snow snow snow :)

Yesterday we were closed at work, but it didn't matter to me since I was off anyway! B & I didn't do much, just watched it snow and played games around the house. Ryan didn't want me taking B out until he got home so we were going a little stir crazy! Ryan got home a little early & we took B out to hold his puppies! He was so excited! They are getting to be little butterballs! I held one too and awwww I didn't want to put it down! Brycen is still obsessive w/ the white one and wants to name it "dinko", I have NO idea what that is?!

B Holding a puppy!! Hope he is this gentle w/ Andon :)

After we were done holding the puppies we went out and played in the snow! Ryan had to help our neighbor get his truck unstuck out of his driveway. That was interesting! Brycen just loves the snow! He just runs and like face plants himself in it! He cracks me up!

B w/ his cat Roscoe

Playing in the snow

Our House :)

I am having quite a few contractions today and feel like poop soo.... pray for me!

i didn't mean i was READY!

Okay- so first let me clarify, I am READY to meet this baby, and to NOT be pregnant anymore. BUT I am aware that it is too early and of course I don't want him to come too early! Now, that that is clarified, let me ask you to please say a little prayer for me. Last night for four hours in a row I had 5 contractions per hour. They weren't regular in time and they didn't get any stronger, but when they didn't stop after a couple hours I started getting a little nervous! My poor hubby was about to have a cow- b/c of the weather and stuff... They finally did stop. I didn't feel good all day yesterday and I don't know why my body was being so weird, but we def. do not want this baby to come too early, no matter how "ready" I am! I want a healthy baby! So if you get a chance, please say a little prayer, that these will go away! Since then I've only had one- two in an hour at any given time. I slept great last night which is an answered prayer. I came in to work (late) despite the winter wonderland outside! B is excited to get to spend the day at Mamaw Reece's (my mom) since his daycare/preschool is closed down. My boss says though when the next round of freezing stuff starts up, he is sending us home! I won 20 bucks this morning though :). Yesterday we all had to guess how much snow/ice we'd have by 7am this morning. I guessed 3 inches and on my boss's front porch at 7am it was 2 and 15/16 inches! So I won! Yay! :) lol. It took me 20 min. to get to my mom's this morning, which is normally a 5 min. drive! Hope you all have a great day & safe trips if you are out and about!

I have been terrible about taking pictures- so I thought I'd post this one- it's from last night and it's not very good quality b/c I took it w/ my cell phone. Ryan and Brycen's lincoln log village :). B LOVESSSSS lincoln logs :)

my titles are always the same :)

I haven't written in awhile... Well, awhile for me anyway... So for the update...

Thursday I don't think there is anything worth mentioning... But Friday, now that was an exciting day! Our dog, Izzie, had puppies... EIGHT of them! At least she picked a nice day to have them. lol. She isn't very big, so eight puppies were a lot for her. Three of them didn't make it through the night, besides being nestled in the garage in straw, under a heat lamp! I think she just knew she couldn't handle all of them, nature is so cruel! Me, being the big baby I am, started bawling. You would think Brycen would of been more upset than I was, but no, he just "got it" somehow... He honestly amazes me, every day. Ryan thinks I'm a big baby, but it was so sad! I was ready to move the rest of them in the house- but I got out voted on that one! The other five are doing fine though and are ohhh so cute!

Brycen likes the white one. We had promised him he could keep one... but we said it has to be a boy (i'm not sure how many boys/girls there are yet), but he really has his heart set on the white one... It's probably my least favorite lol. I like the all black one, but B usually wins :).

Saturday we were just around the house, checking out the puppies and making sure they were okay. B & I took a nap & then we all got ready & went w/ my parents and Tom & Marsha Boyd, and some other family friends, the Doerner's to eat at The Essen Haus & then off to The Buggy Bowl! I think that might just be my last game until Andon decides to make his appearance. We were sitting near the top, and I thought I might die by the time I made it up there for like the 5th time! Okay, die might be an exaggeration, but 8 months pregnant, plus heels, plus lots of steps, just don't mix! I was so ready for bed by the time we got home!

Yesterday we went to Bethel to church for Mya's (our niece) baby dedication. It was sweet and I was so glad we got to go. We hadn't seen John & Sonya and the kids in over a month, b/c they had been to Fla. and then they were all sick with different stuff so it was definitely time! We had lunch & visited. We came home and B and I took a nap again! We got up and went to my parents to visit and eat pizza for supper. I was craving pizza, which in turn decided to keep me up all night with heartburn/indigestion. No more pizza for me until he comes out. I get indigestion bad enough right now with out pizza making it worse!

I was really looking forward to a weekend of being home and doing nothing- but we weren't really home at all! Maybe next weekend... ha! I am getting really anxious about Andon... like child birth and stuff... but I'm so ready... I think. lol.

This week looks like it isn't going to be too busy, which would be great... I'm kinda hoping for the winter storm, even though I despise winter... I'd love to get snowed in :) What a great excuse to not leave the house! haha!

Andon (32 wks and 1 day)

*Andon (he wasn't very cooperative in getting his picture taken!) :)


He stuck his tongue out at Brycen and B thought that was just hilarious! :)


**Andon**

My appt. went well yesterday! I'm not sure why I was nervous... My placenta is out of the way now, so that was a great thing to hear! And Andon looks as healthy as ever! He weighed in at 4lbs- which is exactly what Brycen weighed at 32 weeks as well! She said that Andon will probably be about the same size as B was at birth, which makes me happy that he's not going to be a 10lber! lol. I hadn't gained any weight this time, actually had lost a lb. so she thought a lot of that 6lbs last time was water weight. Seen my ankles lately? You would be believe it! lol, they are more like kankles! :) I think that's all and I'm not forgetting anything... I go back on Feb. 3rd for regular check up! The time is flying by!

Snow Day :)

Well, luckily I was off yesterday for the holiday anyway so Brycen got to play outside all day! Well, we came in and went out about 500 times I think, but momma got too cold :) lol... I'm a wimp and I'd rather be in warm weather, but Brycen has been looking forward to a snow all winter long! When he woke up I told him to look out the front windows and he said (in a very excited, loud, 4 yr old little boy voice), "WOW, I prayed for snow, THANK YOU JESUS!!!" lol, it was the sweetest thing and I tried so hard not to laugh! :) This boy just makes my day! He wanted to go out RIGHT THEN. He wasted no time in getting his "snow clothes" out. We couldn't find his toboggan so he had to wear mine (yah, it's kinda girlie, but so what!) and he INSISTED on wearing cowboy boots, nothing could convince him otherwise. He wanted nothing to do w/ snowboots... and who am I to argue w/ a "real cowboy!" lol.
Wishing I would hurry up and take the picture so he could play :)


Making a snow angel!


One of his favorite activities of the day was to go down his slide & land on his back in the snow!


Trying not to get hit by a snowball from Daddy!


He was so excited for Ryan to get home and play with him!! Snow ball fights! :)

~I go today for my check up and ultrasound... they are supposed to see how big he is getting... HUGE I think! lol. I'm kind of nervous today for some reason- so if you think, say a little prayer for me! I really wanted Ryan to go w/ me to my appt. but since he's been off so much lately for his surgery he thought he needed to go to work :(. I'm a little sad, but I understand. Brycen is going with me though :). He can't wait to see "my bubby Andon" on the big screen! I have been having quite a few contractions- nothing regular, but some are painful... I don't remember having any of this stuff w/ Brycen... Not a big deal really, just more annoying than anything!

I think that's all that's going on right now... after my busy day in Evansville today the rest of the week is looking pretty quiet, which I am glad for. Our weekends too are really open these days and I'm so thankful for that, it gives me the time to catch up from the week and just enjoy our last couple of months of being a family of 3!

~Weekend~

**Friday night Rich and Melissa and their boys came for snacks & to visit. It was good to have them over. We had been meaning to for quite awhile, it just never worked out! I'm so glad we finally got to have them. Isaac & B had a blast of course and had every single toy drug from upstairs down to B's room! Those boys crack me up! They were so excited to see each other! We tried to watch a movie we rented, but it acted up on us and we didn't get to! We did get a nice visit in though!

**Yesterday I did not feel good all day... I thought I was getting the flu, but I guess not... I think this baby is just giving me a good case of indgestion or something! Luckily my house was clean and Ryan and B were content to play farm for most of the day so momma got some rest in! By evening I was about stir crazy & was ready to get out of the house. I think I needed the fresh air! We got ready in about 5 minutes flat & headed to the BR v. Loogootee game. I don't think Ryan and I have ever missed one since we started dating... I didn't get to go to a lot of games w/ him b/c I was always cheering, but the BR/Loogootee game was always on an off Sat. for PC so I always got to go! **Aww, the memories** haha. Brycen loves going to games and we hadn't made it to any yet so it worked out good. We didn't know if we would get a seat since we waited so long to decide to go, but we did! Had to park so far away, and I didn't realize how out of shape I was until Ryan was almost to the gym (CARRYING BRYCEN) while I was still out in the parking lot :).

**Today we went to church & then to Ryan's parents for lunch. My mother in law was too sweet to me and made me rest on the couch all afternoon! I have to say- I didn't argue w/ her too awful much! We went home and B napped for about an hour and then it was time for us to head over here to my parents house. We ate supper and now we're all just visiting (okay the guys are watching football and I'm blogging!) :)

**I'm looking forward to tomorrow b/c I'm off work for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tuesday I have my dr's appt and u/s. I am anxiously awaiting it to see how big Mr. Andon is getting! I can't wait to see him again on the big screen :)

Just have to share...

~Ladies! I am just so excited and keep marveling over what an awesome God we are serving! When I first put up the prayer list for expecting mama's and their babies there were two (Jamie & Clarissa) that their babies needed some extra prayers! Soon afterwords Clarissa got her good news and their tests all came back negative for spinal bifidia. Jamie's little boy Calvin had some issues going on w/ his kidney, she went on Wednesday for another ultrasound and PTL his kidney is doing fine now! Who can tell me that they do not believe in the power of prayer? I just had to pass along the praises and say thanks to any and all of you that are praying!

Hope you all have an amazing weekend!

misc... :)

Yesterday, Ryan went to the dr. and he released him and said that everything is looking good... it still looks pretty painful to me though! lol. He is doing better each day, but I know he thought he'd be back to normal by now and that's just not the case. The dr. did tell him it could be 3-4 more weeks before he felt "normal". We are just thankful that the problem is taken care of and he is on his way to "normal" lol.

Also, I'm not even sure if this is something to blog about... but ya'll always have such kind words and good advice and I guess if someone doesn't want to read about it then they can just click the "x" at the top of the page and quit reading :).

So, I'm starting to freak out about nursing Andon... I didn't with Brycen b/c I was still in college and went back only a month after he was born. I always said I wanted to try it w/ the next one... but now I'm freaking. I can't decide. I'm nervous. I don't know how. I will be embarrassed? I just don't know! So any advice? Tips? I don't want to not try and regret it, but I don't want to have a new baby and add another reason to be stressed on top of the stress that already comes w/ having a newborn... so help me people! :)

Baby's Andon's Nursery

*What you see when you stand in the doorway of Andon's room (the bassinet isn't staying there, it will be going to our room).

*Andon's crib :)

*The bedding- it looks all wrinkly b/c B thinks he has to get IN to show everyone that comes over!

*The valance- all the things taped to the window are "presents" from B! (more on this later!).

*The chest of drawers that Ryan made. It's massive- and I love all the storage! There are holes drilled in it b/c the pulls (handles) haven't came in yet. And all that stuff doesn't go on top- I just haven't had the chance to decorate properly yet.

*The two different blues. The darker one is on one wall (w/ the crib) and the lighter one is on the other walls.

*The cute basket I got for diapers/wipes/cream etc. (what a deal at Hobby Lobby on sale for only $4.99!) and it matches perfectly!

*The only decorating I have done so far! :)

*The cabinet Ryan redid for more storage! I love it!

*The inside of the cabinet- we're ready for him :)

*Blue ribbon w/ white polka dots we got for the bassinet... I strung it through the eyelet (took me forever!). I was going to let B pick out the ribbon... until he picked out BLACK! :) I had to override that one!

*The bassinet- this was my grandma's when she was a baby, and then my dad's, and numerous cousins/family members, then mine, and then Brycen's (except B wouldn't sleep in it!), so we'll see how Andon likes it!

Almost every day I find something new taped to Andon's wall or window!

Brycen w/ the giraffe he taped to the window for Andon... he was singing in these pictures so they aren't the best.

A popsicle stick he made him. He says that it says, "I love you bubby".

The whale he made out of his pixos for Andon's room :)

He couldn't smile in these pictures b/c he was singing, "I love my brother". And no I didn't make him say that either! :)

31 weeks~I did not realize...

Well, we finally took some more belly pictures last night... and wow... I didn't realize how big I had gotten! I mean, I knew I felt huge, but WOW!

31 weeks

the front view really scares me! :)

we were super bored after being cooped up since wednesday... but i really do feel like i could fall over at anytime :)

I also have nursery pictures I need to post for Courtney (and everyone else too!) :)

Also... I want to start getting Andon's bag and my bag ready for the hospital... I have no clue what all I took w/ me for Brycen, so idea's would be great people!

Baby Appt. Update :)

I had my thirty week check up today... although I'm almost 31 weeks (whoo hoo!). Everything went okay. My blood test results were back from last time and I passed the gluclose w/ flying colors! His heart rate was 153... and... I more than made up for not gaining any weight the last time. I had gained SIX lbs. Yes, you read that correctly... six lbs in 2 1/2 weeks. oh my! She said there were a few white blood cells in my urine, but I have no symptoms of a kidney infection... she wanted to do a sterile cup of urine, but since I had just gone that just wasn't happening. I will do one on the 20th when I go back, so hopefully nothing is going on with that. She didn't seem too concerned... just said I def. don't want a kidney infection so we need to get it checked out soon. Sooo, overall an okay appt. I'd say. I go back on the 20th for a check up and an ultrasound... I can't wait to see him again!

quick update

Just a quick update to thank everyone who was praying for Ryan's surgery. Everything went fine w/ the surgery. Yesterday was a little rough for him, but he was already feeling quite a bit better this morning, well as good as can be expected! We're both glad it's over with so he can get back to normal! Brycen is doing so good w/ not being rough (kinda hard after normally rough housing w/ daddy each day!). He just kisses him on the forehead and says "i love you daddy". It's so sweet! He sent me off to work today after I got his breakfast... I think my "mothering" was getting on his nerves! haha. I'm taking him lunch home at lunchtime though.

Oh yah, we got the crib all put together on Tuesday night! Andon's room is really almost finished- just waiting on some decorations on the walls! I have a check up tomorrow so we'll see how things are going. I've been having contractions- but nothing regular, just Braxton Hicks.

Still No Pictures... and a lot of catching up to do!

So my camera cord still hasn't came in the mail... but they promised it's on it's way. I'm going to be so far behind w/ pictures!

Anyway~it's back to work after all these wonderful days off! I guess I need to update on what's been going on w/ us (nothing major, but stuff lol...)

Last Tuesday night was my work Christmas party. I really enjoy the people I work with and it was fun! We went to one of my boss' houses... which is just up the road from us, so that was nice! We had a mexican food theme and then played dirty santa w/ giftcards that our bosses bought for us girls in the office. There are 6 of us all together (2 downstairs where I am and 4 upstairs)... anyway I ended up w/ a giftcard to walmart for 100.00! awesome! All of them were the same amounts and they were all good places, so you really couldn't lose :). Also, got some goodies from my co-workers (the chocolate candy and all the cookies are def. my favorite! haha). We played Prosecutor's Office Jeopardy (don't even ask, the humor is only when you work here, lol). Anyway, it was super fun and funny and I guess I've been retaining lots of useless (useful in this case) information for the past 3 years, b/c I blew everyone out of the water! The best part is I won a 100.00 gift certificate to... A SPA! Amazing treat for me after I pop (I hope it's that easy!) this baby out :). B had fun playing w/ the other little kids & Ryan always enjoys talking to the other guys so it was a fun evening for all of us!

Wednesday B and I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart (uck), and then spent the rest of the day at home hanging out. Ryan got home and we got ready and went to my parents for a little New Year's Eve celebration w/ some family friends. We ate and hung out and just enjoyed some good company! I didn't take one picture- I'm horrible! No camera cord = a lot less motivation to take pictures... Anyway, we got home late, like after 1am! Since I'm used to being up this late, due to lack of being able to sleep, it was no biggie for me... Now, Brycen on the other hand was asleep before we pulled out of the driveway!

Thursday we slept in & hung out around the house all day. We enjoyed having Ryan at home with us. We cleaned out B's toys again and made another pile for Andon, and then some to get rid of. I caught up on some laundry and other stuff around the house and we just relaxed.

Friday Ryan was back to work... I got up and did some stuff around the house again (organzing kids clothes into totes to go to the garage) (i'm sooo nesting) & B slept in... UNTIL 11! That boy LOVES to sleep. I figured he was still catching up from Wednesday night though! When he got up we ran into town b/c I needed to drop some toys off that my friend Chelsey was buying from me for her pre-school room & I had to pick up my coat at the dry cleaners. We went to McDonald's drive thru for lunch & then headed home. My mom offered to come over and help me get our big family room decorations back up and stuff done in there. I was very grateful for the offer b/c I've been putting it off b/c I just didn't know what to do in there. We spent the entire afternoon getting stuff put up and arranged and decorated and I'm sooo happy w/ how it's turned out! Afternoon turned to evening and Ryan brought Andon's new dresser home- the thing is MASSIVE. My dad came over to help him get it in and we had a mishap in the nursery... we took a cabinet off the wall for Ryan to paint to match the crib & dresser and it was so stuck to the wall it ripped the dry wall right off... what a mess! I thought I was accomplishing so much & then that happened, I wanted to cry! My sweet husband had it all fixed by Saturday night though :). I got all Andon's clothes put away in the dresser & the big room finished (except for the crown & toy cabinet, which are Ryan projects that are going to be awhile still!). I am feeling much more settled.

Saturday I got up and B and Ryan slept in... My mom and I went to Washington to Wal-Mart & then ate lunch. Oh yah- I got new curtains for the family room and so I went home and ironed those and Ryan got the new rods put up and I got the curtains put up, so much better than the 1990's flowered curtains that came w/ the house! lol. :) That room is finally feeling complete. Ryan worked on Andon's room/cabinet most of the day and got it finished- the cabinet is back up (in a different spot, that I like even better!) and the dresser is in it's spot, the crib is supposed to be @ our house tomorrow- courtesy of the big brown truck (aka-UPS). I'm soo thrilled, he's room is almost complete! Also, Saturday we cleaned out a little in our "dirty garage" as B calls it, but the detached garage. I found a whole tote of towels (bath and kitchen) that were wedding presents. I had put them away for later b/c we had so many... I was excited to find them b/c we were needing some! I even found some decorative ones in there that match and go great in our newly painted bathroom! We got a bunch of stuff thrown away and that makes me happy too! I felt pretty accomplished! I just can't sit still these days!

Sunday (yesterday) Brycen had a birthday celebration in Evansville. We had to leave by 11:15, so no church for us :(. It was B's best buddy Joey's 4th birthday. We went to the movies to see The Tale of Despereau (sp?) and then to Chuck E Cheese... Oh my! It was crowded! The boys were really good though. We got home about 5pm & had to be at my parents for supper at 5:30! We hurried up and went there and ate (I was so not hungry after eating pizza!). But my mom made chicken and noodles, green beans, mashed taters, and rolls, so I stuffed my face anyway :)! We visited and then Tom & Marsha called and wanted my parents to meet them at DQ when they were coming through Pburg for ice cream! So off we went to DQ (practically in my pj's!) for ice cream. It was delicious, I love ice cream! Then we went home and it was pretty much time to get B ready for bed. He was worn out after his long day anyway.

Well, I think that's a recap of our lives lately... nothing too exciting, but I'm really excited about all the house projects I'm getting done (i promise pictures...sometime!). lol. Tonight I need to work on our bedroom, it's gotten neglected b/c of everything else and it has kind of become the catch all... so just needs some picking up! Hopefully it will be a relaxing evening and I plan on watching some DVR'd shows and catching up w/ my faves :). Ryan is gearing up for his surgery on Wednesday, so please keep him in your prayers, he's really not thrilled about it... at all.

Oh yah, and one last thing- on my prayer list for the pregnant gals- Clarissa, due in June, was having fetal assesment b/c they thought the baby might have spinal bifida, everything turned out good and nothing is wrong! PTL! :) We serve such an amazing God.