Addison is 2!

Addie LOVES popcorn. Love really doesn't encompass her passion, really. She is completely obsessed. Whenever we say the word "popcorn" she usually tenses up and shakes with excitement. It really can become a swear word if you don't mean to make her popcorn right when you say it, because if you don't, well, she will relentlessly BEG for it by repeating "popcorn popcorn popcorn". Once she has a bowl full, her hand does NOT stop grabbing handful after handful. She can honestly eat more popcorn than me (and I really can eat ALOT). So naturally, we had to have a POPCORN PARTY!!!

I honestly threw this together way too last minute, it was super fun making the popcorn cupcakes and cake. People tease me that I'll never been able to keep this up year after year for my kids, but honestly, I love birthday parties and I can't help myself. It's way too much fun!

Her face while we sang Happy Birthday was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Waving and clapping with pure Joy. She looked like she was going to burst.

Yup, it's all about ME!!!

She kept throwing her arms up like this. And when she said "TWOOOO" her two fingers were crossed, it was priceless.

So much love for this crazy crowd!

Time for presents!

Renne loves to help with the opening

She is so cute it kills me!

A few quick things about Addison:

- Getting more chatty, LOVES to sing and uses more words when she's singing than any other time. (it's hard to keep up to Renne's constant chatter ;))

- Despite her ability to appear perfectly innocent, she loves to bug her sister and get her in trouble. It's usually really funny, but poor Renne is mostly just trying to play with her.

- She's doing awesome with her walking, still a little teetery at times, but trying to run around.

- Definitely hitting the "fun" aspects of being 2, but amazes us how she flips from her tantrums to being so sweet and happy right away.

- Loves nursery. It will be different for her now, as Renne is moving up to Sunbeams.

- Her favourite things to do are: have baths, EAT - literally almost anything, read books, play the piano and sing, cuddle when she's sleepy and yes, watching paw patrol!

Mason James Whidden

Mason James Whidden

born on December 16, 2016 at 4:39 a.m.

weighing 7 lbs 11 oz. and 20.5'' long

"A Christmas baby!?! Who does that?"

That was my first thought when I found out I was pregnant and due on December 20th back in April. Then the joke just got funnier when I went for an early ultrasound and they bumped my due date back to December 25th. Well, sorry buddy! Christmas birthdays aren't any fun, and I was telling myself with my history, I would be in the hospital on Christmas day. Both of the girls were pretty close to their due date, Renne was bang on, and we ended up staying for 4 days with both because they needed photo therapy. I wasn't banking on an early baby. Not in the slightest. I wasn't that naive. With Addie I had braxton hicks for months before, and I had a few fluid leaks, and totally got my hopes up, and that's just not a fun road to go down, so I convinced myself the timing would probably be less than ideal, but that it would work out as it should. We didn't set any specific Christmas plans, and we kept things really simple this year. I really wasn't that nervous about things though, I knew it would work out how it was supposed to. TBH, Christmas babies are THE BEST. The absolute best Christmas present = NEW BABY snuggles!!💙  Well, and being done with pregnancy is a pretty close second. ;)

In the past, getting checked has been the most painful part of giving birth. With Renne I remember begging Tim not to let them check me. That was the absolute worst part of it all. My doctors had tried stripping my membranes in the past, but were never able to, or even to find my cervix for that matter.😁 My cervix is what you call posterior, so it's waaaaay back there and quite literally it feels like the doctors are looking for my belly button until I'm basically fully dilated. On Wednesday the 14th I had an appointment with my doctor. I was 38.5 weeks, so she asked if she should check me, knowing fully well how uncomfortable it was for me. I told her to go for it and to try sweeping my membranes, and she told me she was so proud of me, as if that was some sort of accomplishment. It was my motherly duty to try and give this boy a not-so-terrible birthday, right? Anyway, she went to check me and it completely caught me by surprise when she said right away "there's your cervix! you're probably at a 2-3 and it's very favourable!!" what? She didn't have to tell me that it was favourable, I knew because it felt way different than it ever had before. She did a successful sweep and I wasn't even in any pain. A miracle in it's own right. She also told me she would be surprised to see me go another week. don't do that to me Doc. I hate getting my hopes up. I phoned Tim just giddy that getting checked wasn't going to kill me when I went into labor. I honestly didn't let myself entertain the idea that it could be any day...

The next morning I got up with the girls and started getting contractions as soon as I woke up and started moving around. I had been having lots of braxton hicks, so I figured it was just more of those initially. After half an hour, they began to hurt a fair amount, and were getting worse for sure. I started timing them and they were about 3-4 minutes apart. Being my third baby, and knowing Tim was half an hour away, I decided to phone him and let him know. I told him to be on stand by, but not to get his hopes up. He also phoned him parents and told them to be ready. At this point I was struggling to walk through them, so I figured it would be a few more hours at the most until go time.

As soon as Tim got home the contractions slowed down significantly. It was like as if someone hit "pause". I was devastated. I knew that the labor was real, it felt just like Addie, and I hadn't ever had start-stop labor before, labor that felt like that anyway. Being super hormonal I obviously broke into tears and had a pretty good cry. Tim didn't know what to say to me, poor guy was disappointed too, but couldn't show it since I was emotional enough for the both of us. I felt foolish and confused and just ripped off. After accepting that it wasn't going anywhere I went upstairs and had a nap. I kept getting the odd contraction here and there, so Tim didn't want to leave me by myself. We went and ran some last minute Christmas errands, which was great to get my mind off of things. I had several contractions that literally stopped me in my tracks as we walked around the store. They were pretty painful, but so irregular. I was so confused! 

After picking up some pizza for supper, I phoned my awesome friend Kristy who is taking a reflexology course. Her and I had been joking all month that she would induce my labor by "working my uterus" on my feet. She was so sweet and came over just a few hours later. She massaged my feet and I went to bed that night feeling so relaxed.

At 2 am I rolled over and instantly felt some intense tightening. It was like someone literally pressed "play", and things picked up again, right where they left off. I decided to lay low for a while and try and lay in bed, but quite honestly things were getting real super quickly. By 2:30 I was in lots of pain, and Tim woke up hearing me puffing through a contraction. I started to get a little excited/panicky and got out of bed realizing that there was no possible way this labor was stopping this time. I was excited, but also super delirious as I didn't have anything packed or ready!! seriously, what the heck ASH?!  I guess I thought packing the bag might jinx my chances of having an early baby, and I really was hoping he came before Christmas, I'm a weirdo. By 3:00 I phoned my bestie Joelle, who came over right away (thank goodness for her)! By the time she got here I was shaking and saying I wanted some drugs, and both Jo and Tim laughed and told me it was probably too late for that. I remember uttering something strange on our way out there door like "I just don't know what to do right now" - gotta love nonsensical labor talk.

We got to the hospital just before 4 and Tim dropped me off at the Emerg doors. I was already feeling lots of pressure and the contractions were really painful. I knew he was coming super fast. One of my contractions walking into the hospital was so bad I started sobbing and shaking as I stood outside in the freezing cold. I'm actually amazed my water didn't break on it's own because I felt so much pressure I could feel it bulging! I tried to act calm when I talked to the check-in nurse, but she could tell I wasn't doing so hot. "Are you ok?" haha, Yeah i'm great, just get me the heck upstairs! She insisted Tim take me up in a wheelchair. When they wheeled me into labor and delivery the nurses asked me what baby number this was to which Tim responded "3" and they wheeled me directly into the delivery suite right across the hall. They told me to take off my pants (I didn't even have time to take off my sweater) and checked me. I was at 8-9. I was actually a lot less calm than I was with Addison just because I didn't have time to gear up for it, it was all happening so so quickly. They phoned the doctor right away, and she arrived within 10 minutes, I was so impressed and so grateful! She broke my water and I immediately began pushing. About 5 pushes and fifteen minutes later Mason was on my chest and it was done! He was here! What the heck? 9 days early?!!? Could this be real? 

It might not be clear in this picture, but this moment is!!!!!!!! Really explanation marks are the best way to describe it. So many intense emotions (and sensations). The relief of a brand new baby on your chest is definitely the most incredible moment. I was looking forward to this since the moment I found out we were expecting again. It's what kept me going during those long hard days when I couldn't find any relief from the pregnancy party. Labor is hard and crazy painful, but I welcome it gladly every time...

MY SON!!! A BOY!!!!!

Mason came so fast and so quick, he was so bruised, poor little guy :( He was still so perfect and cute. The love was instant. It's such a miracle.

Those puffy bruised cheeks...

Mason James and Payton Marie. 

2 cute little cousins eagerly waiting for their other cousin, coming in a month!

seriously how cute is Payton??

Nothing like your baby holding your baby. Such a surreal moment.

Addie has been a champ with her new baby brother. She loves Mason and has been super gentle so far. Never easy being bumped from the nest.

There is something so magical about the moment when a baby opens their eyes for the first time, an introduction to their soul. Mason was one sleepy little guy for the first week, he hardly woke up, so I really cherished the moments when his eyes were open. 

Well done Mason boy! I can't believe how well you cooperated!! and really, if i'm being honest, I'm glad you let me have a few hours of sleep and finish my Christmas errands in the middle of labor! It ended up being perfect.

Family picture before we left the hospital the very next day!! What an unexpected blessing! I was shocked when the nurse told me that his bilirubin results were normal and that we could go home! My girls' levels were scary high, and I was expecting it to be the same with him. Tim was so excited when I phoned to tell him to come and get us! I can't think of a better Christmas present.

Christmas with our 3 babies! 

I can't stop staring at this picture of them! As if we are this lucky!

And ps to my past self - IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!

hAlLoWeEn

H A P P Y Halloween!

This year, lets be honest, I am spent. My body can hardly function when I'm pregnant, and it's really hard for me to cut back on nearly everything. I just didn't have it in me to plan something extravagant for our family this year, however, I am so blessed to have a super talented mother, who has a closet full of awesome hand made costumes. This year she spruced up an old costume of mine, one that I loved probably more than all of them combined. My belle dress that I wore when I was 4. Renne was so excited to be Belle, and It was so much fun to dress her up in a dress I loved so much! Tim doesn't look at all the part, despite his costume being pretty much identical to what the character wears, but he was crazy old Maurice - aka Belle's dad. (minus the crazy hair and short, stout build). Addie and I decided to embrace the belly, so I went as Mike Wasowski and she was Sully. Super random, but despite what this pinterest perfect obsessed society tells us, kids don't care and they had just as much fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We sure had a blast playing in the snow this Thanksgiving! It was a particularly snowy one this year!

I am so thankful for these special people in my life. 

I am so thankful for a healthy body and the chance I have to bring another baby into our home.

I am so thankful for this place I call home.

I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ who died for me.

I am so thankful to be alive and to know true JOY.

SUMMER '16

Well, this summer I wasn't the greatest at taking pictures, but here is what I have and some blurbs to go with them :)

We definitely enjoyed the parks in town A LOT. 

Taking the girls to the park was actually pretty challenging because Addison wasn't walking confidently until October, so she would get sooo dirty, and couldn't do much without me carrying her (more on this in a bit). Renne still needed me to help her up onto things, so the park was sometimes pretty stressful running between kids, but always worth the trip out of the house!

Tim's parents rented a house in Stirling, so they have been so close and it's been such a blast seeing them way more often than we have before! What a special time. They are building a retirement home in Cochrane, but in the mean time they are super close and we are loving it. The kids are so close with their Nana and Papa and it brings us so much joy!

We also had our Low Family reunion, which was only one day, but it was super fun! Renne doesn't have any first Low cousins (yet) but she is so blessed to have these second cousins all her age! She had a blast. Sadly, this is the only picture I have as I was on nap duty with Addie during lots of the festivities. 

I didn't get to Echo quite as much as last summer, but we still made it down quite a few times. It is always the absolute best time. Coming home is always hard, it's our little piece of heaven on earth. I cherish the time we have down there with family. Next summer should be an absolute blast as we will have 3 extra babies!!! Can't wait!

what a view...

Renne and her awesome daddy. 

insert hubby brag: Tim seriously saves my life all the time. Pregnancy was crazy this time around and he was my constant support and helped me so much. I will never be able to thank him enough. I am seriously so lucky.

Renni girl loving life.

She asks me for the cabin all the time and as soon as we get home, she asks me when we can go back. 

Addie, my little fish. This girl loves the water! 

Serious highlight!!!! We took our bestest buddies down to the lake over a weekend! We had the best time playing and relaxing and staying up way too late playing games. My abs seriously hurt from all of the laughter! I think our little girls had a pretty fun time too ;) We sure love the Strangs and the Holsts. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say we will be life long friends. What a blessing!

I avoid the camera like the plague when I'm pregnant (i know, so silly) but I did manage to take a few pictures/belly shots, if you will? I have no clue how many weeks I am in these, but probably around 18-20? I definitely looked pretty pudgy right from the get-go. 

My face: seriously, I have 20 more weeks?

Renne loves gymnastics drop-in, so I signed her up for a day camp for a few mornings. She was sooo excited. It was the cutest thing and my first experience doing something like that as a mom. I definitely had a few soft tears to wipe away as I drove off. Can't believe how fast she is growing up!

Our family took a trip down to Utah for Bryanne and Jake's wedding. It was a super loaded week, with lots of fun highlights. Here is Renne on a ride at Lagoon, which was an absolute blast. I even managed to hit up a few rides (and not barf, amazing!)

💗💗💗💗

Addie was less than thrilled about the baby's breath crown. She actually was pretty grumpy the entire day, and I think this is the only picture we have of her smiling. (sorry Bry)

life is rough when you're 1.5 and a flower girl...

Renne was in heaven at the reception trying out all of the treats! I have no idea how many italian sodas she actually drank, or who was getting them for her? But come on, look at those eyes!!

Looking way too grown up!!

pictures like this make me wish I had a clue about photography

cutest little twerpy...

Mom and Renni at the Lethbridge reception. There was a serious dance and she was right in the middle of the action. (she is so sweaty in this picture😝) I was a super awkward chubby preggo, but I can't help myself, I love a good old Low family dance!

This is the cake I made for Bryanne and Jake's Lethbridge reception. It was a lot of fun to play around with all of the fresh flowers. 

Some thoughts on Addie's walking delay...

So our sweetest little Ads is a kid who does things on her own terms. She's been slower with pretty much all things gross motor. I noticed that around her first birthday, she still wasn't crawling, and she was still flopping sideways to get from sitting to laying down. Her mobility was pretty much limited to rolling (which she did very well) and I knew she was very behind. Through the suggestion of a friend at church, I decided to phone and book her in to see a physio therapist. I cannot even tell you how wonderful this woman was. She saved me and helped me more than she will ever know. Alison saw us over the next 9 months, and helped Addie learn to crawl, to sit with her legs together (yes, this apparently is a thing, a milestone so to speak) then pull to stand, then walk along furniture, to then FINALLY walk on her own. It was incredibly frustrating and difficult as a mom, and also a really great learning experience for me. Handling it while pregnant pushed me to my limits at times. I was definitely beyond concerned, I was losing sleep over it. Not to mention the comments from people that were all good intentioned, but I avoided bringing Addie places at times, just to avoid explaining it. Having a child who can't walk is definitely not all it might be cracked up to be. People would say to me, Enjoy it! She's stationary! She can't our-tun you yet!! No. This was beyond any of that thinking...

This right here is a typical Addie stance... limp leg dance.

We tried everything from bribes to cheering to walking toys to different shoes. I even used a device called an "upsee" for several weeks where Addie was strapped into booties that were connected to my feet, and then held up by a belt I wore around my waist. It was exhausting walking along with her while 6 months pregnant, and eventually it became a punishment that we had to stop using. She would cry the moment I brought it out. So bizarre. 

Alison had me space out our furniture exactly 18'' apart at one point, because we knew that was the width of a gap she was comfortable crossing between furniture.  I rearranged my entire living room with tables and chairs interspaced and I put her toys up on the furniture so she had to stand to play. We are talking extreme baby steps here people....We would set the simplest goals like "carry addison with her legs together, not wrapped around your waist", things I would never have thought of on my own! (kids like Addie who are very low tone are extremely flexible, so carrying her with her knees together instead of super wide and wrapped around my waist, made it so she had to use her core muscles more, and helped develop muscle strength). I remember thinking many times that maybe Addie would never walk. It felt like it was taking forever. We ruled out lots of possibilities, her eyes, her feet, her hips, her legs. We saw quite a few doctors along the way and everyone told me the same thing, she looks fine, she's just not ready. We did discover that she does have external tibia torsions on both of her legs, meaning her leg bone turns out naturally, making her feet turn outward to the side. This makes it more difficult for her to walk, and she might not out grow it until she is 4, but it will correct itself.

You can't make your kids do anything. You can encourage and teach them until you are blue in the face, but they have to do things in their own time and in their own way. This makes complete sense, not a new thing for me to hear, but it was something that I had to learn for myself, to let things go. To ignore the mom guilt thoughts, and the comments from others. To be patient in an entire new way.  We are almost positive that there is anything "wrong" with Addison, although at one point we were discussing some potential disorders, and she's been doing great ever since she decided she was ready, but it was an experience that changed the way I look at my kids. It changed how I see kids with disorders and with limitations. I am grateful for this obstacle we had to overcome. 

On September 28th, Addie decided she was ready to walk on her own. I cannot even describe my relief. Even typing this now, my eyes are hot and wet reliving that moment. She finally could do it! I was at home with the kids and she started walking between objects, about 10 steps at a time. I still remember sending an email to Alison immediately after I phoned Tim. No one really understood but her, and I will forever be grateful to have had her support throughout all of this. I will never take legs that work for granted again...