3months Later, I am posting a new post!

Whoever still reads me, this is for you! LOL!
WOW! What a crazy three months it has been! Gabriel is now almost 9months old!! Hard to believe it was just one month later with Maddy that I found out I was pregnant with Gabe! I cannot imagine being pregnant with a third right now! Gabe is a speed crawler and pulling himself up to stand! He will be walking before I know it I'm sure!
He has two teeth now and his top two are coming in as well! When did he grow up??? Thankfully he is a mama's boy and still loves to snuggle! Maddy is now pretty much potty trained!YEAH!! Although I say that and the other day we were visiting Ashley at work and she pooped her pants! Other than that, she is doing great! She wears a pull-up at nap and bedtime, but is doing so good! I am so proud of her! She moved up from her Elmo potty to the "big girl" potty with a cushion seat on it! The cushion has little ducks on it and she always says she needs to use her "duck"!
We are so THRILLED beyond excitment for my sweet sister and her husband who are expecting their second baby in February! Such an amazing testimony of God's love! Loosing Brie was the hardest thing our family has ever been through. "Things like this just dont happen to us"-this is what my mom said again and again after Brie went to be with Jesus. The anticipation of a new baby has lifted everyones spirits in a way I cant explain! Sarah and PJ are filled with hope and excitement that their home will be filled with children's laughter! I think of them as parents without children b/c thats what they are! They are parents, but to a little girl who is in heaven!
I am working at Pottery Barn Kids now, part-time and Sarah and I have already picked out her bedding! Cant wait to find out what she is having!
On another note, my sister-in-law is expecting a boy, so Gabriel will have a boy cousin! They are thrilled and of course Joe's parents are too! All these babies do give me a little itch, but as Joe always says, " Dont scratch it!" LOL!
We are so excited to be moving into our first house in a couple weeks! Yeah! Packing is underway and I CANNOT wait to be in a house! Pictures will come soon, once I get things settled, which may be forever!
Kids Market is coming up too!! Like I said, lots going on! It's kinda nice to be doing it while I'm packing b/c it makes me feel super organized! It is so much work, but I definetly enjoy the rewards!
Well, I guess thats it! Time is flying and I cant believe we are so close to Fall!! Starbucks pumpkin spice latte comes out Sept 1st, and you know I will be first in line! Btw, I forgot to mention there is a starbucks right outside our new subdivision! Holer!!!

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A New Post-At Least for Now!

Well, my second attempt at keeping up with a blog has been an embarrasement!
I so enjoy reading other people's, and then seem to always run out of time to keep mine up to date!
So, please don't delete me...I'm still here!
A lot has been going on with us lately!
We got back from SC visiting the fam last week, and of course we had a wonderful time as always! I must've been super emotional b/c I cried in the car on the way home!
I miss my family so so much, and as time goes on I realize how much I really wish we were together more!
It was especially hard to leave this time b/c it was the first time that I got to see Baby Brie's grave marker. We were there for the funeral in February, but her ashes hadn't arrived in time, and when they did get there, P.J. and Sarah wanted to be alone with her-which was totally understandable!
She is buried on a hill in the cemetary with beautiful douglas fur trees all around her! It was so hard to see her there, and all I wanted to do was lay down in the grass, put my hand on her marker and just stay with her. What an incredible, incredable loss it is to loose a baby. All other hardships just seem to wave in comparison. I never got to hold her since I was still in Alabama and in the hospital with Gabe, so to be by her gravesite, was in the way, the first time I saw her!
Sarah is doing better each day, and is really hoping and praying for another pregnancy soon. It amazes me how people seem to think that she should just "get over it". Loosing a child is something you never get over, and no one should in any way try to rush the grieving process. Everyone deals differently and in their time. I admit that it has been especially difficult for me with a baby the exact same age that Brie would have been. I just can't imagine not having him, and so my sadness for Sarah feels so real everyday I am with him!
What a wonderful promise we have in Jesus that although we walk this world with pain and sorrow, beautiful Brie never knew anything but the comfort of her mother's womb, and then the comfort of her Father's hands!
On a lighter note, Miss Madeline turned 2 while we were in SC, so we celebrated "Dora, the Explorar" style. I didn't want to do a huge bday bash with the wound of Brie's passing still so fresh for Sarah, so we just had a small party! She had such a wonderful time, and that was really all that mattered!
We are now tackling potty training! So far so good. Maddy knows that she needs to sit on the potty and go pee-pee. She's talk to me about it, but will still just sit there and sing and talk with no action in the potty! I have decided to put her in big girl underwear and basically just take her every 30min or so until she can go! This was my Dr's suggestion. She still wears diapers at night though. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!
Joe is looking into a new career path as the "Area Director" of Apartment Life, inc! He has been so so ready for some sort of work in ministry and I am so excited for him!
Being a sales rep for Cooks has been good, but the hours are horrendous! He leaves around 7am and we are lucky if he's home around 6pm.Needless to say with a 2year old and a 5month old, being hime for 11-12 hours with them by myself can make anyone go a little loopy!
Gabe is doing so well, and just the perfect baby if I may be so bold! He is so easy and so happy all the time! If Maddy was this easy as a baby we may have had Irish twins!
I am seriously spoiled with him!
We have started solid foods!! His favs are pears and bananas. I did sweet potatoes last night, and they weren't a huge hit, but hopefully he will warm up to them since they are so super easy to make!
Over the weekend Joe's sister, Naomi, got engaged too!! Yeah! The wedding is in November and Maddy is going to be the flower girl along with her other cousin, Briana! I know they will be so sweet!
Thats about it! Hopefully my next post wont be so long and few between!

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Two Little Ones

Here's our happy boy!!!

Wow! Life is crazy...but so wonderful!

Having two under two at home is a lot crazier than I expected! I love it and find myself just smiling or getting excited for no reason other than to be home with them. I just started a part-time job, and honestly the hardest part is leaving my babies!

Gabriel is sleeping on average, a solid four hours at night, and then is up about every two hours after that. Madeline is in her "big girl" bed now, and has been getting up around 6:30 every morning, so that has made life very tiring!

I know once Gabe really sleeps through the night, things will be a lot better in the tiredness department.

It's definetly an adjustment to go from one at home,to two! Especially two under two!

My sister and brother are 17 months apart, and my mom and dad waited 4 years before they had me! I think they had the right idea!

Our life is our kids now, and basically my day is just taking care of them and attempting to do laundry or clean up a little. Before I know it, its dinner time and Joe is home!

I feel like I'm on more of a schedule now, but at this point cannot even imagine adding another into the mix!

We go through about 30 plus diapers a week. I am still working on potty training with Maddy, but since Gabe has been born, she has been less than interested!

I'm still breastfeeding and plan on it as long as I can! I nursed Maddy until she was 10 months, and want to at least do the same with Gabe.

I have been very blessed in that department. Both were and are excellent nursers, and my milk supply has always been in plethera! The only down size is having HUGE you know whats!!

Maddy has really taken to Gabe now, and the big thing is making sure she is isn't squishing him with her hugs and kisses. I can't wait until they get a little older and start playing together!

Gabe loves to smile and is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen-except when he's hungry! He eats every two hours! Very exhausting, but I'm used to it now! Maddy is really starting to talk in sentences now, which I love! She will be two in two months and I can't believe it! Gabe is already 10 weeks!

How time flies!!

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I'm Still Alive!

WOW! No new post from me in 7 weeks???!!! Life is definetly a lot crazier and I rarely have any time to post anything anymore, but I somewhat have Gabriel on a sleeping schedule now, so that helps a little!

What a past few months it has been!

We welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world on Nov. 30th-2 weeks early! Our crib came that day, so I was very happy it came in time!

Here's our angel baby!

He is such an overwhelming blessing to us and we love him so much!

3 days after he was born, we had a huge loss in our family when my sister lost her precious baby, Brie Hackett. She went in to the hospital b/c she was in labor, and there was no heartbeat. Brie's cord knotted up leaving her slowly loosing oxygen for a few weeks, resulting in her heart suddenly stopping. We of course were devasted!

It has been an extremely hard time for Sarah and her husband, PJ as they mourn the loss of their child so late in pregnancy. Sarah later told me that she felt God told her that Brie and Gabriel were friends in heaven and Brie wanted to make sure he was born and ok, before she died. It killed me when she said that, but I know that Brie will never know any pains of this world and is at total peace in heaven with Jesus.

We all cannot wait to be reunited with her in heaven! Here's Brie resting in her mother's womb. That is how I will always remember her...resting in peace!

B/c of this horrible situation, Christmas was a little bittersweet this year but still a lot of fun. Maddy was so much fun opening her presents. I love that she is older now and gets so excited about everything!!!

She got so much and was definetly spoiled from grandparents!! Christmas definetly becomes about the kids when you get older!

She learned to say "Jesus" this year and "Kissmas" which was so sweet to hear!!!

Our new years was also a blast, except on January 1st, we rushed Gabe to the hospital for a high fever. He was diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection that spread up his spinal cord and into his brain resutling in viral menenjitis. He spent 3 days in the special care unit at Children's hospital. It was a very scary and sad time, and we didn't know if he was going to be ok or not!

God gave us such comfort and healed him and he just improved and improved. We were so thankful his menenjitis was not bacterial which can cause brain damage and even death.

He will be just fine and has no long-term effects at all! He is our little fighter and I know God has huge plans for his life that Satan cannot stand!

We are all finally back to normal around here and have huge anticipations for the new year. We are hoping to get a house this fall, are keeping strong faith that Sarah and PJ will experience the miracle of another pregnancy this year, are adjusting, with joy, to a family of four, are in prayer for healing for Joe's sis, Naomi from Crones Disease.,and are praying for another baby for my dear friend who miscarried her baby over Christmas. We cannot wait to see what is in store for 2011!

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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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