Introducing Alivia Grace

So the wait is over, and our absolutely amazing, perfectly perfect baby girl is finally here. Wow! What an experience. Before I go on and on about how amazing she is, let me give you all a step-by-step of what happened this week...

Tuesday (4/13/10) - Tuesday morning I had a doctor's appointment (which I was hoping would be my last). At 38 weeks and 2 days pregnant, I knew at this appointment Dr. Diamond was going to check my progress and see if I had dilated any. Much to our surprise, I was almost 3CMs! Also, when he checked me, he stripped my membranes (something I'd only heard of) and it kind of freaked me out a bit. Dr. D told me to go home, pack, and walk, and that he thought we'd see some kind of action in the next 24 hours. We notified our mothers (who live the farthest away) and the rest of our family members... Aidan and I came home... I cleaned the kitchen, we walked for a little over an hour... and while I was waiting to see/feel some kind of change all I got was a big fat nothing. Nada. No contractions (that I could feel.. or so I thought) and as far as I knew my water hadn't broken. Joey put the bags in the car (just in case) but I really felt no different. So, a little discouraged, I went to bed.

Wednesday (4/14/10) - After being up all night with constant pressure in my hip bones, back pain, indegestion of the worst kind, peeing, and several other gross things I'll leave to your imagination.... I told Joey when he got up and was leaving for work that I was going to call the doctor as soon as the office opened and just ask what I should do. I still didn't feel any different (all the thing I listed above were pretty much normal at that point) but something inside me told me I should just call. So, I did.. about 8:30. I talked to the nurse and told her what was going on but that I wasn't having any contractions so I didn't know if I should take the way I was feeling seriously. She told me to just come in and they would check my progress again. So, Aidan and I ate some breakfast, got dressed, and headed to town to meet Joey.

We waiting at the doctor's office for a while (it was packed when we got there) and finally they sent us to a room. Meg (the PA) came in to check me, and she said I was close to 4CMs. They talked to Dr. D and he decided to put me on a monitor to check and see if I was having regular contractions. Joey, Aidan and I went back to the VIP section of the doctor's office (we say this because there are two recliners and a flatscreen TV, lol) where they hooked me up. We watched Winnie the Pooh and after about an hour on the monitor the nurse came in and took the papers to show Dr. Diamond. While she was gone I told Joey that I would just go to WalMart and walk around... he said he was going to the office to eat his lunch... and then, *KNOCK KNOCK* - she opened the door.

"Well, Dr. Diamond wants to go ahead and admit you, so I'm going to go get the paperwork ready if that's okay."

I bet the looks on our faces were priceless. We had no idea. Then the shock and awe set in. Then we frantically started calling everyone. I was mad that I hadn't packed my laptop (LOL). We were trying to figure out where Aidan was going to go. What Joey was going to do about work. How my mom was going to get here (she's without a car at the moment). When his mom was going to leave Savannah. Gosh, there are a ton of things you don't think about until it really is time.

Wednesday (LUNCH) - We drove over to the hospital to wait for Grandma Lori to come pick Aidan up. After we said our goodbyes we took our bags to admissions, where they already had my paperwork ready. We waited for the wheelchair to come pick me up, and they rolled me to Labor & Delivery Room 1. We got in and got situated, and the nurses hooked me up to monitors and the IVs. We were told that Dr. Diamond was going to come over and check me out (again) and possibly break my water, but we figured it would be later in the afternoon or after his office closed. Nope. About 1:30ish he came over and broke my water. They started me on Pitocin shortly after, and the contractions got much stronger and much, MUCH closer together. My nurse (Debra.. who was absolutely FABULOUS and I owe her many thanks) told me her shift ended at 7 and I needed to get a move on. Lol. Waiting... contractions got stronger... people were coming to visit in and out, but I tried to zone everything out and just focus on getting from one contraction to another. They kept asking if I wanted an epidural, but I was scared (based on my experience with Aidan) that it would slow my labor down, so I toughed it out as long as I possibly could. To the best of my knowledge I asked for it sometime after 4-- I had to sign some things and wait for the anesthesiologist to get there, and in the process the contractions were really strong. I think I finally got it around 4:30-45... and at first it didn't work. Finally, the anesthesiologist brought in something to speed up the process, and sometime after five (I think about 5:15-30) I was FABULOUS. No pain whatsoever, and I felt wonderful. Debra (the nurse) then decided since my pain was managed that she was going to check and see how far I'd progressed. It was just me and Joey in the room (mom and Autumn had walked to the car) and we were honestly expecting to be 6-7 CMs at most. Worried that it'd slow my labor, we were prepared for the worst. Debra checked me, and I was totally and completely DILATED. 10 CMs +1 (the +1 is the position of the baby's head, which Alivia's was already IN THE BIRTH CANAL). She told me NOT to push, AT ALL.. because she didn't want to catch a baby. Haha. The nurses called the doctor.. and we waited. Mom got back, I tried to tell her I was still 4 CMs to freak her out, but it didn't work.. I couldn't fake being disappointed. I was too excited! We waited for Dr. D, who we finally learned was in the sleep room watching Snapped on TV, lol) to get there, and he did at around 5:56. They told me to push, and about 2 1/2 pushes later (at precisely 5:58PM... I know, because I called the time myself.. lol) Alivia Grace was here. The first thing I noticed was her hair. HOLY COW! I hadn't really had any heartburn whatsoever, so I was in complete and total shock that she had a head full of dark locks! And to think, I was worried about being able to put a bow on a bald head. Lol. Anyways, so Alivia was born.. we all joked and laughed and I was relieved. I couldn't believe how easy it had been. They took her to clean her up- or more like wipe her off- and then handed  her back to us immediately. We wanted Ansleigh and Aidan to meet her before anyone else, so they came in first. They both were very excited (and still are) and I can't believe how good they've been with her so far. Then the rush of the crowd came in... everyone congratulating us and asking how it was for me. Overall, it was a fabulous experience and I am so happy I was able to enjoy the entire process.

We stayed in the hospital for 24 hours and 30 minutes (and really not one second longer) because there are certain tests for newborns that have to be done at 24 hours. We left the hospital around 6:30PM on Thursday, April 15th, and headed home. It is now Saturday, and Alivia has truly been  a joy. She's already on a 10-2-6 schedule, hasn't spit up on me once (though I'm sure that's going to change) and is an absolutely amazing baby. She's quiet unless she's wet/cold/hungry and is currently snoozing the day away. Yesterday we had a relaxing day with no visitors, but tonight we are grilling for the entire family. :)

Having Alivia has really changed my perspective on life (again). I now look at my husband with a fresh pair of eyes- it's amazing that this little girl we created has made life absolutely perfect. We now are a party of five; before we were missing a piece but didn't know it. Now she's here, and the puzzle is complete. I am truly blessed.

It's almost over!

WELCOME TO WEEK 37! First and foremost, happy belated Easter to you all! :)
I hope your holiday was full of family and faith. Ours definitely was...

as we spent Saturday hunting eggs with all Ansleigh & Aidan's cousins.. 

L to R: Christopher (5), Matthew (1), Jase (2), Mason (7 months), Ansleigh (6), Noah (1) and Aidan (1). 

They had so much fun searching for the 100+ eggs we hid at Aunt Fallon & Uncle Chris' house!

Secondly, WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Our 37 week appointment was this morning, and what a doozy.

Dr. Diamond said everything "looked" good, although he didn't do any actual looking just yet (we'll save that for next week). We heard Alivia's heartbeat, that sweet, sweet music, and everything seems to be going smoothly. He also told me that I had "dropped," which I could already tell based on this week's picture vs. last week's. We talked about the future, which is rapidly becoming the present, and although we won't know anything definitely until next Tuesday at 10:30 we might possibly have a baby much sooner than April 25th. Scary? Yes. Exciting? Yes.

I'm adding some pics of our baby girl's room... it's almost finished. ALMOST! Haha. Maybe (hopefully) it will be ready by the time she decides to arrive.

I've just put the kids to bed for the night and the house and Burnamville are equally quiet. With my husband gone to Savannah to take his insurance exam in the morning (good luck, babe!), Grandpa & Grandma gone to Jamaica for the week, Aunt Nicole not staying around tonight (she's due with baby Reese at the end of May, plus she has Jase to deal with) and my sister gone to the beach for a few days, I am a nervous wreck. It hasn't really hit me that I could go into labor at any given time until today/tonight. I keep telling myself that God wouldn't be so cruel, though.. because me having to drive myself and the kids to the hospital while in labor would be a sick, sick joke (but I guess a good story to tell one day). So, I think I'm really going to take it easy the rest of the evening, go get in bed, and try to go to sleep. I've been cleaning since I got home with the kids today, and I'll admit I've got pain in my hips/legs and up my back that is a little more intense than usual.

Until next Tuesday... unless we have a baby by then! :)

- From the Burnams, with love.

Walking in Wisdom

Good morning!

So, my husband and I bought some Dunkin' Donuts coffee and started brewing it yesterday morning - my oh my what a difference good coffee makes! Yesterday I woke up and ate breakfast, got myself and Aidan ready and was out the door by 9AM. The doctor's appointment went well, we got to hear sweet Alivia's heartbeat (which sounded good) and I spoke with Dr. Diamond about what's going to happen in the weeks to come. He said next Tuesday's appointment (week 37) will be a normal one, followed by him checking to see if I've dilated/effaced any at 38 weeks. Should we so choose, I can be induced at 39 weeks if I haven't gone into labor on my own. I am really, REALLY hoping my body starts this process on its own, but it's too early to be impatient. In the next two weeks I have a TON to do... our house still isn't ready for our newest addition and my bags aren't even packed. I guess I'm just putting it off - although I did start a hospital stack in the bedroom last night!

After Alivia's appointment Aidan and I grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. He laid down for a nap which allowed me to get some work done, and then, around 3 o'clock, it hit me. I got a burst of energy! Those are few and far between these days.. there's so much to do but I have been physically exhausted. So, I took advantage of my restlessness and got up and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. After vacuuming and sweeping the living room (our house has laminate floors throughout, which makes sweeping up all the dirt and dust a chore) I made the trek into our bedroom, also known as the catch all for yard sale stuff and laundry. I moved some things around, hung some art and took down some shelves, and finally, oh finally.. it is almost clean! I will have to post pictures as soon as I get it finished. I am so happy with the way everything is turning out... our house is finally coming together as a home!

Yesterday I told myself I was going to program the coffee pot for 6:45, wake up and have another productive day. Unfortunately, my body told me to wake up at 5:52 this morning, so I laid in bed until I heard the coffee pot start brewing. I got out a book that I keep in my nightstand (I got it as a gift in high school from a lovely lady that I admire) called Starting Your Day Right. As I read today's passage, I understood why I got up so early.

"It is wise to seek God early each day before we start making decisions in order to know ahead of time what we ought to do, and then to receive the grace to do it. Wisdom keeps us from a life of regret."

I want to operate in wisdom, and I can only do that through Christ. I feel the need to share this passage this morning, because I want everyone to start their days right, too. Even if it's just for a moment, it's important to have time every day just you and God... and I have found the time for me. From this day forward I have made a promise to myself, and to God, to have a personal time out when I first wake up.. to thank Him for His many blessings and to pray about the day in advance. Although I don't know what it holds, He does... so why wouldn't I seek His knowledge?

Feeling refreshed after reading I got up, fixed coffee and a bagel for me and made Joey a sandwich for him to take for lunch. It's now a half past 8 and I've seen him off to work, fed and dressed Aidan, started a load of clothes and unloaded the dishwasher. Maybe they grind a half a cup of productivity into Dunkin' Donuts coffee bags. Who knows?

March Madness

So... March has almost come and gone, and I haven't blogged since January. Almost two full months to be exact. Maybe it's because I've been so busy. Maybe it's because I don't know what to say. Maybe it's because I'm overwhelmed. Yeah, that's it.

The past two months have been rough in every way possible- emotionally, physically and financially. I quit my job to begin working from home (which seems like it would be easy, but it's not). With a toddler who gets into absolutely everything, it makes sitting down and actually focusing on work hard... because I have to break my concentration to keep him from sticking balls of tissue paper up his nose and standing on toyboxes to turn the lights on and off. And no, I'm not kidding. :) It is definitely worth it, though, because I get to spend all day with Aidan, and soon we will be adding Alivia to the equation. I find myself constantly wondering how I'm going to handle it all, and while know that I'm strong enough to do it physically I'm not sure that I will be able to handle things emotionally.

When I quit my job Joey had found one and was set to begin working at the end of February, but due to circumstances beyond our control the position fell through and he had to continue the search. It has now been two months and his unemployment benefits will run out soon (actually, about the same time Alivia is due), which has added even more stress to things. In the past few weeks we have updated his resume and broadened the search, looking for positions as far away as an oil rig in Texas. Confident that God would bring us a position and with a prayer for jobseekers, the two of us have remained positive and this week his luck seems to be turning around. After being offered a position with Woodmen of the World (a commission-only insurance company) Joey decided that he was definitely interested in getting back into the business, although not with WOTW. A few phone calls and an interview later, all he has to do now is study for and pass his insurance license test next week... and he will have a big boy J-O-B! Hallelujah! It has been a long road but we are sure that God has a plan for our family.. and best of all the position is right here in Douglas, so he won't have to miss out on spending time with Ansleigh and Aidan, and he will get to be here for Alivia's arrival.

Even though I'm expecting a baby in the middle of the quarter, I signed up for one class for the spring to continue my Business Administration degree. Actually, two weeks ago I just passed an exam and became an official Microsoft Certified Application Specialist in Word 2007 (which I am super proud of). I should get my Excel 2007 certification at the end of spring quarter.. and then if all goes well with Joey's job I'm going to see if I can find a way to go back to school full time (once Alivia is old enough).

Today marks a whole 36 weeks of our pregnancy, with maybe a month left to go. I'm really hoping that I go into labor on my own, and some days I feel like she's so low she could fall out! Hahaha. Everything has really been weighing on my emotions lately-- you would think since I've been through having a baby before that I wouldn't be nervous, but it's actually the opposite. I think I am MORE nervous because I know what to expect. Labor and delivery was a terrible experience for me, but I got through it... I just wish I didn't have to go through it again to get to hold this beautiful baby girl that is growing inside of me. Tuesday morning I head to see Dr. Diamond for my week 36 checkup, maybe he'll give us a heads up as to if I'm beginning to dilate already or if my cervix is thinning out. I have so much to do in the next month, though.. including planning Aidan's second birthday party, which I'm thinking is going to be Elmo themed, but shhh! Don't tell him! ;)

Until next time, which will probably be Tuesday after the doctor's visit...

- From the Burnams, with love.

New year, new beginnings.

2010 has gotten off to a rather bumpy start.

The husband and I celebrated our very first wedding anniversary on New Year's Eve, and while it was uneventful (due to the fact that we can't really afford anything but each other's company right now), we were kid-free for the weekend and that's probably one of the best gifts we could have received. Thanks Grandbon. :)

So after a long break from work for the holidays, we returned bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (yeah.. right!) on Monday morning, and we were unaware that my husband would be losing his job on the first working day of the new year. You always hear people talking about being laid off, or business being slow, but until it happens to you or your family I don't really think you can understand the heartbreak. It's just a different kind. I know it's especially hard for Joey, because I see what a hard worker he is. He really and truly puts 150% into any and everything that he does. Today was his last day of work, and as he headed off this morning I truly wished I could take his place. I know that our family will be okay. Financially, we might struggle for a while, but God will take care of us. I just wish that my husband.. my best friend.. didn't feel like a failure.

While Joey has been avidly applying for positions any and every where, another quarter in school has begun for me. We did receive a blessing yesterday, though, when I went to buy my books. It truly does pay to be a good student! I went to check on my financial aid (to make sure I could even buy my books) and I had over $1000 to spend! Hallelujah! My books ended up only being a little over $300, so we will receive a check for over seven HUNDRED dollars in about a month! To God be the GLORY! I was so excited. I still am. It was my reassurance that He is going to take care of us.

In pregnancy news, I got to hear Alivia's heartbeat yesterday. What sweet music to my ears. Dr. Diamond did warn me of the complications of having a breach baby (in the 20 week ultrasound she was in that position). He said that at my 4D ultrasound (on the 28th of this month) we should get a heads up as to if she's going to get into the "head down" position (no pun intended!), and if she hasn't turned by the time of my 35 week ultrasound (the week after St. Patrick's Day) then we'll have to discuss our options. While some people would freak out at this news, I'm not. As long as she gets here safe & sound (and healthy) then I will be happy. I don't care if they have to cut me, and there's no sense in worrying myself to death over it until March.

This week our little princess is about as big as........

AN EAR OF CORN!

According to BabyCenter.com, our baby girl is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at over a pound! Since she's almost a foot long she still has a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and taste buds are continuing to develop (maybe she'll get her Daddy's instead of mine.. I'm too picky!). The lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon... Meanwhile, MY body is changing too.. and much like this:


But in real time.. 24 1/2 weeks..


Until next time, please keep our little (growing) family in your thoughts and prayers, because we sure need all of them that we can get. I pray that my husband's work ethic and drive is recognized by someone (an employer) who will treat him fairly and compensate him for the job he does. Until he finds this job I pray that we stay strong for each other through the challenges financially that we may face. Amen.

- From the Burnams, with love.

Alivia Grace - 20 weeks in my belly!

Meet Me Halfway

So this Sunday marks the beginning of 20th week of our pregnancy. Twenty weeks. Half of 40. I cannot believe we are halfway through this blessing already.

Our baby girl this week is the size of a large tomato:

I wish you all could have seen the look on Joey's face when Dr. Diamond said "Well, she's not shy at all!" And since we invited Ansleigh on our doctor's visit (she wanted to go SO bad) I think her excitement was almost as great as her daddy's! We are all super duper excited. In all honesty, I think every mom wants to have a baby boy (baby boys LOVE their mamas!).. and every mom needs a baby girl (to dress up and shop with/for of course!)

After finding out we were having a baby girl, as it turned out, we already had her name picked out.

Alivia Grace

♥

We still have so much to do before Alivia gets here though! I've kind of picked out bedding. Started getting the house cleaned. Joey will finish school next week, and officially have his CDLs... HALLELUJAH! We will FINALLY be able to see each other again! The past 10 weeks have been extremely stressful, with us both working full time and going to school.. and especially with me being pregnant, because most night I'm asleep when he gets in from class. We have a lot of changes coming soon, and I just pray for His will to be done with whatever paths we may choose. :)

Here's a pic of our little love muffin at (almost) 20 weeks...

And for comparison, here's me at 20 weeks with Aidan:

The wait is over...

Our little bundle of joy.. IS A GIRL!

(That's her face.. It's a side view & her nose is towards the top.)

It happened.

I was sitting at work, doing my job... and it happened.

Simple.
Just.
Like.
That.

Let me explain something, though. I have been here before. I have felt this feeling before. But there is nothing that brings joy like feeling a child, your child, move inside you for the first time. I tried to blow it off.. maybe it's just gas... but no, here we are, a week later.. and several times a day I feel our little doodle bug just swimming around in my belly.

I will admit though, lately the thought of having three children has begun to overwhelm me a little. I am twenty-one years old.. a stepmother to the most beautiful and amazing little five-year-old I've ever met in my life, a mother to the most handsome, smartest (and silliest) little 18-month-old on the planet, and I would not have it any other way.

I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard... because tons of questions begin to fill your brain during your second pregnancy, like: Do I have enough love to go around? Can you really love another child the same? What if the other children begin to feel neglected? Will they understand?

As Mrs. Burnam I have one of the most caring and loving (and definitely the best father EVER) husbands on this planet, and I firmly believe that. I know that he and I will make it through this triumphantly for our children, although there is a lot of stress on me right now. Between working a full-time job during the day (and being a single parent at night while Joey goes to school, LOL) it has definitely left me drained and a little depressed. I know all this will be worth it in the end, because Joey will find a job that he actually enjoys (and maybe get paid a little more than he's making now) and when I'm through with school maybe I'll at least get a raise (ha!).

Anyway.. on a lighter note.. here is a pic of the belly progress at 14 weeks:

And at 14 weeks.. Baby Burnam was the size of a...............

LEMON! :)

And this week, at 15 weeks, Baby Burnam is the size of a..... drumroll please.....

APPLE! :) :) :)

We have another doctor's appointment on 11/11 at 10:40AM.. and last time Dr. Diamond said we *might* be able to guess what IT is then! :) Until next time...

Almost the 2nd trimester? No way!

We are now 12 1/2 wonderful weeks into our pregnancy, and little Baby Burnam has a heartbeat that we officially HEARD yesterday! What a glorious feeling, to know that there is LIFE inside of you. As soon as Dr. Diamond found our stubborn little one's heartbeat, the look on my husband's face was absolutely priceless. See, to me (and I'm sure any other mother) a heartbeat is a precious thing. Children are made out of nothing but love, but as I've expressed before, this pregnancy is totally different than my last with Aidan. To have my husband beside me at every visit means a lot. To see the love, joy, and excitement in his eyes as soon as Dr. Diamond said "There it is!" just makes me very emotional. Unfortunately these days a lot of things make me emotional, but this feeling is warranted.

Since the earlier weeks I've been doing pretty well, with only a few spells of the pregnancy sickness. The nurse told me yesterday I've only gained 3 pounds since I've been pregnant.. so that made me feel a little more comfortable. I can already feel my body changing though.. it's almost like it isn't yours anymore, but that's just fine by me. Our baby is a roommate I'll be glad to share with. :)

From crown to rump, our baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long and weighs half an ounce.. the size of a...........................

LIME!

A little behind in Week #9!

Last Sunday began glorious week 9! I can't believe we're almost in the double digits already! It seems that the morning sickness has subsided (I hope so, at least), but I've got a case of the pregnancy cold for sure! All in all though, Baby B seems to be growing well (considering none of my pants really button anymore). I finally had to break down and head to Old Navy for some therapy... My, oh my! I had forgotten how comfortable maternity pants are!

This week Baby B is the size of a... drum roll please...

A grape!

All is well here.. our house is almost completely finished and we should be moving in soon (hopefully this week)!

Until next week..

8 weeks!

Week 8.. REALLY!

So it's been an entire ten days since I've updated.. but I vowed to blog weekly, and since my last post our weeks changed! Dr. Diamond has finally given us a real due date.. April 25, 2010! Our last visit showed a growing Baby B, and although we didn't get to hear its heartbeat, we saw it! A little flicker of life! Here's a (blurry) pic of Baby B at 7 weeks 3 days:


"It" is the little peanut looking thing at the top of the black part! Haha. It really does look like a peanut, but unfortunately this week we're only as big as a kidney bean:
While I've still been dealing with pretty much all day waves of nausea, overall we've been okay. Joey and Grandma Lori seem to be getting my heartburn (which is fine with me)! :) And more good news in Burnamville, Cory & Nicole announced last night at dinner that THEY are expecting a baby in May of 2010! Christmas 2010 is going to be CRAZY!

We won't go back to the doctor for 4 weeks (October 14th), and it will be at THAT appointment where we'll actually get to hear the heartbeat!

All the family has been helping us attempt to get into our house over the weekend.. we should start laying the floor at some point this week, too! We are too anxious to have our own place again.. I can't wait to cook in my own kitchen and fold clothes in my own laundry room! Haha. Grandma & Grandpa have really been great, though. Actually, I have no excuses anymore.. I bought a new digital camera and I promise, promise, PROMISE to take pictures of our progress tonight! :)

Well, I'm about to shut this office down and hit the road to get my baby boy and head home... until next week....

Baby week!

Today begins week seven, and I must say week six has been busy! Tuesday we welcomed not one, but TWO new babies..

Mason Wade

and

Ari Michael Lee

Aren't they beautiful?! Aunt D is so proud!

I must say, welcoming two babies in one day was emotional for me! When I first held Mason I couldn't believe it.. it hit me: Joey and I will be holding our very own bundle of joy in 30+ weeks. It honestly brings me to tears right now. Joey and I have children, and they are the absolute most important thing to us.. but! Joey and I don't have any children that are ours together, and I think that's what makes this pregnancy totally different to me. We've joked about names already, because I tease him... it was so much easier with Aidan, because no one else's opinion mattered! (On a side note, we have already picked a girl name.. but we're not telling anyone what it is!)

We go to the doctor on Wednesday morning, and I can't wait to hear our little critter's heartbeat for the first time. It will also be Joey's first visit to the doctor with me.. and we'll be able to bask in the glow of creating life together. I must say, marriage is wonderful. There are times when I could strangle that dear husband of mine (and I'm sure he feels the same way about me) but honestly there is no one I'd rather be spending this life with, creating a new life with, and living out the rest of my years with. I'm so blessed to be going through this with him (even though he's used to me being pregnant, LOL!).

On a pregnancy note, this week has literally been filled with exhaustion, and I can't stand it. I'm ready for the nesting stage to kick in, instead of this "Oh my, if I stay up past 9 I won't be able to function tomorrow!" feeling. Pregnancy has really been draining me, and I'm not sure I remember it being this way at all! I've also been sick for the past week, every morning, like clockwork.. and I was never sick with Aidan. My work pants already aren't buttoning (which is a horrible feeling at 7 weeks) but they do say you start showing earlier with your second child. Oh yeah, this week.. baby Burnam is the size of a......

BLUEBERRY!

Now that I'm through venting, I must shut down this office and get ready to head home. We have a busy weekend ahead, since we're STILL trying to get our house finished, but Monday is my 21st birthday so it's going to be a great weekend no matter what happens!

Until next week..

Happy (almost) Birth Day

So today we will be welcoming babies Mason Wade and Ari Michael Lee along with their parents!

It has been 10 amazing months! Watching my sister-in-law Fallon and best friend Kayse go through the miracle of life has been so much fun, and now here we are, September 1st, 2009, welcoming two babies into the world. As of right now Kayse is 3cm, water is broken, with contractions every two minutes, and Fallon is 5cm, water broken, epidural administered.

It will probably be a few hours still, but good luck to both their families, and much love from Burnamville! I can't wait to meet the newest additions to our family (and extended family)!

I will keep you all updated.. say a prayer or two!

UPDATE 9:06AM
Fallon is completely dilated, about to start pushing. Kayse is almost 4CM, just got an epidural!

UPDATE 1:45PM
Mason Wade was born at 9:10 this morning, weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces! Congratulations Fallon & Chris! Kayse is currently dilated 5CMs!

UPDATE 5:45PM
Ari Michael Lee is here!!! Congratulations Kayse, Abe and Hayden!

The second time around...

So, it really hasn't hit me yet that Joey and I are going to have a baby.

I know I am super excited already, but it's unbelievable that we (generally speaking) are capable of creating life.

In the past 6 weeks I can say that I've had more excitement than I did the entire time I was pregnant with Aidan. When I went to the doctor two weeks ago to get something for the nausea, I had to have an exam before they could prescribe me anything. Well, there was a little blood in my urine, which could have meant a number of things, but as it turned out after the check-up everything was fine. I went to my follow-up on this past Wednesday, and Dr. Diamond said we are just shy of a heartbeat. (That was exciting to know!) Unfortunately, I woke up Friday morning with a UTI (urinary tract infection), and had to go BACK to the doctor to get some medicine for this terrible, ungodly pain in my bladder/urinary tract. If you've never had a UTI, count your blessings. Anyways, so now my pee is the color of fruit punch (I know, I'm sorry that I'm being so graphic) but the pain has subsided a tiny bit.

On top of the nausea, vomiting, and UTIs, I am an absolute never-ending pit of exhaustion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; I'm venting. ;) I am so blessed to be able to get pregnant, to be able to create life, and I thank God for that. I can't wait to feel the kicks, even though I know they're going to keep me up at night. I can honestly say it's much different the second time around, though, and maybe it's because I'm more aware of what's happening to my body. I'm starting to notice the changes, and I can honestly say I don't remember my pants being uncomfortable at 6 weeks (last time). I need to start taking pictures so I can compare with Aidan's arrival.

Either way, we are so blessed in Burnamville.

Even though Joey missed our two appointments so far, we get to go back on September 9th to check out BB's progress (I mentioned this in an earlier post) and we should be able to hear a heartbeat, and Daddy will be able to attend! Yay!

Until next week, let's hope that no more (uncomfortable) excitement comes our way! :)

Back on track!

So, we had another doctor's appointment to check on BB's (Baby B) progress on Wednesday.. and we got an almost definite due date! Watch out April 2010! :)

We will be 6 weeks tomorrow, which means we're as big as a lentil! What exactly is a lentil, you ask? Well I did.. and I Googled it (as I'm known to do):

The lentil or daal or dal (Lens culinaris), considered a type of pulse, is a bushy annual plant of the legume family, grown for its lens-shaped seeds. It is about 15 inches (38 cm) tall and the seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each.

So, we learn something knew every day! :)

Baby B this week:


We'll go back to the doctor on September 9th, and by then we should hear BB's first heartbeat!

Week 8.. or not!

So, I went to the doctor on Wednesday to get some medication for this TERRIBLE nausea I've been having... and luckily I got to see Baby B (or what is beginning to be Baby B) for the first time! Dr. Diamond sent me to the lab to have some blood drawn to see exactly how far along I am... and unfortunately it seems that I'm only about 5 or 6 weeks pregnant (but hey, that's still pregnant)! I go back on the 26th to do another ultrasound and check on BB's progress, and Dr. Diamond said that he will be able to tell more about due date then.

Until next time, here's the only ultrasound picture we got, and so it seems we're back to the size of a sesame seed:

The Big Announcement

So, it's official. Joey & I are going to have a baby. Ansleigh and Aidan are going to have a little brother or sister. We are still in shock, but it's an amazing feeling! Woooooooo!

This morning I went to the health department to verify what we already knew, but after a positive pregnancy test and an estimated due date of March 29th, 2010, we can shout it from the rooftops! How exciting! We won't have an ultrasound or anything for three weeks, when I go see my OB/GYN. That's about the only disappointing thing about today! Haha. So, since I don't have confirmation from a picture I can only assume that I'm about 7 weeks pregnant (at least that's what babycenter.com tells me) based on 3/29/10.

I'll just update you a little (picture wise) on how big Baby B is... until we know for sure!

At four weeks, Baby B was TINY! Just the size of a poppy seed:

At five weeks, Baby B was a little bigger, but still so small, the size of a sesame seed:

At six weeks Baby B was the size of a lentil, whatever THAT is:

And at 7 weeks... Baby B is the size of.... A BLUEBERRY!
Until next week...

Big things are happening...

I can feel it! :)

So we *should* hear news by about lunch today on whether or not our bid has been accepted by Vanderbilt Mortgage on this mobile home we found in Tifton on Monday. It has been repossessed, but it has SUPER potential... that is, once we replace the carpet and paint. ;) It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, den (playroom), dining area, and utility room! I am so excited.. I don't want to get my hopes up but I have a good feeling! I feel it in my bones! Regardless of if we get the house or not, though, we have begun packing our stuff up and there's no light way to put it.. it SUCKS! This time we're doing it the right way, though.. packing up boxes and labeling them with the room they go in! We're going to temporarily move into Joey's dad & Lori's house (and ours would go right behind theirs.. the land is BEAUTIFUL by the way!) until we hear something about the house. Now, if we DO get it we have TONS to do.. we've been talking to the bank, we've got to get some permits, clear some land, etc.

Onto a different topic, though.. I've been working with SHINE 101.9FM in the mornings (from 7-8:45 for now) doing the morning show with Matt and the Morning Mayhem.. and I am really loving it! :) Despite some controversy (which I think we have worked out now) it is proving to be something I'm really interested in! I'm becoming more & more recognized (when I call people and tell them my name) which is absolutely FINE with me, because I am proud of what I'm doing! I'm proud of SHINE 101.9 and all the changes that are being made (for the better).

EXCITING news... We're are thinking about trying to have a baby! :) On Monday I go to the doctor to have my Mirena removed. Based on what happens with the house I guess will really determine our final decision, but so far we are so excited! We're not going to try, but we're not going to not try. Haha. Although Joey and I already have two children, biologically we don't have a child of our own and we are ready for one!

Anyways... thought I'd update since I haven't been on in a while. That's a lot of news in one post.. but BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING!