Changes in the Backyard

Some of you may know that they are building a new road though our backyard, our neighborhood is pretty crazy to say the least. Between run down houses and people stealing things from the houses it has been really interesting. They are finally making progress and tearing down abandon homes. Stacey and I are very thankful for this process and are hopeful and excited about the possibilities it may bring. I prayed a long time ago that this would only be a blessing to us and our community. Time will tell...but, I think I already know. Anyway, here is some of the pics from the progress.

If you are ever around the state street area stop up and see - it looks like a tornado hit! It's crazy. And if you come up looking for our house - we are now the FIRST house on the left. Andy's mom called us from the end of our street lost and couldn't find our house. He, he, he! And it was daylight! Sorry, Judy, that was so funny! -sn

• No post would be complete without a Drea story. Her newest thing is whenever I bend down to do anything (tie my shoe, talk to her, etc...) she thinks it is a good idea to jump on my back. Now to some this may not be a good thing, but Drea thinks it is so funny she giggles the whole time. Of course, that makes me laugh out loud. This isn't very funny when she tries to do it to mommy. Especially when mommy is holding Charlotte or feeding her. -sn

• Charlotte continues to get bigger and is doing well. She took her first bottle from daddy today and did a great job! Just don't tell her big sis or she'll want to help with that, too!
  
  

Weekend with the Girls

This past weekend my sister, Karen, and my two nieces, Brynn and Lydia came for a visit. This was lots of fun for Drea. It was the first time in two years that they have been here. They came to see Charlotte, just don't tell Drea because she had too much fun to think otherwise.

Nude egg dying

Bath time can be lots of fun, Thanks Aunt Karen!

Ice Cream at Dairy Creme Corner, a must for any family visit!

Charlotte managed to be included in this one

They don't like each other at all

Working at the beauty shop

Leaving it to the professional

We had lots of fun, thanks for all the memories and a great weekend. We miss you Aunt Karen, Brynn, and Lydia.

Maternity Leave

So I finally have found out why you get maternity leave.


It IS NOT for 8 weeks of hospital visits, doctors appointments and laying in bed in extraordinary pain.


It IS for bonding with your newborn, getting the hang of nursing, adjusting to a new schedule, healing, enjoying the first couple months of a new baby, adjusting to crazy hormone changes, and waiting for baby's sleep pattern to line up with yours.


God has completely blessed our family beyond measure. I prayed and prayed for some sort of normal time home on maternity leave after this birth. And God never fails to deliver! All I wanted was to enjoy my new family and have time to recuperate. And that is exactly what God gave us.


This is what life looked like after Drea was born: They sent us home from the hospital only to have to go back the next day and stay for 3 days so Drea could be treated for jaundice. Then three weeks after she was born, I woke up with some of the worst pain I have ever had and was admitted to the hospital with kidney stones. At the same time Andy came down with shingles and wasn't allowed to be around our newborn. That wasn't the easiest thing in the world - we didn't even get to go to her 1 month drs visit (poor Nunnie had to endure her granddaughters first shots.) Then three weeks after that (still having only a six week old) I had another kidney stone and had to have surgery on this one. Then two weeks later, Drea had RSV and we spent the weekend in the hospital watching her lay in an oxygen tent.


I know many people have had it worse but I just wanted to experience having a baby and getting to just enjoy a new baby without all the other stuff. And that is exactly what has happened. Thank you God!



PS - I never got to post my last belly shots before Charlotte was born. I can't get over how round my belly was. I can't believe there was a 9 lb. 6 oz. baby in there.

We need Sleep...

Drea is really enjoying being a big sister. It's funny when she wants to hold her and Charlotte starts to cry. She either wants to pass her back or she pats her belly and when I say pat I mean she beats her like a drum.

I don't know what we were thinking...it must of been something like this...We don't want to sleep ever again, so let's have another child.

Well, some of us are getting sleep...

...Seriously, things really are going well. Charlotte is sleeping pretty good already. Some nights she sleeps for a couple hours in her bed. Some nights she sleeps with daddy on the couch and others with mommy. Overall, she is sleeping good. Besides, I know what we were thinking...we are all so excited about her and did you see how cute she is.

One week old...

Just wanted to let everyone know that everything is going great. We are getting settled in at home with our two little girls. I guess little is not the right word for one of them. Drea seems so big now - it's incredible how much bigger she is when there is a new little munckin around.

Drea is really great with Charlotte! I've been kind of surprised. I didn't expect her to be so loving and caring! She's a great big sister! It has been nice watching her. She gives her kisses all the time and wants to hold her all the time and when she cries Drea is so concerned and asks what is wrong with her. And Charlotte... she's in love with her big sister. She smiles really big at Drea (I can't even get her to smile at me.) And she will let Drea hold her for the longest time and just sit there perfectly content. We'll keep you updated...the first week at home has been wonderful!

It's a...

GIRL...Charlotte Eve...9lbs 6ozs...21.5 inches long

• I love this kid already and not just because she is my daughter, but because she decided to come after the Mountaineer Game and before I did my nightly job of walking the dogs and doing the dishes.

• How sad am I...Stacey was in labor and in pain so she needed an epidural...so after about 4 tries, I started to get real light headed and I thought I was going to pass out. I mean, suck it up man, Stacey is in labor and I'm the one who was struggling.

• I'm so excited for Drea to come and see her sister and it is a good thing it was a sister, yesterday at Walmart, Drea saw a dress and said I want that for the baby. We said, "Drea what if the baby is a boy?" She looked real sad and had a pouty lip. I asked her if it was a boy would she want us to give it back? She said YES!

• Finally, I think the baby doctor is really Doogie Howser, MD.....makes me feel old, first because he is young and second because I referenced Doogie Howser...

More Random Thoughts

• Well, still no baby but we are still excited and can't wait to find out what we are having and when. Stacey feels great and besides being tired a little more then usual she is hanging in there. She so tough I still don't know how she and other women do it. In my opinion, she is the best!

• It's funny we can't call anybody without being ask, "Are you having a baby?", on the flip side at least everyone answers their phone.

• I love college football, but this time of year is the best. The NCAA tournament is the best event ever. Let's Go Mountaineers!!!

• 4th graders are funny...Don't ever try to explain to them why a baby doesn't have to come on the due date or for that matter try to explain to them anything about babies, being pregnant, or the idea of parenthood.

• I don't know why I forget so much...I mean I'm thirty-four years old and I forget what I ate for breakfast yesterday...I had a Drea story I wanted to blog about and I forgot...wait I just remembered...The other night she woke up in the middle of the night, like 3am or something, anyway, she was wide awake, I was thinking I'm never going to get any sleep (practice I guess), she leans in an whispers to me, "Daddy, I know, when I get up I wanna get, (her eyes get real big)...an ice cream sanwich, and with that she went to sleep.