Wednesday, August 31, 2016

1st day of the THIRD grade

It was a tough decision... but this year, Charlotte is heading to school for the third grade. After homeschooling her for the last few years, it was a super tough decision to come to. But, this year, with twins coming, and two toddlers to entertain... it was a no brainer. Plus, the kid has been begging for the experience of "school" for so long now. Where did the time go? My baby is in third grade...

I was definitely more nervous dropping her off for the bus stop, than she was about going to school for the first time. Think of it the same way, as putting your Kindergartner on the bus for the first time. My heart just aches knowing that she's growing up... But, it's inevitable.

We walked to her bus stop holding hands... praying most of the way. Charlotte usually displays this confidence and utter independence in most situations. But as the bus pulled up, there was this look on her face. This almost panicked look. She gave me a kiss, waited for me to reassure her to go, that all was well... and then off she took. She made her way up the steps slowly... and sat right in front (I always predicted she'd go for the back of the bus)... and off she went. May she be an amazing bright light in her school.... and may she get off at the right bus stop on the way home.











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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Sweet Babies { Weeks 29 & 30 }

Dear sweet little babies,

Well, we made it another 3 weeks since my last update. My goal so far has to get to 30 weeks... and we're in it to win it. My goal has now been updated to another number... but I'm taking it one day at a time... exactly how I'm going to take things when you two make your grand entrance.
















After this week's ultrasound, Mommy "officially" has more baby in her, than she's ever had in her before (from your brother and sister's pregnancy). Not to mention, the extra fluids from the separate sacs, and the extra placenta. It's no wonder the aches and pains continue to happen.

Baby A... you're still head down, and ready to exit first. In fact, you're even further down than you've ever been... and you figured out a new placement for your butt, so you're super cozy. I hardly know you're around, except for when you hiccup for the 30th time each day... and that number is no exaggeration. We got to peek a little closer at your sweet face during this ultrasound. The first thing the tech said was, "Wow, good job Oklahoma for catching that cleft lip... it's SOOOOO small." So, apparently we are dealing with a tiny hook... nothing crazy. We'll know more once you're out... but, she also thought it was safe to say that your palates would probably be unaffected as well. Typically if someone has a cleft lip/palate... they have something else going on with their heart or kidneys... but, you passed your EKG with flying colors, and your kidneys look beautiful... They spent some extra time taking a look at you, but it was worth the minutes. You my dear... are around a whopping 4 lbs. 1 oz.

Baby B.... you decided to flip... again... you found a whole new place for your head (which is now transverse), and your butt is always up high on Mommy's right side... with legs dangling down... so it's a sort of strange 90 degree angle position that you're in. The tech was pretty impressed and understood why you pain Mommy so much. You're the one in the ribs, in the lungs, and everywhere else that murders her. Every time you flip, it feels like Mommy is in labor... so lets try and flip one more time (so you'll be head down)... and then let's not do that at all, anymore. We didn't get to see too much of you, because you were facing the backside of Mommy's body... but everything we could see, looked great and growing. You my darling... are around a whopping 3 lbs. 12 oz. Though the tech thought you might be more, her measurement wasn't as accurate with you because you were wiggling... a lot.















Everything else looked great... Fluid levels were fine, great cervix length... In 1.5 weeks, Mommy starts going to the hospital twice a week to monitor your movements. 30 minutes for each of you... so 1 hour appointments... not too thrilled about this. They won't let little ones in...so it means lots of help from Daddy in order to get to these appointments, since he'll have to watch your brother and sisters. It'll be nice when you ladies finally show up, so that all of this can be over... and we can just enjoy you.

Keep growing little ones... we are so thrilled to have you be a part of "us",

Daddy, Mommy, Charlotte, Marley and Finn.
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Planting Roots

The last year in Oklahoma... I really tried to branch out with photography. Don't get me wrong, I love photographing families/newborns/seniors/etc.... but, I wanted to try wedding photography. I love details, more than anything, so it's no surprise that I would flock this way. I was able to second shoot for some amazing photographers in the Oklahoma City area... Which was not only insightful... but FUN.

I haven't been able to fully commit to any direction that I've wanted my photography to go in... mostly because of the constant moves and the fact that I've been (what feels like) eternally pregnant the last 4+ years. I've always known that I've loved lifestyle photography... and continue to document my daily happenings with the babes... but, I'm pumped to FINALLY be in a place (and a beautiful place at that) where I can settle down and plant some roots. Hoping to create a rhythm after the twins come (it might take more than a few weeks/months), so that I can start booking clients and sharing what I love with others.

Right before I left Oklahoma, I was beyond honored to photograph a wedding down in Texas for the sweetest couple. I knew the bride, from our time in Germany... she was in highschool at the time (yeah, yeah, I totally felt old knowing she was tying the knot). Her day was magical, and capturing it, made my year.  I knew once I started in this direction, that I wanted to create a "thank you" that reflected the type of branding overhaul I'd want my future business to reflect. I love an item that's tangible, hence the prints... I love a bit of my family, so I had the hubs cut/sand these awesome photo holding blocks.. and I love the nature element, hence the fern clipping from my yard. Simple and clean.

You'll probably notice some changes over here (on the blog), as I start a complete rebranding overhaul. I'm going to be seeking out someone to help bring all my vision, together into one place... a website that will link to my personal and professional blogs. It's going to be quite a ride... but I'm so ready for it.








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Friday, August 12, 2016

Sweet Babies { Weeks 27 & 28 }

Dear sweet little babies,

The last 2 weeks, surprisingly, have flown by pretty quickly... hoping the next few do as well... so we can start to get excited about your arrival. We are officially into (and then some) the 3rd trimester! We did it sweet girls... we made it to the final one. Whew. Knowing that we are that far along, gives me hope that you two will be just fine when you come out.






















We had our first meet and greet with the doctor in the last 2 weeks. We will be delivering you two at Madigan Army Medical Center (unless something arises). Mommy's first impression of the doctor, is that he's super YOUNG... as in, "looks younger than your Uncle Joey" young. He assured me he's delivered many multiples before, but there's still this tiny bit of awkwardness. He calls Mommy "dear", like it'll give him a few years of aging or something... but it doesn't do the trick, he still has a baby face. One way or another, you two will be coming out... and with the amount of doctors that they have, we might not even have him in the end. We just pray daily for a safe and easy (as easy as it can be) delivery... and that's all that matters in the end. The nurses are beyond wonderful, and lets face it... they tend to be the ones that are with us the whole time anyways.

During our meet and greet, the doctor did a quick "peek" to check on you two, with an ultrasound. He didn't think I'd get an appointment in time to be seen for my normal 28 week check... so the next time we get a detail look at you both, it'll be when Mommy hits 32 weeks. He loved seeing you two... as soon as you both popped up on the screen, he had this huge smile on his face... it was reassuring to know that he loves doing what he does. He checked all of your fluid levels, and it all looked great. He didn't do any measurements, but he guesstimated that you both were close if not over 3 lbs... and then he shared some awesome news... baby B... you flipped! You're head down. So right now, both of you are head down... baby A of course closest to my cervix and still "in position". I didn't get a lot of screen time with you, but apparently we'll have 2 hours at the next ultrasound to check you two out better.
















My belly, has been completely lopsided... that's all because of you baby B.... your butt and feet are on my top right side, and you stretch out as much as you can. Also, no stretch marks still! I have no idea how, but I'll take it. And lastly, my belly button FINALLY popped. It never popped with your brother or sister... but it has with you two. I'm also at my "biggest"... which hearing that at my appointment, made me cry... I had a little pity party after that appointment... I've gained the most amount of weight, and I haven't even hit the "grow by .5 lb each week" stage. OY. Just writing it out, makes me want to tear up again. Hoping it melts off as quickly as it was added onto my body.

Most outings are tough on Mommy... people exclaim, "Wow, you must be due any day!"... "No... no I'm not." I don't even add in anymore that I'm having twins... because, really, I shouldn't have to explain my size... or waddle... or... anything. I was however super thankful to the woman who stopped me in the middle of Target to tell me how radiant I was... I shed a little tear, and let her feel my belly, per her request. I then shared with her that she felt 2 babies in one place... and she hugged me and thanked me for the insight. She said that I "made" her day... but really, she made mine.

We had a couple days of growing pains... but we are back to feeling "okay"... Sleep is still hard to come by, but I'm trying to exhaust myself, so that when I do lay down, I can fall asleep more "easily"... if that's even possible. For now, we're taking it one day at a time...

 Keep growing little ones... we are so thrilled to have you be a part of "us",

Daddy, Mommy, Charlotte, Marley, and Finn.
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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Every Bit Of It...

Moving out of our house in Oklahoma feels like such a blur now. Weeks have passed... and we've been so occupied by our new "home", that I feel like I haven't had much time to reflect on the fact that we have closed the chapter on our time there, in our first "home".














Our.first.home... the place where we grew in size by more than double. Though we've made "homes" everywhere the Air Force has sent us, those were all rentals... this place was "ours"... even though we know ultimately, it was HIS... He provided/entrusted us with this place for the last 3.5 years... and we loved on it the best we could.


When we found out we were moving to Oklahoma, while in Korea, we decided (with the help/aid of some friends) that Choctaw was the area that we wanted to live in. Without even visiting, we just had a "feeling" it was our type of place... country-esque living near the city, Oklahoma City... and super close commute for the husband for work. After a few weeks of house hunting online, and not entirely impressed with what was available to buy (we were, after all, moving right in the middle of winter)... we decided to take the plunge, and build our first "home" in a neighborhood, where some friends of ours from a previous assignment, were building their first home as well (except, they were on the final stages of building... so they had lots of great information to send our way). They helped scout out plots of land, and we FINALLY decided on the one, just off of a "feeling" that it was the one, and because the contractor at the time said it had the MOST BEAUTIFUL oak tree on it, and no other tree in the neighborhood compared to it. So we started to build our home all the way from Korea... we had about 2 months left there, and I had just found out I was pregnant (with Marley)... 


We were super excited to get to Oklahoma, to see the progress of the house... and when we got there, we were a little surprised as to how much still needed to be done on it. We rented a tiny apartment in the meantime, and visited the house (what felt like) daily... We started working on the yard before it was even ours. After 3 months of temporary living, we finally signed paperwork and moved into our home on March 21, 2013. 


We spent the next few weeks before Marley's arrival, finishing up projects that were on our "wishlist" for the house. We landscaped the front yard (created flower beds that to this day contained some of my very favorite blooms), painted the fireplace white (it was the same red brick color of the outside of our house), had the hubby create a bench seat in the master bedroom and shelves throughout the house to hold books, knick knacks or become photo gallery walls... and of course, spent a good amount of time in the neighborhood pool "floating" trying to not feel pregnant. 




We added Marley to our clan in July of 2013... and Finn in August of 2014... Charlotte became a homeschoolin' kid, mastering Kindergarten-2nd grade and crazy amazing at gymnastics and figured out it was her "passion in life"... We finished our backyard, creating a garden that flourished throughout the years and a ginormous yard for the kids to run, play and jump (spent countless hours on the trampoline) in. Lifetime friends were made (some military, some not)... and a home church was found. Friends/family from near and far came to visit... and we were able to show them all that we came to love about Oklahoma. We survived a deployment, and countless TDY's (times where the hubs was gone for a few days at a time)... and celebrated immensely the day we found out that he was hired for a position in the ANG in Washington (where we could plant roots and never experience a deployment again). We watched our babies grow... only to find out we were expecting 2 more... 




We packed out of our first "home" the last week of June 2016... said our final farewells, relived memories on the front porch as we had our final supper (pizza). It was a beautiful home, for the short time we lived there... and pray it becomes a place that holds tons of memories for the new homeowner. There's not a day that will pass, where we will ever regret living there, or forget how much we loved being the first residents of that house. We more than enjoyed every bit of it... 
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Friday, August 05, 2016

Dear Finn Mostyn { 24 months }

Dear Finn Mostyn,

2 years have gone by since we first laid eyes on you... 2 years. Where has the time gone? You turned into such a little man this year... lost most of that "baby" side of you. You've grown leaps and bounds, developmentally and in size. But to Mommy, you'll always be her "baby boy"... our one and only.
















You, sweet boy, are a complete joy... you have your "moments", like any other child... but for the most part, you are so fun to watch. You love to dance, you love to watch shows (Daddy blames your sisters for your love for all things princess), you love to make messes but don't enjoy cleaning up (though you will, if someone helps you), you love to play in dirt, with rocks and all things nature. The great outdoors, is truly your "place"... your "thing". Since you were little, if we needed to calm you down, we'd bring you outside. To this day, it's your escape place... and the rain doesn't even hold you back.























Your words are starting to come out more and more... in true boy fashion, you have no trouble making noises or sounds for animals. You LOVE animals. Whether it's your favorite elephant, that you call "Elmo"... to your dinorsaurs, you can't get enough of those little play toys. You love to go to the zoo, and see them in person as well... Hearing your squeal in delight over them, is awesome. You could stare at one exhibit of flamingoes, or what not... for hours. It's always tough getting you to press on, but when we tell you there's more animals coming, then you make a run for it. And boy can you run.















You have your moments of being rough and tough... but have your moments where you are super sensitive. It's a cute balance, and of course, Mommy's okay with you asking her to kiss your boo boo's anytime something hurts. Your toes are always beat up with boo boos.. mostly because you love to go barefoot, are as close to barefoot as possible. You love playing tickle monster with Daddy... it's precious when you try and protect your sisters, by throwing your body at Daddy to tickle first, in order to defend them. You also love tackling your sisters any chance you get... you're showing them the ways of wrestling. Your feelings also get hurt anytime your sisters leave to play with each other, and they don't invite you to join along. You always want to be included, even if they're playing dolls.














You are a giver at heart... most of the time, you want to share your snacks with others, before you have some for yourself. You naturally are good at putting others first... even if you need a gentle nudge to every so often (when toys are involved). That side of you, is one we are really trying to continue nurturing... it's a great one to have when you get married one day... taking care of others.














We love this adventure we are on with you little buddy... We are so excited to see how you'll do as a big brother in the next few weeks.  Being that you do an awesome job being the little brother already, something tells me, you'll do great. We can't get over how you'll be sandwiched in between two big sisters and two little sisters. God has something INCREDIBLE in store for you... for that we are certain. We can't wait to watch it all unfold.

You are so loved... so so loved,

Daddy, Mommy, Charlotte, Marley and the twins.


Finn's birth story can be read here.
Finn's first letter here.
Finn's first birthday can be read here.
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