Easter 2010

We had a great Easter. Steven and I woke up about an hour before Carter...that is rare! We were able to shower and get ready for church before he woke up to see what the Easter Bunny had left him. I totally forgot to get pictures of his basket, but I did get video, so I will upload that eventually. Among all of his loot, Carter got a set of golf clubs, so Steven took him out before church to try them out...

After church, we came home and made a wonderful dinner while watching The Passion of the Christ...which is a tradition. After we ate, we rested and Carter napped. Later on, we went to our visit some very close friends and Carter played outside with the other kids. He is growing up so fast...

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Chuggin' Along.

I have gotten a couple emails asking if we are ok...which by the way, mean more to me than you guys know. I know I say that I only do this blog for myself and my family, but the friends I have made online mean the world to me.

We are doing great. The morning sickness (or "all-day" sickness) started in full-force about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I didn't experience it quite like this with my last pregnancy. I mean, it was still bad, but usually I could dry-heave once and then I felt better. On the days that didn't happen, I took my Zofran and it took care of any nausea I had left. This time, it is unpredictable. I can get sick, feel better, then be sick again 5 minutes later. And the Zofran doesn't work! I have tried everything!! Today, my masseuse gave me some Sea Sickness Wrist Bands and I have been feeling pretty good so far. I am cautiously optimistic that they will continue to do the trick. I am officially in the 2nd trimester today, so I am hoping that things start to even off a bit.

Carter is doing great. He is finally sleeping through the night. With all of our hard work and dedication to "Operation Night-Night", he just needed to do it on his own time. We are now in the process of ordering furniture for his big-boy room. Instead of getting all new nursery furniture, we are getting Carter a toddler bed, 2 dressers, nightstand, and bookshelf. We have chosen this bedding for him. A month or two before the new baby comes, we will start transitioning him into the new bed. In theory, it will work wonderfully, LOL!

Our next appointment is in 2 weeks. I am going to ask my OB to sneak a peek at the baby's gender since my birthday is just a few days later...I am so impatient that I just can't wait another 6 weeks!! Any guesses on what it will be??

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I know one little boy who wasn't pinched by any leprechauns today...

A Big Decision.

Today wasn't a great day. It started out OK...Carter slept in until 11am, I woke up with no signs of morning sickness, and Steven cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom. The makings of a wonderful Sunday.

Until I checked my voicemail...

"Hey Candi. It's mom. I assume you are drowning your sorrows in [Caffeine-Free] Coca-Cola right now since Brady Quinn was traded to Denver. Just checking to see how you're dealing with it. I get off of work at 8, so I'll talk to you then. Love you. Bye."

WHAT?!?!

I had accidentally left my phone in the bedroom and had missed this call from my mom as well as about 10 texts from friends telling me of this awful news. It is no secret that I have a bit of a "thing" for Brady Quinn. Not to mention I think he is a great talent that wasn't given the proper attention, teaching, or confidence right off of the bat. He deserved a team and coaches that believed in him...and the Browns never gave him that. Very sad and not fair. So...needless to say, I have a big decision to make and only 6 months to do it...

OR...

What is a girl to do??

Poor Sick Boy.

Carter is sick. I feel so bad for him. He is just a snotty, whiney mess and it is so sad. He tries to laugh and play, but sometimes you can just tell how yucky he feels. We have been keeping him hydrated and he has been taking 2 naps a day, so I am sure he is on the road to recovery. I just wish I could do more to help the poor guy. 

My pregnancy is continuing to go very well. I am getting a little sick here and there, but it is nothing compared to when I was pregnant with Carter. I am fully functioning this time, so that's a huge step! I am very thankful. I am fully into my maternity pants now. I am not even sure that my Bella Band will work anymore. I am afraid to try! I am feeling great and I am enjoying everything about pregnancy this time around, so I will gladly take a few inches on the waistline! My favorite thing is when I ask Carter if he wants to kiss the baby and he climbs up and kisses my tummy. I am hoping to get it on video...I lent my camcorder to my aunt and I am waiting to get it back...but it is definitely something I want to capture on video. It just makes me melt!

I was thinking to myself last night and I realized I had not taken out my camera in a few weeks. I have used my point and shoot a few times, but my DSLR has been sitting in its bag untouched. I finally got a chance to take some photos of my sick little guy today. As you can see, he is no longer sporting the mohawk. Steven buzzed it yesterday because it was too long to put up anymore. I can't wait until it grows back out...he looks too much like a little boy...not enough like a baby! He is growing up so fast!!

Ultrasound #2...just another miracle.

Yesterday, we had another ultrasound. The baby was measuring right on track and we finally got to hear the nice strong heartbeat! It was wonderful...especially after the little bit of bleeding I had. It definitely eased my mind!

When the doctor on call came in to check things out, he noticed that there appeared to be an extra sac of fluid. No baby, but he referred to it as a "bonus sac". I joked that I could certainly use the extra fluid since my low fluid issues with Carter were what landed me in the hospital the first time. He asked about my last pregnancy and I had explained to him all about the premature labor due to my T-shaped uterus. He continued looking at the screen and said, "I don't see any signs of a uterine abnormality at all." It is very possible that my last pregnancy stretched my uterus back to a normal shape. The miracles keep on coming! This is huge because it may mean that we will not have an "early eviction" this time since the baby will have more room to grow! We are praying hard that my body will keep this baby in until our goal of 36 weeks. That is 4 weeks longer than last time. I would be so thankful for no NICU stay. That was very hard and I cannot imagine doing it with another child at home.

Here are some pictures of yesterday's ultrasound...

A whole lot of nothing.

That's what we have been doing. Well, not really. We've actually been somewhat busy, but nothing big has been going on. 

Monday I had my weekly massage. My back has been very sore, so I am thankful that I get the opportunity to have it worked on. It really does help. Yesterday, I had an eye appointment. I have been out of contact lenses for quite a while, and I was due for some new glasses, too. As I suspected, my astigmatism got worse, causing my prescription to be stronger. I really need to wear my contacts/glasses at all times. I am very guilty of taking advantage of having a big screen TV! I promise that I will be better this year!! Hold me to it!! The optometrist office called today to tell me that my contacts and glasses were ready. I go on Monday morning to pick them up. I am pretty excited because my new specs are pretty awesome!! I will post pics when I get them!

Today we tried to spend the day inside due to the awful weather, but we ended up bundling up because I got a preferred customer coupon for a laptop for Steven. He took his desktop downstairs this week because the only place we could keep it was in the playroom. Carter's wandering hands were constantly all over it. He would take the mouse and hide it from us. He would try his darndest to type on the keyboard, many times pulling it right down off the table. We were very afraid that the monitor or tower would be the next thing to come down. It just wasn't safe for Carter. Now that our finances are in a much better place, Steven and I decided that we would get him a much needed upgrade. So, now his dinosaur desktop is downstairs in the basement. We are trying to sell the 19" monitor, Bose Speakers, and other parts that work well...hopefully!

We have an OB appointment on Monday afternoon. I am very excited to see our little "gummy bear"! I have been having a trace of the brown icky discharge here and there, but I know its no big deal. I had it with Carter. It isn't enough to get distraught over...I just pray that I am not going to have to deal with any more placenta issues. I think the abruption from last time should be my Get Out of Jail Free card for the rest of my pregnancies! I will be sure to post an update on Monday.

I'm going to be an AUNT!

I am so excited!! Steven, Carter, and I went to NY for the weekend and found out yesterday that my brother-in-law and his wonderful wife are expecting their first baby!! She is due 4 weeks after me. I couldn't have asked for a better preggo-buddy! As you can imagine, my mother-in-law is over the moon! She has 2 grandkids on the way!

Our weekend was so much fun! Friday night, we went to the Casting Crowns concert at Roberts Wesleyan College. Our seats were awesome. Caleb and Kutless were the opening acts and they rocked!! Crowns was great...duh!!

While we were rocking all night, Carter spent the night at my dad's. So, Saturday morning after we woke up, we went over there and spent the day. We had chicken wings with my dad's famous buffalo sauce (my fave) and had a bunch of friends and family over to play Wii. 

During our Wii bowling tournament, I noticed that my dad, Steven, and Carter were missing. About 20 minutes later, my dad comes down the stairs and says "Now, don't be mad...because he looks really cool." Steven walked down the stairs with Carter and his new haircut.

After my initial freak-out, I realized that it isn't that bad. I mean, at least now I know none of the other babies will mess with him...because dudes with mohawks are tough! 

Sunday morning before church, we had a little scare. I had a little bit of bleeding...the same bleeding that I had at 7 weeks with Carter. There was no cramping or pain, and it had stopped before I even realized it started. I called my doctor this morning and he told me that it happens sometimes and that he isn't concerned. I just have to take it easy. I have an appointment on Monday so hopefully we can sneak another peek at this little one! I can't wait!!

Best Buddies.

Pick Me To Be Your Valentine!

Exhausted.

There is no other word for the way I have been feeling lately. It seems as though I really haven't been doing much of anything...but I am just so tired. I can't sleep at night, but my eyes are heavy all day. Last night, I went out to celebrate one of my very best friend's birthday. I was out until close to midnight. I normally wouldn't go out late like that, but it was a special circumstance. I did have a little bit of caffeine, which I have had none of since finding out I was pregnant. That little bit had me wide awake until 6am. I finally managed to fall asleep, and I woke up less than 4 hours later. Steven and Carter were awake, which made me feel like I should be, too. So, I dragged myself out of bed. Steven saw me and said, "Why are you awake? Go back to bed." I just couldn't. I was still tired, but my brain just wouldn't let me sleep. Steven made me the most gigantic pancakes I had ever seen, and my day had begun. I have been exhausted ever since.

Carter just went to bed, and Steven and his brother are playing Wii, so I am going to try to go to bed and get some rest. Fingers crossed that I get a full night's sleep.

Here are a few pics of Carter being the perfect little model monster I have created!! I took them with my new 35mm lens...it is by far my new fave!!

Introducing Baby #2!!

Steven and I had our 1st OB appointment today. Everything went wonderfully. I was taken aback by how "normal" I was treated. Not that women who do fertility treatments aren't "normal", but at times you almost feel "special". You get multiple betas to ensure that your HCG levels are continuing to rise, ultrasounds whenever you want, and a special doctor that is there before, during, and after you conceive. When you get pregnant without medical intervention, you are just another mom-to-be. No red carpet, no paparazzi, no big deal. Hmm.

Anyway, I am not completely normal. According to my last missed period, I should be 7 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Well, I am only 6 weeks along. Baby looked great...nice strong heartbeat. I cannot even explain how relieved I was when I saw that little flicker on the screen. It was such a beautiful moment. I had my doctor, who has been through so much with me...and I also had my boys. As soon as Steven pointed to the baby's heartbeat on the big TV screen, Carter started giggling and goes "What's that?" He kept asking over and over. We were all just laughing. He is going to be such an amazing big brother.

We talked to the doctor and he put my on low-dose asprin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, more folic acid, and switched me from Ultram to Percoset for spasms and pain. We know that I can get by with less than 10mg of Percoset per day and it keeps everything under control. I did it with Carter and he was born completely unaffected by it. To be honest, I could handle the pain without taking anything, but the spasms pose a huge threat because they have been known to be strong enough to throw me around. If I were to fall out of my chair, myself and the baby are in danger...so I will do exactly what I did with my last pregnancy as far as meds go. The doctor also told us that he will be putting me on progesterone injections starting at 16 weeks to prevent preterm labor. I will go off of it at about 36 weeks, then we will discuss inducing me. We want to be in full control of this delivery so I do not have the same problems as I did with Carter. He is confident that I will do wonderfully with another vaginal delivery, but an epidural is 100% necessary in order to be sure that I do not end up with Autonomic Dysreflexia, causing another seizure, or worse. We are feeling very optimistic about this pregnancy and I feel great! I couldn't be more excited to add another precious life to my family.

Here are the ultrasound pictures. They aren't much to look at, but we are in love already!

2010 Walk for Babies

When Carter was born premature, we were thrown into seeing how the March of Dimes helps babies. Of course, nobody wants to be in that position, but I see it as a blessing in disguise. As a family, we vowed that we would do all we could to contribute to this wonderful foundation. Last year, we suited up and went on our very first Walk for Babies...

We were able to raise over $300 for Team Carter in 2009! Thanks to all of you wonderful bloggers out there that donated. This year, we are upping the ante with a goal of $500! I think we can do it. I know that in this economy, we are all very strapped. If you are in a financial position to donate, any amount helps. It is such a wonderful cause. Please stop by our team page if you would like to find out how you can help.

Thank you all for your support. We truly appreciate it!

Who's Going To Be A Big Brother??

Family Fun!

With all of the excitement, we have not forgotten to take time to remember that we are still a family of 3 and that we need to spend time that way. We have been laughing and playing a lot...and today we spent the day out. First, we headed to BJ's, which we all know that I loathe!! I hate spending money there. Like, I get that I am getting much, much more for my money...but it is always such an expensive trip because I try my best to buy for the entire month so I don't have to be there twice. The thing that we always get there is Carter's PediaSure. With his low weight, his pediatrician wants him to drink one every day. At our local grocery store, a 6 pack is about $11.00. At BJ's, a 24 pack is $32.99. So, there really isn't much rocket science to it...no matter how much I can't stand the store. Luckily, we still have 2 boxes of diapers from when we went to BJ's after we got our tax return, so we didn't have to spend as much as we normally do.

After BJ's, we realized it was lunch time, so Carter got to eat a Happy Meal. He loooooves chicken mcnuggets, fries, and chocolate milk!! He doesn't get it often, but boy can he chow down on McDonald's! Next, we went to Best Buy to look for Turtle Beach headphones for Steven, which they were out of. So, we moved on to the mall to see if any of the stores had jeans for very skinny, very tall little boys. Most jeans are either too big in the waist or too short...never just right. Well, Gymboree has done it!! These pants are perfect!! And we also snagged him a "Big Bro" shirt, that I will be sure to get photos of soon!

After the mall, we went grocery shopping. Carter had pretty much had it at this point, so we were cut short. We ended up with a full cart, but had absolutely no frozen foods. So, tomorrow I will venture back to the grocery store and get the odds and ends that we were unable to get today. 

So...that was our day in a nutshell...here are a couple photos I took at home last night. I just love these boys!!