Double digits now, baby!

Baby Henley, we are finally under the 100 day mark waiting for your arrival! It's a great "mommy milestone" during pregnancy and we couldn't be more excited! We are so ready to see your cute face! I'm 26 weeks today. If you come around the time your sister was born, we are looking at having about 10 weeks left, or 70 days. I go back to the Dr. in two days, so we'll see how everything is looking then. We love you and can't wait to meet you!

Bathroom fun

You sure do love bath time, changing the bath water color (with color tabs), and looking at yourself in the mirror. But recently, you've found new activities in the bathroom. About two weeks ago (March 9th to be exact), you decided to have some fun time while I was drying my hair in another room. You went into the bathroom and shut the door. I finished drying my hair, walked around to find out what you were up to and I saw that the bathroom door was shut. In my head, I heard "dun dun dun" but wasn't sure to what extent it would be. I slowly opened the door to find you standing on your potty, shampoo bottle in hands upside down, & pouring on the floor. This image seemed to be straight out of a comedy and I stood in shock and awe at the cuteness of it all...but I know somewhere in my mind, I was pissed at how I was the one that was going to have to clean this up. I slowly looked around the bathroom to find that not only was the shampoo on the floor in front of you, but it was on the counter, on the side of the tub, in my makeup bag (that was the worst part of the clean up), and in your hair! Needless to say, it was bath time.

Growing cuteness

Jayden, this week you have surprised me with little sayings and big attitude! Your vocabulary is expanding each day. From the ever popular, "No!" to the new phrase, "Yes, I've got my money!" when I asked you if you were ready to go to Wal-Mart. This cracked me up, as I have never told you or asked you to have money when we go shopping. We haven't started an allowance just yet, so this caught me off guard.

The other day, I had done too much and I needed to lie down (25 weeks pregnant), I told you I didn't feel good. I asked you if you could make me feel better. You said, "No, it's too late...but I will lie down with you." You then kissed me and said, "I miss my Heidi." I agreed with you, and we called her.

Recently, we were at Hobby Lobby and you were in the back of the cart which is made of some sort of honeycomb type pattern. You looked at it and asked, "What is this, an octagon?" I laughed and counted the sides and let you know that it was a hexagon. I figure if you're going to go that far, I'm going to tell you the right name..my little genius! Thanks Team Umizoomi!

We watched the Potty Training DVD today, needless to say it was on repeat. After lunch, you told me you needed to pee (not something you do...ever!) so I said why not and we went to the bathroom to give it a shot. You sat on your potty and I sat down in front of you and I asked after a couple of minutes, "Can you push the tee-tee out?" You proceeded to push on the potty as if it had buttons to push on it to make the pee come out. Ah, this attempt is over I presume.

As you do multiple times throughout the day, you came to me and asked me what color something was. We're watching Dora, so I figure why not tell you what the color is in spanish while we're at it. You had a red ball and an orange ball. I told you rojo and anaranjado. You corrected me on the red and told me it was "hóng sè." I stand corrected again.

The learning continues.

Life As We Know It

As a parent, your time for things like movies, shopping, and just hanging out with friends sometimes can't happen as often as you would like. Last night, we actually had the opportunity to watch a movie together and enjoy it. No sound of musical toys over the audio, no screams of "I don't want to go to bed!" And the only pause was when Henley decided to lie down on my bladder. Meme decided last minute that she would have JJ spend the night with her. She had Jayden on the phone telling me, "I'm gonna spend the night" in her cute tot voice. So, yay for a mommies night alone!
We had gotten "Life As We Know It" from Netflix and decided that we might as well watch it. If you haven't seen the movie, it's time! It's also time for you to probably stop reading this post because I will give WAY to much of the movie away!
The movie put the much needed fire under my ass to get things going legally with our nearly 3 year old daughter and a son on the way. I currently have no life insurance and that really scares me. It's been on hold simply because I don't know what all options there are out there. I want what's best for both of our children in the event that something happens to one or both of us while they are still young. I want to know that they are in the care of someone(s) who loves them unconditionally. I want to know that they are secure financially in their future. If they want to go to college, whether I'm alive or not at that time, I want to leave them with the money to do so. I want them to know who I was and how much I love them, and how much they mean to me if my time with them is cut too short. I want to leave Heidi with enough financial support and have her life with them be as worry free as I can make it while I'm here. I want Heidi to know how much I love her and that nothing is more important to me than our family. The family we made together. We are all so lucky to have each other. The thought of us having less than each other scares & saddens me.
This was one of those movies that puts things in perspective and makes you realize that all of what you have can be taken from you in a heartbeat and everything can change whether you want it to or not. All you can do is be as ready as possible for anything that's possible...anything.
All the thoughts that came to mind when I was watching this movie aren't even coming out how I had hoped. I wanted to reveal them to you as special as they were to me but I guess the only way to really let you know how it feels is for you to watch it and see what thoughts it provokes in you. Hug the ones you love. Happy Viewing!


 

Round 2

I was browsing thebump.com as I usually do (this pregnancy & the first one) and I came across someones signature that included a link to their blog. I have always been interested in doing one of these, but never done the research or taken the time. Well now that I'm pregnant with number two, I wanted to start one for this baby. I felt the need to get first child caught up and her have the same tribute posted for all to see for her. After all, she is our first and the light of our lives! So, I started on hers earlier this afternoon and decided to do one picture per month of her life and include some highlights and things I remember about those times in her life. I caught myself up to the photoshoot I had outside with her today, so I feel better about starting one for second child. I also plan to continue to keep hers going as she is still just nearly three and about to be a big sister. She has many more milestones worth noting and sharing with family and friends.

We found out we were pregnant with you on October 19th, 2011. We decided your name was going to be Henley whether you were a boy or a girl. This is a picture of your first ultrasound on 11/11/11. The Dr's office confirmed your heartbeat and we were released to go to the official OB. We chose St. Vincent's, as we were familiar with it and happy with our experience with your older sister.

This was your second ultrasound on 11/29/11. You can see your little leg and arm buds and where your eyes were.

By 12/28/11, you were looking more "human."

March 2, 2012

Today, we had a photoshoot outside before the storms were set to come later tonight. It is still considered "winter" in Alabama, and the high today was 80. It was warm and the winds were strong, but we had to see what we could get out of it. I'm not the photographer of the family, but I'm pretty proud of what came of this shoot! I'm also happy I realized the beauty of an often overlooked (by me, at least) filter, cross-process.

The wind was strong on this one, but what it did to your hair, for some reason I love. This is one of my favorites from today.

Cheese!

JJ found a rock for me. I was busy holding the camera.

You look so grown here!

                                                  Cross-process again. Beautiful, baby girl!

June 2011

We had a two year old developing more and more each day. We couldn't be happier with her. She was described to us by friends and family as perfect, so smart, and so beautiful. Summer was coming and we were ready to play outside with our little one!

On July 1st, 2011, Mama Lace was let go from her job. This was a hard time, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I enjoyed my summer with you and I am still continuing to enjoy my time with you at home. I've seen so many milestones and laughed at your funny phrases and seen your personality grow. I couldn't have it any better.

You and I enjoyed many days swimming in the pool, eating popsicles, and lizard spotting - you wanted to see a photo I took with my phone all the time!

Here you are enjoying one of your many popsicles of the summer! We were filling up the new pool at MeMe's on this day.

You were still sleeping in your crib at this time, but that didn't stop you from entertaining yourself. You went to sleep in a tanktop and woke up like this. It was obviously amuzing to you, too! Stinker!

This would be said "tanktop" and you eating your lunch. You loved PB&J sandwiches and on this day, you also had some strawberries. You had just said, "I want some more strawberries, Mama Lace."

We tried to get you outside whenever it was pretty. Here you are enjoying bubbles in the summertime. You also pushed around your bubble lawnmower that MeMe got you and Mystikal came over to see what we were up too.

As we made our way into fall of 2011, we had many things to do, as tradition of course. The pumpkin patch, Alabama football, several birthdays, and a new addition this year, Boo at the Zoo!

Here you are at Boo at the Zoo saying, "Shh! The pigs are sleeping!"

Our little Bama Girl!

This year, you were a candycorn witch. It was so funny to hear you say that, too. As usual, we ventured out on our little street. We went to PawPaw's house, MeMe's house, the Lowery's, and this time around we drove over to the fire station. The month of October was also the time where we introduced you to the idea that you would be a big sister! We found out we were pregnant and were so excited to add one more to the family!

Your Santa trip of 2011 went much better than 2010 (you screamed and cried). This trip you were excited about, we were anxious to know if that feeling would change once you got on his lap. In this moment, you were actually telling him that you had a boo-boo on your hand. Whatever worked was fine with us!

As we venture into 2012, your photoshoots with Mama Heidi continue, I'm still a stay at home mom with you and enjoy every minute of it. Lessons are learned (by both of us), diapers are still being changed, & you still love PB&J. Some things stay the same, but baby girl, you are growing more each day!

As the winter months in Alabama go, we have one day of 70's with a breeze and the next day 40 degrees with a chance of thunderstorms, etc. Any day that's been pretty lately, I've tried to take advantage of. You loved the park, and were not ready to go home!

Year two for Jayden

We couldn't believe a year had already flown by when you turned one. You reached all milestones and your personality was glowing. You bring so much joy to your family, love.

On this particular day in your thirteenth month, I decided to clean and you decided to help me out by sitting in the empty swiffer wipe box. You were watching T.V. It was so cute!

Some of your bottom and back teeth had come in by now but this picture was taken to show off your front teeth that had come in. Too cute!

You did this move on your own and we thought it was so funny. You were pooped and we wondered if you would fall asleep right there.

In September of 2010, the family went to Orange Beach. This was your first beach trip and we got so many cute pics of you! This was one of our favorites.

In your seventeenth month, we took some pictures on Morris Ave, downtown. This was a popular place for photographers like your mom to go and take pics.

                                                    
You were being silly here as we were getting ready for the holiday season. Thanksgiving / Christmas 2010.

Christmas 2010 was a little more exciting for you and everyone else. I had forgotten your hair ever looked like this but looking through the photos, I just had to use this one! No hairbow, all belly, and 100% excited JJ!

Into 2011, you were still growing and learning so much! You surprised the family every day with something new you had learned.

Your love for books was still growing. Here, you were sitting in Mama Lace's chair looking at "Heather Has Two Mommies." This was taken in your 21st month.

In March of this year, we took you to your first Zoo trip at the Birmingham Zoo. You loved it! You enjoyed the elephants a lot. You got a souvenier elephant cup, rode in your Radio Flyer wagon and demanded to walk a lot of the way too!

In April of 2011, we took a trip to Botanical Gardens again to take some spring pictures. Your PaPa liked this picture so much, he sent it in to the local news channel and it was on T.V! Your first public exposure!

I was home with you one day in May and you were playing in the kitchen floor. I had to get the camera since you were being so funny. Here you are in one of your favorite cartoon pj's, Kai-Lan.

I almost got ahead of myself. We have already made it to your 24th month. Again, it got here before we knew it. You can just see the excitment in your eyes! Happy Birthday to you!

Wishes

I wish I had started this blog back before you were born, Jayden. I'd like to think I have more time to do it now, so I'll try to catch up now that you are going to be a big sister.

I still love looking at this pic. You showed us a little smirk that day and we couldn't wait to see it in person. This was at 30 weeks and 5 days.
Nearly 6 weeks later, you came to see us. It was the best day of our lives! May 31, 2009 at 3:14pm. You were born at St. Vincent's hospital. You weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz. and you were 19.5 inches long.

While your first smile may have likely been gas, it still made our day and this was taken on the day we were able to take you home; June 2, 2009. This also happens to be the day that your mother proposed to me.
The Robinson family became a party of three and the months to follow were filled with laughter, love, & lessons. Sleep, not so much.

This is one of my favorite newborn pics of you. Taken on your third day home, sleeping with Mama Heidi.

By your second month, you had already grown so much! This is also about the time we introduced you to your water submerged baths...fun times!

This was taken 08/23/09. Your smirks and laughs were the best entertainment for new moms! Our little silly girl.

Early into your fourth month, you were coo-ing and gurgling to your hearts content. On this particular night, you were "singing" and kept us up laughing way past your bedtime, missy! This was September 5, 2009.

Our baby in her Halloween pj's. You probably had a halloween outfit for every day of your fifth month.

I absolutely love this picture. It was early November. You were still short on hair, but cute as a botton!

Santa baby! Your first Christmas was so special. You got an Elmo toy that was just the right size to fit in your hands. It laughed every time his head tilted back and you giggled every time he did. It was so cute. You could also sit up on your own now, which was great for Mama Heidi's photography sessions.

This picture was taken in mid January, your eigth month. You have a visor just like Mama Heidi. You were sitting with your MeMe.

Your first Valentine's day! While this was one of your many photo sessions, we actually didn't pose you that way.We sat you up, and your crossed your hands and put on the serious face. You still had your baby fat.

Your hair was coming in more by your tenth month. You were crawling, pulling up, and smiling all the time!

This was a little into your twelth month, but close enough! We went to Botanical Gardens and got some really cute pics of you. You had just enough hair now to actually put a clip in it, rather than attatching a ribbon with toothpaste.

This was your first Birthday party at MeMe's. We had two separate parties for you. One for family and one for friends. You love cake! This messy one was made by Mama Lace. Can you tell?