Jensen at 8 Months

Here you have it. Jensen turned 8 Months old and time is flying by so quickly and is so busy, that I've had no time to blog. Here are a very few things to post about Jensen...I'm already onto 9 month post. I'm doing my best to keep up with these two babies!!
Enjoy!

Kathryn turns 1 Month on Christmas Day

 Kathryn Anne was 1 month on Christmas Day!

We had so much to celebrate. It's hard to believe that she is already one month old, time is racing.

(Christmas morning photos)

Our Crazy Kind of Christmas 2014

This year, Christmas was very interesting. It certainly did not feel like Christmas. With two babies and all that that entails, scheduled places to be, food to make, etc. Christmas just was not the same. We are so blessed and grateful for our babies, but we are also very exhausted and several things were different this year.

Merry Christmas from the Grashams

This year since we had two babies, we decided to send out birth announcements with our Christmas card. This helped save on the cost of mailing and it was a 3 in 1 card. I wish we could have sent out more and if you did not receive one, I am sorry. We were only able to send out a few this year. 

Here is our Christmas Card followed by our birth announcements for our little man and little miss.

4th Annual Christmas Party

This year was pretty laid back. Usually, we make a pretty gourmet main dish and sides. This year, we provided Scalloped potatoes, salad and simple appetizers. Everyone else brought something to share.

We had soups, fried chicken, to add with dinner and desserts that I didn't manage to get a picture of. 

It was a fun and relaxing evening and we had a wonderful time with our friends.

Santa and Little Miss Clause joined in for a bit before bed time :-)

Kathryn Anne's Newborn Photoshoot

Kathryn's newborn photos were taken when she was 5 days old. 

They were taken by Kellianne Barron Photography

Hannah's ideas of fun!

Since we moved things around in preparation for Kathryn, 

our treadmill is now in what was her play area.

"HAMMAH"

For the past seveal months, Hannah has been saying she wants to add an "M" to her name. We kept telling her that Mama and Papa gave her the name Hannah and sadly, she can't change it. We noticed recently that her school papers that come home very Thursday has started to change...

Kathryn at 2 Weeks

Kathryn Anne is 2 weeks old!

Again, time is flying...I guess having babies makes life go much quicker than when it was just Dan and I. I know life is sure more fun having this little ones around. Such joy they bring to us!

Kathryn Anne 6 Days After Birth

We headed to the doctor for the first time since Kathryn was born. 

Since she was born a couple days before Thanksgiving, we were unable to get in to see the pediatrician until after the holiday and weekend. 

She was 6 days old when we went in. 

Stats:

(Original Birth Weight was 8 lbs. 6 oz.)

Weight: 8 pounds 3 oz.  and 62nd percentile 

Height: 20 1/2 inches long and 75th percentile

Head Circumference: 14 cm. and 57th percentile

Schlumberger Announces...

I love how Daniel's company makes a big deal about births and children of their employees. I just wanted to share this sweet email that was sent out to those in his department. Thank you Schlumberger!

December 2, 2014

Welcome the newest addition to the family!

                Dear All,

Please join Dan Grasham, Field Service Quality Engineer and his wife Sarina,
in welcoming their daughter, Kathryn Anne.  Kathryn, who arrived on November 25
weighed 8lbs 6oz and measured 20.5  inches.

Kathryn’s big sister, Hannah and her big brother, Jenson are very happy to meet her.

                Best wishes,

                Joseph Flowers

Kathryn Anne's Birth Story

On Friday we celebrated Jensen for National Adoption Day and that was the day he legally became our son. My doctor had wanted to induce me with a c-section on Tuesday, which would be 39 weeks. I was so worried that Kathryn would make her debut before November 21-when we were to be in court. I prayed so hard that we would make it past Friday. And, we did!

"Jensen's Gotcha Day"

"November 21st, 2014--A Day to Remember Forever"
We all got up early and headed to the courthouse for our 8 a.m. court time.
Jensen looked sharp and we were so excited to be surrounded by friends and family as Jensen officially became our son.

We Welcome Kathryn Anne Grasham!

This week we welcomed into our world, another beautiful daughter.

Kathryn Anne Grasham

She was born on Tuesday evening, November 25th at 6:09 p.m.

Jensen at 7 Months

Time is sure flying fast and our sweet boy is 7 months old.

My sweet kiddos!

 I just wanted to post a few pics of my little kiddos being sweet. Hannah loves being a big sister and helping Jensen whether it is changing diapers, getting dressed or helping him sit up on the couch together. 

Mama and Daughter Date

A couple weeks ago, I woke up and felt like doing something special for Hannah. 

I knew that our time is fading as the "two gals" in the house and so I wanted to surprise her with something fun. She woke up and I told her to get dressed and we were going somewhere for a treat. This was all before 9:00 a.m. She got dressed and was very excited. We headed out!

Here are some pictures from our adventure.

Hannah's Thanksgiving Luncheon

On Wednesday, Hannah's class had a "Thanksgiving Luncheon".

The kids were to decorate a shoe box using their creativity.  

After it was decorated, then I was to pack a lunch for both she and I to eat together in class.

Here is Hannah  with her decorated shoe box.

38 Weeks with Kathryn Anne

Today, I am 38 Weeks.

Pre Labor? Early Labor? or False Labor?

I must document this for myself and for the future, for Kathryn to see my progress with her pregnancy. 

For the past week or so, I've been having more intense and sporadic contractions. 

37 Weeks pregnant with Kathryn Anne

It's amazing how differently you can carry one baby from another. 

37 Weeks with Hannah Grace                        37 Weeks with Kathryn Anne

36 Week Ultrasound with Kathryn Anne

My doctor requested an ultrasound at 36 weeks to determine how big Kathryn was at this point. 

From what we learned, she was 7 lbs. 2 oz. 

Mother Goose

Hannah has been learning nursery rhymes this year in preschool. 

As an assignment, she had to choose which nrusery rhyme character she would dress up as for when Mother Goose would come visit at her school. 

Hannah chose, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".

Have a look!

Kathryn Anne's Baby Shower

My sweet friend Rebecca hosted a sweet baby shower for me in anticipation of Kathryn Anne.

The theme was, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls". It was just precious.

Several of my good friends, Mom and Mother in law were there. 

We played games, ate awesome food--(all of my favorites) and we were blessed with such a sweet blessing, prayer and gifts.

Halloween 2014

This year, we stayed home, as opposed to going to Oma and Opa's neighborhood for trick or treating.

We handed out candy at home, the kids dressed up, I took the kids out for a bit and Dan and Hannah had a special ride in the go-kart to other parts of the neighborhood!

 This year, my kids were Elsa and Olaf. I made Hannah's shoes and attached some fabric into her dress o make it more modest. I also made Jensen's outfit as well. His nose was just the cutest!

Fall Fun

I've been a little more lax on taking pictures...I'm just doing all I can so get through these last few weeks of pregnancy. Here are some random highlights from our fall so far.

When we go to the grocery store, Hannah loves to look at the pumpkins... 

Pumpkin Patch Party 2014

Our church had their annual "Pumpkin Patch Party" last Friday night. 

Our kids dressed up as Elsa and Olaf. They were just precious. 

I made Hannah's shoes...well, I dressed them with fabric and jewels and I made Jensen's Olaf costume as well. They were the cutest Frozen characters I saw ;-) Yes, I am biased.

  

Jensen's 6 Month Photo Shoot

Jensen turned 6 months old on October 28th. 

My friend Aja Speights took these beautiful pictures for us.

Here are his 6 month captured shots!

Jensen at 6 months

Ok, call me lame but I just haven't had a chance to do a 6 month update for Jensen. 

Something about having a baby and being VERY pregnant, while taking care of a 4 year old, having my parents living with us for 3 months and daily life....

Not a whole lot "new" happened during 6 months, 

but here are a few things along with his stats for the record.

Maternity Shoot with Kathryn Anne

I am so blessed to have an amazing friend, who happens to be an incredibly amazing photographer. 

Thank you Krytondra for blessing us with your talent!

These pictures were taken at 35 weeks with Kathryn Anne at Oyster Creek Park, Sugar Land, Texas 

Enjoy!

Dewberry Farms

Today, we headed out to Dewberry Farms in Brookshire,Texas

Hannah has been asking to go to the pumpkin patch for days now and today we finally decided to make it happen. We had gone to this place when she was 2, but she was too little to really enjoy it much. 

This year she REALLY enjoyed the tractor ride, lifting pumpkins, climbing on the hay bails and playground, watching the chicken show, feeding the goats,etc. We got some awesome pictures of our kids and a great family picture as well. See below for all the fun we had!

Camping in Brazos Bend State Park

A few weekends ago, we went camping at Brazos Bend State Park. 

It was about 78 degrees and somewhat humid. I wasn't sure how we would last. 

The night was rough, the kids were hot, and so were we. Jensen was 5 months old and in his pack n play. I'd like to say we were pretty brave camping with a 5 month old and a very pregnant Momma in summer temperatures. We brought a fan and that helped tremendously, but still, it was so hot and sticky. I am amazed that I camped while 34 weeks pregnant. We were in a screened in shelter and had an air mattress that was about 2 ft. off the ground. If it weren't for that, I'm not sure I could have gotten off the bed!

We were there with friends and had such great food and fellowship. 

Just as we were about to leave the campground on Saturday a storm was coming through that cooled the temperature down significantly and it was just perfect. We enjoyed the cool drive home with the windows down :-)

Here are some pictures from our trip.

I did not take pictures at all, so here is what Dan captured :-)

35 Weeks

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant. 

I feel it. 

I have stretch marks--feel so much stretching as if someone is literally pulling my belly button apart.

I am feeling LOTS of movement from Kathryn. She can now reach my ribs. She likes to wake up in the morning by jabbing me in my ribs. Morning mom, wake up! Throughout the day, she is super active. I can place both hands on my belly and she is just all OVER the place. 

I can feel her hiccups, but they are so low, it feels very strange. 

Clothes are not fitting well anymore. I am trying to make my pants work till the end, but I am not so sure that will happen. I had to hang some up for good this week, that was so sad...my only capris. 

If you ask me, I am ready for Kathryn to be here. Of course, she still has some growing to do.

I really don't believe she will make it to my due date on December 4th. 

I have a doctor appointment this Tuesday and then an ultrasound next week to determine her size, weight, position,etc. We shall see how I am measuring...or rather, how she is measuring.

I am ready and excited to meet her in a few more weeks. 

I'm so tired of feeling so much pressure, inability to hold Jensen as I'd like to, especially while cuddling and feeding. I just don't see how my belly can stretch any more than it already is. Yikes!

33 and 34 Weeks Pregnant with Kathryn Anne

Here we are...6 weeks left to go. 

First, I'll leave you with the 33 and 34 week comparison, Kathryn is sure growing FAST!

33 Weeks                                               34 Weeks

 

Jensen and Bananas

Since Jensen is 5 months old and seems to become agitated when he sees us eating food, I thought I'd try out a simple and basic food, bananas. I mixed some banana with breast milk to make it smooth. Well, as you will see...he wasn't too sure about it. At first, her started to make faces. He seemed to like the taste, but was not too sure about it...the spoon was a whole new thing...and then of course the solid food. He certainly did not last long, but at least he tried it. He ended up spitting it all back up about a half hour later. So, I guess he isn't quite ready for solid foods. We will try again at 6 months! I am perfectly happy with him continuing to have breast milk as long as he will take it. Once Kathryn is born, I hope that he will take my fresh milk as well...that would be a change to the previously frozen milk he has always known.

32 Weeks

I just hit 32 weeks pregnant. 

According to my last doctor appointment, I am measuring right along 31-32 weeks. 

I did NOT gain an pound in the last TWO weeks, woohoo!!

AND, my weight was off by a couple pounds...I've only gained 28 pounds, not 33.

I love wearing maternity clothes and having this baby belly. 

I love feeling and watching Kathryn move around, constantly.

I love that I only have 8 weeks or less left to go. 

Stumbled upon pictures of Hannah

As I was going through pictures from our phones, I came across these pictures of Hannah. 

This says it all about her personality. She loves to be silly, work hard and have fun!

I can't believe she is 4 1/2 years old this month, the time sure flys. She is just precious.

Jensen at 5 Months

Jensen's Update:

Magnet

Hannah's September Birthday Parties

Ashley Gage had a tea party where Mom's and Daughters were to come in their best dress.

Hannah also was asked to bring her favorite doll or stuffed animal to the tea party.

Carole did a great job orchestrating the decorations and making everything so proper, it was so fun!

Hannah made Ashley a card. This was the FIRST time I had seen her write another persons name. 

She wrote Ashley and her name, Hannah. She was so proud of herself!

31 Weeks Pregnant with Kathryn Anne

  Well, here we go...

31 Weeks with Hannah Grace

(I was so much more compact, and smaller)

Sarina's 29th Birthday

This year I turned 29 year old. It's my last year in my 20's and it's kind of surreal that I am already here. 

When I was 19, I was married. I kept thinking that I would feel older and my age when I hit 25. Since all my friends were older than me...in their 30's, I always felt like the "child". Since I am now almost 30, I finally feel right for my age. The gap is closing. Where I was once the youngest, I am finding that I am now in the middle. I have friends younger and older than I and I don't even notice the gap. I don't ever feel inferior or out of the loop. I feel that I am right where God has me to be. It's a wonderful feeling to be here. I am excited for my 30's to come, but I will enjoy the last year in my 20's. This last year will consist of hopefully wrapping up our child bearing years and beginning life as a complete family of 5. I am excited to see what this year will bring as I say good bye to my 20's and hello to my 30's. 

To celebrate my birthday this year:

-Dan took the day off

-Dan let me sleep in, caring for both kids

-Dan made me a beautiful breakfast

-Dan gave me a huge bouquet of roses, which I loved

-Dan helped Hannah make a card and she even traced her hand and wrote my name on it, precious!

Little Mama

Hannah feeding her babies with her baby bottle.

She takes an old formula container, fills it with a few cheerios, take the scoop and scoops up a few cheerios to go in a 3 oz. bottle full of water. She shakes it up and there you have it!

Babymoon

This past weekend, Daniel and I had our first trip away from the kids since the adoption in April. 

My parents moved here and went through all the necessary background checks, FBI fingerprints, TB tests,etc. to be legally able to watch Jensen before our adoption is consummated in November. 

They did it because they would be living with us for longer than 2 weeks and the agency required it. 

Because of this requirement, that meant that we could now leave him in their care with a peaceful mind, knowing it was legal and he would be well taken care of!

We wanted to take a trip away before Kathryn arrives in just a few weeks. 

We needed some time to be away to just do absolutely nothing, relax and just be together without the responsibility of caring for our children. 

We had originally planned to head to Corpus Christi, but the weather was so rainy and nasty outside that we decided to just head to our family ranch in Dime Box. It was BLISS! We got there on Friday night, and actually sat down on the couch after unpacking...we BOTH fell asleep for 3 hours, waking at 7:00. 

Here we are the first night after out nap!