A visit to Rabbit Hash

Today we took part in a cleanup in my mom's "home town". Not sure if that's what you can call it, it's more like her home "wide spot in the road".
Rabbit Hash is a hidden gem on the banks of the Ohio River and in the last few years it has become quite a tourist attraction.
I never thought that I would one day bring my own children (though Nathan will be the only one of the two to remember) to show them around. Fast forward 29 years later and here I am telling them stories from my youth and then my mother can share her stories too.
I really would like to visit often, in hopes that my children develop a special place in their hearts for this "wide spot in the road" as I have mine.

A very special Easter

This Easter was a very special one for our little family. Not only was it Keaton's first Easter, but Nathan and I were baptized today.
I'm so blessed that I got to share this very special day with him. We have been going to our current church for nearly three years (Tripp has be a member of the church since he was young), Nathan and I discussed it and we felt like there was no better time than the present to pledge our loyalty to God than Easter.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3

"Hoppy" Easter

2 months (Better late than never)

Our sweet Keaton,
You turned two months old on March 18th, 2012. Every day you show more and more personality! You are our little princess and we adore and love you so very much!
You are sleeping so much better. From 11:30 to around 6 in the morning. As long as you get your bottle around 11, we are good to go. You are still sleeping in our room in your rock and play sleeper, though we plan on getting you into your crib soon.

You love to watch everyone, especially Nathan! You pay attention to his every move. You also give daddy such sweet smiles when he comes in from work. You are so personable and bring us such joy!

Love alway,
Momma
Keaton's 2 month stats

Weight: 11lbs and 5 1/2 oz (as of your 2 month appointment)
Height: 22"
Eating:4-6 oz every 3-4 hours
Clothes:0-3, some 3-6
Diapers-size 1

K's Birth Announcement

I realized that I never posted Keaton's birth announcement. We used Tiny Prints for the first time and I loved how they turned out! We can't wait to use them in the future! :)

Keaton's Hospital Pictures

 I don't know why it has taken me so long to post her hospital pictures, but here they are!

 

I look at these pictures and it seems like ages since our little girl was this big. She is growing so fast and I can't help but wish time would slow down.

Special moments

Keaton had her first stroller ride this past week. We watched brother bear ride his bike and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

Nathan and I also got to go to the Lowe's build this weekend. It was nice to have some mommy and Nathan time.

Fun at Great Grandma's house

On Thursday Tripp's mom, Keaton, and I went to Tripp's grandmother's house to get a sewing lesson and let Keaton spend some QT with her GREAT grandma!
I finally know how to thread a bobbin and sew a straight stitch on my machine, thanks to one of Grandma's care takers! Before the "lesson" the only thing I could do was turn the machine on. Ha!
The best part of our visit was when Tripp's grandma got down in the floor (on her own!!) to play with Keaton. No one could believe that she was able to this, but she was determined to! It was such a special moment and even though Keaton won't remember it, I hope that she will look back at the pictures and know just how much she means to her Great Grandma.

How lucky am I

that I can call them mine...

Keaton-One Month

My sweet Keaton,
  You turned one month old on February 18th. Mommy may have sang Happy Birthday to you when you woke up for your "night cap" around 2 in the morning! ha!
It seems like yesterday we were on our way to the hospital to have you, time is flying by. It seems like what everyone says is true, time flies by faster than the first one.

You are so snuggly. You love to curl up in a ball on mommy and daddy's tummies. If allowed we are pretty sure you would be a tummy sleeper. Speaking of sleeping it seems like that's all you do, well expect at night. You are a night owl and I'm not sure where you get that from considering daddy and I love to go to bed early!

Seeing you and Nathan together makes my heart burst at the seams. He loves you so much and is always watching out for you. He is so quick to let me know if you are crying and often I will find him standing over your pack and play talking to you and making sure you have your binkie. I pray that you all will be the best of friends (despite the age difference between the two of you), I think you all are off to a great start!

You had many firsts this month...

It was the first time meeting your Uncle William who met up with us at Mom Mom and Pop Pop's house on your first trip to their house!  (Mommy wishes she had a better picture).

You attended your first church service and you got to hear your Uncle Todd preach for the first time, you were a good girl and slept the majority of the service.

You also celebrated your first Valentine's Day! 

 First bath! Daddy and I think you're going to be a water baby!

We are so glad that HE picked us to be your family!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives and love you very much!

We love you sweet girl!

Love,

Momma

Keaton's 1 month stats

Weight: 8 lbs 3 ozs (at your 2 week appointment), but I think you've gained!

Height:  21 inches (2 week appointment)

Eating: 4 ozs every 3-4 hours. 

Clothes: 0-3 months, some 3 months

Diapers: Size 1

"Beary Lovely"

I still need to post Keaton's birth story as well as more tid bits about our little princess.
The truth is I haven't even turned on my computer in over a month. I've been enjoying our girl!

Valentine's Day 2012

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday. I'm so lucky to have an added Valentine this year! ;)

Then again, maybe not! ;)

I made Pioneer Woman's grilled riveted with onion-blue cheese sauce, twice baked potatoes, and cheese fondu for my guys. It was yummy!

Hope y'all had a great Valentine's Day too!

She's Here!

Keaton Leslie Ann arrived on January 18th, 2012 at 3:25 pm!

More pics and details coming as soon as we can pull ourselves away from our sweet blessing!

38 weeks and some exciting news!

Well I'm a little late on my weekly update, but better late than never I suppose!
I was 38 weeks on Monday and we had our weekly appointment on Wednesday. When the doc checked I was still between 3-4 cm and 70% effaced. I was hoping for more, but I guess we're on the right track. I don't want to rush her, though I can't wait to see her sweet face.
We also have a date! Our girl has until Wednesday morning to come into the world before being evicted! We are so excited!
I think that being able to tell Nathan an exact date has made it easier for him. We're were starting to get a little nervous, because he was starting to act out more. I think he was just a little anxious (more than we are), he knows that his world is getting ready to change, but he just didn't know when! There has been all this hype over a baby, but yet the baby still isn't here! What can I say he's like his momma he has to be able to plan things! ;)

Gender: It's a girl!
Name: Keaton Leslie Ann
 Weight: Only 2 lbs. I consider this a personal accomplishment, especially with all the yummy treats I indulged in over the holidays. My total is 10 lbs.  
 Clothes: All maternity, all the time.  

Cravings: Nothing really 

Sleep: I'm up several times a night.  

Movements:  Rolling around.Our Feelings: Wednesday can't get here soon enough! I'm starting to get a little nervous about being induced. I've heard that pitocin can make contractions EXTREMELY painful! :/

We decided to give Nathan his big brother gift a little early. We realize that it's been baby talk for quite awhile now and our generous friends are starting to bring our girl lovely gifts, so we figured that Nathan needed something special. That smile was worth it! He was so happy!

Mid-week randoms and a 37 week pic

Just a quick post to document just how big I am at 37 weeks and 2 days, along with some mid-week randoms.

• I've been working on my to do list before K arrives...

1.) Clean bathrooms

2.) Install car seat

3.) Sweep K's room

4.) Catch up on laundry

5.) Plan Nathan's lunches (in case I go into labor during the week)

*I hope to get all of these accomplished before our girl arrives, number 2 will obviously be completed.

• I need to find a good book to occupy when I take breaks from my to do list.
• My boys and me  are really into Super Mario Brothers Wii. It's great for family time! 
• One of the teachers at Nathan's school today told him that Keaton will think he is a super hero and can do no wrong, and that she will always look up to him. You could tell he thought that was the best thing in the world. He is going to be the best big brother!  
• Nathan also told me that Keaton couldn't wait to get out of my belly so she could meet her big brother. 
• I pray that they will be the best of friends and always be there for one another.

• My MIL's fried is throwing us a shower this Saturday, I wonder if I will be able to attend! ha! 

We are all on pins and needles awaiting our new addition! It won't be that much longer! :)

Whoa baby! 37 week update

As of yesterday we are at 37 weeks, full term! I can't believe that it's almost time to meet our precious daughter. 

Today was my 37 week appointment and boy are things progressing. We were told today that we more than likely won't make it another 2 weeks. I'm currently between 3-4, so baby could be here as early as tonight or next week. Needless to say my nesting instincts kicked in immediately. As soon as I got home tonight I washed and sterilized bottles and binkies, and started getting Nathan's clothes organized (just in case he I go into labor during the week). 

I plan on giving the nursery a final cleaning and will hopefully post pictures of the progress. I still need to hang some pictures and find a rug, but those are small potatoes. At least K's bed is ready and her clothes have that fresh Dreft smell. 

Gender: It's a girl!

Name: Keaton Leslie Ann
 
Weight: Only 2 lbs. I consider this a personal accomplishment, especially with all the yummy treats I indulged in over the holidays. My total is 10 lbs.  
 
Clothes: All maternity, all the time. 

Cravings: Nothing really

Sleep: I'm up several times a night. 

Movements:  Rolling around.

Our Feelings: Holy Baby Batman! I can't believe that she could come any day now! I'm anxious to snuggle this sweet baby girl in my arms. 

Waiting for baby! :)

Goals for 2012

  I was going to post pics of Keaton items and do a 37 weeks update (Hello! Full term!), but I thought I would go ahead and post my goals for 2012. So without further to do here are my goals for 2012!

1. This is a goal I always strive for and always feel that I can do better. I want to become closer to God and become a better servant to Christ. 
2. Be the best wife I can be. I know that husbands and wives have their ups and downs, and goodness knows Tripp and I have. I want this year to be better, I want to be the best wife I can be and not stress him out with my problems after he has been hard at work all day. I want to be able to greet him with a smile and not dump my daily problems on him, though sometimes I know I will. Hey, I'm only human! 
3. Be the best mother that I can be. I want to set good examples for my children to follow. I want to lead by example and help them become the best little people they can be. :)
4. Find a job. I miss teaching terribly. I hope to be able to find a job in 2012. I know that if it's God's will then I will have a job. I just need to remember to put all my faith in HIM. 
5. I don't know how possible this one will be with a new baby, but I want to read a book a month. This was a goal that I made for 2011 and did fairly decent. I ended up reading quite a few wonderful books, but unfortunately I lost track of just how many. 

And there you have it my goals for 2012! Let's hope that I meet them! :)

So long 2011. Hello 2012.

  Oh. my. goodness. 2011 is over and done with! There was plenty of heart break, but also lots of surprises and joy. Now for our 2011 recap! 

 January. January 10th we lost a woman who was near and dear to all of us. Tripp's grandmother, "Ganny" went to be with the Lord. It was a sad time for us, but we know she is in a better place and looking down on us. 

February. February was somewhat uneventful, though I did have one of the best Valentine's days to date. Tripp, Nathan, and I stayed home and had a yummy meal and exchanged gifts. So thankful to be able to call them Valentines. :)

March. March brought us the Final Four. We cheered our beloved Wildcats in the Final Four!

 April. We celebrated Easter.

May. Oh May was an exciting month! Nathan played t-ball for the first time and we also found out that we were expecting! 

 June. My baby boy turned 6 years old. I spent the whole month wondering why time is flying by!

July. Nathan had his first cub scout camp out. Tripp and I both went with him. Nathan had a wonderful time and slept like a log. All I can say is what was I thinking, being 3 months pregnant and trying to camp out was not one of my brightest moments, though I did enjoy watching my boy have so much fun!

 August. My not so little boy started first grade. 

 September. We moved into our new house and spent the entire month (as well as the rest of the year) turning it into our home. 

 October. We spent the majority of the month cheering on our footballer. We also made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and Nathan scored plenty of candy while trick or treating! :)

November.  We traveled to my home town to spend Thanksgiving with my family. (Because we knew I wouldn't be able to travel during the Christmas season). I was so glad to spend the holiday with my family. I love visiting with my parents and spending quality time with them. 

December. December was a whirl wind! I'm pretty sure we had something every weekend. Our sweet boy was a wiseman in our church's Christmas play, we had a wonderful Christmas morning, and hosted Christmas dinner for 14. We soaked up every minute of it as it was our last Christmas as a family of three. 

 I hope you all had a wonderful 2011 and that 2012 is a year full of love and blessings.