Dallas Arboretum

Our day at the Dallas Arboretum with Nana and Papa de Wolfe was such a nice treat! I think I will let the pictures do all the talking for me!

I just LOVE this picture of my dad and the girls!!

"Row, row, row your boat..." is what they kept singing.

Hospital Observation

Yesterday, I was hit with some really bad back pain on my right side for a few hours. I called the doctor and the nurse just said to take Tylenol and drink lots of water. I had called my mom to come up and help with picking up Brooklyn from school and such because I was having trouble walking, let alone any kind of functioning. The pain subsided but returned later and while my mom played with the girls, I was able to just lay on a heating pad constantly. The night went fine and I was feeling much better this morning.

My parents had made plans with us to head to the Dallas Arboretum this morning and so the girls and I went and enjoyed the great outdoor weather and all the amazing pumpkins and flowers!! Gorgeous! Unfortunately, by lunch time, my pain was returning. We wrapped up lunch and hopped in the car to go home rather quickly. A very uncomfortable drive home for me (while the girls fell asleep) lead to texting Aaron to see if he could slip away from work and eventually a call to the doctor again. I took more Tylenol when we got home, but after an hour of the pain getting worse, I was told to check into the hospital for observation. We arrived around 3 and they ran a few tests along with getting baby and I all hooked up to monitors.

With my back pain, I was having consistent contractions 2-3 minutes apart :( The RN checked my cervix positioning and dilation and swabbed for an FFN test. Not dilated; good news! The urine test came back normal. And we waited forever to get the results for the FFN test that would determine the possibility of me going into preterm labor in the next 2-3 weeks. Thank God, it finally came back negative as well!!

I was still in constant pain and was feeling my contractions, so I received a terbutaline shot to stop my contractions, pain meds with a heating pad to help with my back pain and had to continue to stay to be monitored. Baby girl was doing great the whole time and was active! More blessed news!

After about 5 hours, I was given the ok to be released after they checked one last time to make sure I was still not dilated.

No real answers though. They are unsure why this is happening exactly, just that it is the closest thing to preterm labor. I am still in pain, just bearable and am not feeling anymore contractions. I have to call my doctors office to give them an update first thing in the morning. Hopefully, this is some kind of short term, strange occurrence.

We all want that sweet little princess to keep baking!

Preschooler B

I am almost in awe of how much Brooklyn has changed in just the last few months. Her attitude on a daily basis and maturity with controlling her own emotions has just seemed to finally reach a better level now that she has reached the age 4. The stories and lyrics that she comes up with all on her own have become more intricate. When she prays over dinner and at bedtime, she no longer just wants to say "our" prayer, but has begun to branch out and come up with her own to say. It is such a neat change in her. I mean, she is still a preschooler through and through....she's by no means super fun all the time! But, her willingness to help and want to learn new things, imagination and wonder, fine motor skills and language, and her smile and beauty has started to bloom and it makes my heart smile!

Looking at her fall preschool picture today made me think of these changes. I am so thankful that God made me her mommy!

Pumpkin Farm

Saturday we headed to Grapevine to the pumpkin farm to have a little fun, take pictures and enjoy the amazing weather. It was truly a glorious day and the girls loved walking around and doing all the little outside activities they had at the farm. We took tons of pictures, munched on yummy kettle corn, but unfortunately were there too early in the day to get to go on a hay ride.

Riding (well, being pushed!) on the mini tractors

Daddy and his girls

Cutie Girls!

Steering the tractor just like out at the ranch

Lazy Day

After some continuous busy weekends, the girls and I needed some serious relaxation! Since Brooklyn didn't have school yesterday for Columbus Day, we spent the entire day doing absolutely nothing around the house....and in our pj's, of course. Playing and movie watching was about the only accomplishments and this Mommy got a much needed nap in.

This is the way we rolled on our lazy

They wanted to pose with their names

Scooting with the ball on her legs; "I'm a snail, Mommy!"

Brooklyn taking a picture of me, Cayleigh and Daisy

Anna's Wedding

This past weekend, Brooklyn had the privilege of participating in Anna's wedding as her flower girl! And she truly loved every part of it!! (Anna is Gamma Hein's half sister and Aaron's aunt.)

Brooklyn and Mommy attended the rehearsal at the church on Friday evening and then the rehearsal dinner at Gamma and Gampa's house afterwards. On Saturday morning, B got her hair done (by Gamma and Mommy) with all the girls of the wedding. She was so excited all morning to be able to be a part of all the festivities! A quick lunch back at Nana and Papa's house and then it was time to get gussied up in her gorgeous flower girl dress before heading to the church at 1:00.

The ceremony was wonderful and Anna made a beautiful bride!

David and Brooklyn

Anna being walked by her brothers, Joseph and Robert

A few pictures following the ceremony.

The outdoor reception did not begin until 5:00, so we headed over early to help set up a few things. It rained literally all around us, but never at the reception site! How awesome! Dancing, hors d'oeuvres, introductions, dinner and more dancing! It was fabulous! Papa de Wolfe came to pick Brooklyn up from the reception around 6:45, so she could stay with Cayleigh for the night at Nana and Papa's house. She was totally pooped!

Cousin Sydney and B

Dancing with Gampa

A quick dance with Papa before he took her home