Last day of Toddler II

Today is Kinsleigh's last day of school as a Toddler II gal! She loved her teachers, Miss Aubrey, Dana and Tracey so much and is going to miss them dearly. I got to hear about them and all her friends every day. School is the highlight of her week. She comes home telling me about her art and many times teaching me new songs that I've never heard before. She's a little smartie and school has helped her learn so much more than she already did know! So until next year when she joins the older two's class, here's to 12 long weeks of summer!!! This could be a good thing and a bad thing. Ha!

Here she is with her gifts she helped make for her teachers and enjoying a little brownie herself afterwards. She's the sweetest!

Happy Mothers Day

Being a Mommy involves a lot of hard work, tears, dress up, singing songs for everything, sleepless nights, hugs and kisses, dancing around like no one is watching, baking cookies, sending your kids to time out, packing lunches, playing at the park, tea parties, getting really messy, back scratches, breaking the bank, playdates, endless dishes, lots of laughs, noisy car rides, piggy back rides, silly faces, going on adventures, arts and crafts, repairing boo boos, riding bikes, flying kites, watching Mickey Mouse 3 times a day, reading board books, shot day at the Dr.'s office, playing in our tutus...

You can feel happiness, sadness, pain, fear, energetic, exhausted, frustrated, helpless, silly, and clueless. Sometimes all at the same time.

For all these things, I am grateful! Thank you Kinsleigh and Kyla for giving me the privelege to be your Mommy. I love you more than words can say!

And to all the other Mommies out there! Great job! You are deeply loved! Happy Mothers Day!

Looking Up and Thankful

I am beyond gracious for all the empathy, help and support everyone has offered us during this extremely tough time in our lives. We literally have people lined up to come over and help! Whether it be to let us rest, bring us meals, clean our house, or just come spend time with us, it is all greatly appreciated. We've been able to truly see the love of God through all our friends.

Just to recap what is going on in our lives these days, Kyla has been VERY fussy beyond words since she was 2 weeks old. It kept getting worse and worse and people just kept telling us it was a phase and would pass. Myself as a mommy knew better and eventually could see this wasn't normal and there was definitely something else going on. I took her to the Dr., insisted they test her for ANYTHING else that they were not being able to see externally. (because of course, she appeared normal at all her visits) Through that they discovered infection "somewhere."

We admitted her into the hospital, found out she had a UTI, began treating that, then switched her to special formula to also treat a possible milk protein allergy. Not to mention, she has some reflux going on on top of everything. Oh did I forget to mention that prior to the hospital visit, I was told that she may have something neurological going on and would possibly need an MRI because of the amount of time she was still wanting to sleep. Great, I'm feeling really confident now.

Now that we have gotten some of her problems taken care of, and the others are happening gradually, we are now battling how bills of having a new baby and then admitting a sick baby into the hospital are going to be paid, how long it is going to take us to build back up our rest, basically when we can get back to the "normalness" of life. Things got really tough when Kinsleigh decided to get very sick for 4 days when she hasn't been sick in an entire year. (this kid literally NEVER gets sick). This was putting me at getting up approx. 8 times a night with both kids. I'm exhausted! ...Things are tough but HE is going to pull us through.

Her alertness still isn't quite to where it should be but technically we are starting over with a newborn. She was always in so much pain before that she didn't have the opportunity to interact and develop like a healthy baby should. Each day it seems we are starting to see more and more smiling and alertness. But of course all the concern is not gone yet. I truly feel we are getting there though and it's due to all of your prayers! The Dr.'s are not the miracle workers. Only Christ alone.

So if it seems like problems is all I ever talk about anymore lately, it's because that's all I've experienced. My life has been consumed within the walls of our home and a hospital with a screaming baby for 2 months. I can count the number of times I have gone out into the world on one hand. Those times were to church and the Dr.'s office with two trips to the grocery store. Hopefully now things can at least start looking up and we can put all of this behind us! We love all our friends dearly and the old "me" will be back soon!!! Thank you!

First Haircut

Kinsleigh got her first hair cut today! And let me just say this place, "Kuts 4 Kids" is AMAZING!!! Just look at all the fun toys!




She started out great...looking like such a big girl...



Going quite well. Enjoyed getting her hair wet. (we talked all about this before we came).



Not so much enjoying anymore. Now she's screaming she wants her hair all dry...




The finished product. She got her hair done like Belle. Success!

My encouragement

As most of you know, I have really been struggling these first few weeks of little Kyla's life with worry, frustration, feeling completely helpless. The list goes on and on. But there is SOMETHING and really only one thing that keeps me going. And that is Christ alone. Here are a couple of verses I have been trying to live out each and every day over the course of this time. Hopefully they can be of some encouragement to you as well with whatever you may be struggling with.

"Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phil 4:6

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27 (read all verses 25-34)

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5

Ky's going to be okay. I know it! And she won't be cranky forever. But you may have to accept my crankiness I may display sometimes as well. I'm trying my best but I am TIRED!!!!

Look who's 1 month!...And 29 Years!

Here's to our cutie who is already 1 month old today! We can't believe it! Time is flying so fast!




Still giving Mommy as little sleep as ever but still loving her to pieces...

And here's to wishing my hot hubby a Happy 29th Birthday today. Only 1 more year until you hit the big one babe! Here's to feeling young again...

Who's Who

Who is who? Can you tell?




And you can't go cheat by looking in my facebook photo albums! Obviously there are some clues that give it away of who is who. Especially if you are a member of my family it's not too hard to figure out. But don't they look ridiculously the same. We're noticing it more and more each day! That just means we've got another cutie on our hands that we'll have to shoo the boys away from!