What Fun!

Excuse the quality of some of these pics. We are having issues with our camera. Also, sorry for the delay in posting...not getting much internet time these days/months.

Some of our small group from Moms & More Bible study brunch

Friends Tim, Cindy, Kailyn, and Julia came from MS to run the Little Rock 5k. We had fun with them and they were gracious to treat us for many meals. Thanks McCarleys!

Kailyn and Alex dancing at the post race party on Sunday night.

While dancing with KK, Alex met a lil girl and they had a blast dancing together.

Daddy and Alex at party

Playgroup at Rivercity Gym. The kids had a blast jumping on various contraptions, sliding, chasing balloons, etc...

Mommy and Alex at the zoo on free zoo day. Thankfully, we were there when they opened as the crowds were out the door, but we were able to get everywhere we wanted easily. We strolled the whole zoo in 1 hr only stopping for the very active or visible animals. When we left, the crowds were so thick inside and out.

Alex looking at the elephants

Playgroup/picnic at a park... the kids sat down about 95% of the time on the merry go round except to take pics and below...

The merry go round was actually moving very slow this time.

After telling Alex to play with toys in one of her toy bins, she cleared it out and made a toy out of it. She has always loved climbing in boxes...

Not quite fitting in this box anymore

at one year old...

Alex pretending to have a slumber in the living room with her princess sleeping bag.

Alex and Reagan pretending to ride in a boat while Jacob is being prepared to have a little sis around by watching these girls squeal.

Hidden Treasure

Ok, this post is for Little Rockers. We love Greek food and often try to stop at Keifers in Jackson to satisfy our craving for guaranteed yummy gyros when we travel to MS. We've found a few places in LR that serve gyros: Leo's Greek Castle, Layla's Restaurant, and Great Wraps. However, we recently traveled down Cantrell to discover that Taziki's Greek Fare has made it's way to Little Rock. We learned they have been here about 6 months and we didn't even know it. So, we ate lunch there last week before Chris had to go back to work this week. They serve very good lamb gyros (and sides) and the atmosphere makes for a great dining experience!!! We highly recommend it. Can't say it tops Keifers yet, but it's very close. :)

Little Rockers, please share in the comments of some of your favorite places to eat that aren't always in the spotlight. We love trying different places and foods. Thanks!

25 Weeks

Gina, this is for you! Yes, my belly is growing especially with my chocolate craving/indulgence every day. :)

When I was preggo with Alex, we started taking weekly pics of my belly growth at 16 weeks. This pregnancy is so different with Chris' injury, Alex, etc. So, we are just getting a pic. Alex loves to zerbert my belly and kiss and hug her baby brother.

Laugh With Me

An interesting combo - me 24 wks pregnant and taking care of an energetic, inquisitive, bright, exploring, talkative, interactive 17mo toddler and a 31 year old hubby who can't walk or drive right now. ha! Needless to say, I have been very forgetful, absentminded, etc. Since Chris broke his leg, I have been on overload (and overwhelmed occasionally) trying to care for him and Alex. Instead of crying, it has become quite comical. Since Chris cannot carry anything because he is on crutches, I have to bring everything to him, clean up after him, etc... Many times I forget his request or remember much later than he first asked as I have been so busy cleaning, cooking, taking care of house, fam, etc... A few times I have even brought Chris the wrong thing as I forgot what he asked for as I walked into the kitchen. He just laughs and says that "beggars can't be choosers." (btw...he has been a great patient - not demanding and very forgiving with my forgetfulness and the fact that he has to wait to be served some times as I'm only one person doing it all.)

One time, after going to the fridge to get a drink for Chris, I found the Tylenol bottle in there. I must have put it in there after he requested it earlier that day. Another time, I went to the washing machine to find that I was washing soapy water as I had forgotten to put in the clothes. The list goes on and on, but I'm laughing through it all. I have been trying to find ways to simplify life with the added responsibilities by using paper plates more, bathing Alex less, getting take out more lately (but for budget sake, I am working on planning more meals again), etc...

Chris should be more mobile in about 2 weeks I hope. I have actually adjusted to our situation and can predict more of his needs/wants, but I still have to laugh when I forget stuff or do stupid things. I definitely have a greater appreciation for handicap people and their caretakers now because of this experience.

Wendy and Graeme came to sign Chris' cast on Superbowl Sunday. Graeme took some fun pics that I wanted to share from that day. Enjoy!

Chris and his standard position right now - foot propped up

Alex and mommy

Wendy and Alex

Mimi and Grandaddy

Grandaddy and Mimi came to visit this past weekend which was a big help especially with Alex. She had new faces to entertain, play with her, read to her, love on her, etc... Mimi and I had a nice shopping outing while the men kept Alex. We found some great finds, specifically a portable potty seat to use in public that folds down to fit in Alex's small diaper bag and baby brother's bedding!!! Mimi went all out and bought many accessories to match the bedding for the room as well. I'll post a pic of it later. Now, we just have to figure out when and how we are going to reorganize our study/guest/junk/room. I'm very excited about it! Thanks again, Grandaddy and Mimi, for the visit and all the prizes for Alex and baby brother.

Grandaddy, Mimi and Alex

Mimi and Alex playing on sidewalk across the street

Better? Yes and No

Well, we are all officially over the stomach bug and our colds. However, Chris is now laid up at home after breaking his leg Monday night at work after slipping on an icy sidewalk.

The first thing that comes to my mind in all this is "what is God trying to teach us, show us or say to us?" Many things have happened this month to slow us down. I do not believe these things happen for us to just "survive" them. So, we are definitely drawing closer to God through this and personally, I am learning further to totally depend on Him!

Chris with a splint the day after the break.

Chris with his new blue cast he got today. All are welcome to come sign it. :)

Another Bug Week

What a week again! Alex's stomach bug struck me on Tuesday! By 5:45pm, I was in tears calling Chris for help. He could not come home and actually did not get to come home from work until 1am this night and he wasn't even on call. One of our friends without kids came to mind to possibly come help me, but Chris called her to find out she was at home sick, too. So, I prayed so hard for God to help me take care of Alex the next 1.5 hrs before putting her to bed. It was a long 1.5 hrs, but God was so faithful. The last stage of bed prep was our reading time in which I needed to go hug the toilet so bad. I prayed that I could finish reading to Alex and put her down first. Finally, I cut our reading time short and put her down calmly so she wouldn't know anything. I shut her door and ran to hug the toilet! God answered my prayer. Thankfully, I was spared a trip to Labor and Delivery (b/c 20 wks along) for IV fluids as I eventually could hold down liquids. I was greeted the next morning with the other version of an upset tummy. Thankfully, it didn't last long. My weakness Wednesday left me on the couch except to care for Alex until mid afternoon when I felt a little energy to take Alex outside as she is now well, rejuvenated and ready to conquer the world. When Chris arrived home Wednesday night about 6:45pm, he was nauseated, having chills and an upset tummy...looking like me the night before. I think the bug had jumped on his ship now, but not disappearing as quick. He was asleep within an hour of arriving home and unfortunately had to go to work today still feeling awful. :( This is the first time we have cycled a bug through all three of us. No fun. Please pray for us all to be fully well and rested soon as recovery time is needed even when the bug fades. Especially pray for Chris as he is on a very busy rotation at UAMS going in very early and getting off very late, is on back up call every other week for 2 months straight, needs to be studying for an inservice exam coming up soon, but obviously has no time for it with other work demands, sickness, and needing rest! Thank you... I hope my next post involves us all well.

What a Week/Weekend!

I lost motivation with blogging around Christmas and then this crazy week/weekend hit causing me to totally neglect most internet activity again. Alex and I have had colds for a while now which turned into sinusitis. However, her cold infected her eye lid making for an interesting week. Since last Tuesday, Alex and I have had little sleep, lots of tears, fever, coughing, congestion, kleenex galore, meds, and pure exhaustion. Alex eventually started (and still has) diarrhea. Chris had a very busy week leaving each morning before Alex woke up and getting home after Alex went to bed each night. Plus, he was on back up call last week. So, he was tired in his own way and could only help by phone with my million questions each day as we were both pitiful at home (so thankful for the doc in our fam). Thankfully, Grandmother came to town this weekend offering some company, help (especially with laundry as we were cleaning up bodily fluids every day) and just time to think about something besides being sick. Could it get any worse? Well, Saturday night, Alex woke us up at midnight crying with her first of 3-4 bouts of vomitting that night. This was her first time to ever vomit (and 2 of them landed on me). Thankfully, I have no sense of smell right now due to my cold! Even though God gave me the strength to handle last week, he didn't give me more than I could handle this weekend! I was so thankful for Chris and Grandmother's extra hands through the vomitting/clean up, etc. It was a mess! Needless to say, we have had a very rough week/weekend and are physically and emotionally exhausted. Alex seems mostly better except for some lingering diarrhea. I am still fighting my cold, but little better. Please pray for us to get better and rested. God was faithful to give us strength and endurance through last week. Needing it again this week.

6pm Tuesday, Jan. 13 - along with a progressing cold, Alex's right eye started puffing earlier in afternoon so we started her on antibiotics this night

6:45am Wednesday, Jan. 14 - Alex woke up with her right eye swollen so big it was sealed shut. After emailing this pic to Chris at work, he said bring her to the ENT clinic to be seen. It was slightly better when we arrived with a slit of her eye showing. Her eye never turned red or anything, just the eye lid was affected. While arriving at the ENT clinic at ACH, we passed 2 familiar docs in the hall before getting to the one we were trying to see. Those 2 commented that she would most likely need to be admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Then, sedated for a catscan. Ok, these are some of the worst things a mom wants to hear!!! I remained calm even though my eyes filled with tears. Thankfully, the doctor we saw had seen the above pic before we came in so he knew she was getting better even though she still looked horrible. He also knew about and agreed with Chris' choice of anitibiotics for her saying that was the best thing we could have done the night before as it could have been worse today. Also, this doc started her on steroids to help with the swelling. He said if she were not better the next day, then he would have her admitted to the hospital. I liked his plan better of course. :) The prayers continued...

~ 11:30 am Wednesday - after 2 doses of antibiotics and 1 dose of steroids

3pm Wednesday - getting better, swelling down

4pm Wednesday - one of few smiles during this eventful day

7pm Wednesday - eye getting even better, but so sleepy as she could hardly nap today with her congestion and coughing

Thursday, Jan. 15 - eye getting better, but she tripped and fell this a.m. in which she cut her gum and lip. poor thing! she's having a hard week!

Friday, Jan.16 - Alex and I needed to get out of the house so I took her to Arkansas Children's Hospital for lunch to eat on daddy's card even though he was at UAMS. Not many places to go when your not 100%, but ACH proved to be a great option with other (sick) people around, the lobby waterfall, live fish aquarium, train, live size pig, cool murial, etc, and cafe we could eat in for free. :)

Sunday - Grandmother and Alex

Girl? Boy? Girl? Boy? Girl?

Baby Rock 2 is a BOY!!!

Hello from mommy's womb

Despite all the predictions from friends and family, only one person guessed boy and it was Alex! She came up to my belly this week and gently squeezed it with both hands saying "boy, boy." (If I can get her to reenact it, I'd love for Chris to get a video or pic...so cute!) That planted a seed in my mind that it was a boy so I shared with Chris last night that I felt like it was a boy. We are so excited and ready to prepare for a whole new world of "boy."

Big Girl

Big sis is becoming more of a big girl everyday with her extensive vocabulary, memory, comprehension/association skills, knows many ABCs and #s, works 2 and 3 yr old puzzles and most notable right now, her potty skills. She pooped and peed on the potty twice each today after taking a few days off from potty activity (her choice). Yes, those are pigtails...so cute :)

Christmas 2008

Chris, Alex and I celebrated our Christmas together at our house the Tuesday before we left to MS. Reading the Christmas story to Alex from the Bible was sweet as she likes to say "baby" and "Jesus." We traveled to MS on Christmas Eve to my mom's house for a few days, then to Mimi and Grandaddy's house. We had a great time and enjoyed not having to rush back as Chris was "off." Lots of pics follow, but know that I sorted through 100+ pics before posting. :)

Alex opening a gift from us at our house the day before we left to MS.

Alex and cousin Amber playing in pack n play

Grandmother went all out for Alex and Amber for Christmas. She had tons of gifts laid out for them including these tricyles.
Coloring together...however, we had to take all crayons away from Alex as she kept biting the tips off.
Cousins playing hard together, laughing, and pushing each other around
We spent some time walking the land at my mom's where the orchard grows and where she and my stepdad farmed during his retirement before he passed away. Mom hopes to move back to my hometown, Vicksburg, MS next summer so we wanted to enjoy one of our last walks in this quiet, peaceful country.
During our walk, Alex often wanted to take a break. She would just sit down and say "sitting" or "I sitting." She loved to play with the grass, feel the wind, smell flowers, look around, etc... It was a precious sight.
Chris's traditional night time reading with the girls
3 generations of girls
Grandmother with Alex and Amber. Got to give a shout out to my mom...she cooked an incredible, yummy spread of food for us all. She prepared it all for several days before we arrived and cooked it all while we were there. It was delicious, well appreciated and getting another taste as we froze some and brought home with us. :)Aunt Robin and Uncle Steven
Us at Grandmother's

Amidst the mountains of gifts for Alex from Mimi and Grandaddy, she loved riding the fire truck
Hunter being silly with a bow on his nose
Chris is practicing having an infant again with Anna Cate
Alex sporting her new tutu from Aunt Tammy. She loves wearing it! Yes, that is a bruise under Alex's right eye. She fell down trying to get out of her red wagon and face planted the floor the day before we left. :(
Visiting our special friends Kim, Fleetwood and their 2.5 mo old Logan Gail. It was so good to see them as this is our first reunion since they moved back from New Zealand.
Alex checking out and rocking Logan
Mimi, Anna Cate and Alex (in her Mississippi State Univ t-shirt - Chris loves that!)
Mimi reading to a sleepy Alex before bedtime the last night while Chris and I went out to dinner with some people.
Alex looks like she is getting caught doing something. ha!
Grandaddy, Alex, Mimi and cousin, Anna Cate
Us at Mimi and Grandaddy's house. Mimi got the book Multiple Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin for Christmas. I started reading it and devoured it in the few days we were there. I couldn't put it down. It was quite interesting as they had twins before getting pregnant with sextuplets. After reading it, I watched an episode of their show on TLC. Her life with 8 children under 4 yrs old makes my worst day with one seem simple! The book (and show) made me count my blessings as well.
As we took our time traveling home the last day, we were able to stop in Vicksburg to visit my Papaw and his wife, Mary. Alex started to scramble down to go pet his cat as soon as I got the camera out.

Potty Time

Clapping after Alex's 2nd "poo poo on the potty"

Disclaimer: If you can't handle toddler potty talk, don't keep reading.

Alex is so good to tell us "poo poo" right before she goes. So, I thought about seeing what she'd do if we started putting her on the potty right after she told us that. Well, she went for the first time on the potty yesterday and her second "poo poo" today! We made a big deal after each with lots of praise and clapping. She was very excited which makes me think she wants to keep doing it. Also, I think she likes sitting on the potty. She told Chris once before today but he didn't respond quick enough, so she went in her diaper. ha! We talked about starting to potty train this early which is why I bought the little seat, but I was hesitant. I am now motivated to keep working at it. I never thought we would start with #2, but it seems easier right now. However, I have no idea what to do when in public and she says "poo poo" as she would fall through most of those toilets. I know she is not fully ready as she still has a full diaper each morning. So, we will move slowly. What a joy it would be if she is potty trained before baby #2 comes!!!

***Christmas pics will be coming soon. I have so many that it will take forever to upload....maybe by the weekend.