Thursday, November 19, 2009

Leighton Floryn Lindsey

leighton made an unexpected arrival tuesday, november 17th at 6:12 am!
6 lbs 1 oz -- 18 1/2 inches
full story & pics will follow once we get home from the hospital.

the c-section was a surprise for everyone...

first picture as a family of three.

leighton's proud daddy.

our little love-sponge.

we are absolutely overwhelmed by our love for this tiny little girl--assured of God's grace, astounded by His perfection and amazed by her purity. our lives are already immeasurably richer because of leighton, and we are in complete adoration.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

baby leighton

the first real glimpse of our little darling! we got to have a 3d/4d ultrasound at 30 weeks. leighton wasn't entirely cooperative (which she came by honestly). she was using the placenta as a pillow and a hiding place, and i was having to push her down just so we could get a sneak peek. i think the nose is russell's; after looking at my baby pictures, he thinks it's mine. we'll see. regardless, we think she's adorable!

we have literally been showered--with love and with presents! we had a beautiful shower in abilene, and so many dear friends and family came to celebrate. it was such a fun combination of people that i adore. regardless of where we raise her, i want leighton to grow up knowing the charm of west texas hospitality, generosity, kindness and dear friendship.

the sweet hostesses - rolanda fulham, vickie meyers, jean goodnight, diane leggett & jackie cox

cynthia grace and blake were my personal assistants.

leila, cynthia grace & terri

mema, aunt debbie & mom

ashleigh & caedmon (who were the biggest surprise of the day!), me, leila & cynthia grace

meredith & blake


and, a few weeks later, we had another fantastic shower in dallas. the day was absolutely perfect, and the perfection was in the details. it was overwhelming getting to have my favorite girls from college, med school, residency and random life in dallas all together!

a tea for two...tulle, sweet little tea sets and everything girly imaginable...

my best girlfriends (the hostesses) - katie vick, jenny duewall, caroline hogan, diane hogan, lauren skaggs, jennifer pogue, emily crozier

caroline. she spent hours making sure "leighton day" was special for me!

lauren & jessica

emily. my favorite newlywed!

katie & adorable baby andrew

cissy...she suggested leighton's name, found the nanny and has been the ultimate pregnancy coach.

christina seeley

emily hebert

mandy & jenna

lindsey houser

hollie anderson. she painted this 'L' for leighton, and we love it!

ruthie, katie, jenna & mandy. little girlfriend is already feeling the delta love. only one shy of having the whole ddd family & baris gang together.

jen pogue

katie, laura, jenna & mandy

deedee (who came all the way from jackson, mississippi to help--amazing!) & mom

annie houser

leighton's precious door sign from the hostesses. i'm pretty much obsessed with it. it's hanging on her nursery door...just waiting to have the date, weight, etc added!

the hogans

and, the evolving walrus. i really think i could do a c-section with a paperclip. the doctor told me this week that there's still "plenty of room" (could have definitely fooled me) and that she probably weighs about 4 lbs right now. here's to it! 29 weeks

30 weeks

31 weeks

32 weeks

33 weeks

34 weeks

we're on the homestretch! yesterday was my original due date before the miscarriage, and i've thought about it a million times--that if that hadn't happened, there would be no leighton. what a frank revelation of God's timing and plan. we are abundantly blessed.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

thirty


My sweet lover boy turns 30 today!

I married above my head and out of my league. I'm not sure how I got so lucky, and sometimes I still pinch myself to make sure it's all real.

Undoubtedly, we have been privileged, and we have had the opportunity to do so many fun, exotic things together--but the truest blessing has been in the everyday details. Despite 30 years, Russ has done more and lived more than most lifetimes and so few people get to know all the facets of him. He moves effortlessly between construction workers, gym rats, GOB's (good 'ol boys) at the airport, ropers and society. I am more intrigued, more amazed and more in love with this boy that I knew was possible when we said 'I do' almost 7 years ago. Russell and I have absolutely grown up together. I know him better than I know myself, but for most people, he remains full of mysteries and random surprises. In the 8 years we've been together, I have witnessed the transformation from a college boy to a man that runs a large company and leads his house. So, if you think you know him well...

1. He is a fantastic highway contractor. Most people know that he works for the family company, Lindsey Contractors. But, they don't realize that he can shovel asphalt tirelessly and put a whole crew to shame, that his bottom teeth are crooked from being hit with a chunk of concrete, that he gets called constantly overnight with questions from his guys, that he obseses about the weather or that he absolutely breathes, sweats, lives and prays about his work.

2. There's a part of Russ that is pure cowboy country, despite the more often seen Dallas metrosexual look. He professionally rodeod--steer wrestling and calf roping--before we met. And, he has the scars to prove it.

3. He is a pilot--a great one. Russell flies fixed wing planes and helicopters, VFR/IFR and multiengine. He got his helicopter liscence on my 21st birthday and took me up for my first rotorwing flight! Am I scared? Not a bit. What if he crashes? I hope we're in there together.

4. He is intensely loyal.

5. He makes a fantastic 'blue steel' face.

6. While we were engaged, Russell was standing on the platform on the back of an oil distributor and a small truck ran up under the platform after the driver fell asleep or had a heart attack. The impact threw Russell into the air, over the machine. He landed on his feet and escaped without any serious injuries. His hat from that day is covered in oil, but I've always saved it as a reminder of how precious and fragile life can be. It hangs in our closet and reminds me daily to pray for Russell's health and safety.

7. Russell is ticklish. He has dimples and a little boy laugh. He is witty and downright silly.

8. He is a softy with little girls, and with me.

9. Russ is always trying to improve his Christian walk. He actively tries to make his life and his work a ministry. He is continually encouraging me in my faith and is very conscious of God's blessings on our family.

10. "Russell Lindsey--You are Ironman." He is an amazing triathlete. Russell did Ironman Arizona last year. He's done two half Ironman triathlons (California & Kansas), and he's actually competing in a half ironman in San Diego today! He started working out like a feign when I was in med school to pass the time, and it has turned into quite a passion. His dedication and endurance surpass my comprehension.

11. There is a very soft, romantic side to Russell Lindsey. The night we got engaged, he planned a suprise dinner at Dakota's in Dallas, and when I thought we were flying back to Waco, he got down on his knee in the aisle of the plane, overlooking the nighttime Dallas skyline and proposed. I managed a 'yes' before I passed out (literally). We had champagne & chocolate covered strawberries until we landed in--surprise!--Abilene, greeted by all my family.

12. He is a fan of 'pallet nights'--staying in, making a pallet with tons of pillows & Grandma's quilt and watching a movie.

13. The boy is a dreamer--and a schemer. He is always trying to come up with ways to improve and things to build; the plans are nothing short of elaborate.

14. He has impeccable manners. Russell is the gentlemans' gentleman. He opens and holds all doors. He stands when I come to or leave a table. He always walks on the outside. He never walks a step ahead. It struck me as magnificently romantic when I first met him, and now living in the midst of big city rudeness, I am ever more thankful for the piece of old fashioned couture that Russell maintains.

15. Russ is an absolute germ freak. I've broken him of a little of this just by being post-call hospital gross, but he still loves his antibacterial soap and is always washing in the stuff up to his elbows. Pretty much, if he sees you and hesitates to shake your hand, he thinks your dirty and potentially infectious.

16. Russell was in the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M. The service and the structure part of isn't too hard to imagine, but most people are surprised that the fun loving, metrosexual spent his college days military style. He was almost bald when we met; I've told him since then that I would have married him just for his hair---and I didn't even know what a living shampoo commercial he was, at the time.

17. My I-35 warrior. Russell is a saint. He commutes 107 miles each way to work in Waco--everyday--so that I can be close to the hospital in Dallas. We've often joked (although, sadly, it's true) that Russell 'drove away his 20's'. I appreciate his daily sacrifice more than he could ever know, and I certainly don't say thank you often enough. His highway life terrifies me, too, because I know he's driving with one knee, talking on the phone, sipping coffee, eating, looking at skid marks on the road, singing along with the radio and trying to reschedule 300 people & move equipment all at the same time. Russell's safety is something I really do pray about incessantly.

18. Russ is a Starbucks snob. His order(s) basically require a masters degree for interpretation. 2 splenda, double espresso, skinny vanilla lattes are a staple, and 2 splenda iced green tea lattes, hold the melon, no water are a frequent afernoon, witches' brew treat.

19. He has to have his back scratched to fall asleep, but he is unphased by having the lights on (a la med school study mode).

20. He hates crying.

21. Russell has a great baritone voice.

22. He is already a fantastic daddy. Russ talks to Leighton everynight. She moves towards the sound of his voice, and she will kick back everytime he pushes on her. He has been more excited about this little girl than I ever dreamed possible.

23. He makes me want to grow old.

24. He is my biggest fan, encourager, confidant, pusher and coach. He is my safety from the pregnancy nightmares. He is my best friend. He is my better half.

25. The boy needs serious A/C (like 69 degrees or less) and clean sheets to sleep well.

26. Underneath the immaculate exterior, there are socks with holes so large that his toes pop out of them. They only get thrown away if I catch them in the laundry.

27. His favorite foods are slumgullion (a Lindsey family concoction of canned spaghetti, ground beef and pork & beans), raisin bran cereal, purple G2, and chic fila. He ate innumerable variations of ground turkey, pasta and eggs while I was in med school (poor thing). He loves things spicy but cannot handle hot temperature.

28. He still has a baby face without the ghotti, and he routinely gets carded.

29. Russ hates to read, but he is brilliant beyond what he lets show. He will look over my shoulder when I'm doing medical questions, and somehow he gets almost every answer right. Why have I gone to school for 27 years if it's that easy? Then, he'll cop out and tell you he could just tell by how the question was written.

30. He is crazy mehanical...like tear the asphalt plant apart in the middle of the night and then rebuild it with a bicycle chain and two paperclips using the car headlight for illumination...hence, a few of the many 3:51 AM dash shots like below. He is not afraid to get dirty, and he has come home many-a-day covered from head to toe in some combination of dirt, rocks and oil.

We met when Russ was 21, and he had me from the start. Happy birthday, Russ!


Saturday, September 19, 2009

the dog days of summer...

A recap of summer 2009...

Grace. She's got it made.
Molly

Russ did a Half Ironman in Lawrence, Kansas! 
As usual, he was a stud. We were so proud of him!
But, the day was brutal on his knee...

Russ arranged a surprise weekend getaway to the Ritz to celebrate the end of my intern year! A pregnancy massage, a Fearing's feast, mints on our pillows and eggs benedict for breakfast--paradise. I'm continually amazed by my romantic lover boy!

Baylor Housestaff Graduation
Reva, Luigi, Troy, Billy, CJ, Jenny, Me, Erin, Adam & Tom
Jenny, Katie & Me

End-of-the-year Medicine Party
Russ, Reed & Dendy, Me & Millie, Hebert
Jenny & Addie

Saying goodbye to my life as an internist...
...my life as an intern...
...and my daily need to have this in my pocket...
Russ literally threw a nail in the wall for my stethoscope, and we celebrated "hanging it up." (My medicine friends are cringing & shaking their heads. I still love medicine, but Russ and I were both so excited about the switch to radiology!)

A saintsation surprise for baby Leighton!

Wishing Luigi, Carlotta & Eduardo goodbye before they moved back to Italia!
Russ' last attempt to change Luigi's liberal views by sending him international with our favorite t-shirt. 

We escaped for a weekend in Pagosa Springs, Colorado to celebrate Katherine Cox & Taylor Ansley's wedding. It was beautiful!
The bridesmaids' luncheon--Katherine, Me & Stephanie
Dad, Russ and Claude

After the half ironman in Kansas....Russell had surgery on his right knee (again). 
Cissy's sweet sign!
Lauren & Raney
Reed and Dendy B
 
A baby shower for Katie & Travis to help welcome baby Andrew!

The C-I-R-C-U-S!

A weekend in Waco. We like Dallas, but sometimes it's so nice to get out of the city!
Reed & Millie, Caroline & Dendy, Me & Raney (and a growing baby Leighton) & Russ.
Our nephew, Will, showed the girls how to ride Llano. 
Bruno?!

A shower for Emily & Jonathan!

Mom & Dad came in for a weekend when we got overly eager about painting Leighton's nursery. Mom has dusted off her smocking skills, and the little girlfriend is going to be well dresssed! Can't wait to get her in them!
I was a little bit embarrassed about leaving Home Depot with all these paint samples (but not enough to leave any behind). Of course, I was too indecisive to narrow the field. 
Russell picking the perfect chocolate & pink. 
The upstairs guestroom room (aka Kyle's room) pre-Leighton.
You have to test the paint samples...everybody knows that. 
The manual labor crew.
We painted 3 walls chocolate brown and 1 wall/ceiling baby pink.
 And, a peak at the bedding. I LOVE IT. 

Paul McCartney concert at the new Dallas Cowboys' Stadium! Awesome. 'Calico Skies' is my new favorite, and I've been obnoxiously singing it ever since. 

An engagement party in Abilene for Travis Black and Andrea Long. 
Leila Darby, Me & Ashley Goodnight

And, now on to the babies...Leighton's boyfriends have been making their arrivals.

Andrew Phillip Vick with his momma, Katie
Melt my heart.
Jackson Kyle Houser
(fittingly, in one of his pro baseball player daddy's gloves)
And, the newest edition, William Ryan Houser (with his adorable parents, Annie & Chris). Will was actually just born last night. He made his arrival about 4 weeks early and is currently in the NICU to help with his breathing. Prayers for strong, deep breaths!
Speaking of strong, deep breaths--continued prayers & praises for the miraculous healing of Julian Strauser, Rebecca (Cutbirth) & Tyson Strauser's new baby boy!


Drew's 30th birthday!
Casey, Billy & Russ
Thomas, Tom & Rebekah, Lauren, David

Russ and Reed went to New Orleans for the Saints game last weekend. What can you really say that's not already painted on his body? Hmmm....a little scary that I would trust this man to raise my daughter if something happened to us. Impressive, nonetheless. I'll give it to Reed--he's got passion.
Russ brought home this bib for Leighton and---MY FAVORITE--beignet mix from Cafe du Monde. Just a little box of powedered sugar heaven. Sorry, Drew--the glycemic index on these is probably not favorable, but they're worth being fat and having heart disease. Really.

And, the ever-expanding belly...Leighton's measuring a little bit big (sigh). The combination of a bowling ball head, linebacker shoulders and stereotypical birthing hips which she could inherit may make for a large baby. Fantastic. 
23 weeks
24 weeks
25 weeks
26 weeks
27 weeks
28 weeks

Now, we're caught up to the present. The picture below sums up our weekend. Russ has the flu (likely the swine flu, but we won't know for sure until Monday). He's been quarantined to the bedroom & the cave, and I'm slipping in & out (yes, wearing the mask) and cloroxing everything I can get in my hands. Thankfully, he's starting to feel better--and I still feel good--so maybe we're on the road to recovery. 
I knew he was feeling better when he told me this morning, "I don't know why the pigs have it out for me. I don't even eat bacon. I like turkey better than ham." And, when I started getting individual letter texts downstairs spelling B-O-R-E-D. 

Sunday, August 23, 2009

how i love this boy!

russ just painted my toenails...because i can't comfortably reach my toes anymore!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I believe in miracles.

At least once in this life, I wish everyone could feel the magic of a baby moving inside of them. Every little kick makes me want to giggle and cry and hit my knees in thanks. Every jab makes me grab Russell's hand--and makes me disappointed when she won't perform and elated when he can feel it, too. It's the most miraculous thing I've ever known.


Here are a few pictures of Baby Leighton from our appointment yesterday. She's measuring right on dates and is weighing in at 1lb 3 oz! One of the Children's pediatric cardiologists did a heart ECHO (since her daddy has a bicuspid aortic valve), and her sweet little heart looks perfect. 


Our darling little paperclip. She's folded in half--basically kissing her knees and touching her toes to her head. I was pretty flexible back in the day, but those gangly chicken legs are definitely from her daddy.


What a sweet profile!



And, a few belated belly shots...somewhere between 20 and 22 weeks, the watermelon seed started to grow!

17 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

20 weeks

21 weeks

22 weeks

I feel fantastic, and we are blessed beyond measure. Besides crazy nightmares and particularly bad morning dragon breath, the pregnancy has been a breeze so far. 

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

...and she shall be called...


LEIGHTON FLORYN LINDSEY

we absolutely adore it! russ and i were having trouble with girl names...who knew that bad construction companies, weird ugly classmates and old girlfriends could ruin so many beautiful options?!  i love our last name, but it seems to rhyme with other first names (ie, mackenzie lindsey) or to cause a prolonged EEEE sound & an awkward cheek workout (ie, ashley lindsey). and, as much as we vowed to avoid being uptight about the meaning, after we both liked 'kennedy' and realized that it meant deformed head/helmet head...we were both a little more leery in our list making. the boy name was easy for us (and, hopefully, someday we'll have reason to use it!) but we really struggled with naming our little girl. i kept a running list on my iphone and, admittedly, i would try to sneak my favorites back into the mix after russell nixed them (to no avail). 

we had agreed on a short list of contenders, but nothing overwhelmed us. until...we were eating dinner with the hogans, and cissy suggested the name leighton. russ was making pizza across the kitchen and when i yelled it out to him, he gave us a "yeah, it's cute." none of us could tell if that was his polite dismissal or if he really liked it.  but, in the next few days, he always used leighton when he texted or talked about the baby, and i knew that he was hooked. 

russell has been so precious about the baby, and so i finally told him that i thought it would be sweet if her daddy named her...so the first name was his choice. leighton.

we've been set on the middle names for years. floryn is in adoration & memory & honor of our beloved grandma. her real name was flora darline moore, but she went by 'fussy' her whole life (really...so named because she was the fussy twin). she actually hated her real name, and she would be sassy and obstinate about us using it; that's why we tweaked the 'flora' just a little. but, she was my world--my dearest friend, my inspiration for the kind of person that i would like to become, my ideal--and so it's special to me to pass on a piece of her. if leighton floryn has one ounce of the love, the humor or the servant's heart that her namesake possessed, she will be blessed and beloved.