Slow to Update

Sorry I am a slow up-dater. The last 6 weeks have been rough for me..us, I guess I should say. My pregnancy symptoms have all presented themselves as fierce enemies..hehehehe! It seems like every possible symptom and every possible side effect of the prenatal vitamins has found me and hung on for dear life. It has been a little difficult around here since Christmas. I in no way want to complain though. God is so faithful, and the sickness is perhaps a good thing. My baby is healthy and life is shaping up as it should.

We did have a slight scare about a week ago. I had very light spotting for a few days. I made a weekend call to the on-call nurse, who absolutely eased my mind. She said it sounded perfectly fine, and it was most likely a relatively common occurrance for over 50% of all pregnancies. To be on the safe side, I went for a second ultrasound on Monday. The little "blueberry" is just perfect at this point. Everything is at it should be, and my stats were in check also. Blueberry you might ask...yes..our little blueberry. While performing the ultrasound, the tech made the comment that the baby is the size of a blueberry right now. Bless it's little heart. The name has stuck. So, I guess until we can come up with something else, Blueberry it is.

Lauren is doing very well with this news. She has reached an age where she is excited about having a little playmate live with us. On several occasions, she has peaked into our spare bedroom and said, "This is the baby's room". She has also made comments about looking at the baby at night from her bed...the two rooms are right across the hall from one another. It is absolutely precious. I feel good that the timing has worked out as it has. Having children 3 1/2 years apart is a good distance, but it is also close enough for bonds to form.

God Bless and have a great weekend.
Brandi

Signs Signs, Everywhere Signs

...not only was this a rock anthem from the 70's, it has also become real to me as of late. All indications of a growing baby are surfacing! Am I showing yet? Not so much, but my lower abdomen is starting to bloat a good bit; hence, my regular clothes are shrinking. Am I nauseated or sick? The best way to answer that is with another question...Am I breathing? For the record, YES! I have been so sick this time around. Am I having cravings? Refer to the previous two questions and make a good educated guess. Is the potty becoming my good personal friend? That is affirmative. I visit all throughout the day and sometimes two or three times per night. That is why I probably got a total of only 4-5 good hours of sleep last night. It's hard to get back to sleep once awakened. Prior to the pregnancy, I was not one to get up once going to bed. We have been blessed in that department. Lauren was sleeping soundly through the night around 2 months old...and, I can probably count on one hand how many times she has gotten up during the night or had a crying spell, etc. that prompted us to get up since then. No joke! I'm not bragging. We are 100% thankful!! So, this is a first for me being up and down since she was a tiny little thing. Hopefully it will subside for a few months once I reach the second trimester. Until then, I'll just have to wait it out and enjoy the ride. Moving right along, Am I having those other unmentionable symptoms? If I am being perfectly honest, I would have to respond with another YES, but it's not so bad. At this point in the game, the nausea and heartburn are the two biggest nuisances. Overall, all is well, and I am counting down each day of a healthy pregnancy. Please continue to pray for a healthy baby and pregnancy. Each new day is a blessing, and we praise God daily for his provisions.

Surprise

We're expecting again and excited beyond belief. Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it!! It is still early, so please keep us in your prayers. As you can imagine, we are walking on egg shells this time around because of last July. Chris and I are confident that all will be well!!

I had my first prenatal visit this week. The dr. said all appears to be as it should at this stage. I must say though, I am having terrible morning sickness. This is new to me, as my pregnancy with Lauren gave me energy. I never got sick..at least not this kind of sickness. YUCK!! We are looking at a c-section delivery around the last week of August. School will barely be back in session before I take leave. At least I'll get to know my new students before the baby comes. I'll update as often as possible...and possibly include some belly pics along the way!
God Bless,
Brandi

Updates on the Way

This has been a very busy first week back! Lauren started a new daycare, and we have been running around like mad. I'll update very soon and catch you up on the latest comings and goings; as well as some ventures we will be partaking in this new year. Until then, God bless.
Brandi

2009

WOW...2009!!! I cannot believe we are now 9 years into the 2000's. It genuinely feels like days ago that Y2K was all abuzz. Would the world's computers crash, clocks stop, life as we know it come to an end? As we all know, none of the above happened, and life continued without major catastrophe. Having said that, I also think back to the days leading up to the turn of the century. Did we have any idea what was in store over the years that would follow? As the saying goes, "Hindsight is 20/20". What would America be like if 9-11 never happened. Would we remain a global giant, or would something else as equally devastating overtake us? If we only knew what was about to happen, what would we do to prepare our families, our minds, and our hearts? If we only knew!

Living in a decade consumed by war, economic crises, erratic gas prices, and overall uncertainty, I have reached one conclusion. God is the only constant. No matter what lies ahead or how difficult life becomes, He has a plan. It is easy to live in fear over political affairs, who the president is/is not, and the state of the economy. I cannot remember a time when life was more unnerving. My faith is only renewed through Christ, who gives me strength. I pray that He can be real in your life too. I do not want to sound preachy, but he has seen me through so much in my short 31 years. He hasn't failed me yet; and, his word tells me that he NEVER fails. What we are facing as a nation today is nothing to Him. He will take care of us!!

I am excited for a new year. There are things that concern me, but God is in control. Life is good. I hope and pray that you make 2009 a year to remember!
God Bless!
Brandi

Christmas 2008

This quite possibly goes down as one of the busiest holiday seasons we've had in recent memory. We had five different stops...would have been six, but we were under the weather the day of one of them. I must say, we have experienced a lot this year and have so much to be thankful for. God continues to show his love for us everyday. Enjoy a few of the pictures from some of our festivities.
God Bless!
Brandi

BTW-I am believing in great things for the new year. May you experience health, happiness, and peace of mind in 2009.

One Year Ago

I have been very slow about getting my holiday pictures uploaded. That is just one of the many tasks I am slacking at this season! Christmas break should be a time to rest, but we have had a function to go to everyday. I will try to get them up in the next couple of days. Until then, we wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR, from our home to yours!!
God Bless!
Brandi

Enjoy these pictures of Lauren from one year ago. They were all taken in December 2007. I cannot believe how she has changed. Much of the baby pudge is gone, she is a head taller, but she still loves sweets as much as she did then!! Wow, how a year changes everything!