Will you be my flower girl?

Lucy just got a little tutu and headband in the mail with a note attached...will you be my flower girl? Oh boy! We are so excited. She will be the flower girl in our good friends wedding Kara Mandeville in September. Kara is so sweet to ask Lucy and Lucy is pumped. We put the tutu on right away so we could send a note back saying YES! We got a little carried away! Kara, we are so excited thank you so much!

Birthday Party Fun! Connor is 1!

Our good friends Michael and Brooke's son Connor turned 1 on Thursday. Today was his big birthday celebration. They held the party at the Hooks stadium in the outfield - the venue fits Connor so perfectly as his room is done in a baseball theme. As you know if you keep up with my blog Brooke throws the best parties! Connor didn't really have a theme rather bright primary colors set the stage. There were balloons, polka dot party hats, red riding toys, a rainbow play ground and a colorful spread of food. We enjoyed hot dogs and lots of treats. Lucy carried one cookie in each hand for the majority of the party. My favorite treat there were chocolate covered marshmallows with sprinkles - they were awesome. This was my first time to dress the girls the same. Adam and I bought them a special outfit for this fun party. I was so excited that I took many pictures before we left...LEAVING MY CAMERA BEHIND when it was party time! EEKK! My friend Katie snapped some pictures and I know Brooke will have many for me to have too. But for now I just have this one of Connor eating his cake - what a hoot and of course some of the girls too! The party was a blast and a great time to get together with friends!

One Step Closer

Monday morning my mom had her left knee replaced. My sister Megan who many of you know as aunt Fave and my dad have been with her helping her recover in Tulsa. Of course I wish I could be there but I know I would with 2 little kids I may be a little less help than needed. My sister Jennie is going in a few weeks before her traveling days are over before her second baby is born. I think Megan could now be Aunt Fave and Daughter Fave after all the help she has been to my mom and dad. "Mom did awesome and her surgeon was really happy with his work! She got up and actually walked the same day she had the replacement and continues to heal and make progress! My mom's pain tolerance is crazy!!! The nurses and techs keep asking her about her pain and they can't believe how happy and cheerful she is! Everyone who comes in and works with her says she is doing really great which is uplifting for all of us, but especially my mom. My mom is looking forward to being able to walk pain free which will be the first time for her to experience pain free walking in about 15 years." (copied from Megan's blog)

As my title says "One Step Closer" my mom will finally be able to do many things that she has been wanting to do and the things that top her list; going on walks with my dad and playing golf without pain, taking her grandchildren on walks in the new cool wagon she and my dad have, going for LONG shopping trips with us girls and the possibility of her favorite sport - to play tennis again. We know she has a while to recover they say about 3 months until she will be pleased she went through this!

I am so amazed with my mom, I can just imagine what an incredible patient she was, cheerful, sweet and hard working which I know the doctors and nurses appreciate. Making the decision to do this took a while for my mom but I think already she is so thankful. She is an amazing women - YEAH MOM! We are all so proud of you and love you so much.

A Day all about Lola...Sip N See

Today my good friend Brooke hosted a Sip n See for Lola! It was so amazing. Lola and I had so much fun! We were spoiled by an amazing spread of incredible pink desserts all homemade, pink punch and darling friends. Brooke is an amazing party host, everything was PERFECT. She is so creative and gave everything that extra special touch. Brooke made a banner where she cut out Lola Caroline and hung it at our front entrance. She also made truffles, cupcakes, strawberries and fruit dip, macaroons, raspberry chocolate cookies, strawberry sandwiches and much more. Pictures do not do this justice. Brooke ordered special toppers for the cupcakes that were specialized with an "L" for Lola. I am blessed by so many amazing friends. I enjoyed so much chatting with my girlfriends, passing Lola around and enjoying a girls day. Lola was awake for maybe 10 minutes the whole time which was funny considering the party was for her but we didn't mind she was so sweet to look at! Brooke, words do not describe how grateful I am for your friendship. You have gone above and beyond for me and my family. I love you to pieces and am so thankful for the Milam family! Lola on her special day
The beautiful spread
"L" cupcakes

Yes, Brooke made this

Connor and Lucy hanging out while we got ready. While Brooke and I celebrated Lola, Lucy had a play date with Connor - the Daddy's were in charge. They all went our for pizza and played a little wii!

The girls!

Lola and Mommy

Brooke, Lola, Lucy and I

Libby is my friend Leslie's baby - I loved this picture - she joined Lola in enjoying a nap during the party!

Saying Prayers

Last night at dinner Lucy was sitting in her high chair, Lola in her bouncer on the table and Adam and I were finishing putting dinner on the table. Lucy already had her food and was eating. Adam and I sat down and were just talking. We looked over and Lucy had her hands together with her head down - MELT OUR HEARTS! Then she looked up at us like "okay let's say our prayers". Adam said our prayers and at the end Lucy raised her hands and shouted "AMEN". What a rewarding night for Adam and I to enjoy...all the times we stop her from eating to pray, paid off that night. Our little girls are such amazing blessings to us!

Lola's First Smile!

Yesterday was a big milestone for Lola, she gave us her first real smile. She was so precious! Lucy was playing in the living room tickling all of her dolls and then came over to Lola and in a very sweet little voice she said "tickle tickle tickle". Lola smiled from ear to ear. I then had to give it a try and yes she smiled on cue. It was so awesome seeing her eyes connect to mine and really smile. It made my day! She is changing so much each day, I can't believe she is 6 weeks old. God's true blessing is children and I am so lucky to be the mom of two of the greatest little girls!

Now the only thing that stinks about this is I didn't have my camera close by however here are some more attempts of me capturing that sweet face minus her smile. I know smiling pictures will be posted soon enough.

Mama I Pee Pee

Yes! You read this title correctly! Lucy has begun potty training. This post could be too much info for some of you but bare with me. I really wasn't thinking this would come this early but about 2 weeks ago Lucy told me she went pee. I decided it was time to get out our little potty to help her. The next day she said it again, I didn't know what to do and I haven't read up to learn what I should be doing so I put her on our toilet and there you go...she went and whats even cooler she went poop. She cried as she was pooping and I celebrated so much that she joined in the fun. We were clapping, yelling and dancing around the bathroom. I wasn't even prepared for a sticker or a treat. Well that was enough for her to continue. The next day...poop in the potty! We were out to dinner for Adam's birthday, while sitting at the table she told me she needed to pee - and yes at the restaurant she went. So I am thinking she was getting the hang of it. Well yesterday she once again told me she needed to pee. I took her into the bathroom she took her diaper off - STOOD over her little pink potty and pee peed like DAD!?!?! OH NO! I didn't know what to do. She was yelling "I peed" and began to clap and dance...what did I do - clap and danced too, I was pleased even if she was peeing like a boy. It was so funny. It is true the saying "be careful what you do, they will follow EXACTLY". We are on our way. Now if we can get more than one potty time a day - that is our next goal! We will keep you updated!

Sweet Lola

Precious Lola is doing so great. She is 5 weeks old and very alert. She works hard to find her thumb but is enjoying her paci. She is a great sleeper, eater and we are even proud to say we have gotten a few smiles already! Lucy is in love with her little sister and makes sure she gets as many kisses as possible though out the say. Lola had her first play date today and was great. She slept while her big sister played with Connor, Parker and Sydney.

As all newborns do in the hospital Lola had a PKU and newborn screening. At her first Dr. appointment we found out that her thyroid levels were not exactly where they should be. Yesterday we had our doctor’s appointment with the endocrinologist for Lola. It was a very uplifting positive visit for all three of us, Adam, Lola and I. Dr. Amaral is her doctor’s name and she spent about an hour with us going over and teaching us what exactly is going on with Lola. It made us feel really good and armed us with information.
The way she explained what is happening in terms that were very easy to understand: Lola’s thyroid was born “sleepy” so her pituitary gland which is in the front of her brain has had to work extra hard to tell the thyroid gland to produce more hormone. The pituitary gland would yell at Lola’s thyroid over and over throughout the day. So her thyroid was producing this but her brain was just working hard to make sure it was getting done. This means at no time has Lola gone without this extremely important hormone. The medication that they put her on at day 8 was to “wake up” her thyroid so her brain could have a rest. The doctor said after you yell and yell at someone over and over for the same thing you get tired and quit. Same with her brain if she was not on this medication at some point to wake up her thyroid her pituitary gland would just quit communicating this information and at that time she would have gone without the hormone and that is when the problems could have occurred.
Praise God this did not happen and that there is medication to help her thyroid. Our thyroids are very important to our bodies especially from birth – 3 years helping with brain development and motor skills. This is why Lola will be on this medication for the next 3 years. They still have not determined that she truly has congenital hypothyroidism but she said in newborns they take extreme measures to make sure this hormone is working.
Lola will go visit Dr. Amaral every 2 months to get her blood drawn and check her levels to make sure they are where they should be – which they will be because of the medication. If they are high or low at any point she will adjust her dosage. The only chance in the next 3 years Lola could be taken off this medication is if she goes from being Hypo to Hyper in that case that means her body is producing the hormone on its own and she could slowly be taken off the medication. Which would be amazing!
Tomorrow we will go and have a sonogram of Lola’s thyroid. Dr. Amaral says it can either be positioned wrong or it could just be small. In any case it will give us more information as to why her thyroid is supposedly not doing its job.
There are not side effects to this medication. If she does have this it is helping her and if she doesn’t have it and if the hospital test were incorrect we will know because she would start showing signs of hyper. Hypothyroidism happens in about 1 in every 4000 babies and there is no known cause of it.
Lola is doing amazing, hasn’t missed a beat and is awesome with her medication. She is growing to a whopping 9.12 lbs right now and measuring perfectly. She is a total joy and changing everyday. It is amazing how a simple blood test can share so much about her body. So mommy’s when you go have your baby be extra thankful for that PKU test and newborn screening! What an amazing world we live in where this medication can do everything for Lola that she needs.
Adam and I are so grateful and are thankful that all is well. Thank you for your prayers and as you can see from reading the above we are doing GREAT!

Happy Birthday Adam!

Dasiy and Lucy
A family pic - Lucy was thrilled!

Lucy and Lola with Grandmom and Poppy

Checking for more Christmas gifts

Lucy sitting at her new table

On January 10th my darling husband turned 29! We had a great weekend by celebrating with his parents in town. They came to celebrate Christmas with all of us and Adam's birthday. We stayed out in Port A at their friends Condo, it was beautiful we were overlooking the ocean. We have been lucky enough to stay there one other time, when Lucy was 6 weeks. It was really fun to stay with Lola being 4 weeks old it brought back fun memories. Buzz and Daisy also spoiled all of us with amazing Christmas gifts. Daisy is such a great shopper. She bought the girls darling outfits, she discovered Gymboree and Old Navy kids clothes - so cute! She also bought the girls a little tea table in which Lucy has been sitting at every single day. Today actually at play date the kids all colored at the table...a precious picture!

A Night Out!

Lola 4 weeks old
Connor & Lucy

I loved this picture...we are learing to share

Michael took really good care of LolaSit and Spin

Lucy decided to go snuggle on Brooke and Spencer - "don't mind if I do" - Lucy

We tried our best for a pic with the kids, mine just didn't turn out too great.

Our good friends the Milam's are unbelievable friends. I have blogged about them many times so if you follow my blog you already know them. They are so amazing. Last night they had our family over for dinner and playtime for the kids. It was so much fun! Their son Connor and Lucy are at the age they can enjoy and play with each other. That is just what they did last night...play play play. We had a wonderful dinner and during dinner Lucy and Connor entertained us. One would yell the other would laugh, then the other would yell - you get it back and forth. They were cracking each other up. Then they finished dinner and headed to play. Brooke and Michael have the most fun kid toys...of course as they wanted to play with the same toy. Connor thought it was funny and as you can tell from the pics Lucy wasn't too pleased, which made the situation even funnier. OK, and we had lasagna for dinner that is why Lucy is lacking a shirt, we don't normally go to friends houses missing our shirt. Brooke is also hosting a sip n see for Lola at the end of the month so we can show sweet Lola off to our friends. We are so dang lucky to have the Milam's as friends and neighbors. Thank you Brooke, Michael & Connor for a fun night out!

What a Circus!

Popcorn!
Yes, Katie made this cake!

Check out this spread

Dad and Lucy in the bounce house

Look at this cutie

The kids had a blast!

Lucy just finished checking out all the games

Katie and Ryan with the cake

Lola and Mr. Clown

I just loved this picture. I noted in a few posts ago that Lucy is enjoying taking off her diaper...this is what I found when I went to the kitchen a naked shopper.

Sweet Lola is getting more and more alert each day. I can't get over how much she has changed.

This past weekend Lucy and Lola were invited to a friends birthday - a darling circus theme. My friend Katie is so amazing and threw a party for her 3 year old Layne and her 1 year old Elliot - a duel celebration. The party was fantastic. Katie and Ryan know how to throw a party! I had to take pictures because I knew I would not be able to explain it in the detail I would want. There was a bounce house, carnival games - age appropriate so the younger kids could enjoy, circus food all homemade - candy apples, cotton candy, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn - you name it. A cake that was unreal and YES homemade by Katie and her mom. There was even a clown - Katie's dad dressed up for all the kids to see! It was awesome! We had such a wonderful time. Happy Birthday to 2 of our sweetest little friends - Layne and Elliot

Thankful!

This post is long overdue but I have had a hard time writing it. There are no words to describe how thankful I am to our family that came to help with Lola and Lucy in the month of December. I get teary thinking Lola is already a month old. Honestly, I ask myself the questions, Where does time go? I still find it hard to believe that I am holding my second baby girl when I feel enough time hasn't passed to still be Lucy this size. Adam and I were beyond blessed with the help of every single person in our family. We are so lucky that everyone got to meet Lola and spend quality time with Lucy. When Lola was born Adam's parents, my dad and my sister - Fave were all at the hospital for her arrival. They took shifts on visiting Adam, Lola and I in the hospital while the others would spend time with Lucy at our house. Adam and I felt so comfortable while staying in the hospital knowing that Lucy remained in good hands. Lucy felt so spoiled with all the attention and we could not have been more thankful. As we came home from the hospital family continued to pour in my dad was able to be with us for a total of about 3 weeks, my sister Megan (Fave) stayed about 3 weeks, two of which her husband Uncle Hunky - Chris and her dog Diddy joined her, my mom was able to come for 2 weeks, Jennie and Gannon for 5 days, Matt for 3 days and Buzz and Daisy were here for Lola's arrival and we are lucky enough to get to spend more time with them this weekend. Thankful beyond words - here is a bit of what our family did to help. Most importantly loved on our two girls making each feel so special, also getting up with Lucy in the morning so Adam and I could try and catch a few more zzzz's, feeding Lucy breakfast, dishes were always clean, all our our laundry was always done...and put away, meals were cooked, Christmas decorations went up and also down with my families help, diaper changes, bed time stories, going to the grocery store, taking us to doctor appointments, walks in the neighborhood, bathing Wrigley and walking him, vacuuming and sweeping the floors every day. I not only had great love and entertainment here, we had an army of workers. It is unreal what family will do for one another. I hope I am able to do the same for my sisters and parents. It was a magical month for so many reasons and I can't imagine not sharing it with my favorite people in the world. Not really sure if my family keeps up with my blog - I am going to pretend they do...so if so - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - Dad, Mom, Buzz, Daisy, Bird, Matt, Gannon, Megs, Chris and Diddy - our family loves you, thanks you and want you to come back soon! I love you all so much!