Things to Remember

Claire:

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  The perfect way to describe Claire is to say that she's definitely a girl. Very emotional. High highs and low lows :) Very different than Ellie. Ellie was very content 98% of the time. But I love their differences. I can't wait to see how it all plays out when they're older.


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  Claire BITES when we nurse! OUCH! Again, something Ellie never did. She's not crazy about the whole eating process in general. She only wants to eat to get it done and have a full belly. She doesn't linger, which is nice. But I love the sweet moments when she takes her time and her and I get to have a little one-on-one time.


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  She doesn't like food at all right now. She acts like I'm torturing her! Little stinker.


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  She has a few nicknames that she responds to like stinky & missy Lou! :)


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  Of all people, Ellie can make her laugh the most- melt my heart.
  

Ellie:

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  She is talking up a storm these days! I just love it. My favorite thing she says/asks is "What's that it is?"- translation- "What is that?" Haha! It is so cute.


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  Every night when I put her to bed, we have to re-enact the last part of the Tangled movie when Rupunzel and Eugene hug and kiss- too funny. She lays in bed and we both look at each other like we've never met and say "Eugene!" then hug and kiss. We always do it, no matter how tired she is, she always remembers :)

Just a few things I want to remember about this time in my life right now. Having kids is so much fun!

P.S. I'm already ready for another one! No joke.

Toddler Tuesday: Art

During the time I was breastfeeding Claire, THIS happened! Hahaha! I ran to grab the camera to snap a quick picture, then it all went downhill from there. Ellie was covered in paint, even her hair (which you can't see here, it's on the other side), and then my dog ran in and put his paws in the paint...needless to say there was a big mess to clean! If there are ever moments you really feel like a mom, this is definitely it! I did get a good laugh about it though, and Ellie was super proud of herself!

Oh my sweet girl. Since my last postings, Ellie's whining has REALLY improved. I think her understanding that it does nothing for her has changed things. She has been so much fun lately! She's really taking more of an interest in playing independently, which has been SO NICE for me :) And it's a lot of fun to just sit and watch her do her thing! Lately she is really into singing & dancing- just like her momma! :) I love it.

Only in Arizona...

Can you play outside, just a few days shy of November, in your swimsuits! May seem crazy, but I DID use warm water and the girls thought it was great!

Ellie & Scarlett

Sweet girls :) Look at both of their blue eyes!

Phoenix Children Museum- Family Time!

A few weeks ago we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum :) We had SO much fun taking Ellie around and letting her explore. She would've never left! It's $9 a person, but worth every penny! I think that's actually pretty reasonable considering you can be there the entire day. Here are some pictures of our trip:

Ellie in the split pea scooping section of the little grocery store :)
Ellie & Daddy playing with the cool colored sand!

Making paper leaves in the art room...

Climbing down the crazy contraption they just built! Boy is that hard to do when your'e not 2 feet tall!

All 3 of us at the top (did you notice we are all looking & smiling?!)

2010 Camping Trip! FINALLY!!

This was our campsite! Beautiful, eh?! We went to the same exact spot last year & loved it, so we thought it fitting to give it another go around :) We even had the tarp to keep us dry in case it rained- it didn't, but it's always a lot of fun to watch the guys struggle to put it up- he he!

We had a bit of a smaller group this year- just 4 couples. But it was nice :) This is the guys before going on their traiditional Man Hike- guns, walking sticks & all! They had a good time as usual and even got to shoot their guns a few times.

Ellie hanging out by our inflatable boat we took out on the lake. Adam and I went on a little "date" for about 5-10 minutes trying to explore the lake on this thing- unfortunately, we had to come back after those 10 minutes because little ol' me wasn't feeling too hot- pregnancy woes! But we tried!

Ellie taking a bath in the wilderness! This was her, happy...before she experienced the cold water and hated it! Poor thing! She also ended up getting an ear infection while we were there- and we were pretty camped out- so we packed up early and went home :) So did everyone else though, so we didn't have to be the party poopers! P.S. It was definitely quite as challenging to have a toddler camping as I anticipated! Naps were non-existent, it was warm, and she was EVERYWHERE! I'm sure next year will be a little better- I hope!

The only picture we took of all of us! I love my family :) I have so so so so much life to catch you up on! This trip was the first weekend in September, and tons has happened since then. One of the MOST EXCITING things is happening tomorrow since we are finding out if our little baby is a boy or girl! To say "I can't wait!" is simply an understatement!!! It's 23 hours away!!!!!!!!

Love,

Happy Friday!

The most recent picture of all of us- I haven't been good at taking pics lately :(

So, what's been going on here ? .....

Nothing too exciting. In the picture I posted, we were all headed to Adam's basketball game. He joined a league for the summer, and I'm sad to report that they didn't win 1 measly game! It was a lot of fun going to watch him play though :) Ellie loved cheering on #7 and was really sad when she saw him play and couldn't go out to the court to see him.

This past week Ellie got a double ear infection! Poor baby! She had a high fever one night and I called my pediatrician, and he said that if she still had a fever that lasted for 3 days then to come in....well it just kept getting worse(104-106 temps!!) and low and behold, it was in both ears! I felt so bad for her. She is such a tough little girl though. Still SO happy even though she was SO sick. Gotta love that :) She is on the mend though, thank goodness!

I am still plagued with pregnancy sickness and might I say that it has been INTENSE this time around! Some days it lasts from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night :( I'm 8 weeks on Monday, so I just keep telling myself that I need to last 4 more weeks....Seems like forever!

A lot of my anxiety is gone about this pregnancy. I just feel really good about it. And I feel God constantly telling me to trust Him. So trust I shall! I feel like I have been seeing a ton of babies lately and it's getting me REALLY excited :) I love the newborn stage of checking out their environment, eating, then sleeping. Such a simple life. And one of the easiest times (in my opinion so far) of having a baby. I'm glad that part comes first!

Have a great weekend!

Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ellie Grace Porter

3 Months & 1 Day.

Happy.

Beautiful.

Lovely.

Sweet.

Precious.

I love you baby girl.

- Mommy

Hello Out There!

Sorry to leave you with the last post and then NEVER update! Things included/not-included in this post:

1) Jacob
2) Ellie
3) Breastfeeding
4) Lack of new pictures! Ugh...I haven't been home too much and my mom doesn't have any good ones! Dangit!

Jacob

Since we found out a little over a month ago, Jacob has been doing fairly well. Adam's parents decided to do a naturopathic treatment on Jacob and it seems to be taking. Most of his days are spent in bed since he isn't up to running around, so most days Adam and I are over there just hanging out, playing games, and watching re-runs of Gilligans Island! I forgot how funny that show was :) We are hoping to get another MRI done sometime in the near future to see if the tumor has shrunk any. Supposidly (spelling?) the stuff that he is on should be able to reduce the tumor after 6 weeks of using it...so please pray that his body will respond to this treatment! We have people asking all the time about ways that they can help. Adam and I have decided to be very frank about that. It feels weird to do, but right now it seems totally necessary. Adam and I have opened an account for his family to recieve anonymous donations. We are basically trying to raise enough money so that his parents can get by for a few months and solely focus on getting Jacob in a better state and develop and solid routine. If anyone is interested, feel free to send me an email :) Other than that, we feel encouraged. The Lord is definitely among us, guiding us through, keeping us sane (to the best of our abilities anyways) and has been so gracious by showing us small signs of healing already. Praise God. But WAY MORE than money, we would be so thankful for your prayers. We know we have the great Healer on our side, and that he can make miracles. And since He can do that, we are asking for it.

Ellie

Oh my sweet precious girl. Words can't even describe the joy she brings to my life. I am glad to report that little miss is sleeping through the night! Well, she has been for a while now...about 4 weeks! People always come up to me and say "You must be SO tired" ( do I look it or something?!) and it's so cool to say that I'm actually really well rested! She isn't a crier...only if she is hungry or tired, and those things are easy to fix. All in all, we have a awesome little girl! And as soon as I possibly can I will upload some pictures!

P.S. Since Ellie is such a good baby, Adam and I are ready for our next one...I mean REALLY ready...as in we are not preventing it from happening......Whoo-hoo!!!!!

Breastfeeding

Bloody breastfeeding. You were NOT my friend- in fact my enemy for a long while. You cost me 2 ENTIRE months of 7 breast infections...but I was determined and SO glad to say that I won the war!!! About a month ago Ellie started breastfeeding like she'd been doing it her whole life. Little stinker. But boy is life a million times easier now! No feeding , then pumping, then feeding, then pumping....half of my day has been given back to me. It's awesome. Now I'm just hoping that my milk stays in...

So there you have it friends, my life, in a TINY nutshell. I haven't been able to even touch on emotion...you know I like to that...but it will come. Thank you for your prayers and hopefully I will be blogging MUCH MORE frequently in days to come!

By the way, did anyone see Julie & Julia and think it was as AMAZING as I did?! I was inspired to go through a cookbook myself after that!

Love, Krystle

WHEW!!------1 Month Already?!

I have been a total blog-slacker. I give myself all the grace in the world though :) This past month has been FULL of ups & downs. More ups than downs, so that's good news! It's been a rough but awesome transition into mommy-hood. Ellie is nothing short of AMAZING. So cute, so fun, & already developing a little personality. Breastfeeding is nowhere to be found...I am pumping and doing the bottle...she will have NOTHING to do with my twins unfortunately. But that's ok...she's getting the good stuff, and that's all that counts :)

Right now I'm having a much needed break. Listening to some John Mayer, catching up on other blogs, and I may, I repeat, I MAY even be able to take a shower! Cross your fingers...my poor husband has to deal with stinky me all the time! Ha ha! Crazy how priorities change.

Here is our past month in pictures...ENJOY!

Our first day out...sorry for the blurry picture!
Week 2

Mommy, Daddy, & Ellie out for dinner & shopping!

Mom & Dad still feeling the LOVE....Lots of it!!

Daddy & Ellie sharing some smooches :)

1 Month Old! Family Pic

Ellie-1 Month Old- Rockin' her Birthday Suit!!

How cute is that face?! Seriously...she kills me.

Little Sleeper...

All washed and relaxed...

Love, Krystle

Adjusting

Boy how I'm learning what that means in these early weeks of being a new parent! Today is my first day of being home all by myself with Ellie. I have been so nervous for this day to come. I feel like I have been so spoiled having Adam home these past few weeks, and since we don't ever get tired of each other- seriously, we don't- it has been tough! I miss him like crazy. And I know he misses us too...

I think I had an image in my head of what it would be like to be a mom, and so far, it's not exactly what I thought. The toughest part so far has been the continual trouble with breastfeeding. I'm so determined and not giving up- at least for a while- and it starts to take a toll at times. I know that it's only for a short period of time in the grand scheme of things, so that gets me by most days. Also, no one really talks about all the pain AFTER giving birth! That was so rough!!! I wondered why people didn't say that you wouldn't even want to drink water in fear of having to get up to go to the bathroom later! Or how you would be absolutely TERRIFIED of going #2 in fear of something else falling out too! Or how you would rather chop off your boobs than TRY to attempt breastfeeding one more time... Sorry if that was too much information, but it needed to be said....Ha ha! Hopefully no men read my blog!

Another thing that I didn't expect were the fears that come with parenting! Before I had her, I thought that since I always wanted to be a mom, that I would just naturally do a good job and be really confident. Lately though, I find myself praying for EVERYTHING! I get serious too, laying hands on her and all! I am so terrified of something bad happening to her. When some people hold her, it totally freaks me out and I want to snatch her back. I get this feeling that if I knew that at the time I could have prevented something from happening and didn't, that I would never forgive myself. So, to all you parents out there, how do you balance that out? I don't want to be a crazy, over-protective momma, but it's so difficult since I am the one responsible for her. Whew! So much to think about!

Most of all, I know that fear is NOT something instilled in us from our amazing God. He is pretty clear in that we can NOT add a single day to our lives by worrying or being anxious. I think I need to cling to that truth more often. I'm pretty sure I will lose my sanity if not.

Even though this has been a total adjustment period, I wouldn't take it back for the world. Having a baby is one of the most miraculous things in the world. To know that you and the person that you love most in this world, created a life together, is nothing short of amazing. And then to see the one you love, love someone else just as much as you, just in a different way, is pretty amazing too. And when such a little person can make you sob just by thinking of how much you love them, when moments before you were crying because you felt like you were at your end and giving all you had to give, is rather remarkable.

Today

This little woman has been my life lately. Taking all of my energy, thoughts, prayers, & everything else that has to do with me! I can't even describe how having a baby can be one of the most amazing things, and one of the most difficult things all at the same time. Unfortunately, breastfeeding has not really improved much. I'm still really struggling & crying a lot! BUT, I'm not giving up. She's gonna get it eventually. But keep those prayers coming friends!! I know they help :)

Ellie has changed a lot already. Adam and I are SO in love with her. We are the typical "stare-at-your-baby's-every-move" parents. So proud. AND NOT TO MENTION- I have lost 20 lbs already!!! Yay!!!! :) Amidst the tough things, that is something that I am SO grateful for! I'll gladly accept that gift from above!

Today I was having the "woe-is-me's". Feeling so sorry for myself about having little SUCK-cess with breastfeeding. I felt like I was at my end. Then I read this blog, and it reminded me how truly blessed I am. Thank the Lord for transparent people who put life back into perspective. I'm not demeaning my hardships, but it's easier to see the BAD in your situation over the GOOD.

Til next time...

Suprise, Suprise! She's Here!!!

Hey everyone!

Just a quick update to let you know that our little girl, Ellie Grace is here! Almost 2 weeks early!
She was born Sunday, May 17th @ 6:37am. She is absolutely perfect. PERFECT. Adam and I feel so overwhelmed with love for her....amongst being overwhelmed with LOTS of other "new" things to learn :) But it's so worth every tear I have shed so far.

My birth story will be following as soon as I have a little more energy to write.

Love, Krystle

Ellie Grace Porter
First Car ride to the Doctor for 1st Check-Up

Mommy & Ellie a few hours after the delivery :)

Pregnancy Photos Round 2!

Last Saturday we went out with our family friend Jennifer and took our last set of pregnancy pictures. It was so much fun! There was a nice breeze and it was a beautiful day in the mid 80's. Perfect for the beginning of an Arizona summer :) I am SO PLEASED with the way these turned out...we even went when the sun was at the worst point for taking outdoor pictures...But Jennifer is so awesome and took some GREAT shots. Hope you enjoy! We did!!! And if you are interested in getting YOUR pictures done, you should TOTALLY use Jennifer. She is amazing, and so fun to work with...(P.S. She didn't ask me to advertise for her, but we just had such a great experience, that I feel like I CAN'T NOT to it!)

The "16" is Adam's Number. We HAD to take a picture by it!

We were walking by a little boutique, and saw this chair..it was amazing! We hurried and snuck a few shots in!...We're so bad!

Thanks Jennifer!

Oops...Forgot Something!

I forgot to write in the last post that a couple from our church generously gave us a sweet rocking chair! Well, they actually gave us 2 of them, but I wanted to show you the one that we decided to use for Ellie's room. I really wanted just a simple, classic rocking chair, and this one is just perfect!

Also, I have a very TINY theme going throughout her room with one pattern. This morning I made a little cushion/pillow for the rocking chair to fit the theme...Here is what I have so far!

The Crib Skirt up-close and personal
Cushion/Pillow for the Rocking Chair

Emroidery Hoop on Wall

The Rocking Chair! Also, Adam and I are going to sand-down and repaint the chair white to match the rest of the room. What do you guys think? Leave it or paint it?????

Love, Krystle