Announcing Allison Caroline

She is here! I am so late getting this up...but I have been too busy enjoying her! I've also been too busy getting up to nurse and change a bazillion poopy diapers, and playing in the sun with Alli and Drew in the back yard. Allison arrived on April 20th, at 12:56 in the afternoon, and weighed 9 lbs 5.9 oz. Big girl! She was delivered c-section, and it went very well. I have an excellent doctor, who always respects my wishes, and is very knowledgeable. I was brought back into the surgical room at 12:32, and 24 minutes later, she was out. Jason did awesome, and was right by my side to bring me some calm. He was able to spend some time with me at home before he had to go back to work, which was nice, and my mom helped, too. Recovery is truly different with a c-section, but otherwise, I'd choose it over the other way any day of the week.

Allison sleeps much better than her brother ever did, which I'm thrilled about. She does have severe reflux, which we suspected, and then discovered during tests at Peyton Manning, since she wasn't gaining weight and spit up so much. She is on medication now, and I am hoping it improves things. Alli looks quite a bit like her brother Drew, especially when she's sleeping, but she also looks almost exactly like my baby pictures, which I am thrilled about! I at least got one child who looks like me, since her brother is pretty much a replica of Jason! She couldn't be any sweeter, and is such an AWESOME gift from God. We are so thankful for our baby girl!

8 months pics

 Here are my favorite maternity pics from the photos Vicki Lyndsey did! It was fun.....although it's very hard to pose, or feel pretty, when you're 8 mos pregnant and swollen! However, she did a good job of making me comfortable. She is an excellent photographer.

RECENT (FUN) PROJECTS...

Recently, I finished the dresser for Drew and baby girls' room! It started as an unfinished pine dresser, and is now a "denim dresser" which the two kids will share, until we move. Then it will belong only to Drew. I wanted to do something different and interesting, and have wanted to try drybrushing, as I am into the weathered/beach cottage decor more than anything. I started with a coat of white, and then began the process of drybrushing the blue, then the white, and so on. It still needs a good coat of poly, to give it a slight sheen, and a more finished look. I have been waiting for a nice day to let it dry outdoors. I had some help from one of my best buds, Katie, too, which made it more fun! I was, all in all, very happy with the outcome, and it definitely gave more room for the kids' clothes.

The next project, after the dresser, was my belly mold, which I have always wanted to do, since I discovered them. I wish I'd have known about them when I was pregnant with Drew. It is literally a process of casting, as you would a broken arm. Next, you have to add more plaster, then sand, then paint. The finished project hangs in babys' nursery. My mom did the casting, and seemed to have a really good time doing it! She did a great job! I still have to smooth it with more plaster, and then sand. My sister has agreed to do most of the painting, in babys nursery colors, grey and yellow. I am very excited to finish it, and will post pics as soon as it's done! Right now, though, I am working on painting a mobile for the baby...too many things to do, and only 3 weeks left!

Catching up!

Whoops.....it's been two months! Boy, does time fly around the holidays. Firstly, we are happy to announce that we are expecting a baby GIRL, for those who don't already know! I think I almost fell off of the exam table when they told us. I really was expecting it to be another boy. Tears rolled down my face, and Jason smiled and cried, and said, "you got your girl." However, ten seconds later he told me, "we are gonna have to pay for a wedding now."  REALLY?! Oh, that was good for a laugh!!!
Second, Drew had a fun 3rd birthday at Escapades, and got the usual mountain of toys and games, etc, that we now have to try and fit into our ever-shrinking house (we are still trying to sell), but he was a happy little guy. He is bigger and brighter every day, and surprises me constantly with how much he knows. I am so proud of him. His latest phrase is, "well for heaven's sake, Mommy."

Lastly, Christmas was wonderful. The people that are the very closest to us know about Jason, and his incredible decision, which made it really special. We saw some of the family, and had several Christmases. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but am glad it's over since it's always so hectic. I am now looking forward to a few snows (but not too heavy), and Spring, when baby girl will be here. I am working on Drews' room, to try and "thin it out", so we can fit her in it, and am getting ready to paint a dresser that they will share until we move. I know it will all work out. I have been talking to some of my most creative and inventive friends, who know how to make small spaces work! Happy new year and much love! Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last 2 months:)

Little Angel

All I can say is we are hopeful and excited, and mostly thankful to God for our dancing baby! It was such a relief to see a healthy baby and hear a normal heartbeat this time. We got to watch baby dancing away, waving his/her hands and kicking tiny feet, floating all around in what looks like outer space. Drew held my hand, and said "theres baby!" That was the best part.

Losing the twins was so hard, and that's the main reason we decided to wait to tell people that we were expecting this time. It would just be too tough to go through all that again, and have to relive it each time we told someone. It's nice to finally share the news!  So, today I am thanking God, and living in the moment!

Chef Power

My little guy loves cooking days with Mommy! Three or four days a week, he gets to help me with whatever we are making for supper that night...he loves this! He has to be the one to pour and mix ingredients, and while he may fling chili and such all over the cabinets and floor, I could never deny him such a treat. When Daddy gets home, he likes to tell him, " I made dat." So sweet. I'm hoping one day he can just take over!

I am encouraged!!!

I just have to share! I am so encouraged, moved, and proud of how our congregation at  Lindberg Road has been allowing God to work in them to not only mature and grow in numbers, but also, (and most importantly) reach out to the community and world around us, to share what we know is the truth, and enrich other's lives with it. We have gone from a broken, and separated church, to a unified, and excited body of Christ in just a short time. It's exciting to see all the new children's ministies, and to get to be a part of some of them, along with several other ministries, and to see how these will bless others, and bless and grow myself, too. Our new preacher is deeply loved, along with his very-much-like-Jesus beautiful wife.....and I am so thankful they are here!