Two Months with Kolly


Happy two, precious girl!!

You've had a busy second month. You celebrated your first thanksgiving, went to your big sister's third birthday party, met your Uncle Lance and cheered him on to his first victory as a head coach, met your Great-Grandma Vargas, attended your first office party and so much more!

You continue to be our easiest baby. Or maybe we just know what we're doing a little bit more by the third (for now). You haven't gone a single day without at least 100 kisses. Mommy is figuring out life with three still...but you're just enjoying the ride. And about a week ago, you started smiling- for real. And we all melted. 

You're not quite used to all the pictures documenting every move you make...but don't worry, baby girl. You will ;-)

Kolly's One Month Stats:
  • 23.5 inches (90%)
  • 12 lb 3.5 oz (80%)
  • head circumference: 39cm (75%)

October, November & December 

Kolly this month:
  • is smilinggggg!!!!!!!!!
  • mimicks our facial expressions
  • follows/tracks things with her eyes like toys and Briggs and Kerigan
  • is sleeping so well at night. I wake up once or twice to feed and she goes back to sleep
  • loves snuggling with mama in the Ergo 
  • is a good traveler (we traveled to Aurora, IL and back the next day...and she was a champ)
  • is learning the art of spitting up (thanks Kerigan and Braxton for teaching her this gift)
  • loves looking at the Christmas tree
  • loves when we sing to her
  • does not like when her puppy gives her kisses (Kerigan "protects" her from Lola now)
  • took her FIRST bottle the other day. Briggs gave it to her! It was the most precious thing. 

 Kolly Dolly, we love you! You're fitting in just fine. :-)

Meeting Kollyns Sophie. My new love story.


Today I'm sharing something incredibly special. It's so beautiful and close to my heart that I debated whether or not to even post it because it's so precious to me.  But I think my kids will appreciate it as they grow older and I think others will appreciate it as well. I've compiled videos and photos from the first few hours of Kollyns Sophie's life. From the moment we found out "it" was a "she" to her first cries to the first meeting of all my babies. The way Briggs and Kerigan reacted when they met her is something I will treasure deep down in my soul forever.  These photos and video represent the most magical moments of my entire life. 




Let me preface it by telling you that Briggs had a "birth plan" too. You somewhat know mine by now so let me give you some insight to his...


Around the last month of pregnancy I told him that once the baby was born, Daddy was going to come out to the waiting room and announce, "IT'S A ________!"
And Briggs was not happy about this. He told me, "no, that's not how we're going to do it." This was his plan:
  • Once the baby is born, Daddy will come out to get me and Kerigan in the waiting room...but don't tell us anything!
  • Then I'm going to look at Baby Bunny and decide what it is. 
  • Then I'll tell Kerigan.
  • After that, if it's a boy, I'll put on a blue bow tie and Kerigan will put on a blue bow. If it's a girl, I'll put on a pink bow tie and Kerigan's bow will be pink.
  • Then we'll go out and tell Papa and Pops, "IT'S A _______!"


And I told Briggs, "You know what, buddy, thats a GREAT idea." And so that was our birth plan. It warmed my heart that he was taking so much ownership in it. He told everyone he knew about his plan...and then melted their hearts too. 





So without any further delay, I give you the best morning of our lives:


I'm overwhelmed to tears every time I think about those first days at the hospital. We are so so grateful for these three little beautiful beings. What a gracious, incredible, wonderful Father we serve! I'm ultimately so thankful to share these precious moments with everyone because it's my ultimate Robinson love story. God bless you all!

Thanksgiving 2016


Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays. Faith, family and food :-) This year, we are especially grateful for our newest little addition too.  We had an awesome family weekend. We didn't over-plan or over-commit. We just enjoyed the four day weekend being us. Oh, how my weary soul needed that!

These best buddies, though.

She's thankful for him...and I'm thankful for them. <3

tutus and microphones...this is Kerigan

Just add Kolly to the picture and there you have my definition of love.

Kissies from my Sissy

Thankful for his joyful spirit!

Annual birthday buddy photo

Sisters with our girls.

#madforplaid

Briggs wanted a picture of Papa with his grandboys ;-)

And now, feastin' time! 
My parents cooked an AMAZING meal for all of us...So grateful for them.
All five cousins either at or close to the cousin table :-)

Din!

#crazycousins

#thisisourlifenow

#reallife


We love this crazy, silly, precious, sweet time in our lives right now. What beautiful blessings the Lord has brought us this year! We hope y'all enjoyed time with family and loved ones too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kerigan Kay is three.


See that precious newborn? Nope, not Kolly (although Kolly Dolly is indeed so precious). It's the girl that won over our hearts three short years ago. Sweet Kerigan, three years ago today, you rocked our worlds. The moment I saw your sweet little face, I was hooked. And getting to know your heart over these years, makes me fall deeper in love every day. 

Its been approximately 1,095 + nine months in which we've been inseparable. You are my best little buddy who helps me see the world in such a different light. People say you look like me, but you cannot deny that you have the exact same smile as your daddy...and his sense of humor, personality, light-heartedness, silliness, compassion for others, etc. Maybe that's why you and I are SO compatible-because you are your father's daughter. And your daddy truly makes me a better person by always seeing the good, going with the flow, loving on others first and enjoying the ride just a little bit more...just like you, sweet girl.

three months.

one year.

photo: loree alayne photography
two years.


three.

Our little lady, Kerigan...

  • loves it when mommy gives her a mani/pedi (She usually prefers purple polish)
  • speaking of purple...she's obsessed
  • has not even batted an eye during the transition of becoming a big sister. She loves her Kolly and never acts jealous towards her. She only smothers her with snuggles and kisses. And she only talks to her in the sweetest most sincere soft sweet baby voice
  • looks up to her Briggy but will sometimes push his buttons (poor buddy) But they truly are best friends- which is more evident now since Kolly girl made her debut.
  • she is a social little bug. She loves her peers and prays for them daily. She calls everyone "friend" if she doesn't remember their name :)
  • doesn't do well around adult men unless they are in her immediate family. Unless you're daddy or one of her grandpas...forget about getting near her (once in a while she'll give her uncles some love too)
  • she has an innate nurturing spirit. if anyone gets hurt, she's the first to come to their aid. 
  • Kerigan is our free spirit. tidiness and order annoys her. she loves to sing throughout the day. and its never the same song twice. she just makes them up. she also loves to dance...especially to her "wiggle worship" music
  • she is still a Disney girl and Minnie is her favorite. In fact, Minnie is the only character (at Disney, or even Santa, easter bunny, etc) that she won't scream her head off if she gets within a 10 foot radius.
  • loves to help mommy cook for real and could spend days in her play kitchen prepping her "pretend nummies"
  • loves to snack but hates to eat big meals in one sitting. she doesn't mind eating dinner as long as we give her a while to do it. if I clean up her plate sometime two hours later, she tells me she wasn't done and gets bent out of shape
  • speaking of snacking, the girl loves chocolate just like her brother. she's not a big ice cream  or banana fan (what?!), but is really a healthy eater. she'll choose carrots and hummus over chips any day. but her one weakness: cupcakes.
  • and then speaking of cupcakes, thats one of her many nicknames: (cupcake), pippa, pipsqueak, kerbear, trinket, sissy, sis, lovey...
  • she'll do anything to make us laugh. daddy may have to share the "family jokester" crown with her. they have their own language sometimes.
  • loves baby dolls, princesses, tutus and bows
  • but you're also our little athlete. you love running, riding your bike and turn every ball into a soccer ball.
  • is quite the artist. she loves to color, paint and design on all kinds of media...paper, chalkboards, her brother... ;-)
  • she is just awesome to hang out with. she manages to lift anyone's spirits and will certainly make you smile.
For her birthday she requested Minnie Mouse and pizza. So tonight as we celebrate with family, Minnie Mouse and pizza it is! We love you Kerigan Kay. God blessed us on so many levels when he brought that little bright-eyed, joyful little soul into our lives three years ago. 

Today is your day, my darling girl. Happy Birthday!

One Month with Kollyns Sophie


Our sweet dolly is one month old. What a beautiful month its been getting to know her. Our precious Kolly has learned to snuggle her way in perfectly. When you have your third, you don't get to live in a cave for 6 weeks like you do with your first. Life keeps going and doesn't stop. And Kolly is loving the ride. She's already enjoyed two trips to the zoo to celebrate Zooboo, took part in some pumpkin patchin' that comes with a hay ride, park days, school drop off and pick up, dance parties and play dates. 

Whenever I'm by myself with all three kids, Briggs insists we take the double stroller or wagon somewhere fun. And I remind him I have three babies now. Then he says, "no big deal...just have Kolly sit in that green thing you wear." (ergo carrier) These kids have such a zest for life...I just have to remind them mama needs to slow down sometimes ;-) And I'm learning to slow down. I'm learning to say "no" to things I still want to do. Because these little newborn days are just so precious. And sometimes our favorite days are spent all day at home in our jammies...just kissin' on our Kolly Dolly.

Kolly's One Month Stats:
  • 23 inches (98%)
  • 9 lbs 14 oz (75%)
  • head circumference: 37 cm

Just look how much she's already grown in four weeks:

This is what we have learned about our Kollyns this month: 
  • She is a SNUGGLERRRRRR (She wants to cozy up with someone all day er-ry day...and I'm not complaining)
  • She loves to be swaddled when she's not being snuggled. Faux snuggled.
  • She only has about one fussy hour a day...probably because she just wants us to snuggle her (are you sensing a theme with her?)
  • Kolly is finally figuring out her days and nights (whoop whoop!)
  • She prefers baby carrier over stroller/car seat
  • She loves lights.
  • She calms when she hears music or singing. Her brother and sister have created a whole playlist for her on spotify. Their favorite to sing to her is "Jolly Holiday" from Marry Poppins. But instead of "Oh its a jolly holiday with Mary"...we sing "with Kolly" and they giggle the whole time
  • I literally could kiss her every waking second of every day. And she burrows right into me when I do. I'm surprised with how much hair she still has because all the kisses she receives.
  • She is still so hispanic-looking. Definitely the most out of all three. So thankful for my little Latina. Sometimes I'm taken aback at how much she looks like my Grandma Vargas.
  • Her favorite person to nap with is Daddy. Maybe Ry finally got a daddy's girl ;-)
  • We've made it a routine that Kolly reads bed time stories in Briggy's bed every night. He loves his special time with her.
  • And Kerigan...she loves to mama Kolly. I've never seen our big girl so nurturing and intentional with her love. It is so awesome to witness.

We ADORE you, Kolly Doll. Fist pumps for your first month!!

Kolly's Birth Story

Today is your due date, my sweet Kollyns Sophie. And here you are at 10 days old already. Seven pounds of sweetness lying on my chest as I write this. So even though it would make sense that your birth story begins about a week and a half ago, I have to tell you, my dear, it goes back way further than that. 

In 2003, I met a boy. He was fresh out of high school and nonchalantly walked into a recreation center where I had been employed for a few years already. He had long blond hair and bright blue eyes. I would have guessed he was a surfer kid rather than a football player. But I realized quickly with him,  I couldn't judge the book by its cover. He politely asked for an application and was hired within the week. He was a hard worker. Always respectful, no drama and showed kindness to everyone he encountered. That summer marked the beginning of a friendship. 


Then when he returned from his freshman year of college the following summer, I was waiting for my friend. However, God had other plans. He paved a way in that boy's heart that made room for me. And vise versa. As your mom and dad began falling in love, we also began dreaming about what our future would look like together. 

And you, Kollyns, our sweet girl, were always a part of that dream. 

Let's fast forward 12 more years. After seven+ years of marriage with your dad and two incredible, curious, silly, beautiful children...there I was, sitting in the OB's office at 33 weeks pregnant with our third little blessing. 

I was scared. I knew I hadn't felt this kind of pain this early with my other two babies. I told you it wasn't time yet. I was praying unceasingly that you would keep growing safe inside me for at least another month. And there sitting on the examination table, the pain subsided. An answered prayer! I was checked and the activity had stopped. I was cleared to go home as long as I promised to take it easy. I don't think the magnitude of that afternoon hit me until the car ride home when I was on the phone with your dad. I had to pull over on the side of the road. I couldn't stop crying. I was a storm of emotions as everything was hitting me at once. But the biggest emotion I remember feeling was gratitude. I have no doubt it was the Great Physician that stopped my contractions that day. And looking at your precious little face now...that gratitude floods over me once again. 

The remaining weeks of my pregnancy, I took it easy as much as I could. I learned to lighten my responsibilities. I slowed down. I (gulp!) learned to ask for help. (Why is that so hard for moms?) And thanks to my village, we made it to 34 weeks. Then 35. And 36. I was getting more and more confident that our little bunny was going to make it full term. So confident, actually, that we planned an early (pre-newborn) third birthday party for Kerigan on the Saturday of my 37th week of pregnancy. 

The sweetest little birthday friends.

I was so thankful Kerigan had that night. I wanted her to have her moment one more time before the baby got here. It was so wonderful to see her be celebrated with her big brother and all her little girlfriends. She sparkled all night long. But then after we put the kids to bed, I knew I overdid it. The contractions started up again. But this time I wasn't scared. I was 37 weeks, so it was okay if the baby came now. However, physically, I wasn't ready.  I didn't have an ounce of energy left. Every part of my body was hurting. So again, I prayed for one more week with you. And by morning, the contractions subsided once again. 

37+ weeks. The morning after Kerigan's party.

That following Tuesday marked my 38th week of pregnancy. This in itself was an answered prayer. I kept thinking all day how thankful I was to make it to this week. Its ironic how my mentality differed between this pregnancy and my first two. My first two were a fairly non-dramatic nine months. But I was so stinkin' anxious by 35 weeks. This pregnancy was by far my most challenging physically. (Could you tell by the overall lack of blog posts this year?) However, I wanted to endure as long as possible to keep our little bunny growing.  

At my 38 week check up, I finally let the doctor check my progression. I was dilated to 3 and 60% effaced! (This is what I was when I showed up at the hospital in active labor with Kerigan)But not in active labor now...but it could literally be anytime. And when I saw the peace on her face about it...I too, was at peace. It's okay now, baby. You can choose any day you want to be your birthday.

38 weeks! Praise the Lord!

I vowed to myself I wasn't going to get anxious. I was going to soak up every second with my older babies. Within two days we managed to pack in a lot. We went to the library and park, attended a cookout, snuggled, painted masterpieces and went on pajama bike rides each morning. Friday October 7 was one of the most fulfilling days I can remember in a long time. That morning, kids rode their bikes around the neighborhood while I walked along side them (without fear of going into labor...because its okay now). Then as Kerigan napped that afternoon, Briggs and I spent hours in the basement working on spelling, building animals out of blocks and of course, snap chatting Daddy. That evening, Daddy and Pops took Briggs to a football game for a boys night. So Kerigan and I met up with some of our favorite ladies for a park and ice cream date.

Pajama bike rides are the best kind of bike rides. 

Painting numbers with my boy

Getting her last snuggles in with Bunny on October 7th. 

Genius boy created a giraffe out of blocks. 

Love him.





After putting the kids down that night, I told him what an amazing day I had with both our littles. Its rare I get to have so much one-on-one time with either of them, let alone in one day. I told Ryan that night, "I'm good now." And fell asleep early with a smile on my face and in my heart. 

                    

Early that Saturday morning, at 2:00am I woke up with a faint twinge. I looked at my phone. It's October 8th. I thought, is today the day, baby? I stayed in bed for a few more minutes. This time it was stronger. By the third contraction, I knew it was the day. I had a feeling I wasn't going to be in labor long since I was already dilated to 3. And the contractions were already coming fast...about 2 and a half minutes a part. I didn't let Ryan sleep this time. We needed to get to the hospital. We called the doctor, then called my parents and sister. We gave our littles one more kiss as they peacefully slept slept in their beds during the wee hours of the morning. Then at 3:15am...we were out the door.

On the way up to the hospital, my contractions were coming about every 2 minutes. These contractions felt different than my other two labors. These didn't wrap around my abdomen. They were all concentrated about three inches below my belly button. And they were unbearable. I remember being able to mentally breathe through my labors before. Why was I so weak now? I was already getting disappointed in myself. How was I going to be able to do this naturally? Then Ryan told me what I needed to hear. "Krista, stop it. Give yourself some grace. You've been in labor for weeks. Your body is physically done. You've done your job keeping our baby safe. Now its ready. And its going to be beautiful. Concentrate on holding our healthy baby."

He was right. Going natural has always been for me. Epidurals and I are not friends. But I have to accept it if it means that our baby will come into this world healthy and not in distress.


I was admitted at 3:45am and they had me go straight to an L&D room skipping right over triage.  They immediately had me pinned down (or so I felt) and I was not happy about it. They were blowing veins and asking me questions about my insurance. It was ticking me off. So much commotion. All I wanted to do was concentrate on relaxing my body and laboring my way. But that's not what happened. Then when the nurse checked me, the bag of water was bulging but had not broken yet which was keeping me from progressing further than a 4. While my body was involuntarily convulsing I screamed. "A WHAT?! A 4? I'm this miserable and I'm only at a 4?" That's when I waved the white flag. Ryan was right. My body was done.



The anesthesiologist came in shortly after that. I remember thinking how much I liked her right off the bat. She had an Eastern European accent and came off as a really cool person. Like, if we weren't in a hospital, and I wasn't in labor, she would be a good one to swap stories with over a craft beer on a beautiful Broad Ripple evening. She was the first person to speak to me like a real person. Asking me about my history with epidurals. After learning I had postpartum bells palsy with Briggs, she was hesitant to proceed. Then I broke down. And after realizing it most likely was not the epidural that caused the BP, she decided to continue with the procedure. She even let Ryan stay in the room with me. After the epidural kicked in, I still felt pressure but no pain. 


But again, epidurals hate me. I was so sick. I was fighting to keep my blood pressure under control the whole time. I had to focus on breathing and I suppose eating ice chips helped. Or at least kept me distracted from my epi sickness. I'm assuming it was around 4:30/4:45.  Dr. Ball came in and broke my water. And guys...I was ready to push before 6:00am! I went from a 4 to 10 in just over an hour. 

At about 6:05, they brought the crews in to bring a little bundle into this world. I was so ready to meet this little face. Would we add another son to our crew? Or another little darling girl?  Dr. Ball told me I could start pushing during the next contraction. So I did. Then mid contraction she told me to stop. I became paranoid because I thought it was because of the baby's safety. But then Ryan told me it was because the baby was going to come out on that first push and Dr. Ball didn't have her gloves on yet. And relief washed over me. During the minute we waited for the next contraction, we told the doctor that when Kerigan was born, we didn't know what she was right away because the umbilical cord was covering her up. Dr. Ball told Ryan she will make sure it's clear once baby is out so he can announce it. 


And here it came. The last contraction. I knew this was it. We were going to meet our third sweetheart in seconds. At 6:08am, I pushed and out came a perfectly pink crying baby with a head full a of gorgeous black hair.  Dr. Ball showed the baby to Ryan and before he could process what he saw, I screamed "Oh my goodness! It's a girl!!!!" I immediately started crying because I knew her. It made so much sense. She was the answer to so many prayers. She was the realization of our dreams-this beautiful bundle of baby girl that now lay in my arms. As they took her away to be assessed, I continued to cry. I kept thinking (or saying out loud- I can't remember) I love her so much. I love her so much. I love her SO much. At 7 lbs and 20 inches, this miraculous little darling nuzzled her way perfectly into our arms and even more so, into our hearts. 









Kolly is the perfect representation of Christ's never-ending, multiplying love. I had given my whole heart to Ryan the day we married. But then I was able to grow another and give my whole heart to my Briggs in 2012 and again to sweet Kerigan in 2013. Being able to experience a multiplied love like this is proof in itself that God is exists and His love for us is infinite. 





So again on October 8, 2016, I handed my whole heart over to my darling, Kollyns Sophie Alane. Kolly girl, you are a dream come true. I hope you read this for years to come and know how much you are cherished, prayed over and loved. You are worth more than rubies, my beloved. Not just in mine and Daddy's eyes. But in the eyes of the One who matters most. He created you. He placed you in my womb. You are His daughter. His creation. You are treasured. And although, you were a part of our dream in the summer of 2004...you were a part of His dream before the beginning of time. I know He has a beautiful plan for you, dear girl.



Welcome to this beautiful life, Sweet Kolly! You are so loved.