Introducing Graham...

I've been waiting for awhile to write the first post about our sweet new baby so I could write about the gender and name. We found out yesterday that we're having a BOY and his name will be Graham Runnels. So, more about him and the details of the pregnancy from the beginning:

We found out that we were expecting number three on October 30. I didn't think I was pregnant, but there was the question in the back of my mind, so I decided to take a test to know for sure. After three tests, it began to sink in. We had been hoping to have another, so it was no shock, but emotional nonetheless. The only indication I had had before the positive tests was that during dinner the weekend before with friends, I suddenly got very nauseous when eating a steak. We told family and close friends in the coming days about our pregnancy.

At six weeks I made a spur of the moment appointment with the midwife at our clinic and the ultrasound showed the tiny little dot with the heartbeat and I was so excited to know that things were going as they should. My regularly scheduled appointment with my doctor was for the following week and thankfully Jeff went to that appointment with me. It started with small talk with the doctor, but as she began the ultrasound, I could tell by the look on her face that she was concerned. I looked at the screen and saw only a black void. No yolk sac, no baby, no heartbeat. Nothing. She didn't say anything, but continued the ultrasound for what seemed like five minutes. Finally, she scanned over something that flickered quickly. She said that she thought it might be the heartbeat, but that the ultrasound did not look normal. She wanted me to come back in a week to do another ultrasound. We discussed my options if there were no heartbeat the next week and in the back of my mind that is what I began preparing myself for. I had had a miscarriage a couple of years prior and been through this before. I would have never imagined I'd be doing it again. I left the office and spent the next week in tears, convinced that it was over. There were other indications that week that there was a problem, so I fully expected to see no heartbeat at the upcoming appointment.

During this difficult week, I sought the Lord constantly, knowing that He was and is the only comfort I could find. I prayed for Him to save the baby, to comfort and encourage me. I have a wonderfully close group of friends who lifted me up in prayer during this time, sat with me when I cried, and spoke truth to me. That was so good. I needed to be reminded that all I knew for sure was that I was in fact pregnant and that there was a little heart beating inside me. And that God was in total control of it all. I sat in the bath every night praying for the baby and just waiting to hear from the Lord. It finally occurred to me that maybe I was making Him too small, not trusting that He really could work a miracle and let everything be okay. After that realization, I felt such peace.

When the time finally came to go back to the doctor, Jeff was right beside me as she began the ultrasound. I closed my eyes and turned my head away from the machine, not wanting to see the lack of a heartbeat as I had before during my last miscarriage. It's just an image that is burned in my memory and I didn't want it again. My doctor said, "There it is. There's the baby." I looked at the screen and saw my precious little baby's body and the strong heartbeat. A head, arms, legs. The baby. Measuring perfectly. Amazing. Instantly I thanked the Lord because I knew He had answered the prayers of so many. The ultrasound machine used the week before was blamed, but whatever it was, I know the Lord had His hand in it.

So, I ended up changing doctors and clinics all together. I just didn't feel comfortable with mine and wanted someone who I felt went the extra mile and cared more about me and the baby. I found one that I'm so happy with. He discovered the reason for my complications, put me on progesterone, and I've had an ultrasound every time I've gone in. And, every time we see that the sweet baby is growing right as he should be and everything looks great. I feel his movements now and frequently lie on my back just to feel him wiggling. He gave the ultrasound technician a hard time yesterday though because the umbilical cord was between his legs and he had his legs crossed and pulled up, but she finally got the picture confirming that he is definitely a boy. I've kind of had a feeling all along because at the beginning of my pregnancy I was incredibly hungry all the time and was nauseous, which I didn't experience with either of the girls.

About the name: We've really only had a boy's name all this time. Graham is named after Jeff's grandmother, whom everyone called Gram. Runnels is Jeff's middle name and his mother's maiden name. The initials GRH have been in the family for many years. We love his name and that it has such sweet meaning. I'm so excited to add a boy to our family and experience being the mom of a little boy. Oh, how God has blessed us!!!

Halloween 2012

State Fair of Texas

Our 1 1/2 year old

Sweet Heidi Reese,

What a whirlwind these last 18 months have been with you! You are busy, busy, busy and don't stop unless you're asleep. You are a great blessing to our lives and it's hard to remember what life was like before you. More about you:

-You are sweet and very sassy! We're going through an interesting stage with you right now since you've learned to be more independent. We're definitely having to teach you a lot about patience and obedience.

-You have a sweet, mischevious smile and the sweetest little dimple. And I love how your eyes squinch up with that grin.

-You have caught up on your height to be average in the 50th percentile, but are still on the small side in terms of weight at 21 pounds and in the 15-25th percentile. Still just perfect to us.

-You love to read and be read to and your favorite books are about ducks. You love to quack as we read the stories.

-You still like to "wake up slow" as your dad says and will get very cranky if we try to get you going to quickly in the morning.

-You're gaining more and more words and understand so much around you now. You can respond with a shake of the head and a no. And, that's your favorite word, too!

-You are into everything! I'm constantly catching you with my toothbrush and toothpaste. Or dragging everything out of the cabinets. Or climbing on the table.

We love you, Heidi Reese! Can't wait to see how you grow in the next 18 months.

Three and a half...going on 16

Our sweet Ansley Grace,

You reached three and a half years old on the first of October and I just want to let you know what a joy and blessing you are to our lives. I am so proud of the little girl you've become and am excited to see how the Lord blesses your life and continues to use you as a blessing to others. Your growing interest and love of Him is encouraging and I can't wait for the day that you make the decision to accept Him as your Savior. More about you:

-You talk a lot! To everyone around you, including the cashiers at the grocery store, and even yourself. You also love to make up songs and sing at the top of your lungs, pretending that the brick hearth is your stage.

-You are very loving to your sister (most of the time).

-You are a great helper and love to be in the middle of everything I'm doing, especially cooking.

-You love "school time" and the attention you get when we sit at the table to work on your alphabet and numbers.

-You're doing Cubbies this year and are doing a great job memorizing and reciting scripture. You've earned your vest and a patch so far.

-You're also involved in gymnastics and ballet, but love ballet most. You seem to be a natural dancer and I think it's something you will enjoy for a long time.

-No naps for you anymore. It's been this way for a while now and it makes me a little sad.

-You have such a sweet and thoughtful heart. You spontaneously tell me you love me all the time and it's one of the things I love most about you. You are so loving.

-You are THE girliest girl I've ever seen. You love all things frilly, fluffy, sparkly, and pretty. You refuse to wear anything but dresses and skirts. You even want to wear tutus over your pajamas for bed.

We love you, Ansley! What a sweet blessing you are to everyone you meet.

It's a little bit cooler!

Since the temperature has dropped and it's a bearable 91 degrees outside, the girls and I got to go to the playground for the first time since last spring. It's just been TOO HOT! Only in Texas would 91 degrees feel like such a relief. My sister likes to throw it in my face that the high where she lives in California has been in the upper 70s until they had a warm front and the highs reached 85. Oh my goodness!

But, fall is in the air. I can't wait for crisp mornings, windows open, screen door slapping behind my girls going outside to enjoy the day, fall decorating, pumpkins, and warm drinks on the porch. Oh, and some Aggie football!

Heidi's 15 months!

Heidi,

This post is a little late because we have been so busy this summer. You turned 15 months a couple of weeks ago and had to go to the doctor for a check up and shots. Here's a little bit about you at this age:

-You were only 20 pounds, which put you in the 15th percentile for height and weight. It seems that you're going to be a little girl and short like mommy. But, I love that about you and it makes me happy that you take after me in that way.

-At the time of the appointment you had about 5 words, but have added more since then. You can say uh-oh, shoes, bye bye, momma, mommy, cheese, baby, and there are more that I just can't think of off the top of my head.

-You love to cuddle, especially when you wake up.

-You have started "reading" books. You like to climb into the chair and babble to yourself as you look at the pictures. You also bring the books to me, but get impatient as I read and change the page.

-You climb on everything!

-You're sharing a room with your sister now and seem to love it.

-You and Ansley fight A LOT! You have started grabbing her toys, grinning at her, and then running off in the other direction so she will chase you. It makes her so mad!

-You are wearing some size 12 months, but mostly 18 months and just moved up to size 4 shoes.

-You still take two naps a day and go to sleep so easily. But, you wake up so early! I can usually hear you talking or squealing at 6:30.

We love you, precious Heidi! I can't imagine how you will change over the next few months. You are such a sweet blessing to us!