Stories of life with TWO...Lately...

Life with two kids is still an adjustment.  I never realized that it would really be so different.  The other day, I told a friend at MOPS that I was just waiting for it to "click".  Waiting to say, "Oh, ok!  I got this!"  (And I still want at least one more.  ;))

Getting out of the house, even for a quick errand, is sort of a task.  We stay home more than I want to because the thought sometimes of leaving just stresses me out a little bit.  Lately, I have MADE myself just do it.  I gotta figure it out, right? 

Before Carter, Annabelle and I went out a lot.  We had a little schedule, too.  She is, and always has been a pretty "easy" kid.  I didn't worry too much about going places.  She is USUALLY pretty easy to please.  Now that we have Carter, we have to make things pretty quick.  He's a baby, and therefore just has more needs.  I do love it that wherever I go, I carry his food with me.  (Perks of being a nursing momma)  The only thing is, finding a decent place to feed him that food.  I am a total supporter of breastfeeding, and think it is fantastic.  But, I am not one who thinks rippin' out your bare boob in public, for all to see, is appropriate.  It's uncomfortable.  Covered up, sure!  Nurse ANYWHERE covered up.  When Annabelle was a baby, I was still very very timid about nursing her in public, even with a cover.  I would find a very secluded space, which often was the backseat of a car, hoping no one could see in.  Now, I don't worry as much.  If he is fussy, I do know that it will help.  He can get a nice meal, and I can continue on in whatever I was doing....usually.  So, I find a place, cover up, and let him snack.  I had to sneak into a dressing room last week to feed him, and then I was able to finish some shopping.  It's so convenient!  This past weekend, my mom and I went to Target for a quick trip.  While in the clearance shoe aisle, BOTH of my kids started screaming.  No, really, screaming.  I didn't know what to do, and was actually a little embarrassed.  My mom was trying to help, but I didn't let it continue for long..I left a basket in the Clearance aisle at Target, and ran out of the store with a pretty unhappy Carter.  Nothing was soothing him.  So, I jumped in the car, and again, let him snack.  My mom somehow made Annabelle happy, and they had a nice little shopping trip.  ;)  I was thankful that mom was there. 

SO, Anyways, taking care of the needs of not just one, but two children is a little bit of work, and sometimes takes some major planning.  Even at home.  Annabelle is learning some patience these days.  Like today, for example.  We got home from running some errands, and Carter had run out of his own patience, and was hungry, and tired of being out I guess.  I had to sit down and feed him.  Annabelle paced a little bit in the living room before asking to eat. (via sign language)  She was trying to say, "snack".  (a word that maybe only I understand)  Poor girl.  But, she is learning patience.  AND, is having to make her needs known to me, which is very good for her communication development. 

Today, I was digging in my purse, which is actually kind of small.  It often has pacifiers, a diaper, dirty Kleenex, goldfish, or a sippy cup in it.  Today, I found half of a stale peanut butter and honey sandwich wrapped in a paper towel.  Pretty sure from a couple days ago. DON'T tell Craig.  Ha ha!  He would be so sicked out.  But, it is a reflection of how much more busy my life has gotten. My house is often messy.  I have to pick and choose the times to actually sit down, and when to just keep going.  There is just NOT enough hours in the day.  OR in the night. ;)  It will click though, right?

Often when I am in public, I get stopped and told how cute my children are. It happens A LOT with Annabelle.   Just a few days ago, Annabelle literally stopped traffic.  I was leaving the grocery store, and someone stopped in the middle of the parking lot in her car and hollered out of the window to me, " O MY WORD!  SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!  LOOK AT HER ADORABLE DRESS AND BIG BOW!"  There were cars behind her who had to stop, so I just waved and hollered back, "THANK YOU!"  Yesterday, she looked quite dirty when we were out.  She has a runny nose, so everything is sticking to her face.  Her hair, food, dirt, whatever.  We had been at the park, so she was pretty dirty.  But still, people stop and tell me how beautiful she is.  She is a ham too, i tell ya!  She waves and cocks her head and puts on quite the grin.  I am glad I am not the only one who sees the beauty in her snotty face.  ;)  She touches people, y'all.  And I knew when she was born that that was a big purpose for her life.  To touch people and change lives.  :)  Did I already tell the story of when I got pulled over for speeding a couple weeks ago?  Well, poor officer had no chance but to give me a verbal warning when he laid his eyes on my two beautiful children in the back seat.  Annabelle was hammin it up again.  She was trying to make friends with the officer, while he was trying to maintain some professionalism.  Need to get out of a ticket?  Take Annabelle with you!  ;)

 When I was leaving Hobby Lobby just a little bit ago, Carter had had just about enough, and was crying.  Like a baby.  A lady in the parking lot walked past my car, and said, "Believe it or not, I miss that sound."  I got in the car, and teared up.  Because as much work as it is to have children, little children, it doesn't last long.  I am all about soaking up every stage of a child's life.  I know I will miss these crazy times.  This loud, messy house.  And I will miss the sweet smell of a newborn and warm snuggles of a sleepy toddler.  And even wiping that snotty little nose.  I might say it every post I write, but I don't take it for granted and would never change a thing.  We are a very blessed little family.  Thank you, Jesus, for my crazy beautiful life. 

Just a couple pictures.

 This picture cracks me up.  The way she is looking at him, while he is screaming in her ear. 

 She was sharing the joy of her favorite toy.  Her purple puppy.

AND...serious cuteness here.  Happy about oatmeal for breakfast!!! 

Hope everyone is having a great week.  :)

MOMMYHOOD

ME!^

I'm tired.  Yes.  But, I also have a full heart that expands every day.

ONE Month

The last post sounds so nice when I look at it.  That silence I had at that moment doesn't happen as often these days.  That's ok, because when it does, I enjoy it so much more!  :)  I actually have a moment right now to write a post.  This moment may be interrupted very soon, but I'll take it while I have it.  I am on my second cup of coffee for the day, and am eating a quick lunch of an almond butter and apricot jelly sandwich. 

O my goodness, a month goes by fast.  During pregnancy a month seems like a year.  When the sweet babe is on the outside of the belly, it flies.  Our little Carter man is growing and has brought lots of joy in only a month.  His little face is getting chubbier, and it's so super adorable.  He is an overall happy little guy.  We are still workin on the whole night/day situation.  He does really well *most* nights, sleeping a good chunk, waking up to eat and then getting back to sleep pretty easily.  Last night was a little restless, and I really couldn't figure it out.  Sometimes I really don't know what he is fussy about, during the day and at night.  But, we will get there.  Carter and I are sharing the dreaded thrush right now, and it is NO fun.  I can't really tell if it is bothering his mouth right now or not, but it certainly hurts me. :/  I think we are at the end of it, and I hope it never comes back. 

For the most part, the four of us are doing great, and having a great time being a little family.   I have moments where I feel really overwhelmed, but have to remember that it is only a moment.  When I was a preschool teacher, I really thought I would never feel too overwhelmed with just 2 or 3 children.  Especially if they were my own.  BUT, I do.  Being mom is, well, it's A LOT.  That's all.  A LOT.   But, I love it, and I would not ever ever, no not ever, want to be doing anything else than raising children.  For reals, y'all. 

Check out some of the latest cute pics...

We went on a date with our Mama Pearl...

 Daddy's favorite moments...

I could cry I love this picture so much.

 My sister Lisa napping with her little baby Justus.

 Me and my sweet kids.  I love them!!!!!!!!!!

 Annabelle reading a book with her great grandma. LOVE it.

Silence

I am sitting in absolute silence right now, and it's awesome. All I hear is the dishwasher, which is actually pretty soothing.    It's been over 45 minutes of silence, and I am soaking it all in.  I actually wrote in my journal, and read some devotions, and wrote out a prayer list of people and things that are on my heart.  Annabelle is snoozin in her bed, and Carter is passed out on the couch.  He looks super cute.  As much as I love this silence, I am almost equally as thankful for the much noise that takes place most of the day.  :)  I love my kids.  And I love nap time.


I just read this awesome devotion, and had to share it...

And her neighbors and her relatives

heard that the Lord had displayed

His great mercy toward her;

and they were rejoicing with her.

Luke 1:58

And the angel said to her

“Do not be afraid, Mary;

for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30

“I’m going to have a son! And He is going to be great and will be called the Son of the Most High! That I should be chosen for this magnificent event! Me! Mary! Incredible!” Luke 1:32

So Mary had her Son. The miraculous was accomplished! If you are a mother you know what was in her heart from the very beginning because you’ve been there. You want to protect this tiny little being who has been such an intimate part of you, who has lived within you, encased in your body and completely dependent on you and your care for him for nine months. As that child grows, you want the very best in every way for him. Mary was a mother–just like you and just like me.

She lost Joseph somehow after Jesus was twelve years old. He disappears from their lives and from the pages that tell the story. This means that she didn’t have her husband by her side when Jesus told her that He was leaving home to begin His ministry. She needed someone to encourage her, to hold her, to face this heart-rending event with her, to assure her that it was going to be all right, to speak as a father to his son with words of wisdom.

She and her other children were terribly concerned about Jesus and the reputation He was making for Himself and the enemies–high-ranking religious officials who were seeking to destroy Him. Sit around the table with them as they spent hours trying to decide what they should do to help Jesus–to protect Him from those who hated Him. They pled with Jesus to come home so they could “take care of Him” thinking that He had lost His mind with the fervor and zeal of His fanatical teaching.

She heard all of the rumors–good and bad–about Jesus and there was someone who hurried to her house in the darkness the night Jesus was arrested–Oh, Mary! Mary! Jesus has been arrested! I’m sure she had friends that came to comfort her, but they had “come and gone” and she was alone at the foot of the cross that day when she witnessed the suffering of her “beloved Son.” She was there to see His mutilated body, the horror of His crucifixion, and to hear His agonized cries.

Surely the prophecy of Simeon came to pass: “and a sword will pierce even your own soul” (Luke 1:35).

This is favor?

Even though Zacharias had been struck dumb by the angel (Luke 1:5-20), I’m confident that he communicated with Elizabeth some way! We’re going to have a son! An angel appeared to me in the temple and told me! We’re to name him John and he will be great in the sight of the Lord! They had prayed for a child for many years and the Lord had heard their prayers. Now “the fullness of time” had come and a precious little boy came to bring laughter and love to their home.

But then one day their boy left home. He left the room they had fixed just for him; he left his place at the table; he left broken hearts and dreams behind him and lived in the desert, dressed in camel’s hides, eating locusts and wild honey. Elizabeth and Zacharias anxiously asked every traveler if they had seen their son, John.

They shook their heads in amazement when they heard about John baptizing his cousin, Jesus, and the miraculous events that surrounded that baptism. Their amazement turned to agonizing fear when the word came that John had been imprisoned. Then came the day when someone tearfully sought them out to tell them, “Your son, John, was beheaded last night.” Crushed. Grieving as they remembered those days when he was a happy little boy living at home.

This was a blessing?

* * *

I must confess that I was perplexed when these words penetrated deep into my heart. Oh, I had read them many times, but how could these things have been a “blessing” or come into your life because you were “favored?”

I know the answer of course–God is omniscient–we aren’t. He sees beyond this earth and its perplexities and knows what is to come–when it is to come–and how it is to come. But when you put flesh and blood on the rows of black print on onion-skin paper and put yourself in the company of those who were favored and blessed, it becomes painfully real to you that He spells “favored” and “blessed” differently than we do! Remember the song, “This world is not my home, I’m just a’passin’ through?” And while I’m “passing through,” God may decide to “favor” me with a very special mission–perhaps a difficult mission, a sorrowful mission, a mission of suffering. Who am I to question the results that He knows are to come as this mission He assigned to me is completed?

What I MUST remember as these perplexing thoughts come is that He is with me, strengthening me, encouraging me, loving me, and living in and through me to complete the mission He has given me. Oh! I must remember this! I do not always know His plan, but I do know His heart and I set my mind on the Lord as I have come to know Him. He was assigned an impossible mission–agree? I thank You, dear Lord, for Mary–for Zacharias and Elizabeth–for Jesus and all of the multitude that have gone before, showing me that a mission that seems to be impossible can be conquered–but only through You.

-Anabel Gillham with Lifetime Guarantee Ministries

10 days old!

The first 10 days have been awesome.  I sorta can't believe it's only been 10 days.  I feel like Carter has been a part of our lives for a lot longer.  He has been a great baby, and we are totally smitten.  Annabelle has adjusted very well.  We do our best to give her extra attention.  I was worried about her feeling left out, but she doesn't seem like she notices.  She either doesn't really pay attention to Carter, or she is super duper sweet to him.  She has a very gentle and sweet spirit.

Did I already mention how we chose Carter's name?  Well, I will again if I already did.  We had a couple names picked out, and always asked Annabelle to say them.  She doesn't really have any clear words yet.  She tries to say things, and we sometimes understand, but most of the time, we don't.  When we asked her to say, "Carter", she said it almost immediately and it was very clear.  She would also say, "Car Car".  It was so cute, so we felt that was the name we would pick.  Shortly before he was born, she just stopped saying it when we would ask her to.  And she hasn't said his name since he has been born either.  :(  Bums me out, but I'm hoping she will say it again.  It was so cute when she did.

My younger sister and best friend had her baby boy, Justus James only 5 days after we had Carter.  Maybe that is why these past 10 days seem more like an eternity.  We have been so busy already.  It was an emotionally charged week for one family.  We are all so blessed and SO thankful to God for these little blessings.  Becoming a mom has been the greatest gift in my life, and the most emotional time of life.  With some major highs accompanied by some lows and some physical pain.  It's such an incredible experience, and it has been pretty amazing to experience a lot of this with Lisa.  We totally 'get' each other.  It is SO CRAZY that all of this happened together. 

Some FIRST PICS from the hospital, and a few from the last 10 days....

AND, some videos of cuteness around my house.  I did capture a video of Annabelle doing her best to say, "Carter" or "Car Car" while I was at the end of my pregnancy. 

 my cute kids...

 my mornings...

 Proud daddy with his jammied kids...

 Carter and Justus working on tummy time.

He's HERE!!!

I have wanted to update SO many times while all this is fresh on my mind, but surprise surprise, mommy has been busy.  ;) 

My sweet baby boy, Carter Evans, arrived on Friday, August 10!  Weighing in at 9lbs 3 oz and 21".  We have been super duper thankful the last 5 days, and we LOVE having this little man be a part of our family.  So, here's the fun details of the last few days...

At my 39 week appointment, we scheduled an induction with my doctor for the 10th.  I was so ok with scheduling that because I was SURE that baby would come within that week.  I trusted that my doctor knew what was good for us, so I trusted her confidence in an induction after due date.  During that week, I expected something to happen every single day.  When Aug 8 passed, I was getting more and more anxious and praying praying praying that labor would start.  The morning of the 9th rolled around, I was even more anxious, just praying I would go in to labor that day.  I thought my water had broken in the night, but wanted to wait it out to see what happened.  I just wasn't sure.  BUT, I did not want to just sit around all day and think about it.  I got a text from Lisa that morning asking what I wanted to do the last day of being a parent of one.  So, I planned to make the most of it.  My sisters and my mom met Annabelle and me for breakfast, and we planned to have a girly day.  Breakfast and a little shopping.  While at breakfast, I was led to believe that I was in fact leaking some fluid.  So, I called L&D, and they wanted me to come in to triage to find out for sure.  Alas, it was not my water.  Still not sure what was happening, but it wasn't what I thought.  bummer. 

(When I walked in to L&D, I saw the nurse that I had when I had Annabelle.  I LOVED her, and have thought about her many times and how she made my birth experience with Annabelle so calm and peaceful.  I told her how happy I was to see her, and was so excited she was there!  But, I got sent home, so wondered if I would see her the next day or not.)

As I was going to bed the night of the 9th, the day before scheduled baby day, I was in tears with Craig about what to do.  Should we skip it and keep waiting?  Should I go?  We prayed about it, and Craig felt very confident that it was the best thing to do.  So, the morning of the 10th came, and I woke up after a night of irregular, but good contractions.  That morning, they kept coming, and were becoming pretty uncomfortable. 

We arrived at the hospital at about 6:15 or so, and admitted right to our room.  I was prepped with an IV of just fluids, and then waited for my doctor to arrive.  I continued to feel uncomfortable and was actually happy about that.  Around 7:15 or so, my nurse walked in.  It was MY nurse!!!!  I was so excited I just wanted to hug her.  She said she saw that I was there when she came in for her shift and called "dibs" on me!  YAY!  I almost cried a little. She was there with me till 7 that evening, and again, made my day SO amazing.  One of the many gifts from God that day.  He cares about these small things, y'all.  Anyways, my doctor soon came in, said I had made some good progress on my own and then we started the process of helping this labor move along. 

My nurse came in at least every hour, and checked things out, and she was very happy with how things were looking.  A couple hours passed, and we got the oh so wonderful epidural.  ahhhhhhhh.  It was a peaceful time, and my family was around to hang out for the morning.  It was nice, and easy.  My dad took Annabelle back home to our house for a nap, and then I remember at about 11, I was at a 7, and they were still waiting for baby to come down a little more.  I assumed I had a couple hours left. A little before noon, my family had decided to go get lunch.  By 12:15, I was calling them to tell them that I was ready to push!  The whole process progressed very quickly!  I know this is a lot of information, but at one point, the nurse had told me to stop pushing, and she held my knees together.  Ha.  It was only for a minute while we were waiting for my doctor to make it in!  It was kind of funny.  He was coming fast.  Once she got there, he was out within minutes.  Total push time was probably about 20 min.  I think.  He arrived at 12:40, placed immediately on my chest, then taken to get cleaned.  I wanted to hear that first cry, and as soon as I did, I was so excited!!   I asked if he was ok, if he was breathing ok, if he looked good, and wondered when I could have him.  They knew I wanted him as soon as they would allow it.  I waited only a little bit, and within 30 minutes, I was feeding him.  My sisters and my mom came in during that time, too.  I felt so much peace and overwhelming joy!  I kept staring at him and snuggling him.  I finally had my little man in my arms!  YAY! 

The rest of the afternoon was like that too.  Just easy, and fun, and NEW!  Annabelle came back with my dad, and I could not even wait to introduce them.  She was cute with him.  She was also very much a busy 2 year old, who after being in a small, unknown space was getting a little impatient.  But, she did great for the most part!  Everyone took off from the hospital around dinner time, then Craig and I got some time there just to ourselves with him.  We tried to sleep that night as much as we could, and it was just awesome to be in there with my boys. 

 

Saturday morning came very quickly, and I was "ready" to go home.  Well, my body may not have been quite ready, but we were ready to be in our home, with our 2 sweet kiddos.  We were discharged that evening at about 5.  We came home to a nice lasagne and my very helpful family, who took great care of our daughter and our home while we were gone.  It felt SO amazing to come home and have 2 kids.  Once dinner was over, and everyone left, I felt like Craig and I were on cloud 9.  We were ready for some peaceful rest.  Which was a little restLESS for mamma.  ;) 

The last few days have been pretty awesome for the most part.  I have had a couple small moments of feeling overwhelmed, but those moments will come and go.  I am up a lot at night with Carter, but really think he is doing so well.  I have tried not to compare this whole experience with our experience with Annabelle, but I think it is just natural to do that.  It is all I know when it comes to a newborn, birth, and the change of a child coming in to my life.  I see both of these experiences and gifts wrapped in giant boxes with a tag saying,

To: Craig and Katie

From: God

I would never ever ever change the experience we had with Annabelle!  I am so equally thankful for each experience.  This one seems like it has just been perfect.  Perfect labor.  Perfect delivery.  Perfectly healthy baby.  I take NONE of this for granted.  NONE of it.  The fact that I was able to snuggle and feed him after 30 minutes of life.  The fact that he stayed in our room overnight with us.  The fact that diaper changes and feedings were all up to US.  The fact that we came home after only a little over 24 hours after delivery.  I am at that point again, where I am so thankful that I don't even have the right words to express that thanks.  Words do not do enough.  I went to Paris.  And I will say it is just as beautiful and enjoyable as Holland.  I would go to both places any time!  

Waking up at night is exhausting.  But, I am just thankful that I CAN wake up with Carter at night.  I want to soak it all up.  I really do.  This newborn stage does not last long at all.  These kiddos grow up so fast, and I want to love something about every stage.  This little boy stole our hearts in a way we did not expect.  I wondered if I could love something as much as I love our sweet Annabelle.  Then, God puts a love in your heart that you can't even imagine and never knew existed.  How can our hearts grow any more?