Family!

These pictures were taken on Father's Day after church. I thought they were sweet pics of us - too bad we didn't have someone around to take a picture of the whole family together. Maybe next time.

Nesting Progress

I just wanted to post a quick update on how things are going in the "getting ready for baby category". Actually, I feel really good about where we are at this point. Here is the status on some of my projects!

*Rachel's baby book (just received the pics to put in and I have a few more to do as soon as I have some time during a nap or at night, that should be complete!)
*I have purchased a baby book and calendar for this little one.
*Rachel's room was painted, furniture up including bedding and she has been sleeping in her "big girl" bed for 2 1/2 weeks - the transition has been smooth thus far - keep praying! We actually have some things hanging on her walls, too.
*Potty training...well, we have good days and bad days but we're hanging in there. We've discovered that muffins and chocolate chips might be good incentive. I'll keep you posted.
*The house is purged and the storage shed is clean and organized.
*I have some new photos framed and placed.
*I sold several items on Craigslist - this is a great way to sell unwanted/unneeded items, go to http://www.craigslist.com/ to see if your city has one.
*I have all of my appts. scheduled that need to be taken care of before the baby comes - i.e. dentist, orthodontist, dream dinners (I just had this appt. and I'm excited that my freezer is stocked with some yummy dinners), hair appt., etc.
Okay, that is just a few things I've been able to accomplish. It may not sound like much, but when you have an active toddler around, there isn't much time for work (other than the necessary stuff like cooking dinner, washing the dishes, cleaning the house, running errands - you get the picture).
*Newborn and 0-3 month clothes and necessary baby items are washed and put away in the nursery.
So, from here on out what ever I get done will be a bonus! I do have some pictures to post so maybe I'll get to that in the next few days - we'll see.

34 Week Doctor Visit

This past Thursday (June 28th), I had my 34 week (I was actually 34 weeks and 6 days) visit at my Doctor's office. Everything went well and is on track at this point. Nothing too exciting to report except that the Baby has dropped so we are one step closer to meeting this little girl. My next appointment is on July 11th so I'll update you on anything new then.

Special Treat!

Around our house, we always seem to talk about "special treats". We tell Rachel she is getting a special treat if we are doing something fun and exciting or if she gets to eat something special so hopefully she'll learn a special treat is special.
Well, earlier this week, I got a special treat! Three of my sweet friends (Kristin, Stephani and Pam) gave me a gift certficate for a prenatal massage! I love massages anyway but this was especially needed right about now - from all of the strains on my growing body to chasing a toddler around! So, thank you sweet friends - I thoroughly enjoyed my "special treat"!

32 Week visit

On Wednesday I had my 32 week visit and everything looks good at this point. Because I've been having so many contractions he actually checked my cervix (and it is tightly closed - which is good news!) and did a test to see if I am at risk for going into labor in the next two weeks. I can't remember what it is called but it was negative so that was also very good news! He said that most likely my uterus is just very sensitive and that is why I'm having so many contractions. I'll update you after my next visit!

Potty Progress!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we started the process of potty training. There is a reason they call it training :) So, on that Saturday we had a "potty party" designed to make the whole process exciting and to teach Rachel how to go to the potty.

First we taught bear how to go to the potty which was exciting and Rachel enjoyed telling bear that she had to go potty and not to pee pee in her big girl panties. And then a little later it was Rachel's turn. She definately enjoyed putting the stickers on her chart, as you can see she is admiring her sticker chart in this picture. And the treats were a big hit, well, most of them. I think I offered marshmellows, pretzels, yogurt covered raisins, fruit snacks, and hershey's candy coated kisses (like m&ms, but semi-sweet). Her favorite options were the pretzels and yogurt raisins - that's our girl! and the really funny thing is that as soon as she started eating the Hershey's candy she spit it out??? I'm not exactly sure what that was about.

She is actually doing pretty well. In fact, I don't think she had an accident all day today and only one each day for the past couple of days. But, she still needs quite a bit of encouragement from me to actually get to the bathroom. Playing is still way more interesting than going potty which I guess she does have to switch gears...for past two+ years she could continue doing whatever she was doing and go to the potty at the same time. We'll keep you posted on the progress.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

I think I mentioned in a recent post that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions. They have increased in frequency in the past few weeks. This morning Rachel and I went for a walk and in a 1/2 hour period I had at least 4 or 5 of them. So, as recommended I came home and drank several glasses of water and layed down for 30-40 minutes (with Rachel crawling all over me, of course :) ). I don't think I even had one while I was lying down but as soon as I got up I had two of them right together. I called the nurse and spoke with her and she immediately felt I needed to be monitored to make sure it is only Braxton Hicks. The good news is that the contractions are only Braxton Hicks but I just seem to be having more than normal and the only way to stop them is to lay down. If only I could lay on the couch all day! I still have 8 weeks to go and I hear that they increase. I'll keep you posted.

Hiccups

Just two days ago, I felt the baby hiccup for the first time. It took me a few minutes to realize that was what it was. What a fun experience!

Sand, Surf and Sun!

We spent the week before Memorial day as a family at the beach. Our time was very sweet as a family before we add our new addition. Mainly, we played in the sand, ran from the water (Rachel) and read some fiction books (Tab and Vimal). Here are a some pics of our time together. And I included a preggo pic for those of you who are wanting to see my belly grow!

Daddy's Girl

Nesting

The Nesting instinct is officially in full swing around here. I have a list of projects a mile long to get done before this little one arrives and I'm not sure if we are going to finish them all.

I've been motivated recently because I agreed to host a yard sale for our Sunday school class on June 2nd. We are trying to earn money for our care fund so we can "care" for those in our class. So, Vimal and I usually have a small "project" every night or so to take care of - like cleaning and reorganizing our storage shed, going through a closet and so on. I'm excited to have a deadline to work towards and hopefully by June 2nd or before my entire house will be purged of "stuff" that we don't really need or use.

I never realized how freeing it is to get rid of my "stuff". We tend to purchase things thinking that it will make our lives easier and then we just have to find a place to store it. Storing is a problem in our case since our house was built with minimal storage. I'm trying to be better about not purchasing things that I don't really need so it won't end up taking up space and my life will be simpiler. So, we are purging to make room for our new addition.

All we have left to do at this point are the kitchen cabinets, linen closet, master closet, and some shelves in the guest room (which will soon be Rachel's room). I'm so excited.

And unfortunately, that is only the beginning of my list. I still need to finish Rachel's baby books, add shelving to her closet, go through and reorganize all of my pictures since college (I actually did the ones up through college last summer), get some picture frames, frame some pictures, paint Rachel's new room, decorate Rachel's new room...you get the picture. All of this and I have only 11 weeks to go.

So, I think I should go get busy! Feel free to leave me some tips for me in the comments section! I welcome any advice!

28 week visit

Earlier this week, I had my 28 week to the Doctor. Everything seems to be going well, so far. I have gained 16 lbs since my first visit and I'm sure I'll gain quite a bit more before my last.

I've been having contractions for the past couple of months and I just realized what they were this week! It is nice to finally know that is what I was experiencing. Along with all kinds of kicks and punches, too. I'm a little afraid that this little girl is going to be just as active as Rachel! If so, I'm in for trouble.

My visits to the Doctor will now be every 2 weeks so I will try to post an update after each visit to let you know how things are going.

Bulging Belly!

I know this is not hot off of the press, but I'm pregnant! Today I am 27 weeks and offically start my 3rd trimester...I can hardly believe it! (My apologies for taking so long to blog about this, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in my days for everything). I feel doubly blessed that we have the privilege to experience both adoption and pregnancy - not in the order I expected but in God's perfect order.

Rachel joined our family just over two years ago and she has been the biggest blessing in our lives. God has used her in so many ways to show us His love for us and just what it means that He adopted us into His family. Not that I will ever fully grasp God's grace toward me, but my eyes have been opened to see His grace in a whole new way.

Now, I have the opportunity to see God's love in a different light...by watching this miracle child form and grow in my womb. It has been amazing (and scary, I must admit :)) to watch my belly grow and to know that God is knitting this little girl together and making her body and personality just like He wants to please Him. He is making her to be in our family and it is an honor that I am able to be a part of that in a physical way.

We are looking forward to meeting her in a few months but for now, I have lots to do to get ready! When I think that I have 3 months to go part of me thinks...how can that be? Can my belly really get that much bigger? Then there is another part of me that thinks...oh, I need to get busy, I have lots to do before she arrives! My life will soon be very different and it most likely will take me much longer to do a simple blog!

All ears!

Rachel enjoys watching videos while we are traveling and she finally learned to keep her headset on. We are very excited about this because we can now listen to something other than her video on our trips - it's the little things in life that bring such joy!

Fun in the Sun!

What would summer be without time at the beach? Oh, we think it would not be nearly as much fun! We are discovering the Rachel absolutely loves the beach so thankfully we live close enough to make it there a few times a year. We'll be going again in a few weeks so watch for more beach pics.

Holland's Strawberry Farm

Each new season, I get excited about "seasonal" foods that will soon be available. That is why every April and May I make my way over to the nearby strawberry farms...yes, that is plural. I usually visit several during the season and make as many trips as I can. When the strawberries are home we have the challenge of finding new and exciting ways to eat these big red delicious strawberries! I do mean delicious. One of my favorite ways is to just cut them up sprinkle with a little sugar and then pour heavy cream over them...yum, yum! If you have never eaten a strawberry straight from the vine - you should make that one of your summer goals! This year, I decided to take Rachel on the adventure and it was made more enjoyable by Pam and Jordan Matthews' company (you'll see Jordan picutred). It took Rachel no time to catch on (picking and eating, that is) and as you'll see from the pictures...she had so much fun! I think we'll make this an annual family event!
April 26, 2007

This Strawberry pickin' is hard work!

Feeding the Ducks at Apex Lake

April 24, 2007

The Many expressions of Rachel!

April 10th

MOPS Spring Tea!

As a new mom a couple of years ago, I realized pretty quickly that finding a place to be connected to other moms was very important. I joined MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) that fall not being very familiar with it, but knowing that it would provide an outlet for me to be with other moms.

It has been a huge encouragement to me over the past year and a half. We meet twice a month and and we always enjoy a yummy, hot breakfast then hear from a wonderful speaker on topics relevent to parenting preschoolers, then discussion time with our small group and a craft of some sort. I enjoyed my time so much last year that this year and for next year I agreed to be a Discussion group leader. It has been fun for me to connect with other women in this way and most of the time they are the ones giving me all of the great ideas!

Each spring we have a Tea where we get all dressed up and enjoy yummy food like scones, chocolate covered strawberries and on and on. It is such a special time to hear from an incredible speaker about how God has ministered to her and from some others about God changed their lives personally.

If there is a MOPS group near you, I encourage you to check it out and see if God would have a place for you there!

I've posted a pick of me and a few of the women in my discussion group at our Spring Tea!

Party in Bristol

We had a few friends and family over for a party for Rachel in Bristol! She didn't object to having more cake! Thanks for helping us celebrate!

Riding the Lawn Mower with Papaw.

Rachel enjoyed her time riding the lawn mower with Papaw - too bad Daddy doesn't have one of these!

Welcome Baby Taylor!

Our very good friends, Kevin and Tracy added a new addition to their family while we were in Bristol a couple of weeks ago, little Miss Taylor! She joins her big sister, Riley who is very proud! Welcome Taylor!

"I like cake"

Rachel enjoyed a piece of cake all to herself at her party. We usually just give her a few bites of our because of her egg allergy. Anyway, after sticking her face in it, she came up a few seconds later and exclaimed, "I like cake!"

Happy 2nd Birthday Rachel!

Here are just a couple of shots of the birthday Princess! We had a few of her little friends over for a little party! It was a fun time.

"Oh, that's so pretty!"

I overheard Rachel saying, "oh, that is so pretty" in the the other room a few weeks ago and I came to see what she was talking about. She was not the only one impressed with her block tower - I thought this was pretty good for an almost 2 year old!

Toddler Antics

A few weeks ago, I was going through some clothes that were too small for Rachel to put away. She wanted to try on some things...she ended up with this lady bug constume over her green shirt and one gingham shoe and she refused to take them off even to eat. I don't think she'll be setting fashion trends anytime soon.

Curly Hair Disclaimer

Before I had a little girl with curly hair, I always wondered why parents who had kids with curly hair never brushed it. Well, now I know the answer or at least one of a few answers. It could be that they indeed did brush thier child's hair but it just got crazy again. Or if they weren't going anywhere maybe the didn't even bother (that is my excuse in some of these pictures...I never bother to "fix" Rachel's hair if we are planning to be home for the day and then when it was time to capture a photo moment there was no time to brush her hair!) And the final answer is that simply the child's hair is brushed and fixed it just may not look like it to you :)

Popsicle!

Rachel had her first popsicle today! She has been sick for quite a while - last week it was a virus with a high fever and this week it is the stomach virus (unfortunately, Vimal and I got the stomach one, too!). Well, we've tried everything to get her to eat and take liquids but she wasn't really interested. Finally, I got her to try a popsicle - I think she is enjoying it!

Mommy's helper

I decided to let Rachel help when I was making some muffins couple of weeks ago, it didn't take long before she made quite a mess, but we had fun in the process!

Pretty in Purple

Snowman!

After our first snow I promised Rachel that we would build a snowman if it snowed again. A few days later we had our chance. We had to work fast though because the snow didn't last long. Our snowman is a bit pitful, I admit, but if you notice in the pictures we didn't have much to work with.

Enjoying the Snow!

Bowl lickin' good!

Rachel is enjoying her waffle for breakfast. Just recently, I gave her a little maple syrup to dip her waffle into (she is really into dipping these days) and after she ate a few pieces she decided that she liked the syrup so much that she would just clean the bowl.

"Go Heels!"

Rachel loves to wear Carolina cheerleading outfit and she usually wears it when there is a game. As soon as she sees it she says, "Go Heels!"

Snow...kind of.

We had our first snow a few weeks ago. It really wasn't much but it was enough for Rachel to be excited about, she was especially excited to see a snowman. Fortunately, our neighbors made one for us to see because by the time we made it outside the snow started turning to slush. More snow pics to come!