Looking Back...

Our lives changed so much on two separate occasions...May 4, 2004, when we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Rachel Jane Milligan was born on a Wednesday morning at 10:33am via c-section. She was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 in. long. She was a delight because she was our first child and we didn't know what to expect. We really didn't know what we were doing. We were first time parents, we were scared, overwhelmed and tired. But, it was so much fun figuring it all out along the way. I was extremely over-protective of Rachel. I wanted her all to myself. I enjoyed every minute with her and couldn't stand to be apart from her. This is probably why she NEVER spent the night away from me until November, 2007, when she was 3 1/2 years old! I don't regret or feel sorry for that either. I truly loved all of the time that I was able to devote to my first child. I know that no other child will receive as much individual attention nor could I give that intense attention again. And, that's okay with me, because I'll love all my children just as much, it will just be more spread out.

July 22, 2006, when we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Bradley Franklin Milligan was born on a Saturday evening at 10:17 pm via VBAC. He was 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 in. long. He was a delight because he was VBAC, which meant I got to experience all the really cool things about childbirth that I've always heard my mom talk fondly about...my water breaking, contractions, pushing a baby out of my body...there's just nothing cooler or amazing or miraculous. Then, it was so cool because he was a little boy and we knew everything would be different from Rachel, for the most part. He was such an easy infant...sleeping all the time and nursing constantly. Thanks to my laziness, he kept up the nursing for 14 months! He's been an absolute joy, but of course he's fit into our family and I've had to divide my time between both kids. It's actually been very easy most of the time. Rachel has loved Bradley so much since he came home from the hospital, that she's wanted to include him in everything. I certainly haven't felt as overprotective of him as I did of Rachel. In some ways, I've gone entirely in the other direction. I've welcomed anyone who wanted to spend time with us and even take the kids so I could have a break or go to an appointment. And, he spent the night away from me for the first time when he was 16 months...a far cry from what I did with Rachel!

But, boy have they both been such fun and such little blessings. It's hard to believe that Rachel is about to be 4 and Bradley will be 2 very soon. My, how time flies!

Pump It Up

WHEEEEEE! Rachel loved doing this slide!!!

Bub and sis on top of the mushroom


Rachel "tickling" baby Tyler in his mommy's lap



Ashley...mid air!

Bradley trying to carry more than one ball!

Rachel and Bradley having a great time!!

Rachel...action shot!

Right now, we're resting after a tiring, but very fun morning at Pump It Up. We met our friends, Emily, Wylie and Ashley and their baby cousin, Tyler and his mommy, Allison. We had so much fun running around, sliding, jumping, falling and going through obstacle courses. Rachel got bopped in the head a couple of times when she and Wylie collided, but nothing that could stop us from having fun. Bradley had a blast in the basketball bounce pit where he kept running from one end to the other as fast as he could with a ball in his hands. He would fall down each time, but he loved it and kept giggling. Rachel did both obstacle courses several times...by herself and went up and down the slide a hundred times. I got to accompany Bradley up and down the large slide too. He LOVES it, but it's a work out for an out of shape mommy like me!!!

We left there and went to Sam's for a coke, pretzel and slice of pizza. We love Sam's and had fun looking around while munching before heading home. It was a great morning and is going to be a great afternoon too! I'm meeting my oldest, dearest friend for dinner! Nick's going to feed, bathe and put the kids to bed all by himself...what a man! I couldn't ask for a better husband and father for me and my kids!

Camping Out

In the tent in our Princess sleeping bag
Peeking out!

Rachel has been asking for months to have a "camp out" in her back yard. Yesterday, Nick finally indulged her and put up our real tent in the yard. We did not sleep in it or anything, but Rachel thought it was so neat just the same. She played in it for a good hour and even wanted her princess sleeping bag in it. Hairbaby joined her, along with some nameless baby dolls and their own sleeping bag. It was really cute, once again, watching the simple things that excite Rachel. She's such a precious, sweet, extremely imaginative child and I love her so much!

Bradley didn't get to enjoy the tent yesterday, since he was napping, but he got in it this morning. He was excited about it too, but couldn't quite get the gyst of stepping over the entrance into the zipper opening. He tripped several times, which made him really mad. Right now, Rachel is going through a daddy stage...wanting him to do things with her. (Daddy is loving this stage!!) And, Bradley's still in a very mommy stage...always wanting mommy to do everything with him. He'll yell "mamama" as loud as he can until I respond. He's even started doing this when he wakes up from his nap...calling me loudly until I come remove him from his crib. He's a very lovey-boy, giving me squeezy hugs and wanting to be held all the time. It sure is nice to be loved and needed so much. I know I get a little tired of it sometimes, but it sure is flattering to have someone want to be around me that much!!! He's a very sweet, precious little boy and I love him so much!!!

Busy day!!

Rachel and her friend, Rylee Ann at the Frog & Toad play

Nick's new truck...ain't she a beaut?!!

We had been at home for the past two days, so yesterday we had a "day out" planned. First, Rachel and I went to a play at the Classic Center. It was "The Frog and Toad". Very cute, but a little old for Rachel and her friend, Rylee Ann's age. However, Rachel was totally into it...clapping and giggling and trying to follow along with the characters. The only negative part was the sitting and waiting for the play to start...for 30 minutes. So, when the play lasted an additional hour, of course the girls got very tired of sitting for so long. But, they behaved well and enjoyed their first taste of live drama! After that, I took Rachel to Gege's house to play with Gege, papa and Bradley. (Bradley was already there all morning, since he wouldn't have enjoyed the play. )

Next, Nick and I went to Roswell to pick up his new truck. He decided to buy a truck so that he can have a work truck as well as a personal truck. So, he'll return his work truck to Aldridge and his new truck will be dual-purpose. Anyway, the truck is a beautiful medium blue color and has 4 doors so that it will be easy to transport the kids around. Nick was very excited to be getting a new truck of his own. The trip to Roswell on a Friday afternoon was LONG and even longer on the return home. We literally crawled for about 30 minutes on I-285. Thank goodness we don't have to do that very often.

We ended the evening at Gautreau's Cajun Cafe' in Watkinsville for dinner. It was very crowded, but the food and service were excellent. It was my birthday dinner and it was really good and something different. Nick and I ended up at Blockbuster and rented a couple of movies. When we got home, the kids were asleep...thanks to gege and papa...and we were able to rest after a long, but fun day!!

Pigtails, crewcuts & merry go rounds

We had a really fun day today! We took Gege to Rachel's hair salon, called "Pigtails & Crewcuts" so Rachel could get a trim. We took an inch off the back and trimmed her bangs. The kids had fun playing with the wooden train table. Then, we went to the mall, played in the designated kid's area, rode on the merry go round, ate lunch and went to the Disney store! Whew!!! What fun we had! Bradley AND Bay rode on a horse while Rachel spun in the spinning seat. Gege bought the kids a toy at the Disney Store that they have loved playing with all afternoon.

It was a very nice, relaxing, FUN day! I'm so glad we did something fun and low-key!

Birthdays for me...who cares??!!??

I had many thoughtful acknowledgements of my birthday this past weekend up till today. Whether it was a card, phone call, present or meal, they were each so sweet and appreciated. I have found that I just don't care about my birthday much anymore. I don't mind turning a year older or anything...I never feel any differently and I'm not afraid of getting older. I just don't really care about my birthday. I'd rather celebrate or plan parties for someone else. After planning my kid's parties, nothing compares to the joy that brings me, my kids and everyone else. So, I was officially 31 today, at 3:48 am. And, I'm thankful that I was born and have been SO blessed with the most caring, loving, thoughtful, handsome hubby EVER! I've also been SO blessed with healthy, precious, sweet, loving children who brighten my day! I don't feel very celebratory or anything, but I'm looking forward to an awesome present from Nick...he has promised a really long back rub/scratch while watching Jon & Kate + 8. I couldn't ask for a better gift!!

Wonderful, Joyous Distractions!

Aside from the fact that I love being a wife and mom and caring for my family, there are always perks along with the tough things. My kids are such wonderful little distractions!! They want my attention, love, companionship and time constantly. At times, it feels smothering and can be very exhausting, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I realize what a privilege it is to have kids when so many others cannot. I also realize what a privilege it is to be able to stay home with my kids when so many moms want to, but can't. So, if times are tough or there seems to be too much to handle, it sure is nice when the kids make it nearly impossible to focus on those things. Rather, I'm forced to focus on them and their needs and making them happy and well cared for.

Rachel is obsessed with her new books from Valentine's day! We've already read them so many times, that I'm beginning to get tired of them! But, it's so cute that she enjoys them so much. And, she likes to make the same comments and ask some of the same questions each time we read the same books. She's also obsessed with our new porch swing. My in-laws got us a new porch swing for my birthday and it's absolutely adorable AND very comfortable!!! I love it, but not nearly as much as Rachel does. She wants to go on the front porch all the time and will hardly let us sit on it because she has to "practice her swinging lessons." She'll usually let Bradley on for the ride, but Nick and I are banished to the rockers. Bradley is currently obsessed with bar soap. That's not something we keep at the kid's sink or in their tub. Bar soap isn't kid friendly since it can burn their eyes and stuff. But one day, Bradley came across a bar in one of the bathroom drawers, and he's obsessed with it. Of course, we only let him have it at bathtime, but he holds it like it's a precious jewel. He'll hold it up to his chest and smell it and then drops it and whines until we find it in the bottom of the tub. He can't keep a good grip on the slippery stuff. But, he's so cute because he thinks it's so special. My kids are truly little blessings that bring me so much joy, love and fulfillment! I'm so thankful that they remind me of how little things are fun and interesting and that they keep my focus from being too bogged down by the trials of life.