34 Weeks

We have now reached 34 weeks. Although it seems like forever that I have been pregnant, the end seems to be quickly approaching. Especially since I have a "to-do" list a mile long.

Apparently I can kiss sleep good-bye. It is hard to get comfortable and the nights that I can get comfortable, insomnia hits me and I can't sleep. And for the record...there is NOTHING good on TV at 3am. (sigh) I guess I am just getting prepared for the "all nighters" I'll be pulling really soon. Although some days I am not comfortable or feeling my best, at least I can say that I am not miserable all the time just yet. I know it is coming. Of course, if I am on my feet alot during the day, I regret it by mid afternoon.

At my last appointment Addison's heart rate was 158. My doctor declared that we would probably have another very active little girl. As long as she is healthy, I'll take active. Audrey already keeps us on our toes and wears us out...so I figure at least we are prepared for an active one :) haha.

We have set Addison's official "birth" day. (and I use the word "official" loosely) I am scheduled for another c-section on February 15...so not a Valentines Day baby, and not on my brother's birthday (the 16th). She will have a day all her own...and that is assuming that she doesn't have a different time frame in mind. If I do go into labor before February 15, then she will still be delivered via c-section as planned...just on a different day :) I am hoping and praying that she will hold out until the 15th because that would make the logistics of having help with Audrey much easier.

So please keep us in your prayers as this time quickly approaches. I am going through many emotions and worries right now as the time draws near. It helps to know that I have many prayer warriors out there.

And now for a little info on Miss Addison (according to websites):

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is around 18 inches long. Her fat layers- that regulate her body temperature once she is born- are filling her out making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

Build-a-Bear Trip

While we were visiting family during the Christmas holidays, Aunt Carolyn wanted to take Audrey to Build-a-Bear.

Bela (our cousin) came along to show us what we were to do there. She is apparently a "pro" at that stuff. Audrey adores Bela so it made it that much more fun for her.

When we arrived Audrey got to pick out her animal. That was quite a task since she was overwhelmed by everything in there.

Then she did the "monkey see, monkey do" thing. Everything that Bela did, Audrey followed. It was so adorable.

After putting in the heart and stuffing then "fluffing" her kitten, Audrey picked out a cute little "Tinkerbell" dress for it. Grammy also bought the kitten some "pajamas" to wear at night :)

Bela and Audrey "fluffing" the pets.

Once we had the stuffed animals finished, complete with their very own birth certificate, we all got cookies from the cookie company and watched all the ice skaters at the rink.

Audrey kept asking to go skating. She couldn't quite understand why her 8 month pregnant mommy wouldn't go. She was convinced that "those kids were skating at the North Pole". That is all she talked about for days. I guess there will be an ice skating trip in my future (you know...after Addison arrives!)

What wonderful memories were made that day!

Christmas 2009

This young lady had so much fun this Christmas. Of course, that means that her daddy and mommy did too! She slept late Christmas morning-- (my Christmas present!) so it gave Corey time to get home from the fire station before she walked in to see her "Santa" stuff. Which was a good thing considering "Santa" was bringing one item with him from the fire station ;)

Audrey walked in to find a horse and a trampoline along with tons of other toys under the tree for her from Santa and Mommy and Daddy. As you can see, she really enjoyed her things.

Doesn't she look just precious dressed up as our little princess??!!

After opening gifts and a little while of playing with her things, we loaded the car and headed to Grammy and Granddaddy's house to have Christmas with the rest of our family.

Audrey helped hand out all the gifts to everyone.

Then she enjoyed entertaining everyone with her little shinanigans as well as ripping into her pile of gifts. After opening gifts, she modeled all of her loot.

Audrey in her Dora dress-up outfit.

Sporting her "farm girl" boots. She has to wear these when feeding the chickens and collecting eggs.

And is this not the most adorable coat and had?? (Thanks Johnny & Jaye) She looks like a little model in them.

Then we all had to pose for a few photos...

Pawpaw, Nana and Audrey

Grammy and Audrey

Grammy, Audrey and Granddaddy

Uncle Keith and Audrey

And our little family (next year there will be one more :) )

Addison's 4-D Ultrasound

We went today for Addison's 4-D ultrasound. I am always so amazed at what you can see with those things.

Here are a couple of pics we got of her. She wanted to be a little difficult and hide at times, but we managed to get a peek.

I think she is going to look a lot like her big sister. So for kicks and giggles, I did a comparison....What do you think?????

30 weeks

(Note: Sorry this post is a little delayed...I am now 31 weeks---but, you get the picture :))

I am now 30 weeks along. Addison is moving up a storm and looks to be running out of room in there ;) I am still feeling pretty good, getting a little more tired each day though. However, no time for that with Christmas around the corner and still so much to do to prepare for Miss Addison.

December 22 is my last day at work. I am quitting to be a full time mommy. I am thrilled about it, but will miss the friends that I have made there over the years. I am looking forward to spending lots of time with my family. It will be quite an adjustment, though.


Our baby's growth (according to an Internet site):
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

Gatlinburg Trip 2009

Last weekend Corey and I took Audrey to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a quick little "family vacation" before Addison arrives. Audrey had been to Gatlinburg once before, but was too young then to really take it all in. This trip she was totally fascinated by everything.

Corey was so sweet and planned the entire trip. Therefore, I was able to relax and enjoy being with my family and watching Audrey.

When we first arrived, it was dark so we enjoyed riding through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg viewing the Christmas lights. Audrey just kept saying- "Mommy, you see those lights?", "Daddy, Look at that". She was thrilled.

After we worked up an appetite, we stopped by a restaurant that I had never seen or heard of before. It was called the "Flying Horse". The place had an actual carousel inside. Once we finished our delicious dinner, Corey and I took turns riding on the carousel with Audrey.



The following morning we headed out to eat some delicious pancakes. We decided to walk since we were staying right in the middle of town. One place we wanted to eat at was packed and had a line all the way out the door. Since it was 25 degrees, we had a 2 year old, and I was 8 months pregnant---I decided waiting in that line was NOT worth it. So we began our trek for the next place.

Well, on the map it looked like a short distance...but after walking, and walking, and walking. I finally told Corey that I'd walked as far as I was going to and we would just have to eat right where we were. Fortunately, there was a little place just a few feet away that proved to have a wonderful breakfast. Not to mention this nearly completely frozen waterfall outside. See...I told you it was cold!!!


With our bellies full, we headed to the aquarium. Audrey is fascinated with fish, so she couldn't wait. She ran from one exhibit to the next talking non-stop. I'm really glad Corey was there to keep up with her. She was so excited...as you can tell in these next pictures.

Audrey was even brave enough to pet some of the critters they had on display there, including a sting ray. She says that was her favorite part.

(yes, I realize this is NOT a sting ray :))

As we were leaving the aquarium, there was a man standing on the sidewalk feeding these ducks. He was so kind to let Audrey throw out some of the food to them. She thought that was just wonderful.

Saturday evening, we went to see the Christmas production at Dixie Stampede. (If you haven't been---I absolutely recommend it---totally worth the money!!)
Audrey had never been there before. Once the show began, I don't think she blinked the whole time :). She was amazed. Her little mouth hung open in awe as she watched the show. I had as much fun watching her take it all in as I did watching the program. We would have to remind her to eat between events/scenes because she was just too entertained to eat while the action was taking place.

After the show, the riders brought their horses up to the side of the arena to allow the children to pet them.

We weren't quite ready to head back home, but Sunday morning rolled around and we had to depart. Before we went home, we took a drive through Cade's Cove. There were tons of turkey and deer that were out on this particular day. What a fantastic way to end our vacation!

I am already looking forward to our next trip back!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

What a super busy, yet fun weekend we've had! Audrey and I went back "home" to kick off the Christmas season with some of my favorite traditions. My mom's church always has a Christmas party at a nearby nursing home for the residents. Mom always heads-up the party so it has been tradition since I can remember that I go to help her with it. This year was no different. We are now training a new little "elf" to follow in our footsteps.

Audrey was so precious helping out. She performed with the other children as they sang some Christmas carols for entertainment.

Then Audrey, along with the other children in attendance, delivered gifts to each of the residents. (People from my mom's church- and my family- select a name and purchase an item for that individual.) This year our family selected a lady named Ms. Audrey, simply because her name was the same as my Audrey and we chose Ms. Betty's name. Ms. Betty is a very special lady to our family. She is always making something for someone- bracelets, necklaces, ponchos, blankets, etc. My mom, Audrey and I have numerous items to show for her generosity. So giving back to her was such a pleasure for us. We made sure that Audrey delivered the gifts we bought to her. She was just as delighted to receive loving from Audrey as she was to have the presents. Below is a photo of Ms. Betty and Audrey:

After the party, we had a delicious lunch with my grandparents, my mom, cousin Keeley and one of her friends from college. It was a wonderful time.

We finished up lunch just in time to get bundled up to watch the Christmas parade in Prattville. This wasn't the first parade that Audrey's been to, but it was definitely the first that she understood what was going on. She was quite mesmerized by all the activity.
The lights, music and floats held her attention until the very end. Mom and I enjoyed watching Audrey's reaction to the parade as she waved to everyone that passed by and yelled out "Merry Christmas" to them. It will be an evening that I remember forever.



Oh how I love this time of year. And this year is even better as I get to enjoy it through the eyes of my 2 year old. It can't get much better than that!