6 Months

Samara is 6 months old today! Can you believe it? I can't!

Samara,

My sweet baby, you are 6 months old today. Time goes much to quickly. All I can do is try to enjoy every moment with you I can. You are amazing and Daddy and I feel so blessed to have you in our lives. Payton loves you like crazy, sometimes I have to remind her to give gentle hugs and kisses because she loves you so enthusiastically! Your personality is growing and unfolding. You are quietly intense, looking, taking everything in before reacting. People really have to work to get smiles from you unless you are very familiar with them. It seems like your gaze can see into my soul. Now that I've said your quiet I must add that you can be very vocal, making many noises, babbling, squealing, and laughing. I love hearing you "talk" and we've had some wonderful conversations. Mommy is still your favorite person in the world, but Daddy and Payton follow a quick 2nd. You are very interested in everything right now and are quick to touch, grab, pull, and suck on anything you can get your little fingers on. You like to have quiet time and are unhappy if you don't get play time on your mat. Like your sister you haven't bought into the whole sleep thing but I have faith that you will eventually. I love you so much it hurts baby girl and am looking forward to watching you grow and helping you along the way. Just don't grow up to fast my love I don't want to miss a moment!

Love Mom

Look how you've grown!

Newborn

6 Months(well almost!)

Processing

I haven't been much of a blogger lately. I've said that I have nothing to say really, which is not completely true. There has been a lot going on both around me and internally. I've been using the external busyness to distract me from myself. Which has been easy because it really has been crazy busy around here for a long time. It should be a little quieter now that we are back from vacation which hopefully will give me time to unwind and and unpack.

We had a wonderful vacation. It was great to see and visit with my family. I really miss them. I wish we weren't so far from them. I get so emotional every time we leave, like I'm leaving part of me behind. I guess I am really, my family means so much to me. Love you guys! I am though glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed! It will take awhile to get the girls back on schedule but we'll get there. The girls were great on the trip, adapted very well to the changing locations and meeting new people. I'm so proud of my girls.

I have been on Facebook, and I really enjoy it. But I find it's easier for me to hide there than here though. I'm not as open, as vulnerable. I'm not really writing(like here) just conversing. I've gotten in contact with some old friends and have been able to build more of a relationship with Rod's family which I'm excited about. But it's not like blogging. I don't think blogging will die out because it's just not the same.

Since I've been home I feel like hiding. I always do when something big is over though. It's like I lose all my umph. Emotionally I'm done and need a recharge. I'm sure once I get this place a little more straighted out and catch up on my sleep(yeah right) I'll be ready to go again.

That's all I have for now.

A New View

Payton got the Fisher Price Digital Camera for her Birthday. I don't know who was more excited us or her! It's pretty low res but can take a beating from a three year old which is a must! I can't wait to see the world from her perspective. Here's a few shots from today. She wasted no time in filling up her internal memory.So much fun. I think I'm going to start a photo blog for her. Just for fun!

This was me teaching her the fine art of self portraits!

Today is a special day.

Payton Newborn

Payton First Birthday

Payton 2nd Birthday

Payton almost 3(Don't have any party girl pics yet)

Today Payton turns 3!! I can't believe she's 3 already!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAYTON!!!!

Happy Birthday Miss!

Hope you have a great birthday Misty!

Love you!

Yesterday

Payton is fabulous. That said, she's also (almost)three. Today we had a complete meltdown when Oma was here......Sweet.

Yesterday, I hand her clothes and ask her to go get dressed. In a few minutes I went to check on her progress and find her with the tub of zinc ointment, which she has generously applied up and down her legs......who left it low enough she could reach it anyways? Anyone who has any experience with this stuff knows it's sticky, good for making it stay where you put it not so good for getting it off where your child has put it. Yeah....that was fun.....

Later that day, armed with a red felt marker(washable thank goodness) she draws people all over the landlords front doors. They were very cute people(I took pictures) but still the term graffiti artist comes to mind. It took some trial and error but I did eventually get it all off. The term washable is loose at best.

Catch up

Wanted to do a brief Samara update. I tend to look back on my blog for milestone updates so I better update! She's getting huge! She had her 4 month shots last week and weighed 15lbs 10 ounces measuring 24.25 inches. She is so aware of her surroundings and loves being a part of everything. Overall she's a very content baby, pretty laid back. She's insistent when she wants something but also likes playing on her play mat. I love watching her, she's actually playing already! She rolls side to side but hasn't gone all the way over yet, I think she could from watching as she gets so far and decides to roll back. She hates being on her stomach so I don't think she has the motivation to go right over. She can pull herself to sitting if you give her your fingers and has just started pushing with her legs to stand as well. She thinks it's pretty funny. She puts everything, absolutely everything she gets a hold of in her mouth. I don't remember Payton being quite so chewy. Everyone asks me if she's teething because she's constantly chewing on something, fingers are favorites cause they are always there! She's all about mom right now, I get the best smiles! She likes daddy too but nothing compares to mommy! I quite enjoy it. Of course she's also started playing shy with others. She's completely fascinated with her sister and will watch her closely. Payton thinks it's great and will chat with her. I can't wait until they can play together, mind you at that point they could start fighting too! Anyways I better stop as I'm actually supposed to be getting ready to go camping!!

Taken today

Cute outfit courtesy of Auntie Sue.

Remember that nice weather we had(it was SO long ago). We tested out Sue's new pool. It was Samara's first time swimming. Very fun!

Fun in the Pool.

There was a small chunk of time on Father's Day that it wasn't raining. We took the opportunity to go for a walk. Samara tested out the backpack and it's been approved. Payton brought along a "map" for us to follow. It was fun!

Our new home away from home.

Hey all.

So yesterday I had quite a day. I want to blog it. But at this very moment both girls are asleep so I am going to go do something while I can!

I've been doing very well and feeling good! This summer looks rather full already with family and activities and vacation. I'm so excited! Yes Angie I'M STILL EXCITED!! LOL

I'll write more to catch up soon! I promise!

It sure is harder to do self portraits now.....

Family

I'm so excited, a whole bunch of my family is coming out from Alberta for Mom's wedding! I miss them all so much!! It also looks like Rod will be able to get time off in Aug so we can head out there!! I got so excited thinking about it this morning I teared up!! We are also trying to figure out getting Holly out here for awhile this summer! Have I mentioned I'm excited?

This summer is going to be very busy! I can't wait!

I think I need a quote of the day segment

Fri goes to Mandy who almost made me fall over laughing.

Pointing at a stamp of a bird. "I don't like that bird, it makes me ANGRY!!"
When questioned "I just don't like birds, they make me ANGRY."
I love Mandy.

Sat Rod and Pay had a tie

Me: "Hey we still have an M & M gift card."
Rod: "Do you think it would work at the liquor store?"

In the drive through ordering our meal we hear from the back seat:

Pay: "Can I have a double double please??"
Rod: Turns and looks at me inquisitively
Me: "She knows: Daddy drinks coffee and Mommy drinks double doubles"

Today overheard at a Braydens birthday party

"Who is this Diego person?"
"I don't know, I think he's like her boyfriend or something."

They set a date!

My Mom is getting married!! Check out the date 7/7/07 !! How fun is that!

Payton

Yesterday Rod put a new shirt on Payton that still had the sticker on it. As he took off the sticker Payton asked what it was. Rod told her that it said who made her shirt or how it was made(I can't remember). Payton very quickly responds with "No Daddy!! GOD made my shirt!"

I laughed so hard, what a smart girl!

Poor Payton

Payton has a cold, mainly a cough. But it's a nasty cough.

Have you ever coughed so hard you threw up? Yuck.

She's sleeping again, hopefully we all can get some sleep now.

Sue posted this song(Thanks Sue). It's amazing. It speaks to me where I am. Days can be hard and sometimes it just feels like it would be easier to give up. Gotta keep on keeping on.


Anyway- Martina McBride

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anway

You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach
and you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anway

Chorus:

God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy and its hard to believe that tomorrow
will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons
and in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love them anyway

Repeat Chorus

You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in
that tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway, sing it anyway

I sing, I dream, I love anyway

What's with that?

Those of you who have been around for awhile will remember the struggles I had to get Payton to sleep. I thought Samara was a lot better sleeper, well actually she is at night. During the day however she is exactly like her sister was, a cat napper. 10 min here, 20 there, maybe I'll get lucky and get 30+ minutes at a time. Add it all together and it probably adds to a decent nap length or 2 but really kid, it can't be quality sleep! I'm not quite at my wits end this time because I've survived it once already but it's getting very very fustrating.

Sigh...she's awake....again....

Kinda Fun

I've seen a few people do this quiz about your firstborn and thought it looked like fun. I am going to alter it a little and do it about my second born as well!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes and No, we had decided to start trying in Jan and found out we were pregnant in Nov!
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Excitement, disbelief that we were going to be parents
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Started having heartburn and indigestion which I had never had before. Googled it and found it could be an early pregnancy symptom. When I was 2 days late tested.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Rod
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? I was unsure, Rod did, so we did.
9. DUE DATE? Aug 10/04
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? No
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Cream soup, Greek salad, peanut butter
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Probably just working cause I was SO tired!
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Nope
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 35
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, 3 actually(we were spoiled) Church, work, and friends.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Early bleeding
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 3 from very first pain until delivery
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Rod
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Rod, my mom, the Midwife
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION - natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Nope, it was to fast, by the time I got to the hospital I was pushing!
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 4 ounces
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? July 23/04 (17days early)
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Payton Coleen Lynn
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? Will be 3 in 2 months


1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Excitement and worry(we had miscarried once in between)
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 27
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Late Period
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Rod
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes but the technician we got wouldn't tell us!
9. DUE DATE? Feb 25/04
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Mint Girl Guide cookies
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Not being able to sleep(having a toddler and all)
13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, as much as I'd like to have both I'm excited for Payton to have a sister. I always wanted a sister.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 8
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, 2(spoiled again!) mix of family, church and friends
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? It was initially a twin pregnancy, we lost one early on. Samara was breech.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 0, planned C-Section
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Rod
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Rod, Midwife
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION - C-Section(she was breech)
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 13.4 ounces
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? Feb 15/04(10days early)
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Samara Ashlyn Michelle
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY? 3 months

And we have a talker

Lost without the Net

Yup, internet was down for 2 days. What did I used to do without it? I feel so un-connected!

Rod and I have both had what seems to be a flu since Tues as well. Both of us being sick at the same time sucks! Somebody has to take care of the kids! We both seem to be getting better today thank goodness!

Think now that I'm feeling a little better I need to shower and take Payton to the park. Fresh air will do me good!

Still here

So I've been reminded many times lately that I haven't blogged in forever. It's true. I could say I've been busy or tired or just have nothing to say. And although that may be partial truths, it's not complete. I've been struggling with Postpartum Depression. The last couple of weeks have been better but I was in a pretty bad place for awhile. I've always been pretty honest on my blog but I wasn't ready to share. I didn't want to sound all cheery on my blog when I was shriveling inside, so the solution was to simply not write.

Were doing pretty good, moving forward, trying to figure out how to make everything work. Keeping every one's needs met is a full time job. I really truly do love having 2 kids though, watching them interact is priceless.

I plan on sharing more, just not at this exact moment. The biggest thing on my brain right now is sleep! I need some! So for now, enjoy the pics and video's!.

Last fri it really was like summer!

Recent pics

Samara "talking"

Samara started laughing today.

Please excuse the horrible fake giggling(by me, that's what makes her laugh the most), the messy desk, and the glasses I've had for 10yrs!

But we've got her first laughs on video!! How cool is that!?!

Contests

I found some cool Mother's day contests here. Check it out.