Daddy, It's Time.

NAME THAT MOVIE!

Well, of course, it is from one of my favorites-- Steel Magnolias. 

I firmly believe that every facet of life can be complimented by a quote from Steel Magnolias.  And for me?  This quote matches up exactly with what's going on in my life right now.

Daddy, It's Time.... 

for me to update this silly blog.  It's a curse, this blog.  It takes time out of my already hectic schedule to update.  Also, it requires brain cells that I seem to be lacking these days due to sleep deprivation and allergies.  BUT, if I don't update I feel regret for not documenting our lives these days because they are indeed busy, but blessed, and I want to be able to remember everything.  And it is also a form of therapy for me because I love to write and I truly miss it when I am not doing it.  So, there. 

Daddy, It's Time....


to update y'all on my kiddos!

Oh my goodness, our little crew is so fun. Nick and I have a pretty good handle on tag-teaming these rascals, and a lot of days, we are in bed right after they are put down, but oh my goodness we love them. So, let's start with the oldest--

Jackson is almost 6! In just a couple of weeks, my little baby boy will be another year older. I can remember he was the reason I started this blog and I loved documenting all his new milestones and now, here we are, 6 years later. What a blessing this guy is! He is extremely tender-hearted, smart, athletic, inquisitive, and determined. He has a tendency to be a little bit of a perfectionist and sometimes that gets in the way of him being able to process certain emotions, but I have noticed over the last few months his maturity level increase. For that very reason, we are letting him have another year in Kindergarten. He is also an April birthday and is one of the youngest (and smallest) in his class.  I was torn all year about this, but now, I am certain it is a good decision and I appreciate all the help and support from friends, family, and teachers. He has all A's and S's on his report card! I am one proud Momma.

We just finished his first season of Upward basketball and he did great! He got at least a couple of baskets each game. It was so fun to see him get on that court and put that man-on-man defence to work! He was a little hustler. T-ball is right around the corner and we are looking forward to another season watching him smack that ball!

Austin turned 3 in January! How can I describe my baby boy? He is a ham. Always smiling. Always cracking jokes. Seriously, this guy thinks when he is in trouble that all he has to do is curl up a smile and he gets out of it. And I hate to say this, but sometimes, it works. I just can't help it. Because of his total go-with-the-flow attitude, it has also been quite a feat to potty train him. He doesn't care. Really. It doesn't bother him to go wherever the world takes him. Pee in his pants, pee in the backyard, pee in downtown Ruston-- The guy just does not care. I am happy to report his is safely peeing in the potty now! Bless God!

He is a great eater too. He will try anything and doesn't have quite the picky appetite his big brother does. I am super thankful for that. He loves anything that rolls and he is especially into dirt bikes right now. Our little Aussie keeps us running and he is such a sweetie.

Emmaline is 3 months, y'all! How did that happen? I just had her like last Tuesday, right? No, not really, but it has flown by. She is truly a third child in all respects and has fit in perfectly. She has a very easy demeanor. She smiles all the time and I can get her to laugh out loud by tickling around her neck. She has adjusted great to the babysitter. She is a smaller baby, but her appetite is mighty- 5 ounces at each feeding and she has been waking up at night to eat too. But I have told her that can stop at any moment...I am really okay with that. The lady is hungry.

I just love these babies!

Daddy, It's Time...

for that little booger to sleep through the night.  Y'all.  I am ready.  So ready.  And let's just say Emmaline knows when I brag on her so we are not going to say that she is doing better this week, we are just going to say she is improving.  I am serious.  She knows and this Momma needs some sleep!

Daddy, It's Time...

to move into our house!  We are almost through!  Maybe another 6 weeks! Everything is completed on the outside and floors, cabinets, trim, and flooring are going in this week and next.  I can't believe it.

Daddy, It's Time...

to get back to the running.  I started back full-time when Em was 6 weeks old.  I attempted a 30  minute run when she was 3 weeks old and that was a mistake- I can't remember who I heard this from, but this statement lines up with how I felt after that...My insides were definitely cussing me out by the end of that run.  But, I was good to go after 6 weeks.  I have been averaging about 15-20 miles a week and have completed 4 5Ks.  It feels good to be back in the groove of things! 

I can't explain what running does for my soul.  It is dirt cheap therapy and provides me some time to think, pray, rationalize, have adult conversations with my running buddies, and provide great benefits for my innards and outards. 

Daddy, It's Time....

to realize how blessed I am!  I say this because many days, after working all day and getting up super early, I am, let's just say, a little less than pleasant.  A bear? A lion? Yep, I can growl and be miserable to be around and I feel so terrible after acting like a jerk.  But, it happens!  I have good days and bad days and I am trying so hard to realize this season will soon pass and I will miss it.

I truly feel like God has me right where I need to be- a working mother.  I wasn't always happy being this, but after having Emmaline, God has given me a peace about it and I know this is indeed right where I need to be. 


Daddy, It's Time....

to get real with y'all.  Being a mother is hard business.  Being a working mother is hard business.  There are so many conflicting emotions I feel and fight on a daily basis.  I knew my first few weeks at work were going to be a challenge. And let me tell y'all.  I have overcome those stinky emotions this week and I know, in Jesus' name, I will overcome them when they resurface again.  It is okay to feel overwhelmed and at your breaking point, but it is how you deal with it that really matters. 

How is it that you stare at all these wonderful blessing dead-square in the face and still feel such inadequacy and sadness? Well, it's hormones! And life! And the stupid world!  It can always get ya down, but leaning on Him is what really matters... 

Daddy (Abba Father), it's time to really come to grips with Your True Power.  You have the power to heal.  You have to power to give and to take away.  You let us endure seasons of drought and showers all in Your perfect timing because it is how we grow towards You- which is really what You truly desire from us-- to be completely reliant upon You.  Well guess what?  I know this girl couldn't do it without You.  In those days when I show up at work late, covered in spit-up, toothpaste on my upper lip, I know I am going to make it- because of You.  You are my refuge, my strength, and my Heavenly Father and it is time to realize you can free me of all guilt, bondage, inadequacy, and being overwhelmed.  Abba Father, it's time to realize that.

 I have missed y'all.  I promise I will be back.

Emmaline Harper Lee

A whole 2 weeks early, Miss Emmaline decided to make her appearance on December 14, 2012 at 9:50 pm . Due to issues with high blood pressure and consistent contractions, my doctor decided the 14th was her day!

It was a tough labor to say the least, but it was worth every second of pain.

Our house is full, but our hearts are even fuller. I could not imagine life without her.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!

All our love,

Chrstmas Time and Baby Preppy

 

It's Christmas Time at the Lee's!!!

The house is decorated...

The stocking's are hung with care...

And Momma is seriously hoping that Emmaline will be THERE!

All of November and the beginning of December have been a whirlwind for me.  Lots of emotions are circulating, lots of preparation has been going on, and lots of prayers have been prayed. 

Since my last post, we began construction on our forever home.  The amount of energy, emotions, and enthusiasm surrounding just that were enough to wear me out for about 15 years, but God's way prevailed and I am truly excited about how it unraveled.  I have also finished preparing Emmaline's nursery.  It is such a sweet space and I can't wait to bring her home to it, but before we get to that, let's talk Christmas....

Ellington came back! And let me tell you...this year his antics have really kept ALL of us laughing.  I have heard some mixed emotions about the ole "Elf on the Shelf" but since we began our tradition back in 2010, I really believe it is a great tradition.  The kids LOVE it and to see the joy in their faces every morning as they go searching for him is just great. I think he will probably stick around.

"OH MY GOSH, IT'S SANTA!!!" (name that movie)

We waited in the 2 and 1/2 HOUR long line in downtown Ruston to see the KCS Christmas train and Santa.  And let me tell you, as I was standing there 35 weeks pregnant, I really was a little perturbed at how long it took and wishing everyone would just kind of get out of our way (I know very selfish), but the wait? It was so worth-while.  The boys loved it and I am so glad Nick and I stuck it out. And then I felt guilty for feeling so selfish... 

My Mom, sister Lindsey, her daughter Faith, and I had our 3rd annual Cooper girls baking day at the beginning of December.  To say we had a blast is an understatement! Lindsey graciously gave up her home this year so Faith could stay on her schedule and we took OVER that kitchen.  Rice krispies were thrown, chex mix was smooshed into the counter-tops, fudge smelled up the kitchen, and LOTS of Reese's peanut butter cups were eaten (mainly by me). 

I just love these ladies- really. Like really really bad.

We have also managed to squeeze in some much needed Christmas haircuts...

 A lot of cooking for Christmas and for baby....

 And a pregnancy indulgence every once and a while....

(Oh, who am I kidding? It is all the time....milk it for all its worth, am I right or am I right?)

 But in-between all of this Christmas fun has been some much needed "Baby Preppy!"  Seriously, since the beginning of November, I have taken a little time each evening after work and almost a full day each weekend to get everything ready and this past weekend was the FIRST weekend I didn't have anything to do...

Washing Clothes- CHECK
Packing Bags- CHECK
Christmas Shopping and Wrapping Presents- CHECK
Prepping Bottles- CHECK
Getting the "Medela" ready (nursing Moms know what this is)- CHECK
Finding a Mobile- CHECK
Getting the boys a gift from "Sister"- CHECK
Burplcloths- CHECK

Sibling Outfits- CHECK :)

These came in 2 weeks ago and I nearly died at the cuteness...Can't wait to have our whole crew in these :)

And finally? Completed this weekend was the trial run with the THREE carseats in the back-

Carseat Installation- CHECK!

My Yukon has been a great car- really.  No trouble at all.  I love it! But I did buy it gently pre-owned back in 2009 and it did not come with a third row and had a bench backseat.  At the time, I was pregnant with Austin and a third child was not even on the radar.  Plus, I loved how much space I had in the back and I always thought I could just add a third row if I needed to.  Well, we found out we couldn't add a third row, but that is a-okay.  We are gonna be a real close-knit family and I know I will be so happy to see those three little blessings in my rear-view mirror. 

On the pregnancy front, I am currently 37 weeks and 4 days- 18 days from my official due date. 

(36 weeks, 3 days here)

My doctor has told me, if everything progresses like I did with Austin, he would gladly induce me on the 21st.  I am at 1 cm as of last week and feeling very much like I am ready, but you never know.  I was really counting on the 21st as D-DAY, but if my body isn't ready than I sure don't want to prolong my labor experience by putting the cart before the horse.  48 hours of labor doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.  But, geez...wouldn't it be great for the holidays? :) Granted, I have always had great, easy, and relatively fast deliveries, but I am at peace with whatever Emmaline decides to do.  Now... this doesn't mean I am sitting around eating bon-bons all day.  Oh no way...this weekend I walked a 5K and then walked an additional 2 miles on Sunday.  I am full-term by medical definition so I am deciding to help facilitate delivery :)  I would really like to go into labor naturally, but we will find out more on Friday.

Hope you and your family are having a great holiday season so far!

Fall Festivities

The Lee's have been busy...so what does that mean? Blog post in pictures! YAY! Cue the picture overload...

There have been lots of trips to the cleared land AKA Our Future Home.  People have asked me "How is the building going?" and I feel like I have said the same thing over and over again for the last two months..."Great! We should be starting any day now." And seriously, y'all. That is where we have been for the last two months- We had a great appraisal but it took 10 forevers to get it back when it should have taken a week.  And now the loan is underwriting so our builders can actually start building.  When it is out of your hands, you are really at the mercy of someone else's schedule and for right now I am completely okay with that- This whole building process I have given to God and let it unfold as He deems appropriate.  It's going to happen on His terms anyway, so why not just take the less stressful path and let it happen when it is supposed to happen... (Now...if only I could be this way about everything)

We made a trip to Papa Simpson's for their Fall Festival this year.  The boys had a lot of fun.  I believe Jackson will get to go again with his Kindergarten class (it was canceled once, but it should be rescheduled) and he is beside himself excited to get to go again.

 Sunday Afternoon Naps = AMAZINGNESS.  Enough said.

This?  This right here is a little pregnancy indulgence...FRIED SHRIMP!  I don't know what it is about West Monroe/Monroe area, but the catfish places are a-plenty and since I am not a huge fried fish fan I always opt for the fried shrimp and these, my friends, did NOT disappoint.  Little stingy on the helpings, huh? Just kidding...

My First Boss's Day! Management of 4 people has been a transition, but I am loving the paths God is taking me down and learning a lot in the process...

Once again, the amazing Crystal Garcia did a fabulous job capturing my sweet little guys...I just want to bite those cheeks!

Jackson has seen me have one maternity shoot with her before so he knew what to expect for the "belly shot" as you can see here....He wanted to show his belly and, of course, little brother wanted to follow suit.

 TECH GAME MEMORIES!

Cooler weather means lots and LOTS of playing outside.  We pulled out Jackson's tee pee and got creative with the tunnel.  Add a little four-wheeling and bicycle-riding and little men are in heaven!

 Sweet gifts from friends for little Miss Emmaline. So fun!

Snuggle time with my littlest man.... (I know.  The paci- Listen, he only gets it when he is resting or about to go to bed and for right now, I am okay with that. Jackson kicked the habit at about 3 and we are giving Austin that same benchmark.  He has 3 months.)

 31 weeks! Whoa nelly...

Pumpkin Carving.  Austin was determined to take his shirt off even though it was 60 degrees outside.  He kept saying "I's hot, Mama." Oh well...redneck baby.

I turned 27 this past week and we had a great week of celebrating.  I, unfortunately, didn't take any good pictures of said celebratory events, but I sure felt blessed and loved.  I hope everyone has been having a good Fall so far! My man's birthday is coming up and Halloween festivities are right around the corner...Stay tuned!