Birthday Girl

This little sweetie pie turns 2 today. Oh, Brielle, what a difference you have made in our lives.  She has brought so much laughter and joy to our house.  She is a little fireball and a little snuggle bug all rolled up into one beautiful package.  

She loves...

- to jump and run and dance

- her big sister, Natalie

- looking at books

- playing with blocks and puzzles

- coloring

- tickle time with Daddy

- snuggling on the couch with books and Mommy

- giving baby Ryder kisses and tickling his toes

We love you, Brielle and are so thankful God gave you to us!

Ryder Elisha

Our little man is a week and a half old, so I figured I should blog about him. By blogging I mean I will add a bunch of pictures and a few details in between.  I am, after all, exhausted and on a bit of a time restraint :)

I was scheduled to have a c-section on July 29th, three days past my due date,  if I didn't go into labor before that.  I really wanted to have another vbac, so I was getting a bit antsy for this guy to come (that and the week of 90 degree weather we had been having!)

I woke up around 5 Monday morning thinking another night had gone by without this baby coming (I had been really uncomfortable and showing signs of labor for a week).  My next thought was I think that was a contraction!  Sure enough.  Luckily I knew enough to have Hans call my mom right away while I called the doctor.  We made it into the hospital around 5:50 and two hours later I had delivered this beautiful baby boy.

 Ryder Elisha Lehman born on July 22 at 7:50 AM , 6 lbs, 6.9 oz and 20 3/4 inches

His daddy is so proud of him and I am so blessed to have this guy father my children and labor with me!

My mom had our girls for two days while we had to wait in the hospital.  She is such a blessing.  And it was so nice my dad was able to come in first thing to see Ryder before he had to head back out on his truck.  

The girls were really excited to see Ryder and it has been so fun to watch them love on their baby brother since.  

Finally! He was worth the wait.  

Heading home from the hospital

Sweet little sleeper - He seems like a pretty content baby so far

A Ballerina Tea Party

We had such a special time celebrating Natalie's 4th birthday yesterday afternoon.  Natalie is so blessed by all the special ladies in her life and it was fun to celebrate with a few of them.  

This was our tea room, with special thanks to my mom for the room, the beautiful flowers and the tea cups and dishes.  

Cupcakes!

  I saw a picture of these little cake toppers online and thought they would be the perfect addition.  They were simple to make too!

 My little mousling ballerina!

The fun craft project we did

I was so happy with how it turned out!

 Natalie just loves these two sweet girls. It's so fun to watch them grow up together

Some fun with the ribbon wands

Waiting...

Feeling tired and emotional this evening... waiting for babies is hard work and I'm still two weeks from my due date :)  Brielle ruined me by coming five weeks early!  I've been trying to keep the house in order this week and stay caught up on cleaning/laundry etc.  Meanwhile the flower beds and garden are full of weeds - there is always something, isn't there?

We are having a ballerina tea party on Sunday for Natalie's birthday. I can't believe she's turning 4! I've had so much fun planning the party - I think she will love it.  I'll be sure to post some pics later. Since her birthday is one day before my due date, we thought we would get the party in early.  So I guess I'll just be thankful this baby boy is still happy and healthy in my belly.  After all, that's what all those shots and doctors appointments were for.

Here are my two giggly girls that are keeping me busy as I wait for their brother.  So thankful for them and for their daddy that's entertaining them this evening as I take a little breather.

Confidence

This chick was my date tonight

After dinner I told her to go upstairs and get ready.  I was just curious to see what she would do.  She, of course, changed her clothes.  She came down and announced to Hans and me, "I look pretty awesome!" With that confidence the girl was ready to go in my opinion. 

 Now I just wish I could say she gets that confidence because that's how I always talk to myself in the mirror - always something to be reminded of.  These days I'm feeling (and looking) quite pregnant, but that doesn't change my pretty awesomeness, right :)

One Better

I finally started blogging the other day after a busy month and a half.  Then things got too wordy and I lost motivation to continue.  So, I'm trying again.  A few less words, but that's usually better anyway :)

I turned 30 the end of April.  I decided what I really wanted was a good, new haircut and a date day with my husband.  I got, and was very pleased, with both!  Here's a picture of my new hair on our day away - oh and my 28 week baby bump too.

I also decided I should have a theme for this milestone birthday. I'm reading a book right now called "Mended" by Angie Smith. It talks about living out your faith in everyday life and finding God's grace and redemption in the midst of it. There are several things that have stood out to me in this book, but one in particular that I've decided to focus on.  She talks about doing "one better." You'll have to read the book to find out what it meant to her, but this is what I took away from it.  

As women I think we can become so overwhelmed by all we have to do.  We have obligations as wives, mothers, friends.  Sometimes I think I am just getting by.  That there is no way I can add anything else to my plate.  Instead of that making me feel fulfilled or giving me an excuse to opt out of things, it often just lets me feeling overwhelmed.  So to me, one better means reading another book to my girls before bed, adding an extra piece of jewelry to an outfit, adding an new ingredient or dish to my menu plan, rubbing my husband's back for five more minutes.  None of this is major.  It's just one more thing that leaves me feeling as if I'm accomplishing something, making a difference, enjoying life a little more.  So that's my "theme" - One Better.  

Easter and Art

March has been such a busy month for us.  I'm looking forwards to a slower (?) April and hopefully some walks to the park.  Here are a few pictures of the girls from Easter.  Sadly, I did not break out my camera at all on Sunday to get the girls in their dresses and our fun with the Lehman crew.

Natalie has been talking about an Easter egg hunt for months.  She was not disappointed!

Brielle loved emptying out her Easter basket!

Brielle and Natalie both love a good art project.  Brielle will be entertained for quite awhile with a box of crayons and Natalie's favorite is glue and scissors.  Here's a little early morning craft session complete with crazy morning hair (good thing I didn't get a picture of myself!)

These girls are growing up so fast.  Hans and I were having a discussion last night about Natalie starting kindergarten, and all of a sudden it's not years down the road.  Sometimes I'm left wondering if I'm growing quickly enough to keep up them...