Introducing...

Henslee Emeline Nash

Born on 6/26/2012

7lbs 7oz, 20in long

We are thrilled that our little family is now complete.  She is truly a gift from God, and such a good little baby.  More to come...much more to come...

Quote

"What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying." -Henry Adams

Thoughts 6 Weeks and Two Days Away

I have been super emotional the last couple of weeks, seems anything can make me cry.  The thing I am most 'hormonal' about at the moment is picturing kissing the boys bye, leaving to go to the hospital to have baby girl. Not that I am not excited about this new addition and I can rationalize how the love will be abundant...but I am emotional none the less.  For almost three and half years life has been me and my boys.  Traveling and navigating this road together.  And I am little sad, if I am being honest, that this trip is coming to an end.  I find myself wanting to squeeze them more, tell them how much I love them more, spend every second with them, and just give them a cookie whenever they want one!!!  I keep going back to the same book before nap time, and every time I read it to them I cry.  And they will say, "happy tears momma?"  And I say "yes, happy tears baby."  Today they both laid their little heads on my big tummy and listened to the words....as I cried.

Wherever You Are

by Nancy Tillman

I wanted you more

than you ever will know, 

so I sent love to follow

wherever you go. 

It's high as you wish it.  It's quick as an elf. 

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...

climb up to the sky!

My love will find you. 

My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!

My love will find you.  My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

if you're working...

or playing...

or sitting with friends. 

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...

paint 'til your blue...

There's no place, not one,

that my love can't find you. 

And if someday you're lonely,

or someday you're sad,

or you strike out a baseball,

or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. 

That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there. 

In the green of the grass...in the smell of

the sea...in the clouds floating by...

at the top of a tree...in the sound

crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are

loved," they all say. 

My love is so high, and so wide and

so deep, it's always right there, even

when you're asleep.  

So hold your head high

and don't be afraid

to march to the front

of your own parade. 

If you're still my small babe

or you're all the way grown,

my promise to you

is you're never alone.  

You are my angel, my darling,

my star...and my love will find you,

wherever you are. 

You are loved.  

Bug Bites and Train Storytellin' and History Festival

On Thursday something tried to eat my sweet Paxton up!! The bites were down his arm and behind, but the ones on his hand were the worst. I initially thought it wasnt too big a deal, every kid gets bug bites. But by the end of the day Thursday his little hand was swollen and the redness was getting a lot worse, one was even starting to puss. So I spoke with the nurse on call and she said we should go to a Vanderbilt walk-in clinic. When Aaron came home from work, Pax and I headed that way. Poor little guy was running a fever and had to get a steroid...but I think the arm will survive! Doctor said the bug bites (especially spider and tick bites) have been awful this season because of such a mild winter. So check your kiddos for ticks this summer!!  YUCK!

Aaron always comes up with the funnest things to do on the weekends.  Poor guy hasnt played golf in a year, but his boys love spending time with him!! We headed out to Columbia, TN on Saturday to a train festival.  The boys were beside themselves.  There were the cutest little trains that went around a long, winding track, the rides were 15 minutes long.  They went through miniature tunnels and over bridges.  So cool.  We had to promise Pax we would come back very soon, and then realized the trains dont run again until September!! Whoops!!!  Only bummer was that I couldnt ride because I am more than six months pregnant, their insurance wouldnt allow it.  So the pictures are just at the beginning and end of the ride.

The train station.  I was sitting on a wood ledge here and the train conductor came over and told me two copperheads were seen on the ledge the day before.  You have never seen a pregnant lady jump up so fast!!!!

The wait was an hour to ride, surprisingly, the boys did great in line.  We were getting close and Paxton was SOOO excited!!

All the trains were different, I think we got the best one.  The boys each  got their  own compartment.  

Kellen was ready to GO!!!

My boys pulling back into the station!

About 15 minutes after lunch!!  

Weekend at the Lake

My mom rented a lake house this weekend on Lake Guntersville and invited the whole family.  My aunts and uncles, cousins and their children were all there.  We played t-ball and soccer in the backyard, fished off the boat dock, ate until we couldnt move, made homemade ice cream, and just relaxed.  We had a blast, cant wait to do it again next year!!

My sweetness on the dock!

Kellen, sittin on the dock! 

Hanging with daddy on the boat!

Paxton super concentrated on holding his fishing  pole.

My cousin Wendi's daughter, Jordan.  The kids love her, they call her JoJo.  And  my cousin Wes'  little cutie pie, Ila. 

So after a long day at the lake I look over to see Kellen completely passed out on the boat sitting up!! So funny!! 

And five minutes later I look over at Pax...totally passed out too.  I said  this had to be Weekend at Bernie's  The Toddler Version!!!!

I took my opportunity to get some sweet cuddle time with my exhausted toddlers!!

9 WEEKS

Lord HELP me, baby girl is arriving 9 weeks from today!!  This has felt like the fastest pregnancy in history.  I am so nervous about life with 3 kids and the juggling act required.  But I am now ready to get the show on the road and learn our new normal.

The boys, especially Kellen, seem to be very excited to meet her.  Kellen felt her kick last Friday and thought it was hysterical.  Paxton is not that interested, but I am sure he will come around.  But we will see soon enough!!

I have started making plans, mostly in mind, for the boys when I am in the hospital.  Thinking about being away from them immediately makes me tear up.  But daddy and Nana will be with them and hopefully I can have lots of visits.  I told Aaron tonight I think I want him to come home and spend the night with the boys while I am in the hospital.  I think it will be good for the P&K and he will get to sleep.  But I might change my mind in the fog of pain medication and want my hubs.

I am in full nesting mode.  I want everything cleaned out, sent to goodwill or the dump...and the sooner the better!!  We almost have her nursery complete, I will share pictures when we are done.  Her bedding is on back order until June 6th, so it will be a while.  Aaron and I got crafty and have installed wainscoting in her room.  It is seriously adorable, her colors are purple and gray.

I feel super relaxed this go around.  Shouldnt I??  One newborn has to be easier than two!!  I am looking forward to only picking one baby up, rocking one, singing to one, and just learning about being a mommy to a little girl.  Can anyone come teach me how to tie a hair bow??!!! Im not kidding!!! :-)

My best friend came in town last weekend with her husband.  I thought they were coming for a last hurrah before the baby.  I was TOTALLY shocked to realize her and my friend Stacey planned a special surprise for me!! I thought Steph and I were meeting Stace...but I walked into a room with my favorite gals.  Cupcakes for miles, desserts galore, brunch and tea.  It was so special and still cant believe they pulled it off.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I can sniff a lie a mile away.  Well I was on the receiving end of lies for a month and didnt suspect a thing!!!  Aaron was in on it too!! So a big thank you to everyone for loving on me and this little girl.  It was fun to spend a couple of hours really honoring her, and laughing with some of the funniest gals I know!!

The boys and I are heading out on Thursday, and Aaron following after work on Friday, to a lake house my mom has rented for the weekend.  The boys are so excited to be on a boat and keep telling me they are going to drive it.  Aaron has said yes, so this will be interesting!!  This should be our last venture from Nashville before the big arrival.  She is still set to arrive on her daddy's birthday!

Oh, and we thought we had a name.  We even told everyone.  Well, we are now wavering.  Who knows what the final verdict will be...but we have 9 weeks and counting to figure it out!!!

Easter Recap

We had such a great Easter this year! Lots of activities, lots of sugar and fun family time!  

Easter Egg Hunt at our zoo.  We had such a great day, perfect weather!

Instead of a traditional Easter basket, Aaron and I got the boys a new Thomas track full of their favorite thing at the moment...pirates!! 

Kellen woke me up at 6a.m. saying, "mommy, lets go. the easter bunny was here."  I looked at the clock and said, "he must have just left"!!!!!

Kellen is a proud owner of jelly beans!!

After church we headed over to the Clinkscales for Easter brunch.  Catherine out did herself, everything was delicious.  The kids were over the moon about eating lunch out of egg crates!!!

Easter Bunny cake was a smash!

Kellen has a fondest for baby Callie!! 

The four kids had another egg hunt, I stuffed 50 eggs! 

The hit of the day was Cain's Jeep!! The boys are ready to go  back!! 

Such a fun weekend! Thank you to the Clinkscales for having us over!!!

Our Florida Vacay

The four of us and Aaron's parents and sister headed to Rosemary Beach, FL this week.  We had a blast, I dont think there is anything cuter than watching two three year olds play in surf and sand!!  The time flew by and we are ready to go back!!  Not sure when that will be with baby girl on the way, in 12 weeks...can you believe it is only 12 weeks away?! I feel like we just found out!! Everyone says your second pregnancy flies by when you already have kids, no truer statement has ever been uttered!!!

The kids loved playing on the beach, making sand castles and being chased by waves.  The weather was perfect, we ate yummy food, browsed local shops, went to a concert where P&K showed off the break dancing abilities, and just relaxed poolside.  Im craving the sound of waves in the morning and my sinuses are missing the salt air!!!  Here are some pics!

Kellen

Paxton



Mommy and Kellen....mommy trying to pretend she didnt shed tears when she put this bathing suit on!!!



My digger, this kid could move sand for days!

Daddy and Kellen,  braving the cool water temp!

Kellen being cool kid with daddy's sunglasses!

Paxton imitating his daddy after a long day on the beach with two toddlers!!! 

Kids loved playing sand soccer!

Ummmm, yes, Ill have one of him for lunch!! Gosh, he is just delicious!!

Mommy and Pax, even with a grumpy face...Ill take it!

The BEST donuts ever from this donut truck in Alys Beach!

I love this blue-eyed babe!

And my brown-eyed one too!

Serious break dancing!! Aaron and I looked at each other and said, we shouldnt have let them watch that episode of So You Think You Can Dance!!!

Breaker #2! There were kids literally standing around watching them, hysterical!

My Kel-Bug!

Great sunsets, we were right on the beach...thanks to Grandaddy.

A rare occurrence, but my two loves both smiling and looking into the camera!

The boys had a snow cone, which sent this Type A mommy into a frenzy!!

Our little family!!  I love my three boys...and my baby girl!