Colorado Ski Trip

Adam got the opportunity to go on a work trip to Beaver Creek, CO, and I got to go with him! It was such a fun trip. Baron turned 6 months old while we were gone, which was about the same time I first left Taylor over night. 

We spent the first day in ski school. Adam, of course, picked it up pretty quickly. I did okay, but I had quite a few falls and was pretty sore the next day. It also turned out to be pretty warm that day, it got up to 60! 

That night, we took a snow cat pulling a sleigh up the mountain to Beano's Cabin. It was snowing so much on the way up! 

The next morning Adam had a meeting, but he was free in the afternoon. We got to go snowmobiling! So much fun! 

The final morning Adam had another meeting and I went to the spa for a massage and facial. So relaxing!

Since I was still nursing Baron, I had to pump and save my milk the entire trip. I was a sight going through airport security on the way back, but it was all worth it to still be nursing Baron. We are still going strong at almost 8 months!

Baron - Months 1 - 3

During Baron's first three months, we just enjoyed having a baby around the house again. I was pretty proud of myself for not being as anxious as I expected. I was pretty paranoid about handwashing, which is typical for a first time mom, but most are over that with the later children. Not me! Because GBS lives in the gut, I would wipe my hands off with a wipe before picking him up, then carry him to the bathroom and lay him on the counter (I stood in front of him) while I washed my hands with Thieves Hand Soap (awesome stuff!). I think that was the only thing I was a little bit crazy about. I really made it the first two months with very few tears compared to the two months after Taylor was born, but once the holidays got here, I was a mess! I could've washed his hair with my tears.

Below are some pics while we were still in the hospital. Because of the scare with him, we ended up staying the full 96 hours recommended for a c-section. 

Big sister loves him so much! 

Ready for his first Game Day!! Roll Tide!

I brought several gowns for the hospital, but since we stayed longer and had a little boy (pees everywhere!), we ran out of clothes before I expected to and didn't have one for him to wear home from the hospital. I also wanted Taylor to come up and us take pictures before leaving, but the nurse discharged us faster than expected and Mom and Hilary didn't make it back up to the hospital with Taylor in time. I wanted everything to be perfect and nothing worked out! I was so emotional and nothing working the way I planned was just making it worse! 

It was such a relief to be leaving with a healthy baby, but so hard at the same time. The last time I left a hospital, I didn't have a baby in my arms. 

Headed home from the hospital!

Sister spent a lot of time wanting to hold Brother everyday when she got home from school. She's been such a great big sister! 

We also had our fantabulous photographer come to our house and do newborn pictures. They turned out beautifully! Below are just a few of the amazing photos! 

I'm taking his picture in this chair every month. He has grown so much from these pictures! 

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, so we visited Leah's grave at the cemetery. It was Baron's first time out there. Taylor loves visiting Leah's grave. She'll get out of the car and run towards it yelling "Leah"!!

 

 Baron also went to the beach for the first time for Adam's Ironman.

See how much he grew from 1 month old to 2 months old!!

He had so much fun during month 3! I started back working, but my boss let me work from home until January, so I got to spend a lot of extra time with this little man! He learned to enjoy this play gym, so I could get some work done! 

Alabama Homecoming Parade

Growing so big and strong!

We celebrated Sister's 5th birthday, Frozen style!

Baron slept through some of the party.

3 months old and so big! 

Ironman Florida

Adam ran his second Ironman in November 2014 in Panama City, FL. We went down to the beach for almost an entire week and had such a good time. Although, it was my first week back from maternity leave, and I had no more vacation time, so I had to work the whole time. That was not fun!

Taylor loved the sand and became a fish in the water that week.

Baron wasn't so sure about the cold ocean waves, but he enjoyed laying on the beach and floating in the pool! 

The day before the Ironman was Halloween. They had trick or treating at the Athlete's Village and an Iron Kids race that Taylor ran. Taylor was Elsa, Andi was Anna and Baron was Olaf. 

Olaf asleep on Mama Donna's lap while waiting for Taylor to run the Iron Kids race

Matching tattoos

 At the Athlete's Village, Adam and I also tried out the Normatec boots.

The day of the race was the worst weather day the entire time we were there. It was very windy and in the 40s, although the sun was shining. The current was so bad, they had to cancel the swim. I'm so thankful this wasn't Adam's first Ironman, but it was for over 1,100 athletes. So much training to go into it and not even get to do the swim!

Ready to go for a swim that didn't happen. :(

I don't have any pictures from the bike, but I have several from the run. We saw Adam after about 5 miles and his eye was hurting. I ran in to get new contacts for him to switch out when he came back by, but as he was trying to put it in, the wind blew it away! He had to put his old one back in, but thankfully they started feeling better, just stayed foggy for the rest of the race. 

Adam's cheering squad! I don't know if you can see it, but Taylor's drew the Ironman M Dot on hers.

Adam brought the Superman clothing to change into for the last half of the marathon. Apparently, people cheer more for you when you're dressed funny!

Taylor fell asleep while waiting on Daddy.

 Adam Tomlin, you ARE an Ironman!

The day after the Ironman, we went to visit Gulf World. It's a pretty neat place! 

One final seagull feeding the family beach picture before we leave!

You're Invited! - Leah's 2nd Birthday Celebration

Wednesday, January 7th is Leah's 2nd birthday. Again, for her birthday we are going to perform Random Acts of Kindness, and we're asking you to join in! Instead of performing them all week, like last year, we're doing 2 RAOKs on her birthday, because its her 2nd birthday. If you perform a RAOK, please post the act and a picture (if you have one) on Leah's Legacy Facebook page, or message Leah's Legacy. Afterwards, I will compile all of the Random Acts of Kindness performed in her memory into a blog post for everyone to see.

We believe performing Random Acts of Kindness is a great way to celebrate her life. It's seems fitting to be Jesus to someone, the One Leah spends her days with.

Here are some ideas:

From Random Acts of Kindness organization

Children:

Say something nice
Ask if you can help
Make and send an encouraging card
Invite someone to play
Give away toys/books they don't play with anymore
Thank your parents
Give a hug
Make a new friend
Smile at strangers
Let someone in front of you in line

Others:

Pay for the coffee/meal/etc of the person behind you
Donate used toys/books/clothes/kitchen items/etc
Compliment your server at a restaurant
Write a letter to someone who had made a difference in your life
Take the buggy to the cart stop for someone else
Take your children to visit a nursing home
Create a blessing bag and give it to a homeless person
Serve in a shelter
Donate to Leah's Legacy Foundation :)
     www.leahs-legacy.org

There are many, many more in the link above, and I know God will present opportunities for you.

Also, remember to take a picture and post it on Leah's Legacy Facebook page, or at least send a message. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We need them and will continue to need them. This world of child loss is very difficult and painful.

Love to you all!