Moving, New Jobs, and More!

Mom hard at work on our bathroom cabinets

This past week was a whirl wind of a week. Two Mondays ago we signed on our new house and all the work began! My sweet Momma and Mother-in-law worked their tails off all the first week painting the whole house, and when I mean the whole house, I mean the WHOLE house. My mother-in-law started that Monday and got Wade and Pyper's rooms painted. Then she tackled their bathroom and hallway, and our master bathroom. Thursday, my Mom and Aunt arrived and they began painting all the bathroom cabinets and baseboards and door facing (THAT is a HARD JOB!) Mean while, we had workers closing in a doorway to make an extra room for an office and guest room, and once that was complete they laid new tile in the entry way. 

Fast forward to this past Wednesday, my Mom and Mother-in-law put the finishing touches of paint on the walls and headed to our old house to help me finish putting things in boxes! The movers were going to be at our house between 1 and 3 on Thursday! Well, Thursday morning rolls around and my mom and I are still frantically working to get all the boxes packed up and ready to move when Brody calls and says the movers will actually be coming at 10 AM! Needless to say, we started running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

Wade, painting like his Grammy and Nonnie!

I loaded Wade up to head to daycare so we could get things done a little faster and without so much extra "help." On our way to daycare my phone rang, it wasn't a number I recognized but I answered anyway, and boy was I glad I did! It was the elementary school that I had hoped and prayed to get a teaching job at, calling to set up an interview with me for the following day! I was thrilled but also VERY overwhelmed. Normally, I would spend the day before an interview combing through my resume making sure it was perfect, putting together folders with my recommendation letters and what things in them, figuring out the perfect professional outfit to wear, and preparing answers to questions that might be asked. However, none of that would be taking place. Instead I would spend the whole day moving and unpacking boxes, trying to remember where I had packed my recommendation letters at, and freaking out because at nearly 9 months pregnant I had nothing professional to wear to a job interview. 


We got all the big furniture moved and set up and Wades room completely unpacked and decorated for him so that he would feel right at home his first night in our new house! Mine and Brody's room was fairly put together that evening and I was dying to start on the nursery so my mom and I stayed up until 2:00 AM getting it all put together!! 

A little look at Wade's room

A little sneak peak at Pyper's bedding and fun basket

Friday morning I woke up and we unpacked a little more. Then Mom and I went shopping to find me something perfect to wear for the interview! We got back home and I rushed around getting ready and preparing and was out the door. After a quick interview I was having mixed a motions, they either liked me or they didn't but I was praying that they did! It wasn't about an hour later that the principal called and offered me the job! I was completely over whelmed by our Lord's blessings and just began to cry after I hung up the phone. The school year isn't even over yet and I had already landed a job for the next year and as a first time teacher at that! I will be teaching first grade and could not be more excited about it. Did I mention Brody started a new job last Monday as well. It's been crazy!

Anywho, after LOTS and LOTS of work over the weekend, we are finally for the most part settled into our new home and pretty much unpacked. There are still a few things to be done like put the newly painted bathroom cabinet doors back on, install all the new bedroom and exterior doors on, and add a few decorative touches here and there. I'm no longer freaking out though that this sweet baby girl will arrive and we will be living in a mess! 

None, of this would have been made possible without our gracious, giving, loving, wonderful parents. They gave up their week and weekend to get us all moved in and unpacked and we could not be more appreciative! We aren't sure how we will repay them yet but they all deserve a gift of thanks! 

We got in just in time too, Pyper started pressing down on my cervix pretty hard and consistently last night and my cervical pain began to increase due to the cerclage pulling, SO at 10 AM in the morning they are removing the cerclage and she could come anytime after that! HOLY COW, it's getting real!! 

Pictures of the house to come soon!  

34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks! Between my doctor appointments and us in the processes of moving, the weeks are flying by and I know we are going to look up and be a family of four sooner than we thought!!! 

Size of baby: According to thebump.com Pyper is the size of a durian (What the heck is that!). She is between 17.2 to 18.7 inches long and weighs between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds! (

Total weight gain: 25 lbs

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: This little angel is a wiggle worm and I love it! she gets the hiccups at least once a day which is fun to feel too! I'm still have LOTS of sharp pains on my cervix which is the cerclage pulling. Depending on what the doctors say it may come out next week but will for sure come out week after next!

Sleep: Sleep is as good as can be expected. The Lord is training me again to wake up with this sweet girl for feedings. I'm up even more for bathroom breaks! I'm hoisting my self from side to side and still tucking a pillow under me to support my belly.

What I miss: Feeling somewhat cute in clothes.

 

Excuse this adorable outfit, we are packing and working at the new house people!

Cravings: Bananas

Symptoms: Extra sore boobs, leaking a little colostrum, and my sides are sore when I wake up in the morning, starting to have random BH contractions. The stitches are starting to pull on my cervix some so I'm having increasing sharp pains on the cervix.

Maternity clothes: Still a few normal pieces of clothes but mainly maternity.

Best moment this week: Getting more of Pyper's decorations in the mail this week!

Getting her room painted at the new house and knowing we are just two days away from me actually getting to decorate and put it all together before she arrives!

Knowing that we are two weeks or less away from taking the cerclage out and letting this baby girl do her thing!

Receiving the cutest, tiniest pair of pink glittery Toms for her this week!!

Getting ALL her blankets, burp rags, and clothes washed this week! 

Over all things are going great! Just feeling like we are in a time crunch with the move and trying to keep the cerclage in until 36 weeks. I will feel a little more relaxed once the furniture gets moved in Thursday and my Mom and I can start decorating the house! I keep having these dreams that I'm in labor and NOTHING is done! I did actually pack her bag Monday just to make myself feel a little better! I will feel better too once we get in the attic and get the baby swing, bouncer and bassinet out and all cleaned and put together! I know between our sweet Mommas we will get it all done, I'm just ready to breath that sigh of relief and enjoy just Wade for a few more days before this little peanut arrives!!! 4 weeks or less!!!

33 weeks!

How far along: 33 weeks! Yikes 5 weeks or less!!

Size of baby: According to thebump.com Pyper is the size of a honeydew melon. She is between 17.2 to 18.7 inches long and weighs between 4.2 to 5.8 pounds! ( Thursday they said she was measuring at about 4 lbs 4 ounces so I'm guessing she has gained a few ounces since then!)

Total weight gain: 25 lbs

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Movement is still really good. She is all over the place and very active in the evenings still.

Sleep: Sleep is still pretty good. I'm still up several times to pee and sometimes I wake up about 4 or 5 because my sides are sore due to this growing angel. I'm hoisting my self from side to side and still tucking a pillow under me to support my belly.

What I miss: Feeling somewhat cute in clothes.

Cravings: Bananas

Symptoms: Extra sore boobs, leaking a little colostrum, and my sides are sore when I wake up in the morning, starting to have random BH contractions. The stitches are starting to pull on my cervix some so I'm having increasing sharp pains on the cervix.

Maternity clothes: Still a few normal pieces of clothes but mainly maternity.

Best moment this week: Getting a game plan this week on when the cerclage will come out, due to the increasing pain this week most likely it will come out next week.

We signed on our new house yesterday and started all the work!! Pyper and Wade's rooms got painted today! I can't wait till we can start moving in and get everything all set up! I'm hoping that is soon as the weeks seem to be flying by now and she could come anytime after the cerclage is out.

Playing with all her fun girly things that she received at the shower on Saturday!

5 weeks or less!!!!!

Showered With Love

Saturday several of my dear sweet friends hosted a baby shower for Miss Pyper and I. They worked so hard on it and it turned out beautifully. My Mom, sister, two Grandmas and sweet Aunt came into town for the shower that morning! I tried to keep it as small as possible as I wasn't really sure what the proper etiquette was for a second baby shower. I didn't want to invite a lot of people and it look like I just wanted gifts, but I hated leaving so many out. It ended up being just right, it was my closest friends and family members and it was so nice to be able to visit with everyone.

My sweet Momma and Baby Sister

My Mom, Sister and Grandmother

The anxious Grandmas!

This baby girl is already spoiled rotten! She received SO MANY precious things! It has been so fun just playing with all the girly frilly fun stuff over the weekend! Wade has be quite curious himself! He's talked about bows, and every time we walk in Pyper's room he says "It's pink!"

I can not even express how appreciative and truly blessed we are! Our sweet friends certainly showered us with lots and lots of love and kindness and we feel so thankful for it all!! So thank you my sweet friends! I love you all!!

My mom, aunt and Grandma!


Brody's Grandma, Mom, My mom and Grandma!

Pyper at 32 weeks and 2 days

I'm sure everyone is tired of my baby updates but seeing as how this is kinda of a scrapbook of our lives I probably won't be letting up anytime soon.

Giving Mommy and Daddy the thumbs up!

Today we had an appointment with our fetal specialist. It was suppose to be our last sonogram with him but I'll be having another one in 4 weeks. Everything looked great with Pyper, she was measuring right on track and already weighs 4lbs 4 ounces. I couldn't believe she was already that big!! She is still in head down position and facing down so we didn't get a 4D of her sweet little face. However, every time the sonographer got close to her head she would comment on how much hair this little angel has. She said it doesn't look very long but looks pretty thick. I had to laugh because these days a glass of water give me heartburn and the old wives tale is that the more heartburn you have the more hair your baby will have. I can't wait to see just how much hair is on that sweet little head and what color it will be.

Hard to tell but where the arrow is pointing is her little ear.

My cervix was still looking pretty good. 4 weeks ago it was at a 3.78, today it was at a 3.09 so it had shorten some but that's to be expected with how far a long I am. The stitches were still holding nice and strong so that's a good thing, however, last Friday a sharp pain woke me up in the middle of the night right where my cervix is. I was a little concerned but finally went back to sleep and didn't have anymore pain for the rest of the weekend. Well, last night while cleaning up from dinner, I kinda crossed my legs and doubled over a little. Brody immediately came to my side concerned. I told him not to worry I was just having some slight pain on my cervix and assumed she was just dancing around in there.

Well, when I mentioned it to my doctor this morning he said that it was caused by the stitches. He said lots of women have this same complaint with a cerlcage the farther along they get in the 3rd trimester. He said usually the pain is just due to the fact that the cervix won't give at all because of the stitches. He said he for sure wanted me to get to 34 weeks before he took the stitches out. So for now, the plan is to get through the next two weeks and if I'm still having this sharp pain they will more than likely take the cerclage out then. If I haven't had any more pain or feel like I can make it another week or two they will probably take the stitches out at 36 weeks. I would really like to try to at least make it to 35 weeks but we'll see what my body allows. He said we don't want my cervix or the baby to freak out because the cervix can't do what it's suppose to do.

Where the arrow is pointing is all that hair the sonographer kept talking about.

Overall, it was a great appointment and the main thing is that Pyper is healthy and looking great and my cervix is still pretty long and looks strong!! I can not believe we are getting so close to meeting this sweet baby girl!!

32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks!

Size of baby: According to thebump.com Pyper is the size of a squash. She is between 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds! ( We'll know more Thursday as to how big she really is)

Total weight gain: 24 lbs

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Movement has been really strong this past week. She is really kicking and moving throughout the day and in the evening. I'm savoring every kick and roll, you forget so quickly how that actually feels after they are born.

Sleep: Sleep was really good this past week due to really busy days and a busy weekend. Just getting up 3 or 4 times to pee.

What I miss: Feeling somewhat cute in clothes.

Cravings: Cereal, honey bunches of oats to be exact and cinnamon toast.

Symptoms: Extra sore boobs, leaking a little colostrum, and my sides are sore when I wake up in the morning, starting to have random BH contractions too. Lost of lower back pain, especially if I sit or sleep wrong. All pretty normal stuff, nothing to complain about here.

Maternity clothes: Still a few normal pieces of clothes but mainly maternity.

Best moment this week: Finishing up her Poms for her room. Those were very time consuming but I'm pleased with how they turned out!!

-Finding a few cute decorative things for the Nursery!

-I went to the doctor yesterday and she is growing right on track. Also, she was head down again, YAY!!!! We are praying now that I'm 32 weeks that she is big enough that she won't flip around anymore and will stay head down.

-We discussed taking the cerclage out in 4 weeks, holy moly that fast!! What's even crazier is if for some reason the stitches were to be imbedded or hard to remove, we'll have to induce at 37 weeks for me to have an epidural and then take the stitches out and then just deliver this little princess.

Honestly, as anxious as I am to see this angel, I hope that taking the cerclage out is a piece of cake and I can go into labor on my own. I had Wade in 4 hours from the time my water broke at home so we know I deliver fairly fast and easy, I just feel if my body isn't ready and we induce it will be a long hard labor on both Pyper and I. The main thing is that we will do whatever is best for her!

I go to the fetal specialist on Thursday, and he will make the final decision on when it comes out. I'm so thankful that this pregnancy has gone so smoothly and that Pyper is growing perfectly. This week will be the last 4D sonogram we have. I'm excited to see her but sad that is it is our last. I keep telling myself it's our last because everything has gone so well though so that makes it better!!

She'll be here in 6 weeks or less and we just can't wait!!!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was so much fun and did my heart so much good!! The weekend started out with my sister pulling into town Friday about lunch time. Wade and I hung out with her all afternoon and when Brody got home from work we all loaded up and went to our Good Friday service at church. To say I enjoy the Good Friday service sounds wrong but it always does my heart good to be reminded of the sacrifice our Father made for each and everyone of us.

Saturday morning we were all up bright and early getting things done around the house before my parents pulled into town. Mom and Dad got here about 11:30 and the boys and girls split up. Dad and Brody so sweetly offered to take Wade with them to run errands and get the cooker to allow my Mom and Lakin and I to have some girl time. I can not even begin to tell you how much that girl time was needed. We went to our favorite little spot for lunch, shopped around some cute little stores, shopped for Pyper and literally laughed until we couldn't laugh anymore. I finally had to tell them to stop making me laugh, Pyper was getting a little angry with me.

That evening we prepared as much of the food as we could for Sunday lunch. The boys stayed outside cooking the ribs and Mom (mainly Mom) and I worked on the potato salad, beans and dessert. After we got everything prepared Grammy and Poppy took Wade outside to plant their lollipop garden. My parents have been waiting to do this with Wade since I was pregnant with him!! This was the first year he was old enough to begin the littlee tradition. Mom gave him a bottle of red sugar and they sprinkled it all in the ground, raked it, and watered it in. He thought it was fun but I'm sure he was wondering what on earth we were doing haha.

Sunday morning we all got up and had coffee and breakfast. When Wade finally woke up Grammy and Poppy took him out to see if their garden grew! His face was priceless when he saw all the lollipops and Easter egg gum. He had fun gathering it all up and bringing it in. When we got back inside he saw that the Easter bunny had been there and left him a surprise in his Easter basket. Then Grammy and Poppy gave him his Easter gift. We all got ready and rushed out the door to church. The service was awesome and it was so nice to all be together.

After church we returned home to get the big meal together. Brody and my Dad and brother got busy outside and Mom and Lakin and I sat up everything on the back porch. Brody's sweet parents and sister and brother-in-law got there and we all celebrated together (and ate WAY too much)! The kids got to hunt Easter eggs in the yard and then everyone went their own way to take naps.

It was the perfect weekend! We had such a fun time! I'm excited to see Mom and Lakin again next weekend for Pyper's shower!

Change, Change, Change

WARNING: LONG post, continue you at your own risk.

2012 has definitely been the year of change so far and we are just three months in. I can't even begin to imagine what the rest of the year will hold. As if trying to find a teaching position, searching for a new daycare (our home daycare can't keep both kids so we have to find a new one, I have literally cried and cried over this, wade has been there since he was 4 months old and we LOVE Miss Aaron!) and bringing another child into this family hasn't been enough of an overwhelming change, we have made the decision to move. Yes, you heard me right, I'm eight months pregnant and we are moving!! Now, if you know me AT ALL, I'm FREAKING OUT!!! I'm a planner, an organizer and a little bit OCD and I won't be able to do a darn thing to help in the process seeing as how I haven't been able to lift over 5 pounds for the last 8 months!!

When we moved into our little home almost 4 years ago, it was perfect for a newly married couple. 3 beds, 1 1/2 baths, a cute little kitchen and living room and a decent backyard. I still had a year and half of school left and once we were both settled in with good jobs we had planned on getting a bigger place, but for the time this little house was perfect for us. Enter the Lord's sense of humor and 5 months into marriage a positive pregnancy test (and I wouldn't do it any different). Our house was filled up with baby items and began to feel a little snug but still liveable. Fast forward two years and another positive pregnancy test and the house began to burst at the seems with STUFF!! House hold items that we needed everywhere. We don't have an attic and very little storage in the house so as you can imagine i've had to be creative as to where we store it all.

Brody decided that we should look into moving or adding on. After looking at house to no avail we decided to add a room on. It's important to us that we have a guest/office since my parents are 2 1/2 hrs away. We LOVE for them to stay with us instead of a hotel when they visit and that wasn't possible unless we added the room on. Two contractors later we had a decent price and floor plan drawn up and we were getting ready to move forward, however, we weren't quite at peace with the decision so we waited, and waited and waited. Weeks turned to months and we still hadn't made a move, and then Brody found a house. It was in our price range, offered all we wanted/needed, and ready to be purchased. We went and looked at it, prayed about it and two weeks later signed the contract. We close on it in two weeks and then the painting and a few updates begin so we can get moved in the first week of May before this angel arrives.

I've been just a touch over whelmed and uneasy about the whole process, part of that is just me, feeling out of control, like I'm not handling anything at all. The other part I know is emotions and hormones are running high around here right now.

Here is our new little house!

All our hard work in Wade's new room and the nursery for nothing. While I was excited that their rooms were beginning to take shape, there were a few things in both rooms I wish we had done differently and now we can. The house is in great shape, just not the colors I want it to be and to me putting a little color on the wall and adding your own decorative touch is was makes a house a home, so my dear sweet hubby, brother and parents plan to start taping and painting the night we close and hopefully we will be done by the end of the week. Then a contractor is coming to install all new doors, paint the base boards and trim, and do a few other projects for us.

My sweet Momma has promised me she wouldn't leave until we have every box unpacked and put away and all my decorations and wall hangings are up. I've been such a wreck about the whole thing the last few weeks but I'm starting to get excited. Not only are we going to have more room and the space for my parents to stay when they come to visit, but I will get to spend at least two full weeks with my mom painting, decorating, organizing and just spending some quality one on one time with her. I've missed her so much! I swear she and I share a brain and think exactly alike so I won't be worried about over seeing how she organizes and decorates for me, I trust her and know it will be great!

SO.....that's that. We have a busy month ahead of us. My whole family will be at our house this weekend for Easter along with Brody's family, my mom, sister, grandmas, and aunt will be her next weekend for Pyper's shower, and we close on the house the following Monday and begin that whole process. As if this pregnancy wasn't flying by fast enough, with all this month holds I know I'll look up and May will be here and so will our Princess. It's amazing how the Lord works and where he places you. We've been praying for him to guide and lead us in the place that we needed to be to best serve Him and for now this is what we feel is best for us.

31 weeks

How far along: 31 weeks! Love seeing those 30s starting to climb!

Size of baby: According to thebump.com Pyper is the size of a pineapple. She is between 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds!

Total weight gain: 23 lbs

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Movement is still great and I can usually predict when the movement is about to start! I NEVER get tired of that feeling!

Sleep: Sleep is good depending on the night. If we've had a really busy day I can usually fall right asleep! If I've been made to rest and keep my feet up some I usually have to stay up a little later to fall asleep. Still up 2 or 3 times to pee.

What I miss: Nothing

Cravings: Cereal, honey bunches of oats to be exact.

Symptoms: Extra sore boobs, leaking a little colostrum, and my sides are sore when I wake up in the morning, starting to have random BH contractions too. All pretty normal stuff, nothing to complain about here.

Maternity clothes: Still a good mixture of both.

Best moment this week: Working on fun projects for her room! Still haven't completed all of them but getting closer!! Also, my parents and brother and sister will be in town this weekend for Easter! I can't wait to have us all under one roof together! I've sure missed them all!!