Brant's trip

A few weeks ago we had a scare with baby #2.  I was having some cramping and a good bit of bleeding.  I honestly would have assumed I was not pregnant if I had not already been to the doctor.  Ike and I rushed in to see the doctor again to be sure everything was ok.  We were able to see and hear that sweet heartbeat again.  The doctor said everything looked good, but I needed to get rest and take it easy.  Ms. Susie offered to keep Brant the week leading up to Christmas since we would be coming home that Friday.  I will admit that even though I knew it was what the doctor ordered especially with all we had to get done that week...I was reluctant.  I know a lot of mom's will look down on me for my decision to allow him to go.  BUT after much thought and prayer I decided we should let him go.  Ike and I had not even started shopping for Christmas (yes, the week before), and we really needed some time together.  We both believe our marriage is second to our relationship with the Lord, and is one of the best things we can give our children.  Plus we both really enjoy spending time together, and Brant has a blast being spoiled between the two sets of grandparents!  Here are some highlights of his visit!
First picture I get is Brant finishing off his teacake!

He took care of changing the calender for Christmas. 

Wagon riding at church

Eating a little Mexican food

We facetimed one night!  I think it made both of our nights!  Sweet boy!  We sure missed him!

Thanksgiving 2013

I was so thankful for Thanksgiving day.  It was the first time I had been anywhere expect the grocery store in a week, and Brant's first time to leave the house.  He does not like being cooped up at home either.  It was a different year for sure.  We are working on building up leave time since I wiped out all of mine for maternity leave with Brant, and will need that much again in such a short time.  All that to say we didn't go home. Luckily, our families still made it special.  Ike's mom, Ms. Susie's family lives about an hour away so we drove there Thanksgiving day to have lunch.  I could not taste a thing such a sad thing. ha.
Brant met his cousin, Kendal for the first time!  We have big plans for these two to be good friends!

These two are 3 months apart.

Brant loved Hanna.

Kendal and his sweet Mom.

The only picture of the three of us...the best we could do this year.

Then for the weekend my family came to our house.  My sister, cousin Ashley, and I ATTEMPTED to cook.  We did eat...but it was interesting getting there.  Apparently our oven does not work well.  It was still fun, and I am so glad I was able to see them all.

The only picture from the weekend.  Brant, Pawpaw, and Mimi.

I would say Brant's first thanksgiving was a great one filled with sweet family time!

9 months

I know all moms say this, but really how did 9 months go by so fast!  This past month has been a month of developments!

• Weight:  Still not sure but I would guess 20lbs at least!  
• Food:  You LOVE food!  You are not a fan of purees, but you do so good with food that we have not had to give you many.  You will eat the fruit purees, but prefer the real thing.  You have tried SO many new foods lately.  Some I am not sure are very age appropriate like banana nut muffins.  I walked into the kitchen and your daddy had shared his muffin with you.  No reaction so that is good.  You love green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, roast, crackers, pears, bananas, cranberry, peas.  Really the only things you have not liked is sweet peas and celery (not cooked, cooked is fine). 
• You are on the MOVE! You are crawling and pulling up on everything.  You will let go and stand for a few seconds.
• Your new found moving has made putting you to bed difficult.  The second we lay you down you jump up and pull up on the side of the bed.  Not sure what to do about this for now we have to pat your booty till you go to sleep.
• Crawling has made you more independent.  You are much more content to play by yourself on the floor with your toys.
• You are babbling more and louder now, but no words that we can pick out yet.  You get your point across usually though.
• You are getting 4 teeth on the top!!!  We can see them starting to peek through.
• My personal favorite as always is....You are the sweetest baby ever and shower us with lots of hugs and kisses. 

You spent some time at Nana and Granddaddy's (more on this to come) so she took your 9 month pictures for me.  You are Mr. Serious in this months pictures.

13 weeks. #2

I have no pictures for this post but here is our 13 week update for baby #2.
How far Along: 13 weeks
How big is baby: The baby is the size of a peach
Weight gain/loss: actually lost a few pounds somehow
Maternity Clothes: Yep.  I am wearing maternity jeans already.  I can still wear most of my tops but you can see the little bump already
Stretch Marks: No 
Sleep: Sleep is good.  I am so tired in the late afternoon/night.  I can barely make it to 8pm!
Diet: Salty food.  Sweets are not at all appealing to me, but I can't get enough chips and dip.
Gender: Don't know?? Can't wait!  We would love either really!  We both agree a boy would be nice since Baby and Brant will be so close in age, and we have EVERYTHING for a boy.  But then pressure is on for baby 3 to be a girl.  :)  
Movement: YES!  I didn't feel Brant for several more weeks, but I definitely feel it already.
The belly: Oh it is growing so much faster this time!
What I miss: Nothing much.  I forget I'm pregnant most of the time other than the tiredness at night.
Symptoms: Heartburn for sure!
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby!
Best moment of the week: Feeling Baby moving!

Santa visit

I wanted to get a cute picture of these two boys while they were in their Christmas clothes...  I had all these big ideas about how cute they would be.  Well...they are both cute regardless of their cooperation.

We decided to go to Bass Pro to meet Santa.  I don't think we quite realized what the wait would be like.  We do like that they give you a time to come back.  You will still wait in line a while, but it was better than it could have been.  We met Ms. Clause while we waited.

We visited the fish tank.  Brant was just taking it all in. This was also his first of MANY trips to Bass Pro.

Then the big finale...Santa!

Brant did great waiting in the line for an hour.  He started to get really tired, but we made it and no major Santa drama this year.

Christmas 2013

Here is a little tour of our Christmas decorations this year!

I thought I had pictures of all the decorations but just realized I don't have any of outside or Brant's little tree.  Maybe I will add those later!

Surprise Blessing

So here is the background on our little surprise blessing.  Most of the people who read our blog know our fertility journey which I share  some of here.  There were many frustrating years and tears in that time, and I still ache for those in this phase of life.  It's hard and it hurts.  During those days we vowed to trust in the Lord and his timing and for us that meant not using birth control after we had our first child.  I am in no way saying that if someone uses birth control they are not trusting in the Lord's timing.  I am saying this was OUR conviction.  Plus we always said let's just have them back to back.  So after Brant was born I never went back on BC.  In my mind I just knew in 2 years or so we would start the process over again for baby number 2.  God had other plans and we are rejoicing in those.   

Ephesians 3:20  "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

And the rest of the story....
Saturday, October 26 we had friends at our house and were just finishing breakfast.  I was starting some taco soup for supper because we were all set head to the pumpkin patch with some other friends that afternoon.  I start opening the beans, and they smelled terrible to me.  I called Ike over to see if he thinks they are bad.  He knows immediately!  I have a terrible sense of smell so this tips him off.  He says you should take a test.  I was sort of thrown off, but I do and well it says pregnant.  I was in complete shock.  I've taken so many pregnancy test I just was not expecting it.  It took me a little time to really let it soak in, and I will admit I was am scared of having two babies basically.  However, I think it will be so great for the two of them to have each other, and I pray they will be the very best of friends.  We really could not be happier to be adding another sweet baby to our family.