2012

Another year behind us.  2012 may go down as the single most life-changing year yet! That is saying a lot considering what all 2010 and 2011 brought us. We are so happy and feel incredibly blessed to following God's calling in our life.  Trey is living proof of what can happen when you stop fighting and start surrendering.

The year started off with us living in Starkville still trying to figure things out.  Around April, Trey surrendered,started in the ministry in May and we moved to Columbus in June.  Somewhere in there we found out we were expecting baby #2! It has been a journey since.  Not always fun, but always towards the goal.  Trey found out a few days ago that he has been accepted to Asbury Seminary, thus we begin another journey summer of 2013. 

I can't think about having two kids under 3, both working full-time, me commuting an hour and Trey also in school full-time without having minor heart palpitations.  But if there is one thing I have learned is that you gotta have faith! So we move towards 2013 with that goal in mind - FAITH!

We can't wait to see what 2013 holds - and we can't wait to  hold our baby girl!

Grandaddy and Lita time

Trey had BreakTHRU retreat with his youth from Thursday to Sunday of this past week.  Since I am unable to stay with my child alone right now (killing me!) Grandaddy and Lita stayed with us.  Jones gets non-stop attention with them, so he was sad to see them go. No more cinnamon raisin bread with cinnamon/sugar butter from Grandaddy on command.  Child is rotten! 

While here, my mom organized Anna's closet and drawers, washed all of her clothes, organized Jones' playroom, cleaned our house, cleaned out the freezer and fridge,  while my dad washed windows (inside and out), replaced light bulbs, etc... I was sad to see them go!

They are the best...Thank you just doesn't seem enough for all they have done for us these past few months. 

Anna Joy's nursery

I can honestly say that I had nothing to do with making this nursery come to life.  It was done completely while I was on bed rest my my mom, sisters and Trey. So thankful.
I absolutely love how it turned out.  It is very different from how I thought I would decorate a little girl's room, but I feel in love with the fabric on a design blog.  I am so pleased with it. Now it is ready for a precious little girl.  We can't wait to bring Anna Joy home to this room.  We are so in love with her already.

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Christmas morning brunch

Christmas morning

We had a wonderful Christmas! Despite being on bedrest, I was able to go to Kristen and Rob's house for brunch Christmas morning.  It was so nice having a change of scenery.
Trey and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve when it is just the two of us.  He surprised me with a Canon Rebel.  I am so excited! Now I am in the learning mode. I know there is so much this camera can do and I want to learn them all. Patience will have to become my friend.

Christmas morning with the three of us was so much fun. Jones was into this year. While he doesn't understand everything, he is starting to grasp the concept of Christmas.  He loves to sing the songs and talking about baby Jesus. (Although he says Santa was also there at his birth.  We are taking baby steps.) 

After Santa came to our house, we loaded up and headed to Starkville for brunch with the family.  Laura and Clay came in that morning from his parents house so we were so happy to have him with us. Every one was there except Jake and Mary Kate, who were at her parents house in Dallas.  We missed them.  It was wild and so much fun.  Love sweet family time.  Next year we will have another little girl to love on. Can't wait!

Getting ready for Christmas

Ho! Ho! Ho! Still not a fan, but better than last year!

One of Jones' crafts from school. Love this sweet ornament.

 

Lita and the kids made cookies for Santa at our house.

Jones and Trey made a gingerbread village...with the help of some animals.

 Christmas Eve

 Clay and Laura spent Christmas Eve with his family, but everyone else was able to come to my house for soup and cornbread after the Christmas Eve service.  I wasn't able to go, but my sweet mom stayed back with me. Sweet family time!

 

 Leaving cookies for Santa

Playing catch up

Whew! It's been a week! 

It started with Jones running a fever a week ago. On Monday it was diagnosed as the flu. Poor Trey was on his "vacation" which he envisioned time in the woods, rest and nursery preparation. His vacation ended up with him taken care of a two year old with the flu and a pregnant wife still on bed rest. 

To add stress to the flu situation, on Wednesday I ended up in the hospital. Not sure what happened - I have very little memory of the events leading up to my hospital stay. All I remember is being in the car on the way to my scheduled Dr apt and suddenly feeling very hot and strange. I apparently passed out somewhere between Columbus and Starkville. Thankfully Trey was driving and Jones was napping in his car seat! 

I'm fine, but ended up staying all until Thursday evening. Anna Joy is still being impatient! I was having contractions up to every two minutes so constantly had Iv of fluids. I'm dilated about 2 cm.

Let's keep her in until January....that's my goal! She still looks great, and for that I am so thankful. 

Now that I am back home on bed rest and Jones is back to 100% wild man, we are gearing up for Christmas and Anna's arrival. My mom came yesterday to help with the nursery. Getting so close to the reveal and I love it.  The room seriously would not be possible without her. 

Thankful now more than ever for a sweet, self-sacrificing husband and a wonderful family close by. I'm not sure we would have survived this season without lots of help from loved ones!

34 weeks

33 weeks

I had my 33 week drs appointment on December 12th  and good news- Anna has flipped again and is head down! My irrational fear of c-section is starting to calm. 

She looks great. And is a little chunk already. She is measuring 5lbs and 7 oz. that is just a pound less than Jones weighed at full-term birth. I do love a chubby baby. (However, I am hoping to deliver before she's a 

10 pounder.)

I'm still on bed rest, but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In about 3 weeks I will be able to get off all shots and medicine and just wait for her to come. I laugh that she will certainty be late now that we have been through all of this. 

Please look at these chubby cheeks. And my chubby belly, of course. 

Henry is SIX! And a baby report

Henry turned SIX on Saturday.  I am not over it! That just suddenly seems so old.  He had his birthday party Sunday afternoon at the Sportsplex.  It was a sports themed party with every type of sport and ball imaginable.  I was so sad to miss his party. I have not missed any of his fun parties until this year.  Since it was a Sunday afternoon, Trey also couldn't go.  So Jones spent the night with my parents on Saturday night, went to church with them on Sunday then partied hard. 

Little man is getting pretty spoiled with me being on bed rest - he has spent the night at his Lita and Granddaddy's on several occasions already. He tells me he wants to go back the minute he gets home! This morning he told me "I slept in the big bed, had cheese toast and watched Elf!" Who wouldn't want to do that ?

I was told that at the party he, at all times, had on a helmet and was carrying a cookie. 

I have no doubts.

Party Time!

Love how happy Henry looks surrounded by some of his sweet friends.  Those boys played hard!

Now onto baby update...
I went in today for a check-up.  I got my regular shot in the booty, which hurt like the devil as usual but was also able to see sweet baby girl.  She looks beautiful! And a big little princess already weighing more than 4 lbs.  But she is not behaving. Since last ultrasound two weeks ago, she has decided to flip and is now breech.  I am holding on hope that there is plenty of time to flip again! Praying for another natural (though highly medicated) delivery.  I realize having a c-section would be fine and should be the least of my concerns, but to be honest the thought just scares me!

I was checked for the first time and have dilated to about 1. They were also able to pick up a few (inconsistent) contractions on the monitor. Just to play it safe,  I will go on Friday to get a round of steroid shots. 

She is looking great, but my hopes of getting off bed rest is looking pretty slim.

Praying she stays put for at least 5 more weeks!

And now, just because, a picture of my adorable SIX year old nephew and one year old niece. I know I may be biased, but how beautiful are these children? Love!

What sound does an elephant make?

Jones - 2 1/2

 I can't believe how time flies.  Makes me sound like my grandmother.  I am getting a little emotional about this little man becoming a big brother.  I can't wait.  I cannot wait to have Anna in my arms (though I hope she stays put for a while longer) but it will also be the end of a chapter in our lives.  Jones will no longer be an only child.  My first baby is growing up so fast.

He is hilarious.  And wild.  Hilariously wild.  His favorite thing to do is to wrestle with his daddy on the floor.  Every night he tells Trey "Daddy, take off your glasses! Let's roll!" That's cue for Trey to get down and wrestle.  They both belly laugh.

 Yesterday morning, while I was still laying in bed, Jones brought me his blanket and milk. "Here", he said. "You have my blanket and milk.  Sweet dreams, mama".  He then looked over to my bedside table where I have a picture of my and Trey from our wedding.  "MAMA! You're a PRINCESS! Pretty princess Mama".
Be still my heart.

 He loves a birthday and he loves a party.  His new thing is holding two things behind his back and coming up to us saying "I have a 'prise for you! Happy Birthday!" then handing us whatever was behind his back (usually an animal).  He sometimes will randomly ask where our birthday hats are.

Lately, when he walks outside, he will say "Whew! It's a little chilly out here!". I have no idea where he heard that, but I think it's hilarious.  Funny little man.

He loves to talk about Anna and will kiss my belly, but when you ask him if he is excited about baby Anna coming to live with him he will quickly respond "No.  Anna live with Grandaddy and Lita". Oh dear.

I am sure bed rest for me has been confusing for him. Bless him, he has been such a trooper.  Every now and then he will get frustrated with me that I won't go play with him in the playroom, but he is usually satisfied with bringing a toy to me to play.  I wish I could hold him right now.  I know my time is running out to hold him often.  He is getting so independent.  But still, at night after his bath, he wants to sit and snuggle with me.  I will be sad when that ends.

 

I love my sweet, hilarious, wild, and sometimes defiant 2 1/2 year old.