Half way: 20 weeks!

So me and my little one have met the half way point. It feels like this pregnancy is going to last forever. I cannot believe I have 20 more weeks. But my sister put it best this morning. I should enjoy this time because this is the longest I will ever be able to hold her. If this little one is anything like her sister, she would rather run, run, run than be held down by her mama.

Last week we went to see the high risk doctor. About three weeks ago they said my Quad screen testing came back positive for Down Syndrome. Well that will sure make a girl ugly cry on the phone while out at a client's office. After much searching the internet I found that it was quite common to have a false positive. I also prayed and felt so much peace about the situation, that I tried my best not to think about it. Was I nervous? Sure. But I kept saying there is nothing I can do about it. If God thinks I can handle it then that is the way it is supposed to be. So last week we went to have a Level II ultrasound. It was such a neat experience. I was extremely nervous, but the ultrasound tech was amazing. Everything was looking so good. I wasn't seeing any of the classic DS signs. I few tears of joy streamed down my cheek throughout the ultrasound. It was very detailed and the tech was very informative. After that the doctor came in to say they saw nothing on the ultrasound that would lead us to DS. Apparently the hormones that were high on my Quad Screen could also be signs for pre-term labor, low birth weight, and high blood pressure (which if you know me. I am a tad high strung normally). So I am going back a couple more times to check on the babies growth, her heart, and her little swimming pool. Other than that things look great. So great big sigh of relief.

Other things to mention: This time around I am so much more tired. I think it is because I have a little one to chase in the evenings. I also feel more achy and my lower back is more strained. I stopped being nauseous about week 16/17. I have been working out more this time around. While it is not consistent, given my crazy work schedule, it is at least existent. Not the case with Addison. Same as last time no weird or crazy cravings. Not really any more or less hungry from when I am not pregnant. I have definitely noticed this time around having little to no patience and being much more irritable (read, poor Tim). I am really excited to have another newborn, but also remembering those sleepless first few months. I do expect to be much more relaxed this time around.

All in all we are very excited, and feel so blessed to be having another little precious girl. Tim's slim chance of a boy was shot down at our appointment. We are so excited and thankful for our little Lilah Grace!

A Lenten Goal

I typically try to give something up for Lent, but this year I am going to go about it differently. Last April/May when we started trying to manage our money more effectively, we started having serious thoughts about the difference between wants and needs. We have been blessed by God and need to make smarter decisions when using His money. We started budgeting and paying off things. We realized that we didn't miss that extra stuff too much (it was mostly eating out and entertainment). This year my main goal is to simplify. I want to get rid of unnecessary extras that take up time, money, and space in our home. I want to get rid of extras that take me away from God's path and my relationships with family and friends. Although stuff is nice I don't want it to be what I use to try to be happy. I want to learn to appreciate the simple things and declutter my life. With these ultimate goals, I began thinking how can I incorporate this into the Lenten season. Clover Lane gave me the best idea. Every lent season she does "40 bags in 40 days". Now she uses black garbage bags, I think we are going to do it with plastic grocery bags and brown grocery sacks. Tim and I thought this would be more doable for our family. I feel this is a way we can rid our life of unnecessary stuff. Less to clean, less to organize, more family time and less stress. I will hope this will help with the re-focusing I am searching for in my life. I will let you know how it goes.

Rocking out with Riley and Elmo

Addison and her Uncle Matthew

Big Girl Room

This past weekend we started the Big Girl Room make-over. I figured we would buy the paint and that was all we would accomplish .Well, I was way wrong (and my back can vouch for that). We had the busiest most productive weekend of 2012, yet. Last week I worked in OKC, so Friday I drove home. Then we hopped in the car to head to my Uncle's 50th birthday. Saturday we baby-sat a friend's sweet little boy and ate dinner with them. As soon as they left the whirlwind began. We cleared the guest room and put Addy to bed. In my mind that was all we were going to do. Small steps is my motto these days. Well, before I know it we have most of the room painted. The next day we went to early church, shopping for a mattress and sheets, a quick pit stop to check out a double stroller I have my eyes on, a little Pizza Hut buffet. Then it was back home to work. We finished painting the room, vacuumed, steam cleaned the carpet and put Addy's big girl bed (mostly together) during nap time. They sent us the same side bed rails for the bed, so we just made it work. We were on a mission! Addison woke up and helped up make the bed. She seemed to be excited about the room. (Side note, since then she says the room is too dark. Well there is a street light outside that makes it seem like daylight outside. I think she is just fighting possible change.) Needless to say, Sunday night I was so exhausted I was physically ill. Thank God for my saint of a husband. He cleaned up most of the mess that was made, and let me snuggle with the princess on the couch. So the Big Girl Room has arrived! She has not slept in it yet, but we have slowly moved her toys and are letting her adjust to that being her room. I think I am going to have to figure out a curtain situation before she actually moves in. We were thinking this weekend, but I don't know. Starting to have these feelings of she is growing up too fast. The other day I wanted to give her her paci back so she would be a baby and snuggle in my arms. Thankfully, Tim talked sense back into me. It goes too fast though!!

Avery's Skating Party

We recently had the pleasure of attending Avery Beth's 6th birthday party. It was a skating party. To be honest I was a little nervous to think of my two year old out on the rink in skates. Well I tell you my girl is fearless. She was right at home with the six year olds and half way through the party skating completely on her own. She fought us when I said it was time to leave. She still talks about it over a week later. I think she may have a skating birthday party in her future. Sorry, I might have gone a little picture crazy this time. I was the pregnant mom with no skates on running around the rink trying to get pictures of my cutie. I can't even imagine the amount of pictures when there are two running around.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Addison has been hard at work making cards for the special day!

She has also been enjoying an early present from her awesome parents :)!



Grandma and her Girl

Cutie Patootie!

One moring Addison was particularly specific about her clothing for the day. I had picked out another BIG SIS shirt and jean, when she promptly told me "No princess big sister". Meaning, she wanted to wear a skirt or dress. Luckily we had such an outfit clean. She even got to wear her boots, which she LOVES. It was too cute I just had to snap a pic before she left for the day.

Funny thing happened that night. Her clothes basket is right beside her crib and she has been known to grab articles of clothing especially skirts and put them on during a nap and night time. The next morning I found her in her silver skirt again. Silly girl.

Basketball

Last Friday we went to the McLain basketball games. We enjoyed hot dogs, nachos and a really good boys game. Our previous times at the games Addison has been pretty shy and stayed pretty much by my side. This time she met new people and practically left ole mom and dad to hang out with new families. She even found a cute little three year old to run the halls.