celebrations

spoiled much?

August 11, 2015celebrations, firsts

our time adjusting at home has been so special. the boys are head over heals in love with their sister…

dana made the trip up for your one week birthday anna kate! your cousin camryn flew all the way from north carolina too! it was such a great visit. the minor hiccup we had during our first week at home was the first day daddy went back to work. i had to call him to come home and take jack to the emergency room. big brothers had a major collision and we thought jack might be losing a few of his teeth. prayers are powerful and god is good. he still has his front tooth it just changed it’s look a little …

it was such a wonderful visit! we can’t wait till they join us again! having family this helpful and caring is a beautiful thing!

xxoo

anna kate’s arrival

August 11, 2015celebrations, firsts, kids, sister

we were as ready as we could be. the day before we had a planned induction, nana arrived at the house. we got the boys their hair cuts and enjoyed a lunch together. i knew things were going to be happening so fast i was almost to nervous to eat. granny and dana joined us at the house that evening and all enjoyed staring at me, in hopes i would go into labor. i knew it would be happening on its own soon. i did not feel so well. by the time we called it a night i was timing contractions 10 minutes apart. i tried to sleep through them for a few hours and realized i couldn’t handle them much more. i didn’t want to be in too much pain before getting to the hospital. i woke richard up and we started our trip to the hospital 2 hours prior to check in time for our induction. by the time we arrived to sign papers, i knew there was no need for any induction. i could barely sign my name at one point. the hospital decided to give me the room they had ready for me but were a little sluggish on getting the iv and blood work done. i still am not sure why they had to wait because no matter what i was going to have the baby, and probably pretty soon. the contractions were getting to the point i was making the frowny face of the number 9 or 10 on the chart. the epidural finally arrived and oh did it feel like such relief. not even 5 minutes after the relief arrived i was a 10 and ready. i was so wore out i just waited till the doctor was ready. the practice push didn’t even happen. she arrived during one last contraction.

beautiful and perfect in every way…

the boys had been waiting out in the waiting room since before the sun rose that morning…

it was a very long night and a fast and furious morning. i think it was a lot for samuel to take in. being up so early and seeing me with everyone afterwards was almost too much for this little guy. it broke this mama’s heart to see him so emotional. everyone wanted to help him but he only wanted mama. {which wasn’t very easy}

they moved us to our new room while anna kate got her first bath…

gramps drove up just for the afternoon to meet his 20th grandbaby! 🙂

checking out that new clean hair!

after all the excitement everyone said their emotional goodbyes and daddy and samuel stayed with mama for the afternoon… i was so relieved when big brother got a nap in.

sweet boy! we were so thankful that nana was able to help daddy at the house during the next few days. we had some very special visits together.

i loved every bit of having this little girl all to myself for the next two evenings. it was just what i needed before going home.

ready or not baby girl it’s time to go home!

we are settling into our new routines here with only a few minor hiccups ….

i think she likes it here though. which is great because we are all in love with her!

xxoo

{a very happy birthday}

August 11, 2015celebrations

7 . 30 . 2015

8:26 am

7lbs 5 oz and 20 1/4 inches long

anna kate frances

we love you so much… you are a dream come true!

what a birthday to remember.

{independence day + family reunion}

July 20, 2015celebrations, cousins, summer

fredericksburg style….

we enjoyed a wonderful weekend with family in our favorite small town. fourth of july parade, back yard bbq, fireworks and all.

irish eyes were sure smiling down on us that day. i know they had to be so proud to see us gather together with all these new little faces that have made the family grow even more beautiful!

lots of love and laughter from everyone! we missed seeing those who couldn’t be there with us but looking forward to the next time we can all gather together again! thank you to our wonderful host! 😉 who is up for hosting the next one?!? a hotel might work best for this clan 🙂

xxoo

crazy busy, crazy fun

June 30, 2015celebrations, cousins, dada, pregnancy

a quick trip back to bc was made last weekend. we had so much to do there! we got to go and wish nana a happy birthday…

more cousins were in town so it was so great to spend some time with them!

thank you so much to the winland crew and granny and gramps so this mama could also complete another training session for catechesis of the good shepherd. they also let me take daddy out on a date to see ol’ garth brooks!

more blurry phone pics to prove we can still have fun 🙂 at even 35 weeks pregnant.

we had a fun and exhausting weekend. we are going to rest up as much as we can before another fun fourth of july weekend! so much to do before little anna kate makes her debut at the end of this month. let’s see if we get to do it all before she comes!

xxoo

{32 weeks}

June 9, 2015celebrations, firsts, pregnancy

an odd time for an update i know… but it’s baby #3 so be grateful for what you get sweet girl 🙂

also, i know a bathroom selfie {so not what i would love to document} but it’s what i sent to your aunts who wanted to see how big you are. maybe this weekend i can get daddy to take some more document-able pictures … (maybe).

32 weeks and you still move like crazy! braxton hicks are happening all the time and i can’t get comfortable at night to save my life. but i wouldn’t trade it for the world honestly and we are in the home stretch i feel like. the appointments are getting closer and june is already flying by. next week we go in for the 3d ultrasound and i am so excited to see your little face!

this past week has been a busy one. big brother jack had his first gig as ring bearer in daddy’s best friends wedding. we made the most out of a weekend downtown in our new city.

{grainy phone pics to follow…}

after a much needed nights rest you guys were ready to start a new week…

seriously never a dull moment… enjoying these lazy summer days with just you two!

xxoo

mama turns…

June 9, 2015celebrations, summer

30 something…

actually i’ll be honest, 32 to be exact and i’m totally excited because i thought i was turning 33 already! so this new year is already off to a great start! 🙂

the weekend before my birthday we went out to bc to be with family. we had one more stormy evening blow through but it was a beautiful weekend overall!

{the weather men}

these guys were so happy to be together again! it makes my heart happy to get them together!

we headed back for the week and celebrated back home as well! we ate lunch with daddy at his office and then did a little shopping and some park playing. happy kids makes a happy mama. so it was a happy birthday indeed! so beyond excited for this next year ahead.

thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special! especially daddy!

i don’t know what i’d do without you!

xxoo

on the go post…

May 11, 2015celebrations, kids, pregnancy

also known as all the pictures off of my phone… which really isn’t on the go. it’s mostly at home 🙂 i loaded these up and realized my phone is really helpful for documenting our messiest one. oh samuel, with you there is never a dull moment or a clean one… we recently picked up a booster seat and it’s totally changed your eating habits. food is at least contained to just your spot now…

we rarely buy you guys toys because for one we don’t need them, but i couldn’t pass up this amazon deal for blocks. and it currently is played with every day… and the teacher in me love, love, loves toys like this.

we already had a set from when i was a kid that we are using as outdoor blocks and it was the test run to approve buying more blocks for inside. i took this picture because i couldn’t believe how dirty these kids get every evening. they have a blast out on the drive way but late sunsets means late baths…. means late bed times. it should be a fun summer 🙂

papaw and nana came up the other weekend to watch one of jack’s t ball games. luckily when they got to town, mama and daddy were able to sneak in a day date. we didn’t get a picture together but i guess the next best is with our drinks and yummy food…

daddy had to head out of town for training after a long fun filled weekend. it made for a long week with you two overtired boys. luckily abbie, felicity and little joseph made their first trip out to visit us. it was an unexpectedly quick visit but i am so so happy they did it! looking forward to the next time!

mamas roommates for the week when daddy is gone …

the sun came out for like four or five days straight. it was beautiful! we soaked up every bit of it along with the cool front that came with it. lots of playing and eating outside, daddy did a half marathon -trail run and we did some much needed yard work. looking back at these pictures i want it all back. we have had predicted storms for up to a week lately. such a bummer to see…

a cutie for my cutie…. “here mom you hold the peel.”

after another busy weekend together, daddy’s first project started and he had to be on location. his hotel was only a little over an hour away. these kids love hotels and we didn’t have anything to do that monday, so a slumber party at daddy’s hotel it was. these kids were so excited and honestly so were their mama and daddy, because when the kids are happy, we are happy 😉

in the business of all the fun with you boys, i’m anticipating all things girly. i recently got some things to play with for anna kates room. it’s my first time to work with this paint and it is quite fun. i’m just doing small things, which is a lot less pressure and these little cans can really get the job done.

may has many celebrations going on! the first weekend in may our church had first communion celebration and may crowning for mary. jack wasn’t able to take flowers up like the class did but i promised him we could get some at the store to honor mary in our home. so he reminded me monday morning what we needed to do. he was very excited to put these up for her.

{oh this library here, how much we love it.. the views and the activities are so much fun}

a few ball games here and there and every where between…. and then a special mothers day!

the boys made me breakfast, were super at the beautiful morning mass and were very patient during a long wait at a nearby restaurant…

but this place had a place to play so it was worth it…. happy kids = happy mama.

so it can sometimes be crazy busy, crazy messy, and crazy emotional but i wouldn’t trade this for the world. feeling super blessed to be carrying our third little blessing ~anna kate~ 29 weeks this mothers day.

xxoo

{alleluia + a birthday}

April 15, 2015celebrations, firsts, friends, kids, pregnancy, sisters

easter weekend was not as sunny as we hoped but we made the best of it! we were so blessed to go to the co- cathedral downtown as we have the last 7 + years and see some of our closest friends. god is so good and allowed us to run into some of our favorite priests as well 🙂 it was so good to catch up.

jack, you made your first wish in a fountain. one of those moments i realized, “oh goodness you have never heard of this before!” so you and samuel were excited to pick out a coin from your backpacks and throw it in. afterwards you asked me what you wished for. i’m not too sure you caught on to who was doing the wishing 😉

the next day we enjoyed a little more sunshine the forecasters didn’t predict. we hid some empty eggs in gramps and granny’s backyard to practice hunting 🙂 you guys loved it!

that night before it got too late, we started decorating eggs. i think it was too late for samuel, he fell asleep watching “woof” aka 101 dalmations. jack, after a long day, you were in a daze. you enjoyed dyeing the eggs alot more than coloring them.

alleluia! HE is risen as HE said!

easter sunday morning was filled with excitement over what was in your easter baskets and excitement that we all got out of the house happily dressed in time for mass 🙂

boo the rainy weather, indoor pics just aren’t as springy….

even though i was bummed about the weather, i wanted to run out in the “mist” to catch a pregnancy picture. ha this is oh so natural… i didn’t even think of the background. oh wells we tried! everyone says poor number three….

samuel loved his “mi mi” egg. he did not want to let go of that little minion. sorry buddy it wouldn’t smell too good after a while.

the winlands came by to celebrate with us! they brought eggs for the big kids to hunt. that was a site to see 🙂 teenagers running around the wet backyard all in search of those golden eggs…

jack, you got some good practice in with your new jump rope … while granny and bailey had some good laughs.

after a great sunday afternoon nap, the sun came out and we enjoyed trying to walk off all that easter candy …

it was so nice, daddy was able to schedule some houston meetings on monday so we stayed one more night. the next morning was aunt dana’s birthday. erika and bailey kept the boys for us so we could enjoy a little shopping and a yummy lunch! it worked out so perfectly!

a very happy birthday and many blessings to you, dana, in this next year! thank you for letting me spend the afternoon with you on your actual birthday. i love being able to visit you and granny together, it’s a one stop shop and i always leave with a very full heart and extra laughing lines 😉

xxoo

here we go again! {another catch up post}

March 31, 2015celebrations, cousins, kids, pregnancy

here i am! i promise i wish i could write up each day we have together, but it might get a little repetitive 😉 and you boys and a very growing baby girl take almost all my energy. i miss staying up late. i miss playing around with all of our pictures. but for now we can just get a big post of like three weeks in one! 🙂 unfortunately it’s not that exciting because by the second week the stomach bug caught our house and clouds filled the sky. this mama almost thought there wasn’t an end in site, or even a glimpse of sunshine.

we have been to houston and back a few times. first trip was to celebrate samuels one whole year in glasses. samuel your doctor could not have been more pleased! she said she wishes all her two year olds loved their glasses as much as you do. you got a slightly different prescription in the right eye. we ordered you a new pair of glasses, as you were definitely ready. the first pair of glasses has seen better days. we don’t know how you saw through all those scratches.

back home, we are still loving every bit of library, especially the story time that you boys attend. you mainly love checking out movies but we still do enjoy a few good books.

our so called spring break week was spent very close to home. we were suppose to see our cousins but the bug got us and got us good. it took a good week plus a few days for everyone to get it and get over it. the only excitement we saw was on st. patrick’s day – which included a trip to the near by sonic and our neighborhood park.

jack it was your first time to swing on your own! you did not want me to push you at all. i was very excited for you.

samuel, sweet thing was just so happy to sit and swing, just a little. it has been so long since we had our swing set, everything is new to you again.

daddy was hard at work on a beautiful weekend. he made two gates for our deck to help keep the kids safe and the animals off 😉 i am so proud of him! now we’ve got some painting to do. 🙂

the bug continued to drag on… so there was a lot of this…

and this when we were feeling a little better…

then finally… after a good nights rest in our own beds, the sun came out and you kids were finally back to your sweet, silly- selves!

since we survived … {and i missed the wonderful halfway- twenty week – pregnancy picture} i was able to get a twenty-two week picture 🙂

oh girl, i am growing. i would love to say it’s you growing sweet girl, but i am feeling it everywhere. i am so scared of this hot summer ahead of us. i may be caught playing in the sprinkler with the boys. they are so excited about you. jack is so interested in what you might look like and what you can hear and feel. i am one lucky mama…