Planning

My own mother had 8 children.  EIGHT!  Back then there was no ultrasounds to find out the gender, she had them all 'natural', and they came when they came.  I know there are still ones out there that choose to go that same route.  I even have friends that have home births.  I think that is awesome for them...just not for me.

I like my doctor.  I like hearing my babies heartbeat each visit.  I am thankful this time around to know that we are bringing a boy into our family.  I am thankful that I will be able to have this baby in a hospital surrounded with people that know how to care for my baby, and make sure things go smoothly.  I also like the fact that I have a doctor that is willing to work with me and my 'planning.'

We planned for this baby, but I never realized how incredibly hard this would be to have a baby in MAY!  May is chock full of field trips, piano recitals, dance recitals, EVMCO concert, graduations, and end of the year festivities. 

As the time has drawn closer, I continued to look at my calendar and hypervenhilate.  My due date was/is Friday, May 20th.  On Thursday, May 19th -  Sydney & Shawn have a night rehearsal with EVMCO.  On Friday, May 20th - Another night rehearsal with EVMCO.  Saturday, May 21st - Sydney has a dance recital in the morning, and then that afternoon Shawn and Sydney are headed to The MAC for their performance of The Amazing Grace with Collin Raye.  

Seriously the worst time to have a baby for me. So my lovely doctor has made my world brighter.  On Friday, May 13th...I get to have this baby!  It is so nice to know that I won't have to stress over the following weekend.  I still kinda laugh that I am able to 'plan' it, but I am thankful all at the same time. 

And the Winner is....

The Monday after Christmas, December 27th, we had our Baby Revealing Party!  I have to say for me, it was almost more exciting than Christmas.  Shawn and I went in for the actual ultrasound appointment at 3 pm.  I know there is lots of controversy about ultrasounds, but I loved seeing my little baby move around inside of me.  Everything looked perfect, and the baby is growing great.  My doctor even moved my due date to May 20th (a whole 6 days earlier! Yay!) 

Julie, the 'secret keeper' and also one of the bestest friends ever, met us in the waiting room.  She intercepted the evidence and left.  It was fun knowing that she was ripping open that envelope and seeing what our family was going to be expecting. 

Later that evening, the time finally came.

Friends & family arrived.

We ate yummy soup & salad.

Then the moment came.

We gathered all our kids.

Sydney was grinning with excitement.

Then we began to open the present.

Everyone screamed.

IT'S A BOY!

Then I watched as my sweet little Sydney...

M-E-L-T-E-D

My heart was a mix of emotions.

Excited that Thomas would be getting a buddy,

 But sad for my little girl who had hoped for a sister.

She actually did pretty well, and didn't cry in front of everyone.

Although later we had a little talk to make sure she was okay.  She said "It's okay, mom I will love my little brother."  Then her big eyes welled up with tears..and she said "but I really wanted a sister."  It tugged at my heart to see her so sad for such an innocent request. 

That night, as I tucked her into bed we talked about how she would be getting her very own room. We started thinking about a new bed, and new decorations (ladybugs, daisies & butterflys).  She loved the aspect of not having to share her 'girly' things, and we even told her that she could dress up the baby like a girl from time to time (*thanks Karyn*).  She is getting more and more used to the idea continuing her reign of being the only princess of our castle, and knows that she is going to have 3 strong knights to watch over and protect her. 

Boys are great, and we are excited to welcome another one into our crazy clan!

Will we find out...???

It has been kinda strange thinking about the fact that in May I am going to be a mother of 4! FOUR!  I am excited for this little one to join our family.  Sydney, is probably the most excited out of all the kids.  Even months before we decided to have another child, Sydney started asking me when I was going to give her a sister.  We all kinda laughed, and I told her I didn't know...besides the fact that we can't choose whether we have a brother or a sister. 

After I had Thomas I had a really hard time losing the weight that I had gained with him.  Usually within the year I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight (although that is still a little more than where I want to be), but 18months later I still weighed exactly the same weight I did when I gave birth!  Needless to say it was a little depressing.  I was determined to lose the weight before I got pregnant again.  I did really well at first, and lost about 15-20 pounds, but still had about 5-10 that I still wanted to lose.  I kept telling myself that "Once I lost that weight...then I could get pregnant."  For months I was at a plateau, and wasn't losing or gaining any weight.  Around the summer time I started to feel like it was just 'time'...that if I waited to lose that weight...I may never do it.  One thing I knew is there was atleast one more left waiting to join our family, and I would rather he/she come earlier rather than later. 

In September we found out we were expecting.  Shawn was a little shocked, but is getting used to the idea.  Now we just get to wait.  As most of you know, with my last pregnancy we didn't find out what we were having.  I have to tell you...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!  The problem is that it drove Shawn crazy.  The other issue that we have now is the fact that Sydney is determined that it is a girl...so if a baby brother is joining our family, our little girl is going to need some emotional prep time before the baby arrives.  So we came up with a comprimise that my cousin Lori did with her last pregnancy.  I feel it is perfect because I still get a fun 'surprise', but there is no waiting until the baby comes. Here are the details...

1.  We will be going in for our ultrasound on Monday, December 27th.  While there we will tell the tech that we don't want to know what the gender is, but to put the 'evidence' in an envelope.

2.  Said envelope will be given to my best friend Julie.  She will be the keeper of the secret by opening the envelope, and doing a little shopping for us.

3.  On the evening of the 27th...ALL Family & Friends are invited to our house at 6 pm for a potluck dinner of your favorite Soup or Salad. 

4.  After eating we will open the gift that Julie has given revealing either a BOY or GIRL outfit inside!

So mark your calendars, and let me know if you would like to come.  Really anyone is welcome...heck it is just a good excuse to get together, and catch up! 

It should be lots of fun...in the meantime I get to focus on my family, and the Christmas Season!  Still got some shopping to do!

Meeting Baby Thomas

Watching your children as they meet their sibling for the first time is one of the most precious things to witness. They finally get to see the tiny little baby that has been 'growing' in Mommy's tummy. As time grew closer to my due date, Caden and Sydney were more and more anxious to meet this little bundle. Since Thomas came at night, the kids didn't get to meet him until the following morning.

In walked Caden and Sydney with their "I am the BIG Brother/Sister" shirts that we had made together shortly before Thomas was born. Caden was holding a gift that he had helped pick out for the baby. He was so sure that the "baby was going to LOVE it." My heart melted as they first laid eyes on their brother. Caden was amazed at how tiny the baby was. They both immediately wanted to hold their brother.

Caden was nice enough to open the gift he had chosen for Thomas. He waved the little cow in front of the baby's face, and then exclaimed..."See Mom, he LOVES it!" They got excited when they realized that Thomas had gotten them gifts too. Caden got Chick Hicks & the Dynaco car from the movie Cars. Sydney got some more dollies for her dollhouse. They couldn't be happier about the arrival of their new 'Baby Thomas.'

It really was a sweet moment for me.

Some are dying to know...

I know you all are probably looking at this picture and wondering what the heck it is. This past Thursday I went in for my ultrasound, and now the answer to that nagging question is sealed and stapled in this very envelope. It sits in my wallet, and I see when I go to make purchases. I know it is there, and I know that all I have to do is rip it open, and it will reveal to me what we will be having. Yet there is a part of me that smiles each time knowing that I am not opening it. I can hear the screaming now. It will probably drive you all crazy, but for right now it is staying sealed with an opening date to be determined. We may open it...we may not. I just haven't decided yet. Until then, I smile everytime I open my wallet and see it staring back at me. Part of me is amazed that I have had enough will NOT to open it.

This past weekend has been a blur full of excitement and fun. I just feel like I haven't had time to breathe quite yet. It started with the ultrasound on Thursday, and then all of my Reunion activities over the weekend. To make things even busier we somehow managed to squeeze in a Family photo shoot! I will post the details and pictures of my fun weekend within the next few days.

Up for Debate...

As you all know I am pregnant. This is my third child, and I already have a boy & a girl. There is a part of me that doesn’t want to find out what we are having this time. There was no way that I could do that with Caden or Sydney because I wanted to be prepared for them. With this pregnancy it is different because I have the majority of the things that I will need for either sex.

I have mixed feelings about the whole matter. Part of me thinks it would be nice to find out because then we can prepare the kids for a “brother” or a “sister.” The other part thinks that it would be fun to keep it as a surprise, and wait till the baby is born.

Shawn wants to find out, and thinks I am silly for thinking otherwise. The ultrasound is scheduled for October 18th. I know the decision will ultimately be between me and Shawn, but I was wondering what your opinion is on the matter.

Would you find out or would you keep it a surprise? Dish me your thoughts! I may even put up a poll for a vote.

Wordless Wednesday - WooHoo!!

For more participants visit Wordless Wednesday HQ or 5 Minutes For Mom!

Cathy is Home!

Cathy was finally able to come home on Thursday. She still has some time before she is really better, but she is on that road. After Danny's wedding we went over and visited. The kids really loved seeing "Baby Dylan." He really is such a beautiful baby, and thankfully a good one for Cathy. She is adjusting to everything quite well. Her bedroom is upstairs, so right now they are camped out in their guest room until she is able to climb the stairs. It was really nice to hang out for a bit. I am so thankful that she is home.

Looking for a great gift?

Have you ever found yourself wandering the aisles at Target trying to choose something to give to that friend of yours who is slowing growing a baby in her belly. I know that I have. I love all the cute clothes, but there is a part of me that wants to give something that will last. Something that the baby will cherish, that won't be put in storage within a few weeks of wearing, and will remind them of me whenever they use it.

My cousin, Karma, helped to solve that problem. When she started having kids, she began fiddling around with different designs for blankets. She wanted something that her girls could cuddle up to. Something that was soft, smooth, and silky....but not heavy. She finally came up with a pattern, and stuck with it. Her daughters loved her blankets so much, Karma figured that her friends would too. She would make them for shower gifts and close friends. Before you knew it, people left and right were asking for her blankets.

That is when KooKoo CaChoo was born. I know that she is my cousin, so I may be biased, but these are some of the cutest, and best blankets that I have ever laid eyes or should I say hands on. She takes much care into making sure they are the highest quality fabrics, and they are sewed to last! I just had her make me one for Sydney, and that girl has fallen in love. These blankets truly are a keepsake, and something that your child or friends child will treasure forever.

So do me a favor, and go check out the unique designs that Karma has come up with. She also makes matching burp cloths! If you look through her designs, and still haven't found one you wanted she even does custom orders. She really makes the effort to help you be satisfied. I promise that you will not be dissapointed! I also added her button to my sidebar so that you will always be able to find it. And if you are looking for great jewelry...don't forget about Beauty Queen Boutique!