Maternity photos

We had maternity pictures taken at 34 weeks pregnant a couple weeks ago. While not as professionally nice as the pictures we had done with Braden, they still turned out pretty well. Not bad for Target.  With all the financial craziness this year, Target was as good as we could do.  When I was pregnant with Braden we were also Duel Income No Kids (DINK) so things are different now.  I'm just happy we were able to get some taken at all.



32 weeks and 3D/4D ultrasound!!

I'm 32 weeks today!! I had another OB appt and today was the day for the 32 week ultrasound. The purpose of this one is to put the baby on a growth curve to estimate size at delivery. She was very active during the ultrasound kicking all around so much so the US tech could feel it as she was doing the scan. Everything looked perfect---as Dr. Fenoughty said, "this baby couldn't be more perfect". She's measuring right on target, actually 3 days ahead and estimated weight today is 4 lbs, 4oz. and predicted to be about 7 lb,8oz at birth. We also got some really good 3D pictures and video and she was very cooperative. It's hard to tell who she'll look like, but seems to be a little more pudgy than Braden was at 32 weeks. Braden was excited to see the pictures of his baby sister and seems to be very aware of what's gong on---just not the fact that this one will take a lot of Mommy's attention and cry a lot. We'll figure that out as we go. :) We also talked about scheduling my C-section today and as long as everything progresses well without problems or early labor, it's planned for Monday, July 11th at 9am. Getting closer and closer. . . . I'm excited, but also a little nervous about the change from 1 to 2 kids. Eeek. How will I manage both? Will Braden be obnoxiously jealous? And also the recovery from a C-section, while managing both kids. Oh boy. Any and all help would be appreciated, I'm sure!  We don't have her room together yet. We still have much to do! We're hoping to get it painted next weekend, get a new dresser and finally start putting things together. As long as it's ready before she gets here, right? :)

Overall I'm continuing to feel good. Just getting bigger by the day. And managing Braden is becoming more challenging. I totally fell on my behind the other day as I was squatting to help Braden get undressed- if that tells you anything. :)

This summer will be an adventure!!!

3D/4D video

 Sweet baby girl face :)

And of course, Mommy at 32 weeks prego.

28 weeks and counting

 28 Weeks!

 Chloe at 2 weeks post-op

Easter 2011



This pregnancy seem to go faster and faster with each passing week/month.  We've had so much going on in our lives the past 6-8 weeks which has helped to increase the passing of time for me.

On March 1st we found out our Chloe girl had cancer- a soft tissue sarcoma on her left wrist.  The past 6-8 weeks has been a whirlwind with caring for her.  We've taken her up to Purdue numerous times for testing, consultations etc. We then elected to have her front leg amputated, although very sad about the decision. It was either do nothing and expect that the cancer would likely spread within the next year or so causing us to have to put her down. Or we could amputate, or we could do a local removal with radiation to a tune of ~$10k by the time it was all said and done. So, unfortunately the only logical decision was to amputate. She's now 2 weeks post-op and doing great. She's learned to do the stairs again, both up and down, and even today learned to "shake hands" with her one front paw by leaning back on her hind feet. She's quite the trooper through all this. So, needless to say, we've been consumed with worry over her and our financial situation in the midst of it. And, our thoughts of this next baby have been kinda put on the back burner. But, now that we feel that Chloe is on the healing path....we can now turn our attention back to baby girl.

We've been talking more about what to name this little girl....I had posted a voting pole online for our friends and family to give us their opinion on names.  Our ideas thus far have been: Eliana, Isabella, Ashley, Alyssa, Mya, Madelyn.  Our top pick is Eliana.  We think the name is beautiful, a little different and it means, "God has answered". So considering our journey in this pregnancy...we feel that God has answered our prayers with giving her to us. We'll see if we change our minds on the name along the way. :)

I'm continuing to feel good, just starting to get to the big and uncomfortable stage, but overall doing well. It is hard to chase after a 2 year old, hold him etc. when I wear out easy and don't have much lap to hold him on. So, that is certainly a different challenge this time around.

Braden is continuing to be a busy a 2 year old. We've transitioned him to his big boy bed a little over a week ago.  Overall he is doing well. Bedtimes and sometimes naps take a little longer to get him to lay down and go to sleep.  He is definitely in the "Terrible Twos" with obedience being a major issue and spankings and time-outs being a regular occurrence at our house. We are taking a class at church on the book Shepherding a Child's Heart- which we've already read, but now hope to glean more useful info/tools with parenting. Parenting certainly is a full time job!
Lately he's said some really funny things....the other day he gave me his binky, shoving it in my mouth and then very seriously looks at me and says, "need a sleeve"? He's comfort measure when he has his binky is to pull his right sleeve over his hand, grab hold of it and pull at the edges with his other hand. It's been his habit since he was probably 8 months old. Cracks me up!  I know he's said some other things.....I need to sit and write them all out sometime.

Looking to the next month.....on May 20th, I have my 32 week appt with our 3D/4D ultrasound. We are very much looking forward to it to see what this little girl looks like. :) And, hopefully in the next month we'll get the rest of the baby "stuff" that we need and start putting her room together.

20 Week Ultrasound!

 20 Week belly pictures

 Baby Belly

 Braden hugging the baby. :)

Today was a great day to see our baby and learn we're having a GIRL! Braden has somehow always seemed to know he was having a baby sister. :)  The ultrasound tech said that often times it seems that kids younger than 5 have an uncanny intuition about this sort of thing and usually their guesses are right. 

Everything measured perfectly and we're still on track for a July 15th due date. She's been moving more and more and Curtis has even been able to feel her movements a couple times. And of course my belly is getting bigger and bigger and I'm starting to get that uncomfortable just-being-big feeling which includes not sleeping as well. But we've got a long way to go yet......:) It's exciting to now be able to seriously talk about names and think about getting her room ready and buy girly clothes. :) What an exciting journey we have ahead of us. :)

New pictures

Thomas the Train Cupcakes
One of his favorite gifts- a new tractor!

Yummy!

He knew what to do with it this year. :)

16 weeks pregnant

13 weeks pregnant

9 weeks pregnant

Baby updates

Our Braden turned 2 on January 22nd. It's hard to believe it's been that long since he was born. He brings more and more joy to our lives with each passing month/year. We had a birthday party on Saturday the 22nd with family. We did a Thomas the Train theme with decorations and cupcakes from The Flying Cupcake (Yum!) He had a great time playing with his cousins and enjoying his Thomas cupcake. He got so many fun things- a new tractor to push, books, summer clothes, a big marble track, a "push button" toy and $ towards the Children's Museum and a Membership to the Zoo from Grandma, Grandpa, Conrad, Carrie and Ashton.

He continues to say more and more things. He's putting together words more everyday- saying complete sentences on a regular basis. One new thing he says (thanks to Daddy) when they are kicking the ball around is. "See that? Awesome!" He cracks us up daily. He also seems to have quite a skill for kicking a ball and has surprising accuracy even to kick the ball out of the air off a bounce. Curtis is impressed and secretly hoping he'll be a soccer star someday. :)

We've sorta started the potty training in that we're trying to establish a routine of sitting on the potty before getting dressed in the morning and before PJ's at night. He's successful often and is rewarded with marshmallows. We'll start incorporating more scheduled potty times soon. He also enjoys watching Elmo's Potty Time which helps to reinforce what we're teaching. I'm hoping to have him potty trained before the new baby comes, but we'll see......

Speaking of new baby......I'm now 16 weeks pregnant and have an obvious baby belly at this point. I recently officially switched over from "regular" clothes to maternity clothes. The regular clothes just weren't cutting it anymore. My seasons are switched from my pregnancy with Braden so a lot of my winter clothes from before are too big now. I've had to get a couple new shirts to get me through the winter.

I've recently started to feel baby moving which is so exciting and so affirming that everything is going OK. At my OB appointment yesterday she commented that my uterus is already up to my belly button and usually doesn't reach that point until 20 weeks. So that is good news that baby is growing well. We also heard the heartbeat- 154 bpm. Braden again heard the heart beat and said "Train!". :) Next month on March 1st we'll have our ultrasound to find out the gender of this baby. Everyone including Braden thinks this is a "baby sister". We'll see! And we're anxious to find out!

We are so blessed to have one beautiful boy and a perfect pregnancy....such a testimony of God's grace and goodness. Even during the stressful days as we're getting into the "terrible two's" when I'm constantly on Braden's case about obeying and having a happy heart.......we couldn't be more grateful.

1st OB appt; 12 weeks

Today was my first OB appt with Dr. Fenoughty. Curtis and Braden went as well. We started with the ultrasound which as you can see, looks so different than the last time. You can actually tell it's a baby now, :) with a head/face profile, body and even legs and arms and feet. It's so amazing to see the growth progress. The baby was even moving and kicking all around. Again we were able to hear the heartbeat, which Braden again thought was a Chu-Chu train. Braden even recognized the pictures as a baby and was starting to make the connection of a baby in Mommy's tummy. So cute! According to the ultrasound, Dr. Fenoughty thinks my due date is closer to July 15th (which I was thinking the 16th, not the 21st like Dr. Jarrett had thought.) We discussed plans for delivery and the pros/cons of planned C-section vs. VBAC and most likley we'll be going with a planned C-section the week before my due date which would put us about July 8th- our anniversary. We still can't believe this is all happening!!! So excited!

I'm definitely starting to show a little bit and finding clothes that fit are becoming more of a challenge. I did finally share my news with my bosses this week. They were both happy for us, but a little anxious since July/August is a very busy time of year. Somehow they'll manage. :)