October 2011

Halloween was a hoot! Collette was a peacock, Elizabeth a "pink Barbie cat" and Reedy boy a Chicago Cubs baseball player.... We went to a party in Tucson ( thanks to JAMIE!) a family party and of course trick or treating... this year with her fun cousins Jacob and Quinn.

 It was so fun watching them get into the activity of going door to door! Reed would eat his candy as fast as he got it, while Elizabeth waited patiently until she was finished trick or treating, then counted them all, then began to eat them...

 Reed didn't know what to do with so much candy so he would eat a piece of candy and spit it into the trash before he could even chew it enough to swallow it so he could move onto the next piece....
That's my boy!

 We have been able to get away to the park a bit here and there for a few play dates and picnics. This one involved Reed laying on the ground and blowing the dirt. No wonder he never looks clean!

 Miss Elizabeth had fun with daddy one afternoon blowing bubbles on the porch during the little ones nap time. These two butt heads quite a bit but when the two of them get along nothing is sweeter. They are such a pair this little girl and her daddy. Besides looking alike they just have this little bond that only a daddy and daughter can have...

 Elizabeth was lucky enough to go to Tatum's birthday tea party. She loved it and had fun with all the little girls!

 We have made some yummy fall treats this past month.... and Reed has really become my little buddy. Elizabeth is in preschool 3 mornings a week while Reed, Collette and I play at home. This little guy cuddles me all the day long. Elizabeth has become less attached with cuddles and Collette does the best not being held.... believe it or not. I think with her tummy troubles she is most comfortable on her back flat. Reed was the same way as an infant with his tummy troubles too. So Reed and I cuddle the day away. If you have seen me with Reed you know he has a hair fetish. I love this about this kid.... he sits and twirls my hair whenever he can. He dropped something while sitting in a chair at lunch today and as I bent down to get it he reached for my hair as quick as he could. It's a special thing a momma and her boy.

 And miss coco Collette. She is joy. complete and utter joy. Like I said she doesn't cuddle as much as her momma wishes but I will lay back with her propped against my legs and she gives the sweetest smiles. she first started smiling on August 30th! She has pretty good control of her neck but not quite strong enough for a bumbo yet. She had her first 8 hour night this week on Tuesday, woo hoo! but went back to sleeping about 6 hours after that. This is my first baby who doesn't take binky's, actually prefers sleeping on her back and who doesn't nurse to sleep at night! She will during the day and in the middle of the night but not before her long stretch at night. Porter is a pro with her. This is the first baby that goes to bed better for him than me and I love it. I think it's hard for the husbands sometimes, or my husband because my kids cry for me whenever they are hurt or sick or sad. and the older two were really clingy as babies and still are really. This is our daddy's girl it seems and I love it. Each child is so different and Porter and I both have different ways of doing things. Some things work for some and some for the other. He really is the best team mate ever to have this parenting experience with and I am so grateful for him!

Welcome November.... can't wait to see what you bring!

A name and a blessing....

Our sweet Collette received her baby blessing this week. How perfect the day was. We made it on time to our early church where we were surrounded by family and friends.

I'm so thankful for this little girl and the joy she is to our family...

Her dress was very special, it was made from my wedding dress and the lace from it as well.

                                 I did an "our little pumpkin" theme to go with the season....

I am so thankful, and feel so blessed. Blessed to have the family I do. I am one lucky momma and love these sweet children so. They are amazing and I am so lucky to call them mine....

It was so great waking up Saturday morning and starting the day off with a family bike ride to the park. The kids are starting to become better and better of friends. They laughed and played as daddy chased them around. They were so excited to be able to go to the park since it is not a million degrees anymore:)

I love to just sit and watch them play. I love to see their imaginations in full bloom. I love to hear their giggles and watch them work together as a team. I love to see how Reed copies almost everything Elizabeth does and how Elizabeth is becoming more and more like a second mom to her little brother.

I also love how the park allows me to sit and have some cuddle time with our sweet Collette....

I want to enjoy every second of this sweet time as I know they will all grow up so fast and the park will no longer be the coolest place to go for a day. I know I will miss these days outdoors with little ones playing in the sun.

But for now, while they are young we will be spending our Saturday mornings at the park..... and I love that it's just a bike ride away

 Until next Saturday.....

Dear Diary,

     Taking three kids, 3 and under to the mall is going to get you some looks, especially if your youngest is 3 weeks old and you are in a clothing store where the majority of shoppers are teens & collage students. We had our fair share of stares as we juggled our children and stocked up on clothes for fall. Of course we had the occasional," you must be busy" or " how old are they?". Despite the typical behavior of a toddler and preschooler fighting over lip gloss, my kids were wonderful today. They endured moms need to shop a bit, their first circus show and then dinner with my family. I'm proud of my children and the individuals they are becoming. I'm thankful for the sweetness they bring into our home. I felt a little like an outcast in this store with my plethora of children but quickly realized that I am one lucky woman whose greatest blessing come in a triple stroller. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for each one of my children. I am so thankful for my son whose flat feet stir up a loud pitter padder as he runs on the hard floor from room to room. Thankful for my daughter who on her last visit to the potty (while pushing) said,"you are the greatest." and for baby Collette who lets me snuggle and kiss on her all day. Paired with my husband they are my greatest joy and I hope they know that. I hope the" I love you's" I give sink into their little hearts and that that love gives them the confidence to do anything. I really just want my children to know how proud I am of them.... especially my older two at this time with the transition of Collette coming into our family. They have been such helpers! I recently have had my parenting questioned. It has been the most offensive thing I have ever been told. I find it odd the source that it is coming from and their dealings with children but none the less the things said took a tole on my little heart. I may not be good at a lot of things but mothering is something I am more than passionate about. I thought about what was said for some time and how I needed to prove that they were wrong. I had different things come to mind that I would say or do if the comments were ever brought up again and then it hit me like a bullet ...... I don't care. I don't care! It's not about proving anyone wrong, or right for that matter. It's not about what others see you doing as a mother or don't see you doing as a mother. My mightiest mothering moments have taken place when I have a child one on one, most of the time we are alone and no one is there to see or congratulate or praise and that's OK because it's not about that. I am realizing that no one knows my children like I do therefore they have no idea what is best for these little ones and will not always understand the choices I make for my children but that's just fine because I don't make choices to please others or earn praise I make the choices I make because I love my children dearly and know what's best for them. I make certain decisions to keep them safe and make them know how loved they are. Mothering instincts are so real and so powerful. Not only can a mothers kiss instantly take away pain but a loving mothers heart can aid in the becoming of a beautiful individual. I believe we help shape and mould our children into who they will become and I can't say I would change a thing because my children amaze me more each and every day. I have an amazing husband who is a good example for these kids and I am so thankful to him for the example he sets in our home. I am thankful for mothers, mother figures and women all around me who are good examples and help me and support me in being the mother I am and strive to be. But most of all I am thankful to my own mother who in her short 53 years stayed home with us while we were young, made family dinners, helped out at school, sold girl scout cookies with me, slept with me in her arms after a bad nights dream, loved me when I wasn't so lovable, was always there for me, and taught me what the most sincere form of mothering was all about. When I think of my own mother and the mother I am striving to be to my children I think of this.....

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

Freeze!

Even with things being a little overwhelming over here, I still wish I could just pause this time and take in all it is offering. Three kids 3 and under is a bit much at times, but it is also so rewarding. It is tiring but it is so much fun at the same time. They are all so little still, so innocent and so lovable. Miss Elizabeth is so wanting to help and hold baby sister. Sweet Reed rubs his face on Collette and entertains us with his spiderman like actions. And miss Collette is perfect and precious as can be all bundled in my arms. I have felt so claustrophobic trying to feed Collette and entertain the older two with them right by my sides as I read them books but really I would not have it any other way.  Today I seriously looked like a homeless woman, I don't know how my hair was doing what it was doing but it was bad, my clothes were a mess, I had been spit up on who knows how many times but still my husband was eager as ever to come home and welcome me into his arms and make me feel great. Family is just so amazing. I am thankful for these three children who keep me busy and help me feel loved. I keep thinking of the saying..... very tacky, but true," we may not have it all together, but together we have it all." So how I feel right now regardless of it's vinyl saying appearance.

There is a special magic that creeps into a home when a newborn is present. It's magical and holds a perfect  calmness that comes over everything and everyone. Time slows down and what is truly important becomes clearer than ever. Children draw close, husband and wife celebrate what their love has created and joy is all around. The hustle and bustle of life is almost in slow motion as our little family has spent hours in bed cuddled together, holding baby, and watching movies. We are so blessed. Oh how we are blessed. 2 AM has never had such a beautiful feeling as when I am cuddled feeding my new baby girl in her peaceful nursery, with her lights dim, just the two of us share this time. A time when everyone is asleep and the house is silent. I would not trade this time for anything. I better go cuddle that little peanut I love so dearly....

Meet Collette Anne Williams

As you can see this little girl is being welcomed with opened arms. These are pictures that give a glimpse  of the last 24 hrs since she has been born. I am in love with this little girl and her full head of hair. Little Collette was born weighing 7lbs 3oz. She is our tallest yet at 22 inches. We love and adore every little bit of her. I can not even believe how blessed I feel right now with this new little girl in our family. These pictures are completely out of order and I am a little out of it with being on pain killers, we will be going home tomorrow so we are sure to have more pictures soon. As for these......

Here is Elizabeth and Reed Meeting their little sister Collette. They both had their arms straight out and were so anxious to get a hold of their sibling

last picture pregnant with Collette...

Everything went really smooth and she is doing great. She looks just like Elizabeth did and I just adore her. I will write more later when I'm not so out of it.....

Summer 2011 continued.....

We are just trying to soak up any last minute rays before baby sister comes and we are tucked inside our air conditioned home. My kids love water. Reed thinks he is invincible and Elizabeth tries some new mermaid move every time we are in the pool. They both love goggles and jumping off diving boards. 

Summer 2011

So this summer has been eventful. We moved from Tucson and were living with family for a few months and just last month we moved again into a cute house with room enough for our almost 3 kids. Living with family was great but I knew we needed our own space before this little girl gets here! The summer has treated us great so far. We have been swimming a lot and little miss can just about swim solo. Her favorite is to jump off diving boards and swim to the side. For some reason though she does a belly flop 9 out of 10 times. We have just about 4 weeks until we welcome our new baby girl into the family! We are so excited to meet her. Reed has grown into really liking little babies so I'm excited to see how he does with a little sister. We are just about settled in but I have a few more finishing touches I would like to add to baby girls room as well as pictures that need to be put in frames. Some highlights of this summer include Reed turning two.... him and I share a birthday month and we had fun celebrating with family and making him a choo choo train cake.....

 this little guy is such a character and such a joy to have in our home (when he's in a good mood). He loves animals and making animal noises. He is a late bloomer when it comes to talking but he will call for momma, dadda, poppy (grandpa), doggy, book, drink, snack, cookie, duck, and plane are the words he says most..... He loves wrestling his dad, cousins, uncles, or grandpas and loves the water and swimming.

 little miss Elizabeth had a dance recital over the summer and did great! She is such a doll and turning into my little buddy. She is so helpful and really is a sweet heart. She is so excited to have a sister and tries to help us get ready for her to come in any way she can!

Like I said I have a few things to add to the nursery but here is a picture of her crib and bedding..... I made the bed skirt and the bumper was from Elizabeth as a baby. 

                                       

 Elizabeths room is just about done as well. I want to dark purple tutu to add about her bed but other then that its good. I made her duvet cover..... it is straight but the bed was made crooked this morning :) She is in love with purple so with the move now was the time to change it!

Hopefully I can write more frequently before the baby comes and get in a better habit of posting!

oh my where does the time go.....

Wow, I'm behind on blogging. It makes me sad because this is really the way I keep a journal/ save pictures. My sweet kids have been making so many memories and I wish I would have kept track more but hey what can you do? So here is what has been going on over here.... sorry not the most exciting post

Reed..... My Reedy boy. He is just awesome. This little guy makes me laugh everyday. He doesn't talk a whole lot yet, I'm sure a big part of that is that he is very attached to his binky. He also had a lot of ear infections as a baby so his hearing could be affected by that but the dr. said we will wait until he is 2 to determine something like that. He does talk though..... words like momma, dada, hot dog, ball, choo choo, train, car, please, binky, quack quack, and dog just to name a few. He is all boy. He is just a little guy though, he is only in the 8% for his weight! He loves all his boy cousins that he gets to see more often now and is constantly trying to wrestle them. He has a good arm and plays catch with my dad (poppy) a lot. He got a haircut about two weeks ago and Porter buzzed it all away. Poor Reed hated it. He was creaming,"GO!" THE ENTIRE TIME (AS IN GO AWAY). He is a good sleeper and takes a good 2-3 hour nap daily. He LOVES hot dogs, orange juice and eggs to just name a few of his favorite foods. He has started to show a real interest in babies, that is a relief considering we will have new one here in 3 months. My little guy also loves swimming, Porter took him just this last weekend and we would pass him back and forth under water like a torpedo, he loved it! Last but not least he is a sweetheart.... if we are every pretend crying or sad or saying goodnight he will give us a kiss on both cheeks, like he is from Europe or something. So cute, he will never just kiss one cheek but always has to be both. How I love this little guy.

Rapunzel...... I mean Elizabeth. She is in love with Rapunzel. She watches it at least once everyday, she just got the dress at the Disney store and today has been carrying around a metal pan from her kitchen set. She is so darn sweet and has become a very good helper. She helps Reed be happy and picks up toys when asked. She is so smart and remembers everything I tell her or say. She is all girl and loves to have her hair curled and put make up on. She tells me at least ten times a day," I love you so much mom" and I am loving having a three year old little girl. She is going to be great as my helper when new baby is born. She loves to color and can sit and talk to your for hours. She loves swimming, her dance class and anything princess. Her new favorite color is dark purple.

And as for #3.... she is moving right along. This pregnancy has been flying by! I am 25 weeks now and we just had a 3D ultrasound,  I saw a lot of Elizabeth in her. We have two names that we like right now but we will most likely decide for sure when we see her. Porter is doing good and working hard. We have loved the move so far and are so happy to be back around family, it has been the best thing we could have done. We have a few more things that we need to have fall into place before the baby comes that will make us a little, or lot more settled but we are trying to be patient and faithful.

I got a new computer for mothers day and as pathetic as it sounds I don't even know how to get my pictures onto my computer so pictures will have to happen next post ( and I thought a MAC would be easier for me to use). Go figure.

aaah ....... sigh of relief

my ultra sound last week showed everything to be good, baby girl is good, my placenta is healed and I was taken off bed rest and told to resume all my normal activities I do during pregnancies. This came as such relief, and joy. Being down was driving my crazy.... not just crazy like I needed to get up but honestly crazy. I am such a worry wart, its awful, and sitting all day with nothing to do left me to sit and think about any and everything that could go wrong in life. It was ugly. Just this week I am beginning to feel like myself again. It kinda makes one depressed to be in a situation like such. My kids were thankfully being watched by loving family and friends but I missed them so much when I wasn't taking care of them. This whole experience taught me so much. It was so hard to see Reed just wanting me to stand and hold him but all I could do was have him cuddle as I was down. It was hard not being able to serve my family and prepair meals for them as well. I usually hate this scenario but all I wanted to do was cook dinner and hold Reed on my hip while trying to do so. I am so thankful my trial was so short for I know many who have had much harder situations that lasted for much longer. Of course there are still trials our family is facing at this time but I am so thankful to have the ability to stand and take part in them, and to be told our little girl is healthy and well. This time in my life really has been a roller coaster. We have a lot of things that are demanding our faith right and and it gets pretty hard sometimes but I can feel my strength and testimony growing inch by inch and I am so thankful for that.

I woke up Monday with mild spotting. 15 weeks pregnant and spotting is like ice cream with pepperonies. Just not good. I basically stalked my way into the dr that day when they took forever to call me back. I called. Called some more. Went with a friend who randomly happened to have an appointment with the same dr just to have them call me back as I was in the waiting room with her. The dr saw me that day although he may have thought I was borderline crazy. When it comes to my family there isn't anything I wont to do make sure they are safe and sound. This my my first appointment with him mind you so his first impression of me may not be the best but hey I would rather be the crazy concerned mom rather then the whatever mom. Right? Right. So I tell him Im spotting and I lay back to have an ultra sound. Joy,relief and tears all came as I saw this little one wiggle and squirm inside. The dr explained that my placenta has a tear and it is bleeding. Baby is good but we need to have the placenta heal. He showed me a blood clot near my cervix. He said this is not normal but it is common. I was told bed rest was the only thing that could do the trick. More bleeding could have a bad result but that these usually heal on their own with rest. As all these concerns took over I thought to myself.....,"I could use some good news right about now." so I asked if he could see what I was having. That little one just then positioned perfectly and we saw what the gender was. I left feeling glad that my baby was safe but worried about the upcoming weeks and how I was going to manage bed rest with a three and one year old. I called porter on my way home....."Porter, I just went to the dr. the placenta has a tear, I was told bed rest but your little girl looks perfect and healthy."
If you read my previous posts you know I have already felt like I have been sick or out of sorts for weeks now. We just moved two weeks ago and I was already feeling a little overwhelmed with the changes. As of now I'm on bed rest until the end of the month and then we will see from there. I'm at a time in my life where I am striving to find out what my tasks are in is life. I am trying to exercise faith in hopes that it will grow stronger. I feel like I am currently being given many opportunities to learn of the faith I am capable of possessing but it is a hard hard thing to do. I know without a doubt if I can hold onto faith that I will come out a stronger, happier, more confident and hopeful person but getting there has it's challenges. I feel like for weeks, even months now I have been given the chance to build stronger faith and with that opportunity comes opposition. Just as I believe in a Father in heaven I also know of Satan who is present as well. I know he is there striving to take away from this faith building experience and he does that by instilling fear into my being, he presents doubt in front of me. It is my choice to choose faith or fear. I can feel the battle taking place and sometimes it is hard to not think of all that is wrong, or could go wrong. But I'm striving to be positive. To replace doubt with hope. The fear with faith. I'm learning the greater meaning of trusting in the Lord, trusting in His plan. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes the entire world seems to be showing us all is lost or a bad outcome lerks ahead but if He whispered to me all will be well then the ball is now in my court to stand by Him, have faith in HIm and trust in HIm. I have so many things that have me wondering what is coming but I just need to remind myself that whatever does come its part of HIs plan. He is there through it all and most importantly HE wants me to be happy, to have joy sometimes it just takes us leaning a little bit more on HIm to find it.
Thank you to wonderful friends and family. For the help this week, the flowers, and the long talks. You have no idea the love I have for you.

Ready to run.....

Right now I am surrounded by moving boxes, packing tape and sheets of bubble wrap. We're outta here shortly. I have to say I am feeling a roller coaster of emotions. These past two months have been a little dark for me. The self I feel confident about crawled into hiding and became distant from everything that has any importance to me. I felt so awful I didn't want my husband to touch me, I didn't want to nurture and spend time with my children and I didn't want to became closer to Christ by doing the day to day things that keep me going and give me true happiness. Like I said it has been a little dark. Rays of sunshine would pass by like a meal from a friend, a sweet moment with my children or a feeling of love from my Father in Heaven but ultimately I have been tucked away in this pocket of gloom. I've been facing anxiety attacks and just getting through the day to get through it not to enjoy it. It has been hard. Morning sickness limited me to the couch and left me just wanting to feel good for a brief moment so I could be happy. The fear of our move and the stresses that will come from this all took over. The unknowing in what the plan is for me and my family has been overwhelming and I have felt fearful instead of having faith.
Lately the morning sickness has now made improvement and is only there about half a day. I have found more joy feeling good at least half a day and enjoying this time with my family. Oh my sweet children and dear husband. I started packing today.... Loading and wrapping dish wear, I started to feel sad and fearful. Then it hit me, with the gloom that has been around me these past months what better time for change then now. A new place to refind joy in motherhood. A new city to go on dates with my love. A place to start fresh. All gloom can be left behind. This is a chance to start something new and make it a positive change, a change for the better. I'm excited to start a new routine and find how joy can be the captain of my new routine. I'm excited to be enlightened by old friends and familiar faces I have grown up with. I'm giddy to see what my home town will bring our family after being gone for 6 years. I am ready. Ready to say good bye to this chapter. Ready to welcome a new chapter. Ready to have stronger faith and a better me.