Life as a Rigsbee

Summer keeping us busy!

2011-06-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in forever! We have been keeping busy with the smallest of things. I love summer! Playing outside, Ava getting a new swingset, me taking spinning classes at least twice a week and more if I can fit it in, birthday parties, Memorial Day Celebrations. We still have more to come! More birthday parties, VBS, hopefully a little getaway with the girls for a long weekend somewhere close, getting final house plans ready to hopefully build next year, and seeing family when we can!

Here are some of my favorite pics of summer thus far. Not posting many b/c I hate waiting for them to upload! I have to much to do with a 16 month old and a 3 yr old!

Over Load!

2011-03-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

This has been the busiest year! The girls and I have been so sick with sinus', body aches, chills, fever, vomiting...you name it! Isabella just turned 1 on March 5th! She is walking everywhere!!! She has 7 teeth! She is eating most table foods and drinking 2 % Milk. She is wearing size 4 diapers and 12-18 month clothes. She got her ears pierced on her birthday (just like Ava did on her 1st Birthday!)

We celebrated Isabella's Birthday here with a Zebra Theme. Just Mom's family and some of the Rigsbee's and some close friends. We will celebrate again with Dad and Marcia as soon as we are feeling better!

We also got a new niece! Tom's sister had a little girl Sunday Morning, March 6th at about 4:30AM. Almost the same birthday as Isabella! Her name is Cadence Marie Rigsbee and she weighed 7lbs 4ozs. We were up there ALL NIGHT! waiting!!! Mom and Jimmie came and stayed with our girls. We got home around 5:00AM on Sunday, March 6th and had Bells' birthday party that day at 3PM!!! I was exhausted!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jade was in the Miss Raider Pageant also Saturday, March 5th. She looked really pretty and did well but didn't place. She looks like she is Jr. high but only 12 and in the 6th grade! She takes after her daddy and Grandma Judy!

Ava went fishing for first time with Tom and caught her first fish!

Well, I think that is it........I will download some pictures as I can. About to get these girls down for a nap!

Close to Christmas

2010-12-16T16:47:00.000-08:00

7 months

2010-10-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Isabella is 7 months (well in 3 days) and she is finally crawling! And she has one tooth that has broken the skin on the bottom! She has moved up to a size 3 diaper and is still eating 3 meals a day with about 4-5 bottles per day! She is trying to pull up on some things....Ava and I were in the kitchen the other day and walked back into the living room and she was trying to get into my TV cabinet/sideboard where we keep all of the childrens books! I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture before I went to get her.....I have no internet on my phone so I have no idea how I could get it on the computer!

Ava is still trucking along! She is going through a whiney stage...the stage is lasting a long time! She loves to be outside playing...she could live outside. She doesn't eat anything though! It's so aggravating! I can cook for me and her and she won't touch it. She had rather have apple sauce or cheese nips....so we have put her on vitamins.

This thing isn't working right....i can't add pictures.....I will try later!

Six Months Old

2010-09-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

6 months old!!

Stats: Weighs 16.80 lbs (65%)
Height 27.75 inches (96%)

She eats 3 meals a day! Which includes Oatmeal, fruits, veggies and some meats! She is also drinking juice!

She has been sleeping through the night for about a week now! Yeah Isabella!

She is trying her hardest to crawl. She raises up on her knees and can move them but can't move her arms yet.....she looks like a worm crawling.

She is drooling everywhere...still waiting on some teeth to pop through.

She loves her sister and anything she has in her hands. (Ava can't stand for Isabella to touch her!)

She gives kisses with her mouth open.

She screams when Ava screams.

She loves to be outside.

She can't hold her own bottle yet!!! and Dr. Sneed said to introduce her to the sippy cup......this child is lazy or is spoiled rotten. Ava had a sippy cup drinking out of it at her age!

End of August

2010-08-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while! Haven't had much time! Ava is getting so big and going through some terrible two's!! She is having melt downs along with not going to sleep at night! I'm not sure what is going on but I do know that her molars are coming in up top so hopefully that is the answer to all her little drama episodes!

Bells is almost 6 months old!!! She is a chunk! We go to the doctor on Sept 8th so we will see then how she is doing! She is eating almost 3 meals a day and she will eat just about everything. She is taking oatmeal in almost every bottle as well. She sleeps for the most part through the night and when she wakes up she is only taking around 2 ounces of milk. She is up anywhere from 7-8:30 AM.

Since the last post, we have celebrated my birthday, Tom's Birthday, and our anniversary. We went back to Felecia Suzanne's in Memphis along with our friends Brook and Jeremy. It was a great night and to top that off the girls spent the night with my mom and Grandpa J!

Ava turns 2 and Isabella turns 3 months

2010-06-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Wow.....time is surely flying by! This time last year I wasn't even pregnant!! That is just crazy to me. Now, I have 2 beautiful little girls!

Ava had her usual birthday party. Family and some friends and water! I love having her birthday in the summer b/c you can always fall back on going outside and playing in the water! Ava has grown so much in the last 3 months. She loves her sister but I think Isabella loves her more! She doesn't bother bella much at all and she talks to her on occasions.

Isabella is doing so good! She is still waking up 2 times in the night but I know the 1st wake will soon subside....she barely stays awake and only takes and ounce or two when she does. She is drinking about 5 oz. every 3-5 hours.....depending on if I put cereal in it! I think we are getting into a routine finally! I try to feed both girls at the same time....Ava eats breakfast...Isabella eats breakfast.....Ava eats lunch....isabella eats lunch...then it's nap time!! They are pretty much night owls too...I think for little ones. Isabella is usually asleep by 9:30PM and Ava (here lately) is 10:00-10:30PM. I know that is late but when Tom is home he stays up with her and I go to bed with Isabella!!

I'm typing as they nap so I will try to get some pics up.

oops!

2010-05-14T11:32:00.001-07:00

Ava on top and Isabella on bottom!

looking up!

2010-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Things are looking up for Little Isabella! We changed her meds and now she is acting like a baby! A normal baby! She is cooing and smiling! Love it! She is eating about 4-5 ounces every 3-4 hours. At night, she get up several times to only drink a couple of ounces so maybe before long she will be sleeping through the night! She is 9 weeks old today! I looked in Ava's Baby book and she was sleeping through the night at 10 weeks! Don't think Isabella will!

Ava is doing well too! She is getting so big! She is working our patience though....she is usually really good to get down at night but here lately she has been tough!

Check out this picture....Isabella at 2months on right and Ava 2 months on left! They look nothing alike!!

Almost 2 months

2010-04-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Isabella is almost 2 months old! We go a week from today for her 2 month checkup. Here are some pictures of her and Ava! Ava will be 2 yrs old June 5th!! It's quickly approaching!

New Addition

2010-03-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Isabella Reese Rigsbee
March 5, 2010
3:26 PM
7 lbs, 8 oz.
20 inches

Settling Down

2010-03-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

Wow.....the past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind! Isabella Reese was born March 5th at 3:26 PM and it has been crazy since then. Tom was able to take off the next week for a vacation to help me and Ava get settled with another in the house. That was great.....if Tom wouldn't have gotten the stomach virus!! On top of that, I got mastitis! Hope no one ever gets that b/c it was not fun! I seriously thought I was coming down with the flu (which are the symptoms) and on top of that I looked like a porno star b/c my boobs were HUMONGOUS!

When Isabella was just a week old, Tom and I closed on land in Terra Hills (which is the site of our future home!!!) Mom came up and kept the kids while we did paperwork.

Ava, Isabella and myself have ventured out on our own when Daddy is working, but we never go to far. I did take the girls last week to have their pictures made by Teresa Lee in wynne. So I am looking forward to seeing those pictures/

Things have been going pretty well. Isabella has been having really bad tummy aches. I had decided not to nurse with her b/c of the hectic schedule and dealing with Ava. I also wanted to be a good mommy and not be stressed since this is our last child! So.....don't say anything nursing natzi's!!! ( the spelling is so wrong on that!) We have since changed her formula and she is on rx gas drops.

All in all, we are adjusting!

Isabella's Debut is tomorrow!

2010-03-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Went to the doctor yesterday...still dialated to 2 cm so we are inducing tomorrow morning (March5, 2010). We have to be there at 6AM! I will be taking my ambien tonight!. Ava will be staying here with my mom and step dad until she gets up and eats breakfast and they get her ready. Our plan is to have my mom, tom's mom, and both my sisters in there for Isabella's birth. Not sure if Ava will be or not.....when I went to the doctor yesterday and Mom closed the curtain so Dr. Curry could examine me..Ava did not like that!......So I'm thinking she will be in the waiting room.

We have also picked up Ava's 1st Baby Doll!!! So....when Mommy gets her "new baby", Ava will get her "new baby".....

Keep me in your prayers...I hope everything goes as planned...NO C-SECTION..Please!!! .....Oh and of course the epidural works!! :) I have FAITH!

38 weeks

2010-02-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

I have been cramping since Friday and went to the doctor today and found out that all that hurting wasn't for nothing! I'm dialated to 2cm! I'm ecstatic! and nervous! Today has been a horrible day for me....Tom happened to be off all weekend, which was wonderful b/c I rested ALOT! but when he went back today I had Ava all to myself and I was more exhausted than I have ever been in my whole life! I literally feel like my body is about to collapse! So, I managed to make it through the day and Tom was off by 3PM and we went to my doctor's appt......She has given me Ambien and pain pills to help out...she sd at this point we just do, "everything humanly possible to make myself comfortable."

My mom is coming up tomorrow to help with Ava and for me to rest and she will probably take her back home with her tomorrow night.....we will see. I really feel like Isabella will be here before or during the weekend but we will have to wait and see!

35 weeks

2010-02-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

This will be a short update....35 weeks...only 26 days left before we induce on March 5th! Still doing really good. I have good days and then bad, slow, and tired days! Still not completely done with Isabella's room. Tom has been working alot and we are saving to buy land!! I am so excited! Hopefully, we will be building in the next 1-1/2 yrs!

32 weeks

2010-01-17T16:58:00.000-08:00

I will be 32 weeks tomorrow!!! Woo Hoo!! Starting the 8th month! Can't believe it is going by so fast now! We had Heidi's Baby Shower today! It was great! Heidi is due Feb. 18th and I am due March 12th!

Tomorrow we are going for our 3d/4d ultrasound....then hopefully to Olive Garden to eat! Can't wait!

31 weeks

2010-01-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

Time is creeping closer for us to meet Isabella! I am 31 weeks and we are on the schedule to induce on Friday, March 5th. I was not induced early with Ava but I have decided to go early with Isabella b/c Tom is on vacation the following week.....so that will be a big help to me at least! With Ava, he had just started working (literally a month before Ava was born) and had to work the day after she was born while I was in the hospital by myself!!......Everyone was busy with things going on and I just had visitors coming in and out...but not my family!

So, I have been tired .....alot! It's tough being pregnant and chasing a little one around. My hormones are going crazy right now. I have had several melt downs in the last month. But I am very blessed to be having another little, healthy girl and having a beautiful healthy girl already!! We go for our 3d/4d ultrasound next week. I had no idea that the cut off date was 31 weeks but I talked the lady into scheduling me b/c this is our last pregnancy and I'm hoping Isabella isn't so big that we can't see her on the ultrasound.......I don't think she will be.

As for the rest of our lives....it is pure drama.......I try to stay focused and let everyone else deal with their own business and let them make their own decisions without weighing in on them. The best lessons I've ever learned were falling really hard on my face!!!.......with these hormones I'm carrying now, I think I could take care of some business! (hA!!!).......

I don't think I have any pictures of me standing lately....I will soon b/c Heidi will be having a baby shower sunday and I should have pictures then. As for now....here is a picture at my Dad's with my sisters........as if you all didn't know....this is the 1st Christmas Leslie and Daddy have been together in a long long time!........I pray and hope that it continues and Leslie doesn't allow "him" to be a controlling factor in her life!.......and I'm still amazed at the amount of people who really don't know "him" and his crooked ways. Oh Well.....I'm thankful for my family, my husband and my children! May I raise them to be strong, smart, indepependent women and know that ANY kind of Abuse is wrong. AMEN!

Love PattyCakes!

2009-12-31T10:36:00.000-08:00

Can't wait for Isabella to get here so I can put her in her little outfits!......I'm thinking this is the last child for Tom and I so I dont fill guilty for buying the cute diaper bag or the cute hats!!! Here are some of the items I got at Patty Cakes!

I just ordered the changing pad cover and her Boppy Pillow slipcover with her name on it....Now we need to do some drapes and wall art......then I think we are ready! Isabella has ALOT of Ava's hand-me-downs so she really doesn't need a lot of clothes...but we have seemed to accumulate some in the past week!!!........I'm so happy we are having another girl!!!

Goodtimes ahead!!...until their teenagers of course!

Christmas with Mom and Jimmie

2009-12-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today we had Christmas at Mom and Jimmie's. I love being with the family! It makes me so happy! Not to mention all the yummy food! I made a double batch of homemade potato soup and Tom made his infamous oatmeal raisin cookies! Ava had fun as well. We went to church services this morning and after we went straight to Mom's....so needless to say Ava missed her entire nap time! I couldn't get her down tonight until 10:30! We tried to get her to nap at Mom's but she knew that there was way to much excitement going on......Here are some pics of our day!

I forgot to mention that I passed my sugar test at the doctor this week and I have only gained 15 lbs for this pregnancy which is a signifcant amount less than what I gained with Ava! I know it looks like I've gained more than that but I haven't! My iron was real low so now I'm taking iron pills! I go back on Jan 4th and then after that....I start going every 2 weeks! Time is approaching fast for the new one!

25 weeks

2009-12-02T04:52:00.000-08:00

Obviously getting bigger! I have been feeling a little under the weather lately...sinus crap and sore throat! Other than that we are trying to get ready for Christmas! It seems like it gets closer and closer to Thanksgiving every year! I go Dec. 9th to the doctor for my glucose test (which I failed with Ava) so I am extremely anxious to get this over with and hope that I pass. Ava goes for her 18 month shots on the 11th. I think Tom is working that day so I have the joy of taking her by myself!

Enjoy the holiday season and remember to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them and love them.

Rejoice in his name!

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

2009-11-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

What I'm Thankful for!

1. my husband - he is compassionate, trustworthy, honest, hardworking and most of the time supports me in all my decisions......he loves me and he loves my family!
2. my mom - she is my rock!!!
3. my grandmother - wasn't for sure if Grandma would make it this year b/c she had triple bypass but she is a very honorary woman! Love you G-ma!
4. Aunt Glenda - she is another mom to me!
5. My sisters - even though I want to trade them in sometimes...they have taught me a lot of lessons and they have both been through alot in there short years! I hope this Thanksgiving and the ones to follow are full of love and peace for the both of you!
6. My Dad - he is a hardworker and tells me how it is (when others won't).
7. My Step-Dad - he is a WONDERFUL and SUPPORTIVE step dad! I love him for giving my mom so much happiness and he is a blessing to me and Tom and Ava!
8. My In-laws - Tom has a "real" family! Lots of turns and loopty loops but what can u expect from a family of 7!
9. My DAUGHTER!!!! She should be at the top of the list! God has graced me with the most perfect child I could imagine! I love spending everyday and every minute with her!
10. My health!
11. My family's Health!
12. My nieces! - Love all of you!
13. Church Family
14. Caffeine! (i'm being serious!)
15. Isabella Reese!
16. And that I have the most awesome job in the world!!!!

Have a Great Thanksgiving! and enjoy your family and friends!

GO CHEERLEADERS!

2009-11-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

Alot and I mean alot has been going on around here....Between me being pregnant, chasing Ava, and Grandma having a light heart attack and then finding out at 80 yrs old she needs triple bypass has been very hard! Not to mention that Tom has gotten results back off of a biopsy (that is hereditary) that he needs a ct scan to look for possible tumors on his major organs!! This has been a very emotional pregnancy for me! I was so scared about loosing g-ma that I really broke down and wanted to be at the hospital all the time! Luckily for me, Tom was off early alot of those days and off on the weekends so I was able to go up there and visit with her at the hospital before she had surgery. Grandma's 2nd husband actually died after having open heart surgery b/c of complications with his liver failing.....so I knew the chances of her making it may not be very good. G-ma has always been in pretty good health so I knew she could do it if her kidneys would cooperate! Grandma Ginny, Aunt Glenda and my Mom are my rocks....(Tom is too...) but these 3 ladies are the ones that really were hands on in raising us and I know we will loose them one day but I just am not ready for it!

So, on to better news.....I am 21 weeks and boy...I'm feeling it! I have to taking frequent breaks now b/c my belly gets really really tight when I'm up moving around and it is so uncomfortable....I'm a little worried that this baby may come early....we will see.

For Halloween, Ava dressed up in her Redwolves cheerleading uniform. I bought it for the games but hated to see it go to waste since we spent the money on it (considering she has only been to 1 game!). Ava was down for a nap and I was in the shower and just really decided at the last minute I wanted to dress up too! So, I thought...lets get the old cheerleading suit out of the closet Laura!! You can still wear it!!! Well, it didn't fit like it used to!.....my boobs are massive now considering what I had back then and my belly is....well....I'm 5 months prego! I had to alter the suit but....I WORE IT!!!

Went to day for the H1N1 shot.....hope I don't get sick!! Ava has had her 1st shot of the seasonal flu shot but we go next week for the other!

update

2009-10-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of me at 19 weeks...I guess I should start posting pics of me as the weeks progress so Y'all (Amber) can see how big I'm getting!! I have only gained 3 lbs actually...however, you cannot tell...it looks like I've gained 10 but OH WELL...all for a good reason! I have felt Isabella move quite a bit and have already started to get uncomfortable which I think is to early!

And her name will be.......

2009-10-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Isabella Reese Rigsbee...Her daddy will probably call her "Bella" and her Nanie will probably call her "Izzy".....but she will be Isabella to me!

IT IS A GIRL!!

2009-10-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

I KNOW THAT NO ONE IS SURPRISED WE ARE HAVING A GIRL.....AND I THINK TOM AND I ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE REALLY REALLY HAPPY!!! YEAH!!!! I AM SO EXCITED..I CAN DO GIRLS! NOW WE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF NAME SEARCHING, BEDROOM RENOVATION AND SHOPPING FOR SOME NEW STUFF....(JUST SOME)!

Rewind....

2009-10-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of weeks since posting last.....I hate it that I don't ever get on here enough and Blog....We took Ava to the zoo on a Wed. afternoon. It was alot of fun and pretty relaxing. I haven't been since grade school and I'm pretty sure Tom hadn't been in a long time as well! We left in time for Ava to nap so the ride over and actually the ride back home was really nice! We arrived at the zoo at lunch time and there were not hardly any people there so we ran through it and even ate in about 3 hours....which by that time, Tom was ready b/c Ava rode on his "shoulders" the whole time....Tom sd she rode more on his neck than his shoulders!! HA! He wanted to know if I would carry her...I told him I was already carrying one!!! ;) Did I mention we had the stroller too! She sat in it to eat lunch but that was about it! I hadn't been over there in so long, I didn't realize if she sat in the stroller she couldn't see anything! But she had the best seat in the house!

We went straight to my mom's to eat supper....it was Tom's Birthday Supper!! His birthday is Aug. 15th!! But we have been so busy with funerals, his mom having surgery, and Tom and Jimmie's work schedule this was the first time we could do it! It was great but I was exhausted! Les and the girls ended up being there so it was nice to see the girls since we NEVER see them anymore! They are always so busy and growing up and always has something to do!

Ava and I have been hanging out at home alot!! I don't even want to take her to the store b/c I'm afraid she's going to get some nasty germs...like the flu!! We have been very blessed with Ava and her not being so sick! However, she is cutting her stomach teeth and boy do they hurt her!!! She has had loose stools and she will throw a fit in a heartbeat! I kept her home this past Sunday b/c she was throwing such a bad fit!

Ava did make it to her 1st Birthday Party! I didn't take any pictures but hope that Brooke (Pierce's mommy) sends some out soon! She had a really good time and she played really well!

Okay so I guess it's time to upload some pictures.....The pictures of Ava in her purple shirt are pics of her before me and her left to go hang out at Nanie's (my mom's)....we were cooped up in the house and we needed to get out! Also the picture of her making the face with all the food everywhere....that is a normal face for Ava!! She will snarl her nose up at you! and am I the only one with a very messy eater????!!!!

Oh Yes...I forgot!! We go Monday to see another ultrasound of the baby!! and hopefully everything is great and the baby is healthy! and we are going to find out the sex of the baby too!! I really think it is a girl..I've also been saying, "when she gets here"....so I'm in trouble if it is a boy!!

Will update later!

Arkansas State!! Red Wolves!!!

2009-09-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we love, love, love football! One of these days (when the kids are old enough) we will have season tickets! We didn't make it to the very first home game this year b/c Tom was on call that weekend however, we did go today to the game. Tom, Tim and Bryan went and tailgated and then we showed up a little later. Ava sported her new cheerleading uniform....and must I tell you...she had no nap today!!! We eventually ended up leaving (me, Ava and Jade) at almost half time. Ava slept in the truck on the way home but was then wide awake after we got here!! It is 9:04pm and she is still awake!!! ARGH!!!!! So here are some pictures of our day!....Oh yes, we lost to Troy State tonight....27-30...but it was a good game! (I did get to finish seeing the game once I got home b/c it was televised!)

14 weeks and visit #2

2009-09-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

We went for our 2nd OB visit on September 14th. Tom had to work so Ava and myself went by ourselves. She did pretty good but thankfully this was a short visit. I have lost a lb since the last visit (which is abnormal!!). However, I haven't had much of an appetite and not sure why. I really haven't been nauseated with this pregnancy as I was with Ava. The fetal heart tone was around 144 and she said that I was doing great.

We go back on October 12th to find out the sex of the baby and also have the Down's Blood Test.

Ava and I have also been sick....we have been having sinus issues which thankfully the rain has made them so much better!

Here are some random pictures of Ava. She will be 16 months old on Oct. 5th......she is getting so big and has such a big personality!

Changed OB Appt

2009-08-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

I forgot....Tom changed my appt to August 17th! So I don't have to wait until the end of the month! 2 weeks makes a big difference! Thanks honey!

It's Another Day in the Neighborhood

2009-08-08T19:18:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure if that is the song but I've never been good at remembering the words to any song. I'm going on 9 weeks and I'm already starting to show a little. I'm okay with that b/c hello? I'm pregnant and this is more than likely going to be my last pregnancy so I had better enjoy it while I can. My appt is not for another week but all seems to be going by the text book. I'm just mostly tired and a little nauseous but not having to take any meds yet and I'm trying not to.

Tom and I have also been looking at house plans and I think we have decided on one. He has already called the place to have them drawn up however, we will not be building until sometime after the 1st of the year b/c.......we haven't bought any land yet! So, this baby will be making his/her debut in this house.

Mom and Jimmie and Aunt Glenda just got back off of their trip to the Dakota's. I was so very happy to see them home! They were gone for a whopping 9 days and believe me...it was a long, long 9 days. Kelly and I took turns staying at mom and Jimmie's house and dog sitting. Kelly stayed more than I did but it was so much easier to have Ava home in her own bed. She was getting up at Mom's at 7:00-7:30AM when at home she gets up around 8:30-9AM!

Ava is growing like a little weed. I can tell her we need to go change her diaper and she immediately gets up and starts walking to her room so I can change her. While we are walking down the hall way she has her head to the side making sure I'm following. The other night she wasn't paying attention and SMACK into the door facing!!! It was pretty hilarious!

It's getting close to bedtime so I will close.

Pregnant and feeling it!

2009-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am 6 1/2 weeks pregnant and feeling really tired! Didn't know how it would be with a one year old but now I do! Some days I can hang with Ava but then there are days that I'm laid out in the floor and she's crawling one me. No morning sickness yet and I'm hoping I don't. I did have morning sickness with Ava so that has been a major blessing with this child! We were going to have to wait for my doctors appt until Aug. 31st which would put me at 12 weeks but Tom called and had them change it for 2 weeks prior. I just want to see the baby and make sure everything is developing as should.

We also (as in Ava and myself) had our pictures made with Teresa Haynes Lee on June 9th. I worked with Teresa after High School and she is related to my Aunt Glenda and Uncle Larry. It was great seeing her again and meeting her husband! I also cannot wait to see the pictures....

Hope all is well with everyone and will post later....Ava's napping and I'm starving!

4th of July and I'M PREGNANT!!!

2009-07-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 3rd I went w/Misty to Corning, AR so Reagan could be in a casual pageant!! OMG!! I won't say anything ugly about the lack of organization however, I will tell you that her division was supposed to start at 7:30PM and it didn't start until 8:30PM!! LONG NIGHT!!!

Saturday, July 4th My family went to Leslie's to celebrate the 4th and swim and of course....eat. Well, let me just say this nicely....I didn't swim b/c my swimsuit was a little to tight!! I know...your laughing!!! But....I was crying! Literally!! I thought it was b/c I was really really bloated b/c it was time for me to "start".......so............................

Sunday, July 5th We went to church (normal thing) and I had a massive headache....came home after church, took a nap and then went to Bay for supper. My sister-in-law Heidi is pregnant and is due in February so we talked all about Babies!!!!

Monday, July 6th......I"M PREGNANT.....WHAT? Yes...I'm pregnant....I swear I am dizzy as I am writing this! I'm pretty sure that I am due in March and yes..we are happy! We wanted another real soon after Ava and now they will be 21 months apart! I'm so excited we get to give Ava a little sibling!!!

Grandma Ginny's 80th Birthday!

2009-06-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Grandma's 80th Birthday at her house on Sat. June 27th. Here are a few pictures!

Father's Day

2009-06-28T10:07:00.001-07:00

We spent Father's Day this year at my Mom's and went later to my Dad's. It was a long day but Ava and I managed to get a nap in at Mom's House. Here are some pictures of Ava at Daddy's House. He has lots of animals: geese, chickens, a duck, kittens, turkey's and I think for now that may be it. Ava was scared of the geese at first but Tom made sure she chased them even though she was a little freaked out by them! Ava had rather play in the rocks and then try to sneak one in the mouth. As you can see from the picture, Daddy (Tom) made her cry after she had one in the mouth!

Happy Birthday Ava!

2009-06-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

Ava's Birthday couldn't be at a better time than summer!! I love having a summer baby, as Tom and I both are summer babies, and that is the way it was planned! I love Summer! We went on vacation the first week in June. Actually left on Sunday, I believe was the 31st of May, and returned home on Thursday, June 4th. Short trip but this was Ava's first time to the beach. She didn't like the ocean or the sand. She stayed on the quilt under the canopy we brought but then tested the waters by going to the edge of the quilt and playing in the sand and occasionally eating it. Tom's twin brother, Tim and his wife Misty and daughter Reagan went with us so we always had something to do and somebody to be watching. We went to downtown Pensacola to eat supper one night and it was WONDERFUL!!! It is called the Fish House and they have magnificent sushi!! To die for! I had been looking a restaurants online before we even went so I knew this would be a good place.

We returned on Thursday, June 4th and Ava's Birthday was Friday the 5th. Tom and I enjoyed the day with Ava and "recouped" from the travel. We had to go into town to get stuff for her birthday party the next day so we went to eat at San Francisco Bread Co.....this is where Tom and I ate the night I went into the hospital to be induced and I also ate it the night Ava was born b/c our friends brought it to me so I wouldn't have to eat the hospital food(which I really like by the way).

Saturday June 6th we had Ava's Birthday Party here at our house. I did a "Beach Theme" with Beach Balls, Beach Towels, the Beach Themed Birthday Cake that Jenny Box made, I sent the kids home with Beach Pails, Beach Towels, FlipFlop necklaces, chapstick and FlipFlops for their party favor. I had also bought a Big Beachball water sprinkler from Pottery Barn (it didn't work to well) and I had a Baby Pool for the little ones...which I think the "bigger" little ones enjoyed it more! Here are some pictures of the weeks activites.

Finally Finished!

2009-05-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I posted last.....The master bathtub is finished...I would really like some more tile put up in the bathroom but I think Tom is completely finished with his tiling experience! I suppose I will have to wait until we build a house before I can have a master bath EXACTLY the way I want it! Tom did a really good job. I haven't decorated it yet so nothing is on the walls and nothing that was in there originally is going back so I have quite a bit of shopping to do. We have been really busy this past month and it's only going to get busier. We have a vacation coming up May 31st at the beach in Pensacola and when we return on a Thursday I will have to start getting Ava's 1st Birthday Party prepared which will be that Saturday! I have several weddings to attend and we always have birthday parties in the summer.

Ava and I are finally getting over the "bug" that everyone has had. She luckily did not run any fever, however, I was not so lucky. This was the first time I've been sick after having Ava and boy did it knock me on my butt! I don't ever want to take for granted my health anymore.

Tom and I are both are excited about the coming months and I look forward to posting beach pictures!

Demo Time

2009-04-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm off my emotional roller coaster, we have work to do at our house! Tom decided he was tired of looking at our wallpaper in the master bathroom and the tile around the tub so he started the demo process. Here are some pictures of the "mess". I will post after pictures when it's finished! Ava and I will also be going to Reagan's T-ball games this week. She had her first game last week but it was too cold to take Ava so we are hoping the weather is really nice so we can go watch. Ava, Misty, Reagan and myself also went to a church family members house this week to eat supper. She has 2 sons under the age of 4. WOW! 4 kids under one roof under the age of 4!!!.....did I say there were 2 BOYS too???? I am so not used to boys and boy were they rowdy!!!!! Jennifer was also letting me know how difficult it is to have 2 children and that I really need to think about it before Tom and I have another child. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom too and I know how difficult it is with one so she was giving me fare warning about having two........Tom really wants to have another one and I'm sure we will but I'm very nervous! No one ever talks about postpartum depression or anxiety which I had after Ava. I was never clinically diagnosed with post postpartum however, I had some MAJOR anxiety issues! Driving down the road, for me, was a task!

I am hoping for a relaxing rest of the week. I really want to go to Harrisburg to see my Mom!! I may do that tomorrow! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and be careful with your travels to and from work!

Busy Week and Weeks Ahead

2009-04-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

Okay...I really don't know where to start. This week has been difficult for me. Start the week off by hearing sad news from Cherry Valley of a man committing suicide who I didn't know well, however, I know his parents and family......you tend to know everyone when you live in a small town. What has troubled me about this and always does when I know of someone who has died, especially if they are young, are the raw emotions that I still have of Chris (my brother-in-law) being killed nearly 7 yrs ago. That was and still is something that I think about alot and have anxiety about things happening in the future. I feel very passionately for Bruce's family and friends because I know exactly how they are feeling. When someone takes their own life or has an unexpected accident....it is all very tragic and sudden no matter how it happens. I am very lucky and blessed that Chris and I and my family had and still has a very close relationship and we talk about him all the time and keep his memory very much alive. I have dreams about Chris periodically and he always tells me in my dreams that, "He is okay." That gives me comfort and I also have some comfort with dying because I believe Chris will be there to greet me! Chris and Kelly dated when they were in high school and Leslie and I were in 7th grade! He used to come to our house to see Kelly but would always play with me and Leslie until it was our bedtime then he and Kelly would spend time together before he had to leave. Chris was the only brother that I knew and Chris was mine and Leslie's hero.....Chris was always so strong, funny, smart, smart-ass...he!!! and did I mention he could sing? Chris let us love him and that is why we loved him so so much! He was a perfect fit in our family and he will always be my brother. So, to the family of Bruce............(which they will probably never read this but it is therapy for me!) keep his spirit alive by talking and reminiscing about the memories! Keep pictures up of him so the children can see him everyday and remember who their daddy was. It will get easier as time goes on but the hurt and saddness never go away! I love so much that I can talk to Kelly and Jade about Chris at anytime and they let me......when I'm feeling sad or I have questions I can always ask without knowing that I will upset them. Communicating is so key! I'm very thankful for my family!!!! Chris we love you and we look forward to the day we are reunited with you!!! MUAH!!!

Another Week

2009-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wow....what a beautiful week it was! I love being able to get Ava outside...Lord knows she needs some Vitamin D!!! This week I was able to do that! She loves it outside....as soon as she steps outside she instantly smiles. Well, that could be from the sun hurting her eyes but I like to think she likes it! We had an uneventful week. Tom worked alot (like he always does) but that allows me to stay home, so I guess that is okay. Tom was able to go with us down to Mother and Jimmie's house one day this week and Ava played with Alyssa (my step brothers daughter). I know it's because she is so young (still a baby) but she plays so well with kids! Maybe she will be that way when we have a 2nd baby.....we will keep our fingers crossed. Last night, Kelly, Jade and Katelyn came to visit while the guys were night fishing. Yes, Tom goes night fishing! I really don't get it but he loves it. Here are some pictures of Ava and I hanging out in the front yard while Daddy was getting stuff ready to go fishing. Oh...I almost forgot......Misty and I went to Paragould yesterday afternoon to the new childrens store, Posh.......they had some really cute things in there and I bought Ava a couple of outfits....I will post those later.

Easter Weekend

2009-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend was great! I helped Misty with Reagan's pageant in Walnut Ridge. This was Reagan's very first pageant and she is 4 yrs old and she did great! I only worked with her about 3-4 times and she walked out by herself and did excellent!! This child is very coordinated! She didn't place however, she was the youngest in her division (4-6yrs). I was very proud! It was also nice to spend the day with Misty and Reagan without having to worry about Ava. I could focus completely on Reagan! Tom had Ava for the day and got her ready to come to the pageant along w/Tim, Heidi and his mom! It was funny to see Tom and let him have a taste of what I have to do everyday! He handled it well though, but I could tell he was a little stressed! He would never admit it though!

For Easter we went to church and then went to my Mom's for the afternoon and then to Tom's mom's for dinner. Next year will be more fun and she will be able to hunt eggs! We were exhausted by the time we got home!! Ava and myself were not able to nap good because we were on the road most of the day! We slept really good last night! Ava even slept in this morning until 8:00AM!!

First Day Blogging

2009-04-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Okay....I really wanted to start this b/c had seen an episode on Oprah the other day regarding Motherhood and the real stories....not the "Oh...Life is wonderful" (which it is most of the time) but the "real" stories with hormonal changes and mood swings and life that keeps on going when you want it to slow down! My life has changed dramatically and I'm very blessed. I went from a full-time job at a dental office to a full-time job at home raising a child. My Oh My how it's changed!! I will never want to go back to work if it means I don't get to spend time w/my child, however, stay-at-home moms need support from other moms and spouses along w/family! I never knew how I took for granted an adult conversation until now!! I love to talk and man do I miss talking to other adults!

Ava is growing like a little wild weed and along w/the wild she has red hair......which I'm not used to those little red headed attitudes!! It is so nice though to take a step back and look at what you have created into this world! WOW!! Okay, enough for now......I have to get back to the real world. We have a busy weekend planned w/Easter coming up and my niece, Reagan will be in a pageant tomorrow that I have to help Misty with. Tom will have Ava all day tomorrow by himself which will be a nice break for me. Hope everyone has a great day!