Baby Girls

The Thursday before Rileigh was born (Sunday) my parents took Reagan to Orlando to visit a few parks with the big cousins. I FINALLY got to spend the day down south visiting one of my girls. It was such a lovely day!!!

Saw her beautiful place...ohhed and ahhed over the baby's nursery...had lunch at a favorite spot...shopping at Babies R' Us, Target, and other shops at Gulf Coast Town Center...great conversation...picture in the parking lot by a potential shopper at an art vendor under a tent.

After a lot of waiting, her Presley Brynn was born in the wee hours this morning!!!

Hoping to visit her again soon...it might not be quite as relaxing though...now with so many little ladies!

Little thing. Big memory.

A few weeks before I had Reagan, we visited our favorite shopping center down south with friends. We had dinner, walked around, then hit up Coldstone Creamery for dessert. I had a coupon I wanted to use. Well, LONG story short.....I buckled under the pressure of the growing line behind me and my overanalyzing. I walked out with an expensive cup of JUST chocolate ice cream and I was in tears over the situation. I was also laughing because I couldn't believe I was crying. We all had a good laugh and still talk about it today. (I did go back a few weeks later to "conquer" the ordering process.)

Now fast forward 2.5 years....

Pregnant again....

At the same shopping center...

Weeks before giving birth...

I insisted on returning to Coldstone and this time I ordered confidently! Just another personal victory!

Hanging in There

The THREE of us are still hanging in there...waiting for the fourth to join us.

We've got the camera ready.









We're running errands and eating large, yummy cookies.


















We're enjoying beautiful spring weather and our first bloom of the season on our crape myrtle.









We've gone the extra mile at preparing...2 little girl bags packed, **pausing for a contraction** monitor charged, carseat in car, laundry done, desk clear of stacks, pack n' play set up, gifts from little one to bigger one wrapped, new pediatrician called, registered at hospital, etc......

TMI warning.... As of Monday, I am/was almost 2cm, 70%, head lower (-2 maybe?). Membranes stripped and contractions have definitely intensified. Eating habits have changed...smaller portions. Sleeping patterns have changed...more disrupted.

Tomorrow would be fine with me, my midwife, Ami, and JMA, but she does officially have another 8 days in there.

Until she comes, we'll be hanging in there.

Ready?

That's been the question from so many..."are you ready?"

My answer (in my head, at least)... "I don't know." How do you determine that? Can I really ever be ready for such a life changing event? I'm bringing a teeny tiny little person into a very big and often mean world. Eek! She is being lent to me for just a short while and I won't begin to take that responsibility lightly. There are huge plans for her life and I get the privilege to play an intricate role in that. Whoa! That is super cool and overwhelming all at once.

This will not only drastically change my life, but her daddy's too...change our marriage, change our lifestyle, change our family dynamic, change our perspective, etc. How does one get ready for that?

Reagan...talk about a change. Although she may very well not remember what life was like before this change, it will be life-altering. My heart's desire is for this to be the beginning of a precious, priceless friendship unlike any other between these girls. Are we ready for that?

So, I don't know and I'm ok with that. I have a peace. I rest in knowing that my Father...Immanuel, God with ME...is "ready". He's been ready!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

10 Ways to Know You Are Ready to Have a Baby

1. When you become out of breath from walking up a flight of stairs.
2. When you have dry cleaned your new child's bedding and removed your older child's pictures from the room.
3. When your face becomes "plump", "swollen", "round", or just plain "fat".
4. When your new child's car seat has been thoroughly cleaned.
5. When your selection of clothing becomes so "slim" that you consider wearing the same shirt back to back and then back to back again.
6. When you have purchased a few small fun toys from your new child for their older sibling.
7. When you allow your productivity level dictate your physical health.
8. When you have established a "pumping station".
9. When you pee at least twice an hour and have weird food cravings once again....fruit salad and ice cream.
10. When you've purchased and washed the "bring you home" outfit.

A Month

What does a month mean to you? A month ago? A month from now?

A month ago, I was celebrating my 26th year and beginning my 27th.

A month from today, I'm "due" for another huge change in life...still celebrating and beginning.

Showered

We were showered this evening with so much goodness. I'm a bit overwhelmed.

More to come on tonight's events.



(bummed this was taken so far away...excuse the trash can)

Noteworthy

This evening little baby R had the hiccups for the first time (that I noticed).

Little Babe

Little babe, you'll be here so soon! You are REALLY busy in there. I hope you calm down a bit before you come out. I went to the doctor today to check on you and you've/we've only gained 4 pounds since November...something must be wrong with that scale! When I got home from the appointment, Rea asked me "your baby ok?" and then hugged my stomach. I hope she continues to be super sweet when you arrive. You have positioned yourself differently this week because my back isn't causing the same discomfort as recently. Thank you for that. Daddy-o and Papa got down some of your little clothes and I washed them today. I'm hoping to order Rea girl's furniture this week, then we can move her up and get things situated for you. I also started a small Target registry for you. I was rushed, so I need to add a few more things to complete it.

I think you are sweet already! I love you for who you are....not what you've done or what you will do.
~Mama

75 Days

A girlfriend just blogged about how much time she had left before her little one arrives, so it got me thinking...how long do I have in days? I debated for a bit if I really wanted to know.

Curiosity won....75 days!!!

Not sure if that's good or bad....do I want it to go fast so I can meet her and discover our new normal OR go sloooooowly because I'm not "ready" (whatever that means) and I'll never get this exact season again.

?????

Reflecting on Blue Ridge

It really was a great time filled with wonderful memories. The cold, crisp air...learning how to play Yahtzee...Rea playing in the leaves...visiting an apple orchard...horrible service at the BBQ joint...JMA buying BBQ on the corner...beautiful cabin...Moon Sand on the back porch...visiting with GA family...delicious Thanksgiving spread (complete with flies)...doing nothing at times.


We named our new little girl while we were away too..... Rileigh Joy it is!


Thoroughly enjoying a Strawberry Shortcake sticker book on the way home.


Feeling grateful!

Her First Very Own

Outfit!

Location:River Bank Way,Port Charlotte,United States

The GRAND Reveal!!!

In a way that only this little family could, we (me) decided to make a super big deal over something that could have been simple. The reoccurring theme in our marriage is that I am over-the-top with things and JMA is just a good sport. (Ok, if you REALLY knew us, then you would know that it goes both ways...just in different areas.)

I had an appointment with my new midwife (which went really well) on Wednesday and she wanted an ultrasound done the next day. I had been considering having a gender reveal party since we found out about this new baby, but I went back and forth about actually doing it. (Many logistics on making sure everyone was available) Once the appointment was scheduled, I said "we're doing it"....sent out an invite to our closest family members (that is difficult with such a fantastic, yet large family) and friends we have "history" with. Here is how it went from there....

Rea sported her "Big Sis" shirt, of course!!!

Here are our peeps who were available at the last minute. Colie was taking the picture. (Stay tuned this week for a post just about these people!!!!) They were to wear blue or pink depending on their gender vote. Everyone had blue on, except G.G. and Burgess had pink and blue on. :)

We skyped with my brother, Rob, from Alaska and Kels and Al in Gainesville. We FaceTimed with my sister and girls. Right after the reveal, we skyped with my girl, Kim, in Rhode Island, JMA's Grandma Kay in Ohio, and brother and s.i.l. who couldn't come at the last minute. The technology was great!

(click image to enlarge)

Here I am explaining to the slypers how it was going to work."I had an ultrasound done this morning. We had the tech put the gender of the babe in an envelope without telling us. I then delivered the sealed envelope to a girlfriend who so kindly made gender specific cupcakes for us. She put pink in the middle if its a girl and blue in the middle if its a boy. The grand reveal will happen when we bite into the cupcakes."

I was told to go first....I closed my eyes and took a bite...

...PINK!!!!

So it's another SWEET GIRL FOR US!

She couldn't wait for her chance at a cupcake!

What a fabulous evening with some amazing people to share a once in a lifetime moment with. We could not have asked for a better time!

Oh little baby...

I'm sitting in the office waiting for my ultrasound. It's too long of a wait for such a pivotal outcome.

We are getting so excited to have you join us. It's hard to comprehend the magnitude of change you will have on our lives...boy or girl. Regardless, the responsibility is so great.

What will you be like? What will you look like? What will you love do? What will hurt you? What will be your strengths and weaknesses?

I have no clue about these things, but I do know you are loved dearly already!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

March 2011 Baby

In our busyness in life, I haven't blogged much about our newest little one. It's still surreal. It's hard to believe we're having another one, it's hard to believe that there is a little person inside of me, it's hard to believe this is a WHOLE NEW child and not Reagan again, etc. Folks have said after your first pregnancy, the others go faster...I'm not sure if I think that yet. Maybe it's because I'm still trying to grasp it all and since I don't "feel" pregnant. Here's the latest....
I am due March 24th. This was our ultrasound from August 23rd. I was 9 weeks or so.
This is the same day, but a 3D picture.

Here is my last one from September 13th. I was 12 weeks here.

This week I am almost 15 weeks....3.5 months and the child is the size of a navel orange (4.5 in.) I am in my second trimester and am feeling great! I never had morning sickness during the first trimester, but I was exhausted all the time and had NO motivation to do anything....hence the quiet, boring blog. It was actually quite annoying, no matter what I did, I was a bump on a log. I thrive on productivity, so now I am trying to make up for lost time. I actually think it would be fabulous if I could start the "nesting" period now and let it continue for the next 25 weeks! I have gained 5 pounds already and am looking like I'm "retaining water". Cole's description. :) It's true, I look like a girl that is eating poorly and not exercising...a serious muffin top. I know it's all part of the game!

I'm craving......FOOD...just about all kinds! Craving protein again which was the same with Rea. I haven't been able to get my mind and stomach to align yet...I think I'm just ravished and order an 8 course meal, then I take a few bites and am full. Oh well! That's my only complaint.

Rea has very little idea of what is about to hit her. I think when I start to show more, she will start to put 2 and 2 together. She will move to the old office in the next few months and her room will stay the nursery. We'll see how that goes.

Boy Name: Brayden Michael (JMA's middle name), another name I like, but won't be needed this time around because we aren't having twins...Leeland Daniel or Robert (Leeland is the name of my late-great uncle, Daniel is JMA's dad's name, and Robert is ALL over my family, but specially my dad's name and my brother's name)

Girl Name Possibilities: Kendall Joy (ruled out), Braydie Joy (ruled out), Kennedy Joy (ruled out-too presidential), Rileigh Joy, Braylee Joy (Joy is JMA's mom's name)

Any suggestions?

If it's a boy, I've eyed these two bedding sets, but I'm not sold on either...I just like that they aren't the typical animal theme that seems to be the thing everyone does.

Alphabet Crib

Sea Life

You see, I want to keep the green part of the nursery the same and paint the pink part, so I need to keep that color in mind.

We should find out "what" our child "is" in October. I'll keep you posted! I've been planning on a gender reveal party, so you, my friend, will be the next to know.

I think this is all for now. I will try to do better with the updates.

Active Adults, Adams Group, and Additional Children

What have we been up to? Where have we been? You've seen some posts about the Rea girl, but today I will update you on the three A's...Active Adults, Adams Group, and Additional Children.

Active Adults.... That's been us!!! We've been busy with work, family, friends, church responsibilities, house, hobbies, etc. I am now working part time at the library at CCS (where I use to teach). I run library classes for 3 year olds through 5th grade. I haven't actually started the classes yet. Right now I'm updating, cleaning, reorganizing and inputting in a new tracking program. There hasn't been a "librarian" for 2 years, so it has grown to be a royal mess. Rea has gone in with me a few times and has spent some time with family and friends. I am really enjoying this new project and challenge. I'm still active in the children's department at church and Jon in the sound and lighting department. We are about to start our weekly small group again, "Hitched". We did separate gender specific Bible studies over the summer which were enjoyable and challenging. Jon has picked up playing racquetball several mornings a week and sometimes on Sundays. He has also increased his trips to Desoto county which have included tractor driving and late night mudding. We are attending a marriage getaway in Bonita Springs in a few weeks, I'm hosting a baby shower, friends from RI are visiting, several birthday parties to attend, etc. We just have a variety of events that fill our time....there is always something.

Adams Group.... We're still there! As previously discussed, we have had some doors open up to be partners in a computer business. Our desire was to create a win-win situation for us and for Adams Group. Jon Mike has several newer projects implemented and AG has some great work on the horizon, so he is still going strong there. We are just being still and working hard wherever God takes us.

Additional Children... True story! We are having another one...adding on to our clan. I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and we're due March 19th. I have an appointment tomorrow to get established with my new OB/GYN and have an ultrasound. Overall, I feel good....I am exhausted often, my motivation is below par and my eating habits are crazy!!! I was pretty much the same way with Rea but not maybe #2 (interesting, huh?) I'm craving meat/protein again. I don't remember the lack of motivation, but maybe it was because I was distracted by teaching. The whole deal is surreal, but cool. (Another post for another time)

That's a super brief update from us on River Bank Way!