Easter Weekend

We kicked off Easter weekend Saturday morning by heading to church for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Only we didn't get the memo that it started an hour earlier this year so we got there and it was over. 

So we stopped by the park to let Barrett play for a little while before we headed to my grandmothers for lunch.

Barrett was riding this power wheels my grandmother got for him. He was having fun as long as Porter was far away on the go cart.

Mom holding the babies.  Before my sister left she nicknamed them "Annie & Frannie" and it's kind of stuck. (Madelyn is Madelyn Frances that's where Frannie comes from).  We laughed because for two weeks I've been complaining that AveryAnn never sleeps and she slept pretty much the entire weekend. 

Barrett and Harper had a blast digging all the leaves out of the pond.

Love this picture of my girl.

As you can tell the Horton kids were very excited to have their picture made.

We took entirely too many pictures of the girls but I just can't help but. This time last year Hope and I were both hurting after we both had miscarriages and praying we would both have babies.  Here we are a year later with our girls that are 6 weeks apart and I'm so thankful we were blessed with these babies.

Swapping babies! 

Told you we took entirely too many pictures.

Love this one of AveryAnn with my Grandmother.

The first of many matching outfits this summer.  

The Easter bunny came to our house and dropped off two baskets this year! 

AveryAnn's first Easter! 

I was able to convince brother to get in a picture.

I just wanted one family picture. 

One of us was not having it.

Real life with a toddler I guess.

More pictures of Annie & Frannie

Matching babies again!  I bought these outfits before AveryAnn was born and I've been counting down the days for them to wear them.

Barrett was taking pictures.

Love these sweet monogrammed bloomers. I didn't realize all the accessories girls required.

Love my sweet girl! (I love my sweet boy too but he was not having his picture made.) 

Sunday was our first day back to Mass as a family of four at our church.  (We went last week but we were at my uncles church).  It went pretty good.  Barrett was a little loud but the baby did great!

 

Week Two

To kick off AveryAnn's second week Patrick had to go back to work for two days.  These were his last two shifts at that job and he had to go so our insurance would cover us for the next month.  My mom came to stay with me so she could help with Barrett.  I was so thankful.  Barrett was in heaven with all he grandparent love.

Love that sweet bow!

 Monogrammed baby! 

Monogrammed big boy!

Sweet morning snuggles with my babies.  Barrett has been a little jealous when I'm holding and feeding the baby so I try to let him sit with us as much as possible. 

One day Brittany came and got him and took him and Caleb to chick-fil-A to play. He was so happy to get out of the house. 

I love this picture.  Miss bright eyes didn't want to sleep but she sure was cute.

A beautiful spring day we had to get out and enjoy it.  Barrett loves playing ball.  Hopefully next year he can play for real.

Selfie with my babies.  I can't get enough of them. 

I was trying to take a picture of her first bow clipped in her hair but all I could see was her cheeks! 

Love that sweet smile!

My dad played chauffeur for the last week I couldn't drive because Patrick had started work at his new job. I'm so thankful for everyone that helped us especially helping with Barrett.  He was my biggest concern and I think he transitioned easily thanks to all the help we had. 

Week One

I'm playing catch-up, so bear with me.  

Our second night in the hospital Patrick wanted to run home and shower so my friends came to hang out with me while he was gone.  I was so excited for them to all meet AveryAnn.  While I showered they had a little photo shoot with her.  This was one of the pictures.

Deep thoughts with Daddy.

Barrett didn't come to the hospital everyday.  He was having way to much fun.  By Wednesday afternoon we were missing him so Patrick ran and got him and brought him back to the hospital for the afternoon.  It was just the four of us and I loved it.  Barrett still wasn't all that crazy about sister but he was starting to warm up.

I love this picture of me and my babies.  We totally had to bribe Barrett to get it but it was worth it.  

My parents came that evening to get him and he finally asked to hold her.  It was adorable while it lasted.

Our first day home.  She slept good the first few days.

Love my snuggle time.

We came home from the hospital on Thursday.  Thursday evening I started having a headache but didn't think much of it.  It got worse through the night.  By Friday morning I was in tears.  I called the doctor and they thought it was a spinal headache and told me to come in.  Barrett was still with grandparents so Patrick, AveryAnn and I loaded up and headed back to the hospital.  They decided it was a spinal headache and the only treatment is a blood patch so they sent us down to labor and delivery to do the procedure.  It was somewhat painful but provided immediate relief from the headache.

After we got home from the hospital on Friday, Patrick went to get Barrett and we were officially all four home.  Barrett asked to hold her and he looked at me and said "I wove my baby sister" and I about died from the sweetness.

On Saturday we took AveryAnn to her first check up.

Sunday we went to lunch at my parents house because my sister and her husband were leaving Monday for a 4-6 month vacation.  I was happy she got to meet AveryAnn before they left.  I'm excited for them but we miss them when we're all together.  

I think that is all from the first week.  I'm exhausted now and reading back I realize I should have probably rested more in the beginning. 

One Month

As every mom says, I can't believe you're already a month old.  This month has been fun, and hard but easier than I had imagined.  The first two weeks I thought I had everything figured out.  These last two weeks I have no idea what I'm doing.   I thought I would be more confident this time around since we've been through this once but I'm not.  I feel like everyday is trial and error and I'm learning everything again.  Some things are easier some are not. I do know that we have loved every minute of the last month.  We've loved watching you grow and change.  We've loved watching your brother warm up to you and grow that sibling bond.  He is so in love just like the rest of us.  

-You weigh around 11lbs.  (You were 10lbs 10oz last week at the doctor)

-You were 22 inches long last week so I feel like you're still pretty close to that.

-You're still wearing size one diapers and go through about 8 a day.  I forgot how many diapers newborns use.

-You nurse so good.  This is something that has been easier this time around.  I do wish you would go a little longer between feelings but I keep reminding myself you will in time. You eat 10-20 minutes every 2-3 hours.

-You take 4 ounces when you take a bottle.

-Sleep started pretty great.  You slept 4-4.5 hours several times the first couple of weeks.  Even had one 5 hour stretch.  Now you're waking up every 2 hours.  Mommy is exhausted.

-You rolled on your side the night we came home from the hospital. 

-You can hold your head up so good.

-You smiled at mommy at almost 4 weeks.  I'd left you for an hour and you smiled so big when I got back to you! Made my heart so happy.

-You're wearing 3 month clothes.  We skipped right over newborn everything.  You've even worn a few 3-6 month things. 

-You like bath time.  Your brother hated it so this is a nice change.

-You also love to be snuggled.

-We've been working a few hours a week for a couple of weeks now. You do so good at the office. 

-You've been to Mass once.

-You've been to Nana and Granddaddy's house several times too. 

AveryAnn,

You have made our hearts so full this month.  I couldn't imagine loving another child the way I love your brother but everyone was right, your heart just grows! Seeing you smile makes all the sleepless nights worth it.  We can't wait to make so many memories with you.  Happy One Month birthday sweet girl! 

We love you!

I wanted to add one of her with her tummy sticker!  I feel like she's already changed in just a week.

Catch-up

I have so many things I want to write about. Our first two weeks as a family of four, AveryAnn's birth story, how Barrett is doing, just to name a few but my computer is dying a slow death so it's taking me a sweet forever. Hopefully I can get caught up this week.

39 Weeks

For 5 weeks we were scheduled to meet AveryAnn Monday, February  22nd.  For 5 weeks we made plans and counted down to the day.  So you can imagine how upset I was when I got a call from the scheduling department on Wednesday, February 17th that they made a mistake and they couldn't schedule me before 39 weeks and according to their paper work I wouldn't be 39 weeks until Wednesday, February 24th.  And since my doctor wouldn't be there Wednesday or Thursday they would be rescheduling me for Friday, the 26th.  I lost it in the produce section of Publix.  I cried and cried.  I was so upset.  Patrick had turned in his two weeks notice at his current job with his last shift being Monday 2/29 and Tuesday 3/1.  So he was going to have to go into work the night we came home from the hospital.  I cried some more and then prayed I would go into labor before then and it wouldn't matter.  I called my doctor the next day to see if I needed to come in and see them before my appointment Friday since it got moved back.   They said yes so I made an appointment for Monday the 22nd while Barrett was at school.  I went ahead and packed all of our bags just in case they kept me but we left them at home.  I'd had a few contractions over the weekend but didn't think it was anything to get excited about.  When I got to my appointment the nurse asked how I was doing.  I was honest and told her not good.  I thought I would be holding my baby by that point.  I told her the whole thing and she was like I have you as 39 weeks today, I said me too.  She said let me talk to the doctor and we'll figure this out.  You're having this baby before Friday.  I was so relieved I cried.  The doctor checked me and I had progressed enough that she sent us down to labor and delivery.  They would observe me for a few hours and if I progressed more they would do the csection Monday if not she would do it Tuesday. We headed down and got hooked up.  It was almost time for Barrett to be picked up from school so Patrick left to get him and take him to my dad and run home and get our stuff.  

Meet Miss AveryAnn

After a scheduling problem, a lot of tears, a determined doctor and my body finally deciding it was time, AveryAnn joined our family Monday, February 22, 2016. She's a big girl weighing 10lbs 4oz, 21 1/4" long. 

We are so in love! 

Her brother isn't quite sure about her yet but he's slowly warming up.

We're headed home today and can't wait to get settled as a family of four! God is so good!!

38 Weeks

How Far Along: 38 weeks Size of baby: Around 6.8lbs and 19.5" long.   Maternity Clothes: All bottoms are maternity except one pair of sweat pants that I'm pretty much living in at home.  Tops and tunics are still not maternity. I have 5-7 outfits that I wear every week.
Gender: Girl!
Movement:  She's slowed down some this week. Running out of room I'm assuming. Sleep: Sleep has not been good this week.  There have been several days where I've woken up around 2:30 and not been able to go back to sleep.  Makes for pretty long days. What I miss: Not being pregnant.  Drinks with dinner.  Moving without pain.  Not going to the restroom every 5 minutes.  Just to name a few.  I'm so thankful for this baby and pregnancy but I'm ready for this baby to be on the outside now. Cravings: Fruit. Orange juice.
Symptoms:  Just feeling large.  I had my last doctors appointment today and was 1cm dilated.  But my doctor thinks I'll make it to my scheduled date.  Best Moment this week:  We are in the final 7 day countdown.  Everything now is "this time next week we'll have our baby".  Bags are packed (although they'll probably be unpacked and repacked a few times before next week).  We are just so ready!

I've definitely grown a little over these last 4 weeks. 

AveryAnn's Nursery

With two weeks to spare we've finished the nursery.  I feel like we had so much more work to do this time than we did the first time.  We moved the nursery furniture out of Barrett's room and our old bedroom furniture into his room.  I found the crib sheet before I knew if it was a boy or girl but I decided it would work for either.  We would have gone a more masculine route had it been a boy ;).  I used the crib skirt and curtains from Barrett's nursery (actually most everything that isn't pink is from Barrett's nursery).

I knew I wanted to do the vinyl monogram over the crib this time because Barrett started taking his canvas down that was hung over his crib.  This way she cant mess with it.

Changing table and mirror are both from the original nursery.

This little night stand was in my room in college and I needed a place for books and a lamp so it worked perfectly in this space.

View from the door.  This room is really small.  The reason it looks like all the furniture is on top of each other is because it is really tight.  The chair is from Barrett's nursery.  I love this chair and I can't wait to rock another baby in it.  Barrett loves it too.  I'll find him sitting here playing his iPad sometimes.  The chandelier was from my parents basement.  I'm not really sure where they found it.  My friend Jessica gave me the four gold frames and I bought some watercolor prints off etsy to fill them.  The prints are just things I love.  Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, an elephant and a lab.  The door hanger for the hospital is hanging on the other wall.  After she's born I play to take the bottom arrow off with her stats and add ribbon to make a bow holder.

A closer look at the watercolor prints.

Another view from the door.

I found this frame in a closet (I think it also came from my parents house).  Jessica also gave me that cross but it is the exact same color as the wall so I put the white behind it.  I love how it turned out.

A better look at the chandelier.  I love it so much.  Patrick had to rewire it and now it's perfect.   We're so ready to meet this baby.  I can't wait to bring her home and watch her grow up in this space.  Less than two weeks to go.  Probably going to be the longest two weeks of my life.  Come on AveryAnn, there are so many people who can't wait to meet you!

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks Size of baby: A bunch of swiss chard? About 6lbs and 19in.   Maternity Clothes: All bottoms are maternity except one pair of sweat pants that I'm pretty much living in at home.  Tops and tunics are still not maternity. I have 5-7 outfits that I wear every week.
Gender: Girl!
Movement:  She's still pretty active.  They had a hard time getting a good heartbeat this morning at the doctor because she was so busy. Sleep: I need approximately 14 hours of sleep a day and I'm doing good to get 8.  What I miss: Not being pregnant.  Drinks with dinner.  Moving without pain.  Not going to the restroom every 5 minutes.  Just to name a few.  I'm so thankful for this baby and pregnancy but I'm ready for this baby to be on the outside now. Cravings: Fruit. Orange juice.
Symptoms: I've had a few contractions and I'm really nauseous again.  I'm just exhausted mostly.  Went to the doctor this morning, no progress.  Which I know doesn't really mean anything so I'm trying not to get discouraged.  The uncertainty is possibly the hardest part.  Best Moment this week:  I'm declaring the nursery complete.  There are a few more things I want to do but they'll have to wait.  I want to finish Barrett's room.  His is mostly done I just need to hang a few things on the walls.  Our bags are mostly packed.  Just need to get the house clean and we'll be ready. 

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks Size of baby: Large Cantaloupe (19-22in, 6lbs or in our baby's case over 7lbs)   Maternity Clothes: Yes, all the time. I wear the same few outfits over and over again.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: She's pretty active, running out of room but active.
 Sleep: It's good but I could use a few more hours every day. What I miss: Energy and being able to pick Barrett up and hold him when ever he wants me to. Cravings: Fruit.
Symptoms: I've had a few contractions and I'm really nauseous again.  I'm just exhausted mostly. Best Moment this week:  Went to the doctor this morning.  Measuring a week ahead.  Everything looks good.  The nursery is 98% done.  I'm finishing up the door hanger for the hospital and I got AveryAnn's bag packed so we're moving right along.

This was my last weekly picture with Barrett.  I put on the same shirt just to see the comparison.  I think I'm smaller this time but I still feel really large. :)  Can't wait to meet this sweet girl!