Best Christmas Gift!

On December 21, 2011 

Our family was blessed with little 

Adiah Allan!

He was born perfect at 6:56 PM 

7 lbs. 5 oz.

22 inches long

with a full head of perfect golden hair

I prayed and prayed we would be home for Christmas day and that is exactly what God gave me. Our little man was home and we had our first Christmas as a family of four! 

Merry Christmas from us to you! :)

A Note of Encouragement to Adiah... or to me....

Dearest Sweet Adiah,

Sissy's wedding is done, House is clean, Christmas decorations are up, hospital bags are packed, Nursery is pretty much done, I have one more load of laundry to be folded .... I think I can officially say that you can come now and I would be ready.

Get Out of there... If you want of course! :)

 It's up to you little guy! We are all very anxious and excited to meet you! Hope you are ready to enter our house of crazy, because we are ready for you! We love you!

Your Family in Waiting

P.S. I am getting a little uncomfortable and I know you don't like to make Mommy hurt, so maybe that could be an incentive to come a bit early? :)

Mature Beyond Her Years

I don't really know where to start with this story... Tonight I was shocked and astounded with my daughter.

Every year we let her pick a costume and then buy it under the knowledge that she has to work for her costume. She has a few chores she has to complete daily like feeding the dogs in the morning and afternoon, getting dressed, cleaning her room, picking up after herself, and always ready to be a big helper. She did her chores and had earned her costume this year without a problem.

I have mentioned on quite a few occasions how Audra is Obsessed with everything super hero. So I guess it wasn't much of a surprise that she picked out being Captain America for Halloween this year. I showed her all the princess costumes and all the animals, but she stuck with her "roots" and wanted to be Captain America.

One thing she wanted to complete her Captain America costume was the Shield. She had talked about it for weeks. Every time we went to Wal-mart she would go look at it and try it on to do her action pack, super hero moves. Ryan and I decided that if she wanted it that she could use her money to pay for it.

 We told her how much it was and that we would take her to get if she wanted to buy it with her own money or she could wait and see if she gets it for Christmas. She decided she didn't want to spend the 9 dollars on the shield and wait until Christmas. I had been wanting to get it for her. I had been thinking about it for a long time so today when I found her gift card left over from her birthday and found out it had 4.63 left I was so excited. Ryan and I told her it would only be 5 dollars now and she decided she could spend that much. She happily opened her piggy bank and we found a five dollar bill.

So excited! 

Audra and I took a picture and quickly got into the truck. Audra sang her own song about trick or treating, pumpkins, and s'mores on the way. I was so excited to see her happy about getting her shield. We walked into Target and skipped to the toy aisle only to find they were out. I told her not to worry though we would go to Wal-mart. We go to Wal-mart... NONE.... I looked down all the aisles. I asked someone to scan and see if there were any in the back. They looked and said no.

I looked at Audra and told her they were out and she looked up at me with those eyes of understanding and said one of the most profound things, "Mom, it's ok. Maybe we can get it another time. All the other kids that wanted to be Captain America needed them." She took my hand without a fit and we walked towards the door. My heart was literally breaking. I didn't know what to say other than tell her I was very proud of her.

I got in the car and called my dad who I had talked to a little earlier and knew we were going to get the shield. I barely could get the words out that they were all out. Audra wanted to talk to him. So I gladly handed the phone to her and I listened as the tears starting to stream down my face. She told my dad and mom both how God had told us not to worry and that she would have been happy to have had the shield, but that she was happy without one too.

I know as a kid I would not have reacted that way. Sometimes even now I don't react that way. I am proud to have her as a daughter and I am proud of how mature she was in the situation. It's funny how sometimes we can learn thankfulness and contentment from a child. I learned that tonight.

Talking About Forever

Today Audra and I were on our weekly trip to the library. When Audra started one of her normal conversations.

A boy no older than 7 was riding his skateboard in the middle of the street of our neighborhood and didn't mind that I was having to wait for him to move out of the road.

Audra- Oh, NO! That boy needs to get out of the road before he gets hit by a car!

Me- You are right. It isn't good to be in the middle of the road.

Audra- He needs to learn safety rules.

There was quiet for a little while. I started thinking about other things I needed to get done.

Audra- That little boy shouldn't be outside he might get taken.

Me- What little boy?

Audra- The little boy that was in the street. He should not have gone outside without his parents.

Me- (enforcing the rules we have set for her) It is important you only go outside with an adult.

Audra- Yeah, our else someone could take you and you will loose your family. I don't want to loose my family, Mom.

Me- Don't worry baby, you are good at following the rules and we won't let anyone take you.

Audra- I am going to stay with my parents forever!

Me- I am glad you want to stay with us forever, Audra. We will keep you forever!!!

I looked in the rearview mirror and we smiled at each other. She turned and looked out the window and began counting to 100 and I began to think again.

I love being so important her life right now. Audra is the most excited when she is with Ryan and I. It makes us feel so special, but I know that one day someone WILL take her away. Someday she is going to grow up and there will be some prince who will come into her life and sweep her off her feet. It is a natural part of life. It may be hard to handle, but I am praying right now that God is forming and making a guy perfect for her. That she will wait for the right guy and will wait on God's timing. At least I think that will make it easier when the time comes to let her go.

Until then, I am going to enjoy my black and white/rule follower/homebody/loves her mommy and daddy/wants to never leave girl!

Joys of Pregnancy

Women are amazing creations. God must have put a stubborn or maybe just forgetful place in the brain for us when it comes to babies. I mean we grow up hearing the horrors of labor, delivery, and after birth affects. YET, there are tons and tons of babies being born every day.

Here are some of the "joys" I have been experiencing about this pregnancy.

* Cannot sit normal more than three minutes, then it is time to change position. Making me look more like I have ants crawling in my pants, then normal.

* Pregnancy glow or what I mean to say... bags under the eyes (whoever is blessed with this so called "glow"... Can I say LUCKY!

* As soon as my bladder is completely relieved and empty, my stomach has the WORST feeling it has to be filled again to compensate. Oh yeah, by filled, I mean two bites, because that is all it can handle.

*When I get comfortable enough to fall asleep and am about to FINALLY get some rest, my bladder starts calling to me and the cycle above starts to repeat.

* If I try to do anything to fast I either hurt, my muscle gets pulled, or worse... muscle CRAMP.

* Oh yeah, Moodiness... enough said!


I could probably go on and on, but to be honest I have one of the least complicated pregnancies compared to the majority. I am not saying all of this to complain, but rather share that I literally went through all of this a little over four years ago, but I STILL could not wait to go through it again.

Why is that? Simply because the minute you see the little miracle you bring into the world, everything you went through, every sleepless night, every single cramp, every single nauseous feeling you have had is all of the sudden totally worth it and not a bit regretted.

 I am so excited to see our little guy in less than three months. I would do this over again if I had to, because I already love him. Every time I start to feel sick or rethink why I wanted this I feel him kick or move and know that I have the biggest blessing growing inside of me. That is when I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to be a woman... In some ways I feel sorry for men... They will never be able to feel the most amazing, beautiful thing on earth inside them... LIFE! That is why women are amazing creations!

Complete pain....

What pain? Never happened!

Thoughts About Decluttering My Life

I was looking through some of our old pictures and stumbled upon pictures of Audra playing in the rain and all the joy it brought her. She played for a couple hours outside that day. It made me think of how nice it was as a child playing without worry of what you have to do or your responsibilities.

Obligations, Priorities, Responsibilities are words that have made me want to close a door and curl up in the fetal position lately. I am coming to terms that I may have issues with taking on too much without thinking about it until I am so overwhelmed I feel like I am barely able to keep my head above water. I know there are certain things you can't get out of and you have to do, but I go to the extreme of saying yes to almost EVERYTHING!

As I sit here 28 weeks pregnant and feeling like my head is about to explode, I am realizing this is not a good thing. I should be enjoying my last few days with just Audra and I, but instead feel so loaded down I dread the next day. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him." How can I be doing God's name any justice if I can't complete the things I am doing WELL! I am going to have to take a step back and really weigh each of activities/jobs for a while and start de-cluttering my life. I want to do everything WELL so that God may be glorified. I can't accomplish this stressed or overloaded. So I am writing this out as a reminder to me to follow through and a promise to God to really honor Him in all I do. Maybe I need to just find some of my child wonderment again. 

A Perfect Brunch!

Adiah had his first shower on Saturday.  My friend Cait gave me the cutest little brunch with my book club and some of the board members from SAA in attendance. She had tons of yummy food. My mouth waters just thinking about it again. I forgot my camera and everyone's batteries were dead or dying. Luckily, Cait was able to get a few before her battery bit the dust! 

There were crepes and waffles with every filling you could imagine. Little Quiches and sausage balls, YUM!

Cait made me the cutest diaper cake! I think the "A" will be great for photo's when Adiah arrives!

Opening some gifts!

I am looking at the cutest little swimsuit for Adiah next year, but from my face you would think I am dying or something!

Here is a group shot of all who came!

These are the cutest cookies and they TATSE delish!

I feel so blessed to have great friends here. They made it a special day! Thank you Cait for all your hard work! I loved it! :)

I Remember...

Yesterday marked a ten year anniversary for America. I remember the girl running into our class opening the door scared. Looking at Mr. Watts (our math teacher) and saying "We have been hit, America has been hit". He walked out the door and shut the door. We all took it as a time to play around while he was out of the class. I was curious, but didn't really know what she was talking about. Then I remember Mrs. Garner (another teacher) walking up with tears in her eyes. As I watched through the window I realized something real and sad had happened.

I remember Mr. Watts walking back in and trying to explain the weight of the issue. As a ninth grader I don't think I grasped the whole significance of the situation. I knew many undeserving people died, I knew it was an outright attack on America and the freedom we stand for, I knew it was a very sad day. My parents sheltered me though from a lot of the footage and clips. So yesterday when Ryan and I watched clips and memorials of 9/11 I think it really hit me how chaotic and scary it was for all of those in New York at the time. I began to cry and we talked about the people jumping from the windows, how they were clinging to the sides of the building just trying to get a fresh breath. Ryan and I could not even come up with words on what we would do. Would we have jumped? Would we have just hung on until we crumbled with towers? It was a helpless cause either way because they were doomed.  

 I remember where I was, I remember how I felt, I remember praying, but what I truly remember the most is hearing all about the heroic stories of people helping people. How America came together and stood together. How I was proud to be in a country that had so many people willing to sacrifice their lives as they went into the towers to help evacuate those still inside. I am proud to be an American!

 I lift up those who lost loved ones and that God will poor out His peace on them. Each one who died is truly a hero! Thank you!

via

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Audra's Wonderland! (Me Coming to Terms with Her Being Four)

Days in Audra's world have been moving very fast. Ok, I am not positive they are going fast for her, but they are going fast for me.

She has turned the BIG four, and mysteriously it seems overnight she has become a little girl... not my little tiny baby. It actually has been happening over time (go figure), but it has really started to sink in for me she is growing up.

As I look at her as her mom, I can't help but be extremely proud. She is growing into such a beautiful person inside and out. She is a rule follower and loves to be a helper. She melts my heart in so many ways.

Recently I have been sorting through all her baby clothes, and of course I got sentimental and a bit weepy. Audra and her gentle heart tried to comfort me. We looked at her baby clothes together and she would hold up something and say "look Mom, it still fits.... Nah... I'm just joking" and laugh hysterically. I couldn't help but laugh at her and she made the process a lot easier. I finally looked at her and said, "Audra you are such a big girl now. You are growing so tall." She thought for a moment and replied sweetly, "Mom, I don't think I want to get any bigger. That way I can always be your little girl." I held back a tear and told her how she would always be my little girl but that it was good she was growing. She gave me a big hug and kiss and went back to playing with the clothes. For that sweet moment though it touched me how much she wanted to make me happy.

I can't get enough of her hugs, kisses, and "I love you's". I realize that one day they won't come as often and probably won't be even said in the same way, but for now I am enjoying my sweet little girl and enjoy this season of my sweet BIG four year old!

A Night of LESS than perfect sleep....

So I am pregnant and sleep has not been my friend lately. Between getting up to go to the bathroom 2 to 3 times and the occasional waking up with excruciatingly painful leg cramp. Let's just say I have not been sleeping the best. Well last night I had already been up twice to pee and once with a cramp when I woke up to our neighbors little yapping dog at freaking FIVE in the morning! Needless to say I had a bit of a melt down and wanted to do this.....

Now, Ryan, on the other hand had this in mind.... 

In all actuality though this is what happened...

Yeah.... so I didn't get back to sleep but now everyone can enjoy my amazing art and beautiful story of my night.... Right? 

22 weeks!

Dear Adiah, 

I have had you in my tummy now 22 wonderful weeks. We are so excited because we have finally had our confirmation sono saying you are a boy... WITHOUT a doubt. Now we are busy getting things ready for you to come in December. Only 18 more weeks until you are here. 

You have started to move and kick. I enjoy being able to feel you inside me. You are kicking hard enough for Daddy and your big sister to feel. One day I hadn't felt you all day and Daddy came and talked to you and you kicked the hardest I have ever felt and started moving towards his voice. I can tell  already you are going to be a Daddy's boy, of course you made his day. Audra talks to you every day and lets you know all the things she is excited to teach you. Audra said the other day that you two will be superheroes together and fight crime. I think you will find her to be the coolest big sis in the world. :) We all love you and pray every night for you to continue to grow strong and healthy. 

Love you so much,

Mom

A very Much Needed Date Night (of course that included Mr. Harry Potter)

So last night Ryan and I went to an actual DATE NIGHT! It was amazing. We have gone out a few times, but this was the first time since February (our anniversary) we have gone out just the two of us and not gone to a school function/ party. I guess it is fair to say it was quite overdo. My mom had come up for a week conference near us and stopped by afterwards offering to watch Audra for us to go out on the town. She rocks!

So we planned an awesome date consisting of Mexican food ( I had been craving, needing, dying wanting it for awhile and since I am pregnant Ryan complied) and seeing "Deathly Hallows Part II". We wanted to get there with plenty of time to get in line and get a good seat. I wanted this movie date to be the best! So we left fairly early and finished dinner earlier than expected and got to the Movie theatre with PLENTY of time... Like over two hours early! Hehe.... opps....

So what do you do in line for two hours waiting for the perfect seat... well I took pictures to share.

1.You get to be the front of the line

2. You get to embarrass your husband. So what I was way excited!



3. You go to the front desk and ask for a piece of tape, make a paper football and play "Who Can Make the Most Field Goals"!




4. Then you start taking hundreds of pictures trying to time the perfect moment with the "football" in the air. 



5. Then you become awesome and levitate the "football" like Houdini.

6. Woops, too early! Isn't he the cutest!

7. Then finally you get the best picture ever!!!!

Yeah, I know we are pretty amazing! We were laughing, and if you were wondering Ryan did win the football game, but I only lost by one. So it was a close call. :) Great night!


FYI Last movie of Harry Potter was PHENOMENAL! I loved it... I pretty much sobbed the whole last half of the movie, but it is VERY good. Ryan had to shush me a couple of times because I guess I screamed... and shouted when victory came in places! I can't help it though it was an emotional movie. Anyways, I highly recommend everyone to go see it!

Well everyone have a great week! :)



The Best Picture Ever!

What happens when you go to a Rangers game, it's the bottom of the 9th inning, down by one run, 2 strikes, 1 on 1st, and then out of some type of miracle Josh Hamilton walks up to bat and hits a home run?

You get the BEST picture and memory ever!

This sums the game up. Audra's first professional baseball game is one we all will remember fondly! Greatest birthday present is this picture and the joy of that moment on her face! 

New Orleans 2011

Confuscious say, "When vacationing with children, one must be flexible and ready for plans never to go as planned."
 Ok, so maybe he didn't say that, but he should have. I will come back to that.

First, I have to start out by saying this family vacation was a very much needed thing. We had not had a fun getaway all together since Audra was 18 months old... she is about to turn 4. Yeah, medical students do not get a lot of time off (or money) and the time off they do get is usually running around seeing family that you would not get to see otherwise. We decided that this little break we would go somewhere we had never been and just explore the unknown. We wound up choosing New Orleans. Some friends from medical school actually planned on going as well and we hung out together. It was fabulous.

New Orleans gets a lot of trash talk, but to be honest I really do not see why? We took our three year old and not even once felt like there was any danger. Although, we did avoid Bourbon St., old cemeteries that have gangs, and going out past 10.....so that might be why. Anyone that uses good judgement though I think would have a blast. The culture and atmosphere was just incredible. Jazz players on every corner, artists painting, stores filled with colors that made you head swim and smells that made your nose tickle. We will be going back, of course not anytime soon.

Now back to the vacation with children part. We got in Thursday night and went out to Bubba Gump's, totally delish! Ryan, who would not even look at anything that came out of the ocean, actually even ate shrimp, and get this LOVED IT! Then we went to our room and prepared for the next day. Next morning, we got up and went out a little bit before 10 and did not come home until after 5. Stayed in the hotel for an hour and went out for dinner and some more sightseeing. We went to the french market, tried local food, ate beignets at Cafe de Monde, and went on a steam boat down the Mississippi. It was a lot of walking and over 100 degree weather. Audra complained zero times, but we would pay for it later.

That night she ended up throwing up most of it and was miserable. I felt horrible, due to it being mostly my fault because I was not forcing water down her all day. She had heat exhaustion and she was one sick puppy. We didn't know at the time what it was, so we did what we thought was best and packed up and left a day and half early.... sadly. She slept for over 5 hours straight and felt a lot better when she woke up. Ryan decided he wanted to finish our vacation with some relaxation. We stopped and got a hotel in the middle of nowhere and we all snugged and watched spongebob and cartoons all night.

Was the vacation all we had planned... no. Do i feel sad we missed a few more day in New Orleans... Yes. Do I think it was a complete waste... No! I think in life its what you make the most out of the time and situations you have been given. We had a blast during the little time there and we know we will be going back. Ryan was actually able to relax before starting clinicals, which I think was what he needed. We went with the flow and I still think this vacation will be one we look back at fondly and laughingly with everything that happened. Here is to Vacation 2011! May we remember all the good times, and maybe next vacation let's keep everyone healthy! :)


Here are some pictures of our trip!

Crossing St. Charles!

The architecture was amazing

Audra and her friend, Thought this was the cutest picture until i saw what was on the croc's apron...will be blurring that out for scrapbook.

Masks!

Proof Ryan ate Shrimp

Hats- check, gum- check, the cutest- check!

First catholic church built or Tiana's house as Audra called it

boudin- sausage, rice mixture cooked in a pig's intestine. Actually really good. 

Tons of sauces

Market

Beignets- so disappointed, pretty much a fried doughnut with powdered sugar. I was hoping for so much more!

Of course the powder sugar is the best part!

this guy was so still and looked just like a statue. Audra was scared. 

Audra: Mom and Dad, do a silly face!

Back drop is New Orleans!

My sorta Titanic picture... tried to get Ryan to take one with me but he was a party pooper!

Day after Audra got sick and was feeling a lot better!

Audra's Mask she choose! 

My mask... kinda creepy huh! Don't worry it will be hanging on my wall not my face... Most of the time!

Well that was the trip in a nutshell! Hope everyone else is having a great summer! :)