Family weekend

This past weekend Brian actually got the weekend off, so we spent a lot of time together. =) Friday night my mother in law kept the kids while Brian and I had a date night. We went to eat dinner at Outback and watched a movie. It was so nice to just be together, it has been too long since we did that. Saturday morning we got up and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. We never get to go get breakfast, or really even eat breakfast as a family because Brian works most Saturdays, and there isn't time before Sunday School on Sundays. After breakfast we went to pick the kids up and head to Kemah for a family fun day. We all got wristbands and rode the rides. The kids had a blast! We rode a spinning ride (thinking back, I probably shouldn't have done that pregnant) that Kaylee LOVED. She told me that it made her feel like the didn't have a tummy, and she wanted to ride it again. After feeling the pressure on my bladder from the ride, I could NOT do that again. Brian gets sick on spinning rides, so she was out of luck. She also rode the one that looks like swings that goes really high in the air. She freaked Brian out because she unbuckled her seat belt twice, once before the ride started, and once on the way up. After spending hours riding rides, we all went to eat lunch at Joe's, where Bubba had a major melt down because Brian folded up the stroller. Yes, he is that crazy. ;)  We decided to go on a few more rides before we left. My Mom had asked to keep the kids Saturday night, and they needed a nap. Bubba was NOT happy about leaving at all. He threw a fit almost the entire ride home, screaming "ride rides", until he fell asleep less than 10 min from the house. When we got home and I had to wake him up to get him out, he woke up screaming "ride rides" lol. It was such a beautiful weekend, and I absolutely loved getting to spend so much time together!

On a completely different note, today is Valentines Day! I know a lot of people hate Valentines Day because it is a dumb made up holiday and blah blah blah. But, I like Valentines Day. =) I like it for a few reasons. First of all, Brian bought me my promise ring on Valentines Day. Then, he proposed on Valentines Day. Also, I like having a few days out of the year to make you really stop and reflect on your love for one another.  I know, we should do this everyday. But, we don't, we get caught up in life and forget to remember the great blessing we have in a spouse. Sure, it can get materialistic and most people take it way overboard. I know I've been guilty of that in the past, but the greatest memories I have with Brian are ones where he spends little, but shows his love in a big way. For instance, last year he made Jap-Je and bulgolgi. Okay, I have NO idea how to spell that correctly, but it is a Korean noodle dish that Chrissy's Mom got me hooked on. He had to get Chrissy's Mom to buy him stuff from the Korean store that he couldn't get elsewhere. It was an all day affair. He had also bought me a gift certificate to get a massage (my first!), and surprised me with a candle light dinner when I got home. It was so amazingly sweet. This year was a little different, because he worked all day, but he still came home with the sweetest card that reminded me just how much he really does love me. And, because I am a hoarder, I keep all of these cards, so they will being warmth into my heart later on too. I'm thankful for my husband. He is one of my greatest blessings. He isn't perfect, and he fails (Almost as much as I do) but watching him grow in sanctification is priceless. He is, without a doubt, my best friend. He knows just what to say, or not say to brighten any of my bad days. He knows my fears, flaws, and imperfections and he loves me anyways, with an unconditional love I have never known. He challenges me to grow. He inspires me to be a better wife, mom, and friend. It is sad that I need a special day like today to stop and remember just how amazing he is to me, but I'm thankful for the reminder. I pray that God continues to bless our marriage in all the days of our lives.

14 weeks, 1 day

I had another doctor appointment this morning. Well actually, it wasn't a scheduled appointment, but I went to the doctor. Last week I noticed it became harder to empty my bladder. Over the weekend, it got worse. Yesterday, I knew my bladder was full and tried to go before we left, but I couldn't go at all. Not a drop. I had to push on my bladder to finally get anything out, but I knew my bladder was still full. I gave up and we went to go eat. On the way to the restaurant my stomach started to hurt and I had this burning sensation in my stomach because my bladder was so full. By the time we got to the restaurant, I could finally go. Needless to say, I called the doctor first thing this morning. I have been super paranoid this entire pregnancy, and this just made it worse. Of course, I googled my problem and found a lot of stuff about people with tipped uterus' having the same problem. That scared me because I had a tipped uterus in my last pregnancy, then I miscarried. Anywho, I went to the doctor and he listened for the heartbeat, which was loud and clear. It was 153 bpm, and the baby kept moving around trying to hide from the doppler. He did an exam and said the baby was right on my bladder putting pressure, and causing my bladder to only have about half of its normal capacity. Fun, right? Basically, I just have to deal with it until the baby grows more into my abdomen and lifts off of my bladder. He also said that because of scar tissue and adhesions from previous c-sections my bladder is more sensitive. Other than the uncomfortableness of a baby on the bladder, everything is good. I even gained 2 pounds! I'm going to post a picture later, I just don't have time to take one and upload it right now. Now I don't have to go back for another month, then he should hopefully schedule an ultrasound!

Bubba-lies and ocd

My baby boy is growing so quickly! Little ones go through these seasons where they seem to grow faster than you can keep up! This is one of those seasons. He has picked up some ocd tendencies, but I have NO clue where!! ;)
Some things he is particular about are:
When I clean him up after a meal, if I wipe one hand I have to wipe the other. Sometimes he will ask me to wipe his cheek (even if it isn't dirty) and if I don't wipe the other side he will start to cry until I wipe it.
If he kisses you on one cheek, he will turn your head and kiss you on the other as well. He will rarely give just one kiss on the cheek, it is usually a kiss on one side, then the other, and then the lips. =)
One day when coming up to the door, he was on my right side and stepped up the little step, then he went back down and went to my left side and stepped up, then got down and stepped up behind me in the middle. I wont lie, this one concerned me a bit. ;)
He doesn't like me to walk through the grass. One day he sat at the car and cried and I didn't know why. I went to console him and he informed me I needed to follow him up the sidewalk, then he was happy.
He wants to do EVERYTHING himself. One night he came to try and get in bed with Brian and I, and I talked to him and told him he needed to go back in his bed. I asked if he wanted to walk or have Daddy carry him, and he said he wanted to walk. It was dark and he was trying to get down and Brian touched his back to make sure he didn't fall. This caused a 10 minute melt down about how he wanted to do it himself. We have at least one of these battles everyday.
For awhile, I wondered where this could have come from. Then, my lovely friends began to point out things I am a little obsessive about. I'm not obsessive, I just pay attention to small detail. ;) (Maybe I'm still in denial)
I don't like lights to be left on in a room nobody is in. It REALLY bugs me. If I notice one on, I will probably get up in the middle of my sentence and go turn it off. It has been pointed out to me that I am meticulous about laundry. Things are neatly folded. I thought this was completely normal, but apparently, not so much. Last night Brian was helping me put the bed sheets back on and he was trying to put the flat sheet on before I had completely straightened the fitted one. Then, he was trying to put the blanket on before I finished with the flat sheet! When I said something, he pointed out that we were about to go to bed and it would be messed up anyways, but I just couldn't leave it. Maybe I'm a LITTLE obsessive.
Now for the Bubba-lies. Both of my kids like to give Eskimo and butterfly kisses. Really, it is just my way to steal more kisses from them. ;) Lately, Bubba always asks for butterfly kisses, and has added it to his routine of kisses (for Mommy at least), only he can't say butterflies. He says "Bubba-lies". It is so stinking cute!! He is talking much more clear these days, so I am trying to document all of the cute ways he says things before he learns the correct way.

I have a brother

I have a brother. Well, actually, I have 2 now! Ironically, they are both the same age. ;)
A few days ago I got a friend request on facebook from someone I didn't know. I try and post scripture and things of that nature on my facebook, hoping that it will in some way bless someone else, so I approve everybody, even if I don't know you. So I accepted, and did my usual snooping trying to figure out who this person was and why on earth they would request me as a friend. Nothing rang a bell. We had no mutual friends, the pictures didn't look at all familiar. I told Brian, "I wonder why people who don't know you request to be your friend, isn't that weird?". The next day I got a message asking if I was my Dad's daughter. I said yes, and after a few messages back and forth, I got a message saying that her husband was my Dad's son. I was at a Dr appt with my Mom, and my mouth dropped (literally!). My Mom knew nothing about this, and neither did I. I gave her my phone number so we could talk, and when I hung up the phone, I now had a brother, sister in law, and two nieces! I suppose I always had them, just never knew it. That afternoon I got to talk with my brother twice, and it was awesome. He is in the army. They live in Tennessee, but will be moving to Virgina this year. He loves God! We talked for an hour, and a lot of our conversation was centered on Christ. That is just pretty amazing to me. Of course, there are a lot of feelings of hurt, confusion, and anger that I need to deal with. But knowing I have a brother, and he has a beautiful family is such an amazing addition to my life, and truly a blessing! Hopefully I will get to meet them later on this year. Another thing I found interesting was the fact that him, my soon to be brother in law, and my nephew all have the same first and middle name. How weird is that? I am excited about this door that has been opened in my life, and can't wait to get to know all of them better!! Now I have 2 brothers and a sister. I'm still the baby though! ;)

11 weeks, 4 days

Today I went to the dr again. No big news to tell. I heard the heartbeat, it was 160. I still weigh a whopping 108 ;) and I'm not sure how I haven't gained weight. I couldn't button my pants this morning, and I certainly feel heavier, but still 108. Because all of my bloodwork was normal and everything is progressing well, I don't have to go back for a month! This is bittersweet for me. I am super nervous this pregnancy, so going every 2 weeks to make sure everything is okay sounds just fine to me. On the other hand, however, I know that going that often just means more money, so I'll just be patient and trust God. =) Sitting in the dr office brings up all kinds of bad memories. Today I was especially annoyed because the waiting room was packed, and men were sitting in chairs while pregnant women were standing up. I think it is pathetic that I was willing to give up my chair for a woman far along in her pregnancy, but none of the 3 men in the room budged. I just wasn't raised like that, we were raised with manners. Anywho, I'm going to post a picture, even though I haven't gained any weight. I thought it would be neat to blog about my dr appts and include a picture from the day, so here is todays.

Storytime at the library

Today I took my kids to story time at our local library for the first time. I had never tried it before because I was intimidated by taking a 2, 3, and 4 yr old out somewhere like that. I always have this fear that one of them may run off, and I won't really be able to chase them without leaving the others behind. Crazy, I know. Since I just have my babies now, I've decided I would take them to do more fun activities like that. Kaylee was very excited about going to the "libary". Of course, as soon as we walked in, she was glued to my leg. There were a few kids there, and it wasn't time to start yet, so they were just playing with some toys at the front. Brian jumped right in, and even went and sat beside a little boy and played cars with him. Kaylee, however, wouldn't leave my side. A man walked in (Oh! The horror!) and sat down to start reading. He had cute little songs with dances to go with them that he did between each book, then after reading 3 books, the kids did a craft. Kaylee wouldn't get up and sing or dance, so Brian wouldn't either. I could tell Kaylee was enjoying it though, because she had that smile on her face. It isn't a full on smile, it's kind of a hidden smile, where she doesn't want to let people know that she is actually having fun. On the way home we talked about why she was scared and didn't want to participate, and she told me, "If we keep going there when I am 5, then I won't be scared anymore and I'll sing along. Maybe, some girls who are 5 aren't scared anymore". Of course! That makes perfect sense! Not. All in all, they had fun and we are going to try to go every week.

On a different note, since I'm here blogging, I'm begging for your prayers. Kaylee is going through another of her infamous phases where she is completely disrespectful to me, disobedient, and constantly in trouble. For over a week now her room has been empty because she has been grounded from all of her stuff. Sunday she was good, so I was going to give it back to her, but hadn't had time to move it back in her room. By Monday, she lost her rights to her things, again! Monday she was chasing her brother around with a spoon, and I'm not sure exactly what she did, but he was crying saying she hurt him. I was trying to talk to her about it and she just kept saying "I didn't hurt him". I was trying to explain that sometimes we hurt people without realizing that we hurt them, and that we should still apologize. This MUST have upset her, because she raised her hand like she was about to hit me! When I discipline the kids, I always get on their level to talk to them, so she would have hit me right in the face. (It wouldn't be the first time that has happened) I was so upset I sent her to her room. Thankfully, Brian was home to deal with it. I would have NEVER gotten away with anything like that as a child. Kaylee is literally the most stubborn child I have ever met. Anyone who has been around my child much would probably agree. I am very consistent with her, so I am always amazed at the limits she goes to in testing me. Yesterday I almost in tears, and I asked her what was going on with her. Why was she acting this way now, and what could I do to help her. She said, "I just need some attention, I want to spend more time with you". This made me sad, and confused. You see, I spend every waking moment with her, literally. She isn't napping anymore, so we spend one on one time together doing school work or watching a movie. I usually don't even shower until after they have gone to bed, so I'm not sure how much more time she needs lol. Last night after we had gone to bed, she snuck in our room. She wanted to sleep with us because she was scared of the dark. I explained to her that God made the dark, and it was good. There wasn't anything that would hurt her. I also explained that I was scared of the dark sometimes too, and that we all had different things we are scared of, but we have to face those fears. Then, she started to cry and say that she didn't want to go back to bed because she didn't get to spend any time with us. I think she has found something that will get my sympathy, and is trying to manipulate me. Of course, it breaks my heart to hear her say that, but I know it isn't true. So, pray for patience and diligence for me, and that my daughter would be saved.

One more story, because I never sit down to blog, I want to get them all out there before I forget. This past weekend we went to eat at a friend's Uncle's restaurant. It is a hibachi place that just opened. We had a few different types of sushi that were all SO good! Kaylee loved the sushi, and kept asking for more. The food was delicious as well. I am thankful my kids are adventurous with food. When we were leaving, our friends Aunt came and gave the kids each a bottle of Japanese soda. It is a cool glass bottle that has a marble in it. Kaylee has never had soda, except maybe a sip or two here and there that was given to her behind our backs. This was carbonated, but had no caffeine, so we decided to go ahead and let her have it. She liked it, a lot. She said, "Mom, this is soury. How do they get all those bubbles in there?" lol. She didn't know what to think of it. When we got home, Brian took the top off the bottle and took the marble out. Kaylee cried because she wanted to save the bottle. (Wonder where she got that from?!) We told her she could have Bub's, because we weren't fond of giving him any soda anyways.
I realize this is really long, sorry. Just needed to sit down and write while I had the time. =)

Christmas 2010

This Christmas was possibly the best Christmas I've ever had. Everything didn't go right; I got way too stressed out trying to "get it all done" before the festivities began; I missed my family Christmas party because it was on a Sunday, and we couldn't make it after church; there are still broken family relationships that we mourn, especially around the holidays. But despite all of that, this Christmas was the best.
We decided this year that we would complete all of our Christmas festivities before Christmas day, so that Christmas day would be just ours. We would have no plans, nowhere to be, nothing to do. And that is just what we did!
Christmas Eve we had a small gathering with our family (yes, Chrissy, that includes you!). We had yummy food, presents, and afterward some of us went to the Christmas Eve service at church. It was great, a very special time for me. Afterwards, we had dinner with some great friends, and that time was very special to me as well.
On to Christmas day! We had stayed out late Christmas Eve, so we all slept in Christmas Day. When we finally got up, Brian made breakfast and we all ate. Then we went and read our bible as a family for a little bit, then we opened presents. We stayed in our pajamas ALL day, ate leftovers and easy stuff, and just did nothing. If we celebrated a Sabbath day, I imagine it would be much like our Christmas day.
As we grow in Christ, I believe the way we celebrate his birth will grow as well. This year was better than last, and I pray that our lives would glorify God more and more, and that he would use us for His purpose. Praying that 2011 brings much growth in our lives, and all glory to God, for only He is worthy!