Outnumbered

Life with a third is great, we're just a little busier than we were. I think we're busier because it's Christmastime and we have a newborn who is eating every 2-1/2 to 3 hours!

Brody does have acid reflux but we have been "upgraded" to Prevacid from Zantac. As long as he gets it 30 minutes before his first feeding of the day, and it dissolves before he can spit it out, we're good for about 12 hours. He also slept through the night last night, and that is SUPER!

Abby is doing well, she lost a toenail today and that freaked us both out but our resident "jack-of-all-trades", Steve Carson said not to worry that it will grow back in a month or so!

Sydney has a urinary tract infection right now but we started antibiotic yesterday and she hasn't cried about it yet today! Plus, she is acutely aware of when she needs to go, now, so potty training has gotten a lot easier. I still think potty training is the worst thing I've had to do as a parent, though!

Stephen is also doing well. He has Apple's iTouch iPod on the brain and cannot shake it. We're selling things on ebay and he sold his iPod to someone at work so I think he may be able to get it Christmas morning!

I am also recovering. A full nights sleep and a great cup of coffee in the morning really agree with me! I'm so excited about Christmas this year and am loving all my kids' ages right now. I'm also loving how cute my sweet husband is about this whole iTouch thing.

Today is a good day, even if Stephen and I ARE outnumbered.

Thanksgiving

Father, today, in this moment, I thank You that:

1. There are beautifully colored fall leaves covering our yard and the weather is perfect
2. My sweet, handsome, loving husband is blowing the leaves into the mulch - because he wants to
3. It rained last night
4. I have two precious, sweet little girls swinging, laughing and playing outside
5. We got the best surprise ever - a perfect little boy, sleeping away in a borrowed bouncy seat
6. I'm barely 31, am healthy and have a healthy family of five
7. We ate yummy turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, macaroni and sweet potatoes as a family
8. The Christmas season starts tomorrow
9. The Carolina/Clemson game is on Saturday and Carolina didn't lose last weekend (it was our off week)
10. We're getting a Christmas tree tonight - if it doesn't rain, and if it does, thank You for the rain

5 Short Years

Five years ago today Stephen and I became parents. It has been such a short but joyful journey! I loved every stage, every age as much as the first. Abby has turned into a very kind, helpful, loving little girl and we are truly blessed to have been chosen to be her parents. Thank you, Lord, for our beautiful daughter - in every sense of the word.

Here are pictures I took today of the kids in our red chair. We take the kids' picture in it from the time they are itty-bitties until today so we can see how much they've grown.

Abby's 5 year pic

Sydney's 2-1/2 year pic

Brody's 1-month pic

Good News - Bad News

BAD NEWS:
- Brody has been crying inconsolably since Sunday (rarely cried before that - crying right now, in fact)
- He wanted to eat every hour so I fed him...every hour (growth spurt??!?!)
- Stephen was out of town Mon-Wed
- Yesterday the pediatrician said Brody has bronchiolitis, acid reflux or colic
- Acid reflux, colic and gassiness all peak at 4 weeks
- Yesterday the OB said I have mastititis

GOOD NEWS:
- Stephen made it home safely from Orlando
- Brody took his first bottle on Wednesday and took it like a champ
- Molly Burns watched the girls yesterday
- Brody did go through a growth spurt and now weighst 10 lbs (4 weeks old)
- Bronchiolitis is temporary
- Dr. Bass gave us Zantac to try for the reflux
- Colic goes away after 3 months
- Brody slept well last night with the humidifier on and in his carrier
- I slept well and so did Stephen
- We have a beautiful baby boy, two sweet little girls and a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we know

Happy Pumpkin WEEK

So what is more fun than trick-or-treating at your Daddy's office, trunk-or-treating at your church and then getting to trick-or-treat with your daddy and best friends in your neighborhood?

When I asked Abby what her favorite part of Halloween was she replied honestly, "Getting all that candy - my pumpkin was so "heaby" (heavy) I couldn't even carry it!"

Sydney loves the candy too. We call her "close talker" now because when she wants to ask for it she gets in your face and asks as politely as she knows how if she can have a "sucker" please.

Brody is just happy to be fed when he's hungry...doubt he can taste all the candy I've eaten! And the orange outfit is a halloween outfit - don't think we've gone soft on the garnet/black just because we've been losing!

Sydney (Syd-na-rella), Brody (baby in halloween outfit), Abby (Snow White)

Stephen in his costume as a "stick-figure warrior"

Bye-Bye Bili Blanket

I am thrilled to announce that Brody's bilirubin level was only 6.9 at his appointment yesterday. Since it was well below 11 we are able to be D-O-N-E with the bili blanket. I cannot wait for the Apria Healthcare representative to pick it up!

Last night Brody slept in his crib for the first time and I actually got to swaddle him. He slept so much better and so did I!

When I got home from the appointment I immediately changed him into a sweet little gown and left it on him until it was dirty. That was so fun to have a clothed little boy! I also held him a ton and both the girls held him today. I feel like we have our normal baby back and could not be more excited.

Thank you so much for all the prayers and calls. We feel very loved!

Brody's Circumcision

Brody was circumcised this morning and didn't cry during the whole procedure - the nurse told the doctor he was a really good baby - then he started wailing as they walked him down the hall to us because he was hungry! He is a little trooper.

His bilirubin level was 13 today so we do have to continue with the bili blanket. We're trying to decide if we want to go back on Monday or wait for his 2 week on Wednesday. We'd love to be done with the phototherapy all together but don't want to go prematurely, either. We'll see what happens.

Marsha Mays stayed with the girls while we went to the doctor. They played dress-up and watched a Christmas Dora video. They are loving all of the fun activities and visitors they've had during the last few weeks. They both want to hold Brody all the time, which is why I would love to be done with the bili blanket. It's all in God's hands, though, and ultimately this is not that big of a deal!

Bilirubin is Coming Down

My mom and I took Brody back to Dr. Chea today for another bilirubin check. It registered 17 on the Children's Medical Center machine (she it would probably be 16 on the GHS machine).

Dr. Chea also explained why babies have neonatal jaundice. When they are in the womb they need lots of red blood cells to pull oxygen from the placenta. Once they are born and start pulling oxygen on their own, the body starts to kill the red blood cells. These dead red blood cells are called bilirubin and they sometimes overload the liver, causing jaundice. The UV light helps the liver break down the bilirubin faster. That's why with low bilirubin levels, sunlight is enough, but with higher ones, the phototherapy is necessary.

Brody will be circumcised on Friday at 11:45 and afterwards they'll check his bilirubin levels again. We're hoping for an 11, so we can send that bili blanket back!

Thank you, Jesus, for 17

Dr. Chea just called and the bilirubin level came down and registered a 17! I think God wanted to show off a little bit with this situation!

Dr. Chea said I could continue breastfeeding and using the bili blanket and she will check him again tomorrow. Thank you so much, Lord!

Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast?
Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne?
Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you!

Isaiah 49:15 NET Bible

5 Days Old

Brody is 5 days old today and we are praising God for him over and over. He is a cute little bundle and I just want to hold him all the time! His first few days of life have not been super easy, but the first two weeks with both the girls were hard, too, so I was prepared for it.

Brody's respiratory problem, TTN, resolved itself within 36 hours and I was allowed to try nursing on Thursday night. He did great several times in a row and his Respiratory Rate dropped down to 58 from the high 70's/80's so he was taken off the TTN protocol. Thank you so much for your prayers. God has been showing us how much He loves our little man, too!

Nursing has been a challenge since my milk came in. I'm having problems with overactive letdown again (had the same problem with Sydney). I am pumping, using warm compresses and trying to prep as best I can for him beforehand. Feedings are sometimes taking 2 hours and he's supposed to be eating every 2-1/2 hours so I'm a little sleepy, but Stephen has been so wonderful to change his diaper, get him undressed and ready to eat!

Our concern now is with his jaundice or bilirubin level. It was 10.3 when we were leaving the hospital and Saturday morning it was 17.3. The pediatrician sent home health to deliver a bili blanket that we've had him on during the day when he's not feeding. We were supposed to put him on it overnight, too, but the home health employee told us not to. I wish that hadn't happened, but it is what it is.

Today we had his level checked again and it registered 20. The machines at our pediatrician's office only go up to 20 so we had to go to the hospital lab and they drew his blood to test it on their bilirubin machines. So now we wait. If the levels are too high, we'll have to take him back to the hospital and admit him for more intensive photo therapy treatment. I think he'll end up getting put under a bili light if that happens.

Also, there is a chance I will have to give him some formula because typically it is easier to get the bilirubins down on a formula fed infant than a breastfed baby. That makes no sense to me, but it is what it is, also. I will do whatever is best for Brody, but the idea of not breastfeeding him does make me sad. I've been a little weepy through this whole process, anyway, so it's not a surprise I'd be sad about that, too. I was sad when I had to supplement with formula in the hospital because his blood sugar levels were low and I wasn't producing enough colostrum.

Anyway, we're just waiting to hear what the results are from the bilirubin test. I am choosing to trust God with all this because He is worthy of our trust, He's shown His faithfulness over and over again AND because He loves Brody more than we ever could. Please pray that in our weak moments we will turn to Him for strength. Thank you so much for loving us, too!

the bili blanket brody by day glow worm by night

Brody Garrett Fowler

Brody Garrett Fowler
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
5:48 p.m.
8 lbs 13 oz
21 inches

Greenville Memorial Hospital--Room 6417
(864) 455-7000

The Fowlers welcome visitors 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and should be discharged tomorrow. However, one item of prayer is that Brody's breathing goes down from 80 breaths per minute to 60 or less so that HE will be able to go home tomorrow as well--he most likely has something called TTN (I hope I got that right!), and it usually gets better within 24 hours of birth. This is nothing serious, just poses a possibility of needing to be at the hospital a little bit longer.

Almost Ready to Push

At about 5, Sara was more than 9 cm, but not quite to a 10 yet. When I just spoke with her, they were getting everything prepped to begin pushing sometime soon!

5-6 Centimeters

Right after publishing the previous post, I found out that Sara was measuring 5-6 centimeters dilated when she was checked at 3:40 p.m.

Hurry Up and Wait

The last time I talked to Sara was 2:30, and at that time she said she felt like "hurry up and wait" was the theme of today! Her contractions had slowed down quite a bit, so just before we talked they increased her pitocin; and they had not checked her again. I asked for an update the next time they did in fact check her, but I still haven't heard anything---so I guess we're still waiting!

Induction Update!

Sara did get to the hospital this morning shortly after 8:15 but was being "put off" for quite a while...I guess still no beds. She finally got into a labor and delivery room, Room 4, just before noon. Since then, they've been able to move along pretty quickly! She received pitocin at 12:15, her epidural a little before 1:00, and they broke her water at 1:20. She measured 3 cm at the time. I will try to keep updates short and sweet--keep checking back and keep on praying! Soon enough we'll all be able to meet Baby Boy Fowler!

(For those who don't know, updates are in 3rd person because Miranda is posting during labor and delivery, and until the Fowlers have computer access again!)

Woes of Induction

It's 5:15 am, I'm wide awake and ready to go and the hospital just called. They don't have any BEDS! I have to call them again at 8:15. I have no idea why I cannot drink water now. Maybe I can go back to sleep - Stephen has!

Car Seats, Seat Belts and an Amnio

Stephen and I met with Dr. Cook today to discuss the amnio again. The thing that helped us make the decision is that not only was he measuring 7 lbs 10 oz at 36 weeks but his head was measuring 39 weeks. We were given the option to wait until he was 38 weeks but were warned that we were likely risking an emergency C-section based on the head measurements. We decided to go ahead with the amnio.

It was not painful at all, though I was shaking while I was waiting for it to happen. It really felt like giving blood, really. When he took the amniotic fluid out, I could feel a change in pressure, and that was weird, but not uncomfortable. After the amnio they put us on the monitor and made sure his heart rate was fine and that I was still feeling him move. It was all fine. Thank you for your prayers!

Dr. Cook checked me before we left and I was dilated 2 cm and the baby's head was "pressing hard" on my cervix. He said I will be an easy induction and that I would probably go into labor this week, either way. Dr. Cook told us to expect to hear the test results either this afternoon or tomorrow around lunchtime. He said if the lungs were "good and mature" we would hear back today.

Stephen went back to work and I went to lunch with my mom. We decided to call the Greer Fire Dept one more time to see if we could get them to install our car seats (three across in the X-Terra - not easy to do!) Praise God the guy who answered the phone is the one who is in charge of car seat installs for the Fire Dept. He told us to come on and he'd help us.

While we were there I got a phone call that his lungs were mature and they want to induce TOMORROW! I felt a range of emotion...my words were "Oh wow". As soon as I got off the phone, the sweet fireman said that our middle car seat was broken!! He was unable to install anything until we got it fixed. So, I took my mom home to stay with Sydney while she napped and drove to the closest Nissan dealership.

The good news is that the seat belt is covered by manufacturer's warranty. The bad news is that he has to order the part and would be in Thursday at the earliest. Since the car seats could not be installed today, I had to go buy two different kinds so that my mom could take the car back to the Fire Dept on Friday (when the sweet fireman is working again) and have them all installed. We will have three different options for car seats. He said if cannot install them three across we will have to have our airbag cut out of the front seat and put one there. Stephen nor I like that option and we are not ready to buy a new car but may have to. Please pray that one of the car seat options will work!

So, I am just getting to the blog because I've been driving around all day. Now I'm going to pack the girls' things so they can go to Gran's with my mom for the night. We have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 6 am for induction. Just making the arrangements for the girls was making my head spin today! I am obviously a "spaz" under pressure...but tomorrow will be calmer, and I will get to hold my little boy! Wow, God has been good to us.

Sydney - ready to get the PT on

Sydney went #2 on the potty for the first time yesterday and has done it again twice today! Whoo-Hoo! I guess we're potty training now?!?!

Better IS One Day

I was unable to sleep this morning and God brought to mind what I told Him at the Passion Conference in 1999. I remember saying to Him with tears, "If I never have a husband, 2.5 kids, a picket fence and a dog, that's okay, Lord, because for the first time I truly believe YOU are more than enough for me." We sang "Better Is One Day" after I told Him that and I truly meant every word of that song, too.

Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere...

Here I am in 2007, with a wonderful husband, 2.5 kids exactly, a dog named Carrie and we actually have a picket fence on the sides of our house. Yet, I still long for that one day in His courts and am as grateful for the family as I am for the strong desire and longing for Jesus that still remains. I hope that I never lose perspective on how great He is, how small I am and how dependent I am on Him for every little thing.

37 week baby!

Dr. MacClenahan called me this afternoon and after talking about my situation with Dr. Cook and Dr. Dubose they want me to have an amnio next Tuesday and then schedule induction for next Thursday, Oct 18th.

I found out the amnio needle is not actually poking the baby, but they will take amniotic fluid and test it for certain proteins that indicate strong lung function. Because I have had some strange sugar issues with this pregnancy, that is necessary because if I did have gestational diabetes my placenta would not work as well - possibly hindering his lung development, also.

I also found out the risk of going PAST next week is that he could be so large that he may get his head out and his shoulders could be stuck in the birth canal. Since I've delivered 2 babies that were over 8 lbs before, they feel good about taking him next week when he'll likely be in the 8 lb range again. So, unless things happen on their own before then, I should be having a baby next Thursday!

Sooner Rather Than Later

I saw the OB today and this is what we know. I am 36 weeks, 50 lbs heavier, we're still having a boy and he has some hair on his head. I was surprised to find out that my belly was measuring big so she ordered a growth scan (ultrasound). He is measuring 7 lbs 8 oz (give or take 1 lb). If he gains a half a pound a week he could be really large if we waited several more weeks.

Dr. MacClenahan gave me papers to schedule induction next Monday, Oct 15th. Not sure what to do, I chose to wait and see Dr. Cook on Tuesday, Oct 16th and see if things may happen on their own. If he wants me to be induced after Tuesday, I'll schedule it, but am concerned about our son coming too early and being in the NICU with underdeveloped lungs. Dr. MacClenahan said they may need to do an Amniocentesis to determine whether or not his lungs are developed enough to induce. I hate the thought of poking our little one with a long needle like that!!

Our preference is that we not have an amnio OR induction and so we are asking God to please allow ONLY what He desires for us. The good news is we'll probably have a baby boy next week sometime!

Prego Update

Last Saturday, while watching the USC/Mississippi State game I had Braxton Hicks contractions every 15 minutes for 6 hours. The contractions did not stop when I would lie on my left side and drink lots of water. It was quite confusing because I knew it wasn't labor but did not know why they would not stop.

I saw the OB on Monday. I am 35 weeks pregnant, 47 lbs heavier and my blood pressure is apparently really low. The Braxton Hicks contractions are NOT "productive" so I am no more likely to go into labor this week than I was last week!

Tonight after women's ministry I plan on watching the DVR'd USC vs. Kentucky game. That may stir things up a little but I will lie on my left side and drink water WHILE I watch - if I have to! Go Gamecocks!!!

Pseudo Stomach Virus/Lost Keys

Gran, my beloved maternal grandmother, turned 90 last Friday. I thank our Heavenly Father often for giving her such great health and a healthy mind! We celebrated her birthday at my Aunt Betsy's house in Spartanburg with a smoked pig bbq. Afterwards, Stephen and I didn't feel so well and thought maybe it was the pork not settling well. Abby had diarrhea over the weekend but we were feeling guilty because we gave her a lot of lemonade. We figured we'd have to add lemonade to the apple/pear intolerance list. Then Monday Sydney got it. We'd had a 24 hour stomach virus over the weekend and didn't have enough sense to stay home and keep our germs to ourselves! Saturday at the USC/SC State game we were suffering through it, still thinking the food just didn't agree with us! Unfortunately, my father-in-law got it from hugging and kissing on Abby Sunday at church. We will learn from this mistake!

Sydney also had a fever on Wednesday that got up to 102.6F at one point. But it was also a 24 hour thing amd she never had other symptoms. I've been told doctors say there is no such thing as a fever virus. Do they have kids?

Anyway, I had my 34 week OB visit yesterday, even though I was only 33 weeks and 5 days. I've gained 45 pounds now. My belly is measuring right on schedule and the baby's heartbeat was strong. I was able to make my 36 week and coveted 38 week appointments yesterday. My 38th week appointment is on Oct 18th at 3:00 with Dr. Cook, he seems to have the "gift" of putting women in labor. (Abby and with Sydney both came several hours after my 38-week appointment.) I do plan on being at my women's ministry Philippians study that night, though - it shouldn't happen that fast! Besides, I will only technically be 37 weeks and 5 days. And don't worry, I do know that God's timing is perfect and this is something I cannot plan for! :) I am trusting Him to work out all of the details. However, if I didn't plan at all, I would not be Sara Fowler, now would I?

I apologize for not giving any updates on Stephen lately. He's doing well. He loves his job. He actually overslept for work today because his alarm didn't go off. When he woke up he said very convincingly that it was Saturday. I was thinking I'd lost my gourd and then realized he was just sleepy! It was 8:24 and he had to be at work at 8:30. I've never seen him get dressed that fast!

Oh, and yesterday we had a typical Sara/Stephen moment. Stephen was home for lunch yesterday and couldn't find his car keys when he was ready to go back to work. He took a spare key with him to save time and figured he'd find the key chain later. He called me after 6:00 last night from a Spinx and he had to get gas but couldn't find his wallet and because he didn't have his normal keys, he couldn't pay with his "mini" debit card, either. I'd just gotten home so I offered to throw the kids back in the car and meet him with my debit card. I quickly grabbed my purse, put Carrie in the house and hopped in the car. Once the kids were buckled I realized my keys were hanging on the wall INSIDE the locked house! Thankfully, the Taylors had a spare key and Jimmy literally RAN the key to our house. I met Stephen at the Spinx, he filled up the car and when he was getting the key out of the Corolla he found his wallet. :) Then late last night we found his key chain - on the kitchen counter! It was such a Fowler moment for us! It's a shame fanny packs are so weird looking because we'd both do well to have one.

Falling Into Place

It is starting to cool off a little in Greenville, which is wonderful. Instead of temperatures in the 100's, we're now enjoying 90's with lower humidity. My swollen ankles are grateful!

I had an unpleasant but necessary doctor's visit today. I was asked to take the 3 hour glucose test, even though I'd passed the 1 hour test. I was supposed to not eat or drink after midnight (though I did have water this morning because I was ill-informed!). At 9 am they had me drink that thick glucola drink. It upset my stomach. Then they drew blood. Then they weighed me and I'm up to 43 lbs now. :) Well on my way to the usual 50.

Here's the good news: I saw the Dr. Laffitte about 9:30 and he said I was measuring exactly the right size and the baby's heartbeat was strong! He also said that based on my test results from the 1 hour he didn't believe I would have any problems passing the 3-hour. Dr. McClellahan ordered the 3-hour because she wanted to be sure the sugar present in my urine was not a sign of diabetes.

At 10:00 they drew blood from the next arm. I read magazines until I couldn't concentrate anymore, walked to the car and tried to sleep but it was too hot, returned to sit in a different waiting area and then they drew blood at 11:00 from the first arm. I decided to sit in the lobby where Rachael Ray was on. That helped me stay awake. At noon, they drew the last bit of blood but had a hard time finding a vein that would cooperate. It was not fun.

The good news is that even though I feel puny this afternoon, I will not be expecting to hear that I have gestational diabetes. If I don't, I can eat cheese dip with everyone else while we watch the game on Saturday. Otherwise, I guess I'll be eating celery - with no dip! :)

Abby is enjoying the change of summer to "fall". She is taking dance classes again but this time her best friend, Ella, is in her class. Sydney wants to have "dance recital" too, but at least she gets to play with Macy, her best friend (and Ella's little sister), while Abby and Ella dance!

We started homeschooling using with the A Beka 4K curriculum. I thought it would be like pulling my fingernails off one at a time but I have been pleasantly surprised. Abby LOVES doing school and is really learning things, too. I can really see God at work in it!

Sydney's personality is starting to show more and more. She is full of energy and life! Stephen says she will be the comedian in the family (second to him, of course).

The baby is very active so we may have our hands full in a few weeks. My due date is Nov 4, but since the girls were 2 weeks early we hope he'll come the week of October 22nd. If not, they will induce me the following week. I still have some things to do to prepare for his arrival, but I'm slowly getting them done. Whew!

The Closet

Two Fridays ago I had a meltdown. I was 30 weeks pregnant and we'd done almost nothing to prepare for our baby boy. Sydney was sleeping in Abby's room at night but not napping there. All of Sydney's clothes were still in the nursery and there are pink girly things all over the walls. Stephen kindly agreed to buy and install closet organizer pieces to match the design I created the next day. We got up early for a Saturday. We spent most of the morning at Lowe's making sure we had all the pieces. We bought a kit to save $50 and planned to cut everything at home (because for some reason the Lowe's employees won't use their super duper "scissors" to cut closet pieces out of a kit). The man said it was "simple" and you could just use a hacksaw. $50 is a lot of money to us. It wasn't after the day was finished.

At lunchtime we had to feed the kids so we ate out. We came home and put Sydney in her crib and allowed Abby to watch a video. 45 minutes later we'd opened everything, placed it on the floor and started to read directions. We cut, measured, held up, cut again, measured, questioned measurements, measured again, tried to understand "directions", measured again, went to Ace to get drill bits the package said we needed and didn't, changed the batteries in our stud finder - just to find out it "was that bad" and then finally got the back supports on the wall. Meanwhile, Abby and Sydney were done with naps, videos, and book time and wanted to help with the tools. Pieces and parts started disappearing. Sydney was determined play with the hacksaw. Then we remembered that we'd promised Abby we'd take her to Baskin Robbins on Saturday. It was Saturday. Stephen worked while I took them for ice cream. It was late. After changing the blade in the hacksaw 3 times and watching Stephen saw away at those shelves I decided to go back to Lowe's - more determined than ever to have them use their "special scissors".

We tried a different Lowe's. The guy wasn't nice at first but I continued to be kind and I think he felt sorry for the tired pregnant lady with two kids who didn't want to be in a cart and for her husband who looked exhausted! The man cut the shelves with his special "scissors" and then he hacksawed the poles on his little bench thing. I didn't see that part. Abby had to go potty. I don't think she really needed to go, she was just bored but I did miss the part that would have made me feel guilty.

Sometime around 11:30 pm I put Abby to bed. All the clothes I'd organized to go in the closet "just so" covered our bedroom so I couldn't just let it go. It was Saturday night...the night before Sunday...our craziest day of the week.

Abby was so tired the next morning she couldn't even eat her Sunday morning pop-tart. Sydney was fine - she slept in the crib.

I moved the toys back into the room the next day after spending a fortune on bins to put the toys in. That was another trip to Lowe's.

I am happy to announce that Sydney is napping in the new organized room and has diapers, clothes, bows and all personal items there. If the girls were not sleeping I would run in and take a picture of that closet for you.

I still haven't moved the girly stuff out of the nursery. Maybe I'll take it all down right now and put it in our bedroom. I can put a "half" check mark on my to-do list.

Fireplace Fumble

Last night while I was preparing dinner I heard the girls laughing and shouting gleefully in the living room. It made my heart happy to hear how entertained they were by one another.

The blissfulness ended quickly with one of the loudest screams I've heard come out of Sydney. I RAN, scooped her up and just walked to the bathroom with her screaming "No, No, No!" and kicking her feet the whole way. I could tell there was a good bit of blood but she kept burying her face in my chest so I couldn't get a good look. Abby showed me her knee, which was very red and said it hit Sydney in the face.

Apparently, they had strategically placed the couch cushions on the floor in front of the fireplace and were jumping off, falling on the pillows. Unfortunately, they jumped at the same time and Abby's knee landed on Sydney's nose and upper lip, both were bloody!

After some ibuprofen, ice packs and a little freaking out on my part, Sydney recovered. Here are some pictures of the injuries (isn't she pitiful?):

But don't worry, Abby apologized, Sydney accepted and they were hugging and back to loving each other very quickly!

As for me, I will be checking in on the girls anytime I hear them giggling in a room from now on! And we have two new rules, "No jumping off the fireplace" and "Do not put couch cushions on the floor".

Praise - Lee Anne's MRI Results

This is what Lee Anne emailed today:

I spoke with the Neurologist and the results are great. There is no blockage or sign of a tumor. The veins were in good shape and listed as "unremarkable". Of course, I found that slightly offensive but it is a good result. ;-) The brain tissue is in good shape and no sign of trauma. My tingling is reducing and there is no need for further intervention. We are going to continue under the diagnosis of TIA (transient ischemic attack) and remain off of the Imitrex, Relpax, etc (tripan family of drugs) and continue on the aspirin daily along with the migraine preventative med and use pain management prescriptions for any future migraines. I have had plenty of opportunities for additional migraines with hormones, travel and stress over the last week and thankfully I have had none. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

On our way out of Greenville last week there was a church with Romans 8:28 on the sign and we have been talking with the kids about it I have been reading through Romans over the past week and thought I would share this with you. Thank you for agreeing in prayer and interceding through and with the Holy Spirit on my behalf. I have felt a peace, power and presence of our Living God through this week and I know I have been the beneficiary of your prayers and God's mercy. I am praising God not so much for the MRI results, although I am thankful for them, but for His presence and peace through the unknown and for the hope and future where we as His children are joined with Him and are no longer in waiting. Giving God the glory for the results, the peace and the friendship of believers - thank you for walking this with me!

Romans 8:18-28
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

With love and appreciation for you!
LA

the cavin family

Lee Anne's MRI

Lee Anne and her family drove from Tampa to Atlanta on Monday night and she had the MRI yesterday afternoon. As of right now, no news is good news! She expects to find out the results from the MRI in a week and believes at this point they didn't find anything alarming.

She said yesterday the numbness is getting better. She no longer has numbness in her leg, just mild numbness in the lower part of her arm. She thinks what remains may just be residual from the old medication.

Thank you for joining me in praying for her. If we hear anything else I will post it.

Joseph and Megan's Wedding

It feels like it was just a day ago...my cousin, Joseph was a 12-year old boy, going to his first college football game, watching the best team in the state of SC, wearing a black USC FCA shirt I'd gotten him. He had his picture taken with Duce Staley after that game. I'll always remember his sweet little grin! He's grown up so very fast and I am so very proud of the man he's become!

Yesterday, he married the woman of his dreams. She is exactly the woman we would have chosen for him! The best part is that he loves Jesus and he and Megan are determined to live their lives according to God's will.

The ceremony itself was beautiful. The wedding was on the South Carolina Botanical Gardens and the reception was just behind it. Matt Williams (our main teaching pastor at Grace Church) performed the ceremony and Matt Kelley did the music. Both the Matt's made it very personal and special!

I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid, Stephen a groomsmen, and Abby and Sydney were both flower girls. Steve Carson was the best man and Mandy, Megan's sister, was the maid of honor. Rob Allen was also a groomsman and Katie Foster was a bridesmaid.

Joseph's ushers, decorated and REWIRED his truck so that every time he put on the brakes the horn would blow. They wrote "We're naked...right now" on the front of the truck, put catfish bait in his truck and in his tool box and they outfitted the car with cans and things that made loud noises because they were sitting on his alternator?!?! Agricultural Mechanical Engineering students are dangerous! Here's some footage of the happy couple leaving:

Update on Lee Anne

Thank you so much for those of you who joined me in praying for the Cavins. Lee Anne did go to Emory yesterday and the doctors told her they are confident this is non-emergent and they sent her away to have fun on her vacation this weekend. They think that the spot was either an artifact (smudge) on the film or possibly a stroke that was self-healing. They have changed her medication and she will have a MRI on the way home on Tuesday. The numbness is getting better, not gone, and she passed all the neurological tests. She said the appointment was actually rather funny. She had the NP, a nursing student and the NP's professor and then finally the head of neurology. There were a lot of tests with her eyes closed (touching her nose, walking, sensation - the one she struggled with the most - but ended up passing), and they made jokes about pushing her over, giving her bunny ears, etc. The neurologist continued the jokes when he said the CT showed she actually HAD a brain. She said she stayed at the Holiday Inn Express last night, so she is ready for him now! Please continue to pray for this family as they travel and for Lee Anne's migraine on Tuesday. Thank you SO very much!

Call to Prayer

If you are reading this, please consider it a personal request from me for you to pray for a dear friend of mine, Lee Anne Cavin. She has suffered from migraines for many years now. She is an authentic woman of God and he is definitely at work in her family. The Cavins have been used by Him to touch many people in our body. He also has really shown off by working miraculously in their lives in the past.

Lee Anne has been experiencing some numbness with the migraines lately and called her doctor at Emory and he ordered a CT Scan immediately. A spot was discovered at the junction of her Rt parietal and occipital lobes. She is going to Atlanta (Emory) tomorrow and is trying to see if she can have an MRI done then. Please pray that God will bless this family for continuing to trust Him and please pray that God would be most glorified through the results of this process. And of course, are asking Him to heal her completely. Thank you for joining me in praying for them.

Here is what Lee Anne just emailed to me, she is encouraging me, now!

It is amazing to me how quickly a day (circumstances) can change. What doesn't change is the important - the faithfulness of our Lord, the value of community (true family) and strength and comfort that the Holy Spirit provides. Praising Him for being with us at all times and knowing whatever we find out tomorrow or whenever, it is no surprise to Him. Praying for health to enjoy more of His blessings but trusting and knowing God has all that in His hands.

The Window Seat Surprise

Here's a link to what Stephen is doing in San Diego. I don't think it is possible for him to not be having fun!

Just yesterday Vicki Williams reminded me I should have my kids use scissors so they have cutting mastered by around 1st grade. Abby always asks to cut things. Today, I gave Abby her special pair of green scissors and asked her to cut out the Publix dinosaur out of her coloring book. She cut him into about 350 pieces, got another piece of plain paper and started cutting out random shapes. I walked out of the sun room to finish cleaning the kitchen.

After dinner I returned to the sun room to clean up the paper mess and discovered a bunch of long black hair all over the window seat. We made a memory today. Today was the first time one of my children cut their own hair.

Thankfully, I've scared her out of doing it again. She seemed shocked I didn't approve of the haircut. Don't worry, I made sure she knew I loved her and wasn't mad. I am quite grateful she has so much hair I couldn't find the clump she'd cut out.

The girls also had their first Taco Casa experience with the Taylors today. I think Abby and Sydney both liked it. Abby didn't like the blueberries in the empanada so she just licked the cinnamon sugar off of it. Sydney ate her chips, cheese dip AND her half burrito. I think she REALLY liked it. Maybe they're ready for Taco Bell!?!

Lazy Days of Summer

Whoever decided to call summer days lazy has a few things coming. This has been one of the busiest, most fun summers we've had! And we haven't even vacationed anywhere!

Abby is taking swim lessons (from Heather Nelson) and she has gained so much confidence in the water. Sydney is following suit (typical second born) and now likes to tell us "stop it" when we try to hold her in the water. She trusts her swim vest more than her parents!??! And we are working on teaching her to say, "Will you not do that, please?" but I'm sure it will take AT LEAST 6 months.

Stephen had a fun week at work last week closing out the fiscal year. He said every time they got a large sales order in somebody would hit this loud "BONG" thing and everyone pulled out their noisemakers to follow. One lady had a screaming woman sound. He is pretty pumped that he's getting a new pair of Reef's and a beach bag that he's ordered for his customers, too. They had Bucky's BBQ and On The Border twice there for lunch, and he was able to bring home leftovers. I think he's going to turn into an On The Border chip with salsa!

Oh, that reminds me. Stephen is also flying out to San Diego next week. I hope he doesn't have too much fun. His trip to Phoenix made him think if he ever left the southeast we'd actually be okay. I don't think I would. I really don't think I would.

I am doing well. I've successfully gained at least 25 pounds at this point (should have gained 10) and haven't thrown up in like 3 weeks! I am still taking Zofran during the day but SHOULD be done, soon. Our son seems to be happy kicking and swimming away! I, however, am enjoying the idea of this being my last pregnancy and thinking thoughts like, "Maybe he should stay in there, what do I know about raising a BOY!?!?" Thankfully, I am married to a "guys' guy" so I'm partnered with someone who has all the strengths to make up for my weaknesses! Oh, and yes, God will give me what I need when I need it. Right now I just need to find some things to make the nursery not so feminine! I'll focus on that.

Marsha and Tyler's Wedding

Abby was the flower girl in Marsha (Byers) and Tyler Mays wedding this Saturday. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was outside on the front lawn of the Gassaway Mansion in Greenville. It started to drizzle just as Marsha was walking down the aisle with her Daddy but she was not phased a bit because she was so excited to see Tyler at the other end of the aisle!

Abby did a wonderful job. She had a special rocking chair on the porch that was hidden by huge columns. Zoe (her Build-A-Bear) was waiting for her in the chair with a wedding dress on that Miss Marsha gave her. When Abby came back down the aisle, so did Zoe!

At the end was a live butterfly release, which provided some humor when butterflies landed on some of the guests heads! :) I thought it was so cool that the butterflies all found their way to the butterfly bushes! The reception was on the back lawn and throughout the house and it was perfect, as well. The food was SO good and everything was decorated and arranged so beautifully. It was a great day!

It's A Boy!

We had our ultrasound on Friday and found out our surprise third baby is a BOY! We are absolutely beside ourselves. During the ultrasound Stephen was so nervous he was pacing back and forth. The ultrasound technician asked if he was going to do that the whole time. I told her that is what he does when we're losing a football game! She laughed and decided to make him wait a little while.

We saw the heart chambers and the brain, skull, spine, etc. and finally she said, "Do you see that?" and we said, "What?" and she said, "That's a _____" (fill in the name of the male body part). Stephen let out a sigh of relief and said, "We're going to have a son!" I kept saying, "I cannot believe God gave us a boy!" (To see it in the picture below imagine the baby sitting on a glasstop table.)

Stephen's dad asked the Lord several months before we found out we were pregnant to please give Stephen a son. The Lord heard his prayer and answered, "Yes." I couldn't be more thrilled with the way God has planned our family. He knew I needed two girls first to really want a boy! He also made them each 2-1/2 years apart. His timing and His wisdom are so perfect!

P.S. The due date is November 4th. If he comes 2 weeks early like the girls did that will be sometime after October 22.

Abby's First Dance Recital

Abby took a preschool dance class this year that included ballet, tap and tumbling. June 2nd was the big day for her recital at the Peace Center! Nana, Gran, Aunt Martha, Miss Ashley, Stephen and I were all there to watch.

She danced to "Joy To The World" from the Finding Nemo soundtrack. She did such a super job. Her entire class froze and she looked off stage at her teacher, Miss Melanie and starting doing her arm movements. She just kept doing them over and over, even though the rest of the class was unengaged. I am not sure that any of them did any tap steps that day but the crowd loved them.

Abby was so precious and I kept saying to Stephen I wished we could bottle up that day and save it forever!

Abby with the 12 dozen pink roses Gran, Nana and Aunt Martha gave her

Celebrating with ice cream at Spill The Beans (trophy in tow)

Pictures in Falls Park afterwards

Stephen with dance trophy, 2 dozen roses AND a dance bag!

Sydney's 2nd Birthday

Sydney turned 2 and we were unable to celebrate her birthday within a reasonable amount of time because I was so sick (morning sickness) and several families were sick with stomach bugs and nasty colds. We did finally have a small "doggie" party and Haley Carson, Mr. Steve, Miss Miranda, Nana, Mimi, Abby, Daddy and I were there. It was a fun time for a small crowd! Sydney had the best time and loved the doggie hats we gave as party favors! Oh, and Macy Fuller stopped by in "the car" before everything got started. (Miss Greta didn't want her to stay in case she still had sick germs!)

Doggie cupcake tree / Macy visiting

Sydney and Nana hamming it up

Daddy helping Sydney open presents / Sydney sporting her doggie hat and shades

Stephen's 30th Birthday

When Stephen turned 30 he wanted a pinata, Mutts BBQ and ice cream cake in our back yard. Here are a few of the videos and pictures from his big day!