Fun Times and Great Memories

Here is a game I copied from Victoria:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot-- or just from blogland-- anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Doctor visit

I had another appointment today and it was more of the same. Last time I was dilated to a 1 and this time I was a 2. At this rate I have 8 more weeks till Sophia comes!!!! Luckily that is not how it works. The doctor freaked me out though. While he was measuring me, he asked how big Faith was at birth. She was only 7.13 which I thought was a good size. Well he quickly asked his next question which was, "so would you want to be induced?" Which made my next question, "uh, oh, how big is this baby going to be???" Of course, they don't really know, so he didn't really answer me. He looked at his schedule and asked me if Monday sounded good. SO I am a little worried now that Sophia may be a chunk when she arrives. I love chunky babies, but can't we wait till after the delivery?? Anyway, we have a date now for sure. If she decides to be stubborn and not set things in motion herself, then I will be induced on Monday. I am so glad to at least have a final date. The doctor kind of acted like he thought she would come before Monday. He even said he was on call this weekend, so we could have the baby then too. So I guess the waiting game continues. I really prefer to go into labor on my own. Everyone tells me it is easier and usually faster, but he said it wouldn't be bad being induced since I've already had one and her delivery was so fast for a first child. I will be nervous Sunday night for sure, so I would love prayers for the induction if it comes to that (and that Sophia isn't gigantic - ha ha!!).

Baby Stuff

Shower:
My class at church threw me a baby shower yesterday. It was so fun and super sweet. Everything was pink and black, which I love!!! The decorations, cake, EVERYTHING was so cute. I had a great time. Being Sophia is girl number 2, there isn't that much I really needed, but I did get the important things: my double stroller (what I think I needed most) and the car seat. I got a ton of cute clothes and other odds and ends. I am so grateful for all the work my hostesses did to give me that special time. So, Alison Camp, Allison Connor, Stephanie Cranfill, Julie Evans, Shana Fry, April Miller, April Patteson, Whitney Mascarro, Rachel Perkins, Meredith Powell, and Ashley Pyle - You guys are the BEST and Sweetest!!! Thanks girls!!!

I was so thankful for everyone that took time out of their day to come, but I must admit I was most surprised when my college roomie walked in. I had no idea Brooke was coming and I am pretty sure I screamed a little bit when I saw here. She also brought her sweet baby girl, Audrey, which I had seen since she was tiny, so that was great to see how much she has grown. Anyway, that was the best gift she could have given me!!! Thank you so much Brooke for traveling... with a baby... just for a few hours... for me. You are so the best!!!!! I love you tons.

Here is the invitation. Very cute!!!!



Doctor Visit:
I had a doctor's appt. today and I was hoping for some signs in the right directions (if you know what I mean). It wasn't to bad. I have dilated to a 1, which I, of course, hoped for more, but anything is better than nothing. My doctor felt her head, so that is good news that she is head down. He said labor can start anytime, tomorrow or another week. Shockingly, we are hoping for another week because Stacy leaves tomorrow morning at 7 am for a conference. He will be gone till Friday, so my thought is that is when Sophia will come, while he is gone!!! I guess we will see, but any prayers you are willing to shout out for me, please pray she waits till Stacy is back or at least for some extra strength on my part. I am one of the overly modest people, so I will not let anyone, including my mom, in the room with me (except Stacy of course). SO if he is not here, I will be on my own... scary!!! Anyway, that is the update. I will keep you posted as best I can.

2-in-1

1. Ok I used to hate those kid leashes (that is what we call them), but I have come full circle. We actually bought one, even though I thought it was a waste of money. I was determined not to use it. Before we broke down and bought it, we were working on teaching Faith to walk by the basket at the store. I was determinded to be able to go to the grocery store by myself with two kids. (With a carrier and Faith in the basket, I would probably only have room for milk.) Anyway, we have been working on this a few months now. I never tried it without Stacy (he's the chaser), until she had regularly stayed by us on many, many occasions. I guess that is how kids like to trick you. Story: She had done so well for a long time that I finally decided to try to let her walk at Target for a quick trip in. Well I am sure the security quards got a great laugh of a 37 month pregnant woman chasing her child down the isles. Luckily she didn't get to far. First reaction was fear that she would get away, then I was mad she tried to run off, then I was glad I got her and she was safe, then I felt dumb for expecting her to always stay right by me just cuz she had for so long... Lot's of emotions all at once. So we bought the kid leash. It is a monkey backpack and she loves it. She wears it around the house all the time. I feel much safer and less stressed when I am out by myself with her and she can still let her have her NEEDED independence... I can't express how independent this child is and she has very little fear (including strangers - she talks to everyone). I still feel weird having it on her because it just looks so much like taking a dog for a walk, but I've decided I would rather her be safe.

2. I am about to shock many of my friends, but I have a great book for any readers out there. YES, I actually read now. I know, I know... it is a big shock. If anyone is interested you have to read "Redeeming Love". It is based on the story of Hosea, so it is about a man marrying a prostitute and all they go through. It is a christian author, so no worries about details you don't want to read. It is clean. Anyway, so far it is my favorite book. I just started a new one called "Dandelion Dust" about adoption, so we will see if it is as good. Anyway, if you have read either of these let me know what you thought. But seriously, most of you know I am not a reader, but I was so hooked on "Redeeming Love", I looked forward to going to bed to read, so just try it.

Lily's 4th birthday party and swimming

These pictures are out of order, but we had tons of fun celebrating Lily's 4th birthday party. She is getting so big and we love her so much. She got lots for fun toys and Faith loved playing on the jump house and slide. I am always surprised by Faith when we go to different events. All the kids were several years older then her, yet she just jumped right in there and started playing with everyone. It shows that she is not shy (unless she is tired). I don't know who she gets that from because I was very shy as a child and Stacy was too. I guess she takes that from my brother who will talk to any and everyone.

The next day we also got to have fun swimming while everyone else worked on moving my brother out of their house. Faith and her cousins play together so well and always love being together. We are so lucky to live so close to them. They are all like sisters. Here are a few pictures to show the fun stuff we did.


Papa draging the girls around on the mat. So simple, so fun!!


She loves swimming!!!

All the girls being silly as always.

Playing in the other pool and trying to splash me (notice the huge belly).

Faith watching Cooper sing, and she was next.

The whole gang. Faith always has to be in front?!?

Cheese...

Pizza mouth.

Her favorite part!!!!

Vaction finally... mostly pictures

I will make this as brief as possible, since the details will bore you. We started off driving for 2 days, so fun, let me tell you. We got there just in time for the rehearsal dinner for the wedding on Thurs. The wedding was Sat., and it was so much fun. It was outside a old mansion and the rehearsal was inside. {A funny story... they had a drink fountain right next to our table. It was really hot outside for the wedding, so before we got in the line to eat Julie was getting me and the girls a drink from the fountain. Luckily she gave me the first drink because it was alcohol. I am sure glad we didn't give the kids the first drink... I guess I officially drank while I was pregnant. ha ha!}

Ok so Sun. we went to church and had lunch with my extended family on my mom's side (which is huge), and dinner with my dad's side. Mon. we went to one of those huge fountains that spray out of the ground and you can fun through. The kids of course loved that and the playground. Tues. was a rest day for me, Julie and the girls. Julie and I tried to venture out to Walmart and Starbucks, but it took us an hour to find Walmart (mapquest was wrong - didn't know that was possible) and we had to settle for Sonic. Wed. we left for Gatlinburg Tenn. (Another 5 hour or more drive) We spent Wed.-Sat. in the mountains shopping, swimming, hiking, and of course eating tons of great food. Sat. we left for our 4 day trek back: Day 1-Birmingham 7 hours, Day 2-Louisiana little over 6 hours, Day 3- Fort Worth little over 6 hours, Day 4 - Abilene 2 hours (thank goodness). Faith was such a trooper. She seriously hardly cried at all until the last day to Abilene. She just watched movies and read books. I was amazed. I heard Julie's van was a little more hectic. Now for pics. in very random order...

Playing in the chalet in Gatlinburg

Family pic. in the mountains

Faith reading a book in the car

Faith posing on the a scale for some reason.

Well, some have asked for a belly shot (yuck!!)

Faith and Lily dancing at the wedding; Faith literally screamed bloody murder when we had to leave the dance floor. She LOVES dancing!!!

Another dance pic.

Ready for the big fountain I mentioned.

Hiking to a great Italian restaurant

You can't see it well, but Faith took a dive down some friends' stairs and hit her head on a china cabinet at the bottom (above her left eye) and Chloe was chasing her and she fell and hit a coffee table and got a black eye (same side). She looked horrible, but they both went away fast.

Emma and Faith wrestling in the hotel room. They had so much fun.

The girls dancing to the cheetah girls movie at the hotel.

at the hotel

Cute pic of my nieces at the rehearsal dinner

at the rehearsal dinner, Faith had already tired out

Quick, sad thought...

Well I have reached the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. I don't remember hitting this until about the last 2 weeks with Faith, but it has come earlier (5 weeks to go - crazy!). I was watching Faith play by herself on the floor today and I got really sad. It is so hard for me to get up and down off the floor now, I rarely do it. My doctor actually told me not to do it often because I have been having contractions every time I have to get up and down - strange, I know. Anyway, I used to sit on the floor all the time to play with her (she can sit and play in your lap all day long and be happy) or crawl around and chase her. She loves for someone to be down there with her even if your not directly playing with her. I actually teared up just thinking this is my last few weeks of just me and her and I don't even feel like doing all the fun things we usually do together. She was so sweet just playing by herself and being so content, which I think made it worse. I started thinking about all the time she will have to play by herself because I will be feeding or changing or whatever. I am so excited to finally meet Sophia, but at the same time so sad for the time I will loose with Faith. Several people told me they had similar feelings when they were expecting their second, and I think it is just now hitting me hard. I have decided to try to do more things that do not take getting up and down off the floor, but you know then you have to compete with the heat. Yuck!!! But we did go out and feed the ducks tonight, and she loved it. I have decided to finally get my library card so we can go to the story times and check out new books. She loves to go to the book store, so she will be in heaven. I spent about 30 mins. looking on line for things we can do. And I have found some, but it is just so emotional thinking about all the changes (many good, I know)... some of it may just be prego hormones, but still... Anyway, just thought I would share my sad thoughts of the night. I love you so much Faith!!!!