These Are A Few of My Favorite Things!

Christmas time is officially here!!! Yeah!!!

I was watching "Oprah's Favorite Things" show the other day, and it got me so excited about Christmas! Although, my favorite things don't all cost a million dollars like hers! Here are my favorite things about Christmas!

*My mom's homemade apple cider!

*All the beautiful lights and Christmas music

*Seeing Madeline get so excited about everything and say "Oh wow" everytime she sees the tree!

*Drinking egg-nogg latte's from Starbucks!

*The smell of "Mistletoe" candles from Yankee Candles

*Comfy sweaters and coats and cold weather!

*Watching "National Lampoons Christmas Vacataion" at the Alabama theater

*Being with family and close friends!

*The hustle and bustle of everyone shopping

*And meeting my baby boy for the first time this Christmas season(the 15th, Lord willing)

The list could go on and on, but I love basically everything about Chrismas!!

What do you like the most?

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If it Wasn't This, It Would be Something Else!

Ever seen that movie, "Elizabethtown"? It's one of my faves, about a son who comes to grips with his father's death. Although there is a very annoying Kirsten Dunst in it who attempts to have a Louisianian accent, I still love the movie!
One of the dad's favorite sayings while he was alive was,"If it wasn't this, it would be something else."
Sometimes life definetly feels like that!
Maddy burned her hand on my straightener about a week and a half ago! A HUGE blister formed, which of course popped before it's time, with a toddler who couldn't stop messing with it. I didn't really realize how bad it was until the blister popped. I took her to her pediatrician last Wed, to check it out b/c it wasn't getting better. He said she needed to go to the burn unit at Children's Hospital b/c it looked really bad to him.
So, we went, come to find out it was a second degree burn which caused some inmobility (sp?) with her thumb caused by scar tissue. The Dr. said with some massage exercises, complete mobility should return! Yeah..she was going to be ok!
We have to change her bandages once a day, which she does not like!!!
Thurs, she started getting sick and I noticed a lot of mucus in her eyes. Come to find out she somehow picked up pink-eye at the hospital, along with a bad cold! Aren't hospitals supposed to be where you go to get better??
So, now we are on eye-drops three times a day( which she also hates), plus she can't really go anywhere or be around people for 3-5 days. I am starting to get a little cabin fever..big time!! She's also on cold and fever meds, so hopefully that will clear up soon as well! I really feel so bad for her...she really is so pathetic when she is sick!
I have to admit, I am loving the cuddler she becomes when she's sick, but of course I HATE to see her like this!
So, between prescriptions, hospital visits and Dr's visits this week, I am super bummed that there is no extra money to finish up Gabriel's room! That was the goal this week! Oh well...I just have to be patient until next pay period I guess!!! It will probably be finished the week he is due, which I am fine with...as long as it's ready before he comes!!!
It is NOT easy to take care of such a sick little girl at 8 and a half months pregnant!! Thankfully, I have been doing well...just tired and continued back pain! So, it definelty feels like, "If it wasn't this, it would be something else" around here for sure!!!

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Trunk or Treat

Last night we took part in our second year of "Trunk or Treat" with our church!

It was a lot of fun and Maddy was so cute going to each car and collecting her candy! She LOVED the jungle gymn and kept running to go play in it! I think she went in and out about 4 times.

We really had so much fun! There was a chili cook-off and free hot dogs and drinks and a hilarious "Kid's Clubhouse" after all the trunking and treating was over!

Here's our FSU girl checking out her candy!!

And here's Maddy our first year going-she was a puppy-all 6 months of her!

In baby news..I am 34 weeks now! Flying! Although, at this point it's starting to drag on a little bit! My back is shot at this point...I think b/c he is so low, but hopefully that will make for a quick delivery!!

Nothing really new to report..just really getting ready for this little man to be here!

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Baby Stress

Finally, I am blogging again!
It seems I really run out of time lately with all we are doing to prepare for little Gabe in almost 7 weeks!! Eeek!!
So, it's 7:30, and everyone's asleep and I thought I should update a little bit!
I am almost 33 weeks now! Well, technically 32 and a half, but I like to round up if it's only a day or two! I have to confess, I am getting a little stressed out! We are still lacking on a lot to get ready for him! And he will be enjoying Maddy's pink pack-n-play his first few weeks of nighttime sleeps with Mommy and Daddy, but we will keep that a secret from him when he grows up!!
I am really hoping everything comes together in the next month or so here. I know it will...it's just trusting in God to take care of ALL our needs that I constantly struggle with!!
Plus, I am stressing about the delivery! I have nightmares about having to have another C-section! I know, a little dramatic...but I can't help what I dream!
My friend told me, "As long as your healthy and the baby is healthy, that is all that matters." That is all that matters...honestly! I just keep praying that God will give me peace over whatever happens!
Also, I am majorly bumming b/c I really don't know how long my parents will be able to come for the big arrival! My sister is due the same day, so that does cause some complications! My mom assured me that they would be here some time during the birth and the days after he is born, so that gave me a little peace about that too!!
So, theres my baby drama! I know, it could be way worse! I think I am just stressing b/c the time is quickly approaching and I like to have everything planned and everything prepared yesterday!! That's another thing God is working on me with!!

In unstressfull, good news, Gabriel is doing great! Our Dr's appointment went great and he looks perfect! I am going every 2 weeks now for the next 2 weeks, and then I go every week for 4 weeks, and then he is HERE!!
What a perfect little Christmas present he will be for us! I really can't wait to hold him, cuddle with him, nurse him and just stare at this precious miracle!! I just hope I have a car-seat to put him in is all!! Hahah!

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Two Little Pumpkins

Last weekend finished out our month of traveling! Thank goodness! We are now officially home for a weekend! We traveled to South Carolina last weekend for my sister,Sarah's,baby shower! Remember...we are due the exact same day!
My younger sister, Aly, and I hosted it! Let me just say, hosting a baby shower almost 8 months pregnant is not as easy as I thought! Thankfully, we helped eachother out and pulled off a great shower, if I do say so myself!

We had so much fun and Sarah got so much great stuff including diapers galore, which I have to confess, I'm a little jealous of!

Here's a picture of us girls feeling baby "Brie" moving!
It's really hitting me that we are about to have two little pumpkins in the family soon! 9 months of pregnancy feels like the baby is never going to come sometimes! This pregnancy is flying for me, but at times it does seem a little sereal!

I am now 31 weeks pregnant. The joke in the family is who is going to deliver first-Sarah or me! For Gabriel's sake, I hope Sarah, since she is way ahead of the game than I am. Her nursery is completly done and looks adorable!!! Ours is getting there, but with one income, it seems like things are slow coming! We have used a TON of stuff from Maddy, but a lot of it was jut a little too girly to make work for a boy. Plus the fact that she's still in a crib made buying another crib a must!

We are really hoping to go back to SC for Thanksgiving...the final trip before Gabriel is born, but we will see! I will be almost 38 weeks and that might be a little risky! I go to the Dr next week, and we'll get a final answer from him then on whether or not he thinks it's a good idea!

Really hope we can though! It's hard not having your family around especially when your expecting another little one! We somehow make it work though!!

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Our Nieces are Growing Up!

Last weekend we celebrated Joe's brother's daughter's 3rd birthday! Briana Davis is getting all grown up! I can't believe it! We had a blast in Mobile celebrating. but came home exhausted!! She is such a cute little girl who is so funny to watch play with Maddy! I hope they grow up to be good friends even though they are a year and a half apart!

Here's the Birthday girl last weekend!!

She got this elephant for her birthday, and I don't think I saw her without it for the rest of the day!!!

Yesterday, we celebrated my brother's daughter's birthday! Abigail Dickinson is 2 years old!! Wow! I so remember when she was this little! I think this is the one picture where she remotly resembles my brother!

We had so much fun with the girls and got some great shots! I guess if Briana and Abigail are growing up, that means our baby girl is too! Here she is looking way too old eating her lunch!

Here's a rare family picture of us! Maddy does not look happy! I think she was a little nervous on the swing!!

Here's the newest 2 year old in town....looking exactly like her mommy!!!

It's so neat to spend time with your siblings and siblings in-law, changing roles from just family to parents! I love spending time with them and seeing our children grow up together! I remember such fond memories of playing with my cousins growing up and I hope these girls will too! 2 more are coming soon, so that will be even more fun!

In other news, I am quickly approaching 30 weeks of pregnancy! Wed, I will be officially 30 weeks! To me, 30 weeks is like, "ok, this baby is really coming...and soon!" We are about to order our crib soon, and I can't wait!!
Gabriel is still really active but has a lot of "down time" lately! My Dr sais it's no big deal and that babies will go through active and non-active periods! Other than that, everything is great!!! Next weekend we go to SC for my sister's baby shower! Yeah! Things are really starting to get more real around here for sure!!

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Finally, A New Post!

Wow! Two weeks since my last blog! How does the time get away from me?
Life is crazy and I know in the next few months it will just get crazier! Joe and I were talking the other day how we haven't been home for the weekend or had an event free weekend in the past 4 weeks. The next four are booked too! I think we are way to involved in things for my own liking! The next three weeks are all family events-this weekend going to Mobile for our nieces bday party, next weekend celebrating our other niece's birthday with my side of the family, the weekend after that going to South Carolina for my sister's baby shower, and then finally we will be home the weekend after that, but are having family pictures done that Sat! Not to mention all our apartment life weekend activities! It's nuts!
This girl is ready to take a break!!!
Ok, aside from my complaining, we are doing great! We got cable last week, and that's probably another reason why my blogs are fewand far between! I really don't have a lot of time to watch T.V., while I'm chasing an EXTREMELY active toddler around and being exhausted from being pregnant, but when she goes down for her nap, I veg out in front of some "Lifetime"! It's so nice! And I don't have to hope we have internet connection that day to watch my fav shows on Hulu! I am really enjoying it!
In pregnancy news, I am 28 weeks now! Yeah! And definetly a lot bigger at this point than I was with Maddy. My Dr. had a little talk with me about my weight gain at my appointment yesterday. Somehow I went from great weight gain, to jumping and gaining 12lbs in 8 weeks! I think Gabriel is just going to be a bigger baby and that's fine with me! I took my glucose test yesterday and aced it! I still can't believe it came up on me so fast! I remember feeling like I had been pregnant forever before I took it with Maddy. This time, I was like, "Oh wow, it's here already??"
Next week we go to Kid's Market to shop! I am really excited! I'm hoping to find a few things to finish out his room and then we'll be done! I still have to put curtains up and get his bumper though! I can't wait to see his room all done! I have to confess that I am a litte jealous of my sister-Miss Overachiever, who already has her entire nursery ready for Baby Brie and a closet FULL of clothes for her! I have about 5 outfits, but like, I said, hopefully Kid's Market will fix that!
I am definetly starting to really feel this pregnancy lately. Back aches, leg cramps, heartburn, exhaustion, sore feet, things growing and stretching, being out of breath, ect! It's really getting harder to pick up Maddy, bend down alot, shave my legs, get in and out of bed, ect! However, I really do love being pregnant! It always seems to go by so fast! Pregnancy and the new born faze just seem to fly by for me!
Speaking of the new born faze flying by...Maddy is now 17 months! She has become Miss Independent, which makes me sad! She wants to do everything herself! Forget about holding Mommy's hand when he go somewhere, she is on her own schedule! She says "baby" all the time, and is now saying "juice","wall",her friend's names, "brush", her name, but it sounds like "Maline" and her favorite word and thing "cookie"!
Well, thats about it! Hopefully my next post wont be so long coming!!

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What's New In 26 weeks!

Happy Labor day!

Hope everyone had a good day off! It was nice to have Joe home for a three day weekend! Other than Madeline getting really sick this weekend and me starting to get sick yesterday and having a really sore throat today, it was a great weekend! It stinks that when one person in the house gets sick, everyone gets sick!

Hopefully we will all be back to normal soon!!

I am officially 26 weeks pregnant now!! WOW! It really is flying by!!! Things are starting to come together in Gabriel's room, and we pretty much have it done except for his crib area. I still need my bumper and curtains too! Then I promise, I will post pictures!

One more week and I will be starting my third trimester! Crazy!!! This pregnancy has definetly been harder while taking care of a toddler, but it has been a lot of fun!

Gabe is all over the place! I even woke up from a nap b/c he was kicking so hard! I have a feeling he is going to be so active when he is born! Back pain is really my only complaint so far. Every night I am lucky to get about 5 hrs of sleep b/c I can't get comfortable! I only fall asleep by Joe rubbing my back! God will reward him for that!!

If I had a million dollars I would get this pillow! I have a body pillow I use now, but it doesn't really do the trick! I just can't justify spending 50 dollars on a pillow..and I think this one is acutally $70! I know I would love it though! Look how tranquil this women looks while sleeping!

Other than that, I am doing great! Energy is good, no more problems with pre-term contractions..I still get some cramping here and there but I think it's b/c of my c-section scar tissue. That's what my Dr. sais at least! I continue to be STARVING all the time and DEFINETLY eat more than Joe around here! McDonald's cheeseburgers continue to be my #1 craving! Other than that, probably chocolate or sugar. I about lost it eating a piece of chocolate cake the other night! Joe was like, "It's not that good, jeez"! It is when your pregnant I guess!

Food definetly tastes better when your pregnant! I was embarrased b/c we went out to dinner with friends, and I ate everything on my plate and was still hungry. I pretended like I wasn't b/c I didn't want them to think I was a pig!!! I just came home and ate a little snack! I haven't gained any weight in 2 weeks which is encouraging after my 8lb weight gain at my last visit!! That was embarrasing as well!!!

Well, thats about it! I go to the Dr soon for my glucose test! Yuck! I always hated that visit! We are also gearing up for Kid's Market this weekend. I'm hoping we are able to sell all our stuff and also find some great deals as well, but I don't think you get to go shop for a couple more weeks! Can't wait to share my finds!!

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Please Come Soon Fall!

So, Wednesday is September 1st, and no I am not thinking about Labor Day! I am thinking we are finally leaving the horrendously hot days of summer behind us, and slowly but surely getting to the fall months! I LOVE the fall! Fall and Winter are my two favorite times of the year! I think I get that from living in the north!! I love the cool, fresh air, the leaves changing colors, pumpkins, turning on the heat and putting a fire on, smelling pumpkin bread in the oven, eating hot stew while watching a football game! It's all just so cozy and I love everything about it!
I decorate almost as much for fall as I do for Christmas! Joe says there are way too many pumpkins around, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

The first weekend in October we always go to Homestead Hollow in Springville for their Fall Festival! I have been going for 11 straight years..ever since I moved to Alabama with the exception of 2008 when I was on bedrest with Maddy! I am so so excited to take her this year, b/c now that she is so much older I know she will really love it! Last year she was only 6 months old, but still got a kick out of the farm animals, hayride, and banjo music! This year she will be able to do so much more, which I'm really excited about!

I was looking at cute fall things on Etsy today and found this adorable dress for Madeline! I might try to make the smock, but I don't know about everything else!

I also found these little bloomers. How cute would they be on her??

I'm also starting to look for winter things for Gabriel since he will be here in the beginning of winter! These hats were ADORABLE, especially this pumpkin one, but I'll have to wait on the pumpkins for next year!

I would love to take him home from the hospital in a hat like this! Too cute! Knitting is something I could NEVER do, so this may have to be a to a purchase! We'll see!!

That's about it! Just counting down for the slightest bit of Fall to poke through! As soon as the weather starts getting a little cool, I know I will be wipping out all my fall things and putting a batch of pumpkin bread in the oven! Can't wait!!!

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Back to Normal

So, I'm off bedrest now and things are beginning to get back to normal around here! I'm on medication and still not feeling completley up to snuff, but I'm getting better! My Dr. is pretty sure that I shouldn't have any more contractions to worry about! My next visit is the glucose test visit! I can't believe it's here already! That is not a fun visit!





Baby Gabriel looks perfect but keeps hitting his head against my scar on my cervix from my c-section with Maddy! OUCH! My Dr. said it's normal, and that most women who haven't had a c-section don't even feel it, but since I had one, I would feel it a lot! It sends a shooting,sharp pain across my lower stomach! Not fun, but just another thing to remember my c-section by!





I am PRAYING, PRAYING PRAYING, that I don't have to have another c-section with him! I would love to go "natural"all the way, unlike I was able to do with Maddy, but we'll see!


He is all over the place! Even more active then I remember Madeline being! I watched my stomach move from side to side today! It was pretty funny! I think feeling the baby is the funnest part about being pregnant!





I'm pretty sure in saying that I think my "official" craving for this pregnancy is McDonald's cheesburgers! I can't get enough! I only allow myself one or two a week b/c I know they are HORRIBLE for you, but when I eat them, nothing else tastes better!! I've always hated McDonald's and probably haven't eaten there in about 8 years to tell you the truth! But this pregnancy it is all I want! I was at Wal-Mart the other day and smelled them on my way out and had to go back inside and get one! I split it with Maddy so I would feel better about it!!





Gabriel's room is still underway.. I don't want to post pictures until it is done b/c now it still looks pretty under construction! I'm really getting excited about it! It looks really cute! I still have to make curtains and move some things around, but we're getting there! We have almost everything now, except a crib and a car seat! We need the car seat that fits into our new double stroller and of course another crib! Hopefully those will come soon!





Madeline is more active than ever! She has so much energy, I really don't know where it all comes from! It is so nice to have her home after she was all over the place while I was on bedrest! I think she missed us a lot! She's been really clingy since we picked her up Tuesday from her Grandma and Grandpa's house! It was really hard to not even be able to hold her while I was confined to the bed! Sooo glad that is all behind us! I think she is growing again too! She looks taller to me everyday, and her appetite is getting bigger so I think a growth spurt is definetly there! She will be officially 16 months on Sat! On Sept. 4th, which I think is in about a week, it will have been two years since the day I found out I was pregnant with her! How time flies! Here's a picture of her when she was just born, just because I'm feeling sentimental and b/c I'm getting so excited about another little newborn coming!!

Aww!! I wish she could've stayed this little forever!!

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Slow It Down Girl!

Ugh!! Bedrest for almost a week is not a prognosis that I like to hear! I've been having cramps and presure for a while, but didn't call the Dr until last Friday! I thought it was just basic pregnancy symptoms but turns out that I was having the beginning of pre-term contractions and he is a little worried about them turning into pre-term labor!
The good thing about it is that there is no danger to Gabriel unless obvioulsy I give birth now, but even if it gets that bad they have medications that can help stop it! Bad news is if the medication doesn't take, but I'm not even going there b/c things are getting better!
Basically I've been doing too much! My Dr sais I need to slow things way down, and until the contractions go away completly I need to be on bedrest! Bedrest is fun for a couple of hours, and then it just gets old!! Especially when we don't have cable!! It's a lot different being pregnat with a toddler than it was when it was just me and Joe! I'm not worried, but it does kindof seem like it's been one thing after another with this pregnancy! Thankfully this is not a serious, life or death situation!
Apparently pre-term contractions are kindof common in the summer time which I didn't know, and if your doing too much on a daily basis! I didn't really think I was doing too much, but I guess so! So basically I just need to slow it way down I guess! Bad thing is that I can't pick up Maddy until I'm in the clear, so that stinks! I miss her when she's not here, but I know it's only for a little while!
I see my Dr on Wed unless things get worse, so pray things won't get worse and he lets me get off bed-rest! Until then I have to be creative with things to do!!

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Sniff Sniff!!

Since Monday we have been a dog free family! We kept talking about getting rid of our dog, Wookie for a while especially when I found out I was pregnant again, but kept putting it off b/c neither Joe or I really wanted to do it! We got him when we had been married about 5 months, and have had him for almost three years since then!

He was our baby when we first got married! Then I found out I was pregnant with Madeline and he became second fiddle! Then I got pregnant with Gabriel and he became third fiddle! He was such a sweet dog and it was such a fun time to have him, but with two kids and living in an apartment it was time to find another home for him!

After the third flea outbreak this summer I lost it! I still don't get how he kept getting them, but whatever! He never fully understood the concept of potty training either and I was constantly cleaning pee pee and poop out of the carpet! NOT FUN!! Madeline stepped in it one time which made it even more fun for me to clean out! We steam vaccummed the carpets just to have him re-soil all his favorite spots the next day! So, it was time!

It really makes me so sad though! I put a picture of him on the fridge to remember him by and I'm sure it will stay there for a while! Joe says our next animal will be when we have a house and it can be an outside dog! I agree! Here's our little Wookie! I hope he enjoys his new home!

We went to the Dr. the other day and Madeline is continuing to grow like a weed! That makes me sad too, but it really shouldn't! I have to get over this wanting her to stay a baby forever!! She is 33 inches tall (96th percentile) and 22lbs! Still teeny tiny but finally in the 45th percentile in weight! She will always be skinny I think! Lucky girl!! Our Dr said we could even start potty training if we wanted to! I would LOVE for her to be potty trained before Gabriel gets here, but if not, I'm not going to force it!

She is starting to use her own fork and spoon which makes me very proud! Is anyone else going through the destuctive toddler years at all or is just her? She riped our blinds the other day and broke one of them off! She also chewed her teething guard off her crib so I had to buy a new one! She's crazy..but I think she got that from Joe!

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Never A Dull Moment!

Last night I fell and I mean FELL into bed at 8pm! I was exhausted!! As I began to go to sleep I started thinking about life with two in about 3 and a half months!! That's all that's left!! I can't believe it!! I am getting so so excited, but I'm sure I will be MIA for a while as I struggle just to keep up with a newborn and a 19 month old!

It was a day yesterday! We found fleas on our dog AGAIN!!! Not that intense this time, but a pain none the less between getting him an emergency flea bath and doing a thorough cleaning of the house! That alone was enough to wear me out!!!

Is anyone else having a flea issue this summer? I think b/c it is so hot and humid! Our dog has NEVER had fleas in the three years we've had him! Now, this summer, he gets them twice! We keep frontline on him so I can't figure it out!! Last time, it was a huge deal...we had to get the apartment fumigated which meant me and Madeline couldn't be in the house for 4 hours after Joe sprayed ( thanks to his connections to Cooks)! We packed up and stayed with his parents for the night! This time, I only found three..but still! Frontline should do the trick right? Me and Maddy gave him a flea bath and then checked him again, did a thorough cleaning of the house and Joe gave him another treatment. So far, so good! I think one or two just jumped on him outside, but still..YUCK!

After all that intense cleaning I was ready for a long nap for Madeline..but she had other plans!! She was on a "no nap" strike, which comes rarely..but comes none the less! It was really hard to finish my cleaning while she was unplugging the vaccume, throwing herself on the bed, pulling all the clothes out of drawers, destroying her room, pulling magazines out and ripping them all up, taking all her diapers out of her diaper stacker,ect! By the afternoon and our second attempt at a nap, I figured a showing of "Elmo in Grouchland" was a good idea! Needless to say, I fell asleep in 10 minutes!

She is so fast around here! As soon as you turn your back she is into something else!Here's what happend when I accidentally forgot to close the pantry door today. You can't see it in the picture, but there is a huge pile of napkins on the floor that she pulled out too!

She's so cute though, It's hard for me to stay mad at her!!!

We try to stay inside as much as we can lately, b/c lets face it, the heat is unbearable and my northern roots really come out in the summertime! If it's above 90 degrees, I really can't handle it...especially pregnant!! Here's some pictures of her on our adventure Monday, shopping for Gabriel!

Here she is in the car!

"Hi"!

And here she is in her favorite chair from PBK.Anyone want to give me $100 dollars so I can buy it for her!!!???

So, there really is never a dull moment around here! Between fleas and a toddler and one on the way, I really start to miss those days when nap time was daily occurance!!

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Sprinkled with Love!

Sat. was our first little "celebration" for baby Gabriel! It was really small and cozy which was the point-just friends getting together for lunch! I remember the CRAZY shower I had for Madeline! Huge shower, TONS of presents, such a big deal! This was just really relaxing and low-key! It was a gift-card shower which we really appreciated, but some people brought gifts that I loved!! Everything was just so nice! I forgot my camera! I know....pregnancy brain!! But my sisters got some good shots so I can get theirs. Overall, we were really so blessed and felt the love from so many of our friends and family! So many people have been praying for Gabriel for so long and it was so wonderful to have them all together! Here's some pictures of our fabulous diaper cake and delish desserts made by my sister Sarah:

Monday, My mom and sisters and I, and of course Madeline went out to spend the gift cards and get some much needed things for baby Gabriel! His room is really starting to come along! I won't post pictures until it's done, b/c right now it is still kindof a mess, But I am really getting excited! I am using the "Jungle Friends" bedding from PBK and LOVE IT!!! I'm mixing in a lot of cheaper things into it, so I hope the finished product comes together!! It's so different to go from girl baby things to boy baby things, but I am soo thrilled! I can't wait to have a boy!

I am 22 weeks pregnant today!! Woo hoo! Again, I feel like it is flying by!! I'm starting to have more cravings lately like chicken salad on croissants ( has to be croissants), avacados, cheese, and french fries! I love those! Also, McDonalds has been on my mind a lot! I know, YUCK, but something about it when I'm pregnant is my thing!! I've been feeling Gabriel move and move! I love it! Joe felt him the other night two times in a row! I think we are going to be feeling a lot more soon! My heartburn has come back! Ugh! I pretty much have to keep Tums with me at all times, and the back pain is starting up too. It's not horrible yet, so hopefully it won't be this time! Well, that's about it!

Oh, Maddy has taken over some of Gabriel's toys already! We foolishly let her play with them and now she has become very attached! Just a little hint of what it will be like with two soon! Joe also got her to say "Go Noles" in time for football season! He was very proud!!

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Ever Feel Like A Single Mom??

Ever since I had Madeline, I have had a renewed respect for single moms, or single parents in general! Lately, that respect has been even greater! Maybe it is because I am pregnant and don't have the energy like I did when I wasn't pregnant, but lately I have been wiped out!
Joe has been working late the last couple of weeks. On and off, and to his credit he did get home at 3:30 yesterday, which NEVER happens, but other than that, I have definetly been feeling like a single parent! He is gone around 7am and usually doesn't get home until around 6 or 7 at night!

That means, EVERYTHING during the day is up to me! Not that I don't enjoy it. I love love love being home with Madeline and wouldn't want it any other way, but sometimes I just feel like, "Where's my husband when I need him???!!""
I know a few women that are feeling like this right now. My friend, Samantha, who is also pregnant is doing it on her own as well, while her husband is at police academy. So, I know I've got someone to relate to! When Joe gets home it's usually dinner time and then getting Maddy ready for bed and then I'm asleep by 8:30 or 9! Everyone keeps saying, "Oh, your supposed to have so much more energy your second trimester." Maybe that was true when your not taking care of someone else all day. I remember being tired with Madeline, but I would just come home from work and be able to get into bed without having to worry about things! Now, it's definetly different!

So, there's my hormonal, pregnant, worn out mother rant about wishing that every now and then I had a million dollars to hire a nanny or had a personal wife to take care of the things I do a million times a day! My friend Ashley said to me one time, "You know, I want a wife!" That's how I feel. Someone to do my laundry, cook my meals,buy and budget groceries, take care of the bills, clean my house, take care of my baby, ect!! Oh well, I guess it's all part of the never ending job we call motherhood! The most rewarding, joyful, loving job in the world. But with all jobs there's always something you don't like about it!!

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15 Months!

Madeline turned 15 months last Wednesday and boy have things changed! She is growing like a weed! I'm really curious to see how tall she has grown since her last Dr.'s appointment, but we don't go again for a couple of weeks!

Here's whats new in the 15 month old world:

*New words or phrases are "Night Night", "No No", "That" when she points to something and then "Yeah" when you give it to her! "Juice", "Banana"-sounds more like "Banana" now instead of just "Na Na", " Outside" and "Baby" all the time!

* Favorite activities are playing outside, going to the pool, chasing Wookie, dumping Wookie's water on the floor and eating his food, running around the house, pulling all the DVD's out, dropping things in the toilet, running around with toilet paper, taking things out of Gabriel's room and putting them in her room, coloring, and playing with chalk outside. Needless to say she keeps me on my toes!!

* Loves to give kisses and will go up to complete strangers and give them hugs!! We gotta put an end to that soon!!

* Favorite foods are cheese, cookies, spaghettie, juice, milk, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, bananas, blueberries and carrots ( this is new).

* Least favorite foods are peas, chicken dishes ( likes chicken on it's own but not mixed with anything), and ham has not been a success lately!

* Growing like crazy!! Went from a size 3 shoe to a size 5 in a month!!! Also, pretty much everything she wears now is 24 months. 18 months are too short and snug on her belly!

* Loves to bring toys to you and tell you what they are! For instance, will bring you a baby and say "Baby" or will bring you her Elmo doll and say "Melmo"!

* Favorite places to go are McDonalds ( loves the chicken nuggets and the Happy Meal toy), Target ( loves the toys), nursery at church, and pretty much anything that involves the outside. Still kindof sqeamish of the park. Swings are iffy and the slides have to be very short for her to go down!

That's about it! I wish she would stop growing up so fast, but I love seeing all the new things she does! Thank goodness we have a newborn coming or I might fall apart with all her growing up!

Here she coloring!!!

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Got the Itch

So, now that we know we are having a boy, I am "Itching" to get moving on his nursery!! We went into Pottery Barn Kids last night, and let me just say that I pretty much want everything in that store! I found the bedding I had picked out for Gabriel's nursery and wanted to get it sooo bad!! Of course, it is not in the budget right now, and I am selfishly hoping that we will get it as a gift, but oh, how I wanted it! I have all these plans for the room and just want to get moving! I realize I am only 20 and a half weeks pregnant now, so I have plenty of time left, but look how cute this is!!!

Going in there really makes me wish I still worked at William-Sonoma for the discount! Some stuff in there is crazy expensive! I really want this chair for Maddy too!

I remember my Dr. talking about a thing called "nesting" where the mother just goes crazy trying to get everything done for the baby, and everything has to be done THAT DAY! That's how I'm feeling right now! I guess I just gotta calm down a little!! Having the nursery done just makes everything seem so "real" and complete. I guess I'm just excited! Kindof like when you get engaged and you want to go pick out your wedding dress the next day! That's how I'm feeling!

In baby news, I can't believe we are 20 and a half weeks!! Whew!! Part of me wants Gabe to be here right now and part of me really feels like this pregnancy is just going by too fast! Even though I have a tendency of complaining the whole time I'm pregnant, I really do love having him inside me! I loved being pregnant with Madeline, and after she was born, I really missed it! I love feeling the baby move and having the baby with me everywhere I go! It's just such a special time when you carry a child!

Anyways, he is extremely active! I feel him all the time now! Joe has only felt him once, but I'm sure he will be able to feel him more soon! I'm continuing to get bigger-15big ones have been gained! I feel like I'm reall getting big, but people keep telling me I don't reallly look that big. One person asks, "Aww..when is your baby due?" and another is like, "Oh, what are you 1oweeks?" Um..NO!!!! I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder, but in my opinion there is definetly no denying that I am pregnant!!

I had Joe take a picture of me, but he hates doing it! He says I'm too picky. Whatever! My 20 week pic was way out of focus and fart face wouldn't take it again..so I leave with you nothing! Maybe we will have better luck next week!

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It's A......

BOY!!!!!!!

It's official! We are adding a little boy to our family! We are so excited! Joe and I both screamed when they told us! I really could have gone either way, but I know Joe really wanted a boy! Also, I think everyone else wanted a boy since we have so many girls in our family! We are thrilled!! He looks perfect weighing 10oz and having a heartbeat of 157!! Ever since all our complications started, I just really felt like this baby was a boy! I don't know why...but I did! We felt like we should name him Gabriel then, and of course we are keeping it now! Gabriel Joseph Davis will be here Dec.15th and I CANNOT wait! Now, to get that nursery together!!

Here are a few pictures of our little man. Ultrasound pictures are always weird to re-print, but hopefully you will be able to tell a little of what things are!

Thankyou Lord for this beautiful baby boy!!!!

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Do You Hear What I Hear??

So, I read last night that starting at 19 weeks ( I am now 19.5 weeks), the baby hears what you hear and what you say. Here's a sample of what our baby is probably hearing right now:

* Danielle, Jaqueline and Teresa fighting on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" b/c that is my new favorite show!!
* Mommy saying "No No", "Put that down", and "What did I tell you Missy?" to Madeline on a daily basis!!
*Mommy complaining about the heat b/c it is HOT!!!
* Daddy saying how he is over hearing mommy complain about the heat!!
* Wookie (our dog) barking at EVERYTHING!!!
* The "Elmo's World" theme song being sung over and over since that is Madeline's favorite song!!
* Mommy talking about all the plans for the new nursery while Daddy falls alseep!
* Mommy talking about food all the time b/c I cannot get enough to eat!
* And of course, everyone telling him/her how much we love them!!!

I hope the baby likes what he/her hears b/c that is life around here! Me complaining and Joe putting up with me!! Madeline all over the place and Wookie barking at air!! On a sweet note though, I remember when Madeline was born she stopped crying the minute she heard my voice b/c she recognized it! It was so sweet and I am so happy the baby can hear everything now! Now all we have to do is wait for Wednesday when the baby hears us say, "It's a boy" or "It's a girl"! Can't wait!!!

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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like.....

.....A baby is in there! Here I am at almost 19weeks. Officially 18 weeks 5 days, but whatever!

Everything and I mean EVERYTHING I wear now is maternity! Chasing around Madeline has helped me keep my weight gain down from when I was pregnant with Madeline. So far, I've gained about 13lbs. This time with Madeline, I am embarrased to say, I had already gained about 20lbs! After saying that, though, I now cannot wear anything in a size small maternity! I bought some cute capris last month that I cannot get past my hips now!!!

My friend gave me a bunch of stuff that I could barely fit in to! So, even though the weight is a little lower this time, the size of things seems pretty much the same! Today, Maddy and me are going on a little "Girls Day Out", to get her some new things, since she has outgrown most of her stuff in the past four months, and to get me a few things!Hopefully, they will last me a little while! I've got plenty of winter stuff, but summer things are a little scarce!

I am still feeling really good! My heartburn has really been starting to go away, but my back has begun to hurt! Hopefully it doesn't get that bad this time! Cravings are just for food in general, and man can I eat!!!! It is not uncommon for me to have at least two helpings at every meal! Chicken is still kindof iffy with me, but it's not making me gag like before! One week left until we find out the sex!! I am definetly counting down! I have really felt this baby moving like crazy!! He or she is all over the place doing what feels like summer saults! To bad Joe can't feel them yet! Madeline keeps pointing to my belly and we try to teach her"Baby" when she does it, but I think it just confuses her a little!

We are getting very excited for this little one coming! Two months ago, we didn't know what was going to happen to our baby, and now look where we are! Such a testimony of God's healing power! Thankyou again for all who kept us in your prayers!

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A Lot of Fun

Wow! Has it really been two weeks since my last post? Almost...I haven't been on the computer lately since we got back from South Carolina for the fourth. My sister lent me her "Grey's Anatomy"seasons, and I've been a little wrapped up in them!

We had so much fun in South Carolina! First, we found out my sister, Sarah, is expecting a GIRL! Of course I was right!! We find out in two weeks for us, which is killing me!! We found out at 18weeks with Maddy but are having to wait until 20 weeks with this one!! Ugh! I'll make it though! Anyways, Maddy had so much fun with her Grandma Mar, Grandpa Gar, Aunt "Say-Say", Uncle Peej and Aunt Aly. She calls Joe's dad "Pa-Pa", but always acts confused what to call my dad. Hopefully she will figure out soon that she has two "pa-pa's"! She had a blast and a half in this delux pool from Grandma Mar. I got in it two, but all the water spilled out and I knocked he down, so I think I was too big!!

On the fourth we went to see fireworks! I thought she would love it, but nope. Here she is before the fireworks started:

And here she is after they started:

Joe said she was too young this year and I think I agree! It was really hard to come back home, but my dad and sister are visiting this week, so that will make things better!!!

In pregnancy news, I am 18 weeks! now!! Yeah!!! I can really feel my stomach stretching all the time. I've got to start the cocoa butter ASAP! I somehow got away stretch mark free with Madeline and are bound and determined to go stretch mark free this time. Who knows though! I read the baby is the size of a bell pepper now! That seems really big to me! I'm feeling good, my heartburn comes and goes, but other than that pretty good! Just counting down until we find out the sex in two weeks! At first I was really laid back about it, but now that it's getting closer, I am getting really ansy (sp?)!

Nothing new has happened in the baby's nursery for about two weeks except for some more clearing out, so I am really ready to get the room together!!!

One more thing that has been a lot of fun is that I did my first shop at Publix with the "southern savers" attempt and the coupon research and saved half of my purchase!!!!! I was so thrilled! It was a small shop, only about 5 things but I saved $15 from a $32 bill!! I got an 82 diaper pack for $9!!!! That made my day!!!I was pretty proud! Now, if I can only keep it up!

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Eclipse and 16weeks!!

TEAM EDWARD!!!!!!
Last Tuesday, I had the wonderful experience of seeing the midnight showing of "Eclipse"! We all had so much fun and I didn't get home until 3am. I'm still recovering, but it was so worth it! Although, I have to say, I think I liked "New Moon" a little better, I still enjoyed "Eclipse" immensly. It was my favorite book, so I think I had higher expectations for it, but like I said, I still really liked it! Edward is my 15year old girl crush b/c I think he is H-O-T! If you have seen the movie, let me know what you think compared to the other 2 movies. There were parts I really liked and then parts that I wished they had stuck to the book a little more! Overall, it was great though and I'm sure I will be seeing it again!
In other news, I am 16 weeks pregnant now!!! Yeah! And like always, I do not have a pregnancy picture! I like Joe to take them, but usually he doesn't get home until 7 or 8 sometimes and I am most likely asleep by then or in my p.j's or just looking rough! We are leaving for SC tonight to see my family for the 4th, so hopefully I will get some then!
I went to the Dr. yesterday and the baby looks perfect! Again, thankyou Lord! Heartbeat was 163bpm and I have only gained 12 lbs total! I really thought I gained more. From 9weeks to 16 weeks I gained 4 and a half lbs. I was pretty proud of myself, but my Dr. didn't seem to impressed! Now, that I am bragging about it, I'll probably be gaining weight fast now! I was a little disapointed that we don't get to find out the sex until 20 weeks. They usually do it at 18weeks, but my Dr's office has a new policy now, that they won't do it until 20 weeks! They feel 20 weeks gives them a much clearer picture of everything than 18 weeks! Bummer!! I really want to get started on our nursery, but I guess if this is the worst thing, than it's not that bad at all!
Well, that's pretty much it! We are off tonight for SC when Joe gets home from work, so that will make two days this week that I have up past midnight! Oh well, at least the baby is sleeping soundly!

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Praying for Friend

It seems pregnancy is in the air these days. Right now I know about 15 girls that are pregnant and are due to have their babies by the end of the year. Two experienced some hardships this week resulting in one who miscarried. My heart just absolutely breaks for these women! As someone who has experienced a threatend miscarriages with both of my babies, I know what it feels like to think you most likely will loose your baby. It really makes me appreciate even more the blessing of miracles that God has performed in my life. Of course I don't know first hand what it feels like to actually loose a baby, I do know what it feels like to be told you most likely will loose your baby.
I thank God everyday for the miracle of saving both our babies. Maddy's situation was not as serious as our last situation, but it still involved a hospital stay and a close look at me throughout the pregnancy. Ever since our "miracle ultrasound" four weeks ago, we have had no problems and I praise God every chance I get for it! We go to the Dr. Wednesday and then will find out the sex in two weeks. There was a time where I never thought we would get to this point, but here we are!
There are so many situations lately that I have heard of since I have been pregnant of women miscarrying, and based on what I was feeling during everything, it is one of the most painful things a women can ever go through. I've heard of two situations recently of friends both experiencing their 5th miscarriage this year. Another friend of a friend had her baby at 24weeks and will be in the NICU until at least October. Please pray for these women with me. I think seeing Madeline in the NICU really gave me such an increased heart for parents who go through this sort of thing. She was only there 3 days, but it was 3days of complete hell! We couldn't see her when we wanted to, she was hooked to so many tubes and I could only hold her to feed her. Once again, though God did a miraculous healing and she was able to come home after 3 days instead of longer, which was what they expected. God is so good! Even through the darkest times he is there. He never leaves us!
There is an Eric Clapton song: "Tears in Heaven" and I kept thinking of it when I was going through so much with this pregnancy. There is a line that goes, "would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven". I just picture when we die, going to heaven, and seeing your miscarried baby run towars you and cry "Mommy..I've been waiting for you"! God has given us such hope and peace and comfort and all we have to do is grasp hold of it! So, thankyou Lord AGAIN for being the giver of life and allowing us to share in the miracle of our healthy baby, and please continue to show your peace to these women who need You now more than ever!

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Scary Movie Fest

If you know me, you know I hate scary movies! I get scared so easily and can't sleep for nights on end, and to me it just isn't worth it. Well, for some reason, I have really been wanting to watch scary/suspensful movies lately! Who knows why, but Joe and I have been on a scary movie fest lately. Since I am constantly trying to think of ways to save money, we check out most of ours from the library. Can I just say DISSAPOINTMENT! The last two we got have been total let downs. Here's what we got:
"Shutter Island"-I thought this was going to be so good, but it really wasn't. The plot kept building up for what I thought was a very confusing ending which left a lot of unanswered questions in the movie. It was more of a "inner struggle" in Leonardo Dicaprio's head than anything else. If anyone has seen it and liked it, I would love to hear their opinion.
Second, we got "Vacancy". This is kindof an older movie but I thought it would be interesting. Nope. Exremely lame, very unrealisic, predictable, and just all around not that great. Joe and I were saying "oh brother" numerous times. The concept was good, but the details of it and the acting along with mere stupidity just made me loose interest quickly.
I am not one that likes to watch movies that are so scary and demented that you think "why am I am even watching this?" but, I do like movies that keep me on my toes. Neither one of these delivered.
So, there's my unprofessional movie review of two movies that left me wanting just a little more! I still say the scariest movie I have seen is the "Sixth Sense". I first saw it when I was 15 and haven't been able to watch it since. Joe makes fun of me all the time!

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15 Weeks!

Wow! I can't believe I am 15 weeks pregnant today! It is going by so fast! We go back to the Dr. next week and then find out the sex in 3 weeks! I can't wait! I am really starting to feel more and more pregnant if that is possible. My belly is about the same in my opinion as last week, but Joe told me yesterday that I was looking a lot bigger by each day! I didn't know if that was a compliment or not!
I am still starving all the time! I need to watch myself I think b/c I have gained 11lbs so far! Thats better than I did with Maddy at this point, but I need to remember that whatever I gain, I will have to loose! It came off pretty fast with Maddy through breastfeeding and exercise, so hopefully it will with this one too! My back is starting to hurt which makes me a little worried b/c I had horrendous back pain with Maddy! Hopefully not! And right on schedule, I have developed a very stuffy nose and sinus problems at 15 weeks just like I did with Maddy. I read that stuffy noses and sinus problems are very common in the second trimester so I'm not surprised.
My nauseau is really non-existent now unless I eat chicken or see it! The heat makes me really dizzy so I try to stay out of it as much as possible, and if I don't eat right away or on time I feel sick, so in the scheme of things I feel like I'm doing pretty good! I crave anything protein (minus chicken). Cheese, bacon, eggs,turkey, red meat, peanut butter, and salty things ect. Sweets are still kindof on the back burner. I'll eat them, but I don't crave them at all! Coffee is not really something I care about either. If I make a cup, I'll only get through about half before I don't want anymore! Crazy b/c I love coffee!
One thing that is crazy this time around is the heartburn! It is so bad and I usually get a bad case of it every couple of days! I had heartburn maybe once with Maddy and would even eat jalepeno and cheese sandwiches all the time and never get sick! This time, if the wind blows wrong I get it! Maybe that means our baby will have a lot of hair!
We are in the process of clearing out the baby's room and hope to really get started on it in a few weeks. I've picked out my colors for both sexes and are just waiting to see what we have! Baby names are picked out too which is a huge relief to me b/c Joe and I can never seem to agree when it comes to that. I am so excited about this new baby coming and count each day of this pregnancy as a blessing! Thats pretty much the baby round up! I'll post a 15week pic soon!

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I Love My Little Girl's Daddy!

Happy Father's Day! I am late, I know, but we have had a super busy weekend! First of all, Happy Father's Day to my amazing Dad! My dad is such an awesome man and has always done anything and everything for his wife and kids! He taught me how a man should treat me and what to look for in the the future father of my children. Well, he taught me well, because I don't think Maddy could have a better daddy than Joe!

This weekend we got to spend a lot of family time together which was just what we needed. We went to Point Mallard water park on Friday and had a blast and a half. Joe and Maddy had so much fun playing in the kiddy park and Madeline was acting like such a hambone with all the attention and fun things to play with! He makes her laugh so hard and I really think she sees him as the "playmate" and me as the "disciplinarian"!

We spent the rest of the weekend together as well, going to the pool, going out for Father's Day and just spending time with eachother! It is so neat to do things as a family now that Madeline is such a big girl walking everywhere and getting excited about things! Joe really is such a great father to her and she just lights up when he is around! I am so thankful for him and can't wait for him to meet our newest little one. I'm sure Madeline will have some competition for Daddy's affection, but we will do the best we can! I'm sure he will make it work! Sometimes I get a little jealous when she wants Joe over me, or says "Hi Da-Da" and "Bye Mama", but I know she loves us the same! So, Happy Father's day to my dad and to my baby's daddy!!

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Fun Milestones

So, this week is marking several fun milestones for the Davis family! First, Joe and I will be celebrating 3 years of marriage tomorrow! Yeah! Sometimes it feels like we have been married forever, and sometimes it feels like we just got married! I still remember our wedding day so vivedly! I remember how excited I was, and how I couldn't sleep at all the night before. I remember seeing his face as he saw me walk down the aisle! It was really the best day of my life! I remember a year and a half later when I told him I was pregnant. He was so excited and couldn't stop talking about the baby! I remember his face just lighting up when he saw Madeline for the first time! I remember a year later, telling him I was pregnant again! He was so excited and kept talking about he couldn't wait to go through the whole experience again! He is such an amazing husband and father and I'm so happy I married him. Here's us dancing at our reception three years ago!

Secondly, this week also marks 14weeks of pregnancy! Yeah! What a whirlwind the first trimester has been, but what a testimony of God's love! I am so thankful to be starting my second trimester and will never be able to give God enough praise for protecting our baby! Health wise, I'm starting to feel a little better! I'm still really tired, but I know that probably will never go away! My nausea is pretty good, except if I get really hot or see, smell or eat chicken. The last few times I've eaten it, I've gotten so sick! This is definetly the only food aversion I am having b/c everything else I love. I'm really startingn to get bigger and bigger and pretty much everything I wear now is maternity! Here's me at 14weeks. Not the best picture, but you get the idea. Next time I will have Joe help me take the picture!

Lastly, this week also marks a full week since Maddy has been walking. She is getting so fast at it and I'm sure she will be running soon! She looks so cute bobbing along with her stubby legs! I tried to get some pictures, but of course she is always on the move, so it was a little hard! She is into EVERYTHING and I spend half my day just picking up after her! But, I love it. She is so fun and and I am really cherising this time with her! I can't wait for her to meet her new little brother or sister! We are hoping they will tell us at my next appointment, but I kindof doubt it since I will only be 16weeks then. We'll see though! Here she is walking away!

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Barnes and Noble Girl's Day

Maddy is officially walking!! Yeah! She is everywhere! I really need to post some pictures and print them, but my camera's batteries died and I keep forgetting to get more! Anyways, now that she is walking she is even more into everything ( if that is even possible)! I decided to try to get some of her energy out by going to Barnes and Noble and letting her play with the train table and walk all over the store!
We got there and for some reason, she was really low key and acting tired! I wasn't complaining! I got a decafe latte and my "People","US Weekly" and "Food Network" magazines, helped Maddy pick out some "Elmo" books, and we sat and read for about 30minutes. She was so quite and calm sitting in her stroller reading her books that I couldn't believe it! This NEVER happens! I drank my coffee and read all about the latest drama with the "Real Housewives of NYC" and got some great new recipes to try from the "Food Network" magazine, and just enjoyed my afternoon! It reminded me of when Joe and I used to get coffees and read for hours at B&N, and it was so relaxing.
After about 30minutes, Madeline got bored, which I knew she would, so we packed up and went to go play. It was when I got up that I noticed everyone around us had put on their ear phones to block out all the noises Maddy was making! Silly me thought she was being quiet! Just goes to show you the noise that moms get used to! She had so much fun playing with the train yard until these punk 8year olds came up and started hogging the whole table. Um, aren't they a little old to be over here? Anyways, the kept bumping Maddy out of the way which made me really mad! And of course their mom was in la la land talking to someone, so we decided to leave early! We still had a such a great time though and spent about 2hours there. I was just so surprised to see Madeline so mellow and it was great for me to relax!
In pregnancy news, everything is going great! Eating like a horse, really tired-I usually take a nap every afternoon with Madeline, and I'm really starting to notice my belly more and more! I am almost 14 weeks! I can't believe the first trimester is almost over! I promise by 14 weeks I will definetly post a new picture! The only problem is this heat!! I am so hot all the time and I know it's going to get worse! Maybe another trip to Barnes and Noble and an iced latte will do the trick again!!!

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A Little Behind

I remember when I was pregnat with Madeline, I was so on top of things! Her entire nursery was picked out before I knew what I was having (of course I had a back-up incase it was a boy). Names were picked as soon as I found out I was pregnant. We took "belly" pictures all the time marking each week, read each week in our baby book to see how the baby was developing, knew exactly the size of the baby each week, journaled about cravings and pregnancy symptoms all the time, and was prepared for any question anyone might ask about the baby!
This time around, I have been so behind. Granted we didn't know for sure what was going to happen so I didn't want to get my hopes up and start planning things, but now that we know everything is fine, I am so behind! I blame it on already having one child to keep up with! The second pregnancy is not any less special than the first! In fact, I almost feel more excited about this one because I feel better prepared than I did with Madeline. Almost like I kinda know what I'm doing this time! It just seems time is my enemy and I don't have the time or the energy to get things moving!
Our "nursery" is still Joe's office with a few baby things in it. I haven't updated my pregnancy picture in almost 4 weeks! I can't believe it! And yesterday, I realized I didn't know the size of the baby for the week! I know...I'm a terrible mother!
I guess I really do have plenty of time to get things rolling! Joe and I decided our summer "project" would be to clean that room out for the baby! So, I'm sure all will be done before the baby comes!
On another note, I have been craving ANYTHING from Panera like none other! I've always loved Panera, but now I can't get enough!!! Wasn't really like that with Madeline. I just craved jalepeno and cheese sandwiches with her, so we'll see how long this craving lasts!

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Amazing News!

There is a worship song that we sing at our church that goes like this:
"Oh no, You never let go,"
"Through the storm and through the rain....
"Oh no, You never let"
"Every high and every Low"
"Lord, You never let go of me"
Through this INTENSE roller coaster ride, God never let go of me..He never fails us even when we don't know why we are going through something! We just trust or learn to trust Him at all times!
Yesterday we went for the ultrasound that I have been eagerly anticipating and at the same time not wanting to do b/c of the fear of the unknown. I've never been more nervous in my life. I just sat, waiting to be called in to the ultrasound room with Joe sitting by me, clutcing my Bible and praying life over our baby. I was so afraid that we would see the baby not moving, not growing and no heartbeat!
But there it was, as soon as we saw the baby we saw that heart fluttering in the baby's chest so strong and the baby started moving all around! He is measuring right on schedule with a heartbeat of 174! The sac is still a little on the small size, measuring 10weeks 2 days instead of 12 weeks, but my Dr. said as long as it is within two weeks of my due date they don't worry anymore! He said at this point my chance of miscarriage is less than 1%! We went from a 90% chance two weeks ago, to a less than 1% chance! Total miracle and totally God!
My Dr. said the bleeding I experienced could have been a number of things, all of which he's not worried about. Since the bleeding stopped and the baby looks so good, he said there is no reason I shouldn't be able to carry to term and give birth to a healthy baby! We are part of that 30% of women that have these problems and go on to have healthy pregnancies!
I could not be more thankful to God for doing this miracle! We are nothing and we can do nothing without Him! He allowed this baby to be conceived and He is the reason this baby has life!
Thankyou so much to everyone who has been praying for us and our baby! We are just overwhelmed with joy, peace and thanksgiving!

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Update

So, the roller coaster continues. I got home from SC on Friday and then started cramping and bleeding on Sat. afternoon. I called my Dr. and he said he was pretty certain the miscarriage had started and not to come into the ER until things got really painful and the blood became heavier. Of course, I was DEVASTED! I really started to feel like things were going to be ok, and then this happens. As the day went on though, my bleeding started to stop and then stopped completly. I called the Dr. again, and he said to just wait and see. By Sunday I still wasn't bleeding so I called the Dr again and he said that the bleeding could be indicitive of something else. He said a sudden jump in hormone levels could lead to it or it could just be bleeding that some women get in pregnancy or something like that, but that he definetly wanted to see me first thing Tues morning as planned!
Tomorrow is the day then. I've been counting down these days like I never have before, waiting for this day, and now that it is about to be here I'm really really nervous. This ultrasound will tell us for sure what is going on and what is most likely going to happen!
I'm so incredibly thankful and am absolutely giving God the glory that the bleeding has stopped. I could have miscarried two days ago, and I didn't! Infact, the Dr said that I WOULD and I DIDN'T! I'm just praying and praying that everything will look good with the baby and we will acutally be able to see this baby born. It has really been a roller coaster since 8weeks, when I first started getting bad news. I'm 12 weeks now! Please pray for us as God does miracles every single day and I know He can do this miracle! I'm trying not to hold on to false hope, but at the same time I know there is still hope and through God there is hope whether the situation is bad or good! Thankyou so much for your prayers. We really really appreciate them and know that God hears them!

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My Little Sunshine

Only 5 days left until we go back to the Dr. to see how our baby is doing. Waiting is really the hardest part; the not knowing everyday, just wondering if we will be able to meet "Gabriel". It is literally a battlefield of the mind as we just think about the "what if's" all the time. It seems lately though that everwhere I go there is a reminder of God's miracles. Whether it's people I talk to or scriptures that God has brought to me or words of encouragement.I have to say that I have never in my life been more absolutely and utterly dependent on God. A friend said to me the other day how blessed I was to have Madeline during this time. That how much worse it must be for woman going through this who don't have any children to hold on to. I thought this was so very true. As much as I don't want to smile, someway or another Madeline always makes me do it!

Her little funny habits and faces crack me up, and her hugs and kisses just make me melt. Her new thing is to take her play phone or my cell phone and put it up to her ear and say, "Hello", and then start carrying on a conversation on it. She is so serious the whole time, like she's making plans. She even pushed our dog away while she was talking b/c he was bothering her!
I took her to the park yesterday and she was so funny laughing on the swing and making funny faces drinking my limeade.

Thankyou Lord for my little sunshine! Thankyou for the incredible blessing that she is! Please continue to pray for us! Your prayers mean so much to us! We so want Maddy to meet her little brother or sister!

" When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, "Don't cry".-Luke 7:13

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Trusting God

" Blesses is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God" Ps. 146:5

Please lift our baby in prayer over these next 8 days as we wait for our second ultrasound to see if the baby has improved. We are trusting the Lord in whatever happens but are really believing that when we go to the Dr in 8days the baby's sac will have grown, the placenta will have grown and the chromosome levels will be back to normal. My progesterone has gone back up and is the highest it has ever been. This is GREAT news, but my Dr said this alone will not keep the pregnancy. Joe and I both really feel like this baby is a boy and have decided to go ahead and name it so that our prayers are more personal for our baby.We were both getting tired of just calling it "the baby". Here is a picture of him at 10wks. You can see the sac is small, but our baby is ALIVE and has a strong heartbeat! Thankyou Lord! We decided to name him Gabriel which means "hero of God". If we go on to carry to term and end up having a girl we will obviously change the name, but for now this is what we feel from the Lord!

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Not a Happy Post

Warning: This is not a happy post, but I am writing it so that as many people as possible can be praying for our little baby!
Yesterday, ( on my birthday no less), I started having some cramping and spotting again. My Dr. put me on bedrest for the day and wanted to do an ultrasound this morning. We went, and at first as always, it was so amazing to see our little baby. He or she was moving around like crazy and had a great heartbeat-so, we thought no worries, just a little spotting. After the ultrasound our Dr. asked to see us in his office. He said the baby was not growing like he wanted it to. The yoke sack wasn't growing, the placenta wasn't growing, and the baby had an abnormal count of chromosomes. He also mentioned that my progesterone levels had dropped again. He said a combination of these things means that miscarriage is very likely. In fact, he said there was a 90% chance of miscarriage or some abnormality to the baby if I did carry to term. He said he had seen women go on to deliver healthy babies who had these problems and that he wasn't ruling out that I may still carry to term and give birth to a healthy baby. He said we needed to come back in 10days for another ultrasound, and at that time we would either see a healthy baby with a healthy placenta and yoke sack or the baby would be dead and there would have been no growth from our last apointment.
So, here we are..waiting 10 DAYS!!! Joe and I are beside ourselves in worry and fear and I am feeling myself fall deeper and deeper into depression over this. Please,please pray that our next visit will go so well. That God will preserve this precious baby's life and we will carry to term. Please pray for peace and comfort as these will probably be the longest 10 days of my life. I just can't imagine not meeting this baby, not seeing him/her smile for the first time, not holding that baby for the first time! All I know to do is just pray..God is the master physician, not our Dr. and He can do a mighty healing in our baby!

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What's Been Going On!

Happy Birthday to me!! Well, not yet, but we celebrated it early b/c my birthday is on a Wednesday and it's kinda hard for us to do something special in the middle of the week! Joe took me out on a date, which we haven't done in about 6 months!! It's so hard to get it all together with Madeline and with me feeling the pits from being pregnant, but we planned about 2 weeks in advance and made it happen. I even prayed that I wouldn't get sick so we could enjoy the night! It was a blast! I forgot how much fun it is to hang out with my husband! We ate at "Brio's"! My absolute favorite restaurant! I ate more than Joe did, and it was soooo good! Let me tell you though, seeing everyone with their fine wine glasses made me want a glass of wine more than anything! That is one of the first things I am going to do after I have this baby...but of course it can only be a little bit b/c of nursing, so in reality it will probably be another year and half before I can enjoy a full glass of wine!!!
Anyways, after that we saw "Date Night"! It was soo funny! I think since we don't get out much it made it that much funnier, but I could not stop laughing! If you haven't seen it you should!! So, all in all it was a great night!
I took Maddy to her one year check-up today...we were a few weeks late, but whose counting!! She's almost 13months, but they didn't seem to care that much! She is still a little ballerina girl-20lbs 2oz and is 31inches long! 90% in height and 25% in weight. I think she is always going to be skinny! Well, sortof, she accumulates all her fat in her belly so she is fitting in 18-24 month pants. Her arms and legs are still so skinny, but that belly...whew! It is so big! The Dr. gave her a great report but said," No more bottles"! Did anyone else out there stop bottles at one year? He said since she has all her upper four teeth and all her lower four teeth, the bottles could do harm to her mouth! So, I guess we are laying off the bottles. I'm doing it slowly b/c she LOVES her bottles! I don't know what she is going to do if she says "Ba Ba" and I hand her a sippy cup! It's not going to be pretty!!
In other baby news, I am 10weeks pregnant now and the baby has officially graduated to a fetus!!! Yeah! I'm really starting to poke out more and more and blew the elastic in one of my pants the other day so now I am down to one pair of stretchy jeans and one pair of capris that are really too small. I have all my stuff for when I get really big, but not a whole lot for the first trimester! I really don't know what happend to my stuff from when I was pregnant with Madeline! I guess I wore it out and gave it away or something, b/c it is GONE! I really didn't have that much with her though either! So, that is what I will be doing soon....going maternity shopping! It's really fun to be doing this all again!! Joe asked me the other day if I was going to go natural with this one, and all I could think of was the pain from labor the first time! The memory has faded a little, but it is definetly not gone!! I don't know! My Dr. said he would let me try to go vaginal since Madeline was a C-section baby at the last minute ( I was at 9cm when they decided), but that nothing was definete. I think I could go natural more than I could do a C-section again, but that was hell on earth! We'll see!!
Well, thats about it! I'm getting ready to gear up to visit my family in South Carolina this weekend and through next week! Joe is having to go out of town for his job so I figured it would be a perfect time to go! They promised to make me salmon for my bday celebration there, so I couldn't pass that up!! It will be fun to get some pregnancy pictures with my sister and compare our bellies..even though they are still small!

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9 Week Check Up

Yesterday was our nine week check up at the Dr's office! The good news is everything looks great with out little "peanute"..the bad news is, I gained 6lbs!!! My Dr. was not too happy about it, and told me that was a little above average for 9 weeks! I thought, "Whatever, I'm starving all the time and if I'm hungry, I'm going to eat!" I guess I could lay off some of those sweets though! LOL!

They tried to find the heartbeat with the doppler machine, but couldn't, so they did an ultrasound or as they called it a ( sneak a peak). They said the insurance company didn't even have to know about it b/c it was such a quick peak at the baby. On our next visit they are going to do a real ultrasound which will be covered by insurance then! We did get to see our little one though..even though it was kindof fuzzy, but there he or she was! It was so amazing! There is nothing like seeing that baby for the first time. It really does make everything seem so much more real! The baby looked so peaceful and we could really make out the head and body and feet. When they printed the picture it was really hard to see anything, but it was so amazing to see it so big on the monitor. The Dr. has this big flat screen on the wall so you can see everything from the ultrasound so much larger!

The baby's heartbeat was 189 bmp! It was really high! I definetly like to see an above average heartbeat than a below average heartbeat. They said it would probably even out and maybe even drop to the 170's by our next visit! All the old wives tales say a high heartbeat means a girl, but we shall see! Overall, it was such a great visit and I'm so glad the baby is looking so good...and I'm so glad we got to see the baby!! I'm really looking forward to our next visit b/c I know we will get a really clear picture of the baby, and then our next visit we will find out the sex!!! I'm so excited! I know I'm only 9 weeks, but this pregnancy seems like it is going by a lot faster than with Madeline! I'm not complaining at all though. B/c our picture was so fuzzy I am posting a picture of what our baby looks like at 9 weeks! Pretty neat!

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