3 Girl Momma

Even before September 11, I was a three girl mom.  When we found out Cameron was in fact a little girl, I was honestly a bit relieved.  I know girls.  I have two little girls, heck I'm a girl.  Girls are familiar.  Being a mom of three girls is awesome.  Sisters are the BEST!  As each year passes, sometimes as the day passes, it's fun to watch the girls personalities and interests show.  

Crosby: Age 4

-has a wonderful imagination: playing airport, Aldi, mommy, etc

-plays well with Carter

-loves all things girly and dress-up 

-has her own sense of style

-is a rule follower

-is a fantastic helper

-loves books and reading

-most nights asks for sister bedtime

-can draw our whole family

-likes playing with her work binder

-enjoys putting puzzles together

-can write everyone in our family's name

-does a great job setting the table and throwing away dirty diapers

-started playing on a 4 year old soccer team

-favorite color is RED

Carter: Age 2

-plays so well with her big sister 

-enjoys playing by herself

-talks non-stop

-enjoys a casual meal at the dinner table 

-is very affectionate, lots of kisses and cuddles

-has a wonderful sense of humor (upon meeting Cameron called her spicy)

-can sing just like the Veggie Tales

-loves her glasses and has been very responsible with them

-wears an eye-patch each day for an hour and for that hour, she's a pirate ;)

-is independent 

-loves to read and visit the library

-drinks out of a big girl cup (no sippy cup here)

-draws an awesome worm/snake

-has recently learned how to play memory, go fish

-loves sleepovers with her big sister

-is a night owl and NOT a rule follower

-has a very creative imagination 

Cameron: 3 weeks

-is an awesome eater

-doesn't enjoy being swaddled, but sleeps so well when swaddled

-is a little spicy

-spits up

-has a strong neck

-takes good naps in her pack n play with a fan next to her

-loves her wubanub paci

-usually has a burp or 2

-sleeps 3-4 hour stretches most nights

-witching hour is nightly from 4-7!

-likes hearing her sisters

I'm so excited to watch their relationships grow.  Both Crosby and Carter already want to include Cameron in on their fun. Sisters make wonderful live-in friends and family is everything. 

Cameron Leanne's Birth Story

On September 11 at 5:30 am, Tim and I arrived at Mansfield Methodist to start the induction process. You know, it's very strange going into the hospital not in labor, knowing your going to meet your daughter.  

We took the elevator to labor and delivery and checked in.  Immediately, they walked us down to our room. After answering a few questions and getting hooked up to the fetal monitor, Aimee (our nurse) started an IV.  The IV was for both fluid and an antibiotic.  I tested positive for Group Strep B and an antibiotic is needed 4 hours before delivery so not to pass on the bacteria to the baby.  By 6:20 the first round of antibiotics had been started. 

During the next couple of hours, Tim and I passed the time by sleeping and watching TV.  Not much was said between the two of us, we were just waiting.  Waiting for Dr. Chancellor to come in and break my water.  Waiting for a nurse to check to see if there was any progress.  Waiting for the contractions to start.  Waiting to meet our sweet little girl.

At 8:30, Dr. Chancellor came in to check to see if I had progressed any on my own and to break my water. It had been nearly 2 hours since they started the antibiotics and I still had 2 more hours worth to receive.  For the next two hours, things were really slow.  Lots of waiting.  At about 10:30am, I looked at Tim and made the comment that the contractions were not bad at all.  I also added that if I were laboring at home, they wouldn't have been bad enough to leave the house yet.  From here, things moved very quickly.

The contractions quickly picked up around 10:45, I knew that it was time for an epidural.  Nurse Aimee had told us earlier that the anesthesiologist wouldn't be available after 11:30 due to a scheduled C-section. It was now or never.  He arrived close to 11:10 and started the epidural process. It was quick and semi-painless.  Nothing like my procedure with Carter! He was done and out the door by 11:25! Nurse Aimee wanted to wait a little bit for the epidural to start working before putting the catheter in and checking yet again for progress.  

By 11:40 with the catheter in (ouch) and having progressed I was ready! I needed to push and I let everyone in the room know it.  The problem was Dr. Chancellor was not in the building! Not only that, there was no prep table and no one was expecting a baby before noon.  The doctor was called and I couldn't help but notice everyone started moving very quickly.  I said many times, I don't think I can wait for the doctor to get here!  This sweet girl was coming and she wasn't going to wait for a prep table or doctor.

Everything over the next 16 minutes was a blur.  I was ready, the nurses (all four of them) were scrambling to get the room ready.  We just needed a doctor to help! I was told a few times to "just wait" and "breathe through the contractions", I will be honest I was starting to panic just a little at this point.  Tim stayed calm during the entire process.  He might have been nervous and anxious, but I would have never know.  He's a rock!

After pushing through two contractions and feeling EVERYTHING, we met Miss Cameron at 11:56 am, weighing 8 lbs 14 oz and measuring 20 inches! The nurses put Cameron on my chest immediately after delivery.  We bonded, she nursed and I cried tears of joy.  What a wonderful feeling, holding your child in your arms after feeling her move and kick over the last 5 months. 

I was very apprehensive about being induced.  You always hear the horror stories of inductions.  I wanted to go into labor on my own, without assistance. However, I knew the best option for Cameron was to be induced, to have 4 hours of antibiotics to keep her safe.  After how quickly I delivered Carter, Dr. Chancellor and I both decided with baby #3, and induction would be the only way to get the antibiotics before she arrived.  I'm so thankful for Dr. Chancellor's wisdom and advice.  If I would have gone into labor on my own, I'm not sure I would have made it to the hospital, let alone had 4 hours to receive the antibiotics.  

We are now a family of 5, I'm a three girl momma and I wouldn't change a single thing about it. Crosby and Carter love their baby Cameron.  They are so helpful and want to be close to her. Crosby has been a champ with helping with diaper changing.  Carter is awesome about alerting us that the baby is crying.  They want to touch her hands (look mom, she's holding my finger), do sister bath, and want to hold her.  In the morning, Crosby wants baby Cameron to lay and bed and help her get dressed. 

Thank you for all of your well wishes, packages, meals, prayers, and visits.  We are so blessed to be apart of such an amazing group of family and friends. 

Bluebonnets 2014

 A couple weeks ago Tim took the girls to take classic Texas bluebonnet pictures.  Oh man, Tim is such an amazing daddy and photographer.  He got several awesome photos of the two girls.  

The "serious" face

The "kissy" face

The "silly" face

I'm fairly certain she was about to eat this flower.

These sweet, sweet cheeks.

The "thinker" 

When did she get so big?

Joy!

10 Months Side by Side

Crosby - 10 Months

Carter - 10 Months

9 Month Side by Side

Crosby Eleanor - 9 Months

Carter Joy - 9 Months

Oh my goodness, these two are so uber cute!  They are so similar in so many ways, yet SO different.  

I cannot get enough of these two sweet ladies!

Side By Side Measurements:

Crosby: 

Height: 29 inches

Weight: 19lbs 15oz 

Carter: 

Height: 29 3/4 inches 

Weight: 20lbs 4oz 

10 Months - Carter Joy

Yipee! 10 months!

What is new with our little Carter Bug?

-Army crawling machine

-Daddy went to Austin and Grammie came to town...Girl Time!

-She loves, loves, loves looking at herself in the mirror

- Went from 4 to 8 teeth 

-Loves eating!

-Takes three 6 ounces bottles each day

-Naps with her faithful paci

-Bath-Time may be her favorite time

-When in the bath she must be on her tummy or sitting up

-Will eat just about anything...her favorite is fruit

-Going for stroller and wagon rides

Carter is a very happy little girl.  She loves moving around, chasing her sister and putting everything into her mouth.  Carter loves going to church and playing in the nursery.

We are so blessed with this little girl.  She is a pure JOY in our lives!

Love you Carter Bug!

9 Months! - Carter Joy

Yea! Mommy is finally blogging about....

Wait, what does this say? 9 months!!

This says 9 Months!  

I'm 9 months + 2 months now.... 

Seriously, do y'all see this awesome sticker?

I'm doing some big things now.

I love clapping, army crawling, and I am eating all sorts of new things.

Can you see how long my hair is getting?

I love smiling, it is really one of my favorite things! One of my new fun tricks is to move from laying to sitting!

What's that mommy? You'd like me to sit still and not play with this giant sticker?

Not going to happen!  I think this sticker is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

Oh hey there!  Since I am cutting 4 teeth, I'm a drooly mess!  

My chin shows the results of ALL OF MY DROOL!

Thanks for checking in!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I had my 9 months doctors appointment.  

Height: 29 3/4 inches (95%)

Weight: 20 pounds (70%)