Another Baby?!

A couple people have said congrats to me in passer-by conversation for being pregnant again.  That's a surprise to even me!  :)  We are most certainly not pregnant again.  But these rumors have sparked conversation between Travis and I about when and if we want another baby. 

Right now, we are very focused on our Dave Ramsey debt free lifestyle that it would not be financially beneficial to bring another child into our family.  In a few years when we're debt free, it won't be a financial burden to support another family member.  Having two in diapers wouldn't be a problem if we were debt free.  We are working diligently to meet our financial goals and then can consider having another baby.  I have been told that if you wait until you have enough money to have kids then you will never have them.  Although I appreciate this statement, it shows maturity in having diligence in becoming debt free and patience enough to wait until we can stand on our own two feet. 

Lucas is our pride and joy.  We never thought we could love something or someone so much.  We enjoy being able to give him our undivided attention and spend his early childhood focusing just on him in order for him to learn all the lessons he needs to learn.  With another child in the house, we would not have the opportunity to focus as much undivided attention when he needs it the most.  Time is precious in our household, as both Travis and I work outside the home and often come home exhausted as it is.  I would feel like I am not giving Lucas all of me by having another baby. 

Along with that time issue, sleep deprivation is a fear.  I am constantly tired as it is.  As I think back to Lucas' first few months, I know that I am certainly not ready for the lack of sleep that a baby brings.  Lucas just now, at 8 months, is sleeping through the night.  I don't think I could handle another round of sleep deprivation. 

Throughout my early pregnancy, I slept fairly well and kind of enjoyed carrying a child.  The 'new' excitement kept me motivated and brought me through those first few months.  In the later part of my pregnancy, though, I was absolutely miserable.  And everyone around me knew about how miserable and uncomfortable I was.  You see, I'm a short woman and it was a very hot summer.  Lucas spent his last two months inside of me practicing kicking footballs.  I will be the first to say that I was not a nice pregnant lady and I was not the easiest person to be around. I'm not sure that I want to subject my family or myself to this again.  Adoption sounds like a great plan!  :)

Finally, there's what Lucas' Aunt Tana calls 'second child syndrome.'  Montana is Travis' little sister and is the second child.  She says that for the first child, you devote so much energy and time toward getting ready for them, completing the baby book, taking pictures, journaling your pregnancy, and when they arrive it's so special and miraculous.  Then for the second child it's like "been there done that" and you tend to not do the same special things.  Although I think this is a bit silly, at the same time, I can see how this could happen.  I have documented everything of Lucas' from his first word to first bath to first time he sat in snow.  Would I would have the same time and energy to devote to a second child right now?  I don't think so.  I'm so excited to teach Lucas everything and show him the world that I feel like having another baby would not benefit him or the baby. 

By waiting for a few years, Lucas will be old enough to understand what's happening rather than feeling like he's being replaced.  We will be able to teach him how to be gentle and take care of the baby.  He will independent enough to help with getting ready in the morning, feeding time, and will know how to follow a routine. 

And so, obviously, we will try to wait to have a second child.  And this new baby may not even be ours biologically, but through adoption.  We will see what God has planned for our family!  :) 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a blessed week!

Sleep Deprivation

For the past week or so, sleep deprivation has become part of my life.  I am able to sleep for a couple hours after first laying down my head, and then get up every couple of hours to use the restroom and get a drink.  I stay up for about a hour or so, thinking about things while I try to fall back asleep.  I have come to the realization that this is simply God's way of preparing me for the lack of sleep that I will face once Lucas comes.  It has actually been quite enjoyable to sit up late at night- watching Travis sleep, feeling Lucas moving around, and listening to Daisy snore.  The quiet is something that I'm not used to.  Therefore, I think I'm going to try using this time beneficially- praying and listening to the Lord speak to me. 

Maternity Pics

We got our maternity pictures taken and they turned out so wonderfully!  Here are some of my favorites:

Reasons I Know I'm in the 3rd Trimester...

- Picking up something off the ground requires preparation and thought.
- After each meal, I notice I am saving bits for later.
- We leave the bathroom light on during the night to avoid bumping into things during my 10 nightly trips to the bathroom.
- I'm afraid to laugh to sneeze too hard... ;)
- People look at my belly before my face.
- I break a sweat walking from the door to the car.
- Exercise counts as getting out of my chair to go to the restroom.
- I pick my shoes for the day based on which ones are easiest to get on.
- I stopped wearing my rings before I couldn't get them off any longer.
- Rolling over in bed requires counting out loud- 1,2,3, GO!
- I can't get off the ground without rolling onto all four paws first.  Wow!
- My stretchmarks look like a spider web.
- Strangers comment on how pregnant I am.
- My waddle is more like a duck than Donald's...
- He kicks my ribs so hard that I have to stand up or sit up straighter. 

Cute Pregnancy Comic

31 Week Belly Picture

I can't believe that we are at 32 weeks already!  It's unbelievable where the time has flown! Saturday is my baby shower.  I'm SO super excited!  I will post pictures when I get a chance!  I've just been too busy with EMT classes, work, and getting the house ready to even think about posting!  :) 

Gearing Up for Lucas

As you can see from this picture of our beautiful puppy, we're all gearing up for Lucas' arrival.  Daisy likes wearing his fire helmets and sniffing all of his new clothes that we bring home.  Mom has been shopping at lots of yard sales, finding some really great deals!  We've found piles of great baby clothes, a nice stroller, a potty chair, and tons of firefighter steals!  I'm super excited!  Now, if only I had a place to put all of our great finds...

Although the living room and nursery are slowly making progress, I'm getting more and more nervous that we won't have it done in time for Lucas' arrival.  Right now, the guys have completely torn out the old plaster on the walls and ceiling and have taken over five trips to the dump with all the plaster.  The walls are down to the studs and the nursery is almost completely insulated and wired.  The french doors will be put into the living room on June 25th.  Grandpa Algie is helping Trav and Bill with it so that it gets put in correctly.  ;)  Love you, Travis!  Then, we can get the living room insulated and wired and start putting up drywall.  Travis said at that point, it's all uphill... It shouldn't take too long to get done.  Woohoo!  Super excited! 

Along with the house preparations, I have also been continually updating our Target baby registry, assuring that the items on it are perfect.  It's like I think they're going to change or something... :)  I'm super looking forward to the baby shower, too!  It's on July 9th.  That seems so far away, but I know it will come quickly.  I can't believe it's already been over 6 months since we first found out that we were expecting!  Time is really flying!  Back to the shower.. haha!  We addressed the invites today and Aunt Molly told me her plans for the shower.  It's going to be a blast!  Danielle is in charge of planning the games and we laughed hysterically today at some ideas she found online.. I'm looking forward to seeing some of my more introverted shower guests play the games!  :)  And I'm, of course, super excited about getting fabulous gifts for Lucas!  He's going to be such a spoiled little man!

My midwife is also gearing me up.  She has given me tasks throughout my pregnancy, like finding a pediatrician and reading about breastfeeding.  But since I just started my third trimester, my appointments are every 2 weeks now.  Although he is completely healthy as far as we can see, it is just that time of my pregnancy where the appointments get closer together.  I really enjoy meeting with Amy, so I'm glad that I get to see her so often.  I'm starting to get more comfortable with her and am really looking forward to having her deliver Lucas! 

Mommy can't wait to meet you baby!  <3

Nerves at 26 Weeks

It's amazing that we only have a little over 13 weeks until our little man is due!  I am getting nervous about not having much yet.  The baby shower is set for July 9 and I will hopefully get many necessary items, like the car seat, stroller, crib, diapers, and other important items!  I'm more worried about not having the nursery done before Lucas arrives.  Although I know that he will be sleeping in our room for awhile after he's born and won't care if it's not done right away, I think it just stresses me out that we are pushing it so close to his arrival.  I know, however, that Trav has been working diligently on getting it ready.  I'm SO proud of him for how hard he has been working!  I love my hubby!  :)  I think I may just be 'nesting' or whatever it is called.. working hard so that everything is ready for Lucas to arrive.  Although I know it's just silly, I fear for early arrival, hoping that he goes full-term.  Today, I had my blood glucose test.  I had to drink a syrupy fruit punch drink and get my blood drawn an hour later.  My results should get back tomorrow.  I'm nervous about the results since diabetes runs in our families and Mom had gestational diabetes.  But I know that we will be fine no matter the results.  Our safety is in God's hands and I need to learn to trust Him to provide for and protect little Lucas.  Please pray for my ability to remain relaxed and stress-free over the next few weeks!

Belly Pictures

12 weeks

14 weeks15 weeks

Here is the progress from 12 weeks to 15 weeks.  You're definitely starting to see my baby belly and it's so exciting!  I'm going to be huge..  :) 

Bit of a Scare

We had a bit of a scare today... When I woke up this morning, I had a sharp pain in my lower stomach.  I tried ignoring it all day, thinking it was just gas or an upset stomach.  However, it only got worse throughout the day and hurt so bad at times I couldn't even walk.  So I got up enough nerve to call my obgyn.  Although I had no other symptoms that would cause alarm but that didn't keep me from worrying.  My midwife got me in and after feeling my stomach once quickly knew the culprit.  She said that I have torn my round ligament, which holds the uterus.  I am hopeful that the pain will go away within 72 hours!  :)  However, tonight I suffer.  I keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it in a little over 5 months when I have my precious baby in my arms!  Please say a pray for my pain and discomfort.