10 Things I love About You {Jude}

1.
Your never ending struggle to stand out from the crowd. You often do exactly the opposite of everyone else just to be different.

2.
Your love of animals.

3.
That you consider others’ happiness before your own. If anyone is upset because you have something they want, you will almost always give it to them, no matter how badly you want it.

4.
That you tell me almost every time I give you loves, “I love my Daddy more.” As if you’re simply putting up with me just to be nice.

5.
Your competitive spirit. You will not be outdone…by anyone.

6.
Your inquisitive mind. You will spend hours examining (and usually destroying in the process) an object just to see how it works.

7.
The love you have for your Daddy. I have never seen anything like it. I think sometimes you actually feel that he’s a part of you.

8.
Your energy. You run, skip and jump everywhere you go.

9.
Your infatuation with potato heads. You still play with them every.single.day. And never tire of it.

10.
Your passion for life. Your are an inspiration to Daddy and me already.

10 Things I love About You {Gwyneth}

1.

Your spunk and vinegar…sassafras.

2.

Your obsession with all things “princess”. Anything bearing a princess elicits reactions ranging from awestruck whispers to squeals of delight. All the better if you throw pink anywhere in the mix. Ariel seems to be your favorite, I think because of the water. You are a little mermaid yourself.

3.
That you have a pet name for everyone you hold dear. Jude is “Honey”, Camden is “Cam”, Preston is “Precious”, and Wynn is “Winnie”.

4.
Your choice in role models. You adore Wynn and Kali. I couldn’t have picked better myself.

5.
How absolutely secure you are in yourself. It matters not what any other thinks. You know where you stand and that’s that. Period.

6.
The way you make everyone work for your affections. Even Mama whom you love the very most.

7.
The way you love to fake being asleep. You’re getting so good at it that I sometimes can’t tell if you are or not.

8.
Your constant presence at my side. You are all mine. What would I do without such a devoted shadow and helper?

9.
Your diet. You love meat, dairy and sugar and would happily go without anything else, if Mama would let you.

10.
The way you ever so gently pet my face when I tuck you in at night, as if you’re the Mother and I’m the baby

.

Puppy Love

Camden is my model.
He begged for his own photoshoot today and set this up all by himself. Even ran and grabbed his puppy at the last second for that extra special touch.

And I love them.
I have never before captured any images of him and his beloved snuggle puppy.
I got it from someone(?) at his baby shower before he was even born.
At some point he adopted it as his bedtime buddy.
They've been pals ever since.
Camden is so tender with him.
He loves on him like he would a real puppy.
(which he can't have because of those pesky allergies)

You would not believe how much this kid loves the camera.
He flashes me his signature series of facial expressions and flirts with the camera, complete with throwing kisses. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen! I have no idea where he got such a healthy helping of self confidence.

What a ham!

A Decision

I have to decide sometime this week whether or not to do progesterone shots for the remainder of my pregnancy. It's something they do with patients who have unexplained pre-term labor and delivery to try and avoid it.

They had originally told me that they didn't think it necessary for this pregnancy, as I'm a very borderline candidate for it. I was so glad not to have to even think about it.

But then Dr. Bowden called me first thing this morning and told me that after talking to the board of doctors they had changed their minds and are now strongly recommending I take them. Still, the decision is mine. I highly respect Dr. Honsinger and I know he is the reason they have changed their minds, but I have a hard time discerning what's best for us. Lyle thinks there is no need as Camden was born as healthy as a full-term baby. It doesn't help that even the doctors keep changing their minds and/or disagree on what's needed.

I realize that God is always in control, but I still agonize over this. Please pray for me as I make this decision. I don't feel entirely at peace with either course of action.

Shearing Day

Our little black sheep has been shorn.
And boy, was it about time.
I finally told Daddy that I wouldn't take him out of the house 'til it was done.

Even so, I think I hated it almost as much as Jude.
Aunt Tessa asked him the other day why he is so cute.
He replied, "Cause my have curly hair."
While it's not the only reason he's so cute,

it is one of Mama's favorite things.
And I miss those curls already.

I made him look in the mirror after we were finished.

He took one look at his reflection and screamed, "Nooooo!"

Wouldn't look again for the rest of the day.

Poor guy!

There's our little Macaulay Culkin.

Our first glimpse...

Well, we snuck in and had our ultrasound today.
We just couldn't wait another week to find out if I was incubating one or two of the lil stinkers.
(That would've been almost 22 weeks!)
So, I called to see if they had any openings.
They did, and....

Drum roll, please...

We get one, and only one, sweet baby this time around!

I am so excited and relieved that I haven't shut up since.

Heaven.
It'll be pure Heaven to have one baby to dote on, spoil and love.
I can't wait!

Most of you will be miffed that I stuck to my guns;
we didn't find out what it is yet.
Daddy and I confirmed with each other afterwords,
and we're both sure we saw hamburger buns.
Girls are hamburger buns. Boys are turtles.
That's what they told us with Camden.
You get the picture.
Not that we're in any way saying it's a girl.
That was just our impression.

Everything looks great.
Very healthy.
Everything measuring perfectly.
They were surprised at how well the measurements matched up with the dates.
Extra long femur. Just like Gwyneth.

I couldn't believe how well we could see the facial features.
I was stunned by the beauty of it.
Perfect lips, nose and chin.
Now, if it comes out looking like Daddy you all have to pretend it's beautiful anyway -k-? (:

Maybe we can find the scanner so I can share our pics later.
We'll see.

Now, everyone take a huge sigh of relief for me!

My new best friend...

Sorry girls.
But, let’s face it.
I'll be spending more quality time with it than with any of my girlfriends.
Sad. But true.

Yesterday my hubby surprised me with a new camera.
It is the very thing I have longed for, dreamed of and, yes, coveted for AGES.
And now it's mine!
All mine!

There are not many things I'll spend money on for myself.
Truth be told; I threatened Lyle should he spend that much money on me when we have a baby coming, a car to buy and grass to put in.

But...
He did. (with his bonus)
And...
I'm so very grateful.

Just think, girls... new baby pics!
Yay!!!
I don't even have words to express how excited I am about it.

And Staci.
She was so sweet.
Lyle purchased it from her, hardly used.
She packaged it up, just like new for me.
Took the strap off and everything. (:
Thank you! {hugs}

And Crystal.
You were so funny;
Calling me, just waiting for me to say something and trying to figure out if he'd already given it to me or not. I was just waiting for you to spill the beans! (:

And let's just say the kids are a little less enthused about it than Mommy.
I think they thought they were home free when I went on my little morning sickness vacation.

HeHe!!!

If looks could kill: