Big moment for Hannah!

After Abby died, we needed a mood lifter! Hannah had been tentatively wanting to get her ears pierced for about a year.  She finally was determined to with no hesitation.  So off we went to Claire's.  Both girls picked out earrings, but Leah wanted to wait and let Hannah be the guinnea pig.

Hannah jumped right up in that chair and was ready!  (random bear was sitting in the chair first)

She didn't flinch when they cleaned her ears, or marked them.

She knew what was coming.  and 1...2...3!  

It was done.  She had about a second delay and her face twisted in pain and shock.  A lone tear streaked down her cheek.  10 seconds passed and she straightened herself up and looked in the mirror and smiled.  She said the BOOM scared her but it didnt really hurt.

Those 10 seconds was all Leah needed to decide she did not want to get her ears pierced yet.  Fine with me.  Hannah was so excited she had to call everyone.  She still tells everyone she sees a month later.  She has taken good care of them and is waiting patiently to be able to switch them out,

Goodbye Sweet Abby

On 11/28/12 We lost our sweet dog, Abby.  She was 11 years old and was the dog Matt and I got in college.  Our first baby.

We switched her food to senior food about a week, which made her sick.  She always had a sensitive stomach so we did what the vet told and gave her chicken and yogurt and rice.  She would eat it and then get sick again.  The vet eventually told us to try to not give her food and give her pepcid.

When I could not get the pepcid down her because she refused to eat anything (even her favorite chicken) I took her in for some tests.  Honestly we thought something may be wrong but we thought it would be fixable.

She spent the night at the vet and the next morning she called us and told us she was in renal failure.  It had reached the end point and she probably would never want to eat again.  I was devastated.  We made the decision to put her to sleep which was so hard to do.

Leah had an allergy appointment that day and the second we got doe we rushed to the vet for some quality time with Abby.  The girls knew she was going to Heaven because she was so sick.  They were strong, and excited about her getting to meet Jesus.  We just sat with Abby and loved on her until Matt came from work. It was obvious she was tired and didnt feel good.




My Abby was sick and we had to put her down.  The girls said their very tearful goodbyes and my Dad and sisters fiancee took them to McDonalds next door.  Matt and I said our goodbyes and she drifted peacefully to sleep.  It was a difficult day.

When we went to get the girls I put on my happy face and excitedly exclaimed that Abby went to Heaven.  They had a moment of sadness but then asked me if I saw Jesus.  I love their innocence and their love for our Father.  I don't know if our pets will be in Heaven.  I know they are not saved.  But I like to believe that we have who we love in Heaven and that would include our pets.

Goodbye sweet Abby girl.  We will miss you.
10/12/01- 11/28/12

Noah 7 months

Little man was 7 months November 25, and was uncooperative again during this little photoshoot.  He wants to scoot and move in the crib, which is what he did and ended up falling forward and banging his head on the crib and then it was over.  Well, its documented.

I tried to make him happy with some blocks but then he just wanted to eat them.  Oh well

or the blanket

At 7 months heres what he was doing:

He still eats great and nurses great.  He loves anything he can feed himself and wants whatever we have.  He gets distracted easily while nursing so I have to shut myself up in his room but I enjoy our quiet moments.

He naps well for the most part.  Having sisters is hard and sometimes they wake him up, but he wants to take 2 naps and maybe a little catnap during the day.  He doesnt always GET that but its what he wants.

He is still a happy baby, and getting curious about the world around him.  He loves snuggling and cuddling but he also wants to explore.  He isnt crawling yet but I feel like it will be soon.  He gets up on his knees and rocks.  

He has started clapping but Im not sure how intentional. 

I wish I could say he was sleeping through the night but he isnt.  He is waking up around 3:30 or 4:30 but goes down easily at 8.  At 7 months we let the girls cry it out.  It worked well for them.  I havent let him do that yet (my last baby... and I am WEAK).  He comes and snuggles with me when he wakes up so its not so bad since I am not working.  Ill enjoy the snuggles while I can.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was hosted by my parents and it was the first time all of my dads kids have been in one house since I can remember.  I didnt get many pictures but it was a great time had by all. The cousins brought their elves, and so the Elf of the Shelf was introduced to the girls and it was apparent we were going to have to ask Santa for one.  I wish we could see everyone more often!

The girls - Haylen, Avry, Kyleigh, Hannah, and Leah

Add Noah


Sweet girls


Always after the nose


Or trying to eat the dogs...


I always wish I had taken more pictures when I go back and look at them.  It was a great day and it was good to see everyone.

Impromptu Photo Shoot

Because sometimes the girls just want their pictures taken...

One of the best sounds in the world

I Just need to replay this video whenever I have a bad day.

Leah mastered her cartwheel

It took some extra practice time on the trampoline, but she finally mastered that cartwheel.  Step, kick, cartwheel.  Go girl

Think he likes peaches?

This is the first time he tried peaches.  It cracked me up that he would make such a face, and yet keep opening his mouth for more.

Hannah "reading" to her brother

Sometimes it absolutely drives me crazy how I can lay Noah down safely playing where I can see him, and the next minute Hannah is walking around with him because he made a whimper.  Sometimes I get so annoyed that she asks me if she can hold him every second of the day, and if I say she cant at the moment she throws a fit.  And then sometimes she asks to read to him and the adoration this little baby shows his sister is clear and apparent.  She is such a great big sister, and I love these moments.  

And not to discount my Little Leah.  She is equally loving and attentive... she just doesnt have the confidence to hold him or the obsession to do so that her sister has.  Thankfully she is content playing with him on the floor.  

I do not believe Noah will learn to crawl because Hannah picks him up whenever Noah is on the floor... 

Noah discovered the letter B

Noah discovered the letter D

The Love/ Hate relationship of sisters

After a pretty nasty fight between the girls which involved Hannah chasing Leah down the hall and hitting her (and who knows what else) I put Hannah in her room in time out to think about how she should treat her sister.

After about 2 minutes, Leah came to me and said "I'm ready". 

"For what?" I Asked. 
"For Hannah to give me a hug." 
"Well, Mommy isn't ready yet. Hannah still needs to think about things."
"But I forgive her".  (Also known as "I no longer want to play by myself")

Sweet Leah.

Fall '12 Photoshoot

I wanted to get some pictures taken of the kids for a while.  With both girls turning 5 and Noah 6 months I had hoped to get it done in October, but it didnt get done until November.  Noah was not feeling great so he was his smiley self, but the girls were all about it.  My good friend Heather Ponder from Ponderhill Photography took the pictures and they turned out great.  Here are my favorites.