I'M 25!!

Here I am at 19

Here I am NOW

Do I look 25? Cause I feel 25. Probably because I've surpassed many milestones that I never thought I would have gotten to at this age. 3 kids by 25 was never a plan for me during my teenage years. I didn't even plan on being married til after 25. But it's definitely something that I love and would not trade in for the world. Since Landen was born, I had totally forgotten I even had a birthday coming up. I thought this would be a hard birthday for me since I would be considered in my "mid-20's" but I feel very satisfied at where I am in life so bring it on!

ADJUSTING

So we initially thought that Mia would have a horrible time adjusting to Landen and that Kalea was going to be a breeze with it all. And we got it half way right... Mia has adjusted really well. She's now JUST becoming interested in Landen. But she has really stepped up to being a big girl and a big sister. She doesn't mind when I'm nursing the baby and she has to wait until I can help her with something. Granted, Christian has been home to help out a lot with the girls so it hasn't been solely on me. I've been able to take naps and sleep in a little bit with him home so that has helped out tremendously. It was no surprise that Kalea would be really excited about having a baby in the house. She's always really loved babies. But I have to say that I'm feeling a little claustrophobic with her attached to my hip. However, if Landen is in his swing then she will just watch him sleep... so it's not so much me, but him. A couple of times I've had to tell her that I need just a little bit of space. She also has to be told not to touch the baby so much. Especially if he's trying to sleep. She thinks I'm mean when I tell her to knock it off.... but she needs to know her boundaries with him or I'd find her holding him at the top of the stairs with one hand or something crazy like that. Ok maybe not, but it feels like it sometimes.

Landen has been such an easy baby so far. He definitely tells you when he's mad. He hates to be wet or stinky but really doesn't like getting his diaper changed either. It's a lose lose. He's starting to gain back the weight he lost a birth and has been eating really well for me. He makes the funniest little faces that Christian and I just crack up at. He's absolutely adorable and I can't help but kiss all over his little face. I do have to say that it was a weird adjustment to think that he was MY baby. I would think to myself that I shouldn't kiss on him like I do, but then I realized that I COULD. I just love and adore this little boy already :)

BABY LANDEN

Landen Makoa Simpson is here! He was born on August 18th at 3:42 pm weighing in at 7lbs and 1 oz. He measured 21 inches long. He's healthy and wonderful! We are really excited to welcome him into our family.

After a long weekend of false labor pains and irregular contractions, my OB had me come in early on Monday morning to check me out and see where how my pregnancy was progressing. I had been dilated to 3 cm and 80% effaced. So since things were coming along they decided to break my water and get my into real labor. (I had been in prelabor all weekend!) So I was sooo thankful to them for being willing to put me into labor. I was admitted to the hospital at 10:30 a.m. and they broke my water at 11:30. My contractions were really intense for about an hour where I dilated from a 3 to a 6. My awesome nurse, Elisa, hunted down a anesthesiologist and found one very quickly. He had a hard time with the epidural and it took a little longer then usual, but it was VERY effective once it was in. So we waited around for about 2 1/2 hours until 3:00 where I was finally dilated to a 10. 42 minutes later, Landen was born!

He makes the cutest little grunting noises and sounds like a little squeak toy. He is a mix of Christian and I and has a Hawaiian look with a Simpson twist. He's absolutely beautiful to me! Thanks to all of you for all of the Well Wishes. I have the best most supportive family and friends and love all of you dearly!

Kalea has really stepped up as a big sister and just adores Landen. She's been sad when she has to leave the hospital without Landen is ready to bring him home. She loves to hold him and even told me she could do it by herself. I definitely corrected that statement quickly. Mia on the other hand, hasn't paid too much attention to her little brother. I'm sure all of that may change soon.

What a BIG family!

Excited Daddy!

Mommy, Kalea and Landen

My 3 beautiful children!

HAIR BOWS, TUTU'S, AND RAINBOW SPARKLES

Who? Rainbow Sparkles. Umm... didn't you know?...

ONLY Kalea's new BFF. Duh.

Take a long gander at this work of art. Kalea had that privilege of going to Build-A-Bear with her cousins last Friday while I spent the day with Mia. Needless to say she was in H*E*A*V*E*N* when she saw this purple sparkly bear. It was love at first sight (or so I'm told). She stuffed and put a heart into her new best friend and then to top it all off her Aunt Cherre found this orange masterpiece of an "Aloha" shirt with a rainbow on it. When Kalea was asked what she wanted to name the bear she replied (naturally) "Rainbow Sparkles". Ahhhh... such creativity. Kalea and R.S. have been inseparable since day one. Kalea has never been big into stuffed animals, but truly, this one has come alive in her eyes. (Thanks Aunt Cerah for such a fun day!)

HAIR BOW CRAZINESS

Since we're going backwards here... I made these hair bows almost 2 months ago. I was feeling crafty and tired of the same ole hair bows that the girls wear everyday. So off to Walmart and Michael's and WAY TOO MUCH ribbon later, the girls had some new accessories for their curls.

*This one is my favorite*

Apparently just making hair bows was not enough. I bought letters for their names and spray painted them to basically pay homage to my new masterpieces. There's no way we could just throw those beauties in a bag to be squashed. So now they are on display for all to see.

TUTU'S

OK so I didn't make these... my Grandma did! And the girls love them. I love whenever I go shopping with my Grandma cause we'll see something at a store and it'll cost somewhere around $20 and she'll snort and say, "I can make that". So when we saw some tutu's at a store that looked like as soon as the cashier would put them in the bag for you, they'd snag and fall apart... my Grandma was up for a new challenge. She's amazing!

PLEASE EXCUSE MY CHILDREN'S HAIR... IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THE FRIZZ HAD NOT YET BEEN TAMED.

*PREGNANCY UPDATE*

OK... lastly and sadly... I am still pregnant I have hit my 38 week mark and have dilated to 2cm and effaced about 75-80%. I am very cranky and uncomfortable... and unless you want me to rain on your parade, then I may not be the person you want to call right now to chat. Just kidding (kind of). I know this little guy is ready because he is SO LOW and I have had a few contractions here and there, but nothing consistent. Some other great news is I have gained 35 lbs. Yes, you heard me right... and when I told Christian I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. It's a good thing I have a good sense of humor because I may have gouged those eyes out. The only thing that has kept me away from self inducing this dag on labor is the fact that little Landen is measuring small so I figure he may need a little time. So I will SUFFER for the time being and let him hang out until he feels ready. DISCLAIMER: I AM POSTING A PICTURE OF MY GIGANTIC STOMACH (not for the weak or faint of heart.)

Please no comments on how "beautiful" pregnancy is until after this guy is out, cause I can't promise you'll survive my wrath afterwards.

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE TIME

I had such a fun day with Mia that I just wanted to write down and remember it.  Today Kalea went to Crabtree Valley Mall with some of her cousins to Build A Bear.  I didn't break the news to Mia that she wasn't going into the mall with her sister until after the fact.  Sidenote: These 2 girls have NEVER been apart for more then a few hours, much less an entire day.  Mia had a little bit of a melt down which broke my heart, but was much happier when I told her all the fun things we had planned for the day.  Which, actually wasn't much, but I couldn't stand to see my little girl cry.  So we drove up to the food court and I had some quarters and she rode like 3 little rides and we walked around a bit.  When we left, her spirits were much higher.  

So we drove home (oh... I forgot to mention that they woke up at 6:30 this morning... which is UNHEARD of in our home)  Anyways, our second plan for the days was going to the pool for Lisa and Melanie's pool party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADIES!).  Well, Mia passed out on the way home from the mall and peed thru her shorts.  AWWEEESOMMMEEE.  Oh well, I changed her and laid her down.  She (and I) slept for about an hour and then woke up.  We got our bathing suits (and some McDonalds because apparently I want to try and pack on a few extra LBs before the baby is born).  We got to the pool, ate a little, and then got in the water.  Mia had a really fun time kicking in the water with her float, and she even went down the water slide with Lisa.  (Afterwards, the lifeguard told us that was a NO NO... loser.) 

 We were there for awhile before Mia had an emotional breakdown and wanted to go home.  She kept saying her pee pee hurt.  I was really confused by this.  But after much deliberation, I realized that Mia was holding her pee so she wouldn't pee on me with her swim diaper.  What a considerate little girl:)  Ok, so she's not "potty trained" yet, but I'm pretty sure I need to get going with this now.  She's so smart to not pee on her mother, and she pees in the potty every once in awhile, but waits til no one is looking at her (especially Christian).   So we went home, snuggled, watched cartoons and played games.

It was really fun spending one on one time with her.  She ALWAYS has a lot to say, but sometimes I feel like I don't listen or pay attention like I should.  And especially with a new baby on the way, I'm pretty sure it's just going to get harder.  I have always cherished my children, but I really really LOVED being able to spend time with Mia.  She won't remember it in 5 years, but I will.