Thursday, January 15, 2009
Homecoming
We arrived home today (Curren's due date, how fun!) around 1pm. Maggie has been amazing. Amazing. It's wonderful to watch her begin to interact with her brother. She marvels at how small he is: "Look at his little socks!" she exclaimed earlier this evening. She is wonderful at stroking his head gently, kissing his cheek and giving him his blanket. I'm currently writing up Curren's birth story, so hopefully I will post that tomorrow.
welcome, Parker!
My close friend, Erin, had a successfully unmedicated VBAC on Saturday, January 3. She and her family welcomed Parker Eleos (Greek for "mercy" or "compassion") into their family: 7 lbs., 9 0z., 19 1/2 in. long. She is such a beauty and looks just like big brother Hudson at this age.Erin and I met while teaching together in Garland 3 years ago and have stayed friends ever since. Once we moved back to Texas, I asked if she'd like to be my "Friday morning coffee buddy." Many of you may know that my sister, Shannon, and I met for early morning Friday coffee for almost 5 years, starting in California after we were each married and continuing until we both moved away from Texas in 2006. I have sorely missed the weekly catch up with my sister in this way; it was *such* a special time! I hoped to continue with a good friend here, and Erin was game. So, we've been getting together, weekly, for the past year and a half and it's fantastic. It's a time of encouragement in all aspects of life. Our first kiddos are only 2 weeks apart and we got pregnant with our seconds at the same time in April last year. We also go to the same OB (whom we LOVE) and were both trying for a VBAC this time around. I was overjoyed when I heard the news on the 3rd that she had been successful! God is so good!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Curren is here!
Curren John McKay arrived in this world on 1/13/2009 at 6:20 am. 8 lbs 3 oz & 19 1/2" long. Mom was able to sucessfully deliver via unmedicated VBAC, both Suz and Curren are doing well. Story and lots more pictures to come.
God is good.
God is good.
Friday, January 9, 2009
pregnancy update #3
While I have less than 1 week until my estimated due date (I prefer this term), I will take this little boy any time! At my OB appointment on Wednesday of this week, I was dilated 2-3 cm and 75% effaced. I've made progress weekly, so this is a good sign! I've also gained about 6 pounds of water weight which is just crazy to me. I've been walking daily, resting, and drinking red raspberry leaf tea. I've had some cramping on and off for several days, but nothing has come of it. Hopefully, next time I post I will have a baby in my arms. We are still in waiting mode...
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
a last-minute pregnancy craving
Unless you live in California or are fortunate to have See's Candy stands pop up in your local mall during the holiday, you cannot know how good this chocolate is! I've been craving some like nobody's business and today, in the mail, this is what I recieved...addressed to me! An. Entire.Pound.Of.Bordeaux.Chocolates.
Who knew you could actually customize a box? Bordeaux is my favorite truffle, hands-down.
Many, many, many thanks to my father-in-law for hooking me up. I'm going to try to savor them, but can't guarantee they'll last more than a few days...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
2008 in review...
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
moved twice, let my daughter ride a horse alone, organized a friend's kitchen for pay (and LOVED it), gone as long as we did this year without seeing my sister and parents.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i think i did pretty good; i always try to keep them simple and measurable. i'll have to post mine for 2009 soon.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, what a year!
Allison: Charlotte on January 10
Lindsey: Shelby on January 20
Melisa: Vanden on January 25
Elicia: Evangline on May 18
Shannon: Jacob on May 31 (her birthday!)
Laurie: Audrey on July 18
Heather: Olive on July 24
Karissa: Hannah and Alysah on September 16
4. Did anyone close to you die? no
5. What countries did you visit? lots of in-country travel, but none out
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? nothing jumps to the front of my mind at the moment.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? finding out we were pregnant with our little boy!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? getting pregnant, watching Maggie grow, learn, and internalize what we are teaching her, Aron and I continuing to learn what God wants for our family
9. What was your biggest failure? probably, the never-ending 2 steps forward, 1 step back in my spiritual journey with Christ
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? nope, nothing serious
11. What was the best thing you bought? Maggie's big girl bed? I'm not sure
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Aron, for continuing to work in a job that he is not passionate about, while going to school and loving and supporting his family
13. Where did most of your money go? moving expenses, mortgage/rent, food, travel, bills
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? being pregnant again, moving on campus at DTS
15. What song will always remind you of 2008? as much as I love music, I cannot think of one that stands out
16. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? happier, though not sure I was more sad last year...
17. What do you wish you'd done more of? worked out more
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? indulged in eating sweets...sigh
19. How did you spend Christmas? with family in Oklahoma
20. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Heroes, Bones, 30 Rock, Fringe
21. What was the best book you read? Cold Tangerines
22. What was your greatest musical discovery? "Horse Feathers" and "Whitley"
23. What did you want and ended up getting? a KitchenAid mixer and a surprise 30th birthday party
24. What was your favorite film of this year? "The Dark Knight"
25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? the big 3-0 and I mentioned above what happened. :)
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? if Maggie was potty trained (i'm actually fine with the fact that she is not, but well, it would make life alot easier now)
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? jeans, casual tops, flip flops, and of course, maternity clothes
28. What kept you sane? my husband and close friends
29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? i'm not sure why i can only think of the past few months, but off the top of my head i sure did enjoy Robert Pattinson of "Twlight." He's dreamy. :)
30. What political issue stirred you the most? the election, though not nearly like it should have
31. Who was the best new person you met? my neighbors, Molly and Bethany
32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: God has us each on our own life journey, no two people will have the same story. And often, we have to take steps to get back on the path to pursue our passions.
33. Who would you like to see respond to this (and would most likely do it)? Quite a few of my friends, so in no particular order: Laurie, Shannon, Linds, Mel, Celeste, Amy, Renee, Allison, Shey, Bailey, Leslie C., and Liz
moved twice, let my daughter ride a horse alone, organized a friend's kitchen for pay (and LOVED it), gone as long as we did this year without seeing my sister and parents.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i think i did pretty good; i always try to keep them simple and measurable. i'll have to post mine for 2009 soon.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, what a year!
Allison: Charlotte on January 10
Lindsey: Shelby on January 20
Melisa: Vanden on January 25
Elicia: Evangline on May 18
Shannon: Jacob on May 31 (her birthday!)
Laurie: Audrey on July 18
Heather: Olive on July 24
Karissa: Hannah and Alysah on September 16
4. Did anyone close to you die? no
5. What countries did you visit? lots of in-country travel, but none out
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? nothing jumps to the front of my mind at the moment.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? finding out we were pregnant with our little boy!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? getting pregnant, watching Maggie grow, learn, and internalize what we are teaching her, Aron and I continuing to learn what God wants for our family
9. What was your biggest failure? probably, the never-ending 2 steps forward, 1 step back in my spiritual journey with Christ
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? nope, nothing serious
11. What was the best thing you bought? Maggie's big girl bed? I'm not sure
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Aron, for continuing to work in a job that he is not passionate about, while going to school and loving and supporting his family
13. Where did most of your money go? moving expenses, mortgage/rent, food, travel, bills
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? being pregnant again, moving on campus at DTS
15. What song will always remind you of 2008? as much as I love music, I cannot think of one that stands out
16. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? happier, though not sure I was more sad last year...
17. What do you wish you'd done more of? worked out more
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? indulged in eating sweets...sigh
19. How did you spend Christmas? with family in Oklahoma
20. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Heroes, Bones, 30 Rock, Fringe
21. What was the best book you read? Cold Tangerines
22. What was your greatest musical discovery? "Horse Feathers" and "Whitley"
23. What did you want and ended up getting? a KitchenAid mixer and a surprise 30th birthday party
24. What was your favorite film of this year? "The Dark Knight"
25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? the big 3-0 and I mentioned above what happened. :)
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? if Maggie was potty trained (i'm actually fine with the fact that she is not, but well, it would make life alot easier now)
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? jeans, casual tops, flip flops, and of course, maternity clothes
28. What kept you sane? my husband and close friends
29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? i'm not sure why i can only think of the past few months, but off the top of my head i sure did enjoy Robert Pattinson of "Twlight." He's dreamy. :)
30. What political issue stirred you the most? the election, though not nearly like it should have
31. Who was the best new person you met? my neighbors, Molly and Bethany
32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: God has us each on our own life journey, no two people will have the same story. And often, we have to take steps to get back on the path to pursue our passions.
33. Who would you like to see respond to this (and would most likely do it)? Quite a few of my friends, so in no particular order: Laurie, Shannon, Linds, Mel, Celeste, Amy, Renee, Allison, Shey, Bailey, Leslie C., and Liz
ode to the best maternity pants
My favorite maternity pants have been laid to rest. It's a bittersweet moment.Last night, I ripped a hole in the already-thinning area of the pants, as seen above. These gray, comfy, light-weight wonders have seen me (as well as a few friends and one sweet sister) through 2 pregnancies. But, alas, Liz Lange does not design them anymore and believe me, I have checked Target repeatedly.
I guess it was time because while at the park yesterday, a button popped off, as well. Hmm...perhaps it's a sign that my labor will happen in the next 24 hours?!
I'm sure it's helping, too, that I have eaten eggplant Parmesan twice in the last 72 hours.
Every day I wake up and say, "[insert name here], today is your birthday!" I think today is the day!
sweet friends
On Monday night of last week, we were able to have dinner with some of our good friends from OC who were visiting family east of Dallas. Dawnielle is such a good friend of mine, she's a "kindred spirit" and I hate that we aren't getting to raise our kiddos together. Asher (who is one week younger than M) and Maggie have met on several occassions and have enjoyed a couple of beach trips together, too, whenever we have been in SoCal. The dinner was fantastic, the company even better. We love you guys!
Asher, Dawnielle, me, Maggie
This pic is for Uncle Steve. Here is Maggie, playing drums with Dawnielle's nephew, Eli. She totally has a future as a drummer!
When dinner lasted too long, the kiddos watched some of the movie "Cars."
For a good 20 minutes, they both enjoyed climbing up and sliding down the stairs.
Asher, Dawnielle, me, Maggie
This pic is for Uncle Steve. Here is Maggie, playing drums with Dawnielle's nephew, Eli. She totally has a future as a drummer! 
When dinner lasted too long, the kiddos watched some of the movie "Cars."
For a good 20 minutes, they both enjoyed climbing up and sliding down the stairs.
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