Surprise on my bday

So I came home from work to find a very funny sign and a tub of 'old lady' items waiting on me thanks to the Skinners. 

40 isn't so bad!

My awesome employees and my former boss threw me a surprise birthday and baby party today at work. As you can see I got lots of fun stuff for me and baby. They bought my lunch, bought me awesome baby gear, gave me a gift card to Cheesecake Factory, and made me yummy cupcakes. And Yes, you're counting 4 bottles of wine/liquor. These ladies know how to make a girl's day! I even got a special delivery of balloons from my two besties toward the end of the day...it's not even my birthday yet! Wonder what tomorrow will bring? 

The thrill of getting what you want...

Alexander speedily unwrapped gifts Christmas morning yearning to find his precious iPod. He knew Santa had left it because the $50 he left to help pay for it were gone. Santa hid it in the tree unwrapped so daddy had to help him look more closely. 

Baby's room a blooming...

Mia's room is almost done. My parents were kind enough to buy me a new rocking chair for her room. I was going to borrow their glider but Grammy and P wouldn't have their Mia being rocked in anything substandard (Oh my)! I just need to add the rug, mattress, and bed linens and it'll be done. 

Photo Session

I was very fortunate and was asked to do another complimentary ultra sound with my friend today. It's super fun to be able to see your growing baby without worrying about the cost but still getting the same pics. Her estimated weight is 2.3 pounds. Big girl already! However, today Miss Diva wasn't cooperating and was so squirmy she wouldn't let us get any good 3D pics. Now I'm concerned over her future level of obedience! Ha! 

Another set of pics...

My dear friend who does ultrasounds for a living asked me to be a guinea pig Friday so her niece that was shadowing her for career day could see a fetal ultrasound. We jumped on the chance to see our little lady again. It was so fun having such a special experience with a trusted friend. She took some photos that we'd normally not get otherwise. Alexander thought it would be fun to take pics of me during the process. I can tell you she had a bit if a challenge with our little one because she's wild all the time!!!

I found this quote online by a wise Mr. Gene Simmons and thought it was great!

The only jobs kids have are to do well in school, to be charming and polite, and be thankful. That's it. I'll house you, protect you, I'll even give my life for you, and in return, you will behave.

Gene Simmons

Halloween 2014

I'm a bit behind in posting these but better late than never right...

Meet Baby Mia

Yesterday we had our advanced ultrasound. This means I am half way and in my 5th month. Can you hear the cheering? We were a bit anxious about this appointment even though just the day before we'd been to the doctor, heard her heartbeat, and got an all clear yet again from the doctor. Oh the fears and doubts will you ever go away? So, when we headed to this appointment knowing all the blood tests were good, knowing her heartbeat was good, knowing she was moving all the time, we still were so worried that the ultrasound might show something bad. At this point, knowing so many people that have had a loss late in pregnancy or a miscarriage causes us great concern for our little lady and her ability to thrive. But, just as faithful as God was to allow us this second chance at a second child he was faithful again yesterday. The appointment couldn't have started any better with the high risk doctor asking me why I was there and following that up with "is it because you're old?" Um, yes that's pretty much it was my reply. He then said I'm actually kidding...according to your blood work you're really like a teenager if we didn't know better. Hello!!!! What a great compliment. So, the ultrasound proceeded and we got to see our little one. She has 2 hands with fingers, 2 feet with toes, the right size brain, skull, and all of her parts are in place where they should be. Her tiny heart was beating at over 142 beats a minute which was perfect. And, there were no signs of any defects or issues with the cord. So, for today, we are hopeful and looking forward to 4 months from now when we can meet our little one and add to our already precious family. And, ironically enough she has a very strong resemblance to her brother in the womb. I've attached two pics of Mia and one pic of Alexander from when he was around the same gestational age.

Mia

Alexander

 

 

Disney here we come...

Birthday Surprise!

Nothing like Florida in October!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Alexander!!!!

Alexander came into the world 6 years ago if you can believe it. I remember writing on this blog that very day and saying how good of a baby he was and how he slept all day, ate well, and was just the best baby. Oh father time has showed us the many sides of this wonderful little creature. As it turns out he wasn't a good sleeper, he ended up being a lazy eater and was so horribly demanding my poor mother in law was strung out all day from watching him. Believe it or not, he is still that way today. He at least sleeps through the night now (thanks to all day Kindergarten) but begs on a nearly daily basis to sleep with us or at least snuggle with mommy before bed. Rarely is either of those allowed. As far as eating goes...he can't eat enough to get full most of the time but what he will eat varies from time to time. If it's chicken and noodles, he'll eat that all day long. Note eating noodles is a fairly easy task. He will go all out on a man size steak though and not balk at all about it. And demanding...oh my. Ricardo has graciously stayed at home with Alexander over the past 6 years and worked out of our house and taught karate classes at night. He knows first hand this little man's level of neediness. At the same time, we both know his level of intelligence, caring, love, and last but not least his strong will that we hope will take him far in life. But regardless of all the idiosyncrasies my little manny has, he always brings a level of joy to our lives each and every day that wouldn't be there had God not blessed us with him. He has taught me patience I thought I'd never have and at the same time a level of irritation I thought I'd never have. I also never thought in a million years I could love someone like I love him. It is truly a love only a mother can know. Happy Birthday Little Manny! I'm so glad you're mine!