Day 35

Day 35: Family bedtime. Every night before bed we try to read Lailah a bedtime story - if it's not too late. And now we also read to Noel. Sometimes I read and sometimes Justin reads. :) Tonight Justin read to them and it was the sweetest moment I could have captured. <3 I am so in love with this man.

Day 34

Day 34: Joy. Today I was talking to Noel and my heart was just filled with so much joy. I am so happy that he is here with us - making our family a little bit bigger and a whole lot better! He is a joy to have and to hold and to love. He's so sweet.

Day 33

Day 33: Baby steps! Today I was holding Noel as he used his adorably chunky baby legs to stand - obviously with my help. And he started taking steps!! It was too freaking cute lol. It's like he was saying, "I already know how to do this, lets go!" haha. No picture but I have better - a video!

Day 32

Day 32: Tummy time. Today we did some tummy time and Noel held his head up for a little bit and then relaxed and chewed away at his hand! He's such a cutie. How could watching him learn and grow not make each one of my days? Look at that face!

Day 31

Day 31: Swing. I love Noel's swing. Probably a bit more than he does. :) It allows me to have a little bit of time to myself - as much as I love him I also like a FEW moments to myself during the day. This magnificent piece of equipment has allowed that. He likes it! It calms him and he goes to sleep in it peacefully. :)

Day 30

Day 30: Boppy. I love my boppy ! Today I was using it. It really helps with nursing lying down. It can be used in so many ways and I'm thankful to have one! I can nurse sitting up using it or lying down using it. Loveeeee. <3

Day 29

Day 29: Cooing! Today Noel was talking up a storm! He seemed to even respond to us! By talk I obviously mean little coos. It is so sweet ! No picture, but I do have a video. How could this not make someones day?! :)

Day 28

Day 28: Report card. Today I received Lailah's report card! She's doing well! The way it works is 1 is lowest and 4 is the best. She has all 3's and ONE 2 ! The teacher said she just needs to work on vowel sounds. :) Proud mommy. Definitely a great moment for today! The report card also says, "Lailah is fun to have in class. She enjoys participating and is eager to learn."

The only 2 is in Phonemic Awareness. And she also got an Excellent mark in Art. :)

Day 27

Day 27: Crocheting. Today I spent almost all of my spare time crocheting a Togapi (Pokemon) stuffed animal for my little (17yo) brother. I love to crochet and it made me feel happy inside to make him something I know he'd like. Crocheting really helps me to take my mind off of more overwhelming things and thoughts. Made a day that could otherwise be more stressful into control.

Day 26

Day 26: Daddy love. Today I caught one of the most precious moments between Noel and his daddy! It was so sweet. Justin was being all tender and loving and Noel has this huge beautiful smile on his face. I love them both so much. How could a moment like this not make my heart smile?

Day 25

Day 25: Turkey! Today my mom made turkey and turkey is my favoriteee. With potatoes, gravy, biscuits, and stuffing! MMMMmmmm. Definitely makes my day!! Nothing like a delicious meal to place into a hungry belly. :D

Day 24

Day 24: Special sibling time! Today Lailah watched TV with Noel as she held him and she also tried to read a book to him. She's so sweet with him and I love watching my babies grow up with each other. <3 I love watching her display how much she loves him. It makes my heart happy. And honestly - I don't think anything makes me any happier than them.

Day 23

Day 23: Bath time! Today I gave Noel his very first bath! We both loved it. He was smiling and he seemed to love when I held his body in the water and moved him around in it. It made me happy to share this time with him and to watch the joy of experiencing something new on his face!

Day 22

Day 22: Cuddle Reading. Today I leaned back and read my book as Noel slept cuddled up on my stomach. Only 5 short weeks ago and he was right inside of there and now he's on the outside! Two of the best things combined that I could have asked for today - Noel Cuddles and Reading a good book (Divergent Series). <3 Both make me happy and together, I love it! :D

Day 21

Day 21: Brownies. Today we made brownies! I wasn't have a very great day so making brownies with my two little loves really helped to cheer me up and brighten my day. They're delicious!! Lailah licked the bowl. :p And now I'm eating them. Yum yum yum.

Day 20

Day 20: Coloring love. Today my beautiful little Lailah colored me a picture. We sat and colored together and it made me happy. I love how absolutely caring and thoughtful she is most of the time. It makes me feel good inside to know I'm raising such an amazing little girl. <3

Day 19

Day 19: Netflix. One of my favorite things is rewinding at the end of the day by relaxing and watching some Netflix shows. On this night Justin and I watched some Dr. Who and Noel was passed out adorably right in front of us. <3

Day 18

Day 18: Smiles and coos. Today Noel was still sick but he had a great personality while being treated. Today he smiled up at me and even cooed! Especially when I said to him, "Are you feeling better?" And he cooed in the sweetest way! As if to tell me, "Yes mommy, thank you." <3 It melted my heart and gave me faith it would all be okay.

Day 17

Day 17: Fighter. What got me through today was seeing how strong my baby boy was. Seeing him overcome the obstacle of his high fever and not feeling well as he fought back with doctors. It was a good sign to see his strength. We didn't know what was wrong besides he had a high fever and was breathing fast. But the strength he displayed was all I needed for today to make it a better day.

Day 16

Day 16: Body back. It's been a month since I have given birth to Noel. Just a month ago I was carrying around a tiny human inside of my own body - creating it, nourishing it, supporting it. It's pretty crazy to think about. But I am so happy to have my body back. If there's one thing I feel confident in; it's that I look great. I've had three kids and I look better than most people do after them having just one. I love how I look right now.

Day 15

Day 15: Crocheting. Today I got back to crocheting. I made a hat with pompom ears for my cousins daughter Kira. I like crocheting. It keeps my mind off of things. Lately I've been stressed out so keeping my mind off of things is the best thing that could have helped me out today. I'm happy I learned how to crochet. I'm actually pretty decent at it.

Day 14

Day 14: Like daddy like son. Today I awoke from a nap and lying next to me I found this adorable sight. <3 Both lying with their arms over their heads all peaceful and content. The two guys in my life. :p

Day 13

Day 13: Mommy and babies time. Today I watched Lailah hold, cuddle, and kiss her little brother and my heart melted. It makes me happy seeing how much she loves him. I hope that they always stay close to one another. These two little humans keep my life together. Then Lailah and I played some Uno and spent time together just being silly. <3 I love them with every fiber of my being.

Day 12

Day 12: Sleepy baby. Last night Noel didn't sleep so mommy didn't sleep. I was so very cranky come 5am. Justin ended up helping me with him in the morning but I was up every hour nursing him - barely getting any sleep. So by 1pm when this happened, I was able to sleep. A sleepy baby makes for a happy mommy!

Day 11

Day 11: Sibling Bonding. :) Today Lailah spent some time with Noel, holding him, talking to him, etc.She was so excited that she got him to fall asleep while holding him because, "That means he must feel comfortable with me, right mommy?!" So sweet. They melt my heart but keep it together at the same time. Exactly what I need in each day of my life.<3

Day 10

Day 10: Nap. Today we got in a nap!! Over the past 72 hours I got about 6 hours of broken up and choppy sleep. But today I got a good 3.5 hour nap and it felt like a nice 6 hours! To make it even better I had my two boys. :) My Justin Honey on my right and my little Noel on my left. :D Made my day that much better.

Day 9

Day 9: Teaching reading. Today I spent over an hour with Lailah teaching her how to put sounds together, to say them faster and faster together, then ultimately figure out the word - read it. It was a little bit of a challenge but by the end of the hour we had succeeded and she could read every word off her paper!! All on her own! I was so extremely proud of her and it brought amazing joy to my day. Happy mommy!

Day 8

Day 8: Noel. Today I had a rough day so I spent it invested in Noel. When nobody else could comfort me, I took comfort in caring for Noel all on my own - without asking for any help or assistance. I especially loved our nursing time and his mommy milks face. :) Spending this time with him as his mommy really helped me through the day.

Day 7

Day 7: Helpful Donation. Today an old friend that I used to go to church with many years ago came by my house. She recently had a son of her own and he's a couple months older than Noel. So she's donating all his old baby clothing to me! I feel so thankful that she is because it is really helpful. Noel doesn't fit in 0-3 yet which is mostly what I have - that my mom got for Noel. But we didn't have much Newborn which is what he is fitting in atm. But thanks to Holly we now have some Newborn clothes that Noel can wear! Big thanks to her and her help! :)

Day 6

Day 6: Babywearing. Holding my little Noel snuggled up close to my body is exactly what I need to turn my negative day into a positive day and light up the rest of the night. His cute baby cheeks and that soft baby hair, his little baby fingers with his little baby toes, and that tiny baby belly and the little button nose - all cuddled up against me. <3 I'm in love.

Day 5

Day 5: Arcade. Today Justin, Lailah, Noel, and myself went to the arcade at the mall! It is called Ryan Family Amusements. We had a good time.  Lailah played a lot of different games and she got really excited when she won a decent amount of tickets - raising her voice, "Ohhh I like this game!" lol. Together we played that rolling ball game thingy - haha I have no idea what it's called *see attached picture* :p She also had me play a claw machine game and I won her a couple stuffed animals and a bouncy ball! I've never been so skilled in my life.... or maybe it was luck ;p lol. She cashed in all her tickets and had 209 tickets! So she got some candy using them - of course. All the while I wore Noel in the Moby and he stayed happily asleep. :) Such a happy moment in the day!

Day 4

Day 4: Family game time! Today is a snowy, freezing cold day. So we stayed indoors. Playing a game to finish off our day before bed is a great way to end it. Love my family and love playing games! We played Apples to Apples Lailah's favorite game - even though she can't read yet. But she's getting there. :)

Day 3

Day 3:  Bedtime story. This amazing man who not only helps me care for Lailah but is a proper father figure to her. He reads a bedtime story to us each night (sometimes I do too :p ). I Love them. They bring a great end to each of my days. <3

Day 2

Day 2: Nursing after supplementing. After having to supplement with formula due to the medications I was on. Having him back in my arms with a full belly of mama's milk and passed out made my whole day. I was so happy that he would rather nurse than to want the bottle and formula again.

Day 1

Day 1: Our bond. Out of all the pain I went through on this day he kept me hopeful of an amazing year. Cuddling with him was everything I needed for this day. Our bond is such amazing feeling. So happy to be his mommy.