Where to begin?

Well it has been a crazy three months but I am determined to work on this blog more regularly now that things seem to be settling done. I will start back in September and work my way up. We welcomed Lydia Mae Miller via a C-section on September 14, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. She was 7 lbs 9 ozs and 20 inches long so not nearly as big as we all thought. In fact she was quit a bit smaller then Corinne. She looks more like me then Corinne did but at the same time she reminds me a lot of Corinne in her facial expressions. It was a little crazy in the beginning recovering from the C-section (I was not allowed to pick Corinne up for two weeks) and taking care of two kids but I had a lot of help from my Mom when Jeremy had to go back to work on the 21st. The surgery was not as bad as I expected except to add a kicker to the mix when I went in the morning of the C-section I was having regular contractions but it all worked out in the in. The part of the day I had the most trouble with was when they were finishing stichin g me back up they took Lydia to get her cleaned up which I really did not like but I really could not hold her anyway. Jeremy went with her though so she was never alone. I felt fine after the surgery and was even talking on the cell phone to our parents and the nurse had to tell me that I had done enough talking because my O2 sats were dropping. Corinne has done great with Lydia and loves being a big sister. I really was felling much better by the end of the second week and recovered pretty quickly.

Corinne blissfully unaware how much her life was about to change

Prepped and ready to walk down the wall to the C-section.

Lydia Mae right after she was born

Smaller then Corinne but has plenty of rolls!

I could not take my eyes off her (sorry I just realized this is kind of a gross picture but just don't look past the baby)

Sweet Lydia

Corinne checking out Lydia for the first time

My parents stayed with Corinne at our house for the three nights that I was in the hospital. That was very difficult for me because I we had never both left her but she did great. I thought I would be home by Wednesday but did not get to come home till Thursday which I guess is standard.

She loves to hold her

Lydia getting ready to go home for the first time

A picture that my sister took that I love, just need to photoshop the diaper out!

Lydia is a mover and a shaker just like her sister but started out much quietier about it but that has changed someone as she gets older. She does not love tummy time so we had to snap pictures of her quickly because she has been turning over from her belly since she was about three weeks old when she gets mad and has had enough.

So strong at less then a month

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lydia she still tucks in like this!

The first month flew by like nothing and we tried to get back to a normal schedule for Corinne. She started going to the babysitters a couple days a week so that she could play with her friends and I could share some alone time with Lydia. However most days she did not go to the sisters until around 10 and was home by 3 so it was really just time to play, eat, nap and come home. I felt guilty taking her but really she wanted to go and play with her friends since I was not able to play with her a ton at home. We did get to spend lots of time at Grandma's and with Aunt Carrie since we had the freedom to just run around if we wanted to.

Lydia at 1 month. She really does not take a pacifier very often though

Corinne talking to her little sister

The picture above is one I love a lot. It is so fun to watch Corinne interact with Lydia and talk to her all the time. I jus think about how close I hope they will be and realize how great it is to have a sister. Corinne has grow a lot since Lydia was born and takes the big sister role very seriously. She loves to help with getting things for Lydia and especially loves to give Lydia a bath with me.

Corinne in gymnastics class

Two weeks after Lydia was born Corinne started a gymnastics class at the Westerville Rec Center and she loved it. All four of us went the first two weeks but the second week she had a really hard time with both of us there so we decided that we would take turns brining her to the remaining four sessions but Corinne had other plans. Jeremy took her the first week while I stayed home and made dinner so there on out "Daddy go to gymnatics, Mom stay home and make dinner" is what Corinne would say each week when it was time for gymnatics. I can not get over how much she is able to do now and she will be starting the class again in a few weeks because she liked it so much.

Corinne in her very cute Buckeye Cheerleader outfit from Aunt Carrie!

This was an attempt to capture one of her first smiles but I kept missing it.

C0rinne playing with bubbles at Grandma's

In October we had great weather here so we got to spend lots of time outside doing fun fall things. We went to the pumpkin patch for Corinne's friend Carissa birthday party and had a great time. Dominic joined us and they had a great time doing everything but picking pumpkins. It had been pretty raining for a couple days before we went to the pumpkin patch and we had Lydia so we decided not to go on the hayride out to the pumpkin patch this year. Other then that we have tried to let Corinne do all of her normal activities and stay as activity as she has always been.

Corinne and Dominic playing in the corn at the Pumpkin Patch

October also means birthdays in our family so we celebrated Hallie's, Aunt Sharon's, my mom and I's birthdays with one big pizza parties at my Mom's. That Sunday was also the start of the Fairfield County fair so we got to go to that as well. We decided to leave Lydia at home this year with Grandma and Grandpa because she was sleeping and it was pretty chilly that day. Plus that gave Jeremy and I a chance to spend some special time with Corinne.

Eye to Eye with a goat

Another picture of Lydia at 1 month

Another thing that we love about October is apple picking at Lynd's fruit farm so we were sure to do that again this year. Dominic, Carrie and Hallie went with us and the kids really got into it this year.

Loving the little pumpkins and getting ready to pick apples

Corinne and Dominic picking apples

Finally in October we got to do three separte Halloween activities becuase Halloween fell on a Saturday this year. On Thursday we went down to my parents to Trick or Treat at their house with Dominic. This was very exciting for me because I got to see my little girl Trick or Treat on the same streets that I grew up on doing the exact same thing. Corinne really understood the Trick or Treating this year but I think Mommy and Daddy ended up eating most of the candy because she is really not in to the candy part of it. Corinne was a fairy, which she picked out, while Lydia was a little bear. We had to put the purple bow on so people would know she was a girl but they were still calling her "little guy" all night but oh well she really only last half the time anyway.

Corinne so happy to be holding Lydia, Lydia is not so sure!

Corinne really loved dressing up and is still putting the costume on

Dominic the little frog

Jeremy's parents came out to stay with us the first week in November did not start out as such a good month for us. On November 15th I finally decided to leave the girls with Jeremy and I was going to go and get my hair all cut off and then do a little shopping. That was fine and the girls had a great time with Jeremy. Then we went to the zoo for the first time with Lydia because we had not been there in a while and the weather was great that day. The girls really only last a couple of hours becuase they had not had a nap and were just worn out so we were home by late afternoon. Corinne fell asleep in the car but per her usually self woke up as soon as we got home. She was playing in some of my clothes that I had just bought and was having a great time. Then she tripped and feel into an end stand but hit it at the bottom. First we thought she was fine but then she pulled her head away from Jeremy's shoulder and she was covered in blood. Long story short we had to make a very quick trip to the Children's Hosptial close to home because it was bleeding a lot. They were able to Dermabond it instead of doing stitches and Corinne was so good when they had to do this. She has just grow up so much in the last three months I can not believe how brave she is.

Before and after of my hair. I was able to donate a total of 12 inches to Wigs for Kids

Lydia's First Trip to the zoo

Picture of Corinne's battle scar (it still had the glue on it)

November was a busy mouth for us and also a sad one. In November Jeremy's Grandmother passed away after being in a nursing home for some time. She passed away November 16th, the Monday before Corinne's 2nd Birthday. We had scheduled Corinne's second birthday party for November 22nd but had to reschedule it for December 6th because of the calling hours and funeral for Jeremy's Grandmother. On Friday the 20th I made pizza and cupcakes and took them to the babysitters to celebrate with her friends at the babysitter. That was fun! We did end up having a small party the day before we left for Wheeling, which was November 21st just because I felt bad for Corinne and some people could not make it on the reschedule date. It was so fun to see her this year at her party becasue she really got it! My grandmother always made very fun cakes so I am trying to carry on the tradition with my kids. I had fun making the caterpillar cake. We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family as we always do and then went to West Virginia on Friday for the weekend there. It was a really good time but was hard knowing that it would be my last weekend at home with the girls. I started backed to work on November 30th and it was so hard. We have a great babysitter but no one is ever you! The girls adjusted okay but it is very hard to get out the door on time with two kids. We had Corinne's second 2nd Birthday party on December 6th and she loved this one just as much as the first one. This time I made a Ladybug cake for her and I think she liked that one even better then the caterpillar.

Caterpillar Cake for her 1st, 2nd Birthday party

Corinne showing off her jewerly from Aunt Sharon

Lydia staring at Grandpa Hunt

Corinne's Ladybug Cake that I made

Corinne so happy that people are sining Happy Birthday to her again!

Princess outfit that she loves

December was a very busy month for us with me being back to work for a few short weeks. We just tried to enough as much time as possible together and stay in a routine even if it was only for three weeks. Christmas was so fun this year with a new little one and Corinne really understanding what Christmas means this year. We had a 4 foot Santa out that Corinne loved to talk to and tell her deepest secrets to everyday. That Santa helped a lot with lots with any behaviors issues that came up. We also worked a lot on potty training which is going very well. She is dry most of the time during the day but we are still working on pooping in the potty. Lydia is such a pleasant personality and so go with the flow we are truely blessed. We spent December 23rd and Christmas Eve in West Virginia visiting both Grandma and Pappy Miller and GiGi (Jeremy's mom) and Jeff and had such a nice time. The girls got some many presents that Santa could not hold a candle to Grandparents. We came home late Christmas Eve so that the girls could be home Christmas morning. Thankfully Corinne understood Santa this year but had to be reminder at 8:30 when she woke up that he had been to our house. I am sure by next year we will be up by 5 a.m. We had a nice morning as a family opening presents and playing with new toys. Corinne really wanted bear stamps for Christmas and luckily Santa was able to find them with the help of Grandma and Pappy Miller. She also got playdough and a piano. Christmas Day we went to Lancaster to spend the day with my family and had a great time. Once again the girls got so many clothes and toys I didn't know what we would do with them all. We are truely blessed to just have so much family around us nothing else really matters!

Our Christmas Card photo

Corinne and her cousin Gabriel

The rest of the cousins on Jeremy's side-Austin, Kolby and Madison

The girls in their matching jammies on Christmas morning

Corinne opening her bear stamps

Lydia with her new bear blankie (she does not look so excited her but she goes crazy when she see's the blanket now)

There she is happy with it!

Corinne trying to get us to play playdough!

As always the Christmas Break flew by and we spent a quiet New Year's Eve at home this year just us and the girls. New Year's Day we went to my Mom and Dad's and had traditional Pork and Saurkraut that will hopefully bring us as many blessings in 2010 as we had in 2009. 2009 was a year of change for us with Jeremy starting a new career and adding a Lydia to our family. Things have been a little tough for the last two years but I would not change them for anything. It is in these tough times that you realize what it important and family and friends are the most important things to us!!!

I started back to work January 4th and hopefully the rest of the school year will fly by so I can be back at home with my girls! We look forward to spending a lot more time with friends and family this year because as I said above that is what is really important to us!

Not the news I expected

We had our weekly doctor's appointment today complete with a fetal weight check only to find out that our little Lydia is probably around 8 1/2 pounds right now. So after much discussion with the doctor and some tears from me we have a scheduled C-section on Monday, September 14th to welcome Lydia Mae into the world. This is something that I really did not want but guess I have to except. The doctor is worried because of my difficult delivery with Corinne who ended up with no issues but may end up being a little smaller then Lydia. He is the most concerned about shoulder dystocia because of my extra long tail bone. I am a little nervous about the surgery but mostly I am upset because I will probably not be able to hold Lydia right away. I am also very concerned with the recovery time and not being able to pick Corinne up. I know that women have C-sections everyday but I just never thought that I would be one of them especially after having Corinne after all that labor time. In some ways I guess it is better then going through a really long labor and still ending up with a C-section. My biggest thing is that I want both of my girls to be happy and healthy and not be effected to greatly by the experience. Keep us in your prayers, I know I am praying a lot and we will keep everyone posted. Since it is probably going to be a longer recovery then last time we would love to have visitors so all are welcome.

Almost there!

Well it has been a very busy couple of weeks with the start of school and Lydia almost here. I have been nesting a lot and just trying to get things organized her and at school before she comes. Corinne had a hard time getting use to go back to the sitters and has been a little more clingy then usually but that is to be expected with everything going on in her life. Since it is nearly 5 o'clock or after most nights when we get home there is not a whole lot to report during the weeks but we are keeping our weekends very full. The first Monday back to work Corinne had a ball playing at the preschool picnic and really showed everyone how big she is getting and that she really does not know a stranger. The rest of the week was just trying to get on a schedule and get back into a routine. Last weekend we went to Tiffany and Todd's on Saturday so that Jeremy could take part in a Fantasy Draft and Corinne and I enjoyed some time with our friends and there kids. The weather was great so we enjoyed lots of time outside and Corinne really likes the golf game and of course the roller coaster that Jack has.






Corinne loving the game of golf


On we ran errands as usually and Corinne continues her love of shopping. She likes to pick her own things out now which is funny and very trying at times. She is just so independent! I wonder where she gets that from.


Last week was back to work and a very busy one. Most of the week was uneventful though. We finally were able to get Corinne's hair up in a ponytail and she really likes to have her hair done now. Which is a good thing because she kind of has a feather mullet going on right now because the sides are growing out. Thursday we went to our babysitters son's football game and Corinne loved the cheerleaders at the game. I think she is just determined to be not only fashionable and bubbly but strong willed and an independent thinker.



Corinne's hair is finally long enough for a ponytail



Modeling the new hair do!



The week finished off fine except that I really thought I was going into labor on Friday. I really do not think it is going to be much longer. Saturday we went to Pickerington for our friend Jack's 2nd birthday and had a ball. It was a Mickey themed party which Corinne is really into right now so she loved it. We played a game to pick up Pluto's bones and Corinne picked up about three times as many as the boys and was very systematic about it. It is just so interesting to look at the difference between boys and girls. Jack also got a bounce house for his birthday which Corinne was not to sure of at first but then we could not get her out of it. It was a fun day but it was a little warmer then expected so we were all pretty worn out but of course Corinne only slept in the car on the way home.



Corinne picking up Pluto's bones



Cheesy smile with Mickey and her Minne!




Not really knowing what to think of the pinata

The birthday boy so excited that everyone was singing to him!

Sunday we got up and were all ready early to go to Grandma and Grandpa's for the day to celebrate the Labor Day Holiday. When we were at Todd and Tiffany's on Saturday Todd told me that he needed Jeremy to drop something off to him on the way to Lancaster on Sunday so we did. Only when we got there it was a surprise shower for me instead of insurance papers. My friends Becki, Jerri, Kerrie, Karey, Tiffany, Carrie and my Mom and Aunt Sharon were all there. It was a very nice little afternoon and Jeremy and I are so thankful for such great friends. After the shower we, well Jeremy and Corinne were already there, went on to my parents for some fun family time. My brother Chris even came up from Cincinnati. We had a great time, ate too much food and had Corinne up way to late but it was worth it. My mom, sister Carrie, and sister in law Heather helped me finish the letters for the girls rooms now we just need to get them hung up.


Today I was up very early I think just with the idea of all the things that I really need to get done before Lydia decides to come. We ran errands today to get what I hope is the last of the baby items we needed and then came home and made sure everything is ready and out for this little girl. We finally got the swing back out, put the pack and play up in our room and put the car seat in the car. I was in the house doing some work on the computer while Jeremy and Corinne were in the garage installing the car seat and Jeremy called me out to the garage only to find my almost 2 year old in the infant seat. Then she tried most of the night to get in the pack and play bassinet. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. She seemed to be okay after we talked to her about it.


Now I sit here tonight having some contractions and lots of kicks of Lydia and wonder what tomorrow will hold for us. Tomorrow at 3 we have a fetal weight check ultrasound to see just how big this little girl is. Last week I was starting to dilate and he said if I was still making progress and the babies weight is on the larger side then he may schedule to induce me. A lot of friends and family are voting for me to be induced on Wednesday thinking that I might have her on 09/09/09. We will see what the doctor says tomorrow and go from there. We are ready either way and I am feeling pretty done with being pregnant at this point so I would not be to disappointed if an induction is scheduled this week. I just wish I had a little more time to get my kids at school in a routine but I am sure they will be fine!