Pumpkin Patch

Ellia and Daddy trying to catch a trout

Ellia loved riding in the wagon with the pumpkins

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea??

Our Family

Our pumpkin patch visit was long - no thanks to Bill & Ellia trying to catch a trout. We picked this particular pumpkin patch because of the Trout fishing pond. We arrived & met up with our friends and proceeded to pick out our pumpkins. All was good.

Then we headed across the street to get into the activity area of the patch. Which included face painting, bouncy pumpkin house, fishing, train rides, giant hamster wheel rides and a big "corn kernel" box (like a sand box). Mind you it cost $7.00 per person to get into this activity area. And none of the other activities Ellia was old enough for. We were simply paying to fish.

However, Bill was willing to pay this so that Ellia could catch her first fish. Lets just say that $21.00 and over an 1hr later we left without a single fish. Yeppers, the fishing was a bust! Ellia was tired & bored and Addie was hungry. Bill was very disappointed and I was shocked at how disappointed he truly was!

Other than the fishing bust we had a great time at the pumpkin patch as you can see in our photos.

Pure Bliss

In the last 24hrs I have had some Pure Bliss moments:

• Dinner out with my husband last night at PF Changs. G & G watched the girls and for 2 hours we talked, gazed into each other's eyes, ate a great dinner & then enjoyed their Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce......DELISH!! We then visited Lowes for some wiring supplies for Bill's boat and I got the BEST magazine. Taste of Home - Thanksgiving edition. It was a very nice evening out. (except for the episode where I broke down crying yet again about Thanksgiving)
• This morning I made Pumpkin Pecan muffins with struessel topping. Oh my gosh these are my new favorite muffins of all time. And where did I get the recipe? Out of my new Taste of Home magazine I got last night.
  

• This afternoon I enjoyed 2 wonderful hours of peacefulness at In Spa. A friend bought me a gift certificate to celebrate Addie's birth. Which today I used to buy a pedicure & eye brow waxing. It was pure heaven!

Please pray for baby Stellan

Please pray for Baby Stellan - he is going to make his grand entrance tomorrow morning. You can check out his story on his mom's blog at My Charming Kids.

Please pray that his heart works great & that the doctors are clothed in wisdom as they meet their newest patient.

Baby Stellan I can't wait to see pictures of you & to hear how awesome your birth went. We are praying for you.

Meals on wheels

So this is a quick blog to thank all our wonderful friends, family & MOPS mom's who delivered meals to Team Detlor before & after Addie's birth.

Two days ago I cooked our first meal in 2.5 weeks. Yes, that's right we had meals almost every day cooked for us at our house or delivered to our house. And do u know what I cooked? - Tuna casserole. So quick & easy but not as good as all the meals we had. Every meal was delicious - Shepherds Pie, Turkey & stuffing casserole, Enchiladas, Meatloaf, Pot Roast & mashed potatoes and the list goes on. And the desserts that came with them.......don't even get me started on those.

Team Detlor is BLESSED to have such great friends......many who read this blog Anonymously ..... So we wanted to extend a BIG Thank You!! And we can't wait to do some cooking for you!

Not Me Monday!

This past week, no matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, I most certainly did not:

• After visiting the doctor & using our new double stroller have a breakdown about the new stroller and how much I dislike it. With tears, snotty nose & everything right there in the doctors office. Only frustrating my husband who did all this research on the stroller and found it on ebay for hundreds of dollars less. Nope this wasn't me.

• I did not ask my husband to change yesterday before going to church with my in laws because I felt he was "too dressed up". Only because I am 2.5 weeks post delivery and cannot fit any "normal" clothes. Which resulted in me having to wear jeans to church. (which at our church would've been okay, but at in laws church not such a good idea) I didn't want him to be all dressy, dressy and me look like a bum next to him.

• This past week I did not get completely overwhelmed by the fact that my parents are coming for 3 whole weeks at Christmas. Which if you know my parents - you understand that this is a very LONG time. I love my parents, but come on can anyone live with their parents for 3 weeks - during the holidays??? Nope I am totally handling this like a champ.

• I did not contemplate cutting my own hair this week. My hair is sooo long & my roots have at least 3 inches of grow out. So in a fit of frustration this week I almost certainly did not take out the scissors and think " I can do this, how hard can it be" - only to put them back in the drawer and walk away from mirror in a ponytail.

• Our daughter Ellia did not find a dirty diaper of her sisters - and I mean "dirty" - and begin playing in it - even putting the wipes in her mouth - cause everything goes in her mouth. And how did she find this dirty diaper? - Couldn't have been because mommy forgot to put it in the diaper pail when she was done changing the baby. Nope cause this mommy's memory is 100% back to normal. Yeah Right - I wish.

• Having struggles with the fact that our normal Thanksgiving plans might not work out this year. And if that happens to be the case I want to host Thanksgiving dinner at our house, but my MIL wants to host at her house. And cause I am soo stubborn & emotionally unstable I am not willing to back down yet......It's okay to be a bit stubborn & emotionally unstable still, right?

• One more - just for MckMama - in her Not Me Monday post - she wondered about how much pee a diaper can hold...... A TON - but this mama isn't ready to tell just how she knows this - at least not yet. ;o)
  

Ahhh, it's been a crazy week here for Team Detlor. But this sure feels good.

Grace

Have I told you lately that I am married to the BEST man in the world? He really deserves a better wife most days. I am not the easiest woman to live with or get along with. Especially when pregnant or in pregnancy blues. Things spill out my mouth like Niagara Falls. And my husband just takes it all in - much like a visitor to the falls - in ahh and disbelief. This pretty much sums up our week so far and it's only Wed night.

However, tonight I went to Bible Study - haven't been in a few weeks with the birth of Addie but something was drawing me tonight......the Lord. We were studying Grace. And how Grace is what were given and not what we necessarily always deserve.

The best of example I've ever heard of Justice, Mercy & Grace is as follows:

A young man is killed in a random act of violence, the father tracks down the killer and the killer is arrested, tried, convicted and executed, we'd call that Justice.

If at trial the father pleads for the murderer's life to be spared and the judge & jury consent, we'd call that Mercy.

Now imagine that in addition to pleading for the murderer's life the father then appeals to the judge to release the offender into his custody and care. Miraculously gaining the approval, the father takes the young man into his heart, home and adopts the man, raising him as his own & loving him as he did his murdered son.....that would be Grace.

J.I. Packer says that "Grace is God's love flowing freely to the unlovely"

I have been unlovely to my husband and I as much as I will try not to be I will again soon I'm sure. But I was reminded tonight of how much Grace there is - that my husband's actions are full of Grace. And Grace isn't what I deserve but what Bill gives me. Which is exactly what the Lord does for us.

How thankful I am today to be married to Bill and to be saved by the blood of Jesus who washes away my unlovely words and actions.

Not Me Monday!

This past week, no matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, I most certainly did not:

Wear flip flops to church and have one of them break. Which meant that I had to pick up Ellia from nursery, visit with friends and walk out to the car with only one shoe on. Let me add it was cold yesterday. Nope not me.

This busy mamma did not let her oldest daughter walk around in her dirty diaper for almost 45 minutes while she cleaned the kitchen, fed baby#2 and then started a load of laundry. That would be just wrong.

The three of us, Ellia, Addie & myself did not have a break down last week when daddy went to work for a few hours. Which resulted in all 3 of us crying & calling him on the phone to see when he was coming home. Being the great man that he is - he hung up with me, called our neighbor and asked her to come over to help/rescue me. She did of course and calmed all three of us right down. That night Bill returned home with a bouquet of roses and the new People magazine. Ahh, all was better.

I haven't on at least 2 occassions this week told Bill, "I dont think I can handle this" - nope not me. I'm a champ - afterall I delivered a baby naturally, right?

I did not get the girls ready & rush my husband to get ready so we could get to the consignment store on time to consign some old clothes only to have a melt down and tell Bill "I just want to go by myself and have some "Me" time". Nope that wasn't me. And if you think you saw a woman looking like me sitting in starbucks enjoying a pumpkin spice latte & some quiet moments an hour later - that wasn't me either.

4 Things

Julie tagged me to complete my "4" list. Soooo here we go:

4 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

• Celebrating my 21st birthday. I did not have a 21 run, but had a quiet dinner with friends.

• Going to community college and working towards my pre-recs for Nursing

• Working as youth leader for Jr. Highers at my old church. I love JR highers - they are soooo funny and fun to be with.

• Coming to terms with my parent, my relationship with them & it was a hard time.

4 things on my list today or rather tomorrow (as it's 9pm):

• Church
• Our good friends are coming over for lunch after church & to meet Ms. Addie
• Stamp club - which is at my house
  
• Going to the pumpkin patch after stamp club with some good friends. I hope we can get some cute pics of the girls & a good family photo.

4 Random things I love about my husband:

• His patience - he is so patient with me and trust me I know it's hard for him at times
• The way he looks in a baseball hat. That was a major turn on for me when I saw him in a baseball hat on our 2ND date - took my breath away.
• The fact that he is a die hard Boston Redsox fan - not cause they've recently won world series but because his Grandpa was and it rubbed off on Bill. (guess where he is right now, watching the game - they just won cause he came in and said "how about a little Sunday night baseball game tomorrow?"
• How he is so particular about getting our girls room's "perfect" - he has decorated both of their rooms & hand painted all the bugs/flowers/their names etc himself.

4 Jobs I've had:

• My first job was at Drug Emporium as a cashier.
  

• Daycare worker - this job sucked!! I hated it. I think this is why I didn't want to have kids but that all changed obviously.
• Swing shift at a nursing home- where my grandmother lived. I loved this job! Although the hours weren't the greatest. I got to spend lots of time with my grandmother (she died about a year later) and old people are my favorite. Ask my husband - he will tell you how much I love old people.
• Billing specialist at a company I wont name. The people I worked were great! But company & management not the best. I am much happier at home with my girls.

4 movies I've watched more than once:

• Dirty Dancing
  
• 16 Candles
• Godfather Series (#1 is the BEST)
• How to Loose a guy in 10 days

4 places I've lived:

• Jacksonville Florida - where I was born
• Issaquah Wash - where we 1st lived when we moved to Seattle
• Redmond, Wash - through High school
• Mukilteo, Wash - where I lived prior to meeting Bill. I loved my apartment there & was sad to give it up. It was so small but cute.

4 places I want to visit:

• Hawaii - Bill and I talk about for our 5yr anniversary
• Italy - specifically Ronca - where my family is from
• New York - as a tourist - I went right after 9-11 and helped with relief efforts but didn't get to see much of the city.
• Mexico - cause it's warm there

4 T.V. shows I watch:

• Grays Anatomy
• Survivor
• The Big Bang Theory - anyone watch this? It's soooo funny
• College Football on Saturdays - not an actual show but hey its darn worth putting down.

4 Things you may not know about me:

• That I never wanted to get married & "take care of a man, a house or be barefoot & pregnant" - oh how my life has changed - For the GOOD!!!
• That I tend to make up my own words or language. I like to say things the way I think they should be said not necessarily how they should be said - Bill says it's one of the things he loves about me.
• That I want to finish my nursing degree one day & I think work in Labor and Delivery. After both births now I've found myself more and more wanting to give back to other woman the way my nurses gave to me.
• That I used to be the biggest tomboy ever. And up until about 5 years ago never wore makeup, skirts or a dress, high heels - nothing girly. Then one day I woke up and decided it was time for a change. And look at me today - all girl. Except for the occasional baseball hat & jeans day.
• And one more just for fun - I just typed this all up with Ms.Addie in my lap at the computer ;o)
  

Adilynn's Birth Story - part 4

Forgot to attach the photo of Jen and I in the last post. This was our first nurse Jen that we made instant connections with & loved.

So where are we??..........Oh, yes so doctor broke my water at 8:30 am. Now I should note that by this point I had pretty much decided I was going to go natural. No drugs. I'd made it to 7cm and was feeling okay. After my water was broken the contractions picked up pretty quickly in intensity, pain & frequency. At this point we had to say goodbye to Jen and our next nurse came on. Or rather our nursing "team" of Christine and Angela. They were great as well. We are pretty lucky to deliver our girl's at such a great hospital.
The great thing about going natural is you get to be in control. You get to decide what you are going to do to help labor. You get to make all the decisions and aren't trapped in a bed like you are when you have an epidural. At 9am I decided to try bouncing on an exercise ball. This is suppose to help in the gravity department with the widening of your cervix. I bounced and swayed for an hour!
Then I moved onto the counter where I laid with a pillow and did squats. Again with gravity and momentum thing hoping to speed things along. When Angela checked me at 10 am I was at 8 cm and still 90% effaced. I actually said "You've got to be kidding me" - but in all reality 1 cm in an hour was good. About this time G & G arrived at the hospital with Ellia. We wanted Ellia to be brought in after I was cleaned up to meet Adilynn. So Grandma slipped into the room & Grandpa watched Ellia in the hallway. Auntie Susan, Auntie Melissa and Grandma were all going to be there when Adilynn decided to make her debut.
About 10:30 I told Bill "I don't think I can do this any longer" and he said "Yes, you can baby, you're almost there". The contractions were coming about 2-3 minutes and they were STRONG & INTENSE. I say that in capital letters cause they really did hurt. I was managing but I was also getting tired. Contractions take a lot out of you. Bill said I was like in a different place, I was so focused, so in tune with my body, breathing and concentrating. I wasn't saying much just breathing. However, I think it was about this point that I did say "When this over I want an Outback steak dinner" to which Bill said "Baby, you finish this up and you can have whatever kinda of steak dinner you want". And then at another point I did say "Damn that Eve".
***Warning*** potty talk to follow
At 10:40 I began to feel GIANT pressure in my rear - like you're going to take a big dump. It would not go away - which is the indication that you are at 10cm and ready to push. I began saying over and over "I have to poop, I have to poop, I'm going to poop". Christine checked me and said "You're at a 10 and completely effaced - were going to call the doctor". So Angela picks up the phone and calls - talks to someone as I breath through another contraction. Christine asks her if she talked to Dr. Cardwell. To which she says "No I talked to her secretary". Christine says "Call her back and tell her we need her now". At this point I am starting to freak out cause I really, really, really feel like I am going to poop on the table and I actually say "If the doctor doesn't get her soon I am going to poop all over this table". Just about this time the doctor comes rushing in & begins gloving up. This all takes place in about 7 minutes. I ask "can I push" and am told not yet. The doctor takes her place - at the head of the table (ha,ha) and tells me on the next contraction to push.

One push, two push, three pushes and at 10:57 am Adilynn Danese Detlor came zipping out. She literally came out very fast. She weighed in at 6lbs 10 oz and almost 19 inches long. Pretty good size for a preemie - which technically she is since she was born at 36 weeks.

Bill and Dr. Cardwell shortly after Adilynn's birth.
I need to say that as great as Adilynn's birth was Ellia's was equally as special and fun. I enjoyed both my daughters births!! And I have to give Kudos to my husband. He is the BEST coach EVER!!!! He helped me to stay focused, counted with me, breathed right along side me, rubbed my back - you name it he did it. And without him I wouldn't have been able to deliver Adilynn let alone go natural.

WoooHoooo - new page layout &picture

Three cheers for my husband Bill!! He helped me figure out the html coding tonight.
I love this page - Fall is my favorite time of year.


p.s. keep your eyes open for some pumpkin patch pics soon of our "little pumpkins"

Adilynn's Birth Story - part 3

So we are admitted to our room - 2150 - which is next door to the room we were in a year ago delivering Ellia. Funny huh?

We get all hooked up to the machines, monitors, IV in and settled into the bed. It's 2:30 am and we turn the down the lights to get some rest until Miss Adilynn decides it's time to come. Sometime around 4am ish Auntie Susan shows up. She is going to be in the labor room when Adilynn comes.
The three of us get some more rest. Well the 2 of them do, I rest between contractions which are still about 5-6 minutes apart but manageable.

At 5am I start thinking/salivating about McDonalds breakfast. No really I can taste a Bacon, Egg & Cheese biscuit. Which the last time I had about 3 months before made me sick & I threw up. So I've stayed away from McDonalds since then. But crazy what you think will satisfy you when you're in labor. So Susan offers to make a run to get breakfast. I take her up on the offer - cause if I'm going to have an epidural later I wanted to make sure I'd eaten. Breakfast comes and it's GREAT!! Hits the spot. I scarf down half the biscuit and am fully satisfied.

About 6am I decide to get up and walk around for a bit. So I put on those pleasant underwear they give you after labor. Ya know the "breezy" ones? Yeah, Jen tells me you might want to have something on in case your water breaks while you're walking the hospital floors. We walk around the 4 of us. Bill, Susan, Me & my new friend Mr. IV pole. My best friend Melissa shows up shortly later and we become 5 walking around the hospital floors.

At 6:30 the on call doctor comes in. Gives me an EXAM. Tells me I am almost a 7 and still just about 90% effaced. We decide to wait till the next on call doctor comes on after 7:30 before administering any drugs or breaking my water. Which still hadn't broken by this point. So we continue the walking just the "5 of us".

Later about 8:30 the next on call doctor - the one who would deliver Adilynn comes into meet us & examine me. (my doctor was off this day) She examines me and says "you're still a 7 and 90%, but if I break your water it will speed things up & bring on labor faster". I tell her "Go for it, break that bag, lets get this rolling". She brings out her long crochet needle thing (it really looks like a crochet needle) and breaks my water. The water starts to trickle out. Not the RUSH I felt with Ellia by any means. She leaves and says "I'll see you again very soon"

Adilynn Birth Story - part 2

We started out for the hospital and after getting down the road a bit realized G & G didn't have a key to our car "if" something was to happen. So we turned around & dropped off the key with our neighbor who came over to watch Ellia till G & G arrived.

Then we were finally on our way to the hospital. Since it was 1:30am when we arrived the hospital doors were locked to Maternity ward. We were buzzed in and walked to the nurses station. After the obligatory paperwork they showed us to a triage room. Think ER the television show. Each bed is secluded by only drapes. Luckily no one was there and we had the whole room to ourselves. Our nurse was Jen. She turned out to be fabulously (is that a word?) funny. She put us at ease and made us laugh. All good things at that point. The contractions were coming pretty regularly 5 minutes apart.

Jen had to ask us some questions and do some more paperwork. During this process, she's at the computer typing, Bill's sitting in the chair and I am lying on the bed breathing through each contraction. Jen tells us she is a newlywed - married 19 days. Met online & moved across country to be with him. So of course it was an instant connection. We become fast friends the 3 of us. At one point she asks me "Any recent sex?" to which I reply "yeah on Sunday" and she says "Ahh, that's not recent sweety" and I replied back "it is for a 9 month pregnant lady" - we all laugh and it's time for the EXAM.

I tell her this Exam better be worth it. She does her thing - you know what I mean and says "Is 5 worth it?" to which I was like "what? - 5 what?" and she laughs "5 cm dear" - Bill and I exchange looks and he asks her what is the next step................."Call the Grandparents, you're having a baby today"

Not Me Monday!

So I am trying the "Not Me Mondays" blog that I found over at my new favorite blog - My Charming Kids. We'll see how my honesty list compares.


This past week I did not give birth to my 2nd daughter 4 weeks earlier than expected. And deliver her naturally - no drugs. And if you listened closely at the door to room 2150 you did not hear the following words uttered during labor......"Damm that Eve" and "when this over I want an Outback steak dinner"

I did not this past week start making my daughter wear pony tails in her hair. Even though they stick straight up & down. And I most certainly do not make her sit there while I put them in each morning, even if she is crying.

Today I did not allow my daughter to eat something off the floor left over from my baby shower yesterday. And tell her "it's okay, Melissa comes to clean on Wednesday"

I most certainly did not get upset with my husband when we were headed to his job today and he remembered he forgot his maternity leave paperwork. Which meant we had to turn around and go home to retrieve. Nope, I did not get a bit frustrated in that moment.

And today when Ellia was whining for 20 minutes straight I did not get frustrated with her and tell her "enough is enough". When can you blame the kid, her world has been rocked upside down this week. Nope that wasn't me.

And it wasn't me who later told my husband that having a whining child "isn't acceptable" and "I will not stand for it" Nope that wasn't me either.

This wife & mother did not leave her family for 45 minutes tonight downstairs watching the baseball game while she checked email, blog, facebook and myspace. Which while checking realized she doesn't have time for this many things. Somewhere she must draw the line.

Just now when I asked my husband to help me change my blog background and was shot down - this wife/mother did not walk away sad & frustrated and wishing I knew more about computers & html coding. (this blog will be updated soon- keep watching)

Wow, this honesty thing is kinda of a relief. I might have to start doing this thing weekly.

Adilynn's Birth Story - part 1

So most of you know by now that Adilynn came early - 4 weeks early to be precise. The next few blogs will tell her birth story & pics will be posted along the way.

Last Thursday 10-9-08 (cool birthday numbers huh? thanks to my friend LeAnne for pointing out) our sweet baby#2 arrived. She is already proving to be an intricate part of our family & we are enjoying every moment with her.

So I should start with - last Monday 10-6-08 had a regular checkup & ultrasound. Addie was measuring at just about 6lbs (give or take a pound in either direction) And upon examination I was already 50% effaced and 3 cm dialated. Bill said to my doctor "we were hoping to keep her in there till the end of the month" and my doctor looked at him and said "I dont see that happening". We left in shock, flustered & anxious. We were going to be having a baby much sooner than anticipated.

Tueday 10-7-08 - Contractions start & are 8-10 minutes apart for 4 hours. We do not get excited & call hospital. We wait them out, I take a bath, drink some tea, eat a brownie & go to bed. Nothing more happens.

Wed 10-8-08 - G & G come out to our house to help out for the day, paint the nursery furniture, do some laundry, ya know general help around the house. My best friend Melissa also comes out & cooks us dinner. I have 4 contractions all day - no worries. G & G leave at about 8:30 and say
"well things seem to have calmed down, we'll call tomorrow" as they head out the door. In the back my mind I think "their going to be back here tonight"

Bill & I head up to bed, only after I ask him to help me sweep & mop the kitchen floor. He tells me "No Gina, we aren't doing that, we are going to bed". I do get him to agree to fold a load of baby blankets just finished in the dryer and we head to bed. I preceed to take a shower & shave EVERYTHING - you know what I mean. Something told me to get Extra clean!! We head to bed. At 11:30 I wake up with contractions. I time them and they are just about 5 mins apart & painfull. I wake up Bill at almost midnight. At 12:15 we call hospital and are told to come in. We make that call to G & G to come back to house to stay with Ellia and we head into the hospital..........

So little time

My thoughts lately on the phrase "So little time".................

So little time to get things ready for Addie. Her room is still not put together.

So little time for my husband to get everything accomplished at work before he heads out for 5 weeks maternity leave.

So little time left that I am only a mom to one baby. Soon I will be a mommy to two beautiful girls.

So little time before Ellia's doctor appointment today and we are still not dressed or ready.

So little time that I get Ellia all to myself. Only time to spend with her reading, laughing, snuggling and spending one on one mommy time. Time not having to be shared with another. I actually thought of this yesterday on my way home from MOPS and started to cry.

So little time to get the house cleaned for my shower on Sunday.

So little time and some how making it to the pumpkin patch seems like it may not happen this year.

Sighhhhhhhhh, gues that's what happens when you are pregnant & life still goes on all around you. You just move at a slower pace & things may or may not get done. And I am slowly learning that this is OKAY.

Big Day for Team Detlor

We went to the doctor for our now weekly appointments for Ms. Adilynn. We had a scheduled Ultrasound to determine if she was ginormous as I was predicting. However, the ultrasound showed that she is just about average - right around 6lbs. Which is 47% percentile for her age in utero. So she is not too big or too little - just about average.

Then we had our first physical exam. For those of you who've been pregnant this is the day you wait for. The day to see if you are progressing towards delivery any time soon. To our surprise I am 50 % effaced and 3 cm dilated. So I am WELL on my way to delivery. Mind you I am 35 weeks and 5 days today. So Bill says to my doctor "we were hoping to keep her in till end of the month" and my doctor matter of fact looks at Bill and says "I don't see that happening".
Sooooooo, it would appear that our sweet baby#2 is well on her way to making an entrance into our world.

Bill and I left in shock and a bit flustered. We still have many things to get done around the house ie....dresser painted, changing table painted, hang her name & ladybugs on the walls, sort through all the clothes from Ellia, garage cleaned so I can park car with 2 babies in it and not to mention my list of "nesting" items that still exists - 2 more closets to organize.

Then today Ellia decided to walk. Yep, that's right she walked across the room from Bill to me. Now she has been taking 2-4 steps unassisted for at least a week - from one piece of furniture to the other. But when you try to get her to walk from one person to another she wont do it. Stubborn - don't know where she gets that from ;o) However, today she just took off. We (or rather Bill) of course ran downstairs to grab the video camera & phones - we had to document for all the grandparents.

And she has also discovered the cabinets. Now that she can walk around she went from one cupboard to the next opening them & sometimes removing things. And she smashed her fingers at least 2x tonight. Looks like we also need to add our child locks to that list of things!

Will post pics of Ellia walking - not sure how to post video. And keep blog updated as to when Ellia's "Irish Twin" arrives.


p.s. Go Boston!!!!

Happy Belated Birthday Baby Girl

So last night I blogged about my nesting insanity and went to bed. Totally forgetting to post a blog about my sweet baby girl's 1st birthday. I awoke in the middle of the night to crying, we are teething and I remembered I hadn't blogged about it.

One year ago, yesterday, Miss Ellia you decided to make your Grand Entrance to our world. You just couldn't wait any longer and decided it was time - 18 days early. My water broke at 4am and You were born at 4:12pm.

This past year we've laughed & cried as we've watched our baby girl grow. You Miss Ellia have brought so much laughter, love & joy into our home. You are the apple of our eyes and we thank God every day that we have been blessed with such a sweet girl. And that God would give us the honor of raising you to be a Godly woman.

You're all that a mother could ask for and raising a little girl has/will teach me so much about life. I love picking out your clothes, matching your shoes to your outfits, seeing you smile, and putting barrettes/ribbons in your hair (now that you have enough hair).

I know that your world is about to be rocked around with the birth of your little sister. But you will always be my first! You are the one that taught me how to be a mom, how to love unconditionally, and what patience is all about - which I am still developing. You changed my life for the good and I am a better woman, wife and mom all because you are in my life.

I love you Miss Ellia and always will.

Nesting

So it has begun - Nesting. I've tried to hold it off as long as possible but it has hit with a mighty vengeance. Back a few months ago I made a "Nesting List" - a list of all the extra cleaning that I wanted to get done before Addie joined our family. I taped it to the cupboard in the kitchen and it has slowly grown. I can't explain my need/want/desire to clean & organize. As if Addie will care what our closets look like. But all I know is that it must be done before she arrives.

Yesterday I started by organizing our master bath linen closet, then I moved to Ellia's room and organized her closet & new dresser. Then as if that wasn't enough I went back to our room and organized my dresser.

Today I had my friend who comes to clean 2x a month take out every thing in the cupboards and wipe them out & then helped her reorganize them a bit. If that wasn't enough on top of cleaning my filthy house (still dirty from the big party) I had her wipe down all the door jams in the house. She was happy to do it and insisted on tackling some of my "nesting" list. She said she'd come next week, not a normal cleaning day, and tackle a few more things on the "list".

Friday my friend is coming over for a play date and said she'd help with anything I wanted. So guess what were going to do??? Were going to organize the main linen closet in the hall.
Anyone want to join us?

Birthday Party

The day started with sunshine a huge answer to prayer. And it was then that I knew the day was going to be Fantastic.

And boy was I right the party went off GREAT. We had tons of people show up to help celebrate Ellia's 1st birthday. At one point we had 50+ people in our house & outside in the yard. Of which there were about 15 children - All under the age of 8. Can we say LOUD??
We celebrated with hotdogs, burgers, baked beans, potato salad & lots of country music.

Ellia had a good time I'm sure. She was a bit overwhelmed at first but as the day wore on she settled down and did great. I'm sure she thinks it was the BEST party ever! I didnt get that many pics - I will highjack Auntie Susan's and Grandpa Detlors this week & post some more pics later.

Chalkboard in kitchen with special saying for the day

Cowboy Family - pre party

Giddy Up Cowgirl

Auntie Sabrina made Ellia's special cake - it was all for her. Didn't she do a good job??

Daddy pulled some strings & had a special cake made at Costco. I think the bakery dept did a GREAT Job!!

Starting to dig in

More fun in the cake

What's left of the cake afterwards

Ellia playing in the hay crawl. She found a thing of twizzlers and was finished. Had no desire to finish playing in the hay. She just sat there trying to open the twizzlers.

2nd post today -

So Bill calls and wants to talk birthday cake earlier today. I tell him I want something like GiddyUp Cowgirl. Other than that I don't care. He then exclaims "You don't want Happy 1st Birthday on the cake?" and I said "nope not really"
He then asks what flavor cake & what color frosting. Again I say "I don't care", "You pick"
I can hear in my husband's voice that he is frustrated with me and a little surprised at the same time. I know what he's thinking - she doesn't care? with all the party planning & prep - and she doesn't care about the cake???

And ya know what? I don't. I know it sounds crazy but at this point I've obsessed so much that I have to let one thing just go. (Plus I think it helps that Auntie Sabrina is making Ellia her own cake - so the Costco cake isn't her "real" cake - it's the cake for everyone else)

Obsessed

In 6 days my sweet baby girl Ellia will turn 1 years old. Wow!! Time sure flys bye. It seems like just yesterday I was holding her for the first time. So with no time to waste I began planning her 1st birthday party - In July. Yes, I started planning in July. I created a folder on the computer named "Ellia's first birthday" and inside it I kept ideas, websites, growing guest list etc. My husband thought it was a passing thing and would go away. He didn't really think I was serious. Little did he know ;o)

About 2 weeks ago I began to feel the frenzy of the birthday party approaching. And I realized I had begun to become Obsessed.

Websters defines Obsessed as - to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind, to engage in obsessive thinking : become obsessed with an idea.

Here are a few of the things that I have become obsessed within the last few months:

1. Getting her birthday invitations printed & in the mail. But first I had to come up with a theme - With Cowboy theme picked out we were ready for pictures. So we headed to Auntie Melissa's to take pictures on her pony. (which I am thrilled to say is making an appearance at the party) Then after finding outrageous prices on invitations online we spent the day with our friend Diana creating her adorable invitations. This is just one of the pictures we used.

2. Finding the "perfect" outfit for Ellia's 1st birthday photos. The outfit had to be new and it had to be just right. You only take 1st birthday photos once, right? Below is the outfit, complete with brown boots.

3. Ellia cutting her first tooth. Like she can control when she cuts her first tooth. I smiled nicely when my friends kids, both only 4months old got their first teeth - but deep down I was wishing & hoping for Ellia's teeth. As if the world would end if she turned one without a tooth. But none the less I checked her gums at least 4x a day. Sure that after 2 hours a tooth would appear and I didn't want to miss it.
It finally came in 2 weeks ago!!! This is a picture of me trying to get her to open her mouth to show her tooth. Trust me it's there!

4. Finding Adilynn's coming home dress. Back two months ago I found the "perfect" dress at Carter's outlet. It was turquoise in color with little brown poke dots, but they didn't have newborn size. So the search began. I began checking every store I went into for this dress. Fred Meyers, Target, Macy's - you name the store - I searched it. Even sent my friends into stores I hadn't visited & had my mother in Florida on wild goose chases looking for the dress.
Then last Sunday, Bill is out shopping with Ellia (I was at stamp club/scrap booking) and he call's - "I found the dress for Addie to come home in". So I'm thinking - "hmmm, is it really the one?" Now I love my husband and he has good taste but this is the day our 2nd daughter comes home and this dress must be just right. I get home and this is the dress he found. Give him a BIG Gold Star. I love it and am very pleased with it.

5. With the party fast approaching I was trying to gather all the goodies, prizes, decorations etc to make it match the Cowboy theme I had decided on. Here is my big box of goodies, cowboy hats for all the children (19 total), decorations, napkins, plates etc...
6. Another obsession was getting Ellia switched from a bottle to the sippy cup by her birthday. Just when I thought she was never going to use a cup she picked it up one day and began drinking. Much to daddy's excitement it was her Boston Redsox cup. I am happy to say that Ellia now drinks her am & noon bottles out of a sippy cup.
7. Finishing her scrapbook for the party. I want to have it displayed so others can see her first year moments. Plus, I want to have autograph pages for everyone who is here on her big day to sign. So every night for the last few weeks I have been sitting at my crafting table scrap booking away. At one point I told Bill "She better love this album" - I am happy to say that as of today I only have a few pages to complete. It will be ready for Sunday.


Now, with all these things accomplished maybe just maybe I can rest a little and enjoy my daughters party. You can bet I'll post pics of the party - that is after I've recovered.

Labor Day Camping

Casa De Detlor

Ellia waking up Daddy!!

Chillin' with Mommy!!

Camping tubbie time :)

I loves me my fries

Tuckered out from the weekend

Over Labor Day we went camping in Conconully Wa. We go every year with a group of friends and it's always a ton of fun. This year there were 16 adults and 15 children! Makes for a fun weekend. I slept in a tent & on an air mattress - well an Aero Bed. It was a lot of fun. But I vow to not go another year pregnant - this was my 2nd year in a row pregnant.

Ellia did great and had a fun time with all the kids. Boy was she a dirty girl when we got home on Monday night. Camping baths aren't quite the same as a ruglar "tubby" at home.

Change is on it's way

So when Bill and I bought our home there were two rooms that were painted by the previous teenagers. This one which we named the Kaleidoscope room was the boys room. The other room was the girl's room and her room was wavy stripes in turquoise blue & mint green - can we say Sea Sick?? Well that room got painted right away and later became Ellia's nursery.

The Kaleidoscope room has remained in tact for the last 2 years. However, change is on it's way. This weekend it got painted. We are turning this room into Addie's nursery. I will post pictures of her nursery when it gets finished.

To all our overnight guests who got the privilege of staying in this room you will no longer get this privilege. You will have to settle for the office when you rest your head at Casa de Detlor. And if you never got to stay in this room you really did miss out. It was a site to be hold.

Who knew......

1. WHO knew ...... that a sneeze could pull a ligament and leaving you gasping for breath. And then leave you for days barely able to move or walk. Only when you're pregnant I guess.

2. WHO knew ...... that very well mannered & happy baby could suddenly turn into the fussiest, saddest, non-consolable child in the world. Only when teething I guess.

3. WHO knew ...... that when your husband got his new job he'd go from working long days and getting paid for it to working long days & not getting paid for it. Only when you go from hourly pay to Salary pay I guess.

4. WHO knew ...... that sunny weather that you usually love & yearn for could make you suddenly want to run to Alaska in a snow storm. Only when you're almost 7months pregnant I guess.

5. WHO knew ...... that your 2ND wedding anniversary gift of a 2x a month housekeeper could be such a great gift. Only when you're pregnant and cleaning the house is the last thing you want to do.

These are my "WHO knew" thoughts. Any other suggestions??

2 year Anniversary

Two years ago on 7-28-06 I stood in a beautiful cream wedding dress, a pair of 2 inch heels, in a blazing hot but beautiful church and in front of my family/friends and promised to love, honor, & cherish my husband. It was there that I pledged all of my love to William Detlor.

And as we celebrate our 2nd anniversary I am forever grateful for this wonderful man. He brings so much joy, laughter, excitement, passion, patience and love into my life. The mere words I type cannot express how grateful I am for him. He is an amazing husband and the BEST father to our daughter (s).

Here's to another GREAT year being Mrs. William Detlor.

Adilynn Danese Detlor - aka Addie

Isn't this the cutest pic of her feet?

Hi Everybody - I see you

Here are a couple pics from our ultrasound yesterday. Addie was very happy & moving around a lot. She was all hyped up on the sugar water they made me drink for my diabetes test. At one point we could see her sucking and it was the cutest thing ever. She already has some chubby little cheeks.

Once again I am amazed at how our bodies can carry this little person & nourish it for 9months. It's simply A M A Z I N G how the Lord orchestrated our bodies to produce & carry life.

What's in a name?

Addie Danese Detlor

After much talking, thinking, praying and a little arguing we've finally settled on our 2nd daughters name.

We haven't decided if we will just name her Addie or give her the name Addison. This we are split on. Or rather I go back and forth at any given moment. But hey I'm pregnant and hormones do that to you.

My only hang up originally with the name was that it means "son of Adam" - which isn't as exciting as Ellia which means "The Lord is my God". But then I called my mom to tell her our name selection and she was thrilled. Apparently her Great Grandmother was named Addie. And she loved that we were using my maiden name as the middle name. So she had extra warm & fuzzy feelings about the name all around.

This made me feel good and I decided why does it matter what the name means - she is our daughter and the 4th member of Team Detlor and that's all that matters.

Patience & Humble Pie

It would appear that the Lord is working in my life in some very key areas.

1. Patience
2. Humility

I've always had a wee bit of a problem with patience and I just thought naturally it would come with children. And I have gained some that's for sure...but apparently not enough.

So our neighbors dog has begun barking and he barks ALL day long. I've had enough and urge/beg/plead with Bill to go talk to our neighbors. To let them know it's not okay to leave your dog in your yard, go off to work till 5:30 every night and let him bark all day. It is disruptive to whole neighborhood and Ellia is having hard time napping since the dog is right next door and echos throughout our house.

Bill's promises to go over there on his next day off. The day before his day off, I've reached my breaking point. I type up a anoymous letter and tape it to their door. In the letter I outline the barking and how it's become a nusiance. I even put in the letter the definition of nusiance. Feeling rather proud of myself and that it will stop the problem I rush out the door to run errands. Later that night my husband isn't very happy with my letter nor the fact that I didnt wait for him to handle the situation. I shrug it off and say "you aren't home all day with the barking dog"

Next day - Neighbor comes over to our house and asks if I know anything about the letter. My husband just looks at me with a smirk on his face like "how ya going to get out of this one honey".
I confess my authorship of the letter. She is understanding and promises to get a bark collar. Says next time please just come over and talk to us. After she leaves I feel like the biggest looser and I know the Lord just sent my neighbor to slap me upside the head.

Point is - I should've waited for my husband. Tough lessons to learn and not the funest way to learn them either. Good thing the Lord's not finished with me yet, Thank heavens!!

Pool pictures

4th of July Photos

Ellia eating grass - doesn't like the feel of it, but sure enjoyed eating it.
4th of July babies/children in all their colors. (Ellia isn't thrilled about sittin)

Ellia on the trampoline - she loved it.
Team Detlor celebrating the 4th.
Daddy & Ellia being goofy for the camera

Daddy & Ellia watching the fireworks. Little missy wasn't scared of them at all.

Proud to be an American

This past Friday we celebrated our country's Independence. I love 4th of July celebrations and you can bet Team Detlor will be teaching our children the importance of this holiday.

Some words to my favorite 4th of July song are:

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Hope everyone else had a good holiday and took a moment to remember all the past & present veterans.