Happy Anniversary!

Today was our Two Year Anniversary, and we had a great day! Unfortunately we had to work, but then went to dinner with Dina, Dave, Jenny and Don. We went to Texas Roadhouse, and of course they told the waitress it was our anniversary. Needless to say, by the end of dinner, I was up on the saddle with everyone yelling Yeehaw!! Good thing no one had a camera with them, including me. However, we got cards from everyone, and Jenny had ordered us a photo book of many of Olivia's early pictures. It put a few tears in my eyes, and was very special. Wish I could post it on this site, however I'm not that talented. What a great idea though...I think I am going to have to make one for myself...I can see how this could become the new scrapbooking phenomenon. Shane and I had ordered a bench for the entry way for our anniversary, so we will wait to get that in. All in all it was a great anniversary!!

Portrait Innovations

Today was so much fun...one of the things we knew we wanted to do when Scott, Amy and the kids were here was to get our pictures taken. The last time we had them done, Tamara was about 5 and Jake was only a baby...no Kaleigh, Olivia or Parker. So, we knew it was long overdue. We went to the Potrait Innovations place at the Shoppes of Grand Prairie and had a ball. They were wonderful and even with a group as big as ours, they had us in and out in no time. I would highly recommend this place to anyone...I had heard nothing but great things about it, and now we know for ourselves. We will definitely be back. Anyhow, we got each individual family pictures taken, and then some of the entire group. They turned out so well, and we got a lot of great ones. Then, we were getting ready to leave and decided we better try one of just the grandkids. Olivia was starting to get hungry, so I took time out to feed her. Needless to say, it ws right when we were trying to take the pictures. I literally layed her in Jake's lap...with the bottle still in her mouth...counted to three and pulled it away. They snapped the shots just in time and the bottle went right back in her mouth! It was priceless. We got the shot and it turned out great...and one of the Grandparent's favorites. As soon as we were done, we took them to Nana and Pa Pa's...then came the tears. Nana couldn't stop looking at them, and had them in frames before we left for the day. Job well done! Later that evening, we went to eat and had to say our goodbyes to Amy and the kids. It was so great to see them, and we can't wait until the next time!!! Oh yeah, with regards to the pictures, I don't think I can upload them from a scanned picture, so I am still working on that...more to come!

Finally Home...

Today was a great day...Scott, Amy, Tamara and Jake were home...and Mathus too. We had so much catching up to do considering they had never met Olivia and Parker. Basically we did not even make it in the front door before the babies were taken from our hands. We have many great pictures of all the kids together...and with Uncle Scott and Aunt Amy. Lots of fun...much to talk about...too little time!! :-)

Happy Birthday Nana!!!

Not only is it Mom's (Nana) birthday today, but Scott and Mathus were supposed to get home today. Unfortunately because of the weather, they were delayed in Chicago. Long story short, we went to Mom's for a cookout, and had to have it without them. So, we'll be back again tomorrow. Happy Birthday Mom (Nana)!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

What an exciting day..Mommy's first Mother's Day! I absolutely love being in this category! :-) We started out the day heading over to Grandma and Shirley's to see my Mom (Nana). Of course, we got the babies together, so I have added a few of those pictures. Also, Kaleigh was there too, so she got in a few. Then we went to see the other Grandma over at Aunt Pam's and had a great time there too. Long day, but so much fun!!

Kaleigh's Dance Recital

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

First Shots

Well, today was another rough day..hopefully this won't be the start of my journal for too many days. However, Olivia had her two month checkup which included getting her first shots...three of them!!! Although this week started slowly, we are getting better as the days go by. Olivia has really taken to Kathy and I don't foresee any problems...she has slept good, eaten well, is starting to become familiar with Kathy, etc. So, I am hoepful that this is going to be a great situation for everyone. I left work early today to get her and take her to the doctor. I made sure Daddy was going to be there as well. I basically indicated I would have to leave the room and then come in to save the day when it was all over. However, I did better than I gave myself credit for. We went through all the motions of getting checked out. At two months, she is 11 pounds, 1 ounce and 21 inches long! She is getting so big! After all the checks and balances, it was time for the shots. The nurse was very clever and had me "filling out some forms" while she gave the shots. I turned to complete the forms...pretty quickly I thought...but then turned back around to them, and it was all over. She cried for about two seconds, I picked her up, and she stopped. Nothing to it apparently! What the heck was I so worried about...Olivia did great! I even did good..no tears were shed! As soon as we were done, we put her back in her car seat and she slept the entire way home. I just hope all appointments are this smooth! :-) Later that evening, I went to see Kaleigh's dance recital. Talk about cute...picture about thirty 3-4 year olds in bumble bee costumes lined up on the stage. We had so much fun and it got me anxious for Olivia to be up there...we have so much to look forward to. Kaleigh did wonderful and was the star of the show!!! So much fun!

Back to Work!

Well, today was pretty rough, to say the least. Olivia is two months old today, so all I wanted to do was spend the day with her to "celebrate" but that didn't happen. It was my first day back at work, and boy was I a mess. Even after taking Olivia to Kathy's a few days last week, I knew today would be hard, and it was. I had knots in my stomach all night last night and this morning before taking her there. Olivia slept good last night..she must have known that I needed to get some sleep before today, although I didn't get much. She got up this morning after I was ready, so that was nice. She made it pretty easy for me. I fed her right before I took her next door, just like Kathy and I talked about. That will be the normal routine in the mornings, if Olivia cooperates. As I was walking her next door, my eyes had already started to tear up. I talked to Kathy for a few minutes, and just couldn't take my eyes off Olivia. The actual physical act of handing her over to Kathy was the worst part. I didn't want to let her go, and immediately just had to walk out. I told Kathy I was sorry, but had to leave. She didn't have to say a thing and I knew she understood. I cried as I walked back to the house to pack things up for work, and most of the way there. However, had to try to get myself a little presentable before walking in the building. Not to mention, all day long people were asking about her and asked if it was my first day back. So, as soon as they asked, how are you doing, I started thinking about it again. I tried to say I was doing okay, but I was not very convincing at all. They knew. I was having a rough day. I just kept telling everyone that I may get a speeding ticket on the way home. Surprisingly, I only called one time today. Kathy was surprised as well. I tried not to be a pest, even though I wanted to call every hour...or minute...or second! Shane is picking her up, and that will be the routine. He will get to spend about an hour with her alone each night...daddy bonding time. However, tonight she was all mine. As soon as I walked in the door, I dropped everything and basically wanted to hold her all night long...so I did! Hopefully each day will get a little easier! We'll see! I made it through the first day, so that is a start!

Last Official DeVore Garage Sale!

If we heard it once today, we heard it 100 times...today was the last official DeVore Garage Sale EVER!! Olivia and I spent the day at Nana and Paw Paw's today for their neighborhood sale. It was a very nice day, so we knew it would be busy. We got there bright and early to set up, and of course the second we got the garage door open, people started showing up...even before we moved the tables out! Reason number one Paw Paw loves garage sales! :-) Overall, we had a great day, all the while Shell, Tim, baby Parker were still at the hospital. We certainly thought about them all day, and couldn't wait to get back up there to see them! Kaleigh stayed at Tim's parents last night, so we had to go pick her up today to take her back up to see them. Once the sale was over, we basically packed up the clothes to take to goodwill, and the rest of the merchandise went right in the trash...no more garage sales!!! We made over $400 though this time, so it was well worth the trouble...at least to Shell and I...maybe not to Mom...and definitely not to Marc! :-) We went to the hospital after that and all is well in the Erxleben family! Parker is doing wonderful, as is Mom and Dad! They are going to be able to go home on Monday, which will be nice to get him home!

Happy Birthday Parker Adam!

Today was the day..Parker Adam finally arrived! I took Olivia to Kathy's again and she was there for almost a full day...by this time, Mommy is is getting a little better...not to mention she has other things to focus her attention on today! I was up at the hospital bright and early with Shell, Tim and Kaleigh...the great big sister!! Kaleigh and I played for a while in the waiting room while Mom and Dad got all set. I brought Kaleigh a gift bag of her own...for the big sister. So, she was occupied for quite some time. Then, everyone else started arriving and it was time! They wheeled her into the delivery room and at 10:15 Parker Adam Erxleben was born. He weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce, was 19 1/2 inches long and has quite a bit of dark hair...what a sweetheart! They wheeled him through the waiting room for everyone to see before heading to the nursery. Of course we were all there with our cameras in hand! We gave Tim lots of hugs and waited to see Shell! They wouldn't let us in to the recovery room this time, so we just had to wait...it ended up being over an hour and half before we could see her, but they took her to their room around noon. We were all near the nursery just watching them clean him up, poke and pick at him, and finally snuggle him up in his blanket. He was ready to see Mom! After lunch and about 4 hours later, they finally brought him in for Mom to hold him for the first time! It was awesome...and they were ecstatic! Kaleigh was such a great big sister and is doing really good with having him around. She is going to be a great little helper! After a while it was time to pick up Miss Olivia, so we had to leave, but it was a great day!!

Parker is coming!!

Well, today we tried it again. Olivia (and Mom) survived going to Kathy's Tuesday, so we thought we would try it again today. I took her over first thing this morning, cause Shell needed to get to the hospital to pre-register for tomorrow! So, I dropped her off and surprisingly, it wasn't as bad...I think I may be tougher than I was letting on before! So, not as many tears today..and I was on my way to the hospital. Shell and I got to talk to the nurses, meet with the anesthesiologists, and take a tour of the rooms she will be in. Overall, Methodist is a pretty nice place. She is a little nervous about the epidural/spinal block, so it was comforting to talk to the experts today. I think she felt better after today! Once we were done, we needed to pick Olivia back up and basically hung out at my house. Shell even took a nap with Olivia! :-) We are all ready for Parker to be here...especially Mommy!!

Daycare - Kathy Brady

Yikes, what a day we had today! It was our first official day at the babysitter, Kathy Brady. Because Mommy has to go back to work next week, we thought it would be a great idea to take Olivia for a few days this week to get everyone acclimated to the idea...especially Mom. Also, I know Monday will be extremely difficult to make it through work, so we thought this might help my first week back. I took her over in the morning shortly after she woke up and got her belly full. I was simply going to go to Shell's for a while to help with garage sale stuff, but ended up keeping busy in other ways. I dropped her off and was doing okay for a while...Kathy is wonderful and has made it so easy for us!! I have no doubts in my mind at this point that it is going to be great to have her so close to the house. Not to mention, Kathy and Brian are great and I think Olivia will like having their kids around too! After I dropped her off, I started walking home...right next door...and already the tears started flowing! I made it into the car, and immediately called Shane on the phone. When he didn't answer his phone, I called Shell and was crying uncontrollably. I thought I would have to pull over to the side of the road, cause I couldn't see much. Not to mention, I'm sure I was a sight to see for everyone that pulled up next to me! Shell talked me through it and did a great job, but all I could think about was if she wakes up for her nap, she is going to look around for me and I am not going to be there for her!! What a feeling...it was terrible. Then, Shane called and he talked me through it a little more. In the meantime, Kathy had called him while I was on the phone with him...she was trying to reach me but got Shane's number instead...good thing cause he was able to warn her that I was a mess. Then, she called to reassure me that Olivia was sleeping! What a great phone call..it was like she read my mind! She knew I needed to hear it, so that was great! I cried all the way to Shell's house (45 minutes) but was okay once I got there. She kept me busy...we ran errands, went to lunch, signed Kaleigh up for soccer, etc. So, after all that I went straight home to pick her up. It was about 4 hours that she was gone and basically slept the entire time. However, they did get to interact and Kathy thinks she is going to do just fine! Mom on the other hand hopes the days get easier for her!! :-) I basically spent the entire rest of the day holding her and looking at her!