Mommy Meltdown

Yes, it's happened, a mommy meltdown. It is so bittersweet knowing that Mac and Paisley are 10 days away from the anniversary of the day they changed our lives forever when they entered our world. {Pardon the run-on sentence, grammar friends.} Can it be? I know, I know, I say it often. Every month posting, picture and letter has led us to the 'one year', and now it's here.

What makes me most sad? It's the thought of them growing, first off. Their feet and toes won't always be so sweet to smother in kisses. They won't always think it's funny to blow on their belly. I've heard it time and again, and I believe it now more than ever- you're never ready to see them grow. As fast as this year went, I know that each year will pass even quicker, and Mr. Time doesn't care how hard I plant my feet where we are today. 

As I prep for their first birthday party, I am surrounded by memories of our first year. Am I really wishing for sleepless nights? {Crazy, right??!} Oh, my babies, how much I've loved this year with you.

Bear with me as we scroll down memory lane: 

August 2011.

August 17- In the hospital triage having urine tested for protein. I was having labor pains, but I wasn't sure what they were. I was given a concoction of drugs to make my body relax, and we went home a few hours later. On our way out, we saw Frances and Ben being admitted to birth Holden! 

August 18- Wake up, my stomach feels blah. I don't want to eat {surprisingly, considering I could polish off a massive breakfast}. I work on thank you notes off and on, but I can't shake the yuck. I take a shower after The View hoping that will make me feel better. I sit in the shower chair {bed rest = no standing at all for me} and try to let the hot water relax me. It kind of worked. 

1:30- I go to sit in the recliner temporarily moved into our room. I hadn't put the foot rest down, so I kind of leapt {the 230 lb body, ugh} into the chair and SPLAT. Water everywhere... Funny thing, Frances was hurried out of the labor and delivery room because all rooms were full, and her room was needed... by ME! Thanks, France!

August 19, 2011

I labored all night, and they were born at 5:21 and 5:42 am. I didn't get to have 'the moment' I had seen on TV or in pictures. {You know, the one where the mom makes eye contact with the baby and kisses him/her all over.} Dr. Roberts held Mac up briefly, and I asked why his face was bruised {ahem, because he spent over 2 months in my pelvic bone, that's why}. Then he had to get help with his breathing so he was taken aside. 

Then it was time to push Paisley out. I wasn't ready. I needed a time out, but that wasn't granted. Nineteen minutes later {On August 19, mind you... I just realized this}, Paisley Grace was born. I only saw a limp baby for a half second. Then Jordan rushed to be by her as she was "bagged" as they say. She wasn't responsive when she was born- her APGAR was 2. This girl is resilient, however, and she bounced back with a bang! {In her own time, of course.}

At first Paisley came to the room with us, but her blood sugar couldn't be stabilized so she joined Mac in the nursery. Shortly after, we received a phone call that Paisley was being admitted to the NICU for observation and a sugar water IV. Her sugar level pendulum swung on the way to the NICU, and she only required IV fluids and monitoring in her time there. 

Mac came to our room about an hour later. I'm not sure what was going on with him, but he came to me as soon as he could. It truly was a whirlwind, and I was plain exhausted. 

Paisley was discharged from the NICU, and this is your first time together since birth :o)

Two days later, on August 21, we left Erlanger with TWO babies in our car!!

 Our first week home!!!

 One week old pediatric appointment!

 Mac's horrible experience under the bili lights for jaundice- he and I both cried hysterically.

 First {of many!} month pic

Thanks for the walk... and tears! :o)

as always,

ashley

1,180 Miles to Say 'Hello' and 'Goodbye'

Whew. This weekend we did a lot of traveling- 5 states and about 1,180 miles in three days. Our first destination was for Jordan's family reunion in Terre Haute, Indiana. We were going to drive to Nashville Thursday and drive to IN Friday morning, but I was afraid the kiddos wouldn't handle traveling such a far distance (in the daytime) well. So we ventured to IN through a horrific storm (we were the green pin below... and driving into the red and yellow) and pulled into the hotel about 1:15 am.

The next morning we went to visit Jordan's aunts (Aunt Dot and Aunt Patty) and Mamaw. Mac and Paisley and Mamaw napped at the same time :o) Pretty cute. I walked in to see Mamaw watching them squirm in their pack n plays. (We counted, and Jordan put the pack n plays up and down 10 times this weekend.)

GeeP and Mamaw fed Paisley crackers while Mac snacked on pumpkin and yogurt in the high chair. 

Then the cousins started arriving! Lilly played with Kayce and Daniel, and they were entertaining little fish. The party got more fun once our Nashville Allen family came, and all the kiddos enjoyed a popsicle by the pool.

Lilly and her KK... Not sure where Kayce was for this pic. I hope I can get my hands on the three blondes born to us in 2006! (Lilly- 1.11.06, KK 7.12.06 and KC 11.11.06)

The next day was a day at Deming Park. We celebrated Mamaw's upcoming 95 birthday (December 23), and there was a surprise birthday cake for M and P!! So sweet!

 We got to see lots of cousins, aunts and uncles, and Mac and Paisley and Lilly were surrounded by family affection. What a special family to be a part of :o) 

Caroline, Emma and Callie, I promise you can hold these babies next year when they aren't so squirmy. I'll tell them how much you love their pictures and you can be buddies next year :o)

After lunch and cake and visiting at the park, we went back to our hotel to get ready for Jordan's childhood friend's wedding, Blake Holler. 

After the wedding, we changed clothes and packed up the car and headed south. We left a lot later than we wanted, so we stopped at 2:30 am in Lexington. We spent the rest of the night and left first thing the next morning for Knoxville.

I've written about my Grandma Hester here, and on Wednesday, August 1, Grandma Hester went to be with Jesus. In that post, I shared pictures of her recently, but this is how I remember her best-

This picture is from a couple of years ago. Right after she stopped making the best potato candy and fried okra I've ever had. Grandma and Grandpa Hester raised 5 children in a 770 square foot flat top house built during WWII.

My dad gave an emotional eulogy, and my tradition of singing Amazing Grace continued. Grandma Hester, you are missed, but I know you don't miss us! We will see you one day! 

Lilly asked today if Grandma Hester is learning to fly. When I asked her why, she said 'because she has wings now.' This topic has Lilly asking about people living with Jesus, and I am encouraged by her spirit and innocence. 

We took advantage of picture attire, and this is my new favorite family portrait. 

I'll post about our week with Carsen and Bailey tomorrow.. and part two of the penicillin reaction.

as always,

ashley

Performance, Family and Penicillin

Lilly Scott had her weekly camp performance last week. All of the campers perform dances and acrobatics they've worked on during the week. It's stinking cute, I tell ya!

 Paisley and Mac always love watching the kids. Paisley was admiring Lilly Scott's trophy.

After the show, our friend Emory came to play.

 On Friday, Mimi and Geep brought Aunt Lynn to visit us! We went to the Public House, which was absolutely delicious! Afterward, Mimi, Aunt Lynn and I walked around Warehouse Row while Jordan and Geep took the kids home for naps. Lucky kids, they napped and got clothes... :o)

 

We started out with fried green tomatoes topped with a special shrimp salad. For my meal, I got an amazing bacon and pimento cheese burger with home made shoestring fries. So. good...too good to splurge like that often :o)

 

Saturday our favorite cousins came! Carsen and Bailey are here to spend a few days with us, and we are so excited! So far we've worked on birthday party crafts, watched the Olympics, and ventured to Moe's for $6 burrito night! {Pictures to come!}

 Sunday Uncle Jeff came to visit!! He took LS to see Ice Age 4. We took Paisley and Mac to the doctor. P has run a fever in spite of the antibiotic she's taking, and Mac has been pulling at his ear. We learned that both have active ear infections. We switched P to a different antibiotic and were told the bumps that had appeared were likely a viral rash. The fever could have been either. Mac started an initial dose of antibiotic.

 After the first dose of the new antibiotic and a nap, Paisley started sprouting new red bumps...

 ...face... arms... legs...

 We gave her benadryl at bedtime and took turns checking on her. At first the benadryl seemed to work, but as the night went on, the bumps got worse... and worse. 

This morning, she woke up like this:

 WHAT?! 

Poor girl!! I planned to take her to the doctor this morning anyway, but this was awful! We were at the pediatrician at 9 am and were immediately put in a room. Paisley looks pitiful, but her temperament really is pleasant. 

Even as we were at the doctor, the spots started down her neck. We are relieved to have an answer: Paisley is allergic to penicillin and probably cefdinir {the antibiotic she was put on yesterday}. So we are taking her off all medicines to give her sweet skin a chance to heal. Fortunately, her ear infection is improving also. Weighing our options, we need to let her heal without any medicines going into her little body. 
Here's a picture of her tonight-

Please pray for our Paisley Grace. She does well during the day, but at night she's pretty fussy. I can't imagine how itchy or burning this may be, and I wish she could tell me how to make her feel better. Until then, I'll continue to hold her and appreciate that being in my arms is such a comfort to my sweet PGA. :o)

Let's also hope that Mac doesn't have a reaction...

as always,

ashley

Happy 11 Months, M and P!

It's that time again, another month has passed in our journey as a family. Mac and Paisley continue to change and grow every day. I am so thankful to be a mom, period, but I'm even more so blessed to be Mac and Paisley's mom. Cliche, maybe, but it's how I really feel! 

Paisley Grace,

Your favorite game is peek-a-boo, you love applesauce, you are 'fast as a hornet', you pull up on everything, and I've caught you trying to do a pull up on the top of your crib. Yesterday I watched you strategically stand on Mac's back to reach a cord you wanted. You clap when we say 'yay!', and you dance to songs and music. Your hair is getting so long on top, and you still let me dress that beautiful head with a sweet bow. Changing your diaper is difficult unless you have something in your hands. 

We call you Pai Pai, sweet P, Paisley Grace, and P. You adore your big sister Lilly Scott, and you're always watching Mac. My sweet little blossom, I can't begin to say how much you're loved. I think you'll only understand when you are a mama one day. :o)

Mac,

You are a scooting machine! You have a lot more weight and belly to carry than Paisley, so you just scoot... and you're getting fast! You also go from laying to sitting up on your own, and another tooth bloomed last week. 

When you're excited, you flap your arms. It is hilarious, and you know it. We love that you still grunt like the Cookie Monster (on command!) and laugh when we tickle you. You laugh so hard you get the hiccups. Cutie. 

The past couple of nights you've woken up, and I hold you because you've been sick. I cherish these times because they are few and far between-- I won't always be able to rock you in my arms. One day it won't be appropriate for me to nibble your toes or sniff your neck. That makes me sad. You'll always be my sweet boy. I love you with all my heart.

We love watching your relationship. You two are best friends, and where one is, there is the other. I hope it's always that way and that you always have a special relationship. What a joy it is to be part of your lives. My sweet babies. You're almost a whole year old, and what a year it has been?! 

All our love,

Mama and Dada

Your new favorite snack- the whole animal cracker at once!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

  

So I gave you dishes to keep you in the kitchen :o)

 ... and I just ordered us a play yard!

as always,

ashley

Mama's Day Out

Saturday I spent 5 hours away from the kiddos... That's the longest since their birth! I cut out the late afternoon nursing, and it gave me a new found freedom! I got to see one of my favorite celebrities Saturday! I went to the SHE Expo and saw.. Guess who??

Giuliana and Bill Rancic!! They are the cutest, and it was so sweet to see them together. If you're a twitter follower, you know that @GiulianaRancic has tweeted me before, which totally made my week... okay, maybe month ;o)

They told their story and followed with a Q&A. Afterward they did some improv autographing, and of course I wasn't prepared! They were escorted off the stage before too long, but we weren't ready to see them go! So what did we do?? Um, act like 15 year old girls and waited outside the gate where they parked their car. Yes, I'm a nerd. I really just wanted to see what they'd do, and she frantically waved out the window as they drove past us. I didn't get a meet and greet, but I'll settle for eye contact. Maybe next time!

Meanwhile, look what was going on at home...

 Daddy was in charge, and they had all kinds of fun... Please watch this hilarious video!

:o)

as always,

ashley

What. A. Week!!

I say this often, but thank goodness it's Friday!!

We had a head lice scare that put me into overdrive. I sanitized everything- from our heads to our house. We were checked by several people and nothing was found, but the mere thought of being exposed to those critters gave me the itchies for days! Head lice isn't a gross thing, it happens. I had it often as a child, and I know it's easy to get. That's why my mom always advised me to never put things on my head at stores, put my head on the movie theater seats (where most head lice is 'shared') and never ever share hair brushes. I'm so relieved to say that this week we are and always were lice free! Whew! 

Now that you're probably grossed out (sorry, this is our life, ha!), let me move on to runny noses and eyes...

Paisley started having a runny nose Monday. It was clear so I wasn't too concerned, but Tuesday afternoon it turned yellow/green. Ew. Poor girl. She woke up from her nap with the same mucus in her eyes. Lesson learned: tear ducts can secrete mucus as well. As much as she has, I guess it has to come out somehow. 

 Here's Mac on the same day:

After that bath, Lilly and I went shopping. We love coordinating and matching clothes! Lilly's holding Paisley's matching dress.

Then Wednesday happened... Mac started having the same crud P did so we called the doctor and spent Thursday morning (their 11 month birthday) at Dr. Stephanie's office.

 

 This is M and P at dinner Thursday night- they had gotten worse during the day :o( And so was I. (cough, cough, hoarse voice, sore throat and ear pressure)

Thursday night was rough for us all... P woke up a few times because she couldn't breathe, Mac was miserable, and I hoped my eardrum would rupture to relieve the pressure and pain. After I got M and P settled back down, I read to take a benadryl and blow hot air on my ears. It was 2:30 am, and I was running the hair dryer. 

Jordan stayed home with us today, though he's threatened to get a hotel room to avoid our germs. He took care of M and P while I went to the doctor and rested. He also cooked two delicious meals for us. We are so thankful for such a caring daddy!

Unfortunately, the plague has hit our home this week, and our refrigerator is in a drought. Jordan asked if we were moving... ha. ha. ha.

This week's developments (besides the yuck), I got a lot of birthday party supplies purchased, and invitations are printed!! Woo hoo! I have been so fortunate to have an awesomely talented helper, Joanne, from Oh Goodie Designs! She's been great at helping me think of ideas, plan, and design birthday decor!

The rascals turned 11 months this week. I can't believe it. We are only a few shorts weeks from their ONE YEAR! As hard as I try to dig my heels in the ground, time doesn't care. I feel bittersweet about them growing. It's definitely been too fast no matter how we look at it. 

I can't wait for the birthday post to share that Mac has another tooth!! He got his first one the day after his 10 month birthday, and his second one came in the day after his 11 month birthday! Crazy, right?! He also went from laying down to sitting on his own today! Big boy!

And Paisley! Well she has FOUR teeth coming in!! All on the top row, and the pediatrician said they must be playing a role in her sickness this week. Two in a row the first time and four in a row this time... notice a trend?? Why, we do it in multiples, of course. ;o)

And Lilly Scott, what a doll?! 

 Have a happy weekend! 

As always, 

Ashley