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Hardly a break

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We flew into Houston for spring break last week and will head home tomorrow. It seems there is always someone to see and things to do when we visit that I am not sure we got much rest. But at least I didn’t have to do laundry or dishes, actually had a date with my husband, and went to the coast for some bird watching together… ever seen a flock of pelicans flying in formation above your head? So here is our week in short:

We spent some time with my brother and his family:


Alyssa and cousins


Brother Brad and my dad


Braden, the oldest grandchild with the youngest

We celebrated Lauren’s 2nd birthday and played for the day:


I wanted to sign up Alyssa and Megan for swim lessons when we return in June, so Megan had to take her evaluation class. She did great. Walked right in the door to the pool with her instructor and did what she was asked. She only slipped off the step once while waiting for her turn. Luckily the instructor was right there to scoop her out of the water. Where is the panic button in that place?

We visited with friends and just hung out. It is nice to come home and see our family, but God has a funny way of showing you that he knew all along what he was doing. And we are in the right place for our family right now. We are so happy to be in Tennessee.


Audrey did roll for the first time from back to stomach…or so I hear. I was on a date.


And Megan has taken coloring to a new level.

God is alive

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And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

For us, this also reminds us that Noah is alive and well in heaven. It is like a little sign from him saying “hi”, especially to Alyssa. She looked out the front door yesterday screaming for joy, “come look mom!” I can’t help but to be truly amazed everytime I see a rainbow.

Impossible

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I cannot believe this little girl is my baby…my last baby. Today, she is 4 months old. I see newborns and I think to myself that my baby is not like that anymore. She doesn’t curl up in my neck when I lay on the couch. Instead she constantly raises her head and bumps me in the lip. She doesn’t need me to hold her pacifier while she falls asleep. Instead she can soothe herself with her own thumb. She doesn’t need the professional swaddle job that only I can do. Instead I can just lay her down and she is good. She doesn’t need me to protect her from the actions of her big sisters. Instead she loves when they interact with her.

Of course all of these things are great. But they mean that she is only one step further from being my little baby. Why do they grow up so fast? And why did I get so frustrated in those moments that I now miss? Why can’t I just slow down and truly enjoy this time? Because I know in a short while I will look up and my girls will be all grown. It makes me just a bit sad to think of that day. So for now, we will play on the floor. We will smile and coo at each other. I will watch as you discover your hands, your tongue and your feet. I will help you learn to sit so you can see the world in a whole new view. I will enjoy those moments of what seem like endless feedings, because soon enough you will not need me for that anymore either. Lord, slow me down to enjoy this time of motherhood. Give me patience and peace knowing I am doing for my girls what no one else can do. And I am being exactly what you created me to be right now.

Blessed

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I think it is a blessing that I have few friends. Because those few friends are real, true friends. I can say anything to them, I can ask anything of them. One of them is Melissa. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Jeff. They have been married almost 2 years and are expecting their first baby. Melissa and I met at ACU in Nelson Dorm. I don’t even remember how we met it just seemed we were always friends. We made fun of people together, we had classes together, we ate bkfast, lunch, dinner together, we snuck out to go dancing together. (You were not allowed to go to those places at ACU.) We were roommates for the next 3 years and learned a lot about each other. Now we try to keep up and see each other every year, but this time it had been too long. Mel Mel came to meet Audrey and see our life in Nashville. We had a great weekend which included Blue Bird Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, Carnton House, Maniacs and even some lazy time at home. Thank you Mel Mel for visiting. Thank you for loving my kids like your own and not once grimacing at Megan’s screeching. Thank you for being comfortable enough to stay in PJs all day with me. Thank you for your friendship. I am blessed to call you my friend.

The little one

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Audrey is up to cute stuff now. She talks quite a bit when someone will pay attention to her. She kicks and squirms like she has ants in her pants, which is great to bounce herself in her bouncer. She was hitting her hanging animal from her bouncer seat (playing with may be stretching it). And she was caught sucking the two middle fingers on her hand. uh-oh. Of course, it didn’t matter that I took the stairs 4 at a time trying to get back up with the camera, I missed the picture. She has been chewing on her fist for awhile, but is still working out the decision between fingers, thumb or paci. Here is her cooing at almost 3 months. For fun, compare it to Alyssa’s cooing video.  I think they look a little alike and I love that the same spider toy is in the background.

“I not want go to circus”

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Well, she changed her mind when we got there, Megan that is. Ethan and I took the big girls (I love saying that) to Barnum & Bailey today. Heidi watched Audrey for us even though she had her two girls and is 9 months pregnant – THANKS Heidi! Everyone had a great time. They have done a great job with the circus since the last time I went. Alyssa liked the lady who spun around hanging by her hair and Megan liked anything having to do with the elephants. She continued to ask, “Where elephants go?” We filled up on popcorn and cotton candy and can’t wait to go back. They practiced being the ringmaster when we got home tonight. OUR VIDEO

Tradition

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While this is a tradition I tend to keep for a long time, it is more fun when someone else is in charge. It requires baking cookies, making icing, setting up table, 30 minutes of interest from kids, then the clean up process. All of that was better when I was the kid and left the other responsibilities to Mom and Ann. But someone has to do it, right?

The girls did good this year, and both of them really enjoyed it. Megan ended up with sprinkles, icing and goldfish for lunch, but totally worth it. There is a video if you want to see the experience.

Just laying around

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Some more pics of just laying around the house… I don’t have any others because we have not done anything in two weeks. Mom and I got out for our first outing today to Hobby Lobby. Um… we were gone less than an hour. Pathetic. It has been frigid cold lately and everyone in the house has some sickness ranging from reflux to early bronchitis. We are all now officially on antibiotics trying to get well before all my family gets here for T-day. Let me tell you, it is really taking the fun out of the early days with Audrey. I guess we are all just bonding together right now.

She’s here!

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All Audrey’s friends and family are asking for more pictures. Here you go.

Audrey has done well so far tonight. She tolerated both sisters and has been sleeping for the last few hours. We are going to eat once more and then all try to get some sleep. Thanks for all prayers and concerns. We are thankful for a new baby girl

Audrey Lynn Whaley was born at 5:53 pm and weighed 7.0 lbs and 19in! More hair than the other ones!

The new Alyssa

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Man, things are changing before my eyes. You know they grow up fast, but I feel this has aged her years in just minutes. After an eye exam at school, we were prompted to get her eyes tested and discovered she is far-sighted. So here she is with her new glasses. She really likes them and insisted on wearing them to church tonight even though she doesn’t really need them except for at school. I am just glad she feels good about them. We practiced spraying and cleaning them, and discussed what we can and can’t do with glasses. This is a responsibilty that I don’t know she is ready for. Tomorrow is her first day of school with them. Say a little prayer that no punks make fun of my little girl.