he sweetly replied "Do you forgive me?"

Unfortunately at his tender age of two, he's already been asked for forgiveness from his mommy several times so he knows what that means. But it was still sweet all the same!

Happy 2 months!

I can't believe Wessie is already 2 months old! It has gone by so fast. Here are some pics of the little whopper and big brother.





Phili's time-out spot....Looks pretty comfy there eh?


Smiling at his brother

Not all bad....

I don't want my posts to seem too gloom and doom :)

My amazing mom and sister heard my s.o.s. last week and swooped in to save the day. Not only did my mom come down and help with the kids, food, dishes, etc. She took Phili back home with her for a night and my sister took him for a night as well.

Talk about RELIEF! It felt so good to just have Wesley. I finally got things checked off of my To-Do list from a month ago that I was hoping to get done the day I made it, I cleaned, Richie and I got to spend some time together without getting smacked in the face with a toy for not giving Phili all of our attention, and best of all I got SLEEP. It was wonderful. Thank you Mom and Mamie!

Survivor mode

I am doing better but I am at the point right now that feels like I just have to survive the next week and we'll be okay. The outage will be done in a month but Richie will be done working overnights in a week. I was just reading an old post from when Richie had to work in Kansas from the time Phili was 4 months until 7 months (although he drove 16 hours round trip every every wknd to see us for a day and a half!) I remember at that time thinking that the end would never come but obviously it did and now it is just a distant memory. I was very much into listening to the song "Hear Comes the Sun" by the Beatles that last month of him working there. And I am finding myself listening to it again :)

This is just another season in life that will come and go. About a year ago at this time I was ridiculously happy about life and I knew to appreciate it and enjoy it while it lasted and I am so glad I did. And I know that I will be again soon.

I think of so many women who are single moms, widows, military wives, etc. I really can't complain.

Oh and we found out Wesley has Acid Reflux so he's been on Zantac which has really helped. Now if they just made a drug for a naughty toddler......haha....I kid, I kid :)

A few pics

My Mom

Recently a few friends of mine were complaining about ways they were turning into their mothers. Mainly just funny things their moms did when they were kids that they swore they would never do when they became a parent. I listened quietly, nodding and politely smiling, when suddenly the conversation turned to me and I was asked if I was like my Mom.

I couldn't lie, so I answered the only way my heart knew how....."I really hope so" I said.

They seemed a little surprised by my answer...but that's because they've never met my Mom.

I don’t think there has been a word invented to describe my mom. The obvious come to mind-selfless, giving, thoughtful, helpful, wise, discerning, beautiful, kind, generous, fun, loving, etc. But none of these words do her justice.

Trying to describe my mom is like trying to describe love. So great and wonderful but you just can't put it into words.

How do you describe someone who is constantly thinking of ways to better the lives of her loved ones? Or someone who knows help is needed before it's even asked? Or someone who will put the needs of others before herself and never complain once? Or someone who seeks God every single day of her life and when that life around her becomes a storm, she stays calm and steady, hopeful and faithful?

No, there are no words to describe my mom to someone who hasn't been fortunate enough to meet her. But I have a feeling if they saw the genuineness of her smile and the kindness in her eyes; they wouldn't question my answer one bit.

I love you Mom!

This too shall pass

That is what I have been telling myself everyday for the last few weeks. We are in the thick of the outage with Richie working 72 hours a week 6 overnights/wk (He leaves around 4:30pm and gets home around 6am). I didn't realize how much I would miss him. Not just his help but actually him. Although he is very helpful with the boys when he is home. He is so good to me too, always trying to sacrifice his own sleep when he gets home in the morning so I can get some rest. We are both pretty stubborn though so that usually doesn't go as planned :)

Wesley is 7 weeks old today. He is still up every 2 hours at night but he is growing big so I know he's healthy. He's been smiling and cooing lately. It is so cute!

I think it's starting to settle in with Phili that this little dude is here to stay because his behavior has been practically unbearable to deal with lately. He started preschool for 2 and 3 year olds two mornings a week so it has been really nice to get some things done. I miss him a little bit while he's gone and that is good, I think :)

Wow, this is sounding really waa waa waa! Sorry about that. This season in our lives will be over shortly and I knew the outage would be difficult. It's just a little more lonesome than I anticipated. I will try to post a more uplifting post soon but honestly right now this is all I got. My nephew Cooper should be here very soon so that is really exciting and is keeping me going everyday! I will try and update with some photos of the boys soon.

Easter Cutie patootie

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I didn't get a picture of Phili this year but here is one of Wesley. Poor little Phili has totally been on the back burner this past month. I am really needing to do something about that and SOON! He's been quite the terrorizer lately and I know he is just desperately wanting my attention.

We had a nice Easter. I went home with the boys (Richie had to work overnights all wknd). I got to celebrate my uncle's birthday, hear my sister-in-law sing in their Easter production (amazing) and celebrate Jesus with most of my family. Oh and I got to hang out with my best friend and her kids who I used to nanny for who I miss like crazy. It was a great weekend but I am so glad to be back home. There really is no place like home. Phili doesn't do well traveling so as much as I love going to my parent's house, it is always so nice to get back into a routine. Ha...who am I kidding, like we have a routine?! :)

Wesley weighs in at a whopping 13.5 pounds! He just turned one month and he has almost doubled his birth weight. He looks like a little sumo wrestler. This nursing around the clock thing is paying off :)

I am still wanting to write my birth story but please bare with me. I haven't had much time to sit down and even wrap my head around life but I will get there soon! Hope you're all doing well. Much love.

Oops...he did it again

Remember the infant car seat picture of Phili a while back? Well I think he outdid himself this time....I was nursing Wesley in the living room and somebody was awfully quiet in the dining room :)

Update

Due to some water damage in our basement, I haven't been online much as that is where our computer is. We still haven't entered the world of wireless Internet but we will get there someday :)

Anyways, things are going well with the boys. Daddy went back to work today. He used a lot of vacation to stay home and help with the boys and the house and he did wonderful. Honestly, he blew me away and made me fall in love with him ten times over again :) Here are a few pics.

He adores him

Wessie

For you Miss~I obviously haven't showered or done my hair or makeup in this photo but whatev, I'll keep it real :)

A few pics

So life with two little ones has been a wee bit busier than I anticipated.....busy but wonderful! Here are a few pics to tide you over until I write an actual post :) By the way, Wesley was 7 pounds 12 ounces when he was born. We brought him in when he was 6 days old and he was 8 lbs 9 ounces! He loves to eat like his mommy and daddy :)

He's here!

Wesley Cooper blessed our lives with his presence on Friday afternoon. We are so in love. I couldn't be happier. Here are a few pictures. I will update soon with my birth story!

Strange

My mom and grandma just left and they took Phili with them in case Wesely decides to show up in the middle of the night. I don't have anybody here I'd feel comfortable dropping Phili off with in the middle of the night so we'd have to have him with us until my mom could get here which is a 2 hour drive.

I was up all night with cramps and very inconsistent contractions and then at around 5 this morning, they just went away. What in the world is going on!?

Anyways, what feels so strange is having a house without Phili in it. For someone who was really wanting her alone time not too long ago, I sobbed like a baby when he drove away. I so appreciate the help and I know he is in wonderful hands and he'll have such a fun time with my family but it's killing me. I have been away from him overnight a couple times but never more than that. The plan is for her to keep him until Sunday or when/if something happens sooner.

I feel like a part of me is missing. We really don't do anything without Phili, so this is such a strange feeling. Hopefully Wesley will decide to make his appearance soon and it will all make sense but right now I desperately just want to be with both my baby boys.

Yup....still here :)

After walking for what seems like all day yesterday and eating a whole pineapple for dinner....nothing. Haha...

Lots of pressure down there, back pain and cramping but no contractions today or last night. I am starting to feel exhausted, physically and emotionally. I know the end is in sight so I am trying to be positive. I am in great company with lots of help so I really can't complain. Hopefully I will post good news soon!

Still here

I hope I don't have to start my posts off with that phrase much longer :) After having light cramps yesterday/last night. I woke up at 4:30 this morning with contractions. They were about every 10-20 minutes. After a few hours of them, I just started to hurt all over. It felt like I had my period. Cramps and lower back pain. I was really nauseous from the pain. Well, after a little while, the pain started to go away :( I still feel little cramps now and then and it feels like his head has dropped even more if that's possible.

We're going to go walk around downtown and hopefully get things moving. My Dr. told me that walking doesn't help start labor but I don't care, I'm going to try anyways!

Phili is absolutely loving having my mom and grandma here. It is so much fun to see him enjoy them so much and I feel very blessed to have them here.

P.S. I just wanted to let any family that was planning on coming down know that the hospital has a quiet time from 1-3 in the birthing center. I believe that is the only time that visitors aren't allowed. Have a good day!

39 weeks

Still here :) I had an appointment this morning and I'm dilated to a 4, his head is at +1 station and I'm still 50% effaced. She said she thinks I'll go soon. I am having some cramping right now so I am really hoping she's right! My mom and grandma are coming down for a few days so it would be perfect if I go while they are here. I will keep you updated!

Update

We have progress :) I am dilated to a 3 and 50% effaced. It feels good to know we're getting somewhere! I all of the sudden feel great today too. I worked out at the Y for an hour tonight and it felt wonderful to get everything moving again! If I don't have him by my due date (two wks from today) my dr. will set up an induction for the following week. Hopefully I'll have him before then but it feels good to know that he WILL be here for sure in the next 3 weeks.

38 Weeks

So excited to be at this point. I have a dr. appt today and she's going to check for progress so I am really hoping these cramps and pains are getting us somewhere! I feel better than I did a week ago so that's good. Here is my belly shot, I had a little helper today.

Speaking of little helper, Richie had to work the last 4 nights 12 hour shifts so my mom came down and stayed. She was so helpful! We had a super fun weekend doing things downtown in RW. Women's expo, book store, lunch at the St. James, Eagle watching, Church, fun shops. It felt so good to get out and enjoy the weather and take my mind off things. Thank you so much Mom!!

Last night

So last night when I woke up for the first of many middle-of-the-night bathroom visits, I discovered (men stop reading) a little bit of blood. I had been cramping all night with a few contractions every hour so I was a little excited that maybe things were progressing. Well, I managed to go back to sleep but each time I woke up (every hour) I felt like things were just the same, nothing too intense.

I was just starting to get a little bit annoyed with all these cramps and pains not going anywhere when I noticed our neighbor's house on my way back to bed. I was instantly overcome with sadness as well as disappointment in myself for even getting the least bit upset. You see my neighbor had been up all night too, I'm sure. But not anticipating the exciting birth of a baby. No, not even close. He was up grieving the devastating news that both his parent's died in a house fire the night before. Our problems often seem so big but really, they are usually so small when we put them into perspective. Please keep our friend and neighbor Erik and his family in your prayers.

Here they are.....

I am so not excited about sharing these belly pics! But I am keeping it real and bearing it all. The first one is of me at 6 weeks and I remember looking at it and thinking how bloated I look. Seriously!? The next two I just took today. It's crazy what a black shirt will do to make you look a little smaller.....haha it feels so funny to even be using that word!

37 weeks~Full term

We are in the home stretch. I don't want to say I think I'll go early but whatev....I'm going to say it! I am cramping and having some contractions (not consistent) and lets just say that Wesley is so low that I feel like one big sneeze and he'll be out! The pressure and the sensation that I'm feeling are insane. I walk around like I am trying to keep a bowling ball from dropping out of my pants. Since I was induced at this point last time, I honestly don't know what to expect so these may be normal symptoms that are felt the last few weeks of pregnancy? Help me out moms! Whatever the case, we're getting close and he's still measuring a week ahead so 38 weeks. I had an internal last week but since my uterus is so tilted they couldn't reach it to find out if I'm dilated. OUCH! She was able to feel his head right away and said that he's extremely low. I'm not sure if that means anything or not.

So lets see what else....I am huge haha. My belly has seriously gotten insanely big. Ever since he dropped, I can't.stop.eating. Somehow and I don't know why but the only time I feel good is when I am working out so I've managed to feel pretty good physically. I haven't worked out the last few days though and I seriously doubt I'd be able to. I've gained what I expected to so if I can just keep it at that until he comes I'll be satisfied. I will try and post a belly pic soon!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! You know you're pregnant when your hubby buys you sweatpants for Valentine's Day and you are soooo excited :)

35 Weeks!

I'm doing pretty good. Wesley has dropped and it is rather uncomfortable but luckily, I don't have much to do so I can just relax until he comes. I can tell I'm getting far along in my pregnancy because when I drop something, I seriously stare at it for a good 30 seconds contemplating if it is worthy enough for me to bend over or if I should just wait until Richie gets home to pick it up. The latter usually wins :)

I am so looking forward to meeting him and just seeing what life with both boys will be like. I'm not really nervous to have a newborn again but I am saddened that it will no longer be just me and Phili. I really don't want him to feel left out at all when Wesley comes. I'm pretty sure he knows that he is my world right now and that is soon to change. As many people have said, "It's going to rock his world" Richie has to work another outage from April-June and he is pretty sure he'll have to work overnights again(72 hrs/wk) which I am trying not to think about but secretly freaking out about.

Phili saw my cousin's baby boy this weekend and he loved him. Ever since then, he's been talking about "His baby friend" and how he played peek-a-boo with him. So cute. (Miss I'm talking about Tad =)

Not much else has been going on. We've made it to the Children's Museum and Zoo recently which was so much fun. My nieces are coming down with my mom tomorrow for a few days and I cannot wait!! We're going to go to the Zoo again while they're here and they get to see Phili at Gymnastics. I need to take pictures of gymnastics because it is so cute and he loves it.

33 weeks!

I feel like the last few maternity photos of me make me look smaller than I actually I am, so this one will give you a real idea of how big I'm getting :) I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left. I went right at 37 weeks with Phili (induced) but if they would have kept my original due date, I was technically 36 weeks. I hope I don't go that early this time but I can't believe it is getting so close!! By this time last pregnancy I was on full time bed rest so I am very thankful to be feeling good right now. I have cut back on working out as much and am just taking it easy getting the nursery ready. Nesting if you will :)

We got a new car seat tonight for Wesley but somebody thought it was for him......

Aww Phili :) I have been enjoying him so much lately. I don't know if it's his age or the fact that it won't be just the two of us much longer but whatever it is, I am cherishing every moment with him and enjoying him in a way I don't think I ever have. He has such a huge personality and he makes us laugh constantly. He talks to my belly all the time, calling his brother "Wessie". It is so sweet. I can't wait for he two of them to meet :)

Okay I'm back

30 week picture~ Taken by my cousin Rachel (Brisham Photography). We had so much fun taking pictures in the snow at my aunt's house! She amazes me, she took them in like 10 minutes and had so many neat ideas.
So, I am 31 weeks pregnant now. I can't believe it. Now it feels like it's going fast. Found out that Wesley is going to have a BOY cousin to play with!! I am so excited for Mitch & Abby. They will only be about 2 months apart. So fun. I can't wait to see what he looks like because Philly already looks like a mini-Mitch!

He is still measuring a week ahead. My blood pressure is "gorgeous" according to the Dr :) Which is such a relief because by this time last pregnancy, I was already on partial bed rest. I think full bed rest came around 33 weeks? I feel great. I've gained 27 pounds so far. Not that you probably care but I know I'll be curious some day! I'm still working out. I try to about 5 times a week. I feel so much better when I do. Richie bought me an eliptical for Christmas so that has been really nice to have. The first 10 minutes feels like I'm dying but once I get past that, it feels great!

When I start to get antsy about being done being pregnant, I think about how cold it is outside and I am thankful that he'll be warm inside my tummy for another couple months! Besides, if it's up to Richie, this will be our last baby so I am really trying to enjoy being pregnant this time and not worry about weight and tiredness and all that jazz.

Philly had a really fun Christmas. We went to my parent's house a lot in December for different things. The last time we pulled in the driveway, he said, "We're at mommy's house!" I think he's a little confused ;) Here's a cute picture my brother took of all the kids at Christmas in their jammies from Grandma & Grandpa.

I promise to post soon

Richie had the last 2 weeks off so we were very busy soaking up all the daddy time we could :) We had a fun filled December spent my favorite way-with family. I will post more about it later. Right now I am anxiously waiting to find out if I'm going to have another niece or nephew!! Mitch and Abby's big u/s is today and I can hardly wait!!