Genetics Well Check

We went to Arrington's genetics doctor on Wednesday 2/17 for her HyperPHE and everything looked great! They had me write down everything that she had been eating for a week and they said her diet was perfect. She has a superb amount of PHE/protein in her diet and her levels are staying in the low range, which is wonderful. I have weened her off her two daytime bottles, so she is just taking her morning/night formula bottles. The specialist wants us to keep checking her levels every month until she is completely off of formula, which will hopefully be by the end of this month beginning of next. Hopefully we can go to checking her levels every other month, and then every 6 months or so. Poor baby hates getting her heel pricked, but hey, there are worse things they could be doing. 

Her stats were:

Height: 29 3/4 inches (70%)

Weight: 19 lbs. 8 oz. (22%)

Head: 10 %
BMI: 15.5
When we got home she took a little nap and then PLAYTIME it was!

Baby girls boo boo from her heel prick... I could just eat up those teeny tiny toes!
Aren't those just the smallest feet you have ever seen on a ONE year old!?!

Trying to escape downstairs

 She sure does LoVe her Daddy! Love that little smirk ;)

 Peek A Boo

I've got this walker thing down

Yay, for me! Taking my baby for a stroll!

Concentrating SO hard! This ones a little harder than the her other walker

 Mmm Mmmm, the taste of new shoes!

 She wants to stand up on her own SO BAD!

30 Week Appointment

We went to the doctor for my 30 week checkup today with Bennett and everything looks great! His heartbeat was a strong 140 bpm and the Doctor thinks he weighs around 3.5 lbs! Big Boy! I still can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone! I guess with moving, the holidays, taking care of Arrington, and Arrington's 1st Birthday there hasn't been much down time. And, I would NOT change that!

 While we were there today and talking with Dr. Read, I kinda got sad thinking that this might be my last pregnancy. Call me crazy, but I really don't mind being preggo. I love the feeling of knowing that I am growing a little life in my belly that is so much a part of Ben and I. I also love feeling all the kicks, jabs, and movements. I could just lay down, watch, and feel my belly move all around for hours. Don't get me wrong, the first trimester and a little of the second was not fun. That constant hungover feeling can get to ya. Overall though, pregnancy is amazing and such a blessing from Him above! I can't wait to see the love and interaction between our two babies! We love our little Bennett so much and can't wait to smother him with sweet baby kisses and gentle cuddles!

30 Weeks and 5 days Preggers!

 Arrington already LOVES her baby brother!

 This is my FAVE! I can't wait for her to meet him!

I was riding in the car the other day with my Dad and Mom and this song came on by Brad Paisley. My Dad said that it reminded him so much of Ben, and him becoming a Father to our baby boy. We absolutely love the lyrics and each time it gets us thinking all about our baby boy. We can't wait to hold him in our arms in just a short 9 weeks! 

I remember saying I don't care either way
Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok
Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen
And said "You see that thing right there well you know what that means"

And I started wondering who he was going to be
And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me
He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike too fast
End up every summer wearing something in a cast
He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street
He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up
With a magnifying glass trying to melt a Tonka truck
Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on
That'll be his first love 'til his first love comes along
He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens
And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast
Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass
He's gonna get caught skipping class and be grounded for a week
He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he cant wait to leave
But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me there's worse folks to be like
Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me

One Sweetheart of a Valentine

Mmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmm! I could just eat our little Valentine up! We had one wonderful day with our little Valentine! The weather was perfect and we could not wait to get out after all the snow we had last week. We had a wonderful and beautiful Valentine's lunch out at Tierra Verde with Daddy! 

 Let's hope she learns to drive with her hands!

For dinner, Ben and I didn't want to fight the crowd for a Valentine's dinner out. So, we grilled steaks, fish, veggies, and enjoyed the beautiful weather with our Love Bug. We had reservations the next night to eat at Eddie V's, but those quickly went down the toilet after I ended up with the stomach flu at 12:00 am on Tuesday morning and did not stop until 8:00 that morning. My ribs still hurt from heaving into the porcelain goddess. Besides the sickness, everything was perfect spent with my two Valentine's!

Baby Girl Turns ONE!

Arrington's birthday was on February 9th. Our little baby girl turned ONE and entered toddlerhood! Of course it snowed, and left us all stranded in the house. But hey, who doesn't love some nice family time, spent in your pj's, and cuddled up next to a fire. I guess we will have to get used to it snowing either on her birthday or a day or so afterwards. 

We first celebrated by walking into her room with a balloon (one of her faves right now) singing her Happy Birthday! She loved it and had the biggest grin from ear to ear. We had a little breakfast and had a nice surprise from Uncle Billie, Aunt Allie, and Brigham! They came bearing do do's (donuts), chocolate milk, and balloons for the Birthday Girl! The girls had such a great time playing together and I love how much they love each other!

 Yep, they sure do LOVE each other

Later that evening we all went over to B-Paw and Lovie's for some beef stew and red velvet cake! The Birthday Girl was sang to again and ate up all the attention! We had such a great day celebrating Arrington's birthday with family!

 Pure excitement!

 Clapping while we sing

 Do I see cake!?!

 Yes, I do!!!!

 Holding on for dear life.... the excitement is more than she can handle

 Yayyyyy!!!

 Kisses for B-Paw

and Kisses for Mommy

 Hmmmmm, don't mind if I do!

 What the heck!?! I need some spoons!

 Sweet Sweet Baby Kisses

11 Months

I forgot to post this last week...
My baby girl sure is growing fast! I can't believe that in just 2 days she will be A YEAR OLD! Oh my goodness, where did my little baby go? It is sad to see them grow so fast, but at the same time it seems to get more and more fun! Arrington's little personality is shining through and we absolutely adore her! About 99% of the time she is a an angel and so relaxed! Here's a few new tidbits of baby girl at 11 months.

Phe level at 121! WooHoo

Size 3 diapers

Size 9-12 month Clothing

Size 1 Shoe

6 toofers

I brush her toofers, then it's Arrington's turn ( we have been brushing for quite some time, but forgot to add that in way back when)

4 bottles a day- 8 oz, and three 6 oz

Eating 3 meals a day

Naps 2 times a day- morning and afternoon

"talking" a lot more

clicks her tongue for food

still giving those sweet baby kisses out for all to enjoy... one of Mommy's favorites

drinking from a straw

pretty sure she said "ni ni" for night night the other day

points to things she wants

mastered walking behind the walker

mastered the stairs... now we just need to learn how to go down them the correct way

pulling up

puts her hand up to her ear to talk on the "phone"

mastered sippy cups with straws

To Our Baby Girl...

On her 1st Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our sweet angel baby! I can't believe that my little 6 lb. 9 oz. baby girl is already ONE! Where in the world does time go? I feel as if we need a pause button to soak every little detail in of our growing beauty. It seems like just yesterday we were looking into your eyes for the very first time and bringing you home. You have brought us so much joy this past year and I know there will be many many more to come. You are the light in our life, the twinkle in our eyes, and we fall more and more in love with you each and every day. You have been such a blessing to us and bring us so much joy. I pray that we teach you as much love as you have taught us this past year. You melt our heart and bring us to our knees with your sweetness, kisses, smiles, and just about everything else you do.  We Love You to the Moon and Back! 

Here's a little poem I found that is so true...

We loved you from the very start,

You stole our breath, embraced our hearts.

Our life together has just begun

You're part of us my little one.

As mother with child, each day I grew,

Our minds were filled with thoughts of you.

We daydreamed of the things we'd share,

Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.

Like first steps and skinned knees,

Like bedtime stories and ABC's.

We thought of things you'd want to know,

Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

We thought of lessons we'd need to share,

Like standing tall and playing fair.

When we first saw your precious face,

We prayed your life be touched with grace.

We thanked the angels from above,

And promised you unending love.

Each night we lay you down to sleep,

We gently kiss your head and cheek.

We count your little fingers and toes;

We memorize your eyes and nose.

We linger at your nursery door,

Awed each day we love you more.

Through misty eyes, we dim the light,

We whisper, "I love you" every night.

We loved you from the very start,

You stole our breath, embraced our heart.

As parents and child our journeys begin,

Our heart's yours forever baby girl.

Winter Wonderland

We have had so much fun these past few days with this record breaking arctic blast! Everything has been covered in ice and snow since Tuesday, and the high has not been above 22 degrees. We were expecting a light dusting of snow last night, but boy, were those meteorologist wrong! We were left with 4-5 inches of beautiful, powdery, white snow! 

  We have ventured out a few times, to run some little errands, but basically we have kept busy busy! This weather was perfect for getting some things done around the house,  mainly concentrating upstairs in the kids rooms. We painted Arrington's room, hung her drapes, and added a few little touches here and there! I am highly satisfied with the outcome and think it is perfect for our little princess! We then moved onto our little prince's room. We painted navy stripes on the bottom half of his wall... wow, was this time consuming and hard! We then hung part of his window treatments as well. We have cooked some delicious meals including chili (Arrington's favorite), pot roast, and stew. I do feel as though I have gained 10 lbs being at home surrounded with food! But hey, this preggo has a great excuse :). 

Here's some pictures of all our fun in the snow!

And, I of course had a hard time picking just a few... 

Getting ready to head out for some fun!

Sweeeeeet Baby Face

 Taking it all in!

 So Excited!!!

 First "real feel" of the snow with her bare hand

 Mommy and her Snow Angel

 Mmmm Mmmmm Snowballs

 Still eating the snow

 Daddy throwing a few snowballs

Cousin Brig came over to play with Arrington... she's now driving ;)

 Snowballs for Briggy