So....What's for Dinner?

We took our girl to the doctor yesterday for her 4 month check up and we knew what was going to happen. The doctor "signed off" on her starting food. I wasn't surprised, we knew it was coming but honestly I can't say I was ready. Dr. told us to take it slow, don't rush things, and if she wasn't interested then wait.
Mckinley is growing so fast. I love watching both of my babies interact with one another. They both light up when the other enters the room. I've said it before but of all the things I give and provide for my children having each other is what I'm most proud of.
I went to the store this morning and picked up a box of yummy rice cereal. I had no plans of when I was going to begin but thought I'd just have it in the house. We made her a small bowl tonight and the girl LOVED IT!! She was opening her mouth when she saw the spoon coming her way.
Looks like we have a big girl on our hands. (sigh)

I'm a Big Kid Now

Did you gasp when you saw this picture? I had a lump in my throat while I was sitting next to him the other night. I can not believe that my baby is holding a pencil and writing his name!
Where in the world have the years gone?

What I'll Miss.....

On Monday I return to work. I had my baby girl almost 8 1/2 weeks ago and I can NOT believe that it's time.
Ever since I had Braxton I've said that I'm a better mother because I work. Not only does work help my family financially but I get to be "me" for a couple of hours and my children have space to be who they are. They get to play with other children and interact with other adults. Not to mention spend time with their grandparents! I honestly think we're all better. But over the past 2 months I've spent some quality time with my babies and this time I really took time to take it all in. I didn't fret over things like laundry or about unloading the dishwasher. I knew it would be OK if I spent ALL day in my pajamas and I found myself laughing at some of the things that made me cry when Braxton was born. I've realized how fast time goes by and that each and every day truly is a gift. In the motions of the day, I paused to look at my sleeping babies and realized that both of them were no longer "just mine". Life has for sure changed around here.
My return to work is bitter-sweet. I know I'll never have this time back. I have so enjoyed taking my little boy to school, picking him up, rocking my daughter for as long a she wants, resting on the couch with her on my chest and listening to her breathe, smelling her breath as she yawns, and stepping back and watching the two of them interact, smile, and love another. It's the little things..
As I make my way back to the classroom where 22 children that don't belong to me will greet me on Monday I'll have my 2 children on my mind. I'll miss them terribly. Think about me....thank goodness it's a short week!!

Introducing Our Daughter

Here is proof that no matter how well you think things are planned, anything can happen. I woke up on Tuesday morning, one day before my planned c-section, at 2am having contractions. I "thought" I knew what was happening but as I moved from the bed to the couch I kept telling myself that if I ignored them they would just go away. I had one more day of work to get through and it was cousin Zoie's first birthday! After 30 minutes of timed contractions every 10 minutes I woke Brandon up and told him I thought I was in labor. We called the doctor and were told to wait another hour. We went ahead and took showers and finished packing our bags. I woke Braxton up and he was up and we were gone by 3:30. We dropped him off at Maw Maw's, went by Dad's to drop his bags off for the next few days, and were walking through the front entrance of CMC by 4:30. They admitted me at 4:55am and at 7:16am we heard the cries of our baby girl for the first time.

Mckinley Grace was born weighing in at 7lbs, 14ozs, and was 19 3/4inches long. (Big Brother weighed 7lbs, 15 ozs, and was 20 inches long.) We had discussed names that we liked but hadn't decided on anything for sure. After she was born while in the operating room someone asked Brandon what her name was and he responded by saying "This is Mckinley Grace." (Braxton picked her middle name)

Mckinley and Daddy are doing fabulous. Big Brother is adjusting. Last night's visit was much better than Tuesday night's. Hopefully, he'll want to hold her tonight.

"Tuesday's child is full of grace". We feel so blessed.

Drum Roll, Please

Here you have it. Baby Sister's room is now ready. I've been doing laundry all weekend just washing 0-3 month clothes, blankets, cloths, and bibs. We're really excited with how it turned out. I was even able to rock my Baby Boy in the new rocker this morning. I told him that when it came I would rock him in it before she had a chance!

THIS is what little girls are made of....

B-day is quickly approaching. We still have no furniture (hopefully this changes today around 3) and as you can see I have EVERYTHING still to wash, organize, and put away. I had to just look at what we have around us now. Pink, purple, hair bows, and dresses. We're so excited. I have to finish picking up Big Brother some things for his goodie bag this weekend. He keeps asking "When is baby sister gonna be here?" The other day he threw his hands up and said "You said after the beach!" But it's now September and she'll be here very soon. If all goes well we'll have her in our arms on September 21.
The other night I sat with him on the couch and started asking him his thoughts on some names. I told him three and he told me the one he liked best. So I said, "Alright, ________ and Braxton it is" (We're still undecided so we're not saying anything yet). He said "Yea. No, how bout Braxton and Sweet Pea!" So for the time being we have a Sweet Pea.

Just Like a Pro

Yesterday was the sibling class at the hospital. It was to help older siblings feel more at ease about "where mommy is" and it went over what will happen when the baby is born and when they come visit the new baby at the hospital. We took "Busch 2" and one of the first things the nurse did was talk about how they weigh and measure the new baby. All of the kids had a chance to put their stuffed animals on the scale. Busch 2 weighed 12.5 ounces and was 17 inches long. She went over how to hold the baby (sitting down) and went into some discussion about the soft spot. He even got a diaper to bring home and to practice putting on and taking off of Busch 2. Brax really listened and just looked around the room. Afterwards she took us down to the nursery and showed us the new babies. There was a banner over the nursery window that said "Class of 2029". You can see part of it in one of the pictures. It was really cute even though I think because of the recent change in the cut off date she'll be class of 2030!
Afterwards we went back downstairs and all of the kids were given a certificate. It was a cute class. Brax definitely felt like a Big Brother and in the car on the way home asked if he could change into his Big Brother shirt when he got home!!

Showered with Love

The past two weekends have been busy. The day after we arrived home from the beach my childhood friend Stacy and her mom threw a shower. I had many close friends there and the food was great. We received a lot of great gifts for our baby girl and Big Brother walked away with somethings too. It was almost surreal opening pink and purple things.
Last Sunday I had a shower at my good friend Tina's house. Family and church friends attended. I had representation from my mom's family, my dad's family, and Brandon's family. It was great having everyone together for such a special time. I know that everyone is going to love this little girl.
We're down to about 3 1/2 weeks and we still have so much to do. Work wise I've gotten a lot done but I still have things that I have to do before I will be able to relax about not being there. And around here....we still don't have any furniture. We have gotten the car seats, bassinet, bouncer, and all the little things out and in her room on one side. The other side is filled with clothes and other accessories waiting for a permanent home.
I go back to the doctor this week and begin going every week from then on. I have my surgery scheduled. I suppose I'll start packing my bag soon. It's hard to believe it's almost time!!

Daddy's Helper

The boys began painting "Baby Sister"'s room. (Really we don't have a name yet!) Braxton was so excited about helping. Braxton kept telling me to get out and after I took a few pictures I walked out and shut the door behind me. No sooner had I gotten to the back of the house to get together some laundry and I heard the door open and Braxton say "Mama I'm done. Can I have an apple?" That was the end of his painting for the night.

The room is looking good. I think it'll be real cute when it's all finished. I'll keep you posted.

It's Starting!!

We purchased the furniture for "Baby Sister" 's room last night. When we ordered the furniture for Braxton I don't think we had any idea how fast time would go by and so all of his furniture, as much as we loved it, would not convert or grow with him. Plus, we had a bedroom suite already in another room that we knew would be his when he outgrew his crib. We don't have another set this time so we decided to go ahead and get one that would grow with her. Brandon says this one will go with her to college!
Expected arrival date is August 28-September 26. My due date: September 24.
We're not stressing. That gives us plenty of time to get her room done. I'll let you know the progress of that as we work!