Monday, December 29, 2008

Merry Christmas


We had a blessed Christmas and hope you did as well!
Stephen & I had about 5 days of just us time and it was real nice… knowing next year (okay, within 2-3 weeks) it is going to be all about Baby Lasseigne. We did not do anything real exciting… well I take that back, we played with our new Wii a lot. Here are a few pictures!




JT opening his stocking.




Yea! My diaper bag!! I LOVE IT!!




Stephen sportin' his own "manly" diaper bag.




Stephen wanted his own diaper bag... so JT listened and got him one for Christmas. Also, Santa brought us our travel system and an extra base. Stephen installed the bases and mirrors and we are set. Next step is to find somewhere we can go to get them checked that they are installed properly.



Stephen assembling the stroller.
Stephen showing off the stroller (and my diaper bag attached)!


I do have to brag on him for a minute..... he gets MAJOR brownie points for this. I decide on a whim... like most pregnant women, right?... that I wanted to go to Silks-A-Bloom for their 50% Christmas sale the day after Christmas. I had an idea of how much of a mad house it could be and tried to prepare him. Stephen jumped right in there, grabbed boxes and stood in line with me for over an hour to check out. I could not believe how cool he was about the whole thing... mind you lots of people were highly impressed that he was out in this mess helping me. I was so proud and can not wait to put up all of my goodies next year... especially when Baby L will get to enjoy them too. THANK YOU AGAIN HONEY!!! YOU ROCK!











Monday, December 22, 2008

Nursing Class

After our OB appointment last Thursday, Stephen & I got to experience nursing class. I would say it was interesting and informative. I will admit I was a little thrown by the fake boob she used to explain things and the anatomically correct baby dolls. I think it was great to have Stephen there so he could get a better understanding of the whole process as well. I will also admit that at times I was embarrassed,-Stephen ...of course, as cool as a cucumber.

TURN BABY TURN...

Last Thursday we had our 34 week appointment (I am a little late at posting this). Not much longer to go! After our doctor was listened to her heartbeat I asked her if she felt Baby Girl had flipped yet. She got excited and kind of got us excited b/c she was hearing her heartbeat a little lower than usual. To double check we hurried in to the ultrasound room with anticipation that she was a studious & intelligent little girl that obeyed her parents….well, she is obviously doing this her way (probably just as her mom or dad would). Right where we thought was a hard little bottom….. was still her big ole noggin!
It was good to be able to see her and to know she had gained a pound since the 32 week ultrasound.





IF SHE DOES NOT FLIP….
This then led to the discussion of our delivery plan. She has until our next appointment to flip (Jan. 2nd), if she does not flip we are headed for a c-section. At one point Dr. Deed said she would just use my old scar from all of my previous abdominal surgeries. After having 9 months to think about this… and knowing this particular incision had been opened up 5 times, I questioned why she planned on going that route. (Remembering how long it took me to recover from all of those surgeries and a newborn on top of that, not cool. Not to mention the whole short-term disability nazi’s.) Her answer was simply “so I wouldn’t have to put another scar on your belly.”
Well, well, well… My poor stomach already has enough scars at this point – seriously, what is one more in all reality? Does it bum me out? Extremely. Just like every other surgery before- if I don’t have a choice, then I don’t have a choice – if it is for the best then it is for the best. As our pastor reiterated this weekend “God’s grace is sufficient!” Look at what all it has pulled me & Stephen through. So we left it with me thinking it over if I wanted her to do the typical cesarean incision or use my old scar.

IF SHE DOES FLIP….
Dr. Deed wants to take her early, more around the 38 week mark. She felt that because she is a small baby the longer she cooks the more stress it could put on her the further along we get. Even though we won’t get the “Honey, its time…” moment I would much rather go this road.

I am getting more apprehensive but it is peaceful to know that we will soon be able to meet our little angel. Either way, she will be making her arrival either the week of January 12th or January 19th. No February baby after all.

Now that we are at 35 weeks, our fruit comparison is the size of a honeydew! HA!


(Pictures are from my company's christmas party... as you can tell, I was exhausted by the end of it... and still had to be responsible for making sure the bill was paid - sorry no real good belly shots.)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

33 weeks - starting to get uncomfortable

I think I have ventured in to the physically uncomfortable portion of pregnancy. Here are a few of the issues:
- Usually by the end of the day my ribs are sore from slouching... she is teaching me a thing or to a/b my posture while at my desk.
- Shall we talk about my swollen foot? It is only my bum foot that swells really bad. I think I am going to just have to shift to tennis shoes only and work will have to get over it... and so will my wardrobe.
- No more regular size meals. If I eat like a normal human being I feel sick afterward, so it is short frequent meals all day.
- It's official, I have reached the "I feel like a cow" part of pregnancy.

Overall we are doing good and I know these are issues everyone deals with, which makes them a little more bearable.

At my 32 week doc appointment she said that ultrasound reported that she was measuring a tiny bit smaller than average. However, she is not real worried about it because I was such a small baby. She is still breach, so we are hoping she will flip in the next couple of weeks. She is moving around frequently and it is getting to where you can see my whole abdomen warp at times. Wierd but amazing.

Over the weekend I accomplished the one goal I wanted to do for the holiday season... just to get the tree up... which took help from mom and Stephen. The rest of the house won't be decorated but o-well. I just know I will not feel like packing it all up in January.

It is neat to imagine that this time next year I will have a 10 month old on my hands during the holiday season. I can't wait. It will be so much fun!

It is the time of the year for holiday parties and Stephen & I wish for everyone to have fun and be careful.

Late thanksgiving wish

I meant to post this last week... sorry.

First, we want to start off by letting everyone know we hope you and your family had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for and blessed with the wonderful friends and family we have in our lives.

We were able to have a nice quaint thanksgiving at our house this year with the Lasseigne family… and Stephen’s cousin Michael was in town for the LSU game (which we won by the way!!! Barely.) – so it was such a treat to have him over to our house.

Stephen fried his first turkey and did an awesome job (I will add a pic soon). I attempted my mom’s famous mashed potatoes for the first time… by myself (while she was visiting Mickey & Minnie in Orlando). That was the only thing I was real nervous about turning out okay. She has no real recipe, so I only called her about 20 times and they still ended up a tad runny.

The next day he got a wild hair to make turkey gumbo from the carcass (that just sounds so icky!) like Jessie Mae & Josie Mae used to do. You can tell he does not cook on real regular basis b/c he did not realize that gumbo takes 6-8 hours to make; it was good and even I ate it!

We spent most of the weekend trying to relax as I enter week 32, the start of the eighth month. Thanksgiving wore me out. I really started to recognize my limits this past weekend. Running errands won’t be the same for the next few months.

JT (the boxer) has started to really recognize that something is about to change. We catch him walking in and out of her room often. I have to wonder why he’s doing it. If only I could speak dog….

Baby Girl is doing great. She is moving around like crazy in my belly. She usually gets the hiccups the same time everyday, around 4:00. I hope she is trying to turn b/c I am starting to feel a lot more movement on my left side. I can’t figure out if is a foot or elbow, more than likely a foot. Also around bedtime, she has been doing (what feels like) rolls. It is weird b/c it seems like I can almost anticipate them coming. I think she takes a nap from about 8am-9:30 am and then again from around 3:00-4:00. Other than that I feel her on a regular basis. There have been a few nights she has woken me up, but not many.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Could she be a February baby?

Just maybe.

We had the ultrasound today to check her size. I have been a little worried that I am not as big as I should be this far along in the game. We have not received the final results from the doctor, however, according to what we could see with our own eyes and the technician everything looks good. She is measuring a week and 2 days behind the original ultrasound. If it is anything like last time the doctor hardly blinks when they hear that. She was kicking up a storm too!

Don't ask me how they measure it, but she weighs exactly 3.6 lbs right now. It was really neat to see her. We were anxious to see if she would show us her face; all she would give us is half to a 3/4th view- we got to an eye socket, half of a nose, a cheek (chubby by the way), lip line and chin. The technician mentioned that she might have long legs. Stephen & I couldn't really figure which side that would have come from, his grandfather had long legs but not much of my family really did. Her heart looks great, you could see all four chambers, it no longer looks like a fluttering butterfly. (I was a little bummed but they didn't give us any pictures to share this time around.)

Currently she is breach. Her head is just to my right of my belly button, you can often see it poke out more and it is as hard as a rock! (If she is as stubborn as her mom and dad then we are in trouble....) Her back curls around to my left side and all of her feet and hands are on more toward my right side of my belly. She has really liked the right side of my body, she was hanging out there at the 20-week ultrasound. We need lots and lots of prayers that she will flip between now and the time she decides to make her arrival. If she does not, we all know what that means.... c-section. In which this will be Amy's 6th abdominal surgery. The doctor has already said she will use my old incision, which is vertical - instead of the normal horizontal bikini incision. With all of the scar tissue that may be going on in my abdomen, for my safety and hers we REALLY do not want a c-section.
We would appreciate lots of prayers for her to flip.

Stephen, myself, JT & Baby Girl hopes every one has a blessed and stuffed Thanksgiving. I think it is going to be unseasonably warm here... and Stephen is going to fry a turkey for the first time. I love fried turkey.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Always an adventure

It is always an adventure at the Lasseigne house. This past week we celebrated Stephen's birthday on Monday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!)... he surprised me and brought home our glider that came arrived at the store. Here is a picture of it in the nursery. I love it!! It is so comfy, I could just rock in it allllllllllllllll day long.




On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my best friends new baby girl, Simone, she was born in September. She is such a beautiful baby and I can not wait to watch her grow up in to a wonderful little lady. Unfortunately they live in NOLA, but I still have high hopes that Simone and Baby Girl will become good friends. Her mom & I grew up together since high school, so it is a little interesting watching both of us step in to motherhood.


On Thursday we went to see the OB and start our bi-weekly appointments. Everything is going great. They are going to do an ultrasound this coming Tuesday to ease my anxiety a/b my belly seeming so small for 30 weeks. I will keep everyone update, of course. Afterwards we went to Babies R Us and got a few things for her nursery. Here is the progression, if you can't tell we are accenting with red.


Saturday we sat around, watched movies and put together some of Baby Girls toys (bouncy seat, jumparoo and swing). Sunday we started cleaning house and Stephen decided to re-caulk my shower doors and just kept going... to then discover that the tile was placed on top of wood (the joys of being in a home that is 40+ yrs old)... in a shower... so the wood was rotten and moldy. Here is a picture of the progress. We have been debating on making over that bathroom for a while know - but a few things have come up... i wonder what.

Baby Girl should weigh around 3.5lbs by now and be a little over 15.5 inches long. I am feeling good. I feel her move at least twice and hour. It is beginning to get progressively harder to bend over or getting up from sitting low or on the floor. It is pretty interesting feeling something "in the way" when i try to slouch over. It is a different "in the way" - almost feels like something is pushing in to your stomach as you bend forward. I am hungry all the time and Stephen often gets left out when it comes to cooking. There used to be a day that when i fixed something for myself i would fix him something. These days, i have a one track mind and that is "get me food and get me food now."

Monday, November 10, 2008

Yea!!! Showers & Furniture

The past two weekends have been great at the Lasseigne household. We had baby showers and arrival of baby furniture.
The showers were wonderful and I can not thank my hostesses enough!!! All of you did such a wonderful job (Erin, Keri, Kathryn, Emily, Lana, Kelly & Gina) and Stephen & I are so thankful to have you in our lives. Also, thank you so much to all of you that were able to come! It means so much to me and I really appreicate it! My mom took all of the pictures, so when she hands those over I will post them. We got a lot of great gifts and can not wait to share them with our baby girl.

I promised I would post pictures of the wall and then Stephen got the furniture in before I had a chance to snap a picture. This morning I took a few around the furniture, hopefully you can vaguely see the leaves. The idea was for them to be an accent at different light angles. So here is the wall.




















Here are a few pictures of the baby furniture.






I found out this past week that the main fabric I have based the whole nursery around is back ordered for another 6-8 weeks. I am REALLY hoping it is just 6 weeks, I only have 11 weeks to go until I am full term. I have become okay with the fact that I probably will not have her bedding by the time she gets here, it is still nerve racking. She will be in the bassinet for the first few weeks, so it is not real crucial. I think the part that makes me so anxious about it is the nesting that I am going through. For some people it is not a big deal, to me, I am bringing home my angel to an incomplete project/room. God has taught me a lot about patience over the years, so I think now we are on to “Learning How to Roll With The Punches, Lesson 1.”

I can officially no longer watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition until after she is born. I just sit there and cry at every little thing and if anyone on the show cries, I’m done. I have my opinions on the election results but will keep most of them to myself. The history making aspect was neat; the moral aspect is what bothers me. I caught myself in the shower the next morning worrying about what type of country she is going to be raised in – which led me to start praying earnestly that we will raise her with a great Christian foundation and leadership. It is not just my angel I worry about it- it’s our parents and their financial/retirement plans that have had to be altered because of the economy, or the people that now have to put their dreams on hold.

So not to be “Debbie Downer” I will leave you with a 29-week baby update. She should now be around 2 ½ pounds and about15” long. The fruit/vegetable they compare her to this week is a butternut squash. (Those really crack me up for some reason) I have really been able to feel her hiccup lately and sometimes you can feel it from the outside as well. She still likes to kick or punch me in the bladder a lot, which her daddy finds amusing. My glucose test came back fine, however, I am anemic. I’ve been trying to take my iron but it is tough on my system so I am going to explore other means of getting iron as well. I may have to live off of spinach dip, since that is the only way I will eat something green unless it is peas.

Friday, October 31, 2008

A week of first's....already.....

It is not very often that after three years you get to share a "first" with your spouse. Stephen & I had the joy (well kind of) of experiencing two on Saturday (25th)!

One first started when we went and bought the furniture for the nursery!!!! It was fun, yet somewhat overwhelming. On one hand ,I was so ready to get this part over with to help satisfy the itch to get everything ready for her big day. On the other hand, all I could see was dollar signs. And Lord knows, especially with a girl, that is not going to change. You could somewhat see the humbled joy within Stephen when he was paying for/taking care of his little girl. I sat in one of their gliders and watched distantly and quietly as he worked out the details.

So... off we go, back to the house and guess who is hungry?? That would be me. I had Stephen get off at a different exit that has a weird left turn at the end of it. We both look over our right shoulder as he prepares to make a left - all clear. He proceeds in to his turn, I see something over my right shoulder and here ladies and gentlemen would be our second first. We were unfortunately in our first accident together. It was not a major and everybody was fine. Basically our front passenger panel/bumper was damaged. Of course, I freaked out mainly because I have never been involved in an accident as a passenger. And Stephen was probably more upset with himself than anything else. The rest of the afternoon we spent laying around in the bed and being thankful that we still had one another b/c it could have been a lot worse than it was! God had his hand on us, that's for sure!

I had my monthly doctors appointment on Thursday and she checked everything out and did not feel that the wreck disrupted anything. I have actually been feeling her move around a lot more, but I think the wreck flipped her b/c she is kicking in a completely different location... like my bladder. Her heart rate is great and the doctor feels I am moving along just fine. I am not real keen on the weight I've gained, but it's a part of the package.

We got our first baby gift this week!!! Stephen & I were so giddy as we were breaking in to the box. It was her Ocean Wonders Acquarium that goes on the side of her crib. Speaking of which, we will be picking up and putting together the week of Nov. 8th and this coming weekend hopefully we will finishing painting the nursery - if we can figure out this whole glazing idea we are trying to pull off..... that we can't find any information on. It is real hard to explain, so if we pull it off, i will definetly post pictures.

ALSO, this weekend I have my first shower and can't wait to see everyone. It will be so much fun! I am trying to get Stephen to attend, but we'll see.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

26 weeks - Becareful little ears what you hear...

"No-Name" is moving along and kicking around like crazy. According to my updates she should now be able to tell the difference between mine and Stephen's voices. However, Stephen & I feel she will recognize JT's voice better than she will recognize ours because he is so vocal. It is next to impossible to ask him to be quiet b/c he just talks right back. I see the good and the bad in it, I would like for her to be able to fall asleep under any condition without it being super quiet around her. I have very high hopes that I will be the kind of person that will be blowing and going, however, there is also reality...

Guess what?!! We decided on a paint color and painted the nursery this past weekend. To give you an idea the paint color name is "simplify beige." Here is a swatch:


I think we both really like it. That room gets a lot of afternoon sun and it just makes the room feel so fresh and airy. I would have liked to have gone with a bolder color but that room can seem small and we did not want to close it in any more. We are going to try a glazing effect on the walls using "branches" from the fabric pattern (shown in a previous blog). I'll let you know if it works. If not, its just paint and we can go to plan B.

SIDENOTE: Last night, Stephen & I were watching t.v. and I came across the Discovery Health show "Freebirthing." Okay, that's just weird. It's a/b pregnant women who refuse to be followed with medical treatment and would prefer an unassisted childbirth. REALLY? They followed two women through the process and luckily neither of them had any complications. I have been through way to much to be too strong willed to not ask for help or medication. More power to them, but Stephen & I were partly speechless and partly disgusted at the same time. One family cut the umbilical cord with regular scissors. I found this on wikipedia to explain why some people do this:
The reasons for choosing to give birth unassisted range greatly from mother to mother but a few key factors are common to most.

- The conviction that birth is a normal function of the female body and therefore not a medical emergency.
- The belief that most interventions commonly used by the medical profession during birth cause more harm than good in a normal birth.
- The sense that the mother will be more apt to follow the natural flow of her individual birth in an undisturbed birth setting, thus enabling her to find the optimum positions or techniques to birth her child safely.
- The understanding that birth is an intimate, sexual, and potentially orgasmic experience,[3] and that privacy is absolutely essential for the erotic dimension of birth.
- A noted increase in the feelings and ability to bond with and take responsibility for the welfare of her child.


Some have requested a picture of the "buddha belly" (as Stephen & I call it) so here it is at 26 weeks:

Monday, October 13, 2008

Austin Pictures

No-Name Lasseigne

(You will see a few posts in a row b/c its been a few weeks.)
It’s about freakin’ time! Stephen & I finally got around to registering this weekend- however, she still does not have a name, so i've nick-named her "no-name." It was so sweet to see how involved he got with registering. Of course I had to give him the laser gun so he could scan everything. I think at one point he even said “Hey, let me do it – you get to carry her all the time.” So I would just point and he would scan.
I will say it was a little overwhelming, so many things to choose from and how do you know which one is best. I think the thing that stumped up the most was which type of bottles to choose.
We also decided on furniture (see picture below)! I am so excited. It the Metro collection by Bonoavita. We think it is great quality and will last a long time, either for her or for whenever #2 comes along.



AND we have decided on the bedding. Here is a swatch of the main fabric- it is brighter here than it actually looks. The walls will be light beige. The main color I will play off of is the red – then accenting with brown, ecru, and lime green. The turquoisy color you see is really more of a sea-foam and has been almost impossible to find stuff to match it.



My belly is really starting to stick out and I think I am starting to officially lose my waist. (check out the slide show below and you can kind of tell) She is estimated to weight a/b 24 oz, or a 1.5 pounds. It is getting a little harder for me to sit up from a reclined position. This whole gaining weight thing has been a little bit of a bummer and I am really starting to be able to tell there is more of me, especially when walking long distances or stairs.
If I could live in my tennis shoes I would! Stephen & I had to go to shoe shopping for me so I could some black flats that would accommodate a bad foot that swells pretty badly by the end of the day, no matter how much water I drink or how long I prop it up. The doctor doesn’t seem to be too concerned about it, mainly b/c it’s my bad foot anyway. She is regulating my amount of swelling by watching my right leg.

Just a few more weeks and I have my last monthly appointment, after the end of October we start our bi-weekly appointments. I am nervous about the whole process but I also can’t wait to meet her! Yes, a her that still has no name...

AUSTIN!

What a neat town. It was not near the size I thought it would be and was pretty easy to get around once you got your bearings straight.
Stephen, myself and his parents went there a few weeks ago for a family wedding. His cousin Mark got married to a sweet girl named Caroline. It was a beautiful wedding and we are glad we were able to attend. I got a chance to meet a lot of the cousins that Stephen grew up with that were not able to make it to our wedding. It was also great to catch up with the ones that I have met before.
Another cool thing we got to do while we were there was go the Austin Musuem of Art. It was really neat to see pieces of work done by what I consider “the greats” – Picasso, Monet, Degas, Matisse, van Gogh, Gauguin, and Delacroix. And of course my favorite was Degas. I have always admired his work, mainly because he worked a lot in pastels and those are really my favorite medium when I take the time to sit down and draw. It also really made me miss school and I caught myself craving that artistic outlet that I used to be able to suffice when in school. I have a few painted pieces planned for the nursery, but nothing real creative. I can’t wait to teach our children art and help them understand and appreciate its importance in our world.


Check out the slideshow pictures from the trip.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Belly movements

According to my weekly update, she should weigh around 1 pound by now. Just think, a year from now, who knows a/b how much she will weigh - it is hard to think about.

People say to pay attention to when she is active because that can indicate her sleep/wake patterns when she is born. Well, right now, her busiest time is between 8pm-9:30. (I swear she is having a party in there) I keep trying to get Stephen to feel her kick and this past week he has been able to. Here is the really cool part.

I was laying in bed and Stephen was in the other room, she was kicking like crazy. I happen to look down and could see my stomach move everytime she kicked. So I scream "Stephen! Stephen! Hurry!" He comes walking back to the bedroom, unalarmed b/c usually when i call for him like that lately it is for him to feel her move and he was starting to lose hope and had almost resorted to the fact that she was real shy to anyone but her mom. He steps in the bedroom with a look across his face like "Why are you calling me back here when you know I'm not going to be able to feel anything." I said "You can literally see my belly move."
His immediate response "Nooo Way......, she's not going to do it now b/c you screamed for me and probably startled her" so he crawled in to bed with me proceed to watch her do kickboxing through my skin. It was so cute, he could not keep his eyes off my stomach, at times i thought he was scared to blink b/c he might miss something.

Still no name, but Stephen is finally staring to throw some out there for me to think about. He has two weeks and counting to help me decide on a first name. I already know what I really like, but I want this to be a "we" decision. I want him to be involved in every aspect of her life as much as I am. He has already promised me that he will teach her how to change a flat tire before she is allowed to drive. (He'll have to teach me in the process. I could probably figure it out, but it is better to learn from a perfectionist... maybe)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Our little carrot!

We are officially at 21 weeks! Last weekend we were busy trying to decide on the bedding, furniture and the travel system. The only one we were able to accomplish was the travel system.

I really thought I wanted something modern and graphically cool for the bedding… then there is the whole baby pink issue. I can handle pink, but not all over her nursery. I would feel like I was stepping in to Pepto-Bismol every day. Can’t do it. She will be in plenty of precious pink outfits and skirts to make up for the lack of pink in the nursery. I kind of feel like a mom that is not keen on having a girl, but I am very excited a/b it – I’m just not a real girly-girl. I really don’t want the nursery to look real “baby” either. All that to say, the bedding is still up in the air, which drives me crazy, b/c for me, that pretty much determines the look of the entire room (excluding the furniture) – what paint colors to use, what accent colors to use- blah, blah, blah.

I guess one of these days she will have a name. Stephen was given one month from when he found out the sex to contribute any names... two weeks remain. We have a few first names and one strong possibility, but no middle name just yet. Believe you me, she will have a name before she makes her grand appearance.
According to my books, she is a/b 10 ½ inches long – the average length of a carrot.

Off the subject issues:
Last week I chaired an awareness rally at the Arkansas State Capitol for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Afterwards, we had a survivor’s luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. The turn out was way more than we expected, we had over 150 people in attendance. Our goal was around 80. Our prayer for next year is that we will have to move locations b/c we need more space. J It was a great success.
Also, we have a website up and running http://www.arkansasovariancancer.com/ to be a resource for women in Arkansas just diagnosed with ovarian cancer and to be a place to gather information on awareness and upcoming events- check it out.

Presentation of Survivors at rally.


Mom, Leah and myself listening to a speaker at the rally




Stephen played in his first adult league soccer game this past Sunday. I was not able to attend. Unfortunately they lost, but they have only practiced twice, so I expect better outcomes in the future. As the soccer player I was growing up, I have to admit I am a little jealous. I think that would be so much fun. However, there are some things that the foot/brace does not allow me to do and this would be one of them.
I am very proud of him for stepping out and doing something a little outside of his comfort zone. Who knows – he probably did it as a way to get away from the crazy pregnant lady at home! HA!

Here are some recent pictures of my boys...

Stephen & JT at my brothers house in Fayetteville. JT actually rode around at low speed, it was too funny!


JT Hanging out of the window. (this picture may not be reproduced in any way without permission)

Monday, September 8, 2008

Our big news!!


All of the family has finally been notified so it is safe to finally tell the world. We are expecting our first child. We found out last week that we are going to have a baby girl! Most importantly she is healthy. She currently weighs about 13 oz.’s which is a little on the small side, but that is what our OB prefers. With my medical history, the doc wants her to be nice and small and maybe even come early so I will have a nice natural deliver.
Stephen is very proud but I think he is more worried a/b 401k, retirement and the like… typical guy. He has been a pretty good trooper and has gone to every doctor visit with me. I think this whole pregnancy has taken both of us by surprise because it has been pretty easy. I never really had morning sickness and the only big change is my frequent consumption of food. I have not really craved anything I don’t think. I have found though, that I really like to make different dips. It makes me think I am eating something somewhat healthy as a filling snack because someone in the household does not like to eat dinner until around 8 – I’m not naming any names or anything.
This weekend we went to Babies – R – Us to narrow down our selection of various baby paraphernalia b/c Mr. Research wouldn’t know what to do if his child didn’t have the best recommended and safest – of course. I find myself feeling relieved over that b/c it really is overwhelming if you do not have a clue what to even start with. Do you go with a maximum weight of 22lbs or 30 lbs? Do you get the whole travel system with stroller or just the carrier? Do we get the carrier that is more recommended for my car or his car? There is no point in getting different ones that fit better in each care. Do we really need a stroller AND a jogger? Probably not, but those joggers are pretty cool. Oh – and by the way – why on God’s green earth did most of the infant carriers go back to the normal handles and not stick with the more ergonomic one’s? Yeah, let’s not get started on the bedding….
Here are few pictures of the ultrasound. Now that everyone knows, I will be updating a lot more frequently and will be keeping everyone up to date about our progress.

Bascially this is profile shot. Isn't that precious? What you are seeing is from the knee down. She is already a little southern belle.


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

I know, I know. It has been a long time since I have been able to hop on here and post. I apologize.

Stephen & I just had my dad in town for a little over a week. We had all these activities planned and then wham! - the weather. Was it because of rain? NO Was it becuase of tornados? NO
It was becuase the temperature was around 103 with a heat index of over 110!

I have been super busy with the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in Arkansas, so we have a few events planned. We are doing a rally at the State Capitol and a Survivors Luncheon at the Governor's Mansion on September 9th.

Congratulations to Renee for getting engaged!! (Stephen's cousin) That is awesome! You go girl!

Stay tuned... I promise, stephen & I will have some new news soon!

Monday, May 12, 2008

So much for spring cleaning




Stephen & I have been really busy for the past couple of months. I have to brag on him a little, he is doing such a great job to the front of our house. It is by far looking like the best house on the street. Below is a before and after picture. We have painted, built new columns and are reworking the flower beds. (The house got new paint about a year ago, but the doors and stuff we have done recently. ) oh- and funky new house numbers.


BEFORE:


Also, coming up we are participating with the Luminaria Ceremony for the Maumelle Relay for Life this weekend. (update: we helped raise over $45,000 for the American Cancer Society)

Stephen will be traveling for work some and I will be busy helping plan my 10-year high school reunion and my best friends baby shower!... all while watching another birthday pass me by.
Okay, I have been putting this post off to find time for a new picture for the front of the house, but no sense in continued delay. So here is one with out the new landscaping - just the new columns. (Which Stephen built by hand)
AFTER

My reunion is actually this weekend and I've been running around like a mad woman trying to get everything in order. Another girl and I have been doing the majority of the work and I couldn't have done it without her. Just for reminiscing sake, here is a picture of me in high school: (I'm the one on the far left, in both pictures)





















(1996 - me at 16 yrs. old) (1998 - senior banquet, 17 years old)


We also had the arrival of our wonderful neice (Lauren) on March 28.

Here is a picture of her the day she was born.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

NOLA .... Surprise Ali!!!!
























Stephen, Chris (bestfriend’s hubby) and I pulled off a great surprise for one of my best friends, Alice. Her birthday was March 16th. Chris & I started planning the surprise around Christmas for me and Stephen to come down to their house for the weekend.

Chris was already planning a crawfish boil for her birthday, so we just joined right in. I was so proud of him for not folding and keeping it all in – I know there are a few times when he wanted to just blurt it out.

We drove down to New Orleans on Friday. I had been setting her up for weeks and she was expecting a fed-ex package from me – so she thought that was who was at the door. I’m so sneaky.

Her new house is gorgeous and they did such a great job remodeling it - it got around 6" of water from Katrina. I am so happy they have found a house they want to be in for a long time. And they live in the cutest/coolest neighborhood with great neighbors!




Our two "other" nephews - Chip and Rex were such a joy to be around. They were my snuggle bugs. It really made me miss having two dogs in the house.














Stephen & I also got to experience our first New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was pretty cool. Nothing like the strict southern ways of Arkansas. We went with several of Alice’s friends & in-laws, so they were able to hook me up with some big beads, without having to “do something” for them....but no worries, I got them respectfully… its good to know people that know people (thanks Val!). One picture below is of me with beads about 5 minutes in to the parade. In this parade they would also throw a bunch of cabbages, carrots, potatoes, and green onions. By the time we left, all we needed was the meat.

Here are several pictures.















Amy & Stephen in the French Quarter

















"MOM! That's MY rose!," says Rex-oppotomus.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!! *smooch* love you!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

We will meet again, I know


My baby girl passed away this past friday, March 7th. I can't say much because it still hurts.

She was 13 years old, we grew up together and she was the most loyal, sweetest, humble, happy thing I knew.


Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.


There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.


Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.


The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.


They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.


Her bright eyes are intent.

Her eager body quivers.


Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.


The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... Author Unknown

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Valentine Blessing

Last night, myself, the women's pastor and several other ladies from my church hosted a valentines dinner for the Women & Children First Home. This home takes in women and children that are fleeing from domestic abuse. Some of them come from half way across the country b/c their situation is so bad that they never want him to find them.
We prepared a dinner for ladies while thier children played upstairs with other volunteers. Because these women have not been shown love in a long time, it was our honor to cook them a nice meal and focus our love on them, if only for a couple of hours.

I was blessed beyond measure. God surprised me more than I could imagine.

I sat next to a lady who was very soft spoken and probably didn't what to think about all the attention. I had noticed upstairs that she had brought her son with her (I can't disclose names for the protection of the women). He was such an outgoing little boy and full of energy. As I sat next to the lady, I knew one way I could get her to talk was to ask her a/b her children. She has been in toe program for a while and is now starting to live on her own for the first time. We talked about her apartment, where she works, what she does for fun.
I felt very odd asking the question, but I followed my gut - I asked her (as far as a career) what she would eventually like to do.

Are you ready????...


She looks at me and says "Well, I have a degree in art with an emphasis in graphic design & illustration and love to get back in to that one day."


HELLO!!!!??????? OKAY GOD, WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE THIS?!

Some of you might be wondering what I am suprised about.? Well, being a graphic designer, I knew instantly that I was supposed to talk to her about that. When I told her what I did for a living, her eyes to lit up! "Really!?" she asked.
So, for the rest of the night, I tried to coach her on what avenues she should take to try to get back in the business. It has been a few years since she has worked and things change rapidly in this business. She was very curious and asked me a ton of questions. I pray that I left her with tremendous encouragement and that I empowered her to take her next step in life.

I have never walked out of a situation/event with that much belief that I was RIGHT were God wanted me to be that evening - ever!
I will never forget it.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I wish she would live forever...


Most of you know, I have a very special quiet angel in my life -
my 12 yr. old golden retriever, Belle.
I have had her since I was 15. I am just know able to post this b/c I have run out of tears and have started the process of acceptance, but it is going to take me while to get through this post.
We found out last September that she had skin cancer after two tumors were removed off of her right leg. Everything seemed great, nothing seemed to "loom" over us.
Right after New Years, what I thought was two more tumors had popped up on her right leg again. I took her in to get them removed and there were SEVEN, not two. The type of skin cancer she has is very aggressive. We had just been dealing with Grade 2, well, one the size of a BB came back a Grade 3, which puts us in a whole other playing field. Chemo is not very effective towards this cancer, so we have decided not to pursue that option.
To me, her quality of life is much more important at this stage than the quantity!
She still greets us at the door everyday when we come home - tail wagging and ready to play frisbee to the best of her ability. If she wants a whole piece of bread instead of a half piece, yes, i admit it, she gets it.
The vet said we have 6-9 months.
I know the time will come, but I will NEVER be ready.
  • Every time I have been sick, Belle would not leave the front yard, even if she did want to go on a walk so bad she couldn't stand it. She had a job a to do.
  • One of her nicknames is "Thumper" b/c when you come up to her and she is lying on her side she thumps her tail on the ground so loudly and has the biggest grin on her face that says "Rub my belly, Rub my belly"
  • Another nickname is "Boo Boo" b/c my brother used to call her that to make fun of her b/c she is such a chicken when it storms
  • She is my protector and my gentle giant. All she wants to do is know your not going to hurt me, then she licks you to death.

I soak up every minute I can with her right now b/c I know I will never have a dog just like her. It is heart wrenching to think that what seems like a little thing in your life will leave an impact the size of a crater on your heart.

So this post is dedicated to my quiet angel.


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

CHRISTmas


Merry Christmas!!!!!!
December seemed to fly by so fast! I'm sure everyone feels that way. However, I think a lot of companies have started to steer away from the large Christmas parties because there did not seem to be that many around that I heard of, so that was a relief - but I could be in the dark.
It is always fun to recieve all the great Christmas cards, and well you can't forget the Christmas newsletters from Aunts, Uncles or Cousins. Some are joyful and others, well.... humourous.
We had a good Christmas, Stephen's big items were an ipod and a bike rack. I got a new bike (yeah!!) and a docking station for my ipod. We put the docking station in the kitchen and I have throughly enjoyed listening to music, instead of the TV, while I cook. I don't feel as rushed. Here are a few pics.





On Christmas Eve we went to Paul & Carolyns house and had Christmas with Stephen's side of the family. Our neice is growing so fast and to think she has a little sister coming shortly is amazing.

A week after Christmas we went up to Fayetteville to spend time with my nephews - Parker (7) & Henry (4). JT & Belle love it up at the farm. JT especially likes to go bark at the cows. While me and my brother, TJ, rock out on Guitar Hero. (as of right now, that is the one game that I can beat Stephen at - but I am sure he will catch up to me quickly)
We had a lot to reflect on and remember how much Christ has blessed us this past year.
  1. Stephen being laid off and re-hired that then lead to a management postion.
  2. Mom's fight with ovarian cancer - involving two sugeries and 7 rounds of chemotherapy. She is now cancer free!!!!
  3. A good friend of mine was blessed with a beautiful baby girl.
  4. And last, but not least, just the ability to live everyday in freedom. We are blessed that people will knowingly pay that price for us everyday. I love our troops!

    Our prayer for you and your families is that you will have a blessed New Year and may Christ be beside you everyday.