Still Kickin'

It's been quite sometime since I blogged! It's been just a little bit crazy around here! We have been in survival mode this summer. Dennis has worked practically non stop since May and I was just beginning to feel like I was recovering from having a baby, though very sleep deprived, when I began having gall bladder problems mid-July. About 2 1/2 weeks ago I had surgery and I am now feeling MUCH better. In fact, I don't think I knew how bad I felt until this week when I feel like myself again. We celebrated Dennis's 35th birthday on July 16th and other than that, we've just been trying to stay cool during this record breaking hot summer. Cooper started 3 year old preschool program two days a week at the church a couple weeks ago and we are finally getting into a routine, which is really helping me keep what little sanity I have left. And, I never would've made it to September if it wasn't for my dear, dear grandparents who have been amazing helping me with the boys all summer by taking Cooper home with them or staying with us here when I felt bad and after baby and surgery. I truly don't know what we'd have done without their help. Needless to say, the Rains' family is ready for fall vacation!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Clayton Blake Rains decided to greet us on Tuesday, May 10th at 5:40 am, weighing 8 pounds and 18 inches long!! We are getting settled in and trying to get the hang of having two little boys and I am beginning to feel a bit better myself after a VERY fast delivery!! (He was born in less than 2 hours after I went into labor and we came home the next day!) Cooper is excited about being a big brother, too!

2 more weeks......

Due date is May 21st....hoping very much that he'd decide to get here a little sooner! As of Monday, I am dilated to four, so just that  much closer to b-day. That means as soon as I feel like something is happening, I better hurry to the hospital, because once he decides to make his arrival, it may not take near as long as what Cooper did! I know that I am very blessed with this child, but I am also very tired and exhausted and ready to see him!!

2011 Goals Updates

Well, since April is over, I have updated my goals list and as you can see, making progress in some things and some are a little more challenging for me, especially when it comes to things I want to do to better myself. Preparing for baby, doing all this nesting, and taking care of my family everyday has taken its toll on me, I'm afraid. Every spare moment that I can get the last month is spent resting or napping to gain enough energy to do the daily things I need to do. So, with that in mind, here is what I've been up to:

2011 Goals

OPERATION BABY PREP---

Deadline March 1^st--

Order small dresser- will need to do this by the first of March to be sure it’s here on time…only piece of furniture that we need and it’s a hard size to find!  (before end of February!)

Deadline April 1^st--

Sort through baby clothes from attic   1/18

Bring in and clean up baby gear from attic 3/12

Arrange furniture in kids’ room  3/12

Organize kids’ closet 1/8

Finish list of what we still need to get 1/23

Deadline May 1^st--

Make some prepared food that I can freeze for easy meals in May/June

Begin “nesting”…will probably have already started this anyway!

Take a spring vacation or extended camping trip       Snow days shortened our trip, but we took it the first part of April!

HOUSE & GARDENING---

Deadline April 24th (Easter)--

Plant flower bed in corner of yard—sunflowers and some easy to grow perennials because I’m lazy like that---this one is out til next spring…just not enough time

Mulch around roses   3/16

Make beds for perennial fruits and veggies---yep, next spring

Plant corn and okra….maybe a few other things….this will not be as much as last year, since I won’t be able to do a lot out there---Dennis is going to plant corn and okra soon, I have planted a “patio garden”  4/17

NEW SECRETARY GIG—Deadline March 1^st

Get QuickBooks set up and on track for 2011   1/14

FOR MYSELF:

PHOTOGRAPHY—Deadline May 1st

Get someone to give me lessons with new camera  You Tube!

Set up software to edit photos

READING---

I am stealing an idea from someone else to read one good book per month….that will be a stretch probably, but I have plenty of books to read, re-read, or that I can borrow

            January—ALMOST finished one

            February---finished January book

            March---finished book I started in February after the January one

            April---did not read a book at all….lots of naps, though

SPIRITUAL---

Spend at least 15 minutes every day in the Word, devotional, prayer, listening to sermons, etc.

            January—Not as consistent as I’d like to be

            February—still struggling

            March—still struggling to be consistent

            April—still struggling, but found some helpful resources

Keep my “Grace” journal with entries at least 3 times a week recording where I saw God’s grace at work in my life and around me

            January—Did it at least twice a week

            February—About once a week

           March—only one in a month

            April---not sure what happened to me!

Still waiting......

I am waiting sort of patiently still....I think he may just fall out! Just 3 weeks and a couple days until my due date, but I will be 37 weeks (considered full term) on Saturday and anytime after that, we are in the clear according to the doc....Maybe a Mother's Day baby??

Counting Down

Well, it's been a while since I posted last, but I've been a little occupied preparing for baby and trying to stay awake and muster enough energy to play with Cooper, too. We are getting closer and closer!! I only have about 4 1/2 weeks until my due date, but after Monday's OB appointment, we may not make it quite that long, though at this point, you never know. All I know is that I am ready when he is, because I am very exhausted and uncomfortable, and did I mention uncomfortable??  I am already dilated to 3, baby is head down, and dropping a bit....stay tuned.

7 More weeks!!

Just an update on where we are....only 7 more weeks til b-day!! Baby is kicking me like crazy and we are in the homestretch!

Spring Break

Well, with the baby date approaching rather quickly (9 more weeks- right on track and doing good!!), we are trying to get a little bit of camping in while we have nice weather. So, we headed out to Tenkiller State Park and some friends met up with us that have two boys, one a little older and one a little younger than Cooper. We just camped the weekend and didn't do much of anything but a little scenic driving and watching the kids play, but they had a blast and it was a nice way to end our Spring Break. This week, it's back to running around....doctor appointments, speech, church stuff.....it's a lengthy list. It was nice to have a week "off", at least for me and Cooper, and to catch up on some much needed rest.

Boys being boys...

2011 Goals Updates

2011 GOALS

OPERATION BABY PREP--- I have a lot to get done before the May 21st due date!

Deadline March 1^st--

Order small dresser- will need to do this by the first of March to be sure it’s here on time…only piece of furniture that we need and it’s a hard size to find!

Deadline April 1^st--

Sort through baby clothes from attic   Yay!! DONE!  1/8/11

Bring in and clean up baby gear from attic

Arrange furniture in kids’ room

Organize kids’ closet   DONE! Think I actually did this sooner, but finished 1/8/11

Finish list of what we still need to get   After going through all the stuff we have, it was easy to make this list 1/23/11

Deadline May 1^st--

Make some prepared food that I can freeze for easy meals in May/June---taking suggestions, PLEASE!

Begin “nesting”…will probably have already started this anyway!---Yeah, already doing this!

Take a spring vacation or extended camping trip----We need to plan!   I think our snow days put a damper on taking a spring trip! 

HOUSE & GARDENING--

Deadline April 24th (Easter)--

Plant flower bed in corner of yard—sunflowers and some easy to grow perennials because I’m lazy like that

Mulch around roses

Make beds for perennial fruits and veggies

Plant corn and okra….maybe a few other things….this will not be as much as last year, since I probably won't be up for doing a lot of weeding when it's 200 degrees with a newborn on my hip!

FOR MYSELF:

PHOTOGRAPHY—Deadline May 1st

Get someone to give me lessons with new camera (You Tube!) 

Set up software to edit photos  Done in January, can't remember what date!

READING---

I am stealing an idea from Traci--to read one good book per month….that will be a stretch probably, but I have plenty of books to read, re-read, or that I can borrow
                 January---ALMOST finished one

SPIRITUAL---

Spend at least 15 minutes every day in the Word, devotional, prayer, listening to sermons, etc--some days I will have much more time, but I have slacked and want to be more consistent this year
                 January---Not been as consistent about it as I'd like....February will be better

Keep my “Grace” journal with entries at least 3 times a week recording where I saw God’s grace at work in my life and around me
                January---I did it at least twice a week

Thursday morning Bible Study---This is a MUST! I look forward to Thursdays for this!

Baby is...........a BOY!!

I went for my 20 week ultrasound yesterday (I am actually closer to 21 weeks, but we are at the halfway point anyway). All his little parts are there and he is measuring right where he should be right now, so that is great news! We are so excited to finally know and now comes the work of preparing....See my 2011 Goals under Operation Baby Prep! Having a spring baby instead of fall, will make clothing sizes be a bit off, so my first job is to sort...anyone up for playing in a mountain of baby clothes!??!

Here's a sweet little profile pic of our new addition.....Cooper just loves this one of his little brother, even though he can't quite figure out how we got this photo. 

Goals for 2011

I have been challenged by my friend, Traci, to post my goals for the year. I thought this was a great idea to help me be more accountable....I just have to put it where I will see it, too, so I am going to put a copy in a sheet protector and put it in the front of my planner to remind me! I just set goals for the things that have a deadline, or that I can measure weekly or monthly, not for things that will be ongoing for us. These are also just things for our family and home...I have a few more for business stuff and finances that are in the works (not to mention not real exciting) so I am just sharing the family stuff and things that I personally plan to do this year. So, here you go:

2011 GOALS

OPERATION BABY PREP--- I have a lot to get done before the May 21st due date!

Deadline March 1^st--

Order small dresser- will need to do this by the first of March to be sure it’s here on time…only piece of furniture that we need and it’s a hard size to find!

Deadline April 1^st--

Sort through baby clothes from attic   Yay!! DONE!  1/8/11

Bring in and clean up baby gear from attic

Arrange furniture in kids’ room

Organize kids’ closet   DONE! Think I actually did this sooner, but finished 1/8/11

Finish list of what we still need to get   After going through all the stuff we have, it was easy to make this list 1/23/11

Deadline May 1^st--

Make some prepared food that I can freeze for easy meals in May/June

Begin “nesting”…will probably have already started this anyway!

Take a spring vacation or extended camping trip 

HOUSE & GARDENING

Deadline April 24th (Easter)--

Plant flower bed in corner of yard—sunflowers and some easy to grow perennials because I’m lazy like that

Mulch around roses

Make beds for perennial fruits and veggies

Plant corn and okra….maybe a few other things….this will not be as much as last year, since I probably won't be up for doing a lot of weeding when it's 200 degrees with a newborn on my hip!

FOR MYSELF:

PHOTOGRAPHY—Deadline May 1st

Get someone to give me lessons with new camera (You Tube!)

Set up software to edit photos  Done in January, can't remember what date!

READING---

I am stealing an idea from Traci--to read one good book per month….that will be a stretch probably, but I have plenty of books to read, re-read, or that I can borrow
                 January---ALMOST finished one

SPIRITUAL---

Spend at least 15 minutes every day in the Word, devotional, prayer, listening to sermons, etc--some days I will have much more time, but I have slacked and want to be more consistent this year
                 January---Not been as consistent about it as I'd like....February will be better

Keep my “Grace” journal with entries at least 3 times a week recording where I saw God’s grace at work in my life and around me
                January---I did it at least twice a week

Thursday morning Bible Study---This is a MUST! I look forward to Thursdays for this! 

Happy New Year!

Ok, I kind of missed posting on Christmas....we've been all over the place with family get togethers! The weekend before Christmas, we had a gathering at our house with immediate Ashcroft family and Mamaw and Papaw. Then, on the 23rd, we did Rains Christmas with sleepover at Darian's house in Pryor, then to Claremore to Kristine's house....whew! We did get to spend all day Christmas day at home just the three of us and had fun relaxing and playing with Cooper's toys. We finished up our events yesterday with the rest of the Ashcroft clan in Bella Vista. It was great to see lots of family that we don't see often and visit with everyone!

So, Happy New Year!! We have been so blessed in 2010 and we look forward to lots of good changes in 2011 with the arrival of baby #2 and changes with my job. I am no longer youth director as of  yesterday, so I am settling in to take care of Coop and get ready for the baby on top of learning to do some bookkeeping for Dennis's business and continuing to volunteer at the church, so I'm pretty sure I won't be bored! I'm also hoping to learn to take some awesome pictures with my new camera this year, do a few more sewing projects, and a plant flowers this spring before baby gets here.

We're hoping to find out if baby #2 is a boy or a girl this week, so I will keep you posted!!

Catching Up

 

Well, I am 18 weeks along now, and I finally managed to scan and post my 16 week ultrasound. These are actually upside down, but you can still make them out a little. The top pic looks like a little alien...yes, that is the baby, aka "gummy bear"! And the bottom is a profile , you can see the head and the little spine if you look closely. We seem to be right on track and both doing well, hopefully we will find out if it's a boy or girl in January!!

On a different note, we are having so much fun preparing for Christmas! Cooper is getting excited and starting to figure out that Christmas is a big deal and he is having so much fun "helping" me cook, wrap, deliver gifts, and reading Christmas books every night. We've broke in our copy of "Night Before Christmas" and he also loves "The Crippled Lamb" which is really sweet if you're looking for a good kids' Christmas book. And, of course, we have watched every Christmas movie we own (and we have many) at least twice if not five dozen times! We are looking forward to celebrating Christ's birthday with family and friends! So, this Saturday, let the party begin!

13 Weeks

Well, we are just trucking right into getting ready for the holidays and I am finally feeling good just in the last few days! I am hoping it's not short, but it lasts a few months...I don't think I can handle feeling queasy for 9 months! I had a baby check up last Friday and the little "gummy bear" is doing great. I got to see the little wiggle worm on ultrasound and boy is he or she active!! Hopefully, we will find out the sex in December!

We're Expecting!!!

We are so excited! Cooper will have a little brother or sister in May! We went to the doctor on Friday and had a great ultrasound. Our little "gummy bear" was very active and did a little dance for us! I am 9 weeks along and feeling it right now. I never know when I will feel sick, just hits me at random, but me and baby are both healthy and we are thrilled! I'm not sure Cooper realizes what's going on yet. When I showed him the ultrasound pictures, he tried to put them on my belly!