Mr. Potty eats my poo poo!

We are attempting to potty train Hailey. I tried a few months ago and she was physically able but just didn't want to go in the potty. Hopefully more luck this time! She said "Bye bye diaper!" this morning and was excited about her flower and Elmo panties.

Wish us luck!

Little buddies

Hailey and Aiden are little buddies! Hailey loves to help with Aiden and gets so excited when she can get him a diaper, pacifier or blanket. I love seeing her interact with him! She says "I hold him!" and will put her arms around him. I nurse but sometimes he gets a bottle and Hailey loves to help feed Aiden. She will make pretend food for him in her kitchen and take it to him in his swing. I just can't get over how adorable they are!!

Family/baby photos

Introducing...

Aiden Michael Canada born August 24th, 6 lb. 11 oz and 19 3/4" long.



















I had a scheduled c-section on August 24th set for 10:30 a.m. At around 1:40 a.m. that morning I woke with contractions but was able to go back to sleep. Then at around 2:45 a.m. I was woken by contractions that were stronger and couldn't go back to sleep. I had some other signs that labor was definitely here so to be on the safe side, we went to the hospital earlier than my scheduled time to go in. I was put on some IV fluids which calmed down my contractions. It was a long morning but I eventually got into the surgery room around noon and Aiden was born at 12:24 p.m.! I am very grateful for my friend Stacy who works in L&D at the hospital and she came and was working in my c-section and taking care of me!! Knowing she was there to oversee everything made me feel so comfortable. I knew Aiden and I were in good hands!

My family was able to watch Aiden being born through a window. Sean was out of the surgery room for the first 20 minutes while I was being prepped. As soon as I knew they were going to get him, I put out my hand reaching for him. I was nervous and shaking. This c-section was very different than the first in the sense that I was completely aware and awake for all of it. As soon as I heard Aiden cry, I started to cry. Of course I knew I was pregnant and already had a connection with Aiden being that I was carrying him but hearing him cry brought everything to a whole new reality and joy in my heart.

Hailey was not there for the c-section but we planned for her to drop by the hospital later in the day once we were settled into a room. She likes babies so she was excited to see one but didn't know what to think of how I was dressed, that I couldn't hold her but I was holding Aiden. She saw Aiden for a couple minutes and then was interested in the toys that Nana had for her. :)

Our hospital experience was excellent. Except for the food that is. Because I have a mango allergy, I couldn't get the normal food that everyone else got. Instead I got a tray for allergy patients and it was DISGUSTING!!! Bleh! Next time I am not disclosing my mango allergy... I know not to eat them. The nurses were great, doctors great and overall the experience was night and day different from my first. Praise God for Stacy and her convincing me to change doctors and hospitals!!!

As time has gone on here at home (3 weeks), Hailey has adjusted extremely well to Aiden and the new family dynamic. It will only get better from here as I heal and am able to do more things! I can't wait to play on the floor with Hailey and Aiden and take them out places! Hailey loves to help with Aiden and always asks for him when she wakes up. She always has to know where daddy is, where I am and where Aiden is. When he cries, she tries to fix it with either his pacifier or wants me to feed him. She likes to bring him toys and wants to make sure he has his blanket. She also loves to "read" her Bible to him, hold him (with assistance of course) and get diapers for him.

I don't know where I would be in my healing process if it wasn't for my mom. She has been here every weekday taking care of me, Hailey, Aiden and cleaning my house. She takes us anywhere we need to go and carries all the bags. She gets here so very early in the morning before Sean leaves just in case Hailey wakes up and to let me sleep. She has been wonderful and I know she is sacrificing a lot and wearing herself out. I just hope I get the opportunity to do something for her that blesses her even more than she is blessing me. I love you mom!

Yes... we are still here! It has been quite busy around here getting settled into our home and preparing for little Aiden to come. I am 39 weeks pregnant now and have my c-section scheduled in just a few days.

It is Hailey's birthday!! She is two years old now which blows my mind how fast the time has gone and how she has grown up. She had a fun birthday party at Lake Mary splash park with some of her friends earlier this month.






Nana and Aunt Ray Ray came over to take pictures of Hailey and I...

I think Hailey has gotten word that she is turning two. She has upped the anti on her temper tantrums. Oh my! We are focusing on being consistent with her even when we are in a difficult place to discipline (Walmart) or putting her in time-out is going to make us late getting out the door. I was in Walmart with her the other day when she was being disobedient and a girl walked by with her boyfriend and said "See that? That is my worst nightmare!!" I thought well, yeah, no parent wants this but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Since we are in a bigger house, there are more places for Pedro our cat to run and hide. Hailey is obsessed with Pedro and will walk around the house saying "Kitty, where are you?" Oh it is so adorable!!

Magnolia Park is a great place to take the kids or for a family picnic. They have peacocks there!! We took bread and fed them. They are friendly and very used to people. They also have volley ball court, 3 or 4 playground sets, soccer field, basketball court, picnic tables and lots of tree coverage (this is important cause it is so hot outside!).

Sean has a wonderful opportunity this week to serve at the FCC summer camp at Orangewood Church. He is doing the worship set for their chapel. This came about because Sean was invited to speak at a high school FCC group where he also played his guitar and sang and the President of the FCC for our area happened to be there.

Looks like it will be August 20th that I will have Aiden!! It isn't set in stone b/c my doctor's office will not set the date until I am 36 weeks pregnant but he put the date in the computer and said that it definitely won't be later than the 20th b/c he is going to be out of town. The next few weeks are going to fly by and before I know it, we will be announcing the birth of our little Aiden!

Bye Bye Altamonte Springs...

This weekend has been CRAZY!! We packed and moved into a home in Ocoee we are renting. Hailey is sleeping in a big girl bed and doing it wonderfully! She stays in her bed and loves it. She woke up a few times last night crying but I think it is because she didn't know where she was since it was her first night in the new house.

Unpacking is going really well. I am thinking by the end of the week we will be pretty settled in. :) That is thanks to family and friends that have helped tremendously. We couldn't do it without them! Especially me with my 8 month preggo belly.

Today Hailey and I went to a baby shower and someone beside us was taking pictures of the mom-to-be. Hailey looked over a couple times at the person with the camera and said "cheese!" and smiled. lol. She is just too cute for words. I must say that the past few days has been trying though as a parent. There have been tantrum after tantrum and I have to be consistent even though we are busy and tired. Not so easy but we are doing our best. I know she is going through a lot too. She saw the guys load the dining room table into the truck and the townhome and put out her arms and said "My table! My table!" I quickly took her to Publix with me as I knew she didn't understand that she is going with her table.

Hailey has her very own room now. Well, she had a room before but had to share it with storage, computer desk and musical equipment. But her room now has toys in it and space to play and call her own. She is very excited about the stairs in the house too. I have taught her to "scoot" down the stairs.

Pedro has finally found a comfy spot on the couch to sleep. He has been roaming the house for over 24 hours very restlessly. Poor guy has been through a lot too. He freaked out at the townhome with everyone there moving stuff and loud noises. His tail puffed up and he ran room to room bumping into boxes and freaking out. Then I didn't have anything to put him in to move him so he just sat amongst my packed car. Luckily Sean was able to grab Pedro before he ran out of the car!

As far as the pregnancy goes... I am well. I am tired and sore and could have lots of complaints about the way I feel but it is probably just cause I have been running ragged trying to get things done. Soon I will be able to rest more. :) I really can't complain anyways. One of my dear friends who is also pregnant has PUPPS. She is so itchy and can't sleep, can't get comfy and is just plain old not feeling good. I pray that she is able to get good sleep and is able to get comfy and have a healthy rest of the pregnancy! We plan to float in the pool and eat watermelon the last couple weeks of our pregnancy (she is due a day before me).