The name game

I am SO bad about keeping this up...not too sure why! I could always find things to write about...but seem to not find the time or ambition to do it! I think part of it is, it is so time consuming...especially when uploading pictures. But I really really really want to be better at this for Saffryn's (and my sake) later on. So much to document and remember!

Ok moving on...

Saffryn is growing like a WEED! LOL. Really she is. I am not talking only physical, but mentally too! She just does so many things now! She learns new words all the time! She can say: Gigi, Momma, Daddy, Crash, Abbie (pronounced Abba), (We have tried the other Aunts and Uncles names, but they seem to be too hard for her), Up, Ya, Water, Kitchen, doggy, dirty, hi, hungry, help. Now to be fair her pronounciation is not perfect but she is trying very hard to say these things and understands the meaning! She is still using signs for some things and is responding to a lot of directions! I can tell her we need to go upstairs for something and she walks to the stairs. I say get your special bunny and she finds him. I can say we need to go to the kitchen and she walks to the kitchen! So amazing!

She also likes to scream. A. LOT! She has always been a loud baby but wow! She has got some pipes on her! Sometimes she does it because she is excited, other times frustrated, other times she is doing it for a reaction. I am never totally sure how to respond, but I try to do the best I can and help her learn that screaming will not get you what you want!

I could write a lot about her, but sufficient to say she is such a sweet girl FULL of personality! She could not fit more in line with her name (Saffron a spice)! She is spicy, in a good way!!! LOL :) We just love her.

Now on for Jr. Jr.!!!! We had our sonogram on the 2oth and got to see a PENIS!!! LOL Its a boy! Dan was so proud! We are of course thrilled. One question I keep getting is: "will you keep this name a secret like you did with Saffryn's?" Well the answer is yes, though it is a moot point! We don't have a name picked out yet!!!!

I know we still have time, several months but it is just kind of bugging me! With our two dogs and Saffryn their names just came to us! We both liked them right away and it just fit. It was almost like an "ah ha" moment. We haven't had that yet. Does that mean we just haven't found the right name? I don't know... Dan seems to think that maybe it doesn't work like that all the time. Maybe this time it just wont be an "ah ha" moment. But I want the moment! I want us both to love the name and say "yes" this is the one!

But in the mean time, we are playing the name game. Listing off name after name. Spelling it, saying it aloud, feeling it out. This time the name is just so much work! I guess we had it coming considering, "King Tut", "Crash" and "Saffryn" came to us super easily!!!!

But regardless we are thrilled! We love our children (even Crash) and can't wait to continue our journey together!!!! :)

12 months old

Well considering this is ridiculously late and her development is skyrocketing I will only be able to tell you what she is able to do now, December 1st. A few weeks doesn't seem like a long time, but honestly she is growing and learning so fast I cannot remember what she was able to do a few weeks ago, compared to what she is doing now...so sorry! WALKING: She is walking EVERYWHERE! She is so much more stable now, too. She can squat, stomp her feet and turn and stay up. I love seeing her waddle everywhere. It is just too adorable!
TALKING: This is the area that has really taken off within the last few weeks! She is able to not only sign, but use actual language!

Signs she knows: bye bye, more, all done, milk, eat, help

Words she says on a consistant basis ( I say this because she tries to repeat what we say ALOT...its amazing...but that doesn't mean she knows the word)...so anway: Uh oh, Crashy (why Crashy and not Crash..not too sure), cracker, water, hi, daddy, up (which she whispers for some reason), thank you, ball and bubbles.

I love her adorabe voice!!! This has been SO much fun!
FRUSTRATIONS: Now with all this talking you would think the frustration would be way down, but just the opposite. Now that she has gotten the hang of communicating she wants to communicate more! She is getting stuck because she only knows some basic words, and tries to use those to say something else. For example she will sign for milk, when really she wants a turn to play with a toy but has no vocabulary for that yet. So Dan and I are trying to figure out the more complex ideas she wants to communicate and giving her the words to say with them...much easier said than done sometimes!!!
LIKES: Her most recent favorites are: Crash (this may be a long lasting favorite...who can blame her), meat..including bratwurst and sausages...LOL!!! Bubbles, singing, reading, dogs in general, putting things in buckets, dancing, listening to music, baths, playing outside, her special bunny, stuffed animals and walking/exploring!!!!
DISLIKES: New people or places...still VERY slow to warm up, being alone (just like her mother..hehe), being told no, eating baby food while we eat adult food in front of her and certain books and songs...If i start to sing a song or read a particular book she starts flailing her arms and makes it VERY clear she has no interest in that activity..haha!
OVERALL: She is such a joy! We love her quick mind and serious personality. We love that she has a big heart and loves animals and soft cuddley things. We are so proud of her development and the girl she is and is becoming! She is adorable, funny and smart! Well we are officially obsessed...hahaha!!!! Happy 12 months...a few weeks late :)

watch me grow!

Here are pictures of Saffryn from birth to age 1. Enjoy!!!

Saffryn's Birth Day

The day I found out I was pregnant!!! So exciting!

Tomorrow is Saffryn's first birthday and I realized recently that I never actually wrote out her birth story. I know I don't want to forget it, so now seems to be an appropriate time to remember that special and wonderful day!

During my pregnancy my doctor tested me to see if the clotting that has happened to my family is a genetic trait that has been passed down to me. The answer is yes, I have a "genetic mutation" called Factor V Leiden. This basically means I am extremely more likely to develop a blood clot than a "normal" person. There are several things that make a blood clot more likely for anyone: smoking, birth control pills, being over weight and pregnancy. Since I clot more easily anyway pregnancy just makes it that much more likely I could get one....I guess...LOL

That being said, we had to see a maternal fetal specialist and take a few procations for both our safeties. I need to be on baby aspirin and during delivery needed to do a few things. My doctor didn't want me going too much past my due date because of all of this. So since it was not looking like I would go into labor before/on my due date we scheduled an induction.

I was really excited about it, because it means you can actually plan on the day the baby is coming!!! So on Wednesday, November 11 my mother flew in from Colorado Springs to be with us! We went out to dinner with Dan's parents then went off to the hospital!

On my way to the hospital. Almost 40 weeks!

We had to wait for a while to get checked in and situated and after a LONG process of getting an IV in (did I mention my viens are really small and diffcult on top of everything else) we were ready! They gave me a cervadil (spelling) to help soften my cervix and make my body ready for pitocion (spelling again) the next day. Dan and I tried to get a good nights rest...as much as you can during a hospital stay.

They got my IV in!!!

I could feel contractions starting during the night after the cervadil, but they were not strong or consitant enough to actually start labor. So that morning around 6 or so they started me on an IV of pitocion! At first it was not too bad. The contractions came, but I could breathe through them and not think about it too much.

Dan and I after they started the pitocion!!

My mother and mother in law came in and stayed with us. They were a great distraction and provided Dan with some support too! Well by noon or so, my contractions were getting VERY strong. I was having very bad back labor because she was facing the wrong way and was still dialated to a 2. Discouragement started kicking in. The nurse suggested I take something to take the edge off. They could put it in my iv and it would feel like I was drunk. I really didn't want to have an epidural so I considered it. But then I realized I don't like the feeling of being drunk I want to be aware. So I tried to push through a few more contractions and decided after some good suggestions that I get an epidural.


The epidrual process wasn't what I expected, but it went quickly. It was sometime between 12:30 and 1. I was down on myself at first because I felt like a failure...I wanted to do it naturally. I made it to a dialation of 2. PATHETIC. But then I started to not feel the pain anymore and those thoughts went right out of the window! I was in heaven. I asked my mom if I was still having contractions...she said, "oh ya you are". Sweet, wonderful bliss. I felt so relieved as did Dan and the moms.


Since I was no longer in pain my mom and Karen (mother in law) thought they would go get a quick bite to eat and bring it back to the room for the 3 of them. (Yes I was so jealous...I was starving)! While they were gone the baby's heart rate started to change a bit. The nurse was not concerned, she said sometimes if you are dialating it can do that. So she checked me and I was at an 8! WHAT?!?! Within an hour or so of getting my epidural I dialated to that...wow!


When Mom and Karen came back they were surprised to say the least!!! Soon after that I started shaking really really bad. I felt like throwing up. I remembered this as the transition stage in my childbirth class so I knew delivery must be getting close! Around 3 or so I started to feel some strange pressure. I asked the nurse to check me and I was at a 10!!! Time to get ready to push.

Me and my throw up bucket...LOL! I didn't need it though :)

I started puhsing around 3:30 or so. By 4 my wonderul OB arrived and then I did some serious pushing. She stayed "sunny side up" and at 4:20 our beautiful daughter Saffryn Mary Mahoney arrived!!! The moment they put her on my tummy after coming out I will NEVER forget. She is real and she is here!!!! She was screaming and very upset...poor baby! She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and she was 19.5 inches long. Born on November 12, 2009 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, KS.

She's HERE!!!!

One proud and happy daddy!

The sweetest baby!

Daddy and baby together!

Daddy and I love you Saffryn!!! You are such an amazing person. We love seeing your personality develop and shine! We love getting to know you and sharing this life with you! You are and will always be our beautiful baby girl. Happy Birth Day!

pregnancy update

So I had a doctors apt today for our little jr jr (thats what we are calling him/her for now)! I have the MOST wonderful ob! She is so down to Earth, patient and gives you as much time as you need for your appointment!!! This can come at a cost though. Yesterday we had to wait over 2 hours and ended up not even getting to see her!!! Needless to say that can be very frustrating but trust me she is worth it :)

She decided to move my due date back until May 16, 2011. This is because my cycles are longer and the earlier sono confirmed that it should be later. Of course I would so much rather have my due date pushed earlier...LOL! But babies rarely come on their due date any way so not that big of a deal.

She took my blood pressure..and all looks well. The baby's heartbeat was a steady 164 bpm. I got a flu shot and was sent on my way! We scheduled our sono for December 20 at 8 am. It seems SO far away. Wish I could be more patient! It is also slightly nerve racking because last time I was just so excited to find out the sex I didn't realize what the sono actually does. Checks to make sure your baby is developing properly. It can be scary to say the least.

But we are excited to get to know this baby more and more. And I love to get little sneak peeks into their secret world :) My tummy is slowly creeping its way out! Well thats all for now!!!

crying over cake

So I must first warn you about this blog post...it is coming from an over tired, pregnant woman trying to plan her baby's first birthday!!!



We are going to celebrate Saffryn's first birthday this upcoming weekend...and I do not have very much done or planned. This is due in part to my major procrastination (if you don't believe me just ask any of my college friends). But this is also due to my few meltdowns while thinking about my sweet sweet baby girl growing up so quickly.



Before I go any further I want to clarify. I have loved watching Saffryn grow up. She is such a joy and a delight. Watching her personality develop has been so rewarding and amazing. She is so much fun and her little brain never stops working! I am also very thankful because I am very aware of how blessed I am to have gotten to spend a year with her. Every day I get with her is a huge blessing from God.



So why the meltdowns??? Because it goes too fast. I know that is cliche. but like all cliches it is so very true. It felt like a blink of an eye. How did it happen. I thought I was treasuring every moment, taking a million pictures and making so many memories. Yet time moves as it always does...rapidly. I know these next 17 years are going to fly by. Yes its 17 years but ask any parent and they all say the same...it went so fast. Then what...college, letting go. Watching her daddy walk her down the aisle, trusting someone else to take care of her. ahh here come the tears.



Why is this so hard....well because a lifetime is too short. It just wont be enough time. When I am old and gray I know I am going to be thinking...I just want more time with my husband, my children, my friends, my family. This life just goes so fast. The good news: God has made us as ETERNAL beings!!!!! Christ has fought for our freedom and because of him and through him we can have eternal life!!! I wonder if he purposely makes this life feel so short so we will be reminded of what is to come. That we will lean on him and trust him and want more than what this short life has to offer. Eternity...can you imagine!



So that is what I will do. I will keep this little seed of hope and press onward through this life. I will enjoy all the many wonderful things, love this life and take the jobs God gives me seriously, yet look forward to more. I do not doubt that there will be more tears...even silly tears like I have to buy a cake for my baby because she is turning one tears. But in the meantime I can try to plan this party and look forward to more...eternity!

Halloween!

This was our first Halloween with Saffryn!!! We dressed her up as Cinderella. But the truth be told I think she was even prettier than Cinderella :) We spent the evening with Papa and Gigi. First we played played played. Then we ate dinner. Next came the costume! At first she didn't know what to think about it. She was kind of fussy and just didn't like to be messed with, and hated the head piece...so typical! We then decided to "trick or treat" to a few houses that were close to theirs. I think we made it to 3 or 4..hahah! She LOVED going to all the houses!!! I think she could pick up on our excitement and energy and got so excited!!! She was laughing and and talking away while we walked to a few of the houses. She even got to pick out her own candy. She held on to it so tight...like she knew it was something special and she didn't want it to go away. On the last house she grabbed an orange tootsie pop. I gave in and opened it for her to taste. YUMMY!!! Her first taste of candy. She is like her mother and loved it. We then went back to Papa and Gigi's to "help" hand out candy to trick or treaters. Enjoy the pictures below. Hope you guys all had a wonderful Halloween, too!

Pretty Princess!!!!

The crown literally lasted 2.5 seconds!

one proud mama!

Look at that big bucket of candy!!!!

Her first treasure from the night :)

It was a little chilly so we wrapped up in between houses

My first taste of candy!!!!!

mmmmhhhhhh

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend was our first trip to the pumpkin patch with Saffryn!!! We went with our church small group. These people have become so near and dear to us!!! They go beyond just our Bible study because they have invested so much in our lives and have become very close friends! It was so fun to experience this with them.

We weren't sure what Saffryn was going to think of this new adventure...but right away she begged to be put down and wanted to walk around everywhere! There was so much to see and so much to do. Of course it was packed...going the last weekend before Halloween will do that to ya..hehe! She loved looking at all the children and all the activites.

We first tried the corn box. Which is a sand box full of corn kernels instead of sand. She HATED it...LOL. She didn't want to touch it, sit in it, play with the trucks..nothing! So we decided to go to the swings to cheer her up. It worked!!!

After that we went to the "petting zoo". I say it that way because the animals were behind fences and were really hard to actually touch, which I am sure is for their protection...anyway. She ADORED the ponies and donkeys. She was talking to them, reaching out for them and just loved watching them. We tried to walk away and look at the other animals and she would wiggle free and walk over to the horses by herself!!!! HAHAH. She like the goats and sheep too, but not nearly as much as the ponies.

We then went to the blow up trampoline thingy. I didn't want to take her on it, I thought she wouldn't like it, but Dan kept encouraging me to go up there. So I did and of course...she LOVED it. We sat down and let the other children bounce us and she was singing and smiling..hehe. I think she could have been on that for a long time, but I started getting a little sea sick so we had to be done.

Next up..climbing hay bails. She did not enjoy this activity at all. I don't think she completely understood what to do, so she just cried and asked to be picked up.

Daddy took her on this HUGE slide down this hill. She is such a brave baby! Not really sure what she thought of this one...she didn't cry but she didn't smile either. It's a mystery :)

On the way back toward the hayrack ride we stopped by the ponies again. Her feelings had not changed..still LOVED them. Lots of talking and singing :) We may have a horse lover on our hands!

We took a ride on the hayrack pulled by a tractor to go pick our pumpkins. She loved looking at the pumpkins and enjoyed the ride to and from the patch!

What a busy afternoon!!! She is so funny. She already knows exactly what she likes and doesn't like...and isn't afraid to tell us. I love that about her! Happy FALL!