Third times a charm...

This is the third time I have sat down to update the blog, lets hope it turns out better than the previous two, which I deleted only minutes after getting started since all I could do was complain and whine about anything and everything =)

We're down to any day for the arrival of our latest edition. We're set to induce on Thursday if nothing happens before then. That's six days away if anyone is counting! I'm ready to not be pregnant, but when I think about what life will be like after delivering and for the next, say 6 months, I'm not so ready. My biggest fear, and this is something you'll only understand if you're ever there (I've had it explained to me before and it made no sense) is questioning what kind of connection I'll have with the lil' bit when he arrives. Kylie's birth affected me in a very youthful, now you have real responsibilities, way. But she was a complete terror from the minute she arrived, until she turned about 18 months. I was working, Jason and I were trying to adjust to married life, and we were settling into our first house. It isn't that I didn't love her, I did, it was just very much a....let's get to tomorrow, one day at a time, type of love. Beck was different. We tried so hard to get pregnant and at the time I thought he was the last one, so I savored every single minute. Appreciated every long night, dirty diaper, and all the happy stuff in between in a way I didn't with Kylie. I was more mature, staying home with him, and more appreciative of the miracle of life. In other words, it was perfect. Perfect in a sense that I don't think there is any way that another child can compete. Now, I've heard others with the same fear say you get over it pretty quick, and I hope I do, but this is for sure my biggest fear. This one wasn't planned, this pregnancy has been a BEAR to deal with, and he's coming at a time in our life that is very busy and already filled with doctor appts., sleepless nights, and big decisions. But I know that this is God's plan. and there is a real definite reason why Stratton will be joining this family, and I'm looking forward to the journey that will lead us to the answer. Let the fun begin!

The last week or so my mind has been racing, however, on issues not surrounding #3. Kylie's new meds to fix the Brown's syndrom caused by her previous strabismus sugery did nothing. In fact, I believe it made her right eye turn in even more. Therefore, she has an appt. on Tuesday of this week, and the doc says to be ready to discuss another surgery. Beck has just started fighting his fifth ear infection of the winter, and the possibility to ear tubes was def. in the air when we talked to our pediatrician. The good news is that we're going to be able to hold off on the tubes for a while and hope that we can get to warmer weather and less germs sooner than later. And no matter how much I dread Kylie going back under, its a plan, and its in place, and although here to there will be miserable, hopefully this will be the last one, and we can put this behind us.

Last week, with all the bad weather, Kylie and I got started making her valentines for her classmates. It killed some time and made sure they were done before we might have gone into labor. She picked out a lady bug theme and we went to work. They took much longer to complete than I though, which was ok, seeing as we were stuck inside for 4 days last week, but I think they turned out pretty cute. I'm very excited for her to take them to school on Monday for their party.

On to my last bit of good news, Kylie has mastered her cartwheel to the point where she can now move up to the next level in her gymnastics class. I'm very proud of her and excited about what this new class will bring. I'm glad that she has found something that she's so into. She really seems to enjoy every minute of it, and I know its good for her coordination and confidence.

That's about it at this point. Next time I blog, I'm guessing will be after Stratton has arrived! Until then, I'm trying my hardest to enjoy my family of four, that I love so dearly.

More camera play...

I wish I could express to you how sick I am of this crazy Dallas weather! The kids and I have been stuck inside for going on four days! Here are a couple pics of the backyard, and this isn't even as bad as it got.

My Love watching some Gabba Gabba and trying to keep warm

Now if I can only figure out how to get him to look at me...

A new take on a teething toy. He's been sticking everything in his mouth. Yes, even dirty diapers.

My Kylie Grace getting ready to go play in the snow

New Camera...

My pretty new car...

Beck and daddy going down the slide



Playing at the sand park...


Snack time

Bath time

Wow...now that's scary =)

Big boy...

So, one of the exciting things about Jason and I starting our life together at such a young age (ie: kid, house, job, and two cars within 6 months) is that you get lots of fun new toys. We purchased our computer (which is now on its last leg) and got a camera for Christmas shortly after Kylie was born. Well, five years later and we're now seeing the down side of living the high life all at once. Everything is starting to need replacing at the same time. This past Christmas we started with getting a new camera. Thought it might be a good time with the new baby coming soon. We've been looking at the slr's for sometime, but knowing nothing about cameras, it took Jason a while to really figure out what he wanted.

Well, for Christmas this year we took the plunge, asking for a gift certificate from my parents to best buy. A couple weeks ago we bought a nikon d3000. and no...i have no idea what that is, and I still know nothing about cameras. But I'm hoping to at least learn enough to get by. (It took me 5 minutes to figure out how to connect the lense the first time) Lately, we've just been messing around, shooting pics around the house, trying to figure out how the stuff works.

Here are some random shots we've taken, and although we've got a long way to go, it is clear that this camera leaves our old one in the dust. Now if only I could get someone to replace our computer =)

In each challenge is a lesson from God...

If you know Jason and I at all, you know that the last year and a half has come with great many challenges. Between finding out we were surprisingly expecting again, thinking we had lost the baby, being told that we didn't lose the baby, but still might, Ky's eye surgery, Beck's almost eye surgery, followed by his recent sickness issues, J's kidney stones, my hernia surgery, etc...the list goes on and on. But in the midst of all of the chaos Jason and I have been able to find peace in our relationship together, our individual relationships with God, and the comfort of our family and friends. And now, is no different.

Yesterday started off like any other. Kylie had another follow up eye apt. in the afternoon, but after a couple days of Beck not feeling well, followed by him not eating a couple meals in a row, he and I decided to ride with Ky and J since the kid's pediatritians office is across the road from Ky's eye doctor. I went in praying I was wrong, that he was fine minus a little cold, but was sadly let down when the doctor informed me that he has another double ear infection, his fourth in about 6 weeks. The words 'putting in tubes' had already been mentioned at our last apt. and I was really hoping to avoid that conversation. The doctor said that if it weren't for us expecting again so soon, he'd have already put them in. But, luckily, Beck's development (ie: his weight really) hasn't been super affected because of all the sickness, so I think I've managed to persuade our doc to give him another shot. I know if I can just get him through this winter, I think he'll be fine once he has another year to grow and his ear canals grow as well. So, he's back on antibiotics, as well as a daily dose of zyrtec in hopes that it will dry up daily congestion and prevent future chances of ear infections. I feel like this poor boy has been on some sort of drug for months now. So, needless to say, I met back up with the rest of the fam, a little less than thrilled, explaining to Jason how the apt. went.

I could tell by J's demeanor that Ky's eye apt. didn't go much better, and I was right. It appears that as a result of Ky's eye surgery she has developed something called Brown's Syndrome in her right eye. In other words, the inside muscle that was not cut and moved is either generally inflamed or overcompensating for the changes, causing Ky's right eye to dip down dramatically when she looks to the left. So, now she's on daily doses of motrin (to try and bring down any inflamation) and steroid eye drops (this poor girl is so emotionally traumatized with eye issues that putting these in twice a day isn't much fun). We will give this six weeks, when she'll go back into the doctor and be evaluated again. If the current solution doesn't work, they will likely have to go back in and correct the only remaining muscle in her right eye that they haven't cut on already. The simple thought of this possibility leaves me utterly speachless and completey stressed out. The odds of her getting this syndrome is less than 1%, leaving me to ask the question, WHY????? And then again, in all my frustration, and pregnancy hormones, I ask myself, WHY NOT? Why did I expect good news? With all the challenges we have faced. It is in this moment that I know I need to breathe and step back for a moment.

The positives:
-J's kidneys have been stone free since his last surgery.
-The baby not only made it, but is healthy and almost here!
-The procedure on ky's eyes 100% fixed the problem it intended to.
-Beck was able to avoid surgery and we're almost to Feb, where hopefully it will warm up some!

At church the other Sunday, our pastor preached on people's inabilities to take chances. This was followed with a really interesting conversation between J and I regarding our life. Regardless of how much we have had going on since the day we met (which is a lot, i agree) , very rarely are we presented choices, rather, we are thrown into a whirlwind of 'here's what life is going to hand you' and just have to deal. But in the midst of discussing it hit me that there is still a choice to be made. How you chose to react to what life has given you is a decision, and not always an easy one. Being biter is easy, playing the pity card is simple. When I look back I am proud of how we have handled the tough times, and I celebrate all the goodness that has come from life's little surprises.

Jason and I have both been trying to learn to do a better job of lifting our problems, and ourselves to Him. To realize that it isn't our plan we need God to support, but to give ourselves up to be used in God's greater plan. This lesson has been reinforced with every tough day our family has had, and we're trying very hard to remember who is in control here, or I guess, who should be...

For all the tough days we've had, like yesterday, we have twice as many good ones. But my favorite moment is at the end of the bad ones, where one of the kids does something so funny, that it makes you laugh and realize that it will all be ok. These are my favorite because a tough day, becomes a good day as a result of a simple smile from Ky, or silly laugh from Beck.

Being a parent is hard in a way I never expected it to be. It tests your faith far beyond a level that you ever experience with your own problems or dilemas. It is in dealing with issues involving your children that you really put your faith to the test.

More Birthday Pics!

Here are a couple more pictures from Kylie's 5th birthday! A HUGE thanks to Stephanie who does amazing things with her amazing camera!

Ky and Kenz playing in the mall playground after the party...


Opening up her purple unicorn pillow pet, she was VERY excited about this...




Enjoying her cupcake. She looks so old in this picture to me...

LOVE this girl!

Auntie B and Pooty with my sweet Kylie and I

What a beautiful group of girls.

Cousins...

Getting all dolled up!

Ky and Kenz after their makeup and hair session

The totally cool hair do they did on Kenz

My sweet girl!

Action shot...

My adorable Neice Peyton!

Kenz, all ready to get her hair done...

Football time (family style!)

Just in case anyone was uncertain who we're rooting for =)

Kylie turns 5!

Kylie enjoying one of her gifts, a new dress up outfit!
Time to get your nails done girls!



She's such a girly girl!

After her makeup session =)

I wanna be a rockstar!

My poor dad, who did the 'manly' role of watching all the purses while we followed the girls around the shop!

Just getting started...

On Thursday, January 13th, my sweet baby girl turned 5 years old! We celebrated by taking cupcakes to her school to share with her friends, followed by dinner at a restraunt of her choice, which of course ended up being Cheddars (we're both big fans of the cookie monster!)

We decided to keep this years celebrations to a minimum since so much was spent on Christmas this year and I am already exhausted even though we still have weeks before the new lil' Alcorn arrives. Kylie decided to take her cousin Peyton and best friend Makenzie to Sweet N Sassy for a 'Royal Higness' party! The kiddos got pampered from head to toe, getting their hair done, makeup applied, toes and nails painted, princess dresses put on, and time to 'strut their stuff' on the runway.

I'm glad that we decided to keep it so small this year. It actually worked out really well and was low stress. Most of all, Kylie LOVED every minute of it. My friend Stephanie actually took way more pics than I did (since our camera is less than stellar) So I plan on posting more when I get those, until then, enjoy Kylie's special day!