Trevor's Mini-me

 Our financial advisor and his wife were in town again so they came over for dinner last night.  They couldn't believe how much Ashley and Trevor looked alike. We see it too - even when they were born they had similar characteristics as you can see below.  Ashley just has dimples.  The small picture in Trevor's picture was Brian when he was born.  So we guess they really both just look like their Daddy.....for now anyway :)

Family!

 The kids (and us of course) sure are lucky to have Brian's parents so close all the time.  They love to come over and catch up.  We'd love to go over there but Ashley (aka Diva) is not a big fan of her car seat or Daddy's driving.  Not sure which.  So they come over to see us :)

Grandma Pauline and Ashley!  Grandma fell a few months ago and really hurt her shoulder/rotator cuff so holding Ashley isn't the easiest but she isn't going to let that stop her!

 Ashley is sporting her 'I love my family' outfit because it's true - she does!  We do too!

 Ashley is growing like a weed!  A lot of her 3 month outfits are too short for her now (nothing a cute pair of socks can't mask) but we are calling BS on her 44th percentile for height!

 One night Sara braved the drive with Ashley (although it should be noted that Ashley doesn't cry much in her car seat when Mommy drives) and took the kids over to the Hillins for dinner since Brian had to work late.  While there we even got to see their friends Raven and Bob Fox who gave Ashley the adorable sock shoes!

Papa has no problem getting down on the ground to spend time with his youngest grandchild.  Ashley likes when he makes his special popping sounds!

Brian surprised us by having a work event cancelled so we all got to eat together and spend time together.  Yay for family!

Annie and Elena Visit

Nicci's siblings came to support their sister and brother-in-law and family after the loss of baby Kendall.  Great for us that Annie and Elena got to stay at our house and we got some time together but we certainly wish it was under different circumstances.  Sara's Mom came over so that Annie could go to Nicci's without Elena and the cousins picked up like no time had passed since Christmas.  Instead of swings though they played on their activity mats!

Ashley is really liking talking to the baby in the mirror :)

Trevor really enjoyed playing with the girls.  He got them both giggling!  Elena loved Trevor.  She probably was wondering where her brother was!

 Hi buddy!

On Friday morning Sara, Trevor and Ashley dropped Nana Jeanne off back at her house.  They took a quick hike at a nearby 'mountain' before heading home.  

 Don't think Sara will ever forget what happened after they got home.  Ashley was hungry and tired.  Trevor was way over tired and both kids were laying on Trevor's bed crying and crying.  Ugh!  Sara took a video and titled it 'shoot me in the head' - that my friends is why we need to be home by 1:00 for naps.  Eventually Trevor did go to sleep and Ashley got fed and took a nap and then all was well in the world! Silly girl sticking out her tongue in her pretty outfit from Jeff, Dawn and the girls!

And it's a good thing that they did nap because that evening we ventured out to Buffalo Chip - a restaurant up in Cave Creek that has bull riding on Friday evenings.  After enjoying their BBQ buffet where you get a pound of food from many different choices we headed over to the little rodeo area and checked out the amateur bull riders.  Trevor even got a kick out of it!

Ashley stayed all bundled up and seemed to enjoy all the excitement even though she couldn't see anything!

 On Sunday Annie and Elena headed back home :( It sure was nice having them here.  We look forward to seeing them again in MN sometime this spring hopefully.  We took a few pictures of our ham ball Ashley dressed in one of the outfits that Annie's Mom gave Ashley since Elena and Ashley had the same outfit.  Too bad that we didn't get a pic of Elena and Ashley wearing them at the same time!

 She giggles and giggles!

 Oh! (This is the face when she sees Mommy do the 'milk' sign.  Then she gets all excited and assumes the position!)

 And for the finale!  Not sure if this means she's mad Annie and Elena left or if it's for Mommy taking too many pictures.  :)

Kendall earned her angel wings :(

We are so sad to say that Kendall earned her angel wings on Monday.  A little of her story....We knew baby Kendall had 4 heart defects when she was in utero. She was born late September and set to have heart surgery in December but had been in the hospital since November because of the flu and then three weeks ago she suffered a major heart attack.  They had to hook her up to the heart and lung machine in order for her to survive but that caused internal bleeding which they discovered because her left side went paralyzed.  The doctors had to take her off the machine and they weren't sure if her heart would work on its own but it did (!) and her paralysis went away.  Unfortunately they discovered the bleeding caused her to suffer a major stroke and she continued to have seizures.  They discovered that she didn't have as much brain function as she should after the stroke (she operated like a 30week fetus) so her parents had to make a difficult decision.  Life is SO unfair.  No 3 month old should have to go through everything she went through.  We are so blessed to have known such a sweetheart and fighter.  It's sad that it takes events like this to remind us of how grateful we are for what we have and how we need to stay focused on what is truly important.  We love and miss you baby Kendall!

Well Visit and Sick Visits

After battling a sore throat for a few days, Sara could no longer take the 'swallowing needle' feeling and decided that on Monday morning she would go to the doctor.  Little did she know that Trevor would wake up crying and saying his ear hurt.  So the two of them headed off to Minute Clinic.  Sara was diagnosed with Strep throat in less than a minute after taking the throat culture and Trevor's ears were checked and yep, he had an ear infection.  We decided not to have him treat it there though since we were going to the pediatrician for Ashley's 2 month appt later that day anyway, we'd just bring Trevor and let them prescribe the right medicine given his history of ear infections.  

However, Trevor was in so much ear pain that Daddy made a separate (and earlier) appointment for Trevor.  They couldn't believe that his ear went right to the red bulging stage so fast :(  Poor guy was just crying and crying and that's even after we used the numbing medicine and a dose of Ibuprofen.  Once we got some antibiotics in him he was a little better and he was a lot better after a layered dose of Tylenol and a long nap.  

Mommy took Ashley to her two month well visit later in the afternoon and learned that we have a growing baby on our hands.  No wonder she has been out of her newborn clothes for a few weeks! 
She really is such a happy, happy baby!

 She loves showing off and flirting for the nurses and doctor.  Dr. Engle said that Ashley is doing things that most babies don't do until 3-4 months old! 

 She said that in reference to Ashley grabbing onto the doctor's stethoscope and her jacket.  She also said that most two month old kids won't track the doctor's hand when held to the side of their face and if they do they'll track from one side but stop mid-line.  Not our overachiever!  She followed from one side to the other then back again!  Good job baby Ashley! 

Two month stats:

Height - 22 1/4 inches (44th percentile)

Weight - 11lbs 9 oz (66th percentile)

Head Circumference - 40.5cm (84th percentile)

These smiles were obviously pre-shots but our little princess did just fine again.  A bright red face, some screams then some whimpers and that was that.  Just like Trevor at this age!  Mommy nursed her though right after for some comfort and it was time to eat!

That evening was spent lounging for Mommy and her sick Trevor and her sleepy Ashley!

Which was just fine!  Who wouldn't love cuddling with this cutie?  Check out the good nursing cheeks!  He he!

Nana Jeanne's Birthday

How fun that we get to celebrate Nana Jeanne's birthday together!  Even when we lived in MN we didn't get to celebrate the past few years because they were always in AZ.  Not this year!  Sara's parents along with Sara's Uncle Don came over for a birthday dinner.  Poor Uncle Don was in a lot of back pain but still managed to hold Ashley and play a bit with Trevor!

Baby Kendall continues to struggle with all of her new challenges so Nicci's Mom Shar asked to drop off the boys for a while so that she could go to the hospital and spend time with Nicci, Mike and Kendall.  Of course!  We all know that we had more than enough food at Nana Jeanne's birthday celebration and the more the merrier!  We could hardly believe it that all of the boys were wearing their 'big brother' shirts that day!  Brian took this picture of the boys and sent it over to Mike and Nicci to let them know we were thinking of them and that the 'big brothers' were rooting for their sister and 'cousin.'

 Ashley is rooting for baby Kendall too.  Here she is with Dada doing her big girl cheer where he claps her hands together then taps them on her lap.  She loves it!

Ashley's Two Month Onesie Pics

Ashley sure is a treat to have around.  She really is a good baby.  Not sure how we lucked out with two of them!  We have a pretty good routine now of when she naps and when she eats and plays so life is pretty good!  No complaints here!

 She is so alert and takes in everything! 

 Check out those chunky thighs!

 Big brother wanted in on the action so we put Ashley's little sister onesie on (thanks Double, Katie and Anne) and snapped a few pictures. 

 But then Trevor too wanted his big brother shirt on!  He is such a good big brother.  He loves reading and 'playing' with her, taking her for walks, pushes the swing, covers her up when he thinks she is cold.  The list goes on and on but the one thing that still amazes us is how he is so patient when we need to tend to Ashley.  He seems to get it!  We are lucky!

 After the photo shoot Trevor wanted his chair and wanted to have a train with him as the line leader.  What a goof ball!!

Ashley, Ashley

Ashley so reminds us of Trevor.  It's almost crazy!!  Even their mad faces are pretty similar! 

 How funny is that?  

What else is Miss Ashley up to these days?  She continues to put up with tummy time.  She doesn't fuss but she surely doesn't have any desire to lift her head up much.  Bet she's going to be a tummy sleeper like her brother!

 Ashley has always had a bit of nasal congestion but it's gotten a bit worse so Mommy decided to take her in to the pediatrician.  It was also about this age that Trevor got his first ear infection so if they truly are that alike we better get it checked out!  Ooohh, check out my hand!  It's attached to my body!

 Ashley doesn't seem to mind waiting for the doctor whereas Mommy gets a bit impatient!

When we did see the doctor we learned that Ashley continues to have no problem gaining weight!  Not quite 2 months and weighs in at 11 lbs 9 oz!!! Chunk!  The doctor too noticed her congestion and checked her breathing.  She said she is having a little difficulty with deep breaths but it isn't yet RSV.  So she sent us home with instructions to keep an eye on it.  Not much you do for RSV other than wait it out but still scary!!  Luckily Ashley has her 2 month well visit in a few days so the pediatrician will be able to take a listen again.  The doctor did tell Sara that she might want to consider cutting out dairy to see if that helps with her nasal congestion.  We'll see - milk on her cereal, pizza, cheese with wine, etc etc those would be hard to give up!!  She isn't like most kids with a milk allergy or intolerance - she doesn't cry a lot, doesn't have blood in her stools, doesn't spit up but if Sara needs to do it, she certainly wouldn't hesitate!

Ashley has been having her hands in her mouth a lot lately!  So either she's trying to find her thumb - which isn't happening.  We would prefer not to have a thumb sucker.  You can take away a nuk but you can't take away a thumb!  Or she's beginning to teeth.  Which is a little sooner than when Trevor did, but not by much!

Adam and Cole's First Sleepover

Baby Kendall is needing lots of love and prayers right now.  She just can't catch a break.  Her fragile heart sustained a heart attack and the prognosis is grim.  We just don't understand how life can be so unfair and why this is happening.  We do know though that we will do whatever we can for Mike, Nicci and family so when Grandma Shar mentioned the boys coming over for a bit after Ashley's Baptism we said 'no problem!' Told them to pack an overnight bag too :)

Brian had to go into work for a few hours Saturday afternoon/evening so Sara handled the three boys and Ashley without any problem.  The boys pretty much entertain themselves and Ashley was exhausted from her special day so it all worked out.  Even feeding them dinner!  Cheese :)

On Brian's way home from the office he picked up sleeping bags for Adam and Cole to use and keep at our house for future sleepovers.  Given how well this one went, we're hoping that they can come many more times.  We just pray they will be under different circumstances for their sister.

Ashley's Baptism

After a lot of back and forth deciding where Ashley's Baptism would be held, we selected Grandma and Grandpa Hillins's parish of Our Lady of Joy.  We had been there a lot of times during our vacations to AZ and it was the only one that felt somewhat like home since we had been there so often.  Poor Papa John had a lot of back and forth with the Priest in order for us to have her Baptism there so we are much appreciative but my goodness was it not easy!!  We could have had it at the Parish we are thinking of joining but per their rules Ashley's Godparents would have had to take Baptismal classes in their own parishes or we could have had it back in MN at our former parish but that wouldn't have been until we went back 'home' in possibly May.  We are thankful that Fr. Patrick finally agreed to have it at Our Lady of Joy.

For Trevor's Godparents we had all of our siblings be his Godparents (since we all know we can't have enough people looking over us) and we didn't want to leave anyone out.  However, because Annie is Lutheran and Jim is not a current practicing Catholic we had Jeff sign Trevor's Baptismal Certificate as the Godparent and Annie as the witness.  We would have liked to have both brothers sign the certificate but in the Catholic church you obviously can't have two males be Godparents :)  So when Ashley was born we decided to change things up and declare official sets of Godparents to both kids.  Since Jeff and Annie had already signed for Trevor's it made sense to keep them for him.  Over Thanksgiving we asked Dawn to be Ashley's Godmother and over Christmas we asked Jim to be her Godfather.  Of course, both were ecstatic and we made sure that they knew that although we would love them to come to her Baptism, we certainly didn't expect them to be able to come. All of her Grandparents would be there and they would stand-in for the actual Godparents.

It was Sara's intention to always make her wedding dress into a Baptismal gown for a daughter, but that just wasn't in the cards given the timing.  Fortunately though Sara's Mom and Aunt had found some dresses from her Grandma Kelly's house that would work perfectly!!!  There are two pieces to her outfit - the main dress and then a sleeveless dress with lace detailing at the bottom that Ashley wore as a slip since the one dress wasn't as long as Sara would have liked and it was rather see-through.  Ashley also sported a headband received from Brian's Aunt Carolyn that works as a Baptismal headband and then a garter belt on her wedding day!  We tried it all on the day before her Baptism and she looked perfect!  Plus we could really consider this an heirloom dress (just not an heirloom Baptismal gown since Sara didn't wear it) since it was over 100 years old according to Sara's Aunt Mary!

We got to the church early to feed Ashley (the girl eats like clock work) and we tried to sneak in a few pics.  Ashley wasn't having it - where is my food she says!!

 Silly Mommy thought she would have no problem taking a bottle but nope.  She wasn't a fan!!  So with 7 minutes before the big event Sara sat in the back of church and nursed her quickly to sustain her through the ceremony.

 The Baptism itself was much different than Trevor's.  His was during a mass whereas hers was on a Saturday morning at 10am and was with 7 other candidates.  Everyone sat in different pews in the church and Fr. Patrick went around to each family when it was time to do something.  Her the 'Godparents' are making the sign of the cross on Ashley's forehead. 

 As you can see the entire event was very laid back.  It was kinda nice to be able to take all the pictures you wanted but it was a bit different. 

 After all that fussing over the bottle and then her quick feeding, baby girl was wore out!

 And then it was time for the water!  Trevor had been worrying about this part ever since Grandma Pauline said that the Priest would be pouring water over her head!

But all was just fine.  She didn't even make a sound!

 Trevor was glad :)

 Back to sleeping....

 Or wait, a quick eye open to see what was going on....

 ...then back to zzzzz.....Our precious baby daughter welcomed into God's family!

This is how laid back the whole thing was - no one even noticed or cared that Trevor was checking out the nativity scene as Father Patrick was going around to the other families!

 After the ceremony, we took lots of family pictures.  Sorry Papa Steve that you were cut off :(

 Trevor really liked having his picture taken if he could squeeze Mommy's neck!

 The Hillins crew:

 The Roslansky crew:

 And then Trevor was done so we got some pics of just the three of us:

 And Ashley slept through it all.  What an angel!  After her Baptism we all went back to our house and enjoyed a feast of croissant sandwiches and other goodies including a half sheet cake.  Yes, for 8 of us including 1 baby who doesn't eat.  One can never have enough cake!

 Finally our precious girl woke up and assumed her burping position over Nana Jeanne's shoulder!

 We took out the now famous pink rose blanket that Sara purchased before she was born.  It has found its way into most photographs these days :)

 Oh boy, more pictures....

 She's just as peaceful as can be in her pretty pretty dress!

 We're pretty sure Grandma Kelly is smiling down knowing that this dress lives on.  Now if only she could tell us all about its past!

 Who was helping take all of these pictures?  The Grandmas were close by always!!  Ashley loves to just stretch out and chat away.