Almost Time!!

I thought I would be real good about keeping this blog up so I can keep family and friends up to date with what is going on with the Lambs.  I guess I was wrong!  It is hard to remember and take the time!
Believe it or not I am 5 1/2 weeks out from my due date!  I don't think I will make it that long.  I had an ultrasound at 30 weeks and she was already at 4lbs and 15oz!  Preston was about that size at 35 weeks.  Needless to say we are looking at having an even bigger baby than the first two - and they were 9 1/2 pounds!  I am hoping they will be willing to induce me as they did with the first two and do it on March 15th - Terry's birthday.  What a present that would be for him - to be given a new daughter!
The kids seem to be excited about Jamie Lyn.  I hope it is that way even after she is here and they have more competition for attention!
I have been feeling ok.  I am at the point where I can't eat much.  I think she is taking up too much space.  The leg/foot swelling is definitely there and noticeable!
I am so anxious now to hold my little girl.  I am sad that this is the last time I will ever be pregnant and I know that I will miss feeling her move inside of me but to see her, hold her, kiss her and get to know what kind of things she will like is so exciting!!!
We will have another ultrasound in a week or two to see how big she is growing.  I'm hoping that she isn't getting too big for a vaginal birth.  It means a lot to me to be able to do it that way!
Until I have more information (or more than likely after she is here) have a great evening!

Enjoy the Season!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Yes that is part of a song but what a true statement!!  I absolutely love this time of year.  The weather is getting cooler (sometimes still warm but for the most part I am NOT sweating!), Christmas decorations are going up, Christmas music is on the radio, the kids are just ecstatic about everything and it is a time where people are GIVING, not always taking or wanting!!!
I think this is going to be one of my favorite Christmases.  The kids are really into it.  They know that not only is God always watching you but so is Santa.  Well, then there is our little friend the Elf!  He watches them too.  He came to visit us on Sunday.  They were so excited to see him - they laugh at the places he moves to.  Now the cheap mom that I am I did not buy the official elf on the shelf.  last year I found a cheap stuffed elf and bought him for a couple of bucks.  It's the idea, right?!!  Everyday this week on our drive home from the sitter's house Calleigh about busts out of her seat each time she sees a house with lights up!!  It is just so amusing to watch.  I love that kid!  They both have lots of ideas on what Santa will and should bring them.  Some gifts they want they want Grandma to give them, not Santa.  Too funny.
We went on Sunday to cut down our tree.  Preston picked it out and it's perfect.  Well, almost perfect.  It is up in the house naked.  No lights or decorations on it yet - hoping to do that this weekend!
Preston is doing great in Kindergarten.  I had his IEP meeting today with his teacher and speech therapist.  They just adore him!  How could you not - he is the sweetest and cutest boy ever!!!  He is writing sentences and sounding out the words to know how to spell them.  I was amazed when I saw his journal.  How far he has come in just a few months of school.  I am so proud!
Calleigh is doing great at her preschool.  She is learning some Spanish.  She knows a few colors and numbers 1-10.  Amazing.  She is one smart cookie I tell you.
Both kids are excited about the baby.  We are having another girl.  Preston was a bit disappointed that it's a girl, even told me to have another one and it be a boy.  Now I think he has accepted the fact and is looking forward to teaching her things like how to sit up and read!!  He's an awesome big brother.  Calleigh can't wait to play peek a boo with her!!
I think that is about everything for now.  I am doing ok.  I have been told I have placenta previa so am on a lifting and strenuous activity ban.  I go back tomorrow for my monthly appointment.  I want to know all the things I need to do to keep this baby safe.  No strenuous activity or lifting is hard when you have 2 little ones but Terry has been great and has let me have some days on the weekends to relax.  I need that as much as I can!!

Been too Long

I apologize for how long it has been since I have posted!  I keep forgetting I started the blog.  So, what has been happening.
Preston finished up his fall T-ball season.  He really had fun and loved having Daddy be his coach.  The highlight of his season of course was the end of season party.  We met at the fields, played some wiffle ball with the parents, ate some pizza and then the trophies!  Preston loves his.  He has a shelf for all his trophies.  For Halloween Preston was a race car driver.  I have to say the cutest one I've ever seen!!  I know he would love to race cars for real.  He was able to go to school one evening and trick or treat around to the different classes.  He loved being back at school.  I hope his love of school continues - he got upset when we checked him out to take him to my ultrasound!  He is reading several sight words and doing awesome with his phonics.  Not sure when he grew up but man is he a big kid!!!  We also got him some bunk beds and rearranged his room.  He has more room now and if we have anyone visit we at least will have 1 bed ready!!
Calleigh loved her birthday.  Not long after her birthday we redid her room to make it a big girl room.  We took down the baby border and painted above the chair rail pink. Yes, pink because my daughter loves it - what a surprise!  She now has a double bed.  The little stinker had to point out that we didn't paint under the chair rail (it was a sage green).  I said what would you want to paint it and she said purple.  Sorry baby but it looks great the way it is.  We can now start to look at the bonus room and get it ready for the baby.  Calleigh loved Halloween.  For most of the activities she was a gorgeous fairy.  Halloween night I was a little tired of seeing the fairy costume so we put her in one of her princess dress up dresses.  She of course was beautiful!  She enjoyed trick or treating so much she keeps asking to go again!  She is doing great with her preschool.  She has learned a few words in Spanish.  She is one smart little girl!
The baby.  Well this baby is going to keep me on my toes.  We had our 20 week ultrasound last Friday.  It is another girl!  Preston was a bit disappointed because he really wanted a little brother.  He told me we could have another baby and have a boy.  Sorry, son but this is it!!!  The doctor told me that the nuchal measurement was a bit high so she wanted me to see a specialist.  Yesterday Terry and I went.  We were a little nervous as we were told that this measurement could be a sign of Down Syndrome.  They did a 2D ultrasound.  That was pretty cool.  We got to see her face a little better.  The ultrasound tech told me that she was looking for other abnormalities but did not see any - baby is growing (I am actually measuring 2 weeks ahead), bones look good, heart looks good.  The doctor came in and said that based on the nuchal measurement and my age that I do have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities.  The only way to really know is to do an amniocentesis.  Terry and I are still discussing but I am not sure I am ready to risk the baby at all to find out.  I am confident she is FINE!!!  I just will pray for her everyday and ask for friends and family to pray.  The doctor also pointed out that I have marginal placenta previa.  No lifting, strenuous activities or marital relations for a little while.  They will have to do another ultrasound in a few weeks to check on it.  I am hoping that as the baby and my uterus grow it will correct itself.  If not it could lead to bed rest and a c-section.  I would love to have a vaginal birth and can't imagine bed rest!!!  So, fingers crossed and prayers that this corrects itself.
That is the gyst of what has been going on with the Lambs the last couple of months.  Right now it is almost time for the house divided football game - Auburn vs. UGA!  Good thing my husband and I love each other enough that it NEVER effects our relationship.  I have heard how couples don't talk and get mad at each other - doesn't make sense.  It's just a game.  Granted I have a strong hatred for UGA but couldn't change my love for my husband because he roots for the wrong team!!!

Time Flies-My baby is 3

          Where does the time go?  My baby girl turned 3 today.  She was so excited to have a birthday she couldn't fall asleep for her nap.  All I could think was "Oh my what fun she will be - NOT!".  When she was supposed to be sleeping she first put ALL of her hairbows in her hair.  I will have to post that picture.  I told her that I needed her to sleep so she is ready for her party and so that I could wrap her presents.  I managed to keep her upstairs long enough to wrap her presents.  She came down stairs and was so excited and ready to open them.  She also wanted to have her cake.  It was killing her to wait another hour for her friends and family to come over!  For a little girl without a nap she actually did very well.  She only melted down once and that was when she was told to blow out her candle on her cake.  I am not sure why that made her cry but she did.  Daddy to the rescue - he hugged her then encouraged her to blow the cake out and helped her.  Calleigh had so much fun I don't think she knew what to do.  She flew through opening her presents - barely looking at what she got before opening the next one.  That's what 3 year olds do, right?!  My friend Manny, her Godfather, was the last to leave and boy she has him wrapped around her finger!  She had him getting her a hot dog, juice, letting her play in his van, and who knows what else!  I loved watching her with him.  He truly is an "uncle" to her.  What a blessing to have such a wonderful friend in my life who my children adore!!  Calleigh loves people but tends to get shy, especially around men.  Not with Manny.  She was upset when it was time for him to leave.
        Every year on my kids' birthdays I reminisce about the day they were born.  Terry often laughs at me for doing this.  This year he did it with me, reminding me of some little things I had forgotten.  The one this year was that he reminded me how Calleigh "meowed/cooed" constantly for the first day of her life.  It was a constant sound she made.  It was the cutest thing.  I think that was our clue that she would be a talker!!!    
        These last 3 years have gone as quickly as she came out!  The doctor wasn't ready when I was ready to start pushing.  He kept trying to get me to wait while he put on his shoe covers.  I said I'm pushing!  He realized I wasn't playing.  Calleigh was a fairly easy delivery - as easy as 9lbs 8ozs can be!!!
        As I get older and my children get older, I realize that I need to savor every second that I can.  I always have appreciated the time I get to spend with them but I don't feel like I get enough of it!  When I am with my family I try my best to enjoy every moment and not lose my patience at little things.  That part is hard because after working all day and having things I know I need to do at home (and being hormonal!) little things the kids do can set me off.  Times like these I have to remind myself that I won't have these moments for long.  Before long they will be all grown up and not needing me anymore.  They won't be asking me to open their juice box, watch them play family, sit in the bathroom with them, etc.  These moments are precious.  Time is precious.  I love my kids and my husband with all my heart.  I don't know what I would do without them.  I am truly blessed.  If only there was a way for me to spend EVERY second of EVERY day enjoying them!!!

 

Where Were You?

What a day.  10 years ago I was in the bus lane getting my kids off the buses (I taught special ed).  One parent drove by telling us that a plane hit the World Trade Center.  We were all a little confused so just kept doing what we were doing and listening as parents came through.  When we got to the classroom I turned our TV on.  All we could think was "Oh my ghosh!  Is this real?".  We were told to turn tvs off because there were students in the building with family in New York or parents who travel, were pilots, flight attendants, etc.  We still had a radio so had that on because it was too hard to get to our library to watch the tv in there.  I rushed home after school and was thankful my dad was in town.  I was glued to the TV.  I just kept thinking that they would find people alive and that it couldn't be that bad.  My positive thinking I guess.  Of course I was wrong.  It was an emotional day that I don't think anyone alive will forget.
Today, the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I did the same thing.  I sat in front of the TV for most of the day watching coverage.  One channel actually showed about an hour of Good Morning America from that morning.  I wanted to hear the stories.  It seems more have come out.  Again I was emotional and in disbelief.  Did this really happen to us?  It did.
I thank our military, firefighters, police and all service personnel for what you do to keep our country safe.  God Bless the USA!  Never Forget.

Tropical Storm Lee

Call us crazy but Labor Day weekend we went to Destin, FL even though a tropical storm was coming!  We had made plans with friends back in June to go for the weekend.  We were not going to let a little weather stop us!  What a National Lampoon Vacation it was!  It took the one family 9 hours to get there (We made it in 5 1/2 hours) due to lost GPS signal, incorrect directions, baby diaper changes and basically everything you could think of happening.  I felt so bad for them.  Preston kept asking when they were going to be there.  The other family that went with us made it a little after we did after passing a sign that said "Your GPS is wrong.  Turn around!".  Gotta love that and the fact there were about 10 cars going the same way!
Saturday we hit the beach.  Waves were crazy and it was a double red flag.  We didn't care.  We just weren't going to let the kids get in past the knees.  They were all so excited to be at the ocean.  Preston even laid on his belly in the sand and water.  I was so excited for them even though it was windy.  Then along comes the beach patrol telling everyone to get out of the water.  Bummer.  So we went closer to the house and let the kids play in the sand there.  One family was smart and brought an inflatable pool that we blew up and filled up with the hose.  The kids loved this - it wasn't the same as the ocean but they got the sand and water, right?  Problem only came after about an hour when they all started to get cold!
It rained off and on the whole weekend.  Luckily it wasn't a constant rain but enough to drive you stir crazy.  Our house had leaks so we had about 4 buckets in the living room catching the drips.  I meant to take a picture of it and just never got around to it.  I actually didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted (those that know me know I take pictures of everything!)  Part of the reason is my camera battery died 1/2 way through Sunday.  I had my charger.  Until the following week I didn't realize that I put the battery in backwards in the charger therefore it didn't charge.  I blame pregnancy head!
Sunday we looked for some indoor activities to do that would get us out of the house.  Everyone else had the same idea I guess.  We landed on a little Kids' Science Museum.  I mean little too when you have all these people coming and going and it is set up like a house with lots of little rooms!  The kids seemed to really enjoy it though.  We were then off to an early dinner.  Great restaurant.  Dewey Destin I believe was the name.  The kids loved the outside area where we waited.  Afterward the men decided that they were no longer going to let the tropical storm win.  Out to the ocean they went.  Preston, Calleigh and I watched as Daddy went in the ocean.  Preston got scared and kept saying he didn't want his Daddy to get lost.  I think this came from the fact that the majority of our time we were laughing at the people going in the ocean and calling them crazy.  Now it was us!  Calleigh couldn't hold back any more.  She ran to Daddy and went in with him.  Terry said she had a ball.  I had to go inside with Preston who after some time playing in the sand had a bout of diarrhea that needed to be bathed.  Calleigh was just adorable though when they did come in - "Mommy, the ocean pulled down my pants!".  I let her go in in her clothes and apparently one of the waves pulled her pants down.  Where was I and my camera?!!
The kids hated to leave on Monday, mainly I think because they really didn't get the time they wanted/needed in the water.  We went to IHOP for lunch then all left our various ways (I say various because we all live within a few miles of each other we apparently each get different GPS directions!).  Traffic was a little crazy but the National Lampoon Vacation continued.  We ignored GPS when it told us to get on 10 to go through Dothan.  NO!  That was the long way.  We ended up on 10 because we came to a T intersection and I was 1/2 asleep so we turned right instead of left.  UGH.  Dothan and Eufaula were just a bunch of cars in small towns.  Took us 6 1/2 hours to get home.  One family made it in the 5 1/2 hours.  The family that took 9 hours to get down there - went the short way home but their luck hit in Montgomery.  They stopped for lunch and when they looked at their tires, one or 2 were bulging.  Off to Walmart and a new set of tires.  3 hour wait.  Another 9 hour trip.
I think we all need another trip with actual relaxing and sunshine!  I must say, if I have to be stuck out of town in a tropical storm, we were stuck with some great friends (and great cookies!).  Can't wait until next Labor Day for our next beach adventure together!

 

Family

My kids crack me up!  The last two nights they have played family.  Preston is the Daddy and Calleigh is the Mommy.  Yesterday Preston moved their kid table to be next to the loveseat so that the "baby" could be sitting on the couch next to them and at the same level!  It was such a smart idea - he had the baby bouncy seat first and realized the baby would be on the ground.  They apparently were at a restaurant on the "big truck road" (that is what Preston calls the highway!)  Tonight they played again.  Preston was driving and Calleigh was in the backseat with the baby.  It is so cute!  I love watching them play so nicely.  Of course we do have our moments of fighting but overall they are sweet.
I was talking to my Dad the other day and told him that I am so thankful for my kids.  I have awesome kids.  They are so sweet and well behaved.  We never had to baby proof the house - no cabinet locks, outlet covers, things off shelf, etc.  They never tried to really get into anything.  Once out of a crib, they didn't try to leave their room.  Calleigh does get books occasionally and put them in her bed but that's ok.  She doesn't leave her room and she is quiet!  As infants they were (and still are) good sleepers.  Of course as I was saying all this to my dad, I patted my tummy and told Peanut that I hope you continue the trend and is good!!
Tomorrow we get to go to the beach with some friends.  We are all excited.  Now we have to hope that this Caribbean wave that is coming doesn't turn into a tropical storm and we have rain all weekend!  No matter what, we will have good friends and good times!!