8 years

8 years.
4 children. (Almost!)
2 miscarriages.
Postpartum Depression.
Unemployment. Gainful employment.
Learning to be good stewards of our money.
3 apartments.
1 house.
1 dog.
Gaining weight. Losing weight.
Ups. Downs.
Easy times. Hard times.

We've been through a lot these last 8 years, but honestly? I wouldn't change any of it.  Not one thing.

Because the life we have together now, is far and above, greater than what I could have imagined.

Happy 8th Anniversary, baby!

February, 2004 on our honeymoon in Hawaii

Owen's Day Out

A few weeks ago we had to take Owen to the big hospital for a biopsy appointment. Turns out it's just a weird scar on his arm (phew!) but we had a fun day together.

He was SO nervous because the last "doctor" visit he had, he got 4 shots. And I wasn't sure what they were going to do this appointment, so I didn't want to say anything to mislead him about whether something was going to hurt or not!

The skyline:

Once we got into the room, he REALLY got nervous and totally clammed up with the assistant and doctors who were trying to talk to him, but still managed to smile for me in between them coming in and out.

And once we heard it was nothing more than a strange scar, the only thing to do was celebrate! We stopped at Josh's office on the way home, picked him up and headed to Burger King. ;-)

We're so incredibly thankful it was nothing serious, and that our little prince is as healthy as can be!

My Pregnancy in Pictures-The first 23 weeks

Just thought I'd put the pictures I've taken so far on here, so I can look back and see how my stomach/baby grew. :)

3 week, 4 days. Yes, I found out I was pregnant ridiculously early.

17 Weeks

20 weeks

23 weeks

Another at 23 weeks

So, none of them are particularly flattering. :-P  And I'm not sure what happened to the earlier weeks pictures; I'll have to look and see if I actually took any. I may have been too sick.

Baby Girl is growing, that's for sure!

You might be pregnant if...

*You debate whether it really bothers you that much that (insert sock, paper, toy, etc) is laying on the floor, and whether it's worth the extra work to bend down and pick it up.

*You can be found sitting on the couch with a tiny pink onesie thrown over your shoulder, absent-mindedly patting the back and imagining the sweet baby girl that will soon be wearing it.

*You sometimes drink coffee or eat chocolate just to feel increased wiggles and kicks.

*You get excited that Braxton Hicks are happening already, and hope it means a short, easy labor is in your future.

*You eat approximately 27 small meals a day.

*You enjoy a lively conversation with a group of 70 year old ladies while you all do your pool therapy.

*You're constantly protecting your stomach from the rambunctious little boys in your life.

*Your girls look FABULOUS.  (Sorry, it's true!)

*Shaving your legs requires Herculean efforts.

*It totally made your whole month when Motherhood had an awesome sale on their clearance items.

*You dream about little baby girls with dark hair and blue eyes.

*75% of your day is taken up with trying to figure out the name of that little girl.

*You can't wait for your stroller and carseat to arrive on the UPS truck!

Sweet Little Somethings

Owen has been really affectionate lately.  He loves giving me kisses, and I love getting them, and kissing his soft, chubby cheeks in return.  I've been TRYING to prepare him for when the baby comes.  He has been the baby (and very doted on, at that) his whole life, so I've started trying to introduce the idea that there will be another smaller being around soon.  And I'll have to spend some time nursing and taking care of that tiny babe and won't be available at his beck and call.  Hopefully if I take it slowly but surely it won't be so traumatic once June comes.

Josh was gone last weekend at a men's retreat at church.  On Monday I was a wee bit frazzled, and then Josh told me he had to go out of state for work for two days.  Well, that kinda put me over the edge so I requested some Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Totally logical, right? :-P  Anyway, due to a series of unfortunate events, Josh was not able to bring me any doughnuts.  And I may have lost it.  Like, full on crying.  Over doughnuts.  Yeah, not my best moment.  HOWEVER, guess who showed up last night with TWO DOZEN KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS!?!? Yup, my beloved.  Home from out of state with 2 dozen glorious, fluffy, delicious doughnuts.

Christian and Owen have been really sweet and doting on their 1 year old cousin. It makes me excited to see how they'll do with Baby Girl when she gets here.  And Kate can not get enough of babies.  We had some friends over last night who have a 6 month old little beauty and Kate was glued to the baby all night long.  Hopefully that will translate into being a big help rather than smothering of the poor child when we bring our baby home in June. ;-)

I figured out what I wanted for Mother's Day and sheepishly emailed it to Josh.  Why was I sheepish about it? Well, cuz it's expensive.  And it's a diaper bag.   I've never had an expensive diaper bag, but one of my friends from church has this style and has used it for a year and loves it.  So, Happy Mother's Day to me! :-D

I have the best friends.  Well, Jen in particular.  I am so thankful we have each other! We both have kids close in age and know what it's like to be "in the trenches".  We can talk about anything and everything, we both love Java Crew coffee and chocolate.  I'm so thankful we live near each other and can hang out! Love you, Jen! (This is a SUPER old picture and Jen is now a HOT MAMA!!!!!  I, on the otherhand, pretty much look the same-or a bit chubbier) :-P