Starting 2012 and reflecting on 2011

As I started writing this blog my heart is filled JOY. I have so much in my life to be thankful for and I am totally blessed. I can’t help but think about how far we have come in just a few short years. Jeremy and I have been married for 4 years in October and just welcomed our 2nd daughter 5 days before our 4 year anniversary.  Everyone told me that having two was WAY different than one (and let me tell you that it is difficult many days) but I feel so much Joy when I look into their faces and see them smile, they melt my heart. We have had a year of new beginnings in 2011 with a new house, and a new baby girl that we can’t wait to see what GOD has in store for our family in 2012.

Since I haven’t posted since Christmas I thought I would share some pictures

Audrey loves being a big sister and is a big help (when she wants to be) She is excited about holding her little sister helping feed her and burp her.

Caroline helped welcome home her new little cousin Kate just days before Christmas.

Santa was good to Audrey this year

The Cousins at “Sugars” house for Christmas

Dad got the CHIA pet this year, then Marsh stole it from him. The CHIA pet is a Christmas joke in our family that began with Nanny and keeps coming back year after year. Each year whoever has it get more and more creative with how it re-surfaces.

In 2011 we welcomed 4 new babies to our family staring with Grady then Caroline, then Isla and lastly Katherine (Kate). Mom is very excited because 2 of the 4 happen to be her grandbabies. See picture below.

This year has started off great with a little “Staycation”. Jeremy had off several days between Christmas and New Years and I am still off on maternity leave, so we did a lot around the house and just hung out as a family. It was really nice having coffee with him every morning while watching – yes - Mickey Mouse.

Hopefully in 2012 I will be better about updating our blog. I (like many others) don’t make new years resolutions cause by the time the new year comes around I forget what they were. So my hopes for the new year are to live life and not have the “routines” of life take over. I hope to be “better” at the things I do and maybe learn to sew or use my fancy camera. Both are Christmas presents from past years that I still haven’t learned to use.

Caroline Jane Lawrence

Caroline Jane Lawrence arrived in the wee hours of the morning on October 15th 2011. She was born via c-section at 0001 in the morning. Dr. Dryden decided on Friday afternoon to go ahead with the c-section a week early after a non-stress test showed non-reassuring fetal heart tones. An ultrasound was done which showed that Caroline had her cord in her hand and was occasionally squeezing it (silly girl- that is something I could see Audrey doing). When Caroline got here her daddy was the first to announce to the room that “it’s a girl!! Caroline’s Apagar scores were 9/9 and she weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce and is PERFECT!!

We were in the recovery room for several hours following a bad reaction to some pain meds I was given so we didn’t get to a room until about 5 am on Saturday morning. We had lots of friends and family members that were anxious to meet miss Caroline and came to visit us while we were in the hospital.

Caroline looks so much like her big sister did when she was born. Below are pictures of them side by side, see if you can tell who is who

 

Ultrasound picture of baby “L”

Today we had an ultrasound of baby “L” and got the cutest little 3D picture of the baby. Look at those chubby little cheeks. Audrey had the chubbiest little cheeks when she was born too. 

This is a picture of Audrey when she was just a few hours old. I think they look a lot alike, but I will let you guys decide.

32 weeks with Baby #2

I am 32 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and this baby seems to be causing me more grief than Audrey did when I was pregnant with her. All the doctor keeps telling me is that I am older and “our bodies as they age don’t handle things the same as they did when they were younger”. Booo I’m not old.

Anyway I have gestational diabetes (so they say, I am still not convinced). I am having to check my blood sugars four times a day and cut out cookies, cakes and Cokes, the 3 C’s - everything I love. SO no more going to subway and ordering chocolate chip cookies, no not as a side as my main course. Now my blood sugars have been LOW not high.

The baby is measuring a little on the small side which is odd for a baby of diabetic mothers, usually these babies develop a “fat pocket” and get very big in utero. So the Doctor is a little concerned so I am going to the hospital twice a week for non-stress tests and I am having more frequent ultrasounds.

Audrey is busier than ever just as I am slowing down more. She is learning so much every day and is really starting to comprehend things. I know she is going to be a great big sister. Hope to post again soon.

30 weeks

Just a few pictures of me 30 weeks pregnant with Baby #2. We are all very excited to welcome baby into our little family (although I am sure Kizzie is not to thrilled)

I was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes so I am learning how to check my blood sugars and keep them better in control. I have affectionately referred to little bit as “honey bun” because I have a little sweet bun in the oven.

4 Babies, baby party + a bounce house

4 little babies will be joining our family in the coming months. Baby Grady Scank is due August 17th, Baby Lawrence is due October 25th, Baby Girl  Foster is due Nov 24th and Baby Genella is due December 27th. The family gave us a baby party to celebrate all of the new babies.