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Earlier this month the girls and I went to Great Wolf Lodge with some friends for a mini-vacation.

Here are the highlights...

The girls and Miranda on the balcony

PJ storytime in the lobby

The Waterpark!

Magic Quest-Kids with wands EVERYWHERE.

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We finally found a use for the 8 billion pacies we bought in the hopes that Kayleigh might take one.

It turns out they make great chew toys.

Place baby at her desk with lots of pacies on her tray.  Sit back and watch

What on earth are these?

Clearly the round pink one was her favorite.  If you suck and pull it at the same time, it makes a great and highly amusing popping sound. LOL

The purple one was spit out in .25 seconds.  5 times in a row. LOL

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Our first trip to Ocean Breeze and Kayleigh's first "swim".

A Smith baby tradition...the first dunking.

It might seem cruel but she has to complete this task or she gets kicked out of the family.   We don't make the rules. 

Clearly she loved it!

She cries a lot anyway, so we figure at least she had a reason this time.  She might have liked it more had the water been warmer.  Kenzie loved her first dunking at the same age.  But she had warm water.

Lounging in the lazy river with Ava

Worn out from her trama

Refreshed after a nap

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family photos.  And Kayleigh's 3 month pictures.

From our lastest photo endevor.  The ones of just Kenzie are missing though. I'll have to call and get them to fix that.

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Hello my friends in blogland!  I hope that life finds you all well.

We're doing great here.  We've been enjoying having our whole family together.

Mackenzie has been busy getting school finished for the year.  The many interruptions we've had this year have caused 1st grade to last a tad longer then normal.  Good thing we started early. LOL

We've finished science, math, and most of LA.  We're just plugging away with history, her favorite, grammar, and keeping math fresh in her brain.

She's still a great helper with Kayleigh, although she won't go near a diaper.  She runs and hides if she thinks there's a surprise in it.

Kayleigh is just growing and discovering new things everyday.  She turned 3 months on Mother's Day :sniff, sniff:.  She's getting really fun and interacting with the world more.  She's discovered how to make the music and lights on her baby gym go off, how to clasp her hands together, and that if she kicks her feet in the tub it makes a cool noise.

Daddy is back to work, of course.  But he's happy to be home with his girls and we are sure glad he's back.  We'll enjoy it while it lasts.  Lots of training coming up for the next deployment.

Here's a look at some of the things we've been up too.

Aww, snap! My foot is stuck!

Breaking Daddy's heart by not taking bottles well. (And destroying mommy's chance of having a little freedom anytime soon. LOL)

Officially 2 months old

Making Jiffy pop with Daddy for the first time

Playing is hard work.  Drools like Daddy and sissy.

First time sleeping in her crib in her room. Doesn't happen often. LOL

My beautiful girls on Mother's Day

Officially 3 months old (also on Mother's Day)

A very rare happening, a paci in the mouth and she's not screaming

Always a great big sister, Mackenzie is grooming Kayleigh to be a Sonlighter.

Pretty girl with bedhead

Watching Baby Einstein for the first time

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Daddy's home!!!!!  Yay God!!!!

Meeting Kayleigh for the first time...

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Kayleigh does not enjoy going and getting professional portraits done.  God bless the Picture People for being able to get decent shots of my uncooperative, screaming baby.

7 year old Mackenzie, always ready for a photo shoot

It took a long time to get Kayleigh asleep, which was pretty much the only way she would cooperate

I was too lazy to cut them before I scanned them in.  Daddy was in a hurry to see them.

Mackenzie was thrilled to be able to hold Kayleigh like this.  She'd been dying and Mommy wouldn't let her.  She learned why.  By the end of this pose they were both crying. LOL I wish we could've gotten a shot of that.

Precious baby feet

Kayleigh did like the bunny

Here's how they really sucker you.  How could I resist that?

A week later I forced Kayleigh to the Picture People again.  My mom, sister and nephew were in town and we wanted to get some pictures of all the grandkids together.  Again, Kenzie was the only one who really cooperated.  No surprise there. LOL

If you look carefully you can see that Kayleigh is learning to use her hands. ROFL

Hmm, this scan came out badly.  Oh well, I don't have time to redo it.

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Well we're still hanging in there.  A month in and both kids are still alive.  My house isn't it's cleanest but I manage to have clean clothes, clean dishes, and food.  At least most of the time. 

We've even begun to slowly start up school.  Just math and LA but it's a start.  We've actually started yet another new LA program.  The new SL LA still doesn't thrill.  It's better then the old but still not a good match for us.

Now we're using First Language Lessons. So far so good.  It's mostly oral, which thrills Mackenzie to pieces and each lesson takes under 10 minutes.  In the last 3 days we've done 9 lessons.  Mackenzie doesn't want to stop doing it.  Always a good sign.  So along with that we'll continue using A Reason For Handwriting and A Reason for Spelling.

Math is going well. Only 2 more lessons in Alpha.  Then we'll finish up the year with Singapore Primary 1.  It covers some things that she'll be tested on that aren't covered yet in MUS.  We'll begin MUS level Beta in the fall.

We'll probably start back with the core work the week of the 24th. Next week we have family coming in so that will make schooling hard.  We just can't catch a break here.

Kayleigh's having her own version of school.  Bottle feeding 101.  We're working on training her to take a bottle so daddy can participate in her feedings too.

She didn't take to it as easily as Mackenzie. But then again we had daddy here then to do the training himself. Mackenzie and I tried but it was difficult to do with me around.  So we shipped her off to various friends to do the bottle training. 

Kayleigh had her "final exam" yesterday and we passed her.  But only with a "B" cuz she likes to "play with her food."

Kayleigh is a month old already.  Time goes by so quickly with little ones.

She's a bit more fussy then Kenzie was but still pretty good.  She pretty much hates the car.  Screams about 75% of the time in the car/carseat.  If that doesn't end I will not EVER be traveling with her to visit family.  Sorry, but my sanity is important. They can come here.

Here are some pictures to enjoy...

Mackenzie put together Kayleigh's play gym all by herself.  And it was a bit of work.

Stinky feet

Testing sissy's work on the play gym

Kayleigh's first bottle.  Mackenzie was THRILLED! Kayleigh not so much. LOL

Officially 1 month old. Sniff, sniff

Her "final exam" on bottle feeding

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I was a little disappointed that it was starting early because my doctor was on call on the 14^th and we’d worked it so I’d come in early that morning and she’d strip my membranes and do whatever it took to get Kayleigh out by dinner that day. 

I was really excited at the thought of Dr. Adriano delivering Kayleigh.  She is by far the best doctor I’ve ever had.  I actually met her in Guam.  She was referred to Kevin and I by his command doctor when we were thinking about doing a fertility work ups in our 6 year quest to get pregnant.  Kevin’s command doctor had to pull quite a few strings to get us in with her but it was worth it.  She’s just one of those doctor’s who make you feel like you’re they’re only patient.  Plus she’s a Christian.  Always a nice bonus.

It was a nice surprise to run into her when I was at the hospital getting lab work done.  And while it was no easier to get an appointment with her here, I did what I had to and she oversaw my entire pregnancy.

However, as much as I liked Dr. Adriano, I was not holding that baby in.  =o)  The contractions were becoming more uncomfortable and closer together and I was having a lot of bloody show. 

I knew that today was going to be the day when Mackenzie’s chatter started getting on my nerves, so I called my friend Teresa (1) to come and get her and then my “coach” Teresa (2) to come get me.  I quickly dashed off an email to my husband, Kevin, to let him know that I was going to the hospital.  And then I did a lot of praying that he would get it ASAP and start calling.  (Thankfully you are allowed cell phones.)

Thankfully he did get the email and called a lot, skipping on sleep to keep checking in on me.  He was asleep when I delievered (I told him it would be a while and to get some sleep) but he called again about an hour after she was born.

We left for the hospital when the contractions were about 7 minutes apart and about 45-60 seconds long.  A tad early but the hospital isn’t that close by and it’s a drive that ALWAYS has a lot of traffic thanks to a drawbridge and a tunnel that are almost always backed up.  I did not want to wait too long and have a baby in the car or something. Plus I was already 3 cm as of last Friday so I figured I’d be good to be admitted.

We got there and had to wait to be seen. (Of course)  So I paged Dr. Adriano to let her know that I was here today (the clinic I went to was right down the hall from labor and delivery).  She said she was almost done with her clinic stint and would drop in to check on me.  So I sat in misery and waited.  (I’m terribly wimpy, I’ll admit that up front. LOL)

Finally I got called in the back and they hooked me up to the monitor.  Naturally that’s when the contractions started becoming more irregular.  Grrr… They said I was 3-4 cm dialated now but didn’t want admit me until I’d made more progress.  So Dr. Watson, foolish girl, said the words guaranteed to make me hold a grudge against her for a long time.  “You can go home and come back when they’re more regular.”  She must of seen the death stare I gave her and then added “or you could walk around for a couple hours and come back for a recheck.”  (I know, I know, she was only doing her job.  But I didn’t really care because, like I said, I’m wimpy.)

I opted to walk.  Cept I couldn’t go more then 5-6 steps with out a huge amount of pressure, like something was going to fall out.  If Dr. Adriano had been there she’d have stripped my membranes and admitted me already. 

So we wandered around for a couple of hours.  Well mostly I sat.  When it was time for the recheck, we went back up and I was praying so hard that there was some progress.  The nurse checked me and I was 5 cm and my bag of waters was bulging.  (Must have been what felt like was going to fall out.) Praise God!

Dr. Watson came back in and said that they were going to admit me. (I’m almost positive I rolled my eyes at her, seriously I can hold a grudge in these cases.  Had a similar incident the first time I went in with Kenzie.  Then a nurse told me “come back when you’re having ‘real’ contractions.”  7 years later and I still don’t like her.)

And then Dr. Adriano came in (hooray) and told Watson that she was going to deliver this baby and “thank you very much.”  Ha!!!!!!  Vindicated…

Dr. Adriano checked me and said she was going to break my bag of water but that she’d have them give me my epidural first. 

It’s here that I should learn to give myself more credit because I always end up having to wait FOREVER for the epidural. I probably could go natural if I were mentally prepped for it.

With Mackenzie’s birth I didn’t get it until I was 6 cm because I was dehydrated and had to have 2 bags of fluid first.  (Dehydration resulted from the sleeping pills the aforementioned hated nurse sent me home with.  They made me vomit all night.)

This time  the hold up was a shift change.  It didn’t really surprise me that I had to wait, that’s my kind of luck.  I was 7 cm when I got it this time.  Let me tell you those contractions hurt.  I suffered in silence just like I did with Kenzie.  A fact which my friend, Teresa 2, couldn’t believe it.  She said she bellowed and wailed and made all kinds of noise.  I do not make a single peep when I have a contraction.  Too busy praying or maybe it’s just shock/terror. LOL   

Teresa found it so unbelievable she actually asked my doctor if that was normal.  She said normal but not very common. 

I finally got my beloved epidural and had a good hour of blessed relief.  Then Dr. Adriano checked me again and the epi had caused my contractions to slow a bit.  So she prescribed…pitocin.  A miracle drug she called it.  This is the one area where we disagree.  I call it satan’s drug.  =o)

Within 5 minutes of them administering that devil juice I was no longer pain free.  I couldn’t feel the contraction but I felt this horrendous pressure in my “nether regions.”   Wow did that hurt.  I wanted to push already.  It seemed like a waste of a perfectly good epidural. LOL  It did get the job done though.

(Effects of the devil juice)

Finally Dr. Adriano said I was fully dialated and the baby was +whatever and I could push.  I still can’t decide whether I was happy about that declaration or terrified.  I always doubt whether I’ll actually be able to push the baby out, with me being wimpy and all.  Especially since I was feeling a lot more then I did with Mackenzie.  (Honestly, I barely felt anything when I pushed her out.  Just some pressure but not terrible like this.  I didn’t feel the burning as she crowned or anything. )

She and the nurse went to break down the bed and ran into some trouble.  Something about new beds, hard to break down, blah, blah, blah.  The nurse said everyone was having trouble with them.  So Dr. Adriano calmly said that they’d not worry about breaking the bed down and that they’d just deliver right on the bed.

So they got what they needed done and I got to start pushing.  Everything went well and I managed to bring Kayleigh into the world after only 20 minutes of pushing.  I was amazed because I could feel everything.  I’m surprised that I didn’t cry or yell cuz it hurt. LOL   But I stuck to my quiet plan. I think I’m generally too terrified to yell. =o)

Kayleigh Elisabeth arrived into the world at 7pm on the evening of February 11, 2008.  She was 8 pounds and 20” long and just as beautiful as can be. All her parts were there, her skin was pink, healthy lungs, lots of hair.  She looks just like her big sister did. She nurses like a champ.

Daddy called about an hour after she was born and was happy to learn that his second daughter had arrived.  That was definitely the most difficult part of the labor/birth.  You could just hear how sad he was that he wasn’t there.  He got to “talk to her” over the phone and she stopped crying when she heard his voice.  That made him feel good.  She still does that when he calls or we watch our daddy video.

(Talking to Daddy)

Big sister is thrilled by Kayleigh, most of the time.  Mackenzie enjoys holding her and picking out her clothes. LOL

We’re hanging in there, God has placed a lot of wonderful people in our lives who have been a great help to us.  In the meantime, we just take it one day at a time as we wait for Daddy to come home and meet his newest princess.

(Coach Teresa, who shares a birthday with Kayleigh)

Teresa who took great care of Mackenzie)

(Dr. Adriano, the best doctor ever)

(Nurse Mary)

Pretty Baby

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or just stubborn.

Before my husband left we went to one of those 3d ultrasound places and got an ultrasound package.  One that he was able to join us for so he could see the baby before he left and another between 27-36 weeks.

We've been in the process of doing the second one but little Kayleigh does not like to cooperate.  I've had 3 ultrasounds in the last week so the techs could get the full face shot.

It's not happening people.  Apparently Kayleigh has a foot fetish so she insists on grabbing onto her feet and keeping them in front of her face. 

I've officially given up.  Since my last pregnancy, I've apparently developed an allergy to the gel used.  All the different kinds of gel available.  (I'm gifted like that. LOL) I'm done itching.  The next u/s will be done in the doctor's office when they need to determine whether her head is down or not.

I feel a tad bad about giving up, because Kevin really would've liked a full face shot, but Kayleigh and I are over it. LOL

The techs managed to a few profiles.  In one, you can see a bit of a grin that clearly indicates that she is mocking us.  I don't think she's camera shy at all. Devious? Yes.  Camera shy, nope. LOL

See what I mean...

Notice the grasping of the feet...

I'm bored and over you fools...

Trying to fool us by looking harmless...

What I'm looking like these days...

At least big sister is nice and cooperative

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My belly at 23 weeks

My belly at 26 weeks

I'm almost 28 weeks now.  Things are going good. I've gained 5 lbs over my prepregnancy weight.  I had to take the gestational diabetes test twice (ick).  But apparently the 3 hour one came out clear because I haven't heard from my doctor.

For the first time in my life, my feet swelled.  I was horrified! LOL  Must have been from spending too much time on my feet preparing for Turkey Day.

Now on to Thanksgiving.

MIL and FIL came in from Michigan and that was nice.  They cooked all the hard stuff, like the turkey.  My sil and  I were very happy about that.

Grandma put the grandkids to work making stuffing.

Grandpa carving the turkey

Crazy girls. Note Mackenzie's hair.  She wanted me to blow it straight.  Her hair apparently doesn't cooperate that way. LOL We kind of thought she looked like Hermione from Harry Potter.

Kids table. Grandpa really is a big kid.

The clean-up crew.  Boy were they really missing Kevin.  Me too.  He could've have done it quicker and better by himself.  I really believe I got the best brother.  =o)

Recovering from overeating

Grandma and Grandpa also helped us put up the tree since I couldn't really do it.

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My dear friend's Linda's little boy, Tristan, was diagnosed with leukemia 2 days ago. He is just 2 years old. Please keep him and his family (Linda, Justin, and big sis Alyssa) in your prayers!  You can read more about their story on her blog.  Just click on her name.

I know that God has a miracle for them!!!!

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as requested by sweet Danielle.

Around 14 weeks...

Around 18 weeks

Around 20 weeks

All photography credits go to Mackenzie.   

I've been taking more pictures of the belly this time around because they are pretty much Kevin's only involvement with the pregnancy but it makes me wish I'd taken more when I was pregnant with Mackenzie.

I think I look bigger this time around.  I'd show you comparison shots but we didn't have a digital camera for most of my pregnancy and my scanner's broken so I can't scan any in.

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sister, Kayleigh Elisabeth. 

We had our 3D ultrasound today and that was pretty cool.  I don't know who was more excited, Kevin or Kenzie.  Kayleigh still looks a bit like an alien but I'm going back in 10 weeks so I can get another dvd and more pictures to send to Kevin. She should look more like a baby and less like an alien. 

This also counts as Mackenzie's science for the day so we killed 2 birds with one stone.

So here's Kayleigh at 16 weeks.

She likes to sleep with her arms behind her head, just like her big sister.

This one's kind of creepy but the little foot is so cute! Mackenzie thinks she looks like a skeleton.

Further confirmation, much to Kevin's slight disappointment, that she is indeed a girl.

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I had my first "appointment" at the hospital yesterday.  It proved to be very interesting despite the fact I was there for FIVE hours.

First we watched a slide show about the hospital that could have easily been done online. Then several nurses were supposed to take each "patient" to discuss their history etc. Then have bloodwork done. And make an appointment with a doctor. You watch the video while you wait your turn.

Unfortunately only one nurse was doing it so it took forever. The history consisted of her asking the same questions that were on the 20 forms we just filled out.

They got so backed up that at 11:30 "someone" came in and told those of us still waiting to see the nurse to go have our bloodwork done then eat lunch and to come back at 1 pm. Did I mention that I got there at 9 am? Sigh...

The lecture/video was useless, as I predicted. But the lady running knew we were disgruntled =o) and suggested that we talk to the commander.  And she told Commander Forrest that we were irritated and she came to us. "I was told somebody wanted to speak with me." That would be me. LOL

She was nice. A tad horrified that I was 16 weeks and "old" and still hadn't had any care. Apparently "someone" is supposed to call and get the basic info, like how many weeks and age, and then push through people like me. Clearly that didn't happen. Told her about all the rude people Kevin dealt with and she was upset he didn't get any of their names so she could bust them.  (I would've gotten the names because I'm mean like that. LOL But I also like to get names of people who are very helpful too.)

She gave us her direct line and was going to see about getting us an ultrasound and the earliest appointment available. And she gave me permission to throw around her name when I asked. =o) (Kevin was horrified that I asked, btw. LOL) She also said she was glad we stood up for ourselves.

She came back a few minutes later and asked if we would like an ultrasound right then. So of course we said yes. It was just a quickie to see how many were in there and check the heartbeat. She said no pictures or long analysis. But the tech did give us a picture. And, THANK GOD, there is only one baby. It pays to be the squeaky wheel.

But that's not the best part. On our way back to the classroom from the ultrasound, I saw the back of a doctor's head. I said, "Kevin that's dr. Adriano." (My beloved ob from guam. She is the best doctor EVER.) He said no way. We got closer and she looked at me and I looked at her and she said "Stefanie?" Hooray! I just about broke into a happy dance. I will hold my legs shut to make sure she delivers my baby.

Even with Commander Forrest pulling strings, I couldn't get my next appointment until the 20th and at another clinic. But I should be able to get the rest at the hospital and, hopefully, see Dr. Adriano for as many as I can wrangle.

Oh and BTW, 70% chance it's a girl. We're still doing the 3d u/s on Saturday so we can take Kenzie and double check. Plus I still have to have my "official" u/s through the navy. Which will probably take forever so I'll get more confirmation.

I was happy that the commander was unhappy with how the program was running and that she was so helpful but I still think requiring that "class" before being allowed to see a doctor is irresponsible.  So I'll still be writting congress.  I think the bulk of that could have been done online.

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Here comes a vent of major proportions... =o)

Seriously, if you ever hear another living soul make a comment about how the military is not underpaid because they have these great benefits, do me a favor. Kick them as hard as you can in both shins. =o) They are truely ignorant and know not of which they speak. (You'll probably guess that I get a lot of comments like that from people. LOL And you can probably guess what I think of the "benefits.")

Let me tell you about these "great benefits." Besides the fact that it took over 3 months to switch from Tricare in Guam to here...

Yes, that's true.  A relatively simple thing dragged out for months.  Seriously how many times can they lose the paperwork.  At least 3. 

I finally saw a doctor this past Monday. I am currently 13 weeks pregnant.  Dh was excited because this will most likely be the only "contact" with the baby he'll have until "Elmer" (in-utero name only LOL) is 4/5 months old.  Kevin is getting ready to deploy to the sandbox in a few weeks.  He was looking forward to at least getting to hear the heartbeat.

Other then wasting our gas, the appointment was useless.  They gave me a pregnancy test.  That's all.  I'm not even making that up.  They don't even have a doppler in the clinic.  I also got a referral to see the OB.

So I called to make the appointment today. Praying that I'd be able to get one before Kevin leaves.  He was really disappointed about not getting to hear the heartbeat.  The baby being born while he's gone and missing the "good parts" of the pregnancy really has him upset.

They are refusing to give me an appointment until September 19.  No you didn't read that wrong.  I'll be 18 week pg by then.  Not to mention that my age alone puts me into the high risk cagtegory.  How about the fact that I can't keep much down (although my weight keeps going down), I'm high risk for twins, I've had a previous miscarriage.  It's quite a nice list.

And if that's not enough to tick you off,  I don't even get to see a doctor, I have to see a nurse. Regulations you know. So it would probably be another month before I even saw a doctor.

And if you think I'm livid (and I am way beyond livid) you should see Kevin. He is ready to take down the entire military.

He's been the one on the phone arguing with people all day.  He's not really making any progress.

He called the clinic where my next appointment is and told them about my high risk factors.  Didn't care.

The most he was able to accomplish was to get the (idiot) doc I saw Monday to put in a new referral, one that actually lists all the high risk factors.  The original didn't include any of that. Opps! Her bad.  We had her submit it to another clinic, hoping that will get us in sooner.

I really hope that Kevin gets a chance to experience a little of the baby before he leaves.  I think that's what I feel most awful about.

Thanks for sharing my rage.

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Meeting my wonderful friend Dini hasn't been the only thing that's taken me years to accomplish. This latest one took 6.

...... wait for it

....seriously worth it,

.....okay here it comes

Nope I'm not making that up.  That's a pregnancy test.  I took it on Father's Day.  I was on cd 35 so I decided it was time.

I know I've been holding out on you for a couple of weeks but I figured I'd tell Daddy first.  He was away.  But he's home now so I can spill.

Mackenzie was the first person to know.

"Mommy has some exciting news to tell you.  You're going to be a big sister!"

"Huh? What did she say?"

"Wait a minute. I think those words are pushing through the early morning fog..."

"It's going to be a sister,right?"

So we decided to hold off on telling Daddy because we wanted to see the look on his face.  And therefore we decided to hold off on telling pretty much everyone, with a few exceptions.  My prayer warriors, who've been doing a lot of praying on my behalf, I had to let them check that off their list.   My mom and our good friend here because Mackenzie was going to BURST if she didn't get to tell somebody,  and 2 people who needed to know because I was this close to getting sick on them. 

So our plan to tell Kevin was for Mackenzie to make a t-shirt that said "Big Sister in-training" and she would wear it to the airport.  Which we did.  It came out cute.

And she did wear it last night, when we picked him up.  However things did not proceed exactly as planned.

I had a suspicion that Daddy might be on to us.  A couple of times on the phone he said some "questionable things".  Things about runny eggs, greasy burgers (I'm totally getting sick typing this, be right back....) and other things that seemed to be baiting me to get sick.   But I remained strong and held it all in.  But I began to think that maybe he had read an email or something.  Our next several phone conversations went pretty much the same way.  But my resolve remained firm and I said nothing.  In fact, I begain baiting him to tell me what was up with him. LOL

At anyrate, my suspicions were correct, and he had found out. LOL  Which is just as well because while I had remembered to bring the camera  to the airport to catch the shocked face (just in case), I had forgotten to put the memory card back in when I uploaded yesterdays pictures.  I blame being pregnant.  LOL 

He was a good daddy and pretended to be surprised for her. What he really is is in shock. LOL

As for how I'm doing, I'm at 7 weeks, sick as a dog, and I've lost 3 pounds.  Woo-hoo!  I lost 11 with Mackenzie.  I'm hoping God will take pity on me this time and end the madness after the first trimester.  I got to enjoy it for the entire pregnancy with Mackenzie. 

Now I'd like to close and talk about God's "perfect timing".  I'm having trouble comprehending that in this case.  (It's okay for me to type that as God already knows. I told him. LOL)

The baby is due in the end of February. (My mil is going to flip. LOL She already has a billion birthdays to deal with in February and she gripes every year.)

Why do I have doubts about the timing...

1) Mackenzie's birthday is in the beginning of the month.  I'd have felt horrible had her birthday been interrupted due to an early birth.  But I'm going to have her party in January so I won't have to worry about that.

2) I'm due to move when the baby is due.  Like that week.  Even that shouldn't seem like a big deal except for reason #3.

3) Daddy won't be here.  He'll be enjoying life in the sandbox. 

So not only will he miss the entire pregnancy and birth.  

Let's recap:  I have to find a new place to live, oversee a move and give birth all by my lonesome. 

4) We live off the beaten path. Way off.  Going into labor at the wrong time could be a big problem out there in the middle of nowhere with my 6 yo dd.  And the hospital I have to go to is not really close to the beaten path.

Now, I'm not really worried about these things (although I am very concerned about #3) as I'm sure God will work out the details.  But the (very large) cycnical part of me asks "What were you thinking?"  LOL

I think God has a very good sense of humor.  

Posted in Family

Around here, Mackenzie's birthdays are bitter-sweet.  Mackenzie is THRILLED by them, naturally.  Like all little children, she delights in growing up.

I, on the other hand, dread her birthday.   She just grows up way too fast.  It seems like she was just born, yet I can't really remember what she was like when she was little.  How's that for irony? LOL

I'm still hoping that God will reconsider my "only-child growth plan".   In this plan, only children will take would take twice as long to grow up.  With this plan, my daughter would only be 3.   LOL  It seems only fair that, if we only get one shot at child-rearing, we should get a little longer to enjoy each stage.  (Although there may be some flaws to this philosophy when we hit the teenage years. LOL) Just a thought...

This years party was not up to our usual standards.  With all of our belongings on a boat to Virginia, we had to go a different route.  We weren't able to have a nice home party this year so we had it at the bowling alley.  Can you say OVERPRICED?  Every single aspect of this party was overpriced.

The store bought cake was $45 for half a sheet.  The bowling alley doesn't cut any deals on food (pizza) for parties.  And you can't bring any outside food other then cake.  I don't even want to talk about how much party supplies (just some plates and goody bag stuff) cost.  Ouch!

The kidlets seemed to have fun though.  They lost interest in bowling after about 30 minutes and spent the bulk of the time running around like little monkeys.  Oh to have that much energy...

At any rate, my baby is...gulp...officially 6.

My how time does fly!

Happy Birthday to my sweet 6 year old blessing!!!  Now would you stop growing already???!!!!!  Mommy and Daddy would appreciate it.  =o)

Posted in Family

My dear friend, Karen, passed away yesterday.

She was an amazing woman.  When I think of Karen, I think of the song that is currently playing here on my blog.  It describes her perfectly.  She has struggled through so much in her time here on earth, yet she remained faithful to our Savior through it all.

She beat breast cancer, not once, but 3 times.  She struggled to conceive for many years and was rewarded for her faithfulness with a beautiful little boy, Robby. Between her bouts with cancer, she conceived another child, Hannah, who died in her arms after 20 minutes on earth.  She found out she had cancer for the fourth time, and it was everywhere this time, and dealt with it as gracefully as she dealt with everything.  With concern for everyone else.  And through all this, she remained steadfast in her love for our Heavenly Father. 

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name


Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say
You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say

Blessed it be your of the Lord
Blessed it be your name
Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your glorious name

Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your name
Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your glorious name

Robert, her husband, asked everyone to think of their favorite times with Karen.  Here's one of my favorites...

Karen was the first friend that I made in Virginia Beach.  We met working at a kindercare while waiting to get  real teaching jobs.  (BTW, neither of us would ever recommend sending your child to a kindercare.  The list of reasons is long, extensive and frightening.)

Soon came my first hurricane season.  We had a big one coming in.  Kevin and Robert, of course, were called to duty and we were alone.  So we decided to ride through it together.  Do you know what the first thing she wanted to do was?  Go down to the boardwalk and check out the waves. LOL  So we did.  I remember standing there with her watching the waves and laughing at the idiot surfers who were actually out in the water trying to surf.  We did love to people watch together.

I'd like to thank the Father for giving me the priviledge of knowing her.  For indulging His children here and extending her life on earth, not once, but three times.  For the wonderful example that she is.

She was such a wonderful friend.  I'll probably never meet another person with a heart quite like hers.  I miss you so much Karen and I can't wait to see you again in paradise!