List of Life

No weekly update from last week, obviously. But it is a monumental week because I have entered the third trimester!!!! So due to no weekly update, I decided to write out a list of what we have been up to.

• Audrie and I went to my parents house on Wednesday because my mom had foot surgery.
• Audrie and her pappy played and played and ate and played.
• I got alot of painting done!
• We came home Friday and completely finished her big girl room (pictures to come!)
• It makes me a little sad, because its not a cute baby room anymore. It is hard to fit all her toys plus furniture. But we have to make a room for Ki, and I dont think he would appreciate her large rocking horse in his room!
• Saturday we had a baby shower for GT's step-sister! She is having a little girl named Gracelyn. It made me a little sad we are having a boy. Girl stuff is just SOOOOOO cute! I mean not really sad, but you know.
• Last night, Lynzie and I had a girls night at Shogun. We talked for like 7 hours straight.
• Today we volunteered in the early 2's sunday school class. 
• I have had a sinus infection for like a month now. Last week it went into my ears. Today I am running a fever. I will be going to do the doctor tomorrow, hopefully. 
• GT is going to get me a chocolate shake right now. I love that man. And he took Audrie with him. I REALLY love that man.
• Tomorrow we have a sonogram! I hope my sickness doesnt keep me from going. I am really looking forward to seeing Ki! 
• I think thats it for now. I am tired! And burning up. Oh, and I had the worst Charlie Horse of my life last night. My muscle still hurts today. 
• Thats all.
• I promise. 
• I only have 3 more months...AHHH!!!!

The Big Girl Bed Saga

Re-Cap of bed transition week 1:

Monday night was Audrie's first night in her twin bed. I thought I would just go in there read her a book, sing a few songs, pray with her, then leave. Well that didnt work. As soon as I got up, she came to the door screaming, opened the door (which she has never done before)...so GT went in and laid down with her until she fell asleep. He has so much more patience with that kind of thing then I do. And she slept all night. Until about 7:30, I heard her whimper and went in to get her.

Tuesday nap- she was exhausted so I thought I could just put her in the bed...I was wrong. I laid down with her about 5 minutes, she fell asleep, but only slept 1 hour :(

Tuesday bedtime- GT laid down with her. Took about 5-8 minutes and she was out, slept all night.

Wednesday bedtime- (naptime-I work, so she napped at the sitter's) same ordeal as the night before and she slept until 8am!

Thursday nap- I put her down kinda earlier than usual because I had some cleaning to do! She also was pretty tired. I laid down with her, and it didnt take long for her to fall asleep, but only she slept an hour again! I am not sure if this is coincidence and she is changing her sleep pattern or if its the bed.

Thursday night- went well, GT put her down. This morning when I went to get her at 7:45 she was awake, not crying, just sitting in her bed. I think this was a good sign!

Overall, I think it is going good. I do wish she would go to sleep without us laying down with her and I am sure in a few weeks that will happen. I didnt realize how much her crib provided her with security. Another challenge will come when we move her toys out of the playroom into her bedroom.

27 weeks!

This is mama keeping it real! I have been cleaning all day...for real. I think this is the first time I have sat down all day for longer than 5 minutes and its 9:00!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 27 Weeks

Size of baby: About 2 pounds, length: approx 14 1/2 inches

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 20 lbs :(

Maternity Clothes: I am in everything maternity. 

Gender: Boy. Hezekiah "Ki" Eugene

Movement: He has been doing some crazy flips!

Sleep: Sleep has been better this week. Its crazy how I can go to sleep at 10 pm, wake up at 8 am and still be tired!

What I miss: being thin

Cravings: Spaghetti with easy cheese on it, it was so delicious. And donuts (I always crave those preggo or not)

Symptoms: This week every pregnancy symptom decided to hit full force...lower back pain, syatic (sp?) nerve pain, leg cramping, etc...

Best Moment this week:  Sunday taking Audrie to the park and getting her new furniture! 

Big Girl Room Part 1

We are in the process of turning Audrie's nursery into a big girl room. Our original plan was to give her pieces of our current furniture (which was mine growing up) and buy new furniture for us. We decided to hold off on buying us new furniture until we see how much Ki's birth will cost. We would rather pay that in full instead of having to pay monthly payments, and there is nothing wrong with our current furniture. I would just like a new set.

So...we got my old twin bed from my parents and it needs stained. Then I thought I would paint it white. Then yesterday we went to Big Lots to buy Audrie a new twin mattress and ended up buying her new furniture!

This is what we got:

This is one piece but I couldnt find the picture that showed it as one piece.

Originally, we were going to get this for her dresser:

Our store was out of it, but they thought the Marshall store would have it. So I called them and they said they would hold it for me. Last night we went to pick it up, but they didnt have one in stock only the display. GT went and looked at the display and said it was broken. He then asked for the bigger more expensive dresser at a discount and they knocked $50 off! WOOHOO! So we got this one instead:

I plan to paint the knobs the green color of her room to give it a little color. We tried to get it all together last night, but we couldnt get the crib out of her room, so gt will have to take it apart to move it unto the now play room and future room of Ki's. 

Here is the bedding I got for Audrie:

Only difference is I got hot pink sheets instead of the blue in the picture.

I will post before and after pics as we get her room set up! 

What I want...Pack N Play

We did get a normal pack-n-play for Audrie which is currently at the sitter's house for her to nap in. However, I will be bringing Ki to work and I use it as a bassinet for the first few months.

So this time, I dont want a normal one. I was a good one. Because he will be in it way more than Audrie was in hers. 

From the little research I have done, this is the one I like:

Graco Silhouette Pack n Play - Crawford

These are the functions I love: The cozy, oval bassinet embraces your baby with carefully applied details like Graco Signature quilting. Unlike traditional quilting methods which create holes in the fabric allowing leaks and spills to seep through and dirty the padding beneath, Graco signature quilting is ultrasonically quilted to prevent seepage, ensuring a cleaner, neater nap-time. The baby basics organizer with built in wipes case and diaper organizer blends practical baby care with style and flair. The innovative squeeze latch adds graceful detailing and natural folding motion. Your little one can sleep peacefully under the full slumber dome canopy which shades the bassinet with a calm, charming influence. If your little one needs a little extra soothing, the deluxe electronic mobile allows you to use 2-speed vibration which is mounted under the mattress pad so your baby will receive the full soothing benefit, or try one of the five tranquil nature sounds or calming songs.. And with a timer that has 4 settings there's no need to disturb your little one once he or she has drifted off to dreamland. But if you do want to take a peek, there's a built in night light.

I dont love the price... $170.00. Boo. 

Hannah House FAQ's

I had blogged a few months ago about Hannah House and how God had led me to the ministry. I dont think I have written much about it since. I started working 3 days a week in November when our house opened on November 16 (I think).

Here are some commonly asked questions:

What is Hannah House? A maternity home.

What is a maternity home? A maternity home is a residence for pregnant women with unplanned pregnancies.

How many girls can live at your home? Currently, we have 4 girls at a time. And let me tell you, 4 pregnant girls is plenty!

Do you make them place their baby for adoption? No we do not. We do have an adoption agency we work with called Chosen Child, but we do not coerce them or make them do anything. We give them alot of information on adoption and parenting, we trust God to lead them in the right direction for His will.

Do you make them go to church? Yes. The ministry was vision from God, therefore, all learning materials, our program and staff use scripture to teach the girls. They are told before coming into our program what our rules and expectations are, which they have to sign an agreement to.

What do yall do all day? We are not a shelter or just a place for pregnant girl to live until she gives birth. We are a program. Like I mentioned before, we help them with a plan. We have various classes they go through, such as Life Skills, Parenting, Marriage, Finance, Sewing, GED (if they have not completed it), Birthing. They also attend individual and group counseling as well as weekly Bible Study in addition to going to church and attending a small group at church.  They cook home-cooked meals every night as a family and live as an average family would.

What happens after they have the baby? From the time they enter our program, we help our residents with a plan. This plan usually changes throughout the course of their time here, but we try to help them come into the real world and get out of fantasy land. If they chose to parent, then we have a plan of where they are going once the baby is born. Sometimes this is relatives, another program, friends, their own housing, etc... If they chose to place, they can stay here for up to 6 weeks, or be in our aftercare program (Mary Hannah House) which helps them get a job, go to school, counseling, etc.. After each girl has their baby, no matter their choice of parenting, we have a celebration of life ceremony at the house with a pastor. We are not licensed to have babies in our home.

How can I help? We are a non-profit completely funded by individual and church donations. The only government assistance we allow is for the girls to have Medicaid, since we cannot afford insurance for them. We try to teach the residents about getting off of government assistance. Therefore, we need money.

 When most people hear of maternity home, they want to donate baby stuff. We do not take baby items. There are a few reasons: 1. No room for them 2. We want the residents to really consider the options they have for their child so we would rather wait until the end of their pregnancy before they know what they want to do 3. Not all girls in the program are parenting. We have to be sensitive to all the girls. This does not mean we leave the girls with nothing. Towards the very end, if a girl has decided to parent or place, we do let them pick out some outfits, blankets for the baby. Also, if the mother is parenting and needs baby items such as a crib, car seat, etc...we will send out an email to our local donors and contacts and believe me, we have no problem getting these items.

We do accept maternity clothes donation. Many of our girls come into our program with little or no clothing. We have a closet of clothes that stays at the home, we allow the girls to go through and wear the clothing while they are here.

How can I find out more information? We have a website: www.plministries.org . Also, we do a quarterly newsletter which you can find on our website or if you would like one emailed/mailed to you, you can email me: lydia at plministries.org

I know people usually have alot of questions because maternity home are few and far between. Not because their isnt a need. There is a HUGE need. We are always full. And usually have a waiting list.

I thought I would do this posts too because our first Hannah House baby was born last night or this morning, I guess at 2:14 am!

This is A'Miyah La'Nae! We are so excited and grateful for a healthy baby and mama!

26 weeks!

No pic this week! :(

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Size of baby: About a pound and 2/3, length: approx 14 inches, knowing our child probably 18!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 18 lbs :(

Maternity Clothes: I am in everything maternity. 

Gender: Boy. Hezekiah "Ki" Eugene

Movement: He has finalllllyyyy moved up!!!! Praise the Lord! I can feel him move around my belly button when I lay flat. When I am upright he is still really low, but I will take what I can get!

Sleep: Sleep has been sucky! If I wake up for any reason (husband snoring, dogs, pee, etc..) I am awake and cannot get back to sleep. And last night Audrie woke up every 2 hours or so from running fever from her 18 mo vaccinations. 

What I miss: my energy

Cravings: Pound cake

Symptoms: The usual. Still lots of pressure, cant stand for too long.

Best Moment this week:  spending time with my husband talking over dinner Monday night...without a toddler interrupting!