BIRTHDAY BABIES!!!

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Brayden 2nd birthday and then 12 days later we celebrated London's 1st birthday. Here are some pictures of the big events... London opening presents in her cute tutu pajamas. We put on of the bows from the presents on her head and it fit perfect!

London didn't really know what to do with her cake. She played in it some but didn't eat too much of it.

"Mom, what am I supposed to do with this thing?"

Singing happy birthday to our Lolly girl.

This year, Brayden was old enough to really love opening presents. He thought that was the best part.

Brayden loved his cake...well he loved his new dump truck that was on top of the cake. I had to dumping out Oreo crumbles on top.

Happy Birthday to my babies, who aren't really babies anymore. Brayden topped in at 28lbs and 33inches tall. He is in the 50% percentile for everything. London weighs 18lbs and is 28 inches long. London is almost crawling. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks...but that doesn't stop her from getting around. She scoots all around the place. She cant wait til she is mobile like Brayden so then she can follow him all around.

???

What does chick-fil-A ice cream...lots of meat...

and doughnuts have in common?

That would be my current pregnancy cravings...

yep...

you are not hallucinating...

Baby Sessions #3 here we come!

Ok, now that you have stopped hyperventilating....well that was me..and you have accepted that we are going to the crazy house....sit back and enjoy our crazy story of how this all came about...

Actually, its not so crazy and it has not been a spontaneous decision...rather the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

All along, we have known that we had to have our children as quickly as possible for medical reasons. Brayden was our honeymoom baby and then 1 year and 12 days after he was born, London came along. I was totally ok with no more kids...at least for a good long time...and then life happened and my plan went out the window when the doctor told me that my only options were to have another child or have a hysterectomy due to medical complications that I have been having. We knew there was another little one for our family and after agonizing over the decision for weeks and weeks, I came to the bottom line realization that I could never live with myself if I did not let this little one join our family. Hence..here we are once again with baby #3!

I have been freaked out about having 3 under 3! My biggest issue was that I was out of arms, we needed a bigger car, and how in the heck was I going to handle my little circus?! While I don't have answers to most of my questions, I do know that we are doing the right thing and somehow it will all work out.

The current due date is November 8th, so, therefore, we are expecting this baby in September. My goal is to make it to 30 weeks! I am guessing it is going to be a boy as these past 2 months have been very similar to my pregnancy with Brayden so far but who knows...I do know this will be our last baby and so I am trying to enjoy the roller coaster ride of being pregnant because I know i will never experience it again. That means i am indulging cravings and trying to take more naps and just trying to enjoy myself.

So there you have it...our happy news!

Brayden's Surgery and the new wagon...

Two weeks ago, Brayden had surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. He did pretty well with the whole ordeal at the hospital and Jason was a hero, when he came and took the night shift to stay with Brayden and discovered the playroom. They had Brayden spend the night at the hospital due to his age. Since coming home from the hospital, things have been a little more challenging as Brayden loves to throw tantrums, cannot really talk, and was in pain. Thank heavens for narcotics that we now miss because to this date...it has been the only medicine that has knocked Brayden out for a solid nap. In fact...one day he even took a 4 hour nap! It was awesome! We went to the post surgery appointment today and everything is healing up nicely. I was sort of hoping the doctor would find something to associate with Brayden's recent orneriness but nope...its the age. Good thing we love our Scooby!

On another note, the weather, while it has been bizarre and fickle, decided to have some lovely days recently. High 60's and sunny...we all headed to play outdoors. We have been wanting to get the kids a wagon since we are all tired of being cooped up with the cold weather. The new wagons that they make are awesome and the kids loved it! While we were graced with another snow storm on Tuesday and currently the wagon is iced over in the backyard, we are looking forward to spring and being outdoors once again!

I am also proud to report that London is doing fabulous! Recently, the state of GA called me and asked if London could be part of a research study for preemie babies. So last week, we went downtown and had London evaluated by all sorts of people..speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc. and I am happy to report that London did not make it into the study because she is on track for her age...well her adjusted age...so minus 11 weeks of actual age. London is really trying to crawl these days and getting better and better and scooting. Her two bottom teeth are coming in and she has become a little chewing monster! We are proud of you Lolly! It is also fun to see, as London and Brayden get older, the two playing together. I love when Brayden makes London giggle and she loves Brayden. She thinks he is so interesting and funny. While Brayden can have his trying moments he is still a cutie pie as well. This morning he was running towards me to give me a hug and I said, "Brayden give mommy a kiss." He actually gave me a big kiss on the check. I tried to get him to do it again..nope...apparently it was a one time deal. For the rest of the day I tried and he would tell me no and run away. oh well...tomorrow is another day.

Atlanta Snow Storm Feb 2010...

Happily, metro Atlanta received a couple of inches of snow yesterday. It wasn't a fake Georgia snow storm. This one had big snow flakes that stuck and made it so that we could play in the snow this morning. Brayden was very excited about all of this! His excitement lasted about 10 minutes until he fell in a melting puddle and got his mittens all wet and then he started to cry and wanted to go inside.

Brayden liked to "Crunch, crunch" in the snow.

And for Grandma..who is in California and missed the whole thing...this is how deep the snow was grandma!

London...the bald baby!!!

Yes, you are reading the title of this post correct...your eyes are not playing tricks on you...as of this morning, London is one very bald baby! How did this all come about? I'm so glad you asked...I laugh now but this morning I was almost in tears looking at my sweet little Lolly. Lets go back and let me explain...

When Brayden was 9 months old we shaved his head so that his hair would come in even and thicker. I did it myself and I was ok with it...hes a boy, its ok if he has no hair. Well, London, because she is just beginning to sit up has rubbed all of the hair off of the back of her head and on the sides. So, she had a Mohawk on top. Jason decided that he wanted her hair to grow in even and so he thought...oh well...i will shave it off and let it grow back.

Hence, I walk into the bathroom this morning, and London is getting a nice buzz cut! She looked so sad! I was upset for a bit but now all there is left to do is make sure that she has a big bow or flower on at almost all times! I don't disagree with Jason in his thinking...but...its just not the same for a girl as a boy! Anyway...there is nothing left to do but wait for her hair to come back and ban Jason from cutting London's hair ever!!!

Brayden...

We love Brayden. He is so full of life and keeps everyone on their toes! I came into the room the other day to find Brayden sitting in the drawer of the coffee table watching his movie. This did not shock me too much since I already find Brayden not only in weirdest places but I find all sorts of stuff that he has stashed in random places. Sippy cups are constantly missing but usually in one of his toy buckets, cell phones get stashed in one of his cars, the hot wheels go down the busy ball shoot, the spoon and fork go down the hole where his tray for his booster seat hooks on, etc. Anyway...a couple of days later I mentioned it to Jason and what does Jason say..."Oh yeah, I taught him how to do that." What?! Jason's reply..."Yeah its awesome..its like a built in booster seat with a tv tray...if I could fit in the drawer I would do it too..." All I could do was start laughing because yes...my husband is still part child at heart and at times ridiculous and silly!

Getting ready for the summer boating season...

As you you can tell, Boating is a big deal in my family. Brayden loves the boat and we love it as well! My dad loves water skiing and taught me and my sister how to ski around age 5. My dad happened to see that the trainer skis were on sale and he got excited to teach Brayden. Yes, the kid can't swim yet nor can he walk for 10 minutes without tripping...but he is all set to learn to water ski. Here are some pictures of Grandma and Brayden checking out the new skis.

Family Pictures 2009

In December, while all my siblings were in Atlanta, we had family pictures taken. Here are a few of the pictures. Amie did an awesome job! Thanks Amie!

The sick house and Brayden's sleep apnea...

We cannot seem to get rid of sickness at our house and it is ridiculous!!! It is a never ending cycle! This season is began after thanksgiving...and has cycled through ever since. New Years Day, I took London to the Urgent Care for an ear infection and sinus infection. Then it was Brayden's turn a few days later to catch the same thing. Sunday, I came down with the flu as well as Brayden, I just got home, tonight, from taking London back to the Urgent Care because she has pink eye in both eyes and a double ear infection. Upon arriving home, I found Jason sick with the flu! Make it stop!!! I about started crying at the Urgent Care tonight when I was asking the doctor if I was doing anything wrong and how to get rid of this sickness and break the cycle. The poor guy...Luckily he was a kind soul and told me I was doing a good job of being a mother and to just hang in there.

On top of sick doctors appointments, we have had other doctors appointments almost everyday for the past two weeks. Here is the rundown..London has been seeing a pulminologist to get a special series of shots to help prevent against RSV since she is so high risk. She gets one every month since Oct and she will get her last one next month. London also went to see the GI specialist and is doing so great at eating, she for switched off her Neocate, aka: liquid gold formula, to Isomil, a soy formula. Still not super cheap but that's OK. The doctor switched her to help prepare her stomach to be able to handle milk in a few months. We also had London's 9 month check-up. She weighed in at 16lbs and 27 inches long. She is so so close to sitting up all by her self and is working on holding her own bottle now. Excitement all around for her!

While that may all seem exciting...the real news has been Brayden. The poor kid has always had a struggle sleeping and rarely goes a night without waking up numerous times (avg. 3 to 10 times a night). It seemed to be getting worse and so after trying everything, zyrtec, benadryl, and melatonin, to drug the kid to get him to sleep, and nothing worked might i add, we asked the pediatrician. I was at the end of my rope! The doctor refereed us to a sleep specialist because Brayden had a more unusual case and was also having sleep terrors. Two weeks ago, we had a sleep study done. Hopefully, the kid wasn't too traumatized after the whole ordeal. It was a long night all around and everyone was glad when it was done. Today, we meet with the neurologist to hear the results of the study and the doctors suspicions were confirmed. Brayden has sleep apnea as well as restless leg syndrome. In order to fix that in little kids they take the tonsils and possibly the adenoids out. So that means that Brayden gets to have surgery! We meet with the ENT doctor next week to set up his surgery. I just hope that after all is said and done everyone can get some sleep in this house..well at least Brayden and mom and dad...London sleeps right through everything while sharing a room with Brayden!

Christmas 2009

This year, the Sessions family, had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas with my family. Brooks and AmyAnn and Lizzie were both there and it was a lot of fun to be with everyone. Christmas morning, we came over and opened presents with everyone. The kids were absolutely spoiled! Brayden got a tricycle, a fire engine, a busy ball popper, and much more. Lolly got her first doll from Grandma, a beautiful quilt from Great Grandma Rupp and lots of fun toys. Jason got new wakeboard boots and bindings from my parents which is awesome since they got a wakeboard tower for the boat. Everyone was spoiled but the best of all was spending time with everyone. Jason loved staying up late playing games with Brooks and AmyAnn! Brayden loved being the center of attention and London loved getting lots of kisses and snuggles from everyone. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed where ever you were for the holidays.

Happy Holidays from The Sessions Family 2009

Thanksgiving 2009
Brayden's new tractor bed

Brayden loves dogs!

Brayden does not love Santa...

The Sessions family with Santa

London with Santa...

Family and Friends,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Of course, the holidays have now passed and I am finally getting this letter out and posted but better late than never I guess...

2009 was a year of miracles and blessings for our family. Our biggest being the addition of our little London to our family. We have been through a lot this year but we have grown as a family and individuals and have seen the hand of our Lord in our lives without doubt! At the end of February, Jason was layed off from his job at Howard S. Wright in San Francisco, CA. With some quick thinking and action, a week later, our family was packed and in the process of moving to Atlanta, GA where we lived with my parents for 5 months until things settled down. Immediately after moving to GA, I began having complications with my pregnancy and we began to see reason after reason why Jason's layoff was such a blessing to our family.

London was born, 11 weeks early, on April 11, 2009 weighing 2lbs. 10oz. After a 9 week stay in the NICU, our little sweetheart was able to come home and we love having her! London has done fantastic and is now almost 9 months old and weighs 15 pounds! She is working on learning to sit up and loves to blow raspberries. She is such a happy and mellow baby...thank heavens! We call London our million dollar baby as she will easily cost over 1 million dollars by the time she is 1 years old. We now say that we had over 1 million reason to move to Atlanta.

Brayden, our spunky, active, curious, and 100% boy also turned 1 this year on March 30th...yep that is right, London and Brayden are only 12 months and 12 days apart!!! Brayden, in typical fashion, loves to run around, be part of the action, ride the lawn mower with Grandpa and Grandma Rupp, play in the dirt, eat the dirt..., has become obsessed with dogs, and everything else that little boys love. Brayden also recently graduated from his crib and moved into a big boy bed that Jason built him...a John Deer Tractor bed..complete with a functioning engine hood, and steering wheel. Brayden adores his bed and thinks it is so cool! One of the best things for Mom and Dad was that Brayden began going to nursery in September. He thinks church is so much better as well as mom and dad and everyone else that has the joy of sitting by him.

Jason continues to bless our family with his talents and fun loving personality. Since being layed off, Jason has once again established his own construction company and has mainly done remodel work in the area. The hot thing to remodel this year..the master bathroom. Jason's skills and talents allowed us to be able to move into our own home in August. Jason also started the MBA program at The University of Georgia in August and just completed his first semester. He really likes the program and we are glad that he has the opportunity to do it. On Wednesday nights, Jason can be found at the church being the 11 year old scout leader. He loves being able to hang out with the kids since he really is one at heart!

The Lord has blessed our family and I am no exception. I have people ask me how the time how i get things done and manage to do all that I do and when I add it up...I simply don't know...What I do know is that I couldn't do it without the Lord..that the only way I can do it. This year has been busy and filled with packing, babies, hospitals, NICU's, learning to handle 2 babies, starting up my bakery, Elegance by Emily here in Atlanta, being the ward welfare specialist, unpacking becoming the head pastry chef at a restaurant called Milton's, keeping the family going, and who knows what else... I couldn't have done any of it without Jason, the help of Grandpa and Grandma, dear friends, a loving ward, and a merciful Savior!

We know that Christ lives and we hope that this year you are able to more fully recognize his hand in your lives as we have been blessed to do. Thank you to everyone for your friendship, prayers, and for helping us to get through 2009!

The Sessions Family
Jason, Emily, Brayden, and London