My Breast Friend

For those who don't know, the BEST nursing pillow to use is lovingly called "My Breast Friend" and it quickly becomes that when you nurse all day long!

Last week, I was looking for the pillow and I said out loud "Where's my breast friend?" (I never actually call it that!) and Claire so sweetly said "I'm right here Mama!"

Isnt' that the sweetest thing? My heart melted!

Walking weather

Although it's been chilly in the mornings, there have a been a couple of BEAUTIFUL afternoons! Claire LOVES going on a walk but even more now that we have a "new" stroller for both of the girls to ride together. She loves that she gets to watch Eden from her seat. She constantly talks to her and kisses her feet =) We found it at a garage sale when I just found out I was pregnant and it was a great deal! It's a little hard to put in the car but easy to push around. I'm still thinking about getting a sit n' stand stroller and selling this one but for now, it's working out just fine. Here are some pics from our walk sometime last week.

The stroller is a Graco so it works with our car seat for Eden!

Claire peeks through to keep an eye on baby sister! She insisted on putting all of Eden's toys on her car seat that day.
We got this sign from the company that gives the RSV vaccination - Synagis. She got the first dose in the hospital upon my request because it's used for babies 35 weeks and younger. We just found out that the insurance declined covering that rest of the doses because Eden was 35 weeks and 1 day - can you believe that? To pay for it on our own it would be $2600 every month till March or April! With that being said, I encourage everyone to constantly wash your hands!! It's the best way to prevent spreading things around! RSV is going around and it makes me so nervous!
Cheese Ball
Eden's wondering when I'm going to stop taking pictures of her - better get used to it girl!
Our view on our way back to the house. Claire asked why the sky was so pretty and I said it was because God made it that way so she exclaimed to the neighborhood "Thank you God for making the sky pretty!" I tried to get it on video but no such luck

Eden's First Post

Well, since mommy is busy, I thought I would write the blog world about some of my favorite things! My most favorite thing right now is sleep. Mom says I get that one from her! I’m a really good sleeper but sometimes I just want to be held between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. You know, it’s one of my favorite times because Daddy gets the first nigh time shift with me =) It’s great daddy/daughter bonding time!

I love taking my bath! The warm water calms me down after being naked and cold. I just sit and relax while I get nice and clean. I really love it when my big sister helps! She talks so sweet to me and pours water on my tummy to keep me warm. I especially love it when mommy cleans my hair with a soft brush. I think mommy and daddy are funny because they always take pictures of me in my cute hooded towels – that must be their favorite part!


When I’m awake, I like to hang out in my swing and bouncy chair. It’s the perfect height for Claire to hang out with me too! I also like wearing my pretty bows so everyone knows I’m a girl =) People are so silly these days! It doesn’t matter if I’m dressed in pink head to toe, they still think I’m a boy!

One of my other favorite things is my straight jacket – I mean, my swaddle blanket! It keeps my arms close to my body so I don’t wake myself up! It also makes me feel nice a warm like being in mommy’s tummy.

After I eat, mommy likes to hang out and talk. I really like to see her when we’re talking so I just pull my head up nice and straight to look in her eyes. She makes funny faces at me, talks in a high voice and tells me "good job" when I do it!


This picture is of something I’m not too excited about but it calms me down every once in a while. The paci makes me scrunch up my face and turn my head. I will take it when I’m really hungry and am waiting for mommy to get ready and sometimes when I’m fussy in the car. I don’t think I’ll become attached though… I’d rather use my mouth for eating and making noise!

Walvoord get together

This post is really late but last weekend we had our Walvoord Christmas with everyone! Our whole clan went to my parent's house after church to exchange gifts with Mike and Heather. Claire got a Dora Mermaid that swims in the water and a really cool Eric Carle chalk book! She enjoys both. Eden got a teether and a rattle that I know she will love -thanks Mike and Heather

After naptime and hours in the kitchen, we all sat down to dinner. Now... that doesn't sound like much but you must know that this rarely happens! We were ALL there - a minor miracle and such a blessing to have that time together. This happened for Thanksgiving this year too but before that, I don't remember that happening since Sept. 07!

That afternoon Mike held Eden for almost an hour and a half! He decided to try out my nursing pillow so lovingly called "My Breast Friend". Now all he needs is a nipple shield - oh, and breasts!

7 years ago....

yesterday Neil and I went to Jim's late in the evening. He ordered a vanilla shake. I ordered a hot chocolate. I wore a big wool sweater I got for Christmas from a friend and he wore... well, I don't remember that part (He probably does!). After the usual chit chat of music and friends, I got enough nerve to tell him that I had romantic feelings for him and thank God he revealed he felt the same!

That night changed our lives forever - friendship taken to the next level. We didn't have to ask questions about old relationships, our favorite food, favorite things to do or pet peeves - it was like we started on our 15ht date. We did have to ask really hard questions like is it worth the risk? Worth risking our friendship we had grown to cherish and rely on? Worth risking hurting other people who would be affected by this leap of faith? By the end of the night we agreed that yes! It was worth it all if it meant us being able to find the most incredible human love we'd ever know. And later that night we had our first kiss in front of a bookcase in his parent's living room.

So here we are today- married for 5 1/2 years with a home of our own, two beautiful girls and yes, the most incredible human love we will ever know. I thank God for the insight and peace He gave us when we decided to trust Him with our relationship. I can't imagine where we'd be if it weren't with each other...

I love you Neil

Aunts & Uncles - Oh my!

This week was a busy one for Eden meeting her Aunt Jenny, Aunt Heather and Uncle Mike for the first time! Mike and Heather spent the holidays with her family in South Carolina so they were excited to come back and meet their newest neice. We had a great time and I wanted to share some first time photos. I'm also including the first time shots of Uncle Billy and Aunt Shannon from a few weeks ago. We are so blessed to have family so close even though we don't see each other as often as we should!


Meeting and eating at Salsalitos on Sat. night - What a great group shot!
Uncle Mike loving on Eden - doesn't he look good with a baby?

Heather couldn't get enough of her this weekend!

She was completely zonked!! (Eden - not Heather!)

Playing with Aunt Jenny last Tuesday night - Thanks for bringing dinner Jenny!

Uncle Billy holding Claire after a bath. Now he has 2 neices that will LOVE playing with him!

Aunt Shannon loving on Eden - now all we need is a Steve picture! Let's get that next time we're together

Mom-nesia

I know a lot of you have experienced this first hand and if you haven't - you first time preggers just wait!! I already feel so scattered and challenged in juggling our lives these days. This feeling drives me crazy because as most of you know, I like to organize, plan and schedule things (even if my house doesn't always reflect that).

Well, today was Neil's first day back to work after holiday break and so I was to get Claire to MDO by 9 a.m. along with a baby who was going to be hungry around that time. We were all ready to go and of course I couldn't find my keys ANYWHERE! Out of a last resort, we had to wait for Neil to come home from work just to give me a stinkin' key =( Out of frustration, I told Neil "I'm going to be a terrible mom of two!" - I think I'd sometime lose my head if it wasn't attached to my body.

Thank God my keys were left at my parents house yesterday so I don't have to continue worrying about them. This is only one of MANY instances the past few weeks so please excuse me if I seem a little flaky these days!