Sisters

Halloween

The girls had such a good time trick or treating on Halloween. I had two beautiful princesses, Cinderella and Belle. See those two huge pumpkins??? I had planned on the girls getting their pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch, but since we never made it because of all the baby drama it came down to the day of Halloween and I realized we didn't have any! I couldn't believe I didn't have a pumpkin on Halloween. It made me sad :( I had posted my facebook status that I needed a pumpkin and when my friend Aimee showed up with dinner for the night she had a huge pumpkin in her arms and asked if we still needed one! She said she had checked facebook before she left the house and saw my status. They had extra pumpkins so she brought them to us! That meant so much to me! It was a Happy Halloween :)

Joelle Pictures

Immediately after she was bornOur newest addition to the family Little bundle of joy

Greatest husband ever!

My mom was able to be there for Joelle's birth. It was great having her support during labor and delivery!

He Gives and Takes Away

It has been an interesting time for the Demaree household. Only a day after we came home from the hospital my mom who was here to help me take care of Joelle and the rest of my household received a phone call that my grandmother (Nanny) had been taken to the hospital in Chattanooga with very low blood pressure and other symptoms. She has been in a rehab facility for a broken hip that occured from a fall she had taken about a month ago. She never quite recovered cognitively, but was making small improvements physically. The hospital told my mom to call back in a couple of hours to find out the lab results from tests they were running. When my mom called back the doctor got on the phone explaining they had found a UTI which was causing the symptoms in the rest of her body then informed her that Nanny had passed away just five minutes ago. The doctor said she didn't suffer and it was a very peaceful way to go. This was devastating especially for my mom who wasn't able to be there with her. My mom had intended to stay with me another week, but ended up having to fly out Monday afternoon to take care of Nanny's arrangements.
This is the last of my grandparents on earth. Nanny was 90 years old and we got to spend a lot of time with her growing up. She loved to take us shopping :) My brother and I would put puzzles together at her house and play in all the kitchen cabinets. We built forts with the couch cushions and "secretly" drank her Pepsi's when she would look away. We had run of the house when we were there. My most favorite thing about her house was the backyard. It was big and so pretty. She had a large garden, grew tons of tomatoes and cucumbers. There was also a bench swing that we loved to use and a bird bath to watch. She was so excited when I was getting married and loved Daniel even before she knew him. She knew if he was good enough for me, he was good enough for her :) Then there were the great-grandchildren...she could hardly believe the Lord had let her live so long as to see a great grandchild and then she got two!! She loved them so much. The only one she didn't meet was the one born just two days before Nanny died, the one named for her. Joelle comes from Nanny's middle name 'Jo.' Nanny loved the Lord so I know we will see her again. As He sent us our little Joelle, He took back His Ethel Jo.
We love you and miss you Nanny!

These pictures were taken last Christmas while we were in Nashville.

She's Here!

Joelle Lee Demaree

Friday, October 24, 2008 3:41 a.m.

6 lbs. 11 oz. 19.5 inches

Meet the newest addition to our family!! We are so excited and very blessed. My brain is functioning on very little sleep in the last three or four days so I will try to get my "story" and some more pictures up tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement for Joelle's arrival!

Update

Still no baby as of this moment, but I did just get back from the doctor and he doesn't expect me to get to the weekend. I'm at 4 and 80 and on my way! With my history he also strongly urged that we don't delay getting to the hospital. This is also very nerve wracking!!! I feel like there is a bomb strapped to me and I have no idea when it's going to go off! And now I am able to sympathize with the majority of pregnant women because I have had some pretty painful false labor this time around which made me think I needed to take a trip to the hospital (twice) just in case only to get sent home two hours later. I did sink so low as to try a glass of wine last night to calm things down. Yes folks, that's my first ever glass of wine. I really don't see how people drink that for enjoyment. Keep us in your prayers for a safe, quick, hospital delivery (and that my nerves don't get shot before then)!

And Still Waiting....

Someday my baby will come and I hope it is really soon!

Look Mom! No Hands!

Just enjoying some watermelon on my new table :)

Waiting...

Waiting for baby to make her appearance. Don't know when, where, how long...the anticipation is starting to get to me :) I had my weekly doctor's appointment today and I'm already dilated to three centimeters which is where I was at before I had Sage. Am I ready?? For the most part yes. I feel like I just need to get a little bit more done in her room before I feel completely ready. I'm thinking that may be accomplished before tomorrow is over. I would also like to get something for the other kids to have while we are at the hospital. Just a little gift so they feel special and remembered. What I am most looking forward to is when the girls come and meet their new baby sister for the first time. I'm imagining such a sweet time for all of us. Well here are a few pics of me from tonight. I am in week 37. Most of my friends tell me I have "dropped." Of course, I was so bad at taking progress pictures I have nothing to compare it to!

Dance Class

My mom put me in a dance class when I was 3 years old and I kept going until I graduated high school. Every year I enjoyed picking new songs, learning new routines, picking new costumes, and then performing every June at TPAC's Jackson Hall. I had a whole different set of friends in dance class because none of them went to school with me. It's hard to believe how much I miss it :) I was glad for Spring Sing while I was at Harding since it has "dance qualities." Now what do I do? I would love to take lessons as an adult but that doesn't exactly work when you are pregnant and can't quite afford it. BUT...I can see if my own children will enjoy it.....I have waited three years to have this opportunity and I finally have Sonya in a dance class. It's not competitive and I think it will just get her feet wet to see if she enjoys it. I will not force her if she doesn't like it, but I had to try :) She has been going since the end of August and seems to like it a little more each time (although she's still asking about gymnastics). We'll see if it sticks. I have a feeling though that Sonya will move on to something else and Sage will end up enjoying dance later on...she's my groovy girl. Here are some pics from her first and second week...

What's In a Name???

Well, I think I've got it! It came to me last night before dinner and I've had the chance to play it over and over in my mind. I couldn't even get to sleep last night because I was excited that we had a name that we both liked, the meaning was good, and it ties in family. The only problem is that Daniel won't commit to it!! It's just like when we had Sage and HE'S the one who came up with her name! I loved it, but he wanted to leave the possibilities open just in case. I couldn't definitely call her Sage until the day after she was born when he finally gave the o.k. :-p So, we are back in the same boat with this name as far as he is concerned, but if we don't have anything else by the time she is born I'm NOT waiting until the day after to put it in writing! :)
So here goes...since we haven't come up with a "random" name I was trying to think of parts of family members names and see what I could come up with (this is going to sound like a long process, but it really didn't take that long in my head last night). While thinking of my grandmother who is in the hospital this week I thought of her middle name "Jo" and then thinking of Daniel's grandmother "Ruthel" which we have already used the name Ruth for Sonya so I thought about the "el" part. My grandmother's first name is "Ethel" so the "el" is in her name too. Of course, you are probably thinking Jo+ el is Joel which is a boy name, but I thought of Joelle which makes it feminine. I looked it up in the name book and was quite pleased that 1) it was in there and not TOTALLY strange and 2) that the meaning was biblical (did not even cross my mind at the time that Joel was a book of the Bible, duh!). The name book gives the meaning of Joelle (Joel) as "God is willing" and a website we found it on gives the meaning as "Yahweh is God." What a statement for a name! Daniel liked the name more once he saw the second meaning so he's on board with it, but like I said before...he won't commit...he's still searching...I'M DONE SEARCHING! Except for a middle name....that's our hangup now. We need a middle name.
I know what you are thinking now...it's not an "S" name. Well, I had to give up on that because I just didn't like anything I was hearing. Now we will go with "J" and do 2x2 with letters. Now I know what to plan on for the next one! Would love to hear your thoughts on the name and ideas for a middle name!! Please rejoice with me because I am rejoicing :)

When I Grow Up...

Sonya says she wants to be a Princess, a Nurse, and a Mommy :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yep, today is my birthday! I love birthdays. Not much going on today, but we did celebrate with Daniel's family on Saturday and my mom took us out to dinner when she visited last month. This morning started out with Bible Study, then an insurance adjuster came to look at our bathrooms and now I'm waiting on the contractor to start some more work today. Did I mention that it's raining?? Parts of it may sound like a bum day, but God is the one that gave me life and He has blessed it over and over. And, of course the best gift of all is my Savior Jesus Christ. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, two (soon to be three) precious girls, and a family that loves me. Here's to another year!

Warning!

Never leave your Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich unattended while you help your pre-schooler in the bathroom because your toddler will eat it before you get back!!! (Even after she's already had her own dinner consisting of a hot dog, piece of bread, green beans, and blueberries, not to mention the yogurt and banana she had just an hour and a half before that.)

Interview

Anybody see the interview Rick Warren did with Barack Obama and John McCain?? I have to say I was very impressed with Senator McCain, but not so much with Senator Obama. Any thoughts???

Still Here

A whole month without a post is rather long so I thought I would give you guys something! The motivation to sit down and blog just hasn't been there for me. We did have a wonderful vacation with my family and the kids loved the beach, but even more they loved the pool :) Sage was not a fan of the sand and Sonya didn't care for the waves. All in all we had a lot of fun and I certainly enjoyed watching my girls experience lots of new things. Our week in Nashville was just as fun. My ten year high school reunion was the day after we returned from Destin and the day after that we got to celebrate my mom's birthday with her. Hopefully I will get motivated enough to put some pictures on here soon.
A couple of things I am excited about is our new MOPS year starting up and Ladies Bible study! I am still active in leadership with MOPS and really loving it, but decided not to facilitate one of the Bible Studies since baby will be coming soon :) In MOPS I have a slightly different role this year than I did last year and so far I have enjoyed the planning process of it. This will be the third position I have tried and each one gets better than the last (for me).
My birthday is in a few weeks...yay! The big 2-8 which pushes me closer to the big 3-0! I don't think I mind getting closer to 30, I just can't believe I am that close to that milestone. Anyway...
I guess after my birthday it will be time to gear up for baby! I can't believe we are only 10 weeks away!! (Maybe 9 if she follows suit with her sisters). She has been rolling around and kicking me like crazy. I wonder if she will be a ball of energy when she gets here :) Still no name...sorry.
And, last but not least....my mom comes to visit this week!!! Yay!!!!

This may be the most random post, but that's life for now :)

Summing it up for now

I know I have been terrible about the whole belly picture pregnancy process thing so here is a belly picture (I'm at 24 weeks) that was taken from our Destin trip this past week which I will post more pics of later...

Movie I Plan to See

If you liked Flywheel and Facing the Giants....Fireproof is the next movie for you. It comes out in September and written by the same people. Check it out www.fireproofthemovie.com

Just a Few Things

Just a few things Sage has done lately...

1. Pooped in the potty twice (no, I am not supermom and no, I am not deliberately potty training)

2. Goodnight Moon has become a favorite book although instead of being a quiet, soothing bedtime book, it is rather loud....When we open it up she yells MOU, MOU, MOU! until she finds the mouse on the page and smiles. It starts over when we turn the page :)

3. She can count 1, 2 and after that everything is 2.....1, 2, 2, 2, 2

She's definitely got a lot of personality and we have so much fun laughing with and at her.

Sonya....

1. Has become interested in writing her letters. She has written her name all by herself now and it looks pretty good.

2. Has already started giving her babies "mommy milk" and I haven't even started nursing yet!

3. Is really into independent play. She makes her dolls, toys, etc. talk to each other and is becoming more creative in how she plays.

She has been so sweet and growing so much lately. I have to hold on tight when I can!

Baby...

Not much to report on baby except that I can feel her move now usually when I'm sitting still, laying down, or just eaten. No we don't have a name yet. You don't even have to ask when you see me because when we decide on one I'm sure it will be the first thing out of my mouth when I talk to you. Right now I'm thinking I really want to stick with 'S' but we have to find an 'S' name to do that! And yes, you may give us suggestions :)

Watch Out World!

Here SHE comes! The Lord has blessed us with another little GIRL! She looked perfect in every way. We are very excited and can't wait to see her in person.

Sorry for the delay. I know you all have been waiting on the edge of your seat for the news! We were gone pretty much all evening and in an effort to get to bed earlier we have cut out TV and computer in the evening (although we are still going to bed late! Always something to do!) Thanks for your patience and for caring about us!

Boy or Girl???

Sonogram day is Thursday at 4:00 p.m.!!!! What do YOU think we are having???

Memorial Day

This Is Great

http://www.dangerousmessage.com

To Do List

Thank you all for your input to my questions in the previous post. I'm thinking everyone just has their personal preference to strollers so we'll have to see about that one.

Over the last week or so I have been trying to organize all the toys in our house so that everything has a place and can be put away easily AND so I can reclaim my space :) I think I have done a pretty good job (at least I feel like I've accomplished something) and the kids are playing with things they haven't played with in a long time since everything has been moved around and looks fresh.

My next big project is clothes.....I got all of Sage's outgrown things stored away, but the next thing is trying to integrate Sage's things into Sonya's room since they will be sharing in a few months (we think we'll move her in July when we get back from vacation). There is one dresser with three drawers (already full) and the closet has one long bar in it. I'm writing this post before even beginning to tackle it so it may end up easier than it seems in my head, but how to start the project is a bit overwhelming. And, just so she knows....it's times like these I wish my mom were here to help me out! I'm sure we would get it whipped into shape in no time! :)

My goal is to have order in my house by October. The impending arrival of a third baby seems to have kicked everything into gear and I'm glad I didn't wait until September to start! Maybe "nesting" just started really early this time. The things I want to get done......the kids rooms, all the stuff that has just been thrown into the master bedroom, and of course, the office! I've enjoyed the sense of accomplishment in all this and I hope the energy and drive continues.

Need Some Input

Quick post.....I would love some input from anyone with experience with the next few things.....

Double Strollers.......easy to maneuver, lightweight, cup holders, accommodates an infant carrier

Storage Tubs (with lids) for kids clothes.....where, best price, etc.

Stuffed Animals.....best way to display, storage?, deciding what to keep or give away??

Kid's Birthday cards (for the non-scrapbooker)....which do you keep? how do you keep them? box, baby book? do you keep them?

What age did your kids start sharing a room??

I'm Showing

Well, just so you know in case you were wondering....I didn't get a massage :(

Tonight while Sonya and I were in the bathroom brushing her teeth she says "Mommy, your tummy is getting bigger." I said "yep, the baby is in there growing and it's going to get even bigger" She says "and bigger and bigger and bigger." I thought it was a precious little moment and so neat that she noticed. It's fun being able to talk to her about the baby and pregnancy this time around and I am really looking forward to how she will react this time when she sees the baby for the first time and gets to hold it. Sonya thinks she is having a little brother and for her sake I hope it is a boy so I can tell her she guessed right!

I've been thinking that I want Sonya to come with Daniel and me when we have our next sonogram and find out what the baby is. I think it would be fun for her to see the image of the baby moving on the screen and get to hear if it's a brother or sister at the same time we do. Has anybody else taken the older siblings to do this before?? I would love to know your thoughts.

I haven't taken any belly pictures yet and I better get on the ball since I'm 14 weeks already. I never can seem to remember when Daniel is home to get him to take one for me.

Ugh!

Well, I seem to be feeling better from my dose increase, but I haven't had much chance to enjoy the new found energy because I now have a stuffy head! I also went to two stores tonight looking for pregnancy approved medicine and couldn't find the one I was looking for. Ugh! I guess I will be dealing with another night of not being able to fall asleep very easily. I feel like I just keep getting knocked down! On a lighter note, though....tomorrow is our Spa Day at MOPS and we have fun doing some pampering things for ourselves. A massage lady will be there and our group is going to draw for 4 fifteen minute massages. I really really really hope I get one. I have wanted a massage for a very very very long time :)

Medicine

When I was pregnant with Sonya I was diagnosed with a form of hypothyroidism and put on medication....for the rest of my life. I didn't like that thought and I still don't, but I do what I have to do and since I never know when I will get pregnant I never really have the chance to try to treat things with natural foods and herbs to see how it goes because I don't want to risk harming any potential babies by going off medication and doing things by trial and error :) Well, yesterday I got a call from my doctor after having a routine thyroid level check and he said I needed to increase my dose. Not something I wanted to hear. In some ways it makes sense because I have been tired and exhausted, but I just attributed it to pregnancy and taking care of the kids. I will start my new dose tomorrow so we'll see over a few days if it's making a difference. I would love for the dosage to go back down, but I think the form of hypothyroidism I have probably just gets worse over time. BUT, God does have the power to heal and if it's meant to be healed then I will gladly accept it! So far I have had wonderful pregnancies and I just ask that you pray with me that this one continues to follow the same trend.

P. S. Tax season is over and we couldn't be happier!!! It was great having Daniel home on Wednesday and knowing that we have him all this weekend. The girls (all 3 of us) are loving it!

Adding to the Blessings

For anybody who hasn't heard yet....we are expecting baby #3!!! We are very excited and Sonya is already saying that it's a little brother. I am 12 weeks today and our due date is October 27. The first trimester hasn't been easy, but I know it could have been worse. I felt nauseous at night (well, starting around 2 p.m.) and everyday was exhausting. I've already got a lot of energy back, but the twinges of nausea are hanging on just a little bit longer. My condition plus Daniel being in tax season hasn't made for such a great combination. Our house (and eating habits) suffered quite a bit. Neither of us felt like doing anything. Daniel's birthday also came in the middle of all of that and I feel bad that even though we acknowledged it, it just kind of came and went. He's such a good sport about it all and we look forward to celebrating after the 15th!!! Tax season is almost over!! God has blessed us and I hope you are feeling His love too!

Feeling the Love

I was just thinking about how much I love my girls and can't imagine life any other way. They are so beautiful and precious to me even when Sage is smearing Peanut Butter and Jelly all over her face and in her hair or when Sonya has her little outbursts because things didn't go how she wanted. Daniel is in the last week of tax season so he's been getting home late. I took the girls on a walk and to the park this evening after we ate (the PBJ). Sonya was on her bike and I was pushing Sage in the stroller. I just watched as Sonya pedaled and pedaled and would look at me and smile. I can't believe how big she is getting. She has also developed a sweetness lately that I am just loving. Sage on the other hand is my little toot. The word "no" does not phase her. She will look at me when I say it and then continue doing whatever she was doing (knowing that she shouldn't). She also feels the need to "wear" anything she eats at mealtime. It must feel good running yucky fingers through her hair. Tonight she even tried to stick a piece of her PBJ to her face. I should have taken a picture. But, Sage is also my cuddler and the one who acts "cute" even when she disobeys. I definitely have my hands full, but my heart is even more.

Mom Confession #3

I usually go grocery shopping by myself after Daniel gets home from work. When I am done shopping and headed out to the car in the parking lot I usually run a couple of steps and hop on the back of the cart for a ride to my car. I know it probably looks silly to passerbys, but it's a lot of fun. Moms can have a little crazy fun right??

Roommates

We are all married now!! Chrissy got hitched on Saturday. Me, Sarah, Chrissy, and Mary were all roommates in college and now we are all married and two of us have kids. I am so very happy for all of my girls. We had such fun times together in college. It is such a blessing to have these women in my life to share such wonderful experiences. I enjoy seeing how God works in each of their lives and continues to bless those that love the Lord. God is good!

Snow!!!!

A huge bucket of snow got dumped on us today! When Sonya woke up from her nap and saw all the snow on the ground she said "It's Christmas!" Pretty stinkin' cute. Sage didn't quite know what to think about it all. We took advantage and went out to build a snowman! Our finished productFootprints in the snowNot so sure what to do with this stuffAt this angle it's hard to see the other eye. Sage was crouching down because I was crouched down taking the picture. Sonya was so excited about the snow.

Home Depot

Saturday I took Sonya to Home Depot for the kid's project that they do the first Saturday of every month. It was neat. She got an apron with her name on it and gets a pin and a certificate for each project she completes. Some of the kids there had pins all over their aprons. Sonya made her very own race car! Hammers, nails, glue, stickers...what more could a girl want?? I figure that once tax season is over this can be a Daddy/Daughter thing, but us girls had fun.

Friends

I just wanted to post to say how thankful I am for my friends. God has placed different people in my life at just the right times and blessed me in so many ways. Some people will always remain close while others were placed for a certain time and purpose and we don't really keep in touch anymore. I love looking back to see what role these people played in my life. I am so glad we don't have to do life alone. God is faithful and gives us what we need when we need it whether it be friends, finances, or food! It's comforting knowing that it's not up to me, I don't have to worry because my needs will be met, one way or another. Thank you for your friendships and for loving me. You have blessed me more than you know.

Mom Confession #2

My favorite thing when making cakes, cookies, brownies, (anything with batter pretty much) is licking the spoon, bowl, beaters, etc when I am done. Now that I have children who know about these things and want them for themselves, I find it very hard to give it up!!! I guess I will be the nice mommy that I am and let them enjoy one of life's little pleasures just like my mom did when I was little. And no, I don't worry about them consuming raw egg in the batter. It didn't hurt me all these years and I'm sure they will be just fine too :)

Questions Questions Questions

1. Do you wear a name tag at work? When I worked I did.
2. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Taurus
3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? haven't been in forever, but usually a couple of soft tacos.
4. Have you ever had a garage sale?Not at my own house.
5. What color is your iPod? don't have one.
6. What kind of dog do you have?We don't have a dog.
7. What's for dinner tonight?We had tacos
8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?Um, don't drink so I would have to say communion at church in Florence, Italy
9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?If dropping it is stupid then that would be it.
10. Last time you were sick?Don't remember.
11. How long is your hair?Longish, just past my shoulders
12. Are you happy right now?Yes!
13. What did you say last?"I don't know." when Daniel asked me a question
14. Who came over last?Jennifer and Bennett
16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?No
17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys?Don't have anything fun
18. What was the last movie you watched at home?Bourne Ultimatum
19. What is in your pocket?Nothing.
20. Who introduced you to your crush?Evy Brooks at church
21. Where do you hurt?My ankles....need to stretch those calves!
22. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear?YES! And it asked me to marry him!!
23. What DVD is in your DVD player?Bella Dancerella
24. What's something funny you did today?Can't remember specifically, but I make my girls laugh all the time
25. Who was the principal of your high school?Mr. Hutchison
26. Has your house ever been TPd?No.
27. What do you think of when you hear the word 'meow'?Huh?! A Cat.
28. What are you listening to right now?The hum of the computer
29. Drinkin?Nothing.
30. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?In and out just for groceries....
31. When is your birthday?September 9th
32. What's the area code for your cell phone?too personal
33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now?My mom got it for me at Banana Republic
34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?No.
35. How many states in the US have you been to?16ish
37. What are you going to do after this?Probably cut Daniel's hair and go to bed...it's way too late
38. Who was the last person you went shopping with?Daniel
40. What about your favorite dessert?nothing stands out, but I'll take ice cream anyday!
41. What is something you need to go shopping for?Home decor
42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives?No...My parent's just picked names they liked.
43. What kind of car do your siblings drive?Dan drives a Nissan Maxima
44. Do you like pickles?Yes, especially fried ones dipped in ranch dressing
45. What about olives?no way
47. What is your favorite kind of juice?Love juice, lots of kinds, but usually only drink it in the morning.
48. Do you have any tan lines?I wish...
49. What hospital were you born in?Baptist in Nashville, TN
50. Do you remember the name of your kindergarten teacher?Mrs. Lovell......so nice!

Blueberries

Just some fun pictures of what frozen blueberries can do to your kids :)

Mom Confession #1

When we go to the bank and use the drive thru the person at the window sees the kids and sends a lollipop back through the tube. The kids don't know it's in there, and I don't want them to have it, so I just put it in the console.

Highlight of last week

Well, we had an interesting week last week. Started off normal and Ladies Bible study started again...yeah!! Wednesday I had planned to have a couple of friends come over with their kids to play. That morning Sonya had complained that her tummy was hurting, but I didn't think much of it since she did the same thing the day before, threw up, and was all better. This time though she pointed to a specific place on her left side. She was pretty low key all morning and one of my friends (Jennifer) showed up with her little boy (Sage's age) after lunch. I thought that when Sonya's other friend showed up she would perk up and be fine. While we were waiting on the other friend (Amanda) to get there Sonya starts crying out in pain with what I assumed was cramping. I immediately called the doctor's office and they could only fit me in with another doc and not our primary one. Sonya is still crying in pain and I'm rushing around trying to get shoes on and out the door and wondering what to do with my company and Sage! My lifesaver Jennifer tells me to go on and that she would watch Sage. By this time Amanda shows up with her two girls and there is quite the commotion going on. I leave everyone at my house and rush to the doctors office. By this time Sonya has quieted down. The doctor feels around her tummy and abdomen, tests her urine for anything kidney related and finds nothing. He notices that her breathing is abnormal which I had noticed that day too, but thought she might just be a little more congested than usual. The doc orders a breathing treatment to open up her airways and see if it helps. Apparently he wasn't satisfied and Sonya ended up getting two more breathing treatments. He said that sometimes pneumonia can cause pain in the abdomen and wanted to open her lungs up so he could hear better what might be going on. After the third breathing treatment her oxygen saturation was still very low so he wanted her further evaluated in the ER.....well this is when I start to get nervous. Then he said we usually call the ambulance in this situation to take kids there! That's when I really got nervous! While I am trying to compute everything and it seems the doc has already made the call all of a sudden there are loud sirens outside. Four or five paramedics start filing in the room and hanging out in the hall, the doc is in the room, and one of the paramedics starts asking me what's going on. The doc is in there and I'm wondering why he doesn't ask him! I try explaining, but I'm looking at the doc so he says "do you want me to tell him??" I'm thinking "you're the doctor aren't you?" After all explanations are given the paramedic asks if I want to put Sonya on the stretcher or if I want to get on the stretcher and hold her. Oh my word I can't believe what's happening! I figured Sonya would handle it better if I just held her so I got on the stretcher and they strapped us on! They wheeled us out the back door and into the ambulance we go! The paramedics get all her stats which seem to be normal by now except for a low fever. I'm wondering why in the world we are in an ambulance. Anyway, away we go to the hospital! We get there and find out for some reason Sonya has spiked a 104 temp. They immediately give her some Motrin. In the meantime I had called Daniel before we left the doc's office. He had come home from work early to relieve Jennifer. He called his mom to come pick him and Sage up to take him to our car still at the office so he can come to the hospital and she can watch Sage. I am thankful his parents only live a few miles away. Sonya is doing good, she had to change into a hospital gown (she looked so cute, I wish I had the camera to document the experience) and they gave her some coloring sheets so she loved that! Daniel shows up at the hospital and the ER doc comes in to get the story and orders an x-ray. Finds out she has pneumonia and writes us a prescription for an antibiotic. We are free to go! The nurse asks if Sonya can have a popsicle so she is happy as a clam. Kids are amazing. She was a totally different person that night than when we started out that morning. What a day! Did I mention that I hadn't eaten since noon?? It was about 8:30 when we got home. Thankfully I had put chili in the crockpot that morning!! :)

Sage's story

I guess while I am on the subject of birth stories I will get Sage's out there since I didn't do it on her birthday blog. My baby girl made her appearance rather quickly as well :)

Sage was due around Thanksgiving of 2006 so when Daniel was invited to a Mavericks game on the 14th we didn't give much thought about it, but half jokingly said "I hope I don't go into labor while you are at the game." That night while he was gone I was sitting at the computer and could tell something was going on in my body, but not completely sure what it was. It didn't feel like contractions so I wasn't alarmed, but started wondering... I keep anticipating the first signs of labor because I know I have to get to the hospital ASAP with my history of rapid labor. Earlier in the evening, Daniel's sister had called me asking if I was feeling anything, and I think I told her no since I didn't think anything was going on. Well, Daniel gets home and we go to bed, nothing exciting. At 5:15 a.m. I wake up having to go to the bathroom and feeling a little bit of abdominal discomfort similar to but more so than the feelings from the night before. I lay back down only to have to go to the bathroom again and realize that my body is "cleansing" itself as it does before giving birth. This time I wake Daniel up and tell him that I think I'm in labor and it's time to go. We start to get ready and call Daniel's parents at about 6 so they can come over since Sonya is still asleep. In the meantime I also call my parents and Daniel's sister. By now I am actually experiencing contractions very close together and I'm very nervous. Having given birth before I kind of knew what to expect, but also knew it could be very different and just wondering about it all made me nervous. I had been anticipating this for a long time and now the unknown is unfolding. I then call my friend Trina who just had her second baby 3.5 weeks before and knew she would probably be awake. I'm so glad to have her as a friend. I told her how nervous I was and asked if she had been nervous with Luke. She said yes and was very reassuring for me. Did I tell you how blessed I am to have her as a friend?? So Daniel's mom gets to the house and we leave about 6:30 (just before rush hour, whew!) Arriving at the hospital close to 7 a.m. we go to Maternal Observation, they ask a couple of questions and ask me to sign in. I immediately tell them that I have a history of rapid labor and they start to move a little quicker. I get hooked up in the obs room and checked for dilation. I'm at 8 cm!! Then we head to labor and delivery where things are a bit calmer than they were with Sonya's birth. I was able to speak like a normal person, they got me hooked up to everything and the doctor was even there just waiting for me to have a baby. I have a few more painful contractions then I could feel "the bathroom feeling" except this time I know it's Sage ready to come out! Those are hard contractions! My water still hasn't broken at this point. I tell the doctor that I feel like the baby is ready to come out, and she tells me that she can break my water, have the baby and put me out of my misery. I decline. At that next contraction though I AM READY TO GET HER OUT! The doctor checks me and at that time my water breaks. Now I start pushing through the contractions (it was only a few) yelling GET HER OUT! Then, there she was!!! My beautiful baby girl at 7:47 a.m. 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 18.5 inches. If you have done the math yet you have probably figured out that it was only 2.5 hours start to finish and within about 45 minutes of arriving at the hospital. I can only imagine what the next one will be like! We might be having it on the side of the highway!

Sonya turns THREE!

(This is a long one, let me know if you make it all the way through!)

Three years ago, yet it only seems like yesterday, that the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen was born. At just the right time, on just the right day, Sonya R. D. came into this world and changed my life forever. It was Sunday, the Lord's Day, and it started like any other. She wasn't due for another week. During worship at church I felt what I thought was a contraction, but dismissed it thinking it must be those Braxton Hicks that everyone talks about :) Fifteen minutes later another one came, but I still wasn't giving it any serious thought. We made it through worship and went to class, the feelings still coming and going. At the end of class we gave our prayer request that I had been feeling some type of twinges and just keep us in your thoughts. I think we went out to lunch after that, then visited Curtis and Trina at their new house, and then proceeded to go house hunting with David as well as see his and Haley's new house. The whole time I'm getting these contractions, but they don't seem too bad. We finally made it home about 5 ish and I heat up leftovers for dinner. As I'm sitting there trying to eat, the pain starts to get a little worse and a little more frequent. I tell Daniel I can't eat anymore and that I'm going to find the book to see how far apart contractions are supposed to be before going to the hospital. Well, by now they have gotten a bit more intense so I say forget the book, I'm calling the nurse! When I call, she asks if I had been walking around a lot that day (which I had) and that can cause contractions. She told me to lay down and drink some water for about an hour and see if they subside. I did for an hour and a half and they did nothing but intensify! At this time they were only a few minutes apart and about a minute and a half in length. I called her again and she said I better go to the hospital. By now they are really bad and I still have a few things to pack! I try going down the hall to our bedroom to finish, but I double over in pain with every contraction. Daniel is getting a little panicky now and keeps telling me to stop through the pain, but I was determined to get packed and out of there! We are finally ready when Daniel says he's going to tell our neighbors that we are leaving (we lived in the apartment then and had made good friends with the people across from us). Well, the man that lives there is quite a talker and I kept waiting and waiting, more pain and more pain. Finally I went outside and said WE NEED TO GO!! It was about 10 pm by now. So we headed to the car, it was so hard to sit still for the 25 minute drive. Daniel tried to comfort me by rubbing my belly with one hand and drive with the other, but I was in no mood for comfort! I looked at him and said "JUST DRIVE!!!" We get to the hospital, Daniel parks in the circle drive (valet is gone by now) and we go to maternal observation. I got changed into a gown and went to the restroom, it was then that I lost my mucous plug. I get put in one of the obs rooms and get strapped to a monitor. The nurse asks me to fill out some paperwork (at this time security has asked Daniel to go move the car). I had to ask her what today's date was and she said "January 9"." January 9??" I asked. She said "yes". I told her that on this day last year I had a miscarriage. She was totally amazed as was I. I was convinced, though, that I would be in labor for hours and we wouldn't be having a baby before this day was over. Boy, was I wrong!! She checked my cervix and I was dilated 7 centimeters with "a bulging bag of water." She was ready to get me out of there and to labor and delivery because if my water broke that baby was coming out!! We made it to L and D and as I was transferring to the other bed my water broke. I don't even think Daniel was back yet. My L and D nurse introduced herself to me and started getting me hooked up to everything. A paperwork lady was sitting in a chair across the room trying to ask me questions and by now the contractions were very intense. I was breathing hard and lightly screaming through them :) I couldn't hear her and with all the commotion it was hard to pay attention. Finally my L and D nurse rattled off all the questions and I said yes or no to whatever she was asking. She said "Okay we have verbal! Let's go!" The paperwork lady came over, I scribbled a signature in between contractions. By now Daniel is back and trying his best to make me feel better. Part of the time I didn't want him even touching or talking to me and the other I was clinging to him because I hurt so bad and conveying a little bit of fear. The contractions are so intense, the nurse checks me and tells me it's time to push. I said "I can't push, I have to go to the bathroom!!" She said "That's not bathroom, honey, THAT'S BABY!" They haven't called the doctor yet, she has me push once to see how far I go, then tells me not to push through the next contraction and they would call the doctor. WHEN YOU HAVE THE URGE TO PUSH IT'S NOT EASY GETTING THROUGH IT! I managed to hold it that time, but with the next one she told me not to push, there was no way I couldn't! Sonya was on her way out!! The other nurses weren't paying attention so Daniel started to dive over there to catch her, but the charge nurse stepped in and said "no, I've got it" and proceeded to "deliver" my baby. What an incredible feeling to give birth! I was so amazed, the first words out of my mouth were "It's a baby!" I could not believe that I had just grown a baby in my body and delivered it. 5 pounds 14 ounces and 18.5 inches long. The other amazing thing was that she was born at 11:27 pm. January 9. Thirty-three minutes shy of the day being over....God is amazing, isn't He? What had been such a painful, sad day the year before was now replaced with new memories and joy.

Being the naive people that we were, thinking I would be in labor for hours, Daniel had left our cameras in the car. It wasn't until a few minutes later when his sister and mom showed up that we got pictures of our new little bundle. They didn't even know we had had her yet when they walked in (that's how fast it went). They were in transit the whole time we were having a baby. As they walked in, Daniel says "Well, you missed it!" His sister in disbelief said "nuh uh." Sonya was covered up as I was nursing so I pulled the blanket down and they were shocked! They stayed for awhile and we got moved to a regular room.

I had so much adrenaline going that I didn't sleep a wink that night. It was so hard not having anyone to talk to because Daniel had no problem sleeping, and I couldn't call anybody in the middle of the night. I watched the clock move so slowly all night and finally when it hit 4 something I called my mom knowing she'd be up because she was catching the earliest flight out to see us. What a day!!! I was so excited.

And now I have a beautiful three year old little lady that I am so blessed to have on loan, entrusted to me by the Lord. Me, of all people, given such a beautiful gift, and be called Sonya's mother. She is such a delight, very intelligent, and very independent. She loves to sing and dance and praise the Lord. She's a great big sister and mommy's helper.

Coming Soon...

An update near you!!!

I know it's been awhile, but Sonya's birthday is two weeks after Christmas and I've been busy trying to get that palnned. After that is over I hope to feel like I have time to sit down and blog. I will definitely post tomorrow because it's Sonya's actual birthday.....3 years old!!!