Baby Update

I had another weekly appointment today. The heart beat was normal (around 150) and I have dilated to 1 1/2 cm. My cervix has also softened some more since last week. He also clarified what a posterior cervix was. Apparently it is nothing important, just the location of the cervix in relationship to the baby's head. During early labor it will move anterior where it needs to be to deliver the baby. He said that it was not as posterior this week. So, it looks like things are progressing slowly and some small signs that the baby is getting ready to come. I can't believe that within 14 days I will have a baby! It has been an experience and I am so ready to meet our little man.

A Beautiful Day

Saturday was a beautiful warm day. DJ was off this weekend and so we decided to make the most of the spring weather. I wanted to take Hannah the Wye Mountain and get some pictures of her with the daffodils. It was a little cloudy and windy, but for the most part great weather. And the field of daffodils were almost in full bloom. Lately Hannah has been ignoring me when I want to take her picture. So most of the pictures I did get were of her not smiling or refusing to look at the camera. Here are the best ones (8 out of 99)!

Hannah loves to ride on DJ's shoulders. She will say to him "Hannah go high" and he will carry her around like this for a while.

This is one of my favorite expressions from her that day. I'm not sure what she was thinking, but it turned out pretty cute.

She found a flower that some one had picked and then started pulling off the petals one by one.

Showing off her flower with Daddy.

This is pretty much the only picture I could get her to smile in. It was the first photo I took from the day.

This is one where she isn't smiling, but I still like.

After she picked one flower she found another one on the ground.

Here is a picture when she was running around and I snapped the photo just as she looked back. You can't see it but she almost ran into someone while she was looking back.

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She also wanted to play with every kid (or as she says "kids" whether there is one or several) she saw. We had to explain to her they were trying to take photos with their families and couldn't play.

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After we were finished with photos at Wye Mountain we took Hannah to the zoo. It was a free day and I think the great part of LR decided to go that day too. DJ guessed there were near 20,000 people there. I had never seen that many people in the zoo before. Even though it was crowded we were still able to see all the animals. Hannah had a great time and so did we. I was glad to spend the time as a family. We haven't been able to do much with the colder weather. I am so glad it is spring time!

5 Years!

Five years ago today I married the love of my life. I can honestly say he is my soul mate, completing me in ways I didn't realize were empty. The last 5 years have been a roller coaster ride complete with thrill and excitement along with nervousness and some fears. All of which have made us stronger and closer than ever before.

I think a marriage and relationship starts with friendship. That is how our relationship started and it has grown over the years into love and I hope will continue to grow in ways that challenge us to be better. My respect for DJ has also grown over the years. He does so much for me and Hannah. He has been a wonderful provider and loving husband and father.

I am so thankful DJ is in my life. I am so thankful for the years we have spent getting to know each other more deeply and more lovingly. I look forward to many more years together and growing old and wrinkly with him.

I love you DJ! Happy Anniversary!

Baby Update and Room Update

I had my first weekly appointment today. The doctor said everything looked good. I have not gained any weight since my last appointment two weeks ago. The baby (belly) measurement was 38cm (two weeks ago it was 36cm). This means the baby has grown, but I have actually lost weight. Anyway, my cervix is soft, but not effaced and I have not really dilated (maybe a fingertip he said). The head was down and I have a posterior cervix. What does that mean?

Anyway, I will probably make it till mid March for sure. I am going to go ahead and pack my hospital bag (and Hannah's grandma bag) just to be on the safe side. Hannah was early and I want to be prepared in case Trey comes sooner than the doctor thinks he will. I am getting excited about him being here.

I have completed Hannah's new big girl room (with the exception of wall decor) and Trey's room is finished except for a few items I ordered to complete the look. Hopefully they will be here before he does! Here is a picture of Hannah's room and her new big girl bed.

Hannah playing with her dress up toys. There isn't as much room in there as before, but she still loves to play. Yesterday we had to put a few of her toys away for a couple of days because she refused to help pick them up. She will get them back probably by Wednesday, but we have to teach her to take responsibility for picking up after herself. So far it has been working and she doesn't hesitate now to pick up her room!

The view from the closet/window area.

The view from the door. We had to put her pretty toy chest that her Papaw made for her in the closet so there would be more room to play. It actually worked out really well. Now not all of her toys are out in the open. It looks less cluttered this way too! One last thing I still have to do is wall decor and get some more cheap pillows for her bed. It came with the shams and pillow cases, but we only had one pillow for her. So I think I might make a trip to Dollar General and get some cheap pillows so her bedding will look more complete. I am pleased with the way it looks now and more importantly Hannah loves it!

Here is a picture of her actual bed and night stand. We decided to get a full so she will be more comfortable as she grows into it and when we have company they will have a place to sleep other than the air mattress on the floor.

Doodlebop Cake Recipe

There were a few of you who wanted the cake recipe for Hannah's Birthday Cake. I used a recipe out of my cupcake book, Cupcakes! by the Cake Doctor. Here it is, it is super easy and so yummy!

1 pkg plain yellow cake mix (I used Pillsbury Super Moist Butter Recipe)
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup milk
1 cup vegetable oil
4 lg. eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (I used 1-1/2 tsp of Mexican vanilla)

Mix all ingredients on low for 30 seconds. Scrap sides of bowl. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. For Cupcakes: fill each lined cup with a heaping 1/4 cup of batter. Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes or until golden brown and spring back when pressed by your finger. For a sheet cake: Pour all batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and cake springs back when touched by your finger. The cake is going to be super moist, so remember to bake the sheet cake all the way through the center. I like to check the center by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean it is done. If it is still sticky I baked it a little longer. Once cooled the center will sink to be even with the sides. Makes 24 cupcakes or one sheet cake.

I used a simple butter cream icing to top off the cake and cupcakes. Here that is too:

8 T. (1 stick) butter, at room temp (I put it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to get to room temp.)
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted (I didn't sift it)
3 to 4 T. Milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I used Mexican vanilla)

Beat butter in lg bowl on low for 30 seconds or until fluffy. Add sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and vanilla. Blend on low for 1 minutes and then on medium speed for 1 minute. Add up to 1 T. milk more if the frosting seems too stiff. Will ice 24 cupcakes or one sheet cake.

Enjoy!

Some Hope...

This morning Hannah came into our bedroom (as she always does every morning) and climbed into bed with me to watch some morning cartoons. I didn't know she was wearing real panties from last night. Usually we put her in a pull up when she takes a nap or goes to bed at night, just in case. Most nights she will stay dry. However she has ruined her old crib mattress by wetting the bed at night.
Anyway, she was in my bed for about 10 minutes and then said "Mama, Hannah go potty." I took her in there (noticing she had on dry panties) and she used the potty. I was so proud that she didn't just go in her panties (on my bed). She actually told me she had to go all by herself. I know this might not seem like a big deal to most of you, but it is to me! We have been working up to this point since December. I am sure there will be times where she will still wet in her panties and we still have to work on #2, but I am very proud of her this morning. Not only did she stay dry through the night, she also asked to use the potty on her own. Maybe there is some hope in this adventure!

My Baby Shower

Friday night was my baby shower hosted by some dear friends from my Sunday school class. There were a lot of friends and family there. We had Italian food (which was all so delicious) and yummy cake. I was touched by all who was there and the thoughtfulness of everyone. It was a wonderful night. Hannah went with me and helped me open some gifts. Her attitude the whole night was somewhat pleasant. She didn't have her afternoon nap and so towards the end of the shower she started to act out a bit. But thankfully Mimi was there to rescue us all from her dramatic performance. Thank you to everyone who helped host and to all my family and friends who where there. Also thank you to some of you who could not be there in person but who were there in spirit (you know who you are)! And thank you for all the wonderful gifts and diapers. I just love everything!

My wonderful friends and hostess' of the shower.

The beautiful table decorations.

The totally cute cake (it matches Trey's bedding).

The goods...I don't think we will be short diapers for a while!

Some more useful and fun goods.

Even Hannah got a present from her Grandma.

The clothes and the beautiful wall hanging that Amy did for me.

Just one last thank you to everyone!