We were able to spend some time together with our girls while our boys played.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Emma and Giada
My dear friend Yvonne, who I work with, brought her kiddos over to swim with Cash before the school year started. Yvonne found out she was pregnant about a month before I did and it was so fun to share our pregnancies together. Her sweet Giada was born 2 months early and though she spent so much time in the hospital she is absolutely gorgeous, healthy and perfect.
We were able to spend some time together with our girls while our boys played.
We were able to spend some time together with our girls while our boys played.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Pool
Not long after we moved in to our home (mid March 2013) we decided to have a pool put in. We started getting bids and finally decided on a pool company mid June. We were hoping that the "digging" would be over before I had Emma but that didn't exactly workout seeing as how she decided to make her appearance 3 weeks early. We brought Emma home on the 30th of June and the digging continued well in to that first week. It was to say the least AWFUL! SO loud! We loaded up the kids and went to my parents while it was going on.
With all of that said the process was pretty exciting and we looked forward to seeing the finished product. The entire project took 7 weeks. That was from the time of painting off the outline of the pool to swimming.
Food for thought: 1) Get at least 5 bids for the job. 2) Look for a pool company that doesn't have a ton of overhead so they don't include their overhead in the cost of your pool. 3) Ask for references and to see those references first hand. If their work is really that great they should be able to take you to a few jobs they have done and let you see their finished product.
With all of that said the process was pretty exciting and we looked forward to seeing the finished product. The entire project took 7 weeks. That was from the time of painting off the outline of the pool to swimming.
Food for thought: 1) Get at least 5 bids for the job. 2) Look for a pool company that doesn't have a ton of overhead so they don't include their overhead in the cost of your pool. 3) Ask for references and to see those references first hand. If their work is really that great they should be able to take you to a few jobs they have done and let you see their finished product.
Trip to Port Arthur
This past weekend we made a trip to Port Arthur to see my grandmother 'Missy' and my brothers. My grandmother turned 90 on Sept 4th. I literally cannot begin to describe the love I have for this woman. She is amazing beyond words. She is beautiful, wise and one of the most important people in my life..not just women but people.
Emma was such a great little traveler..while her brother asked about a million times if we were there yet.:) I guess that's typical of a 6 year old. It's funny though because Cash is so much like Ben in the car..he can stay awake forever and Emma (although) an infant seems more like me. Her eyes close the minute she gets in the car.
My dad went with us as my mom was already there and of course we made our traditional stop at Bucee's. That is one of Cash's favorite things to do...and mine too! One of Cash's other favorite things to do is stay in a hotel..which we did. My parents stayed as well so he was in heaven.
We visited with my grandmother on Saturday morning and also before we headed back home. There wasn't as much time with her as I would have liked but any time is valuable. I wanted her to meet Emma and see Cash. He really has a bond with her..even as little time as they have spent together. I guess he sees all the wonderful things about her like I do. We got to take some generational pictures together which was really great.
Emma was such a great little traveler..while her brother asked about a million times if we were there yet.:) I guess that's typical of a 6 year old. It's funny though because Cash is so much like Ben in the car..he can stay awake forever and Emma (although) an infant seems more like me. Her eyes close the minute she gets in the car.
My dad went with us as my mom was already there and of course we made our traditional stop at Bucee's. That is one of Cash's favorite things to do...and mine too! One of Cash's other favorite things to do is stay in a hotel..which we did. My parents stayed as well so he was in heaven.
We visited with my grandmother on Saturday morning and also before we headed back home. There wasn't as much time with her as I would have liked but any time is valuable. I wanted her to meet Emma and see Cash. He really has a bond with her..even as little time as they have spent together. I guess he sees all the wonderful things about her like I do. We got to take some generational pictures together which was really great.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
My boys and their guitars
It was time for Ben to buy another guitar and of course Cash loves to go to the music store with his dad...so off we went to Guitar Center. We bought Cash's 2nd and 3rd guitar there ...and he was 3 and 5. Now he found his 4th guitar...I captured this pic of the two of them while testing out the newest additions to their collections.
Cash 1st week of 1st grade
Our sweet boy started first grade last week. I am not sure how I feel about that. It was good to have him go back to school as he was home all summer with Emma and I. He had the choice of going to camp a few weeks or staying with us and he really wanted to stay with us. I was glad as I thought it would be good for him to spend time with his sister.
Its really hard to believe he is already a first grader. Also hard to believe how different you feel about kinder to first. I was so sad to leave him at kinder but happy to see him going in to the first grade. He is growing so fast and I am constantly in awe of how smart he is. I think the common sense thing may take a bit to catch up but he is smart, creative, outgoing, and very sweet.
His first week of 1st grade went great. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Veronica DePoyster, and I am hopeful that she is just the teacher for him. Cash being in Dual Language provides a greater challenge and we really need him to have a strong and organized teacher...and I think she is that teacher for him.
Its really hard to believe he is already a first grader. Also hard to believe how different you feel about kinder to first. I was so sad to leave him at kinder but happy to see him going in to the first grade. He is growing so fast and I am constantly in awe of how smart he is. I think the common sense thing may take a bit to catch up but he is smart, creative, outgoing, and very sweet.
His first week of 1st grade went great. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Veronica DePoyster, and I am hopeful that she is just the teacher for him. Cash being in Dual Language provides a greater challenge and we really need him to have a strong and organized teacher...and I think she is that teacher for him.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
The first two months....
I can say we feel blessed to have such a good baby....actually blessed to have had two good babies. We are more confident, wiser, and probably more relaxed (if you can use that word for Ben and I) than we were the first time. I think that is to be expected. We are enjoying every moment with Emma and really trying to just take it all in. I was so obsessed with getting it all right with Cash and now I am not lost in the details but lost in her. I regret that I couldn't be that way with Cash but I guess that is just the nature of the "first".
When we brought Emma home she became very jaundice. Cash was also jaundice but not as bad as she was. Although looking at her I couldn't tell at all. Her pediatrician, Dr. Brandy McCray wanted to see her just for the initial routine newborn check up and she was immediately concerned about her color. So because my milk had not yet come in I had to supplement with formula which I was not happy about. I already felt defeated at breastfeeding and I hadn't even started. None the less Emma's health was more important than my "want" to nurse her exclusively. I started to supplement with Enfamil and we quickly realized she was not keeping any of it down...which also scared me. Dr. McCray advised we try Nutramogen (lactose free) formula. That seemed to agree with her. My milk came in on day 4 though my body was doing what it was suppose to do I still felt like I wasn't going to be able to just breastfeed. I think I felt that way because I wasn't successful at it with Cash.
So I am now exclusively breastfeeding which I have to say was the most complicated process for me to understand!! Thank God for Megan Brown. I told her the other day that she is like a walking/talking "what to expect in the first year".:) She really has been my rock through what I consider a huge commitment! The when, and how do you know how much they are getting, and for how long and what time, etc. etc. etc. Its all so much to comprehend and manage but I am proud to say I am doing it and I think doing it well finally. Its funny because every time Ben calls me I am either pumping or nursing. It really does seem like that but I wouldn't have it any other way. I wish I could have been successful at breastfeeding Cash but I had no idea what I was doing then. I can remember the lactation nurse coming in when I had Cash and I practically dismissed her like I had it all figured out....uh no..I did not! Lesson learned!
Emma is now sleeping from 11-5 each night. She is more alert during the day and starting to coo. We love seeing all of her facial expressions and getting her to smile at us. Ben is always asking me if I am still infatuated with her and I am.....I SO am! Having a son is a certain kind of proud...the kind of proud that makes you want him to grow up to be a strong, outgoing, grounded, and well rounded man. Having a daughter is very different for me. So much pride but a feeling of never wanting her to date, leave the house..at least until she is 30...and even Cash said he and his daddy will have to take out any man that would want to marry her and make sure they are nice to her. I couldn't agree more!
Every day is a gift with our sweet girl and we are absolutely loving every minute!
When we brought Emma home she became very jaundice. Cash was also jaundice but not as bad as she was. Although looking at her I couldn't tell at all. Her pediatrician, Dr. Brandy McCray wanted to see her just for the initial routine newborn check up and she was immediately concerned about her color. So because my milk had not yet come in I had to supplement with formula which I was not happy about. I already felt defeated at breastfeeding and I hadn't even started. None the less Emma's health was more important than my "want" to nurse her exclusively. I started to supplement with Enfamil and we quickly realized she was not keeping any of it down...which also scared me. Dr. McCray advised we try Nutramogen (lactose free) formula. That seemed to agree with her. My milk came in on day 4 though my body was doing what it was suppose to do I still felt like I wasn't going to be able to just breastfeed. I think I felt that way because I wasn't successful at it with Cash.
So I am now exclusively breastfeeding which I have to say was the most complicated process for me to understand!! Thank God for Megan Brown. I told her the other day that she is like a walking/talking "what to expect in the first year".:) She really has been my rock through what I consider a huge commitment! The when, and how do you know how much they are getting, and for how long and what time, etc. etc. etc. Its all so much to comprehend and manage but I am proud to say I am doing it and I think doing it well finally. Its funny because every time Ben calls me I am either pumping or nursing. It really does seem like that but I wouldn't have it any other way. I wish I could have been successful at breastfeeding Cash but I had no idea what I was doing then. I can remember the lactation nurse coming in when I had Cash and I practically dismissed her like I had it all figured out....uh no..I did not! Lesson learned!
Emma is now sleeping from 11-5 each night. She is more alert during the day and starting to coo. We love seeing all of her facial expressions and getting her to smile at us. Ben is always asking me if I am still infatuated with her and I am.....I SO am! Having a son is a certain kind of proud...the kind of proud that makes you want him to grow up to be a strong, outgoing, grounded, and well rounded man. Having a daughter is very different for me. So much pride but a feeling of never wanting her to date, leave the house..at least until she is 30...and even Cash said he and his daddy will have to take out any man that would want to marry her and make sure they are nice to her. I couldn't agree more!
Every day is a gift with our sweet girl and we are absolutely loving every minute!
Siblings
Cash was so excited to have a baby sister and though he new she would be little he could not have known how it would be to have a newborn in the house. Cash has been the only child for 6 years so while we knew it would be a transition for him I think I was overly optimistic that the changes to come would be easy for him. Its so hard to remember that Cash is just 6 years old. He's independent in so many ways but at the same time he is still very much a "little" boy.
He is very good with Emma and wants to help a lot..which I knew he would. It is so sweet to see him hold her. She just stares at him and I know that admiration of her brother will always be there. The one thing Ben and I hope for is that Cash and Emma always remember that they have each other throughout the changes that life can bring. We hope the bond they build is everlasting and unbreakable.
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