The Redburn's

Christmas and 18 Month Portraits

2010-11-20T17:56:00.007-06:00

Today we took Keira's Christmas/18 Month Portraits. We had planned to take them last weekend, but Kiwi was running a low fever so we rescheduled. I'm glad we did because I know she wouldn't have done as well as she did this morning even with our awesome photographer. Here are my favorites... I know there are a lot, but she did SO good. Enjoy!!

Backwards Update

2010-11-20T17:55:00.000-06:00

It has been forever!! So here's what I'll do.... I'll start with the most recent thing and go backwards!!! Stay tuned!! :)

Birthday Parties... Just A Little Delayed!

2010-06-12T16:15:00.004-05:00

Keira was lucky enough to have not one, but two birthday parties! On April 17th, Keira and Madelyn shared the first birthday celebration. The theme was hot pink and zebra! Skister did an awesome job on the tutus and birthday hats. My mom made the cakes and did an outstanding job! At this point, Keira was not walking but she was cruising on the furniture.

On May 8th, Keira had her birthday party at home. The theme was pink and brown polka dots. The cake was made by Emily of Austin Cake Girl and was SO yummy. I dipped oreos in chocolate to continue the polka dot theme and we had white, pink, and brown M&Ms and Jelly Beans. The best part was seeing Keira with all the balloons! They stayed up for almost a week after her party!!

Keira had a blast for her first birthday. She really is a lucky girl to have so many people who love her! Now off to plan her next birthday party!!! :)

5 Question Friday!

2010-05-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've been reading Mama M's 5 Questions Friday for weeks now, its about time I did one of my own!! Here goes!

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet?

Yes!! Skydiving! I get motion sickness really easily (even on swings!), but I have always really wanted to try it! Of course, now that I have Mom responsibilities, it will probably never happen. I'd hate for my chute to not open.

2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?

Hmmmm..... I would definitely say a few new pairs of flip flops! I have become quite a flip flop snob and am completely in love with Yellow Box. Ah, cushiony, foot-fitting, beautiful Yellow Box.

3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child?

Not the swings! Ha! And not the big slide. I was scared to death of that thing. I guess I would say the Jungle Gym. I loved hanging upside down and doing flips off of it.

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast?

Hearty! I'm a pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon kind of girl! Don't get me wrong, I love me a doughnut, but if given the choice I'll take a good old fashion breakfast!

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?

It really depends on what mood I am in. Most of the time I like things in their place. I always wish my house and classroom were cleaner. I chalk that up to the house I was raised in; those of you who know me know I was not raised in a super clean house! But sometimes I'm just too tired to get it all in its place!

Happy Birthday Keira Dawn!

2010-05-04T11:47:00.003-05:00

I Carry Your Heart With Me
E.E. Cummings

I carry your heart with me
I carry it in my heart
I am never without it
Anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling
I fear no fate
For you are my fate, my sweet
I want no world
For beautiful you are my world, my true
And it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide
And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart
I carry it in my heart

Keira,

Today you are one year old. I can't believe how fast this year went! You were the tiniest thing I had ever laid my eyes on one year ago today. I felt like I would break your little 5 pound 15 ounce body! You were so sweet with your squeaks and grunts. I felt like I could snuggle with you forever! When we came home, we were all scared about our new adventure, but luckily we figured it all out! I was lucky to get to spend so much time with you while you were so little. We experienced everything together and I couldn't have been more proud of you everytime you discovered something new... smiling, holding up your head, cooing, rolling over, sitting up.

Now you are a toddler! You are a crawling, standing, cruising, talking, big people food eating, playing, cuddling toddler! You are my big girl! I knew that you would change and grow fast, but not this fast. I wish I could keep you my baby girl forver.

Keira I hope that you know how much I love you. You are the brightest star in my sky. You are what I have always dreamed of! I hope that one day when you are all grown up and you have accomplished all your dreams that you can look back and see just what you mean to me.

You are my sweetest pudding pop, my Kiwi, my baby girl. I love you bunches and bunches.

Love, Momma

Bluebonnets

2010-04-07T14:39:00.005-05:00

Tuesday we took Keira to see her first Bluebonnets. She was in awe! She has really started noticing the flowers around the house and has been wanting to pull the petals off, so I was a little nervous that she would destroy them. She didn't though! She was so good and dainty! Here are a few pictures!! Enjoy!

Easter

2010-04-07T14:29:00.006-05:00

Keira's first Easter was great.

On the 31st, we had an Egg Hunt at her daycare. She and Daddy found a few eggs, but she was much more interested in playing with the rocks on the playground!

We woke up Sunday morning and waited for Daddy to get up so we could see what the Easter Bunny brought. Keira was very excited to see her basket full of goodies. The Bunny brought her a new book, How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs, sidewalk chalk, a bunny cabbage patch doll, and a chocolate bunny.

We were going to do an egg hunt at the house, but it rained the night before, so we weren't able to. We ended up going over to a coworker of Stephen's house and enjoyed an egg hunt there. I followed Keira and Daddy around while they hunted for the Golden Egg. They didn't find it, but they did find a Silver Egg with $5 inside. She seemed to have a good day. She still wasn't completely herself, but she was more like herself than she had been in the last couple days.

I am really looking forward to next Easter. I think she will really enjoy hunting for eggs when she is a little bigger.

Sick Again? Really?

2010-04-07T14:14:00.003-05:00

Well I think we need to just go ahead and make a follow up appointment after each time we go to the Doctor. After being on steroids for our last adventure, Keira finally seemed to be feeling a little better. Her cough had changed, but sounded more like a productive cough. She still wasn't sleeping well, but we contributed that to not being able to breathe. Then there was Thursday morning. Stephen brought her to me around 4:00 and I gave her a bottle in bed. She fought going back to sleep and was breathing really hard. Again, I just figured the massive amounts of snot are just making it hard for her. She felt warm, but she was also in thicker jammies. Well I get up and she gets up with me and I get ready for work as quick as possible.

We get downstairs and I lay her down to change her clothes and diaper to go to school. I see that her entire nose is blocked by lovely boogies and she still feels warm. Her eyes were puffy and goopy. I decided that I might as well take her temperature. The first time it said 105.3. The freaking out began. I tried again and this time is was 103.8 (our thermometer is pretty finicky, so I take it three times and average). The third time was 104.5, so pretty much a 104 degree fever; the highest she's ever had. I freaked out, ran upstairs to tell the boy and called another Kinder teacher to figure out what I should do. No sub plans made, Easter Egg Hunt Day, day before a three day weekend... she just said not to worry and took care of it for me! I love the people I work with. I called skister and got her opinion on ER or Dr Visit. She recommended Dr. visit and I called the on call Doctor.

We went in and sure enough, double ear infection. One ear half full of puss, the other 90% full. Poor thing!! I wish she would show me that she hurts, but she doesn't. So we got put on Omnicef for the ears and Vigamox for the eyes, which had pink eye. She was miserable from then until Sunday night. Her fever stuck around until Saturday morning. Finally, Monday night she decided that she wanted to eat and drink again. She still isn't eating as well as usual, but at least she is eating.

Sleeping is improving. She is still waking up around 10:30, but is crying herself to sleep. She is also waking up during the night, but we are making her put herself back to sleep. She has to remember that nighttime is for sleeping, not playing or eating.

Hopefully with warmer weather coming, the sickness will come to an end. I just can't handle her being so miserable! It is so sad! I am ready to have my healthy girl back!

Life Lately!

2010-03-30T15:20:00.001-05:00

Things have been going going going lately! Here's a quick recap!

March 13th-21st I was on Spring Break, so Keira was on Spring Break! The daycare has the same schedule as the District I work for, so when I have a holiday so does she. Stephen took off the 15th-19th to hang out with us. It was so nice having him home and being a normal family. He is always so rushed to get home and see Kiwi before she melts down and goes to bed, so it was nice to have him around all day long.
On Monday, we went to Build-a-Bear and made Keira's second stuffed friend. She chose a very colorful bear that we ended up naming Berry.
On Tuesday, we went to Target and got her a push walker/car. She was a little hesitant to walk with it at first, but now she is a pro. She has had her fair share of stumbles and falls, but she really does love it!
The rest of the week we just hung out at the house or ventured out to Kyle or San Marcos. Not much was accomplished around the house, and that is okay! We really enjoyed spending some time with Daddy.
On Friday evening, Kiwi and I went to my Mom and Dad's out in the cornfield. We had plans of driving down to Rockport the following morning to visit with my extended family and see my Papa. Well apparently my stomach had other plans. I ended up getting what now seems like food poisoning and was sick all night. I really didn't think I could make it down to Rockport, so Kiwi and I came home Saturday morning. Keira was a giant fuss all day because her top teeth were starting to break through. FINALLY!! She is now the proud owner of two full teeth and the tiny tips of two top teeth, but I don't think they are friends! After a good night of sleep, I felt 100% better on Sunday. Just in time to go back to work!

We went back to school on the 22nd. Tuesday night Kiwi woke up in the middle of the night coughing. Stephen came and woke me up because she wasn't breathing well. Eventually she fell back asleep in our bed and I took her to daycare the next day. At daycare she was miserable; coughing, not eating, just not herself. So, to the Dr we went. She ended up having croup and got a steroid to help with the swelling of her airways. Little did we know that the steroids would make her crazy!! She spent the next 5 nights waking up at least 4 times. Several nights she came downstairs and partied like a rockstar! But I don't blame the Boy for letting her; what else can you do at 3:00 in the morning when your kid won't sleep?? Now we are battling to get her back on her normal schedule and break the habit of waking in the middle of the night. Joy Joy. She is still coughing and is very snotty, but the cough now sounds like more of a cold cough, so I guess that's good?

This weekend she started pulling up on me and then letting go. She now stands on her own for quite a while! Yeah!! It is amazing how quickly she went from just pulling up to cruising around the furniture. I really think she will be walking in no time! Even her daycare teachers have commented on her great balance! Future flyer I must say! Ha!!

We came home yesterday and I noticed that both her eyes were swollen and gunky. Her left eye started being gunky again in the last few days of Spring Break. I'm hoping it is just allergies. I know that I feel miserable, so she might as well. Well anyway, there was no pleasing the girl last night. We tried to walk, eat snack, drink a bottle, play, take a nap, eat dinner, take a bath..... nothing made her happy- until Daddy got home. Once he walked in the door, she was a happy camper. And then proceeded to stay up until about 9:15. Ugh! Go to bed!! This morning she woke up and was still a little swollen, and very gunky. I am anxious to see how her eyes look when I pick her up from school.

Tomorrow night we have the Annual Easter Egg Hunt for her Daycare. It should be interesting! I am excited about her first Easter and I can't wait to go egg hunting with her! Her and I will be off Friday for Good Friday and then Easter is on Sunday of course. We are planning on a quiet afternoon at home and hunting some eggs with Kiwi. She will love crawling around and finding them!

Well that is about it. I can't believe we are already so close to her first birthday. It honestly feels like the year has just flown by. This time last year Miss Maddycakes was just about to make her arrival and I was about chin deep in Maternity Leave plans. Now look at us! Our teeny tiny girl is almost a toddler! I tell her everyday to not get so big so fast, but I guess she is choosing not to listen!

Snow White

2010-03-13T12:17:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Snow White came on and Keira and I watched it. Well, it was on the TV and I sang along. Keira watched a few minutes here and there.

Well it came on again this week and I think someone was a little more interested this time...

I hope she keeps on loving Disney Princesses. It'll make going to Disney World one day much more fun!! :)

Hello Sunshine!

2010-03-10T14:09:00.004-06:00

As sad as it makes me to have to put more clothes away that I will never see my baby girl in again, I sure am happy to be able to put Keira in cute little jumpers again!!

What a big girl she is becoming!

Slow down Kiwi, you are getting too big, too fast.

And it breaks Mama's heart!!

Love you sweet girl!

Surgery Day

2010-03-08T18:58:00.003-06:00

Well eye surgery came and went, and we all survived. Here's the run-down...

Wednesday:
-Found out her surgery was at 10:00, much later than I expected! No breakfast would be a challenge! No solids after 1:00, no formula after 3:00 and no clear fluids after 7:00.
-I gave her a bottle when we got home from school, which I normally don't do.
-The three of us went to Target to roam around and she fell asleep.
-Stayed asleep until about 9:30ish and then we fed her dinner.
-Bedtime bottle and in bed around 10:15ish.

Thursday:
-Woke up around 6:30 and had some pedialyte.
-Left the house around 7:30 and found traffic to the Surgery Center. She slept the whole way; thank goodness! She did so much better than I thought she would with no breakfast!
-Checked in at 9:00.
-Walked around the center with Daddy and got an Elephant Beanie Baby.
-Went back around 9:30.
-Got prepped and changed into her gown and went back for surgery right at 10:00.
-By 10:20 she was back with us. She was SO hungry. It took a while for her to calm down, but she did eventually relax with Daddy.
-We were out of the Center by 11:00 and on our way home!

Once we got home, she ate a very big lunch and then napped for about 3 hours. She woke up just like her normal self! Her eye was a little swollen and had a little blood, but other than that it was great.

Now she is typical Keira! We have eye drops for a week, but her eye is clear! It is so nice to not have to fight with her every morning! I love that when she wakes up she can see with both eyes!

Here are a few pictures of the day of her surgery.

Waiting for the elevator.

Her very cute hospital gown! I wish I could have snuck it out of there!!

Right after she finished her bottle. Poor baby girl! Look at that swollen eye!

Relaxing with Daddy.

My Nannie

2010-02-28T16:46:00.002-06:00

Have you ever had this feeling like someone is just all around you? There is no one there, but it just feels like they are there? Nannie would have said I'm crazy, but there are days that I think she is here; looking after us, watching us. There are days that the birds seem a little louder and the wind chimes are moving a little faster. The flowers a little brighter, like she's there. Even if it's just in my mind, I whisper I know she's there. And it makes me feel better. Peace of mind.

Today is one year since Nannie passed away. I wish Nannie could have met Keira and Keira met Nannie. I wish she could have felt Nannie's thumb rub on her hand like I did so many times and felt the comfort of knowing that Nannie was there. I think Nannie would have liked her. I really do.

I miss you everyday Nannie. I'm so afraid that I will forget the little things about you. The feeling of waking up at your house on a Saturday morning, you turning on the heater so we could all sit in front of it and warm up, decorating the house for Christmas, playing church with the juice glasses, playing rumikub, painting with water, making play-doh, going on long walks past the mailbox, making mudpies, picking wildflowers, going to the park, strawberry pie, chicken salad with bug juice, lettuce salad, crispies and hot cakes, mixing the sugar in the milk before you put in the cereal, being the dress model, singing in front of the tv like we were on stage, late night ice cream, popping popcorn in a pot, price is right, the hummers, nannie beans, the tire swing, long summer letters, my red haired girl, sitting with you in your chair and falling asleep.

If I love my family half as much as you loved us, they'll be blessed. You always put us first and loved us more than anything in the world. If there is anything that I hope I can pass on to Keira, I hope that is it. I love you Nannie.

What A Month!

2010-02-28T16:24:00.004-06:00

Wow, things seem to be nonstop lately. Since Keira's 9 month well check on February 5th, we have NOT been on antibiotics for 2 days. Kiwi finished up her amoxicillin on Valentine's Day only to go back to the Dr on the 15th with a 102 fever. They ran tests, all that came back negative, and said that her ears had fluid in them, but it looked like healing fluid. Dr L told me to take her home, give her fluids and if she still had fever the next day to bring her back. So, we went home and waited. She had fever all night so we went back.

I was afraid of what tests they would run next; chest X-rays for pneumonia, or catheter for UTI. Thankfully (I guess), Dr L looked in her ears and her right ear was full of puss. So, new antibiotic. This time augmentin. Started the meds and within 36 hours, she was fever free!

Things were going great until this past Tuesday night (same day that I might add it SNOWED!! and bunches of it, well bunches of it for central Texas in February, ANYWAY....) when she woke up SCREAMING around 10:30ish. We went to get her out of bed to find that she had thrown up. Stephen got her out and went to give her a bath while I stripped down her bed. He ended up getting in the tub with her in his jammies because she was not having anything to do with sitting on her own. Very sad things to see and hear; I have found that I cry with my sweet girl when she hurts. We brought her back to bed with us and layered towels underneath us. Everytime she threw up, we ripped of a towel layer. Once she finally stopped throwing up around 2:00 ish, she tossed and turned. She ended up staying home with Stephen the next day, but did start to feel better. She still isn't eating as much as usual, but she is getting her appetite back!

Well just when we thought things were on the mend, Boy and I get the bug Thursday night. I now understand why she was screaming. It was awful, but it passed quickly thankfully. Now if only the cleaning fairy will come and finish scrubbing the germs out of my house!!

Keira has her eye surgery this Thursday. We still haven't been told when it will be on Thursday though. Hopefully early so that she has the rest of the day to relax at home. I just hope she isn't in too much pain. I can see some tears coming Thursday for me! After I take my day off for this, I will only have two sick days left for the rest of the year; March to June. They sure went quick, but after taking so many at the beginning of the year when we weren't in daycare yet, it does make sense that I would run out. Hopefully no one gets sick again or I'll be paying about $200 for each day I take. Nice right? I guess Stephen will just have to stay home with her if she gets sick and I just can't get sick! Do you hear that germs.... STAY AWAY!!!

It really will be a trying week. The emotions are already starting to get to me because of Kiwi's surgery, but this Friday also marks the One Year of Nannie passing away. I know that she will be with Keira that day, just like she is every other day. Thank goodness Nannie can hold her hand when I can't. That helps ease my fear.

Just some pictures

2010-02-06T18:31:00.003-06:00

Nine Month Well-Check

2010-02-06T12:37:00.002-06:00

Friday I took Keira to Dr. L for her 9 month well check. She seemed to be fine to me. She hasn't been eating as well and has been waking up before her normal time, but I contributed that to her being congested and coughing still. We got there and she was weighed and measured:

Weight: 16 pounds 7 ounces (10-25% and down one ounce from last week's RSV check)
Height: 27 inches (25-50%)
Head: 16 3/4 inches (10%)

Everything is still about the same percentile as her 6 month. She is just going to be petite and there is nothing wrong with that!

We went back to the room and spoke with Dr. L and told her the latest things she can do including the reduced eating and sleeping. So she looked in her ears. First one, yep infected. Second one, yep infected. Lovely! But with all the congestion in her nose and throat, it has to go somewhere! So she is on amoxicilin and tylenol now. Hopefully it does the trick and she is eating and sleeping better by Sunday. If not we will try another antibiotic. She slept well last night and had a great breakfast, we'll see about lunch!

Other than the ears she looks great! We will go back to Dr. L for her one year in May and she will get her one year vaccinations. It was nice not having to deal with that this time! :)

Hope you are all having a great weekend! We are planning on enjoying some Superbowl commercials tomorrow and laughing at Boy when he yells at the game. He really likes the Colts (and Peyton Manning... ha!). :)

Eye Doctor

2010-02-04T11:48:00.002-06:00

We went to the eye doctor yesterday for Keira's gunky left eye. We knew it was a blocked tearduct, but now we have confirmation. After waiting over an hour total to see Dr. R, she came back and looked at Kiwi for about 5 minutes and then said surgery. The procedure is pretty simple. She will be sedated with gas. She will insert a very thin metal rod into the two holes leading to the tearduct in Keira's left eye and she will removed the blockage. After that she will flush it with saline and suck everything out through her nose. All in all it takes about 5 minutes.

The surgery will be at a facility next to Dell Children's on March 4th (her 10 month day). It is the same place that Boy Boy had his hernia surgery. Skister said that it is really nice. We will find out what time her appointment is the week of her surgery. They list all of the surgeries from youngest to oldest, so I'm sure we will be pretty early. We will get there an hour before and leave about an hour after.

The hardest part will be no breakfast!! Sweet girl loves her breakfast! Ugh! Well that and um... Kiwi having surgery! UGH!! No fun, but I'll be so glad when we are fighting every morning to get the gunk off of her eye and face. She really hates it and so do I!!

So be thinking of my sweet girl March 4th. And me too please! :)

100th Post!

2010-01-19T12:07:00.003-06:00

And what a great one it is!! Since the beginning of the year, we have been busy learning and trying new things. Here's a little catch-up!

January 1st: Clapped to the song "If You're Happy and You Know It" on a toy from Uncle Kevin and when I sang it to her.

January 4th: Turned 8 Months Old. Went back to daycare after having two weeks off for Chritmas Break. She did great getting back into the routine.

January 6th: Said "dada".

January 7th: Trying really hard to pull up.

January 8th: Had her first ever pajama day at school.

January 9th: Scooting backwards all over the kitchen.

January 12th: Got her first Boo-Boo at school. Another baby was crawling and tried to grab Keira. She got scratched in the face and was NOT happy. Neither were Stephen and I, but we knew Boo-Boos would come sooner or later!

January 14th: Took Mandarin Oranges to school for snack. She loves to eat fruit and did a great job with them.

January 16th: Ate almost a whole Eggo for Breakfast. Took 2 crawl-steps to try to get Peanut. She got frustrated after two and quit.

January 18th: Crawled to her Paci! We were lucky enough to have both of us home when she did it, and Daddy even got it on camera. She is still a little wobbly and in the army crawl position, but I think it is ADORABLE!!

January 20th: Crawling around the living room and her bedroom.

January 22nd: Said "mama" and waved "hi" to Peanut when I said "Hi Peas!".

January 23rd: Woke up and found her monitor in the corner of her bed. She sat up all on her own and decided to play with it! Had a pancake for breakfast.

She will go to the Opthamologist for her tear duct on February 3rd at 10:00. We will see what the Doctor says. They may say that it just needs more time, or they may go other routes. We'll see. I just hope it clears up soon. I feel so bad fro her everytime she wakes up and her eye is crusted closed.

She will have her 9 month appointment on February 5th in the afternoon. I don't think she will get any shots, so we should just breeze through this one. I am anxious to see how much she has grown! :)

Other than that we are just busy with the usual! I am looking forward to spending Valentine's Day with my sweet girl. We are planning on having a nice dinner at the house and having a few small treats for Keira. It should be a fun day!

2009

2009-12-31T12:06:00.012-06:00

It's hard to believe 2009 has less than 12 hours left. It has been a tough and terrific year all in one. Here's a quick recap for anyone who cares to be re-capped!

January: Began the month at 22 weeks pregnant. We were busy working on things at the house to prepare for Keira's arrival. We had less than 100 days by the end of the month.

February: Boy finished Keira's room, floors, cribs, name. I was busy preparing for Skister's baby shower in March. I had entered the final trimester and felt like a house. Life was beginning to get busy and uncomfortable for me!

March: Lost my Nannie. One of the toughest times for me yet. She was an amazing woman and I miss her still. But I don't think that will ever go away. I had my first of many baby showers and started raking in the loot for our sweet girl!

April: Sweet Miss Madelyn was born on April 2nd; just 20 days early! She was the tiniest thing I held ever held at 6 pounds 7 ounces. Little did I know! Went to what was supposed to be my final ultrasound and found out that Keira was measuring small so I was told to take it easy and come back weekly for biophysical profiles. This made me VERY nervous! I wondered what I had done wrong and feared that something would be wrong with her when she was born. We went back weekly and got to see her (which was nice) move and practice breathing. I had three more baby showers.

May: We welcomed Keira to our family on May 4th, just one day short of her due date. Life hasn't been the same since!! She weighed 5 pounds 15 ounces and was the sweetest little thing in the world. I miss her scrunchy little body and her grunts. (Oh... gruntasaurus and squackamole) The weekend after she was born I celebrated my first Mother's Day. May was tough adjusting to having a baby and all the things that go along with it, but we survived! Boy and I also celebrated our 5 year anniversary on the 22nd.

June: Keira and I started venturing out more and more. I made it up to work a few times to check on my classroom, but Kiwi hated it! We traveled to Canyon Lake to spend some time with my family at the lake house. Boy celebrated his first Father's day. We were trying hard to get Keira to sleep for longer periods of time and ended up trying a few tricks from Skister.

July: Keira started sleeping through the night (thank goodness!) at the beginning of the month. We celebrated the 4th of July by going to watch the city of Kyle's fireworks show. Keira did such a great job and wasn't scared at all. We traveled to my parents house to meet Papa. It was strange not having Nannie there, but it was nice to have him meet her and her meet him. We celebrated Boy's birthday on the 17th. We went for Kiwi's 2 month check-up and first round of shots. She weighed in at 9 pounds 11 ounces and I cried with her as they stuck her 4 times. Poor baby!

August: I enjoyed my last few weeks of being off work and went back on the 16th. Keira started going to Mrs. Karrie's on Mondays, Wednesday's and Friday's. I celebrated my 26th birthday on the 25th and met a new crew of kiddos at work that same week. We had a hard time adjusting to getting Keira to the sitter and arranging child-care each week, but we got through.

September: Keira started getting much more active this month and started to like cereal and bananas. She had her 4 month check-up and weighed 12 pounds 15 ounces. We were told by her doctor that we could start giving her baby food. She liked just about everything we gave her. By the end of the month she was rolling.

October: Keira started daycare this month. It was a much welcome change. We really miss Mrs. Karrie, but the stability each week is worth it. This is the daycare I wanted her in anyway, so it works out for the best. She loves it there. We had her try just about every basic baby food and she loves to eat. She is becoming a pro at sitting in her bumbo and loves to try to sit on her own. We went to the Pumpkin Patch and got some great pictures of her and her cousins. Unfortunately she got sick the next day and found hand-foot-mouth for the next week. We enjoyed our first Halloween together. Keira and Boy were penguins and I was an eskimo. She behaved very well and got lots of awws and how cutes.

November: Kiwi turned 6 months old this month. She weighed in at 14 pounds 2 ounces and got another round of shots. We were told to start trying meats and sippy cups. She is still not a fan of the sippy, but loves all the new baby food. She is working really hard on sitting on her own. She has no want to crawl. She got her first tooth and forgot how to sleep through the night. We celebrated Thanksgiving here at our house. Keira was not a fan of the food, hopefully she is next year!

December: We really soaked in the holidays. We put up our tree at the beginning of the month and Kiwi loved it. I finished up at work and we enjoyed the Motif Christmas Party as a family. There we got the great news that Stephen was getting a promotion to Regional Manager. The following week we met Santa and took some family pictures. We also started breaking Keira back into sleeping through the night and it is working for us; knock on wood. We enjoyed Christmas Eve at our house with my family and then Christmas Day at Boy's Mom's house with his family. Keira rake in the gifts and we now own most of Toys R Us in our living room.

That pretty much sums it up. I am really looking forward to seeing Keira grown and change over the next year. I can't wait to see all the new things she experiences. I hope you all have a wonderful 2010! (wow, writing it is weird...)

Meeting Santa!

2009-12-24T11:41:00.004-06:00

We took Keira to meet Santa on Tuesday. She was not scared at all! She stared at Santa and was very sweet! I am so proud of her!

On Monday we found a huge tree in the HEB shopping center here in Kyle. We went back that night with our tripod and took a few family shots just for fun. Kiwi was such a good girl. She loved the ornaments!

I am so excited about Keira's first Christmas. I hope she is in a good mood tonight to open her gifts! We will be hosting my family here tonight and will be going to Stephen's moms tomorrow for Christmas Day. I think that we might need to add on to the house for all the toys she is going to get! Stephen has been "collecting" for months!

Merry Christmas!!

New Pictures!

2009-12-03T10:18:00.005-06:00

This past Sunday I took Keira for her 6 month/Christmas Pictures. She did a MUCH better job that the last time we tried! But she is also 4 months older! She didn't get fussy until the very end. Delana met me up there so that we could get a shot of the girls together in their tutus. They all turned out so great!

Thanks Skister for making the cutest tutus and bows... I absolutely love the pictures with them in it!

Here are a few of my favorites.

Things Lately

2009-11-19T20:58:00.003-06:00

Just a quick update on things...

* Keira has her first tooth. It started making its painful appearance this Sunday. It is finally completely broken through and she is back to her normal self.
* Sitting on her own more and more. We put her boppy behind her, just in case she topples over.
* Now that she sits more, she plays independently for MUCH longer. Yeah for sitting. :)
* Has tried just about every mixed meat dinner there is. She really LOVES chicken noodle dinner.
* Is starting mixed fruits.
* Is eating more self-feeding snacks.
* Drank from a sippy cup today. It was mainly water with a splash of juice.
* Got caught playing with her friends at school by Mom. I'm so glad that she is socializing.
* Went to her first Wedding. One of my best childhood friends got married last weekend and we all went to it. She behaved very well.
* Finally looks like she has hair. Thank goodness!

Her personality is really starting to come out. When she isn't mad at me for not holding her, she is so happy. She is also such a great eater. It's always fun to try a new food because I know she is going to love it.

As for me, Thanksgiving break is finally here. I have one last day of work tomorrow and then I am off for a week. I am looking forward to spending some time with Kiwi and snuggling! Hopefully some rest at the house will help me to feel better. I started feeling pretty bad at work yesterday and took today off to go to the doctor. Sore throat, ear ache, headache, body aches, chills, fever. I was afraid it was the flu. Turns out I have a viral infection. Nothing to take for it, just have to let it go away on its own. We will be having Thanksgiving at our house again this year, so I will be busy cleaning and cooking!

Here are a few pics of Kiwi sitting up and playing!

Being Sick, Pumpkins, Penguins, and Six Months

2009-11-07T14:53:00.005-06:00

Things have been crazy since the pumpkin patch. It seems like life has been non-stop in every aspect. Here's the recap!

After the Pumpkin Patch, Keira got sick. After only two days of daycare, she had HandFootMouth. Bleh. She had to leave daycare early that Tuesday and stayed home with Stephen on Wednesday. She was back to school on Thursday, but was very fussy for the next week or so. We could only give her tylenol and had to let the virus run its course. Once it started to ease up, she got a cold. We are still battling it, but it is better.

Daycare is much better now that she is feeling better. They are working on getting her to nap in her bed, but I know that she really doesn't like to. Most days she has great days. She has made some friends and I think she even has her first boyfriend. :)

The week of Halloween was super fun. She had an adorable outfit for each day and helped me gut three pumpkins for Stephen to carve. She loved squishing the insides and really wanted to eat the pumpkin! For Halloween she was a penguin. She and Stephen matched exactly. We got a lot of aw's and how cute's. It was fun. She didn't fuss a bit and let Stephen take her up to every house.

On the 4th she turned 6 months old. I can't believe she is already half a year old. Time has gone by so fast. We went to the doctor this morning for her well-check and immunizations. She weighed in at 14 pounds 2 ounces (25%), 25 1/4 inches (25-50%), and 16 inch head (5%). So she is still tall and skinny. Dr. Lincoln said she is very proportionate so I am not worried. Her left eye is still goopy, so she gave us an antibiotic drop to try for a week. If it doesn't clear up, we will go to an Ophthamologist at 9 months to see about opening her tear duct. She also said that her ears looked a little red, but that may be due to her cold. So we will wait a week and see if she gets fussy or won't eat. She got two immunizations and her flu shot. It still breaks my heart to hear her cry, but it is all worth it. She has spent most of today relaxing.

We got the okay to start adding more foods in to her diet. We will start giving her three meals a day now. The doctor said that she can have pretty much whatever we are eating as long as it is small and smushed up. We went to HEB and bought the meat baby foods, yogurt, and some finger foods. We tried Chicken Noodle Dinner for lunch and she loved it. I am so excited about trying new foods.

Thats about it for now. I have two more weeks of work until Thanksgiving Vacation and then three weeks after that until Christmas. I love this time of year and am excited about sharing everything with Keira!! Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks.

The Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-19T07:39:00.006-05:00

Sunday we went to Sweet Berry Farm is Marble Falls with the Lemley Clan. Boy was off, so it was nice to be the whole family doing it. Keira was such a good sport. She let us do pretty much whatever with her. It was SUPER sunny, so most of the pictures she is squinting in, but all-in-all, it was a great first Pumpkin Patch adventure! Here are a few of the pictures!

Daycare... Day One

2009-10-15T21:17:00.002-05:00

Miss Keira had her first day at school today. She is the newest member of the Butterfly Class. (I have a small problem with the whole butterfly thing, but thats another story) She was great this morning when I dropped her off; all smiles. Thank goodness she wasn't grumpy! I'd hate for a grumpy baby to be their first impression of her! I got all of her stuff unpacked and then went to work. She didn't get scared, or cry when I left. I didn't get scared or cry either. As I walked out, I breathed a sigh of relief that the childcare issues were gone.

Stephen took lunch at the time I went to pick her up so that he could see her classroom and meet her teachers. She had a great day with them, at least thats what her note said and what her teachers said!

I am looking forward to tomorrow. I am a little anxious about getting her there early in the morning since today I didn't have to rush. We'll figure it all out though. I'll just try to be up a little earlier tomorrow.

So yeah to no more childcare worries. Now I am just crossing my fingers that the germs don't get her right away. :)

A few new things!

2009-10-10T18:52:00.002-05:00

Well the day has come for Keira to start daycare! On Wednesday, the director at the Buda Daycare emailed me to let me know that there is a spot available for Keira. This is the center that I wanted Keira to go to eventually. My only hesitation was that I wanted her close to me the first year, but she hasn't been in my building with me for the last 2 months and we have survived! Her first day at Buda will be on Thursday. I am really looking forward to a set schedule each week and knowing that she will be well taken care of there. They do so much with the kids there!

We are really going to miss Mrs. Karrie. She has done so much for us over the last 2 months. I have her to thank for Keira doing tummy time and rolling over! :) I'll never be able to thank her enough for helping us out. She really saved us in a time when things were really hard! I'm already a little sad that she will not be with her anymore.

Back at home, Keira has eaten green beans, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, squash, pears, and bananas. She likes rice cereal and oatmeal. I have been making her baby food and freezing it into cubes. So far I have made peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash. She loves them all! We are starting to use formula as well. I am trying to keep up with pumping, but going back to work has made it really hard to keep up with her. I have to look at it positively though, she has gone over 5 months being exclusively breastfed, and that is great! Thats five months longer than I was! :)

She is doing so much more each and every day. She loves rolling over, laying on her tummy and back, sitting in her bumbo, trying hard to sit on her own, kicking EVERYTHING!, jumping in her jumperoo, and is talking and laughing like crazy. I really am loving this age and I am trying to enjoy every second of it because I know it will be gone before I know it.

Next weekend we are going to the Pumpkin Patch with Aunt Nayna's family, and possibly Mike and Gayle's family as well. I hope that all of us can go together. It would be really nice for all the kids to be together. I need to get her a really cute fall outfit picked out for her pictures with the pumpkins! In November we will take her 6 month pictures and will also take some with Madelyn. I can't believe it is already getting to this time of the year. I am really looking forward to her first Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! I love this time of year; the cooler weather and fall air makes me happy. Keira seemed to enjoy it today and wore her bunny slippers all day long to keep her feet warm!

Well that's it for now. I hope you are all enjoying the fall weather!

She Rolls!

2009-09-26T18:38:00.003-05:00

After rolling from her tummy to her back SEVERAL times for Mrs. Karrie.... Keira has finally rolled for us. I absolutely love it!

Green Beans

2009-09-18T19:02:00.003-05:00

The progression of green beans....

Four Months and Baby Food

2009-09-18T18:51:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday Keira went to Dr. Lincoln for her 4 month well-check and immunizations. She did great. It was nice to get through the nurse and Dr without a huge fuss! She did great, showed off all her new tricks and talked up a storm! Her newest stats are..

12 pounds 15 ounces (25%)
24 1/2 inches long (50%)
15 1/2 inch head (5-10%)

So she's still tall and skinny... and we are fine with that! :) After all the fun stuff she got two shots and a drink. Daddy held her this time and she did great. She didn't cry until the second shot, and it was the super sad cry. But she quickly recovered and had a really good nap afterwards. I am really proud of her.

Dr. Lincoln told us that we can start giving her baby food. We have already given her rice and oatmeal cereals and fresh banana. So Wednesday night I went to HEB and got one jar of every basic baby food; green beans, peas, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, applesauce, pears, and bananas. I eventually want to make all her food, but I will buy it until we know for sure what she likes and gets used to the texture and taste.

So Thursday morning we tried green beans and rice cereal. Lets just say she thought it was torture. Be on the look out for a picture post. We tried them again last night for dinner with oatmeal and she did MUCH better. I am looking forward to trying them again tonight! We have to stick with the same food for three days to make sure she doesn't have an allergy, so on either Sunday or Monday we will try another.

That's it for now. I can't believe she is getting so big. It'll be Halloween before you know it and she'll be trick or treating for the first time. Then it'll be Thanksgiving, sitting in her high chair at the table. Then Christmas opening her presents. This goes by way too fast! Someone please tell her to slow down!! :)

An Update On Life

2009-09-13T13:13:00.003-05:00

So, things are still crazy here and I don't see them slowing down anytime soon! I guess I just need to get used to the tiredness, the feeling of accomplishing nothing, and a dirty house. Right now, Kiwi is talking to me telling me that I need to update ya'll on all the things she does now. So, I'll listen to her and do as she says... like I usually do. She always wins.

I'll start with the most recent things...
*Started playing in her Jumperoo and LOVES it.
*Eats rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, and bananas (fresh only so far)
*Will grab the spoon and bring it to her mouth.
*Can put in her own paci after taking it out.
*Grabs the washcloth during her bath.
*"Eats" everything, especially her hands.
*Grabbing her feet and putting them in her mouth.
*Holds her feet while she is getting her diaper changed.
*Usually only naps once a day.
*Sleeps for about 8 hours straight at night.
*Still LOVES being outside and taking baths.
*Starting to like laying on her back and playing with toys. (She's super spoiled and usually just gets held. Mommy is trying to get better at making her play independently)
*Will do tummy time for 10 minutes with Mrs. Karrie and Krew. (only 5 with me)
*Will roll from back to side, tummy to side, but not completely over.
*Giggles when you "eat" her tummy.
*She loves watching tv

Thats about it. I'm sure I left bunches out. She goes to see Dr. Lincoln Wednesday afternoon for her 4 month well-check. She will get the same immunizations that she got last time. I am already nervous for her. She handled them well last time, but I'm scared she wont feel good that night and we both have work the next day. She will go to Mrs. Michelle's the day afterwards so I hope she is feeling good for her.

As for the whole childcare situation... I have things arranged for now to October 8th. She will go to Mrs Karrie's MWF every week like usual and stay home with Stephen on Tuesdays. For the next three Thursdays she will be going to my friend Michelle's house. October 2,3, and 4th she will be with my parents since I will be in Corpus Christi for a Kinder Teacher conference. It will be nice to get away, but I am already nervous about leaving her for so long and having to pump so much. It will all work out. My mom will most likely come up on the the 8th, and I will talk with Michelle on what Thursdays she can do so that my mom doesn't have to drive up at the crack of dawn every week. I know she loves spending time with Keira, but I don't want her to have to do it every week. I will admit though that knowing who will be taking care of Keira while we at work is nice. It takes a lot of stress out of my life that has been here for a month now. I have really learned to be thankful for those people who drop everything to help me out. I don't know what I would do without them right now. I never thought I would be thankful that Keira will be starting daycare, but knowing that she has someone caring for her everyday and not having to worry about where she will be and with who is going to be nice.

So thats about it for now. Here are a few pictures of her doing a few new things. Enjoy!

Blog Hop

2009-09-10T17:50:00.006-05:00

So Skister tagged me in this Blog Hop... I'm supposed to find the oldest pic on my computer and in honor of skister, I found this one.

I couldn't even tell you how old we are in this picture, but its one of my favorites of the two of us. Out in the front yard by the old mesquite late summer. Sometimes its nice to go back and remember those little things. I'm sure the whole family was outside; picking flowers, chasing fireflies, digging in the dirt. Who knows what we were doing that night, but I'm sure we had fun doing in!

Now I have to tag some people to play along. I tag Stephanie, and Shelley! Join the fun if you can!

Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links...

Stress

2009-09-05T13:20:00.003-05:00

So I haven't blogged in awhile. Why you ask? One word... stress.

I started to back to work on the 17th and the childcare stresses started the same day. Well actually the night before, but who's marking their calendar right? Luckily I have some fantastic friends who were able to help out in a pinch and my parents are greater than amazing to have come up that week so that I could go to Back to School Night.

The 23rd, they came back up to watch Kiwi so that I could go to Wicked with Sister. It was fantastic! I recommend it to everyone. We had a great lunch at PF Changs and really enjoyed spending some time together. It had been QUITE awhile since it was just the two of us.

School started the 24th. My class is, well, different. The beginning of Kinder is so stressful... well not as stressful as childcare issues.

The 25th was my 26th birthday. Boy and Kiwi brought me part of my gift during my planning time and had a foot bath waiting for me when I got home. I got to enjoy a nice long, hot bath and a bottle of wine then we were off to Red Lobster for endless shrimp. :) All in all, I really raked it in! A new Dooney and Burke purse, a Coach wallet, and a new pair of shoes.

That Thursday, Kiwi went to my friend Michelle's house. Thank goodness she was able to watch her at the last minute. Again, childcare issues are a tad stressful... along with starting a new school year, trying to keep up with nursing, lack of sleep, lack of space, and lovely allergies to cat and ragweed. Anyway, she had a great day with Michelle and I am so grateful for her help.

This week was supposed to be different, needless to say it wasn't and I was searching for Thursday childcare at the last minute again. Helloooooo bottle of wine. I really don't know how I survived last year without wine. Anyway, again, luckily my mom was able to take the day off from work and came in at the crack of dawn (seriously) Thursday morning. They had a fantastic day and will be spending next Thursday together again. I am thankful that next week I won't be stressed out and worried about where my sweet baby will be while me and Stephen are at work. Very thankful.

Stephen will be getting me his work schedule soon so that I can set up childcare in advance. I'm done being told at the last minute that I need to find someone who can watch her. Done. My friend Michelle has offered to watch her on days that I need her, either Tuesday or Thursday, and my mom has already talked to her boss about the situation. My sister-in-law Gayle has offered to help out as well.

The stress is lifting, but it still hurts that I am searching each week and putting her with people when things were supposed to be easy. Planned out. Stress-free. Well its not and it hasn't been. I'm done.

Whew!

2009-08-22T12:02:00.003-05:00

Wow, what a week! After way too many hours at school, I'm so glad to say that my room is ready for Monday. It's not exactly how I want it, and it will probably change, but it will work for now. I did the "Barre" method towards the end and just starting putting things places which I will need to go back and organize through. I met 14 of my then 15 kiddos on Thursday night at Back to School Night. They seem pretty sweet. Friday I got 3 more, one is the brother of a student from last year so at least I know one parent! I have a few moms who are pregnant so I am excited to hype up the "new big brother/sister" in the class. Overall, I'm excited. I am ready to get these babies learning and ready to try new things this year. Last year I was a little distracted and didn't get to do all the things I wanted to, this year will be different! I will probably end up with 20 kids when all the transfers come in. They will come in by the third day of school.

Enough about work!! This is a no work weekend with my sweet girl! She did so good this week with her new schedule. She was supposed to spend the week with Daddy and Grandma, but plans changed a bit Sunday night and she went to Mrs. Karrie on Monday instead. She did great. I did not! I missed her like crazy! Karrie said that she had a great day and she was exhausted by the time we got home! Tuesday and Wednesday she stayed home with Daddy and they both survived! She even took some long naps for him! Yeah for him! Thursday and Friday she went back to Mrs. Karrie's house and had two great days. Karrie is so good with her and Keira seems to really like her. Thursday night my parents came up to watch Keira so that I could go to Back to School Night since Stephen had to work. Thank goodness that they were able to come up. I don't know what I would have done if they couldn't. I really wish they lived closer 'cause I can see needing them a lot with all the evening events that happen at my school. Luckily I can take Keira with me to some of them. It has been tough getting up in the morning and getting myself ready before Keira gets up. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday she slept late enough for me to get ready but Thursday and Friday she was up at 4 and 5. It's going to be tough, but she will get on a new schedule and so will I. Next week Keira will start going to Mrs. Karrie on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Daddy will watch her on either Tuesday or Thursday, whichever he is off, and the other will be up in the air. I'll be calling on some friends to watch her until things get figured out with Grandma. Her circumstances have really thrown a wrench into plans, but luckily I have some great friends that want to watch her!

Today we are just hanging out here at the house. I refuse to go out since it is Tax Free Weekend. $8 is just not worth the craziness! I am loving getting to snuggle with her. Tomorrow Grammie and Papi are coming back up so that I can go to lunch with Sister and go see Wicked. I am so excited for our day together. Tuesday is my 26th birthday and all I want is a nice dinner and a good evening with Keira. No Fussing!! Ha! We'll see what happens!

That's all for now! Keep me and my sweet girl in your thoughts next week. We're gonna need it 'cause it's going to be a long week!!!

First Day With Mrs. Karrie

Leaving Her

2009-08-16T14:57:00.002-05:00

I knew that today would be rough. I've known it since the day she was born. I didn't know it would be this tough. I'll admit, I've been crying off and on for a few days now anticipating our last full day together before I leave her and go back to work. I've tried to spend time away from her this summer so that leaving her wouldn't be so hard, but it is going to be hard. It won't be for a day and then I get her all to myself again. It's back to work everyday. This week, Stephen and his Mom will be taking care of her. Next week she will start going to a lady that lives by my school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and Stephen and Debi will do the Tuesdays and Thursdays. I get the weekends, just me and her. I'm anxious about getting both of us up and ready in the morning, a little scared too. She loves to be held and I'm afraid of getting it all done.

I decided today that I am going to write her a letter. I've been meaning to write it for a while now, but as I get ready to leave her I think it is the perfect time. This will be something that I can give her when she grows up. Something to remind us of how much she means to me. So today, during catnaps, I'm writing. And crying.

I'm gonna miss her huge smiles in the morning, laying in bed just watching each other, her little catnaps, the talking from her bouncer, washing bottles with her in her bumbo, changing her clothes after she spiddles, talking to her to keep her calm while her bottle warms, and SO much more. Most of all I'm gonna miss those moments when its just me and her. Those moments when I just get to hold her and stare into her dark blue eyes and thank God for giving me such a sweet, beautiful girl.

I'm gonna miss my sweet girl.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T10:42:00.004-05:00

Not Me Monday

2009-08-10T10:46:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

It's been awhile, but here are a few recent ones...

I did not already spend all of my reimbursable money on school stuff PLUS some.

I did not order school stuff and forget what it was when it came in.

I did not spend just about all day Friday crying because of daycare issues.

I did not let Keira cry it out yesterday just to see what she would do.

I did not tell a lady to get some manners at HEB yesterday. TWICE!! Is it too hard to say excuse me? And better yet to teach your child to say excuse me?

I did not get the CUTEST pacifier link for Kiwi's pacies! It looks like a candy necklace! (pictures to come!)

I did not begin the daily crying last week because my summer is pretty much over.

I did not already start getting nervous about what kind of kiddos I will get this year.

I did not wake up craving cake two days in a row.

I did not boil shrimp outside on the grill last night so that Stephen wouldn't have to smell shrimp in the house. (I'm not that nice to my husband, think he'll start heating up his refried beans outside?)

I did not tell my sweet girl that she may just be the cutest thing in the entire world. I did not I did not I did not!!

Now don't you feel the need to air your dirty laundry.....

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T08:30:00.001-05:00

So, I've seen so many people do Wordless Wednesday on their blogs and even Skister is now. I've always loved it and thought it would be a great way to make sure I have pictures on here more often. So I'm gonna try to keep this up every week.

Thanks for the motivation Skister, even though you didn't know you were motivating me!! :)

i'm tired of this

2009-08-03T17:06:00.003-05:00

My doctor visit today was kinda pointless. She doesn't really know what is wrong so she referred me to a neurologist. There they will probably do an MRI. I go to see them on the 12th. Just in time to have results right before I go back to work. I didn't even get anything for the pain I am in daily. The vicodin that I was prescribed when the pain started back in May does nothing. Tylenol is useless. I can't take anything else because I am breastfeeding. She couldn't even give me steroids or muscle relaxers to see if inflammation was the cause of the pain. So yeah, pointless.

I'm hoping that it is still just my body reacting to the epidural, but I am scared because the pain has moved up my back and is localized to my spine. I am ready for it to be gone. I am ready to pick up my sweet girl without wincing and be able to walk her up to her room without pain. I'm tired of my body feeling heavy, my legs tingling, back going numb, losing my balance, and not being able to lay of my stomach. Having no pain when I gave birth was nice, but having this pain for three months really stinks.

So just in case you were wondering, still nothing and i'm really tired of this!

Finding Out Whats Wrong

2009-08-03T10:38:00.002-05:00

So today at 2:00 I am finally going to the doctor to find out what is wrong with my back. It started when I got my epidural and was pretty much right where the "lovely" doctor put the needle in my back. It hurt all the time for the first month or so, tingling in my legs and arms, numbing in my butt and legs. Now it is also in my upper back. My entire back will go numb. Yesterday Stephen rubbed my back a little right on my spine and it brought tears to my eyes it hurt so bad.

So today I am going to find out whats wrong. Keira is going with me since Stephen is at work and I'm hoping she behaves. Delana also brought up a good point this morning; I'm hoping that they don't send me for x-rays. If they do I'll need to reschedule since Keira can't go in there with me. Fun stuff. I'm also wondering what they can give me for pain since A.) i'm still breastfeeding B.) Vicodin does nothing for me anymore and C.) I can't take anything that would make me drowsy. So we'll see! Wish me and my aching back luck!

Fever Day Two

2009-08-01T11:55:00.002-05:00

This is what my sweet girl does when she doesn't feel good.

She chews on her paci and holds her burpy tight. Well in between fussing she chews on her paci and holds her burpy tight.

I should have known that she wasn't feeling good when she slept for 10 hours Thursday night. She woke up Friday and ate a full bottle and then threw it all up... twice. After more clothing changes than one could possibly want, for both of us, she fell back asleep for the first of many cat naps. This went on for the majority of the day with a fever going up to 101. Low grade they say for a baby. Still too high for me. I kept her dosed up on baby tylenol to help keep it as low as possible. I put her to bed around 10:30 with hopes that she would be feeling better this morning. She woke up at 5:00 this morning, still not feeling well. Her fever is lower, but still hanging around.

So this is what she does today; she chews her paci and holds her burpy tight.

Stop and Pray

2009-07-27T09:45:00.006-05:00

Nothing about us here.

Please stop what you are doing and pray for Stellan and his family. I don't personally know them, but I feel like I do. I've followed his Momma's blog for a while now. Stellan is suffering with severe heart problems that were diagnosed before he was even born. What his family had thought had gone away when he was born decided to make its appearance when he was only 4 months old. He spent 2 months in the hospital at the time and underwent heart surgery to try and repair his little heart. Since then he has been back in the hospital once and back home but now this time he is not looking good. Please take a moment to pray for him and his family. Before Keira was born I had a hard time imagining what his Momma must be going through, but now its even different. It makes me so thankful that God gave me a sweet, healthy baby.

Also, please take a moment to pray for the Guerrero family. I worked with Estella (Mrs G) while I was at Houston Elementary. She was diagnosed with leukemia about a year and a half ago and lost that battle last night. She was an amazing woman who loved her family, friends, job, and life. Heaven is lucky to have her.

Pray for Stellan and his family, pray for the Guerrero family, kiss your babies, and be grateful for every moment. You never know how long those moments will last.

2 Month Check-Up

2009-07-09T11:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we had Keira's two month well-check. I had been nervous about this one for quite a while since she was going to be getting 3 shots. We got there and they measured her and weighed her. Here are her new stats...

Weight: 9 pounds 11 ounces (10-25%)
Length: 22 inches (25-50%)
Head: 14 1/2 inches (5%)

So she's pretty much tall and skinny. Dr. Lincoln says that she is growing really well and looks good. She still has the infection in her mouth, so we started a new medicine yesterday that will hopefully get rid of it. Fingers crossed!

After that, we painfully waited for the nurses to come and give her the shots. When they came in, Stephen put ehr down on the table and we both got really close to her to talk her through it. She got two shots in her left leg and one in the right. I felt so bad for her and her not so chunky thighs! The scream when they stuck her every time was just terrible, but the cry after it was all over was even worse. I cried with her. Its like she was just trying to tell me that they really hurt her. Poor baby. We both snuggled and snuggled her for the longest time. After she voived her opinion on shots, she fell asleep in her car seat and we came home. We gave her some baby tylenol for the pain and she was fine after that. She ate normally and slept just like usual, 10:00-6:45.

So we survived. She doesn't go back until September for her 4 month. She will get get the same shots that she got this time. And yes, I am already dreading it.

What A Busy Weekend!!

2009-07-06T18:07:00.006-05:00

Wow! We had a busy weekend! Here's how it all went down...

Friday I took Keira to get her 2 month pictures done. I fed her right before we left and she napped in the car on the way there. So, you would think she'd be pretty content right? Um, no. I put her in her dress and put her down on the pillow for the first pose. She did great! Then we flipped her over and apparently ruined her world. Let me tell you the screams could peel paint. I felt bad for the photographer. We almost gave up after the first pose. I went ahead and changed her into Daddy'd outfit and she let us get a few more pictures. About halfway through this, Aunt Delana came in to help out. It was nice having another person there to help me calm her down and get cute smiles. We managed to get another pose done, but that was it. She was done! I'm kinda sad that we didn't get any with the angel wings or in her diaper or in the basket, but those can be done at her 6 month. Here are a few of the shots.

Saturday was her 2 month birthday. Oh and the Fourth of July! Understand the dress now? :) We hung out at the house until Stephen got off work and then went and watched fireworks shot off by the city. We ended up having a pretty good spot to watch and Keira loved them. She never fussed once!

Sunday Keira and I drove down to my parents house to see my Papa. He was at my parents for the afternoon. I am so glad that he got to meet Keira and that Keira got to meet him. I am reaaly glad that I got to see him. Now that he lives in Rockport, its harder to see him. It was nice hearing him say the usual lunch prayer. The only thing I missed was getting my hand squeezed by Kevin (we always fought to see who could squeeze harder during the prayer) and having Nannie rub my othe hand with her thumb. I wish Nannie could have met Keira; she would have loved her.

This week we go to the doctor for Keira's 2 month well-check and her immunizations. Hopefully she doesn't have any bad reactions. The last time she was weighed was on June 26th and she was 9 pounds 9 ounces. I wonder what she's up to now!!

Happy 4th of July!!

2009-07-04T19:17:00.001-05:00

Hope you all have a great 4th of July!! Oh, and Happy 2 Month Birthday Sweet Girl!!

We'll See How Long This Lasts....

2009-07-03T10:52:00.002-05:00

Okay, now that it has happened several days in a row I feel like I can tell people about it. Keira's sleeping has GREATLY improved over the last week. She has jumped from sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches to sleeping through the night. It is MARVELOUS! Here's how it all has gone...

Last Thursday, Keira was SO fussy. Wasn't eating much and cried for the most of the day. Friday I noticed that her mouth was completely white and she had white spots in her cheeks. I called the Pediatrician and got her in that afternoon and got her medicine, which smells terrible by the way. I feel bad for her. This also started the bottle feeding. I decided that it would be best to give her and I some heal time while she was on the meds and just pump and feed her with the bottles. Friday night she was up every four hours.

Saturday we went to visit the Lemley clan. We played with cousins Nathan and Madelyn, hung out with Aunt Nana and Uncle Aaron, and went to Hobby Lobby. We were busy. We got home and went for a walk around 830 then took a bath (which she LOVES), got swaddled up, and had a bottle and fell asleep around 10:00 in the swing. She stayed there until 4:00. Longest stretch ever at that point. She ate and then went back to sleep in her pack n play until 8:00.

Sunday we tried to stay busy again. I started noticing that she was eating about every three hours on the dot. We went up to my school and took a walk again in the evening followed by a bath, swaddle, and bottle. Fell asleep in her bed around 10:00 and slept until 3:30, ate then slept until 7:00.

Monday we went to a jewelry party in the evening and then followed the nightly routine. She fell asleep around 10:30 and slept until 6:00. EIGHT HOURS STRAIGHT!!! Woo hoo!!

Tuesday, we all went to Target and followed the routine . Again she slept another eight hours straight in her own bed.

Wednesday she didn't get out of the house because Grandma was here watching her while Stephen and I went and had an "us" day. She slept from 10-4 and then from 4:30-8:00.

Yesterday we went to Austin to pick up some paper work. We went for our walk, had a bath, and followed the rest of our new routine. She fell asleep around 10:30 and slept until 7:00.

I'm wondering if its the bottle feeding, the new eating schedule, the medicine, or the routine that has us going so good. I'm afraid to stop bottle feeding her now!! I told myself that we would start nursing again today, but we are taking pictures this afternoon and I want her as "on schedule" as possible. Same with tomorrow. So I guess Sunday we will start nursing again.

So that's her new thing. Today we are taking her 2 month pictures at 4:30. Hopefully she is in a good mood!! I cant believe she will be 2 months old tomorrow! Time has flown by!

Eeee!!

2009-06-23T16:40:00.003-05:00

I am in LOVE with the new look of the blog!! Louise really got what I like! Thank you SO much! She put a linky at the bottom of the page to her blog if you like her work.

On another Eeee! note, Keira has been smiling on purpose for about a week now. I am loving it. All you have to do is talk really sweet to her and call her 'puddin' and she smiles away! I've even gotten her to giggle! I'm still trying to get a photo of her. I have taken a few videos with my phone.

She has her good nights and her bad nights sleeping. We have gotten a few nights of 5 hours straight, and lately its been about 4 hours straight. Getting her to go to sleep is the hard part. She screams and screams! Hopefully we will get past that soon!!

Keira and I went to the lake this past Saturday to my parents condo. It was nice to get Keira and Madelyn together again to see how much each has changed. I hadn't seen Delana, Nathan, and Madelyn in a month and Aaron since the day Keira was born.

Sunday was Father's Day. We got up and made breakfast for Stephen, yes Keira helped. Well she supervised from her bouncer. That night we took Stephen to dinner and Keira was a good girl and let us eat in quiet!

Here are a few pictures of her lately! She is getting SO big!! Enjoy!

Hanging out in her swing

Keira and Daddy

There's a little smile!

Madelyn and Keira. I love how Maddie is so calm and Keira is CrAzY!!! Stephen's child....

new new new!!

2009-06-22T16:00:00.002-05:00

The blog will have a new look soon!! I am getting a custom blog layout made by Louise at adori graphics. She is one of my followers if you are interested. I am VERY excited to see what she has come up with!! It should be up sometime tomorrow evening! :)

Happy Father's Day Boy!

2009-06-21T18:30:00.001-05:00

Happy First Father's Day Stephen! Thank you for taking care of us like you do.

We love you bunches!

6 Weeks Update

2009-06-14T14:07:00.002-05:00

Wow! Its been awhile! I have been busy here at the house trying to catch up on as much sleep as possible when Keira is sleeping and there is no way that I would be able to update when she isn't sleeping!

We went to the Dr for her 1 month on the 3rd. She was 8 pounds 2 ounces and 20 1/4 inches.

Here are a few of the new things that have happened in the last three weeks.

* Went to her first Motif Party on May 30th
* Started losing the hair on top of her head
* Went to the Doctor for her 1 Month Check up on June 3rd
* Turned 1 Month on June 4th
* Had a small fever on June 4th
* Screamed for 5 hours straight on June 6th making us late to her first Graduation Party
* Started cooing on June 7th
* Found her tongue on June 8th
* Met Uncle Mike, Aunt Gayle, and Cousins Ethan and Ava at Ava's dance recital on June 13th

Tomorrow I go back to the doctor for my check-up at 2:15. Should be an interesting adventure taking her with me. Cross your fingers she behaves! :) I also NEED to go up to my school this week and pack my classroom!

Well thats all for now! Screaming baby calling my name!

Three Weeks Old

2009-05-25T14:18:00.005-05:00

Here's a little update on Miss Keira and our new normal life!

Keira found her thumb on the 11th. It is the cutest thing to see her suck on it. I am trying ot teach her the "right" way to suck on it, with her other fingers folded down. :) I haven't gotten a picture of it yet, but hopefully I will soon. She is constantly eating her hands, so as long as the camera is ready it shouldn't be a problem getting it! She aslo had her first bath that night. It was a little traumatic, but she survived. :)

Stephen went back to work on the 16th. It's been tough not having him here to help, but we have to get used to it! My mom came and stayed from the 17th to the 22nd. It was nice to have someone to pass Keira off to so that we could get a little more sleep in the morning! We went out to eat for lunch on the 19th and 20th and she did great both times.

On the 19th, cousins Nathan and Madelyn came to visit. The girls got to spend some time together and we took some pictures of their size difference. Keira also went up to the school to meet the other teachers. She did a great job.

On the 20th, her cord fell off. Thank goodness! So now she has a very cute little belly button. I am excited about giving her a real bath soon now that it is gone.

On the 22nd, Keira got to meet my childhood friend Alyssa and her fiance John.

The 22nd was also our 5th Anniversary. We spent the evening at the house just the three of us. Keira was a little fussy, but we made it.

She is getting so big! Everyday she looks different to me. Yesterday she finally wore something other than a gerber onesie. That has been all that would fit her for the past 3 weeks. Seeing her in the sleepers makes her look little again, which I love! I want her to get bigger so that she is doing more, but don't want her to get too big too fast.

Here are a few pictures of her lately. Enjoy!!

First Day Alone

2009-05-16T13:18:00.002-05:00

Well we are almost half-way finished with our first day alone. So far things have gone okay except for the storm that decided it needed to blow its way through. Luckily there hasn't been too much wind and no hail. I have to look at it in a good way, we won't need to water for a few days and if I survived first day and a storm I can do this!!

We've spent the day resting, well Keira has been resting on me most of the day. I have been catching up on my TV shows and playing around on the internet. My parents and Kevin are coming in tomorrow so that my mom can spend the week here helping out. I am really excited about Kevin finally meeting her. After him, we'll just need to meet Mike, Gayle, Ethan and Ava.

On a side note, tickets for Wicked have been purchased!!! Skister and I will be going on August 23rd!! Whoo hoo!! What a great early Birthday Gift to myself! Ha!

Dr. Visit Number Two!

2009-05-13T17:55:00.008-05:00

We went to see Dr. Lincoln again today for Keira's two week appointment. She got stuck again on her foot for another newborn screening. She hated it, but we survived. She was measured and weighed. Here are her new measurements...

Weight: 6 pounds 11 ounces (15-25%)
Length: 19 1/4 inches (15-25%)
Head: 13 1/4 inches (10%)

After she was weighed, I told her to stop getting so big so fast. I can't believe my baby girl is already over a week old. Here are a few pictures of her over the last week and two days.

Sweet Keira Dawn

2009-05-08T17:10:00.004-05:00

How do I even start to explain how much your life changes when you bring a person into the world? How do you make words that express the new kind of love that can come from your heart seeing that new person and seeing those you love with her? I knew that my life would change when Keira was born, but I never really understood how much it would change. In honor of my first Mother's Day, I figured it was time to write her story. I love you sweet girl; more than you'll ever know.

I woke up Sunday morning around 1:45 am with some new pains. I had been having some pains at night for the last week or so, but not like these. I stayed in bed and began to time them to see if they were in any way consistent; they were about 3-4 minutes apart. Got up and walked around to see if they would go away; they didn't. Stuck it out for an hour and then woke up Stephen. He got out of bed and packed his bag (ha, last minute don't ya say!) and helped me get all my things together. Called the doctor and got the approval to go on into the hospital. Said good-bye to the dogs, who were a MESS I might add, and made it into Austin in record time. Boy had his I-pod out timing each contraction the whole way. Stopped by Whataburger before we went to the hospital so that we could get something to eat since it would be my last meal for a long time and most likely Boy's as well. Sat in the hospital parking lot for a little while and then made our way in around 4:00.

They took us back to an outpatient room to monitor me for awhile to see if we would be staying. In my mind I was wondering why monitor me? I'm so staying! Well I was wrong. We ended up being sent home by 7:00. I had not changed at all since we go there, I was still having contractions and they were not slowing down, but they weren't making any changes. So after some tears and two vicodin we were on our way home.

Once we got home, Boy got ready for work and I took a long shower and got ready for the Motif Baby Shower. Boy went in to work around 10:15 and I made my way up to the store, contractions still going, for the shower. We let everyone know our morning's events and enjoyed the party. Everything was pink and brown and the food was great! Actually it was my last meal! We got a lot of great stuff; her high chair, her activity seat, clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, the list goes on! We really were lucky to have so many great friends that have given us such great showers. I left the store around 12:45 and went home.

I tried to sleep, but couldn't. Every time I would doze off a contraction would wake me up. They were definitely getting stronger. I had a piece of paper next to me so that I could write down the start times of each one. Tried taking a bath to see if that would help me feel better, but it didn't. So I spent the rest of the day in my bathrobe walking around the house and keeping Boy updated at work. I was so afraid of going back to the hospital only to be sent home. Around 5:00 I called my doctor again and was told to go ahead and come in when I was ready. I waited for Boy to get home and then we loaded the car back up and made our way back to the hospital. This time we only took in my pillows.

Once we got there we were put in a real room with our fabulous nurse Janet, so that made me feel a little better but we were given the "let's see if you're a keeper" line. They checked me and I was still only 2 cm, which seems impossible from the pain I was in. Women who go through labor with no meds are crazy. They hooked me up to the monitors and watched me for an hour then rechecked me to find that I was still only 2 cm, but went to three when I had a contraction. So they decided to slowly admit me. YEAH!! Then the fun really began. They came in to give me my IV, which didn't go so well. I have very floaty veins since I don't drink much water (I know, I know) so there were several attempts... three in the right arm and one in the left. The left was the keeper. It's a good thing needles don't really bother me! Then Janet gave me a little IV cocktail to dull the contraction pain a little and help me rest. Boy brought our stuff upstairs and started to get some rest himself.

Around midnight Dr. Lockey came in to check me and I was 3 cm. She asked if I wanted to stick it out and see what happens or go ahead and break my water to get things started. I of course opted to get the show on the road and boy did it get things going! I just thought I was in pain before. There is no amount of breathing in the world that would make this easy! Again, women who go through this with no meds are crazy! I requested my epidural about 30 minutes later. Waited as patiently as I could for my IV fluids to get in my body and for the anesthesiologist to come in. Let's just say he was not nice. They had Boy leave the room for what was supposed to be 10 minutes, it wasn't. I got the whole speech of "don't pull away", "just breathe through the contractions", and "stick out your back". This coming from a man who has never A. had someone shove a needle into his spine, B. have contractions, and C. have a basketball in his ribs really frustrated me. He numbed me, which wasn't pleasant and then attempted three times to get the epidural in. When he finally did get it in the right spot, and shooting pain went up my back and into my arms. I freaked out and he quickly told me that the epidural had nothing to do with it. More on that later... But he was successful and in about 20 minutes my legs were numb and my Boy was brought back to me. I wish he could have been with me to help keep me calm. He doesn't handle needles in others well, but he did such a god job calming me down through everything else that it would have been nice to have him there. From 3 cm to 9 cm, we slept.

We got up around 6:00 and found out were were at 9 cm. We made our phone calls and got ready to meet Miss Keira. Boy got something to eat to hopefully help a possible weak stomach and we met our new nurse, Pat, who reminded me of my little Grandma. She was too cute! My sister got there right as we started pushing at 8:00. She peeked in so that I knew she was there if I needed her. While I was pushing the pain that I felt during my epidural fiasco came back, down my neck into my back and in my right arm. Thank God I had Stephen there. He was so encouraging and did so much more than I thought he could do. After and hour of pushing, Keira Dawn was here at 9:02 am on May 4th. She weighed a whopping 5 pounds 15 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

We had a few minutes of just the three of us and then she met her family. My sister and Madelyn, my parents, Stephens Mom and Patrick and Stephens Dad. They sent her to the nursery to get her bath and get her Vitamin K shot and eye drops and test her blood sugar again. Since she was under six pounds they have to check her sugar levels. She would have to be over 50 to be good to go. First stick she was in the 30s so we gave her some formula. Her second stick was 46. Her third was 126! She would need to be checked to more times to make sure she stayed above 50. Then we were moved to our new room were we would live for the next two days. She got to spend some more time with her family and I finally got to eat! They gave me some pain meds for my back, shoulder and arm, but it really didn't help a whole lot. The pain did dull and I thought maybe it would be gone.

My sister and her family came up around 7:30 that evening so that Nathan and Aaron could meet Keira. Clay came up as well. She had already been stuck the fourth time, so she needed to be checked one last time. Her nurse came in to check her temp and her blood sugar and we had the biggest scare ever. While the nurse was checking her temp, she started to choke and wouldn't take a breath. She turned blue and wasn't breathing. The nurse did all the usual things to get her to cough and breathe and she finally did, but of course we were a wreck! I was bawling, Stephen scared and we rushed with her down to the nursery. There they gave her some oxygen and brought her temp back up to normal. They all said it was pretty common, but of course we have been scared of her choking ever since. We brought her back to the room after about an hour. That night we sent her to the nursery for part of the night so that we could rest and I could take something for the pain I was having in my back, neck, and arm.

The next morning I spoke with another anesthesiologist about the pain issues. She had me explain everything from the beginning and came up with what she thinks the problem is. She seems to think that I have an issue with my cervical spine that would have never shown up had I not had an epidural. She said that it may be something that goes away once the swelling in my body goes down and to keep taking the pain meds and anti-inflammatory pills. So I have been. The pain only comes and goes. It is nowhere near what it was in the hospital. If it does stick around for more than a month she said that I would need to see a neurologist. Here's hoping it just goes away!

Tuesday we enjoyed it just being the two of us at the hospital. Stephen came home that morning to let the dogs out and to give Miller his 8th Birthday presents. I feel terrible that I couldn't be here, but I was kinda busy! We spent the rest of the day napping and just enjoying Miss Keira. We were discharged from the hospital Wednesday morning at noon and were home by 12:45. Keira did great in the car; not a single whimper! She seems to really like being in the car. We spent Wednesday afternoon here at the house just the five of us. The dogs were very excited to see us and their new sister. Miller has been very protective and sweet to her and Peanut is working on it. She has gotten much better in the last couple days and will lick her on the head and arm. They are both going through a lot of changes just like us; I hope they adjust well. Keira really doesn't seem to mind them being around her.

Friday, she had her first Dr. Appointment with Dr. Lincoln. She is back up to her birth weight and measured 19 inches (cone head is now gone). Dr. Lincoln said that she looked great and for us to keep doing what we are doing. We go back on Wednesday for her next check.

So that's her story. Ever since we have been trying to adjust to no sleep and a crying baby. I promise that there will be pictures soon, lots and lots of them! Off to kiss my baby!!

Not Me Monday

2009-04-27T17:37:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since my last Not Me Monday, I figured it was time for a new one! I know I'll feel better after my "confessions"!

Over the last couple weeks I have not eaten more noodles than one physically should. I did not tell myself that the more I eat the better off Miss Keira would be. I did not feel like a cow after eating too much spaghetti on more than one occasion.

In the last month I did not cut back on my sister phone calls for fear of being a pain and annoying. The last thing I would want to do is be annoying to a new family of four!

I have not been procrastinating at work getting my Leave stuff done telling myself that I will have time to do it later.

I did not spend an entire Saturday then trying to catch up because I had not procrastinated for several months.

I have not woke up singing random Kindergarten Sight Word/Number/Shape songs.

I have not begun nesting. I have not started throwing things away that I know I don't need or use so that things will be less cluttered.

I have not started getting a little sad because it will never just be me and boy again. I have not then felt guilty because I was sad it'll never just be the two of us.

Drum roll please....

2009-04-24T18:17:00.002-05:00

Well Little Miss passed her second test with a perfect score again! I am SO proud of her! And there are more reasons to be proud... let's just say she has added some weight! Almost a full pound of weight! They are estimating her to be 6 POUNDS 2 OUNCES now! Yes you read that right! She went from being in the 5th to 10th percentile to the 21st percentile in two weeks! Yeah for her! In the ultrasound she still had her hand in front of her face. I guess that's just how she wants to be. She was practice breathing, heartbeat in the 120s, moving around a lot, and even blinking! Too cute. And it looks like the rest of her head is catching up to her cheeks! :)

I still haven't changed much from two weeks ago though. Which is a good thing when you are trying to save as many sick days as possible! We went ahead and scheduled an induction date of May 8th if she doesn't come before that. My doctor really doesn't think that I will go into labor before then, but we'll see. Crazy thought that by this time two weeks from now I will probably be holding my daughter!! Wow!

The plans for the weekend include going up to school tomorrow and hopefully finishing up my stuff for Maternity Leave and getting my classroom more organized. Sunday I plan on cleaning house so that it is visitor ready, doing some laundry, and packing my hospital bag (along with Keira's and Stephen's). Also somewhere in there I need to get a pedicure. I refuse to welcome my daughter to the world with ugly toes! HA!

We only have a few more things to get ready here. We put her car seat in Stephen's car Wednesday so it is all set. We still need to get a boppy, sheets for her pack-n-play, and a few more bottles. Other than that we seems to be ready. Just have to get the bags packed!!

Showers, Showers, and More Showers!

2009-04-21T17:57:00.002-05:00

Last week Little Miss raked it in! We had three, yes THREE showers last week!

On Tuesday, I had my work shower where she got a lot of SUPER cute clothes, diapers, baby wash, wipes, and Target Gift Cards. The cake was adorable, the flowers beautiful, and food delicious! My Kinder team threw such a beautiful shower! I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to work with such amazing women!

Friday, I had a surprise baby shower from my Kiddos and their Parents. I had been clued in by one of my kids a few weeks ago, but I thought it would be this Friday. Boy was I surprised when the gifts started rolling in! We enjoyed pink cupcakes and juice and the kids really got a kick out of watching me open the gifts. She got a lot of clothes (mostly pink and brown!), toys, and some great necessities that we had registered for! I know I said it about my coworkers, but I really feel like I have been blessed with such an amazing class and super sweet, caring parents. They really went out of their way to show me they care.

Saturday, we had a couples shower in Katy. Our friends Daniel, Kelly, Patrick, and Tiffany hosted the event. I have never been a huge fan of couples showers, but I am really glad that Stephen got to participate in a shower. I think he was starting to feel left out! He was such a good sport with all the games! He drank beer from a baby bottle, sniffed melted candy in diapers, and matched my belly size almost perfectly without even measuring! Way to go boy! Keira got some more adorable outifts, diapers, and much needed items off our registry.

Now I have the great task of writing Thank-You notes! I have finished the ones from my work shower and surprise shower, so I only have the couples shower left! They WILL be done by the end of the week! Along with that, I have to organize all her new stuff! Her room was COVERED with gifts! Its hard to get anything done in there 'cause all I want to do is stare at al the cute clothes!

This week I am working like crazy getting my classroom ready for my Maternity Leave. If she comes on her due date, I only have 9 more days of work! I have oodles to do still!! So if you don't hear from me, its because I'm up to my elbows in Insects, Ocean, and Summer Fun Units! Eeee!! We also go to the San Antonio Zoo Thursday, so that should be interesting!

I am officially 38 weeks pregnant today. My next visit will be on Friday at 4:00, I'll get another look at her and we'll see how much she is estimated to weigh. Hopefully she's put on some weight! Keep thinking grow thoughts!

Bio-Physical Profile #1

2009-04-15T20:31:00.002-05:00

Well Little Miss had her first test today! As her mom and a teacher I must say I was a little anxious to see how she would do! I gave her pep talks all week, had her rest up, and then gave her a well balanced meal about 30 minutes before the big exam (meal consisted of orange juice, teddy grahams and a brownie... not so healthy, but the sugar had her moving!). And when the results came in her teacher mommy was very pleased! Little Miss passed with flying colors! She scored an 8 out of 8! Thats her first 100!!! I am so proud of her!

She was practice breathing, moving around big and small, and her heartbeat was in the 140s (probably from the sugar high!). The tech said she did perfect as did my doctor. They are estimating her to weigh 5 1/4 pounds right now, up about a 1/4 pound from last week. If she keeps on that tracj she might be a 6 pounder! She still has chubby cheeks and was all squished up. Last time her hand was in front of her face, and the same goes for this time. Her left arm/hand was up on her forehead just like me at the end of a long day!!

I go back next Friday the 24th for our test number 2 and hopefully she will have gained a little more weight by then! I am so proud of her and glad that she has gained a little weight!! Keep thinking grow thoughts!!

Keira Update

2009-04-10T09:15:00.003-05:00

Well yesterday was eventful. We got to the Doctor and went back to see Little Miss, and by little I mean little. She is in the 5th-10th percentile growth wise. She is measuring a full 2 weeks behind now. And that kinda stresses me out. On the good side, it is her whole body that is small and not just some parts. The Doctor will have me do Bio-Physical Profiles each week now just to be sure that she is doing everything she is supposed to be doing- breathing, big movements, little movements, checking fluid levels, and such. She did all this yesterday. Dr. Hooi said she thinks that I just may have small babies, but she'd rather be on the safe side from here on out. If for any reason she drops below the 5th percentile, then we would go ahead and get her out, but she doesn't seem to think that will happen. But of course I am worried. I had told Stephen he didn't need to go back to talk with the Doctor with me, but now I kinda wish he had been there with me to remember everything she said. To be worried with me instead of looking at me like I am insane/annoying for being worried. Can't change that now though.

During the ultrasound we got to see her cute little face. It looks like she has chubby cheeks (um, Keira, spread out the chub, don't just keep it in your cheeks baby!). I had the tech focus in on her toes and we still have no verdict on the second toe. :) I think I'll have them look each time! All of her looks good to me, but she is so small! She does have three and half more weeks to grow though! So think grow thoughts! All over grow thoughts!

Profile Shot, Her Hand Is By Her Face

Face Picture, Chubby Cheeks!

Surviving the Week

2009-04-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

Well this week has just about been "survived". Let me tell you it was a very trying week.

I have been so tired at school! It is getting to that point in the year that a normal non-preggo teacher would be about ready to throw in the towel. I currently am about ready to throw in the towel and the blanket and the bathrobe and the... I think you get the point. I absolutely love these kiddos, they have really stolen my heart, but the tiredness makes it hard to get through the day!! Thank goodness they are a sweet bunch! This week we had a visit from the Austin-American Statesman, an Easter Egg Hunt, (both on Wednesday and both on only 2 hours of sleep for me) and today Field Day. Let's just say I am VERY thankful it is a three-day weekend!! I plan on sleeping for the majority of tomorrow!

I have "OFFICIALLY" become uncomfortable. All the time. Poor Stephen doesn't know what to do with me and therefore does nothing! I know he is tired of the whining, but honestly I am tired of everything! :) I made 30 Easter invitations for Stephen's work on Sunday and am still sore from sitting on our hard floor for 8 hours straight. Only when you are pregnant can you get sore from sitting all day. Nice right?

Miss Madelyn is home and the family is doing great! She is already back up to her birth weight and is eating like a champ! I talked to Delana yesterday and she said that Maddie was asleep in her bouncer all pinked out. I am so glad that sister has her sweet baby girl at home safe and sound. I cannot wait to see her again! Nathan it adjusting really well. He is very concerned about his baby, is she sleeping, why is she crying, and showing her off. I am so proud of him and how he loves his Cheeto/Thumbelina/Sissy (all valid nicknames at this point).

At home, we are still working on finishing up Keira's room. Sadly, we haven't gotten anything done in there recently. We still need to hang curtains and curtain rods, put up the wall flowers, and finish her closet. As we get closer and closer to her due date we really need to finish these things up! We still need to put her car seat in the car and finish getting her pack and play set up. There are a few thigns that I still need to get before she comes home, but I might be getting some of these at my next showers. We'll have to wait and see. My work shower is next Tuesday and we have a couples shower on that Saturday.

Today we go to the doctor for my last 2-week-apart appointment. After this one I will go in weekly until she gets here. Today we will have our final ultrasound. We haven't seen her since December, so I am anxious to see how big she is and how she has changed. Stephen is anxious to make sure she hasn't grown an extra limb! :) He does have a valid point though! My doctor will also begin checking to see my progression this week and I am anxious to find that out as well. It would be nice to know that the crazy pains I have been feeling have been for a purpose; but not too big of a purpose! She CANNOT come before May!!

It is crazy to think we are at this point. I know that everyone always says that "it seems like just yesterday", but honestly it does. It is so crazy to think that we are less than a month from meeting our baby girl. I still feels like Stephen and I just met, like we just got married; and now here we are about to become a family. About to become a three and not a two! I am so excited and so nervous all in one. I have waited for this moment all my life and now here it is. I am so thankful that I have been able to "enjoy" this pregancy without any issues and will be extremely grateful when she gets here safe and sound.

Well thats about it! I will be updating again soon with pictures from our ultrasound and maybe even a belly pic. I feel like I have gotten huge, so it will be neat to see the change from the last one I took! Hope you all have a great Easter!

Madelyn is Here!

2009-04-04T09:47:00.003-05:00

My sweet niece is here! And I am in love!

Sister went in for a checkup on Thursday and from her doctors office was sent over to Labor and Delivery. Her blood pressure was up (of course) and she had protein in her urine. Cooking was done! Ha!

I'm guessing Madelyn really enjoyed her nice cozy cave though, because she wasn't coming out to see us without some drama! After some heart rate drops on her behalf causing Momma's blood pressure to sky rocket, several needle sticks, a few moments of very LOW blood pressure, some tears, and a whole lot of worry.... Madelyn made her appearance thanks to a very quick C-Section. Not the route Sister wanted to go, but it got Maddie here safe and fast!

Here's the stats!

April 2, 2009

6 pounds 7 ounces

19 inches long

She is so tiny and has the cutest little.... EVERYTHING!! Honestly, not biased at all! :) She looks a lot like Nathan did when he was born until you take off her cap! Then you see her super cute brown hair. It is so fine and so soft. Too cute.

I can't wait for her and Keira to meet! They are going to be best friends!

Keira's Room Progress

2009-03-23T21:36:00.003-05:00

Here are a few new pictures of Keira's room. We are just about finished!! All we have left to do is hang the curtain rods and curtains, finish the floor in the closet, and find some pink pillows for the window seat! I absolutely love it!!

Please excuse the mess; the pictures were taken after all our shower loot was taken to her room! :)

Her name above the crib
Shelves above the double dresser with changing pad. The elephants on the shelves are actually my Grandmother's. She has collected elephants for a very long time, and has given some of them back to us.Mirrors

Corner Shelves

Our First Baby Shower!

2009-03-23T18:47:00.007-05:00

Saturday, Delana and Alyssa hosted our first baby shower here at our house. It was so great! They really did a fantastic job making really "me". I must say that these girls know what I like! The decorations were adorable, the food was fantastic, the cake was too cute. And we really raked in some great goodies for Keira! Opening all the gifts made me very anxious to meet her and get to use them all! Stephen came home from work and was elbow deep in presents! Thank you all for your thoughtful gifts; they are greatly appreciated!!

And extra thanks to Delana and Alyssa! You two did such a fantastic job making my first shower amazing!

Here are some pictures of the shower and our goodies!

Alyssa, Me, and Delana

Grammie, Me, and Grandma

Me and the super cute cake!

The Ellie Cake

The cake table

The sign-in table

The hanging onesies with Keira's name

The diaper cake

Her first dress from Great-Great Granny

Her Glo-Worm! Every child of an '80s girl needs a glo-worm!

Her quilt from Grammie
The Loot!

Not Me Monday

2009-03-23T18:01:00.002-05:00

As another Monday rolls around, instead of venting all the things I did not do, I would love it if you would go to Mck Mamma's blog and pray for her youngest child Stellan. He is the Mck Miracle baby who shouldn't be here. He should have never shown us his cute little face. To quote Mck Mamma, "In the womb, he was diagnosed with heart failure: premature atrial contractions at 20 weeks; supraventricular tachycardia, hydrops, and intermittent advanced secondary heart block at 23 weeks; and enlargement of the heart at 32 weeks. When the doctors told us at 24 weeks that our very ill baby would surely die, we chose to give our son completely to God, for He alone knows best." Stellan was born happy and healthy, but as of this Sunday is not doing too well. It seems his heart problems have reared their ugly head. Please take the time to go over to her blog and get caught up, and of course pray pray pray for baby Stellan and his family. Thanks!

Keira Stuff Update!

2009-03-15T18:27:00.002-05:00

Here's a few pictures on some of Keira's new stuff. We got her bedding and after a little struggling we finally got it on! It seems her crib makes putting on a bumper a little difficult! I have also started her letters that will hang above her crib.

This week Stephen is taking some time off while I am on Spring Break and we are planning on getting her shelves hung and other things finished in her room. My baby shower is this coming Saturday so I want to have as much done by then as I can. We only have a little over 7 weeks until she gets here!!

Delana's Baby Shower

2009-03-15T17:55:00.003-05:00

Last weekend was Delana's baby shower. It turned out super cute. I, of course, was stressed out since I hadn't let go of things and let Delma help! But it all went great. The house was nice and spotless (and kinda still is for my shower this coming weekend!) and was very pink and girly! There were 10 of us, just the right size! She got a lot of great stuff for Madelyn! Thanks Delma for all your help making this so special for Delana!

Delma putting on Delana's corsage.
The onesies and socks. Too cute!

The cake table.Delana cutting the cake.

March 10th was quite a day

2009-03-11T18:25:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I attended my Nannie's funeral. She would have loved the entire day, except for the dry beef at lunch! Ha! (If she had cooked it she would have told us not to eat it and throw it out!) The service was great, not the usual preachy funeral. There was singing, which she would have sat back and took in and then talked about for days, beautiful flowers, and memories of the fantastic woman she was. My only complaint... the words crap-fod were not said. Those who know Nannie know what I mean. I'd love to hear her say it one more time.

Nannie you were an amazing, loving, caring, thoughtful, God-fearing woman. You will be missed!

And on a happier note, 'cause she wouldn't want us crying ALL the time.... I also hit 32 weeks yesterday. When we told her that we were expecting, she said that she had prayed for me to get pregnant for years. Maybe that is why I got pregnant so quick and have had such a problem-free pregnancy. I've had her stocked up prayers on my side! Keira has been moving around a lot in the last couple of days, and the rib kicking has begun. I think I am going to start fighting back! She needs to know that Momma is boss! :)

My Nannie

2009-03-08T14:34:00.003-05:00

After 82 years of life, my Nannie passed away. She was such an amazing woman to all those who knew her. I have so many amazing memories of her like watching her sew, singing on the swing, taking long walks, making mudpies, fishing in the park, playing church, picking green beans, making popsicles and playdough, eating late night snacks, sitting with her in her chair before bed, watching the price is right, eating hot cakes and crispies, being her model for all the holiday dresses, finding pins in all the clothes she made us, and SO MANY MORE! Nannie I will miss you so much, and I wish that Keira could have had the chance to meet you. Please watch over me.

FAYE JANELL BARRE APRIL 19,1926 – MARCH 5, 2009

A joy to all who knew her in her Christian life. Her kindness, gentleness, and her guiding words left a lasting impact on each person she knew. She served as an example of all that is good. Faye was loved by all, and will be deeply missed: never to be forgotten. Her joyous ways will be carried on through the memories of her family any many friends.

Faye was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 19, 1926 to Milburn and Nettie Lankford. She was a 1945 graduate of Modesto High School, Modesto, Ca. and resided , since 1966 in Karnes County, Tx. She was a homemaker and mother, with an unwavering faith in the Lord. As a member of the Church of Christ in Kenedy, Tx. she served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher and attended ladies bible study weekly in addition to volunteering at a local nursing home, singing and providing baked goods for the residents. For many years, Faye worked from her home doing custom sewing for many in the Karnes County area, including many of the cheerleader uniforms for the local schools. She enjoyed each summer at her second home in northeast Washington gardening and growing beautiful flowers. Faye will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who always had a song on her lips and a helping hand for any who needed.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Lawrence Barre; sons Larry Barre (Judith) of Rockport, Tx.; Stanley Barre (Vera) of Hobson, Tx.; Chris Barre of Coeur d’Alene, Id.; Kim Barre ( Jeannie) of Katy, Tx.; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and sister Hazel Jones of Cusick, Wa.

She was preceded in death by brothers Hobart Lankford, Ted Lankford, sister Mildred Pemberton, all of Modesto, Ca. and half brother Noah Lankford of Fresno, Ca.

A “Celebration of Life” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10^th at 11:00am at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum, Tx.. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery following the “Celebration of Life”.

More Than Your Ordinary Week

2009-03-01T14:05:00.002-06:00

Well, this week was a stressful, busy one. Here's the re-cap.

Heather Work: Your typical work week. Busy, busy, busy. My kiddos are the only class who has not gotten the flu (thank goodness I got the flu vaccine!). We have been talking about the USA, and they are loving the unit. The weather this week was beautiful, so that has helped with the cabin fever of it being almost Spring Break. Just two more weeks. This week we will continue talking about the USA and the next week will be Texas/Cowboys. We also will have Cowboy Day on the 13th, so that should be nice and crazy. But, I know the kids will love it.

Stephen Work: Another Motif week. They are managing to stay afloat with our crappy economy which is good news. There are great selling days, and then there are not so great ones. All I can do is hope and pray that things pick up and stay up.

Keira: One crazy girl! She is moving around so much! At times I think she is doing gymnastics! Now we have gotten to the point that you can see my stomach moving each time she moves. She is getting heavier and heavier which is making my back really hurt. As for her nursery progress, the floor is still at the same point it was. Stephen still needs to finish the entryway and the closet. She does now have a mattress (Thanks David!) and her bedding should be in this week. Stephen has ordered curtain rods and I think we have chosen curtain, they just need to be ordered. We need to hang shelves and her name (which I still need to make!) and a few other things including a beautiful framed poem and her first ultrasound that Delana made for me.

Stephen: Wasting away!! He seems to lose as much weight as I gain. He really needs to quit that! I got him an Ipod and Nike+ chip for Christmas so he has been running quite a bit. This Wednesday he ran 9 miles. I could NEVER do that! I am so proud of him for keeping up with his schedule. He is still on his stupid diet as well. There are days I just want that boy to eat some carbs! But he feels that he needs to stay on it, and I'd rather have him happy and thin than unhappy and overweight. The running has started to irritate his knee, but that is just one of the drawbacks of running 9 miles straight.

Heather: Tired. The added weight of Keira really has made it hard to function! I am officially past my pre-diet weight and that really has me down. I know that it is all for a good reason, and that I will lose it again, but it is still hard to deal with. To those women who say beign pregnant is fun.... you are insane. Please seek medical advice. I have loved experiencing Keira growing inside of me, but the side effects of that really suck! Sleeping is uncomfortable, my back aches, I can't breathe (and allergies with no allergy meds doesn't help), I can't eat much and when I do I get heartburn almost immediately, and normal everyday activities take every bit of energy out of me. Thank goodness I have sweet kiddos at work that will do just about anything for me if I ask them to! We are almost at week 31, so just 9 more weeks until my body can begin to go back to what it used to be. The end is in sight!
I went to the doctor on Friday for another normal boring 15 minute appointment. I am still measuring a week behind, but I have been the entire time. I am okay with her being a little behind (maybe she'll be a little late and I can save a few days off). Missing work is one of my biggest worries. Everything else is looking completely normal. Her heartbeat is in the 130s. I go back on March 13th for another pointless visit. We won't see her again until April, when they will do an ultrasound to see her position and how big she is. We are trying to decide if we are going to do Childbirth classes or not. Stephen would have to take off from work for three Sundays, and we really need to save his days as well. We'll see.
I went to Delana's this weekend to help her get stuff ready in Madelyn Elizabeth's room. We were able to get her letters finished, ribboned, wall knobs painted and then hung onto the wall. (Thanks for the help Aaron!) We also hung her ultrasound frame, set up her crib with all the bedding (that missing sheet was too much for my OCD to handle), made a decision for her curtain rods (Delana stay on Aaron to get it fixed), and organized her clothes. The new dresser should be in in about two weeks and then Delana can put in all her clothes. Once that is done, the curtain rod hung, and the shelves put in the closet, sweet Maddie's room will be done!! If you need another Heather day Dee, just let me know. Its so much easier to get stuff done with a partner in crime!

Other Stuff: Delana's baby shower is in 6 days. EEEE!!! Mixed feelings of excitement and stress. I have so much to do here at the house (Stephen as well) and so many things to get ready still! Thank goodness I have Delma helping out! I will spend the week cleaning until the house is spotless and then Friday I will get all the food stuff and start preparing what can be prepared that night. Saturday I will pick up the flowers, cake, and balloons and put it all together. It is going to be such a sweet girly shower. I can't wait for Delana to get all her goodies!

Family: Found out Thursday that my Nannie had been taken to the hospital in Corpus for trouble breathing. She has been in a nursing home in Rockport since January. Found out that she has fliud on her lungs. She was moved to Critical Care Saturday morning since the fluid wasn't coming off like they had hoped and she was continuing to need 100% oxygen. My Mom and Dad went down there Saturday to see her and she is not remembering anyone anymore and is of course having trouble breathing. Delana and I discussed options of going down and seeing her, and Delana decided that she needed to. When we drove down to Rockport to see her in January, I kinda saw it as my last time to see my Nannie. Just something told me to say my goodbyes. Delana felt that she needed to see her this weekend to do the same and so my AWESOME brother-in-law packed up the family and drove down there. Thank you Aaron. Her status today is pretty much the same. Still not breathing well, and her blood pressure is low. Hopefully she will pull through and get back to her new normal life. I'm glad Dee went down there to ease her mind, even though it was a crazy adventure.

To My Skister: I love you bunches and you know that. Thank you for loving our family like you do. I could never have asked for a better sister/friend than you. I can't wait for our girls to love each other like we do.

Update on Life!

2009-02-22T15:12:00.004-06:00

It has been a while since my last update! Here goes!

At my last Dr. Appointment I found out that my sugar levels are great. My Glucose test came back normal and my iron levels were fine. So I'm still nice and boring! Keira is getting stronger and stronger. Her kicks are starting to feel more like punches and actually hurt at times now. I can tell she is getting bigger because I feel like the belly is heavy! My back has also started to hurt, but I know this is all part of the big picture and is supposed to happen. Just 10 more weeks and it'll all be over! This week will be 30 weeks! Hard to believe it has gone by so fast!

Last week Stephen got the majority of Keira's floor finished and moved in her furniture. I was kinda upset that he put the crib together without me and I have no pictures, but he just wanted to surprise me, so I can't be mad! Here are some pictures of her stuff!

The floor!

Her double dresser. We will put her changing pad here and hang shelves above the dresser.

Her tall dresser and crib. There will be shelves hung in the corner and above the dresser.

Her crib!! Her name will go above the crib.

The view as you walk in. We still need to find a rug and hang the curtains. Oh and get rid of that old tv of course!

This week Stephen finally repainted my master bathroom too! For those of you who know me well, you know that my bathroom has been a LOVELY shade of orange for almost a year now. I hated it. Well I came home Tuesday to find my boy repainting it a very nice dark tan. Yeah!! Now we just need to finish the ceiling touch-ups and hang the wall vases.

Other than that I am just getting busy on Delana's baby shower. I am very excited, but have so much to do to get the house ready. I tackled cleaning our bedroom, bathroom, and closet from top to bottom earlier today. Now we just need to keep that clean until after the 7th! I can reclean for my shower, but maybe we can keep it clean until after my shower! Maybe, probably not though! Ha! But for mine I will have the whole week off before thanks to Spring Break!! Just three weeks away!!

Well thats if for now. I'm off to finalize cake, flowers, and balloon orders for the shower!! Hope you all had a great week!

My boy does the best job!

2009-02-14T10:11:00.003-06:00

My boy does the best job choosing flowers for me! He never disappoints that is for sure. Here is a picture of this years Valentine's arrangement. Of course, red roses and white daisies... just like my wedding bouquet. Sweet right?Our plans for tonight include a nice dinner here at the house. Steak, twice backed potatoes, and chocolate covered strawberries (sugar free chocolate of course). It'll be our last Valentine's Day just the two of us. Sad, but exciting all at the same time. Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!

2009-02-13T17:40:00.004-06:00

Today my awesome nephew Nathan turned 3! I can't believe how big he has gotten, and at how fast the years have gone by. Boy boy, I love you bunches! Happy Birthday!

The View From Above

2009-02-09T18:00:00.001-06:00

This is what it would look like if we only had tiny toes instead of feet. Just in case you were curious.
Now I'm just waiting for those tiny toes to disappear! It's gonna be a sad day!

Not Me Monday

2009-02-09T17:38:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

So I missed last week! I'm sure I can come up with NUMEROUS things I did not do in the past two weeks right???

Last night I did not make a Red Velvet cake to eat and enjoy all by myself since my husband is on a diet. I did not feel guilty for making it and then forcing him to endure the smell of it all night. :( Oh well, I am pregnant right? And he actually picked out the mix while he was off the diet last week and then never made it.

I did not securely tape shut a package being sent UPS with blue painters tape because I was too lazy and cheap to go buy packing tape. If they have a problem with it they will let me know right??

I did not eat chips for breakfast one morning this weekend. I did not I did not I did not. (I so did!)

I did not stress myself out by making a to-do list of all the things that still need to be done in Keira's room. Lists usually make the OCD in me better, apparently not when your list is more than a page long. The freaking out has begun. It doesn't seem to be getting better anytime soon. Hyperventilating will start soon. Anyone have a paper bag I can borrow?

I did not drive to Hobby Lobby this weekend only to look around. I guess that's better than going there and spending money on un-needed stuff right???

I did not almost kill my husband as he made the first "waddling" comment. I did not want to chop his big toes off so that he waddles too. Then I did not feel like crap because I looked like I was waddling in Wal-Mart. Of all the stores to waddle in right?? It HAS to be the ghetto-ist of them all. I guess I just fit right in.

I did not seriously think of turning my downstairs bathroom into a closet since it has not had a working toilet in it since August. We are SO close to having it working, but we still have a little leak. Hopefully with the advice of my fantastic B-I-L we can get it working.

I did not get cranky Sunday morning because I didn't get to sleep late. Sunday's are usually the only day that I wake up before the alarm clock since Stephen doesn't have to be at work until 11:30. Every other day I have an alarm, even Saturdays (the alarm is for boy, but I wake up since it is on my side of the bed). I did not get even crankier because I know my days of sleeping late are almost over. I did not secretly pray that Keira is a late sleeper.

Lastly, and a positive one, I did not get GIDDY last night when Stephen felt Keira's hiccups for the first time. He just kept his hand on her for the longest time! I did not ABSOLUTELY love that they lasted forever but finally stopped after he "told" her to just stop hiccuping. Too cute right??

Well that's all for now. Hope you all have a great week!

27 Weeks

2009-02-06T17:24:00.000-06:00

27 Weeks Picture as promised. Told you I look like a house. :)

This is what the beginning of the third trimester looks like and I am scared to see what the end will look like!!!

Update on Life

2009-02-05T08:32:00.003-06:00

My goodness its been awhile! Needless to say, not a whole lot has happened. But because I feel the need, here's an update on Life and the Redburn's since January 27th.

Unfortunately crossing fingers doesn't work in the flooring department. Stephen got nothing more accomplished on Keira's floor. Maybe today?? Here's hoping.

Friday I had my last 4 week apart appointment with Dr. Hooi. While I was there I had the priviledge of drinking the nasty orange drink that I have heard SO much about since becoming pregnant to test for gestational diabetes. Delana was completely right, it tastes like flat Sunkist. So I drank and then sat for an hour so that the vampire could draw my blood. At least he is gentle and the bruises don't last long. I am still waiting to hear from them on the results, but I am positive that all things are normal. Thay have been the whole way through, why on Earth would that change now??? As for Keira, her heartbeat sounds great and Dr. Hooi says that I am measureing right on. I wish we could see her so that they could actually measure her to see how she is growing. Everytime they have done an ultrasound she has been a little behind. So curiosity has the better of me.

Last weekend I spent the majority of Saturday cleaning house. I am trying to keep up with it so that when March rolls around and there are two baby showers at my house I am not stressed out about how messy it is. Sunday boy took the day off and we vegged out on not-so-good-for-you-foods and watched the Super Bowl. I didn't really care who won, I was more in it for the commercials.

This week so far has been pretty typical. Tuesday marked week 27 and the beginning of the third trimester, picture to come I promise. Not much different excpet that I feel like a house and I can almost not see my toes anymore. Its gonna be tough to repaint them this weekend! As for boy, he did work on making my downstairs bathroom useable again yesterday. The toilet is installed, but we are caulking it really good to try and solve the uneven problem. Maybe by the weekend there will be water in it and I won't have to trek upstairs 20 times a day! I'd say keep your fingers crossed, but we all know that doesn't work!

Well thats all for now. I promise to put a new picture up to show exactly how much of a house I resemble. Hope you all have a great rest of the week!!

Keira's Furniture and Bedroom Progress!!

2009-01-27T08:30:00.001-06:00

As of Sunday morning we can finally say that Little Miss Keira has furniture in our house!! Her two dressers and crib are here!! Well her two dressers and HUGE box filled with crib pieces are here. Currently, the dressers are sitting in our landing at the top of the stairs and already have her clothes in them! I just couldn't wait to fill up the drawers. Her crib is still downstairs and Stephen will take it up to her room piece by piece when we put it together. I CANNOT wait 'til that day! Here are a few pictures of her new furniture and her box o'crib pieces.

Her Double Dresser

Her Tall Dresser

Her 5x5 Crib Box

So, when is that marvelous day when we get to put together her crib you ask?? Well when her floor no longer looks like this....

or this....

or this....
But, any progress is better than no progress right?? I'm sure my boy will be working on it more this week! Fingers Crossed!!

Not Me Monday

2009-01-26T17:19:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I am trying something new; something I did not do for everyday of the week. I think the more I get out the better I will feel.

On Sunday I did not go back to the Brazilian Steakhouse Restaurant and overeat for the second time. And I did not convince Stephen to let me get dessert. Oh, and it was not so freaking delicious.

On Monday I did not lay in bed until almost 12:30 saying just 30 more minutes and then I will get up and clean the house. Then I did not over do myself cleaning the house b/c I had put it off all weekend.

On Tuesday I did not laugh at every mistake our new fearless leader made. I did not email my sister for the majority of the day venting my frustrations as this man took over my country.

On Wednesday I did not escape from work as early as possible to come home and see what loot daddy had bought Keira at Target. I did not secretly love that Stephen bought Keira a toy that includes his favorite animals and the animal that will be all over her nursery. I did not want to kill several office workers at our Dr's office b/c they had screwed up Stephen's prescription. I was not upset that that got it fixed before I could seriously lay into them. I also did not go to Sams and completely fall in love with a very cute dress that hopefully Keira will wear on her first birthday

On Thursday I did not allow Stephen to purchase said cute dress for our daughter's first birthday before she even gets here.

On Friday I did not come home and take a nap. I do not feel that I should take one daily.

On Saturday I did not absolutely LOVE my facial that one of my awesome kid's parents gave me for Christmas. I did not dream that they were in my budget so that I could get one monthly.... wait weekly.

So that was my week. Hopefully ya'll all had a great one!

100 Days Left!

2009-01-25T19:56:00.002-06:00

Today marks 100 days until Keira gets here! Of course it could be more or less, but I am still excited!! Hehe!!

The Bucket List

2009-01-24T09:58:00.003-06:00

The idea is to highlight or change the color of the things on the list you've completed. I think you're supposed to tag people, but I say if you wanna do it.... do it!! But Delana.... you are tagged! :)

1. Started your own blog. - check!
2. Slept under the stars. - I've been camping.
3. Played in a band. - Does junior high count??
4. Visited Hawaii. - One day... one day
6. Given more than you can afford to charity. - I'm a teacher and I've taught in a pretty needy neighborhood. I say thats giving to charity.
7. Been to Disneyworld. - Twice! Once with my Senior Class and once with the boy.
8. Climbed a mountain. - At my Nannie and Papa's house in Washington. It wasn't a big one, but its still a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis. - I don't do bugs.
10. Sang a solo. - All the time in my car, but I would guess that doesn't count.
12. Visited Paris. - One day, one day.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.- Everytime I have been by the sea/ocean the weather has been wonderful.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning. - Catfish parlor in Austin. It sucked.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. - I did as a kid with my Papa Bear
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept in an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitchhiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. - Who hasn't played hooky??
24. Built a snow fort. - Snow in south Texas???

25. Held a lamb. - I may be from the country, but I'm not country.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.- I think I saw one as a child.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. - Our honeymoon
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. - Is that possible??
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David. -
41. Sung karaoke. - It was in a big group though.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt. - The summer we drove to Washington.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. - In Cancun, it was great.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. - Snorkeling in Grand Caymans and in Cancun
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud. - I grew up in the country, mud was a way of life.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. -
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching. -
63. Got flowers for no reason. - Ah, those were the days.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter. -
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.- I think my old Cabbage Patch Doll is in a box in my parents attic.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.- Third grade. Every class did it and then one person got it when the class graduated.
73. Stood in Times Square. -
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone. - Middle knuckled on my right hand.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car. - It had seven miles on it when I drive it off the lot. Loved her then, now I just wish she was paid off.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. - I grew up in a small town, you were always in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chicken pox. - Have the scars to prove it.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one. - Many family members and my baby Gizmo.
94. Had a baby - Does being pregnant with one count??
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

WOW! 25 weeks!

2009-01-23T16:44:00.003-06:00

The belly at 25 weeks!!

It feels like just yesterday that we found out we were pregnant! It is so hard to believe that 21 weeks ago we had no clue how much our lives would change! Now that we have less than 15 weeks until we meet our daughter, it is a mixture of emotions; impatience, anxiety, fear, love... I can't wait to meet her and spend the rest of my life with her, but at the same time I am scared to leave this life that I am so used to behind. Ah, the joys of growing up.

But thats enough sap right? On to the happenings of the week!

Its been a pretty typical week here at the Redburn household. Work, work, work, and a little bit of shopping in between. I had Monday off for MLK day and then went to work Tuesday to witness "history" on tv. Blah blah blah. That's how I feel about all that. Wednesday brought another day of work for me, a seven mile run for boy (he's doing so great keeping up with his running) and several trips to Target for clearance baby clothes. Sooner or later I need to put up some pictures of her loot from daddy! She is gonna love shopping with him one day. Thursday more work for me and boy started on Keira's floor. He didn't get much done with the lack of his wonderful pill that makes him productive, but he did do something. He wants to have it done by superbowl, so I guess he'll be pretty busy next week! He also bought little miss a VERY cute cream, pink, and brown dress that we hope to have her wear on her first birthday. It just needs to fit! Friday meant back to work for boy and the promise of a weekend for me! Now I plan on hiding in my house all weekend staying away from the cedar.

On to Keira! According to all of the books we are reading and the websites we check she should be about 1 1/2 pounds and 13 inches long. She has always been a little bit behind, but I think she has hit a growth spurt since I am feeling her kick more and more. Sometimes she can get very active! Stephen seems to calm her down though because everytime I have him try to feel her kick she stops! Only 2 more weeks until the third trimester begins!

As for school, things are going good. I am still at 19 kiddos and that number works great for me. I know that I will probably get more and thats ok! We are busy working on our reading levels, writing, and recognizing/writing our numbers. For boy, its been super stressful. Working for a small company can be very scary at times. Thankfully my boy knows how to bust his tail and do what needs to be done and his bosses recognize that. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the economy does something soon!!

Well thats all for now. Hope you all had a great week and have a fantastic weekend!!

Not Me Monday

2009-01-19T10:05:00.003-06:00

Well, another week has come and gone. Time for another confession session. Here are a few things that I did not do this week. Here's hoping letting them out relieves some stress!! If you want to see were the idea of Not Me Monday came from, click on the box below!

I did not cry almost everyday this week. Stupid hormones. I'll be glad when that crap is over.

I did not freak out just a little when I got home from work and saw that Stephen had cut the pull line in Keira's carpet to start the new floor. Yes I am very thankful it is being started, and yes it has to be done (thanks Pumpkin), but still I freaked out when I saw the huge cut in the carpet.

I did not secretly get giggly when the carpet was finally out of the room. :) I think this quickly approaching date has finally gotten a bug into Stephen to get things done.

I did not feel very proud that my baby girl got 12 new outfits Thursday night all on clearance at Target and Carters. I can validate getting 12 outfits at one time when they are all on clearance. Right?? Oh, and even more proud that Daddy helped pick them out.

I did not allow Peanut to get in Keira's swing Thursday night. And she did not enjoy being in it.

I did not go shopping for Keira again on Saturday with Skister where she got 6 more outfits. But again they were all on sale!! While checking out at this sale, I did not watch the lady scan the wrong $ off amount (which took more off my bill than was supposed to be) and say nothing. Then I did not get elated as I walked to the car with a bag full of clothes that I paid way too little for.

I did not pay $4 for 2 pairs of really, REALLY soft socks for Keira at Babies R Us. And my Skister did not purchase a pair as well.

I guess that's about it. I am sure there were many more things that I did not do this week, but those are the only ones that come to mind! Hope you all have a great week!

Keira's New Loot!!

2009-01-16T16:58:00.003-06:00

So yesterday Little Miss Keira stocked up!! Stephen and I went to Target and found some GREAT clearance deals. One of which was a fabulous swing. It is actually one that we had looked at before and joked about buying it since it was kinda pricey. Well, it was half off, so it jumped right into our basket!! Even better, we had a gift card to use so it really only cost us $15! Wow right?!? On top of the amazing swing, they had their cute Dwell clothes cheap too! So Little Miss got 5 new onesies/sleepers at Target Number 1. Then it was off to Target Number 2. There we found more cute outfits and Dwell stuff and of course bought them! I think we came home with 7 Dwell outfits, a dress, and 2 onesie/pants outfits. Then it was off to Carters where we got 3 onesies there as well. We didn't get much newborn/0-3 stuff, but we did stock up on 3-6 stuff.

We got home and of course put together the new swing. And of course we put Peanut in it. Here are some pics. Please excuse the mess, my house is chaos!

Keira's New Swing

Peanut Trying Out Keira's New Swing!

We also have begun the flooring process in her room. Stephen took out the carpet and the padding last night. Now I will clean it up and lay down the underlayment so he can get started on laying the floor!! Stephen wants to have it done by next week so that we can get the furniture in the room for his dad to see. I will keep my fingers crossed!!

As for work, things are going good. We have been busy working on reading and writing. I got a new student last week and there is a possibility of another new one next week. We will see!! We are very close to the 100th day of school and that always makes the year seem to fly by. Of course I won't have to go all the way to the 175th day! And, it's a three-day weekend!! Whoo Hoo!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Not Me...

2009-01-12T12:13:00.002-06:00

So, I'm trying something new. I have started reading a new blog recently that includes this great piece every Monday called Not Me Monday. It is where the author vents the things that she most certainly did not do in the previous week. And by saying did not, I mean did. I thought I would try it out this week and see if it makes me feel just a little better about the not so wonderful things I did in the past week.

So here goes!!

I did not stress out all week about paying bills to the point of almost throwing up before I finally opened Wells Fargo to see our account status.

I did not almost cave and buy a single slice of cake for $4.99 at HEB this weekend.

I did not procrastinate this week about getting my work done at work, and I did not have to come up to my classroom on Saturday because of it.

I did not cry like a little girl while watching The Notebook for the 1000th time. And I really did not continue to cry like a little girl for about 20 minutes after the movie was over.

I did not stress out about my weight gain before I went for my latest preggo check-up. I did not purposely wear my lightest shoes so that my weigh in would be lighter.

I did not empty the rubbermaid with Christmas lights in it so that I could take it downstairs only to have to drag all the lights donwstairs as well. I really did not want that damn box out of my guest room.

I did not ghetto rig my blue jeans so that I wouldn't have to go buy a new pair that fits. Too bad, cause now I really need a new pair that fits. :(

I did not completely overeat while at dinner with Stephen's bosses. I did not almost finish off the creme brule either. I did not mention that one day we should go back to that place either.

Well that is all of the things I did not do last week that immediately come to mind. This week I need to keep a running list because I know there were way worse things that what I have listed!

Ladies and Gentlemen We Have a Travel System!!

2009-01-09T20:34:00.003-06:00

Whoo hoo! Stephen came home with Keira's travel system today!! His Mom and Patrick had bought it today and dropped it off at the store. Of course we put it together! How fun it is to have something big here at the house already waiting for her! It just makes me smile to know that we have the car seat that she will be coming home in!! Here are some pictures of Stephen putting it together.

Christmas Pictures

2009-01-06T18:06:00.002-06:00

So the pictures/posts are out of order. I'm just a little disorganized these days!! Here are a few Christmas pictures. I am 21 Weeks 1 day in the pictures. Enjoy!

Our Christmas Tree. She was very pretty!

Our HILARIOUS nephew Nathan. He is too cute. He was our Santa. He passed out all the presents at Mom and Dads. Everytime he got another one he was so excited. "Another one for me? Thank you!"

Peanut begging Uncle Kevin for food. This may have been the first time she has ever gotten in his lap. She is 4 1/2! Not really a people person; just like her mom.

Our family picture. It only took two tries to get both dogs looking! Next year might be harder with Keira too!

Me and my favorite boy!

22 Weeks Picture

2009-01-02T16:35:00.002-06:00

Me and the belly at 22 weeks and 1 day; New Year's Eve 2008. I sure do wish boy had told me how big I looked!! :p

I still have Christmas pictures that I need to put up, but I need the cord for the camera and it is at school. So some time next week they will be up.

22 Weeks!!!!

2008-12-30T10:26:00.002-06:00

Well week 22 has arrived!! I promise a picture will be added after boy takes one tonight. I have pictures to add from Christmas as well, but I need to right cord to attach my school camera.

Week 21 had a great milestones for us! On the 26th, Stephen was able to feel Keira move for the first time. I had been thinking that I could feel her with my hand since the 20th, but Stephen wasn't able. I think he just wasn't being patient! :) But as we laid in bed that night, I told him to feel her move and the moment he put his hand on the belly she kicked him! I am so glad that we are at the point where he can feel her when she moves. I think it makes it all more real for him. Now that she is bigger, her movements don't feel the same as they used to. What used to be a tickle is now like a thump.

We attempted to pick up her crib on Sunday. We got to BabiesRUs and once we saw the box, we realized that our car is not big enough! So Stephen is planning on asking the boys at work to pick it up for us after their deliveries one day soon. We wouldn't be able to put it together anyway since the floors are not done yet. I think I have also decided that I don't want to put it together until we have all the stuff for the room... crib, mattress, bedding, and dressers. That way it looks like her room and not just a room with an empty crib in it!

This morning is showing me that week 22 will be an exciting one as well. As I lounged in bed, I felt a new movement. About every three seconds I would feel a bump. They lasted for about a minute and then quit. My guess.... HICCUPS! Yeah, another mommy-to-be experience!

Well thats all for now. Hopefully week 22 will be just as exciting as week 21! I hope you all have a great New Year!

Thanks Santa!!

2008-12-26T16:45:00.004-06:00

Well Christmas has come and gone. All the preparations for two days of fun. It always makes me a little sad when its over, but next year will be the best one yet. So I guess that's something to look forward to!

Tuesday night we shared our stockings here at the house. Boy gave me an amazing lotion/face cleaner set. We're talking GOOD stuff! I got him a cute I Love My Daddy bib from Keira, some hand lotion ('cause he really needs it in the winter), some face stuff, and an itunes gift card that he couldn't open until after he opened his other gifts. The dogs got new blankets and a pair of socks ( they think fuzzy socks are toys).

Wednesday, Christmas Eve, we drove down to my parents house in the middle of nowhere. We enjoyed the day with my family and went over to my Nannie and Papa's for a little while in the afternoon. We shared our news with my grandparents and my Nannie was VERY excited. I think she has been praying for this moment for a while. Afterwards, we went back to my parents and enjoyed the usual Christmas Eve smorgasborg and then opened gifts. Santa was good to me this year (as usual). Here's a rundown of my gifts opened on the 24th... a Cricut machine (whoo hoo), new jammies and slippers, my first mommy willowtree, target gift card, and a cute picture frame for Keira's room. Santa gave Stephen an ipod, a Nike+ chip to run with, a pair of Nike + shoes, a wii accessory kit, target gift card, and an xbox game. He has been wanting to get back into running, so hopefully his new gear will help him accomplish that!

Thursday, Christmas Day, we drove to Canyon Lake and spent the day with his mom, Patrick, Steph, and her friend Sev. Unfortunately his dad couldn't join us, but next year he will!! :) We hung out, had some laughs about Debi's road rage, watched the deer, and had a great Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings. Afterwards we shared gifts and Santa was good again! The best gifts were those for Keira. I really enjoy opening things for her!! Debi and Patrick got her some really cute clothes, bibs, socks, hats, and shoes. They also got her a pink bath tub! Whoo hoo! We were also given a digital picture frame, I got a really pretty necklace, and Stephen got several other things. Debi and Patrick also let us know that they are going to be getting us Keira's travel system which includes the car seat and stroller! Yeah! Now we just need to pick between the two we have picked out. I can't wait to get it! It is awesome that all her stuff is already coming together!

All in all, Christmas was great. I am really looking forward to next Christmas where Keira and Sissy Lemley will be the stars of the show back home and Keira will be at Debi's. I can't wait to put her in her Christmas dress!! I'm sure Stephen is cringing at the thought! :) Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas!

Christmas Vacation!!

2008-12-19T16:54:00.002-06:00

I am officially on Vacation!!! Whoo hoo!! This week has been so long, and I am sure that the next two will fly by. We had our Polar Express Day Thursday at school and man were the kids crazy! If I could drink I would have had a bottle of wine last night. Today was our Christmas party. My room moms did a great job and went way out of their way to give me some awesome gifts! Let me tell you that Christmas at Elm Grove is WAY different than Christmas at Houston. I was given a Target gift card, Starbucks card, Babies R Us card, a bag full of super cute Carter's clothes that I was dying to buy, and several other things. My kiddos' parents are awesome!

Now, I plan on spending the next two weeks sleeping! :)

Halfway through!

2008-12-19T16:46:00.002-06:00

Here's the belly at 20 weeks! Some days it is way bigger than others, and maybe its just certain shirts! I should be hitting a big growth spurt soon which has me excited and nervous! Hopefully I can remember to take a picture every week so I can look back at this time.

Ignore My Last Post....

2008-12-12T17:02:00.003-06:00

'Cause I was wrong! We went to the doctor yesterday and found out that we are having a little girl! At first the tech didn't know if she would be able to tell since small fry was not in the "goods showing" position. So why looked at other areas while we waited for her to move around. I had drank some OJ about and hour before our appointment in hopes that it would make her move around. Apparently she was not happy that her secret would be out today because at one point, the tech zoomed in on her face to show us she was frowning! Poor thing! But finally, after some measurements were taken of her LONG legs, she flipped around and showed the world that she is indeed a she! We finished up looking at her arms, heart, brain, spine, kidneys, etc. All look to be in great condition and no sign of anything wrong!! Towards the end, the tech was trying to get some good profile shots and she stretched her arms and her legs out as far as they would go. It was very cute. If she keeps that up, Stephen will be feeling her kick in no time. At one point it looked like she kicked and punched all at the same time! Her heartbeat was 148, lower than what it had been, but still great. The doctor says my weight gain is perfect, even though I still am not showing a whole lot. Halfway through and already at 15 pounds. Eeek! Its all for a good cause though right??

Here are some pictures of her!!

Profile shot as she kicked me!

Another profile stretched out. Its good to know she can get comfy in there!

Look at those long legs! And they aren't even completely straight!

Her hands crossed in front of her face. Better get all that arm crossing out of the way now!

Feet!

We stopped by Babies R Us on our way home from my Uncle Frank's funeral on Wednesday to begin registering. We still are not 100% sure of any of the big stuff, but we'll make the decision eventually! We did however find out that the crib we both loved was on sale! So, we bought it! We don't have it yet, but we will by the middle of next week. We can't put it together until we get the floors done up there. But hopefully Stephen can knock that out soon.

Other than that, not a whole lot going on. I have one more week of school before Christmas Break. Thank goodness for the vacation! I am so tired. My kiddos are sweet and I will miss them over the holiday, but I am ready to sleep in! We will be going to my Mom and Dads Christmas Eve and then to his Moms on Christmas Day. Sometime while I am off, Stephen is planning on taking a few days off so we can spend some time together. That will be really nice. I enjoy our days where we don't HAVE to do anything but lounge around. One of my best Christmas breaks was actually the one where he was in between jobs and we spent every day together, plus it iced over right before we went back to school so we had extra days together!

We thats it. I am going to get boy to take a picture soon. I have to get better at taking them!!!

Wow!

2008-12-07T16:44:00.002-06:00

Okay, so this child has to be a boy! Why you ask? Because it has seemed to find how to drive me nuts! It is going to be a little Stephen I just know it! :) I have been feeling it move a lot lately and it seems like once it starts moving it doesn't stop. Right now it feels like a tickle, but it is getting stronger. I can't wait for Stephen to be able to feel it kick so he knows its in there moving around! As I type it is moving around!

I love it the most in the early morning when I am lying down in bed. When I put my hands on the belly I can feel exactly where the baby is. It surprised Stephen to feel how hard it is where the baby is. I still get comments on how I don't look 18 1/2 weeks pregnant, so I guess that is why I can feel where it is so easily!

We go to the doctor this Thursday to find out what it is. I am looking forward to going shopping afterwards for some gender specific clothes! I know I am very anxious to find out, and I assume Stephen is just as excited. I just wish he'd show it more! Keep your fingers crossed for healthy!!

18 Weeks Down!

2008-12-02T17:41:00.002-06:00

Wow! 18 Weeks! Seems like just yesterday I was excited to be at 10! Now we are almost halfway through! Let the stress begin! Ha! Here's a rundown of recent events!

Thanksgiving Break was a much needed event. I love my kiddos at school, but I am tired! I have hit that point where I want to just sleep all day! I am down to 18 kids now and the change was a blessing. There truly is someone looking out for people! Without discussing, the change was made and now I feel like my kiddos can have the environment they need to learn. I only hope the best for the rugrat that left and its new teacher! But, aside from that, I am LOVING my kiddos. They are a super sweet, smart, caring group.
Stephen recevied a promotion at work and I can officially talk about it! He has been promoted to Store Manager and I couldn't be more proud of him. He had been pulling more than his weight for awhile and I am really glad that it didn't go unnoticed. Good work boy! I am very proud of you and thankful for the sacrifices you make for our family. (The dogs are too!)
Thanksgiving went off nicely. We stayed here and my sister and her family came down. It was very peaceful; which is the way every Thanksgiving needs to be! We will, however, be making the trek down south for Christmas... mmm stress for Christmas. Can't wait!
Stephen's Mom and Step-Dad are selling their house in Canyon Lake. They are building a house here in our subdivision. The move has its good and bad points. I really love his mom right now, adn would hate for anything to ruin our relationship. It will be nice for the kids to grow up near their Grandma though.
We are working on decorating the house for Christmas. The tree is up and so are the other decorations inside. The rope lights are put out outside, but Stephen will still need to put the lights on the house. One of the first things we thought when we bought this house was that it would be beautiful with Christmas lights, and it is!
Finally, Jelly Bean. He/She has been a lot more active. I still have days when I don't feel it moving, but more often than not it is squirming around. Is that a good or bad thing?! I still don't really think that I look like I am almost halfway through a pregnancy and some people have a hard time believing that I am as far along as I am. I guarantee though... I have gained weight! I see it every morning! We go to the doctor on the 11th for our big ultrasound and we are VERY excited! I cannot wait to buy gender specific clothes and call it by its name itstead of its nicknames! We have the crib choices down to two and will hopefully we making a decision soon. I am already getting excited about registering and having baby showers! Plus, I get to plan another baby shower for a very close friend of mine and it'll be all pink and girly!! :)

Well I guess that sums it up for now. I'll see if I can get the boy to take a belly picture tonight! I only have that one from week 10! So much for having a week-by-week scrapbook. Maybe we can be more diligent in the last half!

Getting Ready for Turkey Day!

2008-11-23T19:26:00.002-06:00

Well my FAVORITE holiday is right around the corner. I have spent the last two weekends cleaning the house. This is really not necessary since it will only be us, skister and her family and clay, but i still feel the need. I must say I love our house when it is really clean. If only we could keep it this way!

Thanksgiving truly is my favorite holiday. There is just something wonderful about spending the day with your closest family and friends and enjoying a nice relaxing delicious meal. Oh and browsing the Black Friday ads of course! This year will be tough to do without my glass of wine though!!

My last day of work is Tuesday and then I will be off until December 1st. Boy will be off Wednesday and Thursday so that will be nice. We rarely get to spend days off together. And what makes it even better is that you can start decorating for Christmas the next day!! Ha!

Tuesday marks 17 weeks for us. Seems like it has flown by, and we are getting so close to finding out pink or blue. A very close friend of mine found out that she is having a girl just last week. I am so happy for her and her family, and it makes me want to know what mine is even more! :)

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!! Gobble gobble!

Maternity Clothes are MAGNIFICENT!

2008-11-17T16:46:00.002-06:00

Who knew that elastic could be SO amazing! Delana took me shopping this weekend and I found some great new clothes that fit!! Whoo hoo!! I felt amazing today at work not having to squish into my jeans. Thank you so much for going with me Skister. You are amazing in more ways than you will ever know. I am so glad that I got to experience this and all the other fun stuff with your help and guidance! Love you!! :)

Tomorrow marks week 16. Seems longer than that, but then seems like we just found out yesterday! Crazy how it all works. I went to the doctor last Friday for a normal check up and everything is still going great. The doctor said that my weight gain is perfect, which is good because I was afraid I had gained too much. She explained all the aches and pains and of course listened to the heartbeat. It is still in the 150s, which is what it has been all along. I also set the date for our big appointment.... the one where we find out pink or blue!! The big date is December 11 at 3:30. I am very excited and I hope that the time goes quickly!! I can't wait to call this child by its name instead of Jelly Bean or Kit Kat or The Baby!

Oh, one last thing, think pink Thursday!! :)

Test result are in!

2008-11-03T17:42:00.001-06:00

Forgot to mention that I heard from my doctor last Friday about the results from the First Trimester Screening for Downs! She said that everything looks normal! Measurements and blood work all looks good. We were never worried, but it is a relief to know that the baby is healthy! Thank god! 14 week picture coming soon!

Halloween

2008-11-02T20:05:00.002-06:00

Our last Halloween as just us and the dogs has come and gone. I am really looking forward to dressing up the baby next year. Maybe then Peanut will get a break! Yeah right... we already have plans for her to be a rooster! Here are some pictures of her and Stephen. The penguin is still going strong in year 4. I was a witch because I knew I could fit into a black skirt and shirt! Hope you all had a great Halloween.

12 weeks and counting!

2008-10-26T12:34:00.010-05:00

Time for a new update! Weeks 10-12 have been pretty much the same as before... nausea, headache, hungry, tired, repeat. At the end of week 10, I started getting a really bad headache that would not go away. I was taking the 8 tylenol that I am allowed in a day and it wasn't doing anything. I got to week 12 and only knowing that I would be seeing my doctor on the 24th got me through!

We went to the doctor on the 22nd for the first trimester screening for Downs. They take a measurement of the nuchal fold on the baby's neck and they also do a blood test, so yehaw I got stuck AGAIN. Second time of many. One of the main reasons we decided to do the test is so that we would see the baby again! Since I am just a normal pregnancy with no issues (thank god), we don't get to see the baby at every appointment like my sister. I would take my boat over her boat any day though! (Love you Skister and your critter!) It is amazing how much the baby has changed! We could see its little toes and fingers, nose, backbone, throat, and tummy! The tech said that since we could see the nose bone,it was a good sign. Apparently babies with Downs do not have pronounced nose bones. The baby was moving around so much! The tech even made the comment "as soon as it stops moving I can take the measurement". Definitely Stephen's child! Here are the latest pictures of our little candy bar. It is a little bigger than your pinky right now, so we are having a hard time finding a candy to relate it to! The last one is of its face, still a little alien-ish, but you can see the eye sockets and nose bone.

On Friday, I went back to my doctor for a routine checkup. Everything sounded good (heartbeat at 158) and she gave me some meds for the headache. I also got a flu shot which was worse than I thought it would be. The needle itself.... cake, the serum.... painful. My arm still hurts two days later. I got home that night and took one of the pills for the headache and then slept for 16 hours. Woke up, headache gone! Thank goodness! This week we will be entering the second trimester! Hopefully all these fantastic pregnancy symptoms will start to go away!

On the home front, Stephen has almost finished the floors downstairs. I am about two feet away from having a toilet downstairs again and not having to climb upstairs nine times a night to pee! :) On the 15th, Stephen's father came in with a truck load of trees and shrubs for the house. He and Stephen spent the day planting! It's like living in a new place! Here are some pictures of the new plants!

The first is a magnolia, then a red bud, then 8 crepe myrtles along the fence, and finally a dogwood. All of these are in the front yard.

The dogwood is small, but
hopefully it will make
it!

These are in the backyard. There is a red oak, a Cleveland pear, and Bradford pear, and eight oleanders. The oleanders are very established and some are blooming! They are going to be beautiful next spring!

Thats all for now. Hopefully this week I can get Stephen to take a new picture of my expanding stomach! Until then.....

10 Week Picture

2008-10-11T11:46:00.002-05:00

Here's me at 10 weeks. I think Stephen took like 20 pictures.

This week at work was tough. I was really nauseous every day but Friday. Here's hoping this ends soon! It is neat that I am finally starting to show though! Too bad I just feel fat! Ha! I am really looking forward to seeing my family again so they can see the changes!

Stephen has been really helpful this week though. He really understands that there isn't much he can do to make me feel better, but he tries so hard! Love you Stephen!

We go to the doctor again on October 22nd and the 24th. The 22nd will be the first trimester screening, and the 24th is just a normal appointment. I'm looking forward to the appointment AFTER this one because hopefully at that one we will find out if it is a girl or a boy! I am getting very impatient!

Thats all for now. I'll post a new pic next week.

An update.. with Pictures!

2008-10-05T16:43:00.010-05:00

I guess it's time for an update!

We went to our first appointment on September 25th and everything is looking good! The baby is measuring right on schedule for May 5, 2009. Stephen was really excited to see the baby and hear the heartbeat. The doctor said "Look at your little peanut" and we quickly told her that we already have a Peanut at home and that this little one would need a different nickname. So we came up with Jelly Bean. We are going to try to stick with candy nicknames until it is too big to be a candy anymore. Week nine it became The Whopper. :) We will go back on October 22nd for the first trimester screening and then I will go back on October 24th for my second appointment with our doctor.

We let the secret out to my parents that weekend and then we were of to Dallas for the cowboy's game. We had a great weekend and the baby got to go to its first professional sporting event! Stephen really enjoyed the champagne that was arranged to be delivered to our room, and I sat back and wished I could have some! I did however enjoy the chocolate covered strawberries!

Lucky for me, the weekend was uneventful in the morning sickness, well all-day-sickness actually. It was really nice to not feel on the verge of loosing my cookies for two days! And to make things better, we got to have some Braum's ice cream... twice!

Monday morning, it was back to normal. Bring on the crackers! I am so ready for this FANTASTIC part of being pregnant to be over so that I can enjoy this experience!

This weekend I attacked the baby room. Currently it is a guest room and is filled with all of our games and my scrapbooking stuff. We are planning to rip out the carpet and replace it with the same flooring that we have downstairs now. So I cleaned up the room and emptied the closet! I didn't think I would get as much accomplished as I did, but it is ready to have the bed moved out and the carpet ripped up! One step at a time though! I did put the few things that we have bought for The Whopper in the closet. It is so hard not to just sit in there and stare at those tiny onesies!

We haven't taken any belly pictures yet, but we will start this week as we enter week 10. Hopefully I can remember to take a picture each Tuesday. I wish I would have started once we found out since I have already seen some "enhancements". And as Stephen says, they'll never be the same again! Ha!

Well that's all for now! Hopefully I will remember to update in a few days!!