Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a new and FUN experience. With two more babies added to the Graves bunch, we definitely felt a little outnumbered at times but we welcomed the craziness with open arms. It had been a long time since we were all together so new memories were on the agenda. Of course, wonderful memories were made:)

The two new babies. Walker and Sidney. Two months apart. Walker-5 months, Sidney 3 months.

These two. I hope they're bff one day:)

Watching Chesson and Anna Corbin grow up has been such a fun experience.
They are two peas in a pod!

So many fun times with Aunt Byerly!

Anna Corbin teaching Weslyn how to open gifts. She needs practice for Christmas!

We spent Thanksgiving day in Tallahassee with both sides of our families. My wonderful and talented sister took some amazing pictures. Beyond blessed to have a photographer in the family to capture so many great memories!

It was a very Happy Thanksgiving! Can't wait to spend more time with family during Christmas and Disney trip 2014!

Dentist

Weslyn had her first trip to the dentist last week. She did a great job! I was pretty impressed because she seemed much happier with the experience than I ever am. I must admit, I really dislike going to the dentist. It's on my top 5 list of things I don't like. Also on that list are water chestnuts, heights, IPA beer, and scary movies. Getting my teeth cleaned is something I often dread. Twice a year they call to remind me of my appointment and I try to find an excuse to not go, but as always I make myself go. Mostly because I'd rather not tell my mom the next time she asks if I've had my teeth cleaned in recently. She always asks. Ugh.

Anyway, I've been adamant about Weslyn going because I'd like her to get used to it at an early age. I want her to enjoy taking care of her teeth. I have friends that really enjoy taking care of their teeth and flossing, so I pray Weslyn can be one of those people too. Luckily, she had a great time and let them clean her teeth. She even got a prize at the end...of course!

Halloween 2013

Our Halloween adventures in pictures:

A big transition.

We've been enjoying our new life with Sidney girl. She brings so much joy to our family. All the sleepless nights are worth her million dollar smile. She's developing more and more each week with smiles and growth. Up to 11 lbs now, wahoo! We can't wait to see her personality bloom. So far, I think she'll add some drama to our lives. She has healthy lungs and can scream at the top of her lungs when she gets really tired. She LOVES the vibrating bouncy seat, thank the Lord. She's fussier than Weslyn was as a baby, but we've made our adjustments. Poor girl doesn't tolerate dairy or wheat/grains very well, so this momma is taking a long break from both of those food groups. Well worth it if it keeps this little baby happy!

The last 10 weeks have been a huge transition for all of us...even Kobe, who is now back in the Lawton Graves Obedience School. That's what happens when you eat 15 scones off the counter. Yep. But we're all coming to to terms with the change and loving this new life. The Lord has blessed us abundantly.

Big Sister

We have a big girl in the house now, or so she thinks. I mean, she'll always be my baby, but calling her a "big girl" has helped her transition into a big sister. She is quite the big sister. She's always concerned about Sidney when she cries and always wants to hold her. It's cute...for the most part. :)

Weslyn has done such a great job with becoming a helper and tending to her little sister. Don't worry though, when little sister is sleeping we make sure to give Weslyn the extra attention and cuddles she needs to know she has not been replaced. I know it can be tough for the oldest to make the transition, so I want to make sure she's confident that mommy and daddy still love her and think the world of her.

It has been fun to watch this girl grow in the last two years. I can't wait to see what these girls will look like two years from now.

Oh Weslyn Elizabeth, you bring us joy everyday with your sweet spirit, feisty nature and goofy personality.   What a blessing you have been to our family! You are already a wonderful big sister. 

Sidney Catherine

Girls. I have two girls. For the past week and a half I've been getting used to that phrase. "Oh, the girls are doing great." I just love it! When we first realized Sidney was a girl I was completely exhausted from her delivery and it hadn't really sunk in until later on that day. But now, we're elated to have two little girls.

Sidney was born on Sunday morning at 7:50am. I was about 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. The day before I had been in labor all day. My contractions started on Saturday around 5am and around 9am they got to be 5 minutes apart. Since Weslyn was born in about 9 hours from when my contractions began, our doctor was very adamant about us getting to the hospital sooner rather than later since labor and deliveries after your first one tend to be shorter. Also, with my complication we knew we needed to be at the hospital if anything were to go wrong. So we sent Weslyn to Gigi and G'daddy's house for the weekend and headed to the hospital. Well, Saturday was a long day. We stayed at the hospital, walking the halls for 9 hours. My contractions slowed down and almost completely went away by 8pm. We decided to pull the plug and get discharged so we could sleep in the comfort of our own home. I went into the hospital that day 3-4 cm dilated and I left 4-5 cm. After 9 hours, I knew that I needed rest and something to eat! On our way home we stopped for a Jimmy John's sub (best sandwich ever after not eating all day) and then headed to bed. I didn't have any contractions the whole night. I think the Lord knew I needed to get my sleep to prepare me for the next morning. I woke up again at 5am with contractions. 10 min apart, very regular. I went ahead and took a shower and Lawton made me breakfast. By 6:30am we were ready to go and my contractions were more intense and 5 min apart. We got to the hospital at 7am and when I got to my room, I hit the hard part of labor. I felt out of control with intense pain and I was 10 cm dilated. I was floored. How could I go from 5 to 10 cm in that short amount of time?! I didn't care, I just wanted to deliver this baby pronto. After more intense contractions the baby's heart rate was going up and down and the nurses all had concerned looks on their faces. I took some oxygen and had to take deep breathes to try to get her heart rate regulated. After one push we could see the cord was wrapped around her neck. My doctor cut it from her neck and after two more pushes she was out at 7:50am. I felt so much relief, but was getting pretty concerned when they called the neonatal doctor to come. My little girl was blue and not breathing. It was the longest 10-15 seconds of our lives. That first cry brought me to tears as they handed her over to me and called off the neonatal team. Lawton and I looked at each other with amazement and I said, "What are we going to do with TWO girls?" :)

This pregnancy had it's highs and lows. Being on bed rest for 3 months after a placental abruption was a long and difficult process, but we had the most incredible support anyone could ask for. Our family, friends and church stepped up to take care of us throughout the entire 3 months. People watched Weslyn for us, cooked meals and most of all, prayed. People prayed a lot. Not just for the baby, but for all of us. They prayed I wouldn't worry and that I would trust the Lord. They prayed Lawton would have enough energy to be both mommy and daddy when I couldn't do my job. They prayed Weslyn would learn to be patient and content to be at home most days. If there's anything I've learned throughout the process, it's that prayer is powerful. It's not just requests we make to God. It's an act of selflessness which takes time out of our day to do for someone else. It humbles us to see that we can't do it on our own and it brings up to a mindset of submission and recognition that we are not in control. It's no wonder Jesus spent so much time in prayer to the Father.

After a difficult pregnancy and a scary delivery, I've come to the conclusion that the Lord has made Sidney to be a fighter for sure. I'm so excited to see what's to come for her life and to see how her personality will develop. Right now, she's a sleepy, hungry baby with a big sister who adores her. The last week and a half has been so great. I've had help from Lawton and his mom non-stop. There have only been two short times when I've been alone with the girls. My help is nearing the end in a couple days, but I think "the girls" and I are ready to take on our days with just the three of us...Kobe too:) It's been such a blessing to have so much support and I couldn't be more thankful. Sidney, you are dearly loved! Thank you to all of you who have been apart of this process. We can't wait for everyone to meet Sidney!

The whole family minus Kobe. Weslyn holding the Mickey Mouse that Sidney gave her. 

Weslyn giving Sidney her first lovie from big sister.

Proud daddy with both girls.

Headed home!

Weslyn constantly wants to hold Sidney and says, "Her so tiny! I tiny too!" 

We started bottles earlier this time around.
 Hoping she takes to it so this momma can get out some. :)

Talking about being a big sister.

All she wants to do is give her kisses.
I'm totally fine with that, as I'm sure that will change in the next few years:)

Daddy and Weslyn have spent a lot of quality time together.
This girl is going to be so sad when Daddy goes back to work!

Kobe has even had a fair amount of attention. Walks, bath and a haircut!

Welcome to the family Sidney! We're so excited to have you home.

Maternity & Family Photos

My sister is so talented. I'm a photographer's worst nightmare because of how uncooperative I can be during a photo session. Lynn is so patient with me and can help me look better in any light. She also keeps me from looking totally cheesy, which is how I always feel when I'm getting my picture taken.

We took these photos at my in-laws house in Jacksonville, Florida. These photos are so special to me not only because my sister took them, but also because this pregnancy has been particularly difficult. I've been on bed rest for a three months and things are now starting to look up the sooner I get to my due date. Lynn was able to capture some sweet moments with my little girl and of course include our #1..Kobe:)

Thank you, sissy!

Big thanks to Gdaddy for keeping this little girl entertained for the photo session:)

Love you Lynn!!