Peek-E-Boo

Last weekend we had our Christmas celebration with my Mom's side of the family. It was a great weekend. As a present to us my family helped move us to our new home. Here are some pictures of the fun.

And finally here are some pictures of our new home. We are, of course, still in the beginning stages of unpacking, so things aren't quite as tidy and organized as they will (hopefully) eventually be but everything is coming together quite nicely. It is already starting to feel like home.

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

Awww...it's been a while since I've posted. My excuses: busy and tired. But alas, my sweet little boy is sleeping and I'm doing a whole bunch of nothing (as opposed to what I should be doing...packing).

And since my little boy is so stinkin' goofy I thought I'd share these pictures with you.

He still thinks he needs to squeeze in every tight space.

The reason behind this kitty carrier is that we thought we were going to add to the Stanfill family plethora of 4-legged creatures. Someone dumped 2 sweet, beautiful kittens off at my mom's house. She didn't want them and asked begged me to take at least one of them. I agreed and gathered up the supplies for the kitty. Unfortunately upon closer inspection I discovered that kitty was a male, and after my horrible experience with a male cat from years past (spraying everything in the house...even when neutered...ruining tubs of baby supplies...requiring a full room floor redo) I refused the new addition. Now maybe if some sweet, cute little female kitty were to wander up...then we'll talk.

Night...Night!

I'm so sorry for my slothfulness in keeping the blog updated. I've been so tired, so busy, a little stressed, and did I mention tired? But things are looking up! We've just about finished the house project. In fact...we're moving in next weekend (19th)! Hooray! There are still a few things left to complete, but we decided that they weren't so critical to keep us from moving in. You can't imagine what a relief it is to finally be moving in. I was really beginning to stress about how we were going to finish the house and get moved in when I'll be having a cerclage with all the limitations and restrictions too. So....with a tremendous amount of help from my mom and family friends we've finally reached the point of moving and it's now getting very exciting again.

Ryan is doing well. His therapist said he is right on target for an ALMOST 3-YEAR-OLD! Oh I can't believe he's almost 3. Time does fly. Another reason for my excitement in getting moved is the return of "normal". I realize it will be a new normal, but Ryan's schedule has been so disrupted and unpredictable that he's beginning to show signs. Signs that I'm not really enjoying. Signs that make me say "oh my". Signs that he's in desperate need of change...change back to normal. Normal mornings. Normal lunches. Normal play times. Normal times with his Mommy. Normal NAP TIMES! Normal evenings. Normal bedtime. NORMAL again...please!

Momma's Kitchen Helper

First: Find the right recipe.

Next: Peel the potatoes...

My Little Elf

Pictures With Santa

Yesterday we did some Christmas shopping and although our intentions were good our success was limited. A Full day of shopping and two gifts purchased is not what I was planning.

However...
The highlight of the day was this...

Ryan had pictures with Santa!

It was purely spur of the moment. Ryan wasn't even dressed for pictures, so I bought him some jeans and a sweater at a 50% off sale. His hair was a mess and when water wouldn't tame it I resorted to "testing" a new "flavor" at bath and body works, spiking his hair with "what wouldn't rub in". I wasn't sure what to expect...would he cry? scream? whine for his Momma? Nope. My boy hammed it up something wonderful and we were able to get a great picture of Ryan with Santa! Awww...that's my boy!

On to other things...
Ryan spent the first night away from home on Tuesday evening. I went to the movies with my sister. (In case you wanted to know...we saw Blindside. It was great!) Nana asked if Ryan could just stay the night. I, of course, said yes. I figured it might be a good idea to let Ryan have some experiences spending the night away from home in the event I end up on hospital bedrest or if nothing else for when "Baby" arrives and I'm in the hospital for a couple of nights. Ryan loved it. Nana loved it. When I went to Nana's house the next morning I eagerly awaited his enthusiastic greeting, "There's my Momma!" Alas...I was greeted with "No Momma! Go-e-ay (go away)". Ohhh...where'd my sweet boy go?

Ryan, Nana and I went swimming with Aunt Lizzy the other evening at a hotel Lizzy is staying in while attending a conference in the City. Ryan still loves the water!

At my last OB appointment which was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving "baby" was 10.8mm long and everything was looking good.
I received a call from Dr. G's nurse earlier this week with a message that my thyroid levels were too low. I am now taking levothyroxine to help regulate my thyroid. I don't know if that is something related to pregnancy and will return to normal or if it is a new medical condition that we just happened to notice with all the bloodwork related to pregnancy. Oh well...the medicine is only $2 a month. A mal-functioning thyroid could explain the over-excessive fatigue I've been having. This is my third pregnancy and I've never felt this tired before. Maybe when my thyroid is regulated that will lessen a bit.

I've still been feeling pretty well other than the pregnancy "normals"...tired, nausea (all day off and on), etc. I still don't have any cravings to speak of, and I also don't have any major aversions. It just comes and goes. Something might sound good today and be absolutely nauseating tomorrow. I'm starting to "show" a little and my regular clothes are already too uncomfortable to wear. I guess by the time you get to number 3 that should be expected though. I just can't believe I'm already wearing some maternity clothes and I'm only 8 weeks! Oh my.

I return to my OB on the 23rd for a regular check-up. On the 29th I have an ultrasound scheduled with the high-risk OB to verify everything is "normal" and "healthy" with baby and me. After that I will be having a cerclage on January 5th. I'll be about 12-13 weeks pregnant at that time. It's all so exciting...and scary...and exciting.

On A Mission

So Thankful

2003
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2007
2008
20092009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Stay Off The Black

I was grouting the tile at the new house today. The grout is black and as I learned very quickly it stains everything. Because of this and because it can mess up the smoothness of the lines to have people/dogs/kids walking on it I told Ryan to "stay off the black". He respected my wishes very well for the most part. He did, however, find creative ways to be on the black while "staying off the black"...



He wasn't touching it...

Cookie Monster!

Ryan has learned not only where I hide the cookies but also how to get to them.

And undoubtedly when I offer to give him one he will get very excited!
In his excitement he often says "Cookie Monster!"

Yes, son, you are my Cookie Monster.

Packed and Ready to Go

Ryan's packed and ready to go...
I just don't know where he's going.

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*Baby* Update
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Things have been going pretty well. I have reached that point in pregnancy where exhaustion is the word of the day. Energy...I have NONE! I haven't had any morning sickness. I have all-day-long nausea. All of my pregnancies have been different in so many ways. Even in these early weeks. With Brandy I had most-of-the-day nausea, but not near as bad as I do now. I also had a major aversion to chicken and with just the smell of it...raw, cooked or otherwise...I was running to the toilet. With Ryan I don't really remember any nausea/morning sickness however I craved Ceasar Salads something crazy and ate one almost every day. With this baby I haven't found any true aversions although sweets just aren't my thing right now. A little bit goes a long way. I am really liking foods with bold flavors...specifically italian with the garlic and other italian seasonings. Pass the garlic bread please.

Unfortunately the one thing that has been true with all three of my pregnancies is spotting early on. I hate seeing it, but it's pretty normal for me. We did have a pretty major scare this past Saturday. I had bleeding and cramping...and lots of it. I was almost certain my worst fears (for early in pregnancy) were happening.

I had an unscheduled appt. with my OB on Monday. I called that morning with my concerns and they "worked me in". I got to see our little "butterfly" on the ultrasound screen. There were even little flutters indicating the start of the heart beat. The doctor measured the baby at 5 weeks 6 days and 2.5 mm long which is smaller than a grain of rice. That is just amazing to me. It's amazing that at only 2-3 weeks past conception the heart is already forming and the size of the entire baby is only the size of a grain of rice (actually smaller). Life is amazing. God is so good. Now as for the bleeding, the only explanation the doctor had was that I could possibly have been pregnant with twins but miscarried one on Saturday. That saddens me a little. All life is sacred from the very beginning. I am truly grateful that my little butterfly was still fluttering and growing safely inside. You stay there, my little butterfly, until at least 36 weeks!

Since the appt. wasn't an official one I still haven't talked to the doc. about the plans. I have a *scheduled* appt. for next Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) at which time I will have another ultrasound and a complete physical and all questions and plans will be addressed.

It's About Time For A Real Update

We've been doing some playing outside (but not nearly enough)
We've been playing in cabinets...
We've been playing in things like this...
We've even been wearing hats backwards while playing.

Actually we haven't been doing a whole lot of playing. We're still working on the house. We're probably about 1/2 way from being finished. Ryan would rather his Mommy be playing with him more, but that time will once again arrive. The weather has been nice enough though that he and Myndi and Bosco have enjoyed countless hours making mud, eating leaves, and digging in the sand in the front of the house.

Ryan is talking like crazy. We've finally reached that point where at times (only on the rare occasion) we find ourselves thinking 'I wish he'd just quit talking'. I never thought we would ever feel that way. I guess all parents do. Most of the time I can understand everything he is talking about. Other times I just nod and act like I do.

Ryan is taking a great interest in colors these days. He has the right idea...just the wrong colors. It kind of depends on the day as to what color something is. Today it might be geen (green), tomorrow it might be lellow (yellow). At least he's starting to recognize colors and the interest is there...we just need to work on the application.

Ryan's eating habits are the same. He might eat great today. He might eat nothing much tomorrow. With all the work being done on the new house I haven't been cooking very nutritious meals. Ryan has been spending a lot of time with his Nana and Nana's rules aren't quite the same as mine. Needless to say...Ryan's appetite for veggies and other healthy things has changed to honeybuns and hot-dogs-on-a-stick (corndogs). We'll be working on that as soon as we get moved.

And the biggest changes/news of the Stanfill family is this...
Yep! Ryan is going to be a big brother. *Baby* is due to arrive July 10th. We're super excited, yet very nervous too. I went to the doctor today for bloodwork. Everything came back normal...Hcg levels, progresterone levels, etc. I will be returning to the office next Tuesday for another set of labs to make sure all is continuing to go well. I will hopefully see the doctor on the 20th and will have the opportunity to discuss the plans for this precious little baby. We're praying for 36 weeks!

Lessons For Licking Bowls

There are really only two ways to do it...

This way...

and that...

Best Friends

Welcome Fall!

Phone Call

"Ummm...excuse me...I need to make a phone call."

"Hello...okay...uh-huh...good-bye"

"Now...what did you need?"

One Worn Out Dog!

Happy Halloween!

ELMO!