Big Announcement!!!!

I am going to be an AUNT! I have known this exciting news for 10 weeks now but just got the okay from my sister to announce it to everyone (She had to wait due to some work issues). Bethany is due Nov. 13, 2010!! This will be the third 1st Christmas in a row for babies in this family!

We are super excited to be adding another baby to our family and even more excited that this one comes with out me giving birth again..haha!This will be the third grandchild in three years for my parents so you can imagine their excitement. They are actually planning on moving here the 1st of August to be near all their grandbabies!

We get to find out if Grace and Reese will have a little girl cousin or a boy cousin on June 17th (less than a month away) and are really excited to find out!!

We ask that ya'll remember Beth and Andy and pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery of my future niece or nephew!!

CHKD RunWalk for the Kids--Down Syndrome Association Team

Join us, the Down Syndrome Association Team, for this fun event!

CHKD has meant a lot to us as a family and community. They took care of Reese for 7 days in the NICU and for that we want to give back. We formed our own team and are running this race for the kids. Come out and join us if you can. If you can't and want to make a donation you can do so by clicking on the website below!

Here is the info:

*What: An 8K (4.97) run, a 2 mile walk, or a 1 mile FunRun (for the kiddies!) to benefit CHKD.
*When: Saturday, June 19th.
*Starting Times: 8K Jogging Strollers: 7:25 a.m., 8K Run: 7:30 a.m., 2-Mile Walk: 7:32 a.m.,1-Mile Fun Run: 9:00 a.m.
*Where: Begins and ends at Towne Point Park Norfolk. Course goes through downtown Norfolk.
*Cost: $25 for adults who register before May 22, $35 after May 22. Children are $12 before May 22 and $15 after May 22.


***Here's something really cool about this race: Jogging strollers are allowed! So bring the babies along (FYI, the childrens fee is only for children participating in the 8k, 2 mile, or Fun Run. Children in jogging strollers do not have to be registered).
***Activities, awards, refreshments and entertainment will follow the race.
***Invite your friends and family to join us!

To register, click the following link. Be sure to choose our team, Down Syndrome Association, when prompted!

https://www.active.com/register/index.cfm?event_id=1837525&subevent_id=1316014&team_id=823966"

Sleep Deprivation!

As a mom it is a given that you will have many sleep deprived nights. However, I never imagined to have over 7 months of sleep deprived nights! Grace was a great sleeper and started sleeping through the night by 2 months old. I was also able to nap when she napped as I didn't have another child to care for nor did I work from home till she was around 4 months old.

With Reese, it is a bit different! When we first brought her home from hospital all she did was sleep. The dr's wanted us to wake her every 3-4 hours to feed her as her weight gain was slow in the first month. I believe this is what messed us up. As you can see she has no problem with weight gain now and is a very good eater. We even started solids (carrots are her favorite so far) and cereal. We thought for sure this would help her sleep through the night with a full belly. So far, hasn't happened. She will go maybe 5-6 hours during the first stretch but those nights are few and far between. She averages 3-3 1/2 hours before waking up ready to eat!!

I'm going to celebrate when she starts sleeping through the night with sleep! hahaha! A lot of it has to do with her severe reflux. She likes to roll over and sleep on her stomach and when she does that she usually spits up ALOT and that wakes her up. So until we can get her sitting up on her own (PT is working now with her and she is getting closer) the reflux will continue.

Sleep deprevation isn't the worse thing that could happen to me but it's pretty close. I have been working out a lot more lately to give me energy. It's crazy how our bodies adjust and compensate. But if you ever hear me rambling and not making much sense, please don't think I've lost it...it's just a little sleep deprivation!!

Gracie's New Ride!!

Terrific 2's!!!

Grace recently turned 2 years old on April 22nd. This is also Earth Day which is so appropriate for my out-dorsey girl! The first thing she says when she wakes up is "Outside?" I guess after a long, cold, snow-filled winter I don't blame her.

We had a wonderful party, Barney theme, and had a great turn out! Wouldn't you know that about a week before her party she wanted nothing to do with Barney! Everything became Elmo or as Grace calls him "mo-mo"! However, mommy had to order all the plates, balloons, and Barney decor online since none of the party stores carry it so Barney the party was. She was excited still but luckily my friends and family are receptive and she got inundated with Elmo toys, DVD's, books, musical cards, etc! She was a very happy little girl!

The hit of the party, I must say, however was the trampoline. The kids had a blast jumping, flipping, dancing, and yes one even stripped down to her diaper to get down. Grace, despite the fact she didn't nap (she must have known something was up) did great and played on the trampoline till 8:30 at night till we had to drag her off of it to go head home.

Thanks to all my friends and family who helped me pull this off. Especially for the help to make all 60 cupcakes!

Happy Birthday to my little Angel! I can't believe God has blessed me so much by giving you to me! You are beautiful, funny, determined, and strong! I love you sooo much and love watching you grow up before my eyes! Just slow down a bit, I don't want you to grow up too fast! :)