Belly Pictures!

These are my favorites of the pictures we took of my enormous belly. We had so much fun and the kids did so well. Please go to this link
https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0737101645JCP and enter my name to see the rest of the pics. Just a note- the little pink booties were mine when I was a baby. I played with them with my dolls, and then I used them for Madeline and now for Caroline!

Caroline's Baby Shower and "Corner"

My friends at our church and the playgroup I attend threw me and my friend Mandy a joint baby shower a couple weeks ago. It was so much fun and we got so many of the things we needed for Caroline. As you can see, I'm not sure who had more fun opening gifts- me or Madeline!! She wanted to open every one. Then there is the picture of me and Mom, and then me and Mandy. She is 8 weeks behind me also with a little girl. It was pink overload!!!

So we wait. And wait. It seems that Sweet Caroline is taking her own sweet time. I am due this coming Tuesday, and according to the doctor, there is not really any change, nor was I ready to induce as of Monday. So we go back this Monday and depending on what we find, we are set to induce next Wednesday the 5th of March. Or we can decide to wait. But I don't want her to get so big that I can't deliver her. On the other hand, I induced with Charlie and it took 2 days!! So I am really praying that she will come on her own by Wednesday.

So, on that note, here is Caroline's "corner." It is so sad that by the third baby, you seem to do just enough to get by. We didn't want to take up room in the kids' rooms with a crib, and we wanted them to be able to play even if she is sleeping, so we set her up in our room. We have a wonderful bedroom with a sort of alcove in one corner. Everything seems to fit perfectly. Incidentally, this crib was made by my dad and his dad when my brother was born. It's tennants include my brother, me, my niece and nephew, Charlie, Madeline, and now Caroline. It is so special to me and to my family as my grandfather has since passed. And we also have a beautiful dresser that goes with it that we all used and is still in Madeline's room. And as you can see, Caroline's bag is packed and ready to go.

A Few Words on the Kids

For those of you keeping up with Charlie and Madeline, here's a few updates. Charlie is now learning how to spell. He is getting bored with reading at school and his teacher says he reads everything she gives him, so now she is giving him spelling "tests." They aren't really tests in Kindergarten, but they are just between the two of them. He brings the lists home and we practice, then he takes the "test" at school. His first one was 100%! He is so excited about his little sister coming and he loves to feel my belly. His eyes get so big and it makes my heart leap for joy. He is learning how to help me with things like putting the grocery bags from the turnstile to the cart at Wal-Mart, helping Madeline put toothpaste on her toothbrush, and feed the dog. I tell him these are things I will need help with when Caroline comes. He is growing up so fast before my eyes and sometimes, I wonder where he comes up with the things he says. He asked Dave the other day if when we go to the hospital to have Caroline, would he and Madeline go too, or would we leave him at home to take care of her? He loves playing games on the computer and he actually plays baby dolls with Madeline. And then he turns to his cars and superheroes in the very next breath! His prayers are always for me and Caroline and Dad, our retired church secretary and the new one, our friend who is having a baby, and "all the things You've given us." He is becoming quite the little man!

We had Madeline's teacher conference today and she is also doing well. She is learning her numbers and more of her letters even though she only goes two half days a week. She doesn't recognize number 9, and when she counts to 20, she skips 12. Speaking of skipping, she has learned how somehow, and it is the cutest thing you've ever seen. Even the teacher said it was so cute and that we should record it because normally they don't learn that skill this early. But she'll stop and lift a leg a few times until she gets the coordination and then she takes off. It's hilarious!! She, too is very excited about Caroline's arrival, although I'm not sure she's really ready for the changes it will bring. She is still very attached to me and likes to sleep in our bed. We co-sleep, so Caroline will have first dibs. It may be an adjustment. You should hear her prayers. She is very "OCD" about her prayers. Ever since I first got pregnant and was so sick, she has always had to pray for "mom to feel better with the baby." And then she has to pray for "dad to go to work, help the people don't know the words." (We talk about how Dad helps people who don't know Jesus.) So even when she is at school and they pray before eating, she has to say, "we didn't pray for my Mommy!" Too sweet! She also has to pray for the kitty we saw at Ms. Debbie's parent's house that got caught in the garage door as they closed it. The kitty is fine and has been for weeks, but we have to still pray for "the kitty with the back of it's head." Out of the mouths of babes!!

Caroline is doing well. She is still moving, jumping, rolling, shaking and everything else you can imagine. Sometimes I can't even stand up straight! I can't believe with such little room, she can still make my belly roll and jiggle the way it does! She is still so high and therefore taking my breath away, but I still love to feel her move. It seems at this point I get a tad more uncomfortable each day and become a little more okay with the idea of her coming early. She probably won't, but I can't imagine 2 more weeks of this either! Oh, well, she is on God's timing! We go back to the doctor on Thursday.

8 Month Belly!

Well, I have definitely grown in the last month!! I am running out of clothes to wear (notice the cut waistband on the jeans!), and I am looking bigger in the face. Funny how this is now novelty to me, and in about 2 1/2 weeks it is the very thing that will depress me!! But- wow! My belly! Even though I think I was bigger with Madeline, this baby is straight out in front (notice the "tabletop" my hands rest upon!). Which has led to some real fears that it may, in fact, be a boy! But, we'll stick to the sonogram until otherwise

notified!

We went to the doctor today. I am 37.5 weeks along and yesterday I had a pretty good scare. I began feeling bad in the afternoon and had some cramping in my sides and hips- way down low. My Braxton Hicks contractions were coming faster, longer, and harder and I began to watch to clock. This all lasted about a couple of hours, but if it had been my first baby, I probably would have thought it was the real thing. Needless to say, it wasn't, and sweet Caroline is still safe and snug inside my belly. BUT- the doctor said I am 1.5 centimeters dialated! Which is early, but only indicative of a third baby- not so much of labor. My cervix is still thick and the baby is still high. I am also measuring large, and may have to have a sonogram if that stays the same next week. He said it could just be that baby is lying differently and my uterus is stretched.

And so we wait. And we go back next Friday for another check. My dad will be happy for that as he is working so hard to completely rebuild and refinish the cradle that has been in our family since my neice was born 13 years ago. He told me I better not "domino" early! (I will also post pics of Caroline's "nursery" soon.) So hang on for now, my sweet Caroline. And stop growing!!!

Valentine's Day- Godiva Style

For those of you who don't know, Dave proposed to me with my ring placed in a huge red velvet heart of Godiva chocolates. It was 10 years ago this Valentine's Day in Tampa, Florida. We had just eaten a wonderful dinner and we stopped at a park bench next to a fountain to have a chocolate. (Which I had carried in a bag straight from the Godiva store. Don't worry- the employees were in on it!) When I opened the box, there it was right in the center (lucky Dave got to eat the chocolate!) He then got down on one knee and asked me to b e his wife. Of course I said yes.

Every year since, I have received the signature Valentine's Day box of Godiva chocolates for Valentine's Day. One twist to it, though- I have discovered that dark chocolate is the best so he specifically asks for the box to contain only dark chocolates and truffles. In fact, he has even hand-picked them to contain more of my favorites- Cappucinno and Dark Chocolate Truffles! What a sweetie! And this year, to mark the 10th year, not only did I get the red heart of dark chocolates, I also got a box of limited edition chocolate truffles, and a box of only dark chocolate truffles. WOW! And I'm pregnant! Over the years of pregnancies, I have tried to stick to one chocolate a day. Oh that is so hard!!

Happy Engagement Anniversary, my Daviss.

I Am the Preacher's Wife

Dave an I were cleaning out our room for the baby today and that included our computer area. As I was going through old papers, I found this poem. I have no idea where it came from or who gave it to me anymore, but I had to post it for those of us who are fortunate and blessed enough to love preachers.

I Am the Preacher's Wife

by Diane Pellin

I am the woman who proudly sits in the shadows as her husband stands in the light.

I am the one who knows her husband is a gift from God, and so I give him back to my Lord through his full-time service.

Often times, I am so lonely for him because I share him with others.

But I am also pleased that he gives of himself so unselfishly.

I am the one who encourages the preacher when others sometimes fail to.

I am the one who listens to his dreams for the church and helps him look into the future and see his dreams become a reality.

And when others wonder if he really cares, I am the one who sees him on his knees, shedding tears for the future of the Lord's church.

How blessed I am to be a Preacher's wife. There are times, I admit, that I am human and want him all to myself. Or that I am angered for him when he is criticized or talked about behind his back. And there are times that I resent being the one to take care of the kids all alone, or plan my vacations around the life and people of our church. But all of these things pale in comparison to the fact that he has been called by God to do a tremendous thing. Not many people are called the way he is called. It is a blessing and a privelege to do the Lord's work and I can't imagine anyone better for the job. I am both proud and humbled by his spirit and willingness, not to mention his intuitiveness and intelligence. He is both firm and fair, straight-forward and compassionate, spiritual and goofy! I laugh more often than I realize, as do our kids. They are blessed to have him as a daddy, and I am so proud that they will only learn more of who God really is by having him for an example. So if you are blessed as I am to love a Preacher, love him more today than yesterday. And love him even more tomorrow.

Have you ever?

Have you ever:

Had to stand sideways at the sink to do dishes, brush your teeth, or just wash your hands?

Not been able to sleep at night due to a clogged nose, your hands falling asleep, or your hips being in pain?

Not been able to catch your breath when using stairs, walking across the house or simply while lying down?

Gotten heartburn or reflux first thing in the morning before you even ate anything?

Been stuck in bed between two pillows and not been able to get up?

Struck your belly with a cabinet door, even though your belly's been there for months?

Had so much pressure on your bladder that a trip to the bathroom leaves you asking, "Is that all?"

Had to make another trip to the bathroom just minutes after above mentioned trip?

Had feet that made you sure you were a direct descendant of Fred Flinstone?

Had such excrutiating pain in your hand and wrist that forces your husband to do simple tasks like washing pans, cutting veggies and opening jars?

Had a very difficult time changing laundry over from the washer to the dryer?

Not been able to carry a full laundry basket?

Felt your belly get rock-hard to the point that you must rub it and take deep breaths?

Had to lean over when eating or brushing your teeth because stains on your belly can't be hidden when your belly preceeds you?

Had to hear "I don't see how you'll make it!" when you tell people your due date?

Had such pressure and pain on your Sciatic nerve that you can literally barely walk? And you're in the middle of a store?

Put on 40 pounds (Give or take a lot) in a matter of a few short months?

Been forced to not wear a wedding ring of any sort due to the swelling in your hands?

Outgrown almost every single thing in your closet?

If so, then you MUST be pregnant!

BUT

Have you ever:

Been content to just sit and watch your belly as it wiggles and jumps and swirls?

Wanted everyone near you to watch as well and laughed when your friend next to you does?

Had even more joy from laying your hands on your belly to feel those moves?

Wanted everyone next to you to feel it as well?

Loved it when people came up to you and touched your belly?

Laughed as people in public make eye contact with you and then immediately look down at your belly?

Laughed as you watched your children's eyes light up as they feel the moves?

Or as they counted the hiccups?

Smiled as your 3-year-old lifts your shirt and hugs and kisses your belly?

Reached over in bed to find your husband's hand so that he can feel your belly jerk?

Enjoyed simply standing in front of a mirror and marveling at just how big you can get?

Been so proud when your kids tell complete strangers they are going to have a little sister and what her name is?

Loved the way you look in huge clothing with an area for a big belly, even though you feel fat?

Enjoyed registering for gifts and yet felt sad knowing it was your last time?

Felt sad at the thought of the end being near even though you feel horrible at times?

Anticipated an event so much that you can't even imagine it?

Longed to see a face and hold a little body close to yours so much it hurts?

Been so overwhelmed and completely amazed at the wonder and miracle that is pregnancy and childbirth- no matter how many times you've been through it?

Been so thankful to God for the amazing gift He has blessed you and your family with and wonder how there can be anything better?

If so, then you MUST be pregnant!