My younger sister had her baby girl on August 4th. The funny thing is that I had a dream that she was at the hospital in labor on the same night she was laboring! I woke up around 3am to do my routine potty break since Lana has shifted just enough onto my bladder, and I found a text from my mom saying that my sister was at the hospital and I needed to pray! Shortly after 6am Eastern time, Blakley Ann arrived! I spoke to my mom and my sister later that afternoon and heard more about her labor and delivery. I am so proud of my sister for having such strength and courage throughout the process of bringing a baby into the world! A bit envious, but I'm so thrilled that Christa was able to get Blakley (her first born, mind you) to latch on pretty quickly! :) I really wish I could have been there to cheer her on and help out, but I am always available for her to call any hour of the day! (I'm talking to you, Christa). Being pregnant, having two little ones, and Brent not being abl...

A little more than a week ago, Brent called me to let me know that he'd won tickets to a Memphis Redbirds (a local baseball team for those of you not in this area) game. As soon as he told me, my heart began racing as I thought about trying to find someone to watch our two little ones. We've only had close friends or family watch our kids when we've gone on a date. And the amount of times we've been on a date by ourselves since having kids can be tallied on one hand. In October 2011, Brent's parents stayed with Ella for a short while so we could walk over to the library while they were visiting us at our apartment in Collierville; in February 2012, my mom watched Ella while she was visiting us so we could see a movie; in March 2012, the Linsenbiglers watched Ella while we went to a Brad Paisley concert in Knoxville; and in May 2013, Brent's parents and sister stayed with Ella and Owen so we could go on a date to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We've had our k...

Today marks the first 'milestone anniversary' that Brent and I have shared as husband and wife. Five years ago, I married the love of my life. Five years!? It seems like yesterday and an eternity all at the same time. I've been reminiscing and thinking on our day this morning. I've been telling Ella stories of the day while showing her our wedding pictures. (Owen's napping). Ella keeps pointing out all of our family members and calling them by name. One of the sweetest moments was when we came across a picture of us dancing on the porch of the L&N, and Ella said, "Mommy and Daddy dancin'!" I wish you could hear the way she said "dancin'." Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life. I know you're probably thinking that everyone says that, but it truly was like a dream. I would love to have the opportunity to relive that day just as it happened. We were married in the JBC chapel, significant because we met on campus and h...

Almost 8 months have passed and I've finally made the time to write Owen's birth story. Rewind back to July 2012. I'd been dilated at 4 cm for a couple of weeks and I was having some stronger Braxton Hicks contractions as we drew closer to Owen's due date. I also worried more and more about how things would play out once we went into labor. I wasn't certain everything would work out with someone locally taking Ella while we went to the hospital. I'd been thinking of all the things that could happen. What if my labor was really quick and we didn't make it to the hospital in time? Thankfully, Brent's parents agreed to come down earlier than originally planned. They arrived on Sunday, July 15th. I felt better knowing we could simply drive to the hospital and leave Ella at home, where she is most familiar. The night Brent's parents came in, Brent persuaded me to go on a walk to try and start labor. We walked Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night & let m...

There are some days I wish I knew more children's songs. I remember a few lines of plenty, but can't recite too many in their entirety. When I was pregnant with Ella, I would daydream about those days and nights I'd sing her to sleep or calm her cries. Then I would panic...I don't know that many lullabies! haha. However, I can sing the popular songs, 80's hits, classic rock, show tunes, country, anything Mariah Carey, all those boy band songs I was obsessed with as a teenager, etc. Pretty much anything except the lullabies. ;) I stopped worrying about it and just decided I'd sing whatever my heart desired in the moment when the time came. Most days, I was singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to my baby girl. It always worked. She'd just gaze at me intently with her beautiful blue eyes. I told Brent how I'd sing it to her and then he started playing the song for her on the piano and with his clarinet. One of my favorite memories is sitting...

As Mother's Day approaches, I can't help but think about how this will be my 1st time to be "celebrated" on this day. A little selfish of me, I know. (ok, more than a little). ;) With it being more personal after carrying a child, giving birth and taking care of a little one, it's much easier to ponder on such an upcoming holiday. I've always had my mom to think of in May, but now it's a little different being a mommy myself. I remember how I'd make things in elementary school for my mom for Mother's Day and how I now look forward to seeing my own children's artwork one day. One memory in particular that sticks out to me-- I was in Kindergarten and we had a special lunch planned for our Mommies. We made placemats with our pictures, a special picture frame, and painted flower pots to give to our moms. I didn't think my mom would be able to come to the lunch because of work, but she came! I was able to serve her lunch and give the gifts to ...

Last Saturday, we went to the Midsouth Baby Expo. Ella was scheduled to model an outfit in the children's fashion show for a local children's store, Chocolate Soup . Later that afternoon, I modeled a couple outfits for the maternity fashion show for Summer Kids . We entered lots of contests that day, but didn't end up winning anything. We did get some free formula which is quite helpful since it costs so much! While they were drawing the name for the grand prize at the end of the day, I thought we may have won because the name started with a "Br." However, we didn't win the complete nursery and $500.00 gift card. Oh well. :) Brent competed in the Daddy Diaper Dash where he had to quickly put a cloth diaper on a baby doll. He did this in an effort to win newborn diapers. Even though we didn't win, it was fun to watch! Some of the pics are a little blurry, but here's a taste of what we did all day. Ella in her adorable outfit. She wore a multi-c...