my loves.passions.dreams

Letter's to Cecelia...

2012-02-10T11:38:00.000-06:00

Could my children look anymore alike?

My Sweet Girl-
Somebody really needs to let you know that as you grow it kills a tiny piece of me to see you as such a big girl and to know that it will only continue. As you have been growing I can see the young lady you will eventually become and I get so excited to be able to witness such a transformation in something that I contributed too. But as excited as I may get to see you flourish I realize that those tiny little feet and marker stained hands will soon be feet walking in heels and hands nicely manicured as you become more of a woman. It comforts me to know that there will be a few more stages in your life before we get to that point. You are an amazing help with your brother and he adores you (even when you wake him up at five in the morning) he always has a smile for you. You never faltered when he entered your world you continued on being you and even though there were times where I know you didn't get the right amount of attention you deserved you didn't give us any grief for it. There was no crazy antics or temper tantrums, there was just you and us and that in your mind is perfection. In my mind that is bliss that we are all you need daughter. I know we will never see eye to eye on some things and there will be days that I can't imagine you driving me more crazy but when I hear that sweet little voice saying "Sorry Mama" or your little hand finding mine randomly through the day, I beg for you to drive me crazy sweet girl, because it wouldn't be the same if you were always so good :). It only makes those sweet moments with you even sweeter.
So grow little one and become whom ever you may, just always remember to accept the love from others as easily as you do now and even days that seem unbearable will always have an upside to them.
L-
Mama

reminders...

2012-02-08T21:14:00.000-06:00

Tonight this little man fell asleep in my arms, which hasn't happened since he was 2 months old in the hospital.

As he snuggled up in my arms with his one arm wrapped tightly around his monkey and his thick long eyelashes lay against his round cheeks I couldn't help but feel myself breathing.

It felt like I hadn't taken a deep breath all day.

I have to keep reminding myself that even though I know all of his basic needs have been met, that taking that time to give him my attention and affection even if it's just while he is falling asleep is just as important for both him and I.

After a long week I love when my days are filled with my C and Arloboy, they make everything seem just a little bit better. I have to say my most stressful parts of my days do not involve either one of these two. They light up everything dark in our lives and I just can't forget to make myself their best part too.

This guy helps making things better too:)

Taking the Time to be Here!

2012-01-20T11:15:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure if I mention this enough on here, but I'm busy!

I might not mention this on here but it kills me to be busy!

I hate saying it to friends and family when they want to be apart of our lives and are genuinely sad when they don't get enough time with my sweet family.

Trust me it bothers me.

We have an insane schedule in our family.

Nathan is gone 90% of the week and I'm in school 3 days and working afterwards and on my days off. Our children are cared for most of the time in the evening by their grandparents (who do a fantastic job). But as a mother and a wife there is only so much reasoning I can do with myself to justify my absence in their evening routine.

I pray that each day will go by faster than the last so that May 2013 will arrive sooner and we will hopefully return to a some what "normal" family life.

I know what Nate and I are doing as parents is to better the future for our children and ourselves, but by Thursday I'm sure most people I'm around would rather stay out of my way.

I enjoy the company of my friends and hearing all about their days and what their kids are up to, they are like my family. But lately I have only been seeing them a few times a month and that BOTHERS me!

When our families call up to ask to go to lunch or want to play with our children and all Nate and I have the energy for is to say "We would rather keep them to ourselves today" that hits pretty deep.

But we know we NEED that time with them and with each other to keep our family unit strong through the next year. So that our children never feel the absence of us in their daily routine. I know we are not 100% successful but we are sure trying.

Everyone we speak with always tells us "They wont even remember this crazy time" I'm well aware of my children's memory capabilities but I know what we are doing and that we are not around and that is just unacceptable to me.

Today I was reading a favorite blog of mine here.

She was discussing the whole article of Don't Carpe Diem that has been floating around the Internet this past week. I absolutely love her take on being in the moment with her children both during the good and the bad.

Some of you may know that Arlo has not been the easiest baby. We sometimes call him Angry Arlo, there is a reason.

The first few months nothing would sooth him besides, me, swaddling and sleep. Thankfully he has grown out of that and is now a very cheerful smiley boy. Does he still have his moments? YES! But like Melissa had mentioned in her post I just had to keep telling myself he will soon be a rambunctious toddler who will grow up to be an ornery schoolager who will then turn into a TEENAGER! Please God give me the strength to always be grateful for the time my boy NEEDS me. For there will be a time when he will not come to me for help or comforting, and that will hurt worse then the sleepless nights and constant shushing.

For those of you who have a 3 year old it can be exhausting, for those of you who have a 3 year old daughter it can be a test of how much hair you can keep on your head through the next year. I love my daughter with every fiber of my being but the girl has the ability to make me rethink my ability as a mother as well as a human being.

She is every ounce her father from her looks to her go-go-go personality and I love it. But in the past week she has cut her hair at school, threw a temper tantrum in the middle of our backyard in protest of me taking away a glove, yes folks a glove, and managed to out smart her teachers by completely covering her self in mud from head to toe but successfully kept her boots clean?

Sometimes the best part of the day between C and I is night time. I always make sure that Arlo does not need anything during Cece's bedtime routine. I try to give my whole attention to her, she needs it and I need it. She after all, gave us the gift of parenthood and I will NEVER forget that.

She snuggles in and begs for me to read her a book and reading is one of the things that calms us both down.

So depending on how good or bad of a day we have had we will go through one story or four.

But after I leave and hear her for a few minutes reading to herself and then I finally hear the silence that she has finally fallen asleep I peek in to see her sweet face laying on her pillow, with her arms tucked up underneath her softly snoring and I smile and my heart swells and I remember to make a mental image of her and how much I love her no matter how naughty or well behaved she is, she is my daughter and I will always remember my prayers for her to enter our lives and how desperately we wanted her.(Yes, Dad I'm well aware of how badly that last sentence is put together)

I know there is nothing that I can do to give them my entire attention all the time and that Nate is doing what he has to do for our family. But I have to accept that there will be days that I will shut down and just go through the motions, it is after all a defense mechanism for survival.

But everyday I will try to be present and be here in my life and remember to live it no matter how crazy our lives get. This life after all is only temporary.

Busy life...

2012-01-13T11:46:00.000-06:00

I apologize in advance for the very bad quality of the following pictures. It seems like my phone is the easiest way to capture moments.

So here it goes...

Christmas was good except for our entire family got hit with a nasty bug, but C had a blast and thinks Santa should come at least every night.

We celebrated the New Years with good food, lots of drinks and great friends.

Arloboy had his 4 month check-up and all seems pretty well. He is of course long and lean weighing in at a whopping 12.8lbs and 24 1/4 inches long. He grew almost 3in in 2 months but only grew 2lbs in the same time so he will be towering over me within in a year :).

There is some problems that they ran across as far as his left eye goes. We have been referred to a pediatric optometrist. I mentioned it a long time ago after he was born that his left eye was severely crossed but slowly corrected itself. However, recently we have noticed it going cross again and for no particular reason (such as looking at a close object) so our pediatrician who we love, has referred us along and Arlo will most likely have to wear a patch for a while to strengthen his left eye, but we are lucky that it isn't severe.

There is another problem that we are looking into which requires a urologist but until we speak more in depth with that doctor I wont go into to much detail about it.

January we have been lucky enough to have amazing weather but this week we finally got to the regular chilly weather and snow that we are use to in Iowa. So footy pajamas and cuddling have been in the agenda for early mornings.

Arlo and this monkey are best friends, he falls asleep instantly when you give it to him, and he holds it with a death grip.

The kids got to get some time to play outside this past weekend and as Henry and C get bigger their ability to play with one another without the other bursting into tears has gotten so much better and is so refreshing to see how they have grown up together and are always so excited to see one another, even if tears are involved :) We decided to take the older kiddos to the Rodeo this weekend and I'm sure they will be a handful but will totally enjoy it!

In a few years I'm sure this will be Savannah and Arlo.

Just today I was laying in bed and I knew C would be up soon, but over the monitor I hear her crawling into Arlo's bed and quietly start talking to him. She was telling him all about her new books and that she is his big sister. It was darling and I popped in there and she had her and Arlo covered up and when I asked what she was up to she in the matter of fact tone of voice said "He was cold Mama, so I came to snuggle." My eyes stung from the tears that were pushing through but all I could do was laugh thinking of the day when C crawling into Arlo's bed would result in her getting tossed on the floor, hopefully not for a few more years.

Merry and Bright

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

May Your Christmas Be...

Merry & Bright!

Lots of Love-

nate.tory.cecelia & arlo

Busy,Busy,Busy

2011-12-23T11:04:00.001-06:00

We have been super busy in the Stanley home these past few weeks, but in the best of ways.

We have had many nights out as a family going to see Christmas lights, holiday shopping, baking and watching lots of movies.

Some updates Arloboy is no longer swaddled anymore and he sleeps like a big boy! He also now sleep in his own room in his crib:)

Our families have been fantastic about letting Nate and I get out without the babes to do a little Christmas shopping for them as well as spend some much needed time alone.

We made it downtown to Zombie burger and walked around the shops.

And enjoyed some spiked milke shakes!

We took C and Arlo to Jolly Holiday lights and we let Cece get a hot chocolate which she called her coffee all night and let her take the wheel through the display.

Poor Arloboy always seems to get his bottle time interrupted by playtime with Cece and Daddy.

We also got to celebrate a very special little girls 1st birthdasy this month!

What a beautiful party it was!

Now that my 20 minutes of time to do this is up, I aplogize for the crappy cell phones picks and lack luster post but I have been trying to soak up all these great memories with my kiddos while they are still young.

Now on to our crazy 3 days of parties with our friends and families.

Arloboy is 3 Months

2011-12-03T11:28:00.000-06:00

Happy 3 Months Arloboy!

Arlo loves...

Smiling, his bouncy chair, still being swaddled and now he loves sitting up and has amazing head control.

Arlo hates...

laying flat on his back and being overly tired.

Our boy is fantastic he has made huge strides since he was in the hospital 3 weeks ago.

He has turned into such a happy and interactive little soul.

He had a little trouble getting back to a sleep schedule after the hospital but we are now getting back on track.

If you haven't seen our son smile, you are missing out.

He has deeper dimples then both Cece and I.

He will be a heartbreaker for sure, but lucky for me I get him to myself for a few more years :).

We are looking forward to the holidays with Arlo in our family.

Thankful

2011-11-24T18:37:00.000-06:00

Life has been so crazy and getting back to normal may never be possible until Nate stops traveling for work. But I really shouldnt complain given the fact that he in fact does have a job that does allow us to have insurance. Which came in handy two weeks ago when I took Arloboy into the doctors to end up in Blank Childrens hospital for pertusses. I knew well enough to get him to the doctors when I heard his cough and lucky for us we have an amazing pediatrician who listens to mothers intuitions.
Arloboy was hooked up to monitors to make are sure that he was getting enough oxygen and an i.v to keep him hydrated. It was a pretty intense time but we were lucky and only ended up there for 3 days.
Our boy is home and safe and recovering but it might not have ended up that way, and we know that many children there dont always end up like we did.
So today on this day of thanks I will never take for granted my children's good health. The night we were all able to be home again under the same roof was like heaven. No matter what time Cece decided it was time to wake up or the blowout Arloboy gifted us that morning, it all brought smiles to my face.
I hope you all understand my abscence and that you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.

Happy 2 Months to our Owl Boy!

2011-11-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

Happy 2 Months Arlo!

What a great milestone to hit.

Stats: 10lbs 11oz: 23 1/2 in

Sleep: 8:30pm to 5:00am

You have really turned a corner this last week and definitely for the better son.

You were a bit on the fussy side for a while, and though your Dad and I didn't mind we are sure glad you are feeling better and your personality is starting to shine through.

You are a wiggle worm already, and when we laid you on your sheets for tummy time, you laughed at Curious George for a while.

You still resemble your Father for the most part hence the picture of you best feature...the nose:)

But as you have gotten bigger you have surprisingly have a few more features of me than I thought, and definitely more than your sister.

You are a force to be reckoned with Arlo boy, but I'm sure God knew that when he decided we should be your parents. You see, your Dad and I don't back down very easily and we don't give up with out a very big fight, and lucky for us it has been all worth it.

Now your recent nickname, Owl boy is not with out a story.

We had been trying everything to get you to smile, then one morning your Dad started to make hooting noises at you and magically it was like a light went off and we got the biggest smile, dimples and all from your sweet face.

It was the best feeling in the world to see you happy!

Now whenever we want you to smile we just give you a hoot your way and like magic that mischievous grin spreads across your face.

I gladly take credit for you and your sister's dimples and big smiles, it is the one feature that I have given you that takes full attention on your faces. I'm assuming my unattractive personality traits (stubbornness, temper and great ability to hold things in) are hiding in both of you and will soon make their appearance when you grow.

But for now little boy we are greatly enjoying everything you have brought to our lives.

L-

Mama

Halloween 2011

2011-11-05T10:56:00.000-05:00

We had

A Peacock

A chicken

And a Moose

We were just a bunch of animals this year.

And yes my niece's costume is completly made of feathers and must have weighted more than she did, but it was adorable.

When it rains/Happy List

2011-11-02T05:42:00.000-05:00

the past week or so we have just been hit with one thing after another.

it has been enough to rip my hair out.

im hoping that thing will work themselves out annd we can get back to normal again real soon.

life really loves to throw nate and i curve balls way to often.

anyway i thought this would be a good time to make a happy list. sometimes all we need is a little reminder.

arlos smiles he has been giving us every morning

cece spelled out her own name yesterday

the chance of snow showers this afternoon

arlos new sleep schedule giving me lots of well rested mornings

the holidays are getting closer

all my holiday catalogs in the mail

my niece and her super sweet but over the top halloween costume

sweet text messages from my husband

hot showers

im aware its a randomw list and that i have no punctuation and all my letters are lower case but thats the price you pay when blogging from your phone. which i dont know how ro work that well anyway.

happy wednesday.

Happy List

2011-10-20T13:24:00.000-05:00

1. Arlo's teachers at daycare think he so handsome!

2. Cece's excitement for her class field trip to the pumpkin patch!

3. Daddy's return home and then staying home!!!

4. Fun plans for the weekend with the kiddos

5. How clean my house is...for now.

6. The cool air on my morning walks

7. Less than 2 weeks till November!

8. Christmas movies already being played on T.V

9. Arlo's pleasant disposition lately:)

10. This Mama got 10 hours of sleep last night!

Happy List

2011-10-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

1. Happy family outtings (Arlo is in the sling)

2. My new gray nail polish for Fall I can't wait to put on

3.Arloman's mister magoo face

4. Arloman's happy face

5. Cousins playing together on a blanket of leaves

6. Arlo growing like a weed

look at those legs!

7. Having plans with friends this weekend

8. The start of a new chapter in our lives

9. Having clean sheets

10. My husbands laugh when he walks through the door

Another Great Weekend

2011-10-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

We had another great weekend.

I'm learning that Nate and I need more time together doing fun stuff together, it really brightens our spirits and makes us much happier individuals.

Usually the routine is if one of us wants to go out the other stays at home with the kiddos.

Well after our dinner anniversary I realized that it just started our weekend off so well.

So this past Friday we called our wonderful baby-sitters Grandma and Grandpa, and asked for a little night out on the town.

Of course they always want to watch our babes so off they went while I got a shower all to myself and quiet time for almost an hour!

Nate returned to pick me up and we went down to Winterset (a small town south of us) for a street band and to hang out with some friends.

I had two drinks and was just about done for the night :).

We danced and talked and had such a great time.

We weren't out late maybe till midnight which was just enough time and we picked up the kids and tucked them in for the night and it just felt so good to have had such an enjoyable adult time with my husband and at the end of the night our little family was all tucked away and happy.

However, the next morning I nursed a bit of hang over.

So we lounged around our home the entire day.

My Dad swung by to visit and eventually Nate and C went out to check out deer or something(?).

This is what our day consisted of.

Finally around 7 Nate and I decided that we wanted to watch a movie and get some food.

So off we went to redbox for Transformers and McDonalds.

Arlo was tucked away by 8 and C quickly followed.

Sunday we went back to Winterset for the Covered Bridge Festival.

Since its in early October, it's pretty much the last time you are going to get fresh squeezed lemonade shakers, funnel cake and any type of food out of a stand.

It was all delicious.

We walked around the square, walked around the shops and of course watched the parade.

C of course made out with a full bag of candy and Arlo seems to do best snuggled up and being carried in our sling. That boy has an obsession with being close to his Mama.

We came home grilled and started talking about what we should do next weekend.

I have never been a huge fan of going out every weekend since we had our kids but I've realized that since I'm home everyday all day with the kids until Nate comes home on Friday, and since he likes to go out and is naturally super social. I think going out together is a great compromise and returning home to the kids at a decent time works for us.

Mom and Dad are happy makes for happy children too.

1 Month

2011-10-07T12:41:00.000-05:00

Our boy turned 1 month!

In my mind I kept thinking how is that even possible?

Didn't we just bring him home from the hospital?

Guess not.

So from the last time we were at the doctor here are Arlo's stats:

8.5oz, 21in

Arlo has silent reflux which we caught much sooner than Cecelia's acid reflex when she was a baby.

We knew what to look for and what the signs were.

Arlo has a little bit of a witching hour usually early morning for about an hour and then he is a perfectly happy baby unless he needs food.

He loves to look at peoples faces when he is eating or when being held, I've never been stared at so much in my life.

Arlo LOVES music it makes him so happy. Especially if Mama and C are dancing around with him and singing along he smiles and coos.

We usually are listening to country or folk music which he seems to prefer, not that he might have clue but we tried classical and he about blew a blood vessel...no joke!

Other things we notice A loves:

Having his name sung to him

Cuddling in the mornings

warmer bottles

any type of movement

his Daddy's loud voice

walking with Mama in the mornings (it has helped with witching hour)

his bouncy seat

Things Arlo HATES:

sitting still

not being able to move his legs

opening up his hands to clean them (boy has a strong grip)

the sound of the train

silence!

his car seat (unless moving)

I think so far he is doing really well. His eye that we were worried about has now corrected itself, he is getting better and better at holding his head up for longer periods of time. He also decided that he would like to sleep for 6-7 hours at a time at night.

I'm catching myself truly enjoying and soaking up his newborness for as long as it lasts. Cecelia was like a 2 year old in an infant body.

I'm not wishing away any part of this stage because I know how quickly they start to grow and become their own little person.

Happy List

2011-10-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

Happy List

1. My morning walks with my kiddos

2. Watching the daybreak and enjoying the crisp morning air

We really live in a beautiful area

3. I saw this when picking up C from school the other day

If you can't see what Cece wrote it says what makes her happy is being with her Mommmy.

4. The husband is coming home tomorrow

5. Watching C imitate the dancers on Dancing with Stars

6. The Fall foliage

7. Seeing pumpkins on every one's porches

8. Arlo decided that sleeping 6 hours straight was so much better!! So does Mama little man.

9. Having music playing in the background of our house everyday, Arloman prefers country right now we're trying to give oldies and a little rock'n roll a try as well :)

10. And this gummy smile I got this morning.

Melts my heart!

I know it's only Thursday but enjoy your upcoming weekend!

Anniversary Dinner

2011-10-05T16:13:00.000-05:00

Last Friday the Husband and I went out for dinner for our 5 year anniversary. We dropped the kids off with Grandma and Grandpa Stanley around 6:30 and off we went for our first time having a kid free meal since Arlo was born.
We never can decide on food when we go out so we went with a never fail favorite for us. P.F Changs. Of course it being Friday night and peak dinner time we expected a wait and we were offered around 45 minutes. We actually don't mind waiting when we go out for dinner together it gives us extra time to grab a drink at the bar and start our night off.
I had my first glass of wine since pregnancy and enjoyed it greatly.
A few months before Arlo was born I made a committment to try to take my time, whether it was when it was just Nate and I or when we were spending quality time with the kids, I needed to learn to slow down a bit.
So far I have been doing a great job at it and actually feel less stressed out when we are out. Nate and I took our time eating. We even ordered dessert and devoured our meals slowly and with lots of conversation.
We talked about all sorts of things but for some reason no matter what may be on our plates and no matter that our children aren't even in grade school we always get into the converstaion about where we would love to see our children go to college.
We both have our opinions but for the most part we just want to see them go and go in a timely manner. I think we will be just as excited when the time comes to start thinking about college with our kids as our kids will be to leave our home :).
I believe that we will feel so accomplished once we get our children to college, I'm sure it has a lot to do with our decisions as young adults to not go to school after high school. Now that I'm in school and almost done and Nate who decided that college wasn't something he wanted to do. I think we will both live vicariously through our kids and all the great things they will learn and experience when they head off to hopefully a college that nate and I have on our short little list of options we think would be great!
We do understand that our children will most likely surprise us and go down the path they are suppose to, we just hope that our loving guidence and life experience will hopefully push them in the right direction.
So our dinner was great and we really enjoyed each other and then after we had filled our bellies and picked up our children it felt so nice to tuck them away in our home and cuddle in without my 9 month pregnant belly getting in the way.
It was a great start to a wondeful weekend.
And for a little viewing pleasure.

Comparisons

2011-10-03T11:59:00.000-05:00

Cecelia 1 month @ pumpkin patch

Arlo 1 month old @ pumpkin patch

Cecelia

Arlo

Cecelia

Arlo

5 years

2011-09-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

I love the beatings our rings have taken over 5 years.

5 years

It almost doesn’t seem possible for 5 years to have already gone by.

I can still remember clear as day when we first met.

When we first hung out.

When we first kissed.

When you asked me to stay.

I remember when you asked me to marry you.

I remember thinking how you were saving me and you didn’t even know you were.

I have since the day I saw you have been making a mental image of you in my mind.

From your hazel eyes to the scars on your body.

I have never wanted to remember someone so badly.

To this day I still find a new scar and ask where you got it from ( you usually don’t remember)

I remember our late night phone conversations.

The first time you told me you liked me along with the second, third and fourth time (all within 5 minutes of each other).

I remember the day we got married.

I was so nervous to stand in front of our friends and family and talk about how I felt about you.

I remember not caring once the doors opened to the church.

I remember sleeping on the floor of our first home together.

I remember the first major fight we had and watching you storm off to the garage.

I remember hearing the backdoor open 5 minutes later and the apologetic look on your face.

I remember not being able to remember what that fight was even about.

I remember watching you get in a fight.

I remember being down right irate with you for fighting in the first place.

I remember telling you why it bothered me so much.

I remember you telling me it was no big deal.

I remember laughing at the scraps and blood on your face.

I remember waking you up at 6 in the morning to tell you it wasn’t going to be just the two of us anymore.

I remember the hug you gave me in bed as tears streamed down my face and you laughed.

I remember us giggling hearing that sound of horses running as we heard our child’s heartbeat for the first time.

I remember you thanking me while we were getting ready to take our daughter home from the hospital.

I remember watching you with Cecelia like she was just an extension of yourself.

I remember watching her grow in to a mini you and smiling.

I remember listening from the hall as you read her story after story till she was asleep.

I remember you hating disciplining her.

I remember surprising you for Christmas with yet another blessing joining our family.

I remember those strong arms wrapping around me and our daughter in happiness.

I remember you opening that envelope up to announce a little boy would be joining us.

I remember those silly tears pouring over my eyes, thinking of having a son.

I remember the loud laugh you gave while looking at that photo.

I remember holding Arlo for the first time with you and thinking how lucky I was.

I remember you telling me how great of a mother I am.

I remember telling you how thankful I am that you work so hard for us.

I remember just now getting of the phone with you and hearing you say I love you.

You say it the same way and with the same meaning as you did the first time I heard you say I love you.

I remember saying I love you too Nathan.

5 years babe.

5 years, 1 home, 2 children and our walls and hearts are filled with love and memories.

I couldn’t have imagined what our lives would be like when I married you that day in that small church, but you have surpassed my expectations as a husband and father.

I know the things that I will remember will keep growing and enrich my life even more and I’m so excited that you are the one by my side with that loud laugh and strong heart.

Happy Anniversary love.

Our 2 beautiful children.

Cecelia Jeneveve

Ralph Arlo

That smile still gets you out of trouble

Happy List

2011-09-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

I have several blogs that I love to read everyday, it's almost part of my daily routine.

I read this sweet little blog, I laugh when I say this simply because it's not so little this lady has almost 8,000 followers.

Anywho today she made a list of 10 things that were making her happy, and I thought I need to do that.

Especially half way through the week when the lack of sleep and the messes that the 3 year old seems to be making everywhere start to catch up to me.

So here are 10 things that are making me happy.

1. The sound of my Arlo snoring, I love that it sounds like a bear

2. That I have managed to not leave one dirty bottle in our house for more than an hour

3. The loving help I have received from my friends when I need it

4. One of my dearest friends and her growing family will be in town for a few days and I'm looking forward to seeing her!

5. The number on the scale slowly going down

6. The special ring I have for the husband when he calls, always gets my heart beating a little faster

7. My light up pumpkins on our mantel

8. The forecast for the following week is looking beautiful

9. That it is in fact Wednesday meaning only 2 full days till Nate comes barrelling through our door

10. Cecelia's 3 year pictures that I will be printing...soon...I promise family.

Happy Wednesday!

Goals

2011-09-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

Aww yes goals every new or second time plus mamas has daily goals she has simply to make it through each day. I am no exception and for me being a some sort of a routine makes my life so much easier plus my children seem to thrive when on a more set schedule.

We have a pretty busy schedule with just Cecelia's dance lessons and her preschool, so we work around that and it seems to be working out for our benefit so far.

After I had Arlo I made it a goal to take a shower everyday! I know that it may seem gross to think of someone not showering, however if you have ever had a newborn or a toddler it can be hard while you are at home all day with them to make that time to get in the shower, especially when you don't have someone relieving you at the end of the day...cough cough...Daddy...cough.

Since our Daddy travels a lot for work it's just me and the kiddos, which makes getting something as easy as a shower in everyday so difficult. However, I have been successful at getting that shower, sometimes 2 in everyday!

It truly makes such a difference in my mood. I may not blow dry my hair or put on make-up or even put on proper undergarments but I'm clean.

Another goal is making sure C gets to all of her activities on time every day she has to be there.

So far it's been a success! She has to be at school by 8 but I'm able to drop her off by 7 if I want so some days I let her sleep in and we make it there 5 minutes before school sometimes she gets there at 7 and gets to eat breakfast with her friends, it all depends on how the morning starts off.

This kid runs like clock work when it comes to his eating schedule especially from about 2pm until the following morning. Every 3-4 hours 3oz at a time and then sleeps immediately after. He usually wakes up about an hour before his bottle and we play or cuddle or he bounces. This kid loves to be moving at all times, he loves his bouncer he could sit in it all day if I kept my foot on it and bounced all day. I would have some strong calf muscles that's for sure.

He also loves to have music on in the morning it really makes a difference in his mood, which is crazy since he is only 4 weeks old.

However, this is all great but this boy needs to get on a more regulated schedule, I think I have given him and myself enough time to recover and to get him used to being on the outside.

We are already one step down with a bedtime routine. Him and C both go down at 8-8:30. I usually put C down first and she lays in bed and reads herself a book and usually passes out about 15 minutes later.

I feed Arlo around 8 or 8:30, change and swaddle him up and lay him in his bassinet. I turn his sound machine to crickets, offer his paci, he usually refuses and walk out of the room.

Boom 5 minutes later the boy is snoring up a storm and he will sleep from anywhere from 11:30-12:30, wake to eat another 3oz, pass out and fall back asleep until 5 or 6. I call that pretty good.

So now we need to work on a daily routine, getting in the set of morning nap and afternoon nap.

A little late night feeding deserves a picture of course. Arlo loves to hold his hands but I'm certain he has no clue what he is touching just yet it's still super cute to watch.

Now according to my sweet husband I need to start carving some time to do things for myself. I thinking he is referring to my feet and that a pedicure is in order :). Going to a movie or out with my friends and possibly not waiting till the last minute to work on homework.

Baby steps...right.

Homecoming in a small town!

2011-09-25T08:41:00.000-05:00

So we live in a small town West of the Des Moines area and one of the many perks of living in such a tight knit community is homecoming week.

It is such a huge deal and it always so much fun for the kids.

We have been taking Cecelia and Henry since they were born, in fact C's first football game was homecoming and she was just over 2 weeks old.

So of course we knew Arlo couldn't miss out on the fun either.

He of course did this most of the time.

The kids are now at an age that they can run around and play but are still able to stick close to us.

They loved watching the game and the band at half time too.

These two could almost pass as twins with their little noses and smiles!

And of course as parents we must keep things entertaining and teach them how to scream TOUCHDOWN!

It was so nice to get out of the house to do something fun since Arlo was born.

Mostly when we are heading out it's because we need to run errands, get Cece to preschool or dance or go to the doctor.

So I caught myself truly enjoying myself the other night and was surprised that I hadn't realized that this Mama needs to make just a little more time for herself, okay maybe a lot more time for herself.

But it made me really thankful for having friends so close by and who enjoy doing fun things with their kids as well, and that our kids love being around each other. No matter what the age difference is they are usually having a good time.

So here is to more good times with my family and friends!

Letters to my Son:

2011-09-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Arlo,

Oh my dear boy, I still have not come to terms with how absolutely in love with you I am.

I had made some predictions about you before you joined our family and some of them were correct and others we wont know till the future. However, the love that your Daddy and I have for you is stronger than we imagined.

We know what it's like to love a child, you sister is one of our greatest accomplishments and gifts we have ever been given. So we thought we understood how we would feel when you entered our world and once again we were struck down by how much we forget and how much the feeling of bringing another life into this world can bring you to your knees.

You are everything and nothing like your sister.

You are your Daddy's boy and there is no denying who you look like, I already knew that you would resemble him to a T.

You have the fuzziest golden hair and when you get even the slightest bit warm it curls up in the back.

Your eyes are a beautiful shade of navy blue but I'm sure they will change through the next couple of months.

You have hands that are a miniature version of you fathers.

People ask if you are a good baby, and in all aspects you are a very good baby.

I mention things that I believe about your tiny little personality to people and they wonder how I would even assume things about such a new baby, but I think people forget that I am your mother and that I have had you all to myself for months now.

You may resemble your Daddy but you have your Mama's temper and also the hardship of calming down once upset.

You love to be swaddled and cuddled.

This is something I am not use to, but am growing more and more fond of each day.

I enjoy that if you are upset that I am the one to help you calm down, I hope it stays like this till you are an adult. Hopefully, I can teach you how to do it on your own but it feels good to be needed.

You are starting to be more alert and really pay attention to my face and you make the cutest noises, when you are really focusing on something.

Arlo, you have to much strength for how tiny you are and I know you will outgrow me soon, so I'm soaking up all the cuddles and loving that you are needing now.

I have truly enjoyed having a son, and you have passed any and all expectation I had in my mind of what you would be like.

You may come from a long line of tradition on your Daddy's side and have rather a large name to fill as you grow. We know you will make a million and one mistakes and that you will fall and need help getting back up and we are proud to be the people to help you do that.

We have no further expectations for you than to be happy, healthy and for you to always know just how much we love you.

L-

Mama

Our week and weekend happenings!

2011-09-19T08:24:00.000-05:00

This is what a newborn will do to your once clean nightstand.

We keep the essentials for the overnight feeding, yes we are down to only one, close by so that we aren't getting up more than neccessary.

Arlo has been a champ with eating and sleeping, he goes every 3-4 hours during the day and he is up to almost 5 at night.

Of course I think it has to do with the pacifier that he has taken a liking too. He was not a fan of the newborn pacifier that they give you in the hospital.

We also had a big milestone this past week, our tiny dancer started dance lessons and she was a huge fan.

I think the "costume" was her favortie part of the night though.

Thankfully this week went by pretty quickly and since we were struck with some rainy weather and chilly temperatures the entire weekend we did a lot of this.

On Sunday Nate and C made a huge dinner that including; bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes and hashbrowns.

Of course when your stuck inside you have to be creative with entertaining your toddler.

Which is when a large box comes in handy. After cleaning up the kitchen from dinner, I walked in to find not only my small daughter playing in this box but my large husband as well. The funniest thing was that they are laying the same exact way. C is her Daddy's biggest fan.

Of course we did accomplish some things like putting away are summer clothes and breaking out our fall wardrobes. It was also so nice to get rid of my maternity clothes, we are still up for having maybe one more baby, but after 2 pregnancies those clothes have taken a beating.

So I'm sticking with yoga pants for a few more weeks:)

So after a long rainy weekend it was so refreshing to wake up to this; this morning.

The sun coming up and shining through the fog. It's suppose to be one of the warmest days of the week today, a high of 78* yippie!

So we will be taking are new double stroller for a serious power walk this afternoon.

Hope everyone has a great start to their weekend.

What a difference 3 years can make and beautiful flaws!

2011-09-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

3 years ago we brought home our first baby. Things went a lot differently then they are going now. For example when we brought Cecelia home our home was a chaotic mess! All I wanted to do was sleep when she did, watch television and just take care of her.

I can already tell that in the past 2 weeks that Arlo has been with us I'm a totally different type of woman and mother. I'm slightly more organized, our home is clean and I'm still accomplishing all the things I need to during the day while taking care of Arlo and Cecelia.

I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that I have been at home with C for the past 2 years and this is just part of my daily routine now. Of course I think a huge part has to do with my age. I had C when I was 23 years old, I had Arlo shortly after turning 26.

In the grand scheme of things I didn't think 3 years would make such a difference in the type of person I have become and am still growing into.

Nate and I aren't stressed out kind of parents, when our kids cry we don't freak out, when things aren't just perfect (which they rarely are) we don't over analyze or worry. We just take what were given and make the absolute best of it and give our children as much love was we have in our hearts and that seems to be working out so far.

We have the tendency to make what could be a serious situation into a joke, simply because that is how we both deal with stress.

For example Arlo was born with his right eye very crossed. It has since slowly started to straighten out, but is still not exactly where it needs to be.

Instead of worrying about what we may need to face in the future with his eye sight or what we need to do to correct it we simply start making jokes about our little golden haired cross eyed little man.

Does that mean we want him to have a challenge like that when he gets older? NO! However, there are some things that are just in God's hands and we except that and hope to teach our children that as well.

This is one of the first pictures we got of his eyes shortly after we came home.

At first it was scary and I was worrying internally about what if they didn't correct themselves.

But then a few days later we able to see the white of the inside of his eye (which we hadn't yet).

Even though it is still noticeably crossed his eyes have become one of our favorite things to take pictures of.

Crossed or not he has beautiful eyes, they are rimed in navy blue and the insides are this very deep blue color.

This was taken just on Sunday (by Nate hence the silly photo) and we can see a noticeable difference. However whether they ever become perfect or not he is our son and he is perfect to us.

Of course it doesn't surprise us that our kids have astonishing eyes.

I don't know how many times we are stopped to get asked just what color Cecelia's are, and we just say hazel, of course I consider them more of a steam color.

We are so pleased with our two little blessings we have made together, and no matter how much we still continue to grow as parents we will always be learning and changing just like them.

Hopefully they will realize that we will indeed make mistakes, we just pray that it wont have a direct effect on their lives.

In our minds the love we have for our little family will always be our saving grace.

2011-09-11T09:34:00.001-05:00

For the past couple of weeks I’m sure you all have been hearing non-stop about the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. At first when they kept talking about having everyone remember that day and the events that took place I kept saying “I really don’t want to.” I remember watching those images burned into my head hours after hours on television, not only at school but when I got home and for weeks following the attacks. I remember watching them at a friends house after school got out and watching her mother cry.

I remember calling my mother in a panic to make sure my uncle who was working at the Pentagon was alright and hearing the relief in her voice when she was able to tell me that his area was actually across the street do to construction of their offices at the Pentagon. Not even in my ceramics class did we get a relief from the images that were playing on the screen.

I remember driving to school that morning and instead of my regular radio station playing it was a national news cast doing a play by play of what was going on in New York. It took me a while to truly understand what was going on and just how grave of a situation it was. I have seen several commercials about the memorial coming up this weekend and one of them has the actual scene of the first plan going into the twin towers. It stills stings my eyes to imagine those people who were trapped in those building, that jumped out of windows to end their misery, the firefighters that were willingly running towards the falling buildings.

I remember hearing the story of Flight 93 and those brave passengers who saved countless lives in their heroic acts of taking over that plane. To hear the story of the man that was able to talk to his wife and having to make that heart wrenching goodbye to her. I couldn’t imagine having to do that with Nathan, in fact I wouldn’t have been able to.

For all those families that were left behind and affected by such tragic events, I choose to look back and remember. I get the opportunity to have my memories of that day fade to the back of my mind and so many of those people that died, their families don’t get that luxury.

I pray that our children will never have to live to see something as horrific as we did that day.

Our Boy

2011-09-08T20:28:00.000-05:00

Has metled our hearts!

He has been an absolute joy so far.

I'm well aware that he is only a week old but darn it, he is to cute!

Hello World!

2011-09-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

This is the time that our little family of three grew to a little family of four!

(how nate got a picture of this i will never know)

Ralph Arlo Stanley V

was born at 8:25 pm on August 31st 2011.

He made a very quick entrance into our lives with only a 3 and half hour labor, which I'm very thankful for.

He is the sweetest little boy I have ever laid eyes on.

He is the spitting image of his Daddy.

Our hearts are full of joy and love for our newest addition and I can't imagine our home without our sweet boy in it.

Big sister Cecelia is very involved in trying to take care of Arlo.

She wants to see his face all the time and she is so gentle when touching him.

She has a short attention span so after a few minutes she runs along to go play with something and we feel like she is adjusting very well to our attention being placed on someone else.

As for myself I'm feeling great, labor was fast but manageable.

We got to the hospital and I was already a 6 and progressing fast, but after begging my boy to stay in just long enough for me to get admitted and the chance at an epidural things moved along quickly.

We had an amazing experience with Arlo's delivery everything from our room down to the staff was above and beyond and we are so pleased with our birth experience and how he entered the world.

Cece welcomed us home with a little sign for Arlo and we have been doing well with feedings and sleep.

He eats well, burps easily and besides having his diaper changed is the most laid back and calm baby.

(I really need to teach nate how to work my camera)

To our surprise this little boy is all about the cuddles and kisses. This is a huge difference between him and C, she was independent from the moment she left my body. Arlo on the other hand will allow anyone to snuggle on him and show us his deep dimples when kissing his cheeks.

Our Arlo.

There are no words to explain the love we have for you little boy.

Letters to my daughter

2011-09-05T21:04:00.002-05:00

Dear Cecelia-

Today exactly 3 years ago you made a swift and timely appearance into our lives. You gave us the gift of becoming parents, something no matter how many other children may enter our home you are the only one that gave us those titles.

In the past 3 years you have changed our lives into something out of book, there is trials and tribulations but there are moments that are sometimes so full of joy and blessing that I have to take a step back and realize that this is not a dream that I was given you as a child to make me a better woman.

You had your Daddy’s heart from the moment he heard you cry for the first time and to this day he would never deny that fact. As a matter of fact he is sitting on the couch watching Open Season 2 with you and snacking on popcorn just because you had been begging him all weekend to do so. It may seem like a simple thing to do for you but the difference between just doing it and enjoying it are two different things. He purely enjoys doing things with you whether it may be watching a movie with you, playing outside or teaching you how to ride your bike. There is never any resentment or fighting with him when it comes to being with you and putting a smile on your face.

So today on your 3rd birthday we have done everything you wanted, playing with your best friend, going to the Science Center, getting French fries and watching a movie and eating popcorn with M&M’s.

I have to admit last night after I got done feeding your brother it just so happened to be right before you time of birth 3 years ago, 1:30am. So being the sentimental mom that I am I wandered into your room to take a peak at my first baby. You were sprawled out on the bed mouth wide open and your eyelashes were creating a shadow on your sweet cheeks. You had cuddled up to your blanket and several books from your collection. I had the urge to grab my camera but remembered that some things will never leave my memory and watching you sleep no matter the night of your birthday or any night in general the way you sleep is burned into my mind. No matter how awful or great of a day I have had checking on you in the night is something that has always melted my heart.

So much has changed for you in the past couple of months from starting daycare, dealing with a pregnant Mama, starting preschool, not having your Daddy home all the time and now helping us bring home your baby brother. Like I have always said you take change as if it were second nature and we are so grateful for that characteristic. You absolutely adore brother and have yet to be unkind to him in anyway. Even though one day he will take on the role of protector for you, your Dad and I know that you will play that role until he is old enough to take it over.

Happy birthday sweet girl! You have your Dad and I so excited to see what else you will bring to our lives in the coming years. It has been bittersweet watching you grow into the little girl that you have become and we like to think we have had a little influence in that.

We love you Cecelia!

Celebrating a weekend as a family of 3

2011-08-29T08:15:00.000-05:00

We had another fun filled weekend in the Stanley family. However, it was a little different then our usual busy weekends, because this weekend it was all about spending time as a family.

Baby boy's due date is Friday...FRIDAY! Now I'm fully aware that he could come sooner or later which we are fine at this point with either way.

But knowing that this weekend could possibly be our last as a family of 3 Nate and I made the conscious decision to spend needed time together as well as with just each other. Even if he doesn't make his way till after next weekend I feel a lot better knowing we got that time together.

Here is a few phone photos of what we were up to.

On Thursday we spent the afternoon with my niece and since Kadence is on the cusp of teething clothes just seem to get wet so naked baby is much easier to wipe up:). Well of course C thought being naked was just to much fun for only Kadence to enjoy.

After Nate got off work we ate dinner together and headed home for some late night snacks.

But of course I can't forget one of the biggest moments of the week and that was as of Wednesday our little girl officially became a preschooler!

This is her first day of school picture!

I cried enough the day before so the day I dropped her off with her backpack and school supplies I was just over joyed that she was turning into such a fine little lady.

Friday I have no pictures of but I surprised Nate by getting my sister and mom to watch Cecelia overnight so that we could do a dinner and movie date and sleep in on Saturday. However, we made it through dinner and then after sitting there for a few hours eating and chatting and making predictions of our soon to be son we were both so stuffed and tired that our bed sounded like the best place to be. Of course we swung by McDonald's first for some mini rolo Mcflurrys.

We slept in until 9 and then made our way to Des Moines to pick up our girl.

We came home and hung out and then got ready for Grandma Stanley's 50th birthday party.

We all had a blast and got home around 10:00 pm which then Nate decided to set up a tent in the family room for him and C to camp under.

Since our room looks into the family room when I woke up early the next morning it brought the biggest smile to my face to see my loves snuggled up together.

Once they woke up we headed into town for some major errand running and of course some Dahls breakfast.

The best part of Sunday was that I truly made an effort to not worry about how long it was taking us to get things done. I didn't rush the day away by hurrying. So we took our time and I didn't look at the clock until we got in the car to head home.

Once we were home I usually start freaking out that we need to get dinner done and projects finished and get C in the shower and bed. But we took our time we all lounged for a good 2 hours, slowly put our stuff away from the day and we didn't eat dinner until 8. We played with C outside, let her have a cherry coke at dinner and I don't think she crawled into bed until after 9. Nate and I soon followed into our own bed and for the first time I felt like we actually accomplished what we set out to do and that was just be together.

Of course the long day took a toll on our girl because this morning when Nate brought her into our room for our early morning cuddle she fell right back to sleep for another hour an a half. Mornings are one of my favorite parts of the day with my girl, especially when the sun is seeping through the blinds and her face still has that slight baby look to it when it's relaxed.

So now it's Monday the weekend is officially over and we have no plans until C's official birthday next Monday and to think we could possibly have a new addition by then is mind blowing.

So we are in the waiting addition of pregnancy as well as fielding the calls of "wheres baby" "whens baby coming" "Have you had the baby yet". However, it's all because people are so excited to meet this boy, so I have to remember that.

To my Son

2011-08-25T09:53:00.002-05:00

Baby Boy:

You will be arriving soon and the anticipation is starting to be building within our walls of our small home. You Daddy is anxiously waiting for the phone call from me to make his way home from work or head to the hospital. He is beyond excited to see who you look like and what crazy antics you will come up with that he can possibly match.

Your big sister is asking everyday when she will be able to hold you and look at you. Whether she is as gentle with you as we hope we know you will roll with whatever she may throw at you (I mean that literally). She loves you but she also is not use to being around little babies just large toddlers.

As for me every time I sit down to write this out and figure out how I feel about you joining our family I can’t help but get tongue tied and confused about what I want to put down. Words are just not enough to convey how astonished I am to bring a son into this world and into our little family. I already have an intense love for you little boy and I don’t have a clue what dynamic you will bring to our home. However no matter what hoops you make your Dad and I jump through to make you happy and to continue this life we are living you will be the third most wanted person in my life and even though that may seem weird to hear you father, sister and you are all equally loved by me.

I have so much anticipation about how I will feel when I see you with your Dad for the first time or when your sister kisses you for the first time, it gets me emotional just envisioning the moments that are yet to come and I am already sad to know that they will soon pass and we will be moving on to more milestones. Our days together are numbered before I must share you with the world and even though I know so many people are waiting to meet you I will miss having you all to myself. I haven’t been alone for 9 months and even though I know you will be by my side shortly for years to come there is nothing like feeling you roll around in my belly or give a swift kick to my side when you sister is sitting on you.

I have my ideas about the type of boy you will be and just how you will follow in your father’s footsteps but since I’m fully aware that children never do what you think they will I will keep them to myself for now. There are a few things I’m almost certain of:

1. You will be born with force and assurance

2. You will have just as many if not more stork bites on your little newborn body (just like you sister)

3. You will love as hard as you play

4. You will have your father as tightly wrapped around your finger as your sister does (and he will love every minute of it)

5. You will make me cry from pure happiness

6. You will be the first trip to the emergency room

7. You will make our hearts grow in size when we set our eyes on you and that feeling is not something we are prepared for but are certainly excited about.

Just remember son you are loved by us and have been waiting for you for a very long time. We know you will arrive when you and my body are ready and not a moment before. So continue to grow but eventually little man you will make your way into this crazy world and we will be ready.

Love-

Mama

Over the Weekend!

2011-08-22T10:44:00.000-05:00

To say we had a busy weekend would be a complete understatement but that is what it was, a busy weekend!

I think I prayed several times Thursday and Friday to please keep my body from going into labor just so that we could make it through this weekend.

Prayers were answered and we had a fun filled weekend with our friends and family.

Since we are expecting this little man to arrive on or around September 2nd and Cecelia's birthday being September 5th Nate and I agreed that having Cecelia's 3rd birthday party before her actual birthday was a good idea. This meant she got all the attention, I would most likely not be in labor and her birthday would go off just like we would want.

We think everyone had a good time, but the important thing was that C had a GREAT time and that was our entire goal.

She got some special gifts including a new swing set, dance lessons, a monogrammed backpack for pre-school, lots of play make-up and she loved everything.

We are so very blessed with such great friends and family that love our daughter so much.

The only downfall of throwing a big birthday party for you daughter while 38 weeks pregnant would be my camera some how did not make an appearance and I was taking lots of breaks to sit and let my super swollen feet take a rest.

After the big birthday part was over and a success we all crawled into bed to get ready for our day at the State Fair on Sunday.

Now feeling rested from a good night's sleep the camera made it's way back out.

We started out on little hands on the farm, which the kids were a little disappointed that they weren't actually planting real food are helping with real animals.

But they enjoyed it anyway.

Henry especially loved the toy tractors, in fact so much it took both Nate and Ashley to get him off of it.

After seeing the baby animals and making a food stop to pick up some fried butter (for Nate), cheese curds, root beer, cornbrat, lemonade, gyro and a corndog we made our way to the big slide.

Which this year was the first year that the kiddos decided they wanted to go by themselves.

Now Henry being 5 months older then C and having a good 15 pounds on her, wouldn't think he would truck down that slide as quick as he did. Notice him leading the way! Nate had to pull C's sack down because she wasn't getting much speed.

It was great to watch and Henry got some major air about the second slope down.

As you can see by the look on all their faces they had a blast and thought Henry's sliding ability was pretty entertaining.

Both kids wanted to go another round but we made our way to Snakes Alive, which I kindly sat out and ate some Dippin Dots instead.

And of course one of the happiest babies ever joined us this year. Ashley and I were talking about how last year she was still a good 4 months away from giving birth to her while we walked around the fair and now she is crawling and laughing up a storm.

That of course got us thinking that next year we will have 2 four year olds, an almost 2 year old and an almost 1 year old. It absolutely blows my mind to think of how fast time really goes by.

After our little adventures with the kids we headed to the barns and stopped for more food, which included 2 more corndogs, lemonade, turkey legs, peppermint bar, 3 wonder bars between the adults, and a large pop.

We walked around and looked at the farm equipment and about that time this pregnant lady and the kiddos started to hit a wall.

So we headed out of the fairground with one more lemonade and a strawberry smoothie and some very large and swollen feet.

And this is what the fair will do to an almost 3 year old not even out of the parking grounds.

By the time we got home she still slept for another hour and a half, while we relaxed on the couch.

We ended the night with left over birthday food, watching Rio and snacking on popcorn and M&M's.

It was a great weekend and we all were pretty worn out.

Now we are in full focus on finishing up stuff for baby boy to arrive as well as soaking up as much time with our daughter as possible before she becomes a big sister.

Summer is slowly coming to an end and it makes me a little sad to put away the swimming pool and go through the summer clothes that I know will no longer fit our little girl next year but we have so much to look forward to this Fall and Winter so it's bittersweet but more on the sweet side.

Cecelia's Birth Story Part 2

2011-08-16T14:43:00.000-05:00

Once we got into our hospital room and I was hooked up to an I.V (not with out blowing at least one of my veins first) she asked if I wanted any pain medicine and I accepted. In my mind this was going to be the typical 20 hour labor situation. So by 10:00 I was admitted and ready to go. By this time I had given Nate the go ahead to call parents and let them know we were admitted, well it didn’t take long for my Mom to stop by, she literally poked her head in our door said she was hear with a book and if Nate and I needed anything she would be in the waiting room. Well of course Nate needed a sandwich, so off my Mom went to hunt down something for Nate to eat.

The next few hours were pretty relaxing with the little medicine I had, we kept the room dimly light and t.v and radio off. It was just Nate and I sitting in our room talking and holding hands and this was probably my favorite part of the entire experience (of course until C was born). My sister made an appearance after she and Andy had went out to dinner and she had obviously had to much wine and I asked her to immediately leave the room. For some reason smells were extremely intensified while I was in labor, so much so that I made Nate change his shirt because I could smell his deodorant (which has never bothered me before) and brush his teeth because I didn’t like the smell of the mayonnaise that must have been on his sandwich from earlier (I couldn’t even tell you now what mayonnaise smells like).

The nurse came in around 1am to check to see if I was dilated and when she mentioned I was at a 5 she asked if an epidural was in my birth plan and I said we don’t have a birth plan but yes an epidural would be fine. I still wasn’t in a lot of pain but my contractions were rolling now and I wasn’t getting much of a break.

“Lucky” for me the anesthesiologist was just outside and was ready to hook me up, when he walked in looking 20 I should have known he was fresh out of medical school, not to mention ever so good looking. I could hear Nate laughing at my expression while he was explaining the procedure to me knowing I was so embarrassed by my appearance. It felt like a few minutes and the next thing I know I have my epidural in and they are trying to put a catheter in me which was the worst part of the whole damn labor since I could feel the entire thing and they thought I was just being dramatic, since you shouldn’t feel anything from the waist down with the epidural. Well after 20 minutes of not feeling anything go away the doctor came back in and did some tests to see if I could feel certain things and temperatures. Sure enough my epidural had failed and the doctor was pretty much dumb founded.

As he was talking to us I just had the sudden urge to push and I looked over at Nate and said I either I need to push or I need to go to the bathroom immediately. I was only at a 5 20 or 30 minutes earlier so they got the nurse who came in and of course there was that stupid expression like “oh honey you shouldn’t need to push” and I knew immediately I needed to when I saw her surprised face and whispered you are already at a 10. All of a sudden things went into to high speed motion, she was on her phone calling for the NICU, the doctor and the delivery equipment all the while I could only talk to Nate and tell him I really really would like to push now. He hovered over me while people ran in and out of the room and when the doctor took my epidural out and mentioning that this wouldn’t do me any good now the best part was when the catheter came out as well!

Nate wasn’t letting anyone near me that wasn’t a doctor or ready to catch our daughter I had never seen him in such an overprotective state before, but as soon as the doctor walked into the room I was ready to go and 2 pushes later Nate left my side to join our daughter. There were no tears, no over dramatic cuss words spoken, there were no threats made towards my husband or anyone else, I just remember Nate and I laughing in an almost euphoric state of mind. While the doctor took care of me I was asking Nate all sorts of questions, how big, how long, how much hair, did they suck her out alright, was she actually a she.

Half way through my rambling of questions he brought her over for me to see and even with the swarm of people buzzing around cleaning up it was so silent in my mind and we were holding our daughter and beginning our new life as a family.

This is where I would like to do some things differently with this delivery. My mom hadn’t came back into our room since she dropped off Nate’s sandwich a few hours earlier. So thinking that I was still laboring she poked her head back in and there was Nate and all these nurses running around and he was holding her first grandchild. She was fully expecting to walk in and see my still laboring the room still quiet and dark and definitely didn’t expect to see that we had already had the baby. She just kind of squealed “What happened?” Nate explained that it all happened pretty fast and that Cecelia was perfect. After that we had a lot of visitors keep in mind Cecelia was born at 1:48 am on September 5th. Nate’s parents came down around 3 am my sister, Andy and two of our closest family friends who waited with my Mom all night also came in real quick to take a peek and by 4 am we were finally alone. At the time it didn’t bother me and everything happened so fast I didn’t really have time to react or convey my feelings.

However, this time around I’m thinking we will ask for a few hours of alone time with the baby, Nate and I. Whether he is born during the day or the middle of the night I think this is something that is really important in the bonding process and will give me enough time to heal without a lot of interruptions.

When I reflect on my experience with Cecelia I couldn’t have lucked out any better than I did. Nate was amazing being my voice to everyone around me, he was patient and supportive but didn’t bother me with to many questions or concerns either. I knew my Mom was out in the waiting room but she gave me all the space in the world I forgot most of the time she was there, but I knew if I needed her she would be have been doing anything she could have, but she knew to stay in the waiting room and to only direct questions to Nate for the most part, but she kept her questions to 1 or 2 at the most the 2 times she did poke her head in.

Of course the best part of the whole thing was the outcome, we had given birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl who was now cuddled up on her Daddy’s chest snoozing away. Going back and trying to remember all the details of that night its hard but I’m glad I can remember most of them and it makes me calmer for this labor knowing that I can do this and that my body has already successfully done it once.

I know complications can come about and that not everything goes as planned but we are flexible and put a lot of trust into our doctors who we respect and appreciate since they give us that same respect and appreciation back. I think that makes a huge difference as well.

So now almost exactly 3 years to the date we are slowly preparing for our second child with just as much anticipation as the first. Will everything go as we would like, absolutely not but if we can come out with the same outcome a healthy baby and Mom then we will deem it a success.

Cecelia's Birth Story Part 1

2011-08-16T14:30:00.000-05:00

With the impending birth of our son, my mind has been frequently going back to the day Cecelia was born and all that lead up to that moment. There is a lot that I would like to do differently as far as how we handle things after delivery with this little man but since I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened with Cecelia I thought it was about time to write down her story.

Cecelia’s due date was originally set as September 5th, however little did I know after an early ultrasound she was dating more around the 8th but they told me they wouldn’t change it do to it only be a few days difference. So September 5th is the due date we always went with and sure enough that was in her plans as well.

I had a regular doctors appointment on the 3rd, we did the usual check up, blood pressure, pulse, belly measurement ect. Since this was my last scheduled appointment for my pregnancy we obviously did an internal too. My doctor being so kind said she would give me about a finger tip of dilation. What? Here I thought my body was really getting its self ready for delivery and my doctor was giving my some sort of progress just out of pity. However, she swore she didn’t think I would be seeing her in this office again until after my baby was born.

Sure enough feeling defeated I left and called Nate telling him we obviously were not going to be having a baby until 42 weeks yada yada yada. My husband being the eternal optimist that he is reassured me that she will be here any day. Me being the “realist” that I am rolled my eyes.

The next day being the 4th and not having any plans of being done with work until I went into labor headed to work and while I was there started to have very infrequent contractions that maybe were 50 seconds and only every 30 minutes or so, nothing to even mention really. But do to my ever growing swollen feet and waddle my boss must have felt pity on me as well and sent me home early. In my mind this was not great, now I was going to have to go sit at home until analyze every little thing my body did from here on out.

After driving home and watching television, I noticed that those contractions were starting to get a little more noticeable, nothing painful by any means but annoying for sure. After about 2 hours of a few of these stronger contractions I thought I would hop in the shower to see if that would help not to mention I just had this sudden urge to shave my legs.

I got in the shower probably about 4:30 or so thinking Nate wouldn’t be home for another hour an half so I had plenty of time to take a long quiet relaxing shower. Once in the shower my body immediately reacted to the water and the contractions stopped, so on I went shampooing, conditioning, shaving and about half way through my mind flashed an image of the hospital and I knew that we should probably be heading there soon.

Well after that thought crossed my mind my contractions picked up again and this time they were lasting a minute and coming every 7 minutes. I stayed in the shower until the water was to cold to stand and I got out. Dreading the idea of getting dressed I made a phone call to a good friend and we chatted all while I was working through contractions. Then the intensity of the contractions picked up and I thought it was about time to call Nate.

Sure enough Nate was already off work being it was almost 6 and he had made a pit stop at the store to pick up some new mixed drink of Jack Daniels (I’m not sure if that was the liquor in it or not) and coke mixture. Only my husband would be picking up alcohol while I was going into labor. As I told him I thought we needed to head to the hospital that something just wasn’t feeling right anymore I immediately heard his truck rev up a little more through the phone and I “kindly” reminded him that a speeding ticket was not in our budget.

So here I am almost 6:30 still in my towel, haven’t brushed my hair I knew our bags were partially packed and then there was a knock on the door. My in-laws had swung up town to grab something for dinner and were stopping by to see if we wanted to join. So that was the motivation for me to actually get clothes on and I opened the door with the most forced smile and fake attitude I have ever pulled off. See our plan was to not tell anyone when we left for the hospital since I didn’t want a lot of attention or people waiting while I worked through a 20 hour labor. So I let them in and we chatted for a few minutes and I kept excusing my self to the bedroom to work through a contraction and then came back out a little more refreshed then when I left them.

A few minutes of playing cool with the in-laws Nate comes rushing through the back door in full on panic mode. As soon as he saw his parents in our family room he came to a dead stop looked at me and knew I hadn’t mentioned my urgency to go to the hospital. So he slowed it down and chatted with his parents while I waddled to the bedroom to take a break and try to pack our bags. Nate said we had plans in Des Moines and that we would talk to them later. So off they headed and as soon as the door shut Nate was back in panic mode.

Once he realized that I wasn’t in to much pain or that there was no baby crowing he jumped in the shower while I finished packing. Around 7:30 we were out the door and heading to Des Moines to the hospital. Of course we had to stop for gas and for Nate to pick up a non-alcoholic drink for the hospital. While paying inside I called the hospital and let them know we were coming in and that my contractions were now lasting a full minute and were down to every 4 minutes. After the nurse found out I wasn’t due till the 8th even though I told her the 5th and that I was a first time mom I could hear the skepticism flow through her voice like here comes another false alarm.

By the time we got to the hospital and they got us hooked up in triage, the nurse took one look at my swollen feet and immediately assumed I had pre-e or toxemia. Nope lady I just carry a lot of water towards the end of my pregnancies thank you for noticing. But to be on the safe side they wanted me to do a blood and urine sample. Of course my blood pressure was just a few points over my normal range and after she did my internal and said my cervix was still closed the doctor came back in to tell me I would most likely not be having this baby tonight. Great!

Once the blood was drawn and they got me out of the bed to use the shared restroom in triage I gave them my sample and as I was opening the door to return to our little corner in triage I stepped right into a huge pool of water, my water, my brown water. My water had broke all over this bathroom we had to share with 2 other couples waiting to get admitted and there was obviously something wrong with the color. So I yelled in a whisper for Nate to poke his head out of our curtain and when he did he immediately assumed I peed all over the floor. After seeing the look of horror on my face he knew that it obviously wasn’t pee.

He grabbed a nurse who immediately got me back into bed and cleaned up my swimming pool of a mess in the bathroom. For some reasons my babies make a lot of water to surround themselves in and I probably could have filled 3 milk jugs with my amniotic fluid. The nurse checked my cervix again after it had only been a few minutes and sure enough I was already at a 3. So with the merchonium being in my water, my water obviously breaking and the fact that I was dilating so quickly got them moving and admitting us into the hospital and the nurses didn’t say another word about me not having this baby tonight or anytime soon.

AUGUST!

2011-08-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

So my last post was such a downer, so to make up for it here is a card a saw at Target the other while shopping for the hundred birthdays that are taking place in the grand month of August.

It reminded me of one of my dearest friends, Emina, we always make fun of how after pregnancy you just don't have the greatest control of some normal body functions.

So of course what do I do? Text it to her.

This is the front of the card.

And the inside.

It was just to funny and I got a great laugh out of it while in the card aisle.

Moving on from the inappropriate card.

So some things that we have been up to.

Digging up our front yard...again.

Problem is almost fixed.

However, C loved riding in the "digger" with her Daddy

and actually cried when he took it back to work with him.

We also got Cecelia's birthday invitations sent out last week and it was

nice to get things rolling on that.

The end of July was a very eventful one as well.

Daddy went fishing and camping this weekend so C and I had a breakfast date

which of course involved a sprinkled long john from Dahls...yum!

Snuggling with my baby niece while my sister and mom worked on painting baby boy's

nursery.

Very soon will it almost be done, I mean it has to be considering we have about 4 1/2 weeks left till D-Day.

And of course some fun in the backseat with Miss. C herself. This is how she enjoys jamming out to music on our way into town. How can you not love how goofy she truly is?

And of course C thought that baby boy needed to talk to Daddy on the phone.

She cracks me up the way she thinks. It was a priceless moment and I wish I would have had my actual camera close by.

So now that it's officially August we have a jammed packed month and all of our weekends pretty much full to the brim!

Just this week alone I have finals, 3 different birthday dinners, as well as some other projects to get finished.

However, there is a relaxing boating trip on Sunday with our friends that should be a good time if the weather holds out.

As for the rest of the 3 weeks of August we have C's birthday part, State Fair family day, finish up projects, more birthday parties, C starts preschool, I start another semester of school and of course we have that small thing of having a baby coming soon!

Ahh the joys of family and life!

Oh Confessions

2011-07-26T16:44:00.000-05:00

I just have to get a few things off my chest!

1. I haven't brushed my teeth all day

2. My daughter is still running around in her pajamas(and dress up high heels) it's 5:00 p.m

3. I still have my pajamas on

4. I'm beyond exhausted today

5. I attempted to paint the baby's room today and failed...miserably

6. #5 makes me really angry for some reason

7. I have not cooked an actual meal since December

8. I have a computer assignment due today and frankly would like to give it the bird

9. My math teacher spent an obscene amount of time on our first chapter (which was basic review) and now is flying through this last chapter that consist of my worst math skill Geometry and I have given him many dirty looks for this

10. I have about 5 weeks left of being pregnant and that comes with a whole list of emotions

11. My daughter has been missing her Daddy more than usual this week and walking around with a picture of him and I kissing with her sitting by our feet, I'm sure people can see pieces of my heart breaking when she does this

12. We need to start drinking something else besides milk in this family 3 gallons a week for technically only 2 people is crazy!

13. Cece's hair is outta control but not nearly as bad as her Mamas.

14. We are thrilled to meet our son

15. My daughter eats slices of cheese for snack like my father

16. Things are not going to calm down and that is terrifying

17. I think this boy is going to have one hell of a sense of humor, or at least he better for the life he is about to be thrown into

18. I love my friends

19. Eventually my very cool composure is going to bust and I hope it's not when my very sweet and helpful husband is around, that just wouldn't be fair to him

20. The fair is coming soon and I'm really looking forward to eating fair food

21. I sent out C's birthday invitations and I feel like I wrote something on them really stupid but didn't really care to check before addressing them and mailing them off.

22. I just realized that I mailed some birthday cards about 2 weeks early, oh well at least they will get them.

Unfortunately there is only about 2 things on that list that are positive notes but at this point in the day I don't care.

However, I always remember that life can be so much worse and we truly are blessed.

I will suck it up and move on, I have to it's only Tuesday!

Usually thoughts like these come up on Thursday, I hope this is not a sign of the week to come.

By the way not the most flattering picture of our daughter but I look at it and think "My God who's child is that?" She sure can look intense when annoyed just like her Mother. Her father was given the gift of never ending patience and optimism.

A little phone dump

2011-07-21T10:54:00.000-05:00

I have started the process of clearing out C's old room which includes taking down her curtains, mobile and little trinkets that we had put up years ago.

She has nicely given her old room up to her little brother, although I still catch her in there playing.

I can't believe we are doing this all over again exactly 3 years later.

Note to self no more September babies :).

I asked Nate if there was any way we could remove this piece of plaster and hang it in C's new room and he basically laughed at me.

That's okay I'm fully aware I'm a little nostalgic about things, especially when they are as cute as newborn baby feet.

We painted her feet a few months after she was born and put them on the wall.

Other than major house projects we have been keeping C super busy this summer.

We have been spending many days at the pool, outside in the sprinkler, going to movies, running errands for house projects. She now knows what Lowes is and how to work the self check out lanes there as well. Not to mention her days at daycare while I'm at school. She has finally made some lovely little girl friends there so that's progress as well as remembering their names.

I'm hoping she is having a fun filled summer.

She sure has been going to sleep a lot easier!

However that doesn't stop her from waking her daddy up on the weekends and demanding him to take her to Casey's for some donuts.

Can you tell he is super thrilled?

She even has a dollar bill in her hand to help pay, where did this kid come from?

A little sneak at her new room and the hanging of some pretty lanterns.

She loves playing in her room and tells us all the time how pretty it is.

Of course in my mind there needs to be some more stuff on the wall and maybe some shear curtains, however the goal was to simply get her in there so we could start work on her brother's future room.

Now if we could accomplish that task and get ready for C's big birthday celebration in a few weeks I will be much less stressed.

I also am hoping baby boy keeps himself nice and cozy in the belly until at least after the last week of August.

However, my children aren't the most cooperative so we shall see.

Dear C

2011-07-15T08:43:00.000-05:00

Oh my little girl, you take my breath away.

With your steam colored eyes, eye lashes for days and beautiful heart shaped mouth you can make a smile cross my face even when I'm at my wits end.

You and I can have our great days and our very bad days, but at the end of each and every day you are inner twined in my heart and have made a permanent mark on my soul that pushes me to sneak into your room at night and shower you with soft kisses and apologies for the rough day we may have had.

You sleep right through it but I pray that you sub-consciously hear me and feel the love I'm so desperately trying to convey to you.

I believe you do since each morning you wake up and run into our room filled with energy and love for me no matter what may have occurred the day before.

I know these days are shortened due to the fact that you will grow up and you will soon learned how to hold a grudge and your feelings wont always be so easily healed, but I hope by then we will have a better way of communicating with one another.

I'm praying that when you are 10 years old you don't have the same lack of listening skills as a 2 year old :).

However, I wont get my hopes up you are the hybrid of your father and I.

But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Please note this is on a level B road on the middle of a farm. No driving until 14 on regular roads in this family:)

As far as the relationship with your father...well it goes with out saying you have one of the strongest bond I have ever seen and it makes me incredibly proud to be able to watch from behind the camera as it flourishes through the years.
We may not have the most conventional schedules as far as work and school go, and you may not see your favorite man every day like most families but we promise you it wont always be like this and we can't be more blessed that you just seem to go with the flow of our lives.

We are so thankful that your have the temperament that you do little girl because in a few short weeks your life as the only child will soon turn to the life as the big sister.
We aren't to concerned with whether your will love your baby brother or not simply because you have been sleeping with one of his blankets for the past couple of weeks and are waiting "patiently" to give it to him when he is born.

You completely wrap yourself up at night with this little blanket and ask to cuddle with your brother.

Which is not the most comfortable for me but how can I say no to such a simple request.

When sitting on the couch you will cover my belly up with his blanket and tell me he is cold.

I'm sure you will have your moments of adjustment and melt downs here and there but we are expecting it and will do our best to help you transition into such a new role.

However, we don't doubt that you will take it on with a lot of heart and compassion, much like you do everything else.

We love you Cecelia.

Mama

Oh dreams

2011-07-07T09:50:00.001-05:00

Oh the things I dream about when I'm pregnant, they can be pretty interesting.

When I was pregnant with Cecelia a few months before she was born I had a very vivid dream that she was born looking just like her Daddy, full beard and all. It was almost terrifying.

I had been having bad heartburn and the old wives tale is the more intense your heart burn the more hair your child will be born with.

Well I woke up and told Nathan how strange it was to see this little newborn with a grown man's beard. He thought it was hilarious and told me to go back to sleep.

For those of you who are not already aware of this my daughter looks like her Daddy's twin.

Exhibit A: Same skin tone, eye shape, face shape, mouth and the Stanley nose.

Even the day she was born their profiles are almost identical.

I couldn't get over how on spot my dream was, minus the full beard (thank God).

It's crazy how feminine our daughter is but resembles her (very masculine) father to a T.

DNA is sure a funny thing.

I'm almost certain the only physical features my daughter got from me are her dimples and hair line.

So the whole point of this comparison is that last night I woke up after a very vivid dream about the birth of our son.

He was born with so much hair that it almost touched his shoulders, can you imagine? It was blond and fine but there was a lot of it!

His nose was wide like Nathan's but it was longer and more pointed like mine.

However, the thing that tripped me up the most was that in my dream it was never confirmed if he was a boy or a girl, people were so in shock by the amount of hair the baby came out with, I never heard congrats it's a boy/girl, and nobody turned him for a frontal view.

I was laying in the hospital bed laughing at Nate thinking how funny it was.

Now I doubt my son will be born with a head full of long blond hair, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had a mixture of my nose and Nate's as well as a lot of hair. However, that could just mean he will be hairy not necessarily on his head, after all he is part Italian :).

Of course before all of that happened I distinctly remember being admitted into a room and Nate sitting next to me. The doctor came in to tell me I would be for sure having the baby today. So after he left I looked at Nate and said "I don't even know what the date is today."

Nate looked at his phone and said "It's the 10th."

I responded with "The 10th that sounds like a good birthday to me."

The kicker is I'm not sure if it was August or September. Now my due date is September 2nd so August 10th is not out of the question being a second time mom and it would only be 3 weeks early, which is weird because I have been measuring 3 weeks early my past two appointments.

However, I'm not a fan of induction so September 10th isn't to crazy either it would only be a week an half late, which I would totally live with to avoid an induction.

Of course I'm taking this all with a grain of salt and laughing at most of it, but wanted to document it anyway just in case any of it actually became a reality.

So just to put things in perspective I have also had dreams that Cecelia brought home an elephant and that Nate woke up one day and decided he wanted to wear ties as a fashion statement. So like I said I probably shouldn't read to much into it, but it's still fun to think about.

I guess 8-9 more weeks and we will see what this little man looks like.

Celebrating th 4th!

2011-07-05T11:59:00.000-05:00

Our holiday weekend started off with beautiful weather and lots of plans!

However with all the excitement daddy locked us out of the house and thankfully our little C is able to fit through small windows and unlock doors for us.

Then we headed over to Tessmer's for a pre parade breakfast celebration, which included four wheeler rides of course.

And some tears.

Then we headed off towards the parade.

FYI that is not a triple stroller we just like to make our children uncomfortable :).

Couldn't you just kiss those cheeks all day long?

We all enjoyed watching the parade,

Well almost all of us.

My niece definitely got the pout lip from my sister!

And the kids enjoyed the candy

Even Nanna, as Abe would say.

After the parade we headed over to the park and enjoyed some inflatable toys and the merry-go-round.

After being in the heat of a few hours we headed home to take some naps

and then the kids were ready for some pool time.

The kids had such a good time during Freedom Fest!

Later that night we went to a BBQ and watched the fireworks.

There was a lot of first that happened this weekend as well, like these two enjoying their first 4th of July together.

Kadence also enjoyed sucking on her first piece of fruit and getting in the pool for the first time as well!

This week will be strictly dedicated to catching up on lost sleep and getting back into the swing of things.

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as well.

Anticipating the holiday weekend!

2011-06-30T08:27:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite days of the year is soon approaching and I'm thrilled.

The 4th of July has been my favorite holiday since I was super little.

I love the cute outfits the kids are running around in, the hot weather welcomed by cool pools and sprinklers, celebrating our country, BBQ and fresh fruit desserts and of course fireworks.

The 4th has only gotten more festive since Nate and I moved to Earlham almost 5 years ago. Our town has such a fun festival during the weekend of the 4th including a parade and hometown fireworks. We don't even have to get in the car to enjoy all of the fun activities around town, as well as all of our friends living only blocks away to help celebrate with their kiddos too.

This year we have a full weekend of spending time in our small town and with friends.

Cecelia's first 4th of July she was only about 10 months old but we still woke her up to watch the fireworks with us and she sat in amazement on her Daddy's lap half asleep and wide-eyed.

This will be her 3rd 4th of July and I think it will just keep gettimg more fun watching her take in all the excitement.

I know things wont go perfect and that things might not go as planned but I have to remember that; that is how life works and to take a breath and enjoy the fact that my husband, daughter and little boy growing away will be with each other and in the end that is all that matters.

However, with 4th of July this weekend it's all a big fat reminder that we have exactly 2 months left until our son joins are family and boy do we have a lot of things to do before then. Even though that puts me in a panic mode this weekend is dedicated to not doing one thing that involves working on our home or preparing for baby. We will have 9 weeks to frantically prepare, one weekend of pure fun is much needed around here.

Hope every one has a safe and memorable holiday!

Not to mention chasing this little feet around town always puts a smile on our faces.

Picking "Paint" or making life decisions...?

2011-06-28T20:55:00.000-05:00

This is what my life has been looking like lately...trying to make decisions.

Obviously, picking out paint for Cecelia's new room is not what has been on mind lately but it's on the list.

Which yesterday I did however, make the decision to go with the lightest shade of pink and I'm sure it's going to be super pretty,which is the look we are going for.

However, some heavier decisions have been weighting on not only my mind but Nate's as well and we are coming to a crossroads with a lot of things in our lives.

A lot has to do with my school and the pressure that I'm going to be on for the next year and half and how that may or may not effect our lives but we are praying that the kids come out as unscathed as possible.

With Nate's crazy work schedule and my soon crazy school schedule I'm having small anxiety attacks about how we will pull this off with out breaking down everyday.

When it comes to the decision part of all this is whether or not I should just finish this summer with my one degree, graduate and get a job in an entry level somewhere (after baby boy is at least a few months old) and get our family back together and be able to start contributing financially as well as getting Nate to be home more. My family is just so darn important to me and right now I just feel like I want to do this and move on.

Now on the other hand, if I go on as we have planned and finishing with my two degrees and having more education which would provide more impact on a starting salary it can help my family just as much and get Nate and I to where we want to be as well.

It's really all that's occupying my mind right now and really I should be a little more concerned with the arrival of our son soon.

So I think we are going to discuss more and make the right choice for us, but I'm hoping I can start to focus more on getting ready to go from a family of 3 to 4.

So with that note here is a little something my sister picked up for our a little boy.

A huge vintage number 5 for the boy's nursery.

A little history behind the whole 5 concept is that he will be named Ralph (insert middle name here) Stanley V (the fifth). He will go by his middle name (when we decide on one) when he is born, even though Ralph isn't my first name choice for my son it does hold a great deal of meaning to my husband and the men who raised him as well.

So we have been collecting some vintage pieces for his room along with some other tributes to the men that will surround our little man.

And of course I can't do a post without a photo of our little fish!

This little girl is obsessed with the water and had a blast today while swimming and is currently passed out next to me on the couch snoring her little heart away. It makes me swoon!

Sorry for the downer part of the post but it feels better to get that off my chest. Now to get this little girl off to bed.

A Sneak Peak

2011-06-24T13:20:00.000-05:00

As of this winter our future room looked a little like this.

As of a week ago it looks a little more like this.

We still have some more details to add, including a custom blind for our huge window on the West facing wall but other than that we are pretty pleased with the results.

Let me say it took me 2 months to decide on a duvet cover.

Yikes! So as you can imagine our children's rooms that need to be finished by end of August have been in a processes for a while as well.

I promise my husband that soon his home will be back into a more orderly state of chaos.

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

The other afternoon Nate and I were laying in bed while C was napping, enjoying the peace and quiet of our little home. Nathan was facing the opposite way and I was simply observing the features of his head, neck and back. I was intent on memorizing every freckle and every scar (if you know my husband, you know he probably doesn’t even know where all his scars are). However I just wanted to soak up these little details of him. I started focusing on his hair, and how much it had changed from his winter tone to it’s summer tone. In the winter his hair can get so dark I would call it brown, but in the summer in certain spots it can lighten up to almost a pure blonde tone, and I love it. I’m sure it’s because it makes him look like a little kid again with golden locks and sun tan neck and in that moment I had this image of my husband as a young boy running around with his brothers and being the most carefree spirit. Those little images come back to play almost everyday when I’m around Nathan, he is still so much like a child at heart and I think that’s what makes me love him so very much.

As I was laying their examining that pure golden hair on my sweet husband’s head I realized that for months I have been trying to hard to imagine what our soon to be son was going to look like. Would he be more like his sister with light brown hair and lashes for days, like his mother with dark hair and eyes and a stubborn personality? Or would he in fact come out looking like the spiting image of the man I was laying next too? That’s when it hit me that even though I always imagined our children to be more like me than him, simply because my darker features are more dominant than his light ones. That they would look like me and prayed that they would have his personality. But my father always told me that once you start assuming your children will be one way they will always surprise you. That holds true when it came to Cecelia.

Everything about that little girl has surprised me, the way she looks, her strong but sweet personality, how girly she has become and of course that she is as golden as her father’s hair. However the one thing that I knew from the bottom of my heart would be that she would love her daddy with every ounce of her soul just like her Mama. Almost 3 years later that still holds true for every time she hears his booming voice coming through the door still brings her to her feet and those dimples pop through those cheeks. I always watch her quickly approach him and laugh with glee as her favorite man walks through the door, and I sit and realize that my heart has quickened and my matching dimples to my daughters are indeed showing.

I have been blessed enough to not only have married a wonderful man but an amazing father as well. It gives me so much pleasure to be able to bring our children into the world for us to enjoy and raise together. I’m so thankful for all the hard work you do and all the craziness you put up with, not a day goes by that I’m not taken back by you selfless you can be sometimes.

Nathan, love, you have been nothing short of wonderful to me as well as our children and I honestly can not wait to see you enjoying time with both your daughter and your son, very soon.

We Love You!

Tory. C. and Baby R!

Always makes time...

2011-06-16T09:05:00.002-05:00

Even when he is in the middle of mowing our jungle of a yard he still makes time to put some flowers in her hair. Its the little things that always make my heart grow.

Things I have been eyeing...

2011-06-15T14:48:00.000-05:00

Get ready for some randomness.

I found this site through another blog I follow and I love their products and how clean and classic looking their stuff is. When I saw they make personalized rubber stamps for return addresses I had to get one, because even though I love sending out mail I hate writing our return address, simply because it always looks so sloppy...problem fixed!

They make these in a few different styles and I love this one.

It's going to get a lot of use in the next couple of months from birthday invitation, birth announcements and later Christmas cards.

source

So since baby boy's due date is only a few days away from Cecelia's actual birthday the hubs and I decided to do a big celebration for her birthday a few weeks early in August. One last big party before C is no longer the center of our attention and our families.Or possibly before she shares a birthday with her little brother.

I have been searching for a cute but not to girlie invitation here is one Nate and I both like so far.

For me the invitation helps put the rest of the party into plan.

Of course while looking on websites for birthday invites I couldn't help but look at the adorable birth announcements for baby boy. However, I am looking for something a little more boyish and not so much baby. For some reason (and I know I'm odd for this) I want it to be more masculine then baby.

I found this cute one that is simple and all about the little man.

Both are from tiny prints.com.

And of course my all time favorite holiday is just around the corner!

Our small town does a big celebration very year that includes, a parade, activities and food in the park and fireworks over the baseball fields.

We have always had such a good time with our friends with drinks and food to celebrate and as our children get older they love to run around with each other and enjoy the festivities as well.

I have a feeling July is going to be our busiest month of the summer with projects, because August is my estimated month to have as many of them wrapped up as possible.

One of our biggest projects is almost done...our new bedroom.

Just a few more pieces and it will be done!

I will give a full run down when it's complete, once it is we move on to Cecelia's new room. However in between we have been working on some other house projects like putting up new crown molding, painting and rearranging.

I know my sweet husband will be so happy when he comes home from work and I'm not changing things around or asking him to get out the power tools. He has been handling it like champ as well as C who does just as great with change.

I love mail

2011-06-13T15:09:00.002-05:00

I have some dear friends to thank and these stamps are the icing on the cake. Aren't they cute?

The beginning of Summer

2011-06-04T08:19:00.000-05:00

Awww...there is so much that I enjoy about Summer and I'm beyound thrilled that it is finally here for us to enjoy.

This summer is going to be little different then previous summers with C, for starters she started going to daycare 3 mornings a week while I take a summer class and as to be expected she dropped me like yesterdays garbage at the door of her classroom with a hug, kiss and a see ya later Mom. Ouch, for some reason I expected her to cry a little or cling to my leg or be sad, but I should have known my daughter always has the ability to surprise me in the best of ways. She is growing up so much and it's all bittersweet.

With our temperatures creeping up to the 90's already we broke out the sprinker for the first time and C was all to thrilled!

This morning I enjoyed listening to C holler at her Dad to wake up and play with her, I know he loves being woke up by a toddler sitting on his face in elephant underwear.

How could you not love these toes digging into your sides early on a Saturday morning?

Of course it's not summer until there is fresh cut flowers making their way through out our home.

Here is a few things I'm looking forward to this Summer:

1. State Fair

2. Celebrating the 4th of July in our town

3. Many pool days with our friends

4. Longer naps from a tired 2 year old

5. Longer days

6. Bonfires, BBQ's and cold drinks (non-alcholic for me)

7. Celebrating C's 3rd birthday a little early before baby's arrival

8. Farmer's markets

9. Getting a lot of use out of my camera

10. Knowing by the end of the summer we will be meeting our son!

Lots to look forward to I'm hoping I can soak it all up and enjoy every last day of Summer.

Enjoy your weekend!

Sorry for the absence but we've been busy!

2011-06-01T14:55:00.000-05:00

I know it's been more like a hiatus but it was for good reason I promise.

You see we've been sort of working on something around here:

Yes that would be the making of a baby bump, at this picture I was just around 21 weeks.

When I found out I was expecting again I was nothing short of amazed and blessed and completely terrified all at the same time.

I didn't even tell Nathan until 2 days later, and for a little stocking stuffer, I finally told him all about my little secret I had been keeping. Of course he was over the moon and we then decided we wouldn't tell anyone until after our first doctors appointment and ultrasound.

We got great results back on our ultrasound and blood work around 8 weeks and finally breathed a little easier, however I think we still waited till 10 weeks to tell our parents and closest friends.

Needless to say here we are trucking along almost 27 weeks later and as of tomorrow I will have exactly 3 months until Baby Boy arrives. This summer is going to one of our busiest and the coming fall will be our most anticipated one since Cecelia arrived.

Comically our children's due dates are only 3 days apart so it's very likely that little man's birthday could be the same as his big sisters. No biggie in our minds if that happens Nate and I have some ways to make them both feel special on their birthdays.

Baby boy on vacation with us to South Carolina.

Of course we have lots of home projects that I have been working on a little bit at a time and I'm hoping that I will get them all done before the end of the summer. We are having lots of room changes going on this summer and changing C's current room into a more appropriate little boys room.

Of course with this baby Nate and I are doing things a little differently, we are taking a more minimalistic route then with C, mostly because we know exactly what we need and what was more a waste of money and space for us.

However we took another trip down to South Carolina this May and as we expected had a fabulous time.

Daddy and baby boy

My loves, there is no denying they are father and daughter.

We really enjoyed are vacation but kept saying how excited we are to bring our new addition to one of our favorite places next year.

And of course how can I forget about another special delivery that gave Nate and I new titles as well.

Our little niece arrived in early March making us Uncle Nate and Aunt Tory.

Isn't she perfection? With a full head of hair!

I know that this post is full of randomness but I needed to jump back in and catch up with life. Now that summer has officially settled here in our small town I'm fully looking forward to spending lots of time outside with C, grilling with friends, preparing for baby boy and appreciating how truly blessed I am. Of course I'm reminded every time I see our little girl looking so peaceful

I remember...

2011-01-11T15:06:00.000-06:00

I remember when I fell in love with you.

I didn't have any idea where it would lead me.

I just knew at the time, it didn't matter.

I knew it would be okay.

So far my instincts have proven right.

I never knew we would have done all the things we have.

I only knew that if I was doing them with you, I would be happy.

And I am.

I know you ask me.

Please believe me when I tell you I'm in love with my life.

For the soul purpose that you and the little one are apart of it.

How couldn't I be, just look at it through my eyes.

It's an absolutely beautiful view.

Letters to my daughter...

2011-01-04T21:58:00.000-06:00

Dear Cecelia,

The picture above captures exactly how I see you on most days, running while I'm desperately trying to catch you. To keep you as the sweet little girl forever, to slow this process down just for a minute, just long enough for me to capture it and lock it away in my heart.

Love, you are constantly on the move, your curious hands have now turned curious questions. Instead of being frustrated with things you have now figure out how to solve the problems that come your way.

Several times a day you seem to be able to capture my heart and mold it in your tiny hands.

We are slowly getting back into our regular routine again after the holidays and your ability to adjust always amazes me, and it reminds me to be thankful for the little girl you are becoming.

When you were a newborn I prayed for the day that you would be awake and more alert.

When you were an infant I couldn't wait to see you take your first steps and say your first words.

Now that you are a toddler I simply wish for you to live a slow and wonderful childhood. To be able to really live this wonderful life and enjoy all that you can at the age when everything is so new and fresh and larger than life in your simple little eyes.

Even though there are times that I find myself missing the days when your father and I had to read to you 5-10 books a night till you fell asleep and sneak out of your room. Or remember waking up at 4 am to see your Dad feeding you; your early morning bottle. I may miss those things that at the time seemed to be phases we wanted to past quickly, however by doing those things that kept you happy gave your father and I a much better outlook on our lives and to truly be blessed with the happiness and over abundance of love that you with out encouragement give us on a daily basis.

Now instead of bottles from you Daddy you want only him to kiss your "boo boos" and for him to take you to the store to get you a sucker. Instead of books at bedtime you want me to tuck you in just right and always give you 2 hugs and 1 kiss. You know exactly what you want from both of us and sometimes we may have to switch our roles, however, you are never displeased with the outcome.

I know it will be to soon that it will be inappropriate for me to snap pictures of you in the bath, but you are just to darn cute little one.

You have lots of big changes coming this year, a new baby cousin and you will start preschool in the Fall and I have no doubt that you will adjust like you always do, happily and with a smile.

I love you C

Mama

Our way of ringing in the New Year!

2011-01-04T10:41:00.000-06:00

I have to say this year was very different than the past years of celebrating New Years Eve.

This year it was more of a family celebration, with our friends recent arrival of their baby girl, and several of us deciding that the drama that occurs on New Years Eve needed a break we decided to have a last minute get together with our kids an their families.

I can't believe I forgot my camera, but needless to say the kids had a blast, and the adults had a pretty relaxing, stress free night.

So at 10:30 the hubs and I decided to pack it up say good-bye and head the 4 blocks back to our home to tuck ourselves in our bed to ring in the New Year.

What a lucky man, got New Year's kisses from his favorite girls.

This is what happens when Mr.S gets hold of the camera (very close pictures are taken).

C danced and jumped to the bands playing on one of the many countdown shows on T.V.

She slowly started to get tired and as soon as the clock struck midnight, she was carried into her room and was fast asleep.

It was a very different way for us to ring in the New Year, but it has to be one of my top 5 that I will always remember (for the good reasons).

I hope you all enjoyed your New Years and have started out your year with a lot of promise and joy.

I know this family has, looking forward to another great year.

2010-12-27T11:49:00.000-06:00

It would be an understatement to say we had a great Christmas. We had such a good time with our families and C was very blessed with our gracious families as usual.

Santa also must have thought she was a very good girl. He brought her very own kitchen!

Christmas Eve was pretty busy fitting in 2 different Christmas gatherings in 1 day, but it actually didn't seem hectic or crazy.

(not sure why this darn pic wont rotate)

Anyway, C was so excited for Santa to come she had been talking about him for weeks now and she did not fail to let everyone know that he was going to bring her an Elmo and a kitchen (such a smart girl).

awww swoon!

(this one too)

She was a bit overwhelmed when she woke up in the morning to find that Santa brought her a kitchen and ate her cookies she left out.

She wouldn't have even acknowledged her presents that were next to the kitchen or her stocking if we hadn't brought them to her attention, silly girl. She loved her kitchen and has been playing with it and the Mrs. Potato head my sister and Andy got her.

Speaking of my sister I must put up how cute that little bump is looking these days.

Oh yes she will dislike me for putting this up but it's unmistakable how darn cute it is.

We had a great time this weekend but I have to admit I'm really excited to take down my holiday decorations and start looking forward to when I can see the grass green again and not have to put my 2 year old in a coat every time we leave the house.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year!

Snow Day!

2010-12-19T13:04:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week we had some nice snowfall and now that C is at the age that she will enjoy playing in that cold stuff we decided to take her out while we shoveled the sidewalks.

Can't you tell the mister is super excited?

My loves

There are so many things that I admire about my husband but by far the thing that always sticks out the most is how great of a father he is to C. There was maybe an inch or so on the ground but he still proceeded to make a little path for C to walk through.

Even though she knew it was cold she still insisted on shoving the snow on her own face.

Stubborn much?

Goodness she has the ability to warm my heart, even when she is throwing snow at me.

Nate thought it would be great idea to cover our child with snow...this would seem like a good idea to him.

We had a great time outside and even though it was only for a about 30 minutes C was laughing and enjoying playing in the snow and helping her Daddy shovel.

There are so many things in life that I cherish but I have to say my memories that Nathan and I make with our little family are the ones that I hold closest to my heart.

Christmas Traditions...

2010-12-17T13:05:00.000-06:00

Every since I can remember every Christmas my father has written the women in our family a Christmas letter, poem or story. It was always something that I looked forward to every year. Well since C came along I have been keeping better care of them by putting them in a binder with plastic covers, unfortunately I only have back to 2000.

The other day I was going through them an putting them all in order when I read the one for 2000.

Now I'm not sure if my Dad would like me to share this everyone but this is the one I received over 10 years ago.

Christmas 2000

Tory:

Clad in a robe, she spun before the window

Night had fallen long ago, yet still she danced

Watching her reflection in the window

Arms poised above her head, curtsy, a quick step.

And smiled at her efforts

All who passed by could see her little dance

Five years old and performing for herself

Yet her reflection was older, maybe 12

On stage with the "big" girls

In toe shoes and beautiful flowing gowns

Graceful, mature, all eyes on her

Before a mirror, she fixed her hair

A young cheerleader preparing for her first game

With hair in position, she stood

Her arms moved with precision

Her half steps in times with her arms

Her smile brightened the crowd before her

She did not see herself

The uniform she envisioned was filled by a high school cheerleader

Tall, athletic, confident

Her school winning

Urged on by her enthusiasm

Leading her friends, her classmates in revelry

Passing by the high school office

She paused to check her sweater in the reflection of the glass

The glance into the glass was brief, her friends hailed to her

Beckoning her hurry to their last gathering at high school

Her graduation loomed-no more cheerleading, or dance

Her many friends soon to move to separate lives

In the brief glance, she saw the eyes of a woman

Mature, knowing, confident.

Ready to move to the next step

Her friends saw only the smile

Always friendly, always ready to help, always happy

She remained hidden to most

Waling past her daughter's room after dinner

She noticed the young girl in a pink robe

Spinning before the long darkened window

Singing in a wispy voice, dancing for the world to see

There was the smile, the curtsy, the quick step

A performance for a lifetime

As a mother, viewing he daughter

It was not a 5-year-old dancer in the window's reflection

It was a mature dancer, a cheerleader, a graduate

It was a woman, a mother

It was all of these in a moment's thought

A moment's memory

This struck me as so odd that my Dad 10 years ago imagined me having a daughter with a similar smile, who loved to watch herself dance, and here I am 10 years later with a daughter who just last night was watching herself sing and dance in front of our bedroom mirror. C has only a handful of features, that she gets from me and one of the most dominant is my smile that includes my dimples as well.

He imagined me with a daughter and I always imagined my life full of little boys. I guess it's true than...parents always know best.

Things that have been making me smile today

2010-12-14T15:20:00.000-06:00

1. Waking up to find a sleeping C intertwined with our feet in our bed this morning

2. Homemade chocolate chip cookies...yum

3. My husband being a human heater on cold nights and mornings

4. Our terribly decorated Christmas tree

5. Beautifully wrapped packages showing up on our door

6. Writing from Uncle Nate, Aunt Tory and C on our future niece's Christmas present

7. Leaving the house tonight since Friday

8. My clean kitchen

9. All the parities we are attending in the next 2 weeks

10. Online shopping, need I say more.

Welcome to the world...

2010-12-07T18:28:00.000-06:00

Savannah Rose

You were born on a a beautiful crisp December day, with the sun shinning and loved ones around you.

December 7th is your day little one.

Happy Birthday

Welcome to the world!

It has a lot to offer, so enjoy!

A few of my favorite things...

2010-12-06T13:19:00.000-06:00

Dear West Elm and Crate and Barrel,

You will surely be the death of our bank account...one day :).

Now if I could only just order this all up and have my family room sitting pretty in a few weeks. Baby steps...

In other news we had a very busy weekend feeding hunger hunters and keep toddlers entertained, so today has been a nice relaxing Monday making lists of errands to run, finishing up last minute things for finals and enjoying my clean home while C takes a well needed nap.

Lots of exciting things to look forward to this week as well!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

What friends are made of...

2010-12-03T19:49:00.000-06:00

The other day C had her favorite little guy over for some fun!

Boy did they have fun.

We made chocolate chip cookies and being the super cool Mama I am I let them lick the beaters as well as eat the fresh cookies right off the cooling racks.

They had so much fun running around the house, playing and making an all around huge mess!

It was well worth the smiles on their faces the whole time.

Plus the cookies were pretty outstanding if I do say so myself.

Of course while watching Curious George, these two really know how to start off sitting nice and as the pictures show, progress to all around horse play.

It was great having Henry around to keep C company.

It goes without saying we love him around here.

Traditions...

2010-11-30T13:49:00.000-06:00

Traditions are such a big part of my family, so when Nathan and I started our family I wanted to keep some and create some new traditions. One of those that we kept was picking out our tree after Thanksgiving.

My husband usually has the final say in the tree selection and I think he always does a great job.

This year C was so much fun she loved running around the trees and playing hide and go seek with her Daddy. Of course there were a few times we lost her but no worries she always found her way back.

Sometimes it's hard for me to grasp that this is our daughter.

But she is and even in her not so great moments I still love her more than I did the day we met her.

What a great Thanksgiving it was...

2010-11-29T14:04:00.000-06:00

So now that we are all healthy again in the Stanley home, I can finally post all about our Thanksgiving and what a great Thanksgiving it was.

Beginning with me waking up before the sun to start baking and preparing for Thanksgiving.

It was actually my favorite part of the day. My loves were tucked in bed sleeping, the house was quiet, yummy smells were floating through the house and it was very relaxing for me.

We headed over to my in-laws house for Thanksgiving breakfast and to watch the parade. So we headed out in our pajamas to start our holiday. Someone had some pretty cute pj's on too.

After we got home, the little one was so worn out from watching the parade and playing with her Uncle's that she was out for a over 2 hours. We finally had to pry her out of bed to get ready to head to our big Thanksgiving dinner at my Aunts.

Of course I used C's nap for lots of productive kitchen time.

When we build our next home a little kitchen nook is a must have.

We had such a good time hanging out with family, eating, drinking and playing games. We didn't head home till well after 10:30.

C with her Aunt Kassie and baby Kadence in her "belly".

I can't wait till next Thanksgiving when we will have another little one to snuggle with.

The spread, we definitely had way to much food but it was all delicious.

C and Pops.

After several games of Wii bowling, a bottle of whiskey, many games of pool and lots of laughter we headed home.

However my night didn't end there, Emina needed my moral support to head out for Black Friday shopping at midnight. Needless to say it will be our last time going. We basically went to the mall to see how the crazies were doing, drove to Toys R Us and saw the ridiculous long line to check out and then drove by Target to see people standing outside an hour and fifteen minutes in 19 degree weather before it opened. By that time we were ready to drive home and curl up in bed.

It was a fabulous day and even though C was sick for a good 12 hours with the flu on Friday our weekend was full of fun and traditions.

Now our Christmas tree is put up our mantel is decorated with our stockings and we got all of C's "Santa" gifts purchased and are on their way here.

Looking forward to the holiday season.

Hope you all had a great weekend as well.

This Mom needs to get it together...

2010-11-27T13:38:00.001-06:00

Unfortunately instead of my original post all about how we spent our Thanksgiving and Black Friday, I'm (mostly Nathan) taking care of a flu stricken toddler.

This is the first time the flu has struck our home in 3 years!

For those of you that know me well I am terrified of throwing up it's the worst possible thing that could happen. Even while I was in labor and I had the urge to throw up I forced myself to calm down and keep it down. TMI? sorry.

Anyway, Thank God for Nathan because he handle's vomit so much better (probably to well) compared to me. In fact the first 2 times she got sick I cried, because while she was throwing up she kept crying and say "I don't like it, I don't like it."

It was awful and Nate was the one that calmed her down and held the bucket while she threw up and washed her mouth and nose and gave her all the love she needed, while I cried like baby.

I did however change her sheets after she threw up on them the third time in the middle of the night and made a little bed for her next to our bed at 1am so we could keep an eye and ear on her more closely.

Although Nate was the one that slept closest to her so he could be there with the bucket.

I have an amazing husband. He even stayed home from hunting this morning to make sure she was alright and that I wouldn't break into tears if she threw up again.

When C was a baby she had awful acid reflex which caused her projectile vomit breast milk and formula across the room. It didn't phase me a bit, I was a pro by the time we figured out her medicine to get it under control. But she was a baby and it didn't really effect it her to much.

This was so much different and I'm a little disappointed in myself for not being the way my Mom was when I was sick. She would sit with me in the bathroom and rub my back and make little beds for me next to their bed or in the bathroom. It always made me feel so much better.

I only accomplished one of those tasks last night.

Although I'm so happy that I have a husband who also rocks as a Dad in the worst of situations, I need to get my act together when it comes to my daughter's sickly situation.

So even though we had lots of plans that including getting our Christmas tree and going to the Festival of Trees, today we are snuggled up at home watching movies, reading books and playing.

Hopefully by tomorrow she will be feeling better and we can venture out for some fresh air.

Hope everyone else is having a healthier weekend then us.

On the bright side we accomplished almost all of our Christmas shopping yesterday, online!

A (early) Thankful Thursday/ Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T17:58:00.000-06:00

So I know I'm a day early but we have busy couple of days ahead of us so I thought I would jump the gun and say a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

I hope you all have a fun and fulfilling Thanksgiving with lots of friends and family around the table.

I'm thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of our family. That I will be surrounded by those that love my husband, daughter and myself.

We are truly blessed for all that we have and all the people we get to share our lives with.

They really do mean a great deal to us.

L-

Tory

C's Daddy

2010-11-23T14:54:00.000-06:00

C and I made this for Mr.Stanley last year for a stocking stuffer, and almost a year later I finally figured out how to post the darn thing to my blog. We are in the works of making this years, so I decided to finally get this one out there so you guys could watch it.
Enjoy.

Dinner Dates

2010-11-22T21:17:00.000-06:00

When you have a busy husband, a 2 year old, a Mama who has finals and holiday season around the corner this is what our family dinner's start to look like.

However, it doesn't disappoint, how can you not enjoy sitting around the coffee table, with a fire in the background and some comfort food filling your belly.

I can't remember when the last time we went out for a nice dinner, whether just my darling husband and I or as a family. I'm thinking we will be making time for that sometime around Spring, with how busy we are about to be.

So for now I will soak up the moments like these snuggled up in our home.

Hope everyone is getting everything they need done before Turkey Day.

I know I haven't yet.

Yet Another Thankful List!

2010-11-18T12:31:00.000-06:00

Oh goodness only 1 more week!

I love Thanksgiving, because in our family (both sides) there isn't a whole lot of pressure for some perfect holiday. Plus there isn't presents involved so it's all about eating and spending time together. Honestly, holidays have gotten way more fun since we have had C. She just seems to make everything more fun since she was born.

Since she is such a big part of our life there is so many things that I am thankful when it comes to that little girl.

1. I'm thankful that she is happy and healthy

2. I'm thankful to see all the toys strewn across our house everyday, instead of seeing a mess I see the fun we have during the day playing

3. I'm thankful that she has the biggest heart when it comes to the people that she loves, that is something you can not teach a child.

4. I'm thankful that she is above all else a daddy's girl

5. I'm thankful that she knows how to use her manners

6. I'm thankful that she has such a large imagination

7. I'm thankful that she make so many people around her smile

8. I'm thankful that she is a product of both Nathan and I

9. I'm thankful that she gave us the opportunity to be parents

10. I'm thankful that she fills my heart with happiness and joy

I'm sure there is over a hundred different things that; that little girl makes me thankful for but these are the top 10 that come to mind.

She's great!

Steppin' Out Saturdays

2010-11-13T22:55:00.000-06:00

The family and I stepped out tonight for a lot of family bonding.

We were celebrating my husband's grandfather's (and his name sake's) 78th birthday(?).

It felt almost like Christmas because a. it was freezing b. there was a lot of food c. and we had almost everyone on the Stanley side there.

It was a lost of fun to hang out with everyone, and this is what C and I stepped out in.

One of my favorite outfits for C, especially with the cold weather outside, but the warm temps in people's homes this outfit is perfect, because of the layers!

Also the cute printed t, and color of the sweater (plum) makes it pretty great as well.

I on the other hand went with pretty basic cardi, j.crew shirt and some skinny jeans.

It's a pretty classic outfit that is also super comfy.

(we really need to teach Daddy how to take better pictures)

And since it was super cold outside C has been getting bundled up before leaving the house. She has loved all of her little accessories, especially hats and this is her favorite one! Of course we couldn't pass up the matching mittens. She really does look like a little bunny.

C's entire outfit: Baby Gap

Mama's: Cardi: Gap, Shirt: J.Crew Jeans: Chicos

Can't wait to see everyone else's Steppin' Out Saturday outfits.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far.

Happy Weekend!

2010-11-12T20:00:00.000-06:00

We can't be the only family who does this...right?

In case you think you are seeing things, yes this is Mr.Stanley, C and myself on our own computers.

I mean isn't this how most families spend their Saturday afternoons?

And at 1pm we decide to make lunch and yes we are still in our pajamas, and the mister loves to make overly large fires in our small fireplace (i think he sweetly loves to make me worry about our home burning down).

However, this is my folder of all projects, paint samples, pictures, and to do lists that have to do with our home. I'm almost ready to reveal our almost done mudroom. However, we have about hundred other things that should be done before Christmas, but we know that wont be possible, since we have a 2 year old who insists on doing this to our family room every single day!

Yes, this is every single toy including blankets and pillows that C has in her toy chest. Don't believe keep scrolling.

EMPTY!!

(everyday people, everyday)

So since we are the typical family, I'm assuming lots of you out there have this same problem right?

Have a great weekend everyone!

I know we will, if you stop by we most likely will be in our pajamas, snacking on the couch, baking, watching movies, starting unnecessarily large fires, and dragging all of our toys out!

I'm thinking it would be a great challenge to document a day in our weekend? Check back next weekend and if I have enough time in between the 2 year old mess and enjoy my darling husband I might get it done.

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-11T17:15:00.001-06:00

So in honor of Thanksgiving (soon approaching) and the fact that I have some things I would like to acknowledge as thankful things in my life, I'm jumping on the Thankful blog posts that have been popping up lately.

Here it goes in picture format

and in no particular order.

My baby niece

For our vacation next year that will give my family more great memories

For the smiles that this kid gives me on a daily basis

For my in-laws, they are always willing to take extras for dinner ;)

For a little Uncle love for C

For some of my oldest friends

My parents

Of course this goofy man!

These ladies, who I love!

My marriage

My daughter's best friend who makes her happy, and the baby sister that will be joining Hen in less then a few weeks!

I'm sure there is many more people and things but I guess that's why there is 2 more Thursdays till Thanksgiving!

Letters to Cecelia

2010-11-05T23:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Cecelia-
      Oh my little C remember when you use to lay in your bouncy and giggle and cue? Now you have hit those awful terrible twos! You have in the past week, colored on almost every piece of furniture and wall in our home, have streaked through our home several times while soaking wet, had a handful of temper tantrums both in public and at home, have refused to eat on several occasions and twice refused to tell me you loved me when I put you to bed (after leaving you start screaming "Wuv You Mommy!").
       Even though this week has been less then stellar on a few different levels, you have had those sweet moments in between all those crazy ones that have melted my heart and brought a smile that was desperately needed to my face.
      We got some pictures delivered of our family vacation this past Spring, and we got one framed that just puts me at peace when things are so crazy and pulling my hair out just isn't appropriate. It is of you facing the beach in awe of the new surroundings and you couldn't be cuter with your pig tails and little bikini bottom.

It's this picture to be exact.

I'm so glad it's on the wall now to see everyday.

C you have turned into such a big girl, you even told me so while screaming in time out that you were in deed "I a big girl MOMMMYYY", hysterical but so true.

You maybe a monster at times love, but you are my monster and I know all those little fits you have and all the typical 2 year old things you have been doing are just part of you growing up stage and that the way I help you handle yourself now will help you become the person you will be when you are a mother someday.

You may not want to give me as many kisses through out the day but every day you will randomly kiss me and tell me you love me. I understand that in your mind everything must be done by your terms. Little do you know small one that I still have a control over your little self and I just let you THINK you have everything under control.

I love you sweet babe.

Love-

Mama

It's beginning....

2010-11-02T23:51:00.000-05:00

I'm beyond thrilled today. When C and I went out to check the mail not only were are Christmas cards waiting for us on the front porch but also some of C's stocking stuffers have made their way to our home as well!

Mr.Stanley and I go back and forth all the time about what to get C when it comes to small stocking stuffers. She really cares much more for that big gift that will be sitting in our family room. However I wanted to get some small special gifts so like the years past she will be getting a few small books, an ornament that we received a few weeks ago from Pottery Barn Kids that was personalized for her, which is the theme for all of our ornaments. We also get her some fun fruit snacks and her Christmas card. This year I bought a few hair clips off of Giddy Giddy which was what showed up today and they are just as cute online as they were in my mailbox!

I'm still waiting for a few other things to show up at the Stanley home for C's stocking and will let you in on them later.

So here are a few pictures of the cuteness that will be in C's stocking next month!

I can't wait to see them in C's hair.

Also our Christmas cards turned out terrific and shutterfly had amazingly prompt timing only 4 days and they were here.

Don't worry I wont be sending them out until after December 1st.

That is actually the mister's rule, no Christmas stuff out until after Thanksgiving yada yada yada.

Oh What a Weekend!!

2010-11-01T10:17:00.000-05:00

Halloween has gotten more exhausting since having a child!

No matter, it was still alot of fun watching C pass out candy to trick or treaters as well as watching her go up to a few doors herself saying "trick or treat". I just can't believe how big she has gotten from last year's Halloween.

Here's a few takes from our weekend.

C helped Mr.Stanley mow the yard for the last time of the year...thank gosh!

A little Halloween style for running errands.

On Saturday we had lots of family to visit and help Aunt Kassie and Uncle Andy pass out candy.

It was full day of family fun!

C with most of her little cousins.

On Sunday C waited patiently for her Daddy to finish working on his truck, so that she could get ready for Trick or Treating!

C was Pebbles for Halloween

and her best friend Hen, was Bam Bam

She loved going door to door and getting candy.

Even though it was so cold and we only went around the block, it was alot of fun to watch her start to understand the concept of things. It makes the hubs and I really excited to see how she will react this Christams.

It was a fun night with family, food and a lot of candy.

Hope everyone is super excited for the holiday season to begin!!

Oh I'm sure it's to soon...oh well

2010-10-27T12:55:00.000-05:00

So since October is almost to an end, which means it officially becomes holiday season in this house, I decided to make a list of my all time favorite holiday movies. I try to make sure I get a chance to watch most of these through the holidays, since after January 1st, the holiday season closes and I am all but ready for Spring. So I try to get as much enjoyment out of them as possible.

These are not in any specific order by the way.

Family Stone, is one of my all time favorites, it has a terrific cast, it's funny, heartwarming and a little sad, but it's a new classic Christmas movie.

Ever since my sister and I were little I can remember watching the old classic Christmas movies with my family. Many of my friends hadn't even heard of White Christmas or Holiday Inn, and it blew my mind that they hadn't ever seen these movies.

Neither had my husband when we spent our first holiday season together he was bombarded with Christmas movies.

So even though we still have well over a month away till December, I still felt the need to share.

Oh Random thoughts about this man!

2010-10-20T16:18:00.000-05:00

So today randomly, I was thinking about how Nate will be when he grows old. For those of you who know my husband, you know that he has a passion for being around people. 9 out of 10 times we go out whether for dinner, the grocery store or the mall we run into someone he knows it never fails. We have been out of state sometimes and he has ran into someone he knows. Most people usually avoid those they don't really care enough to have a relationship when they see them out in public, it's true we are all adults. Oh no not my husband he is all about saying hello to people and making honest conversation with others.

He always has the ability to see the good in people, and even when he doesn't see the good in others you wont hear him saying anything negative about them. The worst he will say is, "Nice guy, not someone I would hang out with though." This is no joke, a few years ago my dear husband drove his 4-wheeler into the back window of his truck, I immediately went into freak out mode while, my husband simply looked at his shattered window and said " well...shit"

Yes, the term simple and happy man describes this man.

So back to my weird images of how Nate will be when he grows old, I'm talking 60-70 years old, by the way. I have feeling it will still take him 40 minutes to run up to grocery store (a block away) to grab milk, because he will run into someone he knows and end up having a long conversation with them.

I think he will for sure embarrass the crap out of our children, mostly unintentional though.

He will always intentionally embarrass me in public, only when he is older he will for sure make it something to do with his bodily function instead of singing to me in public.

The television will most likely be turned so far up our neighbors will hate us until we die.

He will still attempt to climb houses, barns, garages and trees. However, I'm sure his pants will fall more often then they do now while in mid air.

He will without a doubt have no hair left on his hair. Of course I'm thinking that will happen more at the age of 30.

However, no matter what things may change as we both get older, it wont matter because I'm sure he will still have the ability to make me laugh without trying, be able to pull me out of all my little funks and of course share in all the joys of our life has given us.

The Things I love about a Fall Morning

2010-10-14T15:22:00.000-05:00

There are so many things I love about Fall.

However, morning time during the Fall is the best, it's the coldest part of the day, it just seem so crisp to me.

This morning C came running into our room because the Mister woke her up when he left and she curled up and fell back asleep, so as I was laying there she snored and I thought of my favorite things about a Fall morning.

1. The crisp air seeping through our bedroom windows

2. Snuggling up to Mr.Stanley before he gets up for work

3. Hearing C's bare feet slap the hardwood floor on her way to our bed

4. Listening to her soft snore as she is wrapped up in her blanket

5. Hearing the leaves crunch as the kids walk to school

6. Listening to the high school band practicing for games in the morning

7. Chocolate Chip pumpkin muffins for breakfast

8. Watching the Fall trends on the Today Show.

9. Hearing the acorns falling from our tree onto our deck

10. All of the colors that pop up during this time of year.

Yes I'm a Fall junkie, it's my favorite season of all time. I mean I don't mind the others to much, but I would rather live in Fall weather all year long.