Hey guys! So, recently, I took a little test. I was so absolutely sure that this test was going to be "negative" that I didn't even tell Cline I was taking it, despite strict, long-standing instructions to never, ever take such a test without being in his presence. In fact, the only reason I was even taking the test was because I had one tiny symptom, that could easily be explained away, but that one symptom was causing a nagging guilt as I indulged in my 4th Coca-Cola each day, and I was tired of having my joy robbed for what was probably no reason at all.
So, I took the test, early on July 12, to put my mind at ease, fully expecting to resume my caffeinated lifestyle in peace. And it came back very clearly "positive!"
Luckily, I had some time to think of a cute way to tell Cline that I'd broken the cardinal rule of not taking pregnancy tests unless he was around to share in the joy. Cline was working a night shift that night and would be sleeping most of the day. As soon as Christa woke up, we got to work on a cute little construction paper card, and wrapped the life-changing stick up like a present. I was forgiven :)
We are thrilled beyond belief, and can't wait to meet this new little baby! My due date is at the end of March, which will make Abby Kate just over 18 months old. Whew!! That's an exhausting thought that I'm trying not to dwell too hard on right now :) I feel like I've just now gotten used to having two children, so I'm hoping for the best with 3 so young! Needless to say, I'm soaking up all of the sleep I can right now in preparation for some chaotic, fun, and memorable months ahead!
We have had a couple of scares this time around, but thankfully, things are looking better now. As a result, I have been back and forth to the doctor's office very frequently over the past 5 weeks, leaving little time or energy for appropriate blogging. We welcome your prayers that this pregnancy goes smoothly, and the issues continue to resolve themselves. Christa has already claimed her new room in preparation for the new baby, and Abby Kate is so excited that she's not sleeping anymore! I am so thankful that the pregnancy is progressing that the constant vomiting doesn't seem to be bothering me as much this time around. Cline is convinced the baby is a boy, but I think I'm going to let this one be a surprise.
In other news, Christa started preschool last week and loves her class. She goes 3 mornings a week, which gives Abby Kate and I some time to do Kindermusik together. Abby Kate is a different child from Christa, who sat calmly, happily patting to the music. Abby Kate, my active child, wants nothing more than to crawl around the room during this time, so our Kindermusik days may be short-lived and replaced with gymnastics classes down the road. Christa will start ballet in a couple of weeks and is sooooo excited. We went to buy her leotard, tights, and slippers about a week ago, and I've had a hard time convincing her to wear anything else since then. She insists on being referred to as "Ballerina," NOT, "Christa." She's a funny one for sure!
Cline has worked a ton this summer, so we haven't done a whole lot as a family. We're looking forward to resuming a normal schedule next month, and hope to be able to do more social/family activities this fall. I have been busy resting as much as I can and editing video for Abby Kate's first birthday, which is coming up in a couple of weeks. At some point, I'll have to figure out new room arrangements, and re-organize all of the kid stuff in the house to make room for the 3rd child. So far, I'm just focused on getting little "Gummy-Bear" here safely, and I will find the time and energy to get to all of that later.
Hope all of you are doing well, and I'd love to hear from you! I'm on Facebook now, so if we're not friends, please request me. I now have one of those fancy phones that takes pictures, so I'm a little better about updating that site right now, since it's portable!
Have a great day!
Ready for Ballet - this was the day we bought her leotard and ballet slippers. She wouldn't wear anything else for at least a week, and insisted on being referred to as "Ballerina."
1st Day of School
Abby Kate had a few moments to play with the toys by herself the other day while Christa was at school. She was so sweet, putting the baby doll up to her chest and hugging it. She is getting so big!
Cline and Chas celebrating their 30th birthday with their favorite - Coca-Cola cake. Can you tell which one is Cline?
Christa and the newest baby cousin with Uncle Cleve, Angel, and Laura!
Abby Kate was 11 months old on August 2!
July 2, 2010 - Abby Kate is 10 months old! Unfortunately, she was ill with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. (Terrible name, and it made me feel like a disgusting mother - I really appreciate those of you clean mothers who confessed to me your child has also had this illness :)! As a result, it was a little more difficult to squeeze in a good picture. In an effort to make sure I got at least one picture on her actual 10-month birthday, I grabbed the camera after washing her off following a vomiting episode. This is what I ended up with!
3rd of July at the parade - Unfortunately, Abby Kate missed out on her first 4th of July parade (held on the 3rd this year because the 4th fell on a Sunday). Cline took Christa, who rode in the boat with cousin Maggie Beth and great-grandparents. Mi-Mi was kind enough to stay with Abby Kate so that I could participate in the parade, and Pa kept her while I enjoyed a little of the BBQ afterward.
Abby Kate's 1st 4th of July - She was feeling much better by the end of the 4th, so we did make it to a late-night dinner at Applebee's with Cline's family, giving me a chance to debut her cute outfit, that I purchased with great anticipation weeks in advance :)
On Tuesday, I had a long-distance play date scheduled with a nursing school friend. We started off at the American Girl Cafe, which was delicious!
After lunch, we went to a place called Play, a kiddie gym with trampolines, slides, inflatables, and a very fun foam pit.
Abby Kate quickly discovered that she could scale the slide....
.... and was so proud of herself when she made it to the top! (2 days later, we went to a local inflatable business as a reward for Christa, and she climbed huge slides with no trouble at all! If she slid down a little, she just scooted herself right back up - fearlessly!)
On Wednesday, we cashed in a library summer reading coupon to the Creative Discovery Children's Museum in Chattanooga with some neighborhood friends. I didn't get too many great pictures, because Christa was more interested in gluing construction paper together (something I could have done easily and cheaply from home :) We had a fun day, nonetheless, and I really enjoyed having so much activity, even though it was a lot for one week.
Abby Kate enjoyed the mirrors at the museum.
Digging for dinosaur bones.
Abby Kate is growing so fast. She was 10 months old yesterday! (Although this picture is from a couple of weeks ago).
Playing on the new birthday (and Christmas if we can get away with it:) present for both girls - a swing set!
We rented a bounce house for the party, and the kids had a blast! I originally wanted to have the party at a local bounce-house-sort-of-place, but I was told Saturdays are a bad day to do that, because there are lots of parties going on, and it's chaos! I was afraid Christa wouldn't enjoy that, so we rented one and had a private bounce house party!
Christa's Toy Story cake! (No, I am not talented enough to make that, and yes, it did taste as good as it looks)!
Our family celebrating our little girl's big day.
Christa got lots of great presents, including a princess castle, a baby doll high chair, some Barbie dolls,and Toy Story items!
A pinata was included in our party package, so the kids had some fun getting to the candy! Cline has vetoed future pinatas, though, due to some close calls with the stick and several short heads :)
On her actual birthday.
