The Sign in the Yard

It's gettin' real people...

This move is a bit more stressful than our last.

1. We have 2 kids: a tiny one and a busy one. Not conducive to a) keeping a house clean or b) house hunting.

2. We don't have family in Midland a) to watch the kids or b) to let us stay with them if we haven't found a house by Wes' start date.
3. We don't have family in Midland. Bummer.

4. The housing market out there is nuts! Nailing down a house is proving to be difficult because they're so expensive!

Anyway, we have been working like crazy people to get our house ready to sell. Now, if you know me, I don't like a lot of stuff or clutter, so how hard could this be? 

Answer: More work than we thought, especially with an 18 month old running around and a 7 week old. One of them was always wanting something. Didn't they know we had work to do?

Hah!

So after a thorough cleaning of the house (including the shower) I was ready to do anything possible to keep it clean, which included not using said shower. I was just sure my sweet husband would forget at 5 in the morning, so I tried to help.

My not-so-subtle reminder to NOT use the clean shower

Sister's room looks great as a guest room. Too bad we did all this work and she won't even sleep in there. Wes said he would paint her room in the new house, so it'll at least be cute.

Reed's room was slightly de-cluttered and staged. No, it doesn't look like this on normal days. This was only for pictures.

The biggest bunch of work was the office. We took a TON of stuff out of here and it looks huge now!

We could not have done this without our families. They volunteered to care for the kids so we could run around like crazy people and get all this stuff done. We love you!!

Coming up: house hunting

Enjoy! 

The Turners 

2013 Reflections

It was an exciting year in the Turner Home. There was lots of fun and excitement to be had by all.

These were my 2012 Reflections:

1.    I have the MOST amazing husband
2.    I have the MOST amazing family
3.    I have the MOST amazing son
4.    I have the MOST amazing church
5.    I have the MOST amazing friends
6.    I LOVE being a mother
7.    It's ALL from God

We are very excited to see what 2013 will bring: crawling, first birthday, walking, more friends for Reed will be born, babbling, first words...it should be a doozie! 

Well, I was right. It sure was a doozie!

Reed ate real food

Reed sat by himself

We got some surprising news

Reed crawled

Reed turned 1

Reed walked

Reed became a Big Brother!

This time last year we were loving every minute with our sweet, sweet Reed. Christmas was so fun, but little did we know that we would be adding another stocking to the fireplace THIS Christmas.

Family of 4!

Big brother!

 

Our sweet Mel-Belle was born!

 

What a year!

Now for my 2013 Reflections:

1.    I have the MOST amazing husband
2.    I have the MOST amazing family
3.    I have the MOST amazing son
4.    I have the MOST amazing DAUGHTER
5.    I have the MOST amazing church
6.    I have the MOST amazing friends
7.    I LOVE being a mother
8.    It's ALL from God

We are very excited to see what 2014 will bring: doing life as a mother of two, experiencing baby's first year again, the "terrible twos", and our big news:

   The Fort Worth Turners become the Midland Turners. That's right, we're on our way west!

Hope God blesses you this new year!

Enjoy!

The Turners

Melanie - 1 month

Height: 22.25 inches

Weight: 9.5 lb

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Blue

Food: Exclusively breasted and loves to eat, but really hates the time immediately following feedings (more on that below).

Sleep: What a great sleeper Melanie is! God knew she would have to be different from Reed in this respect if I was to keep my sanity. She sleeps about three hours every nap and at least that long every night before waking up hungry, although a few nights ago she did a 6 hour stretch. Woo hoo! Much different than her brother's "up every 45min-1hour." Because of her reflux issues she sleeps in her bouncer (and spends most of her days there, as well) and seems pretty happy, until she throws up everywhere and we have to wash everything.

Temperament: Melanie's first month had been so different from Reed's. She is so chill and sleeps all the time. I would actually forget she was there sometimes because she was so quiet. She is having some reflux issues which makes her really fussy right after she eats, but other than that she is an angel. She is going to have to be a tough girl, though with big brother wanting to "love" on her. He tries to be sweet, but at 17 months you don't understand your own strength. Sweet pats on the head are more like smacks, but he does great giving her kisses and gets so tickled when she gives him kisses.

We have officially graduated to size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes already! She is growing like a weed

Melanie loves:

-Eating
-Sleeping
-Being held by Mommy
-Reed's kisses


Mel dislikes:
-Bath time
-Being burped
-Right after feedings: reflux is a mean, mean monster
-Evenings: this is her fussy time (other than right after she eats)

 

New adventures:
-Getting used to doing lots of laundry again, and functioning on less sleep than normal
-Learning to deal with reflux (and the extra laundry that goes along with it). The day is not complete until I've had to change clothes at least once and the sheets on our bed as well.
-Mel's first Thanksgiving: we actually had two, owing to the fact that both our families live close. Mel pretty much snoozed through it all, but we did get a family picture;

-Melanie's first "snow": we didn't actually go out in the snow. Daddy and Reed checked it out for us so we could stay warm inside.

 

 

-Mel's handprint: If you remember this post, I had the brilliant idea to try and combine paint and a newborn. Unfortunately, when you do something for one child (especially something as ridiculously difficult as getting a stamped handprint), you are assured to have to do it for subsequent children. So we went for it, and this time I remembered the camera to capture the magical moment:

 

Mommy fail.

Needless to say, if you decide to try it, your baby will end up looking like this. If you're cool with that, go for it.

We also got Mel's monthly chair picture. I thought it would be fun to see her and Reed side-by-side, so here we go:

 

 

Coming next month: Christmas and New Years





Enjoy!


The Turners

Melanie's birth story

So I hit 40 weeks, to the great surprise of my doctor, and was totally miserable. I had been walking around at 3-4 cm for two weeks and I was feelin it. I was literally a ticking time bomb.

At my 40 week checkup I was given the option to do as I pleased because everything looked perfect (and according to my doctor she was shocked I hadn't had this baby the previous week). I said "Are you free tomorrow?" To my great surprise, she was! As I had thought all along, Mel would be born on Friday. So that night, just like the night before we went to the hospital with Reed, we went to BJs for dinner. It was nice to do something as just the three of us. Reed had a really yummy dinner and even got dessert! I figured he deserved it.

Silly boy with Daddy

Reed and Mommy

Yummy chocolate dessert!

So we showed up at the hospital the next morning around 7, very grateful to not be fighting traffic on 35. It gets crazy, especially with the construction now.

We got checked it to lucky room #13. I made a crack about it and the nurse said very seriously, "No, 13 is actually a happy room. You don't want room #4." I chuckled a little, but then we hightailed it away from that end of the hallway.

We had to be induced with Reed so we were pros at the whole process. My L&D nurse Ashley was sweet and got us all taken care of. The IV was the worst (I almost passed out getting it with Reed and it happened again this time). For anyone worrying about an epidural being painful, I am here to tell you it is a piece of cake compared to an IV.

So I am all hooked up and have my pitocin started at 7:45. I asked at what time I could get my epidural and Ashley said whenever. Reed came pretty quickly and considering I was already 5 cm I knew Mel would be faster, so I got that sucker ordered. By 8:30 I had my epidural, and not a moment too soon because I was in serious pain.

My doctor came by at 9 to break my water and then we hung out. I was so warm and comfortable that I dozed for a while. Wes busied himself watching the monitors (which he claimed was interesting).

Very 'exciting' monitors

Doing good!

At 11 (only 3 hours into it) Ashley said we were ready to have a baby. Woohoo! I had a feeling we were getting close, so I was glad she agreed. She called my doctor and we waited for her to show up.

When my doctor showed up it took about 3 pushes and Melanie was here! A very quick labor and delivery (about 3.5 hours).

She was extra 'gooey'

Thanks Dr. Hardt!

Daddy and daughter

Mommy and daughter

Our sweet Mel!

I was truly shocked when the nurse said Mel was 8 pounds. I knew she'd be bigger than Reed, but not by 2 pounds! And longer by an inch as well. They do share a striking resemblance though.

Enjoy!

The Turners

The dreaded 40 weeks and beyond!

So I seriously thought I was going to have Melanie early.

Seriously.

Not just because I wanted to have her early, but because my doctor who, at 37 weeks, said I would go into labor within two weeks and I would not be going over my due date. Based on how I was feeling and my progress, I was sure she was right.

One week later...I am not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed to be sitting in the doctors office at 38 weeks. With lots more progress being made I was now told "Any day now. We will schedule an appointment for next week, but we will see." Ok, so I'm totally having this baby this week.

One week later...so I am for real disappointed now. Sitting in the office at 39 weeks (more pregnant than I have ever been) with a very surprised doctor, I am getting frustrated with the whole "any day now" schtick. Not to mention that I am really uncomfortable 90% of the time and cannot sleep. I left the office with another tentative appointment on the books and my doctor assuring me I would have the baby before then. I was a little over emotional and upset to say the least. This along with a healthy dose of crazy hormones had me sobbing and warranted a pit stop at Wes' workplace so he could calm me down. After this little breakdown I accepted the fact that, as unlikely as it seemed, I would be back at the doctor the next week. I would enjoy the week with my family and was convinced Melanie would be born the following Friday. We had several friend's birthdays that week (tue, wed, thur) but I knew Mel would want her own day, hence Friday.
  Halloween was the next day and I was determined to enjoy it. After playing with Reed outside most of the day, we headed to Sonic for 50 cent corn dogs. Reed was a huge fan. 

We played outside some more and really enjoyed the weather before it was time to change into his costume. He sure was a cute Superman!

Reed didn't care to trick-or-treat. He wanted to just run around and look at everyone and everything. Our neighbor had these really cute skeletons that played the banjo and sang. He started at them for a long time. Then he got his first sucker and had a great time getting all sticky. We enjoyed sitting out on the driveway handing out candy.

One week later...just as I suspected, I am still pregnant, and again sitting at the doctor. She was shocked. Based on my progress I was already halfway there with no real labor in sight. We did a sonogram and a fetal heart monitoring for 15 minutes to make sure Melanie was happy, and of course she was. Then it was basically up to me, and I was ready.

The next morning we were at the hospital (finally!) and so ready to meet little sister. Birth story coming soon!

So I hardly went over my due date, but I totally understand the overdue 'hostility' women feel. I felt like I was two weeks overdue by the end if it because of the 'any day now' mantra I had been hearing, and it was not fun! I tried not to complain. I tried to keep telling myself to be thankful for a healthy pregnancy and baby girl, but sometimes the hormones took over and I couldn't help it. I also learned that there isn't anything you can say to make an overdue pregnant lady feel better. So, just don't try. Get her a massage or a coffee and listen to her complain. Thanks, by the way, to my awesome church group of ladies who did just that!

Pregnancy is rough, but you sure get a great reward at the end of it! 


Enjoy!

The Turners

37 Week update: My bags are packed!

Well here we are at full term! Crazy to think it's already here, but there you have it. Time flies when you're chasing a little guy around. He sure makes it fun, though!

The end of last week, I thought I should probably get going on packing, since there was less than a month to go. I was kind of thinking it wouldn't be that long anyway, so I started washing clothes and gathering things together. Mel's bag was first:

 

Basically the same as the last time I packed a baby bag, but with lots of pink instead. There are a few things I am packing this time that I forgot/wished I had last time.

 

1. SwaddleMe Velcro swaddle: As soon as we started putting Reed in these he would sleep much longer. Just swaddling him in a blanked wouldn't work. Hopefully Mel will be a better sleeper than him.

2. Soft swaddle blanket: To layer under the Velcro one. The small SwaddleMe's are still a bit big for a newborn. So I got some sweet Aden and Anias girly blankets. Reed loved carrying them around the house. He's very into dragging things and watching them follow him around right now.

3. Vaseline: My pediatrician told me about this before Reed was born, but I didn't think about it when getting ready for the hospital. Would have made those first diaper changes much easier. That stuff is sticky!!

4. Burp cloths: How could I forget these last time?! Oh well, lesson learned.

5. Hair bows: of course

 

I also invested in some cutesie clothes for the new big brother and little sister.

Sweet, huh!? I had to do some research and special order them because, for some reason, people don't make "big sibling" clothes smaller than 2-3T. Anyway, these are way cuter than anything I could have bought at the store.

My bag is reasonably the same as last time, again with a few things I wished I had last time:

1. Lightweight robe: I don't know why I didn't have one last time, but I really wanted one.

2. Travel toiletries: I was induced with Reed and had the chance to plan ahead and pack all my stuff. This time we're pretty sure I'm going to go into labor on my own so I can't pack all my regular stuff right now. So I made a trip to the store and got everything tiny I could think of. Now I don't have to worry about leaving something at home in the rush to get packed, since I'm pretty sure she's going to be a quick one!

3. Flip-flops for the shower: Okay, I had these last time, but I wouldn't have even thought of it if someone hadn't told me.



I did a few crafty things in the last few weeks to round out Mel's room.

At MOPS we made super cute photo displays out of wooden blocks. Mine had to match the décor in Mel's room. Here's where it's hanging out:

 

Then I needed a place to put all of her headbands/bows. I found a great idea on Pinterest with a Quaker Oats can.

I wrapped it in cute paper that matches the room. I also used paper out of the same stack for the wood block above and the M for Mel's wall.

I used rubber bands to hold it in place while the glue dried.

The paper wasn't quite wide enough to go around the whole can, so I put another piece on there. I used the ruler to hold down the seam so it would stick well.

Once that was done I needed a base for it. I found this really heavy one at Hobby Lobby that was perfect. Since the can is so light, I needed something to weight it down so it wouldn't  constantly fall over.

I just glued it on the bottom, and voila! Cute headband holder. I can pull the top off and put things inside, too.

All-in-all we are ready. There's still no crib in Mel's room, but she won't be sleeping in there for a while so we've kept the guest bed in there. It gives my mom a comfortable place to sleep when she stays the night.

I've been hoping Melanie would come early since I've been feeling VERY pregnant the past few weeks. The whole getting up and sitting down thing is tough, along with actually sleeping at night. I don't remember being this uncomfortable with Reed so maybe that's a sign that this pregnancy is quickly coming to a close (or I just don't remember my previous pregnancy like I thought). Oh well, only time will tell!

Hopefully little girl will be here very soon!



Enjoy!

The Turners