15 weeks!

It's hard to believe I am 15 weeks pregnant already, but I am. I feel like this pregnancy is going really fast. I am into the second trimester, which is often times referred to as the "feel-good" trimester. I am feeling really great and have more energy than I did a few weeks ago. Baby is about the size of an apple now and growing more and more everyday. My next appointment is next Thursday the 16th. At this appointment we will schedule our ultrasound that should tell us if we are having a boy or a girl. So far I really feel like this baby is a boy. There are a lot of differences in the pregnancy and I think that is the reason I am leaning that way. Madeline continues to be very matter of fact that this baby is her baby sister and she will call her "Honey". Time will go by quickly and we will know soon enough. Every day we pray this little miracle is growing to be a healthy baby, and that is all we could hope for.

Oh Baby !

Wednesday August 18th was our anniversary. Thursday August 19th we had the ultrasound scheduled for 3:00 pm. Korey and Madeline came with me and we all went into the room together to see our little baby. Sure enough there was our little baby. Baby was very active, flipping around, not staying still for long at all. Baby measured exactly right on for it's expected due date of March 5th. Baby's heartbeat was very strong with a rate of 162 beats/min. In comparison to Madeline, she was always in the 160's, maybe it's another girl? Korey and Madeline sat right behind me during the ultrasound so they could see the monitor well.The minute I saw our little baby tears poured out, and Madeline and Korey had big smiles. We asked Maddie what she thought and she said, "It's just perfect", I don't think she could have said it better. I tear up thinking about this and writing this. I felt SO relieved and thanked God our little baby was as healthy as could be. We got 4 pictures from the ultrasound, as soon as I can scan them I will post them.

After our appointment we were all smiles and a happy family. We plan to celebrate again at Salty's in a couple weeks :). The rest of the afternoon and this evening/early morning I keep thinking about how mature and old my little Madeline has become. She comes with me to all of my midwife appointments and loves to know all about my pregnancy and our baby. I am cherishing this time with her and loving being able to share this with her. She calls herself, "big sister" and "little mommy", and I know she will be the best.

Anniversary

Yesterday Korey and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Korey, Maddie and I woke up and Korey made us breakfast sandwiches that were delicious. Then we hung out for a little and then got ready for a much anticipated appointment with our midwife. Our appointment was at noon and we would be able to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time. We were very excited and I had already envisioned the whole appointment in my head. After my midwife discussed how pregnancy was going and answered our questions she then did my physical exam. Last but not least she put the doppler ( the tool used to hear the baby's heartbeat) to my lower abdomen. After minutes of trying and trying and repositioning the doppler we did not hear our baby's heartbeat. Our midwife explained that it could be the position of the baby and to try not to worry and we needed to have an ultrasound at this point. At this point I began feeling a rush of emotions, but trying to stay strong as I had my little angel along with us and she understood what was happening. Korey was very calm and optimistic as always. The soonest I could be seen for an ultrasound was Thursday at 3:00 pm. Of course I wished I could just go right then and there, but there wasn't an opening, so my patience had another test. We prayed and tried to go on to have a normal day. Madeline had "Princess Dance Camp" at 4:30 so we took her there and after camp we took her to Nana and Grandpa Bob's house. Korey and I had planned to have a dinner date at Salty's on Alki, where our rehersal dinner was held 3 years ago, but I just didn't feel up to it. I needed comfort food and thought of the mizithra cheese spaghetti at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Korey agreed and we went there for some dinner and wonderful conversation. After dinner we picked up our little Madeline and went home and fell fast asleep.

Big Sister!!!

We are so excited to be having another baby and for Madeline to be a big sister. This baby's due date is March 5th. I am 10 weeks pregnant. So far this pregnancy has been pretty good. I have had some nausea in the evenings and felt a little more tired, but it is so worth it and I can't stop thinking about how happy I am to be pregnant. It feels like it has been awhile, because it has. I found out I was pregnant with Madeline exactly 4 years ago this month. We have been dreaming and talking about our next baby for the past 2 years. For myself and our family, I had to first get through nursing school, get my license, and then get a job. A week after getting my first job as an RN we found out I was pregnant. It couldn't have been more perfect. Madeline insists I am having a girl and corrects me when I say I think it is a boy. We will definitely be finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl. Korey thinks it is a girl too. I think it is a boy, so we will see who is right on this one. We are having so much fun discussing names and just enjoying all the moments of pregnancy. More updates to come!!! Especially for you Great Grandma in Arizona :). Lots of Love.

Easter

We had such a fun Easter this year with a lot of celebrating. Saturday morning the day before Easter, Korey and I took Madeline and met up with Nana Debbie and the 3 girl cousins; Kylie, Emme, and Addison. There was a great Easter Egg Hunt that we took Maddie to last year as well. This year she remembered everything from the last. She wanted to stay as far away as possible from the Bunny and she enjoyed seeing the big firetruck again. She did a great job in the Easter Egg hunt and had so much fun with her big girls.

That night we celebrated Easter with the McDaniel family at Korey's parents house. The kids colored eggs, had another Easter egg hunt, and we all played some games. We also ate a lot yummy food and cake. It was wonderful for us all to be together and watch the cousins all play and get along so nicely. With Madeline being the youngest and there being a 4 year age gap between the next oldest cousin, you would think she may not fit in. However, she is right there with them all the time, and they all lover and are so sweet to her. We are so lucky.

On Sunday morning we woke up, Maddie found her Easter basket from the bunny (which kind of freaked her out, I don't blame her), but she loved the basket and the goodies in it. Then the 3 of us went to church. It was an amazing Easter service, one that I won't forget. After church we headed over to my dad and Nancy's house. There we had a delicious Easter brunch and loved being able to spend time with my side of the family. Madeline did another Easter egg hunt and received another fun Easter basket with adorable gifts at their house. I love the time that we spend together during the holidays. I truly try to treasure it and hold onto the memory. Madeline really enjoyed learning about Jesus being alive again, and we enjoyed teaching her the story of Easter and why we celebrate Easter. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Easter too!

RN

Oops I forgot to include a high light in January. January 19th I took the NCLEX for my 2nd time. What a different experience. The first time I took the test in September. It took me 5 and 1/2 hours and I had 265 questions. I was very anxious and had such a hard time completing it, but I did! It was one of the worst experiences ever and I do not wish anyone to ever go through that, it felt like torture to me. I barely failed, but was determined to pass this test and re take it again. I studied like crazy and re took it on January 19th. It took me 1 hr and 15 mins, I had 75 questions. I passed!!! I am a licensed RN. I love it, I feel so accomplished and my hard hard work payed off. I did all of nursing school while pregnant and with Madeline as a baby to 2 years old. If I can do it, anyone can. I love my career and can't wait to start my dream job as a nurse.

The last couple of months have been very stress-free, and lots of play time with Madeline.

Now I am on the serious job hunt! There are a few opportunities that may work out for me. I am praying for the right door to open and the right spot for me. I will keep you all posted.

She's 3!!!

Ok, I will try to write about this with out having a crying breakdown. I am that mom that cries every year on my daughter's birthday. Every year is hard and I wish for one day to see her 2 again, or one day to see her 1 again, or that first time I held her. Could I just see or feel a glimpse of it? I can dream, but she's 3 and now I have the memories. She is the best gift and most wonderful blessing I have ever been given. She is my special little girl and has been my inspiration and motivation the past 3 years. My life is so full of meaning, purpose, and gratitude. Isn't it amazing what a child being born can create in a woman. Being a mother is truly the best. I love every bit about it.

March 31st, Maddie turned 3. We had a lot of fun celebrating her birthday with her friends and family on the Friday before. She wanted a pink pirate birthday, but had a few requests more. She wanted a pinata, dancing and singing on a stage, a treasure box cake, a parrot on her shoulder ( like Caillou), eye patches, tattoos, and all of her friends there. Well I think we pulled it off. We had the party at a cute place in Maltby. The Maltby Coomunity Center. It was a blast, and Maddie had the best time ever, and kept thanking Korey and I for her, "best party ever".

On her actual birthday she wanted to go to the zoo. I took Maddie and her friend Jordan. That night we had dinner and some family over. The next night we went to Red Robin with The Peters family. Little Graysen turned one and shares a birthday with Miss M. It was so much fun and a little crazy, hehe. Maddie also was taken to Build a Bear with Nana Debbie and made "Chetra" her cute Panda bear.