Easter

I'm going to try to do some catch up posts since I've been lacking in the post department lately.  Here's our Easter post.  We spent last Saturday at Eric's parent's house as lots of Mike (Eric's dad)'s family came up from Corpus to visit.  It was fun hanging out!  Everyone couldn't get over how big Micah had got, and just couldn't stop touching his soft cheeks!!  Sadly, I forgot my camera at home :(. 

That night my mom came and spent the night to go to Easter services with us at our church.  It worked out perfectly because Eric played trombone in all 3 services on Sunday, so it would have been a long morning without her!  We went to the 8:15 service, and sadly we only got pictures of me and the kids, because Eric had to rush back in and play 2nd service (we got out a little late!).  We were all 'matching' in greens, and the kids just looked adorable.  This is the dress Cara picked out; she picked it because of the twirl factor. I  loved it because of the 6 we let her try on, it was on clearance! :) 

Here's Micah playing in the garden at our church.

And here are the three of us:

Before church we opened our baskets.  We don't 'do' the Easter bunny.  Nothing wrong with it, we just say, "do you want to go see what we got you for Easter?"  She doesn't really even pay attention to bunnies, unless they're real and she can touch them!! 

They each got some books and a little candy (and you all know Micah's candy really was for Mommy & Daddy)!  Here's Micah with his stuff.  Excuse my large self on the side:

And this is just cute.  They both were running to me with their puppies they sleep with :)

After church, we came home and to fill the morning, we made Resurrection Rolls (marshmallows rolled in butter/sugar/cinnamon wrapped in crescent rolls).  We got the recipe in a little book from our church the week before.  They gave us some good ideas to do each day for our preschoolers to talk about Easter.  We didn't do every day, but Cara really enjoyed it.  It was like Advent all over again for her :).  She really liked that the marshmallows disappeared when we cooked them!  She really 'got' (as much as a 3.5 year old can) Easter this year.  Just this morning she and Aynslee were 'playing Jesus.'  I said, how do you do that?  Cara said, well, I was Jesus, and I died, but now I'm alive again!! :) 

After that we 'dyed' some eggs.  And by dyed, I mean we bought a pack, squirted some color in a baggie and let her roll it around!  She loved it and I loved the non-mess it created!

After Daddy got home and naps were had, we had an egg hunt.  We hid the 11 (well 12, but I rolled too hard and broke one egg) eggs we dyed over and over.   Cara loves looking for them!  And loved hiding them for Micah (and basically showing them to him and picking them up for him).  It was gorgeous outside, just wish it wasn't so full of pollen!

Micah actually got to get one alone!

Our little man loves two things, his belly button:
 

and following his sister around!

More posts to come!

It's A......

Sorry I kept you hanging!  I'm sorry, I keep thinking I'll post this with an ultrasound picture, however, the scanner is WAY over there and I'm snug as a bug here on the couch with the laptop!  Anyways, we are having another GIRL!!  We are very excited.  I've always wanted to dress my girls alike, and that when Micah was a boy that that just wasn't going to happen.  Cara is a big girl, already in 5T, so it probably won't happen for long, but I will stretch it out as long as I can :). 

Micah turned 17 months last week, and he is a ball of energy.  He is really using big words and he's figured out how to CLIMB.  To the top bunk, to the tall slide at our friends house.  Oh I can't wait for the day when I know he will climb up and not fall down. 

Tot 2 Tot is really taking off!  We've had lots of sellers register the past few days!!  We are SO excited about our frist sale coming up on April 17th.  There's still plenty of time to join us if you would like!!

Cara is loving that she's going to have a little sister.  She told my friend, when she asked her what she wanted, "a baby sister, I've never had one of those before." :).  And now Micah can say sister and sissy very well :)  I just can't wait to meet this little one (well, I can wait a little over 4 months!). 

I had a longer post, but something happened and it took off my pictures and the rest of my text :(.  Oh well, will have to come back for more now!

Boys and Pregnancy

Well, it's been a rough couple of weeks.  I always get on here, not knowing what to say.  Not wanting to be the first to say it.  As I'm sure you guessed from my last post, Ben lasted 6 too short days on this earth.  We are REJOICING knowing he is now whole, healed and complete in the Father's arms.  He was just too sweet, and fought so hard!  Bailey and Matt have been amazing through this.  I am so proud as a big sister.  Saddened that they had to go through this, but immensely pleased with the prayers surrounding them, and the peace they have felt, have prayed for each day throughout this entire journey. 

I realized a month or so ago, before the boys were ever born that I was already mourning.  I found out I was pregnant on 12/18.  I was so excited to share a pregnancy with my little sister!  What fun as sisters!  Then, just 10 short days later, we found out she was having twin boys (YAY!), but that she would never have the 'normal' pregnancy that we had prayed for.  That her amniotic fluid was extremely low, and extreme bed rest would be how she would live until the boys were born.  I got angry.  At God, at me (for having 2 healthy pregnancies/kids), at her doctors, I even took it out on her (I know, awful).  I was just so sad.  Mad.  Frustrated.  Upset.  I realized later I was basically going through the stages of grief.  Nothing awful had happened yet, but still, as a first time mom, I wouldn't have wished this on my baby sister!  I had prayed for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.  I had looked forward to throwing her a shower and answering her questions about all the overpriced baby gear she was sure to register for, as all first time parents are expected too!  Doing all the things to her that she did to me with my pregnancies (dragging her to IKEA at 9 months pregnant and making me walk around for 4 hours!!) :).  In June.  In Houston! hah.  And just sharing in the absolute joy of becoming a MOM! 

I was being extremeley selfish.  I pulled away from God.  I kept on praying, but I didn't want to know this was God's plan for her.  I knew in my heart that I needed Him more now.  I wanted to feel the revival that was going on at our church, and I did have glimpses.  Music has always spoke to me (spoken?).  So there was some amazing songs I really connected with.  But I didn't immerse myself in His Word as I should have.  I had my (His) moments, but it wasn't enough.  My accountability group for the past couple months has probably been sick of me saying, "Yeah, I got nothing.  A few quiet times here and there, definitely praying, but not really seeking."  I tried to be excited for them with each milestone they hit, but that first day, 12/28, when I got the news, I did some research.  I shouldn't have, and after about 30 minutes, I never again looked anything up.  I didn't want to know the statistics.  I didn't want to know that my sister and Matt may have to live a very hard road as parents.  I didn't want to even think about explaining things to Cara.  Again, you can tell, it was all about me. 

Things started to change before she had the boys.  I began reading my bible, even if only superficially, more.  I had great friends who poured into me, and she had great friends and family pouring into her!  But, when the day came that she was having contractions (2/26 the day before they were born), I got mad again.  This was not happening!!  She has done SO WELL for SO LONG and she still has 4 weeks until those babies will be born small, but healthy!  Things stopped and I relaxed.  We spent a great Saturday together, Eric and the kids and I, playing at the mall and enjoying one of our last free Saturdays together before Eric's work got crazy.  Then, I finally checked my phone.  The boys were here.  I rushed to get into my car and head to Clear Lake.  And as I did, the tears came.  They were uncontrollable, and I knew I was finally breaking.  That I knew this was going to be a hard road, whether I was prepared for it or not, and that again, this was not God's Plan B!  He had their days numbered before creation!  How could I not take comfort in that?  He picked Matt and Bailey for this exact purpose.  And I get to be their aunt!  However, the breakdown in the car on I-10 wasn't the best possible place.  If I've learned anything, it's to get on your knees before that happens, and let Him break you, He was trying to all along.  I called a dear friend and she talked me down.  I didn't want Bailey to know how worried I was.  I wanted to be the rock and support she needed.  I've had friends with NICU babies.  I knew it was a roller coaster.  Through the blog world, I've also grieved people's children I didn't even know personally.  Because once you're a parent, you know that losing a child would be one of the hardest thing you might ever have to endure. 

I got there and we had a great day.  I got to see the boys even before the grandparents (that's what you get for staying with your sister while the family went out to eat) :).  They were so tiny, but oh so adorable.  I fell in love the minute I saw them, and to get to be there the first time my little sister got to meet her baby boys was a moment I'll never in my lifetime forget. 

Benjamin Ray Walkup was born first at 2 pounds, 2 ounces and 13 inches long. 

And 1 minute later, Jack Harrison Walkup joined the family at 1 pound, 12 ounces, and 11.81 inches long.

I don't want to go through all the details, as Bailey and Matt have posted on their blog what they are comfortable with everyone knowing.  And as sad as it was, Eric and I cherish the fact that we got to be there and say goodbye to sweet Ben with Bailey and Matt and his loving grandparents!  It was Eric's first time to get to meet him, as he was always taking care of our kids.  What a sweet, yet sad, moment to be a part of.   

Matt went home that night and wrote the most beautiful song you've ever heard.  They had an amazing friend sing it at the graveside.  What a cherished memory from a daddy to his son.  FUMC Pasadena has been an amazing church family to all of the Walkups, and we are so excited they took such great care of everything, and included us with open arms. 

Jack has had his ups and downs, but is doing well at Women's.  I got to spend a day with Bailey picking out fabric for his nursery (though it still sits folded up on my table....must get a move on)!  She is healing well, and has been handling things the only way I would have expected her to: with grace and the peace of our Savior! 

Now, onto my nerd tendencies.  Before all of this, I LOVED being 'graded.'  I loved getting tests and homework back all throughout school.  Even if they weren't perfect As.  I loved knowing exactly how I measured up and what I needed to focus on more.  Even during my pregnancies, I looked forward to ultrasounds.  Even when my very first one with my very first pregnancy led me down the path of surgery to remove a tumor, everything was OK.  Cara was perfect, and so was Micah.  I never once feared finding anything out.  Even when I was in the hospital last month, I had a peace that it was not pregnancy related at all, the pain was much too high for that.  I've never been much of a worrier, and I have always been extremely aware of God's plan.  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I know this was intended for Jews that were exiled to Babylon, but it still gave me comfort, and still does.  

Now here I sit just 3 days away from the 'big' 18 week ultrasound.  The 'anatomy' ultrasound as my doctor has been calling it.  I have always thought of it as the GENDER ultrasound.  Because that's what I was focused on.  But now, I'm getting a little anxious.  I'm trying to not even think about it.  It's hard to be excited when almost 3 months to the day, this is the ultrasound that Bailey had that shifted our lives forever.  I felt this baby move for the first time 10 days ago, but I have only felt 'it' once since then.  I know that's nothing to be worried about, but everything is just a little raw.  So, if you will, please just pray for peace for me.  I know again whatever may happen, that this is God's plan A.  The anxiety is easy to not focus on, with three kids to chase around each day.  It only sets in a little at night.  So I'm trying to focus on God's word.  Thanks for reading this little book.  I will let you know how it all goes.  

And in the mean time, I have been shying away from all the 'deals' type posts because it's just seemed wrong.  I will post one this week, when I get back on this blog. 

Milestones?

There is so much more going on to post, but I just can't right now.  I did want to put some things on the blog for posterity (is that the right word, I can't even think straight) sake. 

Yesterday at 3 we got free rodeo tickets to Brad Paisley!!  That's not the milestone, but it was a wonderful blessing for Eric and I to go out alone, for the first time in months!!  We usually go to him every year, but this year 'decided' (by not buying any tickets) to just stay home and 'cut back.'  Well, when a friend posted she wasn't using her free tickets last night, we jumped on them.  Thank you Brenda D!! 

So, I was 16 weeks pregnant yesterday.  I was starting to feel weird about my pregnancy, like it's not real yet.  I've had 2 ultrasounds (thanks hospital stay) and have heard the heart beat, but I've lost weight, I don't feel like I 'look' pregnant yet (I bet Sterling disagrees, haha!) and I haven't felt the baby move.  I felt Cara very late, thanks to surgery, at 22 weeks.  I felt Micah at 15 weeks 6 days, so I just figured I'd feel this one move earlier than Micah.  Not the case.  I wasn't worrying, just very much looking forward to it.  Well, jamming out to some amazing electric guitar last night at the concert, baby #3 decided to make it's presence known!!  I was so excited!!  And it wasn't just my body shaking from all the noise, it was definitely the baby, and he/she did it again later that night on our way home too!!

Oh, I want to go on record saying I have NO idea what we're having!!  We find out in 2 weeks.  With both kids, I KNEW.  Like at least a month before the ultrasound.  This one, not so sure.  I really wanted a girl, then I really thought it was a boy, and now I'm torn again.  Just not sure.  Heart rate has been 158 and 150 lately, so kinda in between (Cara was always 155-170 and micah was always 135-150)????

Cara is such a little mommy.  She is so fun to be around, most of the time.  She likes to boss everyone around, which she gets from her dad ;).  She is very loving and quick to say she's sorry and forgive.  With all that's been going on with Bailey and the twins, she is so grown up for her age.  And beyond sweet.  She loves her cousins, and can't wait to meet baby Jack!!  (sorry for the poor quality webcam shots, I haven't downloaded pics in awhile).

Micah is all boy, into everything, and climbing now!  I found him on the 3rd rung headed to the top bunk the other day.  I just don't know what to do.  I don't want him to fall, but I also want him to be completely comfortable climbing up without falling by the time we move him to the bottom bunk this summer.  So, I stood behind him and let him crawl on up.  You'd have thought I'd given the boy a million dollars.  He was SO happy to be up there playing with sister!!  I just have to keep him SITTING down!!  Now sister has lost her spot where she can go play with her tiny things without him getting into them.  He's also very into the bathroom business.  Whenever Cara, Eric or I are on the potty (we are down to one bathroom as we started demo on our master bath a month or more ago and it's still sitting there unfinished), he wants to be with us saying peepee or poopoo.  And now, when he has a BM, he comes to me and says poopoo.  This morning he told me, I looked, and didn't see anything.  I said let's play with our cars, so we started playing, but he was having none of it.  So I thought I'd just change his diaper anyway.  Sure enough, there was a BM!!  Good boy! :)

Eric is gearing up for UIL in April and getting busy.  He is extremely happy spring break is next week!!!  I have gotten back into sewing, mostly things for Bailey, and I forgot how much I enjoy it, when my sewing table is cleaned off! :)  I also chopped my hair off yesterday.  I really like it, this isn't a great shot, but Cara wouldn't leave the webcam alone.  I have 'bangs' (sideswept) for the first time in 17 years!  And that's all the things I don't want to forget!

Please continue to pray for Matt, Bailey, and little fighter Jack!  Tomorrow will be a hard day as we celebrate Ben's short life and his homecoming with Jesus.  Here is a link to his obituary if you are interested in reading it. 

Sorry, this just keeps getting longer.  Romans 5 has been some scripture I've clung to over the last few weeks.  I hope you find comfort in it as I have:

Romans 5

Peace with God Through Faith

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Love the song

Everytime this month I was heading to or from the hospital visiting Bailey, I heard this song.  Every time.  I love it, and I hope you do too.  I will post more later.  Here are the lyrics:


I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

And a link to listen to it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlL8LayF0uw

My Nephews

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM:  I am a firm believer in prayer, so I'm getting this out there!  I don't want to take away from Bailey and Matt being able to write their story, so instead, I will just ask for your prayers!!  Jack and Ben are in the NICU in the fight of their lives, and we KNOW that God has a plan for them.  If you would be willing to join our families and friends in prayer for these sweet, tiny boys, feel free to post this button on your blog.  I have it linked to Bailey and Matt's blog at this time.  They plan to post a birth story update in the next few days, so you can read about the boys there.  If you've ever had a baby in the NICU, you know it changes daily, if not hourly!  I wouldn't expect lots of updates as Bailey is recovering and there is so much change; however, that doesn't diminish the fact that all prayers and words of encouragement are welcomed.  Thank you for lifting these boys up, along with our families, to THE healer and speaker of LIFE!

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P.S. I've made tons of buttons before, and I CANNOT get this one to be the right size for my side bar.  So, I have the larger one if you'd like that, and the smaller one as well! :)

UPDATE:  I've already seen so many friends with the button on their blog, and via facebook, THANK YOU.  I talked to Bailey tonight and she was so thankful for the prayers being lifted all over Texas, all the way to Michigan :).  So, if you did put the button on your blog, would you be so kind to link up here?  That way Bailey can see how many people are thinking and praying for her and her boys.  Jack is doing SO well.  He's been deemed a 'normal preemie.' :)  Bailey said, what does that even mean? Sounds like an oxymoron.  Ben is having some big issues still, and it will be a long road.  So just PLEASE keep the prayers coming! 

Introducing my newest baby.....

I bet you thought I was revealing the gender of our precious baby #3, huh? :)  Nope, that's not until March 26th, and I am desperately counting down the days. 

This is a baby of a different kind.  Two friends and myself have been working behind the scenes for months on our newest venture.  And today is our 'go live' day!  We are so excited to share this with all of our friends and family, and hopefully people we've never even met!  So, without furthur ado.....

Introducing Tot2Tot!!

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You can read all about it on our Tot 2 Tot blog or our facebook page.  Basically, we are hosting a consignment sale twice a year of high quality children's goods.  Toys, strollers, clothing, shoes, almost anything!  You get to set your price.  You tag your items, and then drop them off to us.  You don't have to sit and sell them all day, and it's a fast turnaround--no waiting 4 months to pick up your items from a consignment shop (which by the way, we are totally not bashing, we love them--this is just something different)!  And if you want to donate whatever doesn't sale, we do that for you!

So, how can our sweet friends and family help us?  By getting the word out!  Become a 'fan' of our facebook page, and your friends will see.  By grabbing our button and posting it on your blog (all that does if someone clicks on it is takes them to our blog).  If you have a bunch of children's stuff lying around you weren't sure what to do with, sign up to sell with us!!  And by ALL means, come have fun and shop all the goodies at our sale on April 17th.  We look forward to making our first sale successful and having the great support from friends like you.  So thanks for reading my post and YAY for T2T! :)

Bronchitis and Hospitalization

We've had a crazy couple of days in this house!  Sunday evening Cara started running a fever, with no other symptoms.   Hmmm....that's happened before.  I was going to take her in to the doctor on Monday, but decided to wait.  I thought maybe it was another UTI, so we put her in panties at night and told her no more baths (either showers or standing up and not sitting in the bath water).  She seemed to be getting better.  So good that on Tuesday, with no fever for awhile and, after asking for it, I took the girls to dance class.  They had fun, then a friend texted me and invited me over for lunch and playtime, so we headed over.  We fed the kids and sat on the couch while they all played.  I started noticing my stomach was hurting a little, but I thought it was just something I ate or gas (you know, pregnancy!).  So, we got home around 1:40 and I put all the kids down for naps.  As soon as they were down I laid on the couch and realized it was not just gas.  I was still contemplating food poisoning, but Eric and I had the same breakfast, and Val and I had the same lunch, and they were ok.  I decided to see if sleeping would help (doesn't it always).  I took an hour or so nap and woke up to much worse pain.  I went to the restroom, if you know what I mean, and that didn't help, it hurt worse!  At this time Cara woke up and she wanted to cuddle on the couch and watch the 'lympics,' so we did.  She kept trying to cuddle and get to close to my stomach and at this point I was in PAIN.  I was pretty sure it wasn't pregnancy related because it was very high in my abdomen and very different than what I remember from the first two.  I had Cara go wake up Aynslee just as her mom was coming to get her.  I told Stephanie (hunched over because I couldn't stand up straight) how bad it hurt and to maybe find someone to watch Aynslee for Wednesday.  After she left I called Val to tell her how much pain I was in (and to make sure it wasn't what we ate for lunch).  She mentioned maybe it was gall bladder related.  At that point I basically threw the phone down and ran to the toilet!! 

I don't vomit.  Ever.  Last time I can remember was in high school.  This was B.A.D.  Cara was watching me and crying :(.  I had been in contact with Eric, and at this point I had her bring me my phone so I could text him to come home NOW.  I couldn't stop.  I couldn't breathe while I was doing it.  It was awful.  Micah had been fussing in his crib for 20 minutes now, but I was afraid I couldn't get him out.  After I washed up a bit, I got him out and sat in the floor of Cara's room and let the kids play.  I called my OB's nurse and she mentioned it also sounded like gall bladder as well and to go to the ER.  So, Eric got home, we dropped the kids at a friend's house and went to the ER.  By this time it was about 4:45. 

Got to the ER and it was quite a few hours of blood drawing, puking, moving rooms, multiple ultrasounds, and being told we might have exploratory surgery!!  At one point, after the first ultrasound was only on my right side, and I had told the ER doctor that when I was pregnant with Cara I had a tumor removed from my left ovary, the ER doctor said, "well, I thought you said it was a gall bladder, that's why we only looked at the right side."  Um, no, I said my OB's nurse, from talking to me on the phone, said that's what it may be.  But I'm not a doctor, so I came to the ER to find out what it ACTUALLY is!!  The surgeon came down and ordered another full abdomen ultrasound, as well as to check the baby (that was cool, he/she was kicking all around....heart rate 158).  He said that it didn't show anything wrong with my gall bladder, that it may be my appendix, and that my white blood cell count was high.  So that's when mention of MRI or CAT scan or even exploratory surgery (which would be the last resort on someone pregnant) came into play.  And this whole time I wasn't allowed to have anything to eat (no problem, I wasn't hungry) or drink (I was beyond dying of thirst in my mind) in case I had to have emergency surgery. 

So we had the 2nd ultrasound, and then nothing for what seemed like hours.  We never did talk to the surgeon again.  The nurses just told us we were being admitted for observation and would possibly have a CAT scan in the morning.  I finally got a private room around 2 am, and coaxed the nurse into giving me some ice chips.  They were glorious!!  I was continually on Zofran and Morpheine.  And the pain meds were awful.  I mean, my stomach pain was dulled and sometimes gone, but that was only when I wasn't puking.  And it happened every time they gave it to me.  Unless I had the anti-nausea meds in me for an hour or more.  I got a little rest on and off.  The OB came in early and said she thought it might just be a virus.  One scary virus I thought.  At that point the meds were beyond wearing off and they switched me from Zofran (for nausea) to Phenegren.  I don't remember much of the next 5 hours after that.  I was OUT.  At some point the surgeon came in and said that we wouldn't be doing a CAT scan and he agreed with the OB.  Nothing out of the ordinary on the ultrasound.  The best news, I could drink, so drink I did!!  Everything I could get my hands on.  Was put on a clear liquid diet and was told I may be able to go home that evening.  I basically rested the rest of the day.  The OB said they were going to keep me overnight one more time.  I basically went to bed at 7 pm last night (was up for an hour around 8 pm to say goodnight to Eric and try to watch some Olympics, but alas I passed out) and slept till 7:30 this morning.  That was when the OB came in and said, "Do you feel better, great, you can go home."  What a crazy couple of days.  I took it upon myself to wean off all the meds yesterday afternoon, because I had no clue what the doctors were thinking and I didn't want to go home hopped up on drugs.  Now, I was being discharged and hadn't had real food in almost 48 hours.  They changed my orders (thank God for no chicken broth for breakfast) and I got to eat a little.  And it only took 4 hours from the time she told me I could go home until the time my nurse could finish the paper work.  We've taken it easy today and I've basically stayed on the couch.  Eric is amazing.  In all aspects!  :) 

I keep thinking, was all that necessary?  I mean, I can puke and use the restroom at home.  And I hate to put the baby in danger with any medication.  I just keep going back to the pain, which was awful.  Then my friend reminded me, umm...you had a baby with no drugs, and you were fine.  That situation, there was an end in sight!  I knew it would end, eventually, and with a baby.  This situation just kept getting worse, with no relief!!  (well, very similar to labor, but still) :). 

Oh, I forgot to mention, the kids got worse yesterday, runny noses and coughing, so Eric took them to the doctor and they both have bronchitis.  Poor Eric, he gave Cara her medicine last night and she puked twice all over the kitchen floor.  Did I mention he's awesome??  Even more so because I didn't have to clean it up!!! 

Well, that was a long drawn out story that I was trying to shorten.  There you go.  Sometimes I think maybe all I needed was a little (or a lot) rest and alone time.  Eric was with me most of the night Tuesday and some Wednesday morning, but he was dealing with the kids as well.  And there was no wifi in the hospital, so I wasn't constantly getting online (or at all).  But man, what a way to get it, I would have much rather been in a hotel or a spa!! :)

Makes you feel wonderful!

So, I'm 12 weeks pregnant (today?  tomorrow?  I don't know, my ticker says one thing, but I get emails the day before).  I know I haven't been updating near as much as I should.  So, I thought I'd give you my excuses:

:)

1)  I've actually been feeling great!!  Occasionally when my allergies kick in, and the snot happens, I get a little nauseus, but besides that, I'm just E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D!!  I hope that lets up because I really need to start cooking more often, ugh.

2)  WAM is each Wednesday night, and I'm trying to teach around 20 3 year olds 11 songs before our spring musical on 4/7!!  That's a lot of songs for me, and I'm not 3!!

3)  I'm in a new bible study at church, and it is challenging! 

4)  Don't know if you're aware, but Bailey, my sis, is in the hospital on bed rest (after 6 weeks at home) with twins!  I'm excited and check her blog/facebook constantly! :) 

5)  and the list goes on....

Eric left today for TMEA.  I'm on my own for 3 days.  Night one went great, Cara was so good tonight at church and while we were getting ready for bed.  The next two days will hopefully go well with all 3 kids all day.  I have no goals! (how bad is that).  Well, unless you count napping while they are as a goal :).

Ok, so the reason for my title....I opened my babycenter week by week email about week 12.  This is part of what I read:

"Though you probably won't need maternity clothes for several more weeks yet,

you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that

you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing."

Several MORE WEEKS!!!  I've been in them for 5 weeks already.  Granted, I don't have to be, but the elastic waist band pants every day were getting old :).  I usually only wear the pants, but goodness, it's my 3rd pregnancy in 3.5 years, cut me some slack!   Anyways, there you go, an update! :)