The Portis Family Blogs!

Millah turns 1

2012-02-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

Oh, sweet, little Millah Sue! I can't believe you are one year old already. This year has gone so fast, I wish I had taken more time to record every moment of it! That first smile, those sleepless nights, when you learned to sit up. It was all so special, just like you! We celebrated your birthday this weekend with family and close friends. It was so fun!
The theme was "tiny" ( just like you!) and everything was rainbow colors. I loved that because a rainbow signifies the promises of God. God made a promise to me many years ago, so it just worked.
If you want to know more about His promise in my life you can read this post and this one.
Back to the birthday girl....

You have gotten such a personality, even in the past few weeks. The faces you make just crack me up. And it's like you know if and do them just to get a reaction.

Party favors- rainbow colored homemade play-doh.

Your sisters love you so much and you love them too. You miss them when they are away, and look for them each morning to give them your sweet smile.

Teeth- you have about 6 now, they started coming in when you were about 6 or 7 months. You sure do know how to use them too!

Your first words: bye-bye, dada, mama. But you sure do make lots of noises, squeals, and love to blow raspberries.

One very funny (or embarrassing) fact is that you do everything with your middle finger, instead of your pointer finger. And I think you may be left handed.

We are so thankful that God gave you to us. What would we do without you in our lives? I love watching you learn and grow. Right now you are only days away from running a marathon... okay, not really. But you will take 2 or 3 steps on your own before you ease your way back down to the floor.
And for being such a tiny thing, you sure can eat! If you are awake, you want to be eating. It's just not right.
We love you baby girl! Can't wait to see what you learn next!

A New Year

2012-01-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

We began our new year trying to get back on our routine. It seems like our holiday was very short lived this year. And, really, we are still trying to get back on our routine.

Dancing with Baby Jesus

2012-01-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Selah and Rinnah had their Chrismas dance recital a few weeks ago and it was precious. They had matching tutus and matching tights, so I had to coordinate Millah too!
My little ballerinas did great. Selah had a tap and ballet dance to do, and I think she did well on both. At one point she was the only dancer that remembered a certain part and kept looking at her teacher with a very confused look. They had made a circle and were supposed to do some steps far a part, then come in close together. All the other girls just had way too much fun going in and out to remember there were steps involved too! Poor Selah. She was lost. Later she told me that the other dancers in her class forgot that part, but she remembered because she really liked it.
Rinnah is such a different story. Her class came on stage lost! There were almost 2 dozen 2 and 3 year olds roaming around on stage while two adults tried to put them in their places. They would place a girl, turn to another one and the first little girl would wander off. That in itself was entertaining! Rinnah found a good spot to just twirl in circles, so much that she fell down from being dizzy.
They finally decided it was pointless, just play the music and get on with it.... Oh, Rinnah.
She moved her way to front and center, and for some reason looked behind her... oh, no, she spotted the manger scene fully equipped with hay and a baby Jesus.
She initiated the romping in the hay and had a whole posse of ballerinas back there with her. I was mortified, but couldn't help smiling... that's my Rinn.
I love watching my girls be... my girls. Each of them is so different and special in their own way.
They make me happy to be their mommy.

The fun part

2011-11-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

Our girls don't dress up for Halloween. Not because we don't believe in it, or think it's bad, they really just don't like it. They dress up here at the house on a regular basis and are fine with that. The part they don't like is seeing everyone else in their costumes. Why do people have to dress in such horrible outfits? I will never understand why that is fun.
It's way more fun to find some really neat person in history, from a book, or a character from a show or movie and do your best to dress the part. We have an event we look forward to dressing up for each year. It's not necessarily Halloween, but our sunday school class (the Fun Married class) has a costume chili cook-off at the end of October. It's a fun, adult only party where we eat too much junk and play silly minute to win it type games, and some people come in costume if they choose to. We have dressed up all but one year, and always have as much fun putting the costumes together as we do at the party.

This year we chose Rosie the Riveter and Captain America. We looked great! So many people commented on our costumes the next day at church, and they weren't even at the party! We won the best costume prize, which is our main goal each year. It's a very coveted prize.
I can't wait to come up with an even better idea for next year.
Do you dress up for parties and such? What were you this year?

Not a retro housewife...

2011-10-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I had the most eventful day... probably ever. It started with some frustration over getting prescription filled. Why can't it just get done when they say it's going to get done?
That started my day off, well, just wrong. This was after 10 days of sick kids, being in the house day after day after day... you know how it goes. Trying not to spread our germs around.
I was ready to be out of the house, back to our routine, but Millah still had this cough that made her face turn red. So, we were waiting for the prescription. I ended up being gone all day, working at MDO, waiting for the pharmacy to call and say I could come get the meds. By the time we got home and got homework started and dinner going and Millah took a breathing treatment, I was done, just done.
While I was doing some picking up around in the living room I realized there was no noise from the 2 little girls. I looked in their room but they weren't there, but the bathroom door.... was.... shut! Knock, knock... Rinn, are you in there?
Mommy, I tan't open door, help me.
Then I hear Millah... shuffle, wimper.
Are. You. Kidding. Me.
Lights off, door locked, baby crying, toddler consoling (but I'm sure stepping all over baby), MOM FREAKING OUT!
I started rummaging through all the drawers, tool boxes and bags. None of the screw drivers I found fit the little hole to unlock the stinkin' door! The bobby pin just bent up and wasn't strong enough. I think I called the daddy 3 times with no answer. Finally I texted him 9-1-1.
Selah came to the rescue, sweet big sister. She bent down and started talking and singing to the littles. Millah calmed down, Rinnah finally got the light on, but still couldn't figure out how to unlock the door. I just stopped. Prayed. Then took the screw driver closest to me and go the door knob off in record time.
My babies were out!
Finally I could rest and relax, and be done with this day.
No, maybe not.

After dinner, the daddy had a great idea to clean our baking stone in the oven on self cleaner. Sure, that should work great, I thought.
After getting that started we began our bed time routine. Pjs, potty, stories... what's that smell.
When I came around the corner I could see the smoke billowing out of the top of the stove. Then I saw the flames... in the oven! I started yelling.... FIRE, FIRE, HURRY!!!!

I reached over and quickly turned the oven off, but funny thing about the self cleaner. It locks the door until it is cooled off. Thankfully the fire burned itself out very quickly.
But by that time the house was full of smoke! It was horrible.
We spent the next hour or so outside. All the windows and doors were open, the fans on, and oust was sprayed.
Still today, it smelt a little like smoke when we got home from church.

I was so ready for bed that night, and even more ready for a new day.
It's funny how days like that happen and you are reminded just how you don't have any control over what happens. I am so humbled, and rely so much on God to keep my babies safe and protected, and to make sure we are provided for with a home and anything we need. Just humbled.

*Update: James switched the bathroom and closet doorknobs, so now the closet locks from the outside! Yes, we can lock our kids in the closet instead of them locking themselves in the bathroom.
We threw the baking stone away.

I accepted the challenge... will you?

2011-10-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

A wonderful Christian woman's blog is hosting a challenge for wives. It's not too late to join. We are only on day 8 and it would bless you and your husband and your marriage and your kids... and anyone who knows you and sees you as an example. Glorify God in your marriage, it can start today.

Selah lately

2011-10-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Selah is getting so big, so smart, so pre-teen acting.
So big- ummm, Kindergarten!? yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I can't believe that 6 years ago i was just finding out that I was pregnant with her, and now... She is doing homework, making her bed, teaching her little sister how to color in the lines.
So smart- Well, she is reading... it's still kind of spotty, but she can read some basic words, and small books. And this was the conversation she had yesterday. Daddy- Selah, you can get in your bed for story time, or you will not have a story tonight. Those are your choices. Selah- uggghhh! Why do we have to make decisions and have rules? Daddy- We just do. Selah- Well, California doesn't have rules!
Smart girl.
So pre-teen acting- Well, she has had some little... umm, outbursts. Yeah, that's the nicest way that I can put it. She is just using her words so well.... I guess. She may say them at a much higher volume, and it usually ends with a slamming door (which I absolutely hate) and then I usually get angry.... sigh.
Pray for me.

I am still so proud of how much she had learned and grown. The last few months she has been asking to be baptized. We are praying about it, and going through a workbook with her to help her understand what it really means and make sure she is really ready. We are so proud of her that she wants to make that decision for herself and her life. She will make an eternal difference in this world, I know.

Rinnah lately

2011-10-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

Rinnah has began a new year at MDO, and she just loves it. She might cry for a few minutes when I drop her off, but then she is fine and has a great day. One day as we were driving there, I asked what she was going to do at school, and she replied "Play my friends!" When i asked her who her friends were she told me "Crys and Jenn." Those are her teachers. She loves them.
Rinnah also started dance class this year! She gets to go with her best friend Mercy, they have so much fun together. She was just happy she got to do something that Selah was getting to do.
Rinnah used to be so soft spoken, especially when you asked her to say something. She would whisper almost everything. Well, not anymore. She is so talkative, and her vocabulary is growing almost everyday. I love to hear what she has to say because most of the time it makes me laugh. She is my little joker. Her favorite thing in response to bed time, shower time, clean up time, leaving time... "Two minutes, Mommy, two minutes. Okay?"

Millah lately

2011-09-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Millah has done so much growing lately. And she is learning so much. She is crawling all over the house, and since she is so active we started her on solids. Millah loves her food.Shortly after learning to crawl, she started pulling up on things. Crazy. And we moved her out of the pack n play in our room into her crib in the room she shares with Rinnah! It took a few nights to adjust but now they sleep through each others cries and squirms. And Mommy and Daddy have our room back!!! Yay!One thing that Millah loves is music and dancing. She smiles and bounces whenever music is playing. And at MDO, she just shakes that shaker along with the music teacher... and to the rhythm.I love that little bug.... the girls call her "Baby Sue" or "Millah Sue".She just makes me smile.

Skadoosh!!!

2011-09-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

The family celebrated my birthday at a fun mongolian grill, you know the one. First, let me say this, it was the last time we will go out to eat for one of our (mommy and daddy) birthdays. There was not much enjoyable about coralling 3 little girls while trying to enjoy a birthday dinner. I might as well have had to cook dinner, then clean it all up. With that being said, I will go on with my post.
The girls were hesitant at first, but then they got to choose whatever they wanted to put in their bowl. That's always a plus. And then, the chopsticks!
Skadoosh!

Rinnah really tried, but most of it fell in her lap. She did get a few bites, then went back to the fork.

Selah actually did really good! I was impressed.

Millah had some peas.

All in all, a wonderful birthday. I am so blessed. I will say that every year I am still on this earth. God has given me everything I could want and even ask for....
Maybe I should be more extravagant with my requests from now on ;)
BTW, who knows what movie the title of this post is from?

29, 29, 29, 29!!!

2011-09-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many times I had to correct people. I am only 29 on this birthday. Not that there is anything wrong with being 30, I have no problem getting older... just in the right time.
My wonderful, loving, compassionate husband thinks it's really funny to make fun of me, and tease me by saying I'm older than I really am. He just confuses me in the process, I never really know my age. I usually just look to him, he's the math guy, after all.
Oh, well...
I didn't really have a point to this post, except maybe to correct those who were mistaken about my real age.
I'm 29 now.

Kinder... week one.

2011-08-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

We have one week of Kindergarten under our belts, and are well into week to. Selah was sooooo excited the first day, she couldn't believe she would get to go to school every. single. day! After day one, it was all still very exciting. She actually woke up every morning about 6 a.m. and was ready to get dressed and go. She paced around the house for about 30 minutes waiting for the rest of us to be ready to leave. I loved seeing her excitement and waiting to hear how her day was each afternoon. I have a few pictures to share of her week. She looks so cute in her little uniform.

This is Mrs. Gregory, Selah's teacher.

Little sister was as excited as Selah... until we left her at school, then she cried for her for quite a while.

Proud Daddy.

She was most excited about making new friends.

This was day two. Momma looks rough, man.

Selah's backpack. Uncle Stoney, your camo name tag looks great stitched in pink.

Rinnah, about 4:30 one afternoon, halfway through the week.

Selah, about 4:30 one afternoon, halfway through the week. Poor exhausted girl.

Thanks so much, Aunt Liz, for the uniform stuff. Selah says her shoes make her jump really high.

Colorado... a month and a half ago.

2011-08-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

We spent July 4th on Colorado Springs. For a few days, just the 5 of us, then had the wonderful pleasure of spending some time with Stoney and Ali! We loved every moment of our trip, the drive wasn't even that bad. Here are some pictures of a few of the things we got to do.

Selah at the Garden of the Gods.

Rinnah enjoying the rocks at Garden of the Gods.

Fun day at Manitou Springs.

They had some really neat statues all over Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo.

We drove to the top of Pikes Peak. It was wet and freezing!

On the drive to the peak.

Focus on the Family

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Family picnic at FOF.

Beautiful views everywhere.

Glad that thing was stuffed.

Garden of the Gods.

Skipping ahead with Aunt Ali and Uncle Stoney.

Feeding giraffes.

Want to pet a wallaby?

Peacock, just walking around.


This was not a friendly grizzly bear.

I would love to go back some day. The whole trip was just perfect. The best part was that we have some great memories now, and had a week to ourselves. We may make this a tradition.

A new friend...

2011-07-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

While visiting Uncle Stoney and Aunt Ali in Colorado Springs (more on that later) the girls made a new friend at the play ground down the street....

they named him Rider.

Bunking with baby sister

2011-07-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

I came in my room the other day to find this....

And they both thought it was hilarious!

Traveling zoo

2011-07-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

We had a last minute visit from the Burton family, it was a wonderful surprise! Our church was having their annual Freedom Fest and Matt, PJ, and the girls were able to join us.

They also brought some special friends to share with us. They had gotten 3 bunnies while visiting family in Paris. The girls loved sitting in a circle passing them around, petting them.
Loved the time with you guys, we'll have to make it longer next time!

2 and 5

2011-07-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Since Selah and Rinnah's birthdays are only 6 days apart, we have had a joint party for them the last two years. It's fun, and helps with saving time and $$$!
This year Selah wanted the girls to come to her party dressed as princesses. How is that going to work?, I thought. She has so many little boys that she wanted to invite too. I threw it out there to her... How about a princess and knight party!?
Yes!! I love that Mommy!
So, the planning began. Since it was Rinnah's 2nd, we did tutus for her party. I could make it all work together, right?
It was a lot of fun. I made tri colored cupcakes, crowns for each child, and we played pin the fire to the dragon. Simple, cute, affordable.

And we now have a 2 year old little girl that is just tutu cute....

And a 5 year old princess!

Money in the bank.

2011-06-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

Our family has this tradition, from where it started I have no idea, of putting coins in the easter eggs. It was always fun as a kid to try to find the most money. And we have continued it with our kids too.

One day, after the easter festivities had ended, I took the girls money and put into bowls for each of them. They brought out their piggy banks and sat at the table putting their coins, one by one, into their banks. It was fun to watch them.

Gettin' some ink

2011-06-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well, Bub finally got all caught up. Right after Selah was born he got her name tattooed in hebrew on his back. Now that we have two more daughters, it was time for a little catching up. He had Rinnah name put on the back of his right arm, and Millah's on his left. The guy did a great job and I would recommend him to anyone.

Haha, hurt a little?

It only took him 45 minutes to do both of them.

Our best friends went too, Tim got his first two tats!

Millah with the "No Children!" sign. lol

New Floors

2011-06-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

When we moved into this house, 4 years ago, I knew that one day we would be changing the floors. No one wants carpet under their kitchen table! And especially no one with young children. About a month ago, the process began for that dream to become a reality.

The carpet under the kitchen table... nasty.

The concrete! Progress.

More progress.

Yay! New hard floors!!!

Part of the carpet removed from the living room.

We lived on concrete for about a month... but it was so worth it!

My wonderful handy-man husband did it all, with a little help from a friend.

Looking good.

Finished living room, with some of the furniture and a lot of toys.

Living room into the entry hall.

Hallway just concrete.


New floors in the hall.

I am so in love with these floors already. It took a few months to get them down once we began the process, but it was worth the wait. We still lack the base boards and the transition strips, but atleast the carpet is gone!
Thanks Bub, for all your hard work... you are the best!

Chaos

2011-06-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

Every spring we take pictures of my kids and my sister's daughter for my parents to have an updated picture of all the grandkids together. This year was interesting. Two 4 year olds, an almost 2 year old, and a newborn. Wow.

We had two cameras going and each got about 6 shots, between setting Rinnah back down, and adjusting Millah after her falling forward and what-not. It was a blast (catch the sarcasm?)!

This was the one we had printed.

Little bitty

2011-06-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

The title of this post could have said "spoiled rotten" and would have been a better fit for Millah, but that's partially my fault so I went with the other option.
Millah is growing so much. I am amazed at how strong she is getting. She can hold her head up pretty well and want to sit up in her car seat all the time. She pulls her upper body up when she is on her tummy, and laughs at little toys that we show her.
She also cries when you lay her down and won't go to sleep unless she is nursing.

This was a diaper comparison between Rinnah and Millah's diapers.

The itsy bitsy spider.

Love that smile!

Millah with Mama J.

Millah has started sucking her first two fingers, the only one of my children to not want a paci.

Holding her head up so good, "playing" with her toys.

This is snowball, the girls named it for Millah.

Bathing in the sun.

But she is my precious little one.

My rambunctious one

2011-06-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

Is that even how you spell that word... I have no idea. But that's just what she is, my wild and crazy little Rinnah Lorraine!
I love her energy, her smile, her little lisp. It makes me smile every single time she does.

See what I mean about that smile.

She is VERY high fashion.

She loves this little car at mama J and Pops house.

What a great big sister! She loves her baby.

Rinnah and Mercy are 6 months apart and such sweet friends.

Silly girls. I found them in Rinnah's crib with stacks of books around them.


This was just the other day. She had a great time swimming with Aunt Emily.

I just love that girl, it's that simple.

A Pre-K Graduation

2011-06-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

My little girl graduated from pre-k. I know, I am a little shocked too. Not so much that she is not at MDO anymore, but that she will be in kindergarten next year! Craziness!!
As we do every year, there was an end of the year program with singing, and memory verses, and cute little kids being, well, kids. And this year, my Selah was a part of the graduation festivities.

I can't believe I didn't cry, not a single tear! I held it in that day.

I can't promise anything for the day we drop her off at her first day of kindergarten.

Ballerina Selah

2011-06-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

Selah had her Spring Dance recital a few weeks ago and she did great. I was not able to upload any of the videos here, maybe I will try on a separate post later. The dance that I wanted to add here is the worship dance. It brought tears to my eyes every time she practiced, and especially when she danced it on stage. It melts my heart to see her worshiping God through dance. Another of the dances was a daddy/daughter dance. She loved that special time with her daddy, and I think he did too.

A wonderful sea of tutus.

She was so excited for everyone to come watch her dance.

This is Selah's dance teacher, Miss Sarah. My very first dance teacher's name was Miss Sarah also!

A special memory for them both, dancing together.

Sisters, all in their tutus! I love my girls.

I was so proud, watching her dancing, and seeing her enjoying every moment of it.

Easter 2011

2011-05-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter this year. Millah was still so tiny, and the big girls were old enough to get the egg hunt thing. It was such fun watching them. It is, however, very important for us that our kids know what Easter is really about. We found a set of Resurrection eggs on clearance after easter weekend and the girls have really enjoyed looking at them, and Selah can tell Rinnah the whole story using all the little props. I love that.

Update....

2011-04-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Millah is 2 months old today. I can't even believe it's been 2 months already! She is a great baby... I guess that's a good thing since she is #3. A lot has been going on around here. Rinnah got sick with strep and I was so worried that Millah would get it too, but she didn't! Instead she got a little cold virus that had her congested and coughing for a while. She is doing much better now though.
We went on our first long car ride with 3 kids. That was interesting, and I made the decision that we will be limiting our trips like that, atleast until she is a bit older. It wasn't that bad, but you know, why make things harder than you have to!
The big girls are doing great with the new addition. They are learning their limitations and their new position in the family. Rinnah has really taken on the protector role, and Selah is still a wonderful helper. I love my big girls, so proud of them.
Millah, as I said, is a great baby. She was sleeping 5 hours or more at night at 4 or 5 weeks. Then she got sick and she had a really hard time, but the last few nights she had gone from her last feeding at night (usually around 10 or 11) until 6 or so in the morning! I know, I'm blessed with good sleepers. She is growing like a little weed too! She is finally around 8 pounds now. We are so thankful for her health, even with being so bitty, she had gained really well (almost 3 pounds in 2 months!)

Here are some pics of what's been going on the last few months.

Millah at 10 days old, no bigger than a football! She was about to her birth weight again.

The big girls and daddy had some hot tub time at my mom and dad's house.

Rinnah loves playing with this little car while we are there.

My three girls... so precious.

"The Itsy Bitsy Spider" The big sisters do so good occupying Millah.

They each love their own time with Millah. Rinnah looks so big!

Sweet little Curly Sue, almost 2 months old here.

Millah's Birth Story

2011-03-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

I love to hear other women's labor and delivery experiences. Each one is so different and unique. Even the same woman can have such differences between children. This has been my personal experience, and that's why I like to share it with everyone. My prayer is that someone is empowered, encouraged, educated, or just entertained! lol
In case you are new to my blog here is the post from Rinnah's birth. Maybe one day I will have to do one for Selah since she was born before this blog was.
Back to business....
I went to bed on February 9th feeling productive. I had everything ready for the next day. The girls were to have their valentine's day parties at school, so I made sure everything was ready and packed up. Lunches were made, clothes picked out; I even showered and blow dried my hair!
I woke up at about 1 am with a strange feeling. I knew I hadn't wet myself, but I could feel trickling! I sat up and quickly made my way to the bathroom. I sat on the toilet just in time for my water to break, wow, that was a strange feeling.
By the time we got things together here at the house, and our neighbor got over to be with the girls until my sister got here, it was 2 am. We were now beginning our 30 minute drive to the hospital.
On the drive I started timing my contractions. They were exactly 5 minutes apart and lasting one minute. The ride was so nice... no traffic, no rush, peaceful.
We made it to the hospital and I decided we could just park in the parking garage, I was fine to walk across the street... huh, not a great idea. That was one of the really icy, freezing cold weeks here in Dallas. On this particular day, it was colder here than in Alaska! There was actually still ice on the ground under bridges and stuff. As we walked I slipped a few times, never falling, but making me hurt a bit when I tried to catch myself. And to top it all off, I was wearing flip flops! Crazy, I know, but I didn't want to try to squeeze into tennis shoes or anything.
We checked in, got gowned up, and the nurse started monitoring and running through all the questions. My parents got there about 30 minutes after us, then a few of my good friends a short while later. Angel was going to take pictures, she is a great photographer, and Jenna is just so wonderful I had to have her in there. I love them both so much and was so glad they could be a part of this experience, they are the best friends I could ever ask for really.

My doctor, a wonderful spirit filled man of God, came in to see how things were going. He checked to see how far I was dilated and that my water had actually broken. It had, and there was meconium. I would have to remain on the monitors to keep track of the babies heart rate to be sure she wasn't distressed. The doctor would also be the one to cut the cord so that the nurses could suction her quickly. I was a little upset, but I understood. I was only 4 cm (also discouraging), but i was 80% effaced and babies head was very low!
By about 3:30 all the questioning was done and I was free to get into whatever position I wanted, as long as the monitor cords could reach (ha). I asked for a birthing ball and for them to get a squat bar ready also. It was such a relief to sit on the ball. I could feel some relief from the contractions in that position and it seemed to move her lower too.
It was such a peaceful time. My family and friends were all there, visiting and encouraging me through each contraction. My dad was in utter amazement at how much things had changed since they had kids. He kept asking questions about the ball and the squat bar, it really was making me laugh. Can you believe it, I was in the middle of labor, contractions coming every 3 minutes or so, and I was laughing.

Laughing at Daddy.

The contractions were very strong and seemed to last longer each time. They were slowly getting closer together. I kept looking over my shoulder to check the heart rate after contractions. Things were going so well.


That's the ball, not my butt!

After a while it started getting hard to focus on my breathing. My wonderful husband was there the whole time, reminding me to breath, squeezing my hips during contractions, and keeping me focused on the fact that we would hold our baby soon! He is the best.
I got up to use the restroom a few times. The nurse would come in to get the monitors back on and check that everything was okay before leaving again. I liked just having the room to ourselves, no one to tell us what we needed to do. I knew what I was doing, and what was good for me. I was committed to this.
Then came the quick change.
I had gone to the bathroom, and while we were in there, I told my hubby that I couldn't do this anymore, it had to be over soon. He reassured me again, as he had so many times already, that God made me for this and that He was going to get me through it. It would end, and with me holding my little baby!
We shuffled into the room, and when the nurse came in I was hit with the strongest of all contractions! I wanted to drop to my knees, it was soooo strong. I told her she needed to check me, I really needed to push. I was trying to get on the bed, but was hit with another strong contraction.
Just as I got on my back, the monitor showed a huge drop in the heart rate, like mid 70s. She quickly called for help. The room was flooded with nurses almost immediately, then another contraction. And then I pushed... oops.

Doctor was called in then, and when he came in I felt so happy... that means I can really push! He checked and I was fully dilated and effaced, ready for pushing for sure.
The next few minutes were very jumbled. They gave me oxygen to help with the babies heart rate, and it seemed like everyone was just flying all over the place. The neo nurses were getting everything ready because once the baby was out they would have to get her quickly to the incubator area and do deep suctioning. The other nurses were all encouraging me through pushing, Angel was clicking away on the camera, mom on one side, and Bub on the other. Jenna and my sister Emily were just hanging out watching the show. Dad had stepped out, best for us all.
Then, her head was out. One more little push, and she was completely out being taken over to be checked out. Four and half minutes of pushing (we checked for exactly how long on Angel's camera, it really was just 4 and a half minutes!).
I was so happy. She was here. She was healthy.
She was tiny!
They told me her numbers and I was shocked. She was 5 lbs, 6 oz and 19.5 inches long. She was born at 5:20 am on February 10th, only 4 and a half hours after my water broke. And she had a full head of dark hair. Perfect.

Millah Sue, you are so precious.

2011-02-16T19:21:00.001-08:00

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We've got the fever..

2011-02-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Cabin fever that is. This is the third day... no, wait, the fourth day that schools have been closed due to the weather and road conditions. We did get out yesterday for some play time with friends and to get diapers, it was a much needed escape! But overnight we got about, I don't know, like a foot of snow! Looks like another day of being indoors, although we will probably head out later to play and build a snowman, maybe.

But I just thought I would share what cabin fever does when it sets in at our house. We get antsy, very antsy, and begin to dream up some wild ideas. So this is what the girls have been enjoying, everyday, first thing in the morning....

A homemade play tent, if you couldn't tell. They ask for it as soon as breakfast is done and play in it through out the day, so fun. So that got me thinking and searching and I found this...

So cute right! I found these pictures on a blog here.
It's just like making a table cloth to cover your table. Then you add whatever embellishments to fit the needs and wants of your kids. I can't wait to get started on one for the girls, maybe I can have it done for their birthday, haha.

To end this post I want to share some photos of outside...

This was actually from Wednesday. Ice was accumulating on the windows, inside!

This is our backyard right now.

Looking out the front door. Just a solid blanket of snow.

The Letter P

2011-01-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

Last week was a very fun week at Mother's Day Out for the girls. The letter of the week was "P", which not only begins our last name (which Selah can spell almost as fast as I can when asked) but also pajamas and pancakes. Selah was so excited to get up on Thursday morning and not have to change out of her pajamas, and even though she did change her mind, to not even have to eat breakfast! I'm sure if Rinnah knew the difference she would have been just as excited as her big sister.

They got to school in their pj's and got ready to eat pancakes. In Rinnah's class the teachers filled the kids plates, but Selah got to pick all her toppings! It was a guaranteed sugar high day.

Christmas with the Portis Family

2011-01-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

This was a busy Christmas for us, but a wonderful one. I was so glad to get to actually talk to Selah about the real reason we celebrate Christmas, and her actually be able to understand. It made the holiday much more meaningful.
We spent a lot of time with family and friends, tried to focus on time for us too. We have begun a tradition of going to look at Christmas lights after Christmas Eve service at out church. This really is a favorite of mine. The girls enjoy the music at church and then oh and ah over the lights around town.
It was so much fun to wake up Christmas morning in our home and have the girls enjoying their "prizes" that were waiting for them.

We didn't take too many pictures, but here are some really great ones.

Nativity

2011-01-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

Well, Merry Christmas...er, I know. But I just had to post about this.
Selah was Mary in the nativity scene at school, and she was so excited. She was also in charge of bringing a doll to be baby Jesus, well, I was.
It was a crazy morning and I'm not sure how it happened but we forgot. Selah freaked out when she remembered, but it was too late. We were already at school. So we milled around until we found a doll that was to her liking and wrapped it in a blanket,... there, got that taken care of.
She was a wonderful Mary. She held the baby so carefully and would look down at it like it was real! It made me smile, and brought a tear too.

It seems she took her role as Mary very seriously because as I saw her throughout the day she was still holding that baby, wrapped in the blanket, very carefully and gently. That too made me smile.

Selah's Christmas Recital

2011-01-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

Selah performed beautifully in her Christmas dance recital. As we were driving home that night she said to me, "Mommy, that was so much fun!"

I did make that tutu... she loved it.

Uh, oh, we may have trouble on our hands.

Thanksgiving

2011-01-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

We had a fun time making these shirts for the girls to wear on Thanksgiving.

My girls...

2011-01-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the girls just being the girls. I love those two so much.

Selah and I baking something yummy, I'm sure.

Rinnah climbed in the toy stroller all on her own.

They really do love to play together. I makes me so happy to see.

Dress up time!

My star performer.

This cracks me up... Rinnah snuck into Selah's room and started playing while she was still asleep in bed.

playing their new computers.

Pumpkins.

2011-01-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

Me and the girls started going to a play group this fall that met once a week, and did some pretty great things. There was a service project planned each month, which was so awesome! The list included nursing homes, kids homes, and stocking pantries. Love it.
The fun stuff was great too. One day we took advantage of the free pumpkin patch in town. The kids loved the hay maze and "trying" to pick up the pumpkins.

Proud Momma

2011-01-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

So, a few days ago many hearts celebrated a special birthday of a special lady. It was my mother in laws birthday on December 29th. She lost her hard battle with cancer years before I started coming around, so I never actually knew her, but I can tell you this much...
She would be a very proud momma today.
I will do my best to honor her through her kids in this post.
Lori was a teacher for many years. It's what she loved to do, and from what I hear she was great at it. I can only imagine the number of kids she impacted in all those years, but it seems whenever we are visiting Lockhart we always run into one of her students who has nothing but praises for her and what she did.
I can imagine if she was here today she would be beaming at her own kids. In a short time, all three of them will be teaching.
PJ teaches in the town they grew up in. She is an amazing teacher, I have had the pleasure of witnessing this myself.
Bubba (my wonderful husband) teaches high school here in Rockwall. He also teaches at our church. I love that I get to be a part of his gifting.
Stoney will be starting grad. school soon. Once that is finished, he will begin teaching at West Point Military Academy.

Taken by Ali Portis

Like I said before, I never knew Lori, but I find it very hard to believe that she would not be so incredibly proud of her three children... following in her foot steps, each in their own way.

Fiesta at Christmas

2011-01-01T19:05:00.001-08:00

Create a free picture slideshow

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2011-01-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

Where have you been?
What's been going on?
Where are pictures of the girls lately?

So many questions lately about me not having posted anything new in... well, forever. I have been pretty busy. Here is a list of excuses why I haven't had a post in over two months, and I really hope at least one of them is good enough for you.

Chasing around two little girls.
Chasing around two little girls while forming another one in my womb.
Taking care of the house.... errr, just promise me you'll call before you come by for a visit.
Sewing, lots and lots of sewing lately. This included lots of gifts and items for a table I had at a Christmas bazaar type thing. I did pretty well, actually, thanks for asking!
Working many hours trying to fix my sewing machine in the middle of all the projects I had to get done in the above bullet. Still not fixed, but have no fear! I received money for Christmas that is going towards a new one! Yay!!!!
This and That for the girls. This includes birthday parties (sometimes up to 3 in a weekend), dance recitals, Christmas programs, other school "things". We seemed to have something every weekend.
And the last excuse I'll give is.... holidays! We were so busy with family and friends this season that I rarely had a free moment to even type anything out. Craziness!!!

Thanks for understanding. I feel so much better now.

Promises

2010-10-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

There was a great loss in my family this week. My cousin's six year old daughter was hit by a car and went home to be with our heavenly Daddy. It is so tragic, so sad. It was hardest to watch my cousin bury her little girl, and imagine myself in her place.
Only days before this accident, a friend posed a thoughtful question on facebook. He asked, "What is it that you fear?" I knew when I read that what my answer was, and I posted in response "Something happening to my kids." After seeing my cousin experiencing my worst fear, I know, I never want to have to.
Sarah's death was tragic, but it holds so many reminders to me. I am so thankful that God has used this event in my life to open my eyes and teach me. It's really nothing new, but today it feels new.
I have never wanted so badly to hold my little girls and never let them go, to squeeze them so hard that they can't wiggle out of my grasp. Wow, you think God feels like that about us... yeah, me too.
The little things that used to drive me nuts, are nothing now. It's a blessing and honor to get to follow my toddler around picking up the cheerios she dropped. Who cares about how many times a little girl changes clothes in one day. It is a gift to have her laundry to wash, dry, and put away. And this bitty one kicking and spinning around inside of me as I type, she can just keep doing that. It's the sign of her life to me, and I can't wait to pick up after her one day too.
Another thing I was reminded of is God's love for us, that while we were still sinners, He sent His son Jesus to die for us. How wonderful... security. We don't have to overcome anything, He already did. Jesus said it himself on the cross, "It is finished." Done, that's all there is to it. We don't have to do anything, but love and serve Him, and accept Jesus as our savior. God sent a very special message to me on my way home from the funeral. I was alone in the car, it had been storming all day, I was crying and singing worship songs along with the radio... then I saw it.

The Brazzell family has a fund set up at Arlington Federal Credit Union if you feel so inclined in your heart to give. How hard to carry around the expenses of your daughter's funeral while you are trying to grieve. Any gift is greatly appreciated.
There was an article on Sarah in the Fort Worth Star Telegram if you would like to read it.

Please continue to pray for this family.

Pie anyone?

2010-10-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

This week was a big game for the Rockwall Heath Hawks football team. It was the I-30 Classic, a showdown between Rockwall's two high schools. We were a favorite to win, especially in our house. We headed to the game last night in our red and black. But alas, the hawks were overcome by the jacket offense. We lost 51 to 52, sad.
But we did have one winner in our house yesterday. The girls and I made a trip to the school yesterday morning for the pep-rally. I thought it would be fun, plus I knew there was going to be a fun surprise.

All week the students had been putting money in jars as a fundraiser. Mr. James Portis's name was on one of those jars. And yesterday, he got a pie in the face for it!
Getting pied.

Eating the pie off his face!

This last picture is what makes me so proud of my husband. The students love him so much that they chose him to get a pie in the face... I know, weird, but that's just how teenagers are I guess. And, if you notice, he's wearing a football jersey. That's because each week the football players get to choose a teacher to wear their jersey. My man has been asked to wear a jersey for like three weeks in a row! I love that he loves what he does. I love that he is good at it. And I love that he is making a difference.
You are my hero babe.

More than just a sticker.

2010-10-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

I am excited to share a great product I have found! I have been sticking them everywhere. My sister commented the other day that she has seen them on all my stuff!
Well, there's a reason for that.
Mabel's Labels sent me a starter kit of some of their Classic Sticky Labels and I love them!
I have them on sippy cups, lunch gear for the kids, and recently put one on a dish I took to a family reunion. There is never a mistake as to who the items belong to, the sticker tells you! And as for durability, the sippy cups have been scrubbed over a dozen times. The label hasn't budged, faded, or worn off a bit.

The company has given me coupons to share with friends, so let me know which products you are interested in and I can pass them along to you.

Long time, no see...

2010-09-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

It had been... well, a long time, since we had seen Stoney. He told us he was making an impromptu trip to San Antonio to visit the most special Mawmaw, and we thought what an opportunity! We would get to visit him and Mawmaw all at the same time! Wonderful plan!!!
We couldn't have had a better time than we did that weekend. It included Mi Tierras, dressing up in Mawmaw's dresses and wigs, and just plain old silliness. Here are some pics of our time there.

Beautiful Hair Rinnah!

Brothers

The Portis and Burton girls with Mawmaw.

These girls love their Uncle Stoney!!

Rinnah enjoyed her time (eating) with Mawmaw.

Awww, now that's love right there.

KCWC ending

2010-09-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

The last few days of this challenge were a bit of a blur, as most of my weekends are. One day I was not feeling well, another I was in desperate need of groceries and things of that nature. In all, I really only had a few hours over a four day period to put towards this challenge. I used my time wisely though, and made four adorable zipper bags found on Dana's blog here. She does a great job on her tutorials and I absolutely love the pictures she puts along with them. I ended up using the vinyl in my bags. It's great for wet things, sticky treats, and makes cleaning a cinch.
On my first few I made some mistakes and had to rip seams ans start over. I hate when you get a ruffle backwards, or seams that don't catch.... always puts me in a bad mood. But once I got the hang of the steps, I could finish one bag in about 15 minutes. Such a quick and fun gift! I filled them with some treats and we gave them for presents at the 4 birthdays we had this weekend.

It was fun and I will definitely keep these on the list for future gifts.

KCWC Day 2 &3

2010-09-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

So I am a day behind on posting my progress on this challenge, but I will go ahead and show you what I did yesterday and today.

I made this cute little bow yesterday that didn't actually require any sewing, but it was fun, quick, and cute.
I also measured and cut for a dress that I ended up finishing today. It was a "spirit" dress for Rinnah to wear so she can support the Heath Hawks! Go Hawks!!!

This week is homecoming and there are lots of festivities, so I wanted to get it finished for her. It turned out really cute! I will include a picture of a few of the other spirit dresses I've made: Selah is wearing her Hawks dress, and the blue Wildcats dress was made for my niece.

I love these three! The girls watching the parade with Daddy.