Our May 2016

May was such a fun month for us. It came in like a lion (we were wearing hats and winter clothes for a quick minute) and out like a lamb...meaning summer has begun! We welcomed a new family member, our cousin Braxton! And kept super busy with t-ball and soccer for both little bees. 

We loved our Saturdays with Daddy!

Frisbee park date with friends.

Mother's Day artwork, parks, snuggle parties, zoo days and more!

Big brother helping out sis at soccer. 

We always have to take a picture with the rhinos <3

Oh its SO good to be able to play outside again!

During Memorial Weekend, we had a much-needed garage sale. Here, the kids are modeling some of our "hot items"

I told the kids if they helped with the lemonade and cookie stand they could keep it for their piggy banks....they made a better profit then mommy and daddy did!

And some more pics to wrap up our May. Summer has officially started! I can't wait for the adventures we will take in the next few months! I love how these little babes help us enjoy every ounce of this precious life.

Here's to a fantastic summer!

Team Elmo Season Opener

You may have noticed a lot of our "life lately" posts have consisted of us playing soccer. We have been practicing for a reason. Briggs played "Little Kickers" when he was around 18 months. He was a new walker then so any type of coordination with or without a ball was considered a win. We took a break from LK after Kerigan was born. Then last spring, he asked us if he could play again. So we signed him up for "real" soccer. 

So far he has had two practices and one game. We lucked out by getting some amazing coaches who happen to live in our neighborhood. This is all new to us so we have no expectations. But they are encouraging, patient and fun with our little boy. He's quickly picking up the concept of actual soccer. I am so proud of him for hustling the entire game. He may not have hustled toward the ball, but he hustled. We are excited for the season with Team Elmo and to watch our boy grow and meet new friends. 

Briggs had quite a fan club show up for his 8:30am start. 

Our boy in action

More of his fan club.

Showing #6 some love after the game. He loved the tunnel despite his cautious expression. We call that his bulldog face.

He was pumped after his first game with his #1 fan by his side. 

We love you Briggy! We are so proud of you for hustling, listening to your coach and having fun. We hope this is the first of many more games where we get to be your biggest fans. 

FULL TERM..This Time Around as a "STM"

If any of you have ever joined a pregnancy app or forum, the first time you log on you almost need an interpreter with all the abbreviations these moms use.  FTM, STM, TTC, LO, DH...the list goes on and on. When I was pregnant with Briggs, after a few weeks and a lot of google searches, I finally caught on to the lingo- usually pretty easy to figure out. In this instance, STM simply means Second Time Mom.

So as a STM at 38 weeks, I am at a totally different place than I was as a "FTM". At 37 weeks with Briggs, I was miserable. Looking back now, it was completely mental. I am still feeling all the physical ailments I did last time- but I'm embracing it and letting my body do its work. As a FTM, I was not used to Braxton Hicks contractions. I thought every time they started up again, I was going into labor. That is...until real labor began. When my sister asked me how to tell the difference in contractions, I told her BH contractions were like thunder and true contraction were lightning. You can certainly tell the difference.

Now I sit here and trust my body. My birth plan this time around is to go all natural- no epidural. However, I am a sound believer on doing what is best for the baby. If an epidural or even a c-section is best, I trust the Lord that He will lead us in the right direction to deliver a sweet healthy baby- because after all, isn't this our ultimate goal?

For the record though, the latest labor update at 37.4 which was my last OB check-up, I am dilated to 2 and 50% effaced. The baby could decide to put me into active labor like... now or 3 weeks from now. Either way, its okay. I have a toddler dressed as a lion to take to soccer class right now. I'm certainly not twiddling my thumbs.

Baby 2, whenever you are ready to make your debut, we are too. Until then, your brother has some "roaring" to do.

P.S. Baby, please don't be mad if your nursery isn't complete yet- we have a whole house we are still unpacking. I promise you will have a warm place to sleep. <--This is another example of the STM mindset I have learned to accept. Love is enough.