THANK YOU KELLY!!

Oh my goodness, I LOVE it!!  A huge thank you to Kelly over at Three kids, a Mini-Van and A Lot of Love for my wonderful, cheery blog makeover!!  What do you think?!!

'G' names.

So I am noticing based on the poll that most everyone thinks we should give baby Gum Drop a 'G' name.  Well Steven and I have a boy G name that we both really like but have zero girl names.  If anyone has any good G name suggestions please let me know!! Either leave a comment or shoot me an email - anderson.kiley@yahoo.com

I've got to be honest, if we don't find a 'G' name we love then Gum Drop will just have to feel left out because I refuse to use a name I don't love just because of the letter it starts with but I am certainly open to suggestions!!

11 weeks & fun photos!

I really need to get to bed so I am going to post a ton of photos then my weekly belly stuff - maybe I will get around to typing an 'update' about the kiddos soon - they are both so darn cute =)  {Gettysburg, Swedish fish (thanks to her daddy!), park fun & Baltimore!

 

How far along: 11 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: still +1 based on the DR's scale.

Maternity clothes: I've got to wear maternity pants because I don't fit in my 'pre-Gabby' pants so my only option is my maternity pants for the 3 pairs of pants I bought at Goodwill after I had Gabby.

Sleep: sleeping well.. having some crazy dreams but overall I can't complain - although I still feel exhausted all the time.

Best moment this week: spending the weekend with Steven celebrating our anniversary!! =)

Movement: nope.

Food cravings: diet pepsi/coke with lemon.

Gender: boy.. I will be very surprised if little Gum Drop is a girl.

Labor Signs: nope - not for another 25 weeks or so!

Belly Button in or out: in.

What I miss: same ol' stuff - currently I really miss my old clothes.. I feel like I wear the same things over and over because I don't have much that fits. After this kiddo arrives I've got to get my butt back in shape so I can get into all those clothes again!

What I am looking forward to: Easter with family and friends, taking the kiddos to meet the Easter bunny tomorrow, dying eggs this weekend.

Weekly wisdom: "It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along."

Milestones: Maybe you’ve noticed… your baby is a super-duper grower! Your lil' fetus will be gaining a substantial amount of weight this week and has already achieved fruit-size-status comparable to a plum. What's more, your little scientist is already starting to explore their body, focusing most intently on touching their head, and especially their face and mouth. Their mouth in particular will provide them with hours of entertainment. This happens not only because your baby is gaining coordination, and is therefore able to move a hand on command, but also because their palms have gained sensation and can actually “feel” what it touches.They're also developing their swallow reflex this week. And lastly, your baby's smelling and other olfactory senses will begin developing this week, which when combined with the maturing taste buds, will provide your baby with their first experiences of taste and smell.

 11 weeks 3 days

4th Wedding Anniversary!

We have such a fun story (well I think it's fun) - and I love to share it with people, so here goes!

One random day while working in the photo lab at the local WalMart my coworker Donna asks if I would be interested in going on a blind date.  I had just graduated from college and was really really enjoying the single, doing whatever I want kind of life (since I had just spent the last 3 years in a serious relationship) so I was very hesitant to agree to a blind date.  At that time I had little zero interest in dating but thought it would be a fun experience and had the "what the heck attitude."  I agreed to the blind date after Donna told me a little bit more about her nephew Steven.  We thought it would be a good idea for us to meet at WalMart with Donna there so she could introduce us and I would have an escape if I needed one =)  

Our blind date was on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - one of the most fun days of my life!  We seemed to hit it off immediately.. we were both a little shy but that didn't hinder our conversation.  Steven and I walked out to his truck, he opened my car door (and has every day since!) and we on our way to dinner at Friendly's!  It was a very nice, comfortable 'get to know you' dinner.  We decided after to stop and pick up a 6-pack of Yuengling and head back to his aunt Donna's house to hang out and get to know each other a little more.  We all ended up hanging out until about 4 a.m., at which point we decided to head back to WalMart to pick up supplies and food for our random, planned at the last minute BBQ we were having the next day (or later that day since it was 4 a.m.!)  Steven, myself and his cousin David (also a WalMart coworker) filled up a cart with BBQ goodies and all headed home around 5:30 a.m.  I got a sweet innocent hug from Steven with a promise I would see him in a few hours.  

I ended up being a little late for the BBQ because I was so nervous.  I was nervous because I knew Steven was really nice and I really enjoyed spending time with him but I didn't want to get too attached because I wasn't sure what he thought of me and I really wasn't looking for a serious relationship.  I was also nervous because I was going to be meeting more of his family and I would have to be in a bathing suit for most of the day since aunt Donna has a sweet pool.  We all had a blast at the BBQ and I again spent most of the evening with Steven and didn't get home until very late.  No kiss that night either, just a sweet hug. 

The week went by and Steven stopped down at WalMart a few times, even brought me flowers thanking me for such a  fun weekend!  We went out to dinner again to Friendly's, went back to his aunt's house for a while then he drove me home and it happened.. our first kiss.. in his red dodge truck.. in front of my parents house.. around 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2005.. the kiss that started it all.. I knew he was the one.. I knew that despite really not wanting a serious relationship I could not let this guy go.. it was all that a first kiss could be and more!

To make a long, beautiful, romantic story short.. just kidding, it really was short.. 

50 days after our first date, on Sunday, July 31, 2005 we were engaged!!  

6 months after that on Friday, January 27, 2006 I discovered I was pregnant with Gavin.. 

2 months after that on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 we were married in Honolulu, Hawaii in the pouring rain.  And it has been a beautiful, amazing, fun, challenging, loving 4 years and I would not trade a single second of any of it.  It's so hard to believe how much our life has changed in just four short years.. a beautiful son, new jobs, new cars, new friends, new family traditions, a beautiful daughter and now another beautiful child on the way!  We are so blessed.

Steven, you know I love you with all my heart and I am so thankful for you (and to aunt Donna for setting us up).  You are my dream come true =)  You are an amazing husband and an amazing father and I cannot wait to spend the next 75 years with you! (and have lots of babies like the Duggar.family!)  JUST KIDDING!!

{almost} Wordless Wednesday.

These are the very first pregnancy tests I took with each of my kiddos!  The second line on Gabby's is very faint so you likely can't see it in the photo but it's there!  Sorry if you think it's gross that I kept my tests (one from 2006) but I think it's a neat keepsake!

10 weeks.

I do have my weekly belly post & quiz at the end but I need to share about something pretty powerful that happened to me today [with a little backgroud info!].

In Oct. 2007 I was involved in the adoption of an adorable blond hair, blue eyed baby that my coworker and I named Jacob. [normally we don't name the baby but the birthmother did not even want to know the gender of the baby and an adoptive family was not involved yet, therefore we could not send him to an interim care family without a name, so we chose Jacob! Once an adoptive family was selected they decided to name him Noah and give him Jacob as a middle name because it was such an important part of his adoption story!]  About 9 months ago I learned that Noah was suffering from a very rare form of brain cancer.  The cancer was removed and he began his chemo treatment right away.  The chemo ended a couple of weeks ago and Noah had an MRI as part of his routine checks.  The doctors discovered the cancer had returned in his brain and they needed to remove it as soon as possible.  Noah had surgery on his "boo boos" on Thursday and the doctors were able to get everything (again).  They are thinking they may try some type of radiation treatment with Noah but they were really hoping he would be at least 3 years old before they do that - problem is he won't be 3 until Ocotber so they aren't sure what the next step will be.

 

My coworker and I went to visit Noah today.  I felt like I was in a scene from a movie.. babies, children and teenagers with IVs, tubes, caged beds, masks.. it was heartbreaking.  Seeing Noah with his bald, swollen head, swollen eye, IV tubes and sad face was so painful.  As a mother I just wanted to take all of his pain away and put it on myself - I cannot begin to imagine the feelings his parents have.  We talked with his mother and she was so strong and so brave about everything.  She shared that she really felt God placed Noah in their family because he knew Noah would need to be in a family full of "fighters" and God knew that, even though Noah is not 'biologically' their son, he is their son regardless and they will fight for him until the very end.  They have been praying that Noah can go home soon - he hasn't eaten since last Wednesday so eating is definitely necessary before they will release him.  He has also had some fluid on his brain which they have had to remove and the doctors are hoping the fluid and swelling will subside before he heads home.  His mom shared that she does the day shift while her husband works then he comes in after work and does the night shift so one of them is always with Noah.  

I seriously just wanted to crawl into a corner and cry.. it took every single ounce of strength I had not to completely break down in front of Noah and his mother.  It made me feel like all the 'issues' in my life are meaningless.. it made me realize how lucky I am and how lucky my family is.. it made me realize how so very thankful I am to have 2 beautiful, healthy children and another on the way.  Noah and his family really put things into perspective for me today - more than they will ever realize.

There was also a 3 month old baby across the hall from Noah who has cancer, his name is Jacob.  Noah's mom shared that Jacob was born with the cancer.  I just kept thinking about Gabby and trying to comprehend how a family could cope with their new infant having cancer.  As we were leaving Noah's room I made the mistake of looking into Jacob's room - an image I won't ever forget.

Okay, I guess you get the jist of my powerful experience.. I'd like to ask for prayer for Noah and his family, please.

Gavin is doing well - he does not seem to be phased by the 'no more school/day care' situation so that's pleasing.  It's been working out fairly well, although my hubbs still doesn't get the amount of sleep he should be getting. Gavin has grown into quite the little athlete.  On Saturday we enjoyed some time outside and he played baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey and golf!  He is also still loving his big brother role - so sweet!!

 

Gabby is wonderful!!  She is such a cutie pie and is growing like crazy!  She smiles and laughs all the time - especially for her daddy - and she seems to really enjoy sitting up and checking out all the scenery.  She is grabbing for toys and is getting stronger each day.  We are hoping to start cereal soon!

 

Here is my latest Gum Drop weekly quiz! 

 

How far along: 10 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: +1

Maternity clothes: just pants, not shirts yet.

Sleep: well I talked to my midwife about sleeping on my belly and she said it's fine as long as I'm comfortable, so I gave it a shot last night - didn't work, my chest hurts way too much to sleep on my tummy [sorry to the men that read this!] - so it's back to the boring side positions, which haven't really failed me, I just have to get up all the time to pee and pray that Gabby sleeps through the night, it's really been unpredictable the past couple of weeks with her - one night she will sleep for 11 hours, the next night it will only be for 7 (which I know is still great so I shouldn't complain!)

Best moment this week: hearing Gum Drop's heartbeat at my prenatal visit on Monday - 175 bpm!!!

Movement: no, hopefully in another 7 to 8 weeks!

Food cravings: none the past week - this root canal has thrown my appetite off a little since I can only chew on one side, it's very annoying!

Gender: I'm still stuck on boy!  [AND, I think Steven and I have agreed on a boy name! The girl name is not working out so well but I know we still have lots of time!]

Labor Signs: oh my no - but I was just talking with a client today about labor and delivery and I really feel like I just went through it yesterday - I don't know if that's a good thing for this baby or not!

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: wine, running, energy, feeling "sexy" [again, sorry to the men - and my 12 year old niece who I know reads my posts but I have to be honest!]

What I am looking forward to: a bridal shower on Saturday for a good friend who is getting married in May and celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary this weekend =) my parents are keeping the kids overnight for us, we won't know what to do without any kiddos!!!  [baby related - watching my tummy grow! I definitely feel like I'm getting bigger earlier on with Gum Drop and I'm sure some of that has to do with the fact that my uterus did not shrink completely back to it's 'normal' size after I had Gabby.. not a big surprise considering Gum Drop started growing in my tummy just 6/7 short weeks after she was born]

Weekly wisdom: "stress less, pray more."

Milestones: He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.  If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

 10 weeks 3 days

 [I have some very cute photos from this weekend that I will *hopefully* post in the next couple of days!]

thank you Snooki!

Sorry for the "debbie downer" post earlier - I was just having one of those kind of days and I know I sound like a broken record about all my fears and worries so I thought I'd post about something super funny!

I had a crazy dream the other night - my first nutty pregnancy dream.  As most of you know I work as a pregnancy counselor and I counsel expectant parents who have found themeslves facing an unplanned pregnancy.  I counsel them about parenting and adoption and help them make the best decision for both themselves and the baby.  So onto my dream..  Nicole "Snooki, Sneakers, Snickers, Snook, Snookers" whatever she's called, from the MTV show Jersey.Shore had twin boys and she was placing them for adoption.  I was her counselor and helped her through her adoption planning process.  Right after she had her boys she was trying to get me to sneak tequilla bottles into her hospital room, it was hilarious!!  I don't remember much more about the dream other than her twin boys were African American babies and clearly she is not.  I can't wait to see what other crazy dreams this pregnancy will bring =)

you were my craziest client yet Snooki, thank you for the laughs!

honesty.

Please forgive me but I am having a stressed out, overwhelming, too much to think about, loosing my mind, need to see God's plan sort of day.  I've got to admit - this little surprise baby Gum Drop has really thrown me off.  I had finally gotten to the place where I was very excited and content with our beautiful family of 4 - a boy and a girl - just perfect!  Please don't get me wrong, I am head over heals in love with Gum Drop and excited, it's just taking a while for me to really let it sink in and for me to really believe that it's happening. [I hope no one thinks I'm a bad mom, just a human who is being honest about their feelings]

I lie awake at night and wonder what things are going to be like.. where will Gum Drop stay, where can we fit another crib, how will we afford another child, how will we handle all the medical bills since I just changed my insurance (and bills are already coming in), how will we pay bills while I am out of work since my leave won't be paid this time around, how will we have time for a 3rd child - our time is already stretched to the limits sometimes, how will we afford another crib, will I find a double stroller that is suitable for our needs.. see, I am loosing my mind!

When I look at my 2 kiddos I can't imagine not having them in my life so now that Gum Drop is growing in my belly (and sucking all of my energy!)  I cannot imagine not having him/her.. I jsut wish I could see us a year from now, I wish I could have the peace of mind now to know that it's going to work out later.  I know so many people would love this - would love to see how God's plan is going to work.

I have peace knowing I have an incredibly amazing husband who is an equally incredibly amazing father and we have great supportive family and friends around us.  I now know how some of my clients feel when they have found themselves unexpectedly pregnant and are completely terrified.. but there is a difference for me.. I have hope, I have something to hold on to.. and a lot of these young girls and women don't have that hope.  God has really opened my eyes and I am thankful for that, but still find myself completlely terrified.

9 weeks and a root canal.

It has already been a month since I learned of our surprise baby #3 on the way.  The past month has flown by but I've got to be honest.. I still can't believe I am pregnant again.  I talk about Gum Drop often but it still does not seem real.  Maybe once I start feeling him/her move it will be 'more real'.  We are certainly excited but thinking about all the "logistics" of things is kind of nerve racking.  We need to get a second crib, we need to get a double stroller, we need to figure out bedrooms, we need to figure out money.. oh my.. I know it will all come together and I have absolute faith that God will lead us.

On to not so fun news - I had to have a root canal today.  I've been having serious discomfort on the upper right side of my mouth for close to 2 months now and finally this morning I had decided enough is enough and I called my dentist.  I saw him at 11:20 a.m., had x-rays taken (don't worry, they piled the lead vests on my tummy!) and by 11:30 a.m. it was decided I needed a root canal ASAP.  I was a little confused because I've been getting cleanings and have taking care of my teeth very well for the past 5 years (not so good before that, hate to admit it!) - nothing was mentioned about a cavity or there being a trouble spot at my last cleaning in August 2009 but since that time it has gotten so bad that my only choices were to extract the tooth or have a root canal.  I knew immediately I didn't want the tooth pulled - I am only 26 and I really don't want a big hole in my mouth so I opted for the root canal.  My original root canal appointment was scheduled for 2:45 p.m. today but they would not do the procedure without a note from my OBGYN so I quick rushed over to May.Grant to get that taken care of.  While driving back to work I got a call asking if I could come in at 1:30 p.m. for the root canal - fine with me, the sooner the better!  I was shockingly not nervous when I arrived at the office, I thought for sure I would be a big ball of nerves but I put my big girl panties on and I'm proud of myself!  The procedure was pretty much painless except for the anesthesia.  He gave me shots up near the top of my gum, by the tooth, on the inside of my gum by the tooth and on the roof of my mouth - owie!  And oh my that stuff tasted SO.GROSS!  Unfortunately I could see a reflection of everything the dentist was doing in the the light/magnifier he was using and I made the mistake of looking a couple of times - once when he was pulling some pretty nasty stuff out of my tooth - then when he was putting in the big long drill - I really got queasy then.  It looked like an actual drill bit, not like those little baby ones they use for cavaties.  After the procedure he informed me that he was not able to fill the root canal because there was too much inflamation and I would need to come back and go through a similar procedure and he would fill it and make it all pretty again.  Bummer, I really just wanted it all to be done today.  I am not in much pain now, the sites where he gave me the shots are probably causing me the most pain but it is nothing like the pain I've been having the past couple of months so I will not complain!  Hopefully he can see me soon to finish up the work and I can be dentist free - until my cleaning next month.  I still don't know how in 7 months it got so bad that I needed a root canal.. oh well, not much I can do about it now!  I don't want to toot my own horn or anything but I was really proud of myself for being a big girl - normally I would make my hubbs come and squeeze his hand the whole way but I told him to stay at home and I would be okay on my own - I deserved a sticker today =) [okay, toot toot!]

Man, if you have made it this far here is my 9 week quiz!

How far along: 9 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: still +0, thankfully

Maternity clothes: yes - and my coworker MaryBeth just let me borrow some of her adorable maternity shirts [she let me borrow them with Gabby and I had just given them back to her when I had to ask if I could borrow them again!]  Thanks MaryBeth =)

Sleep: not too bad recently, except for horrible tooth pain - it was so bad I could not sleep on my lright side because any pressure on the right side of my face would put me in a mess of pain.

Best moment this week: hanging out with family this past weekend =)

Movement: not yet.

Food cravings: chocolate milk.

Gender: boy.

Labor Signs: nope.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: my normal clothes I haven't fit in for almost a year now.

What I am looking forward to: our doctor visit on Monday and the beautiful sunny weather!

Weekly Wisdom:  take good care of your teeth!
Milestones: Your new resident is nearly an inch long, about the size of a grape and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

 9 weeks 3 days. (gross stretch marks!)

family fun!

We had a great weekend!  Saturday the kids and I went to Park City with my mom and my niece Shayna aka Noodle.  Noodle has a Father-Daughter dance coming up for Girl.Scouts so we were on the hunt for a nice dress.  We met at Boscov's and enjoyed a morning of trying on dresses and looking at baby clothes.  After we found the dress - after Noodle tried on about 20! - we headed to Friendly's for lunch - yum!  The kids were great during lunch.  Gav had a blast playing with his Grammie and he of course got another matchbox car from her so he was a happy dude.  It was nice to sit and chat with my mom and Noodle - she is just growing up SO fast.  I can remember so clearly the day she was born... November 25, 1997 - 3:17 p.m. - 5 pounds 15 ounces.  (Her daddy and I still argue about the time she was born but I am 100% right, sorry Uncle Odie!)  My sweet little Noodle is turning into such a sweet young lady =)

On Sunday evening we went out to dinner with most of Steven's family - his brother Gene, his wife Judith, their son Jordan, his brother Chris and his wife Christy, their friends Natalie and Travis who are now 'adopted Andersons' and are considered aunt and uncle, Steven's youngest brother Michael and his girlfriend Amanda, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Donna and Uncle DD.  We had a total of 16 people which made for a very enjoyable and loud dinner =)  We had to sit at separate tables which was kind of a bummer but we still managed to have a great time.  I think my silly son had the most fun out of everyone.  He loves the attention he gets from family members and just feeds off everyone's laughs.  As we were walking out to the parking lot Gav was walking with Natalie and Christy.  He was holding Natalie's hand and when we got out to the parking lot we noticed that he wouldn't let go.  I decided on a whim to invite everyone back to our house since we only lived about 15 minutes from the restaurant.  (thankfully the house wasn't too messy!)  Gavin was very quick to invite Natalie back to his house and even said that she needed to ride with him.  [he would not let go of her hand!]  So most of the gang decided to come back to our house for a bit and guess who rode with us back to our house.. Natalie!  Gavin was so excited that he tried to move his seat into the back so he could sit next to her.  Steven did put his seat in the back and Natalie climbed in the back with him!  She was such a trooper through all of it - I'm sure she didn't envision her evening being a "date" with a 3 year old!  So we joked the whole way home about this being Gavin's first date and how it was nice that his daddy and I got to chauffeur them around!  We even did a hand check half way home to make sure they weren't holding hands =)  Gavin had a great time on the drive home and was in heaven when we all got back to the house because everyone played hockey and cars with him - his 2 most favorite activities right now!

Thank you to our wonderful families for a great and memorable weekend!!  Thank you to my momma for buying the kiddos some super cute clothes =)  She bought Gavin a t-shirt that has a guitar on it and says "My Mom Rocks!" and for buying me my much needed Clinique foundation!  (this pregnancy has really taken a toll on my skin and I was in desperate need of more foundation!)

Here are some photos from our fun weekend!  (I'm bummed I didn't take my camera to the mall with me so I don't have any photos of dress shopping or Friendly's - I know, me, not take my camera, what?!!)

I love how she has her feet crossed!

Uncle DD getting Gavin all hyped up with cupcakes!

this is Natalie, Gavin's 'date' =)

Gabby was trying to sit up in her seat - and she has started to grab a hold of toys and put them in her mouth!

amazed by the birdie on her seat!

bed head =)

(I didn't take any time to edit these photos so the lighting isn't great in some but they will just have to do!  The lighting doesn't change the extreme cuteness!!)

OH!  While we were out last night everyone was asking if we are going to use another "G" name for baby Gum Drop.  Steven and I still are not sure what we are going to do but I thought I'd do a poll to see what everyone thinks.  Be sure to vote on the poll - it's on the left side of the blog - I think there is only 4 votes so far so please vote!! 

Okay, that's enough for now.. I hope everyone has a magnificent Monday!