Back to Reality...

The Cecil Family just returned on Thursday from a fabulous vacation in good old Smoky Mountains Tennessee. We stayed at the Wilderness of The Smokies waterpark. We had a living room and two bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was perfect. Mom and dad went along to help out and I think they had more fun with us then they did a couple weeks prior on their 8 day cruise. The resort was amazing! Two outdoor waterparks on sight and one indoor park. They had things to do from baby through adult. Kynleigh enjoyed the baby swings in water while Libby enjoyed the slides made for toddlers. Included on the resort was also a huge game room comparable to Gatti-town and putt-putt. Behind the resort was a golf course. It was perfect! We got talked into doing a time-share talk with Wyndham and earned a free 4 day cruise. You can't beat it.

We stayed Sunday-Thursday morning and I feel like we didn't have time to do everything we wanted. There is just so much to do in that area. We went out to dinner off resort each night, went to the Ripley's aquarium in Gatlinburg which is awesome, and some shopping. The girls had a blast! I came back from vacation refreshed, tan, and looking forward to our future cruise vacation.

When we returned home we had a lot going on. I babysat all day the following day for Miss Ella Rose, did some thirty-one drop offs Saturday morning (along with Libby's second haircut), and then we went out to lunch. After nap I had to get ready for a thirty-one party. Kynleigh decided after nap there was no more crawling. Big girl has been walking ever since! She just turned 10 months on Tuesday. Are u kidding me? Brandon and I had our 3 year anniversary on Wednesday and we went to the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show. I had to laugh...we went to the 5 pm show and I believe we were the youngest couple there! We enjoyed it and then met up with the babes and did some shopping and had an old time photo taken.

Today is back to reality. I signed a new recruit on Sunday so that makes for number 9! yay! I now have to get working on booking parties for July and August. My calendar is pretty empty which is a bummer. It is so hard to have summer parties. I am hoping with prayer and dedication I can get a few bookings on the calendar to pull me through. God provides and I need to trust in him. I guess that is all in our world right now...I will keep you posted!!!

Wedding Weekend

We had the pleasure of being invited to be apart of Brandon's friend Miles and Rebecca's wedding this past weekend. Brandon was a groomsman and Libby was asked to be the flower girl. We took both girls with us to the rehearsal last Friday night and I was very anxious as to see how Libby would act. Well rehearsal ended up being a crazy mess. Kynleigh was crawling around the church, spitting up on the kneeling benches while Libby was running around collecting all of the pens and envelopes out of the pews. Anytime we tried to ask her to do something she would spazz and scream out. After that experience we made an emergency phone call to my mom and begged her to come over and watch the girls while we went to the rehearsal dinner at Bella Notte. I was so thankful we made that last minute decision and My AWESOME parents agreed because Brandon and I were able to relax and enjoy a date night. We had a lot of fun and the food was awesome!

The next day I was nervous wreck all day in anticipation of the wedding. We left Kynleigh with my parents and headed downtown with the princess. Libby and I got the special privilege of hanging out and getting her ready in the bridal parlor with the bride and her bridal party. I had my m&m's ready when I needed her to do something. When it came time for her to walk down the aisle I had in my mind that if she didn't walk down I was going to walk her down and take her out a side door. Before I knew it they had pushed Libby down the aisle and shut the door in my face. I panicked. That was not in the plan at all and I had no idea what to do. I followed the ring bearer's mom through about a five minute walk down some stairs and around to get in a side door. The whole time I was panicking of what kind of tantrum she throwing or what she was doing. When I walked in I sat in the second row but not in front of Libby so she did not see me and all i could see of her was her swinging her flower girl basket. When the bride and groom stepped up on the platform, Libby saw me for the first time. She yelled "mommy" and ran to me. She sat the rest of the wedding in my lap and only talked out once. All that worry was for nothing. She did great. And you better believe I let her eat the rest of the M&M's.  After the wedding we met my parents in a parking lot, dropped off Libby and headed to the reception. We had another wonderful date night and had a blast. I was so thankful for a wonderful weekend with some alone time with my hubby. It doesn't happen too often so it is so much fun when it does. My mom is our babysitter so I feel guilty asking her too much to watch the girls so when I do, I make the most of it and enjoy the time away. She is the best mom and Nanny a girl could ask for. She genuinely loves my girls as much as I do and that means a lot.

Situations like the wedding put me in check and make me realize that here I worried all day for no reason instead of giving it to God and letting go and putting my trust in him. I wasted so much time worrying and he ended up taking care of everything for me. I am so horrible about that and that is something I really need to make a priority to focus on and change. I have been worrying myself sick about getting bookings for Thirty-one parties this summer but God has provided. The other night I prayed for a while about my business and asked God to help me trust in him and put it in his hands. Yesterday I got home and had a facebook response from someone agreeing to have a party. I know it was not by coincidence, I give him all the credit. He proves himself to me time and time again yet i still struggle with it.

The Cecil's are heading to Gburg for some water park family fun in a few short days and I can't wait. I am sure I will have some fun stories when we return! My parents are coming along to help out and let us get a date night for our 3 year anniversary while we are there! I think they are more excited about going with the gals then we are lol. I am sure I will I will have plenty of fun stories to share when we return...until then....

I SURVIVED!!

The past weekend Brandon had a little bachelor getaway and I was left by myself with the kids from Friday night to Sunday late afternoon. Luckily I had a thirty-one party so my wonderful Aunt Lee Anne babysat during their nap on Sunday until Brandon came home. I ended up miraculously living through the weekend without Brandon.

I have to give it to my husband, he is so good at helping me and I am so thankful for him. I was jealous when he left but was glad he got to get away and get refreshed. Now I can hold over his head that I get to getaway too in the near future. I think a massage, pedicure day is in my near future! Anyway...the weekend was good but I had a blah day on Saturday. I was tired and cranky and just felt a little down and here is the scoop.....

God has blessed me so much with the success of my thirty-one business. When I first started with thirty-one I just wanted to do it as a hobby. My intentions were to maybe do 1 or 2 parties at most, no more. I had no interest in really recruiting or going above and beyond and thats what I loved about thirty-one. I was my own boss, I could do as much as I wanted and as little as I wanted. My first couple months I did just that, I only did a few parties a month but they ended up being high dollar parties. I just got lucky I guess at the beginning because I didn't really know what I was doing. As time went on I realized if I did even more parties, I would make more money as well as if I DID recruit then I would make more money. The more parties I did the more I started to love what I was doing and wanted to do more. I loved actually doing the parties and meeting people I would have never met before, I loved the administrative side of it, and then lastly I got so excited about what I did and shared it at my parties and then others wanted to do it too and wanted to join my team. And now....I am doing 4-6 parties a month (would take more if I had them) and have signed 8 recruits. That's right, I have created a team with 8 people! I kept thinking I just had good luck but I must be doing something right to be getting such success right? Selling thirty-one and having my own home based business that allows me to stay at home with my girls is so awesome!!! I am going through a slump right now because summer is the hardest time with people going on vacations, going to the pool, and ball games but I am still working my booty off to get through this summer slump and I am willing to do it because I love it just THAT much!

Now to get to the blah part.....I just had one of those days where I feel like I can't be perfect at everything and that is hard. I can't answer 8 recruits questions through text and emails right away or get the house as clean as I want or book as many summer parties as I want or be the best mom and wife that I want to be. I feel like there is never enough hours in the day to get done as much as I want but then I realized its okay! Its okay to need and ask for help. I have a part-time job that I do from home while watching these two precious rats who are tugging at my pants leg, while the other is crying, or I am trying to send a customer email and I turn around and Libby has covered Kynleigh up with blankets and is sitting on top of her. It is NEVER easy but who said it would be? And what I realized is what I complain about and want to rip my hair out and scream about is what I LOVE!!! I wouldnt change it for the world! How blessed am I that I get to stay at home and have an awesome job that I absolutely LOVE doing! The time management aspect is definitely hard but I got an encouraging card from my sweet upline leader just as I was about to lose my mind. She said : God 1st, Family 2nd, Personal Business 3rd, and Team Business 4th! I have to quit worrying about what others think of me or of what I am doing. I need to quit feeling like I need to explain to someone why I need help and have hired someone to come help me entertain the girls once a week. I know God knows what I am doing is right and that is all that matters. I owe it all to him!

I know some people have this glorious idea in their head that I get to frolick in the yard with my 2 angel children all day and we eat bon bons and watch soap operas. And then my job outside the home is to go to these parties and talk with women and eat their wonderful food and make money. WOW, if only it was that simple. I have a 2 year old with behavioral issues, a 9 month old that is all over the house, a business to run, a household to run, and a husband to keep happy enough to stick around..(only kidding). What I am saying though as on the outside it looks like I have it all together and I have it under control but the truth is that I am human and I am just as frazzled as anyone else and I need help just like everyone else. I don't know what I would do without the help and support of God, my husband,  my amazing parents, and close friends. Now I feel silly and guilty about my little funk I was in but hey we all have our moments. I am just glad I am not too proud to share mine!!!

Coming out of Blog Retirement...for a little bit anyway....

Oh my goodness! I have missed blogging but it has also been nice to cut out something in my life that I felt takes up some of my time when I can be doing something else. However, my life is too hectic, too funny, too complicated, and too crazy not to share. Being a stay at home is the VERY BEST job I could have ever received. It is the greatest gift God has given me. It is also one of the most challenging jobs at the same time. I have NEVER worked so hard in my life but I am loving every minute of it!

To play a little catch up for those who remember from previous posts, Libby was involved with First Steps. She was receiving services for speech. At 18 months old she had ZERO words and was just making a few animal sounds. Now at 2 years old and almost 2 months, she is talking up a storm. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't leave it alone..haha..only kidding. Some of the stuff she says impresses me. The child is so smart it is ridiculous and it makes it hard to always have to be a step ahead of her. Being smarter than a 2 year old is a constant challenge. She keeps me on my toes for sure! So to get to the point...Libby has officially tested out of speech because she has met or exceeded her goals. However, she still is receiving services through First Steps for BEHAVIOR...wa wa waaaaaaaa. Yes my little dirty blonde blue eyed precious angel is really a bad A$$!! We have someone come into our home on a weekly basis to work with me and Libby and then we have a behavior therapist make a trip from Frankfort 2 times a month to consult. Libby is one stubborn cookie! She does not accept no, she kicks, she bites, she whines, she scratches, she hits...she does it all! I feel like the poor child sits in time out half the day. We are working on it and it is a constant struggle but she will eventually learn. She is stubborn as a mule. When she gets an idea in her head, its her way or no way and no one will stop her (so she thinks). She is so strong willed for her age. I am so glad that God has blessed her with the traits. Sounds crazy right? Well if you think about it, as an adult I am super thrilled that my daughter is strong, independent, thinks for herself, stands up for herself, and doesnt put up with anything. However, these aren't such great traits as a child and she needs to learn there are boundaries! To help me not want to kill her every minute of the day, God has also blessed her with the best personality. She is funny, creative, smart, and keeps me laughing all day long! I laugh until I cry at least once a day. I know that's God's way of keeping me strong  and help me love her through the tantrums. Libby has difficulty transitioning in activities, and has a hard time being directed without turning aggressive. As long as she is happy she is good but when its time to transition, leave an activity, be told no, it's on like donkey kong! lol.

To get to my point finally.....God has created all children differently! So much of a child's personality is formed at birth. To say that isn't true is to say that God has created us all the same which is certainly not true. We can try to teach a child what is right, what is wrong, but so much is innate. They see the world from such a different way and perspective. I never taught Libby to hit or bite, she did that on her own. All I can do is teach her that is wrong. Kynleigh (who is now 9 months) is the total opposite of Libby. She is laid back, happy, easy-going, calm, hardly ever upset. She is so good. At this age, kids are learning and exploring their boundaries. For someone, especially who does not have children to judge me, my parenting and my child when she is in a fit of rage is ridiculous. I have two children from both the same mother and father that are complete opposites. I did not teach Libby to be the way she is, and nothing I did made her the way she is. To judge me just makes you look ignorant. Everyone has an opinion on how they would do it or what I am doing wrong but if you dont live in my shoes on a daily basis it's best to keep your thoughts to yourself cause you have no idea. I have really struggled with people's looks, stares, comments, etc. I have prayed about it and have moved on. I dont hold anything against anyone but it does hurt and it is unfair.

Well I will stop there but there is so much more to come so stay tuned : )

It's Been a While....

It has been so long since I blogged that I guessed my password incorrectly twice! I have been super busy but not blogging was on purpose. I get so bogged down because I have "so much to do" yet I realized it's extra stuff that I put on myself, not things that necessarily have to be done. I had pretty much decided to stop blogging permanently and that is probably still the plan. My days are filled with house work, bills, taking care of and playing with the girls, laundry, preparing thirty-one stuff, working at dance, taking Libby to dance, etc. For my mental health if I have a free hour then I want to use it to take a nap, or lay down and watch a dvr. I was blogging for fun and then it turned into something I had to do because someone was waiting on my next post. I have learned to take a step back and realize what's important, and what is a priority and what is not. I want to enjoy that I stayed home with my girls when they were young...not look back and realize that even though I was here with them my mind was elsewhere..(what is for dinner, what time do I need to get them down for nap, what do i need at the grocery...it goes on and on). So that is why I have decided to stop. I am still on facebook and I post pics so people can still find out what is going on with the Cecil's!
The girls are doing well, Libby talks more and more everyday. Kynleigh rolls all over the place, jumps in her jumperoo, eats constantly and smiles all the time. Love them soo so much! I guess that is all....

Catch Up

I have so much on my to do list that I should be doing right now while the girls are napping, however I thought I better go ahead and give a Cecil Family update while I was thinking about it. Kynleigh turned 3 months old last week. She is still sleeping through the night and I just want to hold and squeeze her all the time. Libby is still obsessed with Elmo. She wants to color Elmo, watch Elmo on dvd, watch Elmo on our phones on youtube, get her diaper changed to the one with Elmo on it...she loves it. She also continues to have an obsession with "wawa" and ice. She likes playing in it, drinking it, spilling it on the floor, herself, etc. She picks up a few words each week and is already starting to put two words together. Speech is helping but I also think she just wasn't ready to talk before and now she is. She is at least able to communicate the basics which is what I was wanting her to be able to do. We had an incident with Libby's class before Thanksgiving break. Her teacher got caught by my friend yelling at her coming down the stairs. Not okay in my book. If I don't yell at my child, you sure as heck aren't going to be able to. She can be stubborn, mean, bite, scratch, pinch, strong-willed, grouchy, whiney, etc but I cannot remember a time that I found it necessary to yell at her. She is only 19 months old. What could she possibly do that is that bad to need to be yelled at? She can be sweet, lovable, funny, caring, silly, curious, sassy, etc. I love her to pieces. The ironic thing is what I love about her is that she is flat out rotten and sassy, and what I love about her sister is she is calm, and laid back. They are so different and I love them both so much. One of my biggest fears about being pregnant with Kynleigh is loving her as much as Libby. It is just something you can't explain until you are a parent of more than one child but you really do love them both the same. I couldn't comprehend sharing my love between two but somehow it works. I can't get enough of either one them. I can't wait for them to take a nap and then when they do I can't wait for them to wake up! I can't wait until the girls are teenagers and go back and read this post and wonder what the heck I was smoking when I wrote this lol. But I am going to enjoy them and love on them while they are still sweet. Thanksgiving was good. The best part was Brandon being home with us for a few days and not having to work. I enjoyed our family time together. We got to take the girls to see Santa for their pic. Both of them did great! Well enough rambling...it's time to get back to the "to-do" list.....

Im Back!!

Whew..okay it's been a while. It has been super busy with the Cecil Family. Updates: Kynleigh is getting fatter by the day, Libby is talking & signing all the time, I chopped my hair off, we went to Gatlinburg and it was super fun, Libby is 19 months now and KG is almost 3 months, Libby wears hairbows now, Jeter has returned back to sleeping with us, mom sold Mamaw's house, I am having some issues with the IUD.....Okay I guess that is all the major things. I have to go back to OB in the morning for an ultrasound. We think the IUD is trying to come out. Keep me in your prayers that is all it is and not placenta left over again. If I have to do another D&C I will cry. Kynleigh has stayed healthy and I love that fat baby beyond words. She is so stinking sweet. Glad she wasn't my first babe or she would have spoiled me. I am getting super pumped about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have done most of the girls' shopping. I am gonna try to do better at blogging! I have been so blessed to stay busy with 31, as well as running a household of craziness. I am tired all the time due to my female issues but I am hoping to get that taken care of asap! I am constantly cleaning, doing laundry, feeding a baby, speech therapy with Libby, working at dance, balancing check book, wiping poop butts, making grocery lists, cleaning up Libby's messes, folding clothes, putting them away, it never ends...but I love my life, love my girls, and I wouldn't change a darn thing. : )

Cecil Family Update

A lot has changed since my last post. First off, I am feeling great! I got some Celexa from my OB and I feel a million times better! I am less stressed, calmer, nicer, and feel wonderful. With Libby, I definitely had the baby blues the first few weeks. With Kynleigh I wasn't sad or depressed, I was just anxious, stressed, easily annoyed, and every little thing aggravated me. I felt my blood pressure rise with every little stressful situation. It was a completely different post partum experience. I am so glad I feel so much better!

Kynleigh is on soy formula. She seems to be doing better. She is still fussy at times and has "bad feedings" (belly rumbles, tenses up, fusses out in gas pain,etc). It is nothing near what it was though. She has improved greatly and I hope it stays this way.

Libby will be receiving speech services from First Steps! Woohoo! She did excellent at her evaluation. She is super smart...duh...but she is not where she needs to be with language. We have a meeting on Monday to determine her goals and how often she will get services. I can't wait! We are currently gradually taking away the pacifier. So far she is doing good with it. She gets it in bed, at night time, or when she gets upset. Other than that it stays put up. She has also improved at school. No wrath of the midget bully lately. Her Halloween party is at school on Monday and Brandon and I are looking forward to it! I will have to post a pic for sure!!

Ok Lord You Have My Attention

The last month and a half have been extremely exhausting both emotionally and physically. I would say I am broken. God has brought me to my knees. I am just waiting patiently and praying to see what he is trying to teach me. Ironically the day of my last post when I was saying I didn't want to go back to UK hospital, I ended up back that very day. Kynleigh was having trouble eating, very fussy, and broken out in a horrible rash all over her body but mostly on her face. I took her to the pediatrician and he was worried about something abdominal. I couldnt help but shake the feeling that the rash was a big part of what was going on but he blew it off. He sent me to UK peds E.R. We were there for like 9 hours. I had nothing to eat all day. It was exhausting. I got to the point I couldnt take it any longer. They said it was a virus, again downplayed the rash, and she was dehydrated. They pumped her with i.v. fluids. The next day I woke up with a rash. I was convinced it was bed bugs. haha. It wasn't funny then but it is now. They were itchy but nothing major. That night I went to bed and my throat was so sore I couldn't talk, and my hands and feet were on fire. I did not sleep at all that night. (okay 2 hours tops!) I got up and looked in the mirror the next morning and I was covered in red blisters from head to toe. Predominately on my hands and feet. It hurt so bad. I can't even begin to explain how bad. I took Kynleigh for her follow up and in tears I showed the doctor. He looked me over and said "well i think it's hand foot and mouth and there is nothing I can do but let it run its course..and oh by the way...it's a 10 day ordeal". Awesome! They took cultures from both of us and sent us home. Tylenol for the pain is all I was told. The reason Kynleigh couldnt eat was because she was in so much pain. But why could two different sets of professionals not accurately diagnose the first time around? They acted like I was crazy when I kept asking about the rash and pushing info on the rash. Frustrating! The mom always knows! Libby had a bit of it. She had diarrhea all weekend and has a rash on her back. I kept her home from school today but it was our turn for snack so I dropped her snack off only to be told it was going on in the class and that is where we all got it from. Anyway, I have a lot going on at the moment and I am struggling to keep up and function. I am easily aggravated, and quick to cry. Postpartum maybe? This isn't me at all. I am a strong person and can handle a lot but I am breaking so easy at this point. I keep praying for strength to get through this bump in the road. I think God is using this as a teaching moment, I am just not quite sure yet what it is. I am surrendering all control over to him. I am just taking it day by day. Today is Libby's hearing screening and my 6 week checkup. It's something everyday it seems. I am so blessed and thankful to have Brandon. I feel like at times he deserves better than me and that I don't measure up. I love him beyond words and I am just blessed and thankful that God brought us together. Keep the Cecil's in your prayers. : )

Libby update!

Well Libby didnt really have her evaluation last week. It was just an intake meeting and all we did was paperwork. She gets her hearing screening next Monday and screening the 17th. She has picked up some more animal sounds at school and is saying Addyson. Great...make a liar out of me. Regardless she still isn't where she should be for her age. I am keeping fingers crossed that she qualifies for speech services. I think Miss Libby may be a bit spoiled and mommy gets everything for her when she needs it which has taken away her need to talk. Opps.

KG is not doing well today. She has broken out in a red rash, continues to have a stuffy nose going on week 3, and she is so fussy. She screams out in gas pain. Can we say Libby all over again? Oh dear. I hope it is just a virus that is causing this and this is not the new Kynleigh. Lord help us if it is. She goes to the doctor today to see what is going on. We have also discovered that she still loves to be swaddled. We purchased some swaddling blankets and it has been a life saver. At night her arms would get out of swaddle and it would wake her up. No getting her arms out of these bad boys. We velcro those arms down!

I really honestly don't know where September went. KG was born on August 26 and September was a blur. I don't want to remember September with the hospital stay etc. Not a fun month. If I were told I had to take her to the hospital again I think I would flee the state. It almost broke me down. I don't think I could handle that again anytime soon. We got what the bill may potentially be after insurance in the mail...not too pretty.

I am continuing to run around all the time like a chicken with my head cut off. October is a busy month for me between the girls dr. appointments, my 6 week appointment, thirty one parties, dance, Brandon's 10 year reunion, etc. I am looking forward to the first week in November to go to Piegon Forge. I am excited to get away! I guess that is about it for now....gotta go pick Miss Libby up from school then off to the dr. with little bit. Woohoo!

Hospital Pics

Here are a few hospital photos I wanted to share.....I will upload some more tomorrow : ) I can't believe that was a month ago! The days are flying by.

Libby's Speech...Or Lack There Of...

It is hard to believe Libby will be 18 months October 13. Where has the time gone? Before I know it she will be two. I cannot believe how fast they grow. Kynleigh is one month today. I love both my girls more than anything. I can't imagine what my life would be like without them. Sometimes I ask Brandon if we rushed into everything too fast and if he regrets it. He says no...what else would we be doing? I'm not gonna lie and say everything is easy because it is definitely not. Having two under two years old is not ideal but I wouldn't change it for the world. Brandon and I are constantly running around like crazy people all the time...one is being disciplined while one had a massive blow-out, one needs to be fed while the other needs to be put down for a nap, one needs a bath while we are running around making bottles for the night, picking up Libby's mess, getting Libby's backpack ready for school...it's never ending...but there is NOTHING I would rather being doing. It's funny how you think you are so busy with one, and then you add another one with more responsibilities. Well to add to our already chaotic life, we carry a concern about Libby not talking. She says a few words here and there...bye, hello, uh oh, what's that, about 6 animal sounds, nose, eyes, thank you, and bless you. Sounds good right? Well the problem is that she doesn't use her words on a daily and regular basis. We have no idea why. The only word we hear every single day is uh oh and animal sounds. Other than that she uses the other words when she feels the need. Libby is so smart. She knows her body parts, several commands, etc. She just doesn't talk. Who would ever imagine a child of Joni Reynolds would not speak. I know crazy right? So I called First Steps which is a gov't program that provides early intervention services for children under 3. They have speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. I did a questionnaire and Libby got approved for a face to face evaluation. Her evaluation is on Thursday morning. I am really looking forward to it. I hope she gets what she needs to start communicating verbally with us. She shows frustration to the point of self injuring when she can't communicate with us what she wants. I have been really impressed with First Steps so far. They promptly return phone calls and set up this evaluation in less than a week. Praying all goes well! Love my Libbs!

Will I Ever Catch Up??

Will there ever be a day where I can just enjoy my children and then when it is their time for nap I would be completely okay with myself to take a nap too? No probably not...at least not anytime soon. I am having the inner struggle with myself lately balancing time with my babes and getting everything I want accomplished. Does anyone else struggle with that? I feel that I am constantly going non-stop and when I do check facebook for a second or look at a magazine I feel so guilty. I can't stand that feeling. On top of that, I can't really run any errands by myself because if I were to go to the store I would need to push two carts which would require four arms. sheesh. We get around this by Brandon running errands with me, or Brandon running the errands, or finding a babysitter aka grandparents to let us get stuff done. The joys of having two under 18 months. I am a firm believer in God doesn't give us more than we can handle which is why I know Kynleigh is such a good baby for that reason. If she was another Libby I would not be able to function. For those that don't know I am selling thirty-one gifts, working at a dance studio, and full time mom. I squeeze in laundry, cleaning, and managing our funds, paying bills, and all else in between. I really am amazed by families that both parents work full time. How do you do it all? I mean cleaning up after every meal, washing bottles, cleaning the bathrooms, changing two in diapers, balancing the checkbook, taking one of the two for a checkup, making a grocery list, disciplining the "midget bully", dropping Libby off at school...opps gotta hurry and feed the baby before I go back to get her, unloading the dishwasher, switching the laundry over..folding it...putting it away for me and 2 girls, couponing, getting two dressed, giving two baths, getting myself ready for the day, opps someone had a blowout..oh crap no wipes..gotta refill them...oh no gotta go spray the outfit before it ruins... feeding and scooping for the cat...how does one keep up...the list goes on and on... Don't get me wrong...I am not complaining...I love my role in the family but I struggle with allowing myself to take a break without feeling guilty. I feel that I have to be doing something productive at all times and if not then I will get behind and then be more stressed. Not only to mention that I feel guilty when Libby is seeking out my attention while I am cleaning up her mess from breakfast so I stop what I am doing and chase her and then feel like that is just something else that needs to be done later. It is something I need to pray about for sure. I am putting too much pressure on myself and need to just sit still and know that it will get done and it doesn't have to be right now. Libby has been acting out aggressively lately and that has been a whole other thing added to my stress. We are having a bit of a time with her. Not to mention I am concerned for her being non-verbal at her age. We get "uh oh" all day everyday and then the other words she uses are on her terms only. Nothing ever consistent. I wonder if I am doing something wrong, what else I can be doing. I try my best not to worry because I know I am to give it to God. However I also realize I am human and when something isn't going right in my eyes I want to fix it right then and there and it can't nor should be that way. I am so thankful for everything that I have and all that God has given me. I need to remind myself not to worry...it doesn't get me anywhere...but to let go and let God.

Back Home!!

Well a lot has gone on since my last post. Kynleigh was having some abdominal discomfort beginning Thursday and lasting through the weekend. We were told to use a rectal thermometer to try to stimulate her to go. Good thing we did because she had a temp in the 100.2- 100.8 range. That's on the high side. They say once a baby's temp reaches 100.4 then that is considered fever and they need to be hospitalized. I had a thirtyone party Sunday afternoon and came home to check KG's temp. It was 100.3. I called the pediatrician and he said go to UK peds E.R. Brandon and I gave Libby a bath and headed to the hospital around 8 pm. They did a spinal tap, started an iv, and put in a cath. I was a wreck. I cried and cried. I was not a fan of the E.R. resident. She acted like she was scared of babies. Awesome...you are gonna do all this to my newborn but you can't even put her diaper back on right which caused her to pee all over herself and clothes? Great! Brandon ran home to get my clothes and clothes for the babe and came back with my things only to go back home to stay with Libby. KG did not sleep well at all. I was up basically all night with her. The next day was long and draining. doctors, residents, students, nurses, techs, in and out all day long. Right before bed they discovered her iv was leaking and had to redo the iv. I asked that the doctor require a new iv before they stuck her. They called and he said it was necessary. I watched them stick her twice and fail. They had to call in the transport team (helicopter peps) to come because they stick babies all the time. One mention of doing it in her head I about flipped. They ended up finally getting it in her foot. Ended up KG had a virus which caused aseptic meningitis which was the cause of her fever. We were released around 7 pm the following day. I am so glad it was nothing more serious and KG is feeling better. We are so blessed to be back home in 48 hours and I am so thankful. The kids and families there are so sad. It melted my heart. KG's next door neighbor was a baby a week older than she that had a fever they cant get down with the antibiotics. I hurt for them. God continues to bless us and take care of us. I am so glad it wasnt something more. I have the best family and friends that anyone could ask for. Everyone stepped up and helped out with Libby. My husband is amazing! He juggled Libby, me and KG at the hospital, and work. I love him dearly! Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. It was greatly appreciated and we feel so loved!

MY LOVES

Photos are done by Amanda Mitchell Photography. She does a great job! No words can express my love for these girls. Looking at these pics bring tears to my eyes. It just doesn't get any better than this....Thank you God for your gifts!

Time Flies

Oh my gosh last week was such a blur. The week flew by. Brandon started back to work today and it was cut short due to a sick big girl and well baby check up appointments for the baby girl. Libby has a virus. We learned she weighs 20.5 pounds. She ran around the office like a wild banshee and threw herself in the floor when I tried to guide her into the office area. Yep thats my girl! People were giving me looks like "woman...control your kid". Never ever will I judge another parent with their child because you have no idea. Libby is so strong willed already at her age. She is this diva princess that does what she wants and when you stand in her way she throws down! I have already gotten past embarrassment. If you think you can do better with her...go ahead and take her on. Brandon was feeding the baby while I was chasing the wild banshee around the office. I wish I was a patient cause I would have been cracking up. Anywho...Kynleigh is now 8 pounds 4 ounces and looking great.

Okay lets take it back to last night....Brandon had a fantasy football draft. Mom came to help me with bippy and boppy. Just as I told my mom to go on home all hell broke lose. Libby threw up all over her bed and self. The baby was starting to stir cause she was hungry. I called Brandon to come home asap and he started heading our way. He got pulled over for speeding. The officer gave him a sobriety test. haha. cracks me up. When Brandon told him he has two girls under 17 months, hadnt drank anything..the officer continued to carry out the ordeal. He gave Brandon sobriety tests and all. Another cop pulled up who played football with Bran. He told the other officer to let him go. Thank goodness he didnt even get a ticket. In the meantime Libby was a hysterical mess crying, fussing, trying to pinch Kynleigh, etc. I finally got Libby's clean sheet on and got her back down only to turn around and feed the baby. Brandon got home and the fun started again when Libby woke up screaming and Kynleigh woke up to eat. Libby did not like seeing Brandon feeding Libby and got mad again. He finally got Libby down and I took over Kynleigh duty. We got back in bed only to wake up an hour and a half later for Brandon to go to work and me to feed the baby again. Shew. Yep those are my days lately. However I would not trade them for the world. God has blessed us so much. I wouldnt change a thing...however it is days like these that I think of when I get the random idea to have baby number 3....no way no how! The Cecil clan is complete!

Kynleigh is Here!

Here she is!! Just a couple after birth and a few minutes after her first bath! Look at the chunky monkey! Love her! Well I love hearing labor and delivery stories but didn't love living mine! I was expecting a quick and easy time and that it was NOT! First off I wasn't taken back to my room until almost 2 hours after arriving. It was a busy baby day. My dr. had come to break my water before his busy day with patients and I was not admitted yet. So....they started pitocin and it took hours to dilate 1 extra cm. He couldn't get over to see me until after his lunch (thanks doc...lunch is more important...) and broke my water a little after 1 pm. After that occurred things finally started to move. I had a terrible time with the epidural as I did with Libby but times 10. Apparently I have damaged nerves in my left side so it takes massive amounts of medicine to numb my left side. No pain on right...all pain on left. Because I had so much medicine it was like the whole right side of my body was numb. It was the weirdest oddest feeling ever! I had a panic attack that left me throwing myself around in the bed almost near tears, hollering at Brandon to do something to only give up and pass out for an hour. When I woke up it started to wear off the left side. I just tried to condition my brain not to think about how I felt. The pain gradually got to where it was unbearable. I told my nurse I didnt want more epidural medicine but I couldnt take the pain. She said well let me check you and maybe we can start pushing to relieve the pain. Sure enough I was ready to go. I began pushing at 6:15 pm. She told me it wouldnt take long because she was so far down. She got so excited when she saw a massive amount of black hair. Kynleigh was being stubborn and wouldnt duck her head under the pubic bone. Once she did though I was ordered to stop pushing. Stop pushing=horrible contractions when you cant push through them. The dr. barely made it in the room...he then yelled at me to stop. Okay seriously people...you want me to push then you freak out when I do. Then there she was. My first reaction is oh how little. (being a week early that can be expected) They get her on the scale and immediately say she is 8 pounds 2 ounces. WOW!! Soooo glad I chose early induction! The nurse cheered cause she guessed 8 pounds 1 ounce and the dr. guessed 7 pounds 6 ounces. He made a surprised face. I think I had a bowel movement during the process. Embarrassing. That was my biggest fear!! Ahhh!!! I feel sorry for my nurse. Then there was a huge ordeal about getting to my mother baby room. I was exhausted when it was all over. I am so glad to be home. Libby is very sweet to her sissy but is having some jealous issues. I will share those in another post later. I am so blessed and so glad to be home. I think God for Kynleigh. She wasn't born on our terms but apparently God has a plan and purpose. I already am in love! However....after this experience I'm gonna say thats about all the kids I am going to have! So glad this pregnancy is over! Woohoo!!!

She will be here by Friday!!!

Well its official...Kynleigh will be here by Friday! I had back pain and contractions yesterday and it all stopped by this morning. I went to the doctor today and found out I am 3 cm dilated and completely effaced. I am now praying she stays in place until Friday so that I can have my doctor. He is unavailable until then. I was against getting electively induced prior to due date but once I heard he is going to be gone for a long weekend on my due date and she is going to come regardless it looks like in the next few days...I decided to go ahead with it. I feel good about my decision. I prayed about it and talked with Brandon about it and we decided we feel comfortable with it. I don't know if I am ready to be mommy of two girls but I do know I am ready to not be pregnant anymore. It may be a bit before I blog again so this is it. Im signing off. There will be plenty of posts once she is here!

Updates Updates and more Updates!!

Wow! What a busy week it has been. I had a wonderful open house for 31. I really hope to do well with it. I had a great turnout and I am so blessed to be supported by wonderful friends and family.

Libby had a successful first week of school. I am excited about her going back next week. I hope she continues to like it! She is growing up so fast. She isn't a baby anymore! Brandon and I refer to her as a "Baby tot". She isn't a baby but not quite a toddler so we think that fits her.

I had my first night at dance. Woohoo!! It was crazy! Parents wanting to pay, parents wanting to buy tap shoes, while kids are everywhere. I loved it though! I am looking forward to day number 2 on Saturday.

I had an ultrasound and appointment today. Not much progress but a little bit. I am now 1 cm dilated and 70-80% effaced instead of 50%. My fluid levels are almost back in the normal category which is fabulous news. I saw here on 3d and my she has got some fat cheeks! Her nose was squished. She looked kinda scary. haha. So glad she looks healthy! I go back Wednesday for another ultrasound and appointment. I will be 39 weeks so we will talk about options. I can get an induction or I can wait. I want to wait because I just want her to come when she is ready however the induction is tempting because my dr. is actually going to be out of town my due date weekend and it will be easier to have plans in place to watch Libby. Brandon and I will need to discuss it and pray about it. He is going to go with me to the appointment to hear options and be a part of the decision. Brandon thinks next Friday sounds good but we shall see. I am kinda hoping she starts coming on her own before then so we don't have to decide.

Thats about it. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the prayers. Brandon and I have been so blessed and I praise God from whom all blessings flow.

First Day!!

I asked Libby how her first day was. She didn't respond. Can't wait until she starts talking. lol. It must have been successful because when I went to pick her up she was one of the only ones not crying. She passed out in the backseat before we made it out of the parking lot. I am not super excited about this mullet thing her hair is doing. It is growing super long in the back and the top needs help catching up. I am close to cutting it some but Brandon would kill me. Hopefully it will only be in this mullet stage a few more months at most.

I had a very successful open house and I am so blessed to have wonderful friends and family. I am going to submit the order on Wednesday and I will have successfully done my first show. I have two booked for September. If anyone would like to host one let me know! I start working at dance tomorrow night! Brandon will have daddy day care. He is such a good daddy. He is so good with the Pig. She loves him.

I go back to the doctor on Thursday morning for ultrasound and appointment. Looking forward to check dilation. I thought she was gonna come early but I don't think she will be too early if she does. We shall see. Libby was a 40 week 1 dayer. When I went in for my induction she was already heading this way. I will give an update on ultrasound and appointment on Thursday!! Yay!!!