Big changes!

We moved into a house! It's big, gorgeous, & has a great backyard. Dave & I managed to basically move by ourselves (we rented a U-Haul) & got everything done in 2 days. That includes cleaning the old apartment! My fingertips are still rubbed raw!

This is such an incredible step for us. The neighborhood is quiet & lovely. Riley has been having trouble waking up. He doesn't recognize his room right away...so he gets scared. I don't think it'll take too much longer until he understand that this is home. He can also say a few words. "Up" is one of them! Mia loves tummy time. Here's proof!

Rob spent the 4th of July weekend w/ his grandparents at their farm. There are a lot of natural springs there & he loves it. The little ones are still too young to go - but we had a good time!




Well I just thought I'd write a little bit...we're all doing wonderfully & wish the same for you!

=)

A treat for your ears!

As you may (or not) know Dave makes music. Great music at that. It's sort of rockabilly, rock & roll, & a smidge of alternative. Simply put...it's chock full 'o' awesome. Even cooler is that the music is now available on www.amazon.com & iTunes.

Click here for the link to amazon.

As for iTunes just do a search for 'Love Songs For Junkies'. At least give his music a listen.

You won't be sorry you did!

We're still plugging along!

It HAS been a minute since I've posted! We've always got so much going on that I'm afraid I've neglected the ole family blog.

Let's dish out the updates starting with little Miss Mia!

Mia will be 3 months on the 12th of May. She is really developing so quickly. It's wonderful & a little sad at the same time. She has never once asked our permission to grow so big! She cannot fit in her newborn sized onesies anymore! =( Her social smile & coos are absolutely heartwarming. She is an angel & it's difficult to think that we were ever without her!


Riley is also being selfish & getting to be SUCH a big boy without taking our feelings into consideration. He'll already be 15 months on the 22nd of May! He's a full-on walker & even practices walking backwards! No more bottle for him - he's a sippy cup boy through & through! Still no real words, but don't mistake - he is one vocal little boy. Well 'little' might be a bit of an understatement - he's almost 25 lbs!!!



Moving on to our big man, Robert. He's the most self-centered of them all! He's HUGE & is become so mature. He wouldn't stop chattering about Twilight (the movie). So Dave & I previewed it & it was good. So we watched it together & he got most of the more complicated concepts of the movie. I thought I'd have to explain a lot more than I did. *sniff*

He also had to get glasses & while I'm not happy that he needs vision correction...I am just so pleased he looks so handsome in his spectacles! He gave me my Mother's Day present early today. A beautiful carnation & a tear-jerking poem he wrote. He is definitely my first love. =)

Here he was dressed up as President Eisenhower for a school project!

Dave & I are doing well. We are always busy...wonder why? =P True it's no simple task to care for little ones - but out lives would be so empty without our kiddos. We're thankful every day that they're with us, safe, healthy, & happy. Simply put...we LOVE our family!

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

WARNING! CUTE TODDLER ALERT!

OMG. I just typed 'toddler'. *sniffle* Riley is what he is...ONE YEAR OLD.

Presents!
The whole gang!

CAKE!!!

No longer my little baby. So far his max step count is 4. Soon he'll be walking & then I'll lose this baby weight in a snap - chasing after him! He still has the 8 teeth - no sign of any new chompers. It's been quite an experience taking care of him & his new little sister. He's the more challenging one! He's a little jealous & wants attention ALL OF THE TIME. When he gets the idea that you're doing something else that doesn't concern him - he voices his opinion...loudly. He's lucky he's cute, lol, because he sure is good at trying one's patience. =P

See what I have to deal with? =P How can you NOT give in to this little face?

Well that's it for my quick little Riley update!

=)

Introducing Mia Taylor-Grace!

Yay! Our little gal is finally here. Miss Mia Taylor-Grace Touchton was born yesterday (Feb. 10th) at 9am. I was thinking that because the c-section was scheduled a week before her due date & she was conceived so quickly after her big brother was born that she might weigh less than her brothers (Her 11 y/o brother weighed 8lbs. 5oz & her 11 m/o brother weighed 8lbs. 13oz.).

Well that WASN'T the case, lol. Mia weighed 8lbs. 13.4oz.!!!! She's a big girl with an angry face, lmao. The c-section went smoothly (there was a little scar tissue to contend with as this was my 3rd c-section) & her birth was complication-free. My recovery is going amazingly well. My IV & catheter are already out & I'm up & walking around. I can go home whenever I like. However, I think I'll stay until Friday & be waited on just a little more! =P Here is our little girl!

It's (almost) time!

Well, well, well...we're about to experience the final culmination of these past exciting, sometimes grueling, & certainly unforgettable 39 weeks! I'm to report to the hospital at 5:45am on Tuesday February 19th, 2009. The actual c-section is scheduled for 7:45am.

39 weeks!

I'm praying that everything will go smoothly & without incident. We were so blessed & lucky with Mr. Riley - I hope everything is just as great this time around. I do know that there is some risk of hemorrhage due to the pregnancies being so close together. The previous incision might have not had proper time to heal & there is a chance of excessive blood loss. I've been pretty dang lucky thus far with no complications, so let's hope we continue that trend.

We are all very excited about our little one's arrival. Life will be different for all of us & we can't wait to get the show on the road. I cannot express how much I can't wait to not be pregnant anymore, lol. I've think I've done pretty well for being told after Robert was born that I probably won't ever conceive again. I feel overjoyed & fortunate to be able to share the joys of parenthood with David. I'm proud to be his wife & the mother of his monster children.

We've all come so far as a family. Our journey thus far has not been without it's trials & tribulations - & we are all stronger for them. Robert is doing better in school & his therapist has given us some ideas on how to gain some better behavior in school. He had his final tutoring session & gained half a year's improvement in a rather short amount of time. The tutoring director said that he didn't think Robert needed any more tutoring as he's a bright boy...he just needs to focus & apply himself. So, we all are going to continue to work together & do what's best for him. He's the best firstborn son & big brother anyone could ever ask for!

Riley is growing, growing, & growing! I think he knows that something's about to happen. His first birthday is almost upon us, too. So much is going on & we have so much to look forward too with that stinky little boy. It's hard to imagine having another baby - I'm so used to just having him. He's so full of personality & life - he's definitely like his daddy - a natural center of attention!

So, here I am...sitting here at approx. 12:30am on Feb. 9th - unable to sleep. That's partly due to pregnancy-induced digestive issues (ugh!) & excitement. I can't believe the time is almost here. I won't say it felt like it's gone by quickly...because I surely felt each & every discomfort of this pregnancy, lol. I really can't wait to be done. If I ever get baby fever again...I think I'll just smack myself in the head! I'm kidding...it's a wonderful privilege to be "with child" - but one that I'm over, lmao. I'm ready to have my body back to myself & raise these kids!

Thanks for reading along & keeping conversant with the latest in the Touchton Chronicles! Your thoughts/prayers/wishes are always appreciated.

Over & out.

Current Events

So...life has been good. Kinda hectic - but I won't complain (too loudly). Robert will turn 11 this Thursday (Jan. 22nd) & Riley will be 11 months old on that day as well. We have a birthday party planned at Chuck E. Cheese for Rob & he'll get to have 3 friends from school & his cousin as guests. Should make for a nice, calm, & orderly affair =P

Riley had a couple of weeks recently where he was a NIGHTMARE & always cranky. He had a tough time wanting to take his naps, but I'm pleased to report that has been remedied & he's back to napping twice a day & being a more pleasant baby. =) He hasn't gotten any new teeth & shows no interest in walking other than cruising furniture & the rails of his playpen. All in due time!

Speaking of due time...I met the Dr. that's to yank Mia out of me today. She's very nice. She said I'm about 1cm dilated already. Which lets me know my body's progressing, but dilation's not really an issue b/c Mia's not coming out of "there" any way. I've been having SO much pain & pressure down there lately. It feels like my pelvis is going to break apart. The Dr. assured me that she's never had any patient to explode =P Sometimes...it feels like I'll be the first - it's rough! 21 more days to go (if I don't go into labor on my own) & I couldn't be more ready!

Here I am at 36 weeks!

Dave's in the full swing of classes again. He's taking Spanish this year - which should be fun. For some odd reason I'm not attracted to Hispanic men, but I can't help but think it's the hottest thing ever when white guys speak Spanish, lol. So, I can't wait for him to learn, learn, learn! =P

Everything is going pretty well & I'm eager for Mia to be born so we can get started as a family of 5. Plus it'll be pretty great to NOT be pregnant, lol. I can hear a bottle of White Zinfandel just CALLING out to me! I'm also eager to get this baby weight off. I'm super motivated (let's hope that stays with me!) & have already informed Robert that he'll be pushing the double stroller (DOUBLE stroller - yikes!) while I walk w/ my arm weights. He's excited & so am I! Everyone is actually. Dave can't wait to see her & I really want to see how Riley will react to his new baby sister.

Well, that's about it for now. I shall keep you all updated on the ever-changing, never boring, & always endearing life & times of your favorite Touchtons.