I know! I know! I'm updating the blog!

I know! I need to update the blog. This angel face looks like he just kicks back and goes with the flow - but life with 2 kids and a husband, a house, 2 dogs and a job is a little crazy in these dog days of summer. So I won't write a lot because who really cares - you just came for the pictures, right? And so without further ado... (is that how you spell that?)
Carter has started smiling and laughing - and the most at his sister. She can calm him in 2 seconds if he is upset. "I lay down with Carter" - and she will crawl under his playmat and they giggle and laugh while holding hands. Priceless.

And if you wondered about Presley - she is growing so fast... putting together sentences that are hilarious, carrying 4 purses that are filled with cars. Notice how she lines them up....

For the 4th of July, Carter got to meet some of his new friends, his new bud Will (born to my dear friend Meredith, March 19) and sweet baby Maclane (born to my life long friend Shaye, May 18, and of course his favorite girl Shelby Kate and Paige were there - they have been best buds for a while now....

Carter and Will...

Shaye and sweet Maclane

Back in June we went on our first "family of 4" vacation with some friends to Galveston and had such a great time. There were 9 kids under the age of 4, but hey - they couldn't have been better. We had a great time on the beach and at the pool and just hanging out like one enormous family. This is the morning Presley decided to put on some of my eyeshadow...

My sweet friend Andrea - I somehow managed to come away with only a few pictures of adults....

P LOVES her Aunt Shara... but I mean, who doesn't???

Carson and Carter were big fans of napping on the sand...

Noah and Presley were expert sand castle craftsmen...

We lined up all of the kiddos for an official Father's Day photo shoot. Carter was thrilled...

Camille and Presley loving the waterfall at the pool...

Presley and Hayden chatting over their morning apple juice...

Maddox (who somehow got the nickname Tazmanian Devil, not sure how)

Come on - could he be cuter?

Emmie was a girl on the move at the pool

Did you remember doing this with your dad? So much fun. She would scream and say "Again Daddy!"

C was well prepared to protect his new baby skin from the sun...

P found some extra space in our condo to race cars.

One of the very few family pics...

P and her favorite friend Olivia - or "WaWa". Do they know how to strike a pose at 2? Scary.

On my last week of maternity leave, I took a quick trip to New York with my brother, parents and Carter. I will have to blog about that later. It was a blast and we did make it to a Yankee game - only to see them lose to the Rangers. I just love that place. M stayed here with P because the thought of losing my 2 year old in New York gave me hives. Anyway, that's all for now - hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

Lessons learned

My sweet baby boy is almost 2 months old - and yes, time does go by faster with your second child. For the most part, everything is getting back to normal -or what I like to call - our 'new' normal. Presley is in love with her little brother and to watch her with him - makes me love her more, if that is possible. So I said I would blog about Carter's actual birth - a funny story, but really the 1st of 2 lessons I learned from that day. So most of you know that Carter was scheduled to arrived by C-section on Monday, April 14.
1st lesson: GOD is the one with the plan. NOT ME.
I never dreamed he would arrive early! The 14th was 9 days before his due date and I had each day planned with what I needed to finish, etc. before his arrival (including his nursery). We had registered at a different hospital than where I had P, and everything and everyone was ready for a baby boy on the 14th. Nope. On Friday, April 4, I had taken P to gymnastics and dinner to another friend who had just had a baby. It was a normal day, I didn't feel any different, just very pregnant. We had dinner, we put P to bed, and Michael went to play poker with some friends while I went to bed around 11. I got up around 2 and 4am of course to use the bathroom, but then had crawled back in bed. At 7:30 am, Saturday April 5 - I thought he had kicked my bladder - because suddenly the bed was very wet. I sat straight up in bed and kind of gasped. Michael said, "What's wrong?" Me: "Ummm.. I'm not sure -I think I might have peed on myself." M: "Gross". I went to the bathroom and was very confused as to what was going on. The next 10 minutes went something like this:
M: "Well, did you?" K: "I don't know"
M: "How do you not know? Why don't you smell it."
K: (add sarcastic tone here...) "Why don't you smell it?"
M is still in bed I might add K: "I think my water broke"
M: "Are you sure?"
K: "no" (For the record, when it broke with P - it was a huge gush. This could have easily been mistaken for a bladder accident.)
Then the realization of all of my worst nightmares started. I realized my doctor was out of town turkey hunting and would have to call his partner (whom I had never met). I also realized that if I called this doctor, I would not be delivering at the new hospital, I would have to go to the old hospital, where I had Presley, the place that tried to kill me. (whole other story, but it does end with a $25 gift card to Red Lobster). Then I realized that I had not one thing packed in a bag, his nursery was not done, my 2 year old was still asleep, we didn't have a plan for her, my parents are out of town, we had an engagement party that night, I wasn't ready for him yet, and on and on... until sheer PANIC. I start to cry.
M: "Calm Down! If you aren't in labor - you are going to put yourself in labor by freaking out!"
K: "I don't want to go to that hospital, I don't want to have that doctor, I don't want him to come right now! What do we do?"
M: "I don't know. Call Paige"
Here is the irony in the situation. We are two, college educated adults who already have experienced the miracle of childbirth. We both knew what was happening, but somehow needed to get confirmation from Paige as to what we should do.
I call Paige at 7:30 on a Saturday morning. That conversation went like this:
P: Hello?
K: (trying to use the I'm not crying voice) Paige?
P: Are you in labor? (Funny that she can tell this by me saying her name)
K: I think so. I think my water broke. What do I do?
P: Go to the hospital. (Moron! She didn't say that, but I think she was thinking it.)
This is where I learned lesson number 2.
Everybody needs a Paige, and everybody should try to be a Paige to someone. Paige is who you call when you are in crisis, and she goes into crisis mode with you. When M and I finally get our wits about us enough to stop staring at each other in the bathroom, we put on clothes, got P dressed and headed to the hospital. We were there by 8:45. Presley could tell something was wrong because I was having contractions every 90 seconds in the car. I was trying not to scare her, but squeezing Michael's hand, we are flying down the road with our hazards on...similar to a movie. When we wheel into the parking lot, there is Paige - waving, smiling, and waiting to help. Presley was even relieved to see her - a calm soul in the midst of this chaos, and jumps to her as soon as Paige gets her out of her car seat. Long long story short, we made it to the hospital, they gave me meds to slow my contractions, I had a c-section and by 10:22 am - Carter was here! None of my planning or timing could have made it more perfect. It really reminded me that God is in control - not me. And just when you think you have it all together - your water breaks on a Saturday morning and everything is different. Lesson 1: God is in control.
Lesson 2: Be a good friend. Everybody should have a friend like Paige. Someone you can call at any time and they will fix what is broken. One that will come to your defense without question or even knowing the situation. If you have a friend like that, hold on tight. If you are a friend like that, the world is a better place for it. Ok - such a long post, but I had to get that out! Here is a pic of my soul sister... Love you Paige!

We're Back.

Well, after Carter's surprise arrival - I guess I have recovered and am trying to get used to the world with 2 kids. I can't complain - it has been great so far, Carter is an easy baby for the most part and P just loves him to death. I have been pleasantly surprised how well she has done, not being jealous, wanting to hold him etc. She is definitely in the imitation stage, she has seen me wearing my glasses lately, (with only 2 hours of sleep, I can't bear to put contacts in my eyes) - which I guess prompted her to sport these nice green sunglasses after her bath each night.

Aunt Tiff and Maddox have been here saving the day and keeping P busy, going to the park and playing outside. Here is favorite cousin Maddox in the "schwing" (that's what P says...) Isn't he precious?

The proud big sister... I love that Carter is looking at her and they are holding hands... sweet.


Cater on his birthday... April 5, 2008

Of course people ask "who does he look like?"Well, I will let you be the judge of that. Below is Carter on his birthday, and then a picture of his sister on her birthday. Who do you think he looks like???


I think they look like twins - aside from a slightly different nose. Michael thinks they don't look alike at all. What do you think?
I will blog more about the story of his birth - it was pretty hilarious now that it is over. Thanks for all of your sweet comments welcoming our baby boy. Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Carter!!!

This is Kimberly's friend, Shara. If you are like me...you want pictures fast, so I thought I would help her out and show off her beautiful baby boy! He is just perfect and everyone is doing great! I know that they appreciate all of your prayers, and all of their visitors. I will keep this short and get to the pictures!

Carter Garrett Holmes

April 5, 2008

10:22 am

6 lbs. 10 oz.

19 1/2 inches

Presley is so happy to be a big sister!

Beautiful family of four!

Carter waving to everyone!

Carter, you could not have picked a more beautiful day to arrive! We are so glad that you are here and we love you so much!!

P's school program & Easter AAYYEEGGGSSS

Well, I am behind posting the Easter pics - and we just got home from P's program at school - which was pretty hilarious. This is pretty much what she did the entire time. She did lay down at the end, like she was asleep (I think that she was supposed to do that) - but for the most part, I have 10 minutes of video of this exact face....

Don't you worry - her BFF Olivia was the cutest - and did all the right moves...

This is P's secret boyfriend Brennan - is he not adorable?

Yes, they are wearing pajamas, that was their costume. Here is P with her buddies Olivia & Camille...

And now back to Easter... P LOVES the Eggs. I wish I could type it the was she says it... it is more like AAAYYYEEEGGGGSSSS (with the lisp).
She had so much fun hunting eggs, but in true Presley style, if the egg was not the right color - she would just walk on by. If we picked up an egg she had passed over and try to slip it into her basket, she would look down, pick it up and throw it out. Well - she is a woman who knows what she wants. Here is P and favorite Uncle Gat on Easter Sunday after church...


and of course with Papa and Cece

Papa, Cece & P dying easter eggs... Cece bought her an egg spinner - you dump in the dye and spin around the egg like a lettuce spinner. Really cuts down on the mess - yay!

P and cousin Cooper getting all the AAAYYYEEEEGGGGSS.

P did get some colors and a CARS coloring book (I know this is shocking - Presley gets colors) and preceded to drop herself in the floor and start coloring immediately. Notice the large half eaten bar of chocolate on the floor. Color a little, take a bite of chocolate, color a little more... you know, crayons, wax, chocolate, floor dirt - its all the same.

So I hope you all had a Happy Easter - we are on the final countdown until little brother makes his debut - about 18 days to be exact. I am trying to remember to enjoy the last few weeks of preganancy - but when you cannot inhale because your ribs won't expand anymore, you can't eat anything without chasing it with Rolaids, you have to give in to the fact that you have in deed reached the miserable point. Either way, we finally decided on a name, and Carter Garrett Holmes will be here soon! Sorry for the long post - Happy Thursday!

Meet my new friend Will

One of my oldest and dearest friends from high school gave birth today - William Henry was born at 9:06 pm - weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. If you know Mere, then you know that is a BIG BABY! She did have a c-section and was so so tired, but he is here and perfect. I am so thankful for this precious blessing - and he belongs to two of the most wonderful & deserving parents. We love you Mere, Troy & baby Will!

and now the rain

So last week was snow... this week is rain. It did give P an excuse to use the frog umbrella Aunt Tiff gave her long ago. She loves it! She loves it so much, she doesn't want to go inside - she wants to stay out in the rain. Most of the time, this involves me standing there (without an umbrella) getting wet and trying to convince her to go inside. She is also a little reckless with the swinging of the umbrella - as you can tell from the pics. In other news - we have a new cousin - Makinley Kate Bigham was born on St. Patricks Day - and tomorrow morning - we expect to meet Will Okruhlik! Can't wait - bring on the babies! Have a great day!

This is CRAZY I tell you - CRAZY!

Ok so last night, I made dinner, and Michael, P and I enjoyed dinner outside on our patio. We had the windows open all day - P played soccer outside with the dogs.... it felt like the beginning of spring.
WRONG.
Less than 24 hours later, it is SNOWING. SNOWING! Enough snow that we bundled P up and took her outside to experience it - even though it was dark. She kept saying, "Mommie - WHITE?" Yep,white. Everywhere - white. Should be lovely lime green, little sprigs of grass growing up - the signs of life after winter. Nope - snow. Lots of snow. No wonder there are snotty kids, people coughing up lungs in line at the grocery store - germs everywhere. A simple swing of 40 degrees is enough for that. Here are some pics - yes, P is in her pajamas, but it was snowing - for the minute, so we took advantage! Maybe tomorrow we can swim in the pool.

Mawix came to visit, Cooper came and Danced

Aunt Tiff and Cousin Maddox came to visit last weekend and P LOVES HIM! She was such a little "mother" - held his hand in the car - made sure we didn't go anywhere without him, wanted to feed him, help dress him, change his diaper, put on lotion, and on and on. She loves MAWIX.

We love cousin Mawix! Wish he didn't live all the way on the east coast!

P and Mawix in the wagon for a night ride...
Then this past weekend, Paw Paw (M's Dad) came to visit for the day, and so Cousin Cooper came over too. P and C love love love to play together and especially to DANCE! Here is a brief snapshot of their routine together.


And still, P loves to cook. This is our attempt to make chocolate heart cupcakes for her friends at school. She loved it! (Not to worry parents, nothing she licked went into a cupcake that we gave to someone!)

P is talking all the time and literally cracks us up everyday. We have moved into our 'big girl' bed, we no longer have a passy, and are working on the whole potty adventure. We have to! Baby Brother (Still nameless) will be here in less than 60 days! (Freak out.) Ok - hope everyone is having a good day! Hug your babies - they grow up too fast!