ITS A GIRL!!!...wait. again?!

That's right! Baby #2 is a girl! Haven't I been through this once?! I thought for sure...

I'm kidding....slightly. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, up until about 3 days ago, I was CONVINCED I was having a boy. The pregnancy was the complete opposite as Emily's. The movement of the baby's are the exact opposite as Emily's...I was even carrying different than when pregnant with Emily. But somewhere in the last few days God really placed it on my heart to be at peace with the possiblity of it being a girl. 1) We don't always get what we want and 2) Does it really matter?! The truth is, it doesn't matter a bit. As I watched the baby trying a futal attempt to suck her fingers and stretch, kick and swim around, I fell in love. No matter what was between it's legs (or the case of my fears: what I'm going to have to deal with for the next 18-25 years).

This is my favorite picture that they took today. You can see her perfect nose, lips, chin, and where her eyelashes are going to be. For the record: as of right now, she bares a remarkable resemblance to her sister! I asked the tech if she could tell me how long she was and she couldn't but almost to my request, the baby stretched out her legs and yes, she's got her daddy's legs. She's going to be a long one!! Also, according to the ultrasounds measurements, baby is actually measuring a week ahead of schedule. She was weighing right at ONE POUND! Making my "due date" Feb. 1st. Aaron might be getting a daughter for his birthday!

Here's a few more pictures from today:

An unreal picture of her hand!

Perfect foot.

*I would post pictures of girl parts, but due to the graphic nature of the PERFECT picture that they got...I actually feel like it's inappropriate to do so*

Here's a picture of me instead! :)

Maybe tomorrow I will write about how much I'm freaking out...if I wrote about it now, I might have an aneurism.

But just to give you a taste: I now have 2 weddings to pay for. Double the hair clips, bows and of the color pink. Double the barbies and barbie clothes, baby dolls and sparkles. Double the estrogen and DOUBLE THE TAMPONS! This all coming from a mom who thought she was gong to have 5 boys.

God always has a plan...and it might not be the same as yours.

Lesson Learned.

Money saving/house wife/mom...endless insanity

I'm implementing some big changes in my life. Why? because I feel as though being a woman who stays at home is my job, and right now: I'm just getting by. Just like any other human being, I want to excel at my job.

1) Saving money. If you look over in my side bar, I have added a bottom from moneysavingmom.com. This is a great website with a plethora (that's the only word I can think of to describe it) of information. As recommended by my wonderful pastors wife, I have started using my limited amount of internet time on this website, trying to figure out ways to save money. It has loads of good information! Check it out if you would like. I foresee coupon clipping in my future!

2) Time management. Oh Lordy, I have NEVER been one to wisely manage my time, but as I take on more things during my day like preschooling Emily, truely cleaning, and cooking awesome and wholesome meals for my family, I'm finding that the only way to survive is to manage my time. I'm still working on it, but if I can get it down, I might just succeed and not lose my mind!

3) Church. (which should really be #1 but I'm running out of internet time in order to fix my order) My father in law Willy is the lead youth leader for our church's high school group. I have decided to dedicate a night a week to volunteering myself to helping out however I can. If you know me, and you know my past, you know I have a huge heart for high school girls, I feel like this is where God wants me to be.

Some sub-points here:

-Daily devotions

-Doing everything with a joyful heart for God. I shouldn't do everything I do for me, or for my husband's approval (although that is important!) but I should do it for God's glory. Much easier said than done when I'm a crazy hormonal, pregnant, woman.

-Holding my tongue. This is an addition to the previous point. And if you know me, you know that this is definately a place where only God can help me!!

Those are just a few of the wonderful changes happening in my life. I can already see where God is blessing me (see previous post and job promotion info.) My constant prayer is that God will lead me and my family in His ways, and bless our household.

On another note....TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!! Be looking forward to a very exciting blog post!

I'm So Excited...

New, big and scary things are happening in my life!

1) We HOPEFULLY find out the sex of BABYVP2 on Wed. I'm not going to lie, I get a little anxiety attack every time I think about it! It will also be the first time since it looked like a gummy bear that I get to see the guy/gal. (on a side note, isn't that amazing that we have the technology today to be able to see our babies before they are born!)

2) My photography is everything I could dream for!! Plus a big announcement: Click Here to read all about it! I honestly (I'm really not just saying this for brownie points) could not have found a more awesome photographer to work with!

I'm sure I will think of more, but for now: Goodnight!

Bump Update

I'm 18 1/2 weeks pregnant today. That is a week and a half away from my half way point. That freaks me out just a little!! Baby started squirming the day that I turned 16 weeks, so I've been feeling "baby it" move around for 2 1/2 weeks now. I think it's funny how you can tell a babies personality in utero. Emily was fiesty. If I pushed on her head then she would flip around and kick exactly where I pushed, and she kicked HARD. This baby is alot more mellow. I push on this baby and I can feel it turn away, if I push again it will just roll to the other side of my belly. However, its a cuddler. If I just lay my hand on my belly I can feel it move from where ever it was hiding and nuzzle into my hand. Again, Emily was the opposite. If you put your hand on my belly should would kick it repeatedly until you moved it off of her. And it held true when she was born. She didn't want to be swaddled, she would lay on her side no matter how many times I placed her on her back, once she got older you could not just sit her on your lap and relax, she has always been a mover and a goer, and she's STILL fiesty. It will be interesting to see if my theory holds true here.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday. My bump measured exactly to my week. He could hear the baby moving, the blood gushing in it's umbilical cord and the strong healthy heart beat. All great things. Now hopefully within the next few weeks I will finally be able to show you a picture of baby! and we will no long have to call it "it".

Giving up

Yep, I said it. I'm giving up on the whole 365 thing. It's a fact...I just can't do it. I have a hard enough time getting on here to blog! How in the world am I supposed to put a picture up every day?! Well the answer is: I'm not. Enjoy my blog but my efforts are going to be deleted in 3....2....1

Awesome pets

I'm not really sure how we have lucked out so far, but we have the most awesome animals known to man. Today I will speak specifically about our cat.

Our cat...who we lovingly have not named!!! We got her for my birthday 4 years ago. (before emily was even a thought) yet somehow her and Emily are best friends. Okay well maybe the cat doesn't consider her a friend but at least tolerates the heck out of her. Here's an example:

Yes, that is exactly what it looks like. Emily-jumping on the trampoline-with the cat. How many people know of any animal that would put up with jumping on the trampoline, with a 3 year old. I think most 3 year olds would lose an eye!

Conclusion: We won't own another cat after her!

seriously?!

Alright guys, since you're never going to take me seriously again because I am failing horribly at this whole 365 picture thing, I'm telling you to go over to www.kaylavanpatten.blogspot.com and check out what's been going on over on my professional blog! I've got a few shoots to update but there's been some exciting things going on recently. Now really, GO!