Sydney's Baby Shower...

Before I went on maternity leave four wonderful ladies from work asked if they could throw me a gift card & casserole shower after I had the baby. They are so sweet for offering to do it!!

Sydney and I had a very good shower. She is so loved...I don't think she really knows how much yet...but she will!
She was so good during the whole shower. She was passed around back and forth and she never complained.
Cupcakes...aren't they cute! Believe me they were every bit as good as they looked.

A fruit trey...veggie tray...cupcakes...and punch. It was all so delicious!!
My sweet hostesses...Theresa, Liz, Stephanie, and Sarah. They chipped in and bought me a pack and play. It was beautiful! Thank you ladies...everything was absolutely wonderful. I had a great time and I appreciate everything y'all did for Sydney and me. We both love each one of you!

Maggie...

It has come to my attention that a few of you out there have not met our lab puppy...Maggie.

We got her after Thanksgiving. She is a Chocolate lab. She is very sweet and already very smart. The kids love her and she loves them. This was taken a couple of weeks after we got her.

Look at her now...
What a sweet face!

This is her favorite place in the whole house...right next to the fire.She loves her kennel...it is her home. It is very helpful that she has done so well with her kennel training.

Oh...don't let her size fool you...she is only 4 months old. Basically she is just an overgrown puppy!

Pictures From the Hospital

Brand new! Proud Momma...

Baby Kisses...

Daddy's "Sweet Girl"...

Snug as a Bug...

Just like Momma, Daddy and Siblings, Sydney has the dimple in her chin...

Momma and her babies...

A little Daddy time...

Gas...

So little, next to Tenley's hand...
Momma and her girls...
Sweet Sisters...
Precious...

Can't stop staring...

So Kissable...

Headed Home...

We couldn't be more proud of our Sweet Sydney!! She is a huge blessing and we love her so much!

Tough week!!!

Exhibit #1

If you look closely...Tenley has a shiner under her left eye!

Shortly after I put the kids to bed, Tenley let out a loud scream. So naturally I went in to check and Miles had clocked her with his sippy cup. I knew immediately that it was going to leave a mark.

Exhibit #2

The very next night...I put the kids to bed. While I was on the phone with Alanna, they decided it was safe to get up and play for a few minutes. All of a sudden I heard a bang and then Miles started crying...the type of cry where you KNOW something is wrong. Well Tenley had wondered into the living room with me, so I knew she hadn't done anything to cause the crying. I went to investigate...he collided with the night stand and this was the result...I'm not sure who won!
Proof that he has a hard head!!! I gave him Tylenol and put him back to bed.

I sent this picture to Goose...he responded..."I'm not taking them to Daycare tomorrow, I already had to explain Tenley's black eye today. I don't want to have to explain Miles' bump."

Two Week Check-up

I love putting little bows in her hair...or I guess I should say...on her head!

Sydney was so good at her appointment. She waited like a pro...even with a screaming baby 5 feet away.

Her stats are...

8lbs 5ozs

22 1/4in long
They must have measured her wrong at the hospital, cause I find it hard to believe that she grew a whole inch in 2 weeks. I would say they measured wrong today, but I was watching the whole time.
Either way...she is definitely growing!!

Check Out My New Ride...

I feel like I have finally arrived...as a car-pooling soccer Mom I mean! WooHoo!!!!

I am still marveling at all the room!!! My kids have their own space...they aren't sitting on top of each other. There is even room for Maggie(our lab pup).


The best part of all...I don't feel like a "little bug" on the road that could be easily squished! I am one of the "big dogs"!!!

Bad News...

We finally got the call we have been dreading...Sydney does in fact have VLCAD... Most of you know that Miles was diagnosed with this disorder when he was just 2 weeks old.

I have to be honest...I was upset when Goose called and gave me the news(the Dr called his cell phone first). Yes, I knew that Sydney had a 25% chance of having the disorder, but I guess I had convinced myself that she wouldn't have it. Plus...when I looked at my precious little week old baby...I just didn't want to believe something could be wrong with her. After a few tears and a heart to heart with God. I was renewed!! We are blessed!!! Sydney's little body is healthy and with the nutrition plan that we will follow, she will stay healthy. There is no reason for us to believe that she will not grow and develop just as she should. As far as something being "wrong" with our children this is definitely one of the lesser evils.

After talking with Goose, I called the specialist in Ft Worth. They aren't too concerned since we have been through this with Miles. Plus, they believe that since Miles has done so well with the disorder that Sydney will follow in his footsteps.

VLCAD is a metabolic disorder. Basically their bodies can not metabolize fats as our bodies do. They need a special oil, Medium Chain Triglycerides(MCT), that is already partially broken down for them. Sydney had been put on the same plan Miles was on. We will supplement her with a MCT formula along with her normal breast feedings. Then once she starts table food, she will be on a low-fat diet.

We have appointments set up for Miles and Sydney to see the specialist in April.

May I Have Your Attention!!!

Our Family would like to introduce you to our newest little Blessing!

Sydney Clair Stansell

February 3, 2010

7:02am

8lbs 1oz

21 1/4 in

She is already proving to be a sweet little girl. As you might have guessed right now she pretty much just eats...sleeps...and poops!! She is most active in the mornings. Then she gets very snacky in the evenings. This doesn't bother me, because that means she does very well at night...usually only waking me up once to nurse. She does very well tolerating her big brother and sister.

Miles loves Sydney!! He is always ready to give her kisses and hold her in his "wap". He is very content to just sit there staring at her and rubbing her head. I was surprised at how gentle he is with her! That isn't to say we don't have accidents, but in general he is very sweet.
Tenley loves Sydney!! She is always telling me she is my big helper. She wants to help with Sydney in whatever way she can. She also loves to sit and hold her, she sings to her, she likes to help pick out her outfit for the day. She is a great big sister!!!

Sydney is truly a BLESSING!! We are so thankful she is part of our family!

S.N.O.W!!!!

My new motto...If I'm not going to have a baby, I might as well blog!!!

I L O V E Snow!!

Snow is beautiful...Snow is fun...Snow reminds me of playing in it when I was a kid...Snow is the best!!! Most of all I love seeing my kids play and enjoy themselves in the snow.

They were so excited to wake up to snow on the ground! This was really Miles first snow...I think he likes it as much as I do!!

A quick hug to show their excitement!

Goose had to go get Miles...Miles got stuck trying to crawl under the fence. It was really cute, the fence caught his hood and he couldn't move!! I was watching and then realized I wasn't taking pictures. Oops!
Just another good thing about fresh snow...you can eat it!!!
It's hard work building a snowman...time for a break!
Goose was showing the kids how to make snow angels...they caught on quickly. Why is it that making a snow angel is so much fun?
All bundled up and ready to play!! Taking a minute to pose for me and the camera.
"Momma...I am going to throw this snowball at you!!!"

"No..NO..Tenley, I'll get Momma!"

After a lot of hard work...mostly by Daddy...here is the kids finished snowman!!!

After all that hard work the kids tackled Daddy and were throwing snow on him!! It was a great day!!! It does my heart good to see the kids having so much fun! I stayed safely on the porch...hiding behind my camera!

Days like this are so sweet!!!