NOLA!

We woke up on Saturday to a dreary and rainy day.  We all laid in the bed in Arden's room and brainstormed things we could do on a rainy Saturday.  For whatever reason, the aquarium in New Orleans was on my mind and Andy was agreeable!  We packed up our stuff and headed out. (After a quick stop for gas and .69 cent icees at Murphy's - Love those!)

We ended up going to the zoo Saturday afternoon and it was nice but very hot until it rained.  We actually left right before it rained.  We went to dinner at Gordon Biersch and the girls did well.  We stayed at the Hilton by the Riverwalk and the three of us slept in a king bed (it was substantially cheaper than two full beds?!)  Sleeping with Loren is not my favorite thing!  Arden slept in a little crib. 

On Sunday morning we got up and went to a Cafe du Monde (not the original in the market but in the Riverwalk) and ate beignets - yum!  This was a first for Loren.

We headed to the aquarium after that and had a great time!  Personally, I like this one more than the one in Atlanta but perhaps I just wasn't feeling well when we went last summer. (I was newly pregnant with Arden!!)

The sea turtle is my fave!!  I could watch him/her all day.


It was raining when we finished the aquarium but sweet Andy went and got the car for us.  We then headed down I-10 back home.  We stopped at Bass Pro Shop in Spanish Fort, AL and ate dinner.  It was delicious and Loren loved the aquarium!

It was a great weekend!  I can tell that I am not currently working because I am not nearly this spontaneous when I am!

I Love It!

I'm getting a bit behind on my postings.  This video is an example of how I've been spending my time...

PS  I got a new phone with a new camera!!!  It has a flash and takes video and everything!  It is actually Andy's "old" phone but is enjoying a new life with me. ;)

Vegas Baby!

Back in April or so, my Mom mentioned that there was a new airline carrier, Vision, that was new to the Ft. Walton Beach airport.  They were offering some really low fares as promotions.  When she said that she and Dad were looking to flying to Las Vegas for less than $100 a person, I told her the Wingate's wanted IN.  I had no idea how it would be to travel with two small children but I was certainly willing to give it a try for that price.  She booked the tickets and we went on June 26 - July 1st.  It was so fun!

Both our flights were at night with the return flight being "on the red eye."  Both the girls did great on the plane.  The most difficult part of traveling with them was all the gear we needed for Arden.  However, strollers and car seats travel for free (at least on this airline) and we brought the big stroller and her regular seat and base plus a booster seat for Loren.

Loren's first trip on a plane!  It was also her first time to chew gum.  (Yes, I know, I just haven't wanted to deal with the possible mess!)

After we ate breakfast on our first morning there, Arden fell asleep in the stroller and we used the opportunity to see the Venetian.  It is beautiful!  Here is their fourth of July display.  Loren loved it and kept exclaiming, "Grand Ole' Flag!"

In case you didn't grasp the hugeness of the flag....this is us after the escalator ride down.  I would say the flag was a couple of stories.

After that, my Aunt Mia, Grandma (who was visiting them) and cousin Kira drove in from their home in Irvine, CA.   It was so good to see them.  Mia had not met either of our girls and I had not seen them in many years.  We all drove out to Mt. Charleston and enjoyed the drive through the mountains and had lunch at a neat lodge type place with a great view.  Later, we hit the pool and I got to chat with Mia while Kira, Andy, and Loren played.  Still later, we headed to a buffet for dinner.  (Apparently this was much too late for my children and they both had meltdowns.  Sorry girls!  Momma lost track of time.)

The next day we went to the wax museum and then back into the Venetian to show Grandmother the beautiful Fourth of July decorations.

Grandma loves Prince!

I believe Andy enjoyed the posing opportunities!

Loren and Grandma at the Venetian

We did a ton more things while we were there including but not limited to:  

• Seeing the lions at MGM
• Seeing flamingos and coy fish at the Flamingo.  We also saw a Vegas style wedding going on in the courtyard
• Visiting the "Pawn Stars" pawn shop from the show on the History Channel
• Andy and I saw the Cirque du Soleil show "Ka."  It was so neat and the stage was complete vertical at some points
• He and I briefly walked around Ceasar's Palace after the show
• Walked around and saw beautiful decorations at the Bellagio
• Saw several acrobatic acts at the Circus Circus
• Saw the volcano erupt at the Mirage
• Saw the Hoover Dam.  (Loren loves to say this in a real southern accent for some reason and also sometimes says, "Hoover Ham."

Here are a few more photos.  I am definitely forgetting some things.  We packed a whole lot of activities into just a few days and we all had sleep to catch up on when we got home.

Afternoon at the beach

I love the beach and used to sunbathe regularly.  However, I am quite fair skinned as are my poor little daughters.  (Can't believe no one got Andy's brown skin!)  Anyway, we very rarely ever go because of the heat and sun.  Sunday afternoon we decided we would give it a shot and went out about 5.  It was so nice!  Still lots of light but cooler with a nice breeze.  We had a blast and plan to do it again. 

Sweet Andy tried for about 20 minutes to get the cheapest kite ever made to fly.  Sorry I didn't get any good photos of you Andy.  (new camera phone?)  In the end, Loren and he just enjoyed putting their feet in the sand and watching what shells and things the waves brought up.

Rice Cereal - Oh yeah!

At Arden's doctor appointment the other day, Dr. Page said that she could start rice cereal and try and get used to the concept of a spoon in preparation for other solids.  I had waited a few days but we tried the cereal today.  She was less than thrilled although I feel like Arden sincerely tried to like it.  We will likely wait a few days and then try again.  Here is the video for your enjoyment!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

July 7, 1976  This is the day the one the Lord made for me was born!  Andy was three days past being a bicentenial baby.  He turns thirty-five today.  (yowzas!) Andy is a fabulous husband and father.  He is very devoted to all of his girls and we love him very much.  Andy is a hard worker and a good friend.   We hope you have a fabulous birthday Daddy and are looking forward to eating out with you this evening.

He was handsome even then!  

Do you think our girls look like Andy?!

Four Generations!

When Loren was born, my Grandmother (Mom's Mom) came from Panama.  While she was here, we took a generational picture of us four girls.  We have taken one every year since and this year had five girls in our generational portrait! (sorry, 2008 is not on my computer!)

2007

2009

2010

2011

Additionally, my Aunt Mia and cousin Kira, and Grandma (who was visiting with them) drove from their home near LA and met us in Vegas.  It was so fun catching up and we got to add another all girl family photo!

Story of Loren's Birth

I guess this is quite a bit overdue - ha!  I didn't have a blog until recently though.  I want to write this down so I remember accurately. Even though it has been four years, I feel like I still remember all the details about Loren's birth and could never forget but time does march on!

My due date with Loren was April 22, 2007.  I had planned to work right up until my due date and assumed she would be late since she was my first baby.  I had gone to the doctor and been dilated to two centimeters and 100% effaced but still didn't understand the reality of what that meant.  Early in the morning on Tuesday, April 17th, I woke up to an upset stomach and some "signs" of impending labor.  I told my husband and mom that I thought something was happening.

I went to work anyway and saw a few students and even helped administer a standardized test to a home schooled child.  I continued to have an upset stomach and was having what I thought were cramps.  When these "cramping episodes" started to occur more frequently and hurt more, I decided to go home for the day.

My Mother met me at my house and tried to distract me from the pain.  She kept telling me I should shave my legs before going to the hospital- ha!  Guess it had been a while since I could reach them down there and she just wanted me to have some pride!  We called and talked to my OB nurse a few times and she said she didn't think I was in labor but I could go to the hospital if I liked.  Mom said we should wait a while before going. 

I promptly called Andy and said, "Come home NOW and take me to the hospital!"  Mind you this is less than an hour after I told him, "I'm fine.  Come home a little early if you can."  He made it home in record time and scooped up our new camera that had been delivered from the front porch. (He would later "learn" how to use this new camera by taking hideous pictures of me in labor!)  We rushed to the hospital and when they checked me, I was five centimeters and in tons of pain!  I literally told Andy (and meant it) that we were never, ever doing this again!

Two doses of Nubain, an epidural, and about 10 hours later, our beautiful daughter, Loren, was born!  (My epidural worked so well that when a nurse sat on my bed to tend to me, I shouted at her and asked if she was sitting on my leg!  Funny stuff! Of course she was not!)  I pushed for about an hour and a half (yowzers!) and she was born healthy and weighed seven pounds and one ounce.

We love you so much Loren!!!

4 Months Old

Arden is four months old today!  We took her to church and left her in the nursery with Ms. Carol during the Sunday School hour.  She did great as usual.  We then took her into "big church" with us and hung out in the quiet room.  She ended up falling asleep for most of the service.  Andy's family is in town and we are going to have them over for dinner here in a bit.  I am making ham, macaroni and cheese, and spinach salad.  I have been craving this meal since I made it for a friend who had a baby a couple of weeks ago.

Here is what Arden is up to these days:
- She is sleeping in her crib all night now.  Usually from about 8pm to 6am - sometimes a little more!  We still swaddle her and she still seems to love it.
-When she eats from a bottle, she is taking about 5 ounces at a time.  Arden still eats six times a day.  Occasionally, she will eat seven times a day.
- Arden is wearing size 2 diapers and size 3-6 month clothes.  She can still wear some size 3 month clothes.  She is getting the chunkiest, cutest little thighs!
- She smiles a ton now!  Arden is tracking things with her eyes and grabbing at things with her hands.  She can roll from her back to her side but has not yet rolled all the way over.
-Arden is really into her play "gym" right now.   She is able to bat at the hanging things and will stay down on the gym mat for 30 minutes or so.
-Mommy and Loren are still Arden's favorite people.

 Arden wasn't thrilled having her picture taken.

Big Sister Loren loves Arden soooo much!  She always wants to hold Arden and even fed her a bottle on Friday.  I sure hope they grow up to be best friends!

I plan to post about our trip to Las Vegas soon!  It was soo much fun and the girls were so very good!

UPDATE:  At Arden's well baby visit on Tuesday, 6/5 she weighed 15 pounds, 7 ounces and was 25 1/2 inches long.  She is a healthy girl!   Loren's stats at four months were 15 pounds, 6 ounces, and 26 3/4 inches long.