30 days of Thankfulness

I did the 30 days of thankfulness challenge, but figured it'd be easier to post all 30 things in one post so here goes:

1. For my God, who loves me and forgives me no matter what I do, and who sent His Son to die for me.

2. C. We've had put ups and downs over the past 6 1/2 years, but I know he loves me and wants the best for me an the girls.

3. Big K. She may be a toot at times, but she brings so much joy and love into this family. My world would be so different without her.

4. The freedom of religion. While we may not all have the same views, I am free to go to the church I want, believe what I want, be a Christian in a place where I know I won't be put in jail or shot for sharing the name of Jesus Christ.

5. My mom. I mean come on, she left her house and my dad alone, for a really long time so that she could be here to help while I've been on bed rest.

6. The right to vote. We don't live in a dictatorship. We can pick who we want, even though we may not all want the same person, but at least we can voice our opinion.

7. My doctor who has watched out for me, been supportive, encouraging, and been very proactive this whole pregnancy.

8. Friends who leave work to take me to the hospital.

9. My doctor. I have read some horror stories, and am very thankful that my doctor has been super proactive and listens to my concerns and checks them out. If you've read any of my blog from the past, you know I've had a roller coaster of a pregnancy, so yes, I'm thankful for my doctor twice.

10. Naps.

11. Our Armed Forces.

12. Text messages during NSTs.

13. My bosses. May not have been to work since late August, but they work with us and let Big K still participate in the fun things that are on days she doesn't normally go to school.

14. That Kyndall gets so much joy out of learning her Bible verse and doing her Cubbies book every week.

15. A day at home with C.

16. Getting to go to Big K's Thanksgiving feast at school. (doctor approved)

17. The March of Dimes.

18. Random gifts.

19. Getting to see Little K's face.

20. A box full of goodies from a good friend.

21. Stores that are open the day before Thanksgiving.

22. Food to eat.

23. Pumpkin pie

24. Target.

25. Pedicures and Christmas lights.

26. Little K- a 6lbs7oz, 19in perfect miracle

27. Pain killers, showers, and my own clothes.

28. Home and my own bed.

29. Getting to go out.

30. My family.

She's Here!

Sunday, November 25, was the last day as a family of 3. I did not get a lot of sleep that night. I remember looking at the clock at one point and tried to figure out how it was only 1:30AM. The alarm was set to go off 3 hours later, and I was just ready for it to get here. We had to be at the hospital at 6 the morning of the 26th. The day that Little K was going to be born. We were set for surgery at 7:30.

We get there, get to our room, and get ready to go. IV was started, anaesthesiologist came in and went over my spinal, the nurse came in so I could sign my life away, and then they brought us our lovely hair nets and C's mask. At just after 7:30, I was wheeled into the OR with a in room time of 7:37. Got the spinal in place, C was brought in, and we had a start time of 7:42, though it seemed a lot longer between getting in the room and them starting. At just about 8, C was told to get the camera ready because we were close. At 8:06, she came out screaming- best sound in the world. We were told cord was wrapped around once.

Big K had gone to school that morning. Gma and Uncle M went and picked her up just before lunch. As soon as Big K walked in the room, she didn't even say him to C or I, just got a huge smile on her face and walked right over to see sister. 

Big K's first request. To hold sister. We went over the rules and got her settled on the couch and handed Little K over. 

Big K is so in love with Little K. I sure hope this excitement stays!

C with his girls.

First picture as a family of 4.

We were discharged and ready to go home on the 28th. 

So far, we've been home one night, and it really wasn't so bad. I don't think Big K heard Little K during the night as we didn't see her until about 6:45 this morning. Big K was over the moon excited to show Little K off at school this morning to her friends.

Wordless Wednesday

Little K

Little K made her grand entrance into the world this :morning at 8:06. She came out screaming! She's got some lungs for sure.

She's 6lbs7oz and 19in of perfection! She has a head full of what we're calling black hair- little disappointed its not red, but she's perfect none the less. She also has a very defined dimple in her chin, just like me.

Big sister is over the moon about her. She's held her, patted her head, and even sang her a personal song.

C and I are crazy about her as well.

Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

We didn't have much planned this year seeing as how I'm almost 39 weeks pregnant, my doctor doesn't want me traveling far from home, and I'm have orders to "be normal, but take it easy."

Since it was just the 4 of us- C, Gma, Big K, and me- we didn't had a set time to eat, just whenever everything was ready. We had a super lazy morning, didn't change out of our pj's until after lunch. We did watch the Macy's parade. Big K says her favorite part was Kung Fu Panda.

Since we weren't eating until later, once we C did start cooking, Big K was ready to eat. She was "starving" and was going to "sit at the table until dinner." She finally gave up on that idea, but she wasn't happy about it.

Once food hit the table, Big K was ready to dig in. She wanted cranberry sauce more than anything. She got a good helping of it too!

Food. Round 1. This was the first year C cooked a turkey. He said he wasn't impressed, but I think he did a really good job. My mom made the dressing for the first time, and it was yummy as well- almost as good as my grandma's!

Dessert. Chocolate and pumpkin pies! YUM! I was most looking forward to the pumpkin pie. Have been since it was cooked yesterday. It didn't disappoint.

Probably the last picture of a family of 3 since Little K will be making her appearance sometime soon.

I pray that you had a very blessed Thanksgiving, whether it was spent with a lot of family, or just a very few. 

38 weeks

Can you believe it? I made it to 38 weeks, and a couple of days past. The last 12 weeks have been spent on bed rest. I miss my friends, I miss my work, and I miss the kids at work. My doctor allowed me to go to Big K's Thanksgiving feast last week at school, and I got to see some of my kiddos. They've gotten so big! I guess that's what happens in 12 weeks. I can't imagine what they will look like in March when I go back.

(Thanksgiving Feast)

This week's appointments were all in one day- mostly because Dr. H was super nice and let me go see her the same day as our BPP rather than coming the next day when my appointment was actually scheduled, and it's a short week since she was only in office Monday and Tuesday.

As usual, Little K was breathing, but was sleeping and needed some help waking up. Big K to the rescue. Big K yelled, "Wake up sister!" and wouldn't you know it, Little K woke up and started moving. It'll be interesting to see the relationship they have once Little K is here.

Little K is head down and ready to go, which would be fine, but we're having a c-section so her position isn't 100% important. I have been having a few more braxton hicks and some cramping, but they aren't doing a thing. No change at all, which again, no big deal, but at this point it's like do something or stop.

(38 weeks 1 day)

We don't have much planned for Thanksgiving. I don't think Dr. H would be to excited if I traveled to my grandma's house. It'll just be C, Gma, Big K, and me at our house tomorrow. C has made a pumpkin and a chocolate pie already this morning, and I can't wait to eat them tomorrow. I'd love to go shopping Friday, but that won't happen either. The only place I want to go is Old Navy for some jeans, but oh well. My brother comes in on Saturday. Big K doesn't know that yet, but she'll be super excited when he gets here because she's been asking for him for about a month now.

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Do you do Black Friday shopping?

World Prematurity Day

Today is World Prematurity Day. Here are some facts that you may, or may not know about prematurity. If you know a preemie parent, hug them today.

-Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the United States, with an incidence of 12.8%.  That's 1 in 8 births.

-Premature birth is defined as any pregnancy that results in a live birth prior to 37 weeks gestation. November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Please support the March of Dimes and Fight for Preemies.

-Prematurity Awareness Fact of the Day: Did you know that Stevie Wonder was born premature and NOT blind? Because he was given high levels of oxygen to sustain his life, he developed ROP, or Retinopathy of Prematurity. Very premature babies don't have properly formed blood vessels in the retina and sudden exposure to oxygen is believed to cut off further blood vessel formation.

-Did you know a 22 weeker's foot is about 2inches long. A 30 weeker's is about the size of my pinky and a full term 40 weeker's is about the size of my palm/hand.

-Did you know that Joe Jonas, Miley Cyrus, Shaq and Michael J Fox were all born prematurely? Knowing things about prematurity will not stop it from happening, but raising awareness will help people understand more.

-Premature babies are more than just small babies. Many go on to have serious health issues after they leave the hospital...some don't even have a chance to leave the hospital.

-Preeclampsia affects 5-8%of women and about 0.42% of all pregnant women need to be delivered before 34 weeks because of severe preeclampsia.  As there are about 4 million births every year in the United States, preeclampsia results in 16,800 premature babies born before 34 weeks.

Liebster Award

I know, look at me! 2 posts in one day you ask. Well, I got the Liebster Award from the Disney Girl.

The Liebster Award comes with a few rules. Here they are:
~Each person (recipient) must post 11 things about themselves.
~Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
~Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
~Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to post. Go to their page & tell them.
~No tag backs.

So, here are 11 things about me:

1. I've got a little brother. We don't always get along [I mean, don't all siblings have their little fights], but life wouldn't be the same without him. He absolutely adores his niece, and will probably feel the same for his next.
2. I have been to 4 different countries, and 2 other continents. Nigeria, Africa. Matamoras, Mexico. Toronto, Canada. Caracas, Venezuela. All but the African trip were for mission trips.
3. I spent a week, all 4 summers in high school, doing construction- painting, roofing, putting up siding, and some dry wall.
4. I have never broken a bone.
5. But I have had 5 surgeries, with another coming up soon. Wisdom teeth removed, knee surgery, c-section, lithotripsy, and hernia repair. My impending one is another c-section.
6. I married my best friend.
7. I have one daughter, and another on the way. I don't remember what we did before her, but I wouldn't change a thing.
8. I watch more [college] football than my husband. I also get upset when all the good games are at halftime at the same time because then I have to find something else to watch.
9. I absolutely despise the color red. However, I really think that Little K will come out with a head full of red hair, and will be slightly disappointed if she doesn't.
10. I have been to Disney World more times than I have Six Flags. Six Flags is about 14 hours closer.
11. I am living in the same house that I was brought home from the hospital to. My permanent address has only been different for 1 year.

Now, the questions asked by the Disney Girl:

1. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas. I know very typical answer. Actually, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love the music, the smells, the decorations, getting to see family, the traditions, seeing the look on Big K's face when she sees what Santa brought. However, I hate the stress of trying to figure out what to get everyone and trying to figure out how to budget for everything.


Why do you blog? To keep a journal of my life. Milestones of my kids, milestones of my marriage. An online memory book.

What is one thing you would like someone to know about you? I have no idea. I live a pretty boring life- hence the really boring 11 things about me.

If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would you go? I'd love to take a European tour- Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, France, London.

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings? Pay off bills, get a new car, donate to the March of Dimes, put away for the girls college, and give to my church.

Is there any one thing in your life that you would like to do over? My major in school. While I LOVED my Sociology classes, you can't do much with a BA in Sociology without extra schooling...

What accomplishment are you the most proud of? My kids...again, boring life.

How would you spend a rainy day? Normally at home, in my PJs, on the computer and playing with Big K.

What is your favorite television show of ALL time? Probably Grey's Anatomy.

How would you spend your "perfect" day? With family. No budget and shopping, with no complaints from C.

Have you been to Disneyland? If so, what is your favorite attraction? No, not Disneyland, but we went to Disney World this summer.

Now the 11 questions:

1. What's your favorite outfit?

2. Did you/do you play a sport?

3. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?

4. Favorite flower?

5. Would you rather be blind or deaf, and why?

6. How many children do you have/want to have?

7. What atypical food do you have on your table at Thanksgiving?

8. What Christmas tradition do you look forward to most?

9. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be, and why?

10. Are you an extreme couponer?

11. What unusual talent do you have?  


My 11 recipients:  

1. The Bryant Family

2. My Joy Filled Life

3. Mrs. Mama

4. Five Times the Fun

5. The Hoppers

6. Leave the Laundry for Later

7. Adventures of a Semper Fi Family

8. The Whitt's World

9. Dreaming of the Country

10. Adventures of the Triple B's

11. Miss Jo and Co.

37 week overview

(37 weeks 4 days)

37 weeks down, 3 to go...Well, ok, more like just over 2 weeks left. Countdown to due date: 17 days! Take a guess as to when she'll make her debut, weight, and height here.

This week was pretty normal. NST on Monday and then BPP today.

NST was interesting though. Little K was being extremely lazy. Her heart rate stayed at her baseline of about 135-140/bpm for the first 30 minutes. Well other than when I sneezed, and she shot up to 156. I thought she was going to wake up after that, but she didn't. Again, I had to roll to my left side, and the nurse had to buzz her. Once that happened, Little K got pretty mad and woke up.

Today we had our BPP and a growth scan. Little K somewhat cooperated. She did a little pushing to move, but she was practicing her breathing. She's measuring about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks behind and is about 5lbs 12oz, but this could be off in either direction by up to a 1/2 pound. She's still head down, so I'm guessing by down she's going to stay that way. Her feet, at least for now, are not by her head! We actually got a full face shot today too(with a little bit of arm).

The march to delivery continues.

Take your guess

Since Little K will be making her appearance soon, sometime around December 3, I thought it'd be fun to see when people she will make her debut, her weight, and her height.

Background: I'm currently 37 weeks 3 days. I have been on bed rest since 26 weeks 2 days for elevated blood pressure. Big K was born at 34 weeks weighing 4lbs 14oz and 17in long.

That is her foot. And the white line her toes are resting on, that is her head. We've got quite the flexible child. Someone said maybe she'd be a Rangerette.

It's Chili Time!

I think fall has finally decided to come to Texas. C decided that because 1) he was home and 2) because it has started to cool off, he'd make Popple's chili. He only made a 1/2 batch because the other name for this is 16 scout chili, meaning a full batch will feed 16 hungry Boy Scouts.

You cook it in a dutch oven, but that's all I can tell you since it's a family recipe. It's super yummy!

Big K actually ate some this time. She's never really been old enough to try it, but she did this time.

It was super HOT when she took her first bite!

However, once it cooled off, she ate a pretty good amount of it. I have to admit, she ate more than I expected her to. (Along with 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.)

As you can imagine, if a full batch feeds 16 scouts, a 1/2 batch is WAY more than 3 adults and a 3 year old could eat. We have plenty leftover. I think C is going to take some to work with him tomorrow.

Hopefully this won't be the only time this season that C makes this chili.

36 week review

We can now count the weeks on less than one hand, and can ALMOST count the days on just one person's fingers and toes. That milestone will happen Tuesday when we hit 37 weeks 1 day.

This week has been a doozy.

Wednesday we had our weekly NST. Little K was asleep, and wasn't wanting to do anything but sleep. There was very little action on the strip. The nurse came in and made me roll to my side and then buzzed baby. That got her going- after a while. Dr. H was about ready to send us over to sono for a BPP, but was happy with the readings once Little K woke up.

Yesterday, I started feeling really funny. Of course no one was home but me and Big K and Dr. H wanted me to head to L&D. I had to make a few frantic phone calls to get a ride. C was at work so he had to make a few phone calls as well...In the end though, after a couple of hours of monitoring, we were sent home.

Today, was our weekly BPP. Again, Little K was being lazy, but she did what she was supposed to do- with a little encouragement to get the last couple of things done. Little K is still head down, but is looking to the right side. Her foot is still also by her head so she's still folded in half, but at least she's head down. I have also gone from modified bed rest to strict bed rest.

Movement has decreased, but I know that as baby gets bigger, it will because of the lack of room left to move. Braxton Hicks have increased, and unfortunately, that's all they are. There has been no cervical change other than hard and closed.

Because I go so often, my doctor has me schedule my appointments a few weeks out, and today, we scheduled my LAST appointment. At that appointment, we will discuss what will happen the morning of my c-section.

A little of this, a little of That

I won't have a pregnancy update until tomorrow after my 2nd appointment, so I figured I'd post some pictures.

My sweet Big K has croup. Again. However, it's the first time she's had it in 11 months, so I think we're doing good. When she was younger, she'd get it 3-5 times a year. Unfortunately, breathing treatments weren't cutting it this time so we headed to the pediatrician this morning. Got a script for predisone and a cough suppressant.

My favorite snack cake. Ever. We start buying them as soon as they hit the shelves, and I try to stock up so we can have some after Christmas as well, but that doesn't always work.

The girls' matching Christmas outfits! I heart them. Can't wait til Little K is here so we can get pictures taken in them.

Big K being a rock star. She picked her accessories and then ran around singing "God's not dead, he's surely alive. He's living on the inside ROARING like a lion."

Pregnancy update will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

Election Day

So I don't normally post political things because I really don't like drama, but I really feel this year I'll make an exception.

At least we live in a country where we have the right to vote. We don't live in a dictatorship, and we get to voice our opinion about who our leader is.

35 week update

35 weeks! 5 weeks away from our due date. CRAZY!! Well, actually, its more like 35 weeks 3 days now, but sometime within the next 5 weeks Little K will be making her grand appearance.

I was originally scheduled to go up to the office 3 times, but due to an emergency surgery, my appointment that was supposed to be today got moved to yesterday. I'm ok with that. That meant one less trip to the office. The front desk ladies asked me yesterday if they'd see me again this week or if we had gotten lucky. I almost feel like I need to take them a cookie basket or something after all this is over. Most of them know me by name and are cheering me on as we near the finish line.

Monday's appointment went well. Had our weekly NST, which we passed. Took a little while, but everything looked good. Also had the Group B Strep test done.

Yesterday though, things were a little crazier than we would have liked, but in the end everything was fine. My blood pressure was back up into the range that started this whole bed rest adventure. The nurse checked it again about 10 minutes later, and it was lower, but still elevated. Then Dr. H came in to check it- you know its concerning when the doctor checks it! It was still elevated.

We were sent to our scheduled BPP knowing that depending on how that went would determine if we had won an express ticket to L&D. We got a little worried when Little K decided to be stubborn and sleep through all the attempts to get her moving, but about 20 minutes into the 30, she woke up. After finally passing the BPP, we went back down to Dr. H for yet another BP reading. This time it was much lower, and she was less worried than she was when the whole adventure had started that morning.

I don't go back to see Dr. H until Wednesday, which seems really weird since it'll be a whole week, and I've gotten into the routine of seeing her on Mondays and then again on Thursday or Fridays.