Quick Update

I just have a second, I'll write more later - but here is a quick update. Cora is a little over 5 weeks old! Crazy! She is really starting to fill out. She is a good baby for the most part. She is not awake that much at all. I don't remember Kaitlyn sleeping this much! Here is a picture that I just snapped of her. Not the greatest, but it's her! We are hoping her eyes stay blue!

A couple of weeks ago, me and some of my girlfriends took Kaitlyn to see Abilene's rendition of High School Musical. It was more like Elementary School Musical - the kids were so young! It was hilarious, but Kaitlyn loved it and enjoyed singing along to all of the songs. We have since bought her the CD, and she listens to it non stop. She will even try to do all the dance moves. She's quite the performer, letting everyone know when "her part" is coming up.

We have been traveling the past week and a half. I took the girls to Lubbock for a couple of days during the week. We enjoyed hanging out with Mamaw and Pappy! Then this past weekend we spent in Dallas seeing James' family. I'll have to write more about that later - time to go pick up the big sister.

Adjusting

Well, I feel like we are sort of getting in a routine. Kind of. Ok, not really. But things are getting easier now that everyone is feeling better in the house! Here are a few things going on:

Cora's 2 week appointment was quite interesting. When she was born they said she was 21 inches long. At 2 weeks she measured 24 inches. So, either they didn't stretch her all the way out at the hospital, or she grew 3 inches in 2 weeks. Any thoughts on that?

I applaud ALL nursing moms. I won't say too much about such a personal issue, but nursing has been the most horrible experience this time. I could only nurse Kaitlyn for 8 weeks, but I didn't even make it 2 weeks with Cora. It's been the most painful thing ever, and I'm just not tough enough to "work through it." Fortunately, I have an awesome doctor that doesn't make me feel guilty - and I'm pretty sure Cora and I are both happier that I don't scream and cry at every feeding. Let's just say "mastitis" is the worst word ever.

Kaitlyn has continued to do super good with this transition. She is starting at a new school - Young Childrens World at our church on Thursday. She'll go just on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I hope that she does well at a new place - I know that she is so ready to play with friends again. I'm also looking forward to some time with just Cora. Maybe I'll actually get a nap or two!

We have the greatest friends here. We have had the best dinners brought to us for the past couple of weeks. I really don't know how people go through times like this in their lives without a strong friend network. It's been such a blessing. Everyone has been extra sensitive to Kaitlyn too which has made her feel very special. Today a friend offered to bring lunch - and her sweet 4 year old over to play with Kaitlyn. James and I were talking today about how blessed we are with such sweet friends in our lives.

That's about all for now. Here are a couple new pictures:

Bedtime last night

This is what went down when we tucked Kaitlyn in last night: Preface -Earlier in the day when James was taking down the Christmas lights, Kaitlyn accidentally broke one.

She asked if she could have a sip of chocolate milk. Sure. I put just a little bit (to her disapproval) in her sippy cup, she drank it, and I tucked her in.

James went in to kiss her goodnight. Kaitlyn said, "Daddy, remember when I broke that light bulb? That made you very mad at me. And when you got mad at me, that made me so........... thirsty. Long pause.... Like I'm thirsty right now."

Little stinker. I love the way that girl thinks.

A Few New Pictures of the girls....

Weird - to say the girls. There are 2 of them! Crazy. Here are some updated pictures:

Chiquita Banana Girl

Check out my awesome hat! The big flower is supposed to be on the side, but my mommy was a little bit out of it when the hospital took my picture. I think it makes it look even more funny. My Daddy HATES it, but I think I'm pretty cute.

I'm Back.....

Well, what an eventful 10 days! I am so grateful to James for posting updates of sweet Cora for me. He did a pretty good job. I am trying to get more pictures to upload - we will hopefully get a new camera this weekend. It's killing me not being able to take pictures of our sweet new baby girl - and her EXTREMELY proud big sister. I promise I will add pics just as soon as I can!

Cora is just so beautiful. She smiles more than any newborn I've ever seen - gas or no gas, it's really cute. We can't really decide who she looks like, or if she looks like Kaitlyn at all. She has very long fingers, perfect skin, and little bird legs that just crack me up.

Labor went very well - I had the best nurse ever that made everything really easy. I went into labor on my own with Kaitlyn, so being induced was all new to me. It was a very smooth process, lasting only about 6 1/2 hours. Afterward, however is when the fun began. While in the hospital I started getting a bad headache any time I sat up or stood up. I didn't think much about it, but it got so much worse when we got home. Saturday night, the 23rd, we made an emergency room visit after I sat up to feed Cora and about passed out. The doctor said it was probably a spinal headache - which happens when something is punctured during the epidural, causing spinal fluid to leak - causing the worst headache known to man. Anyway - at the emergency room they hooked me up to an IV and pumped me full of caffine (supposed to close the hole), pain meds, and anti - nausea meds.

That worked for a few hours, but then the headache came back. Christmas morning, I watched Kaitlyn open her presents laying flat on my back, my eyes barely open. I was SO SAD that I couldn't help her open things, play with her new toys - or even sit up for that matter. So, back to the ER we went. Most of Christmas Day was spent there - getting the same stuff pumped into me. I was supposed to get a blood patch that day, but there was not an anesthesiologist available to do it. Apparantly it wasn't enough of an emergency for the one on call to come in. Nice. So, the next day, I was able to go in and have the blood patch. This is where they take blood from my arm and inject it into my spine so that it can flow up there and clot the hole that is causing fluid to leak. This hurt really bad because they couldn't find the right spot in my back. They tried 4 or 5 different times before it worked. I'm still feeling the after effects from that - but finally my headache is gone. What an ordeal. Merry Christmas to me!

My family has been nothing short of amazing. My house has managed to stay clean, laundry has been done continuously, meals have been brought, Kaitlyn has had fun things to do, and of course - there is always someone willing to hold the baby! Even with all the drama that has gone on, we have been so incredibly blessed this Christmas. We have a beautiful, healthy baby girl, a new computer for the house, a beautiful new kitchen table to share family meals, lots of new, fun toys for Kaitlyn, and wonderful friends and family to share it with.

I promise I'll add more pictures soon!

One week ago Today + 1

So one week ago and one day we became a four person family. The house seems smaller, Kaitlyn seems bigger and babies sleep too much. Leslie doesn't sleep enough.

It must be hard for girls, you have to be awake to feed the baby everytime. You have about two hours to prepare for the next feeding and then you have all the uncomfortableness that goes with recently having a baby.

Amazing. I guess that's why God chose women to have kids because men would outsource it or pay someone else to do it and better.

Cora is great. She is a wonderful baby because you know exactly what she wants at all times. if she cries, she's hungry. Other than that she's quiet. We hear her make messes in her diaper and with all the soft and fluffy blankets, clothes and whatever, she has to be comfortable.

Kaitlyn has been good for the past week. Not too jealous and still helpful. She is off to Ft. Worth for a couple of days to hang out with family. I miss her greatly. With Leslie taking care of the baby, my mom helping Leslie and Kaitlyn not there to play with I look for other forms of entertainment. Last night I beat my Mom in 11-card gin twice, she beat 3 times in 7-card gin. I watched Sweet Home Alabama yesterday with Lesle and my Mom. Some early foreshadowing into my life in 10 years.

All in all this has been wonderful. Our wonderful friends from church have brought us food (thanks Holly, Hannah and Eric, Wendy and Mandy today). We have been eating like kings and "now its time for a breakdown": (i loved that part in the song from Never Gonna Get it)

Hannah made a chocolate cheescake for us on Wednesday that was awesome. How can I be a judge of what is awesome and what is not as far as cheesecake goes, I'll tell ya. My Dad loves cheesecake and he would always have it for his birthday. I have NEVER liked cheesecake so I would always miss out. Not to be rude on Wednesday (even though she was not there) I had a piece. I was wonderful. Here's the kicker, Hannah doesn't like cheesecake either.

Ok, back to my family. Leslie is the toughest girl I know, she could be the toughest person I know. Cora and her have already created a special bond and there is nothing more beautiful that looking at your wife holding your child while SportsCenter is on.

More updates to come and good news, we were given a laptop for Christmas and Leslie will be online shortly so I will be cutting back on the posts. Lucky for you.


****Because you read all of this I will show you a picture of Leslie 5 secs after giving birth to Cora. ****

Somethings to point out in this picture:
1. Her wedding rings are on, not the case last time
2. The most amazing nurse Caroline is in the background. She was fantastic and cool to talk to. Leslie and I did not like moving out of labor and delivery and her not being able to come with us.
3. Leslie's smiling, always a pretty picture.




Thank God for everything today!

Cora came in like a Lion

Leslie getting ready for the big day. There were some nerves and anticipation of the wonderful day ahead.

Except one small detail, our camera broke the night before. We had to call in a favor from our good Friend Lindsay, to save the day.

We entered the hospital just before 7:00am and by 8:38am everything was getting started.



In this picture Leslie is showing her excitement for the upcoming delivery. I think this was one of her cutiermoments

So everythin g was going to plan and Leslie was progrssing nicely. I had a gentleman's bet with Leslie that the birth would be at 2:30pm, The nurse had 4:00pm and Leslie's dad had 3:01pm. He won.


On Thursday December 21, 2006 - Cora arrived, Screaming.

She was so beautiful, healthy and OK.

Here is her picture with her excited big sister.


Leslie is currently having day surgery for the epidural she recieved. There were some complications afterwards with spinal headaches. She is getting that fixed right now. I ask that you pray for her and thank God for the healthy life he brought into this world and that for the most part everyone is ok.

God is great and we owe him everything.

Have a great day.

Just a Side Note

Instead of having Cora on Friday, we will be having her Thursday morning.

Please pray for Leslie and Cora.

We're excited to meet her.

2 Days Left and the Perfect Sopping Experience

Since Leslie has officially gone on Maternity Leave, I will be handling the updating of the blog for the next couple of weeks. Everyone should be so lucky.

We have two days before Cora makes an appearance and cannot wait.

This weekend we went shopping for Christmas presents. It was the single most perfect present buying experience ever documented. I say that because I have never seen a documented successful shopping trip, when it comes to presents. Here we go. . .

Leslie has been "uncomfortable" for several weeks now, and we knew that there was only one way to knock out Christmas presents. . . in one straight shot. Leslie made the list of gifts and stores where to buy. I was in charge of logistics of the route and most efficient way to find the gifts and exit the store without a wasted step. Brenna, our awesome cousin, was in charge of Kaitlyn. Mission Accomplished.

We started with Target, I dropped Leslie off and parked the car in backwards (to make the exit easy) went into Target and proceeded to the back of the store. Leslie was already accomplishing goal one by getting in line for a cup of ice and bag of chips. I proceeded to the toys, she went to the card section, we met in electronics. Exit Target.

Then we ran by Ashley's home furnishing, just to look but I incorporated this into our route, so not much time was lost.

Off to the Mall. I dropped Leslie off in front of BestBuy, parked the car and entered. This is where we went off track slightly. I was side tracked by TVs and stereo equipment. Leslie pulled me back on board and walked into the mall making sure to go in a loop that ended on the backside Dillards. I then departed to retrieve the car on complete other side of Dillards, picked her up and went to Chili's with our gift card (thanks ACU). After lunch, we went to Lacks. Another sight seeing mission. This was suppose to be the last stop but then Leslie mentioned Steinmart and it ALMOST eliminated the perfect shopping experience, until I realized it was on the way home and all was good.

Leslie was a trooper and we had a wonderful time. When Cora comes out in shape, we will know why.

Other fantastic stories about us coming up soon, or maybe later. Have a wonderful Christmas if we don't write anything before then.

Let The Countdown Begin!

10 more days people. 10 more days. Yikes! So much to do before she comes! I have not bought ONE Christmas present yet. James and I got a babysitter for this Saturday and are planning on knocking it all out in one day. That should be fun, seeing as I get winded walking from my desk to the ice machine at work. Hopefully, we'll get everything done, and next week we can just relax and anxiously await Friday!

The hospital that we're using has an educational program for siblings that are about to have a new baby brother or sister. So, Kaitlyn got to go have her special tour yesterday. They showed her all around the Labor and Delivery floor, showed her a room like I will be in, and even took her on a behind the scenes tour of the nursery! She got a little doctors bag of scrubs, masks, a measuring tape (to measure her baby dolls and to guess how long Cora will be - she already guessed one inch), the little heart stickers they put on babies to monitor their temperature, and lots of other fun things. She seems to be really excited about this - lets hope it stays that way!

I still get a little sad when I think about only 10 more days of it just being Kaitlyn. Her life (and ours) is about to totally change! I just hope and pray that I do a good job of always making sure she feels loved, needed and included in everything. I just love that girl so much - I can't imagine loving another one just the same! How exciting is that.

I'll try to add one more post before this all goes down with one last tummy shot, and a couple nursery pictures. James will probably do most of the blogging after she comes - we don't have a computer at home - SAD. But I'll make sure he keeps it updated with lots of pictures!

Snow Day!!

I know, 2 posts in one day - amazing. It snowed/iced yesterday - so we had no work or school! Except James - the newspaper never sleeps apparantly. Kaitlyn and I had so much fun getting bundled up and playing outside. This was her first time to get to play in the snow and she had a blast. She loved eating it. I loved not being at work! We made Christmas cookies, she helped me clean up the house, we watched movies... just hung out in our pajamas all day. Nothing better than that! Here are a few pictures. I'll include a Santa Claus one just for the fun of it:

Thanksgiving

I'm a little late in blogging, sorry. We had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving in Lubbock with my family. I had not been home in so long - it was nice to go back! We had a wonderful meal, made lots of fires in the backyard, went shopping, had our 3rd annual Thanksgiving bowling tournament - more about this in a minute, the boys helped paint the house, and mom and I got the best massages ever! I could even lay on my stomach! It was the greatest.

The bowling tournament - Kaitlyn is quite the bowler. She played two games and scored a 70 both times! She loved it. I'm trying to get a video to load on here so that everyone can see the hip action she puts with it. She is hilarious. I, however, did not do so hot. I didn't realize how hard it is to bowl when your 8 months pregnant.

One of the things I really found myself thankful for is that my parents are young enough to really - actively play with Kaitlyn. They run around and play chase or hide and go seek, and my dad even climbed a tree with her. I love this picture - he told Kaitlyn to act like a monkey and he is laughing so hard.


We truly are blessed this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for too many things to count.

I'm a bad updater

Sorry - I haven't updated in awhile. Lots has happened, but I just haven't been very motivated to write! It's hard to believe that 5 weeks from today baby Cora will be here. Crazy. People ask me all the time if I'm ready. What does that mean? Do I have everything I need? Just about. Ready for 2 kids? Not quite sure. Ready to not get any sleep? Definitely not. Wait - I don't sleep now. Okay, I can handle that one. Ready to not be pregnant anymore? YES. My doctor said that she is currently "transverse." That means, sideways. Nice. Already causing trouble. This explains why I have been so uncomfortable. He said that there is still plenty of time for her to turn - let's hope that happens soon!

What else has gone on....

My girlfriends at church gave me the sweetest shower! It was decorated so cute - and made me very excited to be having another girl! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such sweet friends! I'll post some pictures soon.

I saw two movies this weekend. I took Kaitlyn to see Happy Feet - very cute. She loved it. Sunday afternoon 9 girls from church went to see One Night with the King. It's really good too. I love going to the movies!

James is really enjoying his new job. He sells advertising for the Abilene Reporter News. He is enjoying much more than his previous job - and that makes everyone happy!

Kaitlyn is just growing and growing. She talks all the time about how her next birthday she will be four, and after that comes 5, and after that comes 6... all the way to 20. Slow down girl! Here are some of her favorite things right now:

* Playing cards. She is really into playing War - and usually wins. She also likes Slap Jack and Texas Hold Em - thanks James.

* Getting dressed by herself, and getting herself all clean in the bathtub. This sometimes takes awhile. She also makes "an ark" in the bathtub every night using her wash rag, an old toothbrush, some soap to make bubbles, and the foam letter B. I have no idea how this resembles an ark - but you have to appreciate it, or she gets mad.

* Singing songs. I bought a Praise Baby CD that she loves. Her favorite song is Here I Am to Worship. She calls it the lovely song. She knows every word, and it is just about the sweetest thing in the world to hear her sing it.

* Writing her letters. She loves to write her name and Cora's name. She loves for me to draw shapes that she can cut out. She likes to trace squiggly lines and draw hearts.

* She can and enjoys reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I guess she learned this at school. Hilarious.

* When people on the worship team at church raise their hands - she thinks they are waving at her and very excitedly waves back.

* She hates brushing her teeth. She used to be really good about it, but now she gags and cries huge tears. I've tried like 3 different flavors, but no hope yet. Any suggestions?

* Saying her prayers and reading her Bible. Her favorite Bible is the one that the Elders from Prestoncrest gave her when she was born. Her favorite page is the one with a picture of Samson on it. She is obsessed with it and always falls asleep with the bible opened to that page.

I guess I'll stop there. Kaitlyn brings so much joy and laughter into our lives - I get a little sad when I think about it not just being her anymore. But she is SO excited about "her baby" and taking care of her, I know she will be great.

One more picture..

46 days and counting...

Yes, I counted down the days. I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore, but I can't say that I'm quite ready for another baby yet either. Crazy how that works. This weekend we got a lot of work done in the nursery/guest room. It's coming together, and that makes me even more exctied about meeting Cora. I got her baby book this weekend and there are 2 pages in there that say, "A Few Things about your Mommy," and "A Few Things about your Daddy." My mom goes, "There needs to be a page that says, A Few Things about Your Sister." I thought that was hilarious. If only we could warn Cora what she is about to get into.

I'm definitely uncomfortable. I still have contractions everyday. Mostly when I am up walking around alot. My legs freak out and move uncontrollably at night, or when I am in the car. Poor James has been involuntarily kicked on numerous occasions. I have carpel tunnel in my wrists. That makes my fingers go numb quite often. If I eat any more ice, I'm sure my teeth will fall out. But I just can't stop eating it!

However, I LOVE feeling her move around. I love it when she gets the hiccups, or when she pokes out so much I can literally pinch her arm or her foot. I love watching Kaitlyn's face when she feels or sees her move. I love that every time James talks to her or tries to feel her move she kicks him. I love being so blessed that God has given me another miracle to carry around and soon give life to. I'm honored that he chose me as her Mommy.

Here are a few pictures that my friend Hannah took of Kaitlyn and I this weekend.

A few more Halloween pictures....

Kaitlyn and JoJo... I'm pretty sure she got the most candy at this house!

She loves all things skeleton. Anyone that she saw dressed like one, she loved. She shook this one's hand for about 5 minutes.

Kaitlyn and Emma with the ghosts...

Sweet girls..

Trick or Treat!

We had so much fun with Kaitlyn last night. This was her first year to REALLY get into running from house to house, ringing the doorbell and saying Trick or Treat. Except, she added her own version. At the very first house we went to she got a bag of Skittles. She quickly took them out of her pumpkin, proceeded to hand it back to the person, and said "No thank you, do you have any chocolate?" Yep, that's my girl. So, every single house after that she didn't just say Trick or Treat, she said "Trick or Treat! I don't like Skittles!" It was hilarious.

She went dressed as a cheerleader this year, and had lots of fun going with her friend Emma - the witch. It was pretty chilly outside last night, so we had to add on to her costume a little bit. But they still looked really cute. The neighborhood we went to goes all out for Halloween. One of the houses you could even go inside to see their entire Halloween "village."

Of course, I can only load one picture right now.. I'll try to put the rest on in a little bit.

A pretty awesome story...

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study .

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Cousins

We traveled to Fort Hood last Saturday to see James' brother in law off to Iraq. He will be gone for 18 months. I can't imagine not seeing James for that long and having to be a single mom. But, we had a nice visit seeing family that we don't get to see that often. Kaitlyn had a blast with her cousin Lofton. They played so good together and were just really sweet to watch.