Happiness Is...

Happiness is...
Realizing that we have an addition to the backseat the adds to our precious cargo. To see how Kayin smiled the day she got to FINALLY put her baby in the backseat with her was priceless.
Happiness is...
Seeing how your fast your children grow up and change...okay, really, I am not that happy about it. However, it has been a tremendous journey the day we became parents!
Happiness is...
Being pregnant and knowing that the love between you and your husband will magnify the day you welcome the little miracle you created.
Happiness is...
Seeing the love that our parents have for their grandchildren.


Happiness is...
Need I say more??!!
Happiness is...
Knowing that we have a GIRLY-GIRL on our hands (however this could get us into trouble down the road)! There isn't a day that goes by when I am putting on make-up that she doesn't want to be involved and put on her own! Her Aunt Amy, Uncle Corey, and cousins Mitchell and Graham recently gave her an early birthday present...and guess what it was??!! MAKE-UP!!! I am pretty sure the beam on her face from eye to eye tells it all!

Happiness is...
Meeting my aunt from North Carolina for a lunch date with the kids. Whenever she is in Nebraska for a visit, it's always a must to make it a point to have a visit. She adores our children (as does my other aunt) and we are so fortunate to have them in our lives!
Happiness is...
Letting our daughter pick her outfits out and seeing her creation...eat your heart Carson Kressly!! Let's see...today I believe it was a pair of cowgirl boots, pink heart tights, her RED tutu, the brown dress, a long sleeve shirt, and she let me pick out the bow...I went for red!

10 On Tuesday

10. On Saturday, Nana & Papa joined my cousins, their children, and my grandfather for the Shrine Circus here in Lincoln. It was bittersweet for me...I wasn't able to go due to the lil' man, but so LOVED seeing the smile on my lil' girl's face!
9. Before she went, Kayin expressed how SCARED she was of clowns...you wouldn't be able to tell by this picture! She said when she returned home that her favorite part of the circus was, "Seeing the clowns mommy!! They were sooooo silly and made me laugh sooooo hard!"
8. Can you believe this lil' guy is a month old...TODAY??!! I went to bed last night thinking about how emotional I was that Monday night before our scheduled c-section.

7. Yet another art project that I think we are going to try this summer...maybe not so elaborate as this one, but who doesn't have a clay pot laying around somewhere? This is a birdhouse and from the looks of it, we don't think it will be too difficult to put together--and how colorful!
6. Kayin and I had a girl date today at our neighborhood library for story hour. She was a little hesitant to sit up with the "crowd of kids" but after awhile, moved on up there!!
5. Yesterday marked yet another birthday for me! I don't know who was more excited...Kayin or daddy when they found the cookie cake! Good thing they didn't put all the candles on...we could have had a fire!
4. Nothing sweeter than listening to Daddy read a story to his kiddos.
3. Resting with Nana...pretty sure he could stay in this position all day long! He loves to SNUGGLE!!
2. She falls in love with him more and more every day. It's amazing to see how protective she is of her little brother and how much she LOVES him!! Justin and I couldn't have asked for a better bigger sister for Kendyn!

1. I am pretty sure that these next 4 weeks that I get to stay at home and finish my maternity leave are going to FLY by!!

Look what I can do!!

Kayin giving her little brother some lovin' after working so hard doing this:
Really working hard on tummy time and building my muscles!! Not too sure about it, but watch what I can do!!


He not only did it once, but 3 TIMES!!!! He did some grunting to get the job done, but we were so proud of him!! His legs and arms were flailing away and we can already tell he is going to be one strong little guy!! Way to go Kendyn!!

Week 2

Nothing sweeter than this face (and his big sisters of course)!!!
Kayin found some leg warmers and decided she would turn her short sleeve into long sleeve and her shorts into pants...she is totally into dressing herself right now!
While doing our art project for Easter, Kayin decided she would add some decorations to her hands!
Painting the Easter egg door decoration. I outlined the flowers and she filled in...she did an awesome job!!
My OB with the kids...I love how Kendyn is looking up at her taking it all in. She was wonderful and we couldn't have asked for anyone better. I have actually told Justin that this experience was completely different than with Kayin and as I was laying on the operating table, told him I was ready for another one. She leaned over the infamous blue curtain and told me, "Not quite yet, Jess!"
Checking out the playgym.
Kayin showing him the different animals
This is probably one of my favorites so far. He loves to hold onto the little charms when I feed him and he LOVES, and I mean, LOVES to snuggle!!

We took Kendyn to his first check-up after dismissal from the hospital and we couldn't have asked for a better doctor!! He is great with the kids and Kayin loves to visit him (unless he has to do something with her ears). She was so excited to help out and was anxious to hear his heartbeat!!
One week old already!!
Getting some lovin' from his older sister!
Chillin' on the boppy--he loves to hang out in the boppy and take everything in. He isn't quite sure about tummy time yet but we are working on little increments of time to build up his strength!! He is attempting to lift his head and is a strong little guy!
Not sure what he thinks about Harper yet--got a good look at him today!
My art project I worked on the other day--got the idea from the doctor's office. A nurse had seen something similar and new she could make it. I think it was about 1/4 of the original price. I picked up the supplies with coupons and 1/2 off deals! It's a great decoration to bring in Spring!
On the topic of craft projects...I am sure you have seen these wooden door decorations...for anywhere from 25-40 dollars! Justin and I are both creative enough that we thought we would give it a try and make one ourselves! Justin picked up the wood (already pre-ctu into 3 x 3 foot squares) at Home Depot (for about 5 dollars), drew on the design, and then cut it out. It was my job to paint the shamrock, tie on the bow, and hang with wire. It turned out pretty cute and gave me a little something to do at home on during my stay on maternity leave. We have stocked up wood for the upcoming holidays to make some more!

10 on Tuesday

10 On Tuesday

10. What a whirlwind it has been, but we couldn't be more blessed!! We welcomed Kendyn Lou-Douglas Brinkmeyer exactly a week ago on Tuesday, February 22nd. He is an amazing addition and we can't wait to get to know him! Kayin has been an amazing big sister so far and LOVES him to pieces!!9. Yesterday, when Kendyn was napping, I overheard Kayin in his room--she had taken a blue teddy bear and placed it by his feet, drawn his curtains closed, and was sitting on her stool reading him a story. She is liking this "big sister" role!
8. Daddy took time away from the hospital to spend with Kayin out in the snow during the snow storm we got on Thursday . They had lots of fun and Kayin's favorite part...throwing snow balls at Daddy!
7. My mother-in-law has adorned her neck with these little charms representing each grandchild. Lillian Vernon, of course, has changed some things around and the pink Mary Jane with some "bling bling" had a matching blue bootie for boys, but no longer carry it! But, I wear my little silver charms around my neck showing them off!

6. Have you ever wondered how you could possibly function on about 3 hours of sleep? For the first couple of nights at home, this is exactly what we were thinking as we were waking up during the night for feedings. The whole "feeding" process for me is taking about 2 hours...due to latching, supplementing, then pumping. Prior to leaving the hospital, we had many conversations with the lactation consultants for suggestions. I had difficulty with my "equipment" when Kayin was born and for the 6-weeks following her birth, tried everything to be successful with breasfeeding. However, it just wasn't working and I was a walking zombie 24/7. When speaking with the lactation consultants last week, I was dropped another bombshell that my "equipment" may not work again. I was devasted, but they were so supportive in helping us try lots of different techniques! I know what is best for Kendyn, but this just may not work. We are looking at it in a new perspective this time and taking it day by day. Luckily, he is still wanting to latch on, although only for a short time, but knowing that he is getting some of the nutrients I can provide to him is a good feeling.

5. With that being said, I have learned alot about myself as a mommy and a wife.

4. I am slowly learning to let go of the little things...laundry, dishes, making the bed, taking a shower every day, dusting, vacuuming. They'll get done one of these days and my new motto: a messy house is a LOVED house!

3. Kayin had a great time with both sets of her grandparents here. While Grandma and Grandpa Brinkmeyer were here, they spent some time at The Children's Museum here in Lincoln. I am not sure what her favorite part was...

2. While Nana and Papa were here, Kayin helped bake treats for our OBGYN's office and the Labor and Delivery 5th floor nurses. She even convinced us to have a dance party...which has now become a nightly ritual with Kendyn!! She and Papa spent some time outside in the snow. She was upset because the snow was "too hard" to make a snow angel so Papa had to "stir" it up to make it softer.
1. I think I hear someone starting to wake up ... gotta go!