Shopping For Two

When it comes to shopping for baby girl number two, there really isn't much to it! We still have all of Aliyah's baby clothes and almost every other baby item I can think of (and more). Even still, I can't help but to pick up a few things here and there.

I feel a little guilty buying any baby girl clothes since we have so many already but I have a great way to bypass the guilt... matching outfits!!! EEEKKK - just look how cute these are:

I also found this AWESOME book about sisters.

It talks about how they are different...

And how they are the same...

Aliyah really loves to listen to us read it. She knows the sign for "sister" and talks about it a lot - she has even given my round belly a few kisses and hugs, and can say her sister's name (kind of)! That's right folks, we have finally decided on a name... I will post more this week :)

I can't wait to get these two together!

Our Bear

We have been celebrating the life of our sweet Bear. Tyler's grandfather passed away this week after moving here to Kansas from New Orleans about a month ago. It was a tough move since he had lived in his house for over 40 years but he was happy to be around family and we were so happy to have him here.

He had been sick in New Orleans and spent a lot of his month in Kansas in the hospital. But even still, we were able to have many meals together and went to visit often. Aliyah had tons of kisses for his nose every time we saw him at his new house or at the hospital - I loved the fact that Aliyah could care less if he was hooked up to tubes. She smiled big every time she saw him and would run to him for a hug and kiss.

It was great for Aliyah to have this time with her Bear (even though she probably won't remember him as she grows) and there was no doubt that Aliyah made Bear shine. They were quite a pair. We all loved being able to hug on him so much this past month! Bear was going to turn 90 in November. He lived an amazing life and we will continue to tell his stories and love him always.

Our Bear:

This picture was from last summer - 4 generations of Inzers

I'm Pregnant and I Know It

My Dear Little Girl

Giving you big hugs!!

My Dear Little Girl,

Today marks 26 weeks pregnant with you - A few days less than 100 from your estimated due date! My excitement grows by the day, knowing that your existence in my arms is growing closer.

Everyone loves to tell me that you’re going to be hell on wheels. That having two well behaved, good-natured babies in a row is as rare as being struck by lightening. For a little while in the beginning, I worried they might be right. As time has passed, however, I have found a quiet confidence in who you will be. I think you will prove them all wrong.

Sometimes I sit quietly with my hands on either side of my belly and feel you move. I feel the hardness of your little hands and feet as you push against me and I am overcome with peace. Your presence there inside me, envelops me head to toe with the deepest of faiths. In the same way in which I have learned to follow God. In the way I have learned to make a life with your father. In the way I have learned to care for your sister - with that same faith I will trust you to come into this world in your own individual way.

And I will keep brushing away the preconceived notions of who you will be - those unfounded comments on what I should expect - because I feel you speaking to me already. And with every roll of my belly, you say to me “I am here, becoming. And I will be the exact person you need in your life, mama. No more or no less”

May these next 13 weeks fly by, my precious girl. I am so ready for you.

Love, Mama

Say What?!?

One of Aliyah's famous faces - I can't help but to laugh out loud every time she looks at me like this...

We have been working hard on limiting the binky to the car and bedroom. She has been doing pretty well and sings, "Bye-bye nini... nini bye-bye" when we have to leave it in her room or the car :)

Reflecting: Then and Now

This picture was taken last weekend in Oklahoma City at 24 weeks!!

My pregnancies have been very similar when it comes to the physical side of things, but lately I’ve been reflecting on just how different my emotional state is with this pregnancy. When I first learned I was pregnant with Aliyah, I researched and read to the point of over doing it. I scared myself with every “what if” scenario and added unnecessary stress by reading about unusual and rare pregnancy conditions. I was so happy to be pregnant but fearful of everything that could possibly go wrong. At times, I felt out of control of the process and let myself get worked up over the things I had no ability to manage.

This time, I have settled into a quiet confidence with my body. I know what it is capable of creating - as my happy, smiling girl is proof of that every day. And so this go round, I’ve allowed myself to just enjoy being pregnant without falling victim to the stress and anxiety (for the most part). I watch as my belly grows and feel those familiar aches and pains of a rapidly stretching body and instead of fearing the worst, I know that every thing is going right.

With my first, I had a great need to have every single thing ready before she arrived. I stock piled supplies (some of which we still haven’t used up) and insisted that every blanket and outfit and baby gadget needed for her first 6 months of life be acquired in advance. When she arrived, I was surprised with just how few things you really need for a newborn.

Having sweet baby # 2 fairly close behind Aliyah is a blessing because we have almost everything we need. We have bunches of adorable baby girl clothes, a stroller, a carseat and baby tubs ready to go... and I don’t feel a sense of wild urgency in gathering the rest. I’m okay with allowing another month to go by until we find the time to rearrange the nursery.

Everything about this pregnancy feels more relaxed and less rushed despite the fact that my life is much more complicated and busy now. I have started my own business. I no longer sleep in on the weekends. I spend large chunks of my time at home chasing around a toddler and washing clothes and grocery shopping. I rarely have an open-ended day to spend planning and preparing and yet, I am absolutely certain that it will all get done and this baby girl will have all she needs.

The hardest part of this journey still lies ahead of me - giving birth to my second daughter and then learning to care for her individual needs. I know where my next set of challenges lie. In the meantime, I’m enjoying the calm that comes with the familiar experience of growing a child and the confidence I’ve discovered in myself - It may not last forever, but it sure feels good right now.

It’s a very welcomed peace. Just like the old saying goes - with experience comes wisdom and that wisdom is serving me well.

Caine's Arcade

Did you know that today is Smile Your Face Off Thursday? No? Well, now you do. Watch.


Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

Easter Eggs and Hearts

Oh My... I am WAY overdue an Easter post! We had such a lovely weekend. Sunday was not only Easter, but it was also Tyler's and my SIX year anniversary. Has it seriously been 6 years already?!

I remember the moment the preacher said “I now pronounce you husband and wife!” I bounced on my tip toes and let out the most joyous squeal. Sitting across from my husband the other night and reflecting on our journey together, I still feel the pureness of that moment. From the second I was officially his wife my adoration and love for this man has only grown. Of all the paths I’ve chosen to go down in my life, following the one that lead me to Tyler has given me the most love, beauty and happiness.

Our day was busy and filled with family from both sides - I would often forget that it was also Tyler's and my special day. It is always so fun to watch Aliyah with other family members. She loves them so much and glows when she is surround by those who love her. We had a blast watching her collect eggs and talk about "bunnies!" pointing out any decorations or other items with rabbits on them. She also loved the Easter card my Aunt Annie made for her that we got in the mail and counting the eggs on the front!

Tyler and I did get a lovely home-made card from my mom and many well wishes and congrats from our family. Here is what our Easter/anniversary looked like:

Our little Wonder Woman started out in some Easter leggings and lounging about the house.

Aliyah changed into her Easter dress (a huge thank you to Stephanie Campbell) and we headed to brunch in Lawrence with Tyler's parents, brother, sister-in-law and my parents!

After brunch, we met my brother and his wife at my parents house to dye and hunt for eggs. I love this picture of Aliyah and her Uncle Russell using a white crayon to decorate eggs.

Isn't the back of this dress just delicious!?!

Aliyah was this excited opening EVERY plastic egg - it was so much fun to watch!

Her Easter stash included a variety of different cereals, chips, a banana slice, mini chocolate chips, string cheese, mini marshmallows, goldfish crackers, bunny sprinkles, raisins, olives, baby carrots and quarters (she likes to get a bouncy ball when we go to Old Navy)

Before we left Grammy & Grandpapa's house we all piled in the bathroom (so it would be dark) and filled a few plastic eggs with glow sticks. If you have never tried it, you should!

Our evening ended with snuggles on our couch talking about the fun we had that day and our favorite memories from our wedding. Perfect.

Be Still My Beating Heart

... Easter post to follow...

Easter Weekend Approaches

We heard a bunny is coming...

The Kid's Menu

Aliyah has been content sharing meals from our plates when we go out (as long as she has her own plate to put in front of her)... however, mom and dad have ended up still hungry at the end of a few meals. This girl is one fantastic eater! Sometimes we will order her an extra side or even a meal off the kid's menu.

I don't like ordering off the kid's menu a whole lot because the food isn't as flavorful and there are not as many options - pb&j, mac and cheese, chicken, hamburger or hot dog are the staples on a kid's menu... blah! Aliyah loves salads, most veggies and fruit and she enjoys a variety of different flavors - Thai, Indian, Greek, etc.

She will sometimes have an opinion of what she would like to eat too! When we asked what she wanted for lunch, she said (and signed) "PIZZA"

Well... she got a pizza!! I would have ordered her veggie toppings but the only option on the kid's menu was pepperoni or cheese (booooo) - Yup, this gigantic thing came off the kid's menu!!

Red Bud

One of my favorite signs of spring is this pretty pinkish-purpley red bud tree in our front yard. Tyler and I have been working in the front yard while people have stopped to tell us how beautiful that tree is. I just love it. I started posing by it when I was 36.5 weeks pregnant with Aliayh. Spring also makes me think of Aliyah and has turned into one of my favorite times of the year... So I obviously had to take another picture with my sweet spring chick again this year!

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