Family Time

After Brennan was born we were bombarded blessed with visits from my sisters family, and then my parents! When Ian was born we had no visitors for about 6 weeks...however with Bren visitors arrived 4 days after we got home from the hospital. It was a bit crazy at times, relaxing at times, but most of all I am blessed by my family, and the relationships we have with one another! I am going to post a picture dump of some of our "Family Time"!

Snuggle Time with Nana

Enjoying the Outdoors with Apa

Coloring eggs with Cousins

Baseball Playing

Feeding fish and turtles with Uncle Scott

Giving TT Lovin'

Hiking at Clinton Nature Preserve

Baseball at Piedmont with Daddy, Nana, and Apa

Nana and Apa in Piedmont Park

Exploring at Fernbank

Learning how to stich up a turtle with Nana

A little photo session with Lala/Mommy

Lolli's for being such good boys at the photo shoot:)

I love me family, and could not ask for more...We will see them next in June when we visit home for my sisters Wedding!

Until then..we love y'all very much!

Videos take over Pictures...

Today I am ditching the pictures and posting a few videos of my sweet boys! Enjoy!


Sweet Brennan:

Silly Ian:

My Sunshines:

Brennan is One Month!

I can't believe that Brennan is one month old today! He was just what our family needed and is the perfect addition. To celebrate we did a little picture taking, and thought up his most important current facts...

At one month old, Brennan:

• Weighs 10 pounds!
• Has outgrown all of his newborn size outfits
• Wears size 1 diapers
• Nurses every 2 hours during the day
• Grunts ALL the time. Seriously... All.The.Time.
• Has smiled a few times, and I like to think those smiles were real ones.. even though all but one was in his sleep.
• Will sleep in 4-6 hour stretches during the night.
• Holds his head up! He's been doing this since the day he came home though. He'll even lift her head off of your shoulder and look around.

Impromptu Session

A few days after Brennan was home, and I was in awe of the love and happiness I was feeling for my boys, I grabbed my camera and starting shooting away.  As I was taking pictures and having conversation with Ian I was so filled with confidence that they will one day be best friends, and have a life filled with adventure together....this photo session is one of the first adventures, and I can't wait to watch and hear about the rest!

Baby Brennan..{Birth Story}

I know I am a few weeks late...however any of you who have newborns or have had them  I am sure understand how crazy and tiring it is, needless to say Baby Brennan has arrived!!!

Brennan Robert Murphy

Wednesday March. 28, 2012 at 9:55pm

8lbs 11oz

18.5 " long

On Wednesday May 28th I went off to work like any normal day. It was my due date but there no signs of any baby arriving anytime soon. The night before I spent 3 hours making homemade eggplant parm to eat hopingit would help induce labor which is an old Italian wives tale many friends have tried and been unsuccessful. I ate it at lunch, and nothing all afternoon. Mr. had a doctors appointment that afternoon and decided to invite his brother over for a BBQ. Still no signs of anything. My in-laws left around 8:00pm, and we started our bedtime routine with Ian.

Around 8:30pm I started to feel contractions while reading books to Ian that got intense... pretty quick. I told Mr. he should call Shawn (his brother and our sitter for Ian). He gave me a look like really? already? I had been through this once before and again asked him again to call Shawn. I started to gather all my bags and put them at the top of the stairs and ran to the bathroom. Shawn arrived around 9:20, and I told Mr. we should go. He again having no idea what I felt like was chatting with his brother, and finally after about 5 min I gave a look and said, " We need to go now!"..Shawn looked at Mr. and said, " I think you should go!"

We only live about 5 minutes from the hospital..(thank goodness)....as we walked into registration the nurse must have seen me coming and met us with a wheelchair. I told her I might poop myself and she politely asked if I could please wait until we got upstairs. As the delivery doors opened at 9:32pm I was excited to see Ms. Julie. She had taught Mr. and I our birth preparation class as well as breastfeeding when we were preparing for Ian,  we formed a bond..... next the conversation carrried on something like this...
"Murphy's! Are we having a baby?"...
"Julie, I need to go to the bathroom!"
"Ok girl let me get you in your room, and check you. Has your water broke? How far apart are contractions?"
"No it hasn't broke. Can I get an epidural? Not far apart...not far at all if even at all, I have to poop..."
"ok, ok, calm down, let's check you, and i'll order the epidural...your about 7, and his head is right there, let me ask the Dr. if you can use the bathroom"
"K...can I have an epidural? I need to go to the bathroom"
"We need to get you registered and we will order it! Let's go to the bathroom."
In the bathroom...
."Julie...."
"Yes.."
"I don't need to go, I need to push...."
"ok..WAIT...I need to check you again................Yes you do..your having a baby now!"
"Can I get the epidural?"
"I'm afraid not...were going to deliver this baby!"

Quickest delivery ever...arrived at hospital at 9:32...baby delivered at 9:55..and that's our story!

The rest of this went so quick, I barely remember anything until Brennan was placed on my chest. I can tell you it was a lot of screaming through contractions with a few not so nice words, and three pushes later I birthed my second son! It was amazing! He was placed on me "goo" and all and was so beautiful and perfect, God has blessed us!

Let's Play......

Catch up!

I know that it has been awhile and I promised my readers and myself that it would not be this long along for more than one reason, however, I am only one girl trying to keep my stress low with 10,000 things going on, and in no way shape or form am Supergirl. So here are some updates, all words (sorry), I will add a picture catch up addition over the weekend, so stay tuned!
Family- We have lots of family that will be coming to visit in the next few months! We are very excited about this, and we can’t wait for them to arrive!
Mr.- Is awesome as always! He is working hard around the house on my honey do list before baby Brennan arrives. His patience, and love for Ian is so admirable, I couldn't ask for a better dad for my boys! He surprised me with a beautiful necklace for my birthday, and made me cry!
Ian- Is testing us like crazy, and smart as a whip! He says the funniest things, and is Mr. Goof. He loves sports, fruit, and hide and go seek (although he always jumps out and says, "I’m right here", before you find him. He has a new big boy room, and a new sleeping buddy, Monroe. It is so cute how he calls the dog in for nite-nite. He is also saying, "Y’all". Mr. and I were brushing our teeth Monday morning and he came in put his little chin on the sink in-between us and said, "whatcha y'all doin?"...Mr. and I both started laughing so hard. At night we read before bed, and he has "memorized" his favorites but thinks he can read, Mr. and I will start to read, and he will put his little hand out, say stop, and read to us! He is currently the biggest helper, and very independent. I hope this helps him take on his big brother role in the upcoming weeks. His manners continue to make me proud every day. Please, thank you, your welcome, bless you. We are currently working on saying, "No Thank You", in place of “No", or "I don't want it."
Baby Brennan- Is a growing machine, and should arrive in about 4 weeks. I can't to meet him, and see what he looks like. I can't wait for Ian to have a brother, and lifelong friend. He likes to stretch out which is getting quite painful due to lack of room. He doesn’t kick my ribs like Ian used to which I am very grateful for. I have currently gained 20 lbs, wear maternity everything, have been craving sweets, kiwi, and mango.
Mommy- Is growing by the day and super excited to meet Brennan. Is exhausted from working on Specialist grad work, and cannot wait to never have to take another class or write another paper again, this has been taking up much more of my time than I would like it to. I have a new hate for research, and dissertations. I am now 31! I had a great birthday weekend in Florida at our best friend’s house celebrating Gasparilla, and eating dinner at the Columbian! In June my sister is getting married which I am very excited about, but also filled with Joy that all my best girlfriends (Jessica, Jennie, Krista, Amanda, Kelly, and hopefully Dana) will be in town and we get to mingle, and meet all the new babies, and hopefully hear of more new babies on the way!
Photography- Is slow, but that is on my part. I have been far too busy to even put time, and effort into advertising, and updating my website. Hopefully while on maternity I can give it some TLC, and be back in gear for the summer.
Location- Mr. and I are done with Villa Rica. We love the small town, and friends we have made but it's not convenient for our family any longer. We are currently in between 2 options and hopefully in the next few weeks will know which one we will endear. I'm not making any bog announcements yet because it is still all up in the air but it will either be relocating out of state, or relocating to the Lake Lanier area so our daily drive time is much less than 4 hours in commuting:)


Happy Leap Day Y'all!

Ianisms take II

Oh My Word....the things that come out of this boys mouth crack me up, and amaze me everyday!

Here is an update....

-I was laying in Ian's Big Boy Bed (more on that later) for bedtime and we were reading. As stops me and says, "Mommy, I farted." "It's ok- what do you say?" "cuse me". I continue to read on.....he stops me again, "Mommy.." "Yes dear?".." My fart popped."  Off to the potty we went. (more on potty training later as well!)

-"Ian let's go brush teeth! Time for Nite-Nite!" I announce.
 "No Nite-Nite Mommy, Cuddle!"
"Ian let's go brush teeth please."
"Brush teeth, and cuddle p-please?"
"Ok after you brush your teeth."
"Cross your heart." ( I was a little taken off guard, where did he learn this?)
"ok"
"CROSS IT!"
"Cross my heart buddy!"
(Our cuddle time was spent watching "Up" and wouldn't you know the first part of the movie the little girl says.."Cross your heart. Cross it!")

-Ian was laying on my belly and felt his brother kick him..."Whoa momma"....
"That was your brother, he kicked you!"
"No my brother is Caleb!" (Caleb is his best friend at daycare.)

-Ian was waking from a nap and cried,
"Mo-MMY"
"Yes baby, I'm right here."
"I'm sorry."
"For what honey?"
" I peed in mommy's bed."
(I told him it was ok accidents happen, and he helped get all the bedding in the laundry. He took an almost 3 hour nap, which he never does, I guess shis bladder was not used to that!)

Love Him!

Mr. is an All Star....

Dear Ian,

You have an all-star Dad. No really, you do.
When I first met him, I knew he was the kind of man I wanted to raise a bunch of littles along side.
And after you were born, I knew I would be the happiest Mommy alive if you had his kindness, his selflessness, and of course, his smiles.

Your Apa always told me…..

And I did just that, married a man who I would proud to have a son exactly alike!

I know you won’t turn out exactly like your Dad.
And I wouldn’t want you to.
You will have your own qualities that make you great.
But when you become a Dad, I hope you remember
that it’s the little things that matter most.

Being a super star Daddy means…
letting you wear your birthday suit around the house until bedtime
allowing you to eat popsicles for breakfast way more often then I would like

letting you be his trainer yelling numbers at him as you lay on his back and he does push-ups
playing trains and playdoh after a long day at the office
sneaking kisses while you lay fast asleep
changing poopy diapers without complaining, not even once

Teaching you how to bake, and lets you crack the eggs
playing your favorite songs on the radio in the car and dancing with you in the kitchen
building a couch cushion fort after a long day of work
knowing what foods you like, your favorite play dough shapes, and your most ticklish spots

Aside from the fact that he made my knees wobble whenever our eyes met,
I married your Dad because I knew he would love you more than life itself.

I knew he would not only show up, he would be truly present at every milestone of your life.
I knew that he would make you feel loved, and he would never be afraid to say those three magic words:
I love you.

I knew he would be the kind of Dad that every kid deserves.
And I hope you always know how lucky you are to have him.

Love, Mommy

28 Weeks!

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

 Hello Third Trimester!

Size of baby: Brennan is the size of a Melon and weighs in at about 2 lbs.
He is the the 77th percentile for this weight and length according to the perinatal specialist.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 13 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants as well as tanks, and shirts.

Gender: It's a boy!!! Brennan.Robert.Murphy.

Movement: I've been feeling the baby a lot lately! He actually likes to flip sideways often.

Sleep: Ugh. I am up at least 2 times a night to use the restroom.

What I miss: Nothing really - being able to bend in the shower to shave my legs.

Cravings: Surprisingly None..well rice crispy treats but only twice.

Symptoms: A few Braxton Hicks, a growing tummy, some tiredness

Best Moment this week: Finding out that Brennan's Nuchal Cord  has moved off from his neck :)

Ian and I had a little impromptu photo shoot while cooking dinner:

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas from my family to yours!

Ianisms, and Baby B's name....

Ian is the sweetest little guy. And the things that he says are precious. The things that come out of his mouth as a two year old are so innocent, and unpredicatable. I want to share a  few  things I think are funny, cute, and just too much not to share. Enoy!

"I did it , Hooray! That's Better" -after going poo on the potty.

"I wash hands, That's Better"

"Too hot mommy, ok, I cut it", he walks to my breakfast plate and cuts my pop tart with his fork, blows on it and says, "There that's better!"

"When he goes in the bathroom to do his bussiness he says, "I shut the door, ok, shut the door!"

"Daddy, ear boogies" -he says to Mr. as they are wrestling and he sees wax in Mr's ears.

At dinner, ..."I pray...Name of Father, son, holy spirit, amen, bless us oh lord, I hungry, father, son, holy spirit, A-MEN!"



"E, I, E, I, O.....he has the whole world in his hands"

Everyday Mr. and I drop him at daycare he says, "Love you Mommy, Love you Daddy, Have a good day, ok?"- It's so cute!

He currently calls Santa, "HO, Ho, Ho"..and when you ask him what he wants Ho, Ho ho to bring him, says he NEEDS him to bring paints, p-please!

"When anyone sneezes he says, "Well, Bless you." and after you say, "Thank you", he says, "welcome".

After he does something to help out for example putting a dish in the sink he says, "TA-DA!", or after feeding the animals, "TA-DA!", or putting napkins on the dinner table, "TA-DA!"

and my favorite, "Mommy..my brother", lifts my shirt and kisses, pats, or sings to Brennan. Yes there it is the big Reveal Baby B will be called Brennan Robert Murphy!!!

What cute and precious things do your little ones say?

When your Boy (or Girl) is all Wiggly...

.....and you want to avoid frustration....here are 25 things to do! T-4 days until Christmas Vacation! I am overly excited and my anticipation to have me time with e-man is growing,  however 17 days straights tends to get a little overwhelming at times.

So here is the savior list, the list I will use to entertain, distract, have fun, laugh, giggle, and get out the wiggles:

1. Put him in an empty bath tub, give him water colors and let him go.


2. Put rice in a cake pan and let him pour from cup to cup.(inside a large storage bin)

3. Put him outside everyday regardless of weather.

4. Give him a small spray bottle of water and a rag. Set him loose on the fridge front, bathroom tile, linoleum, etc.

5. Make homemade play dough; give him a rolling pin.

6. When reading aloud, ask him many questions. Get him pointing, naming, giggling over each picture.

7. Have him run and tag the front door, run back and give you a high five, and repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

8. Find an empty box we can fit in; stay in the room with him to ensure safety- but get that book you’ve wanted to read for a while, because he’ll be busy for a while.

9. Teach him how to build a fort with the cushions.

10. Let him spread the PB and J.

11. Play with him for at least 10 minutes at a game he loves. (In our case Hungry Hungry Hippos!)
This will satisfy much of the need for attention that leads to naughtiness.

12. Bubbles!

13. Boys tend to be tactile learners; stacking cups and plastic containers in an accessible cabinet can be fun.

14. Fill the kitchen sink with soapy foam; get out a big ladle and some cups and let him go at it. Let him “do dishes.”

15. If you have a play house, let him throw a safe ball out of it.

16. Find an old spoon and let him dig in dirt.

17. Music facilitates learning like no other activity. Make up silly songs to everything- be silly and tease your children with music.

18. When he is feeling mean and you are feeling mean, tickle him.

19. Don’t be afraid to repeat activities often; if he is getting restless, immediately choose a “go-to.”

20. Let the little guy “help” you in all of your tasks until he discovers his blocks or trains again. You’ll be teaching him valuable skills. This one can be hard because we want to get things done, but the boy will be grown soon and might now want to help anymore. This may be one of the most special times of your lives.

21. Play a favorite dance song of yours; let loose and dance around. Your boy will either laugh or join in; both are fun.

22. Use your pull up bar low on the door frame- and let him swing. (Need to bring home from classroom)

23. Find markers and a notebook; let him go to.

24. Assess his needs- is he hungry, tired, needs to use the potty, overstimulated, bored, or lonely? Help him fulfill that need.

25. Replace every negative thought immediately with a positive one. Instead of, “My kids drive me crazy” think on purpose “This is a phase; Johny really is a good kid” or “My kids must be bored. What can I do to help them?” See an article on this here: http://powerofmoms.com/2009/04/thought-replacement-therapy/


Bonus (our newest time passer): We have a basket full of alphabet letters. We let Ian dump them in the foyer, and then ask him to find us.."H", and run it to the basket, and on and on!
Any ideas to add to the list? Please Share!

23-25 Weeks!

Here they are they big bump reveals! I have been so busy with other things I have yet to document my bump, feels, ect about baby B. The pictures are not top notch because they are taken with my phone, however you can see the difference in 2 weeks!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 23-25 Weeks

Size of baby: B is the length of an ear of corn

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 11 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular.

Gender: It's a boy!!! Brennan.Robert.Murphy.

Movement: I've been feeling the baby a lot  lately!

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good!

What I miss: Nothing really - and being able to pick up Ian without my stomach muscles begging me to put him down. It breaks my heart when he says, "Mommy Hugs", and I have to bend down instead of swoop him, and squeeze.

Cravings: Surprisingly None

Symptoms:  A few Braxton Hicks, a growing tummy, some tiredness

Best Moment this week: Feeling B move from the inside, and out!

I'm 23 Weeks!

and now i'm 25 weeks!

Holiday Kisses

There are lots of holiday recipes floating around, and I have been guilty of pinning lots of them! I finally tried one, and love it. It's the perfect mix of salty, and sweet, and christmas! I thought I would share it with y'all, becuase it is the season of giving, and I know you, or someone you know will love it too!

Holiday Candy Cane Pretzel  Kisses
(Adapted from Katie Cupcake/Pinterest)

What you Need:

2 bags of Holiday kisses (or your preferred flavor)

1, 1 pound bag of waffle pretzels

What you Do:

Preheat Oven to 300

Line a Large Baking Sheet w/ Parchment Paper

Place about 120 Pretzels (you may need to use 2 baking sheets) about 1/2 inch apart.

Place unwrapped Kisses on the Pretzels

Bake in the Oven for about 2 minutes or until they appear Glossy, and are Soft all the way through

Sandwhich them by placing another Pretzel on Top

Place in the Frig for about 15 minutes

Enjoy!

Weekend Adventures...

We had a very busy weekend! Saturday morning we went to the Train Museum in Duluth. While there we go to look at all the old trains, walk though them, as well as the buses. We took a train ride, watch the model trains, and saw "HO Ho ho." (This is what Ian calls Santa.) Last year it was a disaster when we took Ian to see Santa, he is screaming in the picture, this year I told then I wanted no picture, just to let Ian visit. To my surprise he walked up , and gave Santa a hi five! He would not sit on his lap, but when Santa asked Ian what he wanted he replied, "a boat", Mr. agreed! After this is went to Bass Pro Shop to do a little Christmas Shopping and see the fish. Ian passed out cold, until we got to the fish, then he lit right up, of course. After this we attended Ms. Hayden's Cowboy/girl themed party! Ian go to ride a pony, and have endless hours on the jumpy slide.

Sunday Mr. went fishing, so Ian and Momma had some bonding time. We started our morning off with fudgesicles, and The Polar Express. Then we went for a walk in the woods, and explored for rocks. When he returned home we painted, and worked on a little Christmas project for GiGi, Great Grandma-Grandpa Kihl, Apa & Nana, and Grandma and Grandpaa! (We will post about this later this week!) After lunch we snuggled and watch Nemo. While Ian napped, I got to edit some photos, and enjoy watching my sweet angel sleep.

I love our weekends. Sometimes they are busy, sometimes they are slow, but what matters is that we spend it together making memories! What was your weekend adventure?

looking anywhere but...

After almost a year of launching my photography business, I figured that I could do our photos this year for our Christmas Card. Ha Ha Ha. For some reason working with others children to capture a great moment works for me, but with my own child I get anything but the perfect capture. No of my tricks work with him, none. Usually I have our cards ordered by now, addressed, and ready to send out the 8th, only becuase 8 is my favorite number, and this year I have nothing. Perhaps I should just send what I do have so all our family and friends can see what a handful a two year old is! All Momma wanted was for Ian to look at her, he didn't even have to smile, I would of taken a silly face, or silly face, but Ian looked anywhere but at momma.

          Here is the outcome.......

Maybe I should go ahead and send these out, what do you think?

I'm Two!

Ian turned 2 on November 13th! We kept it small and family oriented since his 1st birthday seemed very overwhelming. He is very into trains and dinosaurs, and so we kept a dinosaur theme, and had an amazing ice cream cake made for him! We also visited the zoo! Happy 2nd birthday sweet boy!