34 Weeks

I am going to try to get my scanner to post a fabulous (who am I kidding?) picture of me 34 weeks pregnant. I will keep trying until I get it posted so hold on...it will be here before long, I promise. =) I realize as of yet, I have only posted one pregnancy picture. That is pitiful! I will try to do much better in the coming weeks. I have just been, can you say, overwhelmed?


34 weeks! Whew! This pregnancy has flown by, for sure. It has really been nothing but a blur since I found out about this wee little one in my womb. I am still in shock that I am having another baby. Many may not understand that, but for 7 years I did not really believe that I would have children or to be more accurate, I really did not let myself think of it too much. So, to be blessed with not only one precious babe but 3 in 3 & 1/2 years? I am still dreaming. Most of the time, it doesn't seem real that I can be living this life out. But I am. Thank God I am.


Claire is going through some temper tantrum episodes and man, those are fun! haha. Some days I feel like a prisoner of war in my home. Lily is becoming more and more sweet and affectionate but also more independent! And, she can throw some whopper temper tantrums, too!


So, all in all, in the midst of baby preparations and day to day life, we have our hands full! We hit the bed exhausted every single night but praise God, we do sleep through the night most of the time! Claire is up to go to the bathroom but that is usually it. Lily usually sleeps like a rock. I just hope it continues after baby Drew arrives! Those all night feedings are tough enough without the other two waking up!


Lily will be 15 months old next week and we are on the countdown waiting for baby Drew!!! I have been sorting through baby girl clothes and boxing them up. Which is bittersweet and hard to do. I am so very sentimental. I have been washing Drew's clothing and blankets and sanitizing his bottles and pacifiers and just trying to get everything in a neat little place.


Drew's room is just off the girls' room but he will be sleeping with us for a while to start with (well, not with us, but in our room in a bassinet). So, I am trying to go ahead and get his room ready for his stuff but it is not going to well. Right now, it is stuffed with storage boxes and books. So, I am going through a little of that every day and trying to get it organized and cleared out of there so we can paint this weekend and move in the furniture for Drew. =)


Charlie painted the kitchen and some of the living room last week. He is also working on taking down wallpaper and painting the bathroom. I am helping of course, just not with the paint. He has also been doing a lot of work on our pool and everything outside. He is exhausted but happy.


Any ideas any of you have for organization would be very appreciated! Anything that helped you with a new baby coming? Most of all, I know that I am just going to have to get in there and throw a lot of stuff away!!!


Right now, Drew is kicking all of the time! He has the hickups almost every night at bedtime which Claire & Lily did not do, so it is a new thing and it is funny but I feel sorry for him! I HATE the hickups! I also have so much more fluid with him than I did with the girls. I feel so huge and unbalanced!



Also, any recommendations on a good (not too expensive) double stroller? I am definitely going to have to have one with a 3 & 1/2 yr. old, a 15month old and a baby!!!! =) That and A LOT of prayers!! lol. =) Anyway, if you do know of some good ones would you please let me know? Thanks!


Cravings so far: Fruit (any kind) especially watermelon and strawberries! Ice water with a whole glass of crushed ice to suck on and crunch. For some reason, it soothes me. I did that with Claire, too! Chinese food (sometimes) and Peanut Butter and chocolate. Italian sandwiches, olive salad and pepperoncini peppers. (all my husband's fave things). That's just a few of the cravings I have. But now, it is mostly just ice water and fruit. Which is good and fine by me. I have gained enough weight! =)



I try to talk to the baby every night with Charlie. Sometimes, I read out loud the verses in the Bible that speak of Andrew, the first disciple. I really do love that name. Charlie has always wanted to name his son Andrew and I think it is such a wonderful strong name. It really just fits this baby boy. And I love the shortened form of Drew. Charlie's dad's brother was named Andrew and that is why Charlie always liked it. It also has the exact same meaning as Charles, which is great!


The middle name choices that we have are going to be kept quiet until the birth. We just like for that to be a surprise and actually, we usually aren't entirely sure until we meet the baby. Claire was Claire Elisabeth Rene(Reen, not Renee) until we met her and then she was Claire Victoria Rose (her birth and Wilma's death the day of my baby shower in some ways influenced the change). Lily was Lily Sophia Elise for a while and then she was Lily Charlotte Ann and then Lily Sophia Rene and then we decided to name her after Charlie in case she was the last one, so she became Lily Charlotte or Lily Caroline and we were not sure about the 3rd name!!! But, when she was born, she was just Lily Charlotte Alise!!! (Lise after my Mom's names and Alise, short for Allison and Alise, short for Alisabeth/Elisabeth/Elizabeth (all family names).


So, all that rambling to say, that we don't positively know yet but we will when we see little Drew!!! =) And no, I don't mind people asking me what we are going to name the baby, it's just that as far as middle names go, we really don't exactly know for sure until we see him! Hope that explains it better than I have been! =)


If it happens to be a girl, we have a short name list:


*Audrey(has been a top pick with all 3 pregnancies; LOVE it)

*Savannah(Love this, don't really know why)

*Raegan(after my sister and my dad)

*Anna(after my mother-in-law& I just love the name)

*Ava (biblical; pretty)


middle names:


*Elisabeth(grandmothers)

*Caroline(form of Charles)

*Catherine(grandmothers)

*Cate(same)



Third name:



No clue!!!! Truthfully!!!



So, feel free to make a girl's name suggestion if you have one!!! I always believe in being prepared but I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what to name this one if it's a girl (which I doubt almost 100% that it is ) but still, I like to at least have some good combinations ready!!! =)


Anyway, I guess that about wraps up this novel of things I wanted to say! Thank you very much if you are still reading and I promise to get my belly pics posted as soon as I can get the scanner to do it! *Definitely have to get a new digital before Drew arrives!!! =)

Dr. update!

Well, I had my appointment with my new Dr. today. She is great! SO nice and very thorough and well informed. Claire loved her, too! I had to have some more blood work done and I have another ultrasound scheduled for August 5th! And we can schedule a 4-D one if we want at that time! =) WOW! We were not expecting to get another peek at this little one before the birth or such a great picture of him so this is pretty awesome! We are very excited! =)

Other than a little nausea today (I think it's the heat and the long car ride) I am feeling pretty good and it was a good dr.'s visit. I am going back in 2 weeks and then it is every week after that. I can not believe that I am this close! Whew, this pregnancy has just really flown by and I am panicking a little bit about everything I have to do! (See, if you know me, you already knew that, haha). But, I do know, of course, that it will all be done in God's perfect time and I am trying to relax and enjoy the baby's kicks. Probably the last ones that I will feel in my womb. =( But, we are definitely not thinking of going for a 4th one! We have already signed the papers and I think I am most definitely through with the pregnant thing (as much as I LOVE my babies).

Anyway, tonight for supper we had amazing Italian sandwiches with this SO GOOD olive salad I bought at the Italian town we were in today (family knows what I am referring to) Oh, they were delicious with the pepperoncini peppers on the side! YUM-YUM!!!! =) I had one of those, a HUGE glass of ICE water and some angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Supper was amazing and I am stuffed. For some reason, I guess I thought I should tell you about my delicious supper! Must be the pregnancy thing. =)

Well, it's only 8 pm but the girls are in bed and we are going there too! I am so tired and sleepy and I just want to rest.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love,
Julie

Our Lily

I haven't done this for either of the girls in a while so I thought that I would brag on Lily Charlotte today! Here's what she is up to!

*LOVES fresh garden tomatoes!!!

*weighs 25 lbs!!!

*says, "what dat?" & "dat ent bye-bye" (What's that & that went bye-bye)

*EATS anything you put in front of her

*LOVES shrimp

*lays on her bedroom floor & "talks" on the phone to Daddy

*"sings" herself to sleep

*throws the wildest tantrums I have ever seen

*says "yay" and claps when Claire gets through praying at meals

*pats my back when I hold her

*rubs my arm when she is sleepy

*LOVES Boscoe (the dog) and Joe (the cat)

*tells them to "mere" (come here)

*LOVES her sippy cup and drinks water all the time

*Has the most beautiful smile with her two bottom teeth & her gums

* Is VERY sensitive

*Does the "Miss America" wave when Daddy comes home :o)

* One of her favorite things is to fingerpaint & color with Sissy

* She has to have kisses from all of us before she can settle down for the night.

*She is 14 months old today; HAPPY 14 months, SWEET LILY BEAR!!!

Love,

Mama, Daddy, Sissy & Baby Drew

*I have more recent pictures of Claire & Lily to upload, I just haven't had the time to get it done. Hopefully this week!

Drew's "all boy" nursery...

The color for the nursery walls maybe with the darker brown on bottom, as below:

The bedding that we LOVE, we hope to get this or something very very similar! So, what do you think? Is it "boy" enough?

I am SO excited to be having a boy! I love our little girls so much but I am just really excited to see what having a little boy will bring to our family! Can't wait until Andrew arrives!!! :o) And, our family will be complete!

Cravings, I have some!

(This is not my picture! I do NOT like the tablecloth or the blue plate, for some reason I just felt like I had to clarify that! I could not get a good picture of what I really wanted to eat; coconut shrimp & won tons; yummy!)

Chinese Food & Zero Candy Bars !!! DON'T WORRY, I DON'T EAT THEM TOGETHER!!!!!!!YUCK!!!!!!!!!

Andrew (aka "Drew")

So, here it is! Drew's ultrasound pictures! The 3-D machine was not working so we did not get to do that yet. However, these are just fine with me! He is adorable and I have to admit that I feel a little funny about posting my child's anatomy on here but it is definite proof that HE is a BOY so, I guess it's okay! :o)

Sorry that it took so long to get this posted. I wanted to go ahead and get it done so family and friends that have not seen the pictures could get a chance to do so. Which is most of the family and friends we have. I have not been out much lately. So, here you go!!!

His HUGE foot!!!His adorable little profile(His knees are touching his nose!)

Unmistakable proof (as the ultrasound tech said) that Drew is a BOY!!! :o) Boy parts between two legs, the knees are bent.


So, there you go, everybody who has been waiting on the ultrasound pictures! So sorry that it took me so long to get these posted!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Julie

Asking For Prayers

I am supposed to be on a blogging break but I just wanted to ask everyone to pray for us tomorrow! Please pray that the ultrasound results are good and the baby is healthy and if not that we may have the strength and wisdom and courage to deal with whatever is to be. I am not looking for bad news but I always feel we must be prepared to face it. So, if you would, please say a special prayer for us & the baby tomorrow. It would mean a lot to me going into the ultrasound room.

The ultrasound is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 pm. We have a long (1 & 1/2 hr. drive) to get there. I will try to let everyone know as soon as possible about the results. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness and prayers on our behalf. I am very grateful for all of our family, friends and bloggy friends! You mean so much to us!

Stay tuned for the results.......

Love and Prayers,
Julie

Taking a break

I am taking a blogging break for awhile. I will be back sometime next week to tell you the results of the ultrasound, which is scheduled for Monday at 2 pm.

I just have so many things to do right now before the baby gets here and not enough time to get it all done! My little girls need more attention especially with the new baby coming soon! Thank you so much for understanding!

Love and Prayers to all of you,

Julie

Happy 1st Birthday, Lil-bear!

Miss Lily is on the very end. She is sitting with Claire and all of their girl cousins on my side of the family. (Plus Jason). lol. Thanks, Aunt Crystal, for taking this picture! Happy Birthday tomorrow, by the way! Love ya! (Claire on one end, Lily on the other).

Click here to read more about Miss Lily!!!!

To our :Adorable, Spunky, feisty, cuddle-bug, sweetie-cutie-pie, gorgeous, precarious, outgoing, funny, loveable, precious, huggable, Miss Lily!!!

Lily-Frank, Lil-bear, Lily Short Legs,

Every morning you wake up ready to face the world. You make me smile so many times throughout the day just by looking at me and giving me your crooked little grin. You follow your big sister everywhere and you do not like to be without her!

You are very kind and so very generous with hugs and kisses. You say, "Oh......." when you give loves. I love to watch you and Sissy lay in the floor and cuddle and watch TV or read books.

I love to hear you sing your heart out with me when I sing to you at night. So sweet to hold your chubby little hands in mine and listen to you giggle when I kiss them. You are, my precious daughter, a delight to raise, a true blessed gift from God. Our prayer is that you will follow the ways of the Lord all the days of your life.

Happy 1st Birthday, Lily Charlotte! We love you SO VERY MUCH!

Ma-Ma, Da-Da & Tis (Sissy)

Lily Charlotte Alise- 1 yr. old

Lily- 1 day old
& Lily 11 months old

You have already seen most of these pictures but I wanted to share them anyway. I have some better ones but they are film not digital and I would have to scan them and with dial up, that takes for-evah!!! lol. Anyway, I will add Lily's birthday post at the bottom as soon as I can get it posted! Right now, we are a little fussy on our 1st birthday, we are cutting some more teeth! So, as soon as I get her down for a nap I will try to get it posted. Happy Thursday, 1st of May, everyone! :o)

Daddy, Lily, Alaina, Claire (blurry) and Kylie (blurry)

Daddy, Claire & Lily

Lily getting dressed for church

showing off her fat little feet
Big sister is VERY helpful!

Daddy & his baby girlDaddy reading to them, their absolute FAVORITE thing!
The Princess & The Pumpkin

Sisters waiting on Santa Claus

I would have more recent ones to post but my camera ate them! So, as soon as I get my new camera in, should be a couple of days, I will take lots more and post them. I have a lot of catching up to do! Anyway, I will be back in a little bit to put up the rest of Lily's birthday post! Love, Julie

*Right about now, they had started prepping me for my epidural (which never took effect) because right after I lay back down I felt the horrible pressure of needing to push and just like that I was a 10! And that's still how Lily is, always in a hurry! :o)

The day before Lily arrived (1 year ago)...

About this time last year, I was nervous and a little scared. I frantically ran around (but not as much as Charlie) trying to get things ready and leave Claire with MeMe and Aunt Crystal so we could head out to the hospital, 2 hours away. We were supposed to be there at 7:00 pm to start my induction. A totally different induction than the one I had with Claire, by the way! This one was not nearly as bad as I was expecting after Claire's traumatic birth 2 yrs. before. Having Lily hurt, don't get me wrong, but it was a peaceful birth and everything seemed to just flow along. I am sure my husband at my side calming me down helped so much (it's easier to be calm the 2nd time). As did the scripture I had memorized and said over and over (when the pain wasn't too horrible).

I just wanted to get this down while it's on my mind. I will try to be back tomorrow with sweet Lily's 1st birthday post and her birth story. It's beautiful! :o)

*Just a note, I will not be on here much today because I got very little sleep last night! The baby has decided that it is fun to roll and punch Mama ALL NIGHT LONG, and my husband has a kidney infection so he was up ALL NIGHT LONG!!! Claire was also up multiple times so, needless to say, I am barely functioning right now!

Baby Girls?

Okay, give me your best names for baby girls! As many suggestions as you want to make! We are going for my checkup on May 6th and the ultrasound is scheduled for the next week! I have no idea what names we like for a baby girl but want to have a few to pick from just in case it's a girl! We have some ideas but nothing that just says, "that's it!!!" Maybe it will be a boy, lol. Anyway, give me your favorites and don't worry, I promise I will take all of them into consideration. :o)

We always like to know the baby's name ahead of the birth but we had a terrible time deciding on Lily's and I don't want that to happen with this one! I just like to start calling it by name after we find out what it is, it makes me feel closer to the baby and I think it will help the girls get ready for their new sibling!

Charlie has some boy names picked out that we like pretty well but if you also want to submit some of those, that will be fine, too!

Have a fun time coming up with ideas and let me know soon! :o)