5 Months Down...

4 More to Go!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Blake is the size of a papaya

Weight Gain/Loss: Since 20 week appt. gained 5 lbs. (all in my belly, no doubt!), total pregnancy weight gain is 3 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but still wearing as many regular clothes as maternity ones.

Gender: Boy

Movement: Moving all the time, especially in the afternoon/evening and through the night

Sleep: It's difficult to find a comfortable position. I flip from one side to the other with a pillow propped between my legs. I'm also up at least twice during the night to go to the bathroom.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach

Cravings: Peanuts and peanut butter foods, salty foods like chips & salsa and chips & dip

Symptoms: The "morning" sickness has pretty much passed. I've had only a couple of episodes. By the end of the school day my legs and feet are swelling from standing all day. I am thirty all the time, and the trips to the potty are increasing by the day! I am beginning to feel pain in my lower back and stretching on my sides.

Best Moment This Month: Finding out that Baby Blake's growth is right on track and having two of my 7th grade students, Courtney and Skylar, rub my belly just out of the blue.

What's Going on With Baby? Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day.

Just Another Year Older

My beautiful Mom has not aged one bit even though she's another year older. I hope I've inherited those genes! It's hard to believe that she's 50, "Over the Hill", halfway to 100! Come on, I have to poke a little fun at her. ;)

Seriously, she looks great and treats age as only a number. I don't think turning 50 has bothered her too much.

In my adulthood, years have passed so much more quickly than when I was a child. It seems like birthdays come and go faster and faster with each passing year. Now that I have my own child, I often catch myself saying, "Where does the time go?" I'm sure my mom often wonders the same thing now that her babies are all grown having babies of their own. Wow! That doesn't even seem possible.

So what better way to celebrate a girl's 50 birthday than with her two daughters, loving Mother, and three awesome grandkids. Toss in a little Mexican food, a sombrero, and a chocolaty dessert...oh what a night!



Briley and Macklan could not wait for Nana to wear the sombrero!





Happy 50th Birthday





These kids keep Nana young!!!

Generations

"Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son, but also his son's son, and so on to the end of generations."--Hebrew Proverb

 

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing."

"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."

Four Generations

"Family is a link to our past and a bridge to our future!"

Country Kids

These country kids...

are some of the cutest darn kids I've ever seen! But hey, maybe I'm a little partial...

You be the judge!

 

 

 

As I've shared before, I love photography and have easy access to some of the best subjects out there. Macklan, Briley, and Hadley did a great job during this Sunday afternoon photo shoot. I took hundreds of pictures (like I usually do) and ended up with beautiful captured moments. These were a few of my favorites of each kiddo.

Celebration of Baptism

It was a day of celebration...in heaven and on earth!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:19-20

For quite some time now, my niece Briley has been asking lots of questions about God, heaven, becoming a Christian, and baptism. She is very smart and figures things out quickly. Nothing gets past her! Recently though, she began asking my sister some rather deep and thoughtful questions on this topic. One Sunday afternoon, our pastor Bro. Bill sat down to talk with Briley and answer her well beyond her age questions. Their discussion led to her salvation that afternoon at my parents' house. Bro. Bill shared a wordless book with Briley about how to become a Christian, and he was amazed at her knowledge and understanding. Tears of joy and excitement were shared among our family that day as we heard the great news.

Today, we celebrated Briley's baptism! With all of her family there to support her and rejoice in this occasion, she was bubbling over with happiness.



Became a Christian on August 8, 2010 (5 1/2 years old)

Family present for her baptism were: Mommy, Daddy, Hadley, Nana and Pappy, Nana and Papaw, Mammie, Grandmother, Aunt Barbara, Uncle Terry and Aunt Lisa, Stormie, Uncle Scott and Aunt Kecia, Macklan, Kathy, Karen

What a girl! She could hardly contain her excitement.

Bro. Bill told of the salvation experience he was privileged to share with Briley and spoke about her understanding of the Bible and her commitment to become a Christian. He encouraged the church to pray for her and to set an example for her. Then he said a beautiful prayer over Briley before baptizing her.

What a BLESSING it was to share in this special celebration!

Kaitlyn Turns 6

Macklan's cousin Kaitlyn turned 6 years old. She is such a happy little girl. Always smiling and quite the diva! We celebrated her special day at the park with sandwiches, cake, icecream, and lots of girly gifts. Kaitlyn showed great excitement over each gift she opened; she was especially excited about her black boots. She loves fashion and performing. Kaitlyn is All girl! The kids loved the chocolate cake and climbing and sliding at the playground.

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!

The Birthday Girl

Macklan enjoying his cake!

Cousins

Excited about those boots!

Ultrasound Day

It seems like only a few weeks ago that I found out about our 2nd pregnancy. But in fact, it's been 20 weeks! Today was the big day, and we were excited to find out the gender and most importantly the health of our little one. Macklan was hoping for a baby brother, Scott was convinced this baby would be a girl (mostly because it would provide him with a strong argument for stopping after two), and I had a feeling it was a boy. The day was long and the 3:00 PM appointment was much anticipated by all. Even more so since I was originally scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday and had it postponed by the doctor until today! My mom went along with us; I would have it no other way!


Big Brother Macklan loves his Little!



Baby Brother or Baby Sister???



Beginning the ultrasound...it only took a few minutes to determine the gender!



Our Little One is a....healthy baby BOY!!!



Funny Story:

When the ultrasound tech announced that it was a boy, she immediately asked Macklan, "What's your little brother's name going to be?"

Without blinking he proclaimed, "Hudson Hornet!" Someone has been watching a little too much of Disney's movie Cars.

Our first picture as a Family of FOUR!!!

After the ultrasound which took about 30 minutes, I had a routine check-up to record weight and blood pressure with the nurse and then our phone calls began. Scott, Mom, and I were all on our phones in the lobby outside Dr. Griffin's office at the Women's Pavilion. My call list consisted of my sister Kristen (and excited cousin Briley; who wasn't quite as excited upon finding out it was a boy), my Dad, and my closest friend Cheri. I then sent a mass text to friends, family, and co-workers who were anticipating the news. Macklan called Mammie and Ms. Pauline (his Sunday School teacher). We were super excited and celebrated with dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. We are extremely blessed to be adding another member to our family, and we thank God for our healthy little one!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 Weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Blake is the size of a cantaloupe

Weight Gain/Loss: Since 16 week appt. gained 0 lbs./lost 0 lbs. (down 2 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight)

Maternity Clothes: Some, but still wearing as many regular clothes as possible.

Gender: It's a BOY!

Movement: Moving all the time, especially in the afternoon/evening and through the night

Sleep: I can't get comfortable. I despise not being able to sleep on my stomach! The body pillow is not working for me right now.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach

Cravings: No strong cravings right now

Symptoms: The "morning" sickness has passed for the most part. I still get sick every once in a while. I'm noticing that by the end of the school day my feet are swelling from standing all day. I am thirty all the time, and there is definitely a cantaloupe sitting on my bladder!

Best Moment This Week: Seeing those sweet little images of our baby boy and finding out that he's healthy

What's Going on With Baby? Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!