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Confection Dazzle Christmas

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Welcome to the world Erin Olivia

On October 11th, 2010 the world became a brighter more beautiful place as we welcomed our sweet daughter to the world. But lets back up and record her birth story. The last couple of weeks of pregnancy I was put on bed rest for high blood pressure, which gave my Dr. a reason to induce labor a week early. Fine with me, because anyone who knows me, knows being pregnant is not my favorite. So, we went in on Sunday the 10th, to get things rolling, meaning they started the process of thinning my cervix (I know that might be TMI). Not much happened in that department, but at about midnight I started to have contractions about 3 minutes apart. I couldn't feel them until about 3 AM. They were bearable but I could feel them. At 6, the pitocin was started, not a whole of change. At 7:30 my Dr. came in for a check, dilated to a 3, and she broke my water. BIG Changes. Shortly there after the pain intensified to not so bearable so I requested an epidural, waited for hour. Finally sweet, sweet relief. Family came by for a visit while I drifted in and out of sleep. At 12:30, the Dr came to check on us. She asked how I was feeling, my reply, "I've had a epidural, but I still feel a lot of pain." So upon checking me, her response, "You feel a lot of pain because your baby, is RIGHT, there. Let me call your nurses, it's time to push, now!" So, approximately 27 minutes and 3 contractions later, we had a baby. And it really was as simple is that. I have to say, while pregnancy is not my favorite, delivery is. Love the feeling and the release as life enters the room. It truly is amazing. Only our first minutes were filled with some fear as we did not hear a cry and my baby was not allowed to be cradled on my chest. My heart sunk and fear over came. The cord was wrapped around her neck, but once it was removed and she was suctioned I heard her sweet cry and saw the pink enter her skin. After what felt like forever, I finally got to hold my newest bundle of joy and spend some sweet time with, my girl and Doug as I nursed her for the first time. Soon I could her my first born running down the hall. The excitement in her voice was unforgettable, as I heard her scream, "my baby sister is here". Lauren's love for her sister is incredible. She is in awe of her and I love watching her love. What a treasure the two of them have. I know because I too have a special sister bond. After a brief meeting of the family. Baby girl Mueller was off to the nursery (yep, at this point she still had no name.). I had some lunch, moved rooms, got comfy. And was amazed at the lack of pain I had. I remember being in so much pain after Lauren was born I almost passed out, but this time recovery has been incredible. We had lots of visitors each anxious to know the name, but that didn't happen until day two. It took a deadline by the social security lady to get a name on paper. So finally we decided on Erin Olivia. Erin is my middle name, and Olivia is pretty. Both mean peace. So I guess she is peace squared. By 2:30 that day I was home and getting settled in. It all seem to happen so quickly and then we were home, our new family of four and as happy as can be.

Ms. E

Welcome to the world my sweet angel girl. You have already brought us so joy much as we watch you grow. You are such a calm personality and live up to your "peaceful" name. I love to just stop and stare at you, it's as if you are growing with each second that passes by. I pray each day that God protect you from on the ugliness of the world and shine His light upon you as you grow as His daughter. I love watching you and your sister forming such a strong bond. She already knows how to ease your cry, something that will come in handy throughout your life. I love to see your daddy holding is new baby. There is magic in his tender touch. I love the way you snuggle into my chest as though I was made to hold you. You have only been in this world for two weeks, but I know you were that missing piece, that I didn't even know was missing. You make my heart sing and fill the gaps that I didn't know we empty. You are my love. - Momma

Back to School

Back in September Lauren went back to school. Well, two days a week anyway. But they are full days for sure. We are still struggling with the 7AM wake up call, but we're getting there. Lauren loves her new class. They are the FROGs (Fully rely on God). Which is hilarious because my pledge class at ACU was the FROGs (Flames rely on God). It maybe kinda funny, but I think it was God's way of reassuring me we were doing the right thing. I had linger doubts about if we chose the right program for this year. Originally, we were going to put her in a 5 day half day program, but that really didn't seem manageable with a new baby on the way. And I considered looking at 3 day programs. But in the end we ended up where we should be. We were all excited to see she had several friends from her class last year and has already made a special bonds with some new kiddos. She is blessed with 2 great teachers that have already taught her so much. She is has a wealth of knowledge about apples, the letter A, and families. This year I actually get feedback from her on how her day was and what she learned. I love it. She loves school and is always asking how much longer until she goes again. Here are some pictures from the first day.

Summer Recap

Sad. Summer is over, just the high temps linger on. (Well, when I started this they were, now it's actually just awesome weather) I love summer, the heat, the sun, the swimming, the vacations, the carefree days. All of these we so enjoyed this summer. I have tried my best to make the most of this summer, knowing how different life will be next summer with two sets of hands to hold. I think we succeeded in making lasting memories in our last summer as a family of three.

Lauren enjoyed VBS at Oak Hills and Concordia. We had a fun visit from the Heflin family that included a day at the zoo and 2 days at Seaworld. Lauren attended Ballet Camp at Oak Hills along with several of her playgroup friends. Our family of 3 had an awesome vacation in Seagrove, FL. A few trips to the ranch thrown in there. August was more of a stay at home month, but we filled it with lots of swimming including swimming lessons, visits from Grandparents and play dates. Here are some pictures highlights.........

Zoo Trip

Seaworld

Swim Lessons

Ballet Camp

Seagrove

Conversations with Lauren

Lauren : When the baby gets here, will you still call me baby
Me: Sure will, you will always be my baby
Lauren: You can call me sweetheart.

And she is just that, my sweetheart and my baby forever.

Happy 4th Birthday Lauren

My baby has been four for over a week now, so it's time to do a big 4 year old post. This year we started the celebration only a week early with our traditional once a year trip to Chucky E Cheese with Lauren's dear friend Caroline. The girls had a blast, Doug and I just tried to keep up with two munchkins.

Sweet friends

This year's party was at Artworks. I wanted to go easy this year and have the party done for me and out of the million of choices out there, Lauren wanted an art party. She had all of her playgroup friends there and a bunch of friends from school. We were also blessed to have a lot of family in town to celebrate the big occasion!

Me with two of my favorite girls!

The pink flower cake. Could you get more girly?

Listening to instructions.

Busy with play doh

Posing with Papa

The family shot

Sweet School friends Claire and Maggie

Jenna & Lauren

Caroline and Lauren

Alonzo, Brynn and Lauren (school and soccer/ballet)

Mallory, Lauren and Avery

Lauren is so excited to be four and all of the things being four means. To her being four means, playing soccer, a ballet recital, becoming a big sister, swim lessons and going to beach. (All upcoming plans.) In tradition from last year, here are a few of her favorite things, only this time in fours!

Favorite Colors
1. Pink
2. Blue
3. Orange
4. White

Favorite People

1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Caroline
4. Addison A

Favorite Shows
1. Max and Ruby
2. Olivia
3. Yo Gabba Gabba
4. Wow Wow Wubzy

Favorite Movies
1. Hotel For Dogs
2. Bolt
3. Wow Wow Wubzy
4. Cinderella

Favorite Foods
1. Mac n Cheese
2. Lunchables
3. Ham and Cheese
4. Cheese Enchiladas

Favorite things to do
1. Hug Mommy
2. Ballet
3. Love on Abby
4. Art

Favorite Songs (CDS)
1. Weezer
2. Glee
3. Muse
4. Wade Bowen


Favorite Trips
1. Beach
2. Disney World
3. Ranch
4. Trips to grandparents

Favorite Animals
1. Puppy
2. Panda
3. Lady Bug
4. Bear

4 Random Favorites
1. Sleeping
2. Her bed
3. The baby
4. Soccer


Favorite Games
1. Dora game
2. Leap Frog game
3. Trouble
4. Lady bug game

Favorite Places to Eat
1. Subway
2. Mexican
3. Willies
4. Chick fil a


Lauren,

I could never tell you just how much joy you bring to my day. Your smile, your laugh, your hugs make each day better and brighter. I really don't know or understand how out of all the parents in the world God chose us to have such a good kid. The best word I can think of to describe you is sweet. You are so sweet. Always quick with hug, always thoughtful and concerned about the will being of others, always giving and sharing with you friends. You never cease to amaze me. This past year has been so much fun. I have loved watching you at ballet and soccer, had the best time on our beach trip and love to hear your stories about school. You have grown leaps in bounds in just about every way possible. I love our conversations, playing games and making crafts together. I can't wait to see what next year brings. We have so many things to look forward to as a four year old. Right now you are so excited about summer, ballet, soccer, but mostly about being a big sister. I will never forget telling you about our baby and how your eyes lit up and your jaw dropped. I love listening to you talk about "your" baby and all the things you are going to teach hm or her and how you are going to help me. You are going to be such a big sister and I can't wait to see you fill that role. Thank you sweet girl, for always being you, for loving so big, for shining so bright that you warm the room. Happy 4th birthday to my baby, er um my big girl! Love you bigger than world, wider than my arms stretch and higher than the moon!

South Padre

Shortly after our first soccer game (and when I say shortly I'm mean less than an hour) we were on the road to South Padre. Neither Doug or I had been in such a long time we thought we should check it out. We try to take Lauren to a beach at least once a year. (At the time we thought this would be our one beach trip of there year, but plans change.) In years past we went to Port A, but after the disastrous nose issue of last year, Doug banned it from our to do list. So off to Padre we went. I have to say the beaches are much nicer, and since we went in March we almost had the beach to ourselves. It was a little chilly (the first day I was wrapped in my towel for the first half of the day and then swaddled in my bed for the second half.). But we managed to have a great relaxing time and Lauren absolutely loved the beach, sand and all that goes with it. In fact we all loved it so much, that Doug and I decided to cancel our adult only trip to NY and instead the three of us are headed to Seaside, FL in July. I am so excited, I can hardly wait! I love the beach and I love watching Lauren love it.