Our Babies
Monday, May 10, 2010
Big, big belly
I promised some belly pictures so here they are. I am 30 weeks tomorrow with Ellyotte and time is really flying by. I cannot wait to meet this precious baby girl - she's so loved already.
Photos from the Beach!
We just got back from a wonderful 9 day vacation at our condo in Panama City Beach, Florida. We spent the last part of the time in Alabama where I was the speaker at the CHHS Spanish Club Banquet and Honor Society Induction. It went well. It was an honor to be there - what a special night.
We ended the vacation at my parent's home and had so much fun seeing them and letting Noah spend time with Jan Jan, Graddy and Kelly. A vacation following a vactation! My parents were not at the beach with us but did stop by to see us while we were down there. They were so gracious to allow us some alone/family time while using their condo.
Noah is ALMOST swimming on his own! He uses his floaties but it won't be long before we are able to take them off. He's fearless! And he loved the water - the pools at the beach and the Waters and the ocean. He's a beach boy.
I am feeling good. Hitting the 30 week mark this week and starting to wind down in the energy department. Ellyotte is ALL feet these days and halfway through my speech last week, I thought I would pass out: she stretched her feet as hard as possible and since she's head down, they went straight into my lungs! Ugh, not cool.
Enjoy the photos - we had such an amazing time.
Friday, April 30, 2010
28 Week Appointment
Today I had my 28 week appointment for Ellyotte. She's growing right on schedule, her heart rate is measuring in the 140s and I am scheduled officially for my c-section: 21 July 2010 at 0730! We are really excited to have her "birthday" written on the calendar.
I am feeling good - not sleeping very well lately because as soon as I lay down at night, Ellyotte wakes up and moves/kicks well into the night (hopefully not a sign of things to come!).
So far, I have gained 15 lbs, although I still don't know my weight since I asked the doctor from the get-go not to tell me. I am very thankful I did that because this time around, I am not obsessing and obviously am not gaining as much or as fast as I did with Noah (I had gained 35 lbs by this point with him).
I will have Dan take a picture of my belly and will upload it for you to see soon!
I am feeling good - not sleeping very well lately because as soon as I lay down at night, Ellyotte wakes up and moves/kicks well into the night (hopefully not a sign of things to come!).
So far, I have gained 15 lbs, although I still don't know my weight since I asked the doctor from the get-go not to tell me. I am very thankful I did that because this time around, I am not obsessing and obviously am not gaining as much or as fast as I did with Noah (I had gained 35 lbs by this point with him).
I will have Dan take a picture of my belly and will upload it for you to see soon!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dance at Your Feet
As you all know, my family (most of them) live in Nashville. Ah, my beloved Nashville... anyways, back to my point ;)
I grew up going to Belmont Church in downtown Nashville. At one point, it was the "it" church to go to - the Holy Spirit overflowed from the doors. Through the years, it has had its trials and troubles - as many churches do - and the attendance numbers have dwindled. My family in Nashville no longer attends there but my memories of Sundays worshipping at Belmont are among my most precious.
The singer Kim Hill used to attend there when we did (maybe she still does) and I remember sitting behind her and just being taken to the Throne as I listened to her sing during worship time. I have one of my most favorite songs of hers - and of all time - on the playlist playing now. It is called "You are Still Holy" and each time I hear it, I am so moved.
The words of the chorus are:
And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I'm at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up 'til now
It belongs to You
You are still holy
Holy, You are still holy
Even though I don't understand Your ways
Sovereign, You will be sovereign
Even when my circumstances don't change
Everyday, it is a challenge to find time to "dance" at my Savior's feet. But how IMPORTANT it is to remember that we are called to do just that. He longs for the time in our day when we will fall at His feet and just be. There are days when I don't even bother finding time to do that - I become so self-consumed. And I know it breaks His heart.
I want to remember every minute of the day that the God I worship now is the same that He was yesterday, and He will remain the same today and forever more. He was the God that Job and Abraham and Moses, etc. worshipped and adored and since the beginning of the Earth, He has remained as sovereign as He was in the beginning. And He loves me just as He did Job, Abraham, Moses, Noah, you name the person and He loves ME just the same. And I have the distinct privilege of being able to "dance at His feet" every minute of every day. We all do. Praise Him.
I grew up going to Belmont Church in downtown Nashville. At one point, it was the "it" church to go to - the Holy Spirit overflowed from the doors. Through the years, it has had its trials and troubles - as many churches do - and the attendance numbers have dwindled. My family in Nashville no longer attends there but my memories of Sundays worshipping at Belmont are among my most precious.
The singer Kim Hill used to attend there when we did (maybe she still does) and I remember sitting behind her and just being taken to the Throne as I listened to her sing during worship time. I have one of my most favorite songs of hers - and of all time - on the playlist playing now. It is called "You are Still Holy" and each time I hear it, I am so moved.
The words of the chorus are:
And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I'm at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up 'til now
It belongs to You
You are still holy
Holy, You are still holy
Even though I don't understand Your ways
Sovereign, You will be sovereign
Even when my circumstances don't change
Everyday, it is a challenge to find time to "dance" at my Savior's feet. But how IMPORTANT it is to remember that we are called to do just that. He longs for the time in our day when we will fall at His feet and just be. There are days when I don't even bother finding time to do that - I become so self-consumed. And I know it breaks His heart.
I want to remember every minute of the day that the God I worship now is the same that He was yesterday, and He will remain the same today and forever more. He was the God that Job and Abraham and Moses, etc. worshipped and adored and since the beginning of the Earth, He has remained as sovereign as He was in the beginning. And He loves me just as He did Job, Abraham, Moses, Noah, you name the person and He loves ME just the same. And I have the distinct privilege of being able to "dance at His feet" every minute of every day. We all do. Praise Him.
All Things Pink
I initially wasn't going to post any pictures of Ellyotte's nursery till closer to the time of her birth. But once I hung the gorgeous ballet shoe painting my girlfriend, Melissa McCord Amos, did for her, I couldn't resist sharing the pictures.
I never, EVER knew that I liked pink till I found out we were having a girl. And while her room doesn't look like it is bathed in Pepto by any stretch, we are in love with the pink and femininity that oozes from her room.
As I said before, the quilt above her bed was made for me when I was born by my mom's side of the family. It is so precious to me to be able to look at that quilt daily now and study each square cross-stitched with love 3 decades ago.
The AWESOME glider/ottoman that my parents bought for us when we had Noah will go in Ellyotte's room. We decided to not recover it (it is currently covered in blue/white gingham) because the same fabric is in the quilt above her crib. So, it actually works and I am thankful. Right now it is still in Noah's big boy room - he may be a big boy in so many ways, but I haven't been able to let go of the habit we have of rocking together at the end of the day! Once we are closer to her arrival, I will move the glider into its rightful place next to the window in Ellyotte's room.
I never, EVER knew that I liked pink till I found out we were having a girl. And while her room doesn't look like it is bathed in Pepto by any stretch, we are in love with the pink and femininity that oozes from her room.
As I said before, the quilt above her bed was made for me when I was born by my mom's side of the family. It is so precious to me to be able to look at that quilt daily now and study each square cross-stitched with love 3 decades ago.
The AWESOME glider/ottoman that my parents bought for us when we had Noah will go in Ellyotte's room. We decided to not recover it (it is currently covered in blue/white gingham) because the same fabric is in the quilt above her crib. So, it actually works and I am thankful. Right now it is still in Noah's big boy room - he may be a big boy in so many ways, but I haven't been able to let go of the habit we have of rocking together at the end of the day! Once we are closer to her arrival, I will move the glider into its rightful place next to the window in Ellyotte's room.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Hard Workers
How hilarious is this!?
Noah is obsessed with his daddy. So everything Dan does, Noah has to mimic. I am not complaining: Noah is turning into one masculine little boy! He is ALL BOY. From football, to baseball and even golf, he wants to play it. And when his daddy's not available to play catch all day, then that duty falls to me.
Today the masculine event was mowing the grass. The boys did the front yard and the back yard. By the end of it, Noah was a sweaty mess - just like his Dad! But he definitely loved being out there with Dan. They are so cute together. I just can't wait to have Ellyotte arrive now so that I will actually have a playmate :)
Noah is obsessed with his daddy. So everything Dan does, Noah has to mimic. I am not complaining: Noah is turning into one masculine little boy! He is ALL BOY. From football, to baseball and even golf, he wants to play it. And when his daddy's not available to play catch all day, then that duty falls to me.
Today the masculine event was mowing the grass. The boys did the front yard and the back yard. By the end of it, Noah was a sweaty mess - just like his Dad! But he definitely loved being out there with Dan. They are so cute together. I just can't wait to have Ellyotte arrive now so that I will actually have a playmate :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Nightly Routine
Our nightly routines are so precious to us now that Dan is home and will be for the near future. Noah still goes to bed very early - in fact, he now requests "night, night" if we aren't moving towards his room fast enough.
Noah eats dinner at 5:00 pm and watches "Sesame Street." He usually inhales whatever I put before him because he plays SO hard all day. His favorite foods are brocolli, fresh cucumber, yogurt, string cheese, cheesy scrambled eggs, corn, PB&Js, and chicken. He also devours any kind of fruit. Sure, he will request a popsicle or a cookie from time to time but for the most part, he will choose fresh foods first (not like his mama!).
Bathtime usually starts around 5:45 and lasts a good half hour (if he's in the mood); his daddy usually does his bathtime - he's much more fun! Afterwards, Noah dries off and then he and Dan come sneaking around the corner to whatever room I might be in at the time and do his quiet "Super Baby wrapped in a towel" surprise! I adore that moment of my day - and Noah gets such a kick out of "surprising" me.
We get ready for bed and Noah curls up with his dad and a cup of milk to watch - get this - "Seinfeld" every single night. I am not kidding! I have a mini-me of Dan Beall. Dan can repeat word for word each episode of "Seinfeld" and now Noah asks for and expects to watch it at the end of his day!
Around 6:30 (or whenever their show is over), we get told by Noah that it is time to go "night night" and we all three head to his room. If Dan is lagging behind, Noah will yell "Come on in, Daddy" until Dan gets into his room! He's a bossy lil man :)
Dan and Noah curl up in his big boy bed and read a story - usually Noah's favorite "Kiss, Kiss" or my childhood favorite "A Pig's Tale." While Dan reads to him, I either get his room picked up or rock in our beloved glider that will soon make its way to Ellyotte's room. Once they are finished, Noah will bring me his blanket to "rockie." So Noah will crawl into my lap and we three will say our prayers together - at the end, Noah gives a hearty "AMEN!"
Dan will then say his goodnights and close the door behind him. We have an awesome noise machine that Noah sleeps with along with a Mozart for Babies CD that will play until he's asleep. I will rock Noah for about 5 minutes and then will lay him in his bed. Most nights, he wants me to rock while he gets comfortable - which I do. Then I kiss him again, tell him I love him and leave him for the next 12-13 hours.
Most nights, he will sleep from 6:45 pm - 7:00 am. WONDERFUL! And he will take an hour and a half nap. It took some work getting him used to his big boy room but now, he loves being in it and in his bed. We are very thankful for the amount of quiet time we get together at night and I love knowing that Noah will wake up happy and feeling secure in his room in the morning.
I would trade nothing in this entire world for the nightly routine that we have. It may sound mundane and boring to some people, but my little family thrives on that nighttime ritual and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Noah eats dinner at 5:00 pm and watches "Sesame Street." He usually inhales whatever I put before him because he plays SO hard all day. His favorite foods are brocolli, fresh cucumber, yogurt, string cheese, cheesy scrambled eggs, corn, PB&Js, and chicken. He also devours any kind of fruit. Sure, he will request a popsicle or a cookie from time to time but for the most part, he will choose fresh foods first (not like his mama!).
Bathtime usually starts around 5:45 and lasts a good half hour (if he's in the mood); his daddy usually does his bathtime - he's much more fun! Afterwards, Noah dries off and then he and Dan come sneaking around the corner to whatever room I might be in at the time and do his quiet "Super Baby wrapped in a towel" surprise! I adore that moment of my day - and Noah gets such a kick out of "surprising" me.
We get ready for bed and Noah curls up with his dad and a cup of milk to watch - get this - "Seinfeld" every single night. I am not kidding! I have a mini-me of Dan Beall. Dan can repeat word for word each episode of "Seinfeld" and now Noah asks for and expects to watch it at the end of his day!
Around 6:30 (or whenever their show is over), we get told by Noah that it is time to go "night night" and we all three head to his room. If Dan is lagging behind, Noah will yell "Come on in, Daddy" until Dan gets into his room! He's a bossy lil man :)
Dan and Noah curl up in his big boy bed and read a story - usually Noah's favorite "Kiss, Kiss" or my childhood favorite "A Pig's Tale." While Dan reads to him, I either get his room picked up or rock in our beloved glider that will soon make its way to Ellyotte's room. Once they are finished, Noah will bring me his blanket to "rockie." So Noah will crawl into my lap and we three will say our prayers together - at the end, Noah gives a hearty "AMEN!"
Dan will then say his goodnights and close the door behind him. We have an awesome noise machine that Noah sleeps with along with a Mozart for Babies CD that will play until he's asleep. I will rock Noah for about 5 minutes and then will lay him in his bed. Most nights, he wants me to rock while he gets comfortable - which I do. Then I kiss him again, tell him I love him and leave him for the next 12-13 hours.
Most nights, he will sleep from 6:45 pm - 7:00 am. WONDERFUL! And he will take an hour and a half nap. It took some work getting him used to his big boy room but now, he loves being in it and in his bed. We are very thankful for the amount of quiet time we get together at night and I love knowing that Noah will wake up happy and feeling secure in his room in the morning.
I would trade nothing in this entire world for the nightly routine that we have. It may sound mundane and boring to some people, but my little family thrives on that nighttime ritual and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
EPB - 6 months
I went into my 6 month appointment today and was surprised when they called me right back for an ultrasound! Dan wasn't even with me, so that was disappointing. But what wasn't disappointing was getting to see Ellyotte again. We were wanting to make sure that her feet were "okay" since it was at 19 weeks with Noah that we learned of his possible club feet diagnosis, so my doctor scheduled me for an ultrasound before I saw the doc. Ellyotte's feet are LONG, straight, and perfectly arched. Hallelujah.
She is head down directly on my bladder already! And she's a very active baby. While I was getting the ultrasound, she was stretching and yawning so much. It was very moving to see. And her profile... it is identical to her brother's. His little profile now looks just like it did in the many ultrasound pictures we had done. We cannot wait to touch her beautiful face.
My appointment went well. I am having some terrible back pain this go round - so much so that it is keeping me up at night. So the doctor prescribed some muscle relaxants - however, I doubt I will be taking them very often since I have an active 2 year old to chase all day! I would pass out, I think, if I were to take one during the daytime.
Ellyotte's heartrate still remains much lower than Noah's was - it was in the low 140s today. She's a nightowl - I am not kidding: I lay down at night to sleep and she wakes up and kicks me HARD for hours on end. I hope that changes before she's born!
My doctor is very anti-VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) so I will be scheduled at my next appointment in 3 weeks for my c-section. It will be at week 39 and will either be the morning of the 21st or the 22nd of July. I will let you know when we are on the books!
Praise God for a healthy baby girl.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter 2010
He is RISEN indeed! What a wonderful holiday. The whole weekend we spent telling Noah in the basic language what is the meaning of Easter. He loves to point out things in the sky so on Friday, he started pointing to the heavens and saying "God in tha skkkyy." "Jesus in tha skkkyyy with tha airpanes."
What an incredible sensation to hear my 2 year old tell me those things. And what an incredible responsibility we've been given to teach our children about the holiness and love of our Father. It really humbled me to be able to teach Noah - as best as I can at this point - about the significance of the most important 3 days in the history of mankind.
Dan allowed me one last opportunity to dress Noah in a smocking! And I lept at the chance. I think 2 (my opinion only) is the latest one should be allowed to put boys in smockings so I was excited to get to dress him once more as I wanted to. And I think he was adorable! Dan has been warned that Ellyotte - being a girl and a Southerner, at that - will be clothed in smockings and monogrammed outfits from the moment she leaves the womb. He has a lot to get used to, I am afraid!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Noah at the Beach
This is a cute clip of Noah just running on the beach of Panama City, Florida. He LOVED it. Dan and I will take him back to the condo the first week of May and cannot wait for a weeklong BEACH vacation! We certainly miss that aspect of living in Hawaii - being landlocked has taken some getting used to!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)