False Alarm?!

Okay, not really… but we did get sent home from the hospital today!  Moments before my c-section my doctor decided to do an ultrasound and to everyone’s surprise baby boy had flipped head down!!  We were all in shock and it did throw us for a loop (as I was just starting to feel okay about a c-section), but so thankful that he had worked himself into the right position.  My doctor did give us the option to stay and have a c-section (since he is a big baby), or come back tomorrow and start an induction for a regular birth.  We opted for the induction and within a few minutes my IV was out (praise the Lord, it was a bad spot and really painful), I was dressed, and we were driving off for lunch.  It’s funny how we can make plans and really think they are ‘concrete’ only to see everything change.  We’re so thankful that it’s the Lord who is ultimately in control!!

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.  Proverbs 19:21

We did take a few pictures today at the hospital…

We thought this one was especially appropriate since we were still going back and forth on names as of this morning!  (I *think* we’re set now, but I guess we’ve got one more night to deliberate!) 

Leaving without baby… such a strange feeling!!

Thanks again for your prayers and excitement along with us!  :)  We are excited to share our news with everyone tomorrow (hopefully).  :)

38 weeks!

I’m 38 weeks today!  I saw my doctor this morning for approx. 2 minutes.  :)  There isn’t much to discuss at this point in the pregnancy.  She listened to his heartbeat, measured my tummy, felt his head pushing up into my ribcage :) and we were done.  Short of an unlikely flip baby boy will be delivered via c-section on July 5th!  I have to say, having had an induction with Asher and now a scheduled c-section with this baby, it’s kind of nice knowing when they are coming (unless he surprises us, of course!)I can honestly say that I’m feeling such a peace about the c-section and am thankful for all the prayers.  :) 

*Ha!  If I look tired and worn-out in these pictures, it’s because I am!!

We are down to the final days of life-as-we-know-it!  This weekend we will hopefully finish packing, next week we move, and the following week we’ll have this baby boy!  Phew!  It does make me nervous to think about this {very} tight timeline and though we know it’s all in the Lord’s hands, we pray that we can get moved before he arrives!  I know so many people are praying for us too, and we appreciate it SO much!  Thank you!  Keep ‘em coming!!  :)

Okay, here’s the pregnancy comparison shot:

I’m noticing that my ‘bump’ with Asher was much more like a ball than this time around, I’m not sure if that’s because this baby is breech or not, but it sure feels like he’s all stretched out inside of me instead of being curled up!!

And this one made me laugh… last pregnancy’s craving and this pregnancy’s craving: chocolate cereal both times! 

(My husband appreciates that at least I’ve gone generic this time!!)  :)  I wish I could say that this has been my only pregnancy indulgence…

We’re down to two names and hopefully we’ll go to the hospital with only 1 name!!!  :)  We’re having a hard time because the names are very different so we’re not only trying to choose which one we like more, we’re trying to decide which type of name we want our son to have.  Decisions Decisions! 

37 weeks!

I was 37 weeks Friday.  Hard to believe I’m full term… it really seems like just yesterday that I was in my first trimester!!

I had my weekly appt. and things are still the same… a breech boy!  Chris and I have opted out of trying the manual turning of baby boy since he’s in an awkward breech position.  We do still hope he turns on his own though!  :)

Assuming he doesn’t turn, and assuming he doesn’t try to come early, my c-section will be sometime my 39th week depending on openings at the hospital.  I’m very hopeful that he will stay put until then since that will allow us to move and get settled before his arrival!!

Baby boy, we are so excited to meet you!  We love you already!

Here’s a comparison shot from 37 weeks with Asher and now:

update…

This might be the craziest season of our life so far, but we’re still here and we are surviving!  No pictures, just a few updates for those of you checking in on us! :)

Baby boy is still breech… we’re praying for a miraculous flip!

We’re packing like crazy and making lots of head-way.  I had two girlfriends come help pack up my kitchen and they were amazing.  Such a blessing!

Asher has started attempting to climb out of his crib and almost had one clean escape… thus, we’ve ordered a toddler bed.  We’re still debating about if we really want one more transition in his life right now.  It’s hard to know, but obviously safety is our first concern!  :)  In general, sleep has been hard for Asher right now.  Fighting naps, early wake-ups etc.  I’m hopeful he just has molars coming in and we’ll get back into a good sleep pattern soon!?!

Today marks the two week mark until we close on our present house, then the new house and MOVE!  I do fluctuate between a sense of calm and total panic, but the more we accomplish the calmer I feel.  :)

When I stop and look at where we are right now I’m amazed at the timing of everything.  It’s SO hard to believe we’re doing this at the end of my pregnancy… but I am incredibly thankful that these are the weeks that Chris is home full-time from school and can pour himself into packing, helping with Asher, and keeping me calm!  :)  So in some ways it’s the worst timing and the best timing.  If that even makes sense!! 

I/we would truly appreciate any prayers to help this baby boy turn so I wouldn’t have to have a c-section.  Thank you! 

36 weeks!

I’m 36 weeks today and honestly in the blur of house hunting, negotiations, and home inspections this pregnancy has kind of taken a back-seat!  BUT, time marches on and we are down to a month left!! 

I had my ultra-sound and Dr. appt. this morning.  Fortunately, baby boy looks healthy and is developing well!  We got to see his little profile, legs, heart, kidneys, and feet… UNFORTUNATELY, his feet were NOT where they should be.  He’s breech! 

We’re hopeful that he still might turn on his own, though!  :)  (Prayers appreciated on that one!)   He was a bit ‘big’ in their estimations, but not huge.  A little over 6 lbs with a month to go. 

I’m a little sad and anxious about the thought of a c-section, but am SO thankful for a healthy baby boy.   And I know that the Lord is in control so I’ll do my best to rest in that!

Here’s my 36 week shot…

I don’t have a picture of me alone at 36 weeks with Asher, but I cropped one to get a comparison of these two pregnancies…

It’s hard to really compare because the angle is off and the shadow in the second one definitely adds to my bump, but it’s still fun to see them side-by-side! 

Looking forward to all that this next month holds… packing, moving, unpacking, and meeting our baby boy!  (And hopefully in that order!!)  :)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:33-34

buh-bye stripes!

Remember these shots from about two years ago?!

The pain-staking stripes that I measured, taped, and mostly painted (with the help of my husband). 

Yep.  They’re gone!

We got new carpet for both bedrooms so we took it as a chance to freshen up the boys’ room and paint it back to just khaki. It feels SO good in there now… fresh paint! fresh carpet! I love it!

Thanks to Valspar paint with primer it only took ONE COAT!!  Thank you  to my husband who kicked me out of the painting job (even though it was low-VOC paint) just to play it safe.  And a BIG thank you to Grandpa Atkinson for driving to Indy to help us unload heavy furniture and then re-load it a few hours later.

The room still needs lots of finishing touches to make it ready for two little people instead of just this one…

But when it’s all done I’ll post some pics!  In the meantime, buh-bye stripes!  You were fun while you lasted!!

Let the comparisons begin!

I didn’t do a great job of documenting each week with Asher’s pregnancy.  This second time around we’ve taken a picture about every other week since about 16 weeks (I think).  It is fun to go back and look at the progression… it’s just hard to be diligent enough to remember to take the picture each week. 

I asked Chris if I looked bigger this time around and he said “No.” SO fast that I know he was just trying to be a sweet husband.  :) 

I found this picture from Asher’s pregnancy and I didn’t mark it with which week it was, but it’s dated almost exactly two months before he was born so I thought I’d compare it with my most recent shot since they are both approx. at 32 weeks. 

*Sigh*  It’s official!  I knew I felt bigger this time around but this picture definitely proves it.  :) 

No real complaints though, I knew that would happen and I’m just so thankful for a healthy pregnancy that worrying about extra weight seems ridiculous!  With each passing week we’re getting more excited about the reality of becoming a family of four!  Now if we could only choose a name…

Mother’s Day 2011!

I have really vivid memories of the past three Mother’s Day…

Three years ago today was (appropriately) cold and rainy.  I went to church with a broken heart following a miscarriage.  It was an extremely difficult day.

Two years ago was much different!  We were waiting and waiting for baby A to arrive!  He was already overdue and I was scheduled to head to the hospital the next morning for my induction.  Asher was born 13 hours after Mother’s Day.

Thinking of the contrast of those two Sundays makes me smile as I can see the way the Lord truly made beauty from ashes! 

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Last year was my first official Mother’s Day!  Asher was almost 1 year old and my precious baby boy!

And then there’s this year!!  I was so blessed today by my sweet husband and favorite little boy.  Chris spoiled me with donuts for breakfast and cards, flowers, and a gift.  We enjoyed a day at the zoo and a yummy dinner out to eat.  It was a sunny, warm, day and just wonderful! :)  As I was giving Asher his bath tonight he turned to me and said, “Mommy, Happy Mother’s Day!”  (A phrase his Daddy had prompted him to say throughout the day… but this time it was completely unsolicited.)

 

Fun at the zoo!

He was WAY more interested in the birds than the Lemurs!

Checking out the “big goats” according to Asher.

The “Raffs” and their baby…

My two favorite guys checking out the warthogs!

* * *

I have to be honest, this is a really exhausting season of life.  Asher is testing us every day.  Keeping up with him and staying consistent with discipline is tiring in general, and only made harder in the third trimester of pregnancy!  Poor Chris is in a cast so lots of things he had happily ‘taken over’ at night-time have been put back on my plate since he can no longer bathe Asher, and things like putting on jammies are impossible with only one working arm. 

All this to say, I was overwhelmed today with some perspective on the sweetness of this stage of life.  I will never have my little two year old boy at this moment in time again and there is truly nothing or no one I’d rather be completely exhausted for each night than him!

I am also so thankful for a healthy pregnancy and another son to love, even if carrying him is getting harder each day.  And I’m beyond thankful for the man that I get to raise these two sweet boys with, even if I don’t always let him know. 

Walking down the memory lane of the past three Mother’s Days was a great reminder of the Lord’s Faithfulness in my life… and a humbling reminder that He is continuing to work in me.  The same God who turned my mourning into joy two years ago walks with me each day!

* * *

And finally, Happy Mother’s Day today to my sweet Mom and Mother-in-law.  “Everything I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Mother.”  Abraham Lincoln said that and I completely agree! I am so thankful for the godly example of my Mom and understand her love for me and my sisters more and more each day!

Getting Organized!

I know I’ve mentioned on here before about how incredibly blessed we are to receive all my sister’s hand-me-downs from her boys.  Though Erica lives far away my parents have been the gracious couriers of the tubs and tubs of clothes, and a few times Erica has mailed things we needed ASAP.  Such a blessing!! 

…And of course Asher has all the clothes he receives from his grandparents, what we buy him, what we received for shower gifts etc. etc.  It’s probably a little bit ridiculous!

I really have tried to keep all the clothes in the correct bins which were basically stacked floor to ceiling in Asher’s closet, but with baby brother on the way we knew we needed to clear the closet and make room!!  Which also meant I needed to do one more big sort of the clothes. 

It was a big undertaking, and it’s not completely finished… but the bulk of the job is done!

Most of the bins (a few were still hiding in the hallway) pre-sort

In the middle of the job… it usually gets worse before it gets better, right?!  And even though it was a tedious job it was fun to walk down memory lane with all the little clothes that no longer fit my BIG boy!

(mostly) DONE! 
Thankfully we’ll be storing some of the bins (that Asher has outgrown, and that baby brother won’t need for a while) at my parent’s house!

I just love that little face! :)  And I think he loves that he got his playroom back!

And of course, poor Daisy was a wreck the whole time because she always panics when we pack like we’re going on a trip!

* * *

Now to organize the closet and make room for another little person around here!!

24 weeks

I am 24 weeks pregnant (yesterday)!  :)  I’ve heard of babies being born this early and I’m always amazed that they are able to live outside the womb so early.  Obviously I hope our little guy stays put for quite a while… but it is such a testament to the way the Lord knits us together by His perfect design! 

When I had Chris take my 24 week picture today Asher came over and stood next to me and said “cheese!” :)

Babies at 24 weeks are typically a little over 1lb and about the length of an ear of corn.  I can definitely attest to feeling that ear of corn bumping around and kicking in my tummy more and more lately!

I had my Dr. appt. this week and everything was great.  My doctor’s office has three OB’s and though I like them all I really love MY doctor.  It’s been a few months since I’ve seen her, but I got her for this appt. and always love those appointments.  She’s young and funny and super laid back.  I asked her how I could try to have a smaller baby this time around and she assured me that my weight gain and sugar levels were not high with Asher and haven’t been high with this baby so it’s probably just genetic.  (I guess I should have figured that one out since I was a 10 lb baby!!)  She plans to do an ultrasound at 36 weeks and if baby boy is looking large and in charge she will induce me a week early.  So We’re looking at a baby born sometime that first week of July (and hopefully not a day later!!) 

Asher talks about having a baby brother, but I don’t think he really has ANY concept of what we’re talking about.  That’s okay!  He’ll figure it out eventually…  :) 

Other than that I’m feeling well… just BIG.  I think that’s normal with second pregnancies though.  I remember DYING to feel/look pregnant with Asher and this time around I am wishing we could prolong it a bit longer.  :) 

Baby Brother has gotten a few new and new-t0-him items the past few weeks.  Some were consignment sale finds and a few were actual new purchases. 

How cute are these little linen overalls?!  I love the little fishy details… Perfect for a summer baby!!

And I found this hat (majorly on sale) and even though it is probably completely impractical for a summer baby, I thought it was too cute to pass up!

Okay… I better wrap up this post before it becomes the world’s MOST boring one ever.  I’m sure I’ll be thankful to someday look back and have a record of this pregnancy… but it’s got to be kind of boring for anyone just reading!  :)

Happy Weekend!!

Little Brother

First of all, thank you for the comments and for the emails!  I LOVE hearing all your advice.  Two heads (or more) really are better than one!!!  Keep the suggestions coming!  :)

The other day it hit me that we don’t need to buy hardly anything for baby #2!  Considering we’ve already raised one boy through infancy we’re covered for all the gear we need.  We have tubs and tubs and tubs of clothes that either belonged to Asher or his cousins (or both)!  It’s also an added blessing that most of those clothes will overlap seasonally since Asher was born in the spring and this buddy will be born in summer!  All that being said, I’m sure we will (and have already started to) buy some things for this little guy, but it kind of takes the stress of preparing for another baby away when you know you’re mostly covered!  :)

We did find this cute little onesie at the consignment store the other day.  I couldn’t resist the $1.50 price tag!  ;)  It looks SO tiny that I can hardly believe we will be going back to the newborn stage!!  Although, if he’s as big as Asher was he might only get a few ‘wears’ out of it before it gets retired.  :)  Sorry for the bad iPhone pictures…

I also got these pacifiers the other day.  We never used the Gumdrop type with Asher, but lots of my friends have used them and like them.  (They are shaped differently so they don’t block the baby’s nose.)  One of the hospitals here in town gives them out instead of the circular Soothie brand, but not our hospital.  I have looked for them in the past, but they only sold them online and I was too cheap to pay shipping for pacifiers.  :)  BUT, now Target and Meijer carry them!  Yeah!  I love those shades of blue and green!

I also ordered one set of newborn diapers on Amazon and am going to try to keep picking up a box here and there over the next few months in preparation.  Holy cow are those things little!  I remember thinking that the first time around, but now they seems absolutely TINY compared to Asher’s big size 5 diapers!  :)

All these little purchases definitely make the reality of ‘little brother’ more and more exciting!!!

20 weeks & advice, please!

Yippee!  We’re officially half-way.  I can’t decide if this pregnancy is dragging on or zipping by??  Some days it feels one way and other days it feels differently.  I suppose the second half will go a bit faster though! 

(Good grief, I look huge!  How many pounds does the camera add?!)

It was fun to see our little boy this week at the ultrasound.  I’ve heard enough stories of children born with serious medical conditions that it makes me SO thankful to see our baby’s heart, brain, spine, arms, legs etc. and all growing healthy and strong.  Thank you, Jesus! 

We had talked about names before we knew if it was a boy or girl and started a list of boy names we like.  Girl names were proving much harder for us, so thankfully we don’t need to worry about those now!  (Sigh) I just have to keep tucking away my favorite girl names and dreams of big flowery headbands.  ;)

I have some questions for all you other mommies out there…  If you have any advice on any of the following I’d love your thoughts!  Feel free to send me an email LindsayAtkinson {at} yahoo {dot} com.  Or you can leave me a comment.  Thanks, friends!

• We need a new infant tub (Asher’s didn’t last).  Any suggestions for good, but affordable tubs?  Once baby can sit up we have an IKEA tub or will just use the bumbo so we really just need one for the first few months.
  
• Have any of you used the co-sleepers like this one?    If so, did you have the full size or mini.  I’m specifically wondering how useful they are as basinets for older babies?  For example about how long can you use them before baby outgrows them?  (With Asher we used the pack and play in our room for several months, but it takes up so much space!!)
  
• Double strollers!  Help!  I think I’m pretty sure I don’t want a side-by-side one.  I really like the Joovy Ergo Caboose because the baby can be in the back, but it’s expensive and bulky!  The Joovy Caboose Ultralight also looks great.  It’s smaller (and lighter!) than the Ergo Caboose, but the infant seat can only be attached in the front, leaving Asher in the back, I’m not sure he will be ready for the bench seat in the back when the baby’s born.  What have the rest of you bought?
   
• Have any of you used the Moby Wrap?  I want to order one, but there are lots of different kinds!  I’m thinking of getting one of the UV protection wraps since this baby will be born in the summer.  Any of you have any experience with Moby wraps?  I’d love your thoughts on what the material feels like and pros and cons.  (My sister is loaning me her ergo, but I’ve heard they aren’t as good for little babies??  And I have the bjorn, but it’s too hard on my back.)

Thanks again!  Happy Weekend!

(Pizza Night!  Which quickly turned into Bath Night!) :)

It’s a…

BOY!

I can honestly say I would have been happy either way, but something about being the mama of two boys makes me so happy!  Yes, boys are BUSY and require lots of energy.  But, I consider it a blessing and honor that Chris and I get to raise two little boys who will (we pray) grow up to be future husbands, fathers, and Spiritual leaders of their families.

I also think it’s wonderful that Asher will have a buddy to grow up with.  I already can’t wait for them to both be old enough to play with each other.  I think it will be fun to pull out all of Asher’s little clothes for his brother and ‘walk down memory lane.’  :)

Thank you all for playing along by voting on the blog poll, and thank you for your excitement with us!

“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”  Psalm 127:3

Tomorrow

“Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow… you’re only a day away!”

Aside from it being a completely depressing movie I can’t help but think of it every time I look forward to something “tomorrow” :)!  And what are we looking forward to tomorrow?!?!

Finding out if this little person:

is a HE or a SHE!  (This is your last chance to vote on the sidebar if you haven’t yet!!)  I go back and forth every day if I think we’re having a boy or girl so either way tomorrow will be a big surprise! 

We’re going to keep his/her name a secret, but I’m trying to convince Chris we should give clues for anyone (mostly family members) dying to figure it out.

Ahhhhh!  So excited!!  Thankful for a busy toddler who will probably be the only reason I can sleep tonight! ;)

16 weeks

I have not done much to document the first trimester of this second pregnancy. (sorry baby!)  Thankfully it was a pretty uneventful first trimester.  I did have my first real experience with morning sickness since I was never sick with Asher.  I am glad to have that behind me and also see a bit more energy return!

I’m officially 16 weeks (yesterday) and right now Baby A is about the size of an avocado!  (Don’t be fooled by the pic, we are only having one avocado!)  

I started feeling Baby A move and kick at 14 weeks which was a whole month sooner than Asher!  (I didn’t feel him until 18 weeks.)  This was a fun surprise!  Usually the kicking is at night or when I sit or lay down after being active, but Thursday I felt him or her kick on the way to the Doctor’s office!  The doctor seemed shocked that I was already feeling the baby move which  made me second guess what I thought were kicks until she searched for the heartbeat only to find it in the exact spot I had just been kicked!  :)

We’ve officially scheduled our ultrasound for February 16 and are SO anxious to find out if we’re having another boy or girl.  Chris is SURE we’re having another boy and though I tend to agree there have been some differences about this pregnancy that make me wonder if it will be a girl?  I can honestly say that we would be thrilled with either outcome, but it’s hard not to see the practicality of another boy! 

I am still wearing all my normal clothes (though maternity jeans are so comfy I’ve been tempted!) and not showing too much yet.  I’m definitely in that initial part of pregnancy where you just feel/look bigger, but don’t really look pregnant yet – I’d rather actually look pregnant, but that will come.  I’m sure maternity clothes are in my NEAR future!  ;) 

Baby #2 we’re so excited for you to come!  We have a glimpse of how you will change our lives (for the better) since having your brother… but I’m sure you will leave your mark on our family in your own special way!  We pray that you are growing healthy and strong, and already praying for you to be a man or woman after God’s own heart.  We love you… can’t wait to find out ‘what’ you are!!  :)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:13-16

This Summer…

Asher will officially become a

!!!!!

With a thankful heart I share with you that we are expecting baby #2 on or around July 8!  After experiencing a miscarriage before we had Asher, and knowing of so many who struggle with infertility it is humbling to be blessed with another pregnancy!

Thank you, Lord, for another sweet child to love and raise to hopefully serve You his or her whole life!

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.”  Psalm 9:1