Melt my heart...

This baby girl already has her Daddy wrapped. Seriously...he is in love. :) And I'm even more in love with him, seeing him care for and love on our baby girl. Alex took care of A today and I took a 3 hour nap. SO NICE.


It's Halloween. Alex hates this holiday. I told him that we could turn off the front porch light when the candy is gone. His response, "well the next kid is going to get lucky because I'm giving them the entire bowl." HA! I had a huge bowl of candy and it was gone in no time. Lots of trick-or-treaters this year! My favorite costume to show up on my front porch...a tiny Michael Jackson. He had the white glove and all. So cute! Kids these days crack me up. I had so many kids looking into the bowl of candy, placing their orders. "I'll take a hershey bar, a peppermint patty & a dum-dum." Seriously!? LOL

Anywho, we're now enjoying a quiet evening at home with our baby girl. She's currently laying on her Daddy's chest - watching the Hogs game. :) Life is good.

Love to all,

Out of the house...

After being in the hospital for over a week and then at home for a couple of days, it was nice to get out of the house...even if it was for a doctor's appointment. A had her first doc's appointment today. Our baby girl is 8 days old! I tried to do a one week post last night, but my computer wasn't cooperating. And I was tired. So I gave up. Here are a few pics from today.

Mommy & A at the doctor's office


We were happy that Grinny got to go with us! My sweet Momma has been driving back and forth from my house to my sister's house for the past few days. She has been taking care of everyone and I know she's exhausted...she has been the biggest help!! Pray for my sister, Joy. She had her tonsils out. That is a very hard surgery to have when you're above the age of 5. I know this because I had mine out at 4 years ago...it was bad.


Our baby girl is a little piglet. She has gained 3 1/2 ounces since being home from the hospital. And she now weighs half an ounce more than her birth weight...YAY!!


This is A's pediatrician. We really liked her and she was very happy with A's improvements since coming home. Her bilirubin is coming down as well!


I asked Momma if we could stop by the store to pick up a few things after leaving the doc's office. I was feeling pretty good and felt like walking around some. So A had her first trip to Wally-World.


She didn't see any of it though. She was snoozing and I kept her like this the entire time we were out. My blog friend, Mel sent me this cute blanket with A's name and date of birth. I love it! It came in very handy today while sitting in the pediatrician's office, watching everyone around us cough their heads off. Ick.


It was an all-around good day! A is so sweet. I could just sit and kiss her face all day long. I love being a Mommy. :)

Love to all,

A special day...

This day is very special for us. Alex and I had our very first date, 15 years ago tonight! I have a pretty fantastic husband. He sent me a sweet email this morning, reminding me of the day. How many husbands remember the date of their very first date? Most are good to remember their anniversary! (LOL) I am blessed.

Another reason that today is special...we brought our baby girl home!!

We arrived home around 10:30 this morning. A and I immediately went to bed and stayed there. She wakes up for her feeding every 3 hours...I change her, take her temp, feed her and then she goes back to sleep for another 3 hours. I'm not finding it hard to sleep while she sleeps. This is a new kind of tired for me. A good kind. :) I'm so happy to have her home with us.

Thank you all for your prayers. I'll post more soon, but need to get a little sleep before her next feeding.

Love to all,

Change of plans...

We've had a change of plans and did not go home today. A lost more weight, her bilirubin is up, and she was unable to hold her body temp overnight. They have us staying in a sleep room in the NICU, so that we don't have to leave her. Though we wanted to leave today, we don't want to take her home until she is ready. She is down to 4 lbs - 10 oz...tiny little thing. :) We're up'ing her feedings and I'm giving her breast milk as well as formula to help with the weight gain and jaundice. We're keeping our room nice and toasty and bundling her up to help with her body temp. The nursing staff has been awesome. They insisted that I go home today and take a nap and get a shower (the sleep rooms only have a half-bath). It's amazing how much better you feel with just a few hours of sleep. :) Alex went back to work today. I know he had to be exhausted...he got maybe 3 hours of sleep. He wants to stay here with his girls vs. sleeping at home and it was a LONG NIGHT, last night. Please continue to pray for our baby girl. I have no doubt that we will be bringing her home soon...she just needs a little more time.

Thought I would share a couple of pics of A with her Grinny & Nana. :)

A with her Grinny (My Mom)


A with her Nana (Alex's Mom)


Love to all,

Bringing home baby...

You may be wondering why A is smiling in the picture above. Well...it was because I was telling her the good news...she gets to go home with Daddy & Mommy tomorrow!! I have cried every day, since they told me that I would go home before her. They said she would be here for a week after I went home. I immediately started praying that she would be home by at least mid-week. I figured I could handle a few days better than a full week, but as always, God had better plans! Something seemed to happen each day that kept me here and A just continued to improve. I'm so happy that we will go home as a family of three!

I have been breastfeeding for a few days now and it is going very well. A has latched on from day one, but getting her to stay awake and continue to feed was a problem. By day three, she was nursing like a champ! I have to say that breastfeeding is a commitment and a lot of work. I can see why a lot of Mommas give up and just go to formula. I wasn't excited about breastfeeding when I first got pregnant...the thought of it...well...it grossed me out. The longer I was pregnant, I started opening up to the idea and once she was here, I WANTED to do it. I felt so helpless with her in the NICU, I felt as though it was the only thing I could do for her. Though it's tiring and sometimes painful, I'm really enjoying that time with her.

Many have said they want to hear A's birth story. I will be honest...I don't remember a whole lot of it. I will have Alex type that post because he was there and remembers everything. He will explain why I don't remember much of it. So when Alex can, he will post. :) And speaking of my husband, he has been THE BEST partner in all of this. He hasn't left my side, has slept on a terribly uncomfortable bed, has had little-to-no-sleep, and has taken wonderful care of me. He's the best. I love you, babe.

Tonight A will join us in our room...this will be our first night with her! I'm sure I will get very little sleep, but I'm excited to have my baby girl by my bedside.

Love to all,

Day 4 in NICU...

A continues to do well. I didn't end up going home today...will probably be tomorrow. Praying our little girl joins us at home SOON. Thank you for your prayers!

Love,

Day 3 in NICU...

I get to hold my baby girl for the first time today. 1 o'clock can't get here soon enough. Thank you all for your prayers and sweet comments. A is continuing to do well with each passing day. I promise to write more when we're home and things have settled down a bit. For now, pictures will have to do. :)

Love,

We'd like to introduce our daughter...

I've been away from the blog for a few days...the above picture is why. :) A is doing great. She's in the NICU - will more than likely be there for another week. I should go home on Sunday.

More details later...

Love,

35 weeks...

A doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

I had my doctor's appointment last Wednesday. I wasn't able to see my doc (he was on vacay) but I did get to choose who I wanted to see, so I picked Dr. B. My bp was up, so he ran some blood work (all came back okay). I had to do a 24-hour urine analysis yesterday...seriously, collecting your urine is so gross. I'm sure everything will come back fine, since the blood work came back okay. They are just watching me closely since we're getting so close to my due date. I see my doctor again tomorrow. I start going every week now. CRAZY!! I feel like I'm getting a cold - woke up with a cough. My doc's office told me to go get both flu shots. I still haven't. I'm trying to find a place to get the H1N1 vaccine. Neither my OB or primary care have it.

My sister and I had a big job last week. It was a 2-day event that we were catering. My Mom came in to help us with the job and THANK GOODNESS she did. We have the best time together. We laughed A LOT...cried a little...happy tears of course. :) I seriously have the best Momma in the world. She was up at 5am every day and working until midnight helping us get things together for the next day. She's awesome and I love her to pieces. There is no way we could have done it without her. Thank you Momma...you're the best!!

I had my 3rd and final baby shower yesterday. It was at my church and it was fabulous! I will post pics this week. I received several items that I really needed and then some really cute things with A's name and monogram!

Everyone says I should have my bag packed. I've been asking people what to pack. Any suggestions on what to throw in the bag?

I will post more soon. I lost the cord to my camera, so I can't put any of my pics on the computer. That's why I didn't include a belly shot in this post. Just imagine me very large and swollen. HA! My S-I-L sent me all of her pics from the shower though, so I will post those soon.

Love,

Pray for Hope...

I've been away from blogland for a few days...has been a very busy week with out catering business.

I would like to ask you to lift up a sweet friend of mine. She and her husband have been on my heart for several days now. You may already read her blog - if so, I'm sure your heart is hurting for them as well.

My friend, Hope is hurting right now. She was to adopt her son, Isaac, and recently found out that it was all a hoax. Just days before traveling to get her baby boy, she finds out that there is no Isaac. My heart breaks for her and Scott. Please pray for them during this very difficult time.

Love,

I'm an addict...

I have two new addictions that I must share with you. I love Fresh Market - I could spend hours in that store! A couple of weeks ago, I found these two items and I seriously can't get enough of them.

The first is called Wallaby Organic Yogurt. My favorite flavors are the Banana Vanilla & also the Key Lime. They aren't too sweet which is why I like them. Fresh Market can't keep these flavors stocked because I go and wipe them out - as soon as they put out more!


My second addiction is this water called HINT. Have you tried it!?? I have tried several of the flavors and so far, the Pear is my fave. I love water...especially if it's infused with something. The great thing about HINT is that it has no sugar...it's just water and it is so yummy!!


I recommend that you try them...you'll be addicted too. :)

34 weeks - nursery accessories - gifts

I'm 34 weeks...WOW!! We're getting so close. The belly is definitely growing. Now every time I go out, someone asks when I'm due. I guess I look like I could deliver at any moment. HA! Some days I feel as though I could! I go in for my next doc appointment this Wednesday. Only two more weeks and I start going every week. Hard to believe. I'm getting so anxious to see her. I want to see who she looks like. Does she have lots of hair?? Does she have full lips?? I told Alex that I can't tell one thing by that 20 week u/s photo! :) She is kicking all of the time. A lot of times it takes my breath away. She got the hiccups for the first time, last week. At least this is the first time I was able to actually feel them. She had them for about 5 minutes. I just sat there and laughed...it was the coolest thing.



A now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever.

I still have several things to do in her nursery, but not stressing about it. Alex has assured me that he will help me finish up. The seamstress comes tomorrow to pin-fit the fabric for the chair. She told me that she will put me at the top of the list, so that I have my chair before A arrives. We mainly just have to get things on the walls. Oh, and I also have a special piece that I'm going to put in her room. My Grandpa Mc made my Mom, as well as me and my sisters a hope chest when we graduated high school. I had him keep mine a natural wood because I couldn't decide on what color I wanted it painted or stained. I graduated...well...many years ago and it's still natural wood. I'm going to have Alex paint it and we're going to use it as A's toy chest. My Mom is going to make a cushion for the top, so it will also serve as extra seating. It means a lot to me to have a piece made by her Great Grandfather in her room.

Here are a few accessories that are in her room. This is the lamp that I've decided on. It's a white linen shade w/black trim on a silver base. I am contemplating putting her monogram on the shade. I love monogrammed things but at the same time, I don't want her room to have her name everywhere. There are already a few places/items that will have her monogram or initial. What do you think? Monogram on the shade or not? One of the places with her monogram is on a tiffany blue pillow that my friend, Nitzia made for me. The tiffany blue pillow will go in the rocker and the one with the ruffles matches her bed skirt (not sure where I'm going to put it yet, but I love it :) The back of the ruffled pillow is in the same hot pink that is on her bumper.



Here are a few things that A has received over the last week. My S-I-L gave her this little robe w/her initial on it (it even came with slippers!) and she also gave her the white sweater with her initial. LOVE THEM!! My Aunt Sandi bought me this diaper bag...LOVE IT as well. She offered to have it monogrammed but I'm still trying to decide if I want to do that or just keep it the way it is. I have cute bag tags to put on her things, so I may not have it monogrammed. And the cute little Uggs were a gift to A from me. I couldn't resist. :) Aren't they so cute!? If she has big feet like her Mommy, she will be able to wear them sooner than later.



That's all for now! Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Love,

And the winner is....

Thanks to everyone who entered my first Favorite Holiday Things Giveaway for this year! The winner of this giveaway receives these two cds, which are two of my favorites!!





Random.org chose the winner for me.

AND THE WINNER IS...............

#26 - who left the following comment
Catrisha T said...
I also made a post about your give away at my Baby Dreams blog.
Many hugs and hope you're taking it easy.
October 6, 2009 10:08 PM

Congratulations Catrisha! I hope you enjoy these cds as much as I do. :) I'll be contacting you to get your info soon!

Next giveaway will be coming up this week!

Love,

Fall Decor...

Fall has officially arrived!! It actually feels like Autumn outside. I love it! I'm thinking I will make some hot apple cider tonight. YUMMY! I'm looking forward to when it's cool enough in the evenings to use the fireplace. Though it's going to have to get pretty darn cool for that to happen. Pregnancy makes a girl hot! My poor family and friends that come over. They sit wrapped up in blankets or know to bring a sweater when they visit. HA!

My Momma was kind enough to do my fall decorating. Alex commented on how great the house looks...so Momma, you did a great job! :) I've posted a collage of pics below (click on the pic to enlarge).

I changed up my mantle this year. I bought the wheat bundles at TJ Maxx, added a larger leaf garland that I already had, and then sprinkled a few of my glass pumpkins throughout the leaves. My dining room table is a little bare this year. Still can't decide if I want to add more to it or not. For now it's staying the way it is. I bought the GIVE THANKS pillows on clearance last year at PB. I just couldn't bring myself to pay full price. I had forgotten I had them, until Momma pulled them out of the closet! I found the caramel apples a couple of months ago. Don't they look real!? Everyone that comes into the kitchen has to pick one up to see. :) Of course, I have to have my WS hand soap & lotion. This year they have Spiced Chestnut for fall...it smells SO GOOD!



That's all for now! I will be back with a baby/nursery update soon. :)

Don't forget to enter my (1st of many) Favorite Holiday Things Giveaway! You can enter HERE. The deadline to enter is tonight at midnight.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Little Drummer Boy...

It started with pots & pans...



He has come a long way! We see him playing on the JC Praise Team by age 10. :)



Make sure you check out my Favorite Things Giveaway - HERE!

Love,

Favorite Things Giveaway!!

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year! If Alex would let me, the tree would already be up. :) I have so many favorite things and I would love to share them with YOU! Last year I put together a big basket to give away. This year I want to do several different giveaways, so that more of you can enjoy some of my favorites!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. I have to admit, I've already been listening to Christmas music in my car. Since September actually. (HA!) There is just something about Christmas music that puts me in an immediate good mood. LOVE IT!!

So for my first giveaway, I want to share two of my favorite Christmas cds. I have so many cds that I listen to over the holidays, but these two are classics and I love 'em!





So if you would like to add these two Christmas cds to your collection, simply leave me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song or cd!

For extra entries:
Let me know that you're a follower of this blog.
Post about this giveaway on your blog.

Please leave each entry in a separate comment.

If you don't have a blog, please make sure that you leave an email address, so that I can get in touch with you.

***All entries must be received by Saturday, October 10th at midnight.

Good luck!!

33 weeks and counting...

I'm not even going to tell you what my husband was saying while taking this pic. He was totally making me laugh. I WILL tell you that I'm 33 weeks and counting the days until November! :)


Here's what little miss is up to this week!

This week A weighs a little over 4 pounds (like a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. I'm relieved to know that A no longer looks like an alien. (LOL)

Fall is officially here and I'm lovin' it! My parents were in town for a couple of days. They had to leave Saturday afternoon, but before they left my Mom put out my fall decor. I'm still experiencing some serious swollen feet/legs when I'm up for more than a few hours at a time. We had been out for a while and the feet were feeling it. She brought me back to the house to lay down while she decorated. Thank you, Momma!! I'm going to post pics of my fall decor soon. :)

My little niece, K turned 1 on Saturday! I remember that day like it was yesterday. On the day she was born, I was struggling to hang on to hope. The pic below is our first picture together...she was just hours old. I had just gone through a 2nd cycle and was on bed rest. I remember going to the hospital, holding her in my arms, and the tears started falling. I remember my family just giving me that moment with her. It was a happy day, but at the same time, very hard for me. I wanted so badly to be holding my own baby. Just a week later, I found out that I was not pregnant. It seems like my cycles always fell around the birth of a niece/nephew. I know now that God was in that. He was in every little detail and was doing a work in my heart with each failed cycle. I had no idea that in just a year, I would be weeks away from having my own baby girl. The waiting was hard. But I still wouldn't change a thing about our 3 year journey up to this point. His timing is perfect. He brought me to a place of finding joy in my infertility. A place of thankfulness. And then He blessed us with our miracle baby.


K shares a birthday with my Grandma Mc, so they had a joint party. It was a gorgeous day...perfect weather to be outside. By the time of the party, I had been up for a long time. My Uncle snapped the pic of me with my eyes closed...I could have totally fallen asleep there on my Daddy's shoulder. That was around the end of the party...I promise I didn't sleep through the entire thing!! :)



I hope you guys have a great week!

OH....I will be posting the 1st giveaway for my favorite Christmas things, this week! You won't want to miss it!

Love,