Never A Dull Moment

Well, we made it! It's crazy to think we are now past the point at which Olivia, Madelyn and Mary Grace were born. It's crazy to know exactly what the baby inside me looks like. It's all just crazy. There are a lot of thoughts that have been swirling around my mind the past several weeks. I've felt sad for Olivia that her first months of life were so rough. I think back to those first few months of her life - all the poking and prodding, the machines and wires - and it breaks my heart that she didn't get to stay tucked away in my womb for longer. That's one of the things her doctors always told us in the NICU, no one has figured out how to recreate the womb. I had a lot of anxiety as we approached 22 weeks (the date my water broke with the girls). I've had nothing but great reports from my doctor, but it's really hard to try to reason or distract yourself from worry when you've lived through a worst case scenario. I have to make a conscious decision ...

When we found out we were pregnant in November 2011 we were given a due date. That date was July 30. We would find out a few weeks later that making it full term wasn't going to happen while carrying four babies. Still, everything we did revolved around that date, how early they would be born was measured from that date, and, even now, everything we work on developmentally with Olivia is measured by that date. Last night a website called Still Standing Magazine reposted a month old blog entry on Facebook. I don't think it was by coincidence that it showed up in my news feed. I think, on the eve of what would have been my girls' first birthday, God knew I needed to read it. It addresses so many of the lies I still battle to overcome. If you've ever lost a child - whether miscarriage, stillbirth, or any age after birth - I hope this touches you as it did me. Why You Didn't Fail As A Mother   by Angela Miller

Well, I really didn't mean to take such a long break from blogging. It's been two months and there's lots to catch up on! Lets start with the biggest happening - Baby #5! Everything is going really well. I feel great and often times still forget I'm pregnant. This time around has been so much easier on my body and I'm grateful. I've been able to work out doing non-impact activity (think bike and elliptical) but considering I could do nothing last time this has been great. I will be 18 weeks along on Thursday and we have our big u/s to find out the gender. I don't have a hunch either way and can't wait to find out who this baby is! It is crazy that in just 10 more days we will be to the halfway point. December will be here before we know it! Here are a few belly pics for good measure. The pic on the left is with the girls and on the right is #5. See why I can forget I'm pregnant? :) Olivia is just amazing! July 16 marks one year since we ...

God has blessed our family with quite a surprise! Olivia is getting a little brother or sister in early December. We are thrilled! As of today I am nine weeks along. We went to the doctor several weeks ago and were able to see the tiny bundle and hear the heartbeat. Everything looks great and we are so thankful! I'll share more details in the next few weeks. :)

Reid put the finishing touches on the swing set last weekend and Olivia has been enjoying her swing more than ever. We also hung a "big kid" swing next to her baby one so we can swing along with her. She thinks its lots of fun! She also likes to go pretty high. I'm sure there is some sort of rule about not pushing a 13.5 pound baby as high as I have been. But, she doesn't seem phased. :)

Olivia turned ONE on Saturday! I seriously can't believe a year has passed since our baby was born. It is unreal! We had a wonderful day celebrating Olivia. We started with brunch at one of our favorite Dallas spots, Oddfellows. I love their chicken and waffles and knew that Olivia would, too. ;) She didn't waste any time digging in. After brunch we made a quick stop at a local children's boutique to buy O her first pair of sandals. They are a size 0 (smallest they make) and are the tiniest, sweetest, light pink sandals I've ever seen. She immediately brought her foot to her mouth and used them as a teether. Whatever makes her happy! :) On our way home we stopped to give her sisters their birthday flowers. Happy first birthday Madelyn and Mary Grace! We spent some time playing with her new birthday present before naptime! She absolutely loves it and even sat on her own for the first time while she was playing. Such a ...