Our crazy life

One thing Brad and I have realized lately is our life is crazy.  We are always on the go and there is always something going on! I actually love it! This year Bailey started Jr. Kindergarten.  Since her birthday is in July we had to decide if we wanted her to start kindergarten this year or wait one more year.  We decided to wait and I am so glad we did.  It is so fun to see how much she has grown and matured this year.  I was really unsure if she would be ready for school this year but I know now that she is going to Rock kindergarten.  

Now that Brad's sister Lindsey lives in Plano we get to see them every now and then.  It is so awesome.  I can't wait for Brooklyn and Ava to get older and play and be such great friends! 

This year both the kids played soccer for the first time.  They both did Great! They were aggressive and really good.  Jason scored multiple goals and loved playing goalie.  Bailey scored a goal and did a great job going after the ball.

Parker is as busy as ever.  He has definitely hit the difficult twos stage.  He is a spit fire.  He is also my most lovey and affectionate kid.  It is one extreme to the other with him.  He loves to be outside getting dirty.  He is always asking us to push him on the swing.  Hopefully this summer we will start potty training.

Ava is so sweet.  I love having a little baby to snuggle.  She is still so little.  Since she is our last I am really appreciating that she is still tiny.  The newborn phase feels like it is lasting much longer this time.  She loves her siblings and is definitely a mommy and daddys girl.

Bailey's Birthday and Visitors

After Ava was born we had a few weeks to get ready for Bailey's birthday.  She had some friends over to play and enjoy some cupcakes. I can't believe she is 5! She is smart, spunky, artistic, happy, and loves her family.  

I have really been trying to get Parker into books.  He is my one child who really does not like books.  I guess I shouldn't say he doesn't like books he just really does not like sitting still.  He is one of the most active kids I know.  He is always on the move.  Loves to explore and figure things out.  He can also be very sneaky and mischievous.  

Shortly after Ava was born we had some visitors. My parents and my Granny came down to Texas.  It was so nice to have them here and I know the kids loved the extra attention.  And Ava Loved all the snuggles from Nana and Granny.  

Avanelle (Ava) Belle Barrett

I actually really love Ava's birth story.  This only thing sad about it is it went So fast! I really enjoy labor and giving birth.  I felt like I didn't get a chance to enjoy that time before giving birth because she came super fast! 

So it was just like any other Friday in June.  I still had a few weeks til my due date and it was ridiculously hot so we headed to the pool.  We were there for about two hours and I felt great.  We met up with some friends.  We were swimming and chatting and everything seemed normal.  As I was gathering the kids together to leave I had a couple of really hard contractions.  I didn't think much of it because I have contractions for about half of my pregnancy. We left the pool around noon.  When we got home I had a few more really hard contractions and I started to think this might be it.  I decided to take a shower just in case this was the real thing.  I continued to have contractions as I was getting ready.  This whole time I was messaging my mom and sisters and they were telling me to "GET TO THE HOSPITAL!!!"  but I was in no hurry because I didn't want to get there and only be dilated 2cm and be sent home.  So finally I called my friend and asked her to take the kids cause I was pretty sure I was in labor.  So she came over and picked them up like around 1pm.

I was keeping Brad updated since he was downtown for work which is about a 35 to 45 minute drive.  So I packed a little bag and headed to the hospital.  By this time I knew I was definitely in labor.  My contractions for about 3-5 minutes apart and Super painful.  As I was driving to the hospital I was so grateful that every time I got another contraction I was stopped at a red light.  It took me a few minutes to get up to labor and delivery because I had to stop a few times for a contraction to pass.  Once I got up there I told them I am pretty sure I am in labor.  I really think they did not take me serious.  I was having horrible contractions and they were just sitting there talking to me and having me fill out paperwork.  They finally got me to room after about 5 minutes (which felt like an eternity) I got changed into my robe real quick and they got me hooked up to monitors.  The nurse came in a couple minutes later and I told her I was having very painful contractions like every 2-3 minutes and I felt like I needed to push so she decided to check me real quick.  

Seriously, the look on her face was hilarious!  She looks at me Shocked and tells me I was about 9cm dilated!!! WHAT?!?!?!  My first question was "Do I still get an epidural?"  Then I quickly called Brad and told him to get his butt to the hospital!!! So he was on his way by about 2pm.  And he finally arrived to the hospital around 2:40.  

I do have to say the nurses were awesome about getting my epidural in Super quick.  I just remember with every contraction I was breathing so hard and my whole body was shaking.  The nurse kept saying that I must have a high pain tolerance because most ladies are screaming right about now.  And the lady next door was screaming Loud! So I was feeling pretty good once the epidural kicked in.

Once I was completely ready I pushed a few times and just like that little miss Avanelle Belle Barrett was here at 3:30 pm. 

It was a pretty crazy and hectic day and really fun to think back on.  She has been a great baby.  She had a  rough first three or four months.  She just needed to adjust to life and her new body.  She loves her family and gets so excited anytime she sees any of her siblings and loves her mommy and daddy. We just love her so much!