More Pics!

Sweet Phoenix was so good! He napped well and just went with the flow. Towards the end of the vacation he got a bad diaper rash which made him fussy and quite uncomfortable, poor thing!

Disney in Pictures

I'm working on a detailed account of our trip to Disney World, but I will leave you with pictures in the meantime!

My silly Violet playing in Minnie Mouse's house

Veronika chowing down in Italy!

Posing outside of the Sci-Fi Diner

The 4 Loves of my life!

Steve has Norweigan Ancestry. We thought these Viking helmets were too funny on the babies!

Princess Veronika with her "Fairy-Godmother-In-Training" at the Bippity Boppity Boutique

I love this picture. Anytime Phoenix is fussy and I can't get to him right away Veronika lays down with him, pats his back and sings to him. She usually covers him up and turns the light out. He almost always calms down and often falls asleep. I think it is so sweet and she is very proud that she can make him happy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Saturday is Steve's 32nd Birthday but since we don't have Veronika this weekend we celebrated tonight. We had Honeybaked Ham, Corn Casserole, and Green Beans. Throughout his childhood he had Rainbow Chip Angel Food Cake with Rainbow Chip Frosting. The Rainbow Chip Cake is very hard to locate now, so I made him a regular Angel Food Cake with Rainbow Chip Frosting.






Daddy's Mini-Me woke up from a nap just in time for cake!


Here are some facts about Steve:

• He was born on January 9, 1978 in Columbus, Montana
• His full name is Stephen Thomas Tripp.
• He grew up in Montana, Oregon, and Washington
• He was home-schooled with the exception of 1st Grade which he completed at Buckingham Elementary in Bend, OR
• He moved to Little Rock in August 1997 to attend the Missionary Baptist Seminary
• He LOVES movies...pretty much any kind, he collects and watches them all!
• He has awesome blackheads and when I get mad at him he lets me squeeze them to make me feel better (he will be so embarrased that I put that)
• He is a really good cook and can cook pretty much anything
• He is very handy. He has replaced 7 light fixtures/ceiling fans and installed 2 new toilets and 3 new sinks in our house.
• He likes speed but HATES going upside down (like on rollercoasters)
• His realistic dream vehicle is a Shelby Ford Mustang
• One of the best experiences of his life was getting to help deliver Violet. The doctor delivered her head and one shoulder then he got to catch her.
• He LOVES Superheros/Comic Book Characters...so much so that we named our son Phoenix Logan. Phoenix is a female X-Men character and Logan is Wolverine's "human" name. I am kind of embarrased that we named him after X-Men Characters, but yeah, we did it.
• He loves to go shopping
• He is the most involved, hands-on dad I know. He can change diapers, give medicine, do hair (kind of), pretty much anything. He gives the kid their baths every night, brushes Violets teeth and puts the girls to bed.

Happy Birthday Steve! I look forward to sharing many more birthdays with you! I love you!

First Feedings

I think Violet and Phoenix may look more alike than I realize. Compare photos of their 1st feedings. Poor baby boy has to use his sister's purple bumbo!

Violet: September 2008 had cereal with prune juice and made a HUGE mess!

Phoenix: January 2010 had mashed banana. Notice his eyes fixed on the spoon. He enjoyed every bite!

Dining Adventures

One of my resolutions for 2010 is to blog more often, atleast every other week and preferably every week. So, I figured I should go ahead and get a start on it. Phoenix will be 6 months on January 17, 2010. I had planned on waiting until he is "officially" 6 months old to start him on solids but he has been pretty interested in our food lately, so tonight we decided to start him on bananas. Now, when we started Violet on solids it was a slow process...she would get distracted and really wasn't that into her food. Not Phoenix! He ate every bite of what I had mashed for him and didn't get hardly any on him!

After: I think he was a little full, but even then he didn't really want to stop!

Miss Violet thought that is was very silly that "bubba" was eating food. This is her sitting in her new booster seat that she got for Christmas. She decided that she is too big for a high chair and will not even sit in them when we go out to eat. I think she looks so cute at the table like a big girl!

Christmas Day

Christmas Sunday

Goodbye 2009

Tomorrow is the last year of 2009, it seems like yesterday that everyone was worried about Y2K and in a matter of a few hours it will be 2010. 2009 was a pretty eventful and exciting year for us...the biggest thing was of course the arrival of Phoenix in July!
Veronika started 2nd Grade in August. She does terrific in school, she is a very advanced reader and does well in all of her subjects. She is getting guitar lessons from Aunt Amanda and got an acoustic and electric guitar for Christmas. She is a great dancer also and wants to get back into dance next year which I think is wonderful. Her dream right now is to be famous...she is considering acting, dancing, or being a rock 'n' roll star! She is a fantastic big sister, she WILLINGLY changes diapers, helps Violet get dressed, pretty much anything. Violet adores her and copies everything she does.
Violet is 20 months old...it is hard to believe that my baby girl will be 2 years old in a few short months! She is our little ham and mockingbird. She is VERY affectionate but also aggressive. She goes to bed each night with her "papi" (pacifier), two blankets, and baby; she also needs her lullaby CD and light show...but she sleeps for about 12 hours each night and takes a 2 hour nap! She is definitely like her momma in that regard! She loves to do art projects, mostly stickers and coloring.
Phoenix is 5 months old and is such a sweet baby boy! He loves his sisters and cracks up anytime they play with him. He is a pretty good sleeper, he wakes up 1 or 2 times a night and takes 2 or 3 naps. He is really trying to sit up and loves to blow raspberries and pull his sisters' and mommy's hair! He is the spitting image of his daddy; we all think that he should have been named Steve Jr.

Steve and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary in November; so in 2006 I became a step-mommy to Veronika, in August 2007 we found out we were expecting Violet and she was born in April 2008. In November 2008 we found out we were expecting again and we welcomed Phoenix in 2009! SO, I am praying for 2010 to be a quiet year, we are not planning on any big changes in our lives but who knows what God's plan for this year is! I want to sit back, relax, and watch my babies grow. I want to be a better wife and mother; I want to speak softer, kinder words to Steve and our children. I want to enjoy this life that God has blessed me with...it is everything I ever prayed for and so much more!

Random Pics

We have had a CRAZY month! Since Phoenix's birth it seems we've been going non-stop, but we've had LOTS of fun! It is so wonderful to see the girls with Phoenix; they both love him so much. We knew what to expect with Veronika, but we were apprehensive about Violet but she has turned out to be a little momma! She wants to comfort him whenever he cries; she brings him his paci, blanket, and bottle; every morning when she wakes up she says "Hi Baby!"; and she gets very mad at us when we pick him up to comfort him...I guess she thinks that is her job! Veronika has been a HUGH helper; she started changing Violet's diapers without even being asked. I let her get Violet up from naps when I am busy with Phoenix and she is enjoying getting to be the "biggest" sister! By the way; she starts 2nd Grade Tomorrow! GOOD LUCK BABY GIRL!

What a Difference a Month Makes!

Sunday we finally ventured to church! We had Phoenix's dedication and he did pretty well in church. Monday was his 1 Month Birthday! At birth he weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Today he was 11 lbs. 5 oz. and is about 23 inches long! He is such a sweet baby, he is happy and laid-back. He only fusses when he is tired or hungry and (fingers crossed) he is NOT COLICKY! I thought every baby had a fussy time of day and to this point he is pleasant all day long! Just this week he has started eating every 3 hours almost exactly...it is so funny how they put themselves on a routine! He sleeps for one 4 or 5 hour period every night! He is such a joy to have and is loved and adored by his family!

Happy Birthday Dodi!

In celebration of Dodi's Birthday we spent Sunday together. After church we all went to Poppa and Dodi's house and had chips and sandwiches and some pool time! Around 2 we all went home for naps then met up at Copeland's for dinner! YUMMY! We are so blessed to have a close family that gets along so well! Happy Birthday Mom/Dodi! WE LOVE YOU!

Pictures

Phoenix Logan Tripp was born Friday, July 17, 2009 at 7:06pm. The entire labor lasted less than 12 hours and I only had to push for 8 minutes! Much quicker than last time around! He weighed 8lbs. 12oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. He is big, healthy and beautiful! Praise the Lord!

Pretty Girls

For Veronika's 6th Birthday last year Dodi bought them season passes to the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theater. Throughout the year they have been able to go to several plays. Tonight was their final play, "The Wind and The Willows." Jackson and Tucker got to join them this time. Veronika got all dazzled up and even got to wear make-up, when Steve got home he told her how beautiful she looked and she said, "I look like a lady."

She is doing great in 1st Grade and is excited about moving to 2nd. She is the 2nd highest reader in her class and really excels in all her areas. She gets in trouble occasionally for her attitude but she has done MUCH better this year. She will finish dance up for the year at the end of this month. She can't decide what to do next year; Upwards Activities, Dance, or Gymnastics.

Violet is REALLY close to walking! She got this walking/riding toy from her Grandma and Grandpa Tripp for her birthday and she really enjoys it. She loves walking up and down our hallway. She is a big eater and will not let us eat unless she is eating also. She is completely weaned from the bottle and is only using her pacifier at naps and bedtime. She is such a big girl!
She says "Ca" which means cat, sissy, mama, pretty much anything. She says "cup" "dada"

"tu"-for Tucker and one time she said "cla" and started clapping. She is a sweet baby and is so much fun!

I was tagged! 8 things...

Thanks Charity for tagging me! Here are the instructions for 8 Things:* Mention the person that tagged you* Complete the list of 8 things* Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends* Go tell them you tagged them
8 Things I look forward to:
1.Phoenix's birth this summer
2.Getting our French Drain installed
3.Naptime everyday
4.Watching American Idol every week
5.My Birthday Date (next Friday)
6.Violet walking...but I am not rushing it, it will just be so amazing to see!
7.Veronika's Dance Recital in May
8.Putting the girls to bed so Steve and I have alone time

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Fed Violet Breakfast and Played but forgot to eat breakfast myself
2. Took an hour and 45 minute nap! I love those days!
3. Made lunch for Violet and myself.
4. Went to see my friend Randi and her new baby girl Sophie.
5. Went to Sonic and got a Cherry Limeade and a Vanilla Dr. Pepper for Amanda
6. Spent the afternoon with Amanda at Paula's house with all the kids.
7. Went to AWANA.
8. Watched American Idol...I was very upset that Adam was in the bottom 2.

8 Shows I Watch:
1.American Idol
2.The Big Bang Theory
3.Dr. Phil
4.How I Met Your Mother
5.Private Practice
6.Grey's Anatomy
7.The Doctors
8.The Office
There are others but those are my favorite 8!

Tag your it!:
1.Amanda
2.Amber
3.Mom
4.Paula (technically she has already been tagged but I am re-tagging you)
5.Angie
6.Calley
7.Mandy

Violet, her Sissy Veronika and cousins Alexia,

Caleb, Ethan, Jackson, Tucker, and Evie.

Aunt Amanda, Violet, Evie, and Dodi

Violet's "Minnie Mouse" Birthday Cake

Dodi, Aunt "Violet" Ann aka "Boo Boo", and Violet

One Year Later

I can't believe Violet has been here for a year (a little over at this point). I will never forget the evening we found out we were pregnant. School had just started, I was teaching 1st Grade at East End Elementary at the time, and I was EXHAUSTED! I figured it was probably just the beginning of the school year wearing me out but something inside me was suspicious! On Thursday evening around 5:30pm we took a pregnancy test and there was a very faint positive sign. We were both in shock but I had to leave immediately and go to Open House at school. I was numb the entire evening and left as soon as I could. On the way home I began to cry and then I thought of all of the people who would love to have a baby, how could I be upset that for some reason God had decided to give us a precious child to raise.
We spent the next 8 months preparing for the arrival of our little girl! On Sunday, April 13, 2008 my mom called around 7am to tell us that my Mema (her mom) had passed away earlier that morning. We were expecting it and we had all been able to spend time with her during the last few days. I hadn't slept well that night so I stayed home from church while Steve and Veronika went on to church. I woke up around 10:30am and went to the bathroom and discovered that I was leaking amniotic fluid. I texted Steve at church and he came home, thankfully Paula was able to keep Veronika. We headed to the hospital and as I was getting out of the van my water broke! I didn't hear a pop or feel anything, I was just suddenly very warm and wet! I mean soaked, like I had seriously peed ALL OVER MYSELF! (Steve later told me that until that moment he figured I had just peed on myself that morning and was overreacting!) We made our way to L&D and by the time we were settled in Mom and Dad arrived. I won't go into all the details but everyone who was involved knows it was a LOOONG 32 hours that followed! I could not have done it without all the support of my family. Steve was AMAZING, he left my side once to grab a cheeseburger and unload the van. He rubbed my back and took wonderful care of me. My mom, Amanda and Paula were our birthing team...the only thing they didn't do was actually deliver Violet. Seriously, while I was pushing my nurses were standing to the side watching! On Monday, April 14, 2008 Dr. Deed came in to check me around 5:30pm...I could finally start pushing! Almost exactly 2 hours later Paula said, "Look down and see your baby!" She had FINALLY arrived, after Dr. Deed had delivered her head and one shoulder her Daddy had been able to catch her. They laid her on my stomach and I was in love! They took her and cleaned her up, she weighed 7 lbs. 14oz. and was 20 in. long, absolutely perfect! When they brought her to me again I just remember saying, "My baby girl! I love you!" Her Daddy, Dodi, Aunt Amanda, and Aunt Paula were all there to greet her. A few minutes later Veronika, my Dad, Brad, Jackson and Tucker all got to come meet her. I remember Veronika saying, "She's so cute!" over and over. Because of my Mema's death so much of Violet's family were able to meet her that first night. My Aunt Ann (Violet is named after her) and Uncle Dan and the entire "Louisiana" gang got to come see her as well as my cousins Amber and Dustin.
This past year has changed my life completely. It has come with some terrible heartbreak but incredible joy. We are so blessed. I am able to stay at home and take care of our family. I have been able to spend everyday with my baby girl and experience all of her "firsts." I cannot put into words the joy that overflows when I see our girls together. Veronika is so caring and truly adores her baby sister. Violet thinks that her Sissy is the best thing in the world and is thrilled everytime she sees her! I love to watch them when we see Steve's truck coming down the road. Violet will stand at the screen door and shriek when I tell her that Daddy is home. I treasure each and every day I have with these three people that have transformed my life. I don't want to take them for granted or look back one day and wish that I had enjoyed them more. I made a decision when Violet was born to really relish each day and I did. I put housework and chores aside to enjoy my baby and yet time still flew by.
This July we will welcome our son, Phoenix Logan. I cannot wait to experience childbirth again, to meet him and fall in love all over again. I look forward to those first few weeks when you are so exhausted that you barely function. In the midst of it you feel like it will never end, you cry for no reason, your hormones are all over the map; yet in reality those days are so short and when they are over they are gone forever. I look forward to seeing the girls when they meet their baby brother and our family is made complete. I know that these days are the "good ole' days" life is simple, our babies are at home with us, they are young enough that we aren't running in circles trying to keep up with activities. We spend our evenings playing outside with Jackson and Tucker or swinging on the swingset.
My life is not necessarily neat and tidy... we only have Veronika 50% of the time but we treasure the time we have with her. Our marriage is not perfect, it never has been and never will be, but we love each other and are commited to making us and our family stronger. We are certainly not perfect parents, but we love our kids and want what is best for them. Through life's ups and downs I know that we will be OK as long as God is at the head of our family. He has blessed us beyond measure and I am so thankful for the life that He has given us!

IT'S A BOY!!!

We went today for our "big" ultrasound. The baby looks healthy and we got a good look at HIS "wee-wee"! His name is Phoenix Logan Tripp. This ultrasound dated his due date as July 22; my original date is July 29; so we are just saying the end of July. We are SO excited and are ready to start preparing for the arrival of our son!

Disneyland 2009

We all traveled to Disneyland on February 12-February 16, 2009. Dad and Mom had a business trip so we all flew out later in the week to spend the weekend with them. We all had a blast! None of us had ever been to Disneyland, and Steve, Veronika, and Violet had never been to any Disney park. We stayed at the Disneyland Grand Californian Resort which was beautiful and within close walking distance to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventures.
Due to some flight issues we spent Thursday night in Houston, but luckily all of us were together and the kids just thought it was part of the trip. We arrived in California early Friday morning. Violet was terrified of the characters but slowly warmed up to some of them. Veronika loved it all, her favorite ride was "It's A Small World." My favorite part was watching the girls! Veronika got a Sleeping Beauty dress and got to meet all of the Disney Princesses; Violet dressed up a Minnie Mouse!

General Update

I can't believe I let another two months go by without blogging!! It seems like this winter has flown by! We have spent a ton of time working around the house; we got a new shed so it was a month long project to get the old one cleaned out, sort through all the junk, and get it organized in the new shed; but it looks WONDERFUL!!! We also redecorated the kitchen; I started in September and because of some hang-ups with our countertops we are FINALLY finishing it up. We have to paint the lower cabinets and do some final touch-ups and we will be FINISHED!! I moved into our house in early May of 2006 and since then we have re-done every room! I will be so happy when it is complete.

Veronika is still in dance and she loves it. If she thinks no one is looking she will dance anywhere, until someone comments about it. She is doing really terrific in school, she is in the top reading group in her class and she loves reading and writing at home and reading her books to Violet.

Violet turned 10 months on Valentine's Day. She is crawling and getting into everything now! She has two bottom teeth and is FULL of personality! She is a really sweet, loving baby and pretty easy; but she is VERY aggressive! We really have to watch her around other babies...she LOVES to pinch and pull hair, but I think little Evie is learning to fight back!

The new baby will be here at the end of July. Our big ultrasound is Friday, Feb. 27 and hopefully he or she will cooperate so we can tell what it is! This pregnancy has been SO different than Violet's. I was very sick the first trimester, but I am feeling pretty good now, as long as I keep myself fed! I am very tired but luckily Violet is a good napper so I sleep with her during the day. We are getting really excited to meet our new little bundle!

Here We Go Again!

Well, for those of you who have not heard we are expecting again! I go to the Doctor tomorrow morning, I think I am about 7 weeks? Really I have no idea!
Life has been teaching me a lot lately. This was TOTALLY unexpected and was certainly not in our plan for our life right now, but God has a perfect plan for each of us and I feel so grateful that God has blessed us with our two beautiful girls, and now this new addition coming this summer! I will post some Christmas pictures in the next few weeks! Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Heelarious!

Friday night, Mom, Amanda, Evie, and I went to Holiday House. It is a Christmas Shopping event put on by the Junior League of Little Rock. It is so much fun, there are all sorts of girly things to buy but the find of the night were these baby high heels! Evie has a Cheetah pair and Violet got these hot pink satin heels! They are so cute and sassy...perfect for my little party girl!

October

Wow! October flew by fast and I am so thankful it did for various reasons! I was excited to see the beginning of a new month, I love the cool fall weather, the beautiful leaves, and I LOVE looking forward to the holidays! Alot happened in October so I will leave you with a few pictures from Halloween and Dance!