A Thanksgiving to Remember!

Riley Kate Holcomb arrived on Tuesday, we went home on Wednesday, and had 13 people at our house for Thanksgiving on Thursday! WHAT??? It's true and those of you that know me would be so proud. I was very calm and cool with everything! hahahaha We had my parents, Justin's parents, his sister Julie, Kim and Fleetwood, and Fleetwood's parents! It was great to have everyone together because they are so much a part of what we are thankful for. My sister Kim organized everything and did most of the cooking, along with Lindsay (Fleetwood's mom).

More hospital pics....

Addyson meets Riley!

We wanted to make it a special day for Addyson as well as protect her from feeling jealous and confused. She had spent the night with Kim and Fleetwood so they came up to the hospital on Wednesday and Justin met her in the parking lot. Justin's parents had just picked up my parents from flying in so she was able to see all grandparents and get lots of special attention from them before coming up to the room. We had the nurse take Riley into the nursery so I could have a few minutes of special time with Addyson to hug her and hold her. (I didn't want her to walk in and my hands be taken by new baby.) Justin brought her up to me and the three of us hugged and talked about baby Riley. Then, he and I took her down the hall to the nursery to look in and see her. Addyson said, "SHE:S PERFECT!" Then, the nurse brought Riley out to us and Addyson was able to meet her. She was so gentle and sweet!!!
FYI: Someone at church gave me the great idea of getting Addyson a special baby to take care of while I'm taking care of Riley. EXCELLENT idea! When I'm feeding Riley or changing her, I can tell Addyson to get her baby and feed/change her. She loves it!

Riley Kate Holcomb is here!!!

We had been teetering back and forth about inducing Riley since family was coming in, it was getting close, and I had been walking around dialated 3 cm for over a week. We just knew she would come early on her own, but she seemed snug as a bug and wasn't making any attempts to grace us with her presence. My doctor gave me the option of inducing on Thursday, November 19th but we felt that was a little early. So, we scheduled for the next Tuesday, November 24th. Justin's parents came up Monday night and spent the night so they could take care of Addyson on Tuesday morning (we had to be at the hospital at 7:00am) and take her to meet up with Kim and Fleetwood. She spent the night with them. So, Justin and I went in on Tuesday morning and though I acted like I wasn't, I was a little anxious about the whole thing. This time was so very different from Addyson because we had time to anticipate and think about what all was going on. Addyson came 3 days early and we just rolled with the punches! When they hooked me up to the monitors to check Riley's heartbeat and my contractions, we were so happy to see I was already having contractions! YEA! Riley was ready and coming anyway! The nurse told me I only needed a whif of potosin! Contractions were getting stronger and I got my epidural. By about 12 something, my contractions were very strong and the doctor came in to do a little test push. He actually told me to stop and went and got everything ready b/c Riley was there and ready to be born! I pushed two times (one with a great big laugh b/c I actually looked up into the light on the ceiling and saw a reflection and Riley's head!!! Augh! Not quite what I wanted to see, but a good story! haha ) and Riley Kate Holcomb was born! She was born at 1:15, weighing in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. She is absolutley perfect! God answered our prayers and we immediately fell in love with her!!!

How is your heart big enough to love another.........???

This is a post I wrote two Mondays ago---the night before we went in to have Riley:

A couple days ago, my heart started to hurt thinking about having another baby. Don't get me wrong! I am thrilled about Riley's arrival and I even want more children than this. But, I'm realizing that these are the last days with my precious Addyson! I've never had to share my time or attention with anyone else. I can't even explain what my heart does when I go get her up in the morning, or after a nap, or when I get to see the smile on her face when I see her after she's been gone somewhere. I love that little girl with all my heart! Is she a handfull sometimes? YES! But, she is my heart running around outside of my body! She is so sweet and loving and I can't imagine having enough love in me to love another baby besides her. Will things change? Will I have enough hands for both of them? Will Addyson feel neglected? Will she feel love for Riley too?
Today I spent the morning snuggling with her, enjoying the last times that it will only be the two of us. Tonight I had to make myself walk out of her room when we put her to bed. I just wanted to lay down beside her all night! To love a child of your own has to be the biggest responsibility God could ever give us--yet, the greatest JOY He could ever give us.
Riley, we are so excited to meet you tomorrow! I am so thankful that God has allowed us to get pregnant again and parent another child. We are so blessed! Now, God, I need my heart to expand so I can fall in love with another baby girl..........

Thanksgiving Feast!

More ACA fun...

Alpharetta Christian Academy

Addyson is in the two day, two year old class at the Academy at our church. She absolutley loves school. Since they are two, we don't get to go in the classroom a whole lot. It would only cause everyone to want their mommies and daddies. Being a room mom, I get to sneak in a little more often every now and then and capture some of the fun times they are having! For Thanksgiving, I made little "thankful" scrapbooks for the kids so the teachers gave me some pictures. Here are a few of the fun things Addyson is doing this year!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween day, this year, was extra fun because of two things. It was Addyson's first time to ever trick or treat and it was the Georgia vs. Florida game = big day in our house! We enjoyed the day by going over to some friends house to watch the game and then trick or treat in their neighborhood. It was quite a day! Georgia lost to Florida--boo, but the kids had a great time putting on their costumes (I actually feel like I truley got my moneys worth this year. Addyson was, of course, a doggy again!) and trick or treating. Addyson loved going up to the door and saying "trick or treat!" It wasn't so much about the candy, but just the experience! It was really cold and drizzling so we didn't go to a whole lot of houses, but made our way down a block or two before heading back. Thanks, Mike and Amanda for a super fun day!!!

Fall Festival Fun!

Our church had a huge fall festival in the back parking lot the week before Halloween. Addyson was so excited to dress up in her doggy costume! We had a blast running around looking at everything, but when she saw the ponies, it was all over! She didn't care about getting any candy from booths (in fact, she only got 2 pieces the whole night, which was fine with me!). All she wanted to do was ride the ponies. So, we rode, got back in line, rode, got back in line....all night long! Kim, Fleetwood, and bumblebee Logan joined us for the festivities! The top picture is from our neighbor's pumpkin carving party! Addyson had so much fun playing with all the big kids--our pumpkin was adorable and it won a prize for best smile! :)

Happy Birthday Logan and more...

On October 6, Logan turned one! We met them at Dreamland to celebrate! Obviously, parents choice! :) Then, last weekend, she had her birthday party and baby dedication. My parents were able to come in and because the Loustalots were staying at Kim and Fleetwood's, they stayed with us! We had the birthday party on Saturday. Then, Kim had a luncheon at her house on Sunday before all heading over to the baby dedication. Addyson napped at their house with a sitter. Then, we played on Monday until time for my parents to go home. It was a fun weekend of celebrating special moments in Logan's life!