All over the place

So I just wanted to say that I am so excited for Christmas this year! I get excited every year, but this year ... it just feels complete. With Lily's arrival to our family, life feels full! Our family is like a series of really great novels. The stories are great, but the sequels just really complete the original. And I know Christmas isn't about presents, but looking under the tree and imagining the look on Marlee's face just makes me smile. I just wanted to thank all our family for making this year great! We didn't go as overboard as we have in the past, but we got Marlee some things that I really think she will love. I hope anyway... Lily got some pretty great things too, but she is still too young to really enjoy them just yet. She will though here very soon. She is growing so fast. Marlee seems to be growing even faster! Everyday she wakes up she is even more of a little lady. She will be taller than me before she starts kindergarten! We will wait and see!

Marlee is also on vacation starting today for the next three weeks! She has already asked to go to school three times this weekend. She is not going to be a very happy girl for this vacation. I keep telling her that her teachers are at home and school is closed. She just replies, "no, not yet". I will do my very best to not be a "boring" mommy while she is home. She likes to be doing something most of the day, whereas, I am running on fumes...so I am trying to relax in between cleaning and doing house stuff. Last night I was literally up every hour so I am such a sleepy mama this morning. Lily wakes up and needs something...then Marlee wakes up and needs something. They were a tag team all night. Thank goodness Zach took tonight off so I can try and get a little sleep. I hope!!

Something else I wanted to write about was that I don't know if it is because it is the Christmas season and it is about family or what exactly, but I have really been missing my Oma and Opa the last few days. You know sometimes you watch a sweet commercial or just think of something that makes you just cry. You don't mean to, but the tears just come anyway no matter how much you fight them. Well, I dropped Marlee off at school the other day and something I saw or thought about led my thoughts to my Opa...I just started crying for some reason. Then, I just thought about how much I missed both of them. Memories were flooding in and emotions. I remembered Christmas with them. My Opa would always ask me why we celebrate Christmas...and it wasn't the present part. They would have me watch the story of Bernadette. I actually enjoyed it very much and caught it on television not too long ago and watched. I tried to explain it to Zach and made him watch part of it with me :)
I remember my Oma painstakingly making cookies for hours...days even. Her little Christmas tree in the corner of the living room by their front windows. Us all going to midnight mass and her always looking beautiful to me, but especially at midnight for church she was just beautiful! Midnight mass was always my favorite mass. Maybe it was because it was a full house and people were singing, or that we were all up at midnight. I just miss them so much and haven't really cried about it in a long time, but this time of year is particularly difficult. Also, bringing Lily in this world and not being able to share that with them. Marlee was the same. I remember being this way when Marlee was born too. I know they are watching over them and are their angels, but... Not a day goes by without thinking about them, but sometimes I have to think harder about what they looked like or what they sounded like. I mean, I always will remember them, but small details fade in and out at times. I wish that Marlee and Lily would have gotten to know them and felt the love they showed me. I love my parents and all, but Oma and Opa were always there and always made me feel special and even when they would discipline me it didn't matter. I hope I am making them proud. Love you guys!

Life is good

I see that it has been a long time since my last post. A lot has changed since then :)
Our beautiful new addition, Lily Harper Herring, was born on September 29, 2011! She was 8lbs. 10oz and 20 1/2 in long. She had a head FULL of hair and was perfect! The delivery went well. I had to be induced because she wouldn't drop and I was only dilated to 2 at my last appointment. I just wasn't progressing like my doctor wanted me to and Lily was already showing signs of being a large baby. She didn't want her to become so big I had to have a C-section. I am blessed that everything went very well. I would fill you in on the details but knowing that everything went well is word enough I think. We were fortunate that Zach's mom was able to be here to help with Marlee. Had she not been, I am not sure how we would have done it. She was a lifesaver.

We have had family come and go and we were so lucky for them to all be able to come and visit! We really wish we lived closer to family so they could share in all this fun with our two little blessings. Well, Marlee isn't so little anymore I guess. She is turning into a beautiful little lady. She really enjoyed her family visiting as well. She had a blast!! Her aunt TT and uncle Jake are by far her two favorite people I think! It makes me smile seeing her love her family so much even without being able to see them all the time....even some of the time. I hope we keep them fresh in her mind by talking about everyone all the time. She has her own little photo album that has everyone's picture in there and she goes through it all the time. One day we will be able to move closer to home and see them all more often. Thank you to all of you who were able to make it out! We really appreciate it! And those who didn't get the chance, we will hopefully see you soon!

Lily has already grown so much! She changes daily and she never ceases to amaze me. She smiles all the time and even laughs every now and then. Not a giggle just yet, but I know it is coming soon! She loves her sister too. She just looks at Marlee and smiles even if Marlee isn't doing anything but sitting next to her. Her hair that she was born with hasn't fallen out...yet! It sticks straight up most of the time! I have been trying to put bows in her hair, but most of the time they just float on top of her head. I hope it will lay down soon!

Marlee is loving school right now! Every day she doesn't have school she is asking to go to school. I am pretty sure as the years progress, her wanting to go to school will turn into her wanting to sleep in. For now we are enjoying it. She is also very excited about Christmas. When Halloween was here, she said Halloween was her favorite. I think that holiday was meant for her because she loves to dress up. She says costumes are her favorite. But for now it seems the glitter of Christmas lights and joyous music has caught her spirit. She helped decorate the tree and hopefully this weekend we will get to the Gingerbread House that has been sitting in its box for a week now. It is hard with Zach's work schedule to do a lot together like that. We have so many other things to do that the small fun stuff takes a backseat sometimes. I have also been trying to teach her the real meaning of Christmas like my grandparents made sure of when I was a kid, but trying to tell a three year old that it is about celebrating Jesus' birthday and that presents are not the reason is difficult when that is all she sees. One day it will be easier. I would also like to pick an "Angel" from the "Angel tree" and get them presents one year instead of having a big Christmas for us. I remember my mom doing that. Marlee has such a sweet and kind nature that as she gets older I know she will enjoy helping others and giving to others just as much as she enjoys receiving.

Well hopefully it won't be as long until my next post as it was my last. It gets pretty busy around here as you know. The pics aren't in any particular order.

2 weeks....or less we hope!

Well, I know I post a lot about Marlee on here and baby updates only here and there. So, here we go...I am nice and round and according to my due date...almost well done!! There are about two weeks left until my due date and we are so ready to meet this sweet little lady! I have an appointment on Thursday to check for any progress with dilation. I know I won't be. Marlee liked it so much in my tummy that she decided to stay until her due date. I thought she was never going to come out! I can't even imagine those who go one or two weeks past there due dates. This baby, according to the doctor, will probably be over 8lbs. That is ok...Marlee was just under 8lbs when she was born and I read that subsequent babies tend to be a little bigger. I am just hoping she decides to make an appearance sooner then! I guess I am getting impatient and want her to be here already. We have everything ready, for the most part. She is practicing for her arrival by stretching and practice breaths. I say this because she has hiccups constantly and my belly looks like it came out of the movie "Aliens" because she pushes against every corner of my stomach and my insides and appears to want to try and come out of my belly button. People keep asking if we have come up with names yet. We have and some people know and some don't. I guess you will have to wait and see! I will do my best to keep the blog world posted!

Birthdays, School, and sleepless nights

So much has gone on lately and I am just tired all over again thinking about it all. We recently got some concrete added on to make a larger back patio area. That took almost a week and now we have all this wonderful space! The only thing that is bugging me at the moment is that it feels like a disorganized bunch of space. We have been so busy with other things, that we haven't had much time to devote to fixing it back up. Some concrete got in the grass and other places that Zach has to fix. When? Who knows when we will have time to do the things we need to do around here. Zachary's birthday was a little over a week ago and I hope it was nice. We had a hospital tour that day and Marlee stayed with some friends for a couple of hours. The tour was interesting, but short. I was thankful for that though. I think we both were. We just wanted to get back to Marlee. We enjoy the time we have alone together, but once you have kids...sometimes it is more meaningful with them.

Marlee also started pre-school last week. It was exciting and overwhelming at the same time. We were able to stay with her the first two days. They were "transition" days. I guess it kind of cushioned the blow for us as well as for Marlee. When Friday came around, her first day alone all day, she cried and I cried. It will be great for her and she will realize that over time, but the realization of this new milestone was a little much for mama. Zach and I didn't know what to do with ourselves when she was gone at school that day. We drove around aimlessly talking about what time we needed to be heading back. We missed her! She had a good time, but as soon as she saw us again she started crying. The teacher let the parents come in because they didn't want anyone sad. Hopefully today will be ok. I just feel so sad when she is sad.

I feel like she has changed overnight! She is now sleeping in her bed again. She is more independent. She doesn't like when I help her get dressed. The three year old attitude has settled in quite comfortably in her. We have had more time outs, but that comes with all this growing up! She is still our sweet baby though. She still randomly says "I love you" all the time. Still loves hugs and kisses from mama and wants to be snuggled. So, there is still our baby in there and I know there always will be. It will just be in different forms as the years go by.

I kind of feel like this post sounds sad and depressing, but I promise it is not. Just reflection I suppose. I have lots of time to do that you see...I can't sleep at night most nights. I am soooo uncomfortable. My belly is HUGE!! Not to mention the millions of restroom trips per night. Oh well...to be expected. It will get worse as I get closer as well. Only 5 weeks until my due date, but I am hoping even for a week earlier. There are still some things we need to get ready for the baby and lots to do around the house, but I will do my best not to fill my plate too full in the coming weeks! I have had lots of practice contractions...even at regular intervals...so we are ready to do this! ( for the most part) Still concerned about the 40 minute drive to the hospital, but Zachary assures me we will be just fine. That is one thing I love about him and am truly blessed about. He has this uncanny way of soothing me and calming me down. I feel so at ease with him around. He is my rock and I'd be lost without him.

Here are some pics from the last week or so! till next time...

Things that make me smile part 2

-My husband cleaning out the fish bowl even though he HATES it!

-The way Marlee loves her daddy. I think about all those children unfortunate to not have a father in their life. Marlee would be lost without her daddy....so would I.

-Whenever Marlee gets a "prize" or something new she says, "oh wow! A prize for me? Just for me mama? ...then she proceeds to give me a hug and say, "oh thank you"!

-The way Zach puts up with my pregnant rants. ....(coughs)"ahem"...and not so pregnant ones :)

-The way Marlee gets excited about the small things! I hope that never changes!

-I like how Marlee gets excited when talking about her family and starts naming them off one by one. I hope she is able to develop a bond with them as she gets older. It is difficult living so far away.

-How she can count....most of the time! She hit her eye with Barbie the other day. She got a pretty good little welt on the side. Zach proceeded to be her personal paramedic... (putting one hand over the good eye) "how many fingers am I holding up"? Marlee still crying, "one".

-That Marlee actually has a favorite color. It's YELLOW!!

-The way Zach gets excited about certain things and dances sometimes. Beer is one of them. Also the way he has passed that on to our little girl...not the Beer part, but they do the "Mac and Cheese" dance.

-Marlee skipping around the house saying, "boing, boing, boing"..." I'm a rabbit mama"


Well, I could sit here all day and write these down. I am very blessed to have the life that I have and thank God everyday for all of it. I get overwhelmed sometimes, but it always works out in the end. Thank you!

I am Blessed

A few things I love...

-The things our sweet girl says. Putting her down for a nap or for bedtime takes a little longer these days. Not because she cries for us to turn on her light or turn off her fan (we have worked that out), and not because she doesn't want to go to bed, but because every time we give her a kiss goodnight she holds up one finger to her puckered lips and says, "one more time mama...one more time". She does this multiple times and we could do this all night. I finally have to put a limit to the "one more times", but we do love it so.

-Feeling the baby move all around and do somersaults in my belly. Just imagining what she looks like and the faces she is making in there makes me smile :)

-How Marlee won't let her daddy sleep in. Finally it is his turn!!! She gets up in the mornings turns to daddy and says, "time to get up daddy, time to get up....(he ignores her) ...pweese daddy, pweese" I am sitting in the living room just listening and laughing to myself. When Zach finally gives in and opens his swollen sleepy eyes she says, "Good morming daddy! So glad to see you!" Who wouldn't wake up smiling with that much sweetness greeting them for the brand new day.

-Zach being on a normal sleep schedule.

-Marlee wanting to take everything she owns when we leave the house and I tell her no, but she simply states, "just one, I take it" all with a smile. Someone please tell me how to unwrap even the smallest part of me from around her little finger!?

-Anytime any sort of music plays..."I dance"

-Watching her dance

-Watching her ask daddy for hugs so they can dance together!

-Everything my husband does for me. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. He makes me whole.

-Marlee pointing to her cheek swollen by a grape..."Look at me mama, look at me" while pointing to her cheek.

-Marlee putting my clothes on her head, her pink stool on her head, or doing just about anything silly and still saying, "look at me mama"

-"I love you" she says this all the time and each time it is the best feeling.

-Watching Zachary battle the wasps in the back yard. Just seeing his face when he is on the winning side.

Well I have so many more, but must stop for now. Stay tuned!

Fourth of Juuuuuuuly!

Our little family took a little mini vacation over the weekend for the Fourth of July holiday. It was very last minute and think those are the best! It was fun to get out of our normal routine and break it up with some cooler weather and beautiful scenery. We decided to go to Lake Tahoe over the weekend. It was just in time too because the temps here are well over 100 degrees. It was in the mid 80s up in the mountains. It was perfect for biggo pregnant me! My calves are actually sore from all the walking I did. I can't walk too much outside here or I will pass out it is so hot! We stayed in a cool little two story loft by the beach and Marlee LOVED IT!! She is a water girl and thought the beach was so cool. She was more cautious around the water this time which made me a happier nervous wreck! She had a blast discovering seashells with daddy and playing in the sand. We went to this particular location because of the fireworks show. I haven't seen one in ....FOREVER! I had to be a little kid I think. After a lot of squirming around in the sand and having fun the show started. Marlee was completely enthralled! I found myself watching like a small child with a big smile on my face. I enjoyed it just as much I think. The beach was PACKED and it was soooo dark! I think if we ever do it again we will bring a flashlight to guide us through the maze of kids, wet sand, drunks, and all the people's belongings scattered everywhere. Marlee was a trooper and did so well! She had the best time and that was our goal.

















The ride up the mountain was long...the ride down seemed faster, but just as long. Does that make sense? It is only about a 2 1/2 hour drive, but making it in the winter seems like it would take longer. I am not sure we could do that trek in the winter. You can't go passed a certain point without snow chains. The weather this time of year is perfect so I think I would prefer it anyway.

On our way back we had a doc appt to get to. I had an ultrasound and everything looks perfect with our sweet pea! I was even able to record a little of it because Zachary was watching Marlee in the car, so he couldn't be there. They don't allow children in their offices... It was really neat! We didn't get a chance to see Marlee in a 3D/4D ultrasound or pictures, so this was really cool! We think she favors Marlee a lot already! My due date is the same...end of September. We can't wait to meet her and hold her! Marlee can't wait to be a big sister!!

The Sands of Time

These are a few of my newest favorite pictures. It is always hard to say that because we have so many that I think are my favorites. But unless you want to be drowned in photos, I try and keep it at a minimum.



She is growing into this little person and thinking about it now makes me tear up. How do other parents do it? How did my parents do it? It all happens before you know it and then one day, your baby is looking at you through big girl eyes. I think it really dawned on me the other day when we registered her for preschool. It was all so overwhelming and made me realize how big she was. You always talk about watching your children grow into these magnificent people, but now I find myself wanting her to stay put for a while. I know I am looking at the big picture and she still isn't even three years old, but... Expecting this other beautiful baby also makes me realize I just want time to slow down. Marlee is going to grow up even faster now. She always says, " I big sisteh" She will be the best big sister. I couldn't think of a better one. In the end I am very excited for our future.
It won't be long now until our big girl is three either!! Just two more months to go! I am not sure what we will do just yet, but we will do our best to make it special. She lays in bed at night and talks about a barbie bike. I don't know how this idea of this barbie bike got put into her little head, but she is adamant that she wants one. She says what color it is and just jabbers on and on about it. I don't know who has more fun...her and I. I just love that we are having these little conversations with one another. So, for her birthday this year we are going to get her a Barbie bike. She doesn't know how to pedal on anything, but teaching her will be fun. I think I may make her cake too. I haven't quite decided yet. I may have a fun one made for her of her favorites characters. I can't wait!
She is finally on her way to sleeping back in her own bed!! I am so excited for this because I will no longer have a baby in my belly and one on my back! The one is front is enough! Zach blames me for her being such a close sleeper. I turned her into that monster he says. Eh... I say I am all excited and such for her to be back in her bed, but secretly I going to miss my snuggle buddy. It is the sweetest thing to have this little arm...and leg...draped over your body because they love you so much and you make them feel safe. The occasional knee in the spine, however, makes me question this at times, ha!
The other night she asked for some water in the middle of the night. I brought her a cup and asked her if she needed to potty. (she doesn't sleep in pull ups anymore...big girl now) She proceeded to tell me, "no, I sweeping". I don't know why I thought it was so funny, but I did. Just now I handed her a cup of water from last night, she took a sip and informed me, "that is old water"...and she wants, "new milk". She never ceases to make me smile!

Her Aunt TT came to visit a few weeks ago and she had the best time!! It was funny how quickly Zach and I were replaced! She loves her so. She didn't even want to go potty unless TT was there. One day Brittney was getting ready and Marlee was outside her door laying on the floor..."TTTTTTTT...where are you..." until she finally came out. They are the best of friends! I hope one day when Brittney has kids they love me as much as Marlee loves her! It is the best feeling and so comforting to know how much she loves her. We were all sad to see her go.






This is one of Marlee's new water toys. She LOVES playing in the water and even calls taking a bath "swimming".





Marlee likes to draw and color a lot so we got her this fun easel! We broke out the paints and she seemed so content. She loves to paint! I think art is in her DNA anyway. Her poppy is an artist and her daddy too! Zach says he can't draw, but he can draw really well. Her aunt Amy can draw as well. As for mommy...I still draw like a fifth grader, but my stick figures are almost perfect, ha!