Practice

Here is the conversation that went down as Ny and I were taking a walk around the block over the weekend. As the slow deep hum of the motorcycle made its way past this is what was said...

Nyah: Mom, will you buy me a motorcycle?

           

Me: Um, well, ask Dad. But you know, you will have to learn to ride your bike without training wheels first because motorcycle don't come with training wheels.

          

Nyah: Oh. Okay then. I will.

So we went with it.

She still needs a lot of practice but loves the idea of riding a bike with no training wheels, like the neighbor girls. 

And I just discovered that balance is definitely one of those things better felt than explained. But I am most positive she is feeling it because she breaks out into the sweetest giggle the moment I let go, even if it's only for a split second. And then she looses all control, all balance, and we both end up in a heap of laughter as we turn the bike around to try it again. 

Many Thanks

We arrived during the early days of summer, a little sad to leave our island life behind and a bit uneasy about the future, relying on our faith in the universe, each other, and our families to help us through. Having no doubt that everything would work out, as it always does.

And we were not let down. Like always, life kept moving at a rapid pace and as I look back, I realize how much we have accomplished, how much we have grown. 


Our incredible girls fell right in and quickly learned the ways of an Indiana summer, our healthy baby boy was born, a Dad went away and went to work, strength was found, a birthday was celebrated, discoveries of big living were made, independence was gained, memories were shared, sibling bonds grew, and though some of the days were long and we felt so far apart, I think we've made it. 

Autumn is here, the corn is tall, and its time to go and do it all again, Louisiana style. I am so glad we got to enjoy these last few days of Indiana at her best. I am confident that the drastically different places their parents are from now hold a special place in these girls' hearts. Many thanks to our family, the friends we've made, and to you, Indiana, for the memories. You have been nothing but good to us. Until next time...xoxo.

Summer Shots

After Nyah was born, I was pretty adamant about having professional photos taken every three months. Not sure what made me think this was necessary, but after buying all of those adorable shots I realized that if I bought them then I should probably display them, and thats when the house became a total Nyah shrine. So I decided to back it down a bit.


We haven't had professional photos of the kids taken since last summer and with a new addition to the fam, it was definitely time. So after a little persuasion from my mom (thanks Mom) and finding the perfect photographer from a friends photos on Facebook (thanks Facebook), we went for it.

I have been posting a few of the shots here and there taken by Amber Berninger of Modern Relics Photography but here are the rest of my favs. I am so thankful she was able to capture so sweetly this special time in our lives.

And soon after, all hell broke loose. They stopped cooperating, got a crazed look in their eyes and were just completely over it, and I honestly can't blame them. But it was fun while it lasted.

**The story behind Elsa's saggy britches and too short dress is completely my fault, I take full responsibility. I bought the girls & Jude new outfits for their photos and being (what I thought) was a proactive and diligent mother, I wouldn't allow the girls to wear their new things (after much begging) until we got to the photo shoot. I didn't want anything to get dirty. It wasn't until we arrived and got the kids dressed that I realize that Elsa's "dress" was actually a shirt resulting in the exposure of her last minute, too big diaper cover. Lesson learned.

His First Month

Congrats Jude, you did it, you're four weeks old (yes, I know, I am one day late). Your life right now is slow and sweet, eating all the time and sleeping a ton during the day even with your loud sisters running around, screaming, poking you and constantly mothering you to death. I am convinced you could sleep though anything, during the day. At night it's a whole different story, sadly enough you have already had a runny nose, probably brought home by you sisters from story time and given to you by the million kisses they shower you with each day. So its no surprise that you prefer sleeping sitting up and thats okay because its also no surprise that I enjoy snuggling with you 'til the break of dawn.


Four weeks ago I was wondering when you were going to join us, wondering what exactly you were waiting for. Your official due date was June 27th but I guess you weren't ready. The doctor measured you via ultrasound the Tuesday before you came and said that you were probably around 9lb 4oz but I convinced him I didn't think you were that big and to give me more time to have you without help from him because I felt so good. You gave me some great power and energy when I was carrying you with me, thank for that by the way. 


You still hadn't made your appearance four days after your due date so at 5 am, Daddy and I headed to the hospital so you could get a little wake up call and be forced to come into the world. We arrived at the hospital and they started giving me the medicine to make you come. 


Time passed and Daddy watched Sports Center and we hung out waiting for the contractions and then the contractions became strong and I had to close my eyes and concentrate to get through each one, but I welcomed the pain knowing that each contraction brought me one step closer to you. 


A few more hours later the contractions became really strong and I needed Daddy to help get through each one. I couldn't sit still, I was hot, sweaty and grumpy. I wanted Daddy to stand in a certain spot and he had to take his sweatshirt off because the fabric hurt my face. I had to have the shades closed on the window, wanted privacy though no one could have seen us with our awesome roof top view. I was ripping all monitors off, wanted my IV out, (though your Dad persuaded me to chill out) wanted nothing on me, nothing touching me. I had the sweetest nurse named Michelle with the calmest voice who also helped though this rough part. 


So I finally felt ready to push, that strong undeniable to urge to push, and the doctor came in and was all, "Lets have a baby!" and I didn't really care if he was ready or not because I was. I was so unbelievably out of my mind ready to meet you. 


So with two big pushes from somewhere deep in my soul, on Friday, July 1st, at 11:43 am, out you came and all I could do was fall back in my bed with relief and from absolute exhaustion. The doctor took one look at you and said, "This is a ten pound baby," and he was right on. He handed you to me with your swollen, sweet face and those juicy lips and that was it, I was a goner. You were pure perfection, the sweetest boy ever.  

You came home from the hospital on a Sunday and you were thrown right into this crazy life. You came home without a hat because your head was a little big for those tiny little hats they give out at the hospital. Don't worry, they weren't cute anyway. Your sisters took to you immediately. I honestly can't believe how much they adore you, it's so beautiful to see. Basically, there is a whole lot of love floating around here right now. 

Notice the doll in his chair.

Nyah can't stop professing just how cute her baby brother is, I don't know how many times I have heard, "He's soooo cute, my baby bruder is sooo cute." She also thanks God for you each evening as she prays before we eat dinner, "Thank you for our food and thank you for my baby bruder, AMEN".

Elsa is precious and the tenderness she treats you with doesn't seem possible for someone her age. She caresses you with the gentlest touches and is never too rough. You are now the only person in the house she will kiss, the rest of us just get her cheek. If you are crying, she announces to the whole house, "Crying!" Lately she has been calling you, "Big boy," which she has shortened to just, "Boy". And just today, she has stopped calling you Boy and now calls you, "Judah". I am not really sure what she will end up calling you in the end, seems she is just testing a few names out for now. 

The first thing everyone notices about you is just how big you are and let me be the first to say, you are huge. You have a healthy appetite, love to nurse, and I just can't believe how wonderfully you are growing. You are heavy and I can't wait to see how much you weigh at your next doctor appointment because you feel like fifteen pounds.


So that's you first four weeks of life little guy, you are the perfect addition to our family and our lives. We are in love George Jude, and we are so glad you've come.

A Favorite Baby Item

One of my all time favorite baby items I have discovered with the birth of Jude are these blankets by Luna Lullaby. I wish I had them with each of the girls. I have mentioned before that I am not into all of the crazy contraptions that are invented for babies but these blankets are a must have. 


Oh the softness, the stretchiness, the hugeness makes this the ideal blanket to achieve the perfect tight swaddle resulting in a calm baby. Something I am really into. 


Oh, and the prints are precious. I went with rocket ship bundle well, because I can since we have a boy.

I originally heard about these blankets from blogger, The Pioneer Woman, who I love to check in with periodically for new recipes, photography how to and inspiration. Her beautifully taken photo tutorial of recipes not only make everything look delish but they are super easy and over the top tasty. So she recommended these cotton muslin blankets and I went with it and I am so glad I did. 


These blankets are light weight, perfect for summer (or island living, if you are into that type of thing) and become softer with each washing. Love, love, love. And Jude is pretty into them also. And lets face it, if he's happy, I'm happy.

Love On A Farm

I knew it would happen, eventually. The day had to come. Its what happens, right? Kids fall in love. Its sweet and awesome to see your child love something and care for something so sweetly but this was the first time I had seen our girl show this kind of care for something other than her family. It happened and what can I say, Nyah fell hard. For a kitten.

Nyah met her new love this afternoon. The girls and I ventured out into the Indiana greeness along some country roads to my Uncle's farm. The girls needed to get a taste of farm life, a life that suited them both perfectly. 


Elsa appreciated the space, dirt, and freedom. 

And her family let and even encouraged her to jump. I don't think things could get much better in her life. 

Fear never once crossed her face. Big dogs, new people, it was nothing to her. She might have crawled in with the cows if someone would have let her.

And Nyah just loved on the kitty, the poor kitty, all day. By the time we left, she had finally figured out how to properly hold her but would not give the little kitten a break. Watching her care and momma this little cat to the max made me think we might be doing something right as her parents. Her first love.

Island life, farm life, not sure it matters to these girls because honestly, they just love life. 


Here's to being well rounded.

Big Up

Sending a big up to Uncle Chris and Aunt Ali. We received your box of treasures today, thank you. Nyah was full of anticipation between each gift. Your generosity and kindness is appreciated. The ballerina says thanks also. 

I will put money on her sleeping in this tonight.