Pip is turning 1: Friday Feet

Happy Birthday Pip!

We are so excited to celebrate you this weekend!

And all the way in California...

Samantha : "Roses, roses, and more roses! It has been absolutely lovely. 

And I started running again this week. 

Wish me luck!"

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

#arhfridayfeet

Pip is turning 1: 7 to 12 months

seventh month

eighth month

ninth month

tenth month

eleventh month

twelfth month

Tomorrow is her big day!! I am so thankful for our littlest daughter!

Pip is turning 1: the first 6 months

first month

second month

third month

fourth month 

fifth month

sixth month

Pip is turning 1: birth story

This is Pip's very first birthday week! 
I can't believe it!
Sometimes time seems to move so slow,
but when it comes to my little ones,
I don't think it could move slow enough.

So thinking back to a year ago,
I wanted to share her birth story, but
also I wanted to write it down so I could remember it.

Pip was born in the same hospital as her father.
3 girls born at 3 different hospital in 3 different cities.
We arrived at the hospital @ 5:30,
we checked in and were led to a room.
My doctor came in checked me, 
broke my water with the crazy plastic stick thing, 
ordered the epidural, and 
went to his office.
I labor fast,
I did with the other two and felt like it wasn't going to be too long 
before they were telling me to push.
So we hung out in our room, and chatted with our nice nurse.
Contractions were getting stronger, but I was able to still breathe through them.

Then I got my epidural,
and the anesthesiologist was hilarious. 
I appreciated his jokes because this was the most the epidural had hurt me.
It helped instantly,
but I was still feeling sharp pains on my pelvic bone
with every contraction.
I asked my nurse about it, and she informed me that Pip was resting on that bone,
and the epidural didn't stop the pain on the nerves connected to the bone.
So I still was breathing through contractions,
crying a little, because my pain tolerance is zilch.

"8.
9.
Okay where is Dr. Nilson?"
Those are words you really don't want to hear as a laboring mother.
"Honey, we're going to go try and get ahold of him again.
Let me know if you start to feel lots of pressure."
I looked at Levi,
my great encourager,
giving me ice chips and telling me that I am doing awesome,
and even he seems worried.
While the labor and delivery staff prep our room.
"Do you mind if some students observe your birth today?"
I think they ask you questions as you are mid-contraction 
so you are too distracted to say no.

"Did you get him?" my nurse asked another.
"No."
"He said he would be here in 15 minutes, about 20 minutes ago.
Well, it looks like I might be delivering your baby."

Okay, okay,
so my doctor isn't here,
but 5 med students are-
umm, pressure, I feel pressure, I need to push!
I really really needed to push.
So my nurse gets ready to deliver my baby and says the 
quintessential phrase.
"Okay, on your next contraction, push."


"Hey, I am here!!
Trying to deliver your baby without me?!
You went a lot faster than I thought."
He literally just put on his gloves,
told me to push and her head was out.
He told me to ease up, and made a joke about how 
strong my pushing was,
and I laughed,
the rest of Pip's little body out.
Seriously, pushed her our with a little polite laugh.

She was beautiful and sweet,
with tiny lips pursed.
She latched on immediately,
And Levi and I marveled at our third daughter.

Penelope 
7 lbs 6 oz 
September 27th, 2012.


Born into the world with a laugh,
and has kept us laughing ever since.

Next up: first 6 months of Pip's Life

snapshots

this weekend was humbling.
and full of fun surprises.

started off my friday with a homemade chai tea with homemade whipped cream!

someone was excited about jacket weather!

hot cocoa by our fire friday night!

---

Humbling moment #1: Saturday morning was gorgeous, so I thought I would take the girls to the park to play and swing. As we arrived we noticed tons of cars, booths and loud music, so we thought we would check it out. We walked over to the swings, and stared at all the fun things going on around us. All three girls wanted to swing, and I begun taking turns pushing each. On my third time around, Nora girl yelled, "Push me harder Mama! I want to go so high!" The Cord agreed, "Push me hard too!" So I did, Nora girl giggled. 

And Cord,

well she went flying out of the swing, 

somersaulting in mid air, 

and landing on her bottom in the mulch.

Mother of the year.

All in front of about 400 people.

So I am brushing mulch out of her hair, 

comforting her, 

while Nora girl says, "um Mom, I am slowing down again."

Seriously?! How in the world did I do this?!

Then a kind woman approached me and said,

"All these booths are completely free. Would your girls like to go play? 

We have Horse rides, games, face painting,

inflatable bouncy house and slide, petting zoo, and sno-cones."

Cord instantly cheered up, 

Nora girl pumped her fist, "Oh Yeah!"

(think Vector from Despicable Me)

"Wow, thanks" was all I could say,

still feeling very embarrassed.

Some nice cowboys brought two horses to give kids rides, Nora girl was a natural,
they were amazed at how easy it was for her to get up.
She told them."I love My Little Pony, I watch it a lot."
Cord seemed really sad about her ride,
I am guessing she was being pretty shy to the cowboy riding with her.
All in all it was a great day, and now they both want a horse.

---

Humbling moment #2: 
Sunday was nice and relaxing.
Church was good, convicting good.
In his lesson to the students, my husband brought up Jesus washing the Disciples' feet.
A story I have heard and read numerous times.
But, this time Levi pointed out that Judas had already betrayed Jesus,
and Jesus knew, yet still continued to serve him.
Talk about a gut punch. 
So often when I feel betrayed and let down, 
I feel justified in my good riddance mind-set.
But Jesus, was sent to death because of this man, 
and still He continued to serve him.
This is the submission and love of Jesus, that we are asked to emulate.
(John 13:1-17)

Yup. 
So I will continue to serve and love, 
asking Jesus to help, because I can't do it by myself.


Thank you cool weather for the nice friday evening with my family.
Thank you Kelly B. Todd CP Walk for the fun saturday!
Thank you Jesus for your example and words!
Thank you Best Friend for your teaching and your serving heart!


What was your favorite part of your weekend? 
Did you have any "seriously?!" moments?
Do you feel like a better parent, thinking, 
well at least I didn't push my kid out of her swing? (geez, you're welcome)


Happy Monday all!

it's friday

Samantha of Elah Tree:: 

4 words. Downton Abbey Season Three. 

Oh, and learning to paint in Illustrator and Photoshop.

I love today! 

The drizzly, grey skies, the cool breeze, the two cups of coffee,

the calming drive to Tulsa, the avocado bacon burger, the target browsing, 

all with my fun crazy family!

I had great hopes of capturing our fun adventure to Tulsa today,

but the unpredictable nature of 3 girls under 5,

took all of my attention away from fun pictures of my feet, ha!

this entry is from @mollllyyy! 
Cute shoes Molly!
Follow her for cute pictures of her girls,
and her neat artwork!
don't forget to #arhfridayfeet

love names

The other day at supper,

Nora girl started asking us questions.

I LOVE four year old questions.

---

"Mom, what is my love name?"

After asking her about what she meant, she told us she had 

a beautiful name, and a nickname.

 Next, she asked,

"Is Nora girl my love name? The name you say when you love me very much."

Yes.

She went on to note her sisters' love names,

"The Cord" and "Pip".

Yes.

She even gave us love names,

"Mama-love" and "Daddy-love".

Thank you so much.

because, 
"Everyone has a love name."

True that double true, Nora girl.

---

We sat there completely humbled, feeling overwhelmed with our blessings, 
Nora girl, the Cord, and Pip.
I hope our three girls will always know that they are loved,
not just by us, but by the One who created them.
I also pray for them to love well.
I think its amazing the things that our kids will figure out on their own.

with my loves in Great Smokey Mountains

Do you know your love name?
Do you have love names for your kids?
What are things that amaze you about your Creator and his love?

Friday Feet w/Elah Tree

I am so excited to show you all my feet,

but as a bonus you get to see my sweet friend, Samantha's feet too!

Check out her sweet easy shop here! 

(I won a simple women's wallet and it's super!)

Samantha :: Blogging and sewing take up the majority of my days,

 but this week was filled with painting, baseball (my first Dodgers Game!), 

and late nights of AnimSquad. 

As for me, I really enjoy sidewalk chalk, in the morning with my Nora girl.

(note the crazy baggy jamas)

Especially after late late night talks with awesome friends!

I love being with family.

And it was legitimately cold this morning! Yipeeee!

want to join in on the fun? 

#ARHfridayfeet

autumn senses (here's to hoping)

Ha! Despite the disgusting heat, 

I know that it should be fall!

Here is why...

look at those burnt yellow leaves!

seeing :: Halloween costumes at Wal*Mart... and pumpkins everywhere!

talking :: about how Mama is going to make Wonder Woman, Superman, and Minion costumes for her littles.

smelling :: fires and fall spices. 

feeling ::  an actual cool breeze, which to me symbolizes summer as over, even if days are still rather warm. Summer in Oklahoma feels like there is a constant hair dryer being blown on our town, so I welcome a slight drop in hot, humid temperatures.

reading :: just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and it was awesome, intriguing, a book that had me laughing out loud, crying so hard I made my girls worry, and wishing I wasn't so callous about the hard things that have happened and are happening to our world. The movie comes out November 15th, and I can't decide whether to allow many strangers to see my ugly cry face, or to wait till I can blubber in my own house. 

listening :: to The Oh Hello's per usual. Check out the violinist's sweet mustache, reminds me of my Grandpa Brown.

teaching :: letters and sounds to "Nordie". We are also reading this book on Fairies, and making them houses outside.

planning :: sweet baby Pip's 1st birthday!! Swings, balloons, and of course, chocolate cake! 

crunching :: leaves!! At the park, in our backyard, around the church. Cordie even gathered a bouquet of yellow leaves at the library!

tasting :: Zucchini Bread, reminds me of my mama!

Autumn Zucchini Bread

recipe from my mother, makes about 2 loaves.

1 c. sugar

1 c. packed brown sugar

3 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

a dash of cloves

--mix together--

then add

3 beaten eggs

1 c. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups zucchini, shredded

pour into loaf pans, Bake @ 325* for 1 hour,

then 350* for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy warm with a nice spread of butter over the top and a cup of coffee!

Happy Fall everyone! I hope it cools off soon!