The Big Day

It seems that we will only be waiting a short time to meet Carter. After my appointment yesterday and an ultrasound today, it was decided that tomorrow will be the day.

We are so very excited to meet our "big" boy. He will be an added blessing to this family.

Please keep us in your prayers and check back this weekend for pictures!

Preparations

We were eager to get out this weekend and shop for our new little one. One of the items we were wanting is pictured below.

It has been unbelievably difficult to find this. We thought we had scored when we found it at Babies R Us in Nashville. However, all they had was the display. Sue and I called stores (all the way to Evansville) and looked online in search of this. However, I have come to the conclusion that since we can't get our hands on it without ordering it from Amazon, we don't really need it.

We did have luck in purchasing a baby book. I love filling out the books for Colin and Carson. When I found this book at Barnes and Noble, I had to get it. Carson absolutely loves the Guess How Much I Love You book. I couldn't pass it up.

Tuesday is my shower at work and Saturday is my shower at church. I'm looking forward to "playing" with all the cool stuff we will be blessed with. After that, we will go buy other necessities that we didn't recieve as gifts. We are grateful to have so many wonderful friends and family member who are eager to help us out.

Today has been a day of relaxation. My left foot has been swollen for two days. This morning when I was getting ready for church, I realized that my black shoes wouldn't fit. I searched under the bed, but none of the black shoes would work. So I had to wear my comfy, stretchy brown shoes I wear to work daily. Jeffrey told me to just wear my houseshoes. I should try that at work tomorrow. Wonder what my principal would say? By husband's orders, I have been on the couch with feet elevated. The swelling hasn't gone down much. I guess it is just that time. While resting here, I have enjoyed watching the boys play Wii and being just plain silly. I'm waiting for Colin to smack the TV or his little brother with the Wii remote as he plays ping pong and sword fights. Its quite hilarious actually. I keep reminding him to scoot back.

Speaking of Colin, he finished up his Winter Super Saturdays class at WKU. He must have thanked me a dozen times for signing him up. In the fall, we will try a different type of class since he has taken two technology classes. Now it is time to get ready for baseball. He will play Pee Wee again this year (Go Cubs!) and Carson will play T-Ball. I was really hoping that Jeffrey or I could coach Carson's team, but that isn't going to be possible. I would love to coach soccer again for his team this fall, but not sure how that will go with a new baby! We will just wait and see. I'm glad that the boys get interested in all sorts of activities. I want them to be well rounded.

My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday. I am curious to find out how "things" are progressing. I do love being pregnant, but I'm so excited to be getting closer to meeting our new little one. I have been vivid dreams of what he looks like and getting to bring him home from the hospital. I think Colin and Carson are getting excited too. I'm cracking up at the fact that I'm still steadily gaining weight. Its got to be mostly baby and water retention. I have no real appetite. Usually I don't eat all my food. I drink a lot (water, juice, sweet peach tea). My favorite things to eat are eggs, toast, butterscotch or chocolate pudding, and salads.

I really appreciate everyone who is keeping up with this blog. I hope I am able to bless you in some way by whatever my thoughts are for the moment. That's the whole point anyway. Be sure to leave a comment to let me know that I'm keeping that promise. I like to see what you have to say.

If you haven't been to Angie Smith's blog, you have to read her post titled Ministry and Grocery Carts. I loved it! It makes me think of the opportunities we have to minister to people, but rarely take advantage of. My dear friend Glenda is really good at taking advantage of those opportunities (gas stations, check out line, gym). Right now, she has a guest in her home for two weeks who has never given any thought to life after death. I pray that she will be able to minister to him for the remainder of his time here. I would like to be more comfortable with taking advantage of the opportunities as well.

Snow Day #7

Enjoying being at home on yet another snow day.

I hate that Colin will have to make up these days, but they are a blessing to us. I get to take it easy and rest, and the boys and I get to enjoy our time together. Today it is just me and Carson. Colin has headed out to spend time with his cousin Connor and friend Cooper at Aunt Ann's house. Not sure what they will get in to, but knowing those 3 boys, they will have a blast. Carson and I have been playing the Wii and reading books together.

I go for my 34 week check up this afternoon if the weather holds out. Just praying that all will go well just as it has with each previous appointment. Carter is quite active still. I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Last night Carter got into this crazy position and Colin cracked up at how my stomach was shaped.

The boys had their "big brother" class last week. They loved it. Carson has now decided he will come visit me in the hospital because he will get to cuddle in the bed with me and Carter. Colin is ready to eat at the Subway located in the hospital and look at the babies in the nursery. They will be great big brothers! Colin already is and he will definitely teach Carson a thing or two.

My coworkers are having a baby shower for me in two weeks (if it doesn't snow!). Hilarie, Sue, and Mary are having one for me as well at church. I've washed up all the clothes, socks, and bibs I have.

I can't wait to get to hold this precious baby. Carson was playing with my belly last night. I asked him what he thought Carter was going to look like, and he said, "He's going to have brown eyes and brown hair."

There's a lot to do here at the house, but little motivation to do much. Guess that explains why the Christmas wreath is still on my door!

Oh, I did get a "nice surprise" last night when I got home from parent teacher conferences. My husband met with Dale Rose yesterday to give back Lazarus. However, when I walked through the back door, Lazarus was standing across the room waiting for me. I feel him watching me everytime I walk in and out of the room and I'm just waiting for him to yell, "Boo!" as I come out of the utility room. Hopefully, Lazarus will be fixed up soon and can go back with Bro. Dale.

Stay safe and warm.

Waiting

It seems as though most of life is spent waiting. Do you ever feel that way? What are we waiting for???


We are waiting for the arrival of our new bundle of joy. We have 8 1/2 weeks until my due date. I have a feeling the wait won't be that long. I was induced with Carson 2 weeks early. That's what happens when you have a big baby he first time. I'm sure the doctor will want to induce again, although he hasn't brought it up yet. In the meantime, I am now going to the doctor every two weeks. I've registered for gifts because my coworkers are having a baby shower for us. Jeffrey's mom has also said something about having one. I guess when people start asking, "Where are you registered?" then it is time to register!!! It is amazing the things I have forgotten that I have given away! I've looked for some things in closets, the attic, tubs, and the garage, but I'm guessing most of those things have been given away or sold in yard sales. Our refresher lamaze class a couple of weeks ago was a hoot. We didn't relearn (if that's a word) anything really. The class was crammed full, probably 100 people there. It was quite fun to listen to the gasps and comments of the newbies. They have no idea what they are in for!



We are also waiting for Jeffrey to be assigned to a unit and orders for chaplain school this summer. All paperwork has been completed and so it is a waiting game. In the meantime, My husband continues to complete his seminary work through Liberty University. He has about 64 hours and needs a total of 90 to graduate with his Master of Divinity. Getting closer. His blog has been added to the Army Chaplaincy website. He has also been asked to be a writer for the site. He posted his first article last night. I just read it and have to say, I'm quiet proud of him, as always. You can read it by going to the Army Chaplaincy Website.


What else? We are waiting for our new Saturday activity to begin. Colin will finish up basketball this Saturday morning and then start his new Super Saturday class Saturday afternoon. This time he his taking Desktop Design. He loves computers and creating things on them. You should see the PowerPoint presentations he creates on his own. Wow! Colin got asked to participate on our local youth traveling soccer team this spring. We are thinking it over. However, it will interfere with his baseball and we can't do both. Honestly, I'd rather have him play baseball. He is still growing in both sports. We'll see.


As far as Carson, we are just watching him grow and getting ready to be in pre-school in August. I can't believe it. He just seems too small to me. He started his pre-school choir class at church last night. I think he just kind of sat there and took it all in. I stayed for the first few minutes and snuck out. He liked it, just didn't participate much. Leslie does such a good job with the children.

Colin and Carson are getting excited about Carter's arrival. They are always asking questions, "hugging him," and making plans on what they can do with him. So far, they've agreed to feed him, read to him, and teach him to talk. Next Thursday, the boys attend their "big brother" class at the hospital. Colin has been asking about it for a couple of weeks now. They will both be great with the new baby.

So, while we are waiting for what is to come, we will be patient, we will serve our Lord, and we will continue to live life to the fullest.

And now we know.....

that I am totally outnumbered!



YES! We are having another boy! We are excited, thrilled, overjoyed, and mostly BLESSED! The ultrasound today showed a very active, healthy baby boy.



For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful. All the days ordained for me were written inyour book before one of them came to be. ( Psalms 139:13,14 & 16 )





As you celebrate this news with us, please pray for sweet Stellan. Although this is a family I've never met, I do pray for them often. As a mom, I can't imagine going through what this family goes through. Please pray for his healing and strength for his family.





"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." ( Jeremiah 1:5 *NIV )

Which will it be?

Pink?
Blue?

If little one cooperates, we will know tomorrow. My only prayer, that all goes well.

Not wishing for a boy.

Not wishing for a girl.

Only praying for a healthy baby.