shiny happy little people

this smile is contagious:

Following her big brother everywhere, Frannie has gotten quite adventurous. Watching her grow and learn is amazing. She's finally getting her 3rd and 4th teeth, and is running around everywhere. Oh, and she's one now. (When was the last time I blogged??)

Here's Tripp with his new umbrella from Nana. I splashed down the street with him, and we rescued earth worms from puddles and put them back in the dirt. I thought I would never get him back in the house.

We stay busy, hence the lack of blogs. Their Daddy has a new job and started last week. We have so many reasons to be proud of him. On to bigger and better things! Considering moving somewhere with a big glorious back yard, if we could find one...

We're overjoyed about having some new twin Lynch cousins. Tripp doesn't quite get the "twin" thing, saying "I'm a twin" and then "Mama and Daddy are twins", but he knows Aunt Jordy has 2 babies in her tummy :)

Last night we were praying for dinner, and Tripp launched into thanking Jesus for things. It went on for awhile, but here are some excerpts: "Thank you Jesus for Frannie, and Tripper, and Mamas, and Daddies, and faces, and biscuits, and trees, and candy, and eyebrows, and biscuits, and shoes, and rolly bugs, and bugs, and cars, and Aunt Alli (she was eating with us), and forks, and biscuits, and..."

What a sweet little reminder to be thankful for all the little things we take for granted. Like eyebrows.

Favorite new quote this week "FAITH makes things possible {*** not easy}"

little black bag and looking back

I came to work today without my little black bag. Medela-pump-in-style-on-the-go-tote. I haven't been anywhere without you in a year. Today feels so strange, but I'm not sure how to describe it. Most of me is terribly relieved to be freed from this demanding schedule. Every thought I've had in the last year was followed by a secondary thought of when I could get back to my office to pump. Can it really be over?

When I stopped my first year of pumping, I was pregnant. So thankful for a break from the cycle I was about to re-start. This time? Different. Seeing those yellow capped bottles in my mini fridge was constant reassurance that even though I was away from her, I was still with her.

I can hardly believe one year ago I was big and pregnant and dying to meet our new little one. I was so shocked she was a girl. I wanted a girl so bad, and I think I tried to convince myself it was a boy so I wouldn't be disappointed (that's not really the right word, but I can't think of a better one).  Labor was the most physically challenging thing I have ever done in my life. It was the first time I had ever been away from Tripp overnight.

The epidural was much more painful that I would've imagined. The first attempt was unsuccessful. It hurt so bad I couldn't talk and was signaling to the nurse and Jase where the pain was. He took it out and started over. I was expecting instant relief, but never got it. I eventually got about a 30 minute break, but the pain came right back. They don't tell you that epidurals don't work 10% of the time. Who cares what the statistics are when it happens to you??

When Jase walked out of the room to hang with Tripp in the hall, the nurse tried to roll me from my left to my right side to help with my blood pressure. Frannie's heart rate dropped in half immediately. They quickly rolled me back, hooked me up to oxygen, got a heart monitor in there with her, and paged the doctor. They said she had about 30 seconds to get her heart rate back up before they wheeled me into the OR for a C-section. It went back up. Jase was gone for less than 5 minutes, and walked back into a different room. His face didn't show how scared he was. I knew when he started talking.

When it was time to push, Dr. Crawford was not there yet. They made us wait for a doctor since her HR had been dicey and it was a VBAC. I thought not pushing was intense. But then he showed up and we got to the pushing. Jase was a fantastic coach and counter, and he kept shushing the nurses and everyone else during my contractions because they were driving my crazy. I never told him, but he knew anyway.

I think I had to "push" through 10 or 12 contractions. Jase probably remembers better. I will always be grateful I got to go through it all with Jase by my side. In the end, all that mattered was that she was here. "Baby amnesia" is a real thing. They make you forget the pain (mostly). I once heard a quote that went something like this: The only way you can get a woman to go through this, and practically tear her body in half, is to promise her a baby at the end. (totally true)

I am so grateful EVERY single day for my babies. I still can't believe Frannie will be one year old on Friday. 

“There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.”

~Brian Tracy

So long little black bag. We had a good run.

how do I love thee

I cannot believe how fast my kiddos are growing. Tripp tries my patience often, but knows how to make my heart totally melt. Last night I was sitting on his bedroom floor and he put his little hands on my cheeks, looked in my eyes, put his face really close to mine, and said quietly "Mama, I love you to your heart"

I just sat there and teared up. I was glad Jase was there to witness. I don't know where he heard something like that. The other day we were riding to school and the bright sun was shining right in his face. He covered his eyes and said "Sun! Leave me alone!"

He also has a stuffed dinosaur he's been sleeping with and taking care of lately. We asked what his name was, and without hesitating, "Roni". He comes up with the most unique names for stuffed animals, birds, etc. Here he is reading Roni a book. It's one of his favorites, but instead of Curious George. Tripp calls it "Serious George".

Frannie is getting better at walking everyday, and we're just days away from her first birthday party.

They continue to amaze me each day.

in other news

Frannie started walking last night! 12 steps in a row. It's official.

And from the mouths of babes:
I was taking Frannie to the doctor this week, and had to bring Tripp too. Here's our conversation in the car:
Tripp: Where are we going?
Me: To see Dr. Bill.
Tripp: Mama, what's wrong with me?

Also, yesterday in the car he suddenly held up his pointer finger and said "I have an idea!" I asked him what it was. "Let's go home and watch Peter Pan."

And when you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do... he says "No, we don't want to go to the dentist" or "No, we don't want to put our shoes on" or "No, we don't want a bath"

When he was hammering Lance with questions at the dentist, Lance said "There is no denying that this is your child."

I'm such a proud Mama.

out of my hands

I will remember to call upon the Lord
the great and glorious King.
The wisdom and mercy He has shown
to the house of Israel.

When I sing this song, I can hear Debbie singing it behind me. In my head.

One day a month or 2 ago, I was complaining about all the things going on, and how stressed I was, and how I didn't know what to do or where to start. My co-worker gently said "It's out of your hands. Say a quick prayer." I keep reminding myself of this OFTEN. In theory, it seems so simple! How many things in my life I have so little control over. December was very stressful. Some how when I(we) am(are) down to the last strand to hold on to... God shows up and everything is taken care of. Every time.

The day we spend our last dollar (not literally- I'm slightly better at it than that), we get an unexpected refund check in the mail. And every time I'm amazed.

My always-optimistic husband also helps keep me from dragging down everyone and everything with my negative views: "Are we destitute? Do our kids have anything more serious than a cold? Do we have jobs?"

des·ti·tute: Adjective:

1. Without the basic necessities of life. 

2. Not having.

It has always been hard to admit when I don't have control over a situation, or something, or anything. It is even harder now as a mom. In addition to better budgeting, here's my other resolution:

step 1: acknowledge I've done everything I can do

step 2: admit to myself it is out of my hands 

step 3: say a quick prayer

step 4: stop freaking out about it (the hard part)

parenting

I came across 2 amazing blogs/articles/etc. that I totally love about parenting. The first is called:
"50 Rules for Dads of Daughters" by Michael Mitchell. You can find it here:

http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters

The second is one called:
"25 Rules for Mothers of Sons" by The Struders, found on their blog here:

http://studerteam.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-rules-for-mothers-of-sons.html?m=1

These lists pretty much describe the goals I have for me and Jase's co-parenting team, although I don't think I could put it quite like they have- so I didn't try! Here are the little ones that own my heart, drive me crazy, and make me proud to be a Mama:

oh happy day

just another typical morning

Getting Tripp dressed each morning is a nightmare challenging, and typically taken on by Daddy. You have to give him a few outfits to choose from, and really make each one sound appealing. Jase is particularly good at this part :) This morning one of the options was a camouflage shirt Tripp hadn't worn before. He quickly said no to that, but agreed after Daddy explained that this was a special shirt that dinosaur hunters get to wear.

Not long after that...

Tripp hollered "Mama, look at this!" I came down the hall to find him shining a flashlight on an antique radio we have from Bub, Jase's grandfather (and Tripp's namesake). He looked at me with wide eyes and said "Look, I found a dinosaur". I said "Oooh (and reaching out) can I pet it?" He quickly jumped in front of it holding up both hands, "NO! Don't touch the dinosaur!!" Then he would tilt his head from side to side examining it. Is there anything better than a kid with a great imagination?

Jase and I put Tripp's coat on at least 4 times this morning, and he said it kept "falling off". Even when it was zipped... Sometimes it is really hard not to laugh. Then I opened the door, and said "C'mon let's get in the car". Tripp walks out. I turn and pick up purse, pump, and coffee. Turn back, and Tripp is in the middle of our next door neighbor's yard. I holler for him to come back, trying to lure him with juice, cereal (anything). He responds with a sing-song-y "noooo" and takes off. I chase him down, "wrasle" him in the car, and we're off singing "this little light of mine" on our way to school. He especially loves the hide it under a bushel part, screaming NO and then laughing each time.

Frannie's still sick at home fighting this virus with all of her might. We are so thankful for Aunt Alli and Aunt Adri for playing and snuggling with her this week and helping us out.

I promise, we know how lucky and blessed we are at this fresh start to a new year