The View From Here.

Promise I'll write more soon.

For now, it's snuggling time. :)

Guess Who's Here...!?!

Our Miss Delia Jane made her slightly dramatic entrance into the world a bit early and definitely on her own schedule...! ;)

Born Saturday, September 24th at 5:07pm.

8.1 lbs and 21 inches.

Big sis approves. :)

Welcome to the world, my darling little one.

I 'll love you forever...already.

:)

38/39 Weeks: A Letter.

Dear Baby Girl,

Well, we made it to the home stretch, tiny friend! I can't believe we will get to meet you in just a few short days. It seems like your time in my tummy has flown by, and we can't wait to see your little face and fingers and toes. I just want to snuggle you up...!

(28 weeks)

(30 weeks...your sister is looking at you, I think!)

You are still moving and shaking in there, and those kicks and somersaults are getting a tad painful, kiddo! Very grateful to feel you in there...but could you give Mommy's bladder a break just for a bit?! ;) You are almost always situated on the right side of my belly, and I'm looking a little lopsided these days. We've been given two different due dates from two different doctors, so we are just a bit unsure of when your "official" arrival date should be...but it is pretty much a guessing game at this point anyway, Baby. We'll see you when we see you! :)

(32 weeks)

(34 weeks)

I'm not sure you got the memo, Baby D, but you are supposed to be 'head down' to get ready for delivery...! You have remained in the breech position for the last two ultrasounds we've had over the previous three weeks. Mommy has been sprawled out in all kinds of crazy positions to try and get you to flip around, and we'll find out soon if it has worked. If not, the doctor will have to take you out via C-section. If I'm being honest, I'm more than a little nervous about this whole situation, but I'm confident that God has you and me in His protection. No matter how you get here, Baby, we want you to be safe and happy and healthy. Those are the top priorities, and I just know everything is going to work out alright.

Your nursery is all finished, my love! Thanks to your Daddy and many generous family and friends, you have a sweet little place to rest your head, change your clothes (and many many diapers...), and play! We can't wait to see you in your little room. You are the final piece of the puzzle!

A few weeks ago, your Mimi threw us a baby 'sprinkle' with Mommy's close family and friends--it was so much fun! You were sprinkled with loads of diapers, wipes, and other baby necessities, and we are so grateful for all of the people in your life that already love you and support you. D, you are a lucky lady, and you don't even know it yet!

(36 weeks)

(37.5 weeks)

In Mommy news, I am pretty darn tired, Baby! Growing you is a full-time job, and it has been one HOT summer. Lucky for us, your Daddy is probably the most helpful and kind man you'll ever meet (trust me...), and he has taken such good care of us. I think your big sis will be very glad to have you out of my tummy as her precious lap space has been taken over the bigger I've gotten here at the end! ;) I know you two will be buddies someday, and I think that's the best gift your Dad and I could give to the both of you: each other.

We love you so very much, Baby, even though we've never met. We pray God's protection over you as you get ready to make your big debut, and we pray and strive to be the best parents we can be for you. My dear, you are a gift, a blessing, an undeserved opportunity for which we'll be forever grateful.

Until we meet face to face...

I'll love you forever,

Mommy

Sprinkle.

A few weeks ago, my lovely Mother-in-Law, Terri, threw me and Miss D a baby "sprinkle." Since this little baby really didn't need to be showered with very many new baby items or clothes thanks to her big sister, Terri thought it would be a fun idea to just "sprinkle" her with practical things, like diapers, wipes, etc. It was such a cute idea, and I was so very grateful for her kindness to do this for us!

She booked a tea room at The Pink House, a darling old house painted all shades of pink inside and out that serves breakfast, lunch, tea, and tea parties! If you are ever in the Tulsa area, you might venture over to Claremore for lunch with the girls in a room swathed in PINK! Such a fun little place.

I was able to invite my close family and friends, and we had a tea party together at The Pink House. Girls never grow out of having tea parties, right?! ;)

The gals gathered together for cucumber sandwiches, scones with strawberry cream, mini-sandwiches, mini-quiches, brownies, fruit, tea and pink lemonade. YUM!

We played a few baby-related games, and Terri read a sweet story from a Beth Moore book on motherhood. The story centered on the idea of having TWO little girls to raise, and it really touched home with me. A sweet story, indeed.

My crafty MIL handed out the cutest party favors at the sprinkle. Sugar cookie mix with sprinkles! She is so fun. Seriously. You need to meet her. :)

We were so blessed to leave with an overflowing carload of diapers, wipes, lotions, washes, nursing necessities, and even a few adorable outfits for our little one.

It was such a special and relaxed time to gather with my sweet friends and family to prepare the way for D to enter our lives in just a couple of weeks. I had so much fun, felt so special and loved, and I will cherish that "sprinkle" always!

I am a blessed lady to have THESE ladies in my life!

:)

May I Be Frank?

Over the Labor Day weekend, my sweet husband surprised me with a little overnight getaway...just the two of us! E spent the weekend with her Nama and Aunt Schmoo, so he planned a quick trip to Bartlesville, OK. I'm too far along in this pregnancy to travel very far, so this zippy trip was just what we needed. :) I was so impressed with him for working out all of the details and planning such a fun time for just the two of us. We spent most of the relaxed trip cracking up, reminiscing, and (of course) talking about our little girls. :)

It was lovely.

Here are a few pics!

He booked us a hotel room at The Inn at Price Tower, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a famous and talented architect/designer/artist, and actually, my dad was a huge fan of his. I've always wanted to come and see this famed hotel...so when Russell got us a room there, I was thrilled! Let me be frank: it was awesome. ;)

Located on the old Route 66...hence the giant 66. :)

We were acting like ridiculous teenagers. And I loved every minute.

I was having lots of Braxton Hicks that weekend, and Russell was VERY nervous to even be 45 minutes from our hospital. He made a valiant effort of trying to hide the nerves though. Good man.

After touring the Frank Lloyd Wright museum inside of the hotel, we ventured to Frank and Lola's for dinner. (Notice the "Frank" theme of the weekend...?). DELISH. If you are ever in the area, we highly recommend this place. And, even if you normally hate bread pudding (like me), order their bread pudding. Sweet heavens. It was G.O.O.D.

Our room! All triangles and corners and weird angles. Very strange and very cool all at once. And mod. Quite mod.

Oh geez...

The next morning (after hitting up the amazing GAP Outlet...a few times...), we ventured off to the Woolaroc wildlife reserve just a few minutes outside of Bartlesville. We drove through acres of hills and valleys trying to spot the wildlife left to roam freely on the grounds. We encountered elk, different types of deer, and even humongous bison! They were just feet from our car and didn't seem to notice us one bit!

There was a rustic lodge once owned by Frank Phillips that was open to visitors, but it turned out a to be just a teeny bit lame. So, we hammed it up for the camera, instead. And by "we," I mean me and D. ;)

See that single, solitary car in the parking lot? Yeah. That was our lone car parked at the lodge. Told ya. Kinda lame. ;) But the rest was so cool! Promise!

See?! Bison! OBU Bison, go with Ka-Rip! ;)

Anyway, it was SUCH a fun time spent with my best friend, my lifetime boyfriend, and the best Dad that I know. Who knows the next time we'll be able to venture off together like this, so we really treasured this time alone to reconnect before life gets even crazier in just a few short weeks.

Loved the trip.

But, quite frankly...

I love my guy even more.

:)

18 Months: A Letter.

Dear Birdie,

You are 18 months old today!

So much has happened in the last few months, and you are growing up so very quickly. It seems like just yesterday we celebrated your first birthday, and here you are halfway to your second! You are such a joy and bring such a sweetness to our lives. We are constantly asking ourselves what we even did before we had you! You make us so happy, sweet girl, and these last 18 months have been our favorites. :)

Here are some of your successes, struggles, and milestones from the past six months.

Growth:

-You weigh 27 pounds (90th percentile) and you are 34 inches tall (99th percentile). You are still such a tall little lady!

-A few months ago, you had to have tubes put in your ears, because you could not stop getting ear infections, poor girl. The surgery was very quick, and you were back to being your sweet self in hours. We were nervous wrecks the entire time, but God protected you, Baby. And now, you are in such better health--yay!

-At 15 months, you had your first hair cut! The back was getting a little long, so Daddy held you while Mommy snipped just a little bit of your soft baby hair off the back. You looked like a big kid afterwards!

-Your strawberry has remained the same size, but it is about 1/3 white on top instead of red. Your hair is slooooowly getting thicker and longer, which makes the hemangioma seem smaller. You still could care less about it, but you do try and grab at it when you see it in a mirror.

-You have seven (almost eight) teeth!

-You have become so much more coordinated over the past few months, and you love to dance, spin, "jump" and stomp with us. You usually only stumble and fall when you get going too fast or are getting sleepy, and you've started trying your coordination on stairs and steps.

Eating:

-We hear "Bite? Bite? Please?" all throughout the day now...! You try and get bites and sips of our food and drink all the time, and it is pretty funny to watch your face as you try something new.

-Over the past few months, you've started practicing using a fork and spoon. Sometimes the food makes it from plate to mouth. Lots of times, your puppy Milly gets a snack accidentally tossed her way. ;)

-For breakfast, you LOVE Kashi TLC cereal bars, and you also like oatmeal, pancakes ("pancapes/canpakes"), waffles and any kind of muffin. You always eat a few servings of fruit for breakfast, too. Lunch and dinner consist of soft meats, LOTS of cheese, yogurt, fruit, pasta, and always at least one serving of veggies. It has not been easy to convince you to eat veggies on your own, but introducing the fork has made a world of difference. ;) You drink about 24 ounces of whole milk in a day, and you get one sippy cup of watered down juice in the afternoon. For snacks, you are still in love with Mum Mum crackers, and you also like cereal, veggie pouches, fruit or graham crackers.

Sleeping:

-You are an early-to-bed/early-to-rise kind of girl still! You sleep from about 6:30-6:30 every day, and you take a one and a half to two hour nap around noon.

-Your knitted yarn bunny and paci are your bedtime/naptime treats, and you love them.

-We haven't had any major sleep issues over the last few months with the exception of the week that four of your new teeth came in. Other than that, you're pretty solid on your sleep routine.

-Before bed, we snuggle up in your rocking chair, read a book, sing a few songs, and you've recently learned how to "pray." You'll fold your hands with me (sometimes struggling to intertwine those chubby fingers), and you'll ask, "Pray?" It is so sweet. I know you have no clue what we're doing, but it is never too early to start. :)

-I've never met a person who wakes up in a better mood! You are all squeals and laughter, and you are READY to start the day! It takes Mom and Dad a tiny bit longer to get pumped up than you, but your sweet babbles coming over the monitor sure help. ;)

Play:

-You are on the MOVE, Baby! You have learned to run, and you love to play chase with us.

-Climbing up on furniture is a new favorite activity, and you are so good to stay seated on your bottom while on the couch or chairs...so far anyway. ;)

-We go to a playgroup with lots of little friends, and I love watching how you interact in a group. It usually takes you a few minutes to sort of assess the situation, and then you wander off to play with your little friends. So far, you are not too aggressive if you want a toy, and actually you get things taken away from you quite often. Thus, we are practicing the concept of sharing at home. If the group gets a little wild, I'll find you off in a corner or in a quiet room reading a book or playing on your own for a few minutes to take a little break. You try to share your snacks with others (sometimes a little forcefully!), and you can get a little upset when your drink or snack cup gets taken away. You are equal parts social and shy it seems, and you can be just a bit clingy to Mommy in larger, louder situations. If we are with our close friends, you are pretty content to say "See ya!" to me as you and your little pals wander off to play. ;)

-Bath time with Daddy remains your very favorite time of day, and it is so sweet to hear you two in there singing, splashing and having a great time together at the end of each day.

-Overall, you have a sweet little spirit about you...but you are also starting to test your boundaries a bit regarding your attitude or response to commands. Hitting is not an issue anymore, but you can be a bit whiny if you are annoyed or impatient. We are also working on not running away from Mommy when called...! It's not always a game of chase, kiddo! When you do misbehave and are admonished, it is as if we've broken your tender little heart. You don't whine or full-on cry...but your bottom lip starts to quiver, one or two big tears slide down your cheeks as you try and keep it together, and you mouth a broken little "Sahwee, sahwee Mommy" over and over while trying to give me a make-up kiss. PRECIOUS. Oh my word. I know tantrums and such are on the horizon, but for now, you display such a tender little spirit. I hear your Daddy was a lot like this...! ;)

-Activities/toys that you like: BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS, www.starfall.com to practice letters, playing chase, 'flying' on Daddy's legs while he lays on the floor, helping Mommy brush her hair or put on make-up, your family picture album, your splash pool, bubbles, riding in your red wagon, any books with the ABC's, shopping at Target with Mommy, snuggling on our bed, putting on and taking off everyone's shoes, BATH TIME!, your baby doll and other stuffed animals, jumping, spinning, dancing, slumping over my shoulder while I bounce you and chant, "Sack of potatoes, sack of potatoes!," fake cell phone calls to Dadoo, walking hand in hand with me to check the mail each day, practicing letters with sidewalk chalk, 'riding the horsey' on my knees, snuggling with Milly, your activity table that sings and lights up, hiding behind a chair or in a closet to read, bouncy balls, your Etcha-sketch, "helping" with the laundry, and putting things away: you LOVE helping put away clothes, toys, ANYTHING, and before we leave to go somewhere, you like to pick up the stuff you've been playing with. ;)

-You are going to be a big sister in just a few short weeks, and, while you are way too young to understand what this means, we've tried working on being gentle and sweet to your new baby doll to get in some practice. ;) I kind of can't fathom you being old enough to be a big sister, but you two will be buddies...I just know it. I couldn't pick a better little lady to be D's big sister, and I know you will show her the ropes. :)

-Words you say/use/understand: Melmo (Elmo), banana, cheese, milk, juice, cereal bar, pouch, Mum Mum, snack, bite, cracker, noodles, apple, meat, outside, down, please, thank you, boo boo, paci, shoes, bow, cat/meow, bear, bird/birdie/cheep cheep, duck/quack (sounds like 'coowack coowack'), horse/neigh, cow/moo, mouse, chick, monkey/oooh oooh, puppy/woof woof, tiger, bunny, ball, book, yum yum, Mommy, Dadoo, Papa, Mimi, Nama, Schmoo, Riley, Rachel, baby, holding your finger over your lips and saying, "Shhhhh," uh oh, see? (can I see that?), Bobby (your car seat bear), yellow, blue, tree, house, cup, nose, toes, knee, tummy, hair, eyes, head, arm, toes, butt cheek (Daddy taught you that...)

-It seems like you learn a new word every hour, so I've just stopped listing them! I can't keep up. It is amazing how you've turned into a little sponge over the past few months. I'm telling you, after you got the tubes put into your ears, it was like a whole new world was out there to learn and explore!

-You are still our Juicy Penningtons, and it cracks us up EVERY single time....! ;)

-For the past four months, you've really taken an interest in letters. You have been able to recognize and say all of your letters for awhile now (thanks to starfall.com!), and now you're showing an interest in learning numbers and colors. So far, you know the numbers one, two, five, and nine, and you kind of understand your colors. ;) We aren't pushing it on the learning, but when you show interest in your letters and numbers, we of course encourage you onward! Hearing your sweet little voice as you say letters while we are out and about is one of my favorite sounds of all. :)

My sweet girl, I can't express to you just how much you fill up our lives.

You are precious.

You are a gift from the Lord.

And I can't ever begin to deserve the privilege of being your Mom.

I'll love you forever,

Mommy