To the Patch!

Ainsley went on her very first field trip!

Her class was learning about Halloween this week and went to vistit Reding Farm.

She was so excited!

Here is her class.

And her "buddy" Lainey

After they went through a maize, they went on a the cow train.  (which Ainsley did not want to do)

and then headed off on a hay ride (which Ainsley did not want to do either)

Then they shot corn out of the "corn blaster" (which Ainsley did not want to do) and she thought that was too loud.  So, of course, she walked around with her ears covered.

While looking at the roosters...

and the pony...

But then the most exciting part of the day happened..SNACK TIME!  This is her favorite part of school, too, I think. 

Since her class is only until 11:45am, we headed back right after snack time.

The kids had a choice of riding back on the van or with their parents.  Ainsley really wanted to ride back in the van.  (I was a little shocked!)

But she thought it was so fun! 

(She's the one by the window...she turned her head too fast for me to catch her face)

Looks like the first field trip was a success!

Love to Halloween Dance!

Every year Miss Emily lets the girlies wear their costumes for the second half of class.

Then they dance a couple for the parents!

Here is my precious Rapunzel and Bat Girl!

And the whole class...

How cute are these girls?!?!  They just make life worth living!

1 month old

At her check up @3 weeks...she was...

7lbs 10oz  20.5in long

She sleeps good when she's asleep; gets up 2 or 3 times a night to eat.

She's smiling a lot in her sleep.

Looks around much more-stays awake longer during the day-notices light

She's perfect and I thank God for her everyday.

Just like mom...and dad!!

Look very carefully! My children look like their parents...and it's weird to me!

Lately, everyone says Ainsley looks like me.  And she does a little, now that she's bigger and got some hair! But when she was born...and during the time she was smaller, she was a replica of her father.

Check it out!

Joe at 4 months old

Ainsley at 4 months old

And then along came Amelia.

I didn't know what to expect, but she came out and she looks like me!  There are still many traits she has that make her look like Ainsley-but everytime I looked at her in the hospital, this picture kept popping into my mind.

Top: Amelia at 4 days old

Bottom: me (age unknown) my face was more round than hers, but I weighed a pound more than her at birth. 

What do you think??

Amelia Memphis Neal

Ladies and Gentlemen...SHE IS HERE!

I was scheduled to have a c-section on Friday, Sept 16th.  So you can imagine my surprise when I started having contractions on Monday.  After I work on Sat and Sun, I would get Braxton Hicks on Monday, but it would never get too bad and usually they stopped by night.

I took Ainsley to school on Monday morning, Nana and I went and got a pedicure, then picked Ainsley up and went to McDonalds.

We came home and I laid Ainsley down to watch toons and take a nap.  By the time I was to the couch, I had my first contraction.  I knew they were real because they hurt in places that shouldn't hurt at all!  :)

I waited a couple hours and they didn't stop.  They weren't consistent but they kept coming, so I decided to call Joe.  If we were going to have to go the hospital, I wanted to give him a heads up so he could get ready at work.

He came home around 10pm or so and I was still hurting.  But I ate an apple and we went to bed.  I thought I would at least wait through the night to make sure.  (I was induced with Ainsley, so I never had any contractions on my own.  So I didn't know what to do with this situation!)

I slept very little due to the pain coming every 8-10 minutes all night...so at 4am (when Joe's alarm went off) I told him we better be safe and head to the hospital.

We didn't move fast...I was still very unsure of how real these contractions were.  So I picked up the living room and Joe showered and packed! (Amelia and I were already packed!)  I got Ainsley some clothes and things in a bag, packed up the car and off we went.

Ainsley knew why we were going and she was so sweet to me during the LONG 50 minute drive!

And I can't tell u how unbelieveably uncomfortable that drive was!

We checked in at Mercy a little after 7am and got all hooked up.  Joe and Ainsley went to get breakfast and then she hopped in bed with me to watch some toons while I was being "monitored".

We were there around 2 hours when somehow word got to my mom I was in the hospital (long story!) and she phoned me right away!  LOL (we didn't say anything to anyone bc we didn't know what was going to happen.  No need to disrupt anyone's day if nothing was happening)

Ten minutes after I hung up, the anethesiologist walked into my room.  Now I know they don't come and talk to you just for kicks...so I knew today was the day.

His last sentence to me was "See you around 11am".  WHAT?!?!  It's 9:45am!!  I looked at Joe and said you better make your calls now.  I called my mom (who was conviently next door at work) so she could come sit with Ainsley.  Called Noah to make sure to pick up KK (it was my day to get her from school) and my nana.  It all started right then, my dr called and the nurses started their "business".

Mom got Ainsley dressed, we told her Amelia was about to be here and then true to form...Ainsley got a camera and started taking pictures!

My very last belly pic.  Thanks Ainsley!

Just the 3 of us...one last time!

Can you tell she's excited?!?!

After a quick surgery...Amelia Memphis Neal was born at 11:44am.  She was 7lbs 4oz and 19 in long.

And PERFECT!

She stayed in the OR with us until I wheeled out.  And, as the doors opened, I saw my Princess and her fabulous smile.  She was so excited to see her baby!  (Nana and DanDan had made it, as well)

I LOVED everyone who was with me during surgery...drs, nurses, techs...it was really fun for what it was!

This is Tammy.  She was one of my favorites!

And here she is...the sweetest little girl and most loved little sister EVER!

For the first couple days, Ainsley wouldn't hold Amelia.  But she looked at her, talked to her and touched her.  She is so sweet with her and loves her very much!

You can tell by the lighting this is pretty late, but I couldn't resist taking a sweet pic of Daddy and his new baby girl.

Eyes open...for just a mintue!

Easton came to meet his new cousin.  He is the cutest thing! :)

And on Friday, it was time to go home.  I definitely didn't want to leave the hospital.   I had people to bring me my meds, food, and Joe and I just got to relax and enjoy our new baby without having anything else to do!  But I missed my Ainsley so much, I wanted to get home to her.

We had to ease her into the seat, she wasn't a happy camper at first!

Ready to head home.  (I just love how wonderful I look after giving birth!)

Let's get this party started! 

I couldn't be more excited and happy to have a loving, supportive husband and two beautiful girls.

My cup runneth over...

The REAL bday...and 1st Day of School

On this day, 4 years ago, I knew my life would change.  I woke up in labor and delivery ready to become a mom.  Oh how I thought I knew how life would change.  I was wrong...well, kind of.  I didn't know that my life would change every month of every year she was alive.

Today, I got up and put balloons all over Ainsley's room.  And then woke her up for her 1st Day of School.  If you have any idea what last year was like, I was so nervous.  But she knew her friend Lainey would be there and she knew it was her birthday!  So we got up and put on her birthday outfit, fixed her hair and lugged cupcakes to USAO to begin our school year.
She wouldn't let me take her picture, but I went into the observation booth and snuck a couple anyway! 

There were no tears...no asking me to stay (well, not really)...and just a wave goodbye!  When I picked her up, she said she really had a good time.  What a difference a year can make!  Ainsley is really growing up...I would prefer her not to, but I like to hear her talk about her day and how she sees "the world" right now. 

I called her "Birthday Girl" all day and she would just grin at me.  I love this kid!  She makes my life so interesting! (to say the least)