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...