Cecilia Marie's birth story

I am writing this almost 4 years after Lia's birth.
so I may be forgetting some of the details.
but, my labor with her was by far the best one...super calm and controlled.

I was able to completely relax in between the contractions.
Chris talked me through each of them which kept me totally relaxed.
he likes to refer to it as the 'hypno birth'.
we got this beauty after his hypnotism :)

I had gone into the hospital 2 days prior to her birth thinking I was going into labor,

but nothing progressed.

they offered to induce me but I like to wait until the baby is ready.

these were taken 5 days before her birth, the last pregnant photos I have.
and with my sweet darrel who had just turned 2 a couple weeks before.

we left for the hospital when the kids were asleep so grandma came over.

it was a school day and andrew had the best 8th grade teacher-

who has since moved out of state and he was so sad when she did.

she sent him to the office before lunch and told him to call and find out if I had the baby.

Andrew saw Ella on her way to lunch and told him that I had a girl and she did not believe him.

I am an only girl and so is my mom so neither of us have sisters and Chris has all brothers.

it was such a wonderful surprise to have another daughter and sister for Ella.

We named our sweet baby Cecilia Marie after both her grandmothers and St. Cecilia.

She weighed 8lbs. 1 oz. (same as Ella) and was 19 inches long.

my brother came and spent a long time with us the next day, it was so nice.

I just love newborns and was in heaven with this new precious daughter of ours!

the little inventor

I'm so glad I had these photos saved in a draft because I remember this day so clearly.

even though it was seven years ago now.

John was three or four years old and invented this little drinking contraption.

I love seeing these photos in our newly remolded kitchen.

we only lived in it for a year after we remodeled before we moved.

this brings back so many fond memories of our time on royal palm road.

and so many fond memories of my little John, my little companion thru it all.

I can't wait to show him this post and see if he remembers making this.

I'm guessing he won't which is why I love blogging, why I'm determined to do it again...

here's to preserving wonderful memories!

Thanksgiving 2013

trying to get back into blogging...luckily I had several drafts started.
like this one from thanksgiving 2013 back when D was a baby.
he's now 5 years old!

a quick view of our table, before window treatments and our back patio (built 2 yrs. ago).
our traditional thanksgiving family picture (we always aim for a Christmas card photo).
and John was in kindergarten...wow, he's now in 5th grade!

I remember how cozy all the kids were watching the thanksgiving day parade.
so funny how lady is right in there with them.
more of our table...I always enjoy making things look special and pretty.

Ella's hand made place cards, these are seriously the best.
I love pulling them out every year.
Chris has gotten really good at carving the turkey.
our cute little thanksgiving day baby:)

I always love this special and intimate sit down meal we have with my family.
now I just have 4 more thanksgivings to catch up on!