Nudy Booty

"Nudy Booty"...my new nickname for Emma, the child who despises clothing--when she's not getting putting them on by herself, of course! I really do have trouble getting and keeping clothes on her at home. Thankfully, she seems to be okay wearing them anywhere else! : ) The bottom picture is my decent shot of her nudity...she fought nap time a LONG time that day, and when she was finally quiet, I checked and found missing pants and diaper, which is actually becoming a ritual for nap time. Get in the crib, undress, "uh-oh" and squeals and laughter. I have to admit it does bring smiles to my face even amidst the frustration. If we could get her potty trained, I'd be carefree about the nudity! The picture of her on the potty in the middle of bath time is one of my favorites, hands down! Isn't that happiness contagious?!?! Oh, and the hat, well it is appropriate at all times...95 degrees, morning, noon, night, home, public, clothes, no clothes...it just always suits our crazy little girl! I have no idea how it came to be a favorite seeing as we couldn't keep it on last winter!

I'm A Big Kid Now!

While we encourage independence, it's hard to watch our baby grow into a "big kid" so quickly. She is looking and acting so much older these days! The pictures of her "driving" were from the last night we "owned" our Tahoe (we technically still own it, but it has been gone since Sunday-we'll be finalizing things Tuesday, hopefully). Of course, she hasn't really even noticed Momma's truck being gone all week. Pathetically enough, we were a little sad to see our Tahoe go and become a mini van family, but I am excited about a new vehicle and how practical it is. The SUV route is just not so family friendly at this point, but maybe one day in the future we will see a Tahoe again! : ) Anyway, the bottom picture is of Emma dressed in Mommy's clothes, and she did it herself! The first picture is with Tanner. Emma absolutely lives for feeding Tanner with Daddy in the evenings..."Help!! Wait! Tan!" She goes crazy yelling these things trying to get her shoes on and out the door fast enough to help--it's the sweetest thing! She's more interested in Tanner after he's run wild all over the neighborhood and then returns with less energy. You'd think with the nice big fenced in area we gave him, he'd run off more energy in there, but no, he sits at the gate just waiting for the moment it opens so he can run...ugh!

Excitement on the Homefront

Emma is going to be a big sister! I had a positive home pregnancy test a week and 1/2 ago, and went for a prenatal visit this past Tuesday. This baby is due to meet the world April 10. We are very excited as well as overwhelmed! I'm only 5 1/2 weeks, so it's still very early...we would love for you to pray for a healthy baby and pregnancy with us over the next 8 months! I would also appreciate your prayers, if you think of me, for a successful attempt at a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). For those who don't know...we had to bring Emma into the world by c-section after a LONG day of labor because she was face up, and I stalled out at 8 cm. The worst part was that I am very claustrophobic and was "losing it" as I began to go numb. Thankfully, I was able to see Emma and was aware of things before they knocked me out, but I am somewhat fearful of that happening again. So, again, I'd love for you to pray that a VBAC will be our story this time around, and also that if it's not, the Lord will work some kind of miracle in me that I could stay calm in numbness. Obviously, the most important request is for a healthy baby! Ben is hoping for a boy, but we would surely be happy with another girl! Of course, we might end up in the poor house with 2 girls who have their Daddy wrapped!! : ) I have been extremely tired the last week and often feel like I have been hit by a mack truck, and nausea seems to creep into more of my day every day, but I'm thankful to be growing another miracle of life, so it is all worth it...it's just hard to be a good mom for Emma most of the day. I was very sick with Emma until week 17 and am hopeful that the nausea won't turn into that again, but we'll see. My next appointment is on September 15, and we should hear the heartbeat, so no news until then is good news for the pregnancy! In the meantime, we're looking at buying a mini van...hard for both of us (which is so dumb!). I love the Tahoe, but we're trying to be practical. I am short, and I as grow, it is going to be hard to lift Emma and buckle her in the Tahoe. Plus, with 2, what could be better than sliding doors with the touch of a button?? An old friend of Ben's called last week before we knew we were expecting asking if we wanted to sell the Tahoe. Ben told him no, and I told him we might want to rethink it because I was pretty sure I was pregnant (some food smells had already 'bout done me in)...long story short, his friend has his truck for sale, plans to buy ours when his sells, and we will probably buy an Odyessy. Again, I am humbled and amazed at the Lord's provision and direction before we even ask!
Another exciting note...my friend Amy had a baby girl this morning!! This was a long awaited and prayed for baby who was a week + overdue. Amy went in for induction yesterday morning but thankfully had started contractions on her own. Caroline Grace was 9 lbs., 20 inches! We are so excited and can't wait to meet her!!!