Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Week 16


How your baby's growing:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, she's about the size of an avacado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Her legs are much more developed, her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. Her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her locks aren't recognizable yet. She's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Anniversary--looking back


Greg and I recently celebrated year 5 year wedding anniversary. Time has really flown by. Of course being the sentimental person I am I had to pull out ALL the pictures, videos, cards etc and just think back on all of our special times together.




Greg and I were married on April 2, 2004 in Baton Rouge, LA at Istrouma Baptist Church. Our original wedding date was supposed to be that summer, but to our surprise Greg got orders to head to Iraq for 18 months. We decided to move our wedding up a bit and get married before he left. We had two weeks. We called the church and then had the next Friday open in the chapel so we took it, my family flew in and Greg's family drove up. We also had several of our closest friends that were able to come such short notice. My mom set up a nice dinner at Juban's for the reception dinner. My wedding gown had not come in so my Mom and I found a gorgeous white suit I could wear instead, Greg wore his dress greens. There was no time for musicians, registries, and all the other stuff that goes in to a wedding. There were no photographers or videographers available so we just asked family and friends to preserve our memories for us! All that mattered was that we were in love, Greg was about to leave and we wanted to be joined as husband and wife. The simplicity of it all was perfect, the true meaning of marriage was witnessed that day without all the fluff. Boy, this brings me to tears even thinking about it all. The ceremony was PERFECT! We were so in love and all I really remember was looking at Greg and realizing how lucky I was to be marrying such an amazing man. But, in the back of mind I was so terrified that he may not come home from Iraq. I definitely didn't make it down the aisle without tears, and lots of them. Our church pastor, Brother Stuart married us and he made it very special (he later did our renewal ceremony and is now at the church we attend in Houston).


Greg and I at the LSU War Memorial, this is where he proposed.




We were able to go on a honeymoon, we went on a cruise to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Mexico. It was bitter-sweet. It was WONDERFUL to be husband and wife, but it was so sad knowing that Greg would be leaving me for 18 months and neither of us knew what the future held. It was all up to God. We are both SO thankful for wonderful friends and family who helped us through the tough times of his deployment.



(Greg is on the far left)

The day after Greg got in country (Iraq) my wedding dress came in, I just put the box in the closet and knew I would wear that beautiful gown one day. Greg and I decided to have a renewal ceremony when he returned so we could have the wedding that every little girl dreams of. I had plenty of time to plan and that is one way I passed the time. After he safety retuned in October of 2005 we continued planning our renewal ceremony. Our ceremony was on April 1, 2006 almost 2 years after our wedding ceremony. We were lucky enough to have everything we didn't have the first time: ALL of our family, new friends, old friends, I wore my wedding gown, Greg wore his dress blues, bridesmaids, groomsmen, a rehearsal dinner, my FAVORITE photographer from Houston, a videographer, showers, a HUGE cake, a real reception, and most importantly TIME together! It was wonderful, it was like a dream and I loved every second! Brother Stuart did our ceremony and he helped us to add some special touches to our ceremony, we used 3 colored ribbons to represent God, Greg and I and how you need all three for a healthy marriage, a unity candle, two soloists we had a family prayer at the end, and of course we had the Sabre Arches which were amazing and looked really great in our pictures!! It was like a fairytale. We went on a two week honeymoon and enjoyed every second together. We really enjoyed this honeymoon because we knew that Greg was home and we didn't have to rush our time together. We went on a week long cruise to St. Thomas, St. Marteen, and San Juan and then spent a week in Disney World, it was wonderful (and productive, Kailey was born 9 months later:))




one of my wedding showers



As I look back I think about just how hard it was when Greg was deployed. It really puts things in perspective. I guess that is why I don't think it is a big deal if he has to work a little late or if he has to travel a week or two for work. At least he comes home to me everynight and when he is away I am not worried if his camp is going to be attacked by insurgents. I really, really love my husband and I Thank God EVERY SINGLE DAY that he put Greg in my life. I never thought I would be an army wife, but I really think Greg's time away has helped us to keep in perspective what is really important and what is trivial.
Rehearsal dinner at Ralph and Kacoos


Me, Raine and Carolyn (SIL's)

Greg and the bridesmaids


one of my bridal pics

me and the groomsmen

My Brothers and Me!

SMOOCH!!!






For our 5 year anniversary we took a weekend trip, spent lots of alone time together and just enjoyed one anothers company. It was just nice to have some time one on one while my Mom watched Kailey. We are planning a big trip for after B2 arrives. I can't wait to see what the future holds, I know whatever it is, it will be great as long as Greg is by my side.



I love you Honey!!!

Easter Ham

On Easter Sunday after we went to church to celebrate the resurrection (you know, the ENTIRE reason for Easter) we came home and cooked a YUMMY Ham!! It was 9lbs and boy was it good! This was my first time to cook a ham so I was pretty excited (and nervous too). Greg helped put the pinapple and cherries on top and then I did the Honey Spice glaze. We had my super secret family pasta salad, green bean casserole, rolls and a pie for dessert. We really enjoyed our yummy dinner and even had leftovers for ham sandwiches throughout the week!!





The Eatser Bunny Came!!!

While we were sleeping the Easter Bunny came and brought Kailey some really great treats! The first thing Kailey said when she woke up was "Did Easter Bunny Come??" We said yes and then let her walk out in the living room, she ran to her baskets jumped up and down and started yelling "Easter Bunny Came" "Bunny brings presents and candy" it was hilarious! She started looking through the baskets which took forever because she wanted to play with everything and eat ALL the candy! The EB really brought her some cool things and he even managed to remember Mommy and Daddy!!








Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Hunt...

In addition to having our own family egg hunt we went to several other Easter Egg hunts, by the time we had ours she was a PRO! She could throw those eggs in her basket faster than any adult I have seen :) Also, notice the tutu... She would not leave the house without it AND her bunny purse, what a girlie girl!
She KNEW there were goodies in the eggs so she would load them up as quick as possible...





And what is Easter without a TUTU???



Coloring Eggs

We had a WONDERFUL Easter!! Here is the first in a series of posts... Kailey, Greg and I really enjoyed coloring eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide. (Actually, he hid plastic eggs for the sake of breakage, but we still colored some too). Kailey LOVED dipping the eggs and using the magic crayon to color all over them. She kept re-dipping the eggs we had already colored so we got some crazy colors. We made quite the mess but had a great time doing so! I can't wait to see what next year is like with TWO kids... Any tips???
Kailey LOVES this part!

Daddy watching Kailey study the egg


using the magic crayon



Mommy and Kailey




Two Aunties Come to Visit


Two of my great girlfriends from Baton Rouge came to visit us and boy did we have a fun time! While it wasn't the same yearly trip without Melanie we managed to have fun anyway! Kailey absolutly ADORES her Auntie Kim and Auntie Amy, she just loves them!!

We started their fun trip with a shopping excursion to IKEA of course and then a yummy lunch at Red Robin. Later that day we went to Kemah for a yummy dinner at Saltgrass and then a walk around the rides and shops. The next day we went to Moody Gardens in Galveston and visited the fish at the Aquarium, Kailey really loved the penguins! We went to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch and Auntie Amy ordered a HUGE Volcano dessert! Later that evening we all went to watch Kailey dance! She had quite the fan club, I think the other parents thought we were nuts as we weer 1. all pressed up against the viewing glass, 2. all taking pictures and 3. all talking about how cute Kailey is. Yes, I am sure Greg was a little embarrassed as well! We went to Fudruckers for dinner and had a grand time singing to the old songs and eating some delicious hamburgers. We finished off the night by watching Twilight in the media room, it was awesome! I love that movie!! We really enjoyed our time with Amy and Kim and can't wait for more fun SOON:) They are great friends and we just love them!! I can honestly say I don't think I have laughed as hard as I did when they were here in a long time!
Below are some pics of our fun together!


Dancing Queens




little dancer
Kailey walking the beach

Dessert!
In The Cage!
getting close to the eel
great friend
behind bars already...

Way Late St. Patrick's Day...



So, while loading pictures from the last two months onto the computer I realized just how many pictures I haven't shared.  I guess we have just been too busy having fun to update!  Here are some cute pics of Princess Kailey on St. Patrick's Day!
 






Week 15!


Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an orange). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Only 25 weeks to go!!!

Friday, April 17, 2009

New Favorite...

My Mom bought Kailey the Hi Ho Cherry-O game a couple of weeks ago and let me just tell you that she LOVES it!! She plays EVERY SINGLE DAY and is pretty darn good at it!! Of course we would never let our 2 year old princess lose, but she is actually really good. She does a great job counting the cherries and will even count yours for you!! She calls the game "Hi Cherry-O" it is pretty cute. She is learning to take turns and doesn't like it when you take too long to spin the wheel.
It is so fun to watch Kailey learn new things and take such an interest in playing games. She is growing up fast and we are just trying to soak up every second with her!! I can already picture Kailey teaching her little sister how to play games, too!





Thursday, April 16, 2009

Doctor Visit...

Today I had my 14 week OB visit. Everything went really well. Kailey joined me for the visit and she was on her best behavior. All of the nurses loved her and gave her stickers and candy! Kailey loved hearing B2's heartbeat and even asked "Ms. Amy" to listen to her baby. The dr played along and put the doppler on Kailey's baby doll. Kailey LOVED it! I just LOVE hearing the beautiful sound of a babies heartbeat, it just remindes me of what a miracle life is.

We are officially in the 2nd trimester and I am hoping I start to feel better soon!! I am still pretty nauseated, but I have hope it will get better.

I go back in 4 weeks for another check-up and the anatomy scan.

Come back soon for an Easter update and some pictures from Dallas and from Auntie Kim and Auntie Amy came to visit!!!

Week 14



How your baby's growing:


This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.


Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Busy, Busy, Busy...

These past few weeks have been BUSY! Greg's family came in for a few days a couple of weeks ago, Greg and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on April 2nd. We spent our aniversary with a weekend get-away sans Kailey! Greg planned it ALL and it was a total surprise to me! My mom even flew down to watch Kailey!! I will share more later.
This week Kailey and I are in Dallas spending some much needed "down time" with my Mom!

After Easter two of my girlfriends are coming in from Louisiana and I CAN'T WAIT to see them! Poor Greg, will be the olnly guy in the house!

I promise to update soon! We have lots of fun pictures and updates to share!!

Stay Tuned!

Week 13

As I enter my last week of the first trimester this is how B2 is growing...

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long, the size of a peach, and weighs nearly an ounce.