14 Day Challenge- Lesson 5

December 2003

Lesson #5 - Squeeze his muscle & tell him he is strong. (stop laughing, I can hear you) Do not make a big deal about it. Just do it quickly & in passing. Remember, you are not a man & you won't get this. Commenting on his strength is commenting on his manhood. Maybe he has been working out & you can tell him that you are noticing his changes while you squeeze his muscles. If that isn't an option, maybe you could just tell him that you want to feel his strong muscles to see what they feel like. Then you could compliment him. Adam even suggested that you simply ask to see his hands. Tell him that you never realized how strong his hands looked. He says this is something that would mean a lot to him. (Plus it might feel more comfortable for you.) Don't forget, I am doing these challenges too. However, I am at a disadvantage because Adam knows what each day calls for. I have to be extra sly & sincere so he knows that it isn't just a task. See, you guys have it easy. Don't make excuses, just do it!

Maybe thinking about it this way will help you a bit. When we get dressed up or our daughters get dressed up we want our husbands to acknowledge how pretty we are. That is because we have a feminine need. Most of our husbands could throw on wrinkled clothes from the floor that smell & have dog hair on them. They won't care. Just as long as their muscles look good! LOL
So go ahead, squeeze it. I bet he will flex

14 Day Challenge- Lesson 4

Lesson #4 - When your husband is around, say something honorable about him in front of your children or his peers. Perhaps say, "When it comes to math, few are as smart as your dad. Why don't you ask him to help you with that question." Or, "Your dad works every day so that we can live in this home. He is a very hard worker." Or, "Do you know what I admired about your dad when we first met? It was....."


This kind of thing is not hard for us women. We are only talking about a few sentences. God has gifted us to communicate. If you are thinking that you can't do this, you are lying to yourself. The truth is that you don't WANT to say something honorable to a man that you don't feel is as nice as he should be to you. You are locked into the idea that he must earn your respect. I know that you might be upset with him & that he should also be honoring you. Remember, the most mature one moves first. The more respect you give, the more opportnity he has to (in return) show love. A mature wife looks beyond her husband & speaks these words because the Lord wants us to.
1 Peter 3:9 says, "not returning.....insult for insult, but give a blessing instead."
You can give a verbal blessing. No sweat!

Field Trip to Hodgini's

getting ready to go to Hodgini's!
went on the bars! he kept calling them the "monkey bars" lol

i'm not sure why this picture looks so weird?

balance beam!
then they went to noble roman's to eat pizza :)

evie, kennedy, and brycen

Thursday B had a field trip to Hodgini's in Jasper and then to Noble Roman's to eat pizza. I couldn't go along since it was in Jasper :( My mom went and took him though and he thought that was pretty cool! He had a blast on the field trip! He was also VERY worn out from it! He came home and fell asleep on the couch really early while sitting up! After the field trip instead of going back to school he went to my grandma's and hung out w/ her for the afternoon. What a fun day for him! I was jealous to miss out on the fun though!

I find pictures like this all the time on my camera now!

Last night I made Fetticini Alfredo and garlic bread and we hung out for the evening!

the boys got a new game and it came in the mail yesterday (Cabella's Big Game Hunter 2010).

I think they are a LITTLE addicted... :) They are cute though...

Then we watched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs- I thought it was a cute movie.

Today we are just hanging around the house... I've been doing laundry and the boys have been playing their game and we just watched Kangaroo Jack. I'm trying to figure out what to make for supper tonight... I think Ryan and I are going to get our bags packed for the hospital this evening. We have been meaning to get it done, but haven't yet... I do have lists made b/c I know we won't be able to pack everything just yet (since I have like a total of 3 pairs of pants that fit!). Corbin's has been done for a couple weeks now. I can't believe I will be 36 weeks on Monday... 25 more days at the most!

14 Day Challenge- Lesson 3

Okay, going to have to admit that last night I didn't do so hot at the challenge... I came home and Ryan was already home and he was laying on the couch SICK! Hearing of his sick germs didn't exactly make me want to smooch him... actually made me want to run in the other room and get the lysol and then lock myself in my bedroom so I hopefully won't get sick! I did make it a point to tell him I WANTED to kiss him though, but sure didn't want to get sick (believe me, he doesn't want me to get sick either!) haha. We did spend that few extra minutes together talking before I started figuring out supper and the rest of the evening... so I guess I didn't totally fail!


Now, remember, I am just copying and pasting these lessons from Amy's blog, so the lesson part isn't written by me! I thought of that b/c I was rereading my post and it said something about "adam" (that is her husband) and I didn't want ya'll thinking I have TWO husbands, haha! Believe me, I do good to keep up with one :) If you have time I do encourage you to go visit her blog b/c she has more in-depth posts about all these.



Lesson #3 - Tonight make his favorite meal or dessert. (Or both!) Proverbs 31:15 says, "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls".
You are making deposits into your marriage. During this two week period be prepared for your husband to do something unloving. You have greeted him, hugged him, & made his favorite meal, but later he yells at you for moving his keys. Ignore it. Don't throw your hands up saying, "Respecting you doesn't work. You are as unloving as ever." You are fasting from complaining for two weeks. Lower your expectations. You can't expect him to change in every area of his life because you did three nice things. Do this for God & not for your husband. God commands you to do this.

I invite you to take this one step further. As I sit here & type this I realize that I am guilty of something that I could do a little better. I am sitting in sweatpants, a tee shirt, no makeup, & messy hair. We would never have been seen this when we were dating. Thank God our husbands still think that we are beautiful when we are a mess. However, from time to time we should put a little extra effort into looking our best for him. I am going to be doing this challenge & all of the others along with you because I need to work on my marriage at the same time. I need to continue to strive to be the very best wife that I can be. I invite you to not only make his favorite meal or dessert but to also take a shower, put on a little makeup, set the table nice, & show him that you have gone out of your way to make him feel special.

I have to admit- I'm not too thrilled about tonight's lesson- I'm excited to do something for my husband, but I made his favorite meal on Wednesday and it was a big one! I was so worn out the rest of the night... it's been a long week and I'm ready to go home and go to sleep, but I know if I do take the time to do it, he will appreciate it, so instead of a frozen pizza tonight like I was planning before I saw the lesson for today, I'm def. going to cook for him!

14 Day Challenge- Lesson 2

Lesson #2 - Greet your husband & give him a hug. Let him know again that you missed him or were thinking about him today. Again, this is secondary to what you are really feeling. Just do it. If he says something like, "Wow, two days in a row. Do you want money or something"? Ignore it. He is saying this to you because he is noticing your actions & they feel good to him. What may feel like sarcasm to you is playful bantering to him. After you hug him, leave the room. Don't allow for a conversation about your new behavior. This isn't a game, we are just trying to avoid getting into a discussion of unresolved issues that you are not equipped to handle just yet.

May 2003

~Well, I did the challenge yesterday, it was easier for me b/c it was my day off. I realize some days Ryan gets home before I do. I think the point is just to take an extra minute to greet him (no matter if it is at the door or wherever). A lot of the time I come in put my stuff done and go about what I need to be doing instead of taking the time to say, "hey babe I missed ya!". We do always ask each other about our days, but it's not until later in the evening usually. I greeted him at the door w/ a big smooch yesterday and he asked me, "What was that for?"... yikes! Then proceeded to say I must of had a good day or something b/c I seemed to be in an awfully good mood! Lol, I really did have a good day yesterday (hello, I was home all day w/ my baby boy and got lots of stuff done!) so I just went along w/ it... def. didn't tell him about the challenge. I don't want him to think I'm loving on him as a "game". I could def. tell he appreciated my small effort!

14 Day Love Challenge- Day 1

Amy Freeman (did you all read Kayleigh's story?? it is her momma) has a women's marriage ministry blog. Maybe some of you have even saw it or visit it.... anyway. She is doing a 14 Day Love Challenge in the days leading up to Valentines Day.

Ryan and I have a great relationship. I am so thankful for the man he is and what that means for our little family. BUT I do recognize that I fail a lot of the time at showing him just how much I love and appreciate him. I am jumping on board this 14 day challenge. Lately, I've especially been thinking about how I need to show him more just how much I love and appreciate him b/c he is doing so much around here! He has been doing a lot of the cooking and giving B baths and other stuff that are really "my" duties... He has been MAKING me take it easy. By going to Walmart, running errands, and basically doing all he can to make this pregnancy easier on me. He worries about me... He worries about C... and he loves us and wants us to both be healthy. That, my friends, is love.

Ryan and I-- September 2001!

I will post the challenge on here daily just in case ya'll want to follow along, w/out having to go to another blog, but if you do want to check on Amy's blog go for it! They have a pretty big story and lots of good ideas... After Valentines Day she is starting The Love Dare.






Lesson #1 - Tonight or tomorrow when your spouse comes home, greet them at the door. Don't yell from another room. Physically meet them at the door. Let them know that you missed them today. (even if you didn't) I have started doing this with Adam & he absolutely loves it. Honestly, so do I. I feel much more special when I feel that everyone is happy to see me. If this is not possible to do it this way due to your schedules, then be sure to make him feel like you missed him & you are happy to see him when you are face to face.

Let me know if you are following along (only if you want-- hopefully we can all be encouraging to one another).

35 Week Appt.

Yesterday evening I had my 35 week check up appt. Besides getting forgotten about in the room, or I guess you could say, "misplaced", everything went great ;) My poor dr. felt so bad, but it was pretty funny! I hadn't gained any weight, my BP was 120/80, C's heartrate was good, but she didn't tell me the number (too busy laughing about "losing" me) :), and I am measuring right on track still. She also checked me and I'm not dialated. It was sort of surprising to me given all the contractions I have been having, but she said it is a good thing :) I go back next Tues. three more appts. w/ her at the most and one w/ the specialist in 2 weeks! I really am hoping to make it 'til the 24th b/c that would work out best w/ my maternity leave and my mom being off for the summer the week I go back to work... but I guess we will see if Mr. C decides to come out before then or not... if he does, I'm sure I'll be ready then too :)


28 more days!

35 Week Belly Picture

35 Weeks

Wow.

I don't feel like I can get any bigger.

I know I probably will though!

Yikes!

Weekend

Friday night, my cousin and his wife brought over homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies- YUM! lol. We got to visit with them and their little girl, Kaydee Mae. She is just getting so big already, I can't believe she is almost 4 mo. old. They didn't stay too long and we just rested the rest of the evening.

Saturday, Ryan and B went to Wal-Mart and I did some laundry and hung out while they were gone. We didn't do much all day really.

he wouldn't put his gun down to smile for me lol
and then we had to do a "fighter" one. lol he cracks me up. he said he was "guarding" our house :)

I went to visit Vanessa and baby Zane for a little bit.
me w/ my bff's two boys, Tyler and Zane
Zane.
He slept the whole time I held him.
He just seemed so tiny!



That evening Rich and Melissa and their two boys came over and we ate pizza again... this time Papa John's lol. We all just visited and had a good time. We hadn't saw them in a long while so it was nice to catch up! We were so busy catching up I didn't take any pictures!



Yesterday we were just around the house and then went to my parents to watch the Colt's Game. My aunt and uncle and cousin's came over to watch the game and then we all ate chili for supper (and dirt pudding for dessert!) :) It was a fun afternoon/evening.


My happy boy!

He always loves to watch football and has always said he wants to play. Well, he asked Ryan, "Daddy is football real?"... Ryan didn't know where he was going w/ this, but said, "yes." Well, B said, "I don't think I will be able to play then b/c they hold you down". It was funny, but kind of sad too! You just have to know B, he HATES being held down, even if it is an accident or just an arm or leg, he FREAKS. I thought it was amazing that he had even thought about them holding you down in football... he's right, he wouldn't like that at all!



he said this is his face to scare away the other players ;)



Kayla and Kaydee Mae (in her cute little colt's cheer outfit).

I asked B to sit beside her so I could take their picture together in their Colt's outfits and his response was "I don't go near girl babies" lol. Seriously, glad Corbin is a boy!

We got home last night and I took a bath and got B his bath and TRIED to go to bed... but I couldn't sleep :( I am as big as an elephant and just can't seem to get (or stay) comfortable.

30 more days at the most!!!

I think he has dropped even more b/c today I can't keep my jeans from slipping down- yikes! My belly looks like it could touch the ground!

I'm going to have Ryan take another belly picture tonight so ya'll can see for yourselves!

Days

34 more days until we will have for sure have Corbin here!


Lol, I am so ready and getting impatient! I want those 34 days to go fast!!!


It is just about all I can think about!

No Pictures

I haven't been so hot at taking pictures lately... but I still want to update on what we've been doing... just for my own sake. I do enjoy keeping this "journal" of sorts... so this post might be pretty boring and feel free to skip it!





Friday night John and Sonya and their kids came to visit. She brought chili and a cake and we had supper and just hung out. The kids played (they play really well together) and we watched parts of American Idol from the week, crack me up!!





Saturday morning Ryan went to Wal-Mart for us and then came home and did some stuff outside (burnt boxes, cleaned in garage, etc). We also got all the kitchen cabinets cleaned out and reoranized. Since getting our island we have a lot more storage space, but it was wasted b/c I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it. Well, it is the perfect places for some of my tupperware and all C's bottles/feeding supplies! I'm pumped to have all that done! Who doesn't love a little organization anyway?! I also cleaned the fridge out- that always makes me feel better too! lol. I had been putting it off. Did I ever post pictures of the kitchen? I know parts of it were in pictures probably from B's party... I really should get on that! I need to post some before and after pictures b/c Ryan really did a great job in working with what we have to create a whole new kitchen! Saturday evening we went to my parents best friends/neighbors to watch the Colt's game. It was a late evening, but relaxing to sit around with people ya love! B spent the night at my parents so he could go to church with them Sunday morning. I missed him as soon as we got in the car, even thought it was bedtime.




Sunday afternoon Ryan's parents came to visit for awhile. We didn't do anything that evening... just rested and enjoyed being together just the three of us.. I really was enjoying the fact that I didn't have to work again on Monday due to Martin Luther King Day.



Monday B and I did NOTHING all day. Well, I did laundry, but otherwise we just sat around and played and hung out together. It was a niceeee break. Usually even on my day off I'm rushing around trying to get things done. My grandma had cleaned for me on Friday though so I didn't need to do that. She is spoiling me! And Ryan is doing the Wal-Mart shopping so my responsibilities are a lot less right now. I can't say that I mind it either! It is giving me more time to focus on just playing with B and enjoying this time w/ him before C comes. Ryan didn't get home from work 'til pretty late Monday evening so we just had a quick supper and hung out- him and B watched "surf's up".



Yesterday I went to work and was super busy all day. I love being busy at work. Ryan and B picked me up at quarter 'til four and we left for my appt. Our friends, The Hamilton's, who live in Owensboro were in Evansville and wanted to hang out w/ B while Ryan and I went to the dr. so we dropped him off with them to have some fun and went to my appt. I was in and out at the dr. and we picked B up and then had supper at Fazzoli's. We didn't get home 'til it was pretty well time to get ready for bed.



Today B and I are just hanging out at home. It looks so nasty out and I'm glad we don't have anywhere to go. I really am such a homebody! I am so ready for spring and nice weather. I am thankful I'll be off during the spring instead of winter (well mostly) so that me and B and enjoy the weather instead of being stuck inside. I am already dreading going back to work and I'm not even off yet (although, don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for a wonderful job that I do enjoy).



My BFF Vanessa had Zane last night. Zane Maddux Ray DeCoursey finally made his appearance at 9:13pm. He weighed in at 7lbs 2oz and was 21 inches long. From the pictures he looks just like his big brother Tyler and his daddy Clint. I can't wait to meet him in person! It def. makes me more anxious for C to get here since we've been pregnant together this whole time!



Well, that's my boring update, but I feel better having it done! Hopefully, I'll do better on taking pictures!

34 Week Appt.

I had my 34 week check up today. Not much news to report on b/c everything is going SO GOOD. I had gained another pound so that puts me at 20 (YIKES). My BP was 100/60 and C's heartrate was 138. I go back in another week. She said she will probably start checking my cervix at 36 wks just to see what is going on if she doesn't need to next week. I have started having more "crampy" contractions, but never more than 5 in an hour. I can tell it's not "real labor", but my body does seem to be gearing up more and more.




My BFF Vanessa is having her baby boy today! She was induced last night and I just got a text from her that it is FINALLY time to push! He has been stubborn all day! I am sooo excited :)

34 Week Belly Picture

34 Weeks.

He def. looks lower to me this week.

Maybe that's why he feels like he might fall out. haha!

I am so grateful to be 34 weeks and 1 day pregnant AND healthy with a kicking, squirming, punching baby in my belly!

I am grateful that I had no sleep last night because Corbin decided not to sleep and I couldn't get comfortable.

Last year at 34 weeks and 1 day we met our angel baby Andon.

So feeling C today kicking and squirming gives me comfort.
The next few weeks really just can't get here soon enough for me.

I can't wait to meet this little guy.

But for now, I'm happy to still be pregnant and healthy!

Thank you God for hearing our prayers.

Weight Check-- 33 wks 3 days

Hope ya'll enjoy the pics of C! I sure was happy to get an unexpected call from the specialist's office today asking if they could move up the weight check ultrasound to today due to Dr. Fitzpatrick being out of the office on Monday. I said, "heck ya" and proceeded to call Ryan and tell him to leave work and come pick me up! I think I scared the poor guy to death! haha.

I have to go on to say that for some reason yesterday and today I've just had a "nervous" feeling... well more nervous than usual about something happening to C. I've spent extra time reading my bible and last night I was praying for a "sign" that everything is going to be okay w/ C. And then I went on to tell God how thankful I am that I have been feeling SOOOO good and sleeping so well and etc. Then it seemed to smack me in the face that me feeling sooo good (such a different feeling from when I was pregnant w/ A) might just very well be my sign that God's got my back ;) It seemed like a smack upside the head... but of course the devil still likes to get in my head and I was fighting him off again this morning- trying to keep my nerves calm. Anyway, then I got this call and I just feel like God knew I needed to go see my baby boy today!

And see him we did! He was still head down and his heart rate was 150. He weighed 4lbs 6 oz at 33 wks and 3 days. He said this is "within normal range" so I'm not sure what "average" is, but I guess we fit into that category! I know at 32 weeks B and A weighed 4lbs exactly, so he seems to be following right after his big brothers! I have to say that I really did not care for Dr. Fitzpatrick at my first 2 appointments with him, but the last time and today he has seemed to have a lot more personality and I have liked him much more. Maybe I'm too quick to judge? hmmm.... Anyway, he said, "Well, I will see you back in 4 more weeks for another weight check, well that is if you are still pregnant". Wow! I will be be 37 wks 3 days in 4 weeks so it isn't crazy to think I might not be pregnant then... I guess 4 weeks just sounds so soon! lol. My thoughts are just going crazy and I will be sooooo glad to meet Mr. Corbin Fisher when it is time!

I am relieved to know that my placenta is also still in perfect shape (since having a full abruption that is also something I've worried about), but it looked great and the fluid level around C was also great! Ya'll keep praying for us, please? I can't wait to introduce him to ya!

(if he looks kind of lumpy or funny in the pictures it is b/c the cord was in front of him and she couldn't get a good picture!)

Monster Trucks, Pump It Up, and Dr's Appt.

We had a pretty busy weekend... well at least compared to how easy we have been trying to take it lately. This past weekend was all about B :) We had made a last minute decision the previous Sunday to purchase tickets to the Monster Jams event that was set to be at Robert's Stadium. Our little man sure loves his monster trucks and has been playing Monster Jam on the wii quite a bit. We also want to make sure he has a ton of fun these last few weeks before C arrives since we probably won't be doing a whole lot afterward for awhile.



Anyway, Friday evening I picked up B from my mom's where he stayed for his second snow day and we headed home to get ready. When Ryan got home and got ready we left for Evansville. We ate supper at Red Robin and then headed over to the stadium.

He had ear plugs, but this is how he looked all night! He loved it, despite how loud it was (and it was loud!).
What little boy wouldn't love that??!!
Excuse me in this picture, lol. I was telling Ryan not to get me in the picture-- obviously he didn't listen! haha! Brycen had to have this monster truck hat and cotten candy :)

The event lasted about 2 hours and didn't start 'til 8:30 our time. It was close to midnight when we got home and I was WORN OUT! We had a fun evening though!

Saturday morning we slept in thankfully. I did some laundry and we were just around the house hanging out in the morning. We then got ready and headed to Evansville again for B's friend Joey's 5th birthday party at Pump It Up (or Pump It Ups as B says!) :)

B and his buddy Joey!

Brycen had a blast at Pump It Up. He had been there once before for a field trip last year and he remembered it being fun, but I think he had even more fun this time! He thinks he needs to have his party there next year! It was a Colt's theme party and really cute! The party lasted a couple hours and then we were going to go eat supper at Red Lobster (our favorite!), but at 4:30 evansville time, 5:30 our time, there was already an hour wait and we didn't feel like waiting so we just went to Applebee's. It was still good (and we had a gift card!). :) We got home earlier Saturday night than the previous night. We were home by 8pm and I took a bath and went to bed!

Sunday we were just around the house all day hanging out. We went to my parents for supper. It was kind of sad b/c my brother had been home from college for almost a month and he had to leave that evening to go back to school. He had supper w/ us and then hung out for the evening though so that was nice.

Monday was a busy day at work for me with court hearings, but it made the day go fast! That evening my mom and I hosted an Inspiranza jewelry party at my house. My BFF, Vanessa just started selling it on the side. It is a Christian based company and part of the proceeds go to an orphanage. I had the party to help her out... I'm not much of a jewelry person, but I really love the stuff! Good prices too! Anyway, our party went good, even though not many guests showed up we had a few (that were fun to visit with!) and we had quite a few outside orders. I am glad to be helping Vanessa out. She is getting ready to pop out her baby boy any day and is making some extra cash for her unpaid maternity leave.

Yesterday was a busy day at work again... my whole January is actually pretty busy b/c I've crammed in a lot of extra hearings since I am getting ready to be off for 3 months (which I am SO excited about). I'm thankful for the busyness of it though b/c it makes the days go faster and then we're that much closer to meeting C. My mom was going to my appt. with me yesterday b/c it was an earlier appt. and Ryan had to install... she was getting her vehicle serviced at the Toyota place in Evansville anyway so it worked out fine. Ryan will be able to go to the rest of my appointments with me though! We're getting so close. B and my mom and I went to Evansville and dropped off her vehicle and then went to the Dr. I had another great appt. My BP was 110/70, I hadn't gained any weight this week, and C's heart rate was 156. Everything is just going so smooth. I have been having quite a few contractions, I am anxious to see how far I make it. She said that if everything is going as good as it is now she will take me at 39 weeks and she does scheduled c-sections on Wednesdays so that would be Feb. 24th I think. I kind of doubt I make it that far anyway, just b/c I went into labor with B at 38 (water broke)... but I guess we will see! If it is that day then we have 6 weeks from today!

After my appointment we met up w/ my brother at Texas Roadhouse for supper. He had forgotten some stuff at home and needed us to bring it to him... lol!

B and Joseph. They are goobers :)

Today B and I are just hanging out at home. I am thankful to not have a need to leave the house or get out of my pj's! Ryan is in KY installing today so hopefully me (and C) behave. The last time he went there is the day I had to go to the hospital! lol. Hopefully, he won't be too late tonight. The rest of our week shouldn't be busy and I am glad about that. My grandma cleaned my house for me on Friday and then surprised me and did all my laundry yesterday so I can just hang out and rest on my day off! yay! :)

33 Week Belly Pic

33 Weeks-- around 5 to go! If you look at my picture from last time (31 weeks I think) my stomach really looks a lot lower... at least to me. Which would explain why I've been telling Ryan I feel like I need to lift my belly up and carry it around ;)
B giving C some lovin' :) can't wait til I see this in person! Seriously, I think that is the part I'm looking forward to the most! B has a John Deere calander in his room and he is counting down the days until his brother arrives! He made him a welcome home sign already... I need to take a picture of it!



I have my check up this afternoon so I'll let ya'll know how it goes... besides being huge and uncomfortable b/c I am 33 weeks (and 1 day!) pregnant I really feel great- which is such a reassurance to me!

Snow Day

Brycen has been waiting and waiting for snow! The day after Christmas he got upset, because he thought that since Christmas was over that meant we wouldn't be getting any snow this winter! We tried to explain to him that it usually snows a little later here. He was so excited to wake up yesterday morning and see the ground covered! I have to say, even though I'm not a fan of winter, I really don't mind getting snowed in and having a snow day w/ my boy! B's pre-school was cancelled so we stayed home and warm all day and when Daddy came home they went out to play!

so excited!!!
snow angel!
they wrote his name in the snow!
my little man!!
We <3

Mom ! (this made my day!)

snow ball fight w/ daddy!

his daddy was even nice enough to help him make the snow balls :)

Excuse Ryan's aqua gloves-- he might kill me for putting them on here! lol. They are actually mine, he had left his gloves at work and they were the only pair I could find! haha!

They both had to come in and warm up after about 45 min. It was sooo cold, but they did have fun! I was sad to not go out and play w/ them, but not sad to stay warm instead of freezing! Last year I went out in the snow when we got all that snow/ice storm, but I figured this year I'm "taking it easy" :) They had fun w/ out me anyway!

Today B is hanging out at my mom's since Pike Central doesn't have school. A day w/ mamaw is way better than pre-school! And way easier on this momma too! I didn't have to dress him before I dropped him off and no stairs to lug stuff up once we got there- yep, it made my Friday a lot easier. I am looking forward to 4pm, because I'm tired! Gotta go home and get ready for tonight though--- MONSTER JAMS! Brycen is sooo excited! I am already tired of driving to Evansville... we have to go tonight for Monster Trucks, tomorrow for a birthday party at Pump It Up and then back on Tuesday for my appt. whew! But I'm thankful we are having all this fun before C makes his appearance--it is making time go faster while we wait! Speaking of C- his bag for the hospital is packed! B and I did that on Wednesday on my day off. It is nice to know that it is sitting there waiting for us all packed. I have lists of stuff that I need to pack for me, Ryan, and B. I don't want to pack it all yet, b/c quite honestly, I don't have enough clothes to wear if I did-- and it's kind of cold out for that ;) But the lists are done so I know exactly what I need to grab to put in the bags. That's a load off my mind... last time it was such an emergency that my poor dad had to try and find underwear for us to bring to the hospital! lol. I already feel way more prepared!

I'm soooo glad it is Friday! Hope ya'll have a great weekend! Try not to freeze!

32 Week Appt.

Well, Monday wasn't nearly as bad going back to work/school for me and B as I thought it would be. He didn't have any tears just a few extra hugs for momma! I was really busy on Monday after being off for so many days in a row! It was nice though b/c I got everything done I needed to and it made my day go so much faster! I was def. worn out on Monday evening though.


Yesterday I worked all day and then Ryan and B picked me up at work and we headed to Evansville for my 32 week check up. I had gained THREE LBS in five days.... yikes! She wasn't concerned about the rapid weight gain though since I have NO swelling. We will keep an eye on it, since it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, but usually the rapid weight gain that comes w/ pre-eclampsia is due to a lot of swelling (aka- water weight).... nope, mine is just regular weight. lol. I really did keep saying the past few days that I felt like my stomach was A LOT bigger... so hopefully he just grew A LOT? lol. Oh well, as long as he is healthy it will be worth it. It puts me at a total of 19 lbs so far... over what I gained with B at 38 weeks... I think I weigh the exact same now that I did when I had A.... so I'm going to get up to an all time high. Anyway, my BP was 100/70. Mr. C decided to get all crazy and not hold still for the doppler. We could hear his heart rate but he was jumping around so much she couldn't get a good base so she wanted to put him on the monitor for awhile (which was just fine with me!). His heart rate baseline finally ended up being in the 150's after he calmed down! Maybe it was those chocolate covered raisins I ate... haha! I did have a few contractions while on the monitor, but nothing consistent, so nothing to worry about at this point. Overall, great appt. I go back next Tuesday unless I need her for something before then. At this point it is crazy for me to think we have around 6 weeks or less! I am soooo ready! I hope the weeks FLY by-- I have waited a long time to meet this precious baby!


After my appointment we went to Red Robin for supper and then headed home. I was worn out and took a bath and went to bed after! I slept much better last night which I was grateful for b/c the two previous nights I hadn't slept well. Today B and I are staying home in our sweats and just hanging out all day. Ryan is doing our walmart shopping after he gets off work (the thought still makes me laugh!). I'm not a fan of cold weather, but I really wouldn't mind getting snowed in the rest of the week! I told them at work if it is snowy and nasty out I won't be there ... no need of getting B out .... or this very pregnant gal going into labor or falling or something!


We have some fun stuff planned for the weekend for B that we are all looking forward to :) No pictures this time. I've just been enjoying hanging out w/ my sweet little family!

Bring on 2010!!

I have been getting really spoiled to having a lot of time off and spending that time w/ Ryan and B these past couple of weeks! The week of Christmas I only worked on that Monday and this past week I only worked Monday and Tuesday. I have to say that by Tuesday afternoon I was worn out and def. ready to come home! This week back to work will be a rude awakening I'm sure! Wednesday B and I stayed home all day and didn't get out of our pj's. We just hung out and enjoyed each other. We watched Home Alone (I think that is the first movie I ever saw at a theater) on tv.

Thursday Ryan didn't get to go to work b/c he went to my appt. with me in Evansville. After my appt. he wanted to go gun shopping w/ money he got for Christmas... he needs another gun like he needs another hole in his head, but hey if that is what he likes I guess that's ok! lol. He didn't end up finding one he wanted, but B sure did enjoy looking at all the guns too... pretty sure I'm doomed w/ all these boys around :)

When we came home from Evansville we started working in Corbin's room.... There was clothes that needed organized and we still had Andon's stuff in there so we needed to find a home for all that... Plus, before I had Andon I had never finished the nursery completely (like the decorations on the walls)... I ordered C's name for above his bed (it turned out way bigger than I expected, but I think it will look good).... Ryan is going to make a big board to put it on so hopefully I can take a picture here soon when he gets that done. The room is finished now though besides that. Going through baby clothes again and getting stuff ready for him makes me soooo excited and hopeful, not a feeling I've allowed myself to feel a whole lot during this pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, I've been thrilled and excited about him all along, but letting myself think he might actually come home w/ us is a feeling I just haven't gone to a lot. I guess you could say I just tried not to think about it. The closer the time gets the more I am thinking about it.... especially since his room is waiting on him! Todd and Kayla brought the bassinet back over and it is ready and waiting in our room.

Ok- got a little off subject, but that's sooo me! haha. We ordered pizza Thurs. night and our friends Clint and Vanessa and their little boy Tyler and our friends Ricky and Brittany and their little boy Kayden all came over to hang out. We ate pizza and the boys played wii and us girls all just talked.

Kayden, B, and Tyler playing monster trucks on the wii

Vanessa (36 weeks), me (31.5 weeks), and Brittany (20 weeks)

That's a lot of pregnant hormones in one house ;)

Yesterday we were just around the house all day. I did laundry and just picked up a little bit and the boys played wii. Last night Ryan and B went to town and rented movies and we watched those. It was the best New Years Day ever I think!! I really have enjoyed having Ryan home so much and B has too! B hasn't been to pre-school in 2 weeks so I'm pretty sure Monday morning is not going to be too pleasant... Hopefully, I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

This morning we got up and took B's change to the bank to put in his savings account... something I always mean to do and never get around to! Then we went and ate lunch at China Wok-- or as B says "the jello place". :) We don't have plans for this evening except just hanging out w/ each other and those are the best plans I can think of!

I really am so glad for it to be 2010-- hopefully it has many wonderful things in store for us since 2009 was a kind of rough!

Christmas Celebrations 2009

On Christmas Eve B and I hung out at home all day. We watched movies and baked cookies to put out for "santa" that night... we don't really "do santa" at our house, B knows it is just a guy dressed up, but it is still fun to pretend :)

B had a puppet show w/ the pot holders-- Mr and Mrs Claus of course :)

Once Ryan got home we got ready and went to my parents house for our Christmas Eve celebration w/ my mom's dad's side of the family.
Our family in front of my mom's tree <3
my brother and I

my little cousins Kylee and Ashlyn w/ B-- B and Ashlyn are 3 mo. apart and they have a blast playing together!

B got a big remote control monster truck and a tonka truck w/ a trailer and boat from my Papaw Ed and Granny Sue. My Uncle Griffin got him a remote control helicopter and airplane. He loves them all! Such a boy :) Although, his daddy is pretty fond of that remote control helicopter too! haha!

my brother always gets ahold of my camera and takes pictures of himself... I had about 20 of these on here of him and B and about 20 more of my brother himself! these were their mean faces I guess??

After our Christmas Eve there we came home and opened our gifts from each other. We only got B a few small things b/c he got his big gift (his wii) for his birthday since Ryan couldn't wait to give it to him! We got him the Transformer Movie, Wii Monster Trucks game, a Transformer helmet thingy (annoying toy!), and the game Operation... Let me tell you that game is a lot harder these days I think! haha

such a sweetie!

Ryan and B got me a new Bible (just what I asked for!). I love it!!

B and I got Ryan a new pair of cowboy boots (and he looks SO hot in them!) ;) lol

B w/ a few things out of his stocking-- yes those are the dust mop slippers from Wal-Mart, lol. Every since they got them at walmart Brycen has BEGGED for them. He was so excited to find a pair in his stocking, it was so funny!

B w/ the cookies he put out for Santa...

First thing Christmas morning... he was so tired and not ready to wake up! Looking at the empty plate :)

finding his gift from Santa-- a new bb gun!

it was raining out so his super cool Daddy let him shoot it out the back door :)


We headed over to my parents in our pj's (like always) to do have breakfast and do gifts with them (Courtney, I made your baked oatmeal!).

This boy thinks he can never have too many tools! He got these new tools, Handy Manny Work Bench, a big blow up jump house for summer, new fuzzy pj's, 2 reallly nice books, and some other stuff from my parents. My brother got him Mario Kart for the wii (fun game btw!).

so excited!

Ryan- sooooo surprised!

He couldn't figure out why he got a blue ray from my parents when we don't have a HD tv and then he couldn't figure out why B and I got him a tv stand? It all came together when my parents brought out the last gift- They did our big gift together this year ( but I was in on the surprise) and got him a new 60 inch tv! I don't think ANYONE needs a tv that big- but my hubby sure was happy!

We came home a little later after visiting and B playing w/ his toys and him and my dad got it all set up. We rested for a few hours and then we went back to my parents for supper w/ my dad's mom's side of the family. B got a new book, a John Deere water shooter man (that's what he says he is anyway?) and a John Deere calander.

We had such a great Christmas- not because of the gifts we got, but because of the extra time we got to spend w/ family and celebrating Jesus' birthday! I hope you all had a great Christmas too!