Adam received a book for Christmas from his grandmother called "Father to Daughter" Life Lessons on Raising a Girl. The very first entry really touched us. I thought I would share it with you. *********************************************************************************** Raising a girl takes two parents: A Mom to show her how to be a woman. A dad to show her how to be independent. A dad's job is to make his daughter courageous. Fearless. To make her feel beautiful. To give her a sense of adventure. To make her feel secure and confident. The relationship between a dad and a daughter is very simple. She will love her father and trust him completely, forever. Because he's her first love. Her first hero. The first man in her life. ***********************************************************************************
The book is filled with great advice for raising little girls. Starting in infancy and leading up until the day they are married. As a mother it is incredibly amazing to watch the bond that my daughter and her father have together. There is nothing sweeter to watch.
Generally we do not have pictures of Addyson made professionally...the cost involved is just a little too much for our budgeted family right now...and with a digital camera and email we have found that most friends and family are completely satisfied. :) However, this year we decided to go ahead and get some pictures made for Christmas cards...since this is the last Christmas that Addy will be an only child.
I thought everyone would get a kick out of how the photo session turned out! Gotta love those terrible 2's!
I have been letting this blog slide...and in all honesty...I can't say its because I don't have the time! LOL!
I had my 32 week appointment this past Wednesday...and am happy to report that Annslie is healthy! She looks like she weighs about 4lbs right now! We are expecting that sometime around January 18th is when I will be induced. I have dilated a bit further, but not much. So...continued bedrest is vital. The doctor WAS considering taking me off bedrest at 34 weeks, but he has since changed his mind and says that I can come off at 36 weeks. Which means I will be getting off bedrest RIGHT before Christmas! YAY!
Addyson is growing up entirely too quickly. She has been SUCH a good girl this past week. Adam's work/school schedule have kept him REALLY busy...and she has adjusted to hanging out in bed with momma really well! I put together a box full of her favorite toys and movies, crayons, coloring books, etc. Each morning we pack up a cooler with drinks, snacks, and lunch which has been SO helpful! Also, she has a Dora couch that folds out...and we just stick that up on my bed with her pillow and her Dora blanket...and her and I hang out and watch Playhouse Disney, Nick Jr., or a good kids movie. We have been enjoying coloring, etc. :) It is really nice because her and I are getting some one-on-one time before Annslie arrives!
Yesterday, Addyson and I were talking about how her "Noni" (my mom) is going to be coming when Annslie is ready to "come out of momma's belly". At nap time she was crying for her Noni and I said, "She will be here when Annslie comes out." Addy lifted up my shirt and said, "Come out now baby!" It was SO cute! She switches between not acknowledging that their is even a baby coming, being excited, and being very unhappy. All very normal I am sure.
Adam is wrapping up yet another semester of school! It looks like my Mr. Smarty Pants will be getting 3 A's and 2 B's. He also just got his acceptance letter for the Business Minor in Entrepreneurship program. I wasn't aware that deciding on a minor was such a competitive area. I was under the impression you just declared a minor, and then moved forward with the necessary requirements. However, apparently the program is very competitive and has very high requirements! I am very very proud of him! He has worked really hard to come back from his first time in college! Next semester he is taking another 15 hours...and they all appear extremely difficult to me! I can't believe he is taking on that much...and we are having a new baby! However, he has always done well under pressure...and I am sure this semester will be no different! Adam also has been working for a company called Mosaic. The best way to describe his job is this: You know how when you go into a store there will be reps for other companies? Well, Adam is a rep for Kodak. He works in the local Wal-Mart and Staples stores and is basically there to answer questions people may have about any Kodak products. He is only working part-time, however the pay is really awesome! The other upside to this job is that it looks awesome on his resume. Right now we are trying to focus on how to get him some managerial experience prior to graduation. Also, we are starting to research grad-school programs. We are in that final 2 year stretch of school...and are both really looking forward to him obtaining his degree!
Adam really deserves some kind of medal for "amazing hubby of the year". He has been so supportive during this difficult pregnancy...and while it has been tough on me physically and emotionally, it has been just as much so on him. Between school, work, childcare duties, housecleaning duties, etc...he has been running himself ragged. I am really looking forward to taking back over once Annslie arrives. I have also learned a lot about letting go of control. My house is not even near what I consider to be presentable...yet...in the grand scheme of things...it doesn't really matter.
Please continue to be in prayer for our family as we head into the next phase of life! 2 kiddo's under 3, dad who is a full time student, and a mommy trying to adjust to it all! We are really excited to see what the New Year holds for us!
Well, I thought I would update...as an update is MUCH needed.
We picked up Addyson on Friday night from Abilene and stayed the night in a hotel (there was no way Adam OR I could turn around and drive back 6 hours at 11pm!) When we got there to pick her up she started giggling uncontrollably and was on the floor with her hands over her eyes! LOL. It was so cute! We had a good trip back...it was long and very uncomfortable for me...and very cramped for poor Addyson. My mom went a little crazy on her shopping trips with Addy...and also sent us back with Christmas presents...so our little Toyota Camry was quite full! Just confirmed to Adam and I that we DEFINITELY need a bigger car after Annslie gets here! LOL.
Yesterday, Adam unfortunately had to work for 6 hours in a town about 30 minutes away. Addyson was SO cooperative the first half of the morning...but after nap time it was a different story. My poor little girl was no doubt TIRED of being cooped up in the house...confined to mommy and daddy's bedroom...and she definitely let me know! I was already in quite a bit of pain...and having pretty regular contractions (7-8 minutes apart) so....being up and down chasing around a toddler was definitely not easy! Around 5, I noticed that something was a little different and talked to my mom about it. She encouraged me to call my doctor and see what he said. Sure enough, my doctor wanted me to come in to L&D for monitoring. Obviously, I needed to wait until my hubby came home...so I actually didn't get up to the hospital until 7!
When I got to the hospital they checked my cervix first...and thank the Lord...I hadn't dilated any further, however, I was 30-40% effaced. The nurse thought she felt my bag of water bulging from my cervix...so she had another nurse come in and check me. The second nurse felt something odd too...but wasn't convinced it was my bag of water. I was hooked up to monitors to track contractions and Annslie's heartrate. Annslie looked great! However, we soon found out that I was having contractions 1-2 minutes apart and lasting for 1 minute! Many of my contractions were peaking pretty high. Definitely a diagnosis of preterm labor. I am happy to report though...that I used breathing techniques through many of the hard contractions...and managed to make it through them! My doctor decided to give me a shot of Demmorall w/Phenergan to try and bring the contractions down...and also help with the pain. Unfortunately, the contractions kept on coming in the same pattern. SO...the dreaded Breathine was brought out! :( I just have to mention that this medication makes you feel HORRIBLE. Really shaky, heart racing...etc. I had a dose...and within about 15 minutes my contractions were only lasting 20 seconds and weren't as intense. However, I was still having them 1-2 minutes apart. The nurse checked me again, and luckily...I was still at the same dilation...but it appeared that my cervix had thinned out even further.
I was sent home and had to go in today for a cervical ultrasound to make sure my cervix hadn't shortened any. Unfortunately, it has. Ideally they would like your cervix to be between 3-5 cm. Mine was 2.92. LUCKILY it wasn't too short. I am waiting on one more test tomorrow before we know where we go from here. Adam and I are prepared for strict bedrest...but are still trying to figure out the details! Bedrest is a completely different story when you already have a kiddo!
On a positive note...Annslie weighs 3lbs 4 oz. :) She looks VERY healthy. Now...we just need to keep her cooking for ATLEAST 4 1/2 more weeks!
Thank you for all the prayers! I am still having really strong contractions that I am timing at 6-7 minutes apart (however...its apparent that I am not feeling all of them!) and just that process is exhausting and painful. All completely worth it for the end result!
Well, I had a Dr's appointment yesterday...and unfortunately the news wasn't GREAT. Oh...Annslie is healthy and moving right along...and I seem to be healthy on most fronts. My weight gain is good, my blood pressure is good, Annslie is measuring right on target. However, after telling them about my symptoms the doctor decided to check me...and sure enough I am dilated to a 1 1/2 almost 2. So....stricter bedrest it is.
I must say at this point in my pregnancy it is getting harder and harder to stay positive and upbeat. I am really trying to remind myself of the great blessing I am being given.
Please be in prayer for my family...as we face this difficult time of working through me being on bedrest, dealing with a 2 year old...etc.
I promised I would keep up with this...and here I am 4 weeks after my last post...sorry about that!
Well, Addyson has been gone for 2 weeks now...and I miss my baby girl so much! My parents came up from San Antonio and picked her up when I found out I had the dreaded H1N1! I am so thankful for my family...Adam's mom and step dad brought over face masks and called and checked on me every day...which meant SO much! My parents took time off work to come up and get Addyson...and rearranged their schedules. I feel truly blessed to have such great family! It sounds like Addy is having a blast! Although I can't WAIT for her to come home!!
Adam got a seasonal job as a Brand Ambassador for Kodak! Its a great opportunity for him! It is a marketing type job and is going to look awesome on his resume! A couple of other opportunities have already presented themselves through this job...so we feel very fortunate! Its keeping him away from home quite a bit though...between work and school he is rarely home...but I feel truly blessed that my husband makes such sacrifices for his family!
The pregnancy is going okay. I am SO ready to be done! The contractions are getting more and more intense...and there are days that I have a hard time even getting out of bed. However, it will ALL be worth it in the end! I just keep telling Annslie that she needs to wait ATLEAST another 6-7 weeks! :) I will know more about how everything is progressing on Wednesday. We are just hoping that she is continuing to be healthy...and that regardless of how intense the contractions are...its not causing any changes as to whether she is trying to come early! Bedrest is getting harder to handle. I find myself getting down because there is so much to do...and increasingly less time to do it in. I know it will all come together...and I have some awesome friends and family who have offered their help! I may just end up taking them up on it! :)
I will try and update more later when I find out how things are going on Wednesday!
I have VERY good news to report! Annslie is growing like a weed...weighing in at 2lbs 2 oz! WOW! All my test results look good...so it looks like with continued bed rest we should make it into the safe zone!
Now we are just biding our time until we can meet our precious little princess! Addyson is going to be such a great big sister...and I am so excited to see the bond that forms between them!
As many of you know I have been dealing with intense contractions that are coming every 8 minutes and lasting for 30 seconds or so. I saw my doctor a week ago and he confirmed that they are in fact preterm contractions which can lead to preterm labor. He also performed a Fetal Fibronectin Test which basically tests the "glue" that keeps your membranes intact. A positive result would indicate that you will likely go into labor in the next 1-2 weeks. He also scheduled me for an ultrasound on Oct 21st to check Annslie's growth, my amniotic fluid levels, and cervical length. Luckily, I haven't started to dilate yet...which is good!
When I was pregnant with Addyson I went into preterm labor several times that was stopped with medication and bedrest...so we pretty much knew this was coming with Annslie as well. I am at an increased risk of preterm labor due to the fact that I was diagnosed with cervical cancer about 4 years ago...and had what is called a LEEP done to remove the cancerous cells. The procedure removes a large part of your cervix...therefore leaving you at an increased risk of dilating early in pregnancy. I also have "irritable uteri" which is caused by my uterus tilting so far back. Basically what this means is that my uterus easily becomes irritated therefore causing contractions! So...those frequent trips to the bathroom are a must...as a full bladder can irritate it even further! Its also not an option since during pregnancy my uterus sits RIGHT on top of my bladder! LOL!
I am on bedrest with Annslie...although at this point it is not strict. I can get up and shower, go to the bathroom, fix myself something to eat, etc. I however, cannot lift my daughter, vacuum, do any type of cleaning, etc. My OB is going to continue to watch as I progress in the pregnancy for more signs of preterm labor. I will find out next week if I will have to start seeing the doctor more frequently...but it IS possible that I will have to start going every 2 weeks to do Fetal Fibronectin Tests and to check for dilation. Basically, when I hit 34 weeks I have the go ahead to resume normal activities. I am not the best patient as my husband will attest to. He frequently has to remind me that I am NOT supposed to be doing something. So its been a frustrating experience to say the least. With Addyson there wasn't much to do...but now that I have a 2 year old running around...its harder to just lay around as prescribed. I also am not a BIG fan of doing nothing....it may have something to do with my ADHD! I have chosen NOT to use Brethine (a medicine to calm contractions) with this pregnancy because with Addyson it did nothing but give me high blood pressure and make me feel like I was crawling out of my skin. According to my doctor, it will not prevent the contractions, stop them, or even prevent preterm labor...it is really more for MY comfort. So...since it DOESN'T cause me to feel more comfortable I opted against it. Instead I am on pain medication (which actually does WONDERS for calming the contractions). I am taking the smallest dose possible as prescribed...and after speaking with the doctor at length...the benefits of it seem to outweigh the risks. We are also using it to treat the extreme lower back pain (most likely caused by my previous surgery).
All in all...I feel very very thankful to have such a capable doctor whom is treating me. His training is amazing...and after my experience with him during my pregnancy with Addyson there is NO ONE else I would rather have as an OB. I appreciate everyone's prayers during this time...as it has been a stressful, scary, emotional rollercoaster as we try to deal with the bedrest, mood swings of a bored pregnant mom, and more. I know God has his hand over my family...and I know he is protecting my precious little Annslie! I so look forward to January when I can greet my precious baby girl...because in the end it is ALL worth it.
I am officially 22 weeks! :) I am getting more and more excited about meeting our precious baby Annslie Faith!
Our crib and changing table came in...and we picked them up today! I am so excited to get the spare room cleared out so I can get in their and paint our accent wall and get started on setting up the nursery! Leave it to me though to not only have that project to tackle...but ALSO I have decided to paint Addyson's room. We are living in a rental home...and originally thought that we would only be here a couple of years (until Adam graduated)...but it is becoming increasingly evident that we may actually be here another 2 years after he graduates (4 more years!) so that he can get his MBA.
When I was pregnant with Addyson I was TERRIFIED at the thought of having a girl. Don't get me wrong...I love all things girly...but I am NOT a big pink fan. HAHA...little did I know that would change VERY quickly after having a little girl. I am still not huge on decorating with pink though. LOL. So...we are painting an accent wall in Addyson's room pale yellow...and then putting up these VERY cute wall decals that match her bedding that we just bought her. Her bedding came in about a week ago...and its the first time that she had a FULLY matching bedset (since upgrading to the toddler bed!) Her cute little set even has a top sheet...which in all honesty is quite pointless when you have a 2 year old who is all over everywhere at night! In Annslie's room we are painting an accent wall a very very pale dove gray. When I looked for her bedding I wanted something that was different...with a minimal amount of pink in it! I also knew I didn't want to spend over $150 and I wanted to have something that almost looked vintagey...I spent months looking (even before knowing what we were having) and FINALLY found it the week before we were able to announce that we were having a girl. AND...I got a great deal....13 piece bedroom set for $89! WOW! Now...the only thing left to do is buy her wall letters and decorate those...as well as buy the ribbon and clothes pins and decorate those. Ribbon and clothes pins you ask? I found the cutest idea online! You get a thick ribbon and decorate your clothes pins. Attach both sides of the ribbon to where you want them (think clothes line) and then attach pictures to the clothes pins. You can instantly change as she grows! I may change it up a bit...but I LOVE LOVE the basic idea.
I will post pictures as soon as we get in there....believe me I am ready...just wish that the next 2 weekends weren't already planned out!
Haha....no I don't mean my moods, although I have been slightly moody. (hehe)
Today my doctor informed me that he is pretty sure that my contractions are due to "irritable uteri". Which basically means...My uterus contracts in a non-distinguishable pattern that doesn't produce any noticeable changes to my cervix. Plus side? The likelihood of it causing preterm labor is only 10%. Negatives? Have to take it easy...and basically just deal with the painful contractions. My doctor told me that IF I were to go into labor now...the chances of our precious Annslie staying with us...is next to zero. NOT AN OPTION! So...despite my stubbornness...I am going to heed his advice...and go on modified bedrest for 1 week. Basically this means that I can get up, go to the shower, go to the restroom, get myself a drink, etc. However, it also means...NO heavy cleaning, no lifting, etc. Okay...I can handle that for one week. I have bronchitis...which is causing severe coughing...which in turn causes my "irritable uteri" to contract. We are hoping that once the bronchitis is cleared up...that the contractions will subside! After one week...I am supposed to just "listen to my body." If I start having contractions...I need to rest...and put my feet up.
The other thing my doctor and I discussed was whether or not Adam and I should even THINK about a 3rd baby. The doctor assured me that he doesn't think it will do anything negative to me or the baby...but he did remind me that the older I get...the harder pregnancy will be...and since I already have difficult pregnancies, I should keep this in mind. He said he definitely does NOT recommend getting pregnant over 30. This was not an issue for Adam or I as I had already made the decision to NOT get pregnant over 30 for various reasons. Adam and I are going to be doing a lot of thinking as to whether or not we will even attempt a 3rd pregnancy...so we will see!
So here we go for a second time! I am bound and determined to let Annslie continue to grow! :) Wish me luck! With a 2 year old...and a full time student for a husband it should be interesting!
I am 21 weeks and 3 days along...and it is getting harder and harder to get things done these days. Everytime I start cleaning, etc...I find myself doubled over with contractions within an hour or so. Then...for the next 12-24 hours I am forced to take a "time out".
There is just SO much to do...and I feel really guilty when 8 o' clock comes, Addyson is in bed...and the only thing I accomplished that day was straightening up the living room. I know just being with my daughter and taking care of her is enough...but on the days she is in school...I find myself overwhelmed with all their is to get done.
My best friend gave birth 6 weeks early...and it sort of put things in perspective. However, it never really hit me until I started getting bigger. I guess once you can physically tell you are pregnant...it makes a difference? I am having to FORCE myself to say..."It can wait."
I am so blessed to have a husband who is as helpful as he is. However, his school schedule is VERY demanding this semester...and he can't do it all. When he does start in on doing things around the house...I feel guilty. I feel as though I should be doing it! He reminds me that I need to be resting so that Annslie comes at the right time and healthy. However, I still beat myself up.
All these things combined with hormones sometimes get me down. I am trying to remind myself that in the grand scheme of things...it doesn't really matter, and in due time I will be back up and running...and HOPEFULLY able to handle 2 kids and the house. A million other women in this world do it...so...I KNOW its possible!
In closing...you should all know...I am on the couch...resting. :) By order of my husband...and a few select friends!
I am excited to announce that we have decided that we will FOR SURE be naming our little one...Annslie Faith Jones. My mother suggested the spelling...and we both LOVED it!
As each day goes by, I find myself longing more and more to hold this precious baby. With every kick, punch or wiggle...I can't wait to see her cute little face. I find myself wondering if she will look like Addyson. The excitement that comes along with baby #2 is just as huge as the excitement that comes along with #1.
I also find myself worrying about whether or not I will be able to mother 2 children. Will I have enough love to give? Time? Patience? I know these fears are completely natural and also completely unfounded...but I still find myself worrying about such silliness. I often find myself worrying the most about patience. It is something I have to work on on a daily basis. I guess I will just have to work even harder!
Well, this morning was an emotional one in the Jones Household! Today...I sent my baby girl off for her first day of Early Preschool. To be fair, Early Preschool is a daycare program with a heavy emphasis on education. There is LOTS of playing too...but everything is centered around learning.
We decided to put Addyson in daycare for 2 days a week so she could gain socialization skills with kids her own age...AND to give her a chance to have 2 days a week where she can get out of the house and do something fun! It wasn't an easy decision for me...although I do have to admit that being 20 weeks pregnant and having two days a week to get stuff done without toting around a 2 year old was sort of intriguing. HAHA.
When I woke up this morning I was chatting with my little girl...and I thought I would share how the conversation went. Hope you guys get as big of a kick out of it as Adam and I did.
Me: "Addy, do you want to go to school today or stay home with mommy?" Addy: "I big girl now, I go to school. Its ok, mommy" as she pats me on the shoulder. Me: "Ok, well I will miss you today! But, you are going to have SO much fun playing with the other kids!" Addy: "I wub you momma"
We then proceeded to go about getting her dressed for school...and she decided that SHE was going to pick out her clothes...She did very well I might add...She decided to wear her OSU jersey, jeans and her sneakers. (I was QUITE impressed). Then she helped me pack up her Dora backpack...and asked me to give her a "piggy". (pigtails) As I was doing her hair she kept impatiently kept asking me if she "go bye bye now"...and then waited by the door for her Daddy to "huwwy".
I walked the two loves of my life out to the car...and Addyson gave me a big sloppy kiss and said, "See later!" (As I am tearing up) Adam called me 20 minutes later letting me know that when she got there she ran into her classroom, turned around...gave him a hug...and then was gone! Good to know that she isn't shy! :)
Needless to say I am lost with all the quiet today! Its been 3 hours since she left and I have gotten just about everything on my to-do list done...so I guess I will go ahead and rest as the doctor has ordered.
I can't imagine sending her off to school 5 days a week! I think it might kill me!
Well, we all know that I start many projects...only to abandon them shortly after. However, lately, I have found SO much on my mind...and so many people to update with what is going on in our little family!
I figured I would go ahead and start blog #1 with a rundown of how everyone is doing around here...
Addyson is officially two! And....with turning two comes all the joys of the "terrible twos". Um...did I say joys? Our little munchkin is QUITE stubborn, incredibly intelligent, and very VERY determined. Sometimes I find myself at the end of the day wondering if I can really take on tomorrow. But...then again...I am certainly not the FIRST mother to feel this way! In all honesty, she is a joy to be around. She is learning so much...and sometimes I find myself in shock over the things she says. She will be going to Early Preschool twice a week starting this week. Mainly for her to be able to play with other kiddos, but also so that she has something fun for HER. I am sure she will LOVE it!
Adam is entering into his last 2 years of school. He is taking 15 credit hours...and finished 6 this summer. He is really buckling down and trying to finish ASAP...so that we can get on with our lives. His grades have been stellar since he went back...and I am so proud of him for juggling family life, jobs, etc and school. Top that off with a good case of ADHD...and you could have a recipe for disaster...lol...but he is really excelling. He is majoring in Marketing...and I must say...I think its a perfect fit for him. He is loving his marketing classes...and talks non-stop about them. So...I am happy he seems to have found his "calling." I am so ready to see where life takes us once he graduates...he is so incredibly talented...I am sure that life will be full of amazing opportunities for him!
I am officially 1/2 way through my pregnancy! Thank the LORD is all I can say! We found out a week ago that we are going to be blessed with another little girl! :) I am excited! We are leaning towards the name Ansley Faith. However, who knows! That could change. I am so ready to meet this little girl...and with every kick...I find myself wishing for January to get here more quickly. For now though...I am trying to enjoy the one on one time I have with my firstborn baby, Addyson. This pregnancy has been alot more difficult than with Addyson...but hey...she is a healthy little one...and thats all we can ask for right?
Well, I am off of here to attend to my motherly duties...I will make sure and stay on task with this project...Hopefully...I can!
We are a fun loving family of 4. Adam is a fulltime student at OSU (GO POKES!) I am blessed to be able to work from home and be with my gorgeous girls, Addyson Grace and Annslie Faith!
