Happy New Year, 2008!!!

We spent New Years Eve: going to dinner, lighting fireworks, family game-night, sparkling grape juice(enjoyed by all) and of course, fabulous, shiny New Year attire.

I picked up these cute New Year's cards for the boys to compose their thank you letters to friends and family. I love Gavin and Owen's little "Frostys" that they drew.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

I turned 28 on the 28th. My day was really nice. Eddie got off work at noon so we could go shopping for maternity clothes for me and go to dinner at Olive Garden. We left the boys at my mom's just so everything would go smoother(you know how it is with two kids that don't want to be out shopping). We had a wonderful day!!! Here's to another year of aging gracefully. Teehee.

14 Weeks

We have movement. I have felt this baby move everyday since Wednesday(which was the exact day that I turned 14 weeks.) It is crazy because I don't ever remember having movement this early before. Of course, even with feeling the movement, I still worry sick about the baby and can't wait for my appointment next Tuesday to hear the heartbeat again. I should also be able to schedule the ultrasound then as well. Yippee!!! I am so excited when I think about that, that I can hardly stand it.
Week Fourteen
Thyroid gland has matured and your baby begins producing hormones which will be used throughout his or her life.
In boys, the prostate gland develops
In girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen to the pelvis
Your little one may have learned to suck his thumb by this point!
Your child's bones are getting harder and stronger by the day!
Your baby's skin is very transparent still
Lanugo (very fine hair) covers the baby's body and will continue to grow until 26 weeks gestational age - Generally this will be shed prior to birth. Its purpose is to help protect baby's skin while in all that water!
Your baby is 3.42 inches (8.7cm) long and weighs about 1.52 ounces (43 grams) - approximately the weight of a letter!

Merry Christmas!

Gavin didn't go to sleep until after 12 am on Christmas morning. This made for a difficult and long night for Eddie and I. Actually, Eddie was a total sweetie and was up wrapping presents for the boys so I could go to bed. Gavin woke up around 9 or 9:30 Christmas morning hollering, "Santa Claus came"! Eddie and I just grinned at each other in bed. Then we heard Gavin tearing into his stocking so we had to hop up quickly and head for the living room. Poor Owen was so exhausted that we had to drag him out of bed with us.

The boys were really excited and Gavin immediately started tearing into his gifts. Owen, on the other hand, was more fascinated with his candy that filled his stocking. (That kid must have 15 sweet teeth in his mouth.) They really seemed to like their gifts, however there was a moment that I am not really proud of. Gavin had asked for three things from Santa: A Transformer Helmet, Optimus Prime action figure, and a Castle playset. However, the Castle was missing from his pile on Christmas morning(my mom bought it for him), when Gavin opened his third gift(A LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Letter Set), he said,"Aww...man, a learning toy...Santa Claus stinks". I kid you not! Now, it is pretty funny, but at the time I was mad and more than a tad bit irritated. We ended up having a major discussion about Jesus and the "true" spirit of Christmas. I am NOT raising spoiled, bratty kids.
So after the episode, we had breakfast and then Eddie and I brought the kids to the front porch to show them their surprise gift from us. They loved that thing. (Since then, several parts have broken or cracked and I have no idea what the company will do to fix it for us). Late that afternoon we went to my mom's house for dinner and presents there. She wrapped me up two baby girl outfits along with my gifts. ;) (I wonder if I will get to keep them.) On the way home, we went through the lights as a perfect way to end a perfect Christmas Day.

How Can it Be?

Christmas Eve, already! I am really excited and really sad at the same time. My tree is beautiful and filled with presents underneath(though I am sure we probably shouldn't have spent so much), the lights around town are absolutely breathtaking, the food(need I say more?), the choked up feeling I get when I think of that precious baby boy, Jesus, and the excitement of the boys for tomorrow to hurry up and come. I just know that after tomorrow all the hype and preparation will be over, until next year.

Yesterday, we had planned to attend worship services at church, but Saturday night and all day yesterday, I was SICK. I mean really sick, all.day.long. I vomited several times and just felt nauseous the entire day. So much so, that I couldn't watch t.v., read, or get on the computer. I just felt too bad. I don't know what caused it, I mean I am almost 14 weeks so it can't be morning sickness, right?

Today, I feel so much better. I am like a new woman. However, the day is filled with stuff to do. We cleaned out the fridge, rewashed clothes that I got sick on, and still have an entire list: clean up(since my papa might be coming over in the morning), wrap the kids presents(I used to love wrapping, but for some reason I am not in the mood this year), pick up the ham, cake for Jesus, cookies for Santa, carrotts for the reindeer, go to the Christmas Eve service at church, pickup dinner, go riding for Christmas lights, and pick up their Power Wheels from grandma's house.

Now for the cutest pictures ever of the boys...

13 Weeks...

This Christmas season is going to do me in. I have discovered Cherry Cordial filled Hershey Kisses, thanks to a fellow blogger, Rach and swear(though it isn't nice too ;p ) that I will gain another 5 lbs by my next appointment after the New Year. That isn't a baby in my belly, it is chocolate. Teehee. Anyhoo, I guess I am on track to starve myself when the baby is born since I am sure I will reach 200lbs by the time this is over. :o

Here are my 13 week stats...

Week Thirteen
Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight as 4 quarters.
If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest
Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with her fist.
At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta
On your next doctor visit you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is much rapider than your own and may remind you of the race towards birth that he is running!

Let it Snow...

The other day, on the way to school, Gavin mentioned that the trees needed clothes since they were naked now that the leaves were falling. I explained that is why we call this season fall, then we have winter. Winter was all I had to say, for him to wish for it to snow soon so he can make a big snowman so it could come to life like Frosty. I do hope it will snow for him and Owen this winter. This child has never seen snow and he is almost five.

It is finally getting cold here again. Last week it was in the high 70s. This morning and yesterday, the ground was icy white with frost. What a nice feeling as it gets closer to Christmas, cold floors in the morning and snuggling up with the boys with blankets. (Of course, I would love to snuggle up with Eddie, if Owen will ever sleep in his bed).

Christie, This is for You...

Daddy is Home!

Actually he has been home, just teaching three nights a week which meant that he didn't get home at night until 10 pm. It is so funny because Owen has gotten used to screaming out when he walks in the door, "DADDYS HOME". He also knows that the afternoons we pull in the driveway and Eddie's truck is sitting there that, "DADDYS HOME".

This weekend, we were all in my truck together. Once we got in the driveway, Owen shouted, "DADDYS HOME", but Eddie was in my truck with us. ;p

He gave his final on Monday night, so until the middle of January we have Daddy back. The three of us are so excited. Yay! He won't be as tired and we will have way more family and 'alone' time for a whole month.

The Lights Before Christmas!

I live for this every year. What an amazing site! Enjoy!

Meet our Doggies...

My sister has the cutest little puppy, Abby. She is under 10 lbs and is an all white Shitzu. Soooo cute. She really looks like a Maltese.

Well, anyway after a trip to see them several months back, Gavin said that he loves Abby but he was glad that we didn't have a dog. LOL

So, here are our cuddly pets. We made them out of pompoms, googly eyes, and felt.

Left to right: Meet Turner, Jack, Shrek, and Prince Charming.

Gavin's Owen's

12 Weeks

Week Twelve
Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!
Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!
Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head
Intestines move farther in to your child's body
His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!
The pancreas begins to produce insulin
Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

Dear Owen:

Please know that I do love you just as much as Gavin and think you are so cute and cuddly. I really wish I had more pictures of you, but truthfully, you just won't cooperate.
That said, here are some more pictures of your handsome brother.

Ralphie vs. Gavin

What is it with children and their fear of their dads?

Yesterday, Gavin ended up pitching a tantrum at Grandma's house when I picked him up on the way home from work. He did apologize and completely change his attitude on the way home, however, he asked me to "Please, please don't tell daddy how I acted mommy". Of course, I am not going to keep secrets from my husband, so I told him and told him what Gavin said. Then I asked him not to say anything to Gavin about it. So last night, he asked Gavin if he was good at Grandma's house. You should have seen Gavin, he looked at Eddie then looked at me, then realizing I wasn't going to tell on him, smiled a little and said "No"!

I couldn't help but think of Ralphie from The Christmas Story.

The Color Purple

Since both the boys have very distinct likes and dislikes(and will make them known to anyone) I have decided to list them here.

Owen loves: purple, passys, pants, tee-shirts, sleep, trucks, baby dolls, noodles, rice krispy treats, macaroni and cheese, crafts, books, Shrek, riding bikes, wearing crocs and his boots, hooded towels, Baby Jesus, candy, hats, sunglasses, "hold you", and rubbing your belly.

Gavin loves: purple, Gamecocks, sweaters, coats, ties, boots, dancing, rock n' roll music, green eggs and ham(eating it), reading books, riding bikes, scooter, and power wheels car, bathrobes, chocolate, cupcakes, pirates, Transformers, science, crafts, dressing up, jewelery, laughing, long hair, tattoos, head-banging(he loves to do this), scary and spooky things, sunglasses, swimming, and school.

Gavin dislikes: waiting(for anything), not getting his way, kids that are mean to him or too rough on the playground, girls, and getting too close to dogs.

Owen dislikes: when you won't hold him, strangers, and when Gavin messes with him.

11 Weeks

I had my second appointment this past Tuesday. Dr. H said that my uterus is palpable in my belly(I can feel it, too) and the baby had an awesome heartbeat. Oh, how it was such a relief to hear that beautiful sound. Shoo,shoo,shoo,shoo,shoo... My pregnancy seems to be passing really fast. I am just awaiting that second trimester surge of energy.

Week Eleven
Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.
Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.
Hair and nails begin to grow
The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?
Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.
The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.
Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).

Christmas Card Pictrues

I tried to get some pictures for our Christmas card, but I am not totally set on them yet. I am still going to try with the boys in their pajamas in front of our Christmas tree. I hope that by this weekend, I can come up with something.

Singing Christmas Tree

An area church hosts a Singing Christmas Tree every year and provides free tickets. Since the boys are usually pretty quiet during regular church services, we decided that they would really enjoy the performance. The tree sings with lights and a live Nativity scene is presented. Both of the kids adore Christmas lights and I can't say enough how much Owen is enthralled with Baby Jesus.

The show ended up being really neat. The only complaint I have is that we sat in the balcony and the kids really couldn't see everything due to all the computer equipment and stage people that were in front of us. However, we brought candy for them so all was great. When the Nativity scene was presented, Owen started shouting out, "Baby Jesus, I see Him, I see Him." I was actually embarrassed and really just wished he would be quiet. However, reflecting a little on this moment, I have realized that not only should I not have been embarrassed, but should have that same joy for Jesus that keeps me from being quiet. I should have been shouting out my love for Him just like little Owen was. Jesus wanted the children to come to him and spoke out against the proper attitude of the Pharisees.