Easter 2009 Update

So, I started this blog last Easter. Hard to believe it's already been a year! Last year we had a new house, this year we have a new daughter. We are so blessed! We spent our Easter with Mimi, Pa, Laura, and Leslie at our house. It started out a little wet, but turned into a great day! We went to church with Mimi, and then when everyone else arrived, we had a delicious lunch- ham, squash casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, rolls, and banana pudding for dessert! Mmmm! Happy Easter!

Sweet, sweet baby!

My sweet baby is already a week old! We are finally catching up on our sleep and figuring each other out. Yesterday, Mom and Lindsey ventured out to Lauren's t-ball game (but mostly stayed in the car for a feeding). Last night she slept in her bassinet for 4 hours, ate, and then slept another 3 hours. Life is good!

Our New Arrival

Lindsey Faith was welcomed into the world Monday, April 13th at 9:05 p.m. She weighed 9 lbs. 3 oz., and was 21 inches long. She is gorgeous! My mom and sisters were able to be there for the birth, and my dad and the kids came up to see her on Tuesday. It was rough at the hospital because we had gone in at 5:30 a.m. for induction, spent a looong day waiting, and then were not able to get much sleep after that with the nurses coming in, etc... My milk took awhile to come in, too, while her appetite did not- so that was a little rough. We came home yesterday, Wednesday, about noon and had a wonderful first night at home! So thankful to my family for all of their help- especially Mimi, for letting me get some rest and feeding us!

The Waiting Game

Nine days to go...REALLY? How did that happen? I thought I would NEVER get through the first trimester, or have an appetite again. Thought I would never FEEL her move. Now, I sometimes wish she would chill out in there with all the squirming and moving. I felt like it was Christmas Eve the night before my ultrasound to find out if she was a boy or girl! I couldn't WAIT until the 3D ultrasound to see her face! It's APRIL!!! I can't believe she will be here so soon! It's one of those- in some ways it seems like it's been so long, but in others it seems like it went so fast- kinda things.


Starting all over again. Breastfeeding. Sleepless nights. Diapers. Crying.

New baby smell. Cute outfits. Smiles. Snuggles. First steps. First words.

Am I ready???


I think the house is ready. I'm not doing much these days but lying on the couch...oh...and reading the Twilight series. I know in a few weeks I will look back on these days and wish I had them back, but right now the minutes are creeping by. One day I feel great! Like today- I am up and showered and trying to think of a fun place to take Lauren. Yesterday, though, I was miserable. I think she has dropped, and sometimes gets in a position where she is hitting a nerve or something. It hurts! I can barely walk. I was lucky to make it off the couch and to Mom's Night Out last night- which was so fun! Anything to keep me distracted. I don't remember feeling like this with the other two. I am just trying to hang in there until Saturday, when the new hospital opens. Then, I will be ready for her to come anytime!

I think the kids are ready. They have wanted a little baby for so long, though I don't know if Lauren has any clue what she is asking for. I know they will both be a big help, and will be so excited to meet their little sister. I am just not sure how Lauren will adjust to not being the youngest anymore.

My friends with three have said that the baby part is easy...it's when they're mobile that the hard part starts. And, I was told to invest in a comfy car seat, because the littlest one will be in it a lot- transporting the other two to and from their activities. (I know that is true from when Leslie was little!)

What will it be like with another kid in the house? I can't imagine...though I know once she is here, I will never be able to imagine life without her! Or remember life before her!

Praise God! I am so blessed by His faithfulness and His perfect timing! I can't wait to meet you, my little miracle!

Stop the Presses!

Monday night, Jared's cub scout den took a tour of the Waco Tribune-Herald. Very cool!




















Negatives of the pages...etched into plates...




































The press.

Party, Shower, and Kite Day with Dad

Last Saturday, we had Jared's b-day party at a local church's new gym. It was soooo nice! The boys played basketball, dodgeball, and hockey. I served cake, ice cream, drinks, and stayed out of their way! Easy and fun! I was a bit disappointed in the cake we ordered...I think I could have done much better making a basketball court! He requested that it look like the Denver Nuggets...hmm...not so much! Oh well, I took the easy way out, so I guess that's what I get! Jared got lots of nice gifts! Aunt Leslie got him a betta fish. I'll let you know how that works out...

Then, it was off to my baby shower, which my sweet friends Shelley and Kim threw for me at this cute little boutique called "The Mix". I got several cute outfits and bibs, a cute little pink diaper cover, some diapers, an adorable diaper bag, a video monitor, the "Diaper Champ", and a swing! Oh, and a gift card to a restaurant for Steve and I! So fun! I think I'm as ready as I'm going to get for my sweet baby girl to get here!

My sisters and aunt came for a few hours on Saturday. I enjoyed visiting with them! Mom and Dad stayed until Monday afternoon, and we cooked some food to freeze. Love it! Thanks, Mom!

Today, it was Kite Day with Dad at Lauren's preschool. Gorgeous weather for it!! They got their Barbie kite up and flying, but Lauren lost interest pretty quickly and decided she'd rather run around the field with her friends. In preparation for this special day with Dad, her teacher had them fill out a little questionnaire about Dad. On Wednesday, we met Steve for lunch at Ninfa's and Lauren said, "Dad, what do you like to drink?" Steve said, "Everything", and Lauren replied, "Well, I said tea and beer when my teacher was asking me." We both started cracking up, and she said, "My teacher was laughing, too!" I found out later that she originally told her teacher beer, and when she asked if there was another drink that he liked Lauren said, "Not really. He likes beer best." So funny, because we hardly ever have beer in the house. She doesn't miss much, though! Luckily, her teacher put "iced tea" on the questionnaire, and then quietly gave Steve a hard time about it! Hahaha!

Happy 9th Birthday, Jared!!!

Nine years ago today, our baby boy was born! Happy Birthday, Jared!

1. Jared has a sweet heart and is very caring. He is good at sharing and thinking of others. He is a great big brother to Lauren and will make someone a wonderful husband one day!

2. Jared is obsessed with sports! His memory is amazing when it comes to stats, scores, players, teams, or anything related to sports. His favorite sport is football. He would play Madden '08 on the PS2 24/7 if we let him. He can remember the score of games we attended years ago!

3. Jared is a great student! He loves school and always wants to do well. He has really gotten into Accelerated Reader this year. So far he has almost 200 points. He has really learned to love reading! He's such a smart kid!

4. Jared has never met a stranger! From the time he was able to walk and talk, he would go up to anyone and say, "Hi. Do you want to be my friend?", and off they would go to play together. He is not super outgoing, but not afraid of people or shy, either.

5. Jared is into video games, sports, and Legos (especially Indiana Jones and Star Wars). Not much else interests him as far as activities these days. I guess he's growing up!

6. Jared likes to help and learn new things from Mom and Dad. He asks lots of questions!! Especially "Why?"!

7. Jared is a cub scout and enjoys camping and other "scouting activities" with his dad.

8. Jared might make a good lawyer one day...he is very good at arguing and does it often! He is always trying to get his way using any angle he can.

9. Jared loves Chinese food, Mexican food, and BBQ, yet every day he insists on bringing his lunch from home and either has a peanut butter or ham and mustard sandwich.

Love you, Jared!