Sunday, October 23, 2011

How Did I Get My Name?

Allye Michelle

It's like this...we did not discuss much about names because we figured one just wouldn't matter eventually.  So, all we had discussed before learning our third girl was on the way was would we give the child names that started with vowels or not (like our other two).  We had discussed during each pregnancy naming our girls after my mom but felt like we couldn't "see" our kids looking like a Sallye.  Just when we thought we would name a third girl Sallye (before we knew it was a girl) that was squashed when I was asked, in her presence, if we had considered naming a girl Sallye.  Before I could lie respond mom piped in, "Don't do that."  I didn't ask her why because she said it in that way that mom's do.  You know, with that tone that says this is not up for discussion.  I have never adhered to that tone much in my life but I thought I better be real careful with her so I said, "Mom, we put the name on the birth certificate and we will decide."  It was in my nicest tone...really.  There wasn't much discussion until a few minutes later she said, "Well, you could use the name and drop the "s" and then you would have a name that starts with a vowel.  I gave her my best poker face but I knew, I knew in that moment that that would be her name...if it was a girl.

We choose to name her Allye to honor a woman, my mom, who has been there by my side and our side throughout the ups and downs of life.  She has stood strong in moments of rejoice and moments of tears.  She has loved when everyone else walked away.  She has been more then a mom.  She has become my best friend.  She is the strongest person I know and loves with her whole heart.  She represents what I hope all of my girls can become.  A loving wife, mother, and daughter.  She works hard, plays hard, and gives of herself in a way that others would never consider.  I love her, we love her, and we hope that Allye can do her name proud. 

Choosing her middle name was hard on me.  I am so thankful that Nate pushed me to do this.  Allye's middle name, Michelle, is my middle name and completes a circle in naming our children.  We gave Olivia the middle name Anne, after my mother's mother, Anne Elizabeth.  Addison then received her middle name, Elizabeth.  I love that the bond we have as mother, daughter, grandmother and granddaughter will live on in my three girls.

So, it's Allye.  A.L.L.Y.E.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Just Another Day...Or Is It?

Nine months ago, there was not so normal of a day...Nate came home to this.
And he documented both of us on that day...
And the planning began...and trust me there was a lot of planning to be done.  Like, documenting the pregnancy...which I had to put on the calendar every 4 weeks so I wouldn't forget!
And the plan changed when I went to the doctor at 38 weeks and 4 days and she told me I was dilated to be almost a 5.  Olivia snapped the final shot the next morning...
I love it when a plan comes together...our sweet baby girl was born the very next day and this is how it went...

 October 8, 2011
I live in a constant state of denial when I can see that my plan for anything isn't going to work out like I, um, planned.  So, when I awoke at 5am on Saturday, October 8th, not feeling quite right, but not bad, I pressed on.  That is what we do...women, moms, that is.  As I put on my makeup and fixed my hair to head out to the football field (7:30am) I got the slightest feeling I might just have wet my pants.  But I am a grown up and we don't do that.  So, I ignore it...it is some bad side effect of being so pregnant I tell myself.  As I proceed to fixing Olivia and Addison's hair I realize I might just have a problem with my bladder...or my water has broken.  I continue getting everyone ready and as Nate is standing by the door to usher us all out I give him this look.  And I say, "Nate. I think my water broke."  He says, "Ok, call the hospital and what are we going to do now (with our girls that is)?"  This is more denial..."Oh, you take them in my car on out to the ball field.  I will go grab my hospital bag just in case and be right behind you.  Just tell the girls I am running behind."  He says, "Make sure you call the hospital."  So you know what I did?  I called the hospital.  They weren't very understanding about all of my plans for the day...they told me I needed to come in.  SO, then I called Cowgirl...my backup.  And you know what I said to her at 8:45 in the morning.  "Could there be any worse timing?"  She laughed.  Later I would find out just how right I was in her mind...she was in the shower with a wet head full of shampoo...but she saw my number...what a friend!  Then, I called my mom.  Well, there was shock and then a little panic in her voice.  So not like her.  She kept telling me to get in the car and go.  Well, I needed to add the essentials to my bag...makeup, hair dryer, etc...they might just make me stay.  She wasn't very understanding of this.  So, off I went...that's right...drove myself right to the hospital. 

Pretty soon Man and Cowgirl were by my side...
And, after a much needed "boost" in the epidural we were ready to push...4 times...and she was here!



ARRIVING ON October 8, 2011 at 2:56pm
Allye Michelle Bouchard

The real excitement began when her two BIG sisters came for a visit.  


 We took one night of rest...if you can call it that when they come in your room every hour...and we were ready for home!
I think we are settling in just fine...we have LOTS of help!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Olivia Turns 6!

God made us a family on October 1, 2005.  He answered a prayer, hope, and desire that I would one day have a girl.  She came in her on time, late, and then when she decided to arrive it was with haste.  But, she was here and perfect.  

 Nate spent hours walking with Olivia as an infant, in the middle of the night.  He hummed to her the Star Spangled Banner, at 3am, pacing the long hallway in our home.  It worked for him, like no one else.  We would often look at each other and say, "Is this ever going to be over?"...at 3am.  Of course, it was over...eventually, and her life began passing with so many wonderful changes and adventures.  She has amazed us, confused us, made us question our sanity.  All of the things first time parents do.

Then, we were blessed with a second daughter.  Not so much walking, but she did hear the Star Spangled Banner a few times.  There were nights he would look at me with the, "Is this ever going to end?" look.  I would try to encourage him and remind him that it does end, we have proof now.  At that time, the song I have attached to this video was popular.  I ran out and purchased it and had the girls give it to him.  It was to be an uplifting reminder that we will make it through and will look back and wonder where the time went. 

So here we are.  SIX years down the road from our first blessing, waiting on our third.  Olivia changed our lives.  Olivia made us a family.  Olivia taught us to love unconditionally.  She is perfect in every way.  Thank you God for giving us this wonderful gift!

Please enjoy the video of all of the events that created Olivia's 6th Birthday!  We had a fun-filled day with lots of memories made!


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