Christmas Party at School

I've finally figured out that "party" at Clayton's school simply means instead of their regular afternoon snack, they have special snacks on special paper plates. You'd think they would plan some type of activity or something to make it a real "party," but I think the teachers are just glad to have the kids engaged in a huge meal. And for me, it means I sit there and snack right along with the other kids since Clayton doesn't want to eat his food. I'm hoping the teachers don't think I come just for the free food! (Clayton spends most of his time looking at me saying "go home" or "ready to go.") Still gives me a guilty conscience for leaving him there everyday! Of course, when we're at home he's constantly saying "go to school," so he keeps me confused on whether he really likes it or not!

Practicing

Clayton got to practice being a big brother on Sunday since we got to see our long lost friends Jamie and Allison. Baby Tucker will be four months old tomorrow and he is a cutie! Clayton didn't really want to get this picture made but as soon as we got them settled he started patting Tucker so lovingly--it was so sweet. And he wanted us to put Tucker in his chair, which definitely means he likes him! (He doesn't share his chair with just anyone!)

"Singing" With Momma

Here's the video of me singing with the kids. We had some sound problems, but you'll just have to listen past that! And even though Clayton sings every word at home, he decided to be silent once we were on stage!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6707354350607530633&hl=en

First Video

Well, because I'm the kiss of death to a video for my blog, you'll have to view this first one directly at youtube. Hopefully, I'll have the one of me singing with Clayton's class by the end of the week. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hw3Hdwz9-E

Thank you, Nicole for posting it for us!

Day of Christmas Music

Yesterday was jam packed full of Christmas music at church. The children's program was in the morning and the adult choir performed last night. I'm still going through the pictures from yesterday, but I saw this one and it instantly became one of my favorites! How cute is he up there singing with Momma?!! (Thanks to Annette for taking this!)

Sound versions coming soon courtesy of Nicole's Video Processing Service!!! :)

14 Weeks

Two weeks have finally passed and I had another doctor's appointment today. I was totally caught off guard by the extreme emotions I ended up feeling. The baby was much more active today and as soon as I saw all the movement, the tears just overflowed! The baby was yawning, sucking on it's hand and moving all around--it was so comforting to see my little baby so active. (And isn't it a wonder that all that's going on and I still can't feel any of it!?) You can see the baby bringing it's hand to it's mouth in this first picture:And here's a profile shot to give you more perspective. It's amazing how you can see their little bones and even the actual brain! God is definitely in the miracle business and it's a wonder to see the miracles our little babies truly are!And speaking of miracles, it's a been a blessing to have Dr. Lawrence by my side. When I broke down today, she was completely understanding. She knows intuitively how blessed I feel, but at the same time how extremely scared I am. She is great at balancing my fears, while still staying cautious and in prevention mode. I think she did more psychiatric work and Christian counseling today instead of actual obstetrics!

I see her again in two weeks, right before Christmas. She says we're getting to crunch time on my cervix, and while everything is looking great so far, now is the time to keep a close eye on things. And the Lord knows I'm all about going in every day if I have to!!

School Christmas Program

Clayton's school had a short Christmas program as a fundraiser on Friday night. And although he didn't actually sing a word (stage fright set in I guess!), he didn't cry one bit and was even smiling at everyone! His class sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and he just pretty much watched everyone in the audience as everyone else sang and did the motions. (And by the way, the lady behind his chair is his beloved "Ms. Marcia" who he clings to most of the day. They've become quite the big buddies).

And here are the outtakes of his little photo session--he wasn't much into looking right at Daddy for the picture.

And a big "CHEEEEEEESE!"" to end it with:

Gingerbread House

Clayton stays busy at school with little projects like this one. And even though Ms. Marcia ended up helping out a lot on this one, I thought it was too cute not to share!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day! I love you!

It's Definitely Time

For a change! What do you think of my new blog banner?!

Company's Gone

Have I mentioned before how much better I do in my regular routine?? Well, I do for sure! After four days of out of town guests I will be so glad to get back to our regularly scheduled lives tomorrow! I know Clayton is needing to get back to normal--he usually loves church but today he was so tired that he cried about 75% of the time we were there. Huge tears crying. Sad, I don't know what I want crying. Thankfully, he got a good nap in this afternoon and he's been in a much better mood since.

We do have lots of Christmas activities coming up. Not much time to recover from Thanksgiving before you start the Christmas celebrations. Clayton's school is having a program this Friday and then in two weeks the kids and adults both are putting on a Christmas program at church. And in the meantime I need to get my shopping done!

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a small crowd for Thanksgiving this year, and they actually even came to my house for the dinner! First time I've ever hosted a major holiday and I'm looking forward to Christmas being held somewhere else!!! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I'm just not good at coordinating food events--one of my downfalls for sure, but our crowd today didn't seem to notice thank goodness!

It was quite warm with the sun out this afternoon so Brian took Clayton and Hannah for a four wheeler ride. Definitely made the day for them!

Thanksgiving at School

Clayton's school hosted Thanksgiving lunch for the parents today. It totally flipped him out when he realized Brian was there. His cheeks are this red because for the first 15 minutes we were there he was crying. He was UP-SET that Daddy was there and scared to death he was going to leave him! Brian had to hold him the whole lunch just to get him back to a smiling face! Here's the centerpiece that Clayton created:

And I snapped this one just as he finally settled down:

And our "yummy" lunch . . . actually it was all pretty good but there was no way in the world I was going to touch that turkey!!! It was just a little too weird looking for me!

Clayton usually gets nervous about "eating" in front of crowds, but he finally decided to "munch" on this roll. (Side note: he is still totally tube fed, but always gets a plate of what we're eating and does a really good job of pretending to eat everything).

I'm just glad he didn't cry the whole time we were there. It was a trick getting Brian out of there without him realizing it. We had to get his OT to come and take him for therapy and when she got there his focus shifted totally to her, so Brian slipped right out the door. And although he acted like he didn't notice, the first thing he said when I picked him up was "Daddy?" He definitely knew that Daddy had disappeared on him!

12 Weeks

According to my calendar it's twelve weeks, but the doctor is now saying eleven weeks, three days. Doesn't really matter I guess, I just know I'm almost to the end of that first trimester! I had Brian video the ultrasound but I'm not sure how great it will be--I thought the baby would move a bit, but he/she got a little camera shy. Everything is still looking good, my cervix is still normal and my uterus isn't doing anything weird. I told the doctor that I didn't like waiting so long in between appointments and she said that we are getting to the point where she wants to keep close tabs on me so she hoped I enjoyed the small break. I'll be going back in two weeks for another look and I don't mind at all if I'm there every week!

So here's the video of the ultrasound. I know the quality isn't that great, but I wanted to share anyway!

And for those of you who aren't ultrasound savvy, you will see the baby pop up on the right of the screen with the head being farthest to the right. (Maybe that will give you a little bit of perspective to understand the picture!)

Daily Conversations (with Clayton)

I wish I had a video instead of just the transcript but at least a dozen times a day, I have these conversations with Clayton:

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: What's that?
Me: Clayton, you know what that is, you tell me.
Clayton: What?

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Yes?
Clayton: Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Daddy.
Me: He's at work, Clayton.
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Yes, Clayton?
Clayton: Daddy.

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Yes?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Clayton!?
Clayton: What? (said in his most innocent voice)

And since he hasn't been at school a lot this week, we've probably had them no less than a couple HUNDRED times in the car driving back and forth to Little Rock!! Just another reason you gotta love him!

Small Amount of Catch Up

I was going to share a cute little video that Nicole has on her blog, but I've been fighting an HTML code war with Blogger that's just about driven me crazy! I finally gave up and decided to post the same old boring stuff I always talk about! Clayton's had two doctor's appointments so far this week and we've got two more to go. It seems like all of his appointments always clump together and I end up driving to Little Rock several times in a week and then I'll go a few weeks without having to go at all--don't know how it ends up that way. He's back to normal on his oxygen, still has a cough but I'm sure that will linger for a while. I'm just glad he's back to his old self.

On the pregnancy front, I'm still sick off and on and it hits at all times of the day. And I'm craving something really special to eat and I've yet to find it even though I've been searching for a couple of weeks now! I'm hungry for something, but just can't seem to find that right something! I go back to the doctor next Tuesday and I can't wait to see little Baby C on ultrasound again!

We've been busy with church--we are having a churchwide emphasis on family and marriage based on the movie Fireproof. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth watching--one of those that will make you think about your actions. Or at least it's made me think! The study just started this week and will go on through the Advent season. We also have Christmas music coming up which is always time consuming but always worth it. Clayton's class is getting ready for their little Chirstmas program and I can't wait to see him up on stage with his bells!

Wednesday

Clayton is on the mend, but still has a bad cough and on the O2. That's what bugs me about him getting sick. We have to start all over on weaning the oxygen. My mornings are getting better, but to be completely honest I like the sicky feeling because it means I'm pregnant and things are happening. I start getting worried when I feel nothing at all. It's amazing how the imagination can conjur up every problem under the sun! I'm just a worrier by nature and I really need to get over that!

I Got Nothing

It's Monday. It's dreary. Clayton has been sick for three days. There really is nothing to blog about unless you want to hear about the motrin and tylenol we've been through, the coughing fits, and the cranked up oxygen. All pretty boring subjects to say the least. I would love to personally thank the mom that brought her child to school knowing he was running fever and left him there anyway. Niiiiiice. He just happens to be the kid who can't stop messing with Clayton's wheelchair, so I'm sure his little germs infected Clayton immediately.

I guess he'll be missing most of this week in school. I still don't want him to go tomorrow and he has an appointment Thursday. Might as well just write the whole week off!

I Know I'm Pregnant Because . . .

**I care nothing about being on the computer, scrapping, or reading. Usually my favorite pasttimes.

**Peanut butter sounds kinda gross (I normally eat it constantly).

**My posture is horrible.

**I had a dream about giant rolls of toilet paper. (That tells you how much I'm going to the bathroom!)

**Sitting and staring into space sounds like an awesome way to spend the day. I am motivated to do absolutely nothing!

**I turned down fresh baked brownies the other day.

I'm sure there are other things I'm not remembering (pregnancy brain, you know!). In general, I'm getting sicker by the day and mornings are definitely not fun anymore. And unfortunately the "morning" sickness tends to linger most of the day. I'm hoping I've only got a few more weeks of this!

Cap'n Jack

Jack Sparrow, that is! Here are a few shapshots of Clayton over the past week in all his costume glory. (I thought he looked quite cool with the braids!). First is at the Fall Festival at church:

And these next few were taken at the school during their carnival. Can you tell he loves Ms. Cara?

And this is the dog of one of the girls who works at the clinic!

And of course, Halloween night with all his cousins!