More Pictures of the Beauty

Well, we did go back on Tuesday to take pics. We actually went to Riverfront Park, and just did her because the boys' shirts weren't pressed, my dress hadn't been rewashed yet...So here are some picture that I took of her. I absolutely LOVE the skirt that my grandmother bought her. And the ribbon was from Leslie--she gave a 2 little baggies of ribbons that I now stick on with K-Y. I still think that's so funny! You know it was totally a mom somewhere that came up with that--moms are so inventive! Well, the first time I put one in Ansley's hair and let it dry, Talan plucked it off of Ansley's head and said that he had "found it" in her swing with her. Poor Ansley--that thing dries pretty hard! She stayed sound asleep, though.

As I post this, I have decided to get back into photography for a while. At least while I'm staying at home. I just love taking pictures! I'm a little uncertain about what to do with all of these portraits of her--I love so many of them, and I can't have large wall photos of her everywhere...or maybe I could :) So anyway, if you run across someone wanting some outdoor photography or wedding photography...I would love to do it. I don't want to get my studio equipment out just yet...and I really would like to have 1 more light for it anyhow (I only have 2)...but so I guess I'm going to do like others and start a photography blog or website. I'm very excited! You know, since I'm not working now anyway...and because I am just dying to feel productive! I love staying at home, but I really just have a drive to do something. And this will give me a chance to continue being creative!





And here is my favorite....

1 Month with Ansley

Ansley at 4 weeks


Ansley is one month old today! She had her second well check appointment, and weighed in at 7 lbs, 11 oz. Her head measured an even 14 in., and her length is now 21 1/4 in. She jumped from 3rd percentile in weight to 10th percentile. We still have plenty of room to grow! Her doctor says she is looking great, and thinks she is gaining very well. Truthfully, she would have weighed a little more, because she had a long (1.5 hours+) nap before I sweeped her up and put her in her car seat to go to the Dr.. While there, she woke up, had a bm, and became very very hungry. So she was weighed with nothing in her tummy and no help at all. But, the exact same thing happened at her newborn well check at 4 days, so her weight gain was appropriately measured.

She got one shot today--her second Hepatitis B. I had the paci in her mouth and was right beside her face, talking to her, when the nurse gave it to her in her thigh. She wailed out, and you could tell it hurt her feelings so badly! Oh it was so sad because she did not expect it at all. But as soon as that band aid was on I scooped her up and she was just fine. She is such a sweetheart.

She actually smiled at me this past Friday, and smiled at my mom as well on the same day. (I'm thinking she thought my mom sure did look a lot like me :) She looks like she is about to smile a lot. But she never actually has since then. Oh well, it will come when it comes. But you really can tell she's happy. She really does smile with her eyes, and you can see her look relaxed and happy at the same time. Can't wait!

In other news, we are making the switch to formula. I hadn't planned on breastfeeding in the first place, but then decided to for a little while...and now she's 1 month and I'm still doing it. For some reason it is so hard to make the switch! Nursing is such a sweet, sweet special time for us. I love how God made mommies bodies able to nourish their babies just perfectly. It really is the neatest thing. It's the last actual physical tie to the baby. Once it's done, well...I don't know...it feels like she's a little less "yours." It's really quite strange that I feel that way. It's not very sensible. Oh well, I don't know the reason behind it. All I know is that it is one very large reason that she loves me so much, and who in the world wouldn't love being the favorite? But the switch must occur...and although it's painful both emotionally [and physically!], I will [eventually] be much happier when it's done.

I am ready to claim my body back and begin exercising to finish off the last few pounds and get back to normal. I actually think I look fine, but I apparently am not because I fit into nothing. I'm still having to wear that Bella Band thing on all my shorts/pants/capris, and that's annoying. I mean, really. I can't go on much longer not having any clothes. I used to have a few pairs of jeans that were a little bigger from just after I had Talan, but I thought I was done [with kids], and took them to Goodwill a year or 2 ago. Ugh. They were cute, too. And worn only a few times.

She wore the absolute cutest outfit today. But she has several absolutely adorable outifts. And I was going to take pics at the ballfield tonight (1st official game...still no uniforms yet), but because my camera has taken up rebellion, I realized I forgot my CF card and obviously could take no pics. That's okay though, and yes, I do blame that on my camera. It should have known better. Esp. one day after pulling the battery card.

I will get some pics of her in that outfit soon. She is growing so fast! She now wears 0-3 mo. instead of newborn sizes, and she had moved up to size 1 diapers last weekend. There are so many newborn outfits she did not get to wear! And I am so taking advantage of this warm weather as a last opportunity to get her into some of the cutest summer fashions that I thought I would never get to see her in! Yay!!!! I just love having a baby girl! I love dressing her! I love how one outfit and one hairbow can look so good on her! I love all the different shades of pink! I love absolutely everything about this little blessing!!!!

Frozen Head

We went to Frozen Head last night to take pics. We all looked so nice. Then, as I was heading out the door I checked the battery on my camera, and noticed it was low. I tried hurriedly to find my backup battery. No luck. And I was running out of light, so we had to go. Battery died within 10 minutes. I actually cried on the way home.

It takes so much effort to get everyone's clothes clean, matched, ironed...make sure no one has sweated that day, have Ansley perfectly timed with feedings to be content, and well...you know. Not to mention I have to do either an overcast sky or early morning or evening. It's hard! I got all of it together as they napped, and also got a pile of props to take. Kevin had to load of ton of things into the car because I was prepared to stay over an hour taking pics of her (not that long with the boys involved). I was even dressed up myself, looking forward to some precious mother/daughter shots to have Kevin take of us. Oh I was so heartbroken. But the bugs really were just terrible. So I will take it as a blessing, and we'll go somewhere else tomorrow. If nothing else, Kevin felt so sorry for me that he promised we would go tomorrow, and now hopefully he'll be extra patient and helpful just out of pure pity. Hey, I take what I can get :)

Fall Ball

Well, fall baseball games have begun. Kevin called a scrimmage this past Tuesday, and we had an exhibition game this past Thursday. The boys did really well! Riley's hitting is back to great, and he is currently playing 2nd base. He is really making some awesome progress at catching! He is soooo not afraid at all of the ball...it's a little shocking, how he just goes for it no matter what...and doesn't seem to care if you throw it hard. I'm so impressed! He still has room for improvement of course, but my goodness he's doing wonderfully! He is SUCH a little hustler! Hopefully by the end of this season he'll feel even more confident about his position!

Talan is doing so good, too! He's following directions, and on Thursday he made it all the way to 3rd before getting out off of one of his hits. (It wasn't a triple, but with other batters, he made it to 3rd.) I am so proud of him, too! He played in the dirt a lot on defense, but what do you expect--it's boring out there!

I'm telling you, they are both just adorable in their baseball gear. There is just nothing cuter than baseball uniforms altogether, though, is there? If so, I've never run across it...baseball uniforms are the absolute cutest! In fact, every year I find myself just gazing at my boys, loving how adorable they look in their little pants (the best is when their pinstriped) and sporty hats. We don't have uniforms yet this season, but we should by Monday. Oh, and I don't have any during the game pics because little Ansley kept me busy/confined what have you...when I would finish nursing, she wanted to be held. So I got pics afterwards.

Spencer is enjoying the free time he gets during the games. He runs around getting into stuff, plays his DS, and studies a little bit for upcoming tests. He helps Kevin when he needs it, but overall he loves not having anything to do! And I like it when he hangs out in the van with me too (Ansley keeps me hostage there a lot).








And here's Ansley during their exhibition game...after eating, of course :)

Proud Mommy

Well, Talan officially writes his name correctly! I am soooo proud of my little boy! He's doing wonderfully. He also recognizes the numbers 1, 2, and 3 and writes them in his own little way. Here are some pics of his work.




Here are some pics of Talan riding his bike--you can see him standing up on the pedals! He is very daring--loves to fly down hills without any fear at all!




And here is my Ansley again, this time in blue. Of course, on a stroller ride. It seems I'm going to have a lot of pictures of her stroller rides!

Ansley's 3 weeks today!

Where oh where does the time go??? I can't believe she is already 3 weeks old today! She has been starting to noticeably focus on our faces. She's so funny! She is a really loud breather when she sleeps, and if she does so happen to find your face and you are talking to her, she will wrinkle up her forehead, raise her eyebrows, and stare as though she is very surprised. Then she begins her heavy breathing LOL. She is so funny! And an absolute joy!

Is she sleeping through the night? Why NO! Of course not! She's too young anyway, but since I'm nursing her she conveniently wakes me up when she's hungry...every 3-5 hours--it just depends--and then I feed her a little, change her, and then feed her a little more...then it could be her or me who falls fast asleep first. I enjoy these nights with her. I just love the way she feels so safe in my arms. I love the way she likes to snuggle up to me...to smell me. I love her little cry to let me know when she's hungry and I'm taking too long, or when she's not happy about being changed. I love waking up to see her sweet face. I just love taking care of my baby girl! And I love saying "baby girl," too. It's so funny, but saying, "I just love my baby girl," is one of the main things I say all the time to her. The actual words "baby girl" roll of the tongue so well. It's fun to say! I know, it's silly. But it's really true.

She's also gotten to where she wants to hold me back by hugging me with her tiny arms or just laying her hand on my chest or even holding onto the back of my arm as she nurses or when I burp her. So precious to feel her small, perfect hand on me!

Mischief

Talan is so mischievous. He is rotten to the core! But I love it! Take tonight. Since we had ball practice, we got fast food. Long Johns, actually. Well, I initially ordered a sweet tea and then Kevin later changed it to a Dr. Pepper since we have sweet tea at home. Riley must have overheard, and when he got home wanted his sweet tea. He was very upset that he didn't get one after all. I explained that we didn't order drinks--only one for Daddy, but that we had sweet tea here anyway, so I would make him one. Then of course Talan wanted tea as well. Then I asked Spencer what he wanted, since I was already giving out nontraditional dinner time drinks. He wanted Mello Yello. Now the only reason we even have Mello Yello 2 Liters here is because some visitors brought it over with their food for us. Yes, I like Mello Yello, but I have pretty much cancelled caffeine out except for occasional use. (I have been brewing decaf sweet tea.) Anyway, I obliged and let him have Mello Yello, and told him it probably wouldn't happen again.

Talan saw the Mello Yello, which I accidentally put near Talan, and asked, "What's this?" in an excited manner. I said, "Oops, Spencer. That's your drink. Get that from Talan, please. Talan, that's Spencer's. Sorry."

Talan says, "But I want it!"

"No, it's Spencer's. I got you tea like you asked."

"But I want it!!!! Pleeeeeeaaaaase?"

"No. It's Spencer's."

"Well, I already took a drink of it!" (Knowing I'll let him have it then, so as not to spread germs.)

"No you did not."

"Yes, I did! I took a drink of it!!!"

"No you did not!"

"Yes I did!!!!" [Spencer has the drink by now, though.]

That little stinker! He did not take a drink of that Mello Yello!

Then a while later, after I had cleared the table and they were nearly ready for bed, Talan, Spencer, and I are in the kitchen...Talan saw Spencer's partially empty glass sitting on the counter and scooped it up and took a big gulp before I could react. Oh he's a mess!