****MAIL****

If you don't watch Blue's Clues then you don't get the title. If you have ever seen Mili watch Blue's Clues then you fully understand (the stars represent her hands going up by her face and she shakes and screams MAIL).

Anyway, We have had some packages arriving here in the last few days. On Saturday we got an Anniversary card in the mail from my Mom and Dad (it had money in it....whooohoooo restaurant here I come....oh, WE come, it is Brian's anniversary too). Thanks so much Mom and Dad. You didn't need to send us anything but it is always nice to receive a card from home.

Also on Saturday I was surprised by a package in the mail box from my best friend Dani Lee. She sent some cute croc-like shoes for Sadie. Mili loves her shoes like this and I am so glad to already have two pair for Sadie. Mili also tried to put Sadie's on and it reminded me of when I used to put on Erin's (my sister) jelly shoes and walk around the house (my mom, Aimee, and Erin are cracking up right now thinking about that). Thank you Dani Lee for thinking of us and especially for being so fashionable in your choices of colors.

Today, what another nice surprise. I got a package from UPS from Aunt Bec and Aunt Peggy (Brian's mom's sisters). They sent Sadie some clothes. This dress is a very light pink the camera didn't do it justice. It is beautiful and I can already see Sadie wearing it to church.


If my lovely aunts only knew how much I love matching hats and bibs for babies (well maybe they do know that...smile). The more things that match on my babies the happier I am. Aren't they tiny and adorable.

Now if Mili is not spoiled rotten, I don't know who is. Aunt Bec sent the water pen sets and Aunt Peggy sent the baby doll. Mili is asleep right now but when she wakes up it will be a happy day for her. She just asked me this morning where her water pen was (it has been lost for a while). I told her that I would just have to buy her another one later. She said, "Go to the toy store now mommy". She will be overjoyed to see her new goodies.


It is so nice to hear from and get things from people back home. We have friends here that we have grown to love dearly and would trust our lives with but it is not like having my family and friends from home. Thank you so much for thinking of us. We get so excited when we get packages and cards from home. You guys are great!!!

We thank you for all the loot and LOVE you all. Hugs and Kisses!!!!

Daddy's Girl

Mili has always been some what of a Daddy's girl, but recently it has increased. Brian has been bathing Mili since I fell and hurt my knees. He has also been helping more with feeding Mili and letting me rest since the two hospital episodes.

Mili has become quite fond of her Daddy time. When it is bed time she MUST have Daddy put her to bed (which is great since it is hard to lean over the bed with this big belly). He sings her a song (My Girl) and plays a pretend trumpet (Arkansas Razorback Fight Song). She giggles and then is ready for bed.

We have a little prissy, tomboy on our hands. She wants her hair fixed (with bows, Mommy) but we want to play with cars. When we go down the car aisle at the store she says, "Yeah, oh yeah cars...VVVRRRRMMMMM!" So since she has shown such interest in cars I thought she needed a project to do with Daddy. I bought this wooden car puzzle for Brian and Mili to enjoy together (not knowing that you needed wood glue to hold the pieces together). As you can see from the pictures, Mili enjoyed herself, glue or no glue. I left the two of them to put together the car and went to the grocery store. When I returned the car was in many parts again so I didn't get a picture of the completed car.

Mili enjoyed her short time to play with the car before it started to fall apart. She also enjoyed telling Daddy which pieces went where while "they" were working on the project.

They had a good time and it only cost a dollar. I was happy with my purchase and the quality time spent between father and daughter but I am not so sure Brian was liking me about half way through the project with a zillion pieces......smile.

Brian is a great husband and Daddy. He is also already being a great Daddy to Sadie by taking care of me. By the way, Brian has been helping out with the cooking when he can. He cooked the best hamburgers (turkey burgers) Saturday. They were so good that I had a leftover one for lunch on Sunday as well.

OK enough praises for Brian the SUPERDADDY!!!
Love to ALL!!

35 week update

I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment at 8:40 this morning in the office in the town that we live in. I went to the office and soon found out that the doctor couldn't come in due to a sick child that need to go to the ER. I told them that I needed to reschedule for today with a different doctor because of all the problems we have had this last week (read previous posts below).

They rescheduled me for an appointment in another office two towns away (about 30 minutes) at 10:10. My plan was to come back home get Mili ready, take Brian to work and then take Mili to a friends house. Well I started to think of the time and I didn't have enough time to do all of that. Brian didn't want me upset since that seems to make Sadie crazy enough to want to come out these days, so he decided he would just take me. He took care of Mili (she was an angel) and I asked all the questions I needed to ask.

If I have more than six contractions in an hour again before next Tuesday (36 weeks) then I am to go to the hospital to get them stopped again. After next Tuesday the hospital will not stop them anymore and I will be considered ready to deliver. I would much rather Sadie wait until at least 37 weeks to come but God knows what's best for her and us.

My doctor did my Group B Strep (GBS) test (if it is positive then they have to give me antibiotics during delivery so the GBS won't affect the baby). I will know the results of that next week. She checked my cervix and I am not really dilated yet but it is soft and Sadie's head is very low now. When we were in the hospital Sunday night the nurse couldn't feel the baby's head yet. I feel better knowing that Sadie is head down and ready for delivery (she just turned within the last couple of days).

I am chillin' this week so that we can keep Sadie in at least one more week. We have a few church activities this week but nothing that is stressful. Please pray all goes well this week. Thanks for all your prayers so far. Keep them coming a little longer.

Hugs and Kisses to ALL

Another Hospital Visit......URGH!

Well, we already know that Sadie is a trouble maker. She has been causing all kinds of problems recently (I guess Mommy caused the first problem with the fall). Anyway, we had to go to Labor and Delivery again last night.

Yesterday at church I had felt a few contractions but they were not close together or anything that I felt like I should worry about. Later at about 6:00 pm I started feeling the contractions more regular and so Brian stared timing them. When I was discharged from the hospital the first time they told me if I had more than six contractions in an hour to call the doctor so we did. The doctor wanted me to drink lots of water and lay down to see if they stopped. I laid down and had a couple glasses of water. After having three hours of the same pattern of contractions I called the doctor back and she said to come in and get monitored.

We packed up and went back to the hospital. Mili was asleep but woke up in the transfer to the car. She stayed awake until nearly 11:00 pm. After being hooked up to the monitors, I started having stronger and longer contractions and they were closer together. After about 30 minutes of monitoring they gave me three shots of Tirbutaline (sp?). This is the same medication they used to stop the contractions on Tuesday. My contractions stopped and they sent me home around 1:00 this morning.

I am taking it easy today and I will see my doctor tomorrow in the office. I hope I will get some answers on when it is safe to have the baby and all the "what ifs". I will post again after my appointment tomorrow.

Please pray that Sadie will stay put at least two more weeks.
We will keep you updated.
Love to ALL!!!

34 week picture

I just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and nice words for me and Sadie. We are doing fine other than a little soreness that will hopefully wear off soon. I am walking much better today than yesterday.

Sorry again for the picture quality but I took it myself. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the picture. For those of you that know me well you can see that my arms and legs are getting a little meat on them (I would like to keep that part after the baby is born but I doubt that will happen). Sadie is growing bigger everyday. You can compare my 33 week picture with this one and can see a the difference.

Well I need to go and cook dinner, feed Mili, get her dressed, and eat so we can go to small group tonight. I can't wait to fellowship with our friends since it seems like it has been forever since we have seen them.

Hugs to everyone!!!

Uh Oh, Mommy boo boo, Kisses!!!!

On the way back from the pool yesterday, Mommy had a spill. I fell off of a step onto the concrete sidewalk (onto my knees NOT my belly, Thank God). Mili didn't know what to think and was worried that Mommy's boo boo needed some kisses right now (as I was bleeding and just trying to get Mili back to the apartment). I had to calm myself as we walked back to the apartment. I was worried about Sadie and didn't know what the next step should be (pun intended....smile).

I brought Mili in and and changed her clothes (still bleeding). Of all times she need to go to the potty so I was trying to take care of that and I was still wet and still bleeding. Then I decided to call Brian. He was not at his desk (surprise, surprise). I left a message on his office phone and then called his cell phone. He did not pick up (surprise, surprise). Then I sent a text message "CALL ME". He was in a meeting and stepped out to call me back. By the time he called me I had already decided to call the doctor's office and see what they wanted me to do. At this time they were closing and I got to talk to a nurse who told me to drink a glass of juice and lay down and count the baby's movements. I was doing that when Brian called me back. Sadie was moving so he decided to go back into the meeting and come home directly after that. He brought me dinner (sweet hubby).

After eating and sitting in the recliner for a while I started noticing several contractions. Brian got out a stop watch and decided to time them. I called the doctor who was on call (He was delivering a baby, several babies, they were very busy). I called back again and another doctor called me and told me to go to the hospital since my contractions were 8 to 10 in one hour.

We got dressed and left for the hospital. It was about 4:00 pm when I fell and we left for the hospital about 8:45 pm. We arrived at the hospital shortly after 9:00 pm and finally got admitted (woman at the desk was soooooo slow, but I will cut her some slack since she was working on her 14th hour of work in one day). They monitored me and pumped me full of IV fluids. The contractions when we arrived at the hospital were about 3 to 5 minutes apart so we were a bit worried. The contractions did not subside with fluids so then they gave me a shot (ok, three shots) of medicine to stop the contractions.

We arrived home at 3:30 am. We are pooped. My knees are killing me. Every time I got up to go to the bathroom last night (alot since they put three bags of fluids in me) I hurt like crazy. If you would like to see the knees, I posted a picture below.

We are fine and the important thing is that Sadie is fine and well. She is healthy and we are hoping to keep her in until at least 37 weeks. I am 34 weeks right now. Please pray that she will not try this stunt again and neither will Mommy. I am taking it easy today and just relaxing. Hoping that their will be no more contractions.



Love to ALL!

Mili at the Pool!!!

Mili and I went to the pool for the first time today. She was not so sure about the water but loved sitting on the side of the pool. She would throw her ball in and make a splash and then I would get it. She also enjoyed splashing her feet in the water.

We had a good time even though she didn't want to be in the water very much. I carried her around in the water for a while and she did fine as long as I didn't let go of her. She will get better each time we go.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow pictures.

Counting Bears, Gotta LOVE them!

What's a girl gotta do to get some counting bears???? I have looked at every store possible for some counting bears for Mili. I used these bears while in college for an experiment for Child Growth and Development class. I can still see the little blonde hair, blue eyed boy I picked in preschool to observe and do several experiments with. He was the most active kid in the classroom (that's why I picked him). He had such personality.

Anyway, I thought I kept the counting bears for when I had kids someday. Well I have been through a lot of junk in the last few weeks and have not seen any counting bears. I have looked online and was not willing to pay the price online plus shipping. In the process of looking online I saw that they could be purchased at Office Depot. So today Mili and I had a day out. I stopped by Office Depot and it was just like on the movies when you see that something you have been looking for. The light rays coming down on it and the hallelujah music....smile.

I snatched those things up (paid $5 for them). Mili has been playing with them since she woke up from her nap. She has been matching the colors and then she takes them out to count them. She is doing so well with her counting (can count to 20). We are still working on the color thing (hence the counting bears). She says pink first for every color (the counting bears don't even have a pink).

I hope this will help with her color skills, plus mommy loves the cute little things. I have already been in the floor playing with them too.

We have had a dry pull-up all day. So potty training is great today (don't know how tomorrow will be).

I got some really great deals today! Toys R Us had diaper coupons for $7 off. So I stocked up on some diapers for Sadie (newborn, $9 for 96 diapers and stage 1, $10 for 174 diapers). I can't even get off brand diapers that cheap (we normally use Target brand because they are so cheap). I also got some brown leather flip flops for $5 at the Disney Store (regular $19.50). I love to go shopping when I can save a ton of money.

We went to the mall and Mili played at the play yard. She also loves to play on this screen that shines on the floor and you stomp on the things on it and it moves. It is really neat and Mili loves chasing around the flowers, soccer ball, or whatever is on it at the time. It has a sensor that moves the objects like you are kicking them or they splat when you step on them.

Here are some pictures of Mili with her famous counting bears.

33 week appointment

Today was my 33 week appointment for Sadie. Everything looks good. She is measuring on target, her heartbeat was in the 140's and my blood pressure was 100/60.

Here is a picture I took myself (with timer on the camera) today. Sorry about the quality but when Brian gets home in the evenings I am usually in no shape to take a picture (hair all crazy, no make-up, in non-maternity shorts, been cooking, etc.). You get the picture (pun intended....smile).



Just a little update on Sadie. She has some really, really sharp elbows, heels, knees (whatever it is that is protruding from my skin). It feels like she has bruised me on the right side (oh, the fun of carrying a real, live life inside me). The other day I think I felt her spine with my hand on the outside of my skin (weird stuff). Her bottom or head is always making my belly lopsided. I can tell she is growing because she is letting me know that she doesn't have enough room in there. Her favorite time to do that is at about 4:00 AM until about 6:00 AM. Sadie also has the hiccups at least 3-4 times a day. Some of the girls in my middle school class at church got to feel them on Sunday and thought it was cool.

I am having terrible heartburn these days (normal for this time in pregnancy and had it with Mili as well). I am taking Zantac at night to help me be able to lay down without feeling the need to throw-up. I am definitely getting my exercise as far as squats go. Every time I put Mili on the potty (about 15 times a day) I have to squat to hold her up.

I am getting my bag/Sadie's bag ready for the hospital (towels and such for the car in case of water breakage). I am also preparing Mili's bag for her trip to our friend's house when the time is right. I also have a list of instructions for Mili to keep her as close to schedule as possible so she has some normalcy during the ciaos (if that is possible).

All of Sadie's (really Mili's clothes when she was a baby) are clean and hanging in the closet. I haven't taken tags off of the new stuff just in case it is a boy. I also have three drawers full of onesies, socks, bibs, burp cloths, and blankets.




We have Sadie's bed up and ready (Mili's bedding from when she was a baby). We will get her new bedding when she changes to a big girl bed.


Blanket




Sheets



Well I guess that is all for now. I need to continue nesting in order to get it all done.

Love Ya'll!

Spiritual Growth

www.lifeway.com/believinggod/

I should be the spokes person for Beth Moore. I love her bible studies. I have participated in a few studies over the years and enjoyed all of them.

Recently my quiet time with God has been lacking (every since my friend from here moved to Spain and our moms small group that was doing a Beth Moore study ended). Our christian book store here is lacking more than I have time to explain, so they have no Beth Moore studies. Anyway, so I decided to try to get a workbook from Lifeway online. While looking for a study that I was interested in (or haven't already done...smile) I "stumbled" across this online bible study for Beth Moore. As I looked at the cost of it, I contemplated what to do. Do I buy a $17.99 workbook plus shipping cost and have no videos to supplement (the full set of Beth Moore videos and study usually cost $200) or do I spend the $25.00 with tax to get access to the videos online. I knew I would enjoy having the videos since I have done a study before without the videos and didn't get as much out of it. Plus if you have ever heard Beth Moore speak, you would want the videos too. So I went ahead today and bought the online version. Each week I will print out my listening guide for the video and my homework for the week. I am hole punching and placing them in a binder to keep everything together.

This is one of the best decisions, spiritually, I have made in a while. I am excited about the study and wanted to recommend it to anyone else who wants a bible study from home. I knew that the bigger I get the more I would not want to go out to a bible study (especially in the heat).

Mili was very good while I watched the video this morning. The video is split up in sections so if you don't have time to watch it all at one time (60 minutes) then you can come back and watch the rest. I can also pause it and take Mili to the bathroom (important part of our lives right now). It is perfect for a stay-at-home mom or anyone who doesn't have time to go to a study at night. You have unlimited time to do the study (normally takes 10 weeks). Since I will be delivering sweet Sadie during that time then I will have to pick up where I left off later.

I just wanted to share this info and let you know it is out there ladies. I am hoping to grow spiritually during this journey and would hate to keep it to myself. I am sure you will be hearing more about this along the way.

Please pray for one of my friends that I want to do the study with me (she knows who she is). We would converse on email about the weeks study and what we received from it. She is a special person and I want what is best for her spiritually so I am praying that she takes the plunge.

Love you guys!!!

Mili's 2 year check up

As you all can see I have been at work on the blog format again. I think I am happy with it for now but will probably change it again later.

Since we moved to Maryland, almost two years ago, we have had the worst time finding doctors. When we finally found a great family practice that also did pediatrics we had to change doctors because Brian's insurance changed at work. We have much better insurance now (thankful for that with the pregnancy and all).



Some friends at church recommended the practice that we went to today (pediatrics). I didn't get to see the same doctor that my friend from church recommended (couldn't see Mili until end of September). So I "settled" for another doctor for Mili's check up. I absolutely love her. I love how God takes care of ALL of our needs according to his riches in glory. She is fabulous and Mili loved her too.

When she asked Mili to open her mouth, she opened it and said, AHHHHHH! Mili was a complete angel through out the visit. The doctor said Mili was perfect (we already knew that but it is nice to hear it from someone else). She said she is still tall for her age. She also wants us to push the issue of getting someone (occupational therapist) for Mili's food texture issues. Mili got one shot at the end and cried a bit but it was over in a about 2.5 seconds (okay maybe a little bit longer than that). By the time we left the clinic she was fine, admiring her bright yellow band aid and asking if we were going to get daddy from work for lunch.

It was a great appointment. I didn't feel like I was being rushed out of the office for the next patient. I like it when I have time to ask my list of questions and not feel like they are stupid or silly.

I hope you all like the new look of the blog. By the way, please pray that Brian and I can find a good family doctor now that we are happy with Mili and Sadie's doctor.

Love you all

Great Night

You are on the right blog. I just gave it a bit of a face lift. It has been bothering me for a while and I finally got up the courage to change it. I plan to change it even more after I figure out all the ins and outs of this thing. Hope you enjoy the new look.

The tickers are new as well. Mili's is done in airplanes because she is obsessed with them every since we flew home to Arkansas in May.

Below is my REAL blog....

Tonight was our night to host our small group (bible study group that meets on Thursday nights). Because we live in a small apartment it was best for us to meet at a park instead of at our place. We thought we were going to get rained out but God held off the rain until we were leaving the park. We had a picnic pavilion and enjoyed brownies, lemon bars, and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course).

We had never visited the park that we went to and didn't know what to expect as far as the playground goes. It was a great playground for small children (Mili, and the 4 year old twin boys in our group). Part of our small group were out of town (a tradition for them on the 4th of July....at the beach....wish I was there). We had a great time and I was able to let Mili play with out worrying that she would fall off of something.

As I was talking with the ladies, the mother of the twins asked me if I needed anything for Mili. She started listing off things she had that she wanted to get rid of and didn't have time for a sale. God blessed us with a tricycle for Mili like the one below.



Brian and I wanted so badly to buy one for Mili for her birthday but could not afford it. For those of you that have not been in the business for a tricycle and have no idea what they go for, this one is listed at Target for $50. On the website that I got this picture it is listed for $64. We got a steal. It is used, of course, but we don't ever have a problem with used items.

I watched the twins at the playground while the mom ran home (5 mins down the road) to get the trike and bring it back. The playground had a asphalt track around it and Mili enjoyed trying out her new toy. My favorite part is the handle (no bending for this pregnant mama). The less I bend, the happier I am.

Mili was so big tonight. She was running around with two of the older girls in our group (ages 9 and 11). They were teaching Mili how to catch lightening bugs. Mili just likes to run and say, "moan, moan" as she motions for someone (anyone) to follow her (and they usually do).

We had a great night and Mili got a new trike.

OH NO, Piggee tails

I had tears this morning as I looked at my sweet two year old who is no longer a baby. I am trying to grasp the idea that she is growing up but it is so hard. She looks so grown up with those pigtails. And her doing a ballerina dance with her arms above her head today, took the cake. I am not raising a baby anymore, she is a little girl (she will ALWAYS be my baby, but you know what I mean).

It is unbelievable how much Mili is learning. She knows her ABC's (but always leaves out E,F,G when singing the song). She knows her numbers from 1 to 20 (but always leaves out 8). I am in awe some days with how much she remembers about specific things. Her association with places or objects and events is incredible. She always associates an airplane with Nanny & Poppy, and Nanny & Pawpaw's house. Every time we say we are going to Sam's she says, "Mimi's milk, yay!!" She knows that we buy milk there weekly. Every time we say we are going to a party she says, "Mimi's birthday....presents." (which causes somewhat of a problem when it is another child's birthday party and she finds out the presents are NOT for Mili).

Thanks for letting me talk about my sweet baby girl (ok....big girl). See, I can't even say it. I will spare all of you that are not Mili's grandparents any more talk about sweet Mili Bear (today, anyway...smile).

Love all you guys and miss you too!