Family Day Minus Daddy

Shaun usually goes to the library to study because he claims that he can't get anything done at home when Lillian and I are there. I don't blame him, we are pretty distracting. But this past Saturday he gave it a try, and started studying around 6:30 in the morning while Lillian and I stayed cuddled up on the couch watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. But it quickly became evident that us being there while Shaun did research was not meant to be. So Lillian and I headed my parents house to hang out with them for the day. My younger brother Mark was in town, and considering he is moving to Texas in four months, I love getting to spend as much time with him as I can. Lillian had a great time cooking with Grammy and playing with her Grandaddy! My Dad had to go Saturday afternoon to shot for the Army, and while he was getting ready Lillian decided she would try on his boots. She was so cute, she stepped into his boots and put on his dog tags. Shaun got done what he needed to get done, and Lillian and I got to spend some time with her Grandparents and Uncle. So over all, even though we weren't together for most of the day, it was still a nice Saturday.

The Kid's Gym

Today Lillian and I met a few friends at kids gym in Hoover for some play time fun. Kid's Gym was located in Vestavia on HWY 31, but they recently moved it inside the old Berry Middle school on Columbiana road. Random I know, but sense the school has been moved the city tries to get as much use out of the building. Right now the Hoover Senior Center is located on the old sixth grade side of the building and then they rent some space out on the old seventh grade side to the Kid's gym people. Alli and I went to Berry so it was kind of weird walking through it so many years later.

Anyway, the kids had a really good time and it was nice to catch up with a few of my mommy friends. Sense I have been back working at Temple two days a week, I feel like I have become a part time stay @ home mommy. And even though Shaun doesn't like me working right now, I enjoy it and think that it is good for Lillian to be in a day school setting. It is really a win, win in my book. Lillian gets to be in that environment and I don't have to leave her all day. I am strangely attached for those of you have not figured it out.

*I apologize for the randomness throughout this post. Is it too early to claim pregnancy brain?

I was impressed she could hold her own weight like this...

she might just be a gymnast one day.

this is Lillian's new strange thing...when she is just simply over something she just buries her head in something- a book, her arm, the ball pit. Here she was just ready for lunch.

so we all went and got some Diplomat Deli-our favorite place!

This was the toy that all the kids were pretty much fighting over. It was pretty cool, I almost want to buy one for our house! Lillian LOVED it!!

Barnum's Funundrum!

On Thursday I took Lillian to the circus for the very first time! To be honest, I was a little worried that it would be to much for her and that she would freak out. But in fact it was quite the opposite; she LOVED it! I mean she could not stop staring at all of the different animals, and was amazed at all of the different acts. Her sweet little eyes were as big as saucers the entire time. I tried to get a few pictures-which didn't turn out very well-but my camera's battery died shortly after the show started. We hate that Shaun couldn't come with us, but Lillian and I had a great time.

she was so excited to get in there she ran pretty much the whole way.

"For This Child

"...I have prayed, and the Lord has granted me what I have asked of him." 1 Samuel 1:21

That's right, Shaun and I are PREGNANT! I have waited over a year to say those words, and I still can't believe it has actually happened. It was so easy/unexpected with Lillian, so we thought that when we started trying for number two it would only be a matter of months before it happened. But as it turned out God had a different plan for our family. After more than a few months on fertility drugs, one surgery to remove endometriosis and polyps, and one failed IUI later Shaun and I decided that we just needed a break. But after taking three months to emotionally and mentally refuel we were ready to start back down what had become a frustrating road.

On January 18 we had our appointment with our fertility doctor to get started on shots. We had done other drugs that obviously hadn't worked so we felt like this was the next step. Before my doctor gave me my shot to get the ball rolling so to speak, she ordered a quick pregnancy test through blood work. Shaun and I waited in the waiting room just knowing that the test would come back negative and we would be on our way- on our way to rob a bank that is because those drugs ain't cheap. Anyway, the head nurse came out and she said, "No shots for you today. You are pregnant"! Of course I just started crying and gave her a huge hug. I had taken two tests that week before and they were both negative, so this really was a total shock to us. I turned around and Shaun's mouth was just hanging open. They asked me to come back two days later to do some more blood work and make sure my pregnancy hormone levels were rising appropriately (they are suppose to double every 48 hours). They were 1800 on Monday and 5,000 on Wednesday! So they more than doubled, which my doctor told me indicates a very healthy pregnancy. We go back next week for our first ultra sound.

Now I know that most people wait a full 12 weeks to share the goods news, and I have actually been surprised at myself for waiting this long to blog about it. Especially because Shaun and I have pretty much told everyone already. But I really do want this sweet baby to have every opportunity to be loved, anticipated and prayed for. So as we joyfully announce that we will be welcoming our second sweet blessing in mid September, we also ask our friends and family to keep our baby in your prayers during this first trimester.

"From the fullness of grace we have received one blessing after another." -John 1:16


even though the doctor told me I was prego, I still went home and took a couple of test. I had seen "not pregnant" so many times before that I just needed to see the word "pregnant".

I Just Loved This Picture

My little piggy...

Move Over Moxie

This drives me crazy! I am constantly trying to keep her out of Moxie's bed because it is just gross. I wash it at least once a week, but still Moxie is outside a lot and I don't want Lillian just laying in her bed. Maybe one day Lillian will want to color at her little art desk instead of Moxie's bed. Moxie and I are both looking forward to that day. Poor dog, she really doesn't like it when Lillian gets in there with her.

Happy Birthday Hudson!

This morning we went to Hudson's third birthday party! Hudson is a little boy that Lillian met at one of our Mommy & Me classes. His Mommy, Kelley, has become a great friend and I always enjoy getting to spend time together while the kids play. Hudson is such a bright little boy, and we were so excited to get to celebrate his birthday with him. I am pretty sure that we left their poor house in shambles, but I promise Kelley to have a play date at my house soon!



Hudson's Mommy did a great job on his cake. It was so yummy!

Lillian LOVED playing with Hudson's kitchen...

she might have a career at Publix

Thanks again Kelley for having us over to celebrate Hudson turning 3!

Lillian Likes To Be Cozy

Lillian is so quirky sometimes, and recently she has really enjoyed being cozy or "ozy" as she calls it. Ever sense I got this very comfy robe for Christmas Lillian wants to put it on all the time and walk around the house. Just the other day she when I was folding her laundry she got her piggy pajamas out of the basket and insisted putting them on over her clothes. This was around 1:00 in the afternoon and she wore them the rest afternoon.

Nursemaid's Elbow?

Yesterday while Lillian was at Temple she somehow fall/got pulled down, and her little elbow slide out of the joint. At first I was unsure what had really happened to her, and she would not let me touch her arm at all. It was so sad, she just held it by her wrist close to her tummy. I knew she needed to be seen by someone, so I called our pediatrician and he sent us over to a pediatric orthopedic. Once we got there the doctor took off her shirt-which thank God buttoned up the back so it didn't have to go over her head- and once her shirt was off it was obvious that her little elbow was slightly out of place.

The doctor had a tough time getting it to go back...she said Lillian had a stubborn elbow This does not surprise me. Lillian has stubborn everything. Dr. Mayfair got everything back where it needed to go and after some quick x-rays to make sure everything looked okay we were on our way home. Apparently what happened to Lillian's arm is very common for kids her age. Their little joints are so new and loose that it doesn't take much for them to get pulled out of place. It is called Nursemaid's elbow. The doctor just told us to be extra careful over the next couple of weeks, because that is when it is most likely to happen again because the ligaments holding the joint in place has been stretched out and are healing.

Our little monkey was back to her normal self by this morning, even though you can tell she favors that arm a little bit. I think the hardest part will be just trying to keep her from playing rough for the next couple of days.

Do Pony Tails= Big Girl?

The other day I got Lillian to stand still long enough to put her hair in a cute little pony tail. And I could not believe what a big girl she looked like walking around the house with her new hair due. The sad reality of the matter is that it was not the pony tail that made her look so big, it is the fact that she really has gotten big. She is growing up and it is very bitter sweet. I can't believe that she will be two in just four months!



pushing Moxie away


I just thought she looked so "big girl" in this pic


laughing at Daddy being silly.

*just a cute little video of Lillian trying to be bossy to Moxie

McWane Center

Last weekend it was too cold to do anything outside, so Shaun and I decided to use our new membership and went to the McWane center. Lillian and I have been a few times during the week, and Shaun has taken her once by himself on the weekend. But we had never gotten to go as a family before. I am not sure who had more fun, Shaun or Lillian- we can't wait to go back.

I am pretty sure she had a good time...