Well, since I hit my 31st week of pregnancy I have become anxious about going into preterm labor, but God has been so gracious in reminding me that I have so much else to focus on. Basically, all the blessings he has given me. So, I am writing them down, so I can look back and be reminded.
Things I am thankful for...
-My husband who has been working so hard at his internship (he is really enjoying it) :) -How helpful Aaron is when I cant do normal things I use to be able to do before I got this belly. :) -Before Andrew goes to bed he tells us, good night, sweet dreams, love you. -Andrew is healthy and talking up a storm -Andrew is in daycare only 2 days a week and Aaron stays home with him the other 3 during the school year -God is continuing to bless us with community and growing friendships -my pregnancy has gone well so far -we are having a GIRL! :) -friends have blessed us with clothes, bouncer, ect. for our little Leah! (Thank you Reci, Sami, Jackie, and Nikki) :) -I have a job that I love and a partner that is amazing -my maternity subs have been worked out -I have an OBGYN that takes great care of me and I have so much confidence in -We have 2 sets of grandparents that love Andrew and soon to be Leah soooo much! -God has provided for us financially when big deductibles came up (Drew's tubes, pregnancy, my car) -We have crate trained dogs that are easy, Lola and Leeroy -God is continuing to teach me how to rely on him, even when situations are out of my control. It is not easy at times, but I know my family and friends have seen progress which so encouraging.
Andrew is absolutely the light of our lives! He makes us smile and laugh everyday. Aaron and I swap stories all day long of the new and funny things he does.
Story 1: We were driving in the car and I was saying, Leah and sister, just to get him use to the names. I asked him to say sister and he said, "cock a doodle doo" He thought I was saying rooster. So funny!
Story 2: We were walking through target and I sneezed and Drew said, God bless you mommy. Aaron and I looked at each other and just couldn't stop kissing him because he has such a sweet heart.
Everyday is a challenge teaching a toddler (can I get an amen from my friends who have kids) because you want to make sure what you are doing as a consequence, they understand. So our biggest trial at the moment is hitting. When he doesnt get his was, watch out, he will hit you. So, we tried spanking, but I have decided spanking for hitting just doesn't make sense. Why would I tell him no and then do the same thing back? Time out is what we are doing now and he does not like it. He is getting better, but I know it will take consistency and time. He always apologizes with, a sweet rub where he hit you, a hug, and saying, "sorry mama or sorry dada" I am glad he feels remorse, this does make me feel like he is "getting it" to a certain extent.
Aaron and I are really trying to soak up this sweet time before our family transitions to having Leah and going back to work and school. We know it will be challenging, but also realize there is light at the end of the tunnel and God won't give us anything we can't handle. But, if you don't hear from us after Leah is born, don't worry, we are just CRAZY busy. :)
As for my pregnancy... I havent talked much about it, not sure why, but I feel God has really been close through the whole thing. With Drew, I really felt like he was MY baby and I wasn't going to let anything happen to him. Well, of course, God had a different plan. He was born 5 weeks early and had an 11 day stay in the Nicu. This was NOT suppose to happen! God really taught me to lean on him, trust, and BELIEVE that he has a perfect plan for our family. He changed me through having Drew, not just because I became a mommy, but because he taught me, that in any situation, I CAN trust Him! (this did not come quickly, but through a long process and I'm not done working on it and probably will never be) With this pregnancy, God has been constantly reminding me that I am not in control and that HE will knit Leah together as He sees fit. From first finding out I was pregnant, I leaned on him because of what He taught me with Drew. Don't get me wrong, I do have moments when I wonder if I will make it full term, but after I think about it, I realize, I can't do anything to stop it, so why worry? Leah has been growing and doing well and so have I! Thank you Lord! Prayers certainly don't hurt, so please pray that I do make it full term and Leah is healthy. Thanks! Here is a picture to prove how we have been growing, not my momma, Leah and I. My mom always looks fabulous! :) We were in California celebrating my cousin Diana's wedding. What a beautiful day!
Summer fun... cheesing with mommy, mowing with daddy and blowing bubbles!
Here are a couple of videos... one is of Daddy and Andrew "jumping" and the other of Drew riding his four-wheeler all by himself- Thanks Great Pawpaw!
Today was the day I thought, why not? So Andrew has had a big day of firsts. Well, maybe Drew doesn't really know, but mommy and daddy do!
Andrew ate brownie batter for the first time and of course, LOVED IT! I sat him on the counter and he "helped" mix the brownies and then I dipped the spoon in and gave it to him to eat. After he tasted it, he tried to dip the spoon back in. I didn't let him because he had plenty on the spoon he had not licked yet. So here are a few pics of him having his first brownie batter. :) He says, "Mmmm".
The biggest first today is definitely sleeping in his new "big" boy bed. This makes me have many emotions all at once. I am excited, nervous, sad, and happy. I am excited for him because he is becoming more independent. I am nervous because I want him to feel comfortable and adjust well to the change. I am sad because moving him to a big boy bed makes me feel like he is growing up way to fast. I am happy because the adjustment will enable us to begin Leah's room. (not that in anyway, she takes his place.)
So... this is what happened. I laid down with him and he rolled over and didn't move as I left the room, so I thought. I went into the kitchen because I was finishing up some cupcakes. Aaron came to the kitchen and said Drew was playing with the door knob. Then, Aaron went in and laid down with him. He didn't hear and peep after that. So, I went in (tried to walk in) and check on him, but there was something keeping me from opening the door. Yes, you guessed it, Andrew. He had brought his bear and night night (blanket) with him to the door and feel asleep in front of it. I had to roll him over to get the door wide enough for me and my belly to squeeze through. I picked him up and placed him back in the bed. Needless to say, we set up the video monitor for our piece of mind a few minutes later. :)
Here are a few pics of what happened...
This is where I first found him asleep :(
After I placed him in the bed.
Now, what I will be checking to see all night...the life of a mom and I would not trade any of it.
Wow, it has been too long! Can you tell I have been pregnant, finished the school year, and are cleaning and switch rooms around in our house? Our sweet boy is growing up which is great, but I know it will go even faster when our sweet Leah Kathryn arrives. So...I am trying to cherish all the sweet hugs, kisses, and time together this summer. I am loving staying at home with Andrew! :)
Drew is talking up a storm and learning more every day. He is becoming so independent, which I love, but he also has his way of doing things. He is such a sweet boy and is learning to share and be kind to friends. :) He is doing so much better using a fork and spoon too. Everyday, he learns and repeats words. This makes me so happy.
Drew is going to be moving! We finished his "big" boy room and about to try him sleeping in there soon. Leah will take his nursery. Pictures to come. :) Drew's room is done in sports and Leah's is purple and green with a few flowers and butterflies. :)
Our big helper...who loves to feed the dogs and help Daddy. :)
Ready for church and go play with his friends...especially Shiloh.
Reading is his favorite thing to do. He will come up to Aaron or I, plop in our lap with a book and say, "read". He must have the book read 2 times before he goes anywhere. :)
Just hanging out with momma.
Wearing his new hat from Boston. He is the cutest kid I ever saw. :)
This is Andrew and Charlie splashing in the water table. So fun!
Andrew really wants to see Papa and knows he comes through the front door. I recorded his pleading to see him. :) And yes, we took him to see Papa right after. :)
Trying on momma's sunglasses. :)
We will be dedicating Andrew this Sunday and are so excited to share this special time with our family and friends. I will post soon after that to show pictures of our handsome boy. :)
Our little man is getting sooo big! He is so much fun, but becoming quite challenging when it comes to discipline. I wish I could find the answer, but I know if we are consistent, it will pay off, even though it is tough at times. Aaron is such a fantastic daddy to Drew! They have the best time together and Andrew just adores him. :) Nothing better than seeing your husband and baby have such a strong bond.
Andrew is blazing the trails when it comes to language, he will repeat just about anything. He has learned new color words... blue, red, green, and yellow (my favorite b/c he says it lellow with his tongue hanging out) He has also learned eat, Cha Cha (Charlie), Lola, Gaga, outside, Oscar (the grouch), help, truck, swing, Mickey, Goofy, and tiger. I am sure there is more, but just cant remember them off the top of my head. He really is a sweet boy, but can get VERY offended (and hits) when someone takes something he wants or is playing with. (He are working on this too) :)
In the 17th month we went to the zoo with my parents and Drew had a great time! His favorite animal to see was a duck. Too cute! :) Drew also had an adventure of his own staying with my mom and dad for two nights. He did not want to leave. We got to go to Fredricksburg for 2 days which was fantastic!
THE ZOO! LOL :) Haha!!!
Month 18 has become crazy! Aaron is studying for finals and I am counting down the days until I get to spend every day with Andrew. Also, Aaron got an internship and we are so excited and thankful to God for this blessing! We also have another blessing coming our way... What? I have to share? Oh, I get it, I will have someone I can beat up on and steal pizza from... I'm in!
You guessed it, we are having another baby! I am 4 months and he/she (we think boy) is due October 2nd! It happened a little sooner than we thought, but are thrilled! Our lives will become even crazier, but we know more blessed! THANK YOU LORD! More pictures of of Drew! He loves being outside! Being silly! Having his first of many beaters. :) Fun with mom!
Drew is growing and talking and such a happy boy (for the most part :)! We are enjoying this stage of learning soooo much! It is just incredible to watch them learn something new every day! He just amazes me! The other day I showed him something purple and said, "purple" to him. Then, a few seconds later, he said it! :) He was so proud of himself. Some of the things Drew has been into lately is: bath time, hanging out with Pawpaw(whom he asks for often), dancing, playing my old recorder (hilarious and a video to come), going outside, petting and playing with the dogs, and reading. We are so blessed to have such a sweet little boy in our lives and give glory to God for how He knit him together.
Well, I am not looking forward to making up these snow days, but on the bright side we have hung out, gone sledding, and snuggled a lot! So fun! Here are pictures... ENJOY!
