This week's list is short and sweet: I am thankful David is home safely from a trip to Norway, I am thankful he's taking tomorrow off, and I am thankful we get to have a hot date this weekend (during which we will be shopping for baby furniture. Not really romantic, but SUPER exciting for me!)
Remember, the blog will be going private soon...likely tomorrow if I remember to make the switch. If you haven't sent me an email asking to be added to the approved readers list, please do so or you will no longer have access.
Note to my immediate family: I'm going to ignore the fact that you haven't responded and add you anyway. You're required to read my ramblings.
Now, in honor of my better half whom I've missed terribly this week, a sappy love song to close this week's post: Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. Of course, I don't consider what we have a result of "luck" at all, but still, it conveys the message.
Blog Going Private
Sunday, September 25, 2011
In the next week or so, we will be making our family blog private. If you are interested in being able to view it after this change please email me at heather@sinyard.org. I will add your email address to the list of approved readers. After that, you will receive an email with very simple instructions on how to sign in and view. You will need to sign up for a free Google account if you don't already have one, but it's easy and painless.
I know this is an added step for you and a bit inconvenient, but we feel it's a necessary precaution. We want to continue sharing and posting about our adventures, but want to make sure we do it safely. If you've been secretly reading for awhile now and flying under the radar, don't be shy about asking to be added. As long as we know you, we'd love to have you continue reading!
Thanks for your understanding!
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Boy Oh Boy
Thursday, September 22, 2011
It's 4am and I am too excited to sleep. I went to bed to bed around 11, so 5 hours is plenty anyway, right?! Except that this makes the third night in a row of terrible sleep due to excitement. I figured I'd better get my thoughts out on here in hopes that I might calm down for my REM cycle and attitude's sakes.
We have been anxiously awaiting finding out whether Baby #2 was a boy or girl for weeks. Years, actually, if you consider that I've wanted kids for as long as I can remember. But of course, since the pregnancy test turned positive, we've been especially curious. The last few days leading up to yesterday's appointment were getting unbearable. Everywhere I went I was dying to buy something pink or blue and everyone I met was dying to tell me exactly what I was having. I desperately wanted to choose a name and start a nursery. I was just ready to KNOW! (In case you've just met me, I'm a terribly impatient person.)
SO you can imagine how my heart sank yesterday when we walked into the doctor's office and found out that the ultrasound tech had called in sick. No problem. We could easily reschedule for the following week, right?! Except that she only has Wednesday appointments and for the next two weeks, David had scheduling conflicts on Wednesday that he couldn't miss. Which meant we might as well wait until our next appointment in a month. Which was not cool.
As we were waiting on my doctor, I whispered (read: begged, pleaded) to David: "Look up 3D ultrasound places on your phone!" Without even attempting to talk sense into me, he obliged. He wanted to be able to live with me, after all. The doc came in, listened to the heartbeat, and then when we asked, said he'd be glad to try to take a look. He used the small ultrasound machine located beside the bed which was not as good of quality as the mega machine the tech uses. Immediately an image of a very energetic baby popped up and I felt relief and joy seeing our healthy child. However, despite trying for almost five minutes to get a view, that healthy squirmy baby paired with the low image quality was not giving us a definitive answer. "I'm about 90% sure it's a boy," he said. "Oh wow!" we exclaimed. "That's great news!" All the while thinking, "I am NOT a 90% kinda girl." There was no way I was going to announce to David's parents that his branch of family line would continue without a 100% certainty. No way.
As soon as we scheduled the next appointment and walked out into the hallway, I looked at David and before I could open my mouth, he was already looking up the phone numbers to 3D Ultrasound places again. "I knew it," he said. "When the doctor was hesitant to claim it I was thinking, 'We're going to get another ultrasound today.'" He knows me too well.
(Sidenote: For those of you concerned about ultrasound exposure, don't be. They use high-frequency sound waves and, short of having the extreme exposure of dozens lasting long periods of time each, they're safe. We checked.)
We called a company nearby who mercifully had an opening for that afternoon. We drove through Chick-fil-A, scarfed down lunch, and walked through their door 45 minutes later. "Okay Lord," I silently prayed, "If you're trying to teach me patience, I think 9 months of waiting to hold my child is a really great lesson in and of itself. Please, please don't torture us! You know how I am - You made me this way!"
I got comfortable on the table and the second that the tech put that wand on my belly and the screen lit up, there our baby was spread eagle and showing off to the world all of his boy-ness. David and I grabbed hands and listened to the tech state the obvious, "Yup. It's definitely a boy." He took a few more black and white views and then switched over to the 3D imaging. There, in (sorta) color, was our baby. Our beautiful baby boy. He didn't even look like a little alien as I expected him to on the image since I'm still so early in the pregnancy. He looked like a baby. Eyelids were still closed and detailed features were hard to make out, but there he was. As the tech slid the wand down to the leg area, we got yet another confirmation that we were indeed having a boy. There it was in all it's 3D glory.
We paid (half of what we would have if we'd done it through our doctor's office, in fact) and headed to the car. We took a moment to pray together and thanked God for the health and energy we'd just seen. As I praised Him for the gift of this little boy's life, tears streamed down my face and I was overjoyed. TWO kids. One of each. Now Audrey would have a girl cousin three months older from one of my brothers and our baby boy would have a boy cousin four months older from my other brother. How cool is that?! WOW.
David had taken the rest of the afternoon off, so we drove home and relieved his mom who'd been keeping Audrey. After we put AJ down for a nap, we asked Pam if she wanted to know. She did. We told her. She was ecstatic and literally did the happy dance. We waited until we got a hold of his Dad, who was on a business trip and told him on speaker phone. He played it super cool, but we could hear the tears in his voice. They were so excited! After Pam left, David did some work and I got out the book of baby names. I made it through a bunch of lists and the letters A, B, and Z before my eyes began to cross and I had to stop.
When Audrey woke up, we put our plan into action. We set up the video camera, put her snack in front of her, and finally told her the news that she was going to be a big sister. Her reaction was adorable ("You hold baby and you hold me!" she exclaimed. See the video for yourself in the post below.) I immediately emailed it out and uploaded it to Facebook. After snack, we piled into the car and drove to Old Navy to buy something blue. They're having a baby sale right now, so I couldn't pass it up! On the way I talked to my mom and dad and told them the news since they wouldn't be able to view the video until late that evening. My phone was blowing up with texts and Facebook notifications as people began to watch it. We couldn't stop grinning. We finally knew and could share with the world!
After Old Navy, we went out to dinner and then checked out Carter's. I watched Audrey while David chose a navy blue outfit that said "Daddy is my hero." He will be, no doubt.
We drove home and witnessed the most gorgeous sunset I can recall seeing in a very long time. As I noticed how brilliantly pink and blue it was, I laughed at God's goodness. I know it's unbelievably self-centered, but I pretended He put on that show just for me in celebration of our little pink and blue.
We got home and made/received more phone calls from family and friends. We gave Audrey a bath and read her a story about having a new baby in the house. After we read our Bible story and said bedtime prayers, we asked if there was anyone she wanted to pray for. Without prompting or hesitation, she said: "The baby growing in your tummy!"
My cup runneth over.
It's now 5 o'clock and I'm tuckered out. Let's go back to sleep, little boy.
We have been anxiously awaiting finding out whether Baby #2 was a boy or girl for weeks. Years, actually, if you consider that I've wanted kids for as long as I can remember. But of course, since the pregnancy test turned positive, we've been especially curious. The last few days leading up to yesterday's appointment were getting unbearable. Everywhere I went I was dying to buy something pink or blue and everyone I met was dying to tell me exactly what I was having. I desperately wanted to choose a name and start a nursery. I was just ready to KNOW! (In case you've just met me, I'm a terribly impatient person.)
SO you can imagine how my heart sank yesterday when we walked into the doctor's office and found out that the ultrasound tech had called in sick. No problem. We could easily reschedule for the following week, right?! Except that she only has Wednesday appointments and for the next two weeks, David had scheduling conflicts on Wednesday that he couldn't miss. Which meant we might as well wait until our next appointment in a month. Which was not cool.
As we were waiting on my doctor, I whispered (read: begged, pleaded) to David: "Look up 3D ultrasound places on your phone!" Without even attempting to talk sense into me, he obliged. He wanted to be able to live with me, after all. The doc came in, listened to the heartbeat, and then when we asked, said he'd be glad to try to take a look. He used the small ultrasound machine located beside the bed which was not as good of quality as the mega machine the tech uses. Immediately an image of a very energetic baby popped up and I felt relief and joy seeing our healthy child. However, despite trying for almost five minutes to get a view, that healthy squirmy baby paired with the low image quality was not giving us a definitive answer. "I'm about 90% sure it's a boy," he said. "Oh wow!" we exclaimed. "That's great news!" All the while thinking, "I am NOT a 90% kinda girl." There was no way I was going to announce to David's parents that his branch of family line would continue without a 100% certainty. No way.
As soon as we scheduled the next appointment and walked out into the hallway, I looked at David and before I could open my mouth, he was already looking up the phone numbers to 3D Ultrasound places again. "I knew it," he said. "When the doctor was hesitant to claim it I was thinking, 'We're going to get another ultrasound today.'" He knows me too well.
(Sidenote: For those of you concerned about ultrasound exposure, don't be. They use high-frequency sound waves and, short of having the extreme exposure of dozens lasting long periods of time each, they're safe. We checked.)
We called a company nearby who mercifully had an opening for that afternoon. We drove through Chick-fil-A, scarfed down lunch, and walked through their door 45 minutes later. "Okay Lord," I silently prayed, "If you're trying to teach me patience, I think 9 months of waiting to hold my child is a really great lesson in and of itself. Please, please don't torture us! You know how I am - You made me this way!"
I got comfortable on the table and the second that the tech put that wand on my belly and the screen lit up, there our baby was spread eagle and showing off to the world all of his boy-ness. David and I grabbed hands and listened to the tech state the obvious, "Yup. It's definitely a boy." He took a few more black and white views and then switched over to the 3D imaging. There, in (sorta) color, was our baby. Our beautiful baby boy. He didn't even look like a little alien as I expected him to on the image since I'm still so early in the pregnancy. He looked like a baby. Eyelids were still closed and detailed features were hard to make out, but there he was. As the tech slid the wand down to the leg area, we got yet another confirmation that we were indeed having a boy. There it was in all it's 3D glory.
We paid (half of what we would have if we'd done it through our doctor's office, in fact) and headed to the car. We took a moment to pray together and thanked God for the health and energy we'd just seen. As I praised Him for the gift of this little boy's life, tears streamed down my face and I was overjoyed. TWO kids. One of each. Now Audrey would have a girl cousin three months older from one of my brothers and our baby boy would have a boy cousin four months older from my other brother. How cool is that?! WOW.
David had taken the rest of the afternoon off, so we drove home and relieved his mom who'd been keeping Audrey. After we put AJ down for a nap, we asked Pam if she wanted to know. She did. We told her. She was ecstatic and literally did the happy dance. We waited until we got a hold of his Dad, who was on a business trip and told him on speaker phone. He played it super cool, but we could hear the tears in his voice. They were so excited! After Pam left, David did some work and I got out the book of baby names. I made it through a bunch of lists and the letters A, B, and Z before my eyes began to cross and I had to stop.
When Audrey woke up, we put our plan into action. We set up the video camera, put her snack in front of her, and finally told her the news that she was going to be a big sister. Her reaction was adorable ("You hold baby and you hold me!" she exclaimed. See the video for yourself in the post below.) I immediately emailed it out and uploaded it to Facebook. After snack, we piled into the car and drove to Old Navy to buy something blue. They're having a baby sale right now, so I couldn't pass it up! On the way I talked to my mom and dad and told them the news since they wouldn't be able to view the video until late that evening. My phone was blowing up with texts and Facebook notifications as people began to watch it. We couldn't stop grinning. We finally knew and could share with the world!
After Old Navy, we went out to dinner and then checked out Carter's. I watched Audrey while David chose a navy blue outfit that said "Daddy is my hero." He will be, no doubt.
We drove home and witnessed the most gorgeous sunset I can recall seeing in a very long time. As I noticed how brilliantly pink and blue it was, I laughed at God's goodness. I know it's unbelievably self-centered, but I pretended He put on that show just for me in celebration of our little pink and blue.
We got home and made/received more phone calls from family and friends. We gave Audrey a bath and read her a story about having a new baby in the house. After we read our Bible story and said bedtime prayers, we asked if there was anyone she wanted to pray for. Without prompting or hesitation, she said: "The baby growing in your tummy!"
My cup runneth over.
It's now 5 o'clock and I'm tuckered out. Let's go back to sleep, little boy.
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Boy or Girl?!?!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sorry it took so long to get this up tonight, but here, finally is the news you've been waiting for:
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New Pics
In case you logged on here to find out some certain news today and are disappointed that it isn't posted yet (i.e. the gender of baby #2), have patience! We'll be sharing our findings before too long, probably around early evening. In the meantime, check out the latest pictures in the gallery - Audrey's 25th - 27th months.
And stay tuned!
And stay tuned!
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Thankful Thursday
Thursday, September 15, 2011
1. Writing a TT post again. Yeah, I know...it kind of seems like a filler/freebie, but I mean it! Doing these weekly is therapeutic for me and I'm happy to be back!
2. New pillows. Thanks to the closing of the JCPenny Home Store near us, we got super-nice hotel-fancy kinda pillows for our usual WalMart pillow prices. As soon as I get over this cold, I imagine I'll be sleeping better on them.
3. Watching your kid do new things for the first time. This week I had a friend and her daughter over for craft time. Our girls made noodle necklaces and then painted fall coloring pages with water colors. Audrey loved it! I considered getting the stuff back out while she was napping and creating my own masterpiece, but I ended up working on something more adult (and therefore boring.)
4. New Small Groups! Both my ladies' Bible Study and our couples' small group kicked off last week. I'm so excited about meeting new people, making new friends, and learning more about God and His Word.
5. I know it's September, but technically it's still summer (the 90 degree temps today proved that!) I had the idea awhile back to post this song as the last in my summer-themed TT music, so enjoy:
Please pray for my cold to go away and Audrey and David to stay well! We have some fun plans this weekend that I don't want to miss or feel under the weather during. Also, my next OB appointment is coming up next week. Please pray for a healthy report and stay tuned to find out what Baby Sinyard will be!
2. New pillows. Thanks to the closing of the JCPenny Home Store near us, we got super-nice hotel-fancy kinda pillows for our usual WalMart pillow prices. As soon as I get over this cold, I imagine I'll be sleeping better on them.
3. Watching your kid do new things for the first time. This week I had a friend and her daughter over for craft time. Our girls made noodle necklaces and then painted fall coloring pages with water colors. Audrey loved it! I considered getting the stuff back out while she was napping and creating my own masterpiece, but I ended up working on something more adult (and therefore boring.)
4. New Small Groups! Both my ladies' Bible Study and our couples' small group kicked off last week. I'm so excited about meeting new people, making new friends, and learning more about God and His Word.
5. I know it's September, but technically it's still summer (the 90 degree temps today proved that!) I had the idea awhile back to post this song as the last in my summer-themed TT music, so enjoy:
Please pray for my cold to go away and Audrey and David to stay well! We have some fun plans this weekend that I don't want to miss or feel under the weather during. Also, my next OB appointment is coming up next week. Please pray for a healthy report and stay tuned to find out what Baby Sinyard will be!
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Trip to Destin
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sorry to have left you hanging for yet another TT post. Two weeks ago we were in Destin on vacation with David's parents and grandparents and on Thursday we were busy soaking up the last few hours and then packing to head home. Then this past Thursday we were down walking the KP Corporate Challenge with David's company. Excuses, excuses, I know. To make it up to you, I published a very lengthy "First Trimester" post yesterday and now, only a mere day later, here is a post about our trip:
On the last Saturday morning of August, the five of us piled all of our luggage and ourselves into David's dad's Navigator (his grandparents drove separately) and pulled out around 9:45am. We stopped in Montgomery around noon for a long lunch and then - get this - drove straight through the rest of the way. Audrey had on "special travel underwear" (pull-ups) and was doing great, so we just kept stretching it out and made it in only 7.5 hours. Not bad!
We unloaded, unpacked, and hit the beach for a little while. As planned, David wrote a little message to some of his extended family in the sand:
His grandparents came over and we told them the news by showing them a photo album with pics of Audrey in a "Big Sister" shirt and then we emailed the above picture to his aunts and uncles. We spent a while on the phone with everyone that evening, receiving congratulations and going over details. What a great way to start vacation!
After putting Audrey to bed and finally getting our Shakes fix (delicious frozen custard sundae stand down there that we frequent), we turned in early, exhausted from a day of sitting in the car. On Sunday, we did the pool and the beach before lunch and then played in the condo with Audrey before she took a long nap. I love how the sun, water, and sea air make them sleep so well. David and I went on a hot date to Target and enjoyed leisurely strolling the aisles. When we returned and Audrey woke up, we all ate dinner at a local place called The Back Porch whose trademark view and breeze from the open windows were divine.
On Monday, David left early to play golf with his grandfather while I hung out with his grandmother, parents, and AJ. His grandmother made us delicious flitters (a cross between hotcakes and biscuits) which all of us thoroughly enjoyed, especially Audrey. That girl put away almost two by herself on top of a ton of fruit! We played at the pool and beach, ate lunch and caught up on David's day when he returned, and then headed back down to the pool. David and his parents took Audrey up for a bath and a nap while I hung out by the pool and read. Ahhhhhh. That night we hit another local place called McGuire's. It's an Irish pub that's famous for having close to one million one dollar bills stapled to the ceiling from patrons. After eating hamburgers the size of our heads, we went across the street to Harbor Town and walked around through the shops and docks.
Tuesday started off even better than Monday. Of course I mean because David didn't play golf and it was my mother-in-law's birthday, not at all because we had flitters AND eggs and bacon. :) (Have you noticed what a topic food is with us during vacation?!) In my defense, David and I did get up early and go for a walk together. When we returned, we stuffed ourselves, did our usual pool/beach/lunch/bathe AJ/put her down routine and then I decided to take a nap myself. We all woke up and got dressed for dinner at Cracker Barrel (one of my MIL's favorites) and then came back to the condo for presents, cake, ice cream, and some Phase 10. We are so blessed by her and thankful that we spent all of her birthday with her this year...and in such a pretty location!
On Wednesday, David headed out for golf while his parents, Audrey, and I went out to breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe (another delicious local place that has the tastiest eggs). After we ate, we went to the Gulfarium about fifteen minutes away. Being from Atlanta, I knew that it was not going to compare to the world's largest aquarium, but it was nice and offered Audrey a break from the pool and beach. We saw a dolphin show, sharks, sting-rays, tortoises, sea lions, penguins (there are tropical ones - did you know that?!), ducks, alligators, and of course fish. Audrey loved checking everything out and there was such a small crowd that we got to take our time. On the way out, she chose a small stuffed dolphin from the gift shop and declared his name was "Zach" like the one in the show. We went back to the condo for lunch and filled David in about our busy, exciting morning. That evening, he and I went out on a date to dinner and shopping and got back just in time to tuck in Audrey and finish our Phase 10 game. In case you were wondering, I creamed everyone politely beat my opponents.
Thursday dawned dark and stormy, but David and I decided to chance it and headed out for an early morning walk. We had to do something to at least attempt to work off all our indulgences. As we were coming back, the sun had come out and it looked like it was going to be a clear day. We ate breakfast and got ready for our last pool/beach outing. We stretched out the day as long as we could and ended it with a delicious dinner, a long beach walk, and some pictures. We tucked AJ in, packed everything up, and begrudgingly turned out the lights.
On Friday morning we got ready, loaded the car, took one last picture of Audrey standing by the little palm tree where she'd leaned in April 2010, and said goodbye to his grandparents. We had another fantastic drive and ended up only stopping once for lunch. I was so proud of Audrey for handling the trip as well as she did, though I'm sure having back seat entertainment from us and her DVD player helped tremendously.
So, in case you missed it, it was an awesome week. We were sad to see it end, but thankful to get out before the bad weather hit. Not to mention we timed it perfectly to arrive home for a three day weekend. That and the four loads of laundry I did right before we left made the post-vacation depression much easier to handle!
Here are some other quick highlights:
- Audrey in the pool loving motor-boat and the 1, 2, 3 game where she's thrown in the air. We must've heard "Do it again!" a thousand times.
- One morning after David had already left to play golf, Audrey noticed his sunglasses on the counter. "Daddy needs them!"she exclaimed. "He needs them so he doesn't get brighted!" (Translation: so he doesn't get sun in his eyes.)
- Audrey learning about seagulls and alternating between calling them by their right name and "eagles."
- The fact that I got to finish three books in one week. THREE. I haven't read that much in such a short amount of time since...well, since our last vacation with David's parents.
- Audrey walking on the beach in the tracks (made by the lifeguards' golf carts), doing "1, 2, 3 Wheeee" with her Grandma and Pawpaw. I'm not sure whose arms were more tired in the end.
- Finally getting to "go public" with the pregnancy while we were there! I'll always remember getting to share the news via our message in the sand.
- Audrey realizing every time we'd get near the condo after being gone to dinner or elsewhere. Then she'd explain how we had to use the elevator and go way up because our condo was so high.
- Watching our own private "cooking show" while Grandma made our delicious breakfasts.
- Lying down beside and snuggling with my sweet girl as I put her to bed each night. We had her on a twin mattress on the floor surrounded by pillows so I'd lie there with her and sing until she was just about asleep. Since she's in a crib converted to a toddler bed at home, I don't get to do that.
- Speaking of putting her to bed, David was laying her down for her nap one afternoon and as he singing, she said, "Okay. You can leave now and close the door." Poor baby was exhausted and slept so well on this trip!
We had a wonderful trip and will cherish the memories we made and the time spent with family for years to come. Don't forget to check out pictures in the gallery!
On the last Saturday morning of August, the five of us piled all of our luggage and ourselves into David's dad's Navigator (his grandparents drove separately) and pulled out around 9:45am. We stopped in Montgomery around noon for a long lunch and then - get this - drove straight through the rest of the way. Audrey had on "special travel underwear" (pull-ups) and was doing great, so we just kept stretching it out and made it in only 7.5 hours. Not bad!
We unloaded, unpacked, and hit the beach for a little while. As planned, David wrote a little message to some of his extended family in the sand:
His grandparents came over and we told them the news by showing them a photo album with pics of Audrey in a "Big Sister" shirt and then we emailed the above picture to his aunts and uncles. We spent a while on the phone with everyone that evening, receiving congratulations and going over details. What a great way to start vacation!
After putting Audrey to bed and finally getting our Shakes fix (delicious frozen custard sundae stand down there that we frequent), we turned in early, exhausted from a day of sitting in the car. On Sunday, we did the pool and the beach before lunch and then played in the condo with Audrey before she took a long nap. I love how the sun, water, and sea air make them sleep so well. David and I went on a hot date to Target and enjoyed leisurely strolling the aisles. When we returned and Audrey woke up, we all ate dinner at a local place called The Back Porch whose trademark view and breeze from the open windows were divine.
On Monday, David left early to play golf with his grandfather while I hung out with his grandmother, parents, and AJ. His grandmother made us delicious flitters (a cross between hotcakes and biscuits) which all of us thoroughly enjoyed, especially Audrey. That girl put away almost two by herself on top of a ton of fruit! We played at the pool and beach, ate lunch and caught up on David's day when he returned, and then headed back down to the pool. David and his parents took Audrey up for a bath and a nap while I hung out by the pool and read. Ahhhhhh. That night we hit another local place called McGuire's. It's an Irish pub that's famous for having close to one million one dollar bills stapled to the ceiling from patrons. After eating hamburgers the size of our heads, we went across the street to Harbor Town and walked around through the shops and docks.
Tuesday started off even better than Monday. Of course I mean because David didn't play golf and it was my mother-in-law's birthday, not at all because we had flitters AND eggs and bacon. :) (Have you noticed what a topic food is with us during vacation?!) In my defense, David and I did get up early and go for a walk together. When we returned, we stuffed ourselves, did our usual pool/beach/lunch/bathe AJ/put her down routine and then I decided to take a nap myself. We all woke up and got dressed for dinner at Cracker Barrel (one of my MIL's favorites) and then came back to the condo for presents, cake, ice cream, and some Phase 10. We are so blessed by her and thankful that we spent all of her birthday with her this year...and in such a pretty location!
On Wednesday, David headed out for golf while his parents, Audrey, and I went out to breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe (another delicious local place that has the tastiest eggs). After we ate, we went to the Gulfarium about fifteen minutes away. Being from Atlanta, I knew that it was not going to compare to the world's largest aquarium, but it was nice and offered Audrey a break from the pool and beach. We saw a dolphin show, sharks, sting-rays, tortoises, sea lions, penguins (there are tropical ones - did you know that?!), ducks, alligators, and of course fish. Audrey loved checking everything out and there was such a small crowd that we got to take our time. On the way out, she chose a small stuffed dolphin from the gift shop and declared his name was "Zach" like the one in the show. We went back to the condo for lunch and filled David in about our busy, exciting morning. That evening, he and I went out on a date to dinner and shopping and got back just in time to tuck in Audrey and finish our Phase 10 game. In case you were wondering, I
Thursday dawned dark and stormy, but David and I decided to chance it and headed out for an early morning walk. We had to do something to at least attempt to work off all our indulgences. As we were coming back, the sun had come out and it looked like it was going to be a clear day. We ate breakfast and got ready for our last pool/beach outing. We stretched out the day as long as we could and ended it with a delicious dinner, a long beach walk, and some pictures. We tucked AJ in, packed everything up, and begrudgingly turned out the lights.
On Friday morning we got ready, loaded the car, took one last picture of Audrey standing by the little palm tree where she'd leaned in April 2010, and said goodbye to his grandparents. We had another fantastic drive and ended up only stopping once for lunch. I was so proud of Audrey for handling the trip as well as she did, though I'm sure having back seat entertainment from us and her DVD player helped tremendously.
So, in case you missed it, it was an awesome week. We were sad to see it end, but thankful to get out before the bad weather hit. Not to mention we timed it perfectly to arrive home for a three day weekend. That and the four loads of laundry I did right before we left made the post-vacation depression much easier to handle!
Here are some other quick highlights:
- Audrey in the pool loving motor-boat and the 1, 2, 3 game where she's thrown in the air. We must've heard "Do it again!" a thousand times.
- One morning after David had already left to play golf, Audrey noticed his sunglasses on the counter. "Daddy needs them!"she exclaimed. "He needs them so he doesn't get brighted!" (Translation: so he doesn't get sun in his eyes.)
- Audrey learning about seagulls and alternating between calling them by their right name and "eagles."
- The fact that I got to finish three books in one week. THREE. I haven't read that much in such a short amount of time since...well, since our last vacation with David's parents.
- Audrey walking on the beach in the tracks (made by the lifeguards' golf carts), doing "1, 2, 3 Wheeee" with her Grandma and Pawpaw. I'm not sure whose arms were more tired in the end.
- Finally getting to "go public" with the pregnancy while we were there! I'll always remember getting to share the news via our message in the sand.
- Audrey realizing every time we'd get near the condo after being gone to dinner or elsewhere. Then she'd explain how we had to use the elevator and go way up because our condo was so high.
- Watching our own private "cooking show" while Grandma made our delicious breakfasts.
- Lying down beside and snuggling with my sweet girl as I put her to bed each night. We had her on a twin mattress on the floor surrounded by pillows so I'd lie there with her and sing until she was just about asleep. Since she's in a crib converted to a toddler bed at home, I don't get to do that.
- Speaking of putting her to bed, David was laying her down for her nap one afternoon and as he singing, she said, "Okay. You can leave now and close the door." Poor baby was exhausted and slept so well on this trip!
We had a wonderful trip and will cherish the memories we made and the time spent with family for years to come. Don't forget to check out pictures in the gallery!
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First Trimester: Notes to My Second Baby
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
June 27, 2011
I found out about you today, dear one. Several times over, as your mother likes nothing more than to be certain I'm right. The lines on the first two tests were so light, I almost wondered if they were figments of my imagination. So I went to the store and bought one that shows the digital words "Pregnant" or "Not pregnant." With your big sister distracted by the TV for a minute, I escaped to the bathroom and took the test. Before the three minutes were even up, the result stared back at me in bold: Pregnant. PREGNANT! My heart was bursting inside me!
Your Daddy got home and we sat down for dinner. Afterwards, I set up the tripod and told him I wanted to take a picture since we hadn't gotten a great one of the three of us at Audrey's party. This is not out of the ordinary for me, so he never thought twice. We stood in front of the fire place and I said, "Say 'We're expecting!'" just as the camera's timer went off. I had timed it too late. Plan foiled. Your Daddy let out a small laugh and then, as the words sank in, he looked at me surprised, and said, "REALLY?!" Audrey had no clue what was going on, which was exactly my intention. One day you'll realize you never tell a two year old something you A) Aren't ready to have repeated and B) Don't want to hear about endlessly for at least the next several weeks.
We hugged, we laughed, I explained my multiple tests, and we hugged some more. That night we talked about your possible due date and how we were going to share the news with everyone. We were ecstatic. You are wanted and loved even now, sweet baby. We cannot wait to find out more about you, prepare for you, and meet you.
July 2, 2011
We told your Grandmom and Granddad about you tonight. We were at dinner at Ippolito's and just after we ordered, I handed them a small album of Audrey's two year old photo session. At the end were a few shots of her in a "Big Sister" t-shirt and then a picture of the pregnancy test. Pam was looking at them and I watched as her face shifted to confusion, then recognition, then joy. As she showed Ed, he practically knocked the table over to jump up and hug me. They are so excited!
July 6, 2011
Today your Nana found out about you. She came over to visit and help with your big sister while I cleaned house. As Audrey was eating her snack, I pulled out another copy of the photo album and showed her. She missed the first two "big sister" pictures, but thankfully I'd put several in there. She looked up at me, shocked, and I just nodded. We talked about when you might come, how far apart you'll be from Audrey, and how far apart you'll be from your cousin who is due to arrive in November. She, too, can hardly believe you're on your way.
July 7, 2011
This evening we met your Grandpa for dinner. We handed him an album as we'd done with your other grandparents. He was in the middle of a story, so it took him a second, but once he caught on his face lit up and he kept saying how wonderful it was. He hugged me and I could tell how thrilled he is. The next day he sent us an Edible Arrangement bouquet of fresh fruit so I could stock up on good vitamins and nutrients for you.
July 8, 2011
I told your uncles and aunts about your today. I sent Brian and Kevin two emails around 8:30 this morning with some pictures attached. The first was just pictures from Audrey's party and the second was a pic from the party and one with Audrey wearing her "Big Sister" shirt. In the body of the email I wrote: "Couple more great shots. Give me a call soon! Love y'all!" Forty-five agonizing minutes later, Uncle Kevin's number appeared on my cell phone screen. He said, "Heather! Does Audrey know what that shirt says?" I answered, "No." He said, "Do YOU know what that shirt says?!" We laughed and talked a while about due dates, pregnancy symptoms, second children, boys vs. girls, and life in general. Your Uncle Brian beeped in about fifteen minutes into the conversation so we wrapped it up and I called him back on our way out the door. He said he wasn't even shocked or surprised, but just laughed at how like me it was to tell them with a picture. He too was excited and we talked awhile about all the details. Then your Aunt Jenny beeped in and I had to call her back. She was gracious about me sharing the pregnancy spotlight (with Audrey I was pregnant with Kim. I'm sure your aunts wish I could go it alone just once!) and we happily talked details and symptoms. Later your Aunt Kimmy called squealing and saying she had picked up the "pregnancy vibe" from me at Audrey's party. She asked if you were a Puerto Rican souvenir so I could give you a beautiful Spanish name. I told her no, you weren't, but given where we live I could still give you a beautiful Spanish name. Don't worry, though. We aren't that exciting.
Everyone is so thrilled to learn of you and it's been so fun getting to share our news. We're going to tell two of our close couple friends and then wait until after the first doctor's appointment to share with more family and maybe 2-3 other friends. At the end of the first trimester we'll let Audrey, and therefore everyone else, in on our secret. I can't wait!
July 11, 2011
July 8, 2011
I told your uncles and aunts about your today. I sent Brian and Kevin two emails around 8:30 this morning with some pictures attached. The first was just pictures from Audrey's party and the second was a pic from the party and one with Audrey wearing her "Big Sister" shirt. In the body of the email I wrote: "Couple more great shots. Give me a call soon! Love y'all!" Forty-five agonizing minutes later, Uncle Kevin's number appeared on my cell phone screen. He said, "Heather! Does Audrey know what that shirt says?" I answered, "No." He said, "Do YOU know what that shirt says?!" We laughed and talked a while about due dates, pregnancy symptoms, second children, boys vs. girls, and life in general. Your Uncle Brian beeped in about fifteen minutes into the conversation so we wrapped it up and I called him back on our way out the door. He said he wasn't even shocked or surprised, but just laughed at how like me it was to tell them with a picture. He too was excited and we talked awhile about all the details. Then your Aunt Jenny beeped in and I had to call her back. She was gracious about me sharing the pregnancy spotlight (with Audrey I was pregnant with Kim. I'm sure your aunts wish I could go it alone just once!) and we happily talked details and symptoms. Later your Aunt Kimmy called squealing and saying she had picked up the "pregnancy vibe" from me at Audrey's party. She asked if you were a Puerto Rican souvenir so I could give you a beautiful Spanish name. I told her no, you weren't, but given where we live I could still give you a beautiful Spanish name. Don't worry, though. We aren't that exciting.
Everyone is so thrilled to learn of you and it's been so fun getting to share our news. We're going to tell two of our close couple friends and then wait until after the first doctor's appointment to share with more family and maybe 2-3 other friends. At the end of the first trimester we'll let Audrey, and therefore everyone else, in on our secret. I can't wait!
July 11, 2011
I'm worried about you, sweetheart. You'll find that Mommas worry a lot, especially yours. I'm about five and half weeks and haven't had too many symptoms yet, which is what's making me anxious. I've had some pretty consistent, though not serious, cramping, which I remember with Audrey. Other than that and some, ahem, upper tenderness, I don't feel pregnant at all. Of course I don't remember symptoms starting with your sister until six weeks, but that's not helping to comfort me a whole lot. Like many pregnant women, I can't wait to hurry up and get sick so I'll know you're there and okay, and then I'm sure I'll be desperate for the sickness to end. Maybe there won't even be any nausea. Wouldn't that be a treat! Still, I expect to feel something - exhaustion, frequent bathroom trips, smell aversions - any day now I hope. Until then, I keep praying for God to grow and protect you and for me to rest in knowing that the Great Creator is knitting you together in my womb. Snuggle in deep, Little One.
July 13, 2011
Well, I got what I asked for I supposed. I started having morning nausea today. Just as expected since I'm almost six weeks along. The nausea isn't unbearable, but still enough to be uncomfortable. Of course your sister chose today to have her first poop accident and I nearly lost my breakfast. Maybe potty training during the first trimester wasn't such a good idea after all. I've just got to find the balance of not letting myself get hungry and then not stuffing myself. Both feelings make me ill, so it takes careful planning, selection, and self control to find that happy medium.
July 18, 2011
Today I was reminded that I cannot do the things I could do pre-pregnancy. It's hard to remember that when you don't have (much of) a tummy to show for it yet, but you made your voice heard loud and clear today. About six weeks ago I could run 2-3 miles in the heat no problem, but today walking barely two miles nearly gave me heat stroke. Audrey and I met Mrs. Kara, Charleigh, and Reagan at the park today (I can't wait to introduce you to them, they're so sweet!) and we went for a walk before playing on the playground. I haven't gotten much exercise in lately and I pushed a little farther and harder than I should have. After our walk I had to go sit down in the shaded pavilion and cool off as if I was an 80 year old elderly woman. While I tried to get the black spots to go away from my vision and my stomach to quit turning, Mrs. Kara pushed Audrey and Charleigh on the swings while holding Reagan in her carrier. She makes it look so easy and I have a lot to learn from her! I came home and it took me a bottle of water, a Sprite, a cold shower, a nap, and the better part of the afternoon before I felt fully recovered. Ridiculous. Point taken, Baby...I'll back off a little. Not the first time you'll remind me of my human limitations, I'm sure.
July 25, 2011
My first doctor's appointment is this Thursday and I'm so excited/nervous that I can hardly stand it. Last night I asked your Daddy whether I was this worried with Audrey and he answered, "At least as much." He knows me well. It's just such a long time between watching the little line appear on the pregnancy test to hearing a heartbeat! I've been trying to stay busy, though, and have lined up a lot of projects, play dates, and lunches to pass the time. I've been feeling about the same - off and on nausea throughout the day, especially when I let myself get hungry. It seems worse in the mornings and around dinner time. I'm not terribly tired yet, but I must admit I don't seem to have a lot of extra energy, either. The cleaning supplies have been sitting in our bathroom for a solid week. It was the last thing on my cleaning to-do list, but now it's almost time to start over with cleaning the rest of the house! Ah, well. It'll happen eventually.
As far as my growing tummy, well let's just say that they're right about showing earlier with the second. I think a lot of it is bloating, but I'm already down to two skirts and two pairs of shorts that still fit. No weight gain, but stuff is shifting for sure. I have a mental block about being in maternity clothes before at least ten weeks, though, so we'll see how long I can last.
Hurry up and get here, Thursday! I want to see a picture of our little peanut!
July 28, 2011
I saw you today. We'd been waiting for that moment for a month. Actually a lot longer as I knew I wanted you before we were even married. The first thing I noticed on the ultrasound screen was your heart. It was beating so strong and fast and I knew right away you were okay. Your Daddy and I held hands and listened as the doctor told us where your head, your limbs, your spinal cord, and the umbilical cord were. I told him I'd take his word for it. No offense, but it's really difficult to make all of that out right now. But the heart I saw. And seeing your heart made mine so happy.
We went out to lunch afterwards and laughed and talked about you and our family. We were so relieved and ecstatic. Eventually your Daddy had to go back to work. On the way home I called your grandparents and uncles to update them with the good news and your due date, which is March 10, 2012. That sounds so much earlier than Audrey's due date did at my first appointment with her! When I think about all that needs to be done before then, I get a little overwhelmed. As your Daddy said, though, you truly need so little in the beginning. So don't worry, we'll be ready. You just focus on growing and try to aim for digesting more of the prenatal vitamins I'm giving you and less of the cookies.
Nice to meet you, little one. You, like your sister, are no doubt going to rock our world.
July 31, 2011
Today is very special day - it's the seventh wedding anniversary for your Daddy and me. Audrey spent the night at Grandmom and Granddad's on Friday night so he and I had some nice date time to ourselves. That turned out to be great timing because I officially feel terrible today. The nausea is worse and I'm exhausted. After we got home from church I laid down on the couch and barely moved for the rest of the day. We went out to dinner and the grocery store this evening, but that was as much crazy activity as I could muster. When we got home, I put on our wedding video and the three of us watched it. That was such a special, perfect day for us. I am so blessed to be married to your Daddy. I pray one day you and your sister each find a spouse as amazing as I have. There is no one else on earth I'd rather have by my side on this journey than him. You're getting a fantastic father, kiddo.
August 5, 2011
I am (read: you are) officially showing. Big time and at only nine weeks, it's come quite early. I don't think I had this big of a stomach with Audrey until I was about four months. We really want to hold of sharing the news with everyone until the end of the first trimester, but I gotta wonder whether you're going to let us do that.
In my (and your) defense, I think a good bit of it is bloating as the gut is not as big in the morning. After I eat a meal though, there is no question you're in there! Still no weight gain, but I do need to step it up in the exercise department nonetheless.
I cleaned out my closet of things that no longer fit this week and moved in my maternity stuff. I haven't worn any of it yet, but I suspect it'll make an appearance next week. Maybe I'll make it to my ten week mark after all. I think I hear the elastic waist bands calling my name...
August 21, 2011
We bought a minivan today. A 2008 Toyota Sienna. Your Daddy sold his Mustang about a week ago. Two kids and a manual sports car just don't mix. But don't let him hold that against you one day. Truth is, he loves the van. It's pretty awesome, really. I hope you like it too. You and your sister won't even have to have "she's-touching-me-wars" because the middle rows are captain's chairs. Nice, huh? Just try not to get too many Goldfish or Cheerio crumbs ground in the carpet, okay? And for pete's sake, no barfing in it.
August 23, 2011
Where have the past two weeks gone? I gotta tell you, as much as I love you, you have not made them easy for me! I thought the "morning sickness" (such a misnomer because for one thing it sounds too nice and for another it's not just in the morning) would start out at its worst and then progressively get better. Wrong. It began at week six, heightened in weeks eight through ten and is finally, here in week eleven, beginning to taper off. I shouldn't say "finally" because I know some women have it so terribly rough during their pregnancies. Still, walking around on the verge of cookie-tossing or actually...well...tossing them, is extremely unpleasant for any amount of time, even if it is "only" six weeks. I was definitely not this sick with Audrey. I think I only recall actually vomiting once or twice with her, but you child, you have given me that pleasure more than I'd care to experience it. BUT, as I said, I think we're over the worst (Please, Lord) and lately I'm also able to function most days without being exhausted by 2pm. Don't worry - I'm not going to hold these symptoms against you. I won't bring it up during every argument we ever have. Really. Water under the bridge...unless you sass me.
On a nicer note, we get to see you again tomorrow for my 12 week check-up. They'll do another ultrasound and we'll get to peek at how much you've grown. I think I read that you're about the size of a lime now. From a poppyseed to a lime is a big deal, you know! Keep up all that hard work and I'll try to write a little more in the next week or so before it's time to publish this post. How is it almost the second trimester already?! (I have a feeling I'm going to be saying things like that a lot this time around!) Babycenter.com tells me we have 200 days left until you're due! Wow. That seems soon! Have I mentioned lately how loved you are already and how we can't wait to meet you?
August 24, 2011
We saw you today. You looked much more like a human baby than the peanut you appeared to be four weeks ago. You're adorable, but more importantly, you're healthy. For that I thank the Lord! You measured about a week ahead of the due date, but the doctor says we'll stick with March 10th for now. They'll be able to tell more as time progresses. It's okay with me if you want to come a little early. No more than two weeks, though, ya hear? For now, you just keep up that good growing. You are an amazing miracle to your Daddy and me and we can't wait to see you again!
September 4, 2011
You just got to spend a week at the beach! Your Daddy, big sister, Grandmom, Granddad, Grandma, Pawpaw, and I just returned from six wonderful days in Destin. You must have loved it because I haven't felt this good in two months. I don't think I realized how crummy I felt until it went away. I appreciate you cutting me some slack.
We made a lot of great memories on the trip, one of them being that we finally told everyone about you! Your Daddy wrote a message in the sand that we took a picture of and then emailed to your great aunts, uncles, and second cousins. They got it right away and are all so thrilled! Two days later, I made it "Facebook Official" (will you even know what that is when you read this one day? Google it...if that's even still around!) News of you has made so many people so happy.
When we got home, your Daddy began nesting like I've never seen him do before. I guess it must have been the time off and coming back to a three day weekend, because he wrote out a list and started tackling projects immediately. I can't ever remember him doing that! I'm usually the one driving the project management around here. It was great to get a lot finished, though, including cleaning out your closet and putting in some new shelves. Just two more weeks and we'll start hanging some pink or blue clothes in there! For now, though, I'm going to try and soak up a few more hours of having help around before I have to go it alone with your sister tomorrow. Thinking about handling both of you by myself is enough to make me need a nap.
September 9, 2011
Today officially marks the last day of my first trimester. Tomorrow I'll be 14 weeks along and will start my second trimester. I cannot believe how fast it's gone. I cannot believe that we basically have six months left. Less if you decide to come early like AJ did. It all both excites and worries me. But mostly excites.
A new baby in our house again. A tiny little one. So sleepy and cuddly and sweet. So soft and warm and heavenly smelling. Oh sure, there will be lots of crying (yours and mine) and many sleepless nights. I imagine I'm going to lose my mind a little...and some of it may never come back. But it'll be so worth it. We'll be a family of four. Something I've dreamed about long before the line appeared on the stick.
I love you, Precious and I pray for you:
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for blessing us with a new addition and getting us this far. I pray for health and growth for this baby. I ask for a safe pregnancy and delivery. I pray he or she will come out wailing with strength and exude it from that moment on. I pray he or she will want to know You, will seek and find You, and will follow hard after You all the days of his or her life. Give this baby a heart that cares for others and the gifts, talents, and skills that he or she will need to carry out Your plans. Please grant us wisdom and patience as parents and I plead with You to fill in the gaps with your grace and protection. Father, bless this baby abundantly as only You have and as only You can. I love you, Lord. Amen.
July 13, 2011
Well, I got what I asked for I supposed. I started having morning nausea today. Just as expected since I'm almost six weeks along. The nausea isn't unbearable, but still enough to be uncomfortable. Of course your sister chose today to have her first poop accident and I nearly lost my breakfast. Maybe potty training during the first trimester wasn't such a good idea after all. I've just got to find the balance of not letting myself get hungry and then not stuffing myself. Both feelings make me ill, so it takes careful planning, selection, and self control to find that happy medium.
July 18, 2011
Today I was reminded that I cannot do the things I could do pre-pregnancy. It's hard to remember that when you don't have (much of) a tummy to show for it yet, but you made your voice heard loud and clear today. About six weeks ago I could run 2-3 miles in the heat no problem, but today walking barely two miles nearly gave me heat stroke. Audrey and I met Mrs. Kara, Charleigh, and Reagan at the park today (I can't wait to introduce you to them, they're so sweet!) and we went for a walk before playing on the playground. I haven't gotten much exercise in lately and I pushed a little farther and harder than I should have. After our walk I had to go sit down in the shaded pavilion and cool off as if I was an 80 year old elderly woman. While I tried to get the black spots to go away from my vision and my stomach to quit turning, Mrs. Kara pushed Audrey and Charleigh on the swings while holding Reagan in her carrier. She makes it look so easy and I have a lot to learn from her! I came home and it took me a bottle of water, a Sprite, a cold shower, a nap, and the better part of the afternoon before I felt fully recovered. Ridiculous. Point taken, Baby...I'll back off a little. Not the first time you'll remind me of my human limitations, I'm sure.
July 25, 2011
My first doctor's appointment is this Thursday and I'm so excited/nervous that I can hardly stand it. Last night I asked your Daddy whether I was this worried with Audrey and he answered, "At least as much." He knows me well. It's just such a long time between watching the little line appear on the pregnancy test to hearing a heartbeat! I've been trying to stay busy, though, and have lined up a lot of projects, play dates, and lunches to pass the time. I've been feeling about the same - off and on nausea throughout the day, especially when I let myself get hungry. It seems worse in the mornings and around dinner time. I'm not terribly tired yet, but I must admit I don't seem to have a lot of extra energy, either. The cleaning supplies have been sitting in our bathroom for a solid week. It was the last thing on my cleaning to-do list, but now it's almost time to start over with cleaning the rest of the house! Ah, well. It'll happen eventually.
As far as my growing tummy, well let's just say that they're right about showing earlier with the second. I think a lot of it is bloating, but I'm already down to two skirts and two pairs of shorts that still fit. No weight gain, but stuff is shifting for sure. I have a mental block about being in maternity clothes before at least ten weeks, though, so we'll see how long I can last.
Hurry up and get here, Thursday! I want to see a picture of our little peanut!
July 28, 2011
I saw you today. We'd been waiting for that moment for a month. Actually a lot longer as I knew I wanted you before we were even married. The first thing I noticed on the ultrasound screen was your heart. It was beating so strong and fast and I knew right away you were okay. Your Daddy and I held hands and listened as the doctor told us where your head, your limbs, your spinal cord, and the umbilical cord were. I told him I'd take his word for it. No offense, but it's really difficult to make all of that out right now. But the heart I saw. And seeing your heart made mine so happy.
We went out to lunch afterwards and laughed and talked about you and our family. We were so relieved and ecstatic. Eventually your Daddy had to go back to work. On the way home I called your grandparents and uncles to update them with the good news and your due date, which is March 10, 2012. That sounds so much earlier than Audrey's due date did at my first appointment with her! When I think about all that needs to be done before then, I get a little overwhelmed. As your Daddy said, though, you truly need so little in the beginning. So don't worry, we'll be ready. You just focus on growing and try to aim for digesting more of the prenatal vitamins I'm giving you and less of the cookies.
Nice to meet you, little one. You, like your sister, are no doubt going to rock our world.
July 31, 2011
Today is very special day - it's the seventh wedding anniversary for your Daddy and me. Audrey spent the night at Grandmom and Granddad's on Friday night so he and I had some nice date time to ourselves. That turned out to be great timing because I officially feel terrible today. The nausea is worse and I'm exhausted. After we got home from church I laid down on the couch and barely moved for the rest of the day. We went out to dinner and the grocery store this evening, but that was as much crazy activity as I could muster. When we got home, I put on our wedding video and the three of us watched it. That was such a special, perfect day for us. I am so blessed to be married to your Daddy. I pray one day you and your sister each find a spouse as amazing as I have. There is no one else on earth I'd rather have by my side on this journey than him. You're getting a fantastic father, kiddo.
August 5, 2011
I am (read: you are) officially showing. Big time and at only nine weeks, it's come quite early. I don't think I had this big of a stomach with Audrey until I was about four months. We really want to hold of sharing the news with everyone until the end of the first trimester, but I gotta wonder whether you're going to let us do that.
In my (and your) defense, I think a good bit of it is bloating as the gut is not as big in the morning. After I eat a meal though, there is no question you're in there! Still no weight gain, but I do need to step it up in the exercise department nonetheless.
I cleaned out my closet of things that no longer fit this week and moved in my maternity stuff. I haven't worn any of it yet, but I suspect it'll make an appearance next week. Maybe I'll make it to my ten week mark after all. I think I hear the elastic waist bands calling my name...
August 21, 2011
We bought a minivan today. A 2008 Toyota Sienna. Your Daddy sold his Mustang about a week ago. Two kids and a manual sports car just don't mix. But don't let him hold that against you one day. Truth is, he loves the van. It's pretty awesome, really. I hope you like it too. You and your sister won't even have to have "she's-touching-me-wars" because the middle rows are captain's chairs. Nice, huh? Just try not to get too many Goldfish or Cheerio crumbs ground in the carpet, okay? And for pete's sake, no barfing in it.
August 23, 2011
Where have the past two weeks gone? I gotta tell you, as much as I love you, you have not made them easy for me! I thought the "morning sickness" (such a misnomer because for one thing it sounds too nice and for another it's not just in the morning) would start out at its worst and then progressively get better. Wrong. It began at week six, heightened in weeks eight through ten and is finally, here in week eleven, beginning to taper off. I shouldn't say "finally" because I know some women have it so terribly rough during their pregnancies. Still, walking around on the verge of cookie-tossing or actually...well...tossing them, is extremely unpleasant for any amount of time, even if it is "only" six weeks. I was definitely not this sick with Audrey. I think I only recall actually vomiting once or twice with her, but you child, you have given me that pleasure more than I'd care to experience it. BUT, as I said, I think we're over the worst (Please, Lord) and lately I'm also able to function most days without being exhausted by 2pm. Don't worry - I'm not going to hold these symptoms against you. I won't bring it up during every argument we ever have. Really. Water under the bridge...unless you sass me.
On a nicer note, we get to see you again tomorrow for my 12 week check-up. They'll do another ultrasound and we'll get to peek at how much you've grown. I think I read that you're about the size of a lime now. From a poppyseed to a lime is a big deal, you know! Keep up all that hard work and I'll try to write a little more in the next week or so before it's time to publish this post. How is it almost the second trimester already?! (I have a feeling I'm going to be saying things like that a lot this time around!) Babycenter.com tells me we have 200 days left until you're due! Wow. That seems soon! Have I mentioned lately how loved you are already and how we can't wait to meet you?
August 24, 2011
We saw you today. You looked much more like a human baby than the peanut you appeared to be four weeks ago. You're adorable, but more importantly, you're healthy. For that I thank the Lord! You measured about a week ahead of the due date, but the doctor says we'll stick with March 10th for now. They'll be able to tell more as time progresses. It's okay with me if you want to come a little early. No more than two weeks, though, ya hear? For now, you just keep up that good growing. You are an amazing miracle to your Daddy and me and we can't wait to see you again!
September 4, 2011
You just got to spend a week at the beach! Your Daddy, big sister, Grandmom, Granddad, Grandma, Pawpaw, and I just returned from six wonderful days in Destin. You must have loved it because I haven't felt this good in two months. I don't think I realized how crummy I felt until it went away. I appreciate you cutting me some slack.
We made a lot of great memories on the trip, one of them being that we finally told everyone about you! Your Daddy wrote a message in the sand that we took a picture of and then emailed to your great aunts, uncles, and second cousins. They got it right away and are all so thrilled! Two days later, I made it "Facebook Official" (will you even know what that is when you read this one day? Google it...if that's even still around!) News of you has made so many people so happy.
When we got home, your Daddy began nesting like I've never seen him do before. I guess it must have been the time off and coming back to a three day weekend, because he wrote out a list and started tackling projects immediately. I can't ever remember him doing that! I'm usually the one driving the project management around here. It was great to get a lot finished, though, including cleaning out your closet and putting in some new shelves. Just two more weeks and we'll start hanging some pink or blue clothes in there! For now, though, I'm going to try and soak up a few more hours of having help around before I have to go it alone with your sister tomorrow. Thinking about handling both of you by myself is enough to make me need a nap.
September 9, 2011
Today officially marks the last day of my first trimester. Tomorrow I'll be 14 weeks along and will start my second trimester. I cannot believe how fast it's gone. I cannot believe that we basically have six months left. Less if you decide to come early like AJ did. It all both excites and worries me. But mostly excites.
A new baby in our house again. A tiny little one. So sleepy and cuddly and sweet. So soft and warm and heavenly smelling. Oh sure, there will be lots of crying (yours and mine) and many sleepless nights. I imagine I'm going to lose my mind a little...and some of it may never come back. But it'll be so worth it. We'll be a family of four. Something I've dreamed about long before the line appeared on the stick.
I love you, Precious and I pray for you:
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for blessing us with a new addition and getting us this far. I pray for health and growth for this baby. I ask for a safe pregnancy and delivery. I pray he or she will come out wailing with strength and exude it from that moment on. I pray he or she will want to know You, will seek and find You, and will follow hard after You all the days of his or her life. Give this baby a heart that cares for others and the gifts, talents, and skills that he or she will need to carry out Your plans. Please grant us wisdom and patience as parents and I plead with You to fill in the gaps with your grace and protection. Father, bless this baby abundantly as only You have and as only You can. I love you, Lord. Amen.
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