28 Weeks - Daddy's Home

Today, Reid and I hit 28 weeks. 

I still cannot believe this is almost over already. We have realistically 10 more weeks, and Reid will be here. It is still hard for me to really get that we will have 2 kids here in our house in a little over 2 months time. I know this is happening, but of course I've been dreaming of all of the good things that come with having 2 kids, and cringing over thinking of the hard parts about having 2 kids.

Allen just got home Monday afternoon, and we have been trying to scramble to get his stuff together for his elk hunt. Other than that, we have been spending as much time together as possible. Our nights have been spent watching and feeling for Reid to kick or move, and either Hayleigh or Daddy helping me off of the couch. When we go to restaurants anymore, I'm the last to get up, and someone is helping me out of a booth or chair. I hate being helpless like this. I walk slow, and just generally I am in low gear right now. I have been sleeping more and more. Most days, I've been camped out on our couch, letting Hayleigh watch tv, and play with what ever she wants. Just flat out worn down right now. It really makes me wonder if after Reid gets here, I'll have that same surge of energy like I did when Hayleigh was born. Allen and I were talking about that last night, and I told him to not let me do everything again. I've got to focus on feeding Reid- not getting everything done. I can already see it all now- Reid will be here before Thanksgiving, and I'll be taking care of him, Hayleigh, and fixing Thanksgiving dinner if he lets me. PLUS, I have to get the Christmas decor up sometime before that- hopefully when my mom gets here, all of the Halloween can come down, and she can help me get the trees up and everything else I want to get ready, so it will be set for when Reid's newborn session will be. I've been fighting sleep at night too lately. I lay in bed thinking up a list of things I have got to do, and things that will need to be done after Reid gets here. I know I should just relax and not worry about things, but I am a big planner. I still have to find a pediatrician yet too.

Allen worries about me more and more. It doesn't help that I moan, whine, and grunt in my sleep- mainly when I'm trying to get turned over. I even grabbed his arm to help me get turned on my side last night and woke him up. He said it was okay, but I hate having him worry about me, and Hayleigh. We are making it just fine, and that's just something else for him to worry about.

I feel so scattered brained right now, it probably shows. Just so much to do, my energy is running low, and time is running out to when Reid will be here.

A Slice of Heaven - Peach Dessert with Cookies and Cream

This morning, after sneaking to the kitchen before Hayleigh woke up, and eating our last peach, I stumbled upon this blog post from Crafty Chicks. I guess I didn't realize that they are not too far away from us here in Fruita. Right now we are celebrating the close of the Peach Festival in Palisade, CO, a short drive away from us her- maybe 40 minutes. Peaches are EVERYWHERE- at road side fruit stands, and in town here with young kids holding signs to advertise the Fresh Peaches. The peaches here are soo sweet and yummy, and I can purchase them at the City Markets we have here - our local grocery stores too. The peaches are soo good, that we cannot hardly keep them on hand- I don't know what we are going to do when they finally go out of season here. I was planning on going and picking up more today, before Allen made his way in- I usually pick up about 20 peaches at a time, and they last us MAYBE a week- if we are lucky. I need to start freezing some back to save for this winter. I would have never believed anyone if they would have told me that this area had such great produce. One usually thinks of the South or California for great fruit- not Colorado. Kind of like our own little Southern Comfort here, along with all of the vineyards and orchards that line the roadways here. Peaches are complete heaven to me... now don't get me started on how I feel about blueberries too. They are the same way.

Anyway, I was going through my daily reading list of blog posts, and this recipe was posted over at  Crafty Chicks . Feel free to pop on over and check out their blog- really a lot of good ideas and crafty stuff over there!

Peach Dessert with Cookies and Cream- not what you think. I immediately with my pregnant brain thought of cookies and cream ice cream- not the case. Heavy whipping cream and vanilla wafer cookies. The best part of this recipe is it is a no bake- YAY! So, even though this summer is still hot, you can thoroughly enjoy some peach heaven without heating your house or kitchen up.

Peach Dessert

1 box Nilla Wafers, crushed (set aside 1/2 cup for the top)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 c butter, softened

8-10 peaches skinned and sliced

1 pint whipping cream, whipped to a stiff peak

Beat the sugar, egg and butter till creamy then add the cookie crumbs. Mix together and press into a 9 x13″ pan. Add peaches, top with whip cream and sprinkle Nilla Wafer Crumbs on top. Keep refrigerated.

The Nilla Wafer crust is my favorite part of this recipe, and you may have noticed it has a raw egg. At first this bothered me until I remembered how much cookie dough I eat without thinking twice about it. If raw eggs aren’t your thing then this recipe probably isn’t for you, but if you’re a dough sneaker I promise Peach Dessert will not disappoint!

An Inspiration to Us All

"When a baby is born, you should cry,when someone dies, you should rejoice."
-Florine Antonetta Weidner

Hayleigh was 1 week old when we took her over to visit Grandma for the first time. Grandma and Hayleigh share the same middle name, and I'm grateful that Grandma got to meet Hayleigh while she was still in better health.

This was taken when Hayleigh was 2-1/2 weeks old It is the first picture of all 4 generations of us. Grandma was always really proud of her grandchildren.

Hayleigh's first Christmas. This was the last Christmas that we spent with Grandma- she was not well the following Christmas. Hayleigh was so intrigued by both Grandmas being there with her. Hayleigh was almost 6 months old there. 

This is the last time I got to see Grandma, and the last picture we have together.
 Grandma turned 90 years old that day, and as you can see she had went down hill
 in the past year leading up. I know she was tired of carrying on here.
 I also had just found out that I was pregnant with Reid in this picture too.
Hayleigh was 1 year and 23 months old here.

My mind is reeling back 23 years ago or so to me being 6 years old, waking up, and going into the living room early Sunday morning. My mom was in her room, crying on the bed, and my dad was going in and out of the room, and trying to get stuff going that morning. My sister and I walked into my mom's room, and asked her what was wrong. She turned to us, her eyes full of tears, and said, "My dad just died." 

That is a memory that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life, along with today.

About an hour ago, I was lying on the couch, watching Toy Story with Hayleigh, and my mom called. She wanted to let me know that Grandma had just passed away, and that she was on the way out to her house because she is one of the few in charge of her final arrangements. 

At first it didn't really hit me. Not until I sat and thought about it for a minute, and let it all sink in. One of the ladies that I had most admired in my life is now gone. We were already set to go back a month from now, and I wanted to see Grandma for the last time, and get to tell her all about Reid, and sit and visit with her as long as we could. I am thankful that Grandma's final wishes have been upheld, through all of the trials that have happened, and she can now be at peace. I know the fighting among everyone will probably not come to a stop for a little while more, but at least the end of it is in sight. I highly doubt if our family will be gathering together for holidays anymore. It is sad, but it is the way things are now. 

The only thing that upsets me now, is that I didn't get to see Grandma one last time again- but I knew this already somehow.  I just felt it, the last time I did get to see Grandma would be the last. I know it is probably weird, but I have absolutely no desire to hurry back now to make it to the final arrangements. I would love to be there for my mom, but, other than that, I would rather not see most of the others. Things that have been said and done over the past few years have changed the way I look at some of them, and I don't want to go back to be angry. When we do get back, we will just go see Grandma in her resting place, and remember the good times we shared with her, and not add any more bad memories to the mix.

I am eternally grateful that Grandma did get to meet Hayleigh, even if she won't get to meet Reid- she will at least be watching over us, smiling. Grandma loved babies- her grand babies. I have learned a lot from that lady- I always compared her to Mother Theresa. She always seemed to know all, and understand all. She gave without asking for anything in return, and saw the good out of all people. If she ever did see anything bad, she didn't say anything. She knew how much she meant to many of us, and I know there is no need to worry about not telling her just how much she meant to me- she knows. 

I grew up Catholic, many of you are aware of that. Even though I struggle with religion most days, the main point being the church's position on infertility treatment, I still cherish many things I shared with Grandma through the church. I was the first girl server in our church, and Grandma was very proud of me for that. Every night after serving at church, Grandma would come up to me, give me a hug, and tell me I got another star on my halo. Most of my favorite memories of Grandma were often after church on Saturday nights. We would always go over there to eat supper with her- Jack's pizzas with a cheese platter that she would cut up. Before we would eat, after getting there, we would have pimento cheese spread, or ham salad sandwiches, hot ham sandwiches with tons of Miracle Whip to eat as soon as we got there. She would make up at least 3 pies- usually a coconut cream pie, cherry pie, and peach pie, and have a stash of cookies and Little Debbie snacks on the counter. On the corner of the counter, she had a huge candy basket full of the good candy- she would always get us some little brown sandwich bags out and have us fill them up with candy before we left. No wonder we loved her so much- she fed us like little pigs, and sent us home hopped up on pop, candy, pies, and Little Debbie snacks. She had the best homemade pickles too. Sometimes, we would eat over on Sundays, and her fried chicken was always the best with her mashed potatoes and homemade noodles. Our family, no matter how big it was would get together for every holiday or just because. I miss Christmas and Thanksgiving at her house back when Grandpa was still here. The house was always packed, but everyone had a great time. She would always be smiling every time we saw her. She never forgot any one's birthday, and always had a present with a card. In the card, she would write the same thing inside it every time. 

The Wizard of Oz was always a special thing with me and Grandma. I was always scared of that movie. We would get to watch it over at her house, after church sometimes when it was on, and talk about it all. Even then, Grandma didn't have a bad thing to say about the wicked witch of the West. Halloween was always a big deal. Grandma would decorate her house up, and had the best candy in the world. She would always say, take as much as you want.Allen and I did not get married in a church- we got married in a bed and breakfast. Grandma was one of the few that was just fine with this. 

I know Grandma did a lot of special things for everyone she knew and loved. I may not have inherited my Grandma's patience and understanding of everything, but I have a great person to look up to, to try to work on those things. At least I can remember her for who she was- an incredible woman that I will always admire, and be proud to share her middle name and have had the chance to pass it along to Hayleigh in her honor too. 

 

Video from the past

Click here to view this video

 I've been trying to get organized before Reid gets here, and I stumbled upon this video today. Seriously made me cry! This was  not even that long ago!!! Hayleigh was almost 6 months old when I videoed this while Allen was on the phone with me. Makes me look forward to seeing Reid do this, but miss all of those baby days that are long gone now with Hayleigh!

Wish list revisited before Reid, and options for after Reid

I know I've already blogged about this within the last few months, but I thought I would go through my wish list on things to do/get done before Reid again. I've gotten some things accomplished, but still dragging my feet on a few others.

1. Scan all of Hayleigh's pictures and save online- for just in case. I need to get this done before Reid gets here because I know we will have twice the pictures after he gets here, and it will be almost impossible to get done.

2. I've already went through Hayleigh's old clothes once- yesterday in fact. I need to go through them again when I have the cedar chest cleared out, and store the outfits I really loved of hers, or are very sentimental to us. After getting this done, I need to get them stored away, and possibly sent back to my mom for future us- if my sister has kids someday.

3. clean out the closets one last time

4. get Hayleigh's playroom in the garage set up

5. get going on my Christmas Shopping

6. Go through my Christmas Decor, and dig out Hayleigh and Reid's stockings, and get them monogrammed with their names

7. Get the last of the baby supplies we need

8. Get PREREGISTERED!!!! And, schedule an appointment to tour the hospital- in fact I'm scheduling the appointment this afternoon for October while I'm thinking about it.

9. Get Hayleigh to give up the pacifiers- almost there!!!

10. Get me a pedicure

I had to have 10 items- don't ask me why. I have to have the list even and nice. Anyway, I have to be careful with how much I do anymore. I have found the more I do- and not rest, the more likely it is to aggravate my sciatic nerve problem. So, baby steps... things will get done slowly but surely.

I've also been researching birth control options for after Reid gets here. I don't want to be like Tori Spelling, and my body decide to be fertile, and I get pregnant before Reid is only 2 months old. So, I think after researching all available options, I think I'm going to start out on just plain old fashioned birth control pills, and then within a year, go and get my tubes tied. I'm currently talking to a friend about her experience with the procedure, just to make sure it is what I want to do. The reason I'm planning on just me getting fixed instead of Allen is that if there are any complications, I am here next to our hospital. If something were to go wrong with Allen later- he would most likely be in North Dakota, and would have to take off of work. Plus he is a big baby too- don't tell him I said that, even though he knows it's true. From what I've researched with the IUD birth control options, and the permanent birth control- inserts put in your tubes- there is a lot that can go wrong with all of those, and they have not been around for very long. I'm not wanting to get any surgery done, BUT, if the side effects afterward are like they say, I would rather chance the surgery than the out patient procedures that a lot of women have had problems with. If anyone has any input on any of this, please email me!!! It will be a while before we do anything, but we are sure that our family will be complete after Reid. I'm at least going to give it some time, and wait at least 6 months before we do anything permanent- just to be sure. I think stopping at 1 boy and 1 girl is a good mix for our family.

Way Back When...

Okay, I finally got my butt in gear, and got a few of the old pictures of Allen and I run off. Most of them I had to take my camera and take a picture of, due to the pictures being in my scrap book, and I didn't want to tear it all apart. So, these start from November 99' and go up until September 2001. Yes, I realize I had a perm and that is now not the "thing" to have, but I liked it at the time- so be easy on me! 

November 99' Allen's first turkey-
 killed with a bow

Going out to eat December 99'

Christmas Dance 99' We were really smitten with each other~
I knew by then I wanted to marry Allen someday...

One of my all time favorite pictures of us-
 we were soo young, and soo in love then~

Prom 2000- our Junior Prom
My mom made my dress, and went out
 to get me gloves at the very last minute!

Homecoming 2000- our Senior Year 

In the hall at the local high school Fall 2000- our Senior Year

Prom Morning- day of our Senior Prom 

One of my other all time favorites of us- Fall 2001
Allen just got back from Shawnee from bow hunting with my dad
- this was one of the first times we had been apart for a weekend. 

Okay, I just had to throw this one in- Allen was with me down the fence row when I shot my first big buck- I was soooo proud of this deer, and it was the very first time I got to go hunt all by myself. My dad usually went with me. After killing this deer- the next fall my stand became a "hot spot" and I couldn't hardly get in it from then on after. 

27 Weeks & Getting a Kick out of Reid

Today, we are 27 weeks along! Reid is getting stronger and stronger every day with each new kick he throws me. It's hard to believe that next week, I will be in the third trimester, and this chapter in our lives will be done. We will not be down this road again- that we are planning on anyway.

With us making it to this point, there seems to be a lot going on.

Allen got his red had this morning at work- see Hard Working Daddy post. Hayleigh is all but done with pacifiers. They are all "broke" pretty much. She has managed to chew holes in all of them, so I'm thinking today is the day that I take the scissors to them to make sure she doesn't choke on chewing off pieces of them. Last night was a little rough. She managed to lose 2 of the good pacifiers that were still good, and I could not find them anywhere. I looked everywhere all over this house, and so the saying goes, "if Mama can't find it, it is truly lost."

Other than that, we have just been keeping busy around the house. Getting ready for Allen to come home. I'll keep this short today, and just post the videos of Reid kicking. He doesn't look like he is kicking that hard- but it sure does feel hard to me. I'll let you know how I feel about it  in about a month on his kicks being hard now to me. Anyway, they are faint looking on my belly- what do you expect him to do? Put his foot through my belly? lol

In the first video, he kicks 3 quick kicks on my right side of my belly- 1/4 the way up on the side of the video. Hayleigh does something soo sweet, and without prompting her, she says Reid's name. This amazes me because I don't constantly tell her that is Reid in Mommy's tummy.

This video you can see him kick 3 times or so, in the middle of my belly. I don't imagine we will see too much action on my left side, since the placenta is there to cushion my ribs- THANK GOD!!!

Wordless Wednesday- Our Hard Working Daddy

Allen and his new red hat

This morning, I woke up to find a picture Allen had just sent me on my cell phone. He FINALLY got his red hat at work! He has been waiting for it for quite a while. He already can do a lot more than most of people on his crew can, and is the "go to guy". He has been stuck with his green hat since he first started work there almost 6 months ago. Since getting on with his company, he is among 5 people out of his whole crew, I think less now that they have shifted people around, that has completed all of his training programs. Others haven't even looked at the books. He has done all of the training book work he can for now, and has jumped at the chance to learn every job he can- recently given the chance to learn crane operating. The crane operating job is a job only 1 or 2 guys get to learn on a crew, so it is a very covenant job. Anyway, I- WE are all sooo proud of our hard working Daddy! He spends so much time away from us, it is nice to see him get rewarded for all of his hard work!

Flash Back Monday

2005 

I just got this picture of Allen and I emailed to me this morning, and was pretty amused. This was taken back in May of 2005. 7 whole years ago. All I can say is wow!!! I look so young, and so does Allen. Well, after all we were only 22 years old back then. Man, do I sound old! 22 years old young?? To me now, it is, since from this year on, I will be holding 29 years old. Amazing how a person looks before kids huh? I would love to get back to this size again after Reid gets here- hopefully within a year, fingers crossed! Anyway, this was the second year we had been trying, being married for 3 years, and decided to take a break from it all. I think it was a combination of people asking when we were going to have kids, and others chiming in hurtful things that were not meant to be hurtful..." I don't think they know how" I know it didn't bother me then as much as it would have a few more years later, but it is crazy at what people say when they don't think you are having kids quick enough after you get married. I personally am glad that our kids didn't come until later. We got to accomplish a lot, see the country, and do a little bit more of growing up along the way too.

Pregnancy Blunders

Pregnancy Blunders.... ohh have I had them!

Let's see, yesterday was the worst one so far. I finally figured out that for the most part my pain is being caused by Sciatic Nerve Pain. I really hate it, and if I would have experienced it the first time with Hayleigh, I think I would have gotten myself fixed. It was so bad, it was running down both of my legs! One thing that I find interesting so far is that everyone I have talked to that experienced sciatic nerve pain while pregnant, was carrying a boy. Everyone that carried girls, including me, didn't have it. I'm guessing it's from the way that everyone seems to have carried their boys while pregnant. It hit me so bad last night about an hour before bedtime. I laid in bed, crying. I tried shifting my position- it helps at night when I'm stiff from it. I tried laying flat on my back in bed, to no relief. Finally I texted one of my friends that I knew was still up at 11pm back home, and asked her about it. Lucky for me she did experience it while pregnant with her little boy, and told me to go jump into a hot bath and relax. I did what she told me, and immediately after my back hit that water, the pain was gone! Okay, maybe not completely gone, but it ended up completely relieving it all after 15 minutes in the water. But, from first getting into the water, it made a tremendous difference! It was while lying in the bath that I then realized that everyone I knew of that had been pregnant with baby boys, had experienced this. Kind of interesting. So, the rest of the night, I was completely fine.

This morning, when I finally woke up with Hayleigh, I realized that last night, in the middle of trying to get into the bath for my back pain, I had done something completely stupid. I guess after getting out of the tub, I was tired, and relaxed so much, I managed to put my underwear on inside out.... geeeshh!~

Other than that, I am just plain goofy I guess. Yesterday, I decided since I was feeling good, I would mow the front yard. Our neighbor since moving here, told us he would take care of it, since there are maybe 10 swipes with the mower total between the two yards and they butt up to each other. Well...he went 2 1/2 weeks without mowing, and it needed it. I thought his mower was broken, so last week, Allen mowed the front for me. Well, last night, I decided since I was going to mow the back, I would go ahead and mow the front too. I managed to get two swipes in, and out he flew of his house like it was on fire. I guess there is nothing more embarrassing than a big pregnant woman mowing your yard out front when you are a guy. We talked for a few, and I explained I was just fine, that I really do enjoy mowing, and it was no big deal. After convincing him I was fine, I finished mowing the front, then came in the house to check on Hayleigh. She was just fine. Then, I sat and thought how in the heck was I going to get my push mower to the back yard??? We have 2 gates to the back, but we have hornets building nests there no matter how much we have sprayed them, and there is pea like gravel for a good stretch inside the gate to the river rock. It is almost impossible to push the mower through that, and I knew that would be too much strain for me to do now by myself. So... I improvised. I made sure the mower was pretty much cleaned off, and wheeled it through the door to the house from the garage, and out the back patio door, across the family room. It is all hard wood floor, so it wasn't that big of a deal, and it worked great! Well, 5 minutes later after finishing the back yard, I swept my mower off, and proceeded to wheel it back through the house. For the concerned people out there, my mower is a John Deere zero turn self propelled mower. It has caster wheels, making it zero turn, so I don't have to really push it or pick it up to turn it. I just walk behind it, and it promotes a little good exercise. Anyway, the mower didn't hardly leave any grass on the floor. I needed to vacuum the floor anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. My MIL got the biggest kick out of this, this morning when I told her about it all. Our house is always really clean, and it just gave me another excuse to clean. My mower is actually really clean too- inherited that from my dad. I love that mower, and I guess since I love it so much, it didn't matter to me.

So, now at this moment, my back does not hurt, our yard is mowed and looking great, and we are enjoying a nice cool Sunday morning before we have to go grocery shopping.

Out of the mouth of Hayleigh

So, I figured I had better start writing down what all Hayleigh has been yakking about and saying lately. Some of the things she has said, make me cringe, others make me want to die laughing.

Hayleigh's new phrase she likes to say is, "I'm coming, <insert word or name here>, I'm coming!" I guess she has heard me tell her that I am coming when she is yelling for me that she has managed to pick it up. Some of the funny names/things she has told she is coming to include: Toodles, Missy Dog, Mommy, Mickey, Cheese- yes Cheese, Pizza, and POOP. Some things like Missy Dog, and Toodles, she says that phrase to while we are in the truck driving down the road. The cheese one I laughed last night about. She had requested cheese for the 20th time. Hayleigh could seriously eat it all day long. Well, on the way to the fridge, Hayleigh races around me, hollering, Cheese! I'm coming! Usually if she hears Mickey Mouse Clubhouse coming on, she yells across the house to Mickey that she is coming. The poop one... I about seriously died laughing, or almost went into labor laughing so hard. She found a piece of poop from Missy Dog in the yard. She exclaims, "POOP"! I tell her to leave the poop alone, She yells, "Bye, Bye, POOP!" then a few minutes later, she is telling the poop that she is coming. Ohhh my!

Over the past few days she has told me or Missy, Thank you, and you're welcome! Makes me proud that she has picked up on her manners that I've been trying to infuse into her. She doesn't let Missy miss a meal- in fact, she tries to feed her about 3 times a day. She will bring Missy's bowl to me, yelling "Mommy", over and over again. I have to tell her at least twice a day that Missy has already eaten, and to put the bowl back. She LOVES to help out! When she does get to feed Missy, I have her bring the bowl to me by the garage door, and I will get Missy's food out and pour it into the bowl, and Hayleigh will take it to Missy, telling Missy "Thank You, and You're Welcome!"

Among those funny things, Hayleigh has started developing a concern for others. I dropped the stupid faux drawer onto my foot two weeks ago, and yelled, "ouch". Hayleigh came running up to me, patted my leg, and asked me, "Mommy, are you okay?" Made me want to cry she was so sweet. A few nights ago, I was doing yoga to my pregnancy yoga DVD in the living room. Hayleigh was quite intrigued by this, and tried to participate with me too. When it come time for me to be on my hands and knees, she would come up to me and rub my back, and pat it too. Funny watching her try to do downward dog pose. Besides being concerned with us, she has also started to be concerned with people or things on tv. A girl was crying on a show on Disney Jr we just happened to be watching. Hayleigh went up to the tv, and patted the girl on the tv, asking her, "Are you okay? What's wrong???" Soo sweet! She also yells at characters on tv that look like they are fighting. Captain Hook, on Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Donald Duck on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are her favorites to yell at to "STOP IT <insert name here>". She will yell a few times to them to stop, and then she is fine.

Hayleigh also takes great care of her Minnie Mouse dolls, and 3 baby dolls she has. The baby dolls are Baby Owen, Baby Abby, and the other one doesn't seem to have a name, but Baby. Baby Owen is her favorite right now, and sleeps in the canopy doll crib next to her bed at night. She has to tuck him in every night, and when waking up in the morning, she gets him out. Such a little Mama already! Abby sleeps and stays in her doll buggy that she came with. Hayleigh does get her out as well, but Abby pretty much stays in her buggy. The baby doll that doesn't have a name, rides around in her shopping cart. He is dressed in a boy's preemie onesie for now. I've been trying to push the boy theme around, so Hayleigh can get used to having a baby boy in the house, when Reid gets here. Reid's swing is even set up in his room- and what is left of her play room for now. She always is putting either Owen or the unnamed baby doll in the swing, and pushes them for a few minutes. A few weeks ago, Hayleigh found her disappearing liquid baby bottle for her dolls, and has been feeding all of them ever since. In the totes that go with her baby doll canopy crib set, I have put some of her old diapers, rattles that are girly, empty lotion and baby powder containers, and some of her old receiving blankets to play with. It is so stinkin cute!

I am planning on making over the garage into a large play area for Hayleigh. I've been searching for some good used carpet to put out there on the floor lately, and I'm planning on moving the rest of her stuff out there that won't fit in her room so she can play without it being strung all over the house. The garage has no entry doors or windows out there, just the big garage door, with the button way out of reach for her. I can keep the door from the house to the garage open for her too, so it is the best thing I could come up with for her. I'll be moving her cars out there, table and chairs, and trampoline out there just as soon as I can get it all ready. I think she will really enjoy it!

26 wks and Lazy

Today, I am 26 weeks along with Reid, and we are almost in the home stretch. In just a mere two weeks, I'll be in the third trimester already! Where has the time gone? Honestly??? The weeks fly by so quickly anymore, I'm almost afraid to shut my eyes to take a nap in fear that I will be holding Reid when I open my eyes.

 I've started to slow down, and get a little bit more tired, but Hayleigh keeps me going, and going, and going. I'm happy to have her around for the simple fact that if she wasn't here- like when I was pregnant with her, I would be laying on the couch, and on our bed, being a total couch potato. She keeps me up and running- partially why I think I've only gained 5 lbs this whole time- still in the minus for the total pregnancy. I had lost 8lbs to start off with, and have 3 lbs left to go before I am back to where I started out at. As long as Reid doesn't go crazy on weight gain, and neither do I, I think it is very realistic to come in gaining 5-10lbs less than what I had when I was pregnant with Hayleigh. I gained 20lbs with Hayleigh, and I'm happy that I have not had any weight gain lectures so far. I still dread climbing on the scale with every visit, and Allen seems to laugh at me every time.  He says, " You are supposed to gain weight, not lose it. You're PREGNANT." I scoff at him, I know, and usually am surprised at only gaining 1lb per 4 week visit lately. The reason I'm surprised is that I eat terrible with this pregnancy. I manage to eat some healthy stuff, but Reid makes me crave some of the most ridiculous things. I've craved potatoes of all forms, pop cycles, cold precooked brats with cheese inside of them, sliced ham with cheese chunks, peaches, chocolate, and now root beer floats. Right now, I'm wanting black liquorish right this minute. I eat pretty much what ever I'm told to eat by Reid right now, because if I don't, I'm frustrated the rest of the day with cravings that get stronger and stronger.

I'm still scared to death of having 2 kids 2 years of age and younger in the house, all by myself. Allen worries, and wishes he could help me out more. It's going to be tough without the help of family and friends to help get me out of the house, and just help give me a break every now and then, but I know I can handle it. I might be pulling my hair out some days, I'm sure, but I know we will manage to survive.

So, for now, I will enjoy our lazy days. I know they will be few and far between really soon, and I'll be reminiscing about these days I could lay down on the couch, and watch Hayleigh play without a baby on the boob, crying every couple of hours.

Your Baby

Seeing light and hearing sounds 
Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds, measures around 14 inches from head to heel, and hears noises, responds to light, and is generally more aware of its surroundings. In the same way that you can see a flashlight if you hold it against your palm, your baby can see the light coming through your belly. You may notice increased activity when in brighter light and decreased activity in darkened rooms. Its hearing is fully developed, and as he or she reacts to sounds, its pulse increases. Your baby may even move in rhythm to music!

Your Pregnant Body

Discomfort and what to do about it 
Ashley, you may experience an increased level of discomfort over the next several weeks and months. For many women, the end of pregnancy is uncomfortable due to gas pains, bloating, swelling (edema), and, of course, a cumbersome belly. Most back pain is caused by the stretching of your ligaments and pressure from your expanding uterus. Some women experience sciatica, which is a sharp pain in their lower back and legs. This is usually not bothersome in the morning, but the pain can increase later in the day, depending on your level of activity. Try some gentle stretching to relieve the pain and help you relax. But if your pain becomes significant, tell your doctor right away.

Wordless Wednesday..Kitty!

While at Sportsman's Warehouse a couple of weeks ago, I found the faux coon skin hat, and put it on Hayleigh's head. She patted her head, and was then petting the hat, saying "Kitty" over and over again. Even after explaining that it was a Raccoon, she still wouldn't budge on the whole Kitty bit. The toys in the cart are my ploy to keep her happy while we are in the store- they go right back to the animal bin when we get ready to leave the store. 

We paid for that

I know the picture is not clear at all- I took it with my phone, after realizing that my chip for my camera was just sent in Allen's grandparent's laptop that the UPS man just picked up yesterday. 

Pregnancy Brain!!! 

Anyway, I was staring at the finger prints all over the tv. No matter how fast or often I clean them, they still reappear just as fast as they are cleaned. We paid for that. That is the thought that registered in my brain while staring at them. I still have not cleaned them- yet. For now, I'm just enjoying them. Sounds weird, I know. So, while thinking of this all, I was thinking back when we were paying for all of this- these fingerprints we have here now 3 years ago.

 August 7th, 2009 was the first day I started taking fertility drugs to attempt to get pregnant. Well, 3 years later, here we are. I have a two year old sweet little girl taking her nap in her room right now, while I'm sitting here savoring the kicks and movement I am feeling from Reid right now. I know I say it all the time- just how incredible the difference of a year- even 3 can make in a person's life. I had no idea what I was missing out on, until now- looking back. I'm grateful that these last years mean more to me now, than they probably would have- had we not experienced any of the heart aches that come with infertility. I will say that it is certainly nice that we did not have to go back through all of the doctor visits, and fertility drugs this second go around- that was on my mind for plans for next year, not now anyway. But, what we were given with Reid, makes me feel like my body hasn't completely failed me. I used to joke that I need drugs to make my body work normal- fertility drugs, drugs for my psoriasis. With Reid on the way, it proves to me that it hasn't been fighting me the whole time now, just part of the time. I got off easy on the fertility band wagon, two rounds of IUI and fertility drugs, and BINGO. 

There are many out there that go through YEARS of that kind of thing, with no results. I am eternally grateful for our short wait. Could you imagine the stress, or just hormones that would be going crazy for that long, and trying to keep it all under control. For you fertile people, just imagine being PMS 24/7. Bloating, fatigue, body aches, head aches, cramping, and moodiness. Add in the extra dose of needles, pill popping, blood draws, and doctor visits a couple of times a week, paying for it all, and there you go! That is just a glimpse of part of what it would be like. The emotional parts that go with that, no one can describe well enough for anyone to truly understand, without going through it all. 

I cannot tell you how happy I am not to have to buy any more pregnancy tests! I should have invested in stock in them all about 8 years ago! Now, I'm focusing on growing a healthy baby boy, and what to do after he gets here as far as not having any more surprises, since our family will be complete. 

Anyway, the "we paid for that" part. When Allen and I are out and about, or I'm at home alone with Hayleigh, and she is driving me crazy, I hear that phrase. "We paid for that." Allen will chime in. I always reply with an "I know, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." We paid for it all with not just money, but with lots of time, spent waiting on it all. So, when Hayleigh is making a juice mess- spitting juice out of her mouth like a fountain onto the just cleaned floor, water is being splashed out of the bath tub, soaking everything, I'm losing sleep from her not wanting to go to sleep, and cleaning up a new mural she has made on our walls- I remember we paid for that. The funny thing is that all of those things that drive me crazy seem to disappear when I hear her say, I love you Mommy, or when she comes up to me and grabs my leg giving me a big hug for no reason.

We paid for that. 

Slumber Sunday- 25 wk Reid Belly Pics

Okay, I am aware I look ehhh. My hair is fuzzy and thick, I'm half asleep in the pictures, my face is a little puffy, my hips are ugghh, and my shorts are too big. But, I am mainly belly for the most part. Allen took these pictures right before we left the house to take him to the airport.

 Ohh! Notice my pink sandals. Those are the greatest sandals I have EVER owned. I wear them everywhere, and with everything. My back, and legs do not ever hurt when I'm wearing these, compared to my other sandals. They are North Face sandals with a rubber like sole on them, and they are absolutely FABULOUS!!!! The blue shirt I'm wearing, I got from Target, and LOVE it. In fact, I want to go back and pick up about 5 more of it, in different colors. It is soo comfy, and is not weird shaped. I can wear it after Reid comes- no elastic sides like most maternity shirts have, but it has the room in the belly. The shorts came from Target too. When I picked them up, I was a little leery picking up ones that fit me really good now, then having to go get more, so I got the looser fitting pair- and they are still loose. My favorite shorts so far, are my khaki Motherhood Maternity shorts. They actually fit me well, and are not baggy, like these Liz Lang shorts are. I have jeans saved up for when it cools off, if I even get to wear them- I'm kind of starting to wonder about that now. 

I just hope that when this is all over, I can actually get rid of my maternity clothes. They are very special to me- just like Hayleigh's baby clothes. I am aware that this is our last baby, and I will not be pregnant again, but some of the shirts and pants are just sentimental to me. I'm thinking that I might use the fabric from some of my favorites, that I have pictures of me in for belly pictures, and use them to make a blanket for the kids. Just a pieced block quilt kind of thing. I was so excited the first time I got to actually go and buy maternity clothes, it will be really hard to say goodbye to them, especially when I think back and can tell Hayleigh and Reid what I was wearing when I went in to have them at the hospital, what I was wearing in the maternity pictures, and what I had on when we found out that they were a boy and a girl. I still have the pregnancy tests saved in the boxes in the cedar chest here, along with what is left of my fertility drug kits- I couldn't get rid of any of those kind of things. They are a very big part of our lives- they were the start of our kids being here. I know, I'm sappy. I even saved Hayleigh's umbilical cord clamp from the hospital- and no, I did not save her stump. Silly, but we waited a really LONG time for all of this, and I'm not going to just toss it all away, like it meant nothing to me to begin with. I have so much more to go over, so I'll probably be working on blog post the rest of today, going over what we did this last week, and a few other things I'm working on right now as well. 

Reid's High Risk Ultrasound - 25wks 2 days

Early this morning, we ventured to St. Mary's Hospital for the first ultrasound of the morning. We were referred by my midwife to check Reid's heart for kicking out an extra heart beat, and had been considered High Risk until after the appointment results conclusion. Well, first I will start out by saying,

Reid is A-Okay!

 He does skip or produce an extra beat every now and then, but Dr. Gray felt confident saying that he was a healthy little boy! He explained that as long as the beat is not a regular thing- has a rhythm, or beats the same pattern, he was fine- every one's heart does this I guess, especially a developing baby's heart. We spent 1 whole hour having an ultrasound done, by this really nice technician lady. She was really sharp, and knew exactly what she was looking at, when I couldn't even see what she was- my ovaries. I wouldn't have been able to pick them out, but she spotted them and measured them right away. I'll have the video uploaded later to show you what I mean- they gave us a DVD to take home too! Reid was in the breach position, and looked rather relaxed, like he was hanging out in a hammock. He kept 1 leg up against my belly- his sac, and would kick anything the technician would come close to his foot. We did get another look at his stuff- I wanted to double check to make for sure we were getting a boy! And, from the looks of it, Reid is a BIG boy! He is measuring at 27 wks 2 days today, and I am 25wks 2 days. He has long legs, his daddy, and sister's nose, and no hair that we could see. Another bald and beautiful baby!

After that, we went to IHOP, and ate breakfast since we had a whole hour and a half to kill before the second appointment. At the appointment, I weighed in, only gaining 1lb again. Still 3lbs under what I started with this time. I was given my wonderful flat orange drink for my next appointment's glucose screening, and instructions to drink it 1/2 an hour before coming in. That appointment will be fun, since I'm going solo with Hayleigh... YAY! Anyway, on the outside, I'm measuring 26 1/2 weeks along. When I told Anita what Reid was measuring by ultrasound, she said it definitely looks like he will be like his big sister, and be a big baby. I got information about Strep B. Turns out since I had a bladder infection, I automatically have to get treated with antibiotics when I go in to have him, and as long as I can get 2 bags of it down, I can leave 1 day after he is born- granted he is healthy. BOOOOO! So much for that wish huh?! Other than that, we got our next appointment set up, from now on, it's every 2 weeks! Yikes!! We are already there!!! Only a few more appointments to go, and Reid will be here! I got the information on coming up with my birth plan- turns out that at this hospital, they have cordless IV, and everything!! Yay! I can walk and get into the birthing tub! We got the information to schedule our tour, and to get pre-registered. I have to get that done in the next few weeks.

Anyway, everyone is healthy and okay for now~ and we couldn't be any happier!~

Our only 3D Picture- side profile of his face-
see Allen & Hayleigh's nose??
He is looking at the placenta. 

Side profile of Reid with his leg up pushing.
 You can see the side profile of his face as well 

Profile from the top of Reid's head- you can see his brain,
and his two hands up by his head fisted up. 

another profile from the top of his head, you can see his
one hand in front of his nose on the right balled up in a fist. 

Reid's foot, with his little toe bones

Nerves and Baby Doctors

Tomorrow will be a long day for us.

 First, we have to be at the hospital at 7:45 for Reid's ultrasound for his heart. I'm still not looking forward to it. The only thing positive about it all is that we get to see Reid, see how much he has grown, and maybe get some more pictures of him to bring home.

 After the ultrasound at the hospital, we have to go to the OB's office across the street for a 10:30 appointment to discuss what they discovered with the ultrasound, and what the game plan is from here on out. The other wonderful stuff we get to discuss are glucose screening- YAY, schedule our 3D/4D ultrasound for Reid for 30 wk appointment, our Via Cord kit, and schedule a tour of the hospital. I've been eating like a horse, so I'm almost afraid to weigh in tomorrow.

 My nerves today have started getting a little strained. I know there isn't much to worry about, but I get nervous when we have to do something else that is different than the normal, easy going pregnancy. Hopefully I can sleep tonight!

New Web Address, New Look

As you can see, I've finally after 3 years, decided to update my blog. Yes, I'm aware I don't like change, and I'm stubborn too.. I ended up searching the Internet for a new template, and found one I'm satisfied with for free! Can't beat that!~ With a little tweaking, I made it my own. I changed fonts and arrangement of the widgets, and I think I'm happy with the outcome. Allen says it looks great, of course! But, don't be shy! Let me know what y'all think!

Wordless Wednesday.. 25wks and Sleeping Beauty

Hayleigh refused to go to bed last night- she wanted to stay and cuddle with Allen 

Zonked out from a long day~

Last night, Hayleigh did not want to go to bed, she wanted to stay in the living room with us..I mean Allen and snuggle. As much as I wanted to make her go to her own room to sleep, I just didn't have the heart to take her away from her Daddy. So, after she fell asleep, I carried her to her bed- I usually don't like to do that because it is getting hard for me to lay her down in her bed from holding her, and I don't want her to lose her ability to fall asleep on her own in her own bed too. 

Today, is 25 weeks. I laugh when I see the baby ticker pop up and say I have 15 more weeks left... They wish! I'm guessing somewhere around 12 1/2 weeks.... Allen and I talked about this yesterday on the drive into town. I informed him that I will not be having this baby on my due date, or any time after that. He laughed and told me I don't have much say in that whole deal... well, you know what that did to me. I informed him that I KNOW Reid will be a big baby, just like Hayleigh was... he is already measuring 1 1/2 wks ahead, and Hayleigh was almost 8lbs at 37 wks 2 days.... I will not be having a 10 lb bowling ball of a kid. Anyway, I have a whole mess of tricks up my sleeves on ways of getting this guy to come out- preferably the week Allen is home in October, after trick or treating... that Friday, or Saturday is what I'm hoping for. As long as Reid keeps measuring and showing he is big and developed, I'm going to try everything I can to have him when Allen is already home, and before he hits over 9lbs. After the week of Halloween, Allen won't be home until my due date- which like I had previously stated, that is not happening...lol. I am so stubborn, but I am not a miracle worker, and 10lbs of baby is not coming out of me down there~

Christmas Shopping

Yes, you read that right! I'm trying to get my Christmas lists together, and start shopping/crafting for presents for everyone. I've been wanting to do this for some time now, and I know after the end of October reaches us, I will most likely be bound to shopping online. So, I'm trying to get my shopping done now, or at least started now. I have one person pretty much done- just lack a few things to finish them up, then everyone else- I haven't even begun to think about. This is probably the earliest I have ever started to shop for Christmas in my life, but I think it will become a normal thing every year. It just seems like we are so busy in the Fall, and will be from now on, with 3 family member's birthdays happening in the Fall months, plus Reid now, and our wedding anniversary too. So, now to figure out just what everyone wants- to which I know I will get the reply of "I don't know". That is so helpful! ehhh! Anyway, now to get going on that list!

Sleepless on Saturday

Well, after last night's post, I didn't sleep well at all. I dreamed of crazy screwed up stuff. The one that woke me up was about a poisonous snake- a black mamba. For some reason it was in our house here, and we could not get the snake killed or captured. It killed 3 cats, and had bit me. That's when I woke up. I guess I've been feeling kind of helpless lately- which seems about right from last night's post.

I'm glad today is Saturday, it means that Allen will be home soon! I cannot wait to say the least. I need him to come home and make me feel better, and spend some time together. Maybe then, these silly dreams would go away.

Of course I don't have much else to say. I think I said it all last night, and I do feel a lot better now. Today, I'm just sitting on the couch still scared to think a snake is going to come slithering out from under it and give me a heart attack. There are no snakes around here- that's what everyone tells me anyway. So, after I get myself together, I'm going to get back off of the couch, and grab something to eat. Meanwhile, Hayleigh and I will watch Mickey Mouse.

FINALLY FRIDAY!!!!!

These pictures were taken last night- Hayleigh was having too much fun before bedtime~ Thank God it is Finally Friday!!!

Changes for the better or for the worse...

There seems to be a lot of changes going on in our lives right now.

Allen was promoted up a level at work from all of the hard work he has put in. I'm really proud of him- he was the only one out of everyone he started with to do this, and is ahead of many that have been there longer than he has.

Hayleigh's speech is reaching new heights every day. She has been talking in whole sentences more and more every day- amazes me what she has to say.

My belly is growing- duh, I know. But, Reid is growing bigger and bigger every day, changing every day, and we get closer to welcoming him home soon.

And there are things in the future and present around us constantly changing at the same time.

 One thing is certain, we will be moving again, when our lease is up- maybe even before that. Our landlords are okay, the house is tiny. I'm just sick of someone grouching about their appliances crapping out, and having to fix them, when it wasn't a problem when we first went to move in here. I'm not thrilled about bringing our baby home, to a home that is not ours. I've learned to get over this. I'm hoping that by next year we will know where we will be settling down for a good while- hopefully for the rest of our lives, and can start looking at homes to buy. Leasing has a few perks, but, for the most part is a pain. The whole can't paint, or do anything to the house when the home owner's paint job is awful bit is a little irritating to me. And the craftsmanship of installing the Pergo floors in this house is horrible. Little things like that drive me crazy- Allen and I know how to do this stuff to fix it, but it is not our baby, so we just let it be.

Family and friends... Family and friends seem to drift in and out of our lives- it's kind of funny to me on when this happens it is orchestrated in such a way that makes it kind of funny- for a few of them. The rest, ehh, what ever they want to do I guess. I realize that not everyone will be up front and center all of the time, and it's okay with me. I just don't want to be labeled in 20 years as the bad guy who kept them all away. I'm not keeping anyone away from our family except 1 person I know of, and that person has been cut out of our family for multiple reasons that both Allen and I agree on. It makes me kind of sad that family has to be this way, but we are not the Beaver family. I know there is no perfect family out there in this world, and that most families have the same problems that we do. I guess I just don't want anyone to miss out on our kids- I think they are the greatest gifts in this world. At the same time, I don't want people coming into our lives, being fake to them, just to justify that they are in their lives and care for them too. You are either 100% in, or you are out. No half assing it. The other thing I do take into account is that someone can love and care for you with all of their heart, but they may not show it the way you want them to. I know this, but history does have a way of repeating itself. Sometimes, you have to also take that into accountability too.

I know I'm hard for people to understand, in fact, Allen is the only one who gets me- which is a good thing. I'm guarded, open, friendly, and bubbly...but, I am also very PROTECTIVE of my things, and of my family. IF you decide to hurt any aspect of my world- my family, in any way, I can be the most hateful, grudgeful, spiteful person you have ever met. I do not forget things, but I can forgive to a degree. Just because I chose to let you stay in our lives, does not mean I'm happy about it. I know that somethings cannot be decided on by just be- some things are Allen's decision over mine, and since he is one of the most important people in my life, next to Hayleigh and Reid, I will let him make his call on things. I'm not going to be responsible for making a decision for him- that was ultimately his. - This is all making me a little irritable just thinking about it all, so enough for now.

Anyway, changes- I'm not a fan, but at the same time, I am. Without changes, we would not get to move forward in our lives to bigger and better things. Just like what I just wrote above- some of those bad things, can make room for better things to come into place in our lives. I have learned more and more every day, to just go with the flow of things. I cannot do everything, or hold everything together, and it is not at all my fault for not being able to do this. As long as I keep an open mind, and at least give everything a fair chance and try, I've done my best. People come and go in our lives, but we will always have each other - me, Allen, Hayleigh, Reid, will always be a family, and have the support of a few others along the way to keep us all a family.

My Little Helper

Today, we reached 24 weeks with baby Reid- 6 MONTHS! How did we get here so fast??? The good thing about this week, besides Reid weighing in at around 2lbs is that he is now considered a viable baby. I don't know about most people, but I guess once you have been in the infertility world, little things like this make you breath and sleep a little bit easier.

Reid has been kicking every night, and throughout the days now pretty consistently. I love feeling those kicks, and realize they will soon become a thing of the past. This time I plan on videoing his kicking. I don't know why I never did with Hayleigh, but I wish I had. All of the weird ways a belly can warp, and seeing a butt, or foot pushing out on a belly are truly priceless. I also cannot wait until he is kicking consistent enough to get Hayleigh to feel her baby brother kicking and carrying on inside there.

The UPS guy finally came today, and I cannot lie I get excited every time the mail goes, or UPS/FED EX guy comes by our house. It's kind of like Christmas in July..well, August now. Everything is for Reid- all baby stuff! Who does not love baby stuff?!! We got Reid's swing I had ordered off of Ebay a little over two weeks ago. I ended up saving over $50 from bidding on it online, and got it brand new drop shipped to my door. The only things we have left to really get are the crib and dresser ordered- they will take 2 months to build, since we are going with a log crib and dresser for Reid. Besides the crib and dresser, all we need is a new boppy cover, sheets, a crib mattress, changing pad, and diapers. The stroller I really want, I'm waiting to get until after he gets here- we will not be going to the mall or anywhere like that where we need to pack both kids in a stroller. I do have a few small things to get other than that stuff, but really that is for the most part all we really need. On my small list of things to get are: a carrier- I have a coupon for a free one, breast feeding shield- free coupon for that as well, car seat cover for over the top of it to hide baby- free coupon for it as well, diaper caddy for changing table, new brush, grooming set, gripe water- ready for colic, breast pads, and pads for the hospital, a comfy chair for the living room-if one will even fit, maybe a thingy for the sink for baths, and a wall decal for him, and a log bench from a local store here for his room. Over all, we are for the most part pretty much ready.

Hayleigh checking out the new swing, admiring our work.
 I felt like a pro at this- only had to check the directions once to double
 check which screw to put where out of the 4 that came with the swing

sneaking over to get a better look at the swing when she thought I wasn't looking

Putting one of her baby dolls in the swing- she would not let me do this at all!
Little Mama already-makes me kind of worry about her "helping" later to come on some things. 

I'm ready for Reid to be here, to get to snuggle with him- but at the same time not ready to not be pregnant quite yet. Some days, I'm all ready for it to be over, others, I know what is coming...sleep deprivation, trying to please a two year old while nursing or caring for a newborn. I know I will think we were so lazy here and did nothing before he was born, after he gets here. That's what I thought when I had Hayleigh anyway. Reid will also be our last baby, and that makes me feel old. I know I've said this multiple times, but it's true. Our baby making days will be gone, and we will be just raising our kids. Just one of the big milestones in our lives will be over once again- getting married-check, have kids- check, check, turn 30- ughhh not long from now... next is school, and everything that comes with our kids growing up.

 Our family will be complete, and in a way that is really nice and I love it, but in another way, the not knowing part that will be gone is kind of scary to me too. I really do look forward to watching our kids grow- Hayleigh amazes me daily on what all she picks up. Today, while on the phone with my mom, she points at the tv, (we were watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates) and says, " No, stop it Hook, go away!!" I looked at her and asked my mom if she just heard what I had. Of course, my mom did not understand her, but I did. Just last week, I dropped something on my foot, and yelped. Hayleigh came around the corner to check on me, and asks, "Mommy, are you okay?" with this concerned look on her face. Though my foot really hurt, I smiled at her, and told her Mommy was okay, and gave her a big hug and kiss. She can be so sweet sometimes, and quite a handful the next. I look forward to having two babies interacting like this, and wonder how they will react to each other. It really just melts my heart now when Hayleigh does something that amazes us both, and Allen and I look at each other smiling in disbelief of what our baby girl just did. It is hard to imagine Hayleigh a big sister, and being the older sibling, helping me with her baby brother. I'm just glad we got her first- she LOVES to help out when she can. She is so proud of herself, just as we are of her, of her helping us do stuff. I don't know what we would ever do without her.