Welcome back! (Maybe)

Oh I laugh and laugh when I think of all the times that I was like, "Hey, I can work full time and be a mom and wife and still have a life and update my blog -like everyday!- so that I won't miss a thing and can put it all in a book!"  Such ambition I had!

Well, life has taken over.  Our family of four has turned into a family of five (Hello, Emily Elizabeth!), Robby and I both have landed our "right now dream jobs" and things are just trucking along.

Emily joined our family on August 8, 2014, at 5:27 pm, weighing 8 lbs 7 oz and 19.69 inches long.  This little butterball has brightened our lives in so many ways!  Not only do we have the joy of watching her grow and learn and getting to know her, we get to watch now 4 year-old Hailey transition into a big sister (and she is fabulous at it!) and be amazed by how responsible Abigail truly is at age 6.

I have enjoyed looking back and reading about my kids and the funny things they have said or done or what milestones they have reached at certain ages, so I want my first blog back to be about that.

Emily Elizabeth:  4 months old, loves to smile and giggle at Mommy's funny noises, is ticklish on her sides and LOVES to be held.  She has just recently discovered that sometimes she gets put down...and that if she cries she will get picked back up...and she is certainly using that knowledge to her advantage.  December 9 was the first time to hear her laugh, and it was a day that I needed to hear it.  I say that she is my light because I think that ever since my dad passed away I was living in a sort of darkness that I didn't even realize I was in, and it wasn't until she was born that I was able to start pushing the darkness away.  Don't get me wrong, I still laughed and played with my kids and enjoyed life and work, but I didn't realize how much I was holding back...that maybe I wasn't giving all I had to life because I was sad.  Kind of hard to describe, and I'm still working through it now, but that's not what I want to focus on.  I want to talk about the happiness that is Emily.

She can roll tummy to back and just got a jumperoo for Christmas.  She can touch the ground and can kind of bounce, but definitely hasn't gotten the hang of it yet.  She wears size 3-6 months or 6 months clothes (and some hand-me-downs are size 9 months), and size 2 diapers.  She went with me to Hailey's 4 year checkup appt on Dec 22 and I weighed her, too --- 14 lbs 12 oz.  Yay!  She has so many leg rolls and I just eat them up.  She is sooooo adorable.  Also!  She has just started saying the "mmmmm" sound a lot, so I am working really hard to get her to say Mama!  It was both Abigail and Hailey's first word (at barely 6 months and nearly 7 months, respectively), so I am hoping for the same around Valentine's Day!  So far, she has only had rice cereal a handful of times, and doesn't seem to enjoy it, but also doesn't hate it, so I guess that is a good thing!

Hailey Kay: At 4 years old, Hailey is still as joyful as ever.  She is funny and laughs and giggles and is so caring and intuitive that it sometimes catches me off-guard. She has a sensitive heart, but is brave on the outside.  She doesn't let new people in her little world of happiness until she decides that she wants to open up, and after that, she is fiercely loyal, even in her own little four year old world.  She likes to run and run and run, and play babies, and take care of animals and explore things.  I love that she is a problem solver and a go-getter.  At her awards ceremony last May 2014 (when she was three and a half), she got the Honest Abe award and it fits her.  She is honest and, like a reporter, keeps Mommy and Daddy updated on what everyone else in the house is doing.  She LOVES to be Mommy's helper; we cook together, and clean together, and sort laundry together, and when I give Emily a bath, she gives her baby doll Miranda a bath, and I love love love every minute of this time.  When I was on maternity leave, I would bring Hailey to school half way through the day because we had spent all morning just playing and lounging and enjoying each other.  One day, we chased a beautiful, full, double rainbow just because we could.  It's one of my favorite memories.

She can write her name and my name (Mom) by herself, and with a little help, she can even write "Dad." She draws people with heads and faces and bodies, and arms and legs, and just started drawing eye lashes ("only for girls") and hair and hands.  I love to watch her drawing develop.  I think she is a pretty good colorer (is that a word?) and she loves to write me notes and leave them for me to find.  She is a good big sister, and a curious little sister (she loves to do everything with Abby), but will only respond if you call her the Middle Sister.  She takes that job seriously!  We missed getting her ears pierced right at her birthday last month, so she got them done last week.  She picked out rainbow flowers, because that's the type of girl she is.  Colorful and beautiful.

Abigail Reese: My 6 year old has grown into a lovely young girl.  She is kind, sweet, thoughtful, and respectful, but also has a streak of independence that makes a mama proud.  She is excelling in kindergarten this year, reading and doing math above grade level, and has just started showing me that she can do mental math with simple addition and subtraction.  I am uber impressed.  She learns things like a sponge, and is a natural learner -- very curious and eager to find out new information.  What I admire most about Abigail is her ability to consider other people in almost every situation.  She is always thinking of others, and while I could tell you a million instances to illustrate this point, they're so numerous and commonplace that none stand out at the same time that all of them stand out because I have to remind myself that she is SIX and showing consideration that some adults still don't have.  She is wise beyond her years, and I enjoy learning with and teaching her.  She reminds me to look for the simple things in life and that it isn't about worldly possessions.  Life is about people and love and relationships.

She likes to read and and snuggle and touch (her Love Language is definitely touch!) and do art and loves tending to animals.  She and Robby do millions of art projects together, and I love that they have that in common.  She is a Daddy's girl right now and I am thankful that they have that relationship.  Robby has a good relationship with all of his daughters, but right now, as Emily and Hailey gravitate towards me, she is getting good Daddy-Abby time.

I make sure to take each of my girls out for one on one time (Mommy-Abby or Mommy-Hailey time we call it) because, as a working Mom, I always feel like I could be doing more with them.  I want them to know that I value each of them as individual people with individual talents, as well as what they bring to our family.  I love the way they interact with each other, but sometimes I just want them to be free to grow and explore and have time to do things without their sisters around.  I want them to be as comfortable as an independent individual as they are when we are all together.  It is important for me to raise girls who are confident in themselves and who they are.  Robby also takes them out one-on-one or just the big girls or in whatever combination because he knows that girls need their daddy.  Plus, he loves it because he can be a big kid again and go see all the fun movies or play around on the playground or ride bikes with them.

Well, this blog post is completely ridiculous because it is mostly stream of consciousness and nothing like an English major should ever publish.  But you know what?  I'm going to publish it anyway.  :)  Goodbye one of my perfectionist tendencies!  In the words of Sweet Mama Brown, "A'int nobody got time for that!"  Especially not with three kids and husband and a full time job and a joyful, busy, happy life.

Love

Some days I feel so much love for and from my family that it takes my breath away.  I am surrounded by love, and I am incredibly blessed. 

There are no words to express what I feel.  The word "love" just doesn't seem enough.  The emotion I have is all consuming, and I am thankful for every part of it.  I love my husband, who always knows exactly what I need, exactly when I reach my limit and when I need just a little extra support; my older daughter, 4 year old Abigail, whose sensitive and caring heart reminds me that all people and animals deserve compassion and consideration; and my younger daughter, 2 year old Hailey, who is always so joyous and full of energy, a little girl growing into her own person, full of delight and who reminds me that happiness comes from within. 

The past few weeks have been especially trying, and I am especially thankful for their smiling faces when I get home for work.  My husband cooked dinner tonight and had the girls already in their jammies by the time I got home so that I wouldn't have to worry about anything but spending time with them.  Thank you, my husband, for knowing me so well.  Thank you, our girls, for all that y'all are.  Thank you, God, for the blessings You continually bestow upon us.

Gone Fishin'

Today we drove all over creation trying to find a place to take Abigail fishing.  After going to two different parts of the nearby lake and discovering that, whether we wanted to camp or not, we had to pay camping prices, (and no fishing allowed at or near the local marina!), we ended up back at our local pond.  It was just as fun for Abigail, even if Robby was slightly disappointed that we wasted all that time for naught.  Next time, he said, we will make an entire day of it and go to the lake!  That will be fun!

Anyways, Robby wanted to use live bait - worms - and it was Abigail's first time to see them.  It was HILARIOUS!!  She was fascinated/engrossed in them!  After the initial excitement, she would run back and forth from fishing to come back and check on the other worms.  We set one free and she loved watching it crawl around.  "What's it doing, Mama?"  "I no touch it, Mama.  YOU touch it!"  "Fish like worms?"  "I fishin!"  "Hailey Kay like worms?"  "I see worms!"  "Oh.  Worms sleepin."  "Open it!  Hiiiii, worms!" were the various things she said when she'd come to check on them. 

Even though it didn't go exactly as planned, it was a hoot and tons of fun.  Abby had fun with the worms and reeling in her fishing line.  Robby had fun catching THREE fish with Abigail's Dora the Explorer pole (some help from Abigail, of course).  Hailey had fun snuggling on the blanket with Mommy, and I had fun with my family. 

3 Month Comparison

Today we went to the park, and while Robby and Abigail were playing on the playground, Hailey and I just chilled on a bench and looked at people, birds, and whatever else caught our attention.  Of course, I had to take self-photos.  The photos of Hailey at 3 months reminded me so much of some pictures I have of Abigail at 3 months.  In both instances, we were sitting outside watching the birds, it was in February, and both girls had their tongues out.  Check it out!  Naturally, the self photo isn't as good as the one taken by Robby, but you get what I mean - the expressions are so similar it cracked me up!  Abby's picture is first, the other two are Hailey Kay.

Penguin Days!

In the months of January and February, The Dallas Zoo holds $5 Penguin Days; their slogan is "When the weather is cold, prices are hot," meaning that admission is only $5 per adult instead of normal price of almost $15/adult (Abigail and Hailey are free either way).  Since the weather was nice, Robby and I were looking for something to do that was inexpensive, outside, and engaging for all, so naturally, the zoo was a good choice.  The last time we went to the zoo was last July, for their $1 Day - everything was a dollar!  This time, it wasn't nearly as crowded, and WOW at the difference with Abigail.  She was engaged, knew the names of animals, talked about them, "He's jumping!" (talking about the monkey) and loved telling Hailey about them, "Look, Hay Hay, giraffes!" 

Hailey liked strolling around in their new double stroller (yes, we finally broke down and got one), while Abigail loved the easy accessibility of stroller or walking.  She rode in the stroller between exhibits, but Daddy would pick her up at each one and let her see the animals.  Hailey's favorite exhibit was the monkey exhbit, I think because they were the most exciting with all their movement and screeching, while Abigail absolutely LOVED the giraffes!  At the Dallas Zoo, the giraffes can come right up to you and you can (although signs say not to) touch them - they are so close.  We didn't touch - as most people didn't. 

There was one mountain cat, a moutain lion or puma or something, that was literally three feet away (in a cage, of course), and he was playing with the zookeeper.  She ran in front of the cage, he followed her, she stopped and jumped, and he jumped back - it reminded me of how we play with Chance.  Anyways, Abigail saw all this and said, "Mama, get him out!  Get him out!"  She wanted to play with and pet him, too.  So cute! 

OH MY GOODNESS!  I almost forgot to mention the otters!!   This is the first time - in my LIFE, I think - that I have ever seen otters be so active.  They were doing flips, playing with one another, floating down their river and their waterfall, basically just putting on a show for all us, and I LOVED every minute!  I could have stayed for hours to watch them!  This was my favorite part!  Unfortunately, I was so enthralled that I did not get one single picture. 

We also strolled over to the children's zoo, where there are animals to pet (and ride, although, thank goodness, Abigail hasn't asked to ride them yet!).  She was completely uninterested in the huge pig, loved the horse and fish tank, and was on the fence about the goats.   Robby took Abigail in the goat petting area, and the very first one she approached tucked his head and ran towards her (no horns, whew!), so that scared her a little.  Robby did a great job coaxing her to try to approach another one, and she timidly pet him.  Once we said that she could feed him like the donkeys (she loves those donkeys at Papas!) she picked up some hay and was much more brave. 

Over all, it was a wonderful day!  We had a great family day and both girls were tuckered out before 8pm, so now Robby and I are enjoying a quiet house.  :)

Their first bath together.  Sorry, just had to sneak it in.

"Hop" on Over!

Nani and Papa wanted to make sure that the girls are prepared to come visit them, so they got each of them a rolling suitcase/backpack/doll holder with removable stuffed animal.  Abigail has the frog backpack, and Hailey has the bunny backpack. 

These are sooooo cute and plush and soft, and Abigail absolutely adores hers!  She keeps alternating between rolling it around the house and wearing it like a backpack.  When she wears it like a backpack, she'll turn around and pop out her hip to show off the frog - such sass!  She made a joke yesterday when she said, "Nani, where frog?" and Nani replied, "I don't know.  Where is the frog?"  Abigail proceeded to jump/turn around and exclaim, "Here it is!" while ridiculously laughing.  Such a perfect, useful gift for a two year old!  (Hailey likes hers, too!)

Abigail posed with her backpack, saying, "Camera, Mom.  Picture."

Taking out Hailey's bunny.

Modeling the multiple uses!

Snow Day 4

I'm kind of getting used to this.  Work one day, off six (if you include the weekend!).  I am SO glad Robby works in my district now, because I love having all the same/extra time off.  It's nice!

This morning when we woke up, we had about 4 inches of snow on the ground!  This is more like what I am used to seeing whenever school/work gets canceled because of inclement weather.  Naturally, we had to take Abigail out to play in the snow! 

Last year, when it snowed about a foot of snow, Abigail was just 15 months old, so she didn't really get to play in it.  This morning, Abigail had a BLAST playing in it!  We played until our faces were red, and when we came in she cried to go back out.  Of course, when we went out this morning, it was still only 20 degrees, so we couldn't stay out long.  Also, the sun was out (it's supposed to get to 32 degrees today - oh my word, it will feel like a heat wave, I am sure!), and it reflected off the snow, so it was as bright as all get out.  I could barely open my eyes!

Abigail's favorite thing was to make foot prints in the snow and to wipe off the snow from the bushes in our yard.  She found one tiny flower (weed) sticking up through the snow and yelled, "FOWER!"  She tromped over there and plucked it immediately.  That girl loves picking flowers.

We also took Hailey out in it, just for the experience. She had on three layers of clothes plus a hat and blanket, and we were only out there long enough for her to see it. She barely caught a glimpse, though, because of the brightness.

Snow Day 3 - A Record!

Wow, three days off due to snow/ice!  I cannot believe it!  Today is a little warmer, 19 degrees outside (wind chill 4 degrees)!  We're going a little stir crazy today, since we haven't been out of the house since Monday night...I think I may even have to break out the Play-Doh for Abigail!  (Gasp!) 

To burn off a little energy, we bundled up Abigail (socks, leggings, blue jeans, long sleeve onesie, sweatshirt, lined jacket, fuzzy hat, mittens, and boots) and sent her outside for about 15 minutes of play time.  We didn't let her stay out any longer because her nose and cheeks were getting rosy red!  We put on Chance's jacket, too, and het got to run around a little bit.  Robby had fun chasing them on the ice; the snow that we did get (only about 1" and it doesn't even cover all of the yard) has frozen solid into an ice block, so it was very slippery! 

While they were outside, Hailey and I spent a little alone time together, and she was "talking" up a storm!  Of course, every time I tried to take a picture, it didn't come out right to show her really talking.  Sigh.  In time, I guess.

Look at all that fuzzy hair!  I love it!

Snow Day 2

Another day off!  The roads were still icy today and last night (wind chill -12 degrees last night!), so we got to spend today staying home, staying warm, and staying safe.  The energy consumption in Texas has been at an all time high, so they've had to initate rolling blackouts throughout the state.  Rolling blackouts in 12 degree weather = brrr cold.  We've had to bundle up for sure!  Luckily, we've only had one blackout so far today, and it has been light enough outside that it wasn't dark in our house.  The only thing we can really do today is nap again!  (Oh darn!)

Here's a picture of the girls "hibernating."

Snow Day - Slow Day

We've had the day off due to inclement weather - a snow/ice storm! - and all we've been doing today is catching up on our sleep.  It's nice to have a day just to lounge around and recharge our batteries!

Here's a picture of Abby putting Daddy down for a nap!  Whenever he puts her down for a nap or to bed, he lies down with her and always ends up falling asleep, too!

  

Of course when I went in to get a picture of sweet Hailey Kay snoozing, she was wide awake! She didn't make a peep! She's such a sweetie!

Time to Catch Up

Wow, things have been busy these past few months.  Our family of three has joyously turned into a family of four, and we have spent the past few months getting to know our new daughter, Hailey Kay Roden.  Now that Hailey is 12 weeks old (a silent, amazed "ALREADY?!" has just escaped my mouth), I figure it is time I get back to updating my blog.

I'll be posting entries about everything in between 28 weeks pregnant and an almost 3 month old baby, so new posts will be a mix of old and new.  It'll be confusing for a while, but I really don't want to miss any of the details I remember about those precious few months.  I plan on turning this blog into a book one day, and I want it all there!

It's (Semi) Official

Hailey Kay

The decision.  After months and months of debate, we have finally settled on a name!  We made the decision on September 6, 2010, on our way to the dog park!  Ha.  Sounds like a trivial decision, but believe me, it wasn't.  I was tired of calling the baby "Baby" or Hannah-slash-Hailey, and when my mom said, "We'll just call her Slash," that was the end of that!  I needed a name.  Even though it took nearly 7 months to decide, and it was always between Hailey and Hannah, it came down to Hailey! 

Robby really preferred Hailey over Hannah, and to get me to finalize my vote, he kept mentioning Hannah Montana, the teen pop star. I guess that finally got to me when I was talking to a few people and said something about I want to paint the baby's room blue, not pink, but I didn't really think that went well with "Hannah" and someone said, "Hannah Montana loves blue!" For Robby to make the connection is one thing, but for someone else to...well, that was enough for me!  I don't want that attachment to her name for her whole life...or even the childhood/teenage years.

Her middle name is a family name - my mom's middle name in fact. Once again, I preferred another, but Robby picked this one, and I just couldn't argue, could I? Ha. I told him he was just trying to get a good Christmas present! (Joking, of course!)

The meaning.  One of the reasons it took me so long to decide on what to call her is the meaning of the names.  We have been prety sure since about July that her initials would be HKR, no matter what we decided, but we didn't know which way we'd go.  Hannah = gracious/from the grace of God, has Hebrew etymology (like Abigail) and is Biblical (also like Abigail);  Hailey = from the hay meadow and is of English origin.  It wasn't until Robby found an alternative meaning "Natural" that I could accept it as an option.  I just put too much emphasis on words!  When I think of "natural" and all that could imply, I like it.  I'll just pray that she has a generous and loving soul, and that should take care of that!  Kate = Pure;  Kay = joyous, both of which I like. 

In the end, her name, Hailey Kay means Natural & Joyous!  I think she'll be a beautiful person, inside and out!

I am so happy to be able to call her by her name now, and we can get Abigail used to hearing it as well.  I know I'm now in the home stretch (yaaaay!), and it's finally getting real.  Just about 10 weeks until Hailey gets here!

Here's Hailey's "house" at 28 weeks 5 days!

24 Week Appointment

Today I had my 24 week appointment.  Everything looks great!  This time, I had no worries about the baby because it seems like she moves constantly.  She particularly loves bouncing on my bladder like a trampoline, and there have been a few times where I was worried I might not make it to the bathroom in time! 

It's neat to feel her move; several times it has felt like she's completely flipped sides or rolled all the way over from head down to head up or vice versa.  She's quite the acrobat.  Although she's pretty constant throughout the day, I can already detect a sort of schedule, and so far, it isn't too bad.  Abby was hardly up during the day (always up at 10am like clockwork, though.  I would know the time without looking at the clock), but she was up all night. 

This baby is up when I wake up, which is usually about 7am, then I really feel her get going at 11am, 3pm, 5pm, and from 8:30-10pm she is REALLY active.  I'd say that's her most active time of the day.  Of course, I've noticed her up at 3:30 am almost every morning (that seems to be my bladder's limit and I wake up to go to the rest room at that time almost every night).  I'm just happy that there's a lot of day time movement, since I learned that their schedule in the womb is often the schedule they'll have as newborns. 

At my next appointment, I'll do the glucose/diabetes test and get a SONOGRAM!  We're so excited to be able to see our baby again!  :) 

Showers in the Forecast

Babies, babies, everywhere!  This past Saturday and Sunday I attended two baby showers, one for Robby's aunt Shelli and a couples shower for my friend Sara. 

Shelli is having a little girl, her first, named Kennedi.  I wish that I would have gotten a picture of her because she is so cute pregnant - and tiny!  One of her friends at the shower said, "Um, when did this happen?"  When Shelli looked baffled, her friend said, "I just saw you last week, no bump, and now there's a bump!"  You expect this comment around 4-5 months, but Shelli is 8 weeks away from delivery!  That's just to give you an idea of how tiny her bump really is!  I've known all along that our baby has grown/shown much, much faster than I did with Abigail, but gosh, before we get pregnant with our third, I'm going to try really, really hard to lose both this baby's and Abigail's weight! 

I just hope I don't feel guilty - that's why I didn't really work out after Abigail.  I joined a gym, and the first time I took her to the gym daycare at 3 months, she got a double ear infection, so I felt guilty that she got sick because I wanted my own time.  Then, I waited until she was 6 months old to take her back (better immune system, I thought), but NOPE a week long cold/virus from that trip.  Sigh, I just felt awful because it was something that I chose to do, not something that I had to do (like work).  Plus, I hated, hated, hated having her at the sitter's all day while I worked, then picking her up and leaving her in someone else's care AGAIN.  It just made me feel like a bad mother!

I hope I get over that with the second child.  Hmmm.  We'll see.  The good news is that at the school where I will now be "housed" for my new position, there is an incredibly awesome Student Activity Center  with workout areas for teachers, so I plan to use that.  That way, when I get done with my day, I can go workout before picking up the kids.  I don't think I will feel as badly about that since it's not just jostling them from one care center to the next.  It's tough being a full time working mom.  At least I won't have papers to grade any more when I get home!  Hallelujah for that!

Okay, back to the forecasted showers, we also went to Sara's shower.  Sara has a daughter named Abigail, called Abby, and she had a friend named Abigail there, as well, so there were three Abigails total!  It was funny.  We already call Sara's Abby "Big A" and our Abby "Little A" when they're together, so it wasn't really too confusing to know who we were talking about/addressing. 

Well, Big A is expecting a little sister, going to be named Madison.  Sara and I are thrilled to have little girls only about one month apart!  (Secretly, neither Robby nor I think that she will make it to her due date - she's poppin out there for sure!  At Sara's last sonogram, her doctor said the baby should weigh about 2.5 pounds, but instead weighs about 4 pounds!) 

It was a fun couples shower - Robby had to drink beer from a bottle and they had really, really good food!  Sara and I were both wearing purple shirts, which seemed to be confusing for the men, because at one point, I walked up behind Shane who was sitting on the couch, and he reached up to grab me, but said, "Oh!  I just saw the belly and the purple and thought you were Sara!"  It was a good laugh for all. 

Two showers down and two more to go in the coming weeks!  It's baby season!

Playdate with Claire

Claire is the daughter of a fellow English teacher - she is about 3 months older than Abigail.  Jamie, Claire's mom, and I like to get the girls together whenever we can for playdates.  So far, the only ones the girls have had have been at Jamie's house because she just gave birth 3 months ago to baby Ella, and Ella was too tiny to really take out anywhere.

Well, today that all changed.  We decided it was time for Ella to get out in the world, and Jamie's been wanting to take Claire to Abbey's Playtown because she's heard all the raves from other teachers (just as I have).  So, out we went. 

It was difficult, to say the least!  The only other time I've been there was in June, when I was about 4 months pregnant - and I had Robby with me.  Now, at almost 6 months pregnant and without Robby, it was a whole new experience!  Combine that with Jamie trying to keep up with Claire while keeping Ella happy and close and you get two crazy mommas!  It was fun, though.  We all had a blast, even though Jamie and I were more worn out than Abby and Claire!

(PS - I love that she has two girls who are very close in age to Abby and baby-to-be girl #2! It'll make future playdates great when all four children will have a playmate!)

Playing with the train set.  Abby and Claire both really liked the train table.

Lovin' the bounce house!

Chasing each other down the hallway!

Flying a plane

She loved riding the horsey!

A break from playing for a quick hug!

I really loved watching this; when Abigail realized she couldn't get in the soft block area on her own, she walked all the way around until she found some blocks to stand on and give her enough height to climb over!  Such a smart girl!

Claire sliding! 

Abby getting ready to go!

Afterwards, she found a baby doll and wanted the doll to do whatever she did.

It was the doll's turn to slide!

When the baby got to the bottom of the slide, Abigail (still at the top) said, "Baby did it!"

Next, Abby wanted the doll to play at the music table.  Notice the pink doll in Abby's lap.

She got so frustrated trying to get the doll to sit up next to her!

Another attempt at getting the baby to sit!

Abby decided to move on from the doll and play with a real baby - Baby Ella!

Ella - Bella!

Claire went for a spin as Police Patrol.

All smiles when we were done!