Christmas Packages!

Who doesn't love getting mail?! Packages from grammies are even better, and this week we got 3!  They were for Christmas and Lyndon's birthday and we had to open them all this week because we can't take them with us to Utah, it was so exciting.  

First came Grammie and Grandpa Biggs and Great Granny's box.  This is a pic of Madelyn fallen asleep with her new dollies.  I wish she had on the cute pjs Grammie sent her too :)  Lyndon got 2 Shrek movies and would watch them nonstop if I let him!  And the spiderman shoes were a big hit too!

Then we got a box from my Mom.

(He is singing in his 'Backyarigans' mic.- jacket, hat, mittens and binoculars all new too!)


She got Madelyn new toys too and look at this adorable little outfit!  Now they are both ready for Utah and the snow!!!
Speaking of our trip to Utah, Grammie LeeRaye sent a card with money which was perfect timing because I have really been wanting a double stroller, especially for the airport, and I found this one on craigslist for the exact amount! 


THANK YOU GRAMMIES!!!!!!!

A Very Warm Thanksgiving!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year in the beautiful, warm and yes, humid San Antonio.
It was a full house, probably the biggest Thanksgiving we've ever had (since we live so far from the rest of our family.) My Dad's brother and his crew flew out from ID which was so cool. I wish we saw them more.
Our family has been so blessed over the years but this year we are especially grateful for the many miracles we witnessed since my Dad was diagnosed with cancer this summer. Everything was (and is) so uncertain with his prognosis, but all the time I get to spend with him is a blessing. I am thankful for the faith that has sustained our whole family through all of this, I know that because of that faith he is here and we remain hopeful.
I tried to help Lyndon understand what thanksgiving was by drawing what we were thankful for and making it into a little banner. When I asked him what he was thankful for very sweetly, the first thing he said was Jesus, then Madi, then his bike! Then he fell asleep just before we ate! His cousins really wore him out. He called them his brothers and he was so excited every time he saw them! I was very impressed by them, I imagined most teenage boys wouldn't give a 2 year old the time of day, but not these guys, they're awesome!
The next day we all went to Sea World (except for Dad) and it was the perfect day to go. It was kind of cloudy and looked like it was going to rain so there weren't a lot of crowds. We saw some shows and road some rides and Lyndon was spoiled ROTTEN by his Great Uncle Dave, and being the wonderful baby that she is, Madelyn just hung out in her sling as I packed her around everywhere.
Now we are back home and I miss everyone so much, I love Dallas but sometimes I wish we all lived just a little closer!

Oh, and I apologize the photos aren't better, my flash was acting up.

Beautiful Blue Eyed Family

Tag your it!!!

A fun tag, tag your it if you look at my blog.
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold and italicize all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (none of your business!)
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason 
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving 
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job 
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car 
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper 
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox 
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous 
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument
Have fun!

Sick of being sick....

... my whole family being sick that is.  I don't know what the deal is, we have always been so good about avoiding sickness, but this winter we can't get a break!!!!  I would love to post more pics of my cute kids doing something fun but there hasn't been much time for that lately.  The only thing different I can think of is that Gordon is working in a clinic where they see lots of people all day, some sick, but he can't very well avoid his job.  Meanwhile it is so sad to see our little guys suffering :(  and talk about expensive to get them better, makes me really like the idea of universal medicine.  We have public schools, why not public healthcare; maybe we should move to France (Gordon would do well and we wouldn't go into debt to get our kids better!)  So anyway, that's what we have been up to.  We're going to San Antonio for Thanksgiving next week, can't wait, should get lots of fun pics then!

Yes We Can => Yes We DID!!!!!

I am kind of at a loss for words right now, but I did not want to let this moment pass without expressing in some way how I feel right now witnessing history.  I was filled with faith and awe (and I'll admit a few tears) as I watched the announcement that Barack Obama was elected President, faith in democracy and the power of the people.  Popular vote worked, first of all, that's a big deal.  Second of all, some of you may know that I have been very inspired by Obama and I am really excited now for our future that has been looking so grim.  I believe that Obama's policies will pull our country back up on it's feet, but that is as controversial as I want to get here.

I have received email after email full of 'inaccuracies' in regard to Obama, and my hope now is that those folks can take a look at the facts and open their minds and hearts and see the change for good that is in store for America. God Bless America!

Lyndon Dragon

~I wish I knew what he was thinking in this picture~
Lyndon has loved dragons all year so it was perfect that we borrowed his Uncle JT's dragon costume... he really thought it was THE REAL THING!

But what was Lyndon's most favorite part of Halloween?.... THE CANDY!

Madelyn didn't see a lot of action this halloween. I did put her little pumpkin outfit on her but she slept cuddled with mommy in her sling while we took Lyndon trick-or-treating.

Pumpkin Patch 2008

What's a mom got to do to get a smile....... geeez

My Blessing Dress

My blessing dress did not come in the mail in time for the blessing (we weren't even sure if it would fit anyway since she is growing like a weed!) But it came last week and fit perfectly, I had to take pictures, she looks like an angel.

New Favorite

I think babies are my new favorite. I used to think they were the hardest but I really enjoyed this session.


Such a beautiful and photogenic little girl, it even kind of looks like she has make-up on!

Blessing

Madelyn was blessed today, it was beautiful and so was she.  We are so happy she has come to be in our family, what a blessing indeed.

Halloween Costume ~Photography~ Party!!!

email me today, destinyphotography@gmail.com

More from the 'shoot'

My pretty pink baby :)

Lyndon said he wanted his pic taken with Madelyn, but because she was a little fussy he got nervous, so this is the best we could do!

Twins...

Can you believe how much they look alike!

Kristal took the most amazing photos of Lyndon when he was a month old so I tried this week to get some similar shots of Madelyn... 

Stand Up 2 Cancer | Buttons of Hope

What an amazing movement this is. Someday we will have a cure, but for now early detection is key. 

I consider my Dad a hero, since his diagnosis with stage 4 colon cancer this summer he has encouraged all of his loved ones to get a colonoscopy, his Mom's husband had a cancerous tumor which was successfully removed and his siblings had polyps which were also removed.
My Dad truly is fighting, and I am grateful everyday for that, so that is why I want to do what I can to help. Please consider buying a button, making a donation and scheduling your own cancer screenings!



Single Buttons $5 | $1 from each photo button donated to Stand Up 2 cancer
http://www.buttonsofhope.com/createbutton/cart.aspx

Madelyn's Birth

I was so excited to get Madelyn's Birth Story from my doula today. I knew she would do a better job at it than me, I added just a few things in parenthesis.  This birth was like a dream come true, everything was perfect, better than I could have imagined.  I can't even express how glad I am that I decided to do it naturally at a birth center!

1:45 AM Destiny wakes Gordon to tell him this is real labor.

2:45 AM I call and speak with Destiny to see how things are going and where they are headed.

(As contractions get stronger I get in the shower with a  chair for a little bit, I like standing during contractions but sit and rest in-between, the warm water and solitude really helped me get relaxed)

3:50 AM I arrive and find Destiny breathing focusing and swaying

4:00 AM We start to get into a routine with the contractions

4:20 AM Destiny eats a nectarine and Gordon is getting things ready to head to the birth center.

We try a few new positions with each contraction, the only thing Destiny prefers is to stand and sway. Destiny likes the double hip squeeze and her spine massaged from neck to lower back, a constant downward motion with one hand followed by another.

4:45 AM Gordon starts to wake Lyndon up and call a sitter to come and get him.

When Lyndon wakes up he sees Destiny swaying and comes over and hugs her and touches her belly.

4:50 AM Destiny says she is starting to feel a lot of pressure and asks why she feels like pushing….. I explain this is transition, 7-10 centimeters  

(I cannot believe it could possibly already be time to push, the contractions never got as intense as I thought they would!)

4:55 AM Lyndon leaves with Charity And we head towards the car, I ride to the birth center with you.

5:05 AM We are on Highway 75 and Destiny's bag of waters break

5:10 AM We arrive at Lover’s Lane Birth Center and Dinah is there to greet us with a relaxing spa like birthing suite.

(It's so peaceful, exactly how I wanted to bring my Madelyn into the world)

5:15 We settle in and Dinah checks Destiny, she is completely ready to push.

5:20 AM Destiny realizes she only likes sitting on the edge of the bed for pushing and asks for the tub to be filled up. Dinah starts the tub, but says she thinks the baby is going to come before it is ready. Destiny slowly starts to push.

Gordon is on Destiny’s right side holding her hand and leg and I am on her left side breathing with her and holding a hand and leg.

Dinah is great and she is just letting Destiny push how she wants to without guidance or counting. She keeps saying how beautifully Destiny is doing.

6:04 AM Madelyn Elyse LeSueur is born and placed directly on Destiny’s chest. She has a short umbilical cord.

I look up and there is such a peace between Destiny, Gordon, and Madelyne it is beautiful.

Destiny has the most loving peaceful smile, Gordon has one tear down his face from his left eye. and Madelyne is letting the world know she has arrived with her sweet little cry.

6:05 The umbilical cord stops pulsing, is cut, and Dinah and I get Destiny comfortable in bed to deliver Placenta. Destiny is snuggling with the baby skin to skin and letting Madelyne find her way to nurse. Gordon is sitting right beside her snuggled with both of them.

6:30 AM ish placenta is delivered and we work on getting Destiny’s fluids replenished with some Chloryfill and she eats a Green Food Odwalla Bar and a banana. We then get her on her side lying down to let Madelyne nurse.

Madelyne latches on and nurses a little off and on for a good 30 minutes to an hour.

8 AM Dinah weighs Madelyne and she is 8lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches long.

I help Dinah get some things cleaned up and leave the room for a little bit for you both to rest.

8:30 AM Dinah tries to help Destiny up to shower and Destiny feels too dizzy so she rests.

Gordon puts Madelyne’s first outfit on and wraps her up.

9:00 AM Gordon makes a run for breakfast at McDonalds.

9:40 AM Dinah tries again to help Destiny up and she says she feels dizzy still. Dinah suggests Destiny sleep for a few hours and then to try again. Gordon takes me back to my car.

10:15 AM I come back to the birth center because I forgot something and Destiny and Madelyne are both sound asleep in bed.

Congratulations on a beautiful baby girl and a beautiful birth.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special beginning!

Tonya Buffington, www.righthanddoula.com

The winner is.....

Madelyn was born Sunday, Aug. 3rd @ 6:15 am.  

She was 41 wks old, weighed 8 lbs 11 oz, and was 20 1/2 in long.

We had a couple close guesses but the one the closest was 'robmelham' and I am embarrassed to admit I am not sure who that is, let me know so I can send you your prize and congratulations!

Lyndon, Madelyn and I are in San Antonio with my folks.  I took these photos with their camera because I couldn't wait to show off my precious little girl.  I will write more later on our exciting past two weeks as soon as I can.  Oh, and in case you are wondering why there aren't pics of her birth it's because it happened sooooo fast, and I did it with a midwife so I wasn't in a hospital; it was awesome, more of that another time.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me with meals and babysitting, I love you all! 

Still Waiting...

Here's a fun little game we invite all to play while we wait for Madelyn to get here.
I think it is safe to say that I am getting a little impatient, I have had serious 'braxton hicks contractions' for the past TWO weeks, so I was hoping this would be a fun distraction.

Leave a comment and tell us when YOU think Madelyn will make her grand appearance and how much you think she will weigh... 
The winner gets a super cool prize ~TBA :)

This picture was taken today if that helps, oh and my due date is Aug. 4th... good luck!