Neglected

Yes, I have neglected this blog. The first three months have left very little spare time.
I wish I had more time for:

• Bible study.
• working on the kids' yearbooks
• hot baths
• budgeting
• time with friends
• working out
• breathing

I'm a routine-lover and I just haven't been able to work these into my routine. All my time is taken up trying to get work hours in, cleaning, cooking, bathing the kids and running Ace back and forth to school. Unfortunately, I'm not one for staying up late to do any of the above items. My lights are out as soon as Lily Kate has had her last feeding - around 8:30 pm. Getting up earlier would mean somewhere around 4am...probably not going to happen.

Right now, it's time to get Ace up from his nap. My wonderful little man has adjusted fabulously to having a little sister. I'm more in love with him than ever (despite a rise in time-outs and whining).

Delivery Day Drama

Got a call at 6:48am from the hospital to say that they are booked! They said they'd call "in a few hours" when they knew when/ if they could get us in. Mind you, I was already whining about not being able to eat until after my originally scheduled 10:30 delivery.

At the command of my sister, I called the hospital about 10am and was told we are now on the schedule for 5pm! That means I have 4 hours from now until the hospital will even check me in. The lady I spoke with (at 10am) said I could have clear liquids until 10:30 - chicken broth, jello, water...how generous! I didn't even bother.

Yes, I'm hungry, tired, anxious and thinking to myself that Lily Kate should be here already. Wondering what God knows about this timing that I don't.

Isn't this how it happens when you feel like you've got all your chickens in a row and are prepared for something? God just reminds you that HE is in control. Going to go plan my first meal once I can be back on solids...McDonalds, Chik-Fil-A......

2 Days

3 Days

3

3 Days Until Delivery

The wheels are in motion! Today is my last day of work (actually, I have 3.75 hours left of work because Jonathan let me get a bunch of hours in this weekend). I even slept in until 6:45 this morning! After work, I plan to make one last cleaning circuit of the house. I may even take a nap when Ace does today.

Tomorrow, Mom comes into town. Hooray! I'm excited for her to go to my last doctor's appointment and meet my new doc. Ace is so excited for everyone to come, including Lily Kate. Yesterday, he told me that he would help me with her poopy diapers.

I got my hospital bag halfway together yesterday. Discovered that there are a few more things I need. Also learned that packing for girls is soooo much harder even when they are only a few days old: the matching socks and bows and headbands....what a pain. With boys its: pants, shirt and white socks, end of story. Good thing she's worth it.

Had contractions ALL night last night. Every time I woke up it was with one. I just told her she couldn't come yet because Daddy has a big meeting on Wednesday and I've got my errands for the week planned out.

4 days

4

4 Days until Delivery

Oops - skipped day 5. It consisted of a 7:30am cleanout of the garage, vacuuming, tile scrubbing, work, church, a hot bath and a good book at the end of the day.

Feeling good today. Still thinking my water could break at any moment. Hungry like a bottomless pit and allowing myself every indulgence: donuts for breakfast & fried pickles and jalapenos for lunch. Grocery shopping yielded ice cream, peanut butter crackers, and pecans (and some diet coke for Mom while she's here).

I'm trying not to think about everything that comes after delivery: the need to lose the weight, the sleepless nights and the lack of ability to work out. Ugh.

I told Ace this morning that Mommy would have a boo-boo on her belly after Lily comes so he can't snuggle with me for a while. He patted my chest and said, "Just up here snuggling?" I guess it's good I started trying to explain it to him early.

I'm dreading being without Ace. I know he will be having a blast with his Gabby, Pops, Honey, Sashi, B and Uncles James (how spoiled am I with all of that help?!) but I just know it will feel like a part of me is missing. I think it will be physically painful.

Banner & Day 6

6

6 Days Until Delivery

This time next week I will be holding the little bundle that is current kicking me. Got a call from the hospital yesterday to schedule my pre-op lab work for next Wednesday. I also discovered that delivery is at 10:30 am (they told me 8:30 originally but that was just the time that we have to be at the hospital). Two more hours with no food - when I'm used to having breakfast about 5:30am...YIKES.

Here's another project...

Lily Kate's birthday banner.

I have no original ideas of my own and my fantastic friend Kate just made one of these for her newborn - precious Gray. So I decided to steal her idea. She gave me tons of tips and answered all my phone calls from Hobby Lobby and WA-LA.

These babies cost $85 to $150 if you buy them online!!!! My cost was about $30 for canvas and paint.
I wish I would have used colors other than the green on green background but, by the time I decided that, I had put too many coats of paint on to go backwards. At least the flowers make it girly.

Nursery Photos!

Finally photos of the finished nursery.

I pulled the flowers out of the curtains so they matched.
The door shown goes to her closet, photos to post later.

I love how her bedding turned out - an alternative to bumpers.

Everything comes off with velcro for washing!

Changing table. (Lack of storage space for my antique headboard means it's going behind the changing table but it actually looks kind of elegant in person.)

My favorite project of all! These monkeys turned out soooo cute.

I put a few tiny monkeys around her room too.

Didn't realize until now that this will probably draw her to the outlet. Better get an outlet cover!

Above her closet door.

By the lightswitch.

Now all I need is the precious baby who will live in this room!

Seven

7

7 more days until delivery.

Although cleaning wasn't really on my list of to-dos to get ready for the baby, that's what I did after work yesterday. I must say, a clean house is a happy house around here. My only chores left are to scrub the tile downstairs and all of the bathtubs. I'm going to make Ace help me disinfect all of his toys tonight (my LEAST favorite cleaning chore).

I'm hoping while he is at Nana's today I can finish work early and get to work on those onesies I need to complete, pack my hospital bag (since I finished all of the laundry yesterday, hooray), and finish painting this darn mirror that is holding me up on posting photos of the nursery.

This time next week I will be on my way to the hospital to get hooked up for delivery. Crazy thought! I can certainly tell she is ready to come out. Her movements are so big and strong. I will miss the closeness of her in my belly but am so excited to end the naseau that a full day of kicking brings.

Eight

8

Eight more days until delivery.

Went to the doctor yesterday and Lily Kate got a great review. She's very low, we are 1 cm dilated and my cervix is very thinned out. Could mean momentary delivery, could be waiting all the way until next Thursday - no telling.

I took a chunk out of my to-do list yesterday: bought a baby monitor, shopped for hospital clothes, purchased some presents for Ace (from Lily Kate), ordered her "birthday cake", got some nursing bras, suspended my gym membership, put another coat of paint on the nursery mirror, and a few other odds and ends.

I'm feeling so good about readiness and getting on with having her here. Just praying for a safe delivery for Lily Kate and me. I've got some nerves about everyone coming out healthy but trying to pray them away.

Nine

9

9 More Days.

I got one coat of paint on the mirror for the nursery yesterday and added to my list:

Suspend gym membership until October
Schedule facial for next Tuesday

Swelled up the worst ever yesterday but got to take TWO hours to myself to go watch the Bachelorette at Hilary's - relaxation!

TEN

10

Ten days until delivery.

TO DO LIST:
Finish 9 more onesies
Paint and hang mirror in nursery
Pack hospital bag
Purchase baby monitor
Shop for hospital-wear
Plan LK's birthday party
Pack Ace's bag for B's
Make a list to pack for Ace for San Antonio
Buy gift for Ace for hospital


Working full time until next Monday, trying to finish a zillion projects before maternity leave. Got to get the house clean. Mom coming on Tuesday afternoon. Evans arrive Wednesday. How do you spell aye-yi-yi????

Smushy Face

Had an ultrasound at my checkup today. This photo is really difficult to make out. She is actually looking directly at you. You can see her eye on the left and the entire picture is basically her face (according to the ultrasound tech - I had to ask because I couldn't make this out at all).

This photo is awful compared to what I got to see on the ultrasound machine. Lily Kate kept opening and closing her mouth. It was like she was talking to us. She kept her hands by her face most of the time.

We aren't dilated or effaced but the doc did remark on how LOW Lily Kate is. He said she's way lower than most babies at 36 weeks. He allayed my fears about the spinal anesthesia that they'll use during the cesarean. I'm still terrified to be awake during the whole thing but I'll be a big girl and just pray over it in the meantime.

17 days until delivery!

Scheduled!

I got a call from the new doctor's office yesterday afternoon and scheduled Lily Kate's arrival!

July 29th at 8:30am

I am so excited. It's crazy to think she'll be here in 21 days. I have so many projects to finish. I keep getting questions if I've finished her room. ALMOST! Today may be the day or maybe this weekend (the house is a wreck). I'm cutting it close.

May the Lord give me lots of energy for the next 21 days! And may I not run out of laundry detergent.

Baby Braxton

Ace on the examining table at the OB's office, waiting for the doctor to check on "Baby Braxton."

This biased mom just thinks he's the most precious kid in the entire world.

Whenever I talk about Lily Kate, Ace says he is experiencing the same symptoms with "Baby Braxton" in his belly. Braxton is the name of the baby to whom Ace gave all of his pacis. The last doctor "listened to Baby Braxton's heart" and really played into everything Ace was saying. I'm not sure what yesterday's doctor thought of our little make-believe.

HOW could you ever tell this face that he doesn't have a baby in his belly?

I'm sure there are lots of intellectual reasons why I shouldn't play along but, for right now, there's no harm in it and Ace loves to share symptoms with me and Lily Kate.

New Doctor's Visit

Yesterday, I had my first appointment with my new OB. I was looking forward to a relaxing appointment with Ace at daycare...not to be. Ace had a fever Wednesday night and I had to make him a doctor's appointment yesterday too. So he tagged along and that led me to the first reason I like this new doctor - his office had a playarea for the kids! So the wait to be called was relaxing.

Overall I wasn't OVERWHELMED with enthusiasm or UNDERWHELMED being disappointed with the new doctor. The more I think about it, the more I think he really resembles Dr. Patterson, who delivered Ace in Waco - you can tell he's calm and confident (which really inspires my confidence), super smart and really anticipatory of things that could happen and concerns that will come up. He gave me a lot of confidence in his experience without sounding big-headed or probably even intending to. I appreciate a knowledgeable doctor and he was. His bedside manner is more of a doctor and less of a girlfriend - that fits with me.

I asked him about my dizziness from the other day and he said it was most certainly compression of the bloodflow to my brain when I laid on my back. So the other doctor totally over-reacted. Geez.

He agreed to keep my July 29th due date (so, if she doesn't come before then on her own) both Lily Kate and Ace will be born on the 29th! How fun.

Reason why I truly love this doctor...he didn't say anything about my weight gain! Hit the 172 mark yesterday - yikes 44 pounds gained and still 3 weeks to go. The doc predicted that Lily Kate will be on the smaller side like her big brother - around 7 pounds and change. He also predicted that she'd stay in the oven until the c-section since her big brother did as well.

We shall see!!!

FINALLY - Good news!

A weight has lifted (courtesy of Lindsey at Northwest Women's Center who will never know how much stress she has lifted from my shoulders)!

I called the new doctor's office and left TWO messages this morning. I felt very annoying but, as Honey puts it, "No one is going to look out for me and Lily Kate except for me." My call was returned by 10am. They still didn't have my records but, by 11:30, not only did they have my records, they were handing them to the doctor for review. It is now 3pm and I have an APPOINTMENT scheduled for next Thursday! Yippee.

Not ONLY was all of that confirmation of moving in the right direction, I received a call from a friend in my small group who just gave birth two weeks ago. The doctor I am going to see actually DELIVERED her baby (though he was not actually her doctor, he is in the same group as her's). She had great things to say about him and the practice that he belongs to. So I got those great reviews on top of the one's Hilary had also voiced.

My heart and belly are so much less stressed out today. I am thankful for God who works out every detail, calendar and minute of my life.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changing

Ooooooooooh. Hold on. Contraction.
Gosh, those are certainly frequent and taking my breath away lately. I really don't remember having these with Ace.

Well, Lily Kate better NOT come today. I am trying to switch doctors! 8 months pregnant. Who does that if they aren't moving towns? Here's my list of reasons:

• I've only actually seen my doctor twice (and I've been her patient for over two years, that includes last year's miscarriage - she never saw me). I've seen the nurse practioner and physicians assistant (who are delightful, but not the doctor).
• When I called after hours the other day, the answering service paged the wrong doctor and I never heard from anyone.
• After a day of testing last Tuesday, no one followed up to give me the test results.
• I got no contact from the doctor or her staff the entire time I was having the tests run.
• When I called the office last Friday, there were no doctors or nurses available and no one offered to contact one. The receptionist tried to interpret my test results.
• When I called to schedule the follow up appointment, requested by the doctor, I was told they had no space for me that day and that everything "must have been fine because your chart isn't on my desk for follow up."

I just don't feel like I can depend on her. She's not in a practice with other doctors, so if she turns up unavailable, there's no telling who will deliver Lily Kate. This hormonal mama has just had it.

I'm crossing my fingers that my records are released to a new doctor today (suggested by my sister-in-law - THANK YOU HILARY!). I've been communicating with the new doctor's OB coordinator and she seems very helpful and understanding. Been having serious blood sugar spikes in the morning (today is the first that I haven't because I cut sugar completely out of my breakfast) leaving me super sick with bad headaches which I'd really like to discuss with the doctor.

Never a dull moment.

No update

Called the doctor's office and the receptionist said that she wasn't given my paperwork so, apparently, the doctor wasn't too concerned with any of the test results she read and they couldn't fit me in today. I will take that as good news and let go of the kind-of aggravated feeling I have with the receptionist's attitude.

Wish I liked my doctor better but I've only got one more month of appointments. Hopefully she's soooo busy because she's sooo good, right?!

Drama Queen

Lily decided to turn up the drama...or maybe it was her mama. Monday night, I got on my back to look under the kitchen sink (faucet was broken and I had researched online how to change it out and was attempting to surprise Jonathan with my handiness before he got home). When I sat up, I was a little disoriented. Ace chose that moment to need the bathroom so I ran upstairs to help him and got so dizzy that I had to lay down. I couldn't move my head without feeling REALLY naseous. Since I've never felt anything like that before and it wasn't going away I called Jonathan to come home. He brought me my iPhone and I did some research when said dizzyness is common and gave some tips. After an hour, I could at least sit up and go downstairs. Jonathan let me lay down the rest of the night.

I already had a doctor's appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning. Tues, I was still a little shaky and Ace was hyper. We went to the doctor's office and she suggested I go over to the hospital with a Labor and Delivery department for some tests. Aunt Hilary took one for the team and took Ace for me while I went to Willowbrook Methodist. Jonathan's office let him come home to take care of Ace.

Got there, gave blood, ultrasound of Lily looked perfect, ultrasound of heart appeared normal, some monitoring of my belly was normal except they hadn't given me anything to eat from 11:30 to 4pm which brought on some benign contractions. Doctor wanted 23 hour hospital observation but this hormonal mama had had enough and just wanted to go home. After some tears and sniffling, they discharged me. I felt MUCH better being back in my own bed and being around Ace and Jonathan. Family is the best medicine. Ace kept on getting in bed with me and saying, "Hi Mama. I'm doctor Ace. What's the matter?" and then he'd look in my mouth and listen to my belly.

Lily Kate was active and kicking the entire time leading me to believe I just compressed that vein by laying on my back under the kitchen sink. Don't know why the dizzyness lasted so long. Hopefully I can follow up with the doctor today.

Contractors and contractions

It's amazing that this baby hasn't been delivered with all of the stress of the past month: contractors calling and cancelling every day, damaging things around the house and ever-increasing budgets. I had so many contractions last night (nothing consistent or close together so I wasn't concerned) that I was in bed at 8pm (thank you Jonathan). Putting the house back together this weekend was exhausting - rehanging blinds and curtains, shampooing the carpets, sealing the tile, ugh.

Pause...contraction.

Lily Kate has been quite the trooper and we are hoping that she'll hang in there a little longer since we have painters coming the week after next. For now, I am trying to work up the energy to finish her room: paiting, sewing and getting her clothes in the closet that's been inaccessible for over a month.

Fatigue is certainly back with a vengeance.

Hiccups

Miss Lily Kate,
You have the hiccups right now and they aren't very comfortable. Do you think you could give your mommy a break? You certainly are a mover. I think your big brother felt you kick for the first time today. He's coming with Mommy next week to hear your heartbeat and see the doctor. We are really excited to meet you. Not long now. Keep growing big and healthy. Just stop with the hiccups.
Love,
Mommy

5/25 Doctor's Appointment

Lily Kate checked out wonderfully this morning. She's measuring right about 28 weeks - so almost on schedule. Her heartbeat was a strong 166 beats per minute. My blood pressure was great but I've gained another 6 pounds...that brings the tally to a little over 30 so far. (Still got another 20 to gain to catch up to Ace.) I told the nurse I didn't care what the scale said, I've been so swollen these past two weeks that I'm lucky to see my ankles at all.

A trace of protein in my urine, swelling, weight gain and blood pressure just a little more than normal means that we will just watch all these things together a little closely at my next appointment. No cause for alarm because they are all normal pregnancy symptoms.

I've told people I will be shocked if this little lady doesn't come early. Just a hormonal feeling maybe but I'm just convinced she won't wait until the end of July to debut. Hopefully she will because our contracting work at the house is dragging out and I'm not quite done painting her room!

Just a little pop!

7 months pregnant and my ankles are swelling bigger than my belly. I'm thrilled that what I termed "pregnancy-fat-face" (that plauged me with Ace) has held off so far.

Lily Kate is popping out just enough to warn the world she's coming. Just like her big brother, I think she prefers to lay more towards my back and rear end (more room & cushioning back there for sure). It's fun to learn her schedule by her kicks and movements. She's definitely a morning person like her mama! From 6 to 8am she gets to rockin'.

Been painting some decorative elements in her room for the past two weeks and can't wait to post them once they're finished (maybe this weekend). It's all coming together.

A few contractions to report but I think the Lord is just reminding me that life can change at any moment and right now my cup is overflowing.

Spelling

I've had several people ask me how we are going to spell our baby girl's name:

LILY KATE

Two words

No hypen

It's intended to be a double name

She won't have a middle name

I had no idea how complicated I was making things with this name. Hopefully she won't dislike her name! Add to the mix that, half the time, Jonathan and I refer to her as just "Lily" and I'm sure we are confusing everyone.

Ace has it easy compared to this!

Charming Lily Kate

I have worn this charm daily on a necklace for my Ace of Hearts. I've gotten many questions over the past 3 years, people asking me if I'm a card player or like to gamble. Funny conclusions drawn from this charm. Now it's time to charm Lily Kate. I've found three that I like.

Option 1:

$22

Option 2:

I think this is my favortie but it's $40! Kind of pricey when you consider that Ace's charm costs less than $8.

Option 3:

$30
I'm not trying to be depressing or to remind people of an awkward subject, but I really wanted a third charm (after all, Lily Kate is my third baby). I found this angel wing and really liked it.

A Note for Lily Kate

Good morning Lily Kate,

Mommy just wants to write you a note. You are kicking around in my belly and moving so much, it's hard to think of anything but you this morning. There is a story on tv this morning about the bond between mommies and their babies and it's giving me warm fuzzies to think that you and I are as close as can be right now. I'm doing my best to keep you safe and warm and to keep your big brother from smushing you. Since you are 6 months along, you should be able to hear my voice. That's really wild for Mommy to think about and I'm trying to say only nice things (but you are certainly challenging me with hormones and mood swings). I imagine a lot what you must look like and pray for the little lady you will be. Right now, I'm just praying that you will be confident, not affected by people's words and opinions but sure in yourself. I picture you in your clothes and have almost finished painting your room. I hope you like it when we're finished.

Thanks for keeping me company as I work this morning. I love you very much.
Love,
Mommy

Groovy Joovy

Hooray for sister-in-laws! Hilary found this stroller for Ace and Lily Kate on her neighborhood website. Ace can sit or stand on the red seat in the back and Lily Kate will be able to ride in her carrier and later grow to sit in the front seat.
I choose baby products based on ease-of-use and weight -- I can't use complicated gadgets and definitely don't have the strength to lift them.

Best part: Under $100. Now we are more prepared for her arrival and I can use all of that kind of help I can get.

10 lbs - WHAT?!

Had a doctor's appointment this morning - the yucky glucose screening. That orange drink hasn't improved in the past three years. (But, props to the screener with the forethought to put it in a really cold refrigerator.) Got on the scale to discover I'd gained 10 pounds since my last visit! (Last visit, I hadn't gained anything!)

A little discouraged by that stat but hoping that getting back to the gym will help keep my weight down. Started back (after a 2-month gym vacation due to work) on Monday and it felt great to work out but I came hope BEYOND-tired. Did weights on Tuesday and my muscles were cramping like crazy.

My body is just doing crazy things at this point!

Viability Week is OVER!

Jonathan and I celebrated what I am calling "Viability Week" in Cancun. My doctor said that babies are now viable outside the womb at 24 weeks. That is also the last week she wanted me traveling.

I think that completing the week gave us the confidence to finally name our little girl. We chose "Lily Kate" (which probably comes as no surprise since we've been leaning that way from the beginning). Although, this morning, I all of a sudden started to like the sound of "Lily Reese." I'm sure we'll stick with Lily Kate though. No matter what, we've always come back to that name.

I have more calm and peace knowing that it's possible for her to come into the world now. She feels more real every day. Ace and I have been talking to her a lot lately. He'll ask her if she likes monster trucks and will sing her songs. He loves to lay on her too. He felt her kick the other night and his face was precious.

Before we left, our families showered us with a ridiculous amount of clothes for her. Putting them in her closet was such a special and sweet moment. It's like I can already picture her in them.

Colors chosen!

When we moved into our current house, the previous owner had painted a monkey on Ace's wall and we just kept it there until we redecorated his room big-boy style. About two years ago, this pattern came around at Pottery Barn and I loved it just to keep the monkey theme alive.

Toro Loco was but a twinkle in Jonathan's eye at that time so I didn't purchase anything and lamented when I noticed that they weren't carrying it anymore. Lo and behold, it is all on clearance right now! Of course, they don't have all of the pillows, duvets, etc. etc. that they used to, so I just bought a few curtain panels and a few crib sheets.
I figure I can give my sewing machine a workout and create the crib skirt and curtains I want now and save the other material for when she grows into toddler-hood and beyond. Now, I'll be on the hunt for a coordinating fabric to fill in any holes left by a lack of fabric.

I'm super excited though. I can't wait to paint the room (I'm thinking chocolate brown like the monkey's head) with one dark, magenta pink wall. We'll see...

We have a name!

Ace has named the baby...

TORO LOCO

Yup, "Crazy Bull." Let's hope this isn't a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whenever you ask him what the baby's name is, this is his response. It's a monster truck (of course).

This morning, she is behaving like a crazy bull. It's gone from zero kicks to a performance of Cirque du Soleil.

No weight!

I am happy to report there was no weight gain at this appointment! I've already packed on 8 pounds and am sure it's more than that even (since I had my first weigh-in 11 weeks into this pregnancy).

The doctor said the baby will be viable in 4 short weeks. She also mentioned that her rule is no traveling after 24 weeks...um...I just happened to mention that Jonathan planned and has already paid for a trip to Cancun smack in the middle of week 24. She did say that, should the worst occur, Cancun does have a good hospital. She's actually had a patient deliver there before!

After a LOT of mushing around and searching with the fetal doppler, we found the baby's heartbeat. It did nothing for my nerves. Afterward, my tummy was in soooo much pain. Apparently the baby didn't appreciate being manhandled so much. Me either. Glad I don't have another checkup for a month - but that one is the blood glucose test (fasting does not exactly agree with my current snacking schedule).

Love you Baby Girl. Hope you are nice and comfy in my belly.

Baby "TBD"

We are affectionately referring to her as "TBD" since we haven't picked a name. Here's her latest photo shoot:

Profile

Perfect little hand. You can even count 5 fingers!
She's a she! And look at that amazing spine to the right.

Amazing photo of her toes. Can you believe this?

Face is to the right and belly is to the left.

I just think these photos are so spectacular. Such a pefect little package, consuming so much love (and hopefully plenty of nutrients).

The tech did such a great job of showing us all the parts of her anatomy. We saw all four chambers of TBD's little heart and both sides of her brain. We saw her kidneys, stomach, spine, femur and the tech took the time to point out everything. It was such a sweet, special time. I hope this memory never fades.

Where are you?

Where is this baby?

I've been wanting to post some belly pictures but there is just NOTHING to show. This baby is 8oz but I've gained 20 pounds. What the hey?!

Finding out

Before the news...

After the news!
Our faces should read more shock than they show. We were totally floored when the ultrasound tech told us Baby Evans is a girl. She even gave us TWO photos showing the gender. We weren't doing a lot of talking after finding out the baby is a girl. We did more laughing and shaking our heads.

It's a boy...nope...it's a GIRL!

I got busy and failed to post the photo-results of my Intelligender test (took 2/24/2010).

Plainly, you can see that it indicated a boy.

Two weeks makes quite a difference. Without a doubt, Baby Evans is a girl.

Baby Evans will be a........

GIRL!!!

Sorry I don't have time to post this properly. I am totally swamped at work (hence the lack of posts on our family website and --possibly-- your unreturned e-mails). Corporate tax deadline is Monday and the biggest project of my life is due to my boss in two days. I needed this fantastic news to draw me out of my computer and back into life a little.

Will post how we feel about this when we get over the shock of it.

Gender Ultrasound

Tuesday at 12:30 we are finding out the sex of the baby.

I think I had forgotten to post the exact time and date.
I'm beyond excited (and I wouldn't be completely truthful if I didn't say I'm a little scared). Knowing how completely precious and precarious and unborn life is, I'm a little nervous about learning the sex, choosing a name and decorating the nursery...all the things that draw me closer to this little life.

But, Satan, you cannot steal my joy or the blessing I know this baby is and will me. So just go away and stop bothering me.

Gender/ Name Debate

Once you get pregnant, you get the same two questions:
1. Do you want a boy or a girl?
2. Do you have names picked out?

Here are our answers:

Jonathan SAYS he wants a boy. Ace says he wants a brother. I really love the idea of either. I want a brother for Ace to pal around with but I also want a girl since we have a boy. I want a boy so I can use all of Ace's old clothes but I want a girl to buy all of the adorable ones I've drooled over, over the years. Aunt Hilary wants a boy. Aunt LeLe wants a girl. Honey wants a boy because she hopes that means we'll have another in hopes of a girl. I think Pops wants a girl. And I'm not sure of anyone else's opinions.

Boy Names:
This is our big debate.
Jonathan wants James John Evans the fourth.
Kelly wants Gilliam Walker Evans.
**Since we are disagreeing here, we agreed to choose another name. My latest suggestion is McCowan ____ Evans. (We could call him "Mac.") McCowan is my Meme's maiden name and we learned we were pregnant on the day she passed.

Girl Names:
Jonathan has had no suggestions here.
Kelly's ideas:
Lily Kate
Mabry
Poppy Adeleas

Lily Kate has always been my favorite though.

Please don't pick apart these names and give me reasons why they won't work. I always hate that.

So there you go.

A few updates

Off to the doctor tomorrow. I'm hoping we'll schedule the gender ultrasound. I've got my fingers crossed. My pregnancy calendar told me that the gender became identifiable last Wednesday. What's with all of the votes for a girl, by the way?

Tonight I get to take the Intelligender test with Mom and Jonathan. I'm super excited. Hopefully it hasn't expired since I've had it about a month. The box is still sealed to prove that I haven't been into it.

I've been sitting still a lot and trying to feel the baby move since everything I've read says mommies typically start feeling kicks and movement as early as 16 weeks. The funny thing is that, after having Ace, my stomach has done a lot of things over the past three years that remind me of what Ace's kicks felt like. So I chalk everything I'm feeling up to...well, the goings on in my stomach.

I was able to catch the heartbeat on the baby monitor again. That was a relief after being unsuccessful the other day.

K - on to the work day.

Prayer for my babies

This pregnancy I have been more hormonal than ever which manifests itself mostly in crying at everything. Thankfully, they have been happy tears 99% of the time. I've cried watching Tinkerbell, listening to Ace sing, listening to this baby's heartbeat...you name it. Two songs get me every time: Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood and The Words I Would Say by the Sidewalk Prophets.

With Temporary Home it's that last verse when the old man is passing and is telling his family members that he's not afraid, this was his temporary home. Ace sang it yesterday - I knew he liked it when I sang it but I didn't know he knew all the words by heart! When his precious little voice sang, "I'm not afraid because I know, this is my tempo-ry home" I just lost it. I pray, I pray he will live those words someday.

The entire chorus of the Sidewalk Prophets song put that lump in my throat like I didn't want to cry but the tears were coming anyway. This is my prayer for my babies:

Be strong in the Lord

and never give up hope

You're going to do great things

I already know.

God's got his hand on you

So don't live life in fear

Forgive and forget

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray

These are the words I would say.

Avoided the water-works while typing but got the lump in my throat. Going to go wake Ace up and cuddle him and try to teach him the words to that song.

Want to hear a miracle?

I got my fetal heart monitor from Stork Radio the other day (a rental) and immediately tried to find the heartbeat. I couldn't find it the first time and, of course, got upset. I gave it another try right before bedtime and my little peanut has one strong heart.

Sorry for the dark video! Next time, I'll turn the lights up. I guess I was trying to relax myself.

Kelly tells... Sashi

Acey had gone to school when I found time to call Sashi. Why do dads always have an inappropriate comment for everything?

Yikes, messy office.

Ace tells...Aunt Hilary

Another apology for not making sure our video subject was camera ready. We were just having a Sunday afternoon at the park and, in all fairness, I was very scary-looking and just stayed behind the camera.

Having lots of trouble uploading the video where we told Gabby and Pops. Still trying.

Ace tells...Honey

Ok, a little more success with downloading these. Here is Ace telling Honey last Tuesday before he went off to school. We were supposed to webcam with Honey AND Sashi the night before but Sashi thought Honey was sleeping so we missed the opportunity to tell them together. I don't think Honey cared much.

(Sorry for putting you on the blog without your makeup Mom. Hopefully being pregnant gets me a little forgiveness.)

How Ace told...Daddy

Ok, I've had endless troubles getting these videos uploaded so here is my only success so far. This is when Ace told his Daddy.

A Little Lime

This is the size of Baby #2 today.

Funny that this is Jonathan's favorite fruit.

He puts lime in his coke, in his guacamole, in our tortilla soup.

He will tell you everything tastes better with lime.

Apparently he's taken it too far!

Navigating Old Posts

I have been posting to this blog for months now without actually publishing the posts. I wanted to document the journey and my feelings but I didn't want to share until the first trimester was over and we'd told our parents. So, if you want to distinguish the previously-unpublished posts from the ones you've seen before, look for the dark-green font. I tried to make them easy to identify. There are a bunch of them.



Happy reading of my diary for the past couple of months. I hope you see God's faithfulness and my complete and total weakness and reliance on him. I don't know that my sanity would be intact without my Savior these past months.

It's Killing Me!

It's killing me, keeping this a secret now that we've decided to tell everyone! Why can't Jonathan be home tonight?!


I've already drafted a funny e-mail message to tell all of my co-workers. It says that we are "expanding" the Houston Office and I'm getting a full-time co-worker in late July or early August.


I've started the second trimester. Yippee.


I've got the ultrasound photos on my desk and keep glancing through them with a silly smile on my face. I'm just sooo in love. I wish I was Katie Holmes and my husband had purchased a personal ultrasound machine for me (but I don't want to be married to Tom Cruise...doubt he'd go for me either).


I actually ordered a fetal heart monitor this morning. I'm just renting it for two months. I just got the email notification that it shipped so now more waiting for it to come.


My impatience MOUNTS!

The Best 5 Minutes

Here are photos of the best 5 minutes of my life in 2010 so far...

Here's a profile shot of baby #2.

Here's a closeup. What's really cool is that you can clearly see the umbilical cord and how it goes to the belly button.

Picture 3 is from when they took the baby's heartbeat. You can see at the bottom that it registered 146 bpm. Last week, it was 157 bpm.

This photo is the whole enchilada. The ultrasound tech thought that this picture upside-down was perfect.

Last photo shows an arm. She said that Baby #2 has five fingers. I had to smile at that because it echoed my prayers: five fingers, five toes (on each) and a whole heart with perfect little organs.

We must have had this ultrasound late. I was expecting a peanut (like with Ace) but this little one is much more developed.

I can't believe it only took 5 minutes. I could have stayed there watching this baby for hours. It was dancing, kicking, hiccupping, squirming, waving and all the rest. Lord help me when I start feeling this movement!

Trying to be patient

My excitement is getting the better of me.





I'm impatient for my appointment at noon (1 1/2 hours away) to get the ultrasound. And HOW will I be able to WORK after that?





I wanted to wait to get the photo to tell my parents and now I have to wait ANOTHER day because Jonathan won't be home tonight.





Jonathan wanted to go ahead and tell his parents last night but they didn't answer their phone.





This morning I asked Ace if he wanted me to bring him a picture of our baby and he got SOOO excited. I can't wait to see his reaction to the photo tonight.





Patience produces perserverance which leads to character......ah.......don't have much character right now.

One more day...

I'm itching with excitement. Only one more day until we FINALLY tell our families. I'll go in for my ultrasound tomorrow at noon and comes home with photos of the little peanut. I want to get past this last big step before the reveal. I've made up my mind to let Ace tell everyone, since he started by telling Jonathan. We are practing the phrase, "I'm going to be a big brother."





Can I just skip over the next 24 hours?





I thought I was showing last night but this morning whatever I saw was gone. Must have been the tortilla soup. I was so tired last night that I dozed off in bed with Ace watching monster trucks (let me emphasize how difficult that is: he screams every time a new truck comes on and constantly talks and jumps). Fatigue continues to be my biggest symptom.





Tomorrow, I can complain freely to everyone!

Not the only one!

So, I am not the only one having crazy dreams. Turns out, Ruthie is too.





Ruthie and I are less than two weeks apart in our due dates. And Emily is right in there with us. there are going to be a lot of August babies this year. Turns out, Ruthie is having crazy dreams just like me. Got to talk to Em and find out if she is too. Maybe we're all having the same gender.





I'm really excited to be so close in due date with these girls. It's fun when you are the only pregnant one, but it's way more fun to have someone who has their appointments on the same weeks that you do.





Talking to Ruthie yesterday convinced me (and then Jonathan) to go ahead and tell our parents. Mom and Dad are at an event tonight and Jonathan's parents are in Mississippi so we are going to wait just a little longer (until Tuesday probably when we have a photo) and then break the big news. It's a relief to know we don't have to keep the secret another month.





AND I can publish all of these posts I've been hiding!!!!

Intelligender

So, I just looked on my friend's blog and she took an Intelligender test to tell her the sex of her baby. Considering the Draino episode from my last pregnancy, I ordered one!!!!!





Last time...I had heard that peeing in Draino would tell you the gender. Instead of getting a urine sample and then combining the cup of Draino with the cup of urine, I actually peed directly into the Draino and it exploded. Not my proudest moment. I believe pregnancy was clouding my judgement at the time. Very thankful that Ace has no special needs as a result of my idiocy.





So, I figured this was a better alternative!!!! It should be here sometime next week.

Working out

I was sooooo looking forward to getting back to the gym, after all I haven't been since finding out we were pregnant back in November. I just didn't want to chance jiggling anything loose for lack of a better way to explain it. When I talked to the nurse practioner on Tuesday she said 'run, lift weights, bike, do whatever, just don't get your heart rate above 140 and don't get it up longer than 30 minutes.' So I went to the gym on Tuesday afternoon and hopped on the treadmill, did my walking warmup and set the pace to an easy 5.5....for 3 minutes!!!! My heart rate was up to 152 in no time and I couldn't even carry on a conversation.





SO disappointed.





Yesterday was a little better. I started off with just simple lunges and squats. I felt a little wobbly but I'm chalking that up to not doing them for three months. So I think I can return to the gym but goodbye running until November at the earliest (August + two months of recovery).





I am thankful that I didn't have any pains during or after to worry me. Maybe this way I can avoid the 50 pounds I gained with Ace.

Why keep waiting?

I'm having secrecy guilt this morning. If I'm truly 11 weeks right now and don't tell our families to the last week in February, I will be 16 weeks when they finally discover (if they haven't already) that we're almost halfway through this pregnancy! It will be the fastest pregnancy ever for them. Plus, they will only have to wait less than a month to find out what gender it is.





I'm torn.





Not telling everyone just made March so much easier for our families. I know that leaving the first trimester leaves a lot of risk behind. I know I should have more faith than this. Jonathan's been great about not pressuring me to tell anyone.





I just don't want them to feel hurt. But I think they'll understand.


More than that, I think they'll be shocked to know that we've kept a secret for four months. Anyone that knows us knows that Jonathan and I can't keep secrets to save our lives (if they are our own, that is).

Have to get it out

Second post in one day.





It's SOOOOO hard to sit here and concentrate on anything other than the sound of my precious miracle's heartbeat. WHY didn't I record it on my cellphone or take my camera to record the moment? (I'm telling myself that they wouldn't have let me do it anyways because of liability reasons.) I heard my strong heartbeat and then, it was like, a quick, tiny, "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" and I just knew that there was another tiny life in my world. And I'm in love all over again. It's the kind of love I have for Ace...there's no unhappiness or sadness in it. Just a sunny, joyful love. And how much greater is God's love?





I just have to funnel my feelings somewhere and my computer is at my fingertips. So I'm funneling: excitement, relief, impatience, anxiety, joy, love and more relief. I'm praying for ten (if not twenty) perfect fingers, ten perfect toes, a heart without any holes, strong lungs, a full set of organs and a healthy baby with a spirit fashioned by God. It's a miracle I got all of those with Ace.





Being a mommy is the best thing in the world. Can't believe I'm lucky enough to get to do it again.

Tears of Relief

Though I had hoped to SEE the baby this morning, I HEARD a miracle instead...the heartbeat.





Last night, I had a very vivid dream of miscarrying in the doctor's office while waiting for my appointment. I woke up and just cried and cried tears of relief. When we heard the heartbeat, there were lots more tears of relief. There were a few tense minutes as the nurse searched around for the heartbeat and kept only finding mine. But she found it. A strong 155 beats per minute. It is the sweetest sound next to Ace's voice.





And I cannot describe Jonathan's face after hearing it. I think he was relieved and happy and excited and I think he'd been feeling some nerves as well. It just looked like he was lighter and happier. Or maybe he was glad he didn't have to sit in the doctor's office anymore (but I think it was the former)!





Baby, your little heartbeat has given me such happiness and stronger belief in the goodness of God. See you next week when Mommy goes to get your picture taken for the first time.





Ultrasound scheduled for 12noon on Tuesday.

Tomorrow's Big Appointment

I am anticipating tomorrow's appointment. I wish today would hurry up. I am waiting for the wash of relief I think I will feel when I see a little body in a womb on the screen and hear a heartbeat. Something is certainly sending me to the bathroom every hour during the night and sapping my energy.





I've had a lot of abdominal pain this past weekend which is increasing my stress level. I keep telling myself it's just a growing womb and hope the doctor will concur. Yesterday at Walmart I was almost in tears although the pain wasn't that bad. I'm just tired of being frightened and nervous. It really drains me.





I can't wait to hold that little black and white photo in my hands and pray over it and nickname it. I don't think I'll sleep much tonight. I'm about to start my list of questions for the doctor...





1. Can I work out? Should I be more careful having had a miscarriage?


2. Can I have a sip of wine at Girls' Weekend?


3. Can I keep taking my baths?


4. Is my c-section scar going to make my womb thin or susceptible to tearing/ endanger the baby?


5. Can they put me to sleep again for this c-section?


6. Advice on caffeine?


7. Craving goat cheese...


8. What is my due date?





And on and on and on. Gosh, did I learn nothing with my first pregnancy???


9 months from mid-November is...mid-August. Great...I avoid swimsuit season entirely.





Praying for peace and cessation of worries.

Opinions

So here's my struggle this week: Really believe that God's opinion of me is the only one that matters.

I think that I need to be AWARE of others' opinions because I don't want to lead anyone away from Christ (like if someone's opinion is that I'm a hypocrite) or unknowingly set a bad example (another's opinion is sometimes the only thing that can tell me my actions are off). My problem is, in being aware of another's opinion, it's really hard not to take their opinion of me and my actions personally.

I am not the sum of others' opinions. I am a creation of God.

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and, Lord knows, everyone has one these days. I think people right now care more about having their opinion heard than the feelings of others. Maybe it's just my experience of the week that prompts that feeling.

My experiment: I'm going to try and only share my opinion when it's asked for (on non-trivial subjects, I will certainly share my opinions on trivial things...reality tv!). The exception will certainly be this blog.

Dreams

Does anyone have a faith-building reason for bad dreams? I know that great believers had prophetic dreams in the Old Testament and will again in the end times...but what about a reason for dreams right now that (hopefully) aren't prophetic?

In the past two weeks, in my dreams, I've been kidnapped, stabbed, in two airplane crashes, drowned, attacked, Jonathan has died and Ace has gone underwater enough to terrify me. Last night alone, in two different dreams I went down in a burning plane and one that crashed into the water. I've woken up shaking, crying and even trying to shout...which came out more of a moan and woke Jonathan up. Fortunately, he's willing to hold my hand so I can calm down and go back to sleep.

I've been praying against dreams and that I can get back to sleep once I've woken up. Any suggestions? This is really getting out of hand. I know faith is made perfect when we have no fear...my dreams have been making me live out every fear and they are still there. Just wanting some good sleep.

Appointment Scheduled

I did it.





I've really been putting off making that first OB appointment. Last time, it was really hard to cancel the appointment. That should be on the list of husband responsibilities in the even of something happenning to a baby. This morning, I called and called and called. They were supposed to start answering the phone at 8:30 and the answering service answered until a little after 9am. Just to put a little pressure on my faith I guess.





So we are set to go on January 19th, two weeks from now. Deep breath. What's a little more waiting, right? We made it through the holidays, we can do it. I'm excited that Jonathan is making time to go with me.