O Tannenbaum!

We decided to get a real tree this year. Not only a real tree but from a Christmas tree farm. We live in a great area of North Carolina that has tons of tree farms and we wanted to support our local farmers. Caroline was way excited to help us pick out a tree. It was freezing and even though you can't see it from the pictures there was still a little bit of snow on the ground.

It was a cut your own tree farm. It was literally in a guy's backyard. It was cool to see all the baby trees that will be decked out one day with lights and ornaments.


I love how Caroline sticks out her tongue while working so hard to hang the lights.
We taught her the art of squinting to find out where we are missing lights.

After such a long day Tu-tu was tired and found a great spot to rest.

PS. For those of you who don't know the story, Tu-tu is what we have to call Caroline when she is pretending to be a puppy. When she is Tu-tu she will bark to talk to you, run on all fours and give you puppy hugs (rub up against you) and puppy kisses (lick your face).

34 weeks...

Well, Here are my 34 week belly pics. I had my midwife appointment today and I am still at a 2 so things are going well. Here's to hoping she stays in and cooks a little longer!

I just realized that this is my 100th post! Yahooooo!

Bed Rest Update...

Ok,
So here is the story. When I was 29 weeks along, I had an appointment with my midwife. I explained to her that this baby was really low and I was feeling a little bit of pressure. We decided to do a Fetal fibronectin test which can sort of predict preterm labor. You want a negative test because that means I will not go into labor in the next two weeks. Of course, mine was positive which means there is no guarantee that I won't go into labor in the next two weeks. I went to the hospital and was monitored for a few hours to see if I was having any contractions (I wasn't). I was also given a steroid shot to help develop the babies lungs in case she came early. At that point I was put on a level 2 bed rest which meant I could not lift anything, I could not stand for more than 10 minutes at a time and no travel, all for two weeks. At the following appointment they would do the test again and every appointment after that.
At my 32 week appointment I had the test again and it was negative. That did not mean I was off the hook. I still can't do housework or cook or lift Caroline but I can stand for a little while and go to church and go to Target (but someone has to go with me.) Also, at my appointment I discovered that I am 2 cm and 50% effaced. My midwife told me that is kind of normal for a second baby but it really scares me.
So I am sitting in my Lazy-Boy recliner as I write this and I am feeling this sweet baby move around and stretch. I am nervous about what will happen but I feel so blessed to be healthy enough to be pregnant. Kevin gave me the most beautiful blessing when all of this first happened that was poignant and faith-promoting. I can't wait to meet this sweet girl (who still doesn't have a name) but then again, I can wait a little bit longer.

It's the Great Pumpkin...

In October we decided to try and find the most perfect pumpkin. Kevin and I wanted to go to the local farmer's market to pick one but Caroline wanted to try a church pumpkin patch we pass everyday to go home. The had an OK selection and Caroline was in heaven.

She loved the baby pumpkins. They were the perfect "Caroline size".

She would have taken everyone of them home if we let her.

At last we found the perfect pumpkin. What a ham she is.

I don't have pictures of the jack-o-lantern because it started to rot only a few days after we got it. It didn't even last to Halloween. Bummer!

Home Alone...

So...what do you do when you are on bed rest + your husband and daughter go to grandma's house for a few days + your bored + you have a good camera + a good tripod =

You take your own 29 week baby bump pictures.

This was way fun!

All the time in the world...

Since my midwife has put me on bed rest for at least 2 weeks (more on that in the next post) I can't rely on my old "I don't have time" excuse for not updating my blog. I am going to catch up with some of our crazy adventures!

Pilot Mountain

I have lived in NC long enough that it is a cryin' shame I haven't been to this famous landmark. We decided it would make a great day trip for one of Kevin's days off. He has been working so hard lately and we didn't want to waste any time in doors.

Seriously...!

The weather was crisp and cool and perfect for the fall day. We went on some walking trails around the pinnacle. I think Caroline picked up every rock out there.

After Pilot Mountain we stopped by Mount Airy which is a whole town's homage to "The Andy Griffith Show." They had a soda fountain, Opie's candy store, and lots more Mayberry memorabilia. We stopped for some hot chocolate at a book store and rested ourselves before heading back home. Ever since Caroline has been asking when we can go back to the mountain.

** Now you've got the "Andy Griffith Show" theme song stuck in your head, don't you? You're welcome!

Leaves and bubbles

We just got back from the state fair and I am tired but I have to post these cute pics of the girl.





The weather in NC can't make up its mind. It is in the 80s one day and low 60s the next. So when it is a nice day we pounce on it.

4:06 pm

One day

many years from now

when all my babies have left home

and I am sitting in my quiet house,

I will not look back and remember the pile of dirty dishes in the sink

or the piles of laundry waiting to be attended to

or the layer of dust on my bookshelves

I will look back and remember this:



and this:


and I will know that life is really good.

Caroline's Birthday

Our squirrel turned 4! Wow!

This child got some loot.

Kevin and I made her close her eyes for our big reveal.

We got her a princess bike she had been drooling over for awhile.

By the way, Caroline now lives in her princess tent that the Brunjes and the Garcias got her. Thanks guys.

New Pictures...

Well, look what we have here...

Baby Walker is doing fine. It's a GIRL!!! She will join us in January and Caroline is beside herself with excitement, as are her mom and dad.

An Anniversary...

So 4 years ago tonight I was sitting at the movie theater watching Talladega Nights with Kevin, Laura and Donny. I thought it was strange how bad my back hurt. I kept getting up and walking around. I never really got to see the movie even though it was pretty funny. The next morning at 5am I was laying in bed and my water broke. As I got up and got my things together Kevin goes into the kitchen and eats a bowl of cereal! I am having contractions more and more and he is downing cereal. I am sure that the pain of what was happening to me made me a little frustrated with him but I doubt it. The dude was eating while I felt like I was being ripped in two. Anyway, we get to the hospital and at 1:39pm ...

I became a Mama.

If I live to be 100 I will never forget the feelings and emotions that ran through me that day. I was elated, happy, tired, excited, thrilled, scared, EVERYTHING. Even when she was just seconds old, I felt as if she had been with us forever.

So you see, it isn't just Caroline's birthday.

It is the anniversary of the day my life changed.

Happy Birthday to my squirrel!

Enough...

Caroline has made a few discoveries in her short 3 2/3 years...

Like Barbies...
This is her posse. The funny thing is some of these are mine. When I found them in my sister's attic they were still wearing the outfit I left them in 25 years ago. The Bride Barbie has a Miss Havisham vibe about her.

She has also amassed a collection of horses. I don't think she needs anymore.

But I could be wrong...