Finally getting some use out of it!

So, we got a crib about 4 years ago when I was pregnant with Callie. And had every intention of actually using it. However, since that child refused to be laid down or sleep anywhere but our bed, it seldom was occupied. It did serve as a place for all of Callie's stuffed animals...that is until we found out we were pregnant with Ashtyn. Glad to see that we may finally get some use out of it though!!

Trying something new...

We borrowed a "Bumbo" from my sister to use with Ashtyn. She sat in it for a little bit, but still isn't quite steady enough to sit up. However, Callie has been enjoying sitting in it or using it for her baby dolls:)

Sleeping Beauty

We have had such a major accomplishment...Callie now sleeps in HER bed all night! And yes, after her sleeping in our bed for 3 years, it is a huge milestone:) I didn't ever think this day would come!!

Which will she say first?

So...pretty much since we brought Ashtyn home from the hospital we have each started "brainwashing" her. I am daily coaching her to say "mama" and Trey is pushing "dada." I do have an advantage since I am with her more, but that didn't seem to help with Callie! Callie's first word was "dada." (Which I have heard is easier to say)

What's even worse, we have started trying to get Callie onto "Team Mommy" or "Team Daddy" and using her help to train Ashtyn on what to say first! I guess time will tell...

What is this?

Yes, it's that time...time to start "solids" with baby Ashtyn. She turned 4 months old yesterday, and we celebrated with squash for dinner! The first bite, she gave me the funniest look...not sure how she felt about it. Then another bite, and another. We like it! She even started opening her mouth, and finished the whole container!!

Wednesday Morning

You know it's a Wednesday morning when there is the smell of muffins baking in the oven:) We started this little "ritual" when Callie first started eating things other than baby food. Now however, Callie only likes mini-muffins (apparently they taste better than regular size!) So...that's what she gets!

I could use a little help...

The other morning Callie was playing in the living room...I was busy changing Ashtyn and getting her ready to eat. Callie said, "Um...Mommy, I need some help, it's stuck." I walked into the other room, and this is what I saw!

In case you can't tell, that would be a bucket stuck around her neck...I knew she wasn't too upset because she was giggling the whole time. And, she was so sweet to let me snap a couple pictures:)

Never a dull moment with this girl!

I Get "Paid" for This!

I have to say, I have the BEST job in the world! I get to stay at home with my little girls, and be the one to play with them, feed them, talk to them, and see them do new things. It's funny because growing up I never would have thought I would be a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM). The idea was pretty much foreign to me, and I had "big" plans for a career. During my first year of college, while pursuing a youth ministry degree, I felt God changing my heart. I really felt God saying that He was changing my calling a little bit. Turned out I was going to marry a youth minister, and I would be a homemaker.

Trey and I both started out wanting 6 kids! hahaha... Anyway, Callie was definetly a handful as a baby. She had colic and wouldn't sleep unless being held, or in our bed. There were many days we said, "She'll probably be our only one!" However, as she got older she got to be the sweetest and most content little girl. Truly a joy to be at home with everyday!

And so, after a couple years we started talking about another baby. Seems like we had just finished the conversation and then found out I was pregnant:) Little Ashtyn is by far the best baby I have ever been around! She was a great newborn, sleeping well and not hardly crying. She even started sleeping through the night at 2 months! Ashtyn enjoys playing and cooing.

I consider myself very blessed to be a SAHM. It is truly a calling, because it's by no means easy! But, I get to spend my days with the most beautiful girls in the world. I am grateful that Trey supports me in the desire to take care of our girls at home while they are young. And, who knows, maybe one day we'll add another little one to the family...For now, here's what my morning looks like:)

Keep on Rollin'

Ashtyn has been attempting to roll over for about the past week now. While visiting my parents, she played on the floor and would roll to her side, flip her leg over, and not QUITE make it to her tummy... Well, yesterday afternoon we laid her out on a blanket to play while we ate lunch. She was kicking and trying to roll. Then after I had been watching TV, and Trey was doing something on his phone, I looked over and SHE WAS ON HER TUMMY! I told Trey, "She rolled over!!" And, we both missed it...:(

We immediately put her on her back and she showed us how big she was by rolling right over. She will be 4 months on Thursday and she already is showing signs of crawling soon...my baby is getting too big! Oh, and now she rolls to her tummy and then back. Big stuff!

Grandparents are More Fun

This past weekend we went to visit my parents, a.k.a "Mam-maw and Pap-paw." I am always amazed at how much more fun their house seems now as opposed to when I was growing up there...For some reason, it doesn't matter if toys are all over the floor, my child is allowed to eat fruit snacks as a breakfast food, she can have candy or ice cream simply by asking, and her "Happy Meal" doesn't have to be finished to get the toy. My parents will sit down and play whatever game Callie chooses, or watch whatever movie she wants, over and over again.

And the coolest thing so far...they bought a "Tinker Bell" tent for Callie, Ashtyn, and cousin Emma. Wouldn't you know, they set that tent up right in the living room! The closest thing I had to that growing up was hanging a blanket over the dining room table:)

So I guess I can enjoy the fun at my parents house along with my children. But I often find myself saying to them..."You never would have let ME do those things!"

Love you mom and dad!

The Joys of Motherhood...

I can hardly believe that I'm celebrating my FOURTH Mother's Day, fifth if you include when I was pregnant with Callie. I remember when Callie was just a few weeks old, and Trey and I had started calling each other "mommy" and "daddy" so that we could already teach Callie what to call us. Trey had gotten up with Callie in the middle of the night and was needing my assistance and kept trying to wake me up saying "mommy!" He finally yelled, "Hannah!" And of course, I woke up. I think it really wasn't until Callie started saying "mama" and then "mommy" that I started responding to that title...

When I think of being a mother, I remember a time that I wasn't. In September 2005 we found out we were pregnant with our first child. We were so excited as we had been praying for a baby, and I wanted desperately to be a mom. However, after just 12 weeks we got the devastating news that our baby had died in my womb. I felt so helpless and disappointed. I worried that I would never be able to have a child. And, after a few months of prayer, God answered. When I found out I was pregnant again I had all sorts of emotions. I was so excited, but also anxious. Ultimately, I knew it was not in my hands, but God's. And I gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby girl on December 13th, 2006. Caledonia Marie has been the light of our lives! We had both said that we would be perfectly satisfied if she was the only one we were ever able to have. God blessed us yet again with another beautiful daughter on January 20th, 2010 with the birth of Ashtyn Elizabeth!

There are many days I feel completely inadequate at being a mother. I have doubts, worries, and second-guess myself. There are days that I want to get out of the house, because I haven't had a chance to sit down in 3 hours. There are days like today, Mother's Day, where we try to go out and have a nice lunch, only to be interrupted by a poopy diaper! But, even with all of the challenges, I look at my two girls and feel extremely blessed and priveleged to be their mother. I only hope to raise them in a way that they will become godly girls, and one day, godly women.

Sisters

When I found out that we were having another little girl, I was so excited!! Not only did we already have all the girl clothes, but we have everything pink and "princess" under the sun...I was happy that our girls are only 3 years apart and will hopefully grow up being good friends. They will likely share toys, clothes, etc. I already look forward to the day that I can take them shopping and to watch "chick flicks." I'm sure Ashtyn will look up to Callie and want to do everything she does. And at times Callie will get annoyed with her. But, overall they will hopefully have a bond where they will share dreams, hopes, and wishes. We are so blessed to have two beautiful blue-eyed girls. We are also blessed that Callie loves her sister so much! I will forever cherish the moment Callie walked into the hospital room after Ashtyn was born, she came over and said, "That's my little sister!"

A "New" Blog

I know some of you have followed our wordpress blog, checking for updates and pics of us and the girls. Recently I have not been able to keep up with it as I would like to, but I am wanting to get back into the blogging world. Just decided to start fresh with a new blog and site! I will try to keep you "up to date" on all the happenings of our family of four!!