Happy Father's Day

I just had to share this great pic of my husband who is now the daddy to two amazing little girls:

Happy Father's Day! 

You're a wonderful husband and father, and we're truly blessed to have you in our lives. 

We love you.

And Happy Father's Day to all of the other fathers, future fathers, fathers of angel babies, and any other father figures. You play an important role in the lives of the children you love. Thank you for all that you do.

Bridesmaids dresses are not conducive to nursing...

So Dorothy (my little sister) is hitched. The wedding was at the end of May, I was the Matron of Honor (truly an honor indeed), and Claire got to be a flower girl.

I was so glad and proud to be a part of Dorothy's big day, but it was not without its challenges. I was nursing a newborn, in charge of a toddler, and co-hosting Dorothy's bachelorette and lingerie shower festivities. Not to mention that Jared was a groomsmen in a different wedding during the same weekend. He helped out as much as he could, but he had his own activities and schedule that he had to follow. If it were not for my sister-in-law, Ashley, and Jared's family I do not think I would have made it.  Luckily, the weddings were not on the same day. Suffice to say we had a jam packed weekend.

Friday Night:

Jared had his rehearsal dinner. I (and Amelia tagged along) had Dorothy's bachelorette party and lingerie shower. Claire went to see her JuJu and Zo.

Saturday:

We had Dorothy's rehearsal around noon. There was a wedding party get together/lunch at my parents house. Jared had to go take pictures around 3:00pm and then had his wedding. Claire went to take a nap at the Allen's house and stayed with them until they took her home for bedtime. I attended the wedding (with Amelia in tow - she refused/continues to refuse to take a bottle) and then rushed over to Dorothy's rehearsal dinner. Jared joined Amelia and I when he was finished visiting with his friends and his wedding duties were over.

Sunday:

Amelia and I attended a Bridesmaid's Brunch and then went to get our hair done with (another) Claire (the groom's sister). Then we headed to my parent's house where the rest of the bridal party was getting ready. Then it was a whirlwind of make-up and getting to the venue. Claire (my toddler) was with Jared in the morning and then got dropped off at her JuJu and Zo's (again!) for a nap - before they dressed her and brought her for pictures. Then it was go time!

Phew!

General Comments/Feelings:

The most stressful moments were definitely during pictures when I was in charge of Dorothy's dress/veil, my dress, and Claire - she was NOT in a cooperative mood.  I was also so worried that she was going to decide not to walk down the aisle (Claire, not Dorothy) or that she would throw a tantrum at some point mid-walk.

All my worries were for nothing. Claire did beautifully. She walked down the aisle perfectly, then let out a little shout of excitement when she saw her JuJu waiting for her, and took off at a toddler run to get to her. It was so cute. After that point I took a deep breath and enjoyed myself much more. Jared had Amelia and I only had myself and Dorothy to worry about for half an hour.

Then after the ceremony it was a whirlwind of making sure everyone (else) was fed, Dorothy had everything she needed, my toast (which I totally did not prepare for adequately, but turned out okay), and trying to enjoy some of the reception.Yeah, I never did get to eat dinner, but that's okay. Even though I missed at least half of the reception - between nursing, Matron of Honor duties, etc. - the parts I did see/get to be a part of were a lot of fun.

Claire and the newlyweds.

Also, it turns out that a combination of nursing and not having time to eat is an excellent way to lose weight - I was down three pounds by the end of the weekend. However, I don't really recommend that diet to anyone. ;-)

It was a beautiful ceremony, Dorothy was a beautiful bride, and I was one proud sister. We all had a great time. I don't really care to repeat the craziness of that weekend ever again, but it was a really sweet time with/for my family.

Too bad I didn't have time (or free hands) to take any pictures. 

Holy Moly...

So I know it has been about a month since I posted, but life has been crazy! I am only posting now because I am not exhausted and both girls are asleep...the house is quiet.

Amelia Jo is almost two-months old now. Claire is almost 2 and a half years old and my little sister is married.

May went by in a whirlwind. I was trying to get the hang of mothering two (which I am still trying to get the hang of by the way), planning a bachelorette party for my little sister, and working off some baby weight in order to cram myself into a bridesmaids' dress (which I did fit into--barely).

I love Claire, I love Amelia, and I cannot imagine my life without either of those little boogers, but parenting two is a daily hourly minute-by-minute challenge (and I can only imagine that with each successive child the challenge just continues to grow). It is such a weird place to find yourself. Absolutely loving your life and loathing it simultaneously. I don't mean literally loathing life, but there are definitely moments when I think, "How did I get myself into this mess?" Of course, there are also moments when I think, "How did I get blessed with this mess?" I mean seriously. I have two of the most precious baby girls (and a fabulous husband; who happens to be the world's best daddy too).

Claire is in the middle of her second year. It is a really fun time to be her mother AND it is a really difficult time to be her mother. I am so glad that the Lord's mercies are new each morning because boy do I need it. I do not get enough sleep (Amelia needs to eat at night) and my patience just wears thinner and thinner throughout the day. There are many nights that I go to bed feeling like I have absolutely failed at mothering Claire. Luckily, she is pretty forgiving at this age. I do wonder (and worry) if our nap time (and other) power struggles are going to have lasting harmful effects on her and/or our relationship. Surely other parents worry about this - I can only hope I am not the only one. Even though we have our fair share of stand-offs throughout most days, we have some really precious moments too.

Amelia is such a good baby. She naps. She eats. She is growing SO quickly. I never had those "she is getting too big too fast" moments with Claire. I was always just so glad she was gaining weight (we had trouble with that in the first few months), but Amelia is a different baby entirely. I am pretty sure she is just average sized, but she is wearing clothes that Claire didn't fit into until she was five months old; and she is not even two months old! Also, Amelia is a snuggler - Claire never really was - so I am cherishing my little snuggle bug. : ) I really cannot imagine our lives without Amelia. She is such a sweet blessing and has wiggled her way into my heart right next to her sister. I still cannot fathom how one heart can hold so much love, but my love for these girls just continues to grow.

God gives us so much more grace than we deserve (because we deserve none), but I cannot remember a time when I have been more aware of that fact than during this season of my life.

So, in order to not make this the world's longest post, I am going to break this up into two posts. Dorothy's wedding weekend to follow.

Sister Comparisons

It is kind of fun to have two girls - I like to look through all of the pictures we have so far and compare what they look(ed) like at each stage. It is remarkable to me how much alike and how different they are at the same time. Here are some examples and pics that I have noticed up to now:

Claire - 2 weeks old - Amelia

Amelia has some hair, but Claire had so much more hair. Claire's hair was also darker.

Also, Claire's eyes were dark brown from day one. Amelia's eyes are a grayish color - so we are really curious to see what color they end up.

Claire was smaller and gained weight much more slowly.

Claire was awake and alert a lot more of the time earlier on and Amelia goes to sleep so much more easily.

Claire - First tub bath - Amelia

I am telling you the comparison aspect is just so fascinating to me. How the same two people's DNA can combine in so many different ways. Which ultimately results in two completely different human beings that also have so much in common.

I can't wait to watch them both grow and develop and continue to discover new similarities and differences between the two.

She is Finally Here...

...And I am finally posting about it.

Amelia Jo arrived (via induction) at 11:39 am on April 16th. She weighed 8 lbs and 1 oz and was 21" long. The labor was very short compared to my last one and we were both doing fine after delivery. There were several moments of excitement throughout the whole process, but I will save those for close friends and family.

Amelia has been a very amiable baby so far. Also, she is eating like a champ. We had trouble with Claire's weight for the first four or five months, so to have a baby that is nursing well and gaining weight well is such a relief. Amelia was 9 lbs even at her two week doctors appointment. (It took Claire three or four months to reach 9 lbs).

Amelia has been here for two and a half weeks now (She will be three weeks old on Tuesday). Some days it feels like so much longer and some days I can't believe how quickly these (almost) three weeks have gone by.

So here are some pics:

2 weeks

 

1 week

 

Sisters

1 day

Having two little ones is definitely a game changer. I am extremely tired and I worry that I am failing as a parent most days, but I also feel so blessed and joyful at the same time. Now that Amelia is here I cannot imagine what we ever did without her. She has filled a void in our family that I didn't even realize existed.

I have been really terrible about blogging, but I have a pretty good excuse - at least for the last three weeks anyway. Posting is going to have to be done only on the weekends (that aren't crammed full of wedding/family stuff) for a while - when I have back up. : )

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are...

38 wks

40 wks

39 wks

36 wks

30 wks

33 wks

22 wks

28 wks

26 wks

I have done a lot better about taking semi-regular pictures of the bump this pregnancy. Of course...I didn't have a chance to take a 39 week pic or a 40 week pic with Claire---because she graced us with her presence a week early.

I am trying really hard not to become super depressed about the fact that I am still pregnant, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. I know I am--and should feel--blessed to have a full-term, healthy pregnancy - and I do - but I am also exhausted and really sick of being sick. The vomiting, heartburn, insomnia that starts around 3:00am each morning, and back pain all make it hard to appreciate being pregnant.

Also, I really wish people would just stop telling me how ready they are for Amelia to get here. Really? You're ready? You don't want to wait a few more weeks? I know you are ready. You want to know how I know? Because I am the one baking this kid and I am more than ready - beyond ready - and I have been for WEEKS!

And guess what...I am doing everything that I can think of (or find on the Internet--with the exception of drinking Castor Oil - I will NOT do that) to try and speed the process along. ;-)

Okay, so now that I am done venting, let me just tell you how anxious/excited I am about meeting this little girl. I am thinking she takes after her daddy (read: totally laid back and not in any kind of hurry). I have so many questions about her. Will she have a ton of hair like Claire? What will she look like? How will she be similar to and/or different from Claire? So many things I want to know...I wish she would hurry up and help me answer some of them.

I made sure that I would have all of my chores and "To Do" list items completed at least a week early just in case (because Claire was early and I am always early, and so I expected Amelia to follow suit). So now I am sitting around with nothing to occupy my time (other than usual motherhood/household chores). Thank goodness for my Mom to Mom bible study, grocery shopping, and laundry. I am pretty sure those are the only things keeping me sane during this waiting game. And also my husband, friends, and family who invite me out to do stuff - so I don't just sit around the house all day lamenting Amelia's tardiness.

I know in a year these last few weeks will seem like no time at all, but right now the time is dragging by and each day and each night feels like an eternity.

36 Weeks

I am in the countdown stretch of this pregnancy - which is/has been thrilling and terrifying - equally.

I am so excited to meet Amelia and love on our little girl. I am also EXTREMELY ready to be done with pregnancy, but I am also so anxious about mothering two small children...simultaneously. How will I do it? I lose my patience with one. I get frustrated with one. I lose sleep with one. I am so exhausted some days that I am not sure I will make it to nap time--with one. How am I going to handle two?

I know that on my own I cannot handle two. Luckily, the Lord's grace is sufficient. I just have to remember to lean into Him on those days when I feel like I am not enough - which is just about everyday.

Of course I also have days that are so joy-filled and wonderful that I cannot imagine how I got to be so lucky. And there will be double the joy on those days. I just need to keep reminding myself that I will have double the blessing on those days and that God will provide strength and endurance on the days that are not so wonderful.

So...36 weeks. I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by. I am starting to feel sick and/or throw up most days again. :-( Sleep is also becoming very illusive. Here is a pic of what I look like at 36 weeks this pregnancy (and at 38 weeks with Claire):

36 weeks - Amelia

38 weeks - Claire

The doctor informed me today that I am 1cm dilated and 60% effaced. This was so exciting to hear. I never dilated or effaced with Claire, so I feel like I am making some very big progress. Of course, then my mother tells me that she was 90% effaced and almost 3 or 4 cm dilated with my brother...and they had to induce labor after she had gone two weeks over her due date...thanks a lot mom. ;-)

I have a very strong feeling that because Claire was a week early and because I am already showing signs of progression that little miss Amelia will be here sometime before her official due date. I have been having a ton of Braxton-Hicks contractions and have been feeling very anxious - which are both signs that labor is approaching. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

This is one of the hardest parts of pregnancy (especially for a type A, list-making, planner) -- not knowing exactly when, or what, or how anything will happen. I have officially checked off most of my to-do before baby list. So I take some comfort in knowing that I am pretty much ready whenever, but there are still a couple of things that I would really like to get done. Hopefully, I have at least a week to finish them. I guess we will find out.