It's getting closer and we're excited!

We just got back from our vacation and we were able to come in and get a lot of our stuff put away. Landon can't put his belongings away yet so I put most of his away for him :P. It is so nice to see his stuff in his room and know that he will be here in about 10 weeks! Both of his grandma's like to spoil and buy him stuff. He has quite a few outfits and onesies now and I have been blessed to get some hand me downs and big things to borrow (such as a swing, portable swing, and car seat). While Daniel and I were in Colorado we were able to find Landon's crib bedding set for an awesome price! It is a cute bedding set too!
Landon has been moving so much it is CRAZY! I can tell he is getting bigger because of his movements. He loves to get comfortable and practice his kicks on the right side of my belly. I think I have even felt him put either his hand or his foot way up near my ribs. That was kind of weird! Things are still kind of up in the air on insurance regarding him....so please please please keep praying.
So, I need some opinions from all of the readers. Most of you know, I am a first time mom and I just want opinions on things you felt were lifesavers with your kids when they were babies. I have some of the necessities already, but maybe you all have ideas of things that I haven't bought yet. Thanks for all of your prayers!

Into the 3rd Trimester

I am now into my 28th week! Crazy to think I'm already in my 3rd trimester! The baby will soon be here and I ask all who are reading this to please pray for Daniel and I. Our insurance runs out after December 31st and I have come to find out that this is probably the worst time to try to get insurance...not only because its toward the end of my pregnancy, but because of the holidays. I tried calling an insurance company, that I think will cover me, but they are closed like every time I call. With a deadline of about 7 more days to get onto an insurance plan, it hasn't been helping me that the company is closed for the holidays. I have lost plenty of time thinking about this problem and have also lost sleep over it too. I have tried to come up with back up plans in case I can't go onto an insurance plan and that helps to know there are a few alternative strategies! I really just want to be a good mother for my son and I dont want to bring him into a world of dept....so I am trying to avoid that. Please continue to pray for both Daniel and I as we are going through this time of unknowing. Thank you so much

No need to Dream

No need to dream of a white Christmas this year! Daniel and I are sharing our first white Christmas together in Colorado. As I write this blog it is snowing outside...and it is not a light snow...its heavy! We woke up early and opened all of our wonderful gifts. Landon had a very good Christmas as we opened plenty of things for him too! We received a really cool high chair for him, a teether, lots of clothes, and more! It was really nice of Daniel's parents to be so generous and thoughtful of us and our little boy!
We have been in Colorado for a few days now and it is really nice to see the beautiful winter scenery. The town is decorated in Christmas lights and Christmas wreaths and almost every house and cabin here has real icicles hanging off of the roof. Who needs fake icicle Christmas lights when you have real icicles? Daniel's parents have a icicle hanging from the roof that has grown to be 4 to 5 feet long! And that is not an exaggeration!
As the day goes on, my your Christmas be merry and bright...and if you're as fortunate as us.....WHITE!

Progress...

So Daniel and I have made some progress today....and there's still more to come before the day is over! We are very blessed to have my sister come and stay at our house while we have our get away Christmas in Colorado! We have been working on things we need to do before we can leave. I have been doing laundry and working on the pool today and he has been finishing with Christmas presents and car stuff that needed to be done before we head out.
I was able to get a prescribed antibiotic from my Doctor's office yesterday and it seems like this cold is finally going away! What is left is a stuffed up nose...which isnt very fun, but it's a whole lot better than everything else that come with a cold.
Landon is still being a sweetie pie and never hurts his mommy. He allows me to get the sleep I need and helps assure me when I worry after not feeling his movements for a while. A couple of weeks ago I sang him "Jesus loves me" and he seemed to kind of like that. I got a little bit of a different reaction than he normally gives me, but it was cool. I sang to him and he just gently moved. It wasn't like a kick or anything, it was just like he was saying "ahh, just adjusting myself and getting comfortable mommy"! Too cute. It's so crazy to think that he will be here in about 12 weeks or less! For now Daniel and I are enjoying our quiet movie nights on the couch. Im sure pretty soon we will have our movie nights with our little bundle between us.
Please continue to pray for us and for me to completely get better from this cold. We appreciate your love and support so much!

Getting knocked down and trampled

This week has been a pretty bad week. We started the week with my birthday, in which I received a nice cold that has progressed over the week. I have been trying to get over it everyday because we are spending Christmas in Colorado and I can't get there being sick! That would make it so unenjoyable. Something else happened this week, which I won't go into. It was bad...and it seems like Satan is trying to take hits to my little family this week! God will take care of us and I know we just need to trust Him through everything. He wouldnt just bless us tremendously to allow us to be thrown into a big dark hole! He isnt like that...so as we are going through these trials I ask of anyone that reads this blog to please please pray for my family.

Not doing so well...

Over the weekend, I received a lovely birthday present! I got a wonderful feeling cold! Of course, I am being sarcastic because I havent been feeling the greatest lately. Monday is my day to tutor and I had to cancel my tutoring session for today because not only will I not feel up to tutoring this afternoon I also dont want to get the little girl sick! Topping everything off, today was the day of my glucose testing at the doctor's office. Well, since I've been sick I probably should be drinking more water and juice than normal, yet I couldnt! I didnt have an appetite last night but had to eat something anyways because I couldnt have anything to eat or drink after midnight. I would then have to fast until after the testing was done this morning. So you can imagine how miserable I have been! I woke up and wanted something to drink but couldnt have anything. Daniel and I always wake up early during the work week and I make him breakfast and say goodbye to him, then after he leaves Landon and I will eat breakfast and take a nap. We woke up early, but this morning I couldnt eat or drink anything...so I laid down and took my nap and when I woke up my mouth was even dryer! Oh...that was not fun!
I went to the Doctor's office and was scheduled at 8:45. I got there just slightly late...maybe a few minutes late, and didnt get called back til around 9:10! I told the sweet girl that was going to be doing my testing that I am sick because I didnt know if that would affect the test. She didnt think it would and I told her that I was thirsty. She gave me the fruit punch sugar drink that I had to take for the testing. It was only about 6 oz. and she apologized saying that was all she could give me. I understood and didnt want anything to mess the test up because if it did I would have to do the testing again!
After I got done drinking the sugar drink I had to sit in the waiting area for 1 hour til I could have my blood draw. After about 30 minutes I came to remember something that used to happen to me toward the beginning of my pregnancy. I started to feel crappy and had to get to the bathroom fast. I had to just sit down on the tile of the bathroom and just wait a little bit. My body would need the cool air so I had the vent on in the bathroom and my face turned pale. This happened twice at the doctor's office and then finally I reached about 1 hour and was able to have my blood draw and be out of there. That was so nice when I could leave because I just needed to eat, take my medicine, and drink something.
Anyways, if you could especially pray for Landon and me that would be great. I hope my little baby doesnt feel as bad as I do.

update on me and Landon

I am now passed my 26th week! Not too far passed, but enough so. Landon is a growing boy and very active! All throughout the day, at different times, Landon has his play sessions and readjusts himself, then falls back asleep. I wish I could know what part of him Im feeling when he comes up to the surface of my belly! Its like...I dont know if that is both of your knees, your tiny little head, feet? Maybe as more time goes on I will be able to tell more...he's probably still too small for me to figure it out. I dont want to hurt him, but I think he is pretty safe in his bubble and I want him to know that his mommy thinks about him and loves him.
Landon is quickly approaching another milestone. In a couple of weeks we will be entering the last stage: the third trimester!!! Crazy how time flies and I am so happy to know that from everything, thus far he is testing out to be a healthy baby. In fact when Daniel and I went in for my ultrasound at 18 weeks the Doctor said that he looked perfect! I was so happy to get that news.
As for me, I still get my leg freezes...BUT not as much as I was. I talked to my mother in-law weeks ago and we decided it might be best to cut back on my prenatals. I kept getting the advice- get more calcium...more calcium! Yet, that may have been the problem...I maybe had too much within a one day time frame. My prenatals are supposed to be taken 3 times a day and then I have 100% daily value (just from the vitamins) then most days I would have milk at least once a day...sometimes I'd have cheese too, and I was probably getting calcium from other things too! When my doctor kept telling me..more calcium- I would sometimes take calcium supplements on top of whatever else I got from the day!
So back to the conversation with my mother in-law- she suggested that maybe I was getting too much, which would possibly bring on those horrible leg freezes so I cut back my pre-natals and since I did that I have only had one freeze episode! Granted, this time it was in both legs at the same time...but it seemed like it helped!
So now I rest assured knowing that I am getting to the point where if Landon decides to come now...or anytime from this point on, he has a good chance of survival. Do I want him to come out now?...no, because I want him to get stronger and become well developed, but we don't exactly get that choice. He is such a blessing and I know that the minute I see his face I will be overwhelmed with happiness. This is the little boy, God has given me, that I have been dreaming about for years!

Grateful for my husband

Its crazy to think upon this year. So much has happened and time just keeps flying by! I started this year in Japan and this year will be ending in Colorado for me. I went from being about 115 lbs. to ending this year at nearly 145lbs. I lost a job and gained some time. I've gained a husband, a son, and a lasting love that can get through anything. In the midst of it all I don't really regret anything that has happened this year. I believe that the things that have happened and the people that have been a part of my life has brought me to this point.
I am grateful for my husband. Yes, we have our ups and downs, but that is a given. I understand that no marriage is perfect and if someone expects that they will be very disappointed, but I can say that married life is a blessing! I used to deal with depression, yet it seems like ever since Daniel and I started seeing each other again my depression seemed to vanish. Over time it was like it was no longer something that was there. As a matter of fact I had to go to the Doctor around April of this year. I broke down and was crying in the Doctor's office and the Doctor tried to give me anti-depressants. To this day I still have the anti-depressants...not one of them taken! I don't need them and have tried to give them away for someone that may need them but it looks like I will probably end up just throwing them out.
At any rate this year has flown by. I can remember the beginning of it so clearly...and now here we are at the end! Soon my little boy that I have been dreaming about for so long will be here! I cannot tell you how blessed I am to not only have the love of my husband but to be carrying our son too! I love my husband so much and am so grateful for him.

He already loves his Daddy!

I have to admit, at times Landon has felt more mine than my husband's little boy but the truth of the matter is he is just as much mine as he is my husband's baby boy. I know that sounds bad for me to admit that and I dont know if that is a normal feeling of a mother, but I think it is because he has been a part of me for about 6 months now. He's been with me all the time and will only be this close to me for about 3 more months. I have to enjoy these days and these times now for I know I will never get it back!
So last night, I was enjoying watching Landon move. He was squirming around so much he was making the skin of my torso a little water scene of waves. I watched and watched for any movement and to where he was moving to. Daniel was watching too and seemed to be amazed...or maybe he was freaked out! Haha!
Landon was obviously awake so Daniel started talking to him. Daniel was being funny and making me laugh and said "you're going to love Daddy more than Mommy, huh?" Landon made an evident movement right after that. It made me laugh ...it was like they were having their own little funny conversation. I would be interested to know if Landon was laughing inside which made that movement after that comment. Daniel said to Landon to move "if you love Daddy" right after Daniel said that to him he very clearly made a kick. It was like a morse code he was sending to his Daddy since he can't talk in words yet. I think that was a very special moment for Daniel to find Landon react to tell him that he already loves him. Little children and babies are so amazing, they have an unconditional trust and love at a very young age.

Getting ready for our son!

So, I wanted to post a picture of the beautiful job Daniel did at putting our son's crib together. It turned out so well and looks so nice! I am really happy with it and the deal we got for everything it comes with. It's a 4 in 1 crib so we can turn it into a bed when he gets older and the changer that is attached to it turns into a night stand. I already have most of Landon's clothes folded and stored in his trundle drawer that slides under the crib and I have been trying to slowly stock up on diapers when they have been on sale and when I have coupons, so that we won't be too overwhelmed with the expenses when he arrives. I really want to be able to give him what he needs and be a good mother to him and I know that God will help me with that. He has already proved to me, especially this week, that He is providing for us.

Now that he can hear us...

Landon is now to the point where he can hear voices and noises that come from outside my belly. Lately he has heard his grammy's voice talk to him over the phone, his daddy's voice, and his mommy talk to him!
Since Daniel's mom lives in Colorado she will have to talk to him from over the phone for now, but the other day when I was on the phone with her I told her I thought he was awake and asked her if she wanted to talk to him. So she was able to talk to him with my phone pressed up against my belly. Then last night Daniel had some time with Landon and was whispering something to him. I still don't know what he said because the talk was just between the two of them. I love when Daniel talks to Landon though! It is so cute how he listens for him, tries to feel his kicks, and then when he is done having his talk with him he gives him a kiss. He is going to be such a great daddy and I can't wait to see our son in his arms and hold him in my arms as well.
Landon always seems to be awake at breakfast time, so this morning after I ate I started talking to him. Landon was kicking me, so I can only hope that it was because he was hearing mommy's voice and wasn't just kicking me over his yummy Reese's puff breakfast. The dog was the only one in the house with me so I don't know if she thought I was talking to her but she just started looking over at me from her kennel. I tried to talk to her also this morning to reiterate that she needs to "be good when brother comes". She is such a good dog and I would hate to have her act up causing us to have to find her a new home.

Things to be thankful for!

My husband with his niece on Thanksgiving Day!

To think back a lot has happened over the past year and this time last year I didn't have my husband or our son :(! Daniel and I went for a walk today after our nice thanksgiving dinner over at my aunt's house and he all the sudden said: What are you thankful for? So, I responded my husband and my baby! He then kind of laughed and said...oh, I was reading a text. That was ok with me though because I was able to let him know what I am especially thankful for this year.

I had a wonderful surprise this morning! Daniel and I planned to go to my mom's this morning to drop off an entertainment center that we were going to get rid of so we would have room in the baby's room for the crib, we also had to pick up baby items that my sister is letting us use for Landon. So Daniel took the stuff home while I worked at my mom's house for thanksgiving. When I got home Daniel had a surprise for me...he had put Landon's crib together for the most part! That was a great surprise because that was one of the biggest things that needed to be done for the baby. He did it on his own initiative and did such a great job!

This year, I am thankful for my husband, our son that God has granted us, our wonderful marriage and the salvation and blessings that come from God!

Heavy Evy

^This shows my belly button protuding a little better...its completely popped out!^

I've heard it before in my life....but never until now, has it ever been true. I am now "Heavy Evy"! With as big as my belly is getting, one would possibly think...wow, she's about to pop! Crazy to think Im only approaching my 24th week though :(! I already waddle and push myself off of the couch by slowing moving my self to the end of the couch and then sometimes using my hands and arms to push off from behind me. I now know how it must be to be overweight. Breathing is worse, I hate feeling like Im cramped in a little space, and have the fan going in our room every night!

These pictures are very recent and I know they aren't too good, but it gives you an idea for how big I am getting. Please disregard that I look horrible :(....I have that tired pregnancy look. Hopefully one of these days I can have one taken when I look better.

The ups and downs of Week 23

Well this week has been something. I have still been able to clearly feel Landon's kicks and hits so I can see that he is still a healthy happy little boy. I also started his scrapbook this week! I haven't really been a scrapbooker in my life, but I see some of the scrapbooking other people do and it really gives pictures a little something extra when you dont just throw them into a photo album. It's turning out pretty cute so far, but I know it will get even cuter when I can put some more pages together once he is finally here.
So, Im a little over the half way mark and this week, physically, hasn't been the greatest for me. I have been having leg freezes lately, so last week when I went in for my monthly Doctor visit I told her about this. She told me to just take an extra Tums for the calcium to try to help with these leg freezes. I haven't been taking Tums at all but I decided to get some at the store the other day. My pre-natal vitamins have 100% daily value of calcium in them as it is, yet I figure that the 100% is going to the baby. So, last night I did something I have never done before and that was that I took 2 Tums. Well let me tell you, by the time I laid down in bed My tum was not feeling so well. It seems that there was a lot of extra air inside my stomach all over the place and it hurt! Once I turned on my side, so I wasn't laying on my back, things started to get a little better and I was able to fall asleep.
Sooner than you know it I ended up waking up with a leg freeze. I can't tell you how much I loathe these things! During the night, I ended up having yet another! Then when I woke up this morning and right before I got out of bed I had another one! 3 total within a matter of about 4 hours! 3 wasn't the charm with that! I thought that taking two Tums last night was supposed to help!? What is up with that?
The other thing that I noticed this week is that I already got my Colostrum in. So this week has been kind of interesting and now I'm thinking that with the whole leg freeze situation I should diagnose myself as "not getting enough exercise".

p.s. I took pictures of my belly yesterday...so I will try to post them tomorrow

My husband makes a cute daddy!

Sunday afternoon Daniel and I went over to my mom's house for her birthday. David and Amanda also were there and they brought little Gracie (of course). Daniel was a little hesitant about holding her at first but we told him that it was practice and he needs to practice for Landon. So, of course he had to give in....why wouldnt he want to hold his cute new niece? He made a very cute daddy and held her so well. He was like doesnt this just make you want to have Landon here now too! I was like, well, he needs to develop more...if he were here now he'd be a little see through baby :(. I can tell that Daniel is excited about our little boy and we are getting more accomplished on his soon to be room.

Fastest weight gain of my life!

It seems like as the days go on I have been gaining more and more weight...and my Doctor has had to make sure that I know of this fact. Ok...I know there is a baby in there but geez...! I feel fat sometimes. My belly is getting so big and Landon is only a little over 22 weeks! I went to see my Doctor today and she told me that since my appointment last month I gained 9 pounds!!! Are you kidding me?! Its so crazy because right before I took a shower today I weighed myself. After my shower I got dressed and then ate lunch and then I weighed myself again and I was like 3 lbs. heavier! So yeah...my clothes weigh something but what in the world!? Im really hoping that after Landon is born that this belly look and extra weight will go away. - - - - I'll try to post a new picture of Landon and I soon.

SWEET boy!

Yesterday I figured out Landon's favorite drink. My little expensive boy I guess I could call him because one of his favorite drinks is very expensive...but very healthy...I do have to give him that. My mom bought us a big thing of Strawberry Naked juice and once Landon tasted that he just kicked and kicked me. Everytime I drink it he's ready to play! Daniel's parents brought us caramel apples around the time of our wedding and so that weekend I had a caramel apple and he seemed to love that! So now I guess I could say that Landon's favorite things are from his grandparents on both sides. Landon is my little SWEET boy....I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

I can't wait!!!!

I remember Christmas of 2006... though it was two years ago I remember feeling kind of down thinking...there's nothing to really look forward to after Christmas is over. I would have to go back to school to finish up college, but it was just kind of a depressing feeling when the excitement ended.
Wow, looking back....so much has happened and I've come a long way, in 2 years, with were I've been and the experiences I have had. Good and bad. Regardless of what has happened in the last 2 years the important thing is that I'm grateful for that time...and in the end I was drawn back to my true love of my life and now we are waiting on our little boy to share our happiness.
I can't wait.....!!! I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas and the warm coziness of keeping in from the cold and being with friend's and family! January we'll probably have my baby shower, which will be fun to see friends again and talking about Landon like a obsessed mother, and then shortly after that I will have a small wait before I can see my sons face in person for the first time. I know Daniel is just going to want to hold him and hold him. He is so excited to have a little boy and quite frankly so am I. I have always wanted a little boy and throughout the years whenever I would have a dream about having a child, most of the time, it was a little boy in my dreams.
Daniel and I are so happy to have little Landon in our lives and I just can't wait for the holiday's to come and for time to fly by and suddenly have our little boy lying in our arms.

Babies require.....

So the other day I was hanging out with my nephews. The oldest, Drew, was walking along with me to the car and said: "Evy, has the baby come yet?" I asked him "what baby"? Because I wasnt sure if he was asking about my brother and his wife's baby that would be born any day. Drew replied "your baby!" I was like ...no Drew, my baby has to get healthier and stronger before he can be born. He was like why? I told him because right now the baby is connected to a tube in my tummy that helps him breathe and if he comes out now I can't help him breathe anymore and he will have to be hooked up to tubes in the hospital to help him breathe. It was cute and he is going to love having his first boy cousin around to play with. Especially since Drew is a very active and hyper little boy...and with how Landon kicks and squirms everyday they should keep each other entertained at the park later on in life.
On another note.... sometimes I need to take naps because I get so tired. Our American bulldog, did not want me to nap today...though she is napping now and Im being quiet for her, she didnt want to give me that common courtesy. Lately we have been putting her in her kennel at night because she decided the other day that she can wake me up however many times she wanted throughout the night....and that was not flying with me. I can do it once...maybe twice....but when she wants to wake me up three times she is really pushing my mommy niceness. Maybe our dog is trying to prepare me for the baby...but I dont want to be prepared for that right now when I will have plenty of practice when Landon arrives. She is a very funny dog though, she will sit with me and let me put my arm around her neck, she'll sit in front of the tv and watch tv with us sometimes, and arranges her pillows to how she wants them in her kennel. Daniel and I love her and hope that she is good when Landon arrives because we dont want to have to get rid of her. :(

Funny little Landon

Landon is a very busy boy and likes to kick and hit me everyday...throughout the day. I love feeling him move, knowing that he is happy and healthy. So, I was a bit worried the other day because I hadn't felt him move much. Either that was my imagination or I wasn't watching or feeling for his movements. I hadn't been paying close attention.I quickly text Daniel on his phone and was like....babe, I'm a bit worried I havent really felt Landon move lately! He text me back saying "hmm". I dont think he knew what to say in response to that....
Right after I got that text from Daniel I felt a very distinct movement from Landon. It was like he was saying..."mommy, it's ok! I'm fine!" Daniel thought that was cute that almost as soon as I started worrying, Landon responded.
That night Daniel decided to put his hand on my belly because he hadn't felt him move recently. He was like I almost forgot that he is in there, I mean...I don't think everything has quite hit me yet! I know where he is coming from because having such a light pregnancy with only about 3 throw up spells, even I dont think about the pregnancy all of the time. Landon has been such a great baby!
Oops, back to my story....so Daniel was laying his hand on my belly that night and Landon was kicking up a storm. After Daniel was kicked a few times he decided to listen for him to hear what sounds he might hear. I warned him "Daniel, he might kick you in the head"...and sure enough, as Daniel was listening Landon kicked him in the head. Maybe he was just trying to tell him... Daddy my space is a little crowded when you listen for me. I'm only living in a bubble...!
It's so cute and I am so blessed by my family and this experience!

My husband and our child....

This weekend was a very enjoyable weekend. Since Daniel and I couldn't really take a honeymoon we were sent by my parents, to The Pointe on Saturday night. We spent time relaxing and took a little trip down to Target and were able to get Landon's crib! That was exciting because we had gone to a different Target less than a week before and they were all sold out!
Anyways, we were able to relax and even see Daniel's best friend and his wife for a short time because they dropped by to visit. Sunday afternoon I was a little bummed because I had been spoiled! I was able to be with my husband all weekend with little to no interuptions and now I was having to leave and babysit overnight which would mean I wouldn't see Daniel again until Monday late afternoon after he got home from work.
Last night Daniel and I did something kind of fun. We went online and did one of those baby things where a website takes your pictures and meshes them together to try to show you what you're child might look like. Maybe the first time is the charm...because the sites were making our child look worse and worse. The first time we meshed the pictures our child was such a cutie! Landon wasn't a baby though...they had made him into a 6 or 7 year old. He had dark brown hair that was kind of wavy, our noses meshed so it wasnt my nose or Daniel's nose and he had such a cute smile with lips that were probably more like mine. He had Daniel's round head...and Daniel was like...wow...look at him...that's like a model right there. I really wanted Daniel to save the picture to the computer but we lost the picture when something else was clicked. Like I said though, we were like...lets do that again we kept meshing pictures ...and meshing different pictures and they were starting to turn out...let's just say...not so great! We even turned out with a little red headed boy! Daniel was like.............where is this red hair coming from?!
Anyways, that was fun and I have been thinking lately how much better it is now that we are married. It's one thing to be boyfriend/girlfriend...but it is so different when you are married and you start to adjust as a couple. I will admit that marriage is overwhelming at first but then once you figure out how the days need to go it gets better and is enjoyable. Marriage provides a certain security that being a girlfriend or even fiance doesn't really provide. I am blessed and love my husband very much! .....
...As for little Landon, we are so excited for him and can't wait for him to join our little family. So many others already can't wait for him to get here as well! I guess he's going to be a popular little boy!

Mommy day!

So yesterday I watched my youngest nephew Luke! He is such a doll and it helped me have a little mommy practice for when Landon arrives. My sister warned me that she had bought some new diapers and was trying them out and noticed that they weren't as good and needed to be changed about every two hours. So shortly after I got Luke I changed him. I made him apple juice and made sure he always had something to drink if he needed it. He must drink more liquids than me!!!! Guzzle, guzzle, guzzle....what a thirsty little boy! We took a long walk (or maybe I said I walked pushing his stroller) and went over to the park. He just loved me pushing him in the baby swing and would laugh and laugh. It was so cute! I got myself and him up the play toy stairs and we went down the winding slide...then after a while we went home. After about 2 hours I knew I needed to change his diaper...plus he had been drinking a lot of juice...I was like "I need to change your diapy" but we decided to go outside on the swing in the backyard together first. That was a mistake! His diaper leaked through on my lap and so we immediately went in the house and got it changed! I clipped his dirty long nails for him and he loved the gummy bears he got for letting me clip them... He was such a good boy!

After I got home from watching Luke at my parents house I waited for Daniel to get home. I had just gone to the store and bought a few things and we were going to have salad and pizza for dinner. Daniel and I sat down and had some carrots and chips with dip. I didn't have a ton of chips with dip...but I felt later that it was a dumb thing to have done because by the time we were eating dinner the food did not look good or appetizing. I didnt want to eat with how I felt. I probably ate a couple bites of my salad and then one bite of pizza which, I think, was a little disappointing to Daniel.

I earlier had learned that my cousin Jake and his wife Jenn were in the process of labor. Their baby's sex was going to be a surprise and no one knew what it was, so as I was getting ready for bed I prayed that they would have a little boy so Landon could be good friends with him.
This morning after I woke up I checked my email and learned that late last night they had their baby and it was a boy!!! That was so exciting...I am so glad that Landon will be able to know and have a 2nd cousin that is only about 5 months older than him! What a blessing!

To my sweet baby boy!

Every day you grow and make sure mommy knows you are doing well with all of your little movements. I love when you kick your little feet and hit me with your little hands..especially the strong hits! You are so precious to me and so many people are getting ready to love you and hold you in their arms, but we understand that you are still growing so keep growing strong and soon you can come out and see mommy and daddy!
You have made daddy so happy! He knows now that he will have a little boy that he can take to baseball games and teach how to do boy stuff like playing catch or having you watch him fix things! Mommy can't wait to do your hair and give you tons and tons of kisses! You are so precious to both of us and though you probably can't tell, your daddy gives you kisses!
We love you Landon and may God's hand be on you now as you grow into a stronger baby and for the rest of your life as you grow from a little boy into a handsome young man!
xoxox!
Love,
mommy

Our beautiful wedding!

My dad, Daniel, and then David being cool in the front
Right before we walked in
Drew wanted to be the ring bearer and hold my train!
yay!!!...I can drink my much needed water!
I just love my cute husband!

So since we didnt have a really nice wedding the first time with our family and friends we had a beautiful wedding that my mom put together on Oct. 18th! I couldn't ask for more! It was so pretty and it was such a special day for me. I had some of my wonderful cousins there that had flown in all the way from Missouri and some of my family from California...and Daniel had cousins from New Mexico. We were so appreciative to have our family and friends there to support us. Daniel's dad was our photographer which was so nice because he is an amazing photographer and it was such a self-less act to do that for us. I know he would've been able to enjoy the wedding so much more if he didn't have to take our pictures.

The whole family had a role in the wedding some way or another. Joy was my matron of honor and Becca was a bridesmaid, David read 1 Corinthians 13, Melody and my mom sang, my Dad was our pastor to marry us, Daniel's dad took the pictures, and Daniel's mom went up for the lighting of the candles with my mom at the beginning of the ceremony. Having our family as a part of our wedding made it even more special for us!

SURPRISE!!!....

Say hi, Landon!!!

We found out today...and surprised a few people. Landon Daniel is in my tummy and we will no longer have to call him an "it"! The doctor told me that the baby looks perfect. Everything looks normal...and he has some good looking legs if mommy can say so herself! He is definetly a boy there's no doubt about it! Daniel was like a kid at Christmas time when he found out. We are so excited...here are some pictures.

1 more day....so many things to do!

So....tomorrow is the wedding and there are sooooooooo many things to do! Today my mom is working on the flowers for our wedding, which will be a whole day's event! My mom does a really good job on being a florist for different weddings, but considering this is her baby's wedding it will be extremely nice! I know that there are other things to do for the wedding, so while she is working on the flowers I will probably be helping her with other things.
Thankfully, Daniel and I are done working on the house for now...because we...(especially him) have too many other things to think about/do!
As for an update with our cute little baby McDarby....our child continues to kick me a lot! Recently, I've been getting more headaches and when I eat my stomach starts to hurt. Yesterday I went to my monthly ob visit and they took a blood sample just to test for down syndrome. I doubt that the baby has it, but I thought they could run the test anyways...so we can just test everything and make sure baby McDarby is fine. The doctor was able to quickly find a strong heartbeat on our baby, so that's also exciting. We were too busy talking to each other that I didnt get the baby's heartrate number yesterday. So, things look good, but please continue to pray for the baby. I appreciate it so so much!

Busy...busy ...busy!

With the wedding only being about 3 days away we have done a lot of work...yet there is plenty to still do! Not exactly the best thing for me to think about right now because I may have over done it tonight. I did some things around the house today and then tonight after Daniel got home from work we worked some more on the yard. I have to put in a little side note that Daniel did most of it...but I couldn't help but recall back to my childhood.
As I helped him work outside my clothes were filthy! I was like...wow...this is like when I was living in California when I was little! As we kept working I also obtained another thing back from my childhood..............my horrible allergies! Man, I hated my allergies when I was little and remember going outside one morning, when I was about 4, to find my mom to say: MOMMY! MOMMY! They're GONE!!! I don't have to rub my eyes out anymore!
Well, if I get around enough dust, then I will start sneezing...but tonight was just awful for me. I had to have sneezed about 40 times! I kept coming inside and blowing my nose and it was just miserable. Now, I dont feel that great and I feel that I am going to need to recover from this. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow because there are still things to be done for the wedding and want to feel good for everyone and the wedding. Please pray for me and that this will pass quickly!

Stronger baby and bigger kicks

Last night Daniel and I were working on making the house nicer because the wedding is quickly approaching and want our guests to be welcomed into a nice clean home. I stayed up late working mostly on the kitchen and Daniel worked on our wedding programs. Around 11:30 I decided that I needed to stop and get to bed. Daniel was still in his office area and I laid down in bed and had the tv on, but I could've cared less what was on tv when all of a sudden I felt our baby's little foot kick me right in the pelvic region. It's kind of interesting when you are pregnant, because you are used to feeling things hit you from the outside of your body, but now you feel this small living life hit you from the inside. It doesn't hurt and quite frankly I think it is really cool. It definetly makes my pregnancy more real. Anyways, I felt this strong kick and so I decided to put my hand right in the area where I was feeling the foot just in case it kicked me again. Usually it just will kick once or twice and stop...so I wasn't sure if it would kick me in the hand but I waited to see. The seconds passed and sure enough, BAM....it kicked me in the hand ....and then again! I was like OH MY GOSH!!!! I was just so excited so I started yelling for Daniel to come in the room. He quickly came in and put his head on my belly and all of a sudden the baby either kicked or hit at him. Im not sure what the baby did because that hit came from a different area than the kick. Daniel was like did it just kick me?....because I just heard a vibration come from your belly!
Anyways, I will have to keep you posted on what else happens but last night is a night that I don't think I will ever forget. When you're baby gets stronger and the kicks start getting harder it hits you....(literally) this is for real.....This is our little baby! Im excited to be his or her mommy and I know Daniel will be a great Daddy!

Baby on the Move...

Yesterday was baby day for me! I haven't felt the baby move a whole lot during pregnancy because we haven't quite hit the mark for me to be able to feel the movements more. Well, I am about 17 weeks now so I should start feeling a lot more.
I am kind of guessing that one of the first times that I felt a movement that it may have been a false alarm because Daniel and I now have a better idea of where our baby is at. Yesterday morning I woke up and ran my hand down my entire stomach. Right when I got to where my belly button was, this bulge started. I was like....oh my gosh!!....that's the baby! It was just a little pouch unlike the rest of my stomach. I gently pressed down on it and could feel that the pouch was just a little bit more solid! I was like Daniel.....look ...look! That's the baby! He came over and was able to touch my belly and see what I was seeing. He left for work a little bit after that and I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a two pop-tart breakfast with a healthy glass of milk. :) I ate my pop tarts and then shortly after I felt these little movements...which I am guessing were kicks! The baby must have been excited to get to eat those yummy pop-tarts because it was the most movement I have ever felt the baby make!
So, the reason I say that I think one of the first times I felt something was probably a false alarm was because now I know where the baby is and a couple of weeks ago when I felt a movement like there was a worm crawling across my belly, the movement was too high for it to be the baby! That's ok though...because it was exciting to think it was our precious child at the time. Now I can feel the baby (I call it a him) for real!

Blessings in the midst

A couple of weeks ago my work had to cut back because of the economy and work. I unfortunetly had to take the brunt of it, probably because I am pregnant. They cut me back to part time and I was only to get about 16 hours a week. I talked to one of my co workers one Sunday night and I told her what happened and that I really want to be utilizing this time to make money because once the baby comes I'm going to be home all of the time and money, on my end, will not be coming in. So, the next day and basically that whole week she made sure to let me help out in the dept. she worked in because they are the only dept. that is really busy and they could actually use the help. I ended up putting in more than 16 hours for that week, so I was happy that not only was I helping but I was helping my family out.
They needed me again this past Monday so I came in and did the same thing as the week before...but when Tuesday came along!......my supervisor took me out of the office and cut me back completely! I have NO hours now! Basically Im on an on-call status and am only supposed to work when they call me. That hurt...because I've never been fired before and its almost like I was that day...I was just supposed to pick up my purse at that minute and get out of the office! Wow! ....My work agreed to keep paying my insurance because that is one of the most important things with the baby coming, in which I need to make sure I have! But I want to be able to be making at least some money...so it was kind of like...ok so Im stuck?
I left work and called Daniel immediately, I was crying and told him that if he could he needed to check to see if I got on his insurance policy (because if I was I wouldnt have to stay on with the company with their on-call status and be able to try to get another job). Daniel calmed me down and told me...wow that's crazy that this happened because just today the guy that has been dealing with the insurance thing, at my work, came to me and told me that you're on my policy! That was a huge relief because most insurances wont take you on after you are already pregnant...but his did!...and just when I needed it!
I am blessed! I have a great husband that loves and cares about me and have the security in knowing he wouldn't leave me for another woman! All of the times we've been together he's always been faithful to me and that is an awesome thing to have in a husband. For a man to be that way automatically makes him a good father because he is what our child will be looking up to. I will be too for that matter but, I could be wrong, but I think the father makes more of an impact in their actions than the mother.
Through it all, I am a blessed wife and mother! With or without a job I will continue to be blessed and God will take care of our little family.

The baby is getting bigger!

Our precious little child is now about 4 1/2 to 5 inches! In a way I cannot wait to hold our baby in my arms but then in another way, I know, we have a lot more baby stuff to buy before the baby gets here and the baby needs to grow and develop more before it can meet us.
Sometimes I feel little twitches and movements and I can only hope that its the baby moving, but Im not for sure because I know that it could just be my body. But I want to believe that it is the baby!
One night I was sitting on the couch, we had had visitors over that night and Daniel was walking out our last visitor when I felt this really interesting movement. It felt like a little squirming worm going across about 2 inches of my body. Sometimes Daniel listens for the baby and tells me he hears all sorts of sounds. I guess that's the father's part of joy that you can't really be a part of, but then again, since I'm carrying around the baby, my part of the joy is getting to feel little movements, that right now, no one can feel but me.
According to a book I have, the baby now has eyelashes and eyebrows and can move it's eyes from side to side...even though it's eyes are sealed closed. I found on a website that the baby is getting its fingerprints and toe prints this week! That is just incredible. Just like the Bible says: You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
An old friend talked to be about that a long time ago when she was talking to me about our lives... if you look at the word wonderfully in that verse and just think about it, it is saying you are full of wonder! Isn't that amazing. It's so true! God has made all of us full of wonder...especially the first stage of our lives as we are growing and developing inside the womb. I know technology has come a long way since I've been a baby...and research too for that matter and it's just incredible how much you can see and what you can find out from week to week about the baby growing inside of you! Its amazing...and its just one of the many amazing things that God created in order for us to just look, feel, and know...and say WOW!

Our journey so far

Daniel and I met in February 2004. We have had our ups and downs but all in all our love had never completely faded, instead God and love has brought us together...and together for good is how we will stay. Daniel and I were married in August and we will be having a small backyard wedding in a few weeks. I am definetly excited for our beautiful second wedding and seeing my husband's reaction when he see's me in my wedding dress, that turns me into a prettier version of Cinderella.
Tomorrow marks my 16th week of pregnancy. The baby has been great so far and I've only thrown up 3 times. I am truly blessed and God continues to bless and has proven that when He closes a door He opens a new one.
Today I consider myself to have lost my job, though technically I didn't. Work has been slow lately at my job so they told me today to no longer come in until they call me and tell me they need me. I decided that I don't want to live my life that way because I want to utilize this time of my pregnancy to make money while I can because I want to be a stay at home mom for our baby. This is something that we both want, rather than letting a daycare raise our child. So my job search is on...So, though life has thrown some twists and turns, God will provide and take care of us. Please keep us in your prayers and especially our precious little one.