Update on Graham

I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and cannot believe that in two months we will have a baby boy in this house full of girls. I feel like I'm starting all over having babies since I'm about to start a new adventure with a boy. I'm so excited to see how different he is from his sisters and to see what Jeff is like with a son.

I still feel completely different with this pregnancy than I did with the girls. I've gained less weight so far, but that's probably because I'm not allowing myself to eat whatever I want like I did with them and because I barely have time to sit down during the day because I'm too busy. I've been a lot more tired and physically achy. I'm carrying much differently than I did in the other pregnancies. Because he's so low, I'm experiencing a lot of back and hip pain, but not the rib pain I did with both girls. By the end of the day I am hobbling around the house and was convinced that he was a giant baby because of the size of my belly and the amount of pain I'm in and still have two months to go. This was confirmed at my last appointment when I was told that he's measuring three weeks ahead. The doctor says that if I deliver around 38 weeks (which I doubt will happen because I've never really had my babies early), he will probably be around 8 1/2 lbs. That's doable. But, I'm afraid he'll stay in there and chub up until the due date and be 10 lbs. Maybe not. Maybe he's just average size and it's all the way I'm carrying, but it will be interesting to see. But, I do know that I already love this little boy so much and all this pain and what I will face is more than worth it.

Something funny about him: I feel him get hiccups several times every day. And every time he does, he gets so upset and starts kicking in every direction and making huge movements until they stop. They always only last for a couple of minutes, but he seems to really hate them.

My sweet friends are having a prayer shower for me in a couple of weeks to pray over both of us. I know it will all really set in when we're praying for specifics and I'm getting little boy clothes and things. I'm so excited! Last night we moved the crib into his room and I am slowly starting to get it ready for our son. Can't believe I'm saying that!

Heidi's 2!

Our precious Heidi,

You just turned two years old and are such a sweet blessing to us. Your personality continues to change and I laugh as I think of how funny and sassy you've become. Here's more about you:

-You weigh 24 lbs and are in the 60th percentile for height and 25th for weight. Daddy and I were both surprised by this because we don't think of you as being small in terms of weight, but in height. I guess maybe you're not going to be so short after all.

-You have a HUGE personality. You love attention, to be silly, and to make people laugh. You can also be sassy and independent. You're learning to share and be kind and are very active.

-You have started pretending and love to play dress up and with your baby dolls. Your favorite baby is still your Minnie Mouse and she's always with you.

-You love to imitate everything your sister says and does. You get along so sweet one minute and are fighting the next. I guess that's the nature of sisters. I pray for you to be best friends and to have a wonderful relationship as you grow up. Sisters are so special.

-Something funny you do: We listen to a particular radio station in the car and during their breaks they sing the name of the station (KSBJ). Every single time they sing it, you finish by singing the J. It's so sweet hearing your little voice singing behind me as I drive and it's so funny that you never fail to do it.

-You've also started singing about Jesus and that's my favorite thing to hear you say. I pray for you to know Him at a young age and that you desire to glorify and serve Him all of your life.

-I'm interested to see how the transition goes when Graham gets here in a couple of months since you're so attached to me. You're still my baby and love being held, carried, and rocked, so I'm not sure what you're going to think when Mommy's carrying around and rocking a new little baby. But, you seem to understand that there's a baby in my belly because you are constantly rubbing it and saying "baby Graham."

-Speaking of my belly, when you see it you laugh and say "belly" in a deep and funny voice, like the image of my bare belly is the funniest thing you've ever seen.

You are such a precious little joy, Heidi Reese. I cannot believe the ways the Lord has blessed your daddy and me with such a sweet family. I'm so thankful for the two years He's given me with you and I look forward to many more!

Love,

Mommy

Ansley's 4!

My sweet Ansley,

You're four! You've grown and changed so much in the last year and I just can't believe how much all of our lives have been changed and blessed since we first met you four years ago. You are such a sweet girl, full of love and always willing to help. Here's more about you:

-You are still very tall. We haven't been to the doctor yet, but you are quite a bit taller than most other children your age. You're wearing 5T, but the dresses are a little too short. You refuse to wear shorts or pants and have told me on many occasions that princesses only wear dresses, skirts, and leggings. I'm not sure where this came from, but I love how girly you are.

-You amaze me all the time with your vocabulary. You will hear something once and usually figure out what it means and use it in a sentence, or will try to slip it in anyway. You're learning to write and sound out the letters of the alphabet and can write most of them on your own. You can write your name without help and ask all the time how to spell your friends' names so you can write them. You love to learn and "do school."

-You're so sweet and patient with your sister. Heidi is still learning how to share and treat other people and you usually ignore her outbursts or try to kindly correct her. She is learning so much from you and I love seeing you two play together.

-This year you have been involved in gymnastics, ballet, and Cubbies. You've done great in all of them and love going to see your friends.

-You are so loving and affectionate. You tell Daddy and me that you love us several times a day and are constantly giving hugs and kisses. You offer to help Heidi and hold her hand. This is one of my favorite things about you and I hope we have many more years of it before you decide it's not so cool to hug us.

-Since turning four you have decided that you are much more grown up and mature now. You have told me that four year olds always help their momma, say yes ma'am, clean up when asked, eat all their food at dinnertime, and on and on. I'm not sure where this came from either, but hope it hangs around for awhile.

-Every night you ask where we're going when you wake up the next morning. You love to be busy and to see your friends. We have a very close group of friends and see each other several times a week. They are all such blessings to us and I'm so happy that you will have a group of friends from church that are learning to love the Lord with you.

Ansley, you are such a sweet blessing and pleasure to be around. We love you so much and are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents and are excited to start another year with you!

Love,

Mommy

Bluebonnets