Happy Happy Turkey Day

Yes a cold bottle does wonders for a teething baby!

Best picture ever!!

Family Photo from a cold Thanksgiving day at Aunt Linny and Aunt Lauren's house

Her favorite new face...if I could add sound you would see this face with a weird whining, grunting sounds...its hilarious!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving celebrating with both of sides of our families!  Briley Kate will soon be 8 months old...I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!  What a big girl she has become!  Milestones we have met so far?: BK is rolling, sitting while supported, babbling up a storm, blowing spit bubbles, eating all sorts of yummy homemade baby food (thanks Ju Ju!), playing in her walker, grabbing objects with both hands, and most importantly trying to cut teeth.  Can't wait to see what 8 months old has in store for us!  We go to a developmental clinic at the beginning of January to assess how far behind she is and what we can do to help her catch up and meet those important milestones.

Get Your Game Face On

I walked into the living room the other day to find this scene.  Daddy is very lucky to have a girl that LOVES sports.  Her favorite is football, but she'll take just about whatever I'll let her watch.  The first game of the world series was on the other day.  I walked in to find her sitting on her daddy's shoulders and thoroughly into the game.  At first she was holding onto his hair then she graduated to his ears.  It was the funniest scene to watch!  The pictures hardly do it justice!  So with a big string of drool dripping into his hair and  with his ears being pulled in all directions, sweet daddy endured just to spend a few quality minutes with both his girl and his Yankees.

Trick or Treat

Briley Kate celebrated her first halloween in style!  We actually had a family reunion this past weekend, soo Halloween was spent at Ju Ju's house.  Amidst the pumpkins, BK was the only little ladybug.  I do have to admit that Jackson and Anthony were very cute pumpkins!  Hope to meet you next time Jackson!

Silly Willy Wednesdays

And who says blondes don't look good in yellow ...thanks aunt Linny!!

BK says recycle (if you look close her jammies are 'green')

BK and her friends: Paxton (the bear) and Willy (the rabbit)

Just a few updated pictures of our sweet growing girl!  

Miscarriage and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

All over the country tonight people are lighting candles in remembrance of babies lost too soon.  The lighting begins at 7:00pm regardless of the time zone.   While my heart is heavy today, we know that loss isn't just one day a year.  Its a pain that is felt everyday of the year.  It usually sneaks up on me unexpectedly.  I'll be strolling in the grocery store and see a mother with twin girls...At that moment I am filled with both rage and an unbearable sadness.  But I know there is hope.  And I am thankful that I have peace most days.  I carry you.  I carry you Layla everyday of my life.  I carry you in my heart.  I carry you when I play with your sister.  I carry you when I see your daddy.  I carry you until I hold you again.  

Please take a moment tonight at 7pm and light a candle and pray for those who have felt loss.  

Shot Day

So the cardiology apt was filled with screams and tears.  We had an EKG and ECHO done, after 3 hours we finally saw the doctor who gave us the results.  She still has a small ASD (or hole in her heart for the non-medical).  The doctor expects it to close on its own, but in the off chance that it does not we will return in two years to have another round of tests.   He explained that since she hasn't exhibited any symptoms from it so far, she should handle it fine.  We left the cardiologist's office and headed to her 6 mo apt with her regular pediatrician.  She weighed in at 12 pounds (and finally made it on the growth chart woo hoo!)  It's the small simple things that excite us!  The doctor said that while she is developmentally a little behind, she still looked very good.  4 shots later BK was snuggled up my arms recovering from a VERY LONG day of screaming and crying.  Bless her heart, as a parent and nurse I know what they are doing is medically necessary but it never makes it any easier.  Hope everyone has a happy wednesday!

Cardiology Appointment

So we go to the cardiologist tomorrow as well as our 6 month apt.  She had a small hole in her heart when they did the ultrasound back in April.  The doctors said it was nothing to worry about at this time.   We were of course worried because Layla also had a hole in her heart...Layla's hole was extremely different, but it still hits me hard every time I think about Briley Kate.  So we're going to check things out.  Figure out if we need to have a future plan or if we're in the clear.  Also today is her 1/2 year birthday!!!!  Happy Birthday Little Snuggle Bug!!!  It's been an incredible journey and we're so blessed to see you grow and change every single day.  The day was uneventful, but we did get to see Aunt Kate (who is moving to Atlanta...tear).  We love you Aunt Kate and had a blast hanging out with you.  Will update tomorrow on clinic results.  

Roll Roll Roll Lynx Cats Roll On...

So many people this season are yelling Geaux Tigers, Hotty Toddy, Go State, etc.  The teams are great (well some are haha), the energy is high.  So I stopped today to pay tribute to MY alma mater...RHODES COLLEGE!  We may be small, we might not have our own band, some don't even know what a lynx cat is, and many call us nerds.  But here's a shout out to the greatest college ever!!  Roll Lynx Roll!!  As you can see Briley Kate is already following in her mother's footsteps...

Bundles of Baby Food

I'm not a cooking girl at all.  Poor Brian!  I try, I really do, but I just do not love it.  So, my dad gave me this wonderful baby food maker as a shower gift.  I thought what a good idea to save money and to have fresh organic food for BK.  This was my first attempt.  I made carrots, and I have to say that I think it turned out pretty great!   It was super easy, only took me like 5 minutes to cut the carrots up and there was just one little bowel to clean at the end.  She is not really eating baby food yet, so I froze what I had and its ready to eat!  For $1.88, I made 8 little bowls of baby food.  Economic? YES!  Easy? YES!  Will i really take the time to do this?  We shall see!

Happy Friday!

Briley Kate is almost 5 months old, and I can't believe it!  She has just recently started trying to eat rice cereal out of a spoon.  Its amazing how alert she is becoming.  I just get tickled every time I see her trying to laugh.  She's absolutely the love of our lives and we hope to share a little of our growing girl with you!  I've been trying to capture a big ole smile on camera but I haven't been successful yet, maybe soon.  Happy Friday!

Birthday Boy

Last wednesday was Brian's 26th birthday.  We took the weekend to celebrate with our families in Vicksburg.  It was the first birthday part we've had with our daughter, and she brings a whole new life to the party.  I stopped for a moment that day and marveled at all the people who shaped my amazing husband into the man he is today.  I'm so blessed to have him in my life.  I love to watch him with his daughter, and I enjoy him in the quite when it is just the two of us.  From the moment God blessed Martha and Joe with their first born son, He was already preparing him for what was to come.  A journey it has been for both of us...and I could not ask for someone more supportive, loving, and caring as Brian.  Thank you for being my rock.  Happy Birthday Daddy!

Lil Snuggle Bunny

                                                   Momma and Little Bitty

                                                   Grandpa Joe and BK

Yes...I am the mother who put a huge bow on my child's head...and I love it!

                                                BK checkin out how pretty she is.

                                                 Snoozin with Daddy!

Briley Kate is officially 3 months old!  According to our scales she weighs 8 pounds...whoa!  I've loved watching her grow over the past few weeks.  She's really started to interact with us and develop her own personality.  She even knows how to squeeze out a few extra tears when she wants to snuggle...and snuggle she does.  She now knows she has hands.  She likes to look at them even if they make her go cross-eyed.  Those tiny, sweet little hands are dangerous weapons as well.  When she is hungry and mad she just loves to grab hold of my hair and pull...she really grabs whatever is in her reach (skin, hair, eyes...whatever).  She's probably thinking, "I didn't get to be 8 pounds by just lying around never making a sound!"  Gotta love her!  Happy 3 month birthday Little!

I Will Carry You

Briley Kate Pettway 2 pounds 2 onces 15 inches

Layla Grace Pettway 2 pounds 1.5 ounces 14 inches

Precious Layla

It's hard to believe that TODAY was the original due date for our two little girls. I just can't imagine what it would be like to erase the past...to have our two babies here healthy and on time. But life gave us a different path, and God is helping us find the good in it. Words escape me today. There's a big hole in my heart, and sometimes all you can do is cry. I'm reminded of a song by casting crowns:

I was sure by now

That you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen" and its still raining.

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear you whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise you in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For you are who you are

No matter where I am

And every tear I cry, you hold in your hands

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I'll praise you in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find you?

And as the thunder rolls

I barely hear you whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills...where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The maker of heaven and earth.

I love you both, more than words can express. I'm so blessed that God allowed me to be your mommy!

Summertime

Summer is officially here in the good ole south.  Temperatures of up to 100 already, so we're hiding inside!  We weighed Briley Kate about a week ago and she had cleared 6 pounds...I think she's inching towards 7 right now!  People ask me if she's a good baby...and she really has been.  However, this past weekend she found her voice.  Brian was out of town for about 4 days, so sleep deprived and cranky BK and I made our way through her tirades.  She's not that bad, but for a baby that has done nothing but eat and sleep (no crying at all) a few crying spells in the middle of the night has just seemed impossible to me!  My due date is just 3 days away, so BK will officially be a newborn...i think this may be the cause for her newfound fussiness.  Here are some updated pictures that are long overdue.