Urgent Help

Normally I am not one to do this sort of thing but for some reason this story really tugged at my heart and I knew that I needed to donate. Please consider reading the post below from On Loan From Heaven and consider giving. The post below is her personal opinion.

I am extremely torn when it comes to adoption fundraising....

I see how fundraising can be a blessing in helping a family grow... but I also don't see people who struggle with infertility asking for monetary support.

But that's neither here, nor there.

I am NOT torn at all when it comes to helping babies find families... especially special needs babies.

Special needs aren't just close to my heart... they ARE my heart.

Namely; Hunter. He is my heart.

There's a sweet baby girl in California who is expected to be born soon and she has Downs Syndrome. Her precious Mama is trying hard to find a family who can provide the highest quality of life for her baby-girl.

But every family she has chosen for her baby has backed out.

We can judge those people... finding out a baby is special needs and then backing out? Yeah, it might seem heartless.

But becoming a special needs family isn't easy.... it's extremely tough.... but it's also extremely rewarding.

It is NOT for everyone.

Not everyone is called to be that family.

And that's ok!

Over the past couple of years, I have been able to count on the encouragement, prayer, and support from a woman I have never met. She's an adoptive mama, she has a heart for special kids, and she loves the Lord with everything that is in her.

Ethel and her husband are the only family who are 'willing' to take this sweet girl as their own. 'Willing' is a term society has come up with for families who grow through adoption.... 'they're so generous, they open their home, they were willing to take her.'

I don't know one adoptive family that was 'willing' to open their hearts to a child.... I DO know hundreds of families who's hearts and bodies physically ache for their children to come home... the part of them that is missing causes excruciating pain until it's home... until their baby is home.

Ethel and her husband are aching to bring this baby girl home... they are qualified and ready to become her family but more than that, they can provide her with lots of siblings and a home solidly built on God's Word.

And that's what matters.

Ethel and her husband found out about Baby Girl only a couple weeks ago and even though certain fees have been decreased because of her 'special needs' and the difficulty finding her a family, The Primmel's still need a little help.

And if they don't get that help by tomorrow...

Baby Girl will go from the hospital ...

Right into Foster Care.

It doesn't matter how I feel about adoption fundraising...

It does matter that this Baby Girl has a purpose for her life that will no doubt change lives.

And I want to see every minute of it through her Mama and Daddy's eyes.

It is an extremely humbling and terrifying and often-times humiliating thing to ask for help... especially when you're asking for money.

But would you do it for your child?

That's exactly what they're doing.

It's not for them.... it's for her.

The thing about adoption is that every single dollar helps.

A quarter will help.

I don't use this blog to promote families who are hoping to adopt and I refuse to do so...

But I feel so strongly that we can help this baby girl.

That we can together.

The Primmel's didn't have 'plans' to grow their family again soon... and they didn't 'plan' to fall in love with a baby who has Down Syndrome... and that baby didn't choose to be rejected by so many families because of what makes her special...

But that's what happened and they need help.

They need just under $4,000 by 9:00 tomorrow morning.

They've already been given extra time and fees have been cut as much as possible, while still being able to provide post-partum counseling and support for her First Mama and completing the legal process.

There's a 'donate' button on Ethel's blog.... if you feel a nudge, would you consider giving even $1?

I watch my blog stats every day... and I know that if every person who visited our blog today gave $10, The Primmel's would have raised MORE than they need and that sweet girl will have a home.

And if they don't raise that money? Every penny will be returned and Baby Girl will have a Foster Family.

If you can't help with money, please share this as far and as wide as you can.... and I know you can because Hunter's Story now spans continents... and YOU did that :-)

You can find The Primmel's blogand get to know them here.

I so badly want to wake up tomorrow morning to their announcement that Baby Girl is their's... forever.

Day 5- Favorite Movies

I must admit I do not like movies. Occasionally I will go see them and generally enjoy myself while I'm there but I never watch them at home. My husband LOVES movies and always wants to watch them. I am thankful we have a TV upstairs and one in the basement where he can retreat. If I had to pick my favorites they would be:

• Dirty Dancing
• Beauty and the Beast
• Clueless (reminds me of middle school- not that I necessarily love the movie)
• Schindler's List
• Forrest Gump

Day 4- Favorite Childhood Memory

Hands down, my first trip to Disney World. I was 7 years old and living in Jacksonville, Florida. The land of Mickey Mouse. We had just moved from Ohio and my little 7 year old mind imagined that we would frequent Disney often being that we now lived in Florida. My parents had other ideas. My sisters were 4 and 2.5 and they had a strict policy against going to Disney World until my youngest sister was 3. 

Often, my parents would wake us up early, make us put on matching outfits, load us into the minivan and take us on an adventure. We went to the mountains, the beach, festivals, factories, all sorts of fun day trip places. This day was no different. We were up the crack of dawn and piled in the minivan. We drove south for an hour or so and I began to notice signs for Disney World. I exclaimed "too bad we can't go there until Bo is 3. It would be so fun." We kept driving and seeing more and more signs. Finally when we were at the exit for Disney, my dad started to wiggle like crazy and exclaimed that he had to go to the bathroom soooo bad that we would have to get off here. (Let me also add that we traveled all the time and I was very attentive to exits, mileage signs, etc.)  We approached the exit and pulled onto Disney property, you can imagine my disappointment at this point, being SOOOO close but not able to go in. I about lost it when we pulled up the entrance to the Magic Kingdom parking lot. The entire time my Dad kept commenting about not being able to find a bathroom and we had to keep driving (closer and closer to Disney) to find him one. Finally once we were at the gates my parents screamed surprise! and told us we were going to the Magic Kingdom for the day. I can't remember my exact reaction but I would assume it included lots of screaming!!! 

I remember being SOOOOO excited. We had the absolute most magical day and I cannot wait to play the trick on my kids someday. I think this was the best Disney surprise ever!

 

This is my confession

I dislike confessions. I dislike "confession" posts. Why are we confessing? Why do we feel the need to confess to our blog audience? Why do we feel guilt, like we are bad moms. Why do I have to feel like I am confessing when I tell you that I sometimes use baby food pouches (organic of course (insert sarcasm ) instead of my usual homemade baby food. Why is this a confession? Do we put so much mom pressure on each other that we feel the need to make a confession out of a completely normal and should be guilt-free thing?

Yes, I try to be organic and natural by cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and making baby food. I play with my kids, I interact with them, I try to keep the cell phone/internet time to a minimum when I'm with them. I try to be a good mom. Hell, I am a good mom. I am doing my best and that is what's best for my kids. So what if I'm not perfect all the time. I shouldn't feel a need (nor should you) to confess this. This is called being normal! By definition Confession is:

Noun A formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime. An admission or acknowledgment that one has done something that one is ashamed or embarrassed about.

Am I (are you) seriously ashamed and embarrassed to feed your child prepackaged baby food, diaper them in a disposable, not miss them every minute you are away from them, feel the joy and happiness of taking a weekend away with your husband, savoring nap times? We all should stop feeling shame for being normal, good, loving mothers. This post is not direct at/towards anyone. It is simply a trend that I've noticed on several of the blogs I've seen recently. Instead of admitting our confessions, why don't congratulate each other on the things we are proud of? I don't ever really feel judged in my decisions (people do call me crazy but I tend to laugh that off- hoping they are only kidding :)). I don't feel like I judge anyone else. I just want a community where everyone makes decisions for their family that they are proud of.

Day 3: What Makes Me Happy

Okay- Here is where the weird totally comes out. There are very normal things that make me happy and very strange, OCD things that make me happy. The weird all pretty much have a lot to do with my husband and the cleanliness of our home. A clean organized home is my love language. *Added- (so is food apparently).

• The moment when you wake your kid up from a nap and they could burst into tears but smile instead
• Matching socks
• Soup
• Smiles from Emma Cate
• Cuddles from Holden
• Really good food
• Prosciutto
• When my husband actually does laundry (wash, dried, folded, AND put away)
• Long runs
• Good music
• Live music on a deck on a sunny day
• Painted nails
• Perfectly arranged couch pillows
• When my husband packs the diaper bag perfectly
• Made Beds
• Teaching
• A clean kitchen
• A fridge stocked with fresh veggies
• My grandma's brownies
• Airports
• First Days of School- of anything really
• Church
• Brunch
• Sisters
• Cowboy boots
• NC State Wolfpack
• Being told I did something really well

Day 2- Favorite Quotes

Im  kt sure if this really counts as a "quote" but my favorite "quote" is one From my mother. I have heard it almost every night of my life but for some reason, cannot seem to memorize it perfectly. I'm writing it down here so I'll always have it. I always say a version to my babies each night before bed.

"Good night. I love you.  See you in the morning. We'll all be bright eyed, full of life, full of great health, and ready to have a great day!"-mom


My other words to live by would be:

"you're never fully dressed without a smile" -Annie
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13
"trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - proverbs 3:5

Day 1- March Blogging

I've felt like I haven't had much to blog about recently and that this challenge would help get me going! Here's day one:

I don't have any recent pictures by myself so one including the hubby will have to do! This is us at NYE this year! Our first big date night/staycation without the kids!

1. I HATE ketchup. Like won't touch it, won't touch the packet, won't touch the bottle, roll the windows down in the car if someone is eating it to avoid the smell kind of hate. I pretty much hate all condiments but ketchup is enemy #1. No idea why.

2. I am in the process of starting my own business, Tender Love and Cloth. Like us on Facebook! This is a huge dream of mine and I'm working hard to make it a reality. I haven't "launched" just yet but will be soon!

3. By nature I am a messy person BUT when I clean something I always do it full out. I guess you could say I am an all or nothing person. When my house is clean, it is really clean.

4. I love to travel! We've been staying around home recently due to pregnancy and having 8 month old twins, but I cannot wait to get the travel bug again. I've been to most of the US, some of the Carribean, Europe, and Mexico. Dream places to visit are South Africa, Thailand, and Bora Bora. 

5. I've made it a resolution to run a half marathon each year for the past 3 years. I still have yet to do it. Maybe 2013 is my year?!

Day In The Life

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner to document a day in our life. This is probably the most boring thing to most of you but I'm glad I have it for me :)

5:45- Wake up, pump, shower, get ready for work

6:30- Jay wakes babies up and changes their diapers

6:50- Babies are loaded in the car and we head to Gigi's house. The babies play in the basement with Gigi while I heat up their bottles.

7:05- Babies eat breakfast and I head to work

8:15- Babies eat 2oz of baby food for breakfast

9:15- Naps

9:40- Pumping Session for me

11:00- Bottle #2 (8oz)

11:35- Pumping session for me

12:15- Lunch 2oz of veggies

12:45- Afternoon nap

2:00- Pumping session for me

3pm- Bottle #3 (8oz)

3:30- I arrive home and play with the babies. We do lots of mat work, tummy time, sitting up, etc. I also try to clean the bottles for the day and start making the bottles for the next day.

4:00- Pumping session for me

4:30- Babies continue play time.

5:00- Afternoon snack! I cut up food or puffs and the babies hang out in their high chairs. I also start on dinner and pick up around the house while they are contained. This is usually when I put away the laundry in their rooms.

5:30- Evening walk. Now that the weather is nicer and its staying light longer, this is the perfect time to get out of the house for a little walk. The babies are very well behaved and love playing outside. If the weather is really nice we lay outside for a while to soak up the sun!

6:15- Start getting ready for bed! Each baby is bathed, lotioned, and clothed (I am a freak about my babies being too cold at night so they wear socks, a long sleeve onesie, a fleece footie jammy, and a sleepsack).

6:30- Nighttime nursing session. Each baby nurses for 5-10 minutes and are OUT. Daddy puts them down to sleep in their cribs.

7:00- Finish cooking dinner and EAT!

7:30- Jay and I always pick up around the house and prepare a bag for the next day to take to Gigi's house. We put our laundry away, clean the kitchen, do a random chore (like cleaning a room, vacuuming, etc.). We pack our lunches, make babyfood, pack babyfood, etc.

8:30- We settle in for some TV watching, Internet time, catch up time.

9:30- Last pump session before bed.

10:00- Night Night!

Exhausting Weekend

We had a crazy abet fun weekend! Friday afternoon started off with an exciting trip to Raleigh. My mom, mother-in-law, and husband were all amazing at getting everything packed and together so that I was able to leave directly from school to meet my cheerleading squad. We competed at 7:00 on Friday evening and did so well! I was so proud of my girls. My babies handled it beautifully! I was able to find a quiet dark room in the Raleigh Convention Center to nurse them in and get them ready for bed. I was shocked that they slept through the loud cheer music and even louder awards session.

My girls took home 3rd place out of 7. I was a little disapointed that they hit a perfect routine and only place 3rd. I am feeling pretty guilty as a coach for not pushing them harder. This definitely was not my year to coach. Coaching took a backseat to my children (as it should) but I definitely didn't deliver as I normally do. I am looking forward to stepping up my game next year! We went out to eat after the competition at Sweet Tomatoes on of our favorite Raleigh chains.

Saturday morning we woke up SUPER early to head to the convention center where my high school squad was performing. The hit almost everything but came in last place. I am definitely feeling the guilt of not being a super coach. I was also a bit upset with our choreographer for not making our routine difficult enough. The girls took it well and are very motivated for next year! I LOVE my high school girls and have the best time coaching them.

We stopped at some of my favorite places on the way back to Charlotte on Saturday. First stop was Snoopy's for hot dogs and second was the Tanger Outlets in Mebane. I was feeling pretty crummy about the cheer competition and engaged in some retail therapy. Jcrew outlet had a few good sales and I got some cute spring-y things. Jay and I both scored at Vineyard Vines, he got a pair of pants and I got a dress for $10 each. My Mom bought Holden an adorable kids rain coat for $20 (originally $165).

keepin it really in my hoodie, pj pants, and stay at home socks

We arrived home to watch Carolina beat us in basketball ball, put the kids to bed, and passed out super early! We were exhausted from the busy weekend. We skipped out on church on Sunday morning and stayed in bed and cuddled with the babies. Jay had to leave to take the boy he mentors to a youth rally at UNCC followed by a basketball game so I had the babies alone for the day. We decided to go out for a fun lunch with Gigi and aunt Boey! The weather was perfect and we enjoyed eating outside.

Takes his milk very seriously

good morning

Hey Daddy

Emma Cate's adorable tushy

pretty Sophie girl got a bath at the dog boarding place

I spent the rest of the day playing with the babies. They are so much fun! We did a little finger play with cool whip on our high chair trays. Emma Cate loved it, Holden didn't appreciate the messy feeling on his fingers as much. Emma Cate has changed her smile from more of an 0 shape to the shape of a wide mouth frog. She also started breathing really heavily through her nose and cracks herself up laughing when she does this. She is one silly kid. I am amazed by both of them every day! Yesterday they both sat up and played with toys for hours. We recently bought a gymnastics type mat to put on our hardwood floors (we had a rug but after a dog accident or two we decided to throw it away and haven't replaced it yet). The mat is great and both babies can roll and tumble without getting hurt.

Jay got home after I put the kids to bed and we made a random supper. I feel like I am getting the flu so I loaded up on good for you veggies and pasta. I am started weight watchers today to lose some more weight. I was super pleased with how much weight I lost after giving birth but still have a long way to go to my goal weight. I'm hoping that joining weight watchers and heading the gym will help me lose all my weight before getting pregnant again!

8 Months

Emma Cate and Holden,
You are EIGHT months old! I can't believe I am actually writing your 8 month post! That sounds sooo big to me!

What our life is like:

Really similar to 7 months. I wake up at 5:40 and pump. I'm pumping around 18 ounces each morning. My supply is still decreasing but I'm working on it, regardless, you are still getting 100% breastmilk. We use the freezer stash when I don't produce enough. We wake you up around 6:45am for a diaper change. Recently you have both been leaking your diapers in the morning. We switched to a new brand and they seem to hold tinkle better. You sleep 12 hours and are still super heavy wetters. We have to make sure we put them on really well the night before!

You eat a 6oz bottle at 7am and then a solid around 8:15am. So far you have tried bananas, oatmeal, prunes, apples, green beans, avocado, lentils, sweet potato, peas, yogurt, pears, carrots, and zucchini. You both love fruits and don't like veggies very much. Holden does love his peas though. They make Mommy gag! Emma Cate gags when she is fed veggies with the exception of sweet potatoes. We had our first experience with diaper rash this month. The carrots did not agree with your sweet little tushes. 

Developmentally Holden is pretty much on target. He rolls all over the place and is starting to get up on all fours. He also sits unassisted for a long period of time and is starting to fall on his hands to get into crawling position. He also scoots backwards and I can't leave him alone in the room! I've found you stuck under the exersaucer and coffee table! You both hold your bottles likes champs and its sooo nice for Mommy that you both feed yourselves. Emma Cate is doing GREAT in PT. She now holds her upper body up while doing tummy time, sits unassisted for 30-45 minutes while turning her head. She is playing with toys while sitting up and laying on her belly and has just started grabbing her toes. We think she'll be rolling over soon! She is also barely starting to scoot backwards. This girl may skip rolling over in favor of crawling. Emma Cate is a talker and a singer. In the car she likes to sing along with any music. She also is chatty and I think I've heard the beginnings of hey and dada.

You both nap from 8:30 or 9 until 10. Around 10:30 you eat another 6oz bottle and at 12:15 you have another solid food. You nap from 12:30-1:30 and then have another bottle at 2pm and at 4:30. You nurse at 6:30 and are in bed by 6:45. Some days it is earlier. I think we need to figure out a 3pm nap to hold you off a little longer. Our night time routine includes a bath every other night. We just bought bath seats and you love to sit in the big tub and play. Most nights we still wash you in the sink though because it is so much easier.

Holden is looking more and more boyish. You have a sweet, mischievous smile and flirty little eyes. Emma Cate has changed facial expressions this month and has a little devilish side coming out. You both have sweet giggles and love being tickled under the chin.

Emma Cate:
Nicknames:  P (daddy's nickname for you), Emma Tate, Taters (we use this one the most), Cate, Tatie Boo.
Weight: you had to get a shot this month and were 14lbs 8oz in clothes and a diaper
Height: not sure
Hair: I think it is looking more brown but you are still so bald. 
Eyes: Blueish grey
Clothes: You feel like you grew taller this month. You are mostly in 6 and 9 month clothes. Your 3 month onesies slide off your shoulders. Diapers are still the same. Bum Genius diapers are on the smallest rise with two snaps showing in the middle.  
Eating: 6oz for 3 bottles a day and 5oz for the 4th bottle. You nurse before bedtime. Two solid feeding a day, normally plain greek yogurt with pears or bananas for breakfast and a fruit or veggie for lunch.
Likes: Watching TV (I've got to keep an eye on this habit!), your pink blanky, watching mommy cook, your bottle, your paci, standing up, watching Holden, your elephant that hangs in your car seat, looking in the mirror, talking, being tossed in the air, being tickled around your neck. Loves singing and "talking", loves when we point at her and say "YOU" and smile. Likes to feed herself. LOVES mardi gras beads (man I'm in trouble!). Likes bouncing on the PT ball. 
Dislikes: tummy time (but its getting better!) and putting her hands in front of her
Development: Sits up, pushes up through hands, rolls over with assistance, scoots backwards, wants to feed herself, you've also started blowing raspberries and sticking your tongue out. You think you are adorable when you do this.
Words: hey, dada, ah
Teeth: not yet!

Extra: I have really enjoyed this month with you! You are funny and fun. You are a busy body and love when people enter the room. You love the puppies, especially when they lick your hands (yuck). You love your Holden and stare at him when he plays. You are quick to give him your toys to play with. We may need to work on that. You are happy happy happy during diaper changes and love being diaper free. You have gotten much more picky with your foods and GAG and spit and choke and are quite the drama queen when you don't like something! You will sit in my lap and play and its so fun to see you smile. You have started a new smile where you squint and then blow in and out of your nose really hard.

Holden
Nicknames: Holdy and Holds and Terry for the pterodactyl noises you make.  You go by Holden most of the time.
Weight: 14lbs 6 oz. My skinny mini
Height: You are long and lean!
Hair: blond. It continues to grow. and I think it's getting a little darker.
Eyes: Bright blue
Clothes: Mostly 6-9 months.
Diapers: Bumgenius 4.0 and freetime. They are set two snaps bigger than the smallest size.
Eating: 6oz bottles 4 times a day and nursing at night. Your nursing has gotten so much better and its one of my favorite times with you. You love to "pet" me while you nurse and play with my hair.
Likes: Roo Song, "Listen to the Leaves" song, dancing, playing with his toes, being held/carried, being naked, standing up, dancing, cuddling (you are a huge cuddler), you love exploring and rolling everywhere. You love your lovie and holding blankets up to your face. You love to grab Sophie's hair and pull on it. You love your tambourine and any toys that make noise. You love to steal toys from your sister. You also love to pluck her hairbows from her head and chew on them. You also love the remote and Mommy's iPhone
Dislikes: being hungry (boy likes his bottle!), being tired (you are a bear when you are tired)
Development: Sitting like a champ, rolling, leaning forward while sitting to get your toys, blowing raspberries
Words: not yet!
Teeth: not yet!

Extra: You are so inquisitive! You are very active. I put you in my lap and two seconds later you are on the go! You only are still if you are sitting up and playing with toys. We rotate toys a lot because you lose interest easily. You want to crawl SO badly! You get into the funniest yoga poses and get into plank position a lot. You scream when your bottle is empty. You also try to steal Emma Cate's bottles and it works most of the time. Good thing she is a fast eater! When you are tired it is all over. You have a few of your own separate "nap" times where you need about 15 minutes in your crib to sort things out :) You like to cuddle when you are sleepy and love nuzzling in my arms. You love your toes and still love to eat your socks. You really like any type of fabric and are very tactile. You've started shoving your entire bottle in your mouth. You are also funny and fun and I love being your mommy!

SUYL- Favorite Family Pictures

Welcome! Here are a few of our new little family that I love:

Dancing at the rehearsal dinner

where it all began

Before twins.... just two soon to be parents savoring the last few days before chaos ensues! 

Crowd outside the nursery waiting to get a peak at new babies

first time Grandma

last day of the belly

last night as a family of two

Extended family

mom and daughters

Having fun

new family

grandparents