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BeforeDuringAfterLOVE IT!
Thanks Papa!

Stone Mountain

We made the decision to by annual passes to Stone Mtn. There is tons to do, it's fairly close, and geared more toward Annagrace's age than Six Flags or anything. We made our first trip with Nana and Papa, Carol and Noah. Carol, Gary, and Noah bought annual passes as well, so we look forward to many fun trips together.We started off with a picnic lunch. While it probably saved us a little money to pack up the lunch and take it with us. I'm not sure it was worth the trouble. Next time I think we will just take a smaller cooler of drinks and just eat at a snack bar or something in the park.

Cute little Emmalee chilled out under the umbrella with her big sister.

After lunch we took a long train ride around the mountain.

Then we headed to the foam zone. Next time I will come prepared with crocs for Annagrace to wear. The foam dried fairly quickly so her clothes and skin weren't wet, but her socks and shoes were SOAKED!

Noah took a full body plunge into the deep foam.

We cooled off in the 4D movie then had a snack on the lawn.

Next was the trolley ride to the top of the mountain. We didn't get to stay on the top very long. A storm was headed our way and we had to make the decision to ride it out in the little building on top or hop back on a trolley and get off the mountain.

We also toured the plantation houses and barn then had dinner at Miss Katie's before we planted our butts on the lawn for the laser show.

Annagrace played with some other kids until the show started. She will talk to anyone, anywhere! And they are instantly "my friends!"
(Kinda reminds me of my Daddy!)
We had a blast and can't wait to go back!

Smiley Baby

That's Emmalee's name. She smiles all of the time!

Infantry Museum

Blessing Day

We had a wonderful day. Emmalee's blessing was beautiful and perfect. And we were elated to be surrounded by so many family members and friends.

Meeting Grandma Betty

Grandma Betty drove up for the blessing weekend. She even brought her own bed and let Annagrace sleep with her. We love her so much and are so thankful to have her in our girls life as a Grandma.

(She is my best friends Mom. So, when I was growing up, if I wasn't sleeping at my house, I was at hers. She was/is my second Mom and is now my girl's Grandma.)

Montgomery Zoo

We made our first trip to the Montgomery Zoo with Nana and Papa. It was fun but VERY, VERY hot and humid! Annagrace loved being the "leader" all day with her map and riding the train!

Nana nd Papa are HERE!

We drove to the Birmingham airport to get Nana and Papa. It was really late but Annagrace stayed awake almost all the way home so Nana could read to her.

Farewell Cast

Last photo with a pink arm.

She was fine while they cut the cast off. She was actually smiling and laughing. But, when he pulled it off and she saw the pins poking out of her skin she went a little hysterical. Honestly, I felt a little sick myself seeing metal coming out of my child's arm!

I knew it was going to hurt and it was just about to kill me to see her go through it. So, Tyler sat behind her and comforted her for the pin removal. She was brave and got through it! Dr. Johnson pulled them out with out any anesthesia.
I'm so happy that she is able to use her arm again. We are still dealing with some skin issues from being in the cast, but she is fully able to use her arm and almost touch her shoulder again!
We do not miss that smelly, nasty, dirty cast! But, we did keep the pins!

"Bring it ON"

I attempted a baby announcement photo shoot today. This was one of the products and I thought it was hilarious. She's so serious and ready to take on anyone!

let the sun shine

Message from the Hinney

My Little Twins!

No, I don't plan on doing this all of the time - matching the girls. But, occasionally I don't think I'll be able to resist! Plus the fact that Annagrace already wears a 5T makes it really hard to find matching outfits.Did you see those cheeks? How yummy they are? Emmalee just had her two week check up and she is:
8lbs 4 oz - a whole POUND heavier and
20" long - a whole inch longer
She is growing so fast! The newborn size outfits that fit yesterday were too tight today! It's probably because she eats ALL of the time. We are up to 3oz every two hours and sometimes it's even a little sooner than 2 hrs. Her cheeks are full but she still has tiny little legs and no hinney! And while she is steadily gaining, I'm steadily losing! 36 pounds so far!! When I get to add in some exercise, maybe just maybe I can get rid of 24 more to be back to Pre-Annagrace pregnancy weight!

"Farming"

As they headed out the door Annagrace said, "we are going farming Mom, see you later."

Everything is growing really well and quickly. I can't wait to actually get to pick some veggies!

(Please don't look at the dump pile in the background)

Storytime

One of my favorite times of the day - Storytime!
Just me and my girls.
(That still sounds funny to me - "girls" - it's plural now!)

Surgery #3

We went back to the medical center for surgery #3 within the last two weeks. They did a Delayed Primary Closer of my C-section wound. I just couldn't imagine continuing for weeks and weeks of wet-to-dry dressing changes, just waiting for the wound to heal on it's own from the inside-out. So, one of my other options was surgery to close it up.
The original plan was for me to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days after surgery to have IV Antibiotics to ensure no infection was growing in the wound. But, the surgery and hospital stay were contingent on me being able to bring Emmalee with me (she's nursing). But, when the hospital said no, my heart sank. I thought my chance to close this thing up was over! But, the doctor said that he could do it outpatient and send me home with Antibiotic pills to take. I was SO EXCITED! I wouldn't have to be without Emmalee OR Annagrace, I didn't have to worry about who would be keeping Annagrace, who would be at the hospital to help me, or being discharged before my Mom had to leave for vacation. It was the perfect solution and a wonderful blessing.
The only down side is for Tyler and my Mom - they have to do EVERYTHING around here, taking care of all three of us and the house. I feel so useless and get really frustrated that I can't help. It really embarrasses me to have to have someone else clean my bathroom!
I really appreciate them and everything that they do!

Another bath time

We love bath time around here! Annagrace helped with Emmalee's today. She is such a sweet, loving, big sister. She wants to hold her all of the time, kiss her head, and say "AWW Emmalee."