From Sun to Snow Days...

Some called it the ice-polcalypse then it turned to "blizzard" conditions in Dallas. However, here is how the previous week ended. It was gorgeous 70 degrees or close to it anyways. We got to take a walk or two. It was so cute to see Makena, Daddy, and Riggins playing in the green belt or "park" as we like to call it. Daddy and Makena were taking turns throwing the ball to Riggins while Brooklyn and I watche from the sidelines. I have to say it was great to be out of the house those days. I was a little sore afterwards but it was totally worth it. The sunshine felt great! One of our first walks.

Then after the ice hit, we spent a lot of time indoors. Learning how to operate the computer.

Early morning with Daddy: "Daddy, you look like you need to go back to sleep."

Ice days are so exhausting...

Elmo time...must have all three blankets and the paci.

"Sisters"

Fun time in the snow that followed the ice...at least 4 inches. Like Makena's boots. Didn't do much good when she decided to sit in the snow rather than walk in it.

Tasting the snow...remember don't eat the yellow snow.

Snow covered backyard.

Riggins catching snowballs.

Fun times with Daddy!

"Mom, this stuff is fun!!"

It may have shut down DFW, but we had a great time!

Winter Storm 2011

Riggins was the only one that braved the cold today! After rain, then sleet, then snow this is what we were left with...not to mention chilly winds and temperatures in the teens. We spent the day indoors with a warm fire thanks to Don. So very glad Don is still home to help out.

Brooklyn is 2 weeks old!

We visited Dr. T on Brooklyn's 2 week birthday for her check-up. She weighed 8 lbs 3.2 oz and was 20 7/8 inches long. She is still approximately 11 ounces under her birth weight, which will require us to go back for a weight check in a week. Dr. T wasn't too concerned since we don't really know Brooklyn's lowest weight (she left the hospital at 8 lbs 1 ounce) and due to the fact I had some issues nursing initially. However, since nursing has gotten much better and she seems to be having plenty of diapers, she assumes everything will be just fine but wants to make sure Brooklyn is gaining weight.

Happy 4th Birthday Riggins...Remembering Copper

Happy birthday to my very first baby. Isn't he such a handsome guy?!?!?! Love you Riggins. You have taught us a lot.

Five years ago I said yes to the man of my dreams. It was the coldest temperature I have ever felt on Copper Mountain in Colorado, not to mention I was very sick. After pizza with the gang and a trip to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, we made a stop on the beautiful bridge of Copper Mountain and he popped the big question. I remember going into the Starbucks afterwards and getting to surprise all of my friends with the most beautiful ring. I think there were even screams...or squeals from a few of them. I love you Don and am glad you asked!

Happy Birthday BROOKLYN KENNEDY!!

So much to blog so little time, but here is the start to lady Brooklyn's journey. We scheduled for Brooklyn to arrive on January 14th (two days after our due date) if she didn't decide to come before then. Our prayer was for her to decide to come on her own so we would know she was ready to be in the world. Also, we prayed for a sign to tell us how to get Brooklyn here safe (normal delivery or c-section).

To make a long story short, the day of Wednesday, January 12th started at 1:47am for me. I woke up and my back was hurting but pregnancy makes that normal. So I took a trip to the restroom and climbed back in bed. A few minutes later I heard a little voice say "Momma". So a little after 2am Makena joined us in bed. In hindsight, I think she may have been aware that something was changing. By 3am, I noticed my contractions were more intense. Then by 4am, I decided to take a shower to see if the contractions (~6 minutes apart) would stop. I woke Don up to let him know. By 4:45am, it was time to call the doctor with contractions anywhere from 2-6 minutes apart. After making a few calls and dropping Makena off at the Davis' house (Thanks Amy and Brian for keeping our precious girl all day!!) we reported at the hospital by 5:45am. After pretty quick progress to 8 cm, meconium discovered in the amniotic fluid, no progress to dialate, and Brooklyn's heart rate starting to show signs of distress, we decided God gave us the sign we needed to go to a c-section. The c-section ended up being very painful for me but our joy was shouted to the heavens at 1:43pm when BROOKLYN KENNEDY CARROLL entered the world. She weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and was 19 inches long...a chunky little thing compared to Makena. Brooklyn is beautiful and looks a lot like Makena.

We thank God for his guidance through the pregnancy, labor, and delivery as well as all of the family and friends supporting us.

Here are a few photos capturing Brooklyn's debut:

After being cleaned off in the operating room.

Look at our chunky monkey.First photo with Mom and Dad (Momma is looking a little exhausted). Being shown to the paparazzi (or family as we like to call them).After a very long and confusing day, Makena meets her sister for the first time.

Family photos...

A few family photos before Brooklyn's arrival. Even though it was only 30 degrees out, we managed to get some really good ones.

20 Months for Makena

In 20 months, a girl does a lot of changing. As a mom, I know there will be so many more changes to experience and am looking forward to every one of them. Makena is really growing up. This month has brought on more words, more opinions, and more laughs than a mom could ever wish for. She loves to be tickled and tickle herself....yes, tickle herself. Usually the tickling herself takes place in her high chair after a meal. She says "tickle, tickle" and then tickles her belly, which usually is followed by a big belly laugh. She is precious!!

Makena loves seeing her friends at church, ladies bible class, and small group. Her nightly routine still includes a bible story, story of choice, a prayer and sometimes a song. She goes to bed really easy most of the time as long as her paci and blanket are nearby.

She is continuing to perfect her ball throwing with Riggins, who has yet another new name. First it was "dog", then "Gins", then "Ruff, ruff", now "riggins".

We had pictures taken before Brooklyn's arrival and I thought these really captured my little...soon to be not so little....girl.

(pics by Jennifer F.)

Tic Toc, Tic Toc...

I went to the doctor today and Miss Brooklyn is still snug as a bug in a rug. I haven't really progressed any further than before. I am slightly under 2 cm and 50% efaced (no, didn't go backwards, but it is a subjective measurement). Due to the events we went through with Makena's delivery, we have decided that we will deliver via c-section next Friday the 14th unless Brooklyn decides to make her debut before then. So the offical clock has started.

Our prayers are continually lifted for our little bundle of joy and for guidance in any decisions we will need to make along the way.

May God bless any of those that are hurting or in pain today as I know there are some out there.

Pregnancy Update: Week 39

We started off week 39 at Dr. Peters' office on Wednesday, the 29th of December. He is a perinatologist recommended by Dr. Ramos to get another weight check on baby Brooklyn. The tech calculated that Brooklyn's weight was estimated to be 7 lbs 13 oz as of that date. I was a bit shocked but then she proceeded to tell us that the estimate could be as much as 19 ounces off. I don't think we have changed our minds about how to go forward with labor and delivery after our discussion with Dr. Peters. He said Brooklyn's size should not be a factor. We talked about the same risk factors we talked about with Dr. Ramos and Dr. Staud, but there hasn't been any medical reason to go straight to a c-section at this point.
On Thursday night, I had contractions every 10 minutes for a couple of hours but they didn't seem to intensify or get closer together. Then again on Tuesday morning from 4:30 - 5:30 AM every 10 minutes. The ones on Tuesday were more painful than the others. It could be because I was in bed, but they stopped or became less frequent after that hour. All I can hope is that these contractions are helping me progress in some way. We go back to the doctor tomorrow to see Dr. Ramos.

Although, I haven't cleaned any baseboards yet, there has been a lot of organization, catching up from the holidays and finishing projects over the last few days. I haven't required naps quite as often (except for the two days I only slept about four hours at night).

I can't wait to meet my baby girl and start to learn her personality. Will she be a sleeper like her big sister or out spoken from the beginning?!? Will she look like Makena in any way? Will her little eyes be blue like daddy's or brown like mommy's? Will she have hair? So many questions but I guess we will have our answers pretty soon. May God continue to hold her in His hands as we go through this transition.

New Years Day Football

Brad, Jack, Laine and Don got together on New Years day for some football watching and chili at our house. Kate, Dana, Jackson and Ryan also came to play for a little while.

Jackson and Makena had dinner together at the big kid table.They had great conversation.Makena spent more time playing with her new Alphie.

New Years Celebration

We spent New Years Eve with some great friends (Conleys, Ewings, Kreneks, Romy and Jessica). Thanks Jack and Jenny for hosting. We played a game of Scene It, which I think the guys won...I can't believe I am admitting that. The Conleys and the Carrolls finished out the night with a game of Ticket to Ride. Here are a few images capturing the evening of fun. Maggie and Makena discussing something very important.

Lisa watching Macie on the Zebra...such a big girl.
Makena taking a turn on the zebra.

Great entertainment for all ages...magnet blocks. I think Michael even took at turn.

The boys...20+ years of friendship and counting...Jenny and Colton...missed taking pics of Caden.Jackson and Dana. Jackson was a little too busy to take a picture with his mommy.Off to the races on Noah's Ark.I added this picture to demonstrate Makena's obsession with shoes. She wanted her shoes on which Daddy changed her diaper and put on her PJs.