Christmas 2015

We had a blessed and wonderful Christmas this year! I not only had the honor of hosting our Christmas for the first time but we also got to welcome Taren into our family this Christmas. Drew and I had talked about how we wanted to do Christmas for our family, what traditions were important to us to carry on and what we wanted to do differently. This Christmas was the perfect combination of incorporating the new with the old and some of Taren's traditions as well.

I spent the weeks leading up to Christmas preparing and planning. Buying presents from Drew and I and from Mom to all the family got to be a little overwhelming and combined with pregnancy discomfort sleeping was not a restful time the prior weeks to Christmas. It turned out to be all worth it as every moment we spent together as a family was truly special. Patrick came in early Christmas week and we got to spend some time with just him which was very special for Mom. We went out for Mexican food, looked at Christmas lights and had breakfast at Cracker Barrel before checking off the last of his Christmas list. Christmas Eve brought Taren with it and we enjoyed relaxing at home watching Christmas movies with a few last minute errands sprinkled throughout the day. Drew grilled out steaks for a fantastic Christmas Eve dinner sitting around the table discussing past Christmas' and listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album. Being a house full of adults and a toddler the anticipation of Santa Claus was a little less immediate so after putting Everett to bed we watched Christmas Vacation, which is one of Taren's Christmas traditions. I made Mom's traditional Egg Nog drink and Taren tried it for the first time and loved it. After the movie and Mom went to bed we busted out Mario on the Wii and stayed up late playing. Drew and I went to bed not quite ready for Christmas to come because with it went another year and Everett growing up even more.

Christmas Morning I woke up for my usual pregnancy pee and came back to bed to Drew ready to start the coffee and breakfast for the day... it was 6:21. I had to talk him down like an excited child. I had planned on Mom being the first to wake up somewhere around 7:30 so I was surprised to find it was actually my husband who was the first one awake. By 7 Everett began to make awake noises and Drew couldn't wait any longer for coffee so we got up. For maybe the 3 time in his past year of life Everett would not stop crying as we got him out of bed although he had already been awake. Within minutes Patrick was coming around the corner awakened by Everett's tears and Taren was soon to follow. I had to wake Mom up from her slumber... a very fitting scene for our past Christmas experiences of Ryan, Patrick, and I screamed at the top of our lungs to wake Mom so we could see what Santa brought us. Finally Mom was up and ready, Drew, Patrick and Taren were all drinking coffee and Johnny Mathis was on the stereo it was time to see if Santa made it to our house this year.

I walked Everett in to see what Santa had brought him as Drew recorded him. Santa was super generous having left Everett an adorable teepee for his room, an over sized stuffed fox and stocking filled to the brim. The first thing Everett saw after the fox and teepee were some dinosaurs tucked away in his stocking, a few roars from him and he was done looking at anything else! The rest of us were gifted with great stockings packed full of goodies!

Over the past few years I have struggled with Mom's Christmas stocking and gifts. She doesn't get as excited as she once did about gifts. It is a battle to find something she will recognize upon opening and something she needs or wants. As she woke up in a good mood this Christmas morning, she sifted through her stocking and remarked on how pretty things were. A jewelry box she had loved in the store, a stuffed kitten, a coral scarf, candy, and pajamas were some of the things I put in there hoping she would recognize. Once she gave everything a once over without taking anything out of her basket she was done and sat in a happy silence watching everyone around her. It is a hard scene  to watch on any day but especially Christmas.

 

We took a break for breakfast before diving into our family tree where we were all overly blessed with unnecessary presents. As I have grown up the part of Christmas that has become most exciting for me has been gifting presents to others. I was excited for each present to be opened that I had purchased with thought and hope that the opener would love each item. Everett took pride and excitement tearing into his presents on his own which was fun for us to watch. We spent the rest of the day watching Christmas movies and spending time together. For dinner we headed over to Aunt Tammy and Rhonda's house for our big family tree. One of the greatest blessings of being here in Amarillo is getting to spend time with our extended family, especially on holidays. Surrounded by loved ones we showered one another in gifts from the names we had drawn before with everyone buying for the kids. This being Taren's first Christmas in the family everyone decided to gift her each with a present.

Baby girl Haven had her first presents under the tree this year. A sweet little dress bought for her by her Dad, some pink converse from her big brother, and pink longhorn paci's and a plaque from her Aunt Nene, Uncle Lane and cousins Norah and baby boy Fort. I was overly emotional to open presents for our sweet girl and thinking about celebrating next year with two precious babies in our home.

Overall it was such a precious evening spent with loved ones celebrating our favorite holiday!

Yes I sure did put Harper on the Christmas card only to 2 months later change the name to Haven! Sorry Haven but for a short time you were officially known as Harper. 

She's Here!

We welcomed the most beautiful precious petite little girl on March 16th at 3:04 PM. 

Haven Molly was born after a rather quick labor and has already completely rocked her dad's and mine world! She weighed 6lbs. 8 oz. and was 19 in. Long.  We are so in love and so blessed by this amazing gift!

Haven Molly

Remember that time I forgot to blog for 2 months?! Needless to say we have had a VERY busy past few months. I have some major catching up to do. We have celebrated the marriage of Patrick and Taren and Everett's 2nd Dinosaur Birthday Party in the past two months that I will hopefully blog about soon along with a Christmas post already written just needing photos!



For now I want/need to focus on our newest family member coming... Ms. Haven Molly Neal. This sweet girl is sitting cozy at 35 weeks in utero and growing every day. We lovingly called her Harper James for the first 7 months of her pregnancy but after watching TV one night and hearing the name Haven my interest was sparked. Drew quickly reminded me that Haven was his very first name pick when we found it we were having a girl. After talking it out and Uncle Lane saying the name made him think of a "safe haven" and not heaven as I was afraid it would I couldn't get it out of my head. So sweet one your Dad officially picked out your name and he couldn't be prouder of it. He swears I made a deal with him when we I chose Everett's first name that I said he could name you. I am lucky he picked out such a good name that I could live through on my promise. As things at home continue to get harder with my Mom I have taken refuge in knowing that Haven will be my safe place. I believe she is coming along at the absolute right time in my life when I am needing to shift focus and let go of being so much of a care taker for Mom and being more of a Mom of my own to two sweet kiddos.

Haven has proved to be very stubborn throughout her pregnancy, not wanting to show her gender in our sonogram at 18 weeks and making the tech work to find out what she is. Everett's pregnancy was effortless and easy pretty well up until delivery on his due date. People around here (Nana mostly) have been concerned about another baby coming in and walking in her big brother's shoes because he has been such a good baby and now toddler. Well we have learned very quickly that Haven is not walking in anyone elses shoes.... this girl is paving her own pathway in this life! She will not be outshone by Everett or anyone else.

I went in this past week for a routine checkup with my obgyn. While checking for her heartbeat she was having trouble determining the actual rate. There definitely was one, the Dr. could tell it was faster than what was showing up on the reading. So after laying on the table being monitored for a little over an hour I was sent across the street to another facility for a sonogram. Sweet Neeley met me since Drew had just gotten back in town from a work trip the day before and was stuck playing catchup at work. I didn't think it was going to be anything so I really hated for anyone to come. The tech started the sonogram and a pediatric cardiologist came in. They began to talk in whispered tones watching my girl's heart. I instantly felt sick and panicked. After catching glimpses of a heart rate in the mid 200's I knew something was not quite right. They finished the sono, had me sit up and told me he wanted to send me right over to the hospital to be admitted.

Haven's heart was tachycardia... meaning it was beating above the normal heart rate, way above in her case. He told me he wanted me to get on some heart medication immediately to see if that would lower her rate. He said if I didn't do the meds she would eventually go into heart failure from her heart beating so fast and so hard and her organs would begin to fail. Of course I lost it! Bawling on the table like a baby. Of course we were headed straight to the hospital! Drew met Neeley and I in the parking lot to switch over Everett's car seat so he could spend however many days needed with his Uncle Lane, Aunt Neeley and cousin Norah. I received my first dose of medication at 6 pm that night and was told it would take 24-48 hours before we saw any results. I spent the next night sleeplessly worrying about delivering early, Haven's heart and the added concern of any effects on my heart. The Dr. said if it effected me in any negative way they would want to deliver her immediately since she was 34 weeks at this point.

Thankfully at 9:21 on the second night in the hospital, right after Drew had kissed me goodnight and the nurse gave me ambien to help me sleep our sweet girl's heart converted back into a normal rhythm. My obgyn explained to us that this was an electrical issue with her heart, she has all the right parts and they work they just weren't working in sync.  She said this happens sometimes in the end of the 3rd trimester and it usually sorts it's self out after delivery. I was discharged the next afternoon, after a day of getting a consistent 130's heart rate on Haven, with a follow-up sonogram on Monday afternoon. During the appointment Monday Haven's heart was still in a good rhythm. The cardiologist did say however that he did not want me to be on this heart pill for the next 5 weeks until her due date. His recommendation is that once I reach 36 weeks, next Tuesday, we begin to discuss inducing me to get Haven here and me off the medication.

Needless to say our world has been flipped around quite a bit. Each day seems to bring new adventures in a pregnancy that I was so sure would be easy breezy.  We will know more tomorrow as I meet again with my obgyn and hopefully discuss further our options and plans for Haven's arrival into the world.

I am overwhelmed, scared, anxious to name a few emotions running through my mind. Drew is his consistent self of peacefulness and stability for me and we know that God has Haven in his hands. We are trusting that he is the greatest physician and his plan is far greater than any we could imagine on our own!

A Christmas to Remember

Everett and Santa year 2... Fail! 2015

Christmas has always been such a fun and exciting time of year in our family! All the preparations and magic that has gone into the celebrations of the season hold some of my most cherished memories from my childhood/teenage/early adult years! 

(All the girls went to the Nutcracker this year. Mom loved it!!)

This year is one of equal excitement as Drew and I can't wait to see Everett's reaction to his presents! Watching your child's happiness on Christmas morning is something I have always wanted to experience and as Everett is growing and becoming more aware of his surroundings I know he is going to be so much fun this year to watch! Patrick and his fiancé Taren are spending their first Christmas together with us this year too and we are so excited to share our traditions with her! 

Since moving in with mom in August, this will be our first Christmas where we Are hosting. It is a surreal experience and I have spent much of the past weeks reflecting on the details and love my Mom  put into each moment of Christmas morning. 

Many of the decorations that are on display in our house are ones that I have inherited from mom since her disease has kept her from being able to decorate herself. I have vivid memories of decorating our house on Highland in Abilene with many of these items after she insisted we needed more decorations and we bought out Pier Ones holiday display. All the while I was thinking "will she still have money for presents if we get all of this?!" Now I am so thankful for these items, not necessarily in my taste, but because of the moments and memories we shared collecting them! Her holiday spirit is still very present in our home this season! 

Mom has spent the past few weeks very emotional.  Listening to Amy Grant's Christmas has not been a joyful event this year. Initially I blamed it on her disease or medicine cocktail not being adequate but I now believe it is partly to blame on her knowing she can't "do Christmas" like she once did and wants to. There is so much she is still aware of and this has always been such a special time of year for her. I have thought about all the joy she would have had buying presents for her now 4 grandchildren and one on the way! What delight she would have taken in welcoming a new daughter in law into the family and celebrating her first Christmas with us! Although she is excited on some level it is not what it could have been or deserved to be! 

After a day of exhausting myself buying presents, groceries and organizing I asked her how in the world she did Christmas for us like she did as a single parent?! I said when did you find the time? Weren't you so worn out?! She simply replies with "yes, and I loved it!"

I pray that as we go forward adapting traditions to fit our new family and making our own traditions, I will always carry my mom's joy for the season and love of her children with me as a reminder of the magic it brought me as a child! And I hope that my children will find the season just as magical and exciting and always remember their Mom loving this special time and precious memories with them!! 

(Cookies couldn't help Santa impress either of these babies. Maybe next year will be more successful!)

Growing Everett

Oh my darling Everett how you keep us on our toes. You are now approaching 22 months. You have been full of personality from the beginning but my love I never knew your personality would blossom so fully so young. You.are.a.ham! A flat out entertainer. You love an audience an play into their every whim. I am not sure where you learned to bat your eyes and sneak looks out the corner of your eyes at people but buddy you have excelled at this. You are so funny! Kisses at this moment now include sticking your tongue out which we are working out but it is also very endearing. You have also learned to spread your arms wide open and give hugs. You most love to give Norah hugs. 

You now have mastered climbing onto the coffee table and kitchen chairs where you prefer to spend your time sitting because you think you are one of the grownups. I love watching you learn to excel knew challenges including climbing on the furniture. You grab the back of the chair with your two little chubby hands and pull yourself up on your tummy, the absolute cutest!

You have found out where the snacks are kept and bring me in what you what when your hungry. This includes hauling around the Sam's jumbo container of animal crackers and goldfish. I can you hear hauling them all the way from the kitchen with the sweetest little grunts. Once you have delivered the snacks you run back to the kitchen to grab your munchies cup for me to put them in. You are such a smarty!

Everett you have not been a cuddiler for a very long time, like since I rocked you to sleep long. You are very independent and like your own space most of the time. When we watch Daniel Tiger, which you are obsessed with, or another movie you will sit beside me but the minute I try to cuddle with you or kiss you you will then scoot away from me. However there are some extra special times when you scoot up really close and lay your head on me... pretty much the best time ever! I try not to breathe or move so you don't realize what you are doing and move away. There are also very limited times when you will lay your head on my shoulder and I absolutely cherish these moments.

You are a very picky eater. You will eat and love one thing one day and two days later not touch it at all. You love to dip anything though. You dip food in ketchup, mustard, soup or whatever else you can. Last week your Dad and I caught you eating your broccoli florets and we both almost fell over in shock.

Everett you really enjoy books but only to flip through the pages. You do not like to wait long enough for Dad or I to read you the actual words on the pages so we make up the story as fast as we can keep up with you flipping pages.  Everett you are a mad dancer! Your go to move is to pop up one shoulder and bend the elbow and rock back and forth. Your Dad accuses me of teaching you this little move and he constantly makes fun of our dancing but I think you have some skill.

Everett we absolutely adore you! I never dreamed the love that instantly overwhelmed me when you were born would continue to grow but each day it is more and more! You are the greatest blessing in your dad and I's life! We cherish every moment we get to raise you, learn with you and love you!

Oh Boy Oh Boy we are having ... a GIRL!

We found out last week that this sweet little peanut I have been growing is a Girl and I am still in shock!! Elated, very emotional and shocked!!

Let me just start by saying that with this being my second pregnancy I was pretty sure I was a little more knowledgeable and in touch with my body. This pregnancy has been pretty identical to Everett's. Nausea through the first trimester, smells being a major trigger, minimal throwing up but feeling icky most of the day. Headaches, siatic nerve pain very early on and lots of pressure. Craving milk like with Everett and lots of Dr. Pepper. This sweet babes heart rate was almost identical to her brother's through my sonos and checkups also. So being the expert I became after one previous pregnancy I was convinced we were having another boy. I also came to believe that since growing up I was convinced having all boys would be "the worst!" that that would infact be my destiny and not at all bad after having Everett and seeing what boys are like.

So when we went into our Sonogram last week, Everett in tow wearing his big bro shirt I was not expecting to hear the tech say "It's a Girl!" Sweet peanut was very very stubborn and waited until the very end of the appointment to show us her gender which was undeniable. With Everett leaning over his Dad's chair holding my hand I instantly began to cry as did Drew. Pretty  safe to say we have already melted for you sweet one! Your big brother has also already begun to give you kisses via my belly which is pretty much the greatest thing ever! He is going to love you so much and protect you always. Although I spent the last several weeks thinking about having another boy in the house I am so very thankful that God knew exactly what we needed in our family and that was you precious girl! Our hearts already feel more complete knowing we have a girl on the way to share in our family!

We are anxiously awaiting your arrival my love and cannot wait to meet you! 20 weeks down, 20 weeks to go!!

P.S. I may have just bawled my way through this whole post. I am sure you will inherit the Blanton emotions of every female before you!

Halloween 2015

We had such a blast this Halloween with our little Bear. He was big enough to try and trick or treat for the first time and although he was quite hesitant at first he got his parents quite a stash of candy and loaded up on some fruit snacks for himself. Everett rode around our favorite neighborhood for trick or treating with his best buddy Norah who was the most precious little lamb. She was a champ and walked up to most of the doors with her Mom while Everett preferred to hitch a ride on my hip. Drew and Lane pulled the kids around in our wagon while Neeley and I toted around the kids candy buckets. Both of the kids did amazing and were absolutely the most precious babies out that night. We finished our night with a great family dinner at Aunt Tammy's house and halloween festivities. Our family had the surprise of a visit from our dear friend Linda Talley on Halloween (I can't believe I didn't get any pics) and she spent the night having fun with us and loving on mom. It was so much fun!!

A few nights before Halloween we dressed the kids up in their costumes and did a little photo Session at the park. I am so so in love with these pictures.