Texas Trip

My best friend, Minna, from High School. We hadn't seen each other in 9 1/2 years.
Benjamin, Kaleb and Mariah
Doris with the kids...I'm so glad I caught Mariah smiling at Doris....so sweet!
Kaleb loves Breann

We were able to sneak down to Austin for a few days to visit friends and my grandparents. Dad was out of town but it worked out for us to see friends that we normally don't get to see when we get to Austin. It had been over a year since I'd been home and almost 2 years for Nathan. I can't believe how much has changed. We were so glad it worked out to see so many and hopefully we can get back to see some others. We were at James Walden's funeral...which of course, allowed us to see others that we haven't seen in years. We stayed from Wed. night until Monday morning and then we went to Denio's to see a few more. Forrie, Nathan's good buddy had come in from California...it was great to see him again too. We stayed in Dallas Monday night and drove in on Tuesday, Jan. 1st! What a trip....thanks to everyone who made some special arrangements for us and who took time out of their schedules to see us. Now I need another vacation after being home. Mariah did great in her car seat. Kaleb doesn't mind trips either. I guess it's good to break them in early!

Jidgie with 2 of her great-grandkids
The adopted Grandparents

"I think I'll take my own car today, mom" The things grandparents have...

Two Peas in a Pod

Family Time

Kylie and Kaleb with thier new PlasmaCars...it's a race!
Jim, Laura and Family
Gma with some of her grandkids
Papa James working on a puzzle while holding Mariah!

We had a great time with Nathan's side of the family for the Christmas holidays. We spent a few days out at their place just relaxing. More food, than I'd like to admit, was eaten!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Our first snow of the season. Kaleb was so ready to go out and build a snowman. He got his jacket, hat, gloves, and boots out and then sat in this chair in our room to watch the snow come down. I was amazed at how long this kept his attention. Unfortunately, it didn't stick and we didn't get that much. We are anxious for the 'real' snow to come.

Little Hands and Feet

Sweet, sweet...and they grow so fast!

A Visit with our Friend

Ms. Bessie is 100 and in our meeting. Kaleb loves to visit her. This was her first time to meet Mariah.

Brotherly Love

Kaleb has been such a great big brother. Always wanting to help and wanting to know about 'baby si-ter'. I have found him several times lying beside her...he'll be either helping her with the pacifier and talking to her or he'll be teaching her about the gun and talking about hunting. He loves to hold her. Thankfully he has been very gentle with her. When she is fussy he'll go into where she is and say, 'what's wrong baby si-ter?, your alright!, do you need your pacifier?, do want to eat?, do you want mommy?" Then he'll come get me and tell me she is crying. Only once have I found him trying to 'help' in an over-zealous way...he had piled her hand-held blanket and swaddling blanket on top of her, given her a toy and she was underneath it all trying to escape. So, the age difference has been wonderful. She always responds to him by looking at him or smiling...it's so cute.

Daddy Time

You can see what daddy is teaching Mariah already. Kaleb has most of these magazines memorized. He loves animals. Right now he is into shooting duck's because daddy goes duck hunting. We'll find him in the house acting out a whole duck hunt...from the duck call, to 'here they come', to 'take 'em', to the large amounts of bullets being shot in the air with his gun and his pretend shotgun sound enactment.

Some 'Firsts'

Our First Sunday and First Family Photo
Mariah's cord had fallen off...now for the first bath...not much fun!

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Kaleb with his Auntie Auddie
Uncle 'Urn' and Aunt Auddie

My dad's parents...both play several rounds of golf a week and stay very active. I hope I'm in this good of shape and their age!
David and Aaron entertaining us for the evening with guitars and singing...quite the show.
We had a great Thanksgiving. Mariah was born on Monday, we came home on Tuesday and my grandparents came on Wednesday to start helping. Audrin and David flew in on Thursday afternoon, Aaron came from Branson on Thursday, and dad came on Friday. We did our Thanksgiving meal on Friday evening...lots to be thankful for. So glad we could be all together. We missed Justin but he had to work.

A Welcome Home!

So many to welcome us home...mainly to see Mariah...we are now Kaleb's and Mariah's parents!

I've finally escaped....

I find it humours that a "WARNING" sign is posted behind her! Daddy, you are in trouble!

We finally made it out of the hospital today. The doctor found a harsh murmur and had to do xrays and some other tests before she could go. She was scheduled for a heart ECHO tomorrow at another hospital. Thankfully, she is not symptomatic of any heart challenges. We will be anxious to find out what it is. Being a NICU nurse I could worry about a lot of things but I have to sit back and look at her symptoms and put my mind at rest. This is the hardest part....putting away the nurses hat and just being a mommy!

Please, Mom, Don't Take It Away!

Kaleb never took to the pacifier but this girl loves it!!! She held on to it until she fell asleep!

Friends and Family...

Lots of sweet family and friends stopped by to meet Mariah. It's not about the parents!

Friends and Family....

Dalene came early Monday morning to help screen phone calls! Nathan's phone had been ringing off the hook with Monday morning work calls!!! A woman in labor can't handle such distractions. Thanks, friend, for all your help!!!
Lauren and Emily could hardly wait for this addition. They are in our Sunday morning meeting. Every time Emily would see me she would give me the status on my belly, "you're a little bit bigger this week."
Now do you think we could talk these 2 into having another one????

First Encounter

And there's big brother....all the attention was on him which he didn't like. He was a little shy to even come near sister. It took him a little bit to warm up. The part he didn't like the most was seeing me in the bed in a gown with the IV's. He got my shoes and said, "come on, mom, let's go." He was ready for me to look normal again.

First touches. So sweet!

He absolutely loved her. He was so gentle with her and couldn't quit talking about her.

He would mimic her faces...stick out his tongue and make faces. I wish I could of caught it on camera. I think he is going to be a great big brother!

And Still Awake!

Wide awake and alert!
Still awake.....
and still awake after 6 hours!

Mariah was the most alert baby! She was interacting with everyone that would talk to her. It was the cutest thing. The rest of us were exhausted but not her....she wanted to see the world. She latched on great and nursed 1 hour on each side. I finally had to stop her because of pain! They did all her care in my room which was fun....assessments, and bath. They only had to take her to the nursery for doctor care and after a long labor I let them take her for a few hours to get some uninterrupted sleep.

She's Here...Mariah Lee

Born on her due date: Nov. 19 at 9:50 am

7 pounds, 13 oz. and 20 inches long with a 14 inch head...yay...2 inches smaller than brothers!

One Proud Daddy!

Taking a peek at mom. Tired Parents! And it's just the beginning!

Well labor wasn't the best....but then again, who absolutely loves labor. We had a long, tiring, almost 18 hours of labor! It was intense for about 10 hours of it! They kept telling me I was doing great with my breathing and it wouldn't be that much longer. I was stuck at a 7 for about 6 hours. I had the most wonderful support person...my husband. He kept telling me I could do it. If you'll look really closely at the bed rails, there are teeth marks! ha ha. Nathan about got his fingers ripped off because I would hold his first 2 fingers in one hand and the last 2 in the other hand and with every contraction I would squeeze them and shake his whole hand up and down. Then I would hit my head against my knee. I had a bruise for a little while. The contractions started coming one after another with no break. One nurse started getting worried about me and brought the OB doctor in. He asked why I was against an epidural. I told him with Kaleb that they had to put in 2 because they both came out. (I guess I figured if I could be induced with no pain medicine with Kaleb then why in the world couldn't I do regular labor since they didn't have to induce me.) He told me I was having dysfunctional labor and I wasn't progressing because of the pain. I SAID, "give me the epidural!" Within 15 minutes I was complete! AND WHY DIDN'T I ASK FOR THAT SOONER???? Hindsight is always 20/20! She was born 10 minutes before the 18 hour mark...if she was born after that time frame she would of had to have lots of work ups for infection and given prophylactic antibiotics. So thankful she was delivered with no problems and may I say, she is beautiful!!!