Happy Anniversary Alex

Well...today marks 4 years that Alex and I were married. I cannot believe that it has been such a short time to be honest. It feels (NOT in a bad way) that we have just been together forever. I am SO SO blessed to be married to such an amazing guy. He is a wonderful husband, loving father and great companion. He is loyal, protective, understanding (when I let him understand me) and supportive of me and our children. I am not the easiest person in the world to be married to so today he definitely gets a badge for putting up with me. I know that he was placed in my life for a reason at the perfect time and I will always be thankful for him. We have our fights indeed, but I never love him any less than before. I wish that today we were able to get married again-maybe at 5 years he tells me-becasue out wedding day was my most favorite day ever and I pray that it always is.

Alex-I love you! Happy Anniversary!

What is going on???

My babies

There really are 4 aren't there?
This is the cake Ashley baked & iced and then Aaron decorated for Krissy

My sweet, sweet babies

How we start our mornings now

Hey there folks! It's been a week-Sorry...and I was doing so stinking good huh?
The little one is 3 weeks and one day old today-crazy huh? He is changing so much everyday. He still looks just like Aaron and it is really funny when I put him in something that was Aaron's. It is so amazing to me that he is here and just part of the chaos now too!
This week is VBS and we have all been attending. Andy, Ashley and Aaron are going to class and he looks so adorable walking around with the kids holding onto the little rope. Ahh-it makes my heart just burst when I see him. He has received GREAT reports from the teacher. What a little boy huh? Today he went to Denise's to play with the boys so I am sure he will be in a great mood come the end of the day. Alex is working security at VBS and I was helping with registration. When we are done checking in I have been just hanging around and socializing. Last night Steve came to hang and tonight he and Beth are coming-WOOHOO!!!
Today I met with an academic advisor about returning to school so now Alex and I have to sit down and figure that all out and do lots of praying about it as well. God willing I will be able to return to school!
Andy is going on a date tonight...fancy huh? Ahhh! The good ole days!
This weekend starts our busy time...small group outing, Alex's parents coming, Strean family picnic, Adrian's baptism, the fair and then of course the dreaded end of summer when the kids return home. Man it sucks...like they say on John and Kate...it's a crazy life, but it's our life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN LEIGH STREAN!!

Yea--tomorrow Little Strean turns 30! There are so many things about my sister and I. If you took a list of likes and a list of differences the tally would be just about the same on each side. We are as alike as we are different and I am OK with that. Over the years we have learned to figure it all out and I have learned to count on her time after time. I think the best gift she has ever given me was when she moved home when I was pregnant with Aaron. I was SO happy to have her here to be part of it with me. She was the first person I called and I will never forget hearing her scream and then her telling the members of Little Big Town the news. My sister is so special to me and a BIG part of my life. We have had so many fights and differences over the years but there is no one other than my children that I am more protective of than her. I love her fiercely and sometimes my protectiveness is to a fault (sorry). She and Alex are close and she is hands down one of Aaron's favorite people in the universe. She will always be the fun Aunt-getting down and dirty and acting silly with the kids and that too is OK with me. I am blessed to have her in my life and to be able to share my family with her. So please pause today and say a prayer for her to have not only a Happy Birthday, but a life full of love, peace and happiness.
Krissy-I love you! Thank you so much for being not only my sister but my friend!

Matching dresses for my wedding shower-she loved it!

This is the first time she met Alex-we went to Nashville to see her!
Aunt Krissy's first picture with Aaron A birthday picture from many many moons ago!

Aunt Krissy's first time holding Adrian-she was the first person to hold him

Already 2 weeks!

So proud he can take off his own shirt!

Adrian and "Baby Girls"
Love bug
Hanging at the pool

WORD!

It doesn't seem quite possible that Adrian is 2 weeks today, but isn't that always the case? At this point we have adjusted to our new blessing, but I am still trying to get faster at getting out of the house. Between nursing, pumping, washing bottles and freezing milk there isn't much time left is there? Oh well-such is life. We went for our first big walk today-45 minutes worth so that is quite an accomplishment considering I still have this big cut in my stomach huh? Now it is time for breakfast for me and Aaron and at some point I have to wake Andy up. Until next time...Much love to you all!

P.S. Please keep our friends the Timmons family in your prayers

Adjusting

Today is day 5 at home and we are all adjusting to the newness of Adrian John. I am really blessed to have such a wonderful family to bring this baby home to.

Aaron has been NOTHING short of amazing. We thought he would be, but we were trying not to get our hopes us as I cannot imagine how hard it is to adjust to a new baby. He is tender, loving and very proud to be a Big Brother. He likes to show off his little brother and has held him and fed him and also helped put on his butt cream. Two funny things he has said...yesterday he told the doctor that Adrian poops out of his eyeballs and then on Friday he told our 12 year old friend Sam that Adrian drinks milk from Momm's boob-ahhh kids!

Andy has not had a moments rest from playing with Aaron which is a BIG help. It helps me to not feel as if I am neglecting him when I am taking care of the little one. He is such an amzzing big brother and our children are blessed wwith a gift from God in having him to model the way they love one another after. He is willing to anything that we need or ask of him and when Aaron goes to bed he is quite content watching a movie with Alex and hanging out. Even at 16 he is a Daddy's boy and Alex is loving having him here.

Ashley is helping with the baby as much as she posibly can. She is very into helping and learning how to take care of him. Today she cleaned the bathroom after I showed her "how to". One lesson I learned from my friend Elisa is that you cannot get angry at kids for not doing something correct if you never took the time to show them what you expected. I realized that while Ashley has chores and we have expectations we have never shown her what they were so a new approach starting today! (Thank you Elisa) She is also busy with friends-she is definitely the social butterfly of the group and would be happy having something to do 24/7. Typical of an 11 yeard old I guess. She is great with the baby and I enjoy having the special moments with her that I do.

Alex is simply amazing. I told him on Tuesday night that I was looking forward to falling in love with him all over again because that happened when I had Aaron. My husband is truly the most special gift I have even been given from God. Yes we fight and argue, but I truly feel that he was meant for me. He is more than supportive and loving. He is up with me at every feeding whether I am breast feeding or bottle feeding. He changes as many diapers as I do and he tries really hard to keep me resting. He has been cooking and cleaning and getting the kids to help around the house all the while adjusting to being a Daddy again. He is so patient and understanding when I am crying and emotional, although I know he is as worn out from my emotions as I am. Again, I will say that I am very blessed. Alex-I love you!

At home

Our last picture as the 5 Aces!

One last kiss for baby

Daddy gets the first picture

Pure bliss Yesterday we were able to come home-Thank You Lord! I am sure that I could have afforded medically to stay in the hospital for another day or two, but my doctor gave me the option as she knew how much I wanted to go home. I was miserable in the hospital and now I am able to relax at home while we are all together. Our first 24 hours ahve been going well. My milk is coming in and I am trying really hard not to give up on breastfeeding. This time I really really do not want to end up pumping. Aaron continues to be loving and gentle with his little brother and last night when he was going to sleep he asked if Adrian could lay with him-of course I gave in to that request. We are so blessed-our God is an awesome God!

Our first pictures as the 6 Aces

Aaron's first kiss and hold

Mommy and Adrian
Home at last

Welcome little one!!

Our little miracle has arrived safe and sound into the world. Adrian John Rodriguez was born on July 1st at 5:05pm. He weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 18.25 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great. He is rather sleepy as am I, along with sore. All is well...Thank you for your prayers!

It's finally here

I cannot believe that today has finally arrived! I am so excited and nervous all wrapped up into one tight bundle! I am so thirsty and a little hungry so I wish our appointment was a lot sooner than 5:30. Oh well, such is life. I am tired and ready for a nap as well. I made all the kids skull shirts this morning and I am almost packed. Alex will be home around 12:30 and we will head to the hospital around 3:00. Oh gosh! I cannot believe it...boy or girl. I really have no definite feeling either way! Well...I am off to finish my list of things to do and to snuggle with my Papa before I head to the hospital. Keep all of us in your prayers...we will be in touch!

Gallagher...I hope you have a wonderful time with...well you know who!