Along for the ride ((birthday post))

There are moments in my days where I throw my hands up and think WHAT was I thinking having kids? Some days it seems they are out to make life really ridiculously difficult. Put shoes on. Rip shoes off. Mop the floor. Drop a sippy cup of milk. Color a picture. Step on a Barbie. Break Barbies head off. Tears. Tears. Tears.


She turned four this week. Time seems to be speeding up. I feel like I'm standing in the center of chaos and its slowly swirling around me. She turned four this week. Dang.

We celebrated. We partied. We caked. We Build-a-Beared. Lilly shone like the sun on her day. HER DAY.

 

 

As I was hurrying my little four year old off to bed this week I remember thinking about how Lilly needed to get teeth brushed, in bed, lights out quickly because I had a to do list and some new season premieres to catch. I had it planned in my head. No messing around tonight---bed. boom. freedom.

"Mommy, could you rock me tonight?"


Yes. The answer should be and will ALWAYS be yes. So I rocked her. I played with her hair and she held my hand. We rocked cheek to cheek in one of those perfect mom moments where you just want to CLICK and capture it forever. Oh, clutch my heart she was sweet as pie. She leaned up and whispered in my ear that she'd love me forever, ever, ever........


These moments---these stories....I don't want to forget them. I want to remember the things that light up their world in this stage. I want to remember what drove me bonkerbananas.

Her story and his story is amazing and awesome---because God is the author. and I'm literally along for the ride. however long, difficult, and ridiculous it might be.

meet mr. noah ((his birth story))

I have a little someone I'd like you to meet. :)

Say hello to Mister Noah Hayden!

He was born July 7th at 6:35 pm. He was 8 lbs 13 oz and 20 in. long.

Side note? Why do we always feel the need to share the birth stats? Pretty sure the only people that care about them are the parents and nanas. So--that's for you nana and mom! :)

On the day Noah was born I woke up in a great mood--which was a pleasant surprise to my husband because prior to this day I'd say I woke up in a  foul and sour mood 75% of the time. I  consistently "don't do mornings" and REALLY don't do mornings when pregnant.  I had a fun ME morning planned --target, iced coffee, and hair salon. SLAM DUNK, right?  This morning was my gift to myself--Noah was scheduled to appear in 4 days via c-section and I wanted to soak up some last minute  of SELF INDULGENCE.

After a GLORIOUS morning with frequent minor blips of contractions I headed home to family. I'm sure you'll be sarcastically surprised to hear how HOT it was outside but I vividly remember looking at my car thermometer and it reading 106 degrees and thinking GOOD LORD I CANNOT DO ONE MORE BLIPPIN DAY OF THIS MADNESS.

I pulled in the driveway, walked in the house and my water broke.

THE LORD HEARS THE CRIES OF YOUR HEART PEOPLE!!

Having my water break on my own answered several prayers for me. One of my biggest disappointments with lilly's birth was that I never got to experience any of the natural childbirth symptoms. When my dr. ordered a repeat section for Noah I was once again just a little bummed about the thought of birthing two babies and not really feeling the "pains of childbirth".  So when my water broke on my own I was freaking out and praising God. It was kinda fun to  say the "Honey.....it's tiiiiimmmmeeeee".  I'm so grateful for that moment and I thank the Lord for that.

I immediately went into  Bad Mambajamba Go Mode while Scott frantically BEGAN to pack.  I remember kneeling down to tell Lilly that  her that her baby brother was coming--she looked up at me and with big eyes said "We better get READY!!" and she proceeded to pretend to paint my toenails with a q-tip while I finished up packing. I'm so happy she has her priorities straight.

We arrived at the hospital around 1:00 and waited for my doctor to drive home from chicago. I cannot speak enough praises about my OB. SHE DROVE HOME FROM CHICAGO------to deliver my child. I would have her baby if I could.

I've always been a creature of control. I like to know what's going on, how I'll feel, what comes next, what happens later, and  so on. I thought for sure this second section would be a breeze. I KNEW what to expect and there weren't any foreseen surprises. Maybe it was the thoughts of my life changing drastically, or the unexpected feelings of "WHAT HAVE WE DONE" to our family, or even the fact that the anesthesiologist was just a liiiittttlleee creepy looking--but when I walked into the OR I kinda freaked. And  let me elaborate by saying  kinda---i mean I started crying uncontrollably.  I was so embarrassed. I'd DONE this before.  But for whatever reason I had a little freak out sesh right there on the OR table. I'm a fool to think I'm the only one that's been a little anxiety ridden before having a baby---but I expected myself to be stronger. Once Scott was able to enter the room again and hold my hand I was immediately calm again.  I needed my baby daddy. ;)

Noah was born squawking and screaming just like his big sister at 6:35.  At birth he looked remarkably like his sister only a full POUND AND A HALF HEAVIER. He lovingly earned the nickname tank from the nursing staff and we have kissed those chubby cheeks ad-nauseum since meeting him.

Lilly was so excited to meet her little brother. However did not want to leave the waiting room to meet him because SOMEONE brought her the mother of all sticker books.  And honestly neither would I---700 Melissa and Doug stickers---seriously, Aunt Angie?!?! :)

Once the tears stopped--she was happy to hold her baby and snuggle in with her new family member. The first thing she said to him was "awe he so chute" and she says that same phrase repeatedly 20 times a day. A cute reminder of the day three became four.

 

We are home and completely smitten by our little man. We are also reallllllllllly tired.

Birthday partaaaaay!

Lilly's birthday was super fun. We woke her up singing happy birthday. Her face lit up when we sang and she started bouncing in her green jammies. Her already outta control hair was EXTRA outta control on her birthday.I contemplated putting product in it, but then realized that crazy hair = lilly. So I decided against it. Here are some{read--A FRICKIN ton} detail and party pics of Lilly's birthday. No theme. I found a dress at Target {lurve} and planned the party around the color scheme. I later cut up that dress and made her bib and onesie.  I made all the decorations and had a blast doing it. I was really inspired by all the party blogs. YEA....PARTY BLOGS. My faves? Hostess with the Mostess and Kara's Party Ideas. I had so much fun making stuff.  No. REALLY. Like too much fun. Like I wanna be a 1st birthday party planner. NOW. 

Enjoy!

ahm one. eye rock.

door sign

 lilly bears, baby cakes, and lil' sunshines

I tried to name everything with a nickname that I use for Lilly

You know, since the day was all about her. :)

cupcakes: TARGET

Target has my heart 100%. They were fab.

tiered tray and cake stand: 50 cent plates  and candlesticks from goodwill (scrubbed and scoured...don't fret!)  spray painted and glued together using E600.

addicted to doing this now.

 I hung tissue pom flowers and white laterns from all the ceiling fans in the kitchen, living, and sun rooms.

They really transformed the space.

Tissue paper + martha stewart= love

oh hi flag banner!

a friend  of mine, whose name just happens to be Lilly, made this cake for Lilly. PERFECT. She's so talented.

 I was so glad that I did this. I took a month picture of lilly in the same chair with the same bear every month. I loooove looking at this. I might continue it even though the year milestone is passed. "Lilly sit in your chair!! This is your 8 year 4th month picture!!!!"

drinking glasses + ribbon+ cheapo crazy daisies= modern splash of color for centerpieces

Lilly clearly had a great time.

 Clearly.

She decided to take her first three steps at the party. Towards clothes.

Atta Girl!

 clearly.

 her cousins adore her....and she adores them.

 I covered Dora party hats from the party store with scrapbook paper I had leftover from the flags.

It was a good idea in theory. Apparently kids HATE party hats. Who knew?

Happy Birthday toooo meeeee!!!

I tried my derndest to get a good family picture.

DERNDEST.

EPIC. FAIL.

I believe everyone had a great time at the party. I love getting together with family and close friends. I love that my family is growing. I love that my friends are becoming more like family.

I tried to take a moment to step back during the party to really soak in the fact that Lilly is ONE. It was a birthday to me too ya know. My first year as a mom.

I survived.

HOLLA!

:)