Thankful

I am thankful each & every day for the wonderful blessings God has placed in my life.

On Thanksgiving this past Thursday, I reflected a little more on how blessed I am. I was able to share the holiday with my husband & our 4 children, my parents, my siblings (minus my brother who is overseas playing basketball), & some friends from the football staff. Later that evening, we joined the South Alabama football staff families & players for a meal together.

My wonderful family, great friends, delicious food, a nice home, my hubby's job...these things made me thankful on Thursday.  Here are a few pics of those things!

Kallie Larkin's First Thanksgiving!!

Kallie w/ her godparents :)

Uh oh . . .

Always a fun time w/ these girlies

This food spread was EPIC!!!

My mom did a FABULOUS job!!!

This pic doesn't do that plate justice . . .

Yum - my!

After a big meal like that,

it's time to watch, discuss, and/or play football!

This is the only pic I could snap at the team dinner,

but it's a cute one of Kallie & her friend Monroe...

their daddies coach together, they were born within 4 months of each other, & they get to be team buddies! :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Four Weeks?! One Month?!?

Can you believe it?! It's been ONE MONTH since little miss Kallie Larkin arrived! She & I celebrated . . . with trips to our doctors!

I went to the doctor last Thursday for my 4 week checkup & everything looked great.
My c-section incision has healed up nicely & Dr. Wood cleared me for everything. Yay!!
I must also mention my weight -- I was 5 lbs away from my prepregnancy weight! Breastfeeding definitely burns those calories!!!

Look who came along with me!

His little sis tagged sleepily along as well. :)

Kallie had her one month checkup Monday morning.
2 weeks ago she was 8 lbs 5 oz at her weight check.  Monday she was 9 lbs 11 oz & 21 1/4 inches long.  Everything looked great & Dr. Weinacker strongly declared a prognosis, which I totally agreed with -- SHE'S PERFECT!! I knew it! :) 

My poor girl had to get a shot & heel stick, which almost sent her mommy to tears as well. We'll head back to her doctor in a month.

My poor girl . . . so brave at the doctor! :(

 

So happy that Kallie & I came through a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, & successful checkups a month later!!

Celebrating 36 & 14!

On Saturday, I celebrated my 36th birthday & 14th wedding anniversary!!!

Kallie gave me my first bday present of the day around 2:30 a.m. -- a huge diaper blowout that got all over my pjs & her onesie, pjs, & blanket -- causing me to be up in the wee hours changing our clothes & spraying stains.  Thanks daughter!! :)

My mom & boys surprised me with bday wishes & a delicious breakfast!! My mom also gave me some much needed household stuff (hee hee) & my fave Sonic slushie. The boys gave me a sweet booklet they crafted. I also got lots of wishes through facetime, calls, & texts. I felt so special!

South Alabama played at South Carolina, but it was the early 11:00 game, so the team arrived back in town at a decent hour & Tim was home around 7:30.  We left the kids with my mom & headed out to celebrate! I was happy to be able to wear something cute (as opposed to a nursing top & sweats) & have some quality time with my husband. It was nice to ride in the truck (alone), hold hands (just each other's), sit at the restaurant (next to each other), & talk  (without interruption).

Really little photobomber?!

 Our food was absolutely delish!!

This is a coke. It has caffeine.

I refrained from caffeine throughout my pregnancy & while I've been nursing over the past 4 weeks.

I was SO looking forward to a strong, caffeinated drink tonight.

I had THREE cokes. And I enjoyed every sip.

Dessert!! Yum!!!

 

So amazing to see 36 years of life.

Ecstatic to celebrate 14 years of marriage to my wonderful hubby.

I am truly blessed.

 

Newborn World

The past 4 weeks have been spent in newborn world . . . nursing, napping, snacking . . . oh, & snapping cute pics!

It's been quite a whirlwind at the Bowens house --
The boys are LOVING having their little sister in the house. She gets no shortage of attention between the hugs, kisses, talks, & arms holding her. 

With it being deep into football season, Daddy is having a tougher time. They're working some long hours at the office, plus he's a light sleeper & she makes lots of noises at night.  Tough combo when you need rest! Nevertheless, he's found plenty of time to have some interesting talks with his daughter...about not cutting her hair & what type of guy she should bring home & how a guy must talk to him before he proposes...I have assured him that he has PLENTY of time for all of that! Ha!!

I have tried to get used to having a baby in the house again (it's been 4 years!) -- learning to exist off little sleep, realizing that my schedule will definitely change (hunger & diaper blowouts will absolutely happen when you're trying to get out the door), & navigating breastfeeding & pumping for this child that LOVES to eat!! Thankfully my mom has been here with us, taking care of school drop-offs & pickups & household chores, which has helped me concentrate on Kallie & my health & getting a little rest!

Wearing Mommy's dress!

Rub a dub dub,

this girl loves the tub!

"I'm so fancy . . ."

THIS FACE!!!

We are enjoying life at home with our girl!!!

(okay, now i'm off to take a nap . . . )