A belated birthday wish for two early girls

The Birthday Girls with their first-ever Build-a-Bear friends

These two girls came into our lives 8 weeks earlier than planned. But, in many ways, they came right on time. In many ways, they saved me. Being a mother had been my life-long dream and when Holdy-boy was born part of me was so, so happy. And yet, I struggled. Looking back, I'm sure I was suffering from post-partum depression. I felt awful, lonely, and isolated. Holdyn was a terrific baby, K a terrific husband/daddy, and I was living my dream, but I just couldn't function much of the time. Slowly things got better (not great, just better). I was thrilled when I found out I was pregnant for a second time and terrified when told I was pregnant with twins! TWINS!

By the day the girls made their scary, early, and quick entrance something had changed in me. The hard pregnancy, the fear, something, had toughened me and made me realize that I couldn't wallow in self-pity or worry anymore. I had 3 little people who depended on me. It was time to step-up to the challenge and claim my blessings. And I did! Since then, I've still struggled periodically, but motherhood has given me strength and courage. Whenever I think I can't do something tell myself, "You can do this. You've birthed 3 children and 2 of those at once!" It may sound silly, but it works. Acknowledging that hard work gives me strength.

So, I'm wishing a belated Happy Birthday to my two early girls! Nine years ago you saved me, and you've saved me many more times since. I love you!!!!

I wrote this earlier in the week, but I'm slow in moving photos from the phone to the computer. So this belated birthday post is doubly belated. One day I'll get my self together, promise!

Much Love,
J  

Happy Birthday (baby) Boy!

Like most Americans, July 4th is an important holiday in this house; however, it's more than celebrating our country's independence that makes it such a special day. You see, on July 4, 2001, K and I graduated from man and wife to mommy and daddy.

Buckled up and ready to see Rose Towers crumble!

Fireworks and Yankee Doodle took on a whole new meaning for us. This year we celebrated our sweet boy's 11th birthday. This parenting thing has been quite a ride and it's not over yet!

The only bad thing about a holiday birthday is that it's nigh-on impossible to have friends over for a party on your actual birthday. Holdyn has enjoyed ten blow-out birthday extravaganzas complete with family, swimming, and fireworks, but he's never had (in his words) a "real birthday." This year we did things a little differently. As any normal, red-blooded American boy would wish, Holdyn's birthday began with a bang, literally, as we watched the implosion of an old dorm on the UA campus. That was a cool experience! I've never witnessed a building implosion in-person. I'll post the footage later as it's on K's phone, not mine. The implosion was over by 8:10a and it was already hotter than the seventh level of hell, so we headed home to nap in air-conditioned comfort. The rest of the day was filled with video games, movies, cookie cake, and laziness as requested by the birthday boy. He even asked for "birthday alone time" and stayed home while K, the girls, and I made a quick trip to the mall.

I hope this and all his wishes come true!

Twelve hours after the initial birthday bang, we loaded up and headed to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater to hear patriotic tunes and see a fireworks spectacular. The TSO provided the music and the fireworks were amazing! Thanks to our dear friend, Diana, and her generous gift of tickets, we were able to sit in comfy seats at the amphitheater to watch the show. It was the first time in about three years that we'd been to a large fireworks show and we loved it! By the time we got home we were beat. It's surprising how draining a lazy day can be! ;)

All in all, I'd say the boy had a good birthday and it's not over yet. Saturday a few of his friends are coming over for a video game-a-thon. (His dream come true!)

So, happy birthday to my Holdy-boy! I hope your day was filled with family, friends, and fun, too.

Much Love, J

Big Girls Now

Posting two days in a row?!  Shocking, I know.  But there's been some big time events the past few days and I'd be remiss if I didn't document them.  Last week, on the first day of school, my two sweet baby girls turned SEVEN.  I cannot believe they are seven years old!  We had a little pool party on Saturday complete with pink elephant cupcakes and a giraffe mini-cake.  Evie loves elephants and Kallie is my giraffe girl.  We had a great time with friends and family.  The girls got new bikes and some other great things, but they were most excited about this.....

Yep, my two babies got their ears pierced yesterday.  Now I've got two big girls complete with bejeweled ears.  There were a few tears (from them) and a little doubt (from all of us).  In the end, however, they are happy and I'm excited, too!
As my sisters can attest, this ritual was a big deal in our house growing up.  We had to wait until we were 10 to get earrings, but it meant we were big girls.  And they are big girls - sweet, kind, and helpful.  I love those two!

Evie didn't want me to take her picture just after the piercing.  She asked me to wait, "Until my face isn't so red and puffy from crying."  Seriously.  We are definitely raising a priss here!  Kallie wanted to choose skull studs.  "Ooooo, these are cool!", she said.  I convinced her to pick gold hearts with crystals in the middle.  Hint - She is NOT the priss we are raising.  Holdyn's only comment after the piercings was, "I'm glad I'm not a girl!"  This will not be the last time in his life he thinks that, I'm sure.

It's as crazy here as ever!

Seeing Double

Six years ago I was relieved, happy, and terrified all at once. I'd just given birth to two of the tiniest things I'd ever seen before! Granted, they weren't that small, 4'4oz and 4'13oz. But they seemed so small and fragile and they were too early, by 8 weeks! Evie came first, before poor Krager even made it inside from the parking deck at UAB. Kallie came second, just as he screeched through the delivery room door.
We weren't together, you see, because I'd made the trip to the hospital via ambulance. I'd gone into labor early on Monday morning and Krager had taken me to the small hospital where my doctor practiced. He tried to stop the labor but couldn't and there was no neo-natal ICU there. I had to be transported to UAB hospital by ambulance and Krager couldn't ride with me. I was so scared but my sweet friend Andrea, a delivery nurse who worked at the little hospital was just getting off her shift and agreed to ride with me. I'm eternally grateful to her for that.
The girls came just about 15 miutes after I arrived at UAB. Evie at 7:40a and Kallie at 7:45a.
Although early, those girls were healthy and as a nurse said, "They just weren't finished cooking." So cook they did for 2 more weeks in the ICU. I visited them everyday and cried for myself, them, and all the actually sick babies and their families. There were so many who'd been there for months and wouldn't go home. It humbled me. I came to see how blessed I truly was/am that my babies are strong, healthy and with me.
I love you girls! These past 6 years have been hard, fun, and magical - I wouldn't change a thing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY

One Year of Bloggin'

I just realized this blog is one year old. I can't believe it - I never thought I'd start a blog much less (semi)keep it going for a year! That's quite an accomplishment for me.

The absolute best part about blogging is all the bloggy-friends I've made. I've never met any in person but I love them just the same. To logically think about that is odd, how can you love people you've never met face-to-face? But thinking with my heart I know it is possible; we've connected on an important level and become friends because we share our thoughts and feelings with each other. It's awesome!

Here's to another year of ups, downs, and craziness at Vaughn Farm!

8 years of Holdyn

Eight years ago today I was introduced to my very own Yankee Doodle Dandy at 8:19am. It was the longest and best July 4th of my life!

Not long after he was born my Mom's boss commented, "If he was born on July 4th he must be destined for something special."

I couldn't agree more! I don't know what or how but mark my words, this boy's going somewhere!
His sister Evie remarked not too long ago, "He's not like other boys."

She's right - he's not like other boys, he's mine!

Happy Birthday, baby! I love you so much!