Pre-K Kiddo

 It's so true that when you are raising children, sometimes the days seem so long but the years are so very short.

When Kyle and I brought Hudson home from the hospital, we had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. Now we have this precious 4-year-old who is smart, kind, sensitive and hilarious and the child he has grown to be, makes me swell with pride.

I don't know what he's going to be someday, but I can tell you for now, he wants to be a Lumberjack.

Shopping for school supplies wasn't exactly as exciting as I'd hoped it'd be for him.

Checking out his new school.

I promise I only cried a little when I got to my car.

Being a Big Brother-Part 2

When you're a big brother it's always nice to jump in pictures so your sister doesn't have to pose alone.

See..

 

It's good to wake her up by singing her favorite songs.

You get to ride cool toys while she gets her ears pierced.

 

You get to celebrate when she learns new things like how to roll over.

 

It's always important to be sure she's strapped in safely.

 

You sometimes have to comfort her when she's crying.

You get to play with her and show her new things.

You sometimes laugh at how she's drooling when she's cuddled up with mommy, asleep.

Sweet Summer

Being a Big Brother-Part 1

Being a big brother is a big job and not one to be taken lightly.

You should make sure your baby sister is cozy at all times.

You should go to the park and talk to Grammie about your new role.

You think that dressing her up in mommy's glasses is hilarious.

Helping to give her first bath is perhaps your most important duty yet.

You should never forget to take silly "selfies" with your mommy. After all, you two have been working so hard taking care of a baby.

You should always nap by her just in case she needs you.

Help her to experience new things, even if she's not a fan.

Watch others carefully just to be sure they're doing things the "right" way.

And always take pictures of her when you think she looks "so cute".

Andie's Newborn Photoshoot

When Andie was only a few days old, I had my sweet momma come up to take a few Newborn pictures of her. This was the first opportunity I really had at dressing her up and trying frilly baby girl clothes on.  Hudson was on board with the picture taking and made the sweetest gestures towards his tiny baby sister.  These pictures will definitely be cherished forever.

 

Curled up on my wedding dress.

An Easter to Remember

Getting our Anderson here was a MUCH different experience than Hudson. I had Hudson 2 weeks early, so in my mind, I expected Andie around the same time frame. Her official due date was April 10th, so by the end of March I grew more anxious as the days went on.  By April 1st I was having contractions.  I actually went into work on the 1st and ended up leaving after several hours of "toughing it out" at my desk.  I spent the next two days in bed having contractions. By the 3rd, everything had really stopped and I began to get discouraged. I decided I would pack Hudson and I for a Friday night sleep over at my parent's house. 

We arrived like normal, had dinner and by about 9 p.m. went to bed, only for me to pop back up out of bed at 9:01 p.m. and declare my water had broke, sending everyone into a frenzy.

We quickly devised a plan, packed our things and began what was to become the quickest trip to Stillwater my parents had ever drove-with their hazards on the entire way because I was convinced I was going to give birth in the car. We stayed in contact with Kyle much of the way and he made it just in time to usher me out of the car and into the hospital (all while remembering to stop and purchase Hudson some snacks on his way).  Poor Hudson fell asleep on the trip and had no clue what was going on, but was happy to have the snacks. 

Bless Kyle for being by my side for the next three hours; it was too late for the epidural I had requested and I'm certain I was not pleasant. At 1:05 a.m., on April 4th, we welcomed our precious 7 lb 1.2 oz baby girl. We brought her home on Easter day and it was definitely an Easter to remember.

In this moment I knew I wasn't the only girl in his life anymore and I couldn't have been any happier about that.

Andie with her Great-great grandma, Helen.

The first time her Aunt Crista held her.

Easter day, 2015. Getting ready to leave the hospital.

Home at last.