The family you come from isn't as important as the family you are going to have. ~Ring Lardner
Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Twas the Night Before Christmas

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve. We always have a busy evening and then a busy Christmas day. We always go to my parents for homemade chicken and noodles and finger foods. Family friends come over and we have a great time. We then go to Joel's parents for snacks and fun times. Santa always makes an appearance...bearing gifts and all!!!! We are anxious to see how the kids react to Santa. We didn't take the kids to see Santa...I know, I am a horrible mom!!! I hate to put them through the suffering of having to sit on a strangers lap and then being miserable!!

Tomorrow morning we will have Christmas at our house with the kids. We will have breakfast together and then get ready to head to my parents. We will then exchange gifts with them and have Christmas dinner. After we spend time eating and being merry, we will go to Joel's parents for more holiday fun.

I feel very fortunate to have our families so close and being able to share in the holidays with them. I also feel so very fortunate that I have my beautiful family of 4. I think back to a couple of years ago...it was just Joel and I. I thank God everyday that he gave me Garrett. Then He blessed me even more...and brought Isabel to me!!! This is going to be a great Christmas season!!!

Love to all of you. Hug those that are close to you and hold those that aren't with you right now in your heart!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Fabulous Friday

I am so glad it is Friday. We are having my folks and Joel's folks over tonight for coffee and dessert. I always love having everyone over and entertaining. The only thing I need is a bigger house....then I could really entertain!!! The only downside about them coming over is that they will see that my house is a mess. It seems like we have had things going on non-stop!!! I already have a New Year's resolution in mind...I will fill you in on that at a later date!!!

I am hoping to get the kids picture with Santa sometime this weekend. We didn't get Garrett's picture last year and I have kicked myself for it. I guess if I have to stand in line for an hour, I will. I know Joel won't, but I will hold our place in line!!!!

Please say a prayer for a friend of mine. Her daughter Lila had heart surgery yesterday. Everything went well, but a prayer never hurts!!!!

That's all for now...of to get my yucky car washed!!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

At last!!!

Joel and I have been waiting so long for Isabel to have a tooth come in. We were even starting to get worried...what if she didn't have teeth???!!! We went as far as to ask the pediatrician if it was normal for her to not have teeth, when should she have her first tooth, when should we be worried that she didn't have any???

The worry is over...Isabel has a tooth!!! Garrett had his first tooth at 4 months, so the fact that Isabel is almost 10 months old and toothless was beginning to scare us!!! Was she going to be drinking formula for the next 5 years???

YEA!!!!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The goose is getting fat

I always loved that choir warm-up....Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. We have been having a great time. I love this time of year...a nip in the air, the smells of Christmas, beautiful lights, baked goods... What could be better? I spent the weekend baking and cooking. That is something that I love to do and I feel like I haven't done a lot of in the past year. I am getting back in the habit though.

I have to toot my own horn for a moment. I have reached a point in my life that I have decided-I am the person that is in charge of my own well being and happiness. I started Saturday and did it again on Monday....I went for a jog. For those of you who know me well, know this is not something I enjoy. I do not like to sweat, I do not like to exercise. What kind of mommy am I if I can't show my children that they have to take care of the only body that God gave them. I am the person that is supposed to show them how to be healthy. I can say that I have enjoyed my 2 jogging trips. I am going to try and go again tonight. I have decided that I will go outside and jog on the evenings when Joel goes to pick up the kids. I can get home and changed clothes and get outside and back home about the same time they get home. I do need to be motivated....so pump me up!!!

We are taking the kids and my folks to Silver Dollar City this weekend to see the beautiful Christmas lights. I am sure Garrett will LOVE it!!! When he sees the lights now he says "Wow" or "Cool". I can't imagine what he will think when he sees a million lights!!! I am sure Isabel will have a great time also. I do need to buy them each a pair of mittens to keep their little fingers warm. I am hoping to spend Sunday after church baking. I would love to make some Christmas cookies and let Garrett help me frost them.

That is all we have going on for now. What do you have going on??

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Love being home

I am home with my kiddos today. My mom had to go to the doctor, so I unwillingly stayed home with my kids!!! It is so fun being able to spend the whole day with them. We have had breakfast together and now they are both taking a nap. After breakfast they played so hard that they needed to sleep!! Once they wake up we will have lunch and then we are going to make Christmas cookies or Christmas cupcakes. I haven't decided which one we are going to tackle yet...I guess I better get to deciding though!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We spent the morning at home enjoying each other. We then went to my folks for lunch and then to Joel's folks for dinner. I always seems like we are running during the holidays but it is well worth it!!!

The kids and I spent Black Friday together. We met Joel for lunch and then we hit the mall. I didn't thnik it was as bad as it has been before. Joel thoght we were crazy for even thinking about going!!! I did pick up a few things for the kids...and I can now say...I am done with my Christmas shopping!!!!

Isabel is now up, so that means I better decide what we are going to have for lunch and what we are going to bake. The decision has been made, we are going to make Christmas cupcakes!!! Maybe you will be a lucky recipient of some of our baked goods!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

OAMC

Do you know what that stands for??? I will fill you in on it in a bit.

The kids are doing wonderful. Isabel is crawling like a champ. I need to borrower my mom's video camera again and post some videos. Isabel loves to say da-da. She is totally a daddy's girl. She has said ma-ma a coupe times, but she prefers to talk to her daddy. She is also eating like a champ. She has moved up to the Gerber 2's, she can eat 2 veggies and 1 fruit at each sitting!!!! We have worked our way down to only having 2 or 3 bottles a day...it will be so nice to not have to buy formula anymore!!! I guess we will have to eat baby food forever....Isabel still doesn't have any teeth!!! Joel says that she is going to be drinking from a bottle until she is 4, because that is how long it is going to take her to get teeth!!!

Garrett is getting in to trouble constantly. He is always in to things he knows he isn't allowed to be in. Garrett and Daddy just got in trouble for throwing a ball in the house. This is something that Joel likes to do and Garrett has started asking him to throw it. The ball just bounced off a shelf and knocked one of my Demdaco figurines off. Lucky for both of them it didn't break. I yelled at Joel just like I would yell at Garrett. I think they both found it rather funny!! Garrett is also fighting a terrible cold...that he has passed on to me!!! Why is it that mommy always gets sick when the kids get sick??? Garrett's newest, funniest thing...he looks at daddy and says, "Joel". It is so funny!!!

Joel got all the lights on the house yesterday and today. We also got lights in the bushes, a decorated tree on the front porch, lights around the front door....Joel has bee making fun of me. He says that I have gone all out with the lights this year. I keep telling him that I want the kids to go outside and be mesmerized with the lights. I will work on getting the house cleaned during this week and then decorate inside over the weekend.

Now.....OAMC--Once A Month Cooking!!!! This is a fancy new idea that I have found online!!! You gather all your ingredients and prepare meals that will last you all month. You devote one weekend to preparation and then all you have to do is thaw and cook everything!!! I didn't do

enough to last us for an entire month, but I have enough to last us 2-3 weeks. Believe it or not, it didn't take me all day. I started about 9:45 and worked off and on until 12:30. That may seem like a while, but I took a shower, put make-up on, fixed my hair, dressed, played with the kids, put them down for a nap, had lunch...so it really didn't take me very long. I also used recipes that I had the staples of the recipe already on hand. I am anxious to see how long the meals last, how good the recipes are, how we like the leftovers...I will let you know!!!! Have any of you out there ever tried this???

That is all that has been going on with us...we are preparing for the Thanksgiving festivities and getting ready for Christmas.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Fall is in the air

I love the fall season. I can't imagine living somewhere that did not have all 4 seasons. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, the sound of football games on Friday night....awwwww does it get any better??

The kids are doing great. Garrett is walking like a champ. Isabel is on her way to crawling. I have a feeling she will be crawling in the next couple of weeks. She has started something new...she says da da. It was great. Joel had been home with the kids all day and I came home and sat in the floor with Isabel and started saying da da to her...she then said it right back to me!!! I am sure Joel's heart was melting!!! It is great to hear her little dainty voice say da da and then hear Garrett's deep (animal) voice yell DAAAD. Too cute.

The kids are enjoying their little drummer set that MeeMaw (Joel's mom) bought for them, I am having a cup of coffee, Joel is getting ready and then we are off to the mall. We enjoy our Saturday's as a family. Sometimes we don't do anything but stay home, but we do it together!!!

That is all that is going on with us, how about you?

With all our love,
Joel, Misty, Garrett & Isabel

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch over the weekend. Garrett was memorized by all the "balls". It was a warm day...I had wished for a cooler fall day. The weather this coming weekend is going to be more like what I was hoping for. Maybe we can find something else fun to do!!!

Isabel is growing like a weed. She is trying so hard to crawl. She is going backwards, but can't quite get the forward motion. She can get up on also fours by herself and rock, but that is as far as she can go right now.

My mom has gotten a new video camera and is letting us play around with it. I have found it to be really handy. I wish we would have had a video camera from the very beginning. I feel like we have missed a lot of great video opportunities with both of the kids. I hope you enjoy the videos!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Long Time


Long time, no blog!!! Sorry for being missing for so long. Things are going great for us. The kids are growing like little weeds. Garrett is walking like a professional now!!! Everyone laughs about his walking form...it is more like a march. He goes 90 miles an hour all day long. Very rarely does he crash and burn...he goes and goes and goes!!!
Isabel is trying to crawl. She is moving backwards all over the floor. I know that after going backwards, all of a sudden one day she will crawl forward!!! She is quite the night owl!!! She does not nap during the day...thus you would think that she would crash at night...Oh NO my dear friends!!! There are nights that it is 10:00 and she is still going strong. By that point, Joel and I are ready to go to bed and get some much needed sleep, but she is still wanting to play!!!
We have been having a great time with the fabulous weather. We have been spending as much time as possible outside. Last Saturday, we walked around the outdoor mall and had a great time enjoying the sunshine, the breeze, and the fall weather!!! We are taking the kids to the pumpkin patch this Saturday. Joel and I have never been, so we are very anxious to discover all the fun things there!!!
A SUPER congratulations to my dear friends Brad and Missy!!! They brought baby Zeke home from Vietnam a couple weeks ago!! I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the airport and share in their beautiful homecoming!!! They are a gorgeous family of 3!!!
Love to all,
Misty

Saturday, September 13, 2008

On the Way

Brad & Missy are on their way to Vietnam as I type!!! Please pray that they have safe travels and everything goes smoothly. I can hardly wait to see them again...as a family of 3!!! I just ask that you keep this family in your prayers!!!

Not much going on with us. Both kids are down for a nap. Garrett has been sleeping for almost 2 hours...it is amazing how much he sleeps during the day when he has a cold. Once the kids are awake, we are heading to the mall to do a little shopping. Garrett needs some long pants. I am hoping that the weather starts to cool off and he doesn't have any long pants...maybe if I buy some, the weather will change!!!

That is all that is going on with us, what is going on with you?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Vietnam or Bust

YEA!!!!! Brad and Missy received their approval today!!! They are not sure of the travel arrangements yet, but they will be on their way to pick up Zeke very soon!!!!! Congratulations guys!!!! We are so happy that we have been able to share in this journey with you!!! Zeke's 1st birthday, 1st Halloween, 1st Thanksgiving, 1st Christmas...are going to be so very special!!! This is going to be the best fall of your lives so far!!! Our little adoption support group is growing!!!!!

With all our love,
Joel & Misty

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Happy Anniversary

Joel and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Sunday. It is amazing to think that we have only been married for 6 years, but also in the same breath it feels like it has been forever!!! We decided to take the kids and stay in a cabin for a couple days and hang out. We went to dinner Saturday night for our anniversary. We got up Sunday morning and had donuts for breakfast and then took the kids swimming. It was the first time for them to swim and they seemed to enjoy it. After swimming the kids were worn out and took pretty good naps. We then went to do a little shopping and having fun as a family. All in all, we had a great wedding anniversary weekend!!!

Yesterday the kids went to the doctor for their checkup. Garrett is thriving as always!! He weighs 26 lbs...he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. He is off the chart for his head circumference...I say that is because he has a big brain and is soooo smart. Isabel is also doing great. She weighs 15 lbs 10 oz...she is in the 50th percentile for height and weight and is just over that for her head circumference. They say she is doing really well and is right where she should be developmentally. They had told us that she would probably be 6 weeks behind due to her being a preemie, but that doesn't seem to be an issue right now!!!
I hope all is well with you. We would love to hear from you!!!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Fun Shower

Yesterday I had a baby shower for my sister-in-law Sarah. She is truly ready to pop any day now!!! We laughed that now that the shower was over she could have Noah. I had the shower at a quaint little tea room close to the college campus. We had a great turnout, great food, great games, great conversation and GREAT gifts!!! I hope she got everything that she wanted. Hopefully we will meet baby Noah Matthew soon!!


Not much going on with us. The kids are doing wonderful. Garrett has started taking a few steps on his own. He can actually walk, he just chooses to crawl. He is doing really well. Isabel has developed quite an attitude!! My mom says she certainly reminds her of someone!! I guess she not only looks like me, she acts like me!!!
Beyond that, we are doing our usual daily activities and having a great time as a family!!
What is going on in your world??

Thursday, August 14, 2008

WHEW!!

Did you think we were MIA? I guess we have been lately. I don't really have any excuses for not blogging!!! We have been spending a lot of time together as a family. We are watching Garrett and Isabel grow right before our eyes!!! As I type this, Garrett is walking around the exersaucer, Isabel is sitting in the exersaucer and I have my hands free for a moment!!!

Garrett isn't walking by himself yet. He has taken a few steps, but who wants to walk when he can crawl as fast as lightening!!! He is growing up so fast!!! It makes me so happy to see him growing but it also makes me very sad. He is my first baby!!!!

Isabel is growing also. She weighs about 14 pounds now!!! She is holding her head up very well, rolling over, and is having a great time in her saucer!!!!

Joel and I haven't been up to much. Enjoying our family time, keeping up with the day to day things, and getting some golf in (Joel, not me!!). I am getting to the point that I am about to go crazy with all of the "stuff" being everywhere. I am going to start weeding everything out and getting rid of the things we don't need or use anymore. I get like this every once in a while and I start hauling stuff to my mom's house. My folks house is the storage area for garage sale items!!! I guess they better get ready...I am ready to do some junk removal!!!

More to come later...I promise!!! I will try to be better about posting!!! Off to clean up Diet Coke that Garrett just pulled off the kitchen table!!!

Friday, July 25, 2008

GOTCHA


Today is our gotcha day for Garrett. One year ago today, Garrett officially became ours!!!! After 5 days of uncertainly and many, many, many prayers----we signed all of the paperwork and went to the Cradle Home to pick up our little bundle of joy!!! That day seems just like yesterday. I was going through the day looking at the time and going back in time remembering what we were doing at that very minute.
To celebrate our gotcha day, we went out to dinner and then went to Target with the kids. The day we got Garrett we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.....not having a Cheesecake Factory here, we went to Outback instead. We had a wonderful dinner and Garrett thoroughly enjoyed a Grilled Cheese and Fries!!!
Happy Gotcha Day my beautiful boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Garrett

Today is Garrett's 1st birthday!!! It is amazing to think that 12 months have gone by. It seems like just yesterday that we were waiting on pins and needles to find out if we were going to bring our precious little boy home!!!!

We are getting ready for his birthday party right now. We will be having family and close friends over for a BBQ and cake!!! After cake, the little ones will be able to get in the pool to wash themselves clean!!! Pictures will follow!!!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July

I hope you are having a fun filled 4th of July!!

We have hung out around the house today. I got up this morning and made potato salad and got some homemade ice cream going!!! Thanks to Greg and Laura, I bought an ice cream maker last night---I hope mine is as good as yours!!! We grilled out hot dogs and brauts for lunch. I just pulled some brownies out of the oven and we will have those with ice cream later.

I hope you will take a moment to stop today and think about those that you know who have helped fight for the freedom that we all have. Those people don't have to have fought in war to have made a difference!! I would like to take the time to thank...my dad, my brother (Chad), Joel's Gramps, Joel's dad, Jennifer, and Jason. Today we honor YOU!!! Thank you for fighting for what you believe in and for giving us the freedom that we are enjoying today!!!

Friday, June 27, 2008

I'm still here

It seems like I never have time to post anymore!!! I will try to be better!!! I took the day off from work today!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!! A whole morning alone with my munchkins!! Joel went golfing this morning with his brother and a good friend of ours. I am now waiting for Joel to get out of the shower so I can get his shower stuff packed. Packed??? Where are we going??? We are leaving and heading to the lake for the weekend as soon as Joel is ready. It should be a fun, crazy time!! There will be Joel's folks, his brother and his family, his other brother and his family, and us!!! For those of you that might not know how many people that is...15!!! We are staying in a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom cabin on a beautiful golf course, just a few miles from the lake. Hopefully we will have a great time!!!

Not much else is going on...I think this weekend will be good for me. Things at work are a little chaotic right now and it is only going to get worse for the next little bit. I think I need a little bit of rest and relaxation (is that possible with 2 children under the age of 1?).

I will try to post some picture when we get back Sunday!!
Have a great weekend!!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Woof Woof



We had a great weekend and are planning to have a great week ahead. We went to the mall Friday night and had our family dinner at Chick-Fil-A at the food court. Pretty fancy!!! While we were at the mall, we exchanged some of the kids clothes, Joel got a new pair of tennis shoes and I got a new digital camera. My camera has been giving me fits for the last couple of weeks. I had had my camera for a good 4 years, so I was due for another one. I am still trying to get everything figured out though.
Saturday we had our family pictures taken and then we went to Greg and Laura's for dinner. They cooked brauts for us. Oh my goodness...the brauts were so good. They come from a little town not far from where we live and I am now wanting to buy some. Luckily they have a website and they will ship them right to your house!!! They also made homemade ice cream...yummy!!! I am going to have to get an ice cream maker!!! Garrett enjoyed the ice cream with me!!! Thanks guys for having us over!!!!

We went to church Sunday and then we went to Sheep and Wool Days. It was a cute little outing at one of our most beautiful parks. The big kids really enjoyed all of the old time stuff used to sheer sheep. The only unfortunate part of Sunday's is Sunday night...knowing that we have to go back to work Monday morning.
You might be wondering where the name of this post came from... Since Garrett started crawling, he is all over the house. We are constantly trying to figure out where he is, making sure he hasn't drowned in the dog water, isn't crawling into Isabel's travel bed, isn't stealing Isabel's paci, isn't pulling at electrical cords, isn't trying to get in the dog food, isn't getting into something that could hurt him...and the list goes on. Tonight Garrett was crawling around and Joel was getting him to laugh (doing the things they always do) and I told Joel that Garrett looked like he was drooling more than usual. The more I watched him, the more he was drooling. Finally Joel picked him up and was trying to see what was in his mouth...he turned to me and smiled really big and caught a glimpse of a piece of dog food!!!!! Luckily he hadn't begun chewing it, just sucking on it!!! It doesn't matter what is on the floor, he is all over it!!! My folks carpet has a design on it and he is always trying to pick at it and get the flecks picked up!!!

Joel just got back from taking Garrett for a walk and I asked Garrett why he was foaming at the mouth, Joel's response "it is the dog food". I guess he is now going to foam at the mouth like a dog when he gets hot!!!
That's all for now!!!! Have a great week!!!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Great Day

Another great Friday!!!! I love getting to work and seeing that our Federal Stimulus payment is here!!!

We are going to have a full weekend...

We usually go out to dinner on Friday's (Joel and I have started a little tradition for our little family of 4). I would like to go to the mall tomorrow. I have a TON of stuff to take back. I went through Isabel's closet and removed everything that isn't going to fit her during the right season. I have a feeling I have about $150 worth of stuff to take back. You know what that means...I can buy more stuff!!!! Saturday evening we are having family pictures taken. They are supposed to be outside, but I am not sure how that will be if the rain keeps up. After our pictures, we are going to Greg & Laura's house for a BBQ and fun. We enjoy spending time with Greg & Laura, Joel and Greg are going to practice on Greg's new chipping net...Laura and I will enjoy a few laughs watching!!!! We will go to church Sunday morning and then (if the rain hold off) we are going to have a family picnic in the park and then go to a sheep thing. I don't remember what it is called, but the kids will be able to see sheep, watch them have their fluff sheered off, and much more!! Should be fun!!!

I hope you have a fun weekend planned!!!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Sex and the City

Could today be any better of a day???? Let me tell you what a fabulous day it has been and is going to be...
1. It is Friday
2. It is payday
3. It is girls night out
4. Sex and the City debuts tonight
5. Garrett waved bye bye to me this morning
6. I have the 2 most beautiful children in the world
7. I have on my best Carrie Bradshaw outfit
8. My sister in law and her kiddos are coming into town
9. I ran an errand, went to the License Bureau, and back to work---in 30 minutes
10. Federal Tax Returns
As you can see, today is a wonderful day!!! I am going out with a group of girls tonight after work. We are going to have dinner, share a cosmo or 2 and then going to the Sex and the City movie!!! After I dressed this morning, I looked in the mirror and thought to myself...this is totally a Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) outfit!!! What makes that even funnier, is that when I have taken numerous Sex and the City quizzes, I always come out having her personality!!!
Tomorrow Joel is going to go golfing and I am going to take the kids to the mall. I need to get Garrett a new shirt to wear Sunday to church and I would also like to get a new outfit for church Sunday. In case you forgot, the munchkins are getting baptized Sunday. Hopefully a mall visit with both kids and possibly no help doesn't turn out to be a disaster!!! We'll see!!!
I hope you are having a wonderful Friday!!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Time to Chat



Ok...I know I have been MIA for a while, but I promise to be better!!! I really am not sure where to start filling you in!!! Joel surprised me with a wonderful figurine for Mother's Day. HE said it looks just like me after I put Garrett to sleep!!!

Garrett turned 10 months old on May 20th and then Isabel turned 3 months old on the 25th. They are both doing great. Garrett is everywhere!!! Since he has learned to crawl, I am never sure exactly where I will find him. He seems to get himself into some pretty strange places. It is amazing how quickly he can travel on those little arms and chubby knees!!! Isabel has learned to smile. She also loves cooing at her daddy!!!

Garrett has also learned a new trick...if he climbs on one of his toys, he can then climb up on the coffee table. He has done this a couple times now. He is quickly instructed that we aren't wild animals and we don't sit on furniture like that. I am not sure that he believes me when I say we aren't wild animals, given the fact that he usually makes some noise at me that resembles a monkey!!!

I took the kids to the doctor today. Garrett now weighs 25 lbs 6 oz and is 30.5 inches long!!! Isabel is up to a huge 10 lbs 9.5 oz and is 22.25 inches long. It is really amazing to watch her grow. She was so tiny, so now she looks big!!! Even though she is getting bigger, her 0-3 mos clothes are still too big. I have resorted to dressing her in them anyway...I am so tired of the same clothes she has been wearing for 2 months!!!!

As for me, I am suffering a sinus infection right now. I am hopeful that the antibiotics I started today will kick in...NOW!!! My head is so foggy!!!

We are having the kids baptized this Sunday. It should be a great time!!! My sister-in-law and her kids will be here just in time for it. We will have quite a crowd Sunday morning!!! After church we are all going out to lunch together!!! I am sure it will be a zoo, but it will be a great time. I will post pics of the blessed event hopefully Sunday afternoon.

I promise to post more frequently, don't give up on me!!!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day

What a blessed Mother's Day I have had!!! On top of the wonderful day with my kids, my husband and my family, we are also remembering a very special day!!! I woke up bright and early this morning to find a bouquet of roses and a card from Joel (that he said Garrett picked out). We got the kids ready and went out to breakfast as a family. It is so fun to order for ourselves and then ordering for Garrett from the kids menu!!!! He is such a good eater...he had a cheese omelet, hash browns, and some of daddy's gravy. We then went to church and had a great service. It was so awesome hearing everyone wish me a Happy Mother's Day. They all know what we have gone through in the last year and they have been very supportive.

What else are we celebrating??? Yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of the day we were matched with Garrett. 10:03 am marked our 1 year anniversary. Can you believe that??? It seems like just yesterday, but it also seems like he has been with us forever. Thank you to everyone that has been there for us and has prayed for us during our wait for Garrett, his birth, and his coming home!!! We will never forget you. Now that we have Garrett home, it is our turn to pray and support those who are still waiting for their precious children to come home!! We love all of you-Happy Mother's Day to you!!!!

Love to All!!!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Tears


Well...tomorrow I head back to work. Please say a prayer for me, my kiddos, and my mom. I have been off work since January 22nd and I am not ready to go back. I have gotten used to being a stay at home mom and I wish I could stay one!!! I know that when it is time for me to walk out the door in the morning, I am going to have a really rough time. I also worry that my kids are going to notice that I am not there and begin to wonder where I am.

I have gotten used to the normal routine that we have everyday. I get up, shower, get ready, and then I get Garrett up and we have breakfast together. I enjoy a piece of toast and coffee while he enjoys his oatmeal, then we share a banana!!! While we have breakfast, we sit in the kitchen with the windows open and listen to the birds chirp. Cute little Isabel hangs out in her swing sleeping the majority of the time. I don't put her in her bed for a couple of reasons. If Garrett and I are going to be in the living room, I want to be able to watch her while she sleeps. I also don't put her in her room because she still has a spitting up issue. I worry that she will choke on her spit up...she does that sometimes when she eats. When she gets choked up, she sometime quits breathing and I don't want to worry about that happening while she is in her crib.

All of that being said, please pray for me to have the strength to go back to work, pray for my kids-I don't want them to think I have abandoned them, and pray for my mom-she will be taking care of them while I am working.

Maybe someday I will get to be a stay at home mom again!!!

Friday, April 25, 2008

2 Months

I know, I know, 2 posts in 1 day!!!

Isabel Grace is 2 months old today. Actually, she isn't 2 months old for another hour, but close enough. It is amazing to think that she has been with us for 2 months. In a way it feels like she has always been with us. I guess the reason that is, is because she has always been with us- in our hearts.
As I type this, she is asleep in her swing. She looks so beautiful laying there. I have become accustomed to calling her my little princess. I have always called Garrett my angel, so it seemed fitting that I would call her a little princess!!! I am constantly amazed that I have been given these two very precious gifts!!!!
Happy Birthday my little princess!!

Will you still love Him

"If the Lord never gives us children, will you still love Him?" This is a question that is posed in the beginning of this fabulous movie. If you haven't seen Facing the Giants, you are missing out on something very special.

The time leading up to our decision to adopt was a difficult one. I have been through hearing the "negative" and it is one that cuts right through your heart. Once Joel and I decided that adoption was where God was leading us, we had complete peace. I told myself that I had to turn everything over to Him completely. Once I did that, I knew everything was going to be fine. Even during our difficult times right after Garrett's birth, I knew that everything would turn out in our favor. I never gave up hope and trusted that the Lord would get us through.

Please keep tuned in for more wonderful scenes from this movie that brought such joy to my life!!! If it weren't for this movie, I don't know that I would have ever found my dearest and best friends...Greg and Laura!!! You guys are the best and I don't know what I would do without you. The Lord works in strange and mysterious ways and I know all this happened to bring us together!!!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

9 Months

9 months ago a very special little boy was brought into our life!!!! Garrett is 9 months old today, and boy has he changed in that time!!!! He came into the world weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces...he now weighs over 23 pounds!!!

We are so blessed to be the Mommy and Daddy of this great kid. We can't imagine what it would be like if he weren't with us now!!!!
What a BIG boy he is now!!!!!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Weight Watching

I took Isabel to a new pediatrician today. Both Isabel and Garrett will be switching to a wonderful Nurse Practitioner that I have found. She was absolutely wonderful (Isabel and Katrina)!!!! Isabel now weighs 8 pounds!!!! If you don't recall, the last time she was weighed, she weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces, so she is putting on some weight. Thank goodness for the weight gain, I have so many cute clothes for her and she hasn't been able to wear them. She is in the 5th percentile for her height and weight and in the 10th percentile for her head circumference.

More Weight Watcher news...I went to my WW meeting last Saturday after following WW strictly for 1 week, I was down 4.4 pounds!!!!! I am sure every week won't be like that, but that she gives me some motivation!!!! I have struggled a bit this week, but I am still watching everything I eat and I AM going to lose again this week. My mom brought some DVD's over for me. They are the Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone. My goal is to start with the 1 mile walk and work up to the 2 mile walk next week. I have no excuse for doing the DVD's, especially if I can get it done while the kids are napping and Joel is at work!!!!

That's all for now, put I promise to post more often!!!

Saturday, April 5, 2008

I'm a weight watcher

Well...as some of you know, I have struggled with my weight over the last few years. While we were in the process of adopting Garrett, I had worked so hard to lose about 20 pounds. We brought Garrett home, found out I was pregnant, and the rest is history. I had a goal for myself that while I was pregnant, I would gain any more than 40 pounds. The day Isabel was born, I had gained 38 pounds...I guess it is a good thing I didn't make it to my due date!!!! I have since lost 18 pounds, but I know the rest is going to be difficult.

I have jumped in and joined Weight Watchers. Two of my dear friends have been on Weight Watchers and are going back for a refresher. I am sure they are going to help motivate me...and hold me accountable. We will be going to weekly meetings on Saturdays, where we will weigh in. I am going to try and post my progress (not my weight!) weekly. I expect you all to hold me accountable also!!!

Garrett and Isabel are doing great. We went to some friends house for dinner tonight and Garrett was great!! He sat in his booster seat at the table with us and was quite a charmer. He has learned that if he makes you laugh at something he does, he keeps doing it. He then laughs at himself...he is a mess and the sad thing is, he knows he is cute!!! Isabel was quite a little pill tonight. She is having some tummy issues and tends to be a bit fussy. Joel tried to quiet her down while I was eating, but she was too fired up. My friend Missy then went to take her so Joel could eat, and voila, she quieted right down!!! I guess she just needed to hear a woman's voice. She must have worn herself out completely, she is still asleep!!!!

More later!!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Due Date

Can you believe that Isabel wasn't due until today? She is already 5 weeks and 3 days old!!! It is amazing to think that she was still supposed to be cooking. We are so glad that she is already with us. Looking back, I am also happy that my C-Section is over and the recovery is almost over!!! I still have a little soreness from my section, but that is it. I wouldn't trade any of it though...I have to most beautiful little girl in the world!!!!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Cinderella

I told you back in December that I would share some videos by Steven Curtis Chapman...so here you are. This song is a terrific reminder that times flies by so quickly. It is hard to believe that Isabel is already over a month old!! She will always be our little princess. If you would like to view the new video that has come out please follow the following link.
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/cinderella.htm

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Lazy Saturday

We have had quite a lazy Saturday!!! Garrett and Isabel let us sleep in today. Isabel woke up about 6:30 and decided she didn't want to sleep by herself anymore. I picked her up and put her in bed with me (I know...that is terrible, but she likes to finish her sleep while resting on my chest), and she slept longer than Garrett. Garrett started babbling about 8:00 and at 8:30 I went in and got him out of bed. Joel stayed in bed with Isabel for a little while longer. Garrett and I had a fun morning watching cartoons and having oatmeal. Joel and Isabel then decided it was time to get out of bed. Joel's dad came over and they changed his car headlight and I have cleaned the kitchen and worked on some laundry. Other than that, we haven't done much else!!!!









Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Miracle

Joel and I are so thankful for our 2 beautiful miracles-Garrett and Isabel. It is still very important to us that we continue to think about other couples who are struggling with the same things we struggled with-infertility. Joel and I struggled with unexplained infertility for about 3 1/2 years. During that time, everyone we knew, knew we were trying to have a baby. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the heartache and emotions that go along with it.

After dealing with infertility, we decided that it was in God's plan for us to adopt a baby. Boy was that ever in his plan!!! We now have the most beautiful, precious little boy in the world. Having him sure makes everything we went through worth it. God also had something else in mind...He knew that we were meant to be Garrett's parents first and then He would bless us with another child. We were fully prepared for Garrett to be an only child, but He had other plans!!! We were once again blessed with God's truly unending love and grace...we were given our precious Isabel Grace (thus where her middle name came from).

We have been on the end of things where we were happy for someone that had a baby, but we were also heartbroken about our own situation. It is very important to us that we continue to love, pray and support everyone that is going through the same thing that we went through. We know that God has a plan for each one of us, we usually don't know what that plan is until something else is brought before us. I know that we were given Garrett because He knew how much we wanted a child, and then we were meant to have another child. Most people will say, "That always happens...adopt a child and then you will get pregnant." That is not why we adopted Garrett, but we will take it. That doesn't mean that everyone that adopts will also be given the miracle of pregnancy. That doesn't mean that one couple is more deserving than another. Why does it happen that way for some couples...I don't know. The only thing I do know is that we are all truly blessed by His love.

Please click the link below and go through the infertility journey with all of us that have been there, or are still there.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Today

One month ago tonight, Isabel Grace came into this beautiful world. It is amazing to me to think that she is actually 1 month old!!! She has really grown since she was born. In the NICU, she got down to 4 lbs 11 oz, now she weighs 6 lbs 2 oz. Her preemie clothes are beginning to get a little tighter. She used to swim in them, and now she fits into them quite nicely.

Let me know if you can see the resemblance in these 2 pictures...










Monday, March 17, 2008

We are making it

Did you think that I had lost my sanity??? I haven't posted in a while due to the craziness of my schedule!!! Isabel is doing great. She sleeps great during the day. I often times have to wake her up to feed her. The nights are a totally different story though. She tries to get up every 2 hours if possible. We are working on making sure that doesn't happen. We do everything we can think of to try and calm her down before giving in to feed her. I know some of you have gotten to see our beautiful little angel. I made a few stops last week to show off Isabel. I went by my office one day last week and then I went by Joel's office. We also made it to church on Sunday. We weren't able to get around quite fast enough to make it to Sunday School, but we did make it to the Easter Cantata. We spent the remainder of Sunday with Joel's family, his sister was in town with her family, so we enjoyed some family time with them.
The only way we are making it while Joel is at work is because my mom is coming over to help me. I don't think I would be able to handle it otherwise. I had both kids by myself for about 1 1/2 hours today. During that time, I experienced my first bit of chaos!! Both of them were crying at the same time. At that point, I had to decide who I could get calmed down the fastest. Garrett won that fight. I knew I could get him calmed down in a couple minutes and down for a nap, so sweet little Isabel had to cry for those few minutes. It is so hard for me to let either one of then cry, but when Garrett is crying, looking at me with tears in his eyes, and reaching his arms for me, I couldn't feel any more like a loser!!!!



A few pictures for those of you that have been asking...

Friday, March 7, 2008

Our Family of 4

Is HOME!!!! I went to feed Isabel this morning at 10:30. Shortly after I got there, the neonatologist on for the day came over to give her the once over. She asked me a number of questions and then sprung this one on me, "So, do you want to take her home today?" I had to asked her if she was serious a couple of times!!! I guess she was serious because as I type this, Joel is being a great husband and making me a peanut butter and jelly for dinner, Garrett is playing with his cars in the floor, and Isabel is sleeping in her cradle.

We we released from the NICU at 5:50 this evening. At discharge, Isabel weighed 5 lbs 7 oz. She is putting weight on like crazy!!! She has gained 2 oz since yesterday. We will go to the doctor Monday morning and they will do a weight check on her to make sure that she has continued to gain weight while home with us this weekend.

Garrett was pretty cute to watch as he checked out his baby sister. At first he stared at her and then he started reaching for her. Joel put his face up to Isabel's head and stuck his lips right on her head!!! Her first kiss from her big brother. Too cute!!!

I'll let you know how the night goes when I get up tomorrow. No more sleep filled nights!!!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Are you hungry?

Isabel is sure hungry!!!! We have been fighting hard to get a full 24 hours without using her feeding tube. Well.......she has accomplished her final goal!!!!! Her feeding tube was removed today at 2:00pm. That is actually a couple hours prior to her 24 hour period, but the doctor felt very confident that we weren't going to have to use her tube at her next feeding. She did not have to use it then, or at her 7:30 feeding!!! I am anxious to call the NICU in a few minutes to see how she did at her 10:30 feeding.

Now what??? Isabel's nurse told us that they would probably monitor her for a few days to make sure that she is still eating, still gaining weight (she weighs 5 lbs 5 oz now), and doesn't have any episodes where her heart rate goes down. A common occurrence with preemies is the heart rate drop. These precious little babies don't quite know how to suck, swallow and breathe at the same time. When this happens, the milk is held in the back of the throat and they don't know that they need to swallow it and then take a breath. She hasn't had an episode of her heart rate going below 80 since 3/5, so we are hopeful that she won't have that happen again.

Call it a hunch, but I have a gut feeling that we will be home as a family of 4 by Monday.
I go to the doctor tomorrow to have my incision checked, so say a little prayer for me. I am hoping that there isn't much pain involved in this appointment!!!!

Keep those prayers coming!!!!

Love to All!!!!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Slow Progress

Isabel is making slow progress. In order for her to have her feeding tube removed, Isabel has to be able to take all of her feedings for at least 24 hours. We will almost make it through our 8 feedings, but then she will decide that she is too tired to finish eating. We know that she is making progress because she is eating her entire feedings most of the time. Once she starts taking her feedings, her feeding tube will be removed and then we will be ready to go home!!!! YEA!!!!!

Isabel is sure starting to show her personality!!! She is little miss attitude. (I don't know where she gets that from!!!!) Joel went to visit her this morning around 7:45 and she was crying. As soon as Joel held her, she stopped crying. He then put her down and she started crying again...and she didn't stop until I got there to feed her at 10:30!!!!!! Needless to say, she didn't eat her entire bottle at that feeding...she was too tired!!!!!

Garrett is growing like a weed. Joel took him to the doctor while I was in the hospital. He now weighs 22.6 pounds!!!!! He is a MONSTER!!!!! 7 months old and 22.6 pounds----whew!!!!! It is amazing to see how he is growing and changing every day!!!! He eats baby food for lunch and dinner, he then has bottle in between those feedings. He is also able to entertain himself for longer periods of time. Yesterday we sat him in the floor with some of his toys and he played by himself for about 45 minutes!!! He amazes me everyday!!!!! We are anxious to bring Isabel home and see how Garrett reacts to her. I think he will stare at her in complete awe.

That is all the excitement that is going on with us right now.

Love to All!!!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Isabel Grace has ARRIVED!!!!

I know it has been a while since I posted, but we have had a lot going on. Here is the story...in a nutshell.

Monday, February 18-I went to the doctor for my usual visit and non-stress test. After they saw that Isabel wasn't moving very much, my doctor had me have an ultrasound done. Everything looked great, but she still wasn't moving. I then saw my doctor and she sent me to Labor & Delivery for a few hours of monitoring. I was monitored for about 4 hours and then they finally sent me home.

Tuesday, February 19-My mother-in-law came over to check my blood pressure after she got off work. As usual, it was quite high...just much higher than normal. She told me that I needed to call the on-call doctor. Luckily my doctor was the one on-call. She told us that I needed to be taken to L&D right away and to pack a bag. She figured I would be staying a couple of days to be monitored.

Wednesday, February 20-I met with a perinatologist and she was the lucky one to break the news to me....I was going to be admitted to the Perinatal Intensive Care Unit until I was 36 weeks. To say the least, I was not happy about being away from my house, my husband and my beautiful little boy!!!!

While in PCU, I was not allowed to do anything. I mean anything...I was allowed to shower, after riding in a wheelchair to the shower!!! I think I took the longest showers in history while I was there!!!!! The only other time I was allowed up was to walk the 10 feet to the bathroom. I thought I was going to totally go crazy!!!!!!

Monday, February 25th was a normal day for me. Normal until about 5:30 that evening. My blood pressure spiked again, and never went down. My doctor was on-call again that evening, thank goodness!!!!! She finally made it to see me around 8:45. During that time, my blood pressure never went down. My doctor told me that I was going to have to take it easy and I was going to continue being on bed rest until I was 36 weeks (March 5). She left my room and within 5 minutes, she was back. She had consulted with the Perinatologist and they agreed that it was too dangerous to wait for my blood pressure to get any higher!!!! It was time for a C-section!!!

I called Joel and told him that he might want to get to the hospital. I also called my dear friend Vicki and asked her to go to the house with Garrett. He was already in bed and I didn't want Joel to wake him up and take him to the babysitter. I also wasn't sure if there was time to do all of that!!!!!! Joel made it to the hospital just as they were finishing putting my IV in and hear about all of the "risks" of a C-section.

I am not sure what time they wheeled me in to the OR, but at 11:16 pm Isabel Grace arrived into the world!!!! She weighed 5 lbs 1 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. I was able to see her briefly before they wheeled her off to the NICU. I was finally allowed to see her when she was 23 hours old!!!! Let me tell you...she is pretty darn beautiful!!!!!!!

I was discharged from the hospital Friday. Isabel is still in the NICU, but she is getting stronger every day!!!! She has actually been moved from an isolette to a "big girl bed". She now spends her time in a bed that all the babies in the regular nursery are in. She has already learned to regulate her body temperature and now she has to learn to eat like a big girl. Preemies have a hard time coordinating suck, swallow and breathe. She is really starting to get the hang of it though. The Neonatologist is quite sure she will be able to come home by the middle of March...if not sooner. It strictly depends on her. If she is able to eat this week and to keep her weight up, she will get to come home sooner. Everything is dependent on her. She is the one in charge right now. She will also be the one in charge for many years to come I am sure!!!!!

We would like to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this crazy time!!!!!
Hopefully pictures will be posted sometime this week. It depends how crazy things are!!!!

Love,
Misty

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Craziness

I think the craziness of my life has begun!!!! After not having much trouble my entire pregnancy, now it has begun!!!! As if bed rest isn't bad enough...Joel and I were out on the roads bright (not really-it was still dark) and early this morning. I had a headache yesterday, but it wasn't too bad. Around 8:00 last night, I started having some serious issues. I took the medicine that my doctor had given me when my headaches began, but it didn't touch it!! I went to bed hoping that it would go away while I was sleeping. Yea right!!!! I was up all night, and I kept Joel up all night. One of the warning signs of my blood pressure increasing, is a terrible headache. I began to get a little scared, and I was afraid that Isabel wasn't getting enough oxygen, or blood flow. We called the doctors office and had them get in touch with the on call doctor. She said that we definitely needed to go in to Labor and Delivery. At 4:15, I was calling my mom to have her come over to watch Garrett while we went in. I didn't think we were ever going to get there. We finally got to L & D around 5:20 and they got me checked in. I didn't think they were ever going to give me anything to take the pain away, but they finally gave me a shot and it made me really sleepy. Joel said that once I went to sleep, my blood pressure went down. Thank goodness!!! They let us go home around 8:00. Needless to say, I have slept all day and now I am afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight!!! We'll see!!!!

33 Weeks
~Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
~Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
~Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
~While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
~You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
~If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
~Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).
Love to All!!!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Stress Test Anyone??

I went to the doctor today...again. I feel like I live at the doctor's office!!! My blood pressure was down a little bit, but not enough for her to let me go back to work. She told me that I better just get used to staying home because until Isabel arrives, I will not be going back to work. I can hope though!!! My tummy is measuring a little larger than 32 weeks, but that doesn't particularly mean anything!!! One week I will measure larger and then the next week, I will measure right on target. I think it depends how stretched out Isabel is.

I had a Non Stress Test today. They hooked me up to a monitor and watched Isabel's heartrate, how frequently she moved, and my uterine changes---and watched me for an hour. The purpose of this is to make sure that she is still moving and that her heartrate is still good. I will have to go in to have these done twice a week now!!! Monday's and Thursday's will be my days out on the town!!! I did get quite a bit of reading done while I was strapped to the monitor...I guess there has to be something good out of all this!!!

I have recently started suffering from insomnia!!! I think that is worse than sitting around the house all day. At least during the day there is something on TV. At 4:00am there is nothing on but infomercials!!!!! I hope to not have many nights of this!!!! Don't be surprised if you get emails from me at weird hours of the night!!!!

That's all for today...keep the emails coming!!!
Love to All!!!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

32 Weeks

Slowly but surely...we are getting there. I am in my 3rd week of bed rest and hating every minute of it. Let me clarify bed rest for you though....I am not confined to my bed. I spend all day on the couch or in a chair. I am not one of those people that actually spends all day in bed. How depressing would that be????

I have finished my steroid shots. I had the first one Monday and then second one yesterday. OUCH those things burn like fire!!!!! I am glad I only had to do that twice!!!! Hopefully they won't make me start to get puffy. I have heard they can make you swell up, and I am not feeling like that would be something I would enjoy!!!

I have ordered Garrett's new carseat!!!! YEA!!!! It should be here by the end of the week. It shipped yesterday, so we will see if I receive it. I hope he likes it...he has outgrown his seat already!!! You know they have a weight limit and he is a BIG boy!!!!!

My mom has been coming over almost every day to take care of Garrett. It is nice being able to see him every day, all day!! The days she doesn't come here, Joel takes Garrett to her house and then he picked him up after work.

Slowly we are working on Isabel's room. I am waiting to have a phone jack put in my house in order to move my computer, but that is really all I am waiting on. As soon as that is done, I can get the computer moved, the TV taken to my parents, the VCR moved to our room, and then....painting can start!!! Painting might actually start before all of that though...it depends on Greg and Laura's schedule!!! Do I have great friends or what??? They are going to come over and do all of the painting for me. I need to measure the walls and order the wall paper border so we can get it up after the paint dries.

Since my mom doesn't really have anything left to do in Isabel's room, I have her on another task...on top of the house cleaning, laundry, babysitting, lunch making...and everything else she does while she is here. She is actually at Wal Mart right now buying some paint and she is going to paint our hall bathroom. I have been putting it off, so she is going to do it for me. Hopefully once that is done, she can start on our bedroom and then our bathroom. That would mean that all of the rooms in our house will finally be painted!!!!!!
32 Weeks
~Your baby is up to 3.75 pounds (1702gm) now and is 16.7 inches (42.4cm) long.
~You might notice she's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room. She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!
~All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!
~Toenails are completely formed even though she may not be quite ready for a French manicure.
~Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Will he have dad's black hair or your red hair?
~Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose your son is dreaming about?

Love To All!!!

Friday, February 1, 2008

SOS-Same Old Stuff

I went to the doctor today for my weekly visit. My blood pressure was still up unfortunately. The results of the ultrasound are good. My doctor is happy with the growth of Isabel. She said my amniotic fluid level looked good, and everything else they check while they are taking a peak at our little girl. She did tell me that I need to go in for 2 consecutive steroid shots to boost lung development. She wants to make sure that everything is done to make sure Isabel is healthy---just in case. My guess is that she will let me go another 4-5 weeks and then consider inducing me. I am assuming this because she has referenced 4-5 weeks a couple of times in our conversations. I have another ultrasound scheduled for the end of the month to check all of things that she checked earlier this week.

Garrett is rolling over like a real champ now. He rolled over twice today for Joel!!! We were so excited to see it. I was bummed that he didn't ever roll over last night so Joel could see him. I have a feeling he will be rolling all over the house now!!!

That is all that is going on with us, what is going on with you???

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy in the whole world!!! I gave you a present today...I waited for your special day to roll over!!!
I love you Daddy!!!!
Love,
Your little man

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

31 Weeks

I went to the doctor's office today for an ultrasound. Isabel looked absolutely beautiful!!!! She is going to be quite photogenic!!!! I told Joel I thought she had my feet for sure!!! I will post pictures of her tomorrow. They are estimating that she weighs about 3 pounds 12 ounces right now. Believe it or not, that is right on target for where she should be. I actually thought she might be measuring bigger, but I guess not. I go to the doctor Friday, so I am anxious to hear what she says about the amniotic fluid. I would think if it looked to be low, they would have said something while I was there today.

Garrett is doing great. He is actually enjoying bath time right now. He loves to play with bath toys and his favorit thing to do is swim!!!! Joel puts him on his belly in his little seat and he splashes like crazy!!! I love to hear Joel tell him that he "isn't splashing enough if he isn't getting wet". I am not sure how he isn't getting wet because the wall and the floor are getting plenty wet!!!

Our great friends Greg & Laura brought us a fantastic pasta dish to have for dinner last night. Oh my goodness...it was so good. Joel tells me that I need to definitely get that recipe!!! Thank you guys so much...and you were right...it weighed about 10 pounds.


31 Weeks
~The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
~Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
~Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
~Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
~His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
~She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
~Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

So Blessed

Joel and I are so blessed with such wonderful friends!!!! Our dear friends Greg and Laura came over last night and kept us company, fed us, ... They were wonderful enough to bring us Chinese for dinner, and then they also brought a huge pan of pasta, a bag of salad, and a loaf of garlic bread. We will definitely be eating that tonight!!!!! Not only did they bring us food (considering we have been living on peanut butter and jelly or lunch meat sandwiches), they also brought some DVD's, magazines, a Tetris handheld game, and a word search book for me. I have already played Tetris this morning and done 3 word searches!!!!!

Thank you guys so much for everything!!!!!

Isabel's bedding should be here tomorrow. Greg and Laura have graciously offered to paint the nursery for us...considering they are PROFESSIONAL painters!!!! I have to call an electrician today to have a phone jack put in so we can move the computer and actually turn the computer room into a nursery!!! I guess I thought I had more time, but as it turns out I am beginning to panic!!!

I will let you know how the ultrasound goes tomorrow!!!!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support.
Love To All!!!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Come visit me!!!

Does that give you any idea what the doctor told me??? I am now officially off work until Isabel makes her appearance. My blood pressure was still up and I also had protein in my urine. These are all signs of pre eclampsia. I have been put on bed rest in hopes that I will be able to go full term.

I have another ultrasound Wednesday to make sure the baby is growing properly and that she has enough amniotic fluid. I then go back to the doctor on Friday. It seems that I am not on a weekly visit basis. I should only be going every 2 weeks, but I guess she is wanting to see me more frequently to make sure my pressure doesn't continue to creep up.

Chad had surgery Friday to repair the tendon in his finger that had been completely severed. It appears that everything was repaired and he will heal totally. Thank goodness!!!!!

Keep checking back to see how exciting my life is while I am hanging out at home...watching TV, watching movies, and reading books!!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Tomorrow is the Day

I go to the doctor tomorrow. I am very, very hopeful that my blood pressure will be down and she will release me to go back to work Monday!!!! I feel like I sit around on the couch like a HUGE humpback whale!!!!
I have been so bored at home. My mom came over today and did some laundry and a little picking up. Other than that, I haven't had any adult company except Joel!!!! I soooooo look forward to Joel coming home with Garrett!!! There is no sweeter sound than the garage door opening and knowing that my 2 favorite guys are coming inside.

I talked to my brother earlier, he had been at the doctor's office. He cut his hand the other day and now is unable to control his middle finger. I told him it is a good thing that it is limp...thus he can't give anyone the finger!!!! HaHa!! He has cut a tendon in his finger and has to have surgery tomorrow to try and repair it. I hope they are able to repair the issue and that he heals!!!
Pray that the doctor's visit tomorrow goes well and I will give you a report tomorrow afternoon!!!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

30 Weeks

10 more weeks to full term!!! It is amazing to think that in 2 1/2 months our little girl will be here!!! I have been on bed rest since Monday and I am totally bored. I am hopeful that when I go to the doctor Friday she will tell me that my blood pressure is down and I can go back to work!!! I would hate to use all my sick/vacation time before she even arrives.

Garrett is doing great. He now has 3 teeth, 2 on the bottom and 1 on the top. He started out with one on the bottom, Saturday morning I checked and he still only had one, by Saturday afternoon he had another tooth that had come through!!!! I now rub my finger on his gums all the time. I checked his mouth Monday evening and he still only had 2 teeth, then last night I checked and he had another one!!! He amazes me with how great he has been with his teething.

I told you I would let you in on a little secret.....baby girl's name. Joel and I had a really hard time deciding on a name. We had Garrett's name picked out from the beginning. We had his name picked out before we even knew we were getting him!!!! We actually had a name picked out if it was a girl, but once we decided she was a girl, we weren't set on the name. I told Joel that we had to get a name picked out for a number of reasons...She could technically make her appearance and we didn't have a name, it was driving everyone crazy not having a name to call her, Joel's sister started calling her "fetus"...Jennifer tends to come up with nicknames and they stick (Garrett is Pedro to her) and I didn't want "her" being called fetus!!!!
I didn't get any painting done over the weekend. I guess that is good because I was online today and found different bedding that I like even more than what we have. I have called to get the return instructions and I am going to be ordering the new bedding.
30 Weeks
~Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?
~His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.
~A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!
~She spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. Her eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. She may even reach out to touch the light.
~Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.
~Toenails are entering their final growth stage.
~Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).
~Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.
~By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).
How's Mom
As for the ongoing joys of being in your third trimester: your not-so-fun symptoms are just intensifying this week, so it might not hurt to slow down a bit and focus on yourself. If you’re feeling extra fatigued, you’ve probably joined the sleeping shouldn’t be this tough when I’m this tired club, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of back pain and general discomfort. If you’ve been pushing the exercise thing, then this is the time perhaps to cut down on the physical activities and focus more on getting proper sleep (if this means buying a pregnancy pillow, then do it!). Oh and all that moodiness? Just go with the flow emotionally. This doesn't mean letting the hormones win and becoming a complete psychotic. Instead, feel the feelings, but know that the drama you’re feeling is largely a result of increased adrenaline thanks indirectly to hormonal swings—not because things really are that dramatic and merit adult temper tantrums. The clincher symptom for this week: it’s highly likely your libido has gone on sabbatical. This, as far as we’re concerned, is perfectly natural in your condition.
I hope you have read the entire post or you will have missed this little tidbit.....Baby Girl's name is.......Isabel Grace!!!!!!
Love to All!!!!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Just Great

I thought I would post a quick message. I woke up this morning not feeling well....headache again (I went through this last week), and called the doctor. I felt like a total idiot and I told the nurse as much!!! I am not the kind of person that calls the doctor for every little ailment, but after my blood pressure being up at my last visit, I have been told to watch for some warning signs!!! The nurse talked to my doctor and she asked that I come in (again) and have my blood pressure taken. I went in and sure enough it was up again. (At least they didn't make me go to labor and delivery again!!!!!) I am not on bed rest until I go back to the doctor on Friday!!! That is not what I had hoped to hear, but I am hopeful that my pressure will go down and I will be allowed to go back to work next week. I don't think I can handle staying home, laying around on the couch for 2 months!!!!

Please keep our family in your prayers!!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

28 Weeks

Things have been pretty steady and normal for us lately. Garrett continues to grow my leaps and bounds. He has reached a number of milestone. He can now sit up on his own for a little while before toppling over, he can sit in a big boy highchair (like at a restaurant), he wants to play with things in the tub, and...........his first tooth is coming in. It has actually broken through his gum and is now just coming up!!!!! Believe it or not, he doesn't mind the tooth thing. He isn't like most kids; he doesn't have a fever and isn't fussy. He likes to play with his little tooth nub with his tongue though. Tonight his shirt was so wet, it looked like we had poured water on it. I am not sure that he is swallowing any of his slobber!!!!

I am doing pretty well. I am beginning to have some yucky swelling in my feet, ankles and legs. Actually, I am not sure I have ankles anymore!!!! I about ready to break down and wear flip flops to work. I have 3 pairs of shoes I can get my feet in right now!!!! I went to the doctor today. She said everything appears to be fine. My blood pressure was a bit high, but not something for us to worry about right now. She told me some foods to avoid, but they are items I don't generally eat anyway.

Did you know that Baby Girl has a name????? Maybe I will let you in on that next week!!! I ordered her bedding tonight. I am anxious to get it, so I can take a piece of it and buy paint. The bedding is suppose to be in next week, so maybe I can get the painting done next weekend.
28 Weeks
~Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
~Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
~Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
~Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
~Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
~Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
~Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
~Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).
Love to All!!!!