The story behind "Ileigh"....

So, we have had a lot of people ask us where we got the name Ileigh. Honestly, we have had the name picked for years. I have not been able to find the meaning or where it originated from, but we have loved it from the moment that we heard it.

When we started talking about future baby names, Chris and I wanted to make sure that "Lee" was used at some point. Both of our middle names are Lee- mine after my Nanny (Erma Lee) and Chris after his Dad (Richard Lee).

We have numerous other family members whose middle name is Lee and we wanted to carry that along in our family. Ileigh seemed to be the perfectly way to add a little "sugar and spice" to this part of our namesakes.

I wish that we would have caught on that Ileigh is Eli backwards earlier, but honestly it didn't even dawn on us until Eli pronounced his own name backwards when he first started saying it. Elijah was not Eli's first name we had picked for him, but instead it was "Britten Isaac"- and we would have called him Isaac. But, Chris didn't want us to call by his middle name, and had my own issues with Britten (don't you hate it when know one creepy person with the name you have picked out and it totally ruins it for you? :)).

Anyway, that is the story behind Ileigh- our attempt to honor all of the Lees.

On to more important things- pictures!

Ileigh and her great grandparents! Mamaw and Grandy...

Our sweet friends, the Rath's came with their kiddos! 

Regan melts my heart in this picture....isn't she just a doll? 

Oh, and Ileigh's future best bud, McKinley. 

Thanks for stopping by Rath family! :)

Here are a few of my new favorite pictures on the face of the Earth...

Daddy with the kiddos...

:) How could it get any better?

Oh, and I just have to brag on my phenomenal hubby for a bit. He has been an amazing nurse these past two days...poor guy has seen and had to do things for me that are way beyond the call of duty. You know a guy is in it for life when they step up to that kind of role. Thank you, honey. I love you.

Meet Miss Ileigh Grace...

She is here!

We joyfully welcome Ileigh (pronounced like Rylie without the R) into our home!

She was born yesterday, the 27th at 2:29p.m. weighing 6lbs 13oz, and 19 1/2 inches long.

Here are a few pictures of those that came to meet her yesterday...if you came today, don't think you escaped our picture taking! Your pictures will be up soon enough! :) 

Mema and Ileigh...

Memamaw and the little Miss... 

Grandpaw... 

Aunt Kaci... 

Aunt Robin... 

Cousin Morgan... 

Cousin Peyton...

Of course, there was birthday cake! 

Aunt Lynz... 

Big family group shot! 

Big brother Eli holding his little sister for the first time....

Mommy and Ileigh...taken in recovery...

Daddy and Ileigh...taken while mommy was still in surgery...

We are so thankful for this precious, beautiful baby girl. We praise God for a healthy baby and healthy mommy!

Thank you...

Thank you for all of the calls, texts, e-mails and messages about the previous post. It was written in somewhat of a blur and a desperate need to get some emotions out. I am glad I have a safe place to share my heart.



We went to the doctor yesterday and no progress had been made- we are still nowhere close to delivery. Our “Sweet P” will be here tomorrow (CRAZY- I can’t believe I will be seeing her in less than 24 hrs.) around 2:00pm.


Yesterday afternoon was rough, but necessary and I was able to deal with a bunch of emotions. I am thankful that I know what is coming and can deal with the reality before-hand and not during the moment. Last night didn’t involve much sleep but plenty of tears, so pray that Chris and I will both get the rest we need for tomorrow.


Please continue to pray for us. Having my psychology background, I have analyzed all of my emotions and every single one of them is rooted in fear (Isn’t that funny how our thought process can change when we figure out the real reason we are upset?). I could go down the list, but I won’t. Pray for peace. Pray that the doctor will find we can safely have more children. Pray for a healthy, beautiful baby girl, and a healthy mommy whose joy isn’t taken away because of the circumstances. Pray for Chris; he has been wonderful.

This will not steal my joy.

(*just a warning- this is a long and wordy post; you probably won’t make it to the end- I don't care, writing is the outlet I need right now.)

I remember well the night before our scheduled induction with Eli. We had family in town ready to meet our little bundle the next day. We were almost 2 weeks over our due date and everything on our list had been checked off…we were totally prepared for a baby, the baby just wasn’t coming. That was one thing we couldn’t do anything about.

We had walked countless miles, ate spicy foods, increased other “activities”, even tried using castor oil…nothing worked. That night we lay in bed after almost an hour of walking. I remember that Chris prayed that I would go into labor that night, before our trip to the hospital that morning to be induced. It didn’t happen. I woke to my alarm, grabbed the seemingly useless “emergency-it-is-time!” hospital bag that had been packed for almost a month, and headed out the door. It was a long day ending in a C-section at almost midnight. I was totally disappointed. We had taken a natural birth class, knew all of the stats and we knew going into the induction that this would more than likely be our outcome. It didn’t make it easier.

The one thing I remember is laying in the freezing cold operating room. My fists were clenched so tight and I couldn't relax at all. Chris had just left the room following a little cart that held my son…my son- the one that had a huge head of hair. I didn’t think he would have hair. It seemed like an eternity lying there alone. I remember tears streaming down my face and I couldn’t wipe them- I don’t remember them as tears of joy, but of so many other emotions. All I wanted was for the surgeon to finish quickly and take me back to my room. I needed to see Chris, for him to tell me everything was okay.

I remember it so vividly; it was awful. I don’t want it to happen again.

I think the shock of the entire day took its toll on me. I was excited to meet our baby boy, but I was so disappointed that everything ended the way it did- I held on to the disappointment. I was in pain and swollen from a poorly monitored IV. I also looked like Rudolph due to an allergy reaction to the epidural that I had refused most of the day.

I remember that everything was really cloudy, I was really sleepy (from the allergy meds), but everything around me was moving so fast. Our family was there ooo-ing and awww-ing over our little Eli. I don’t remember holding him much. I watch Chris change his first diaper and learn to swaddle him. I was told not to move. Late the next day, Chris went to eat with his family and I was alone in the room; Eli was in the nursery. I was catching up on my daily blog reads and of course I happened upon one about a poor mother who had just lost her newborn baby. Instantly, there were tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t believe that I was sitting in my hospital bed pouting about my less-than desirable delivery when this poor woman had lost her baby. I asked the nurse to bring Eli to me and I spent the next hour with just him, alone. I felt so guilty that I had let my joy be taken away. The joy of having a healthy, beautiful baby boy that we had been planning for years.

It took me a few months, maybe even a full year to realize that they way you birth your child has no bearing on what kind of mother you will be. I had felt like a failure, and maybe I was as far as the actual delivery went. But, I know I am not a failure being a mother…that brings me more joy that any wonderful birthing experience ever will.

Today is Sweet P’s due date, and as I sit here typing, nowhere near being close to labor, I am dealing with the emotions of another seemingly inevitable C-section. Again, we have tried everything to induce labor and again, no baby. Induction really isn’t a good option at this point and we will find out tomorrow when we will meet our little girl. I am choosing to not let this steal my joy. I am choosing to believe that His ways are better than my own. I am choosing to have faith in my God who I have plead with for the last 9 months that this is the best outcome for me and for the baby. I am choosing to believe that we will be able to have more children; that this in no way will hinder our desire for a big family. This will not steal my joy.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9

Quick Weekend Project...

Chris had a morning meeting this Saturday. :(

So, Eli and I decided to stay home and do a little weekend project. I mean, what else can you do when you are just sitting around waiting for a baby to show up?

We have had this mirror hanging over our desk in the living room. Someday we are planning to put shelving up in its place, so we knew that it was going to be moved at some point.

Chris' mom found this frame in a garage sale, never used it and gave it to us about 5 years ago. We took it to a glass shop, had a mirror put in it and I painted the frame silver. It was a gross brown color.

I found a great idea on a blog that I follow- to put a monogram on the glass.

I bought a monogram about 2 years ago and I just never got around to having a frame made for it, so this seemed like the perfect solution to use the monogram, have a little something new in the house and all for free! Hooray!

I was nervous about putting on the vinyl since it had been sitting out for almost 2 years, but it worked great and was super easy. Here is a shot of my little helper... 

Paper off... 

Apparently I was pretty boring at this point because Eli left to go stack all of his trucks together... 

Next I painted over the silver for an antique white look. I think I will add a coat of something with a little glaze to it because I don't love it being a matte finish.

And finished! YAY for free!

Party Time!

We celebrated Eli's birthday last weekend with our family. Chris and I decided that we were going to keep it small and simple since we could've had a baby at any moment.

Chris cooked chili, stew and baked potatoes for everyone- my husband can cook. In fact, he taught me how to cook. It is just one more little item on the list of reasons why I love him!

Here are the invites that we sent out to everyone... I have wanted to do the train theme for a while now!

I decided to let go of making Eli's birthday cake. So, I ordered cupcakes from Sam's; they were $12 for 30. I don't even think I can make them that cheap!

Then I took the totally easy way out and designed cupcake wrappers for them (thanks for the idea, Stef!).

A few weeks ago I designed some candy bar wrappers for a "Sweet 16" birthday, so I thought it would be fun and easy to change them up a bit for Eli's party. 

Since I didn't get a picture of the back, here is the design layout...

I used the same letters from our banner last year and changed out a few of the papers...see, I took the total easy way out. 

My mom made Tiger Butter and I asked for the punch recipe from the wedding Chris and I shot the night before- yummy! 

Everyone came, we open presents then ate. Next we had cake...Eli was very excited about the cupcakes. 

He was really unsure of what to think about everyone singing to him. He just sat and stared. 

I didn't think that he could blow out his own candles, but he did! 

Lovn' the cake...we were a little disappointed, he wasn't messy at all and didn't like the icing. 

Yummy CAKE! 

He had so much fun blowing out his candles that he wanted to do it again, of course we let him. 

Thank you to all our family that came! We had a great time and we hope that you did too. Eli is so blessed to have so many people that love and care about him!

Of course, we were so busy that we forgot to get pictures with everyone before they left, but we did manage to get Eli with his grandparents before they said good-bye.

Eli with Mema and Papa... 

Eli with Grandpaw and Memamaw... 

Just a cute picture of the John Deere hat Grandpaw got Eli for his birthday- he loves it. 



Sweet P Update...

Well, we are here. I am currently 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Despite all the extra "effort", (if you have ever tried to induce labor naturally, you know what I am talking about) Sweet P is happy where she is.

Here is my 9 month picture with Eli...

Here is our 9 month picture with Sweet P... 

I think that I am about the same size as last time, which is great because I figured that I would gain more weight with a girl than a boy. Honestly, I can't even tell you how much I have gained... I haven't cared to ask at the doctor's office, and when I do I forget what they say.

Well, this last week has been a huge roller coaster of emotions. I hope it is hormones- I am sure Chris does too. I have gone back and forth from terror and unbelief that we are days away from having a little girl and pure joy and excitement to share her name with everyone.

Today I am at the total unbelief stage again. My "before baby" to-do list is pretty much complete. I had to go ahead and scratch off the task of dining room curtains because the fabric finally came in the mail and I really didn't like it, so it is going to be sent back. With my list complete, I am kindda just wandering around looking for little odds and ends to finish up. I feel a little lost. Maybe it is because we have been so busy for so long and now I don't know what to do next; I don't know.

Two weeks ago I had a little mini break-down because we didn't have anything for the baby to wear. Like, I am serious, we couldn't have made it through a week for the first 3 months. Thanks to some awesome friends with little girls, a Sunday School shower and a surprise family get-together, Sweet P's closet is stocked well into the 12 month range. Thank you, ladies...seriously.

Part of the crazy emotions has been the recent doctor appointments. Last week I went in and the doctor couldn't tell if she was head-down or not...again. She was transverse, which explained why I was so uncomfortable. That night she turned and I was positive that she was breech again.

We went to the doctor Tuesday. Of course I asked Chris to come with me because I honestly thought she was breech and we were going to start talking about trying to turn her or schedule a C-section. We did another sonogram and she is in fact, head-down. However, I am in no way dilated or anywhere close to delivering this baby. He took a lot of time trying to figure out just how much she weighed so we would now if our chances of a VBAC would be successful or not. She is was 7 lbs 5oz. and expected to gain an oz. a day. We also talked at length about how another C-section would limit the size of our family. The doctor did agree, but said that it is possible to have 4-5 kiddos via C-section; it really is on an individual bases. If we do have a C-section, he will check to see if it will be possible for us to have another child while in surgery. Anything over two kiddos can get complicated he said.

So, basically, the doctor said that I have a week to go into labor naturally- after that, she will be the same size as Eli and since Eli was too big, we are assuming that another attempt with a baby the same size will have the same result. Actually, he tried to tell me that any other doctor would talk us into going ahead and scheduling a C-section for today- I said no way because it isn't even my actual due date and I want to make sure that we do everything we can to go into labor naturally- then I will never be wondering "what if". He also told me that he will be taking a 4 day weekend if I do go into labor; great, as if I needed that little extra anxiety added to everything else. 

More than likely it won't happen just because I am in no way dilated. We will meet again on Tuesday for another check and then to schedule a C-section (because of my previous C-section, induction and current state of being totally nowhere close to labor, inducing isn't really an option).

And so, here we are...39 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

Sorry, I am feeling guilty because the whole over-tone of this post isn't very happy...I am telling you, I hope it is the hormones. :)

We are very thankful that the sonogram showed a very health baby girl. In the end, all we want is a healthy baby and a healthy mommy. Everything else really doesn't matter.

Day with Eli...

Our kiddo has enough toys. Honestly, we don't have a ton of money to buy him even more for his birthday; we will leave that up to the grandparents :).

This year for Eli's birthday, we bought him the small keyboard from a few post back and a few clothes that were on clearance for the summer- nothing more. Instead, I asked Chris if he would give up a day of work to spend the whole day with Eli.

I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but Chris taking off a full day of work is a pretty big sacrifice on his part. Since he is clocked by "hours billed" not just hours worked, he doesn't have any kind of vacation or sick leave. No matter what, he still has to make up those billable hours.

I think it was a little hard for him to be really excited about it, especially since he knew that he would be taking off a lot this month because of the upcoming arrival of Sweet P, but I am sure I made him feel guilty enough that he obliged.

Honestly, I believe that the most important sacrifice we can make for our children is our time. Eli may not remember it this year, but year after year, he will remember his "special day" with us and forget about all of those toys. Maybe one day he will see how much easier it would have been for us to buy him more toys than to give him a whole day of our attention... I hope so.

Anyway, we celebrated Eli's birthday last Friday, with the whole day dedicated to him. As a special treat, we all slept in a little longer than normal and then Eli and daddy raced off for haircuts. Eli was really excited to go see Ms. Donna for his haircut- he loves to sit in the chair. Chris said that he was a champ! Seeing a very rare opportunity, I headed to the hospital to pre-register. Next we all headed to the Discovery Center.

I think Chris had more fun than Eli. It was adorable to watch them both so wide-eyed. :)

Here are just a few of the many, many pictures that I wanted to post...

Oh my goodness. He just melts my heart.

Such a big boy.

He had a blast making "smoke rings" with daddy...daddy had a blast too.

Eli also loved blowing the "big bu-bbles, yeah".

What do you think, engineer someday? I love the look of concentration on his face...

Of course, I wanted pictures of Eli with his daddy; it was a gorgeous January day. Chris tries to take pictures of Eli and I, but at 9 months pregnant, it takes a lot of convincing to get me on the other side of the camera.

If you are in the Amarillo area, take your kiddos to the Discovery Center- it is well worth the money. Chris even wants us to get an annual pass.

After we convinced Eli to leave the Discovery Center, we headed to Mr. Gatti's to eat lunch and play games. Eli didn't eat a single piece of pizza, but instead chose cheese bread sticks, fish crackers, more cheese and cookies...it might have been the most awful meal he has ever eaten, but hey, it was his day and I wasn't about to force him. He also got to watch cartoons while he ate. He still doesn't watch TV at home with me, so I think this was his favorite part of the entire day. He was mesmerized. Chris and I had a whole conversation and ate without a single interruption from Eli. It was like instant alone time. (However, as inticing as it is at times, he will still not be watching TV at home- sorry Memamaw. For those of you who don't know, my mother thinks that I am depriving my child because he doesn't get to watch TV.)

It was around 3:00 after we finished lunch and played games. We headed home for a nice, long family nap.

Eli didn't get up until around 5:00. Chris had to go to the rehearsal for the wedding we were shooting the next day, so Eli and I hung out for the rest of the evening together.

It really was a wonderful day and it made for a really nice, long weekend!