The last 6 years!

So here we are 6 years after our last blog. I'm not really sure how I even happened upon our family's blog site but I did. I started reading, showing the kids the pictures that we had posted and became nostalgic and sad that we had even stopped. I loved the walk down memory lane!

The last 6 years-Addilyn turned 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,and 7, Reldon turned 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, we moved Zac's 2 younger sisters down here from St. Louis, one sister moved back to Missouri and one in with us,we got a new car, I was selected as Teacher of the Year in Catoosa, the sister living with us then moved to Utah, Zac's dad moved in with us and then to a neighboring town, we became minivan drivers, I changed schools, Zac was selected as Manager of the Year, I was selected, at my new school, as Teacher of the Year, my dad passed away, Zac's dad moved back to Missouri and now we are preparing for Addilyn to be baptized next Saturday. The one thing that has not changed-WE STILL LIVE IN PRYOR!

Addilyn and Reldon are growing up so fast and are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Addilyn is so creative, stubborn, loving, sweet and thinks like an artist. Reldon is so energetic, impulsive, driven, cuddly, and loves to shock those around him. Our days are never dull, even though we may want that some days, and there is always a story to tell about what happened during the day. 

Zac stays busy with work, his church callings and entertaining us in our house. I have seen so much spiritual and emotional growth in my husband in these last 6 years. He is the rock of our family. He keeps us going and grounded and is always teaching us. He is in the process of managing his store and another and is getting ready to have his store moved and made bigger-we are so excited!

I am now at Chouteau Elementary, still teaching 3rd grade. I stay busy with school, church and family. I try everyday to be a good wife, mom and teacher. Some days I feel like I fail at all of those but then others I can do no wrong.

I will try to stay a little more up-to-date because it was nice to go back and read all my memories and remember what I had once forgotten. And, if for no one else, my family will get to look back and appreciate the effort that was put in to document our memories.
 

Until next time...

One year and counting

OK, I'll try not to go another year without posting anything about our family, but really, no promises. We have grown again! We added Reldon Daniel Doyle to our family March 12, 2010. He arrived weighing in 8 lbs 12 oz and was 22 1/2 in long. He is a bundle of JOY. He is so happy and I love it. Addilyn loves him so much as well. Sometimes she loves him so much I have to tell her to stop loving on him.

Addilyn is getting so big and smart. I'm amazed everyday when we go over the words she knows... how many words she can say, recognize and then can say 3 more I give her. But don't let her cuteness fool you, she is ornery. She is so much like her Daddy, because I was never like that when I was her age (not talking about when I was older, but her age). I know she is turning into a little girl, but I'm having a hard time with that thought. I want her to be my baby forever and need me all the time. She's so much fun though--I'm torn.

Reldon is growing like a weed. He is getting so big so fast. He's already 3 months old--where did the time go? He laughs, plays and talks all the time. He is such a great little cuddler--I love it! But really, I can't wait until he is old enough to run around and play with Addilyn. I know that will be so enjoyable to watch.

Zac and I are staying busy. He at Orscheln and me teaching (even though I have the summer off I stay very busy with the 2 little ones). Zac is really excelling at his job and I love teaching. Lucky for me I passed the OK state tests so I can continue to teach here.

Sorry, we have failed you

OK, OK it has been way too long since we have blogged. Life has been good but crazy and we can never seem to find the time. But now that school is out I should have time on my hands to be able to update everyone on our very busy lives.

Zac has been working his hind end off at work lately and definitely deserves a great Father's Day gift--hopefully the Father's Day fairy delivers something good. That fairy does exist right? He has been very busy but always has time for his little girl. You should see him and Addilyn playing--it's great!! Addilyn is such a daddy's girl. If he walks past her without picking her up the crocodile tears start pouring out. If he stops playing with her the crocodile tears start pouring out. If he leaves for work those crocodile tears start pouring out. Do you get the point?

Addilyn is such a pleasure to be with all the time. She has a great personality!! She crawls around getting herself in trouble (she comes by it honestly--do you know her father). She will be walking soon, I fear. But she is so cute when she tries to walk. She walks with her little walker toy and throws her right foot out and then stomps it down--I LOVE IT! She is quite the talker right now. She says Mama, Daddy, Uh-Oh, Oh Baby (in that sad tone), night night, ba ba (bottle), na na (no no--while she shakes her finger at you). She is very entertaining! She is growing up so fast. Addilyn is going to be 10 months the end of June, and then a year comes--stop growing, stop growing!

I'm doing well. I just had knee surgery the end of May. I had ACL reconstruction in my left knee. This was a long time coming, I now have to tell myself that this is a purposeful pain. After surgery I had to strap my leg in a machine that bent it for me 3 times a day 2 hours at a time. I am now done with that and now going to physical therapy. I told Zac that other day that I was enjoying PT and then that day they made me do hard, painful stuff. I don't think I like it as much now. So, I spend my days now with Addilyn or at PT. A pretty simple, but enjoyable summer.

Well, we missed wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving however we did manage to squeeze in a few pictures. We have had a fairly productive week, although I can't tell you what exactly what we did, we feel like alot got done. Little Addilyn rolled over this week!! She is So funny when she actually remembers what it is she is doing. She'll give a little turn throw in a grunt and a delayed roll will follow shortly thereafter. We have had a lot of good nights with her sleeping one night 11 hours! I say that and right this very moment we are taking turns with her and have been for about two hours, she just won't stop fighting sleep...We are very excited that we can plan a visit to St Louis and spend some quality time with my family. we really miss them. We plan n visiting some of our dear friends while we are there, so if you want to visit with us while we are in town just say so. OK so the pictures are of Addilyn of course and her 1st Thanksgiving.

Wish List

Our Top 10 Temporal Wish List
(items we want but don't necessarily need)

1. New Car--to replace the stalling Malibu or the dented in Aztek that hit the Malibu (courtesy of Amanda)
2. Washer and Dryer--maybe something we do need to benefit everyone else
3. New Couch--sectional would be nice so we could cuddle and more could visit--probably not at the same time
4. New Camera--one that takes clear pictures from more than 5ft away "snapshots are great, landscape would be better"
5. Knee Surgery--should be number 1, but you see our priorities
6. Gym membership--we've been saying we would get for the past year now, only takes 5 minutes if you're not lazy and in shape..OH, and Zac's company would reimburse
7. Entertainment Center--not necessarily a bigger TV just something to cover up the bachelor's gadgets
8. Maid/Babysitter--one we don't have to pay
9. New Computer/Laptop--one that doesn't shut down in mid sentence
10. A VACATION--we need to get away from all of you

Here I sit

Well, here I sit with Addilyn finally asleep in her bed and Zac passed out in the recliner. Poor guy has been running a fever and not feeling well all day. His fight to feel like a real person, instead of a sick ol' man, lies in his recliner. I think he feels like he has given up if he goes to bed. No harm, no foul--I'll let the man sleep there!



Addilyn is getting so big. The girl is up to 15 lbs 8 oz!! Apparently we are doing things right. She is just a few days shy of 3 months..this time has gone so fast! And for those that read my earlier blog about my worries and fears about leaving her with a babysitter, she and I are great! We have a wonderful lady watching her, and Addilyn doesn't seem resentful towards me yet. It is nice when I pick her up that she recognizes my voice and smiles when she sees me!! I mean I still don't like to leave her, but the reaction she gives me makes up for any guilt I may feel during the day!


Speaking of the day, if you hear of a 3rd grade teacher going to prison for spanking her students--just think of me. (; I have a pretty tough class this year! I hate to say it but I have to tell myself to be positive towards these children. And that task is a lot harder than one might think with these sweet, little children. Pray for me ;)

I hear the sweet cries of my child coming from the other room. I am going to comfort her and then convince my husband to come to bed.

Here are just some Pictures of us and Addilyn...

Well I guess that i owe everyone, that has been just sitting and waiting for some kind of an update, an apology. Last that I mentioned anything we were getting ready for family to come into town and have Addilyn's Blessing. Well, it came and went,we had a blast with my family here I really miss them sometimes. That makes their visits so much more meaningful to us all. Amanda has gone back to teaching and finally after about one month I have a day off!!!
We have found out that it really can be trying sometimes working a sitter into the schedule and when your regular sitter can't watch your baby it throws your entire life into a chaotic mess. We will live through this one. Our Halloween party that we have every year was a blast but the absolute best was seeing Addi in her 1st costume as a cat. i posted a bunch of pictures and hopefully will get a few more on here this weekend.

Soon to be Blessed

Well this is going to be a BIG weekend for Addilyn...She will recieve her name and Blessing on Sunday. We are so excited for her, infact Amanda has bought her this really nice dress. We are hoping that it does not cause DRAMA, see mother has given me this "family" dress that gets passed around and around really it is a beautiful dress but we wanted all our kids to be able to have their own so that when they get older they can do whatever they please with their blessing outfits. Does that seem selfish? Are we commiting the cardinal sin of breaking TRADITION? Oh Well...So on the other hand we are SO EXCITED to have everyone coming in this weekend. We would not want any less than everyone here. See we stayed up till about 2am making 40 enchaladas and cleaning house. Who's tired? Addilyn is now to this stage where she is fighting sleep...come on child...We still love you. she is also starting to mimic sounds and (well, she seems to be) as we are convinced she canalready say, "HI".

What if...

Well, Zac insisted (or strongly encouraged) that I do this blog. I kept resisting because I am never sure what to say or how to say it. I want to sound witty but not goofy, intelligent but not "hoity-toity"--get the picture. I'm in a predicament. So, I guess I just start typing...

My time at home is quickly coming to an end and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I love spending time with Addilyn and am not ready to turn her over to someone else during the day. All the what ifs run through my mind (and I hate what ifs)...what if she cries, what if she won't eat, what if she rolls over, what if she speaks her first words (she is just that intelligent), what if, what if, what if...the list goes on in my mind. But I am ready to get back into my classroom. I feel like I don't know my students because I only spent the first two weeks of school with them. To be honest I can't remember some of their names--I hope they still have their name tags on their desks. I do love being in the classroom and having a schedule to my day. So, I decided to talk to Addilyn about this the other day. I was going to tell her that when Mommy has to go back to school she will be staying with Rose who will do a great job and will take great care of her, but as soon as I said I'm going to leave you with Rose I started to cry. I'm a wreck...I'm going to be a mess the first week I have to go back to school. I guess I won't be wearing make-up that week. The kids will get to see the "real" Mrs. Doyle. I am going to be a plain-faced, grumpy ol' teacher that week. Let's all pray that those kids are extra good--for their own benefit!! Do you see my dillema?

Anyway, on to better notes. Addilyn is starting to smile and respond to us more. It is really exciting to have her look at you and smile and then "ooooo." I can see why every woman says she loves being a mother. And Zac is such a wonderful daddy--you can tell he loves his new role as Dad. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband that loves me and his daughter and takes such good care of us! He and Addilyn are wonderful blessings in my life!

There ya go, my first blog entry on this page. I hope all that read weren't bored out of their minds thinking, "When is Zac coming back?"

Well, tis has been a little hecktic week for us. Addilyn has seemed to catch the colic bug and is keeping Mom and Dad very busy!! amanda is nearing the time she is to return to work and so we are also trying to get her to take a bottle. tuesday was her 2nd DR visit with DR Ross, M.D. and (he is really a good DR by the way)he gives her a great bill of health she is up to 11.3LBS and 23'' long...wow, She is really growing (95%). We love her so much especially when she sleeps 4-5 hours at a time!!here are some of her "screw you i hate bath time photos"! also some taken at the DR.'s Office when she was giving daddy kisses. She IS smiling!

Well, it seems that for Amanda having such a smooth pregnancy we are getting a little in return. We have the best little girl any parent could ask for and yet the little booger seems to cry this cry that just registers decibels above and beyond anything i have ever heard... her new thing is that she gets so mad she poos, A LOT! Its crazy! But she is Still the best thing we as parents could ever wish for and as Amanda is on the downside of her time at home and we make preparations for her to be with someone through the day we are finding that we just don't feel completely ready. I know we will be just fine and everything, but this is our time as new Parents. We did manage to go to a local highschool football game ( really because we are band grrek we went for the halftime show). One of the YM in the ward was performing his first home preformance with the tuba. not reall funny but he is maybe 110LBS and the souzaphone weighs at least 65LBS now thats FUNNY!!!
we are fine and Love all you that take time to read about our life here in PRYOR,OK, YEHAW!

Well today, was a tough one for Daddy, being away from his little girl for the first time...Yes i know that many of you more experienced parents have NO Problem with this but it was more the awkwardness of not having those certain elements disrupt my night that i am quickly becoming used to. I am currently in Columbia, MO and this afternoon will be heading to KC, MO for meetings. I really don't care to be away from Amanda and Addi. I sat last night at the corporate party thinking to myself how when i was single and "on my own" this hardy party thing was what i lived for...what was i thinking (or what am I thinking)? Even with all the celebrities and musicians and co-workers, and, and, and...I sent Amanda a text saying how this really kinda sucked and how it really sucked being alone. I thought about what a blessing I have been given and sometimes it takes times like that to help us see them. I know that it was also raining like crazy, I was tired and many other wo-is-me stuff but, sometimes "through small and simple things...". I will be heading home most likely Tuesday night and picking the girls up along the way.
So new topic we are preparing to have our 2nd Annual Halloween bash and i really think its going to blow away last year's party!! We have planned more people and better setting and funner games. For those wondering we had a HUGE Halloween party last year and it went very well, so this year, after everyone has asked, we are going to have another. Also we have set the date for blessing Addilyn. We will be doing this on the 12th of October. We hope everyone can come...
Well, i guess this is officially the longest post thus far, so i will end on this last note. Addilyn is growing bigger and we see the changes daily. We really are blessed to have a very healthy baby. We are thankful everyday and want to thank everyone that has helped us get into the swing of being parents, everyone that brought us gifts and meals when Amanda needed to have focus on Addilyn. Thank You, we love all of you dearly.

OK, so i was able to get the camera working (for now) and thought that i would share some pictures taken this weekend. Along with some of Nana & Grandpa Doyle and their visit. What a wonderful time we had!! it is so nice that family was able to come and help us get things started. Uncle Andrew made it through his fear of being an Uncle and Aunt Gynna just jumped right in and did what all great aunts do. Even old Grandpa had a great time.

Well I know that It has been a while however our camera has lost power and we must be retarted or something we can't seem to get it charged. we have some new wonderful pictures of the beauty queen but, for now it will have to suffice that we tell you she is doing great and we are focusing on a routine for feeding and sleep. (for us) really she is so great I wish everyone could have the time to come see this addition to our family. Just Pray the camera fixes itself...

Well, she's 4 today!! four days old... And really stealing everyone's heart. Nana & grandpa Doyle are coming with Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gynna (they're 5). We finally got some good Sleep and are taking the day to relax.

Well, here she is Addilyn Kay Doyle! 8.7LBS and 22" long. She came to us on Wednesday at 1:19pm in the hospital in Tulsa. Mommy did Wonderful and really was great. After only about 17 hours of labor and six good pushes Addilyn came right on out with no complications. We had to stay for about 48 hours but all is well.
true story though, see Addilyn was face up instead of face down or vice verse, and kinda tried to come out sideways. When DR.Ross (wonderful DR) pulled her out he says "look a Unicorn"!,poor girl had such a bad lump on the side of the top of her head she really looked like she could star in the movie CONEHEADS. So here are a few of the pictures