Crooked Eyebrow

6 months

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:44:00 +0000

My baby is 6 months old.

I simply cannot believe how much he has grown.

Mr. J, mommy loves you so much.

So, Hi there, like my baby blues?

I babble all the time now.

"da, da, ba, da"

Next I will be asking for the car keys.

Normally mommy makes me lay down next to this bear. Uh, hello?

I am six months and I DO NOT lay down.

She said "smile, baby"

and well, I prefer to suck on my lower lip.

Oh look, tag like things.

I LOVE to play with the tags on everything.

Watch out ladies, I got a hat.

It's hard to resist a man in a hat.

Wanna see me pose?

OMG, mom, you put my butt on here?

(how could a mom not)

And then I gave mommy this look.

She died from my cuteness.

The. End.

scratch that one off the bucket list...

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:36:00 +0000

So there was a thought a month ago that I would start running.
Since then I have had shin splints, fitted for new shoes and then had calf pains.
Thanks to Erin, she suggested ice and rolling pin which worked wonders.

In fact if it wasn't for her, I most likely would have never started.
She was my inspiration to finally cross off "do a 5K" on my mental bucket list.
Seeing her tweet her runs this winter, it moved me...
she made me want to know what running for yourself felt like.

Thank you.

I finally got to take a photo of my first bib number.
I was nervous about running. My sister and I ran the course the week before and I was so scared of all the hills. So many hills it seemed like, but with the help of my sister, she helped me squash those fears. We ran the course together in 34 minutes.
Three miles in 34 minutes.
She was my hero, she told me she was proud of me.
Me the big sister, she was proud of me? I was beaming.

Then came race day.
and we ran together, again.

The day started out rough for me.
I ran with very heavy thoughts in my head and was distracted then entire race.
I panicked, lost control of my breathing and around mile 2, I had to stop and walk.

I was so pissed at myself. So. pissed.
All the runs I did at home I never stopped.
I stopped in my first race.

My sister slowed down for me and never gave up on me.
I started running again, past the lung cramps and through the tearing calf pains.
Slowly I remembered I was running for me because I was finally working towards and finishing a goal I set for myself. I am forever saying I should do something and I never do.

I saw the finish line, made a motion to my sister and we sprinted.
Hard, I wanted to cry.
The best thing was having her there and giving her the biggest hug afterwards.
( i love you MB)

Well, I set a goal after running for one month to run a 5k.
Thankfully my sister did it with me.
Because I finally did it, my first 5k and definitely not my last.

36:04 and it can only get better from here, right?

running proud

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:59:00 +0000

Now you have to understand something, I am not a runner. At all. I was the chubby, asthmatic kid in gym class that the teacher would yell at to "pick up the pace". After years of being forced to in gym class, I only ran if I was being chased.

In high school, I couldn't put down my smokes long enough to even think about physical fitness. In nursing school I thought about working out but between clinicals, care plans and working full time, my health came last. Back then, running would have never even entered my mind. EVER. That would make me sweat, right? Drink water? I was fueled by Mt. Dew.

So I have been extremely unhealthy for years now. Sugar, love it. Pop, crave it. Exercise , hate it. Before the last two babies were born I had tried the Couch 2 5 K program and ended up pregnant both times. Now after the third and final baby (will be VERY officially done this week), I was able to leave my full time nursing job. When this happened, Mr. CE told me in the passing to make the most of it, so I started trying to.

Not working, I finally wanted to do all the things I never had time for...me. Eight weeks postpartum I started going to the gym, seeing a trainer and attempting to lose weight. As of right now I have lost all baby weight +5 pounds. That doesn't matter to me though. What matters to me is that I am going and I can feel myself getting stronger. In January I could barely do a push up, sit up or run on a treadmill. Now I make them my bitch and I enjoy them all.

Now feeling stronger, I signed up for my first 5k and had a month to train. On March 6th, I laced up and hit the pavement and DIED. I couldn't run a quarter mile without stopping. A week later, when all my people were sleeping I went back out and did more. Then the next time I pushed myself more. Soon, I was waking up before my alarm, would feed the baby and go sneak out in the dark for another run. One morning I ran my first straight mile in 12 minutes. I had a high. As I was trying to find the right pace, stride, etc. My fists opened up, I took a deep breath and at one point I couldn't tell the difference between my sweat or the early morning dew. What a feeling. I wanted more.

Trying to find the time to run is hard, it all depends on the baby's sleep schedule and well I can't depend on that, can I ? Some days I didn't get to go out when I had wanted, but I would keep trying the next day. Next run, I did 2 miles straight and on March 25th I pushed it to 3 miles. THREE MILES in three weeks of running? Yes, yes I did.

I have given birth to three babies, two naturally and I have never been as proud of myself as I was that morning of running 3 miles in 42 minutes. NEVER. You know you have to birth the babies, they have to come out but you don't HAVE to run.

For the first time in my adult life, I was PROUD of myself.
That is a feeling that I never want to forget and dammit, I want to feel it more...

(my 5 k was this weekend, the post got too long more to come)

Third of the month

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:05:00 +0000

My babies
April 2012

Miss E
2 1/2

JC 11 years

Justin- 5 months

The boys

No babies were harmed in the photo shoot.
I promise we are not teaching our kids choke holds.
Promise.

last month

thank you to Steph for starting the idea to photograph your kids each month. Brilliant

5 months

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:43:00 +0000

What is mom holding? Crinkling paper? I LOVE
the sound of paper crinkling.

Guess what?
I am 5 months old now!

Time is flying by...
That means I have had 5 straight months of being posed next to this blue bear.

and now mom is making me lay down when all I want to do is sit up.
MOM, I can sit up now!

PPPPBBBSSST.
She likes it when I do this all day.

Wait, crinkle noises...

Mom said her heart fluttered when she saw this photo
because it looks just like her when she was a baby.

I just like to eat my toes....

I have been busy this month, mostly eating and growing.

As of lately I have been enjoying Oatmeal at night, I dig that.
Although I am not sleeping through the night.
Mom wishes.

She loves me anyways, how could she not when I look this good?

Third of the month

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Third of the month, time for photos of my babies.
Thanks to Steph's fabulous idea of capturing her children monthly,
I now have awesome photos to look back on.

It usually starts out with the boys being ready, waiting for Miss E.
The best part about it is that I get a monthly shot of just my boys.

She eventually decides she wants in on the action, but quickly decides that
if she can't hold baby, she is out.

But then we bribe our chunky monkey with food.
I believe that she is holding food or a treat in every month.
What ever it takes, right?

My three babies + dog.
March 2012

January
February

4 months

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:03:00 +0000

Look, I am 4 months old now!
and much bigger than the blue bear.

you know what I love to do now?
besides making mom laugh, smile and melt into goo every time i look at her?
I like to sit up.
alot.

I am so darn handsome, aren't I ?

I also love crinkle noises, kind of like this sticker on my shirt.
(I was giggling alot during this photo)

My Bed? I sleep in it all the time now.
Good bye newborn bassinet.
I'm a big boy now.
Pretty tall now, no?

mom makes my smile, she is my favorite person.

Man, I make 4 months look good.

my can't get enough of my toes, I don't blame her.

Oh bear, you are my good, good friend.

I love to lay on my back, I still have tummy time.

When I get on my tummy now, I try hard to roll over.
Mom thinks that this month will be really fun.
I think I will be rolling over more soon.

Reason #12,232 that I am glad I quit my job

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:27:00 +0000

I get to eat lunch with her

and make "unches"

I get to wipe runny noses

I get to marvel at all the ways she eats. Standing being the most popular choice.

I get to look at her long lashes in the noon light.

and watch her chew and ponder .

Yup, she is made of awesome and I am forever grateful I get to be at home with her.

third of the month

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:56:00 +0000

February 3, 2012

Third of the month series.
Our monthly photo shoot of our 3 kids.

Things kinda go on Miss E time as of lately.
If she isn't wanting to do it,
it most likely will not take place.

Unless you say "wiggles"
and she smiles with a mouth full
of cookie that I had to bribe her with
in the first place.

Look, Mr. J fits in already.

Love my three babies
Note the cookie in Miss E's lap.

My favorite three little people
under my favorite picture.

February 2012

see January here

3 months

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Hi there, I'm three months old today!

This month I started sucking my thumb,
mom says that my siblings never did this before.

This is the lame pose my momma puts me in every month
next to this blue furry bear.

OH toes! Let me get these piggies...

I am trying to dig my crib.
Mom says she is moving me in here soon.

I just saw my mom, I like her, she has the milk.

I only like laying on my back.
I SCREAM during tummy time.

Most of the time I smile, giggle and eat.
Three months in the crooked house, at least I'm still smiling.

Have you met Miss E yet?

Yea, she is always coming after my cuteness.

Mini me

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:58:00 +0000

I don't have any photos to compare, but she looks a lot like me.
Even better?
My mom saved my old shirt and my sweet Miss E can wear it.

Photo of Miss E at 27 months

Got sleep?

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0000

8.5 hours of straight sleep
Let's hope this continues

Mr. J, almost 12 weeks

will power

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:11:00 +0000

The gym.
I went and I felt silly and chubby. I felt like a poser amongst fit people.

My things went into a locker, my shoes were tied and my ancient ipod was charged. I was ready to go? Walking in after many years away is hard, but I forced my self in there.

I found a elliptical, in the back, away from people. I got myself up, put my tunes on and well, could not figure out how to turn the damn thing on. I froze with embarrassment. See? I am a poser and a bad one too.

After futzing with the machine and the "quick start" button, I had to ask for help. It takes a lot for me to ask for help. A lot. Honestly, deep down I wanted to get off and go hide somewhere and play "words with friends" while Mr. J was in the child area. Staying put, I asked the next person who came up to another machine. A guy. A really good looking one too. Dammit.

Quietly I ask him "can you please tell me how these things work?" . He laughed (looking cute) and said "will power, you just start pedaling". I wanted to die. DUH. So i start pedaling after selecting a program and then he leans over and shows me that I didn't even have the thing on and counting. (i wanted to die).

Fifteen minutes into it, I wanted to give up. I was out of breath, sweaty and sore. If that doesn't say out of shape, I don't know what does. Will power.... that word kept replaying in my head, over and over. It worked. Not only did I finish, but I went on to try and run. Ha. That is going to take a lot more will power and prayer.

Right now? I am digging deep and finding the will power to go back today and hopefully soon, not feel like a workout poser.

not my mess

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:48:00 +0000

I grew up with a pretty awesome mom. I should state that first. However, she was a stickler for a clean house. For years the woman worked two jobs and cleaned up after two girls, she deserves a medal. After awhile we were old enough to clean up our own messes, but she still nagged and complained that our shared bedroom was filthy.

( two teen girls? it was)

Here is where I have to admit that my sister was cleaner than me. I swear she is OCD. (Hi sis!) Time after time I would try to blame my mess on her. "Mom, it's not my mess", I would proudly and foolishly declare. What was I thinking? I look back now as an adult and mother and who was I kidding? Silly teen me.

Almost 15 years later, now a wife and mother of three, I still panic when I know my mom will be coming over. I do! It's like I am 15 years old all over again and I can't let her down. So the night before she comes I pick up the mess, shove it out of the way like I was a teenager hiding all my dirty clothes way back in the closet and go in full clean mode. It drives my husband nuts.

But you see, as I tell my son, "I would pick up all the crap in your room, Grandma is coming tomorrow", he totally picks up the mess. He knows. He totally gets it too.

This woman,my mother, has some sort of magic cleaning powers. One time we came home to her cleaning our front door and screen. There she was, hanging out the door, scrubbing away. Later that week she was cleaning all my ceiling fans. ( i told she deserves a medal)

On to more cleaning I go, "EVERY room must be picked up" I say to myself. Then it hits me, right there in the hallway closet as I am hanging all the coats up, "this isn't my mess". (she hates coats laying around)

This *really* isn't just my mess.

The house is clean, well not clean, just cleaner and then I stop and wonder, did my grandmother do the same thing? Did my mom hurry and try to clean for her mother? Did she think to herself each night while picking up after her two gorgeous, loving daughters (hi mom!), "this isn't just my mess?"

I'll have to ask her, after I wash my dishes, she is coming tomorrow.

life is but a dream

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:52:00 +0000

The store was busy, the baby was wrapped up and worn on me. In the cart were supplies to hold us over in case the snow kept us in. With me was my favorite girl.

Up and down the aisles we pushed our goods around the snow panicked crowds. Our pace seemed like we were in slow motion as others pushed and rushed by. You, my favorite girl, Miss E were happily taking in every moment. Even the boxes of pasta made you laugh.

I looked down and watched your chubby fingers point to everything in sight. Then I watched your eyes light up at the old lady saying hello. You sparkled. It was like a dream. My daughter, so beautiful.

While you picked out your favorite cereal, you looked at me and started rocking back and forth while your hands grasped onto the cart. Your golden locks were all a mess from your head swaying side to side. You were singing your favorite song...

Row, row, row your boat
gently down the stream
merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream...

It was as if the people parted and it was only us singing in a big empty store. I can see your smile as I was singing back to you, "Life is but a dream". We stop singing and as I walked away I was thankful it wasn't a dream.

Third of the month

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:19:00 +0000

It is a new year and time for a new tradition.
My friend does a monthly photo of her kids every month
and I loved her idea of watching her kids grow through photos.

Here are my three babies in my first "the third of the month" series:

January 2012

and because I am doing this, JC has asked that he get monthly photos too!
This made me so happy.
Here is his January shot:

Mr. J, you are 2 months now!

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:07:00 +0000

Hey, I am two months old!

This is my serious look.
I only show mom my smiles and never for a camera.

I'll give a little smile and show you my big foot.
You see, I am growing so much these days.
I now wear size 2 diapers and
3-6 months clothes.

(it's the milk, I am a huge fan)

Not only do I just lay here, I can lift my head.
My big sister likes for me to have tummy time.
She sings "tummy time , tummy time" to me.
It makes me laugh. I kinda like her.

You wanna see what I looked like last month?
Go here.

A new chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 +0000

My head has fallen into my hands too many times to count.
Thoughts, worries and fears twirl and spin.
Answers escape me.

I breathe and let go.
Now my hands are thrown up, open and wide.
Free.

After months of struggling what to do after my maternity leave, I have finally decided to resign my position and be a stay at home mom. I feel light and free to say the least, yet so scared.

Many tears came after turning in my letter, but I can only hope that wonderful things are ahead.

And so a new chapter starts...

Third and final birth story

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000

I'm sitting here typing away, drinking my cup of coffee, all while constantly providing a nice, smooth bounce to my one month old baby boy and it hits me, I never wrote his birth story. The details are starting to fade and I panic. It's my third and last birth story to write, no way can I forget how I felt, what my body did. I must treasure it, hold on to it, grasp it forever so in three years when I feel a baby itch I can read my words and remember, "hell no".

My due date came and went just like I expected it to. Halloween. I was due on Halloween and I was very happy to have that date pass as I did not want a Halloween baby. For months family and friends watched my belly grow and all of them said "you will go early" and each time I told them, "nope, I have a November baby, I know it".

I knew I was getting close for my body to deliver, the pressure, the pain, the braxton hicks. (I'll spare the female parts of knowing too). My other babies were both born on Fridays so I chose the date Novemeber 4, 2011. I was wrong. However, I really thought the date 11-1-11 would be a neat birthday as well.

So on 11-1-11, I was trying to think of all the natural ways to induce labor. Sex? Castor oil? yeah, none of that sounded appealing, so I just went on with my day. I woke up, took Miss E to daycare and ran errands. Honestly, I don't know what else I did that day. It seems so long ago. What I do know is that Miss E came home ill with a high fever. We nursed it all night, I took JC to swim practice because I knew it would be that last one I sat at for awhile. Upon returning home, I find Mr. CE and Miss E rocking, sweating and one high fever.

"Great", I thought to myself. I am going to have a sick toddler, then I will get sick and have to go into labor. Funny thought that was, but I had it wrong. After cooling her down, I went to bed first, preparing myself to take second shift with sick toddler. About one hour later in bed, I lifted my heavy,swollen leg, turned and felt a pop. I shook it off and went back to sleep. Ha. A half hour later I thought I peed the bed.

Next thought? "My water never broke on it's own before, it didn't now". I got up, took a shower, texted my doula and then called my midwife. Yup, as I was talking to her, my water broke more in the bathroom. No denying it now, I was going to go into labor with a sick toddler at home.
fabulous.

When I got off the phone with my midwife she encouraged me to get rest and my contractions had not become regular yet. I quickly called my mother and oddly, said "are you sleeping? It's time, head over." Get rest?? Yeah, not...

I wrapped a towel around my large contracting belly and leaned into Miss E's room where my husband was rocking her. "my water broke, I gotta get stuff ready...shit". From here on it was a blur. In my mind I had a few more days of cleaning the house and well, packing for the hospital too. There I was, my water leaking, it was midnight and my bags were not packed.
Super.

I remember Mr. Ce trying to get some sleep and my mom walking in. I was nervous. Last time I had my girls to help me labor. Now its me, alone at 2 in the am while people are sleeping around me. As I laid on the loveseat, with my mom sleeping across the foot rest, I timed each contraction on my phone. Over the next hour they went from 7 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart and lasting about a minute.

It was 3 am.

I woke everyone up, and soon I was texting my doula to meet us there. We left the house at 3:17am and got to the hospital by 3:40am. I have a text telling my doual it was room 707 at 3:44 am and not to forget to go into the ER entrance.

At 4:01 she texting me that she was coming in and I quickly texted back "I am only a 4".

I was shattered that I was only 4 cm dialted. With Miss E I came into the hospital at 7cm and the intensity was the same. I felt panicked. How was I going to do this naturally if I am having this much pain and have so far to go!

At 4:05 I had the tub running for labor. I was anxious but looking forward to the warm water.

This is where I lose all sense of time in my labor.

I remember my husband nervously cracking jokes, talking to my doula and midwife. I know at one point Mr CE took a video of me in the tub that I have yet to see. Knowing that my mother could not watch it, I know the moans were smack in the middle of transition.

Transition, you mother, you. Back labor? I despise you. The contractions were getting stronger, I i was trying everything I remembered that helped in Miss E's birth, nothing was working. The warm water, the swaying hips in the tub, the breathing, the low moans...nothing. It came down to me begging for an epidural.

An epidural that I wanted so bad despite my strong desire not to have one. Therefore, everyone talked me out of it. I recall being so pissed at them. "I am the one in pain, you assholes. I am the one that feels like my back and hips are coming out, taking my kidneys with them!"

They all just helplessly looked back at me, offering encouraging words as I slammed my sweaty forehead back down into the cold cloth. Next contraction came and from there on, with each tense minute, my husband and doula both had to take a side and push down on my hips.

This is where I wish I knew the timeline. I know not long after my epidural begging I had to be reassessed by my midwife since she was going off call. Out of the nice warm tub I went. They all waited for another contraction, told me I was close. My heart sank knowing I wasn't fully a 10 and ready to push.

My entire pregnancy I worried that my midwife wouldn't be there. Now I had her here but she was leaving for a meeting and office hours at 7:45 am. Looking at the clock it was 7:15. I was told to get up on my knees to see if it would help progress things,boy howdy did it...

There, with my large, white behind in the air on all fours, I felt pressure and "pushy". My face is buried into a pillow and each contraction is coming one right after another. I hear voices behind me. I can't see anyone. I am alone. I am pushing down. I hear voices asking me if I am pushing. Grunting, I answer.

Back to my pushing zone. Me, my body, my baby. We are doing this. I take a deep breath and push. Finally the back pain is gone. No longer am I chanting, "but it hurts so bad." In my head I know it is so close to the end. My body tells me I am about to meet my third baby.

The pain turns into relief. Pushing felt like relief. My head is in the pillow with my arms wrapped around it. My doula and my husbands voices become clear again. My husband tells me he sees an eye. ?? I regroup and visualize that last push and I push. That last push was going, I hear my midwife tell me the plan.

"Donya, I am going to pass Justin up between your legs and you are going to grab him, ok?"

Hell yes it is okay. The last push, the relief of his head being born into this world followed by the painful release of his shoulders and done. He is in my arms.

Born 7:29 am on Novemeber 2, 2011

My life and my heart will never be the same, I became Justin's mom, Mother of three and a survivor of another natural birth.

Still in my birth position, my first look at my second son.

My wonderful husband and father of *3*

My wonderful Doula, Julie

and that is my third and final birth story.

Mr. J, I do believe you are one month now!

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:58:00 +0000

Mr. J, I do believe you are one month old now.
Words cannot express how fast that month went and how incredibly
grateful I am to have you in our family.

You have the sweetest face and lips.
Amazingly enough, just like your big brother had.
Looking at you every 2-3 hours in the middle of the night,
well it kinda makes the lack of sleep worth it.

You have been with us for one month now and yet
it feels like you have been here forever.
Cliche I know, but true.

A friend gifted these awesome stickers to document your growth.
So get ready, because each month there will be many,
many outtakes to show as mom tries to remember how to use her camera.

(mom screwed up all her settings in her D90 and cannot get them back to where she liked them and is growing very,very disappointed in her photos)

"mom, I don't want to alarm you, but there is a bear behind me"

"I'm watching you bear,always watching"

"Look ma, I'm karate kid"

{crying}
and that wraps the first month photo shoot.

the one time I tried to take my kids photos...

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Now that I have three children, I figured I would definitely need a new photo for our Christmas cards, right? Sure. What I was not prepared for was just how difficult it would be to snap at least one good shot.

I needed a stiff drink after this endeavor, I am not even kidding.
{I am totally sure the lack of sleep didn't help.}

"Miss E, do not lay on the baby"

Mom is not the only crooked eyebrow in the house...

"Miss E, brother doesn't need help smiling!"

"Miss E, stop spitting!"

Finally after what seemed to be 4 hours, when it was only 20 minutes., I did capture one or two...

{not the official photo, but close}
Next year I pay someone else or take a shot first.

*i totally kid about the drinking, promise

A sister, my sister.

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I have said before that I am one lucky girl. I have a wonderful husband, three gorgeous babies but what I don't often mention enough is just how lucky I am to have the best little sister.

Together we have laughed, cried, yelled, hugged, dreamed and so much more. I watched her go to college, move away, get married and become a mommy. She amazes me with her grace, beauty and sheer awesomeness.

She tried to teach me to love myself for who I am when I needed to the most.

I am grateful for all the wonderful times we have shared together.
The quiet talks in the middle of the night.
The loud nights drinking and dancing.
and
every email, chat we have while we are away from each other.

She was my first best friend.
My forever friend.

Today my sister, Mary Beth, turns 30.
That is 30 years of having the best
friend anyone could ask for...
a sister.

Happy 30th MB
I love you like crazy.

Big sister, little momma

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:19:00 +0000

So much has been changing with Miss E since we brought Mr. J home. She has been filling her days pushing limits, looking cute, kissing baby and well being two. However, I see wonderful things happening in her growth as a child. She is so smart, inquisitive and blows my mind everyday with something new she learns. I love it. I love the toddler mind, they are like little sponges.

She watches me. She watches how I pat the baby, change the baby and feed the baby. A large majority of her day while I am at home is sitting right next to me. Not to mention the need to follow me into the bathroom and offer assistance wiping. {no thank you, momma can do it}.

After realizing that mommy is feeding the baby momma's milk, she has to declare every one of her sippy cups as cow's milk, not momma's milk. I find this to be quite funny. {Yes Miss E, daddy is drinking cow's milk too}When I was pregnant I wondered how she would react to me breast feeding. Well, she is doing quite well with it at this point, better than I thought. Maybe too well...

This evening, my little momma went running into her grandmother's house, hugged her aunt and proudly reached into her little collar and handed over 2 breast pads that were tucked into her little toddler dress.

Yup, big sister has been watching, learning and is quite the little momma.

Breast pads and all, she was so proud!

11-2-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:48:00 +0000

On November 2, 2011 at 7:29am, in a small town in Indiana,
I held and looked at my third child that I pushed out into this world.

My heart stopped as she passed him up to me. Overcome, I couldn't even cry.
He was too beautiful.

I am pleased to officially say his name
Mr. Justin Alan

(from here on out Mr. J)

8 pounds, 20 inches
and
my second baby born naturally.
(yes, I totally begged for an epidural about an hour before he was born)

Things are settling down in the Crooked house.
Big Brother JC is an old pro at this...

and
Miss E is slowly getting used to mom's arms
being full, but can give one heck of a
head kiss to the baby.
(and head smacks...she is working on it)

as for the main man, Mr. J?
He's a good napper.

Bee-utiful

noreply@blogger.com (Crooked Eyebrow) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:27:00 +0000

taken with my phone
but

Miss E is
BEE-utiful!

ask her what a bee sounds like
and
she will say "bee-buzz, bee- buzz" and flap her arms around.

It just might be the cutest bee noise ever, I'm sure of it.