We have Another One!

Our precious little blessing arrived Wednesday night, January 9th. The same night of the week that just one year earlier I delivered Bland. Two days apart, I am sure eventually people will do a double take and ask if they are twins (because of their similar age and size--not looks). There will be shared birthday parties, clothes, friends and little league teams. And in-to be frank-all honesty they now share equal parts of my heart. I always wondered how mothers with multiple children had enough love to share and provide...well let me tell you it is there ten fold. I have enough love for my three babies to circle the world...a few times.

Hunter Monroe Forrest arrived at 8:19 pm. He weighed in at 9 pounds and 12 ounces and measured 21 inches. He was a big boy, but a few ounces short of big brother Bland. Anyone that knows me, knows that Mr. Hunter was a bit of a challenge throughout the pregnancy as he was determined to stay breech. I however, was determined not to have a CSection and after multiple worries of a possible 11 pounder, I held my breath (literally) and had an ECV, which is where they turn the baby during a process of pushing and pulling on the outside of the stomach. Peoples facial reaction goes to the "ouch that had to hurt" and the answer is yes it did, but it only lasted 4 minutes, and my sweet Hunter gave in and went head down and ready to go.

A few days later the decision to be induced was made as we did not want to run the risk of him turning, and there was still that concern that he may be XL because of prior sonograms. The induction was boring and something I am not a fan of--I like to let nature take it's course--but seeing as the ECV already was out of the ordinary, I gave in. I waited and waited as my husband sat beside me suffering from a stomach bug, shivering and sleeping through most of the process. Perfect timing ;)

However, once Hunter was ready, he was determined. I have never experience contractions come on that quickly with such intensity and after my epidural went south. It started as a hot spot and ended with a Hail Mary to the Pain Gods. I was in tears, and sweating, and hurting. A Lot. I have an extremely high pain tolerance. And I will forever be humbled for that pain.

After a bit of coercing I agreed to more medicine, and the delivery began. All I can say is he is here, he is healthy, and he has a pretty head shape....And that is the last time I will experience that. I must say I have a part of me that is relieved and a larger part that is sad I will never feel that adrenalin again.

Kisses goodbye as we head out to the hospital.

He is here.

 Big Baby feet that have been standing on my back bones for a few months.

Daddy and Son.

Day One.

Home.

Sweet baby.

We have a Walker!

Some may call it a drunken sailor walk, but after watching your hardworking chunky legs take those big strides, you deserve to be called a "walker".

Your first steps did not make it to video, but they were very loudly celebrated by Mommy, daddy and sissy. You were 11 months old, in the living room and just went for it! We hooted and hollered and you cackled at our craziness. It was such a prideful moment and you have taken more and more confidence in your steps each day. After a week of steps on your own, you can now walk across the room stand up on your own, reach down pick something up and stand back up. I can already tell that as soon as you gain your balance you will not walk but run everywhere. The foreshadowed bumps and cruises are endless. I am so proud of you and so happy to see you grow. I love you my sweet boy.

Bland's First Birthday!

Card Title: Bland's First Birthday

The Big ONE! IT'S BLAND'S FIRST BIRTHDAY COME CELEBRATE WITH ICE CREAM AND CAKE SUNDAY, JANUARY 6TH | 4:00~5:00PM | OUR HOUSEThis is a preview of your invitatiCARDREGUESTS

The Birthday Boy's Throne

Homemade cupcakes

A few goodies

I think someone likes the camera!

Singing Happy Birthday. Charlotte is the best big sister!

Charlotte helping blow out your candle.

Family Shot

Sweet Alice having a cupcake.

Adorable Wade.

Miss Maddie!

Vivi enjoying the Birthday accesorries 

Not so sure about this.

Dr. Drew and George

Porter

The wonderful Lucy and you, she is the sweetest!

After some work on the cake.

"Maybe I do like this!"

Woo Hoo for Birthdays!

Sissy and Porter being silly

Crazy kids.

Mommy pregnant with number 3 at 39 weeks and Miss Kierra preggers with twins at 30 weeks!! My how busy our lives are about to be :) Glad we share it with friends.

Christmas Festivities 2012

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love the excitement, the cold weather, the lights, the music...I love it all. Charlotte, you are becoming a Christmas Junkie as well, and were very into the decorating and the tradition. We had visits from Happy the Elf, Sky the Angel, Santa Claus himself, and you were a pretty good little girl this year and I think your list of hopefuls was fulfilled by Mr. Claus. However, just like the smart girl you are, insisted that Mrs. Claus was the real work horse behind it all...You are learning fast ;)

Bland, you have had a lot of changes this month and we are so happy to watch you begin communicating and gain independence. Those big brown eyes on your sweet face brighten our days and we adore you, even though you are an absolute, 100%, bonified, wild mess. When we ask you what Santa says, you will say "ho ho hoooooo" and it is the deepest, raspy voice that comes out. 

Christmas with the Forrest Fam

Christmas morning, I met you are the stairs, and you and Teddy were ready to go!

Excitement. Bland is behind you trying to run too.

He brought you your Princess Scooter!!

Bland's new playhouse.

I think he likes it!

Sorting through all of the new toys!

This has by far been the favorite toy this year. 

Grammy and Grandaddy brought this over to you and you are on it daily.

The most priceless Santa Picture ever.

Sweet brother and sister moment. Charlotte, you love to hold Bland's hand...all the time!

Bland meets Santa for the first time, and he was infatuated.

Attempting to eat a yummy brunch

Attempting to get an 11 month old, 2 year old and 3 year old to take a picture.

The Many Faces of Bland: 11 Months

I have only known you for 11 months, and just like the men of your namesake, you are handsome, full of strong will, and VERY curious. AND just like your daddy you are buck-wild, dark skinned, eyed, and haired--all kinds of gorgeous--, quite the charmer, loud, and very, very funny. You climb on any and everything, which you subsequently fall off of any and everything. Your taking a few steps here and there, but still prefer to hold on to something for balance. The poor little things we call knees are red, purple, and very bruised. 

In the past month you have also found your voice and what a loud sound it can make. The shrills and pure screams that come out are ear piercing and somewhat entertaining (when at home). I definitely get the looks when we are out in public and you share these noises with the world. The only syllables you have down pat are mama, dada, lala, and baba.

These days we get the looks anyways as I am carting you, Charlotte all with an XL belly for your brother. But that is a whole other story.

You are still having some ear troubles, and we are keeping an eye on your right ear in particular for fluids, and infection. You also still have signs of Reflux and discomfort but we are pushing through without meds for now. I am in the process of switching you to whole milk and so far you prefer it over formula...who wouldn't!

You weighed in at 26.8 pounds a couple of weeks ago, so you are growing very, very well. No meals skipped here ;)

I finally got you to sit still for some pictures by taking them in the bath (your favorite activity).

My sweet faced baby

Excited face, we see this often

Your "Hey Ladies" face. Always trying to charm...spitting image of your daddy.

Those lips, those cheeks...devourable

I did not do it.

Wide eyed. Almost all of your puffy-eye symptoms have gone away.

Talking with Sissy

Sissy squirting you in the face...she always finds a way to get you.