I feel blessed!

So these last couple days I have extremely blessed. Here is a list I feel blessed about...

1. All of the stuff I got for my birthday/christmas. Everyone was so generous and I got everything I needed/wanted.
2. Everything the girls got. They got everything need to get through the winter (if it ever actually comes). They got a ton of toys and Summer got her much needed playmat.
3. I decided to get my Medical Transcrption Certificate. I looked into and got into a school. I am so blessed that the school including the interenship is 100% at home. Also the military is paying for the school and because they are, the school is covering my books so I dont have to pay a cent.
4. My girls. They are the biggest blessing in my life. Kadence is so good with Summer and they are such good kids. I couldnt ask for more.
5. Seth bought me an elliptical when he was home. I wasnt sure how I was going to lose the weight I wanted to. I have p90x and other workout videos but anyone with kids know how hard that is. Everytime I try to work out one of the girls need something. Now I have a cardio machine and I am confident I can lose the weight.
6. Lastly I am grateful that I get to talk to Seth everyday. Even when he is exhausted he always makes sure he calls even if it is just to say "hi". It helps with the seperation getting to hear his voice everyday. It is something I look forward everyday:) I am so lucky my husband loves me so much:)

Seths Leave

So Seth came home for his R&R (rest and relaxation) and let me tell you it was blissful. It was so nice to have him home. I missed him so much. We decided since he was going to be home for only two weeks that we would make the best of it. I love being with him. First, with having to do every little thing with two kids by myself, just having him home so I could go do the laundry was wonderful. Going to the store was a breeze with two of us. We didnt do to much. Just hung out with eachother and eat as much junk food as we could.

Kadence loved having him home. It was like she was on crack the whole time. She never slowed down and all she wanted to do was play with him. It was a nightmare trying to get her to sleep cause all she wanted to do was play with daddy. She is such a daddys girl and him being gone is so hard on her. Summer loved Seth home as well. Shes not old enough to know it was her dad or to know its not right that hes gone, but she was so comfortable with him and loved being with him.

While he was home we did a party for Kadence. Our little girl is already two! She is getting to big! We went and visited Seths grandma so she could meet the newest member of our family. Seth taught me how to shoot his gun so in an emergency I could protect my kids if I needed to (I seriously doubt I will have to use the gun ever but its better to be safe than sorry). The best part was, was that I out-shot Seth! It was my first time shooting and I out-shot my cop/military husband. He was so proud! Not gonna lie I was pretty excited about it to. I say it was beginngers luck. Lastly, the day before he left, Seth and I went on a date day. We went to lunch, did some shopping and saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. It was an amazing day.

I miss him now that he is gone but we will get through this. I know God would never give me anything I couldnt handle. In July he will be home and we will be a family again. The two weeks he was home was heaven sent and I am so grateful he was able to be home:)

Stocking

This is the stocking I am making for Summer. It is about half way done. I dont know if I can get it done by Christmas, but i figure she is 3 months so it wont matter much. Its just hard to sit down and try and use scissors and needles with two kids around. I love making these...Its just taking more time than I thought it would. But its worth it:)

A little excitment!

Seth will be home in two weeks for two weeks. I am so excited. While he is home we are getting our tree, going shopping, having an early Christmas with the girls, and eating everything we want! I am so happy he is going to be home. He will be gone for 7 months after this but im not thinking about that. Im thinking about my husband being home for two glorious weeks:)

So I have a few things to cathc up on. First things first...Summer.

She is such a good baby. She sleeps through the night and eats like a fat kid eats cake. She is so smart too. When Kadence gets to close, she has a certain cry that lets me know Kadence is close. Summer only cries when she is tired. Basically she is such an easy baby. I believe she is so good cause I am by myself. If I were to have a baby who was to high strung then I wouldnt be able to take care of my kids the way they need to be. God is blessing me with good children while Seth is gone. Hopefully they keep this up.

I love my little girls so much. I couldnt imagine life without them:)

Halloween was fun! We went to a school carnival, the pumpkin patch, my Dads halloween party, trunk-or-treating and trick-or treating. Kadence had a blast. I just wish Seth could have been here to see her. She is so obsessed with candy. Its pretty funny. Every morning she wakes up asking for candy and when I wont give it to her she throws a fit. We got a lot of candy this year. Between the party, the ward party and trick-or-treating, we have enough to last for months.

Trunk-or-treating. Kadence loved going up to each car, then looking at whatever they put in her bucket. When we went trick-or-treating there werent that many people out. So when we went to a door, the people would either give her more candy cause they had so much, or because she was so cute. I dont know why but cute kids scream "Give me more candy"

Lady-Bug costume that Grandma bought her. Too cute for words.

Kadence in her Army uniform. Daddy bought this when he went to MP school. She even wore it once when he took her to drill with him. I love this outfit:)

Because Kadence had her uniform, I ordered one for Summer too. I wanted them to match. I thought with Seth being deployed it was appropriate.

Picking out pumpkins. We got 4 little pumpkins...One for each family member:)

Instead of carving the pumpkins, I thought it would be easier just to paint them. And it was. And it was a lot of fun. Kadence had so much fun painting. This might be what we do every year. It was less messy and more fun for the little girls:)

This Halloween was fun. Kadence especially loves the candy. Next year will be better though. Everything will be better next year when Seth is home. Kadence loves and misses him so much. She talks about him and asks for him. Its sad. He will be home in a few weekd for 2 weeks and we couldnt be more excited. Come next July this deployment will be over and we will be together again. I always thought this saying was lame but its true "You never know what you have until its gone"

As of late...

Well Seth is finally at his final destination in Afghanistan. So far since he has left I have talked to him everyday but one. He is safe and ready to get this next nine months out of the way. We all are.

Summer and Kadence are doing great. Kadence is an awesome big sister. All she wants to do is hold Summer and help. Which can be overwhelming sometimes. She doesnt take "no" very well. Summer is growing everyday. Its amazing how fast they grow.

I am getting antsy to work out again. Unfortunately I still have 4 weeks to wait. I tried my stair-stepper today and strained something in my stomach. I guess I tried to soon. We all miss Seth. Its hard when half of your heart is gone. You can feel it quite literally that something isnt right. I cant wait until he is home. We have some plans that cant take place until he is home. Once he is home we can get on with our lives. I cant wait.

Summer Jade

As some of you know, I was extremely determined to have a VBAC with this baby. My c-section with Kadence was so awful I didnt want to go through it again. I wanted to actually experience giving birth to my child. This was my only chance to do so, so I really wanted to try. But I had a choice to make. Schedual a c-section a little early and have Seth there for the birth and have him home for 11 days to help, or go a little longer praying to go into labor and if I didnt have a c-section anyway with Seth not there and him not home to help. So we decided to schedual the c-section and be able to spend time together before Seth shipped over seas. So even though I really didnt want another c-section, I wanted my husband to be there.

So on September 21st, we got to the hospital at 730am for a 930 surgery. We got admitted right away, got hooked up to the monitors and went over all the paperwork. For the first time in my life the nurse had a hard time putting in my IV. Appartently my veins were to good. As she was putting the needle in my vein would move. So she was digging around and let me tell you...that was not fun. Time went by faster than I thought it would. I was filled with emotion. I dont know exactly what I was feeling. I was excited about finally meeting our baby but not excited about a huge surgery. Thankfully no emergencies came through, so at exactly 930 we walked into the OR.

I was extremely nervous. I didnt know what to expect because I was so drowsy from the pain meds when I had Kadence. I was shaking and couldnt stop. It was so annoying. So I walked into the OR and they started by putting in the spinal. I was not excited about that huge needle. They gave me a shot to numb the spot but it didnt work fast enough. I felt the long needle go into my spine and it made me jump because I wasnt expecting to feel it. It did hurt...ALOT! It only lasted a second but it hurt. Within seconds I started to feel very warm. Luckily that made me stop shaking because I wasnt cold anymore. Literally right after the spinal took affect, the nurses started putting in the catheter. There was no curtain so I sat there watching them put a huge tube somewhere that it should never go. Good thing I was numb! I layed there and watched everything get put together and around 950 the Doctor came in. I was so happy I was alert. With Kadence I dont remember a thing. Seth came in and they started the c-section. As I was laying on the table I made sure I paid attention to everything. Everything that was said and every pull, tug and pressure. After about 15 minutes, I felt the Dr. press really hard on the top of my stomach. I was told that they do that to get the head out, then again to get the body out. So my baby was about to be born. Once they pulled her out I was finally able to breathe! Anyone who has been pregnant knows that when your big it is hard to breathe. So at 10:07am they pulled her out, I started listening waiting for my baby to cry. I could hear them suctioning her mouth and I could hear all of the fluid that was coming out. It took her over a minute to start crying but once she did I was very relieved. They wrapped her up showed her to me, then her and Seth went up to the nursery to do all of the new baby stuff. They sowed me up and took me to recovery.

Seth and I were very clear that once I was in recovery, the baby was to be brought straight to me. The nurse told us that it was a policy that c-section babies were supposed to be in the nursery for 3 hours after birth but that was not ok with us. I needed my baby and I needed to feed her. So while in recovery I felt great. Obviously still numb but my head was clear and I was so excited about meeting my baby. One hour after she was born, Seth brought her to me(3 hours was not an option). I laid her on my chest and without any help from me, she laid down and started nursing. I couldnt believe that she knew how to do that already. Summer was perfect. She was small and just perfect. Its hard for me to think that I had two kids. I had been pregnant twice, given birth twice and had been married long enough to have two kids. Its still weird to me. After about an hour in recovery, the nurses took me up to the postpartum floor.

Once upstairs, we just had to sit back and wait to go home. Kadence came to the hospital once we were all settled. She freaked out at first but calmed down. She wanted to hold her and kiss her but she wanted to do it all by herself. And when we wouldnt let her, she threw a fit. After the first meeting though she was perfect. She has loved her sister so well. All she wants to do is help. Its pretty cute. After 8 hours they got me up and walking. After 12 they took all of the IVs out. That night I was free. While in the hospital, it is never ok with us for a nurse to take our baby away for anything without a parent. So because I was free, whenever they took Summer to the nursery for tests I was able to go to. I got to experience everything. I didnt get to do anything to Kadence so I was happy to be able to do it with Summer. I helped with the first bath and I was able to comfort her through the blood test and check-ups. I was so thrilled to be able to experience all of that. I just like being involved. It was originally our plan to have Kadence stay at the hospital with us but once she made a scene we decided it wouldnt be a good idea. So Seth went home to Kadence at night. We were at the hospital for 3 days and so excited to go home. We went home on September 23rd at 10:00am.

My two c-sections were like night and day. With Kadence: I was drowsy, I was in alot of pain, They wouldnt let me out of bed for 24hours, I bled alot, the nurses werent very good at their jobs, my skin drapped over my incision which made it more painful, I was in bed for almost 2 weeks, it took 4 weeks to feel normal again, my incision was red-puffy and pussy. Basically it was awful. With Summer: I was very alert, I barely had any pain, I was up and walking around within 8 hours, I didnt bled that much, the nurses we amazing! The incision is very thin with no redness or puffiness. Within 3 days I was in barely any pain. I didnt even need the meds anymore. It has been 11 days and I feel like I never had surgery. This experience was night and day compared to Kadence. I thought it was going to be awful again so I dreaded it. But it has been so easy. I feel blessed to have had such an easy recovery. I was considering not having any more kids cause being cut open doesnt sound fun to me but this c-section has been so easy that there will be more for sure.

The best part about having the c-section was that my amazing doctor gave me a mini tummy tuck! He pulled the skin down over my 1st scar which flattened the bottom half of my stomach and left me with 1 scar still. My stomach is already almost flat again because of my doctor. I will go to him every time. He was amazing.

We feel so blessed to have Summer enter our lives. So far she has been a perfect baby. She sleeps all night, doesnt cry and eats very well. She has made life so easy. We love her so much. I still cant believe how much my life has changed in 2 1/2 years. Getting married and having two kids. Our lives have been turned upside down and we seriously couldnt be happier. Seth is already talking about another one...in a few years:)

We are moving!!

Early this week, I was sitting at my dads house and I got this over whelming feeling that it was time to move. I called Seth and he supported that decision. I was supposed to stay at my inlaws while Seth was deployed but after a year, I decided that I needed my own space. I need to be able to clean the way I want, cook the way I want, and the most important...BABY PROOF! When you live in someone elses house you cant really baby proof cause its not your place. So after that strong feeling, I knew it was time! So the next day, I made up a budget and figured out what we could afford and went apartment hunting. There were two places I like but one was out of my price range. But after an email from the manager, she told me that the prices were wrong and I really could afford it! Its a perfect 2-bedroom, 1 1/2 bath. Its a good size and perfect for our little family. Rent is reasonable, water is a flat fee, the utilities are lower than other places I was looking at. I can have my apartment and still pay off all of our debt. That im excited about. So on the 1st, we get to move in! I am so excited! I cant remember the last time I was this excited. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I know this is the right decision. Im close to school(for when I start going back), minutes away from shopping(its not a 20 minute trip anymore and the best part, its only 30 minutes from the hospital( right now i travelling an hour). I cant wait to move and I am so excited to raise my family in my own place:)

Once we are moved in...ill post pictures:)

Deployment

So as some of you know, Seth has been deployed. This deployment is for a maximum of 400 days but with the Army you never really know. Seth has been gone for 8 days and I dont really know how im reacting to it yet. Right now he is only in Texas and I get to talk to him and/or skype him everyday. I havent had to really be away from him yet. Ill admit the night he left I got pretty emotional. Just knowing how long we are going to be apart is hard. I think once he is in Afghanistan and I cant talk to him everyday, that I will have a harder time with him being gone. One thing that brings me some comfort is knowing that I get to see him twice during the time he will be gone. 1st, he gets to come home when the baby is born. Since he is only in Texas they are allowing him to come home, which is a huge blessing. 2nd, he gets his 2 week R&R( rest and relax) somewhere in the middle of this deployment. We dont know when it will be but knowing it is coming makes me feel better. So far ive been ok with him being gone. With him working graves and late shifts for the sheriffs department I am used to sleeping alone so I didnt have to adjust to him not being next to me. I think that is the hardest for most people. During the day I have been keeping myself busy and doing things I wouldnt normally do (like clean the fish tank...yuck!).

Kadence and soon Summer as well, has been a huge blessing in all this. I dont know what I would do without the distraction of kids. Kadence has so many needs and the new baby will need even more. I am never bored. I am way excited for Summer to get here...then I get to see my husband for a few days:)

Summer Baby

So at my last appointment, my stomach measured smaller than it should. This worried my doctor so he ordered me another ultrasound and has me coming in 1-2 times a week to get monitored. With all the monitoring everything had turned out good. Summers heart rate is good and there is nothing wrong. With the ultrasound though, her abdomon is measuring small. Everything else is measuring right where it should be. Just her belly is small. My dr. said its not serious but he wants to keep an eye on her. He worried because her middle is small, that she wont handle labor well. He told me that a VBAC may not be a good idea. In 3 weeks I have another ultrasound to measure her again. My Dr. said after that ultrasound he will know for sure what will be the safest kind of delivery. Im hoping she grows. I cant have another c-section. Seth is gone and I have a toddler to take care of. How do I take care of her when I cant pick her up or play with her? I know I have family and help but I hate being dependent on people. Plus no one is home during the day so either way I have to do it by myself. I just want to be able to take care of my family. I pray everyday I wont have another c-section. Plus to stay a week in the hospital...no thank you! Kadence is at my side at all times and no one will be watching her over night. Personally I feel like everything is going to be ok. When I think about having the birth that I want(VBAC), i have a sense of peace come over me. Thats makes me feel like I will get what I want. I know God always provides a way. Heres to hoping that the way is a natural delivery and a short hospital stay:)

Bad at blogging

I havent been very good at blogging. Im just not on the computer very much. Im going to try to be better. Cause whether or not people actually read this, it is a journal for me. Blogs to come soon: Our vacation to LA, Baby #2, and maybe a deployment blog. Im still debating it.

Marine World

With Seth deplying in August, we have been trying to do alot of things as a family. One of the things we decided to do was go to Marine World in Vallejo. Because of me being pregnant, rides werent an option so we did alot of animal stuff. Completely fun, entertaining and everybody loved it. Here are a few things that we did.

Saw the butterflies

Kadence was more interested in pushing her stroller than riding in it

Tiger show

It was hot so kadence enjoyed some time in the water, of course getting soaked

Killer Whale show

Kadence did not want to touch the snake

We rode an elephant:)

Kadence loves the fish. She could watch them all day

We saw the birds.

The trip was so much fun. The weather was nice, Kadence didnt complain at all and we all got a nice tan. There was alot of driving that day but other than that it was a perfect family day. Finishing the day off with Benihanas was the cherry on top:)

The Jungle

So growing up, there was this place in town called "the Jungle". It is a huge play structure and a ton of fun. While down in the bay a few weeks ago, I decided to take Kadence. She LOVED it!

She Loved this. She rode it like 20 times

Climbing up the slide

The Ball pit was her favorite. I love doing stuff like this with Kadence. She is my little princess.

Update

As Kadence grows she is just becoming so much more fun. She is talking like crazy and let me tell you she has quite the attitude. She loves to point and tell people no, she runs away whenever I try to change her diaper and she yells owe for everything! She is growing so fast and is so cute. At her last appt. she was 22lbs and 32 inches tall.

Here is a list of some of her favorite things to do:

She loves to get up on the chair and turn on and off the light

She loves to push her cart around the house:)

Chasing her chickens

She caught this one all by herself

Getting into the laundry hamper

I love this picture. When ever I put her hair up it curls like this:)

Playing on her computer

Getting up on the couch and reading her books

Putting on lotion

Having water squirted into her mouth

• Kadence loves to pull up my shirt, say baby and kiss my belly
• Talking to her daddy on the phone when hes not at home
• watching "despicable me"
• she is obsessed with brushing her teeth
• she loves eating ketchup and ranch

Baby #2 Update:

We had another ultrasound and she is definitely a girl. Everything looks perfect and she is growing at the rate she should.

We are naming her Summer:)

Easter:)

So the best part about Easter this year was watching Kadence run around finding eggs and then cracking them open. It was so cute and she was so funny. Because Kadence is so young, I knew she wouldnt understand the whole easter bunny, easter basket thing so she didnt get one. She wouldnt even know what it was or care so we are waiting one more year to do that with her.

On Easter, we went to church first. Then when we got home, Kadence got to do an Easter egg hunt! We spent the day around family and that is my favorite part about every holiday:) Later in the evening, we went to my dads house for a wonderful dinner. It was just what I needed. You only get to feast like that a few times a year so I make sure I enjoy it:)

I have to say that all day, after Kadence got her dress and shoes on, she ran around the house saying "pea, peea"(pretty pretty). She loves to put on jewerly and head bands and run around saying that. She is such a girly girl!