3 years later.... I've moved.

Life has definitely happened and although chaotic and stressful, it's been good. Mark came home safely from deployment and we moved in together. Evey has had three glorious birthdays, is on the swim team and in volleyball. She's 10 going on 16 and my sweet little girl is becoming a tween with an attitude. Nothing crazy, she still has a heart the size of Texas and is doing well in school, just the normal age appropriate changes. Lily is feisty as ever and just turned six. She's growing up so fast I'm trying to soak every cuddly moment in. She's in kinder and baffles me everyday with her knowledge and inquisitiveness. I feel like she has more insight than the average six year old, nothing gets past her. Jack is also ten now and recently came to live with us, making our Brady bunch complete (for the time being anyways). He's quickly grown out of the lego phase and into the I like soccer and minecraft but not much else interests me because I'm too cool phase. I've had some health issues the last few years but am fighting hard to kick them to the curb. I'm still an RN but am no longer clinical. It's kinda nice being "non esssential". Soon after Lily's 3rd birthday I got a promotion from bedside nurse to PCC (assistant nurse manager), two years after that (about 5 months ago) I transitioned out of the clinical role to working with Risk Management in my health system. After 11 years of 12 hour shift work, 9 of those being on night shift, I now have a M-F 9-5 that is way less stress and working out wonderfully for the family. I've recently started blogging again and found that blogger is a site of the past. So I've moved. Lifeintheleslielane.wordpress.com Hope you can join me there.

Happy 3rd birthday Lily!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Lily! 

Evey and Lily Christmas 2013

Happy Holidays! Its been quite a while since I've posted anything, the girls are doing great and I'm hanging in there.  Looking forward to starting another blog about mid december. I've got a big certification test I need to study for, then I can get back to blogging.  

Pics from this past year

Big girl!

I REALLY need to upload pictures and maybe even a video. Liliana is starting to crawl and sit up on her own! She can go from a sitting position to crawling and vice versa. She is growing up so fast. Same with my Evey, she amazes me everyday with the things she says and does. She's going to be 5 at the end of Sept and I have to admit, I'm happy she has to stay home another year before going to school. Next post I promise to have pictures!

Catching Up

My Liliana is here! 2 1/2 months old and she is amazingly beautiful! Christmas was great, I worked New Years and got my ass handed to me lol. It was a BUSY ass night at work and when I got home my 9 months along cankles were awful! They say how you ring in the new yr is how your year will be, I hope to God not.... busy and exhausted isn't how I want 2011 to be. Liliana Grace was born on January 17th, 2011. She has been such a good baby. I only got a month off of work, I miss my girls every second I'm not with them. Work has been good, I'm trying to be more involved with committees and such. I don't really sleep since I work nights, but I know that it will get better eventually. I'm exclusively pumping and I'm so thankful that everyone at work is so supportive. If I stopped now, Lili would have 3 months worth of breast milk to eat. My goal is to get her to a yr. My inspiration is my bf Amy, she pumped and made it to a yr. She really has been my rock in all this, along with my mom and dad and friends and family. I couldn't do it without them. Evey is getting so big and is the best big sister ever. She loves Liliana so much and helps me out with her little sister. I'm going to take the girls to the Strawberry festival today with Amy and our moms, I got them matching tutu's.... will post pics ltr, until then here are some pics to catch up...

Getting to see Lili in 3D!

The highlight of my week was being able to see Liliana in 3D. Back when I was pregnant with Evey the 3D ultrasounds were about $400, needless to say I didn't have one done. Since then they have drastically declined in price and I was able to have one done! I was so happy Amy was able to go with me, she has been such a great friend throughout everything! I'm so lucky to have her here! Liliana was awake and moving around when we started, then she yawned and decided to get comfy lol. She put her hands up around her head and stayed curled up, she was so adorable I want to hold her already. It was so neat being able to see her grab her feet and cross them. We managed to get a couple of good pictures!

First time Ice Skating!

Evelyn did great her first time ice skating! Her dad took her out on the ice and was hunched over struggling to teach her, I went and asked if they had any of those kid type walkers for the ice and lo and behold they did not. I understand, with so many people on the ice they can get in the way. I use to love to ice skate and its kind of like riding a bike, you get going and it just comes back to you. I was VERY careful and took it extremely slow, if I didn't go out there there is no way she would have done so well.... not just bc of me, but because she had an adult on either side of her to hold her up and give her the opportunity to learn. By the end she could skate a short distance by herself! I was so proud of my big girl!

Halloween

This year we opted to go to Sea World rather than go trick or treating. Both myself and Evelyn's dad D had the day off. We try to do things together when we can for Evey's sake. We have put what has happened in the past behind us and are able to be friends. It makes me sad that some parents have to miss out on their child's life because its the others Holiday to get the child. I understand though that sometimes that is life. Evey had a blast and we avoided all the candy! I know I'm biased bc I'm her mommy but I think she is the cutest Minnie Mouse EVER!

NSII- Night shift induced insomnia

Thats my new term to add to the medical dictionaries, think I can get some money for it? lol I want to upload some pictures and blog but its close to 5 am and I need to get a nap in before I have to wake the munchkin up and get ready for my 3D ultrasound! After the US I will post Halloween pics and Evey pics and of course ultrasound pics! I worked the night shift, slept during the day, took Evey ice skating for the first time ever and then came home went to sleep and promptly woke up a few hours later. I've facebooked and caught up on some blogs, now I have to go back to sleep, hopefully I can post this evening!

Tiff's baby shower in pictures

Me, Tiff, Amy n Meg

The girls got in on the relay action

I won! woo hoo

Tiff becoming increasingly frustrated she was losing to Amy, I think the only reason Amy didn't win was because Tiff was making her laugh!

Guess that candy bar, Isa was so grossed out people were smelling diapers!

Glowing mommy to be Tiffanie.

28

My best friend Tiff was coming into town to have her baby shower and another one of our good friends Meg was also coming into town. It just so happens I have the best friends ever, they decided to throw me a birthday party that weekend since everyone would be in town. It was a crazy weekend but I had so much fun. I wish all my friends still lived in town. Here's some pictures from the party. It was so nice to have everyone get together, it was just like the old days.... minus the hangover and plus a few kiddos lol.

Evey turned FOUR!

My little girl is growing up, I know that sounds cliche' but I want her to be this age forever. With the time that has passed my ex and I are friendly now, we try to do things every once in a while together so Evey can have both her parents around. For her birthday we had a nice day out, we made an appointment to get her hair cut.... for the first time. I would trim her bangs, which didn't always come out well lol, but as far as a professional hair cut, this would be her first. We didn't go crazy, just trimmed a few inches off and added layers. She got to pick out a new nail polish color and some nail art stickers. She wanted a pink hair extension (clip on of course) so she got that. We went out to dinner afterwards and had a wonderful day with Evelyn. That weekend we had a party at my moms house, it was a blast. I've always been a party person and the more the merrier. We rented an inflatable water slide that we will most definitely be renting again next year. Last year we had a moon bounce and while it was a hit with the kids, it was entirely too hot here in south Texas. Along with my family, Nomi and Amy showed up with their girls! Isa is Evey's age and they loved playing with each other, they were so cute holding hands going up the slide, it made me incredible nervous that they would fall though. Watching two four year olds trying to fill water balloons was quite amusing too. Katie was cute as ever and Evey is always asking about her! Evey had a wonderful birthday and is still talking about it.

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Catching Up

The past couple months have been super busy, Evey turned four and with that comes a party! I helped host my best friends baby shower. I had a birthday myself. I decided to take a last minute trip to Vegas for some R&R, after all it won't happen again for a LONG time. All while working overtime night shift at the hospital. I wish I was a stay at home mom but thats just not in the cards for me. Liliana is due January 23rd and I'm sure with the holidays approaching she will be here before we know it! In the process of posting the past couple of months, stay tuned.

19 weeks- It's a GIRL!

How Far Along: 19 Weeks
Size of baby: 9 oz, 6 inches
Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to MY scale, up 4lbs. According to the Dr.'s, up 6lbs
Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all I wear now with the exception of regular non maternity shirts.

Gender: It's a GIRL!
Movement: Yes, around week 12 I started to feel the fluttering. Now I feel her everyday.
What I miss: Massive amounts of caffeine.
Sleep: Normally don't get more than 4 hrs at a time.
Symptoms: Nausea is slightly improving, haven't lost my lunch in over a week!
Best Moment this past week: Finding out the gender and watching her play on the ultrasound. She was grabbing her feet and moving all around.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing Evey play with her little sister.

Name: Liliana

Lake House

This happened a while back but I want to remember how cute and innocent my little girl is. I can't believe she is almost four. The other day we were out on my dads boat and Evey was going on and on about the lake houses. Later she finds a dime and hands it to me, she's very serious when she says "Mamma, here, I want you to buy me a lake house" HA! If only it was that easy, she's such a cutie.

What's the baby's name?

I found the gender out early. The official ultrasound will be this week when Carlos is in town. Evey has been very curious and excited about the baby. She knows more than I give her credit for. She kisses my tummy without being prompted n things like that, she loves telling ppl there is a baby in my tummy and that it's a girl. One of my best friends Amy has an ADORABLE little girl named Katie. The other day she asks, "mommy, is the baby in your tummy named Katie too?" I just smiled and told her no, I think her name is going to be Liliana. She paused and looked at me. She says I'm Evelyn ARIanna, she's going to be LILIana. I said is that okay? She responded sure! n went about her day. It was adorable! She's going to be such a loving big sister, I can't wait. <3

Swim Lessons!

I never realized that Evey was not a very strong swimmer until we started swim lessons! Partly my fault because I always have a hand on her or put floaties on her when we are at the pool and when we are at the lake she's in her life jacket. We did two weeks, four days each week of swim lessons. Not going to lie I'm glad this session is over so I can sleep, I'd have to wake up early to take her then go home and work all night, wash, rinse and repeat lol. We were in the parent/tot class so I was in the pool with her. Once they get three stickers the parent is no longer needed. The very last day she got her third sticker and tear, she doesn't need me anymore. The last day of her swim class they were taught to jump in alone, float to the top face up yell for help. So she jumps in, floats to the top. I tell her okay Evey, yell for help. She looks at me and says, but I don't need help. LOL. I know Evey, but we have to practice in case you do need it, yell for help. Evey looks at me frustrated, but I don't! SIGH. She cracks me up, I love how matter of fact kids are.

My little cone head!

10 things tuesday

Saw this on another blog and decided to give it a shot. Things have been stressful lately and I've been trying really hard to stay positive.... key word trying. I'm going to give this a shot and write about 10 things that made me happy recently.

1. Taking Evey for her very first swim lessons, she looks so darn cute in her swim america swimsuit and swim cap.

2. Looking at the picture of the baby's ultrasound, can't explain the joy that brings to my heart.

3. Feeling the baby move after a long night of work, she.... or he normally moves around right before I fall asleep in the morning after a long night at work. I'll be exhausted and when I hit that comfy bed and things are quiet she seems to move around just to remind me of whats important.

4. Seeing Evey get excited to see me today, theres nothing like seeing your child happy to see you, it makes you feel so loved and wanted. Watching them run to you and give you a huge hug is awesome.

5............maybe next tuesday I can come up with more.............................

Baby Update

How Far Along: 13 Weeks
Size of baby: 0.9 oz, 3 inches long
Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to MY scale, down 1lb
Maternity Clothes: Bought my first mommy swimsuit, with Evey I was so tiny I just wore my bikini....now not so much. Had to get some maternity bottoms too. Even though I'm about the same weight I'm starting to show.

Gender: Not sure yet!
Movement: Yes, around week 12 I started to feel the fluttering. Now I feel it almost everyday.
What I miss: Massive amounts of caffiene
Sleep: Ha! What's that? I work nights and "sleep" during the day.
Symptoms: My boobs are bigger! woo hoo haha. My nausea is getting worse unfortunately.
Best Moment this past week: Having Carlos there for the ultrasound and seeing our baby move all over the place!
What I am looking forward to: My next day off.