Great Grandparents

Dave and I have had a few conversations over the last three years about how blessed J is to still have two great grandfathers and two great grandmothers still living in addition to both sets of grandparents. Let's outline this: J has Grandpa (Grandpa Huston-my dad's father) in California, Grandmama (Grandmama Carolyn-Dave's Grandmom Hilton), and PaPa and MaMa (my mom's parents). J probably sees my mom's parents the most, because they are the closest. Still, we talk about each of them with J, and they love him very much. This gift has really been apparent lately as my grandfather (PaPa) has been sick. We went to see PaPa and MaMa last weekend, and J was able to call them by name. MaMa talked to him about his new baby brother, and PaPa told him what a good boy he had been while visiting for a few hours. Here are a few pics of J with these special people!



J with PaPa and MaMa





J with Grandmama Carolyn

Dave and me with Grandpa Huston on our wedding day He flew across the country for our wedding at over 90 years old! I think it is our turn to go there with J!!

Baby Update

I saw Dr. Barnes yesterday for my regular OB check-up. The visits are pretty easy now. She just checks the baby's heartbeat and measures my belly to be sure I am on target with my due date. So far, I am right where I need to be for 32 weeks. Yesterday, my weight gain reached the total I gained with J in 39 weeks. I was telling Dr. Barnes about that, and she said I was still doing great. She said that at this point in my pregnancy there is no way I could gain too much weight, so I was free to eat that Oreo ice cream sandwich I have been craving. I really haven't held back on the junk food during this pregnancy. I figure that I am going to have to get the weight off soon enough, so I should enjoy it while I can. The only bad part is that J has been introduced to some foods that he probably wouldn't have otherwise.

This pregnancy has been somewhat similar to my first. The heartburn started much sooner with this one, and I have found it more difficult with this one to have such a large tummy. This is probably because I am moving in different ways this time since I am keeping up with a three year old. My morning sickness lasted longer, but I was able to take the prenatal vitamins longer this time. This little guy is so active, maybe more than J.

We have been working hard on the baby's room. We have the crib and dresser picked out, ordered, and paid for. We are now waiting on the crib to arrive. So exciting! I am ready to have his room put together, because it is just one step closer to the reality that he will be here soon!!!

Here's where we were

Some progress

Sick Days

J ran a low grade fever for 2 days, so I kept him at home with me. By Wednesday, he was better, but I had to make sure before sending him back to school. So, we made the most of our days together...like old times. I was actually pretty exhausted after these three days!

Stirring blueberry muffin batter

Sorta Sick

We're not sure what is going on with our little guy, but he woke up this morning with a low grade fever of 99.7. I decided not to send him to preschool. He is eating just fine and plays once the fever breaks. It comes back after a few hours (100.7). He really shows no other symptoms and has minimal congestion. I know doctors really don't even consider this temperature a problem, but even a low fever can make you feel yucky! He has been a trooper, and Mommy got in some good snuggle time!


Just catching up on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

A Church for Us

When we first moved to our new city almost two years ago, we quickly began our search for a new church. This is not an easy task when you are trying to stay on the same page with your spouse about what you want in a church home and a two year old who you are having to drop off at a different place every week. Dave and I were praying so hard about this decision, since we want to make our home here and desire for J to grow up surrounded by godly men and women who will serve as spiritual mentors. As a couple and individuals, we have spiritual needs and a strong desire to serve. So, we ventured out of our little area and looked around here, also. We attended lots of great places, but many just seemed too far from our home. We worried we wouldn't be as active as we would like if the drive was too far. Well, about 9 months ago, we went back to one of the first churches that we had visited... only after a couple of church members showed up at our doorstep. Well, we are thankful for those men, because it got us back to the church that we are pretty sure will become our church home.

God has revealed some common things to both Dave and me about this church but also some individual things. Both of us LOVE our Sunday School class. The teacher speaks from his heart and is totally authentic in his sharing of personal experiences. The class in interactive and the mood is positive. There is also a heart in that class for reaching others for Christ and serving those who need us most. In two months, we have watched three men in the SS class come to know our Heavenly Father and our class rejoices with these guys...husbands, fathers. We have been able to share some of our experiences with J, and they pray for his progress. A couple of weeks ago, we shared in detail about our answered prayer with the insurance company and J's gains in his expressive language. They rejoiced along with us, and their sincerity was evident as a few mommies cried along with me. Aside from our class, the preschool workers love our little man. I don't mean that they just think he is a cute three year old; they invest love and time in him. Now that I have a child of my own, I know what a sacrifice it is for these same workers to give their time and talents each week to the little ones of the church! They are understanding of J's apraxia and celebrate every improvement along with us. They know our boy & all of the other children and accept each child as a unique creation. I have seen this firsthand in many of the nursery classes and in J's class, of course. The church believes that children should hear about Jesus from the time they are very young, so even the very youngest ones hear short words and descriptions of God's love and creation. Awesome. Finally, there are lots of opportunities to be involved...all three of us. We are so thankful that God has led us to this place!!

J's Arrival...3 years ago

As a second birthing experience is coming my way, I can't help but think back to my very first birthing experience with J. The most memorable part of that day was hearing his first cry and being filled with so much emotion: immense happiness, relief, pride, etc. Dave and I vividly remember Dr. Risinger holding him high in the air seconds after he was born and asking Dave to tell everyone who she was holding. Dave proudly announced our boy's full name. The operating room, filled nurses, doctors, med students, etc. clapped & cheered for our brand new baby! Dave then scooted over to watch them check out our newborn.



I remember asking for J's apgar score and inquiring about why he got a 9 instead of a 10. :) Only a few minutes passed before they moved me to the recovery room, and I got to nurse my precious baby boy for the very first time. Then, it was time for us to introduce J to his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They gathered around us in the recovery room (thanks to a sweet nurse who sorta bent the hospital rules to make this happen), and we proudly showed him off to those who love him most.






All of this was such a sweet ending to what was a stressful morning as we found out moments before inducing labor that J was breech. A c-section was inevitably part of my future at that time. However, I could not have asked for sweeter memories than I have of that day.

Look at those little legs. He had been sitting in the womb like a little frog, and the nurses knew he was a breech baby without even asking.

We just thought we were exhausted at this point! We had no idea how tired we would be just weeks later.

Baby Brother's Upcoming Arrival

Only 8 weeks before we get to meet our little guy! We are so excited to add this baby boy to our family. I get teary-eyed thinking about those first moments when he is introduced to us and especially the time when we introduce our two sons to one another. We have decided to make that time very special for our little family of four and are praying that all goes well!

I sat down with Dr. Barnes yesterday, and we discussed my c-section in more detail. It looks like Baby Boy Hilton will come into the world, bright and early, on the morning of June 1, 2011!!!