Sally Jean 19 Months

Oh Sally,

You are such a wonderful thing.  You have become quite the clown, lately.  You will do so many things to get a good laugh out of people.  I hope you always bring joy and laughter to those you are around.

Although, you are still opinionated and can be quite hard to take places, especially out to eat, I am noticing that you are learning more ways to deal with not getting your way that aren't always throwing yourself on the ground, dragging your head along the ground, screaming a blood curdling scream.  I mean, you still do these things often, but not always.  :)

You have found a new way to express your creativeness.  Mommy  can't even go into the laundry room and fold laundry without you getting into something!

You like to do things on your own, Little Miss Independent!  Your Mimi thinks you are SO good with the fork and spoon.  I think she is a little biased. Look at you!  I mean, did anything get into your mouth?

You LOVE chocolate icecream ( or any flavor of ice cream, for that matter) at Sweet Frog's.  

You prefer to swing on the big girl swing!

And, there are these rare moments when I will catch you sitting in your little rocker reading books by yourself.  

You are like a billy goat and climb onto everything!  You get yourself into many predicaments because sometimes you underestimate the climbing ability that is needed.  You are a picky eater and prefer carbs.  You enjoy your nap time and bed time.  You have enjoyed sharing your room with Ava.  You two are so cute in the morning because I let you stay up there a little longer because you are both enjoying each other's company.  Ava will bring you books and get your pacifier for you if it falls out, and she told me that she likes to jump around and make you laugh while you are in your crib in the morning.

You, my spirited, determined, strong-willed little girl are very much loved.  By many people.  You have such a strong, but funny and lovable, personality.  God has made such a creation in you.  Now, go live it out for His glory!

What's up with Ava (Aug./Sept. 2015)

Ava is starting to turn into a 3 year old.  She has found her autonomy and can be Miss Attitude.  Her mouth can sometimes get her into trouble and I just wonder sometimes, where am I going wrong?

I know it is normal.  I know she is 3.  I know this is a part of life, but I had no idea how so much of this is out of my control.  And, for a control freak like me, that is not good.

She has had more outbursts than she has ever had and she almost lives to irritate Sally.

But then, there are these other sweet moments.  Like, a few weekends ago, I was extremely emotional.  I was sitting on the couch crying and throwing myself a pity party and Ava saw my tears and asked me over and over again what was wrong and if I was ok and she brought me a blanket and cuddled up with me.

Or the time she stayed with her Mimi for the afternoon and cleaned up her mess during her quiet time so Mimi didn't have to.

She is super gentle, caring and compassionate.  I know there is SO MUCH HOPE for her.  But, honestly, I feel like I screw it up for her a lot.  I don't know when I am being too hard on her and when I am not hard enough.

Lately, I just pray for her and me.  I pray that she chooses obedience over rebellion.  I pray that she is a vessel of love.   I pray that her heart is tender to the needs of others.  I pray that her attitude is kept in control.

She has completed 2 days of preschool with her teachers Mrs. Maleah and Mrs. Kayla.  She loves school and has a ton of fun.  I miss her those 3 hours, two days a week, but it makes my heart smile when I pick her up and she is so happy!

She loves to paint, play with stickers and watch The Magic School Bus episodes on Netflix.  Her favorite episode is the spider one.  Go figure!

Baby #3 It's a Girl (17 weeks)

How far along? 17 weeks and  4 days.

How far to go? forever...157 days to go

Due Date: February 6, 2016, but I will have to have a csection so I am thinking this baby will be born at the end of January.


Baby? size of a turnip.  We had the anatomy scan this week.  As always the ultrasound was amazing.  Afterwards, we did get a bit of news that was a little scary for me.  The doctor told me that the baby has a chromoid plexus cyst in her brain fluid, which is sometimes an indicator of Downs Syndrome.  She said she would not worry and thinks everything is fine.  She said everything else in the ultrasound looked perfect and that usually, if there was more of a risk, they would see more wrong or concerning in the u/s.  Because I am 33, the risk is a bit higher and they (the doctors practice) is obligated to tell us.  Curtis did some research and said he does not think we need to worry.  I hate the fact that I am even worried about it.  I know families who have children with Down's and they are stronger for it, but I do question MY ability to be a mother to a child with special needs.  Whatever she comes out like, I pray that I am capable and that she feels loved by me.  But, of course, I am praying also that she is perfectly normal.  As selfish as that sounds, that is where I am with this.  I am sure she will be ok...


Maternity Clothes: I live in maternity leggings.  

Stretch Marks: Not anything new...yet.

Pregnancy Symptoms:  I feel either hungry or nauseous all the time.  It's weird, but I have a hard time telling the difference between the two.  Lots and lots of headaches, especially in the lower right hand side of my head.  

Sleeping:  I sleep ok.  Sometimes I sleep through the night, sometimes I don't.  

Best feeling this week:  Seeing the baby on ultrasound.  

Movement: Not yet, but anxiously awaiting.  

Cravings/Aversions: I like food.  Do not like the smell of beer.  

Belly Button: In

What I miss:  Having more energy and feeling closer to 100%.

What am I looking forward to: Meeting this baby.

Sally Jean is 18 months

Oh Sally Jean,

You are one of the most independent little girls I have ever come in contact with.  You can be so happy and content, but it one teeny, tiny thing does not go your way, you throw yourself on the ground, kicking and throwing a fit.  You, my dear, are quite exhausting.  You are always making me wonder what we are getting ourselves into.

This month has been busy for you.  You are running full speed ahead.  You are clumsy and always getting hurt.  You are not one for sharing toys and don't want Ava near any of the things you have in hand.  You pretty much don't want Ava touching you unless you have given her permission and she wants to play with you so bad!

You are very cautious to try new things or things you are uncertain about.  You aren't one to take too ,many chances, but you will try new things hesitantly.  You like to snack on veggie chips and crackers and will sometimes eat your dinner.  You eat about 2 breakfast bars each morning and, sometimes, you will finish Ava's breakfast.  You are not one to branch out for breakfast foods.  You are pretty content with the breakfast bars and expect that each morning.

You still love to play peek-a-boo and giggle loudly (and snort) at my reactions.  You love to sing Jesus Loves Me, God our Father, and If You are Happy and You Know It.  You love to dance to happy and watch movies in the car.  Harris Teeter is your favorite store because you get a cookie if you are well behaved (although that is dicey).  You also love to go to parks, church, and Mimi and PopPops house.

I do not think you are going to take to your new baby sister or brother well.  You pretty much cling to me during the day and I have noticed when I am holding another baby, you drape yourself over my knees to pick you up.  Between you and your sister, my lap can become a fighting place.  It should make for a very interesting transition.

We are trying to figure out when we want to transition you over to your sisters room.  I want to get it over as soon as possible, but I am completely dreading this change.  I just don't know how it is going to go.  Let's face it: Mommy is selfish when it comes to making sure I get some down time.  I've let you two not take naps a couple of times recently and Mommy isn't the same Mommy by 7:00 as she normally would be.

Even though you are a spitfire and completely tiring, I just love who God has made you to be.  He was very creative when He made you and, boy, does He have a sense of humor.  We love you so much.  May God place His fingerprints all over your heart.

What's up with Ava? june/july

Ava is getting to be such a big girl and she says and does things now that make it so hard to see my little  baby girl. 

The other day we were both drawing a flower.  She immediately realized that my flower and her flower did not look the same.  She said that she couldn't draw one and that it made her so sad.  It was at this moment I got vision of previous students who were relentless perfectionists and how hard it was to get them to try new things and to be proud of their work.  I am wondering if dealing with this with Ava is in my near future. 

We were also watching a documentary on Netflix about how other kids in other countries get to school and there was this one family who had 3 boys, one with Cerebral Palsy.  They push and pull their brother in this ramshackle wheelchair to school and back everyday.  It takes them an hour and a half to get to school.  She was watching it and said, "awww, that is so nice."

Ava is generally kind to other kids except her sister (when it comes to sharing toys with her) and there are so many things I see in her that are going to shine the light of Jesus. 

This pregnancy has been super yucky and I guess Ava can see on my face when I am not feeling good.  She is quick to give me a hug, check my forehead to see if I feel ok and cuddle with me. It is super sweet and comforting. 

She LOVES babies and I hope the sentiments will be the same for this next baby.  She was excited to hear the heartbeat.

She tries to whistle by placing 2 fingers in her mouth and making her imitation of a whistle. It's cute. 

She loves to search for flags, bridges and big buildings while in car.  She loves to sing Happy Birthday (Durthday) to people, especially if there is cake involved. 

She is OBSESSED with Disney World and asks multiple times per day to go.  Adorable and pitiful all at the same time! 

She obviously hears these words a lot because she will always say, "maybe later we can go to Disney World."  :)  Not surprisingly, we are trying to figure out a way we can take her again before baby comes. 

Ava brings so much joy to our hearts.  Her compassion for other people and animals tells me that God gave her a very tender heart and spirit.  I am excited to see what that will mean for her. 

Sally Jean 16-17 months

Oh Sally,

You are a stinker.  Seriously.  So emotional.  You can be happy one second and then mad as a hornet the next second. And once you are mad, there is no calming you down or consoling you.   You are strong willed, determined and Miss Independent.  I love those qualities about you, but right now they are super hard to get through.  I have a hard time breaking through that strong will of yours, but this mama is going to have to toughen up and do it. 

You love to be treated like a big girl.  You like to walk and hold our hands, you like to go off on your own and explore, you like to do what Ava is doing, you like to tease her by taking her fuzzy and lamby and saying "mine", when you know good and well those are hers.

You are very good at getting things mommy asks you to grab.  You can get your diaper when you need one, get your milk cup off the table, hand Ava her cup, etc.  And, surprisingly, you are compliant much of the time, when I ask you to hand me something. 

You take good naps and go to bed very easily for us.  You typically sleep from 2-5 and 8:30-7:30 every night.  You still want your pacy, Boo puppy and fuzzy when you sleep.  When we get you in the morning, you will toss your pacy in the crib because we try to only use it for sleeping time. 
You are my side sleeper.  Whenever I check in on you at night before I go to bed, you are usually sleeping on your side with your arms around your boo and fuzzy.  I wish I could get a good picture of you, but I would need the flash, and you are also my light sleeper.  So I don't mess with you!

You are wearing 18-24 month clothing and size 2-3 shoes.  Shoes are a conundrum because you have fat feet.  You usually pull your shoes off in the car and we have to put them on again.  You don't like wearing your headbands for too long, either.

You are getting lots and lots of teeth right now.  You are handling it well.  I haven't noticed it affect your mood.  Let's be real-you are a moody individual as it is, so it's hard to tell the difference.  You get your moodiness from your mother.  One thing we have noticed about you is that if something doesn't go the way you think it should, you get very frustrated.  You get that from your father. 

You like to talk.  You say "its water", tinkerbell (binkerbell), pacy, hi mommy, hi daddy, mine, no, hold you (atchoo), phone, I did it, I see you, amen, big, and some others.  You love Brown Bear, Brown Bear. 

You aren't really into much food these days and I will attribute that to your teething.  But you do enjoy your breakfast bar or two in the morning and your milk.  There are  few other foods I can offer you that you will always accept and that is cheese, oranges, crackers, and pretzels.  You will also drink water more easily than your sister. 

Sally, there are so many things that God is going to use you for and I can't wait to see it!  I just hope I don't mess you up beforehand.  One thing I have learned from being your mommy is that parenting is a humbling experience. 

Baby 3 weeks

How far along? 6 weeks and  0 days.

How far to go? forever...238 days to go

Due Date: February 6, 2016, but I will have to have a csection so I am thinking this baby will be born at the end of January.


Baby? Developing eyes, nose, ears start this week.  Baby is about the size of a pea.


Maternity Clothes: Well I am already overweight since gaining a lot of weight after Sally was born.  I wear a lot of Yoga pants, tank tops, and tshirts.  I pretty much feel like I look so unkempt most of the time.  

Stretch Marks: Not anything new...yet.

Pregnancy Symptoms i DO NOT FEEL GOOD.  Ever.  Nothing sits well with my stomach, nothing sounds all that wonderful to eat.  I can't believe I forgot this miserable feeling.  I am also unexplainably exhausted.  Like Unreal exhausted!

Sleeping:  I still sleep well, and I can still sleep on my stomach so that helps.  I also sleep a lot.  Usually when the girls go down for their naps, I sleep the entire 3 hours.     

Best feeling this week:  Knowing that each day is closer and closer to reaching the 3rd trimester, where, hopefully, I can get rid of the constant sick feeling.  


Movement: Baby is the size of a pea, so really?

Cravings/Aversions: ice cream, cheerios, popsicles.  

Belly Button: In


What I miss:  Having more energy and feeling good.

What am I looking forward to: Hearing the baby's heartbeat!