Things I don't want to forget

My mom was the middle of 5 children. When my grandmother got pregnant with her second child, my aunt Lynda, she bought this bassinet second hand. It is over 65 years old. My grandmother used it for her other 4 children. Then all of those kids used it on their children, my 7 cousins and me. My cousins who have had children, my sister, and myself have used it with all of our kids. My count (which could be off) is that Corey is the 20th person in my family to sleep in this bassinet. One thing that is very special about it is that my aunt Lynda was the "keeper of the bassinet". She passed away in April and I think of her when I lay little Corey down in it. I wanted to take a picture of this sweet bassinet and write it's story so that one day Corey and Carley will know how neat it was that they slept in the bassinet I slept in and that my mom slept in!Also, Cody painted these letters for Corey's room and I thought he did a great job. They were just the cheap $1.50 letters from Hobby Lobby and Cody made them priceless to me. Aren't the bricks cute?

Lastly, Alyssa's family came in this weekend. Lauren and Clint had not met Corey yet and Alyssa just wanted to see him again and her favorite sister. Lauren was so cute. She kept asking if she should introduce herself to Corey as Lauren or Lolo. (which is the nickname we all call her). Corey was a trooper. We literally spent the entire weekend indoors at my parents house just relaxing.

Big Cousin Lauren or Lolo
Sweet Uncle Clint making sure Corey learns the fundamentals of football
First picture of my parents with all 4 grandchildren

Fall TV, the Baby Blues, and catching up

YAY for Fall TV. It has been great to be on maternity leave during good TV. :) Here is a recap of my thoughts:

• I thought the Office was HILARIOUS!


• Community was okay, but was a definite let down.


• Jay Leno is funny. Sometimes it is a litle slow for me, but it will be nice to have a light hearted option for the 9:00 TV slot instead of all drama.


• Seriously, the chicken farmer won America's Got Talent? I was disappointed.


• Oprah pulled out all the stops this week. Entertaining television
• The Biggest Loser is SO good. Some of their stories just break my heart.
  

I am ready for some of my favorites to come back:

• Grey's is back Thursday and I am ready! Looks like a good season ahead!


• Chuck -- When is it coming back?

• Private Practice -- When is it coming back?


• Bachelor/Bachelorette -- When is it coming back?


• My other favorites all start back in the Spring (Lost, Friday Night Lights)

• Seriously, when are the other shows coming back?

New ones:

• Cougartown with Courtney Cox

• American Idol - I am sure you were wondering why I put this under "new ones", but i have never watched a full season and I am going to try this fall so it is new to me.

What new shows are you watching?

Also - Texas Tech football - we aren't as good this year so I am not sure I will be as much of a fan as I was last year, but I really like Taylor Potts. A bunch of us from Blogworld (and facebook world) knew him growing up. His mom was the secretary for Leadership Camps at ACU so Taylor was around some and a camper. I still see his sweet mom when she comes in town sometimes at Broadway. They are a sweet family. When I knew Taylor he didn't have a beard and he wasn't tall. :)

And onto the baby blues - man, I have them much more this time then I remember with Carley. I cry often, like several times a day. I am just much more sentimental this time. Plus, being a mom of two is overwhelming. It just is. I know most of you handle this all with much more grace than I do. Corey is easy and Carley is doing great, but I am still overwhelmed....and super hormonal. I know that is a little too much honesty for blogger, but it is the truth. Did any of you have the blues worse after your second pregnancy or after any pregnancy? Any suggestions?

That is really all. Here are a few pictures of our little family. Corey continues to be a perfect addition to our family. We all adore him. Carley is a great big sister and a big help. She says sweet things (that make me cry) daily and I am so proud of her.

We are home

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side

The anger of the enemy would have swallowed us alive

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
The waters would have engulfed us, we would have surely died

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.

BLESSED BE THE LORD, WHO WOULD NOT GIVE US UP
Blessed be the Lord, with His unfailing love
the snare is broken and we have escaped

Our help is in the name of the Lord!
Blessed Be the Lord!

We are home. All is well. So far Corey is the easiest baby in the world. I know that is likely to change, but I am enjoying the good eating, sleeping, and demeanor right now.

Carley has done awesome. She is so proud and has had no jealousy or acting up....so far.

Cody and I are so thankful, so grateful, so happy, and so exhausted. Thanks for your kind comments, sweet words, and prayers.

Pictures of Corey!

A Very Proud Aunt Alyssa has offered to be guest blogger and show off my precious new nephew! Meet Corey Wayne Nelson....

With His Proud and Thankful ParentsWith his Doting and Adoring Grandparents....

With his Loving Aunt and "Big" Cousin

And Last but definitely not least.... in the arms of his Very Proud Big Sister Carley!

Ashley will be back soon to tell her story as only she can. My sister was such a trooper! She did great... and we are all so thankful to God for this precious gift He has given our family. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers... today and throughout this journey. Ashley, Cody, Carley and Corey are blessed to have you all in their lives.

Isn't he just the cutest little boy ever?!?!?!

Corey Wayne Nelson

Corey Wayne was born at 9:01 this morning 9/9/09. He is healthy and doing well. He weighed 8lbs 8oz. and was 21in. He looks a lot like his mommy. Ashley is doing great and we will post pictures soon. Thanks for all your prayers. Praise the Lord our little guy is safely here.

Life in the Recliner

Bed rest is a funny thing. I have spent more time relaxing and quiet this week than any I can ever remember. :) The funny thing is I still set my alarm for 6:00 and get up and showered and dressed so that Carley thinks I am going to work. She then goes to school and I head to the recliner. I knew she wouldn't want to go if she knew I was home alone and I knew I wouldn't get any rest if I kept her here with me.

SO, I have found some great shows and websites to blog about. Maybe you will have time over Labor Day weekend to check a few out.

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

You HAVE to check out this site. My favorite are "The Nativity", "Boys II Men", "The Cabbage Patch Diary", and "The Pickpockets. You really need to see the Cabbage Patch one. It is probably 7 or 8 screens back. As you get to the bottom of any page, just go to "older entries" on the bottom left. Please tell me which is your favorite.

www.peopleofwalmart.com

There are some really funny pictures on this too, The Cheetah lady might be my favorite.

Now what have I been watching:

-Series finale of Family Ties - SO good. I forgot that Elise sees Alex as a tooth in Andy' play. Really cute and really 80's.

- Season finale of 90210 where Brandon and Kelly don't get married. Valerie doesn't have AIDS. Noah and Donna are on the outs. Good TV. Classic drama

- Wall-E - pretty cute but kind of weird. Did you see this?

- Saved By the Bell The College Years - Shame on you Professor Laskey and Kelly....

- High School Musical 1, 2, and 3 - It is hard watch these on bed rest because I can't get up and dance. Other than that, it is still nice to know we are all in this together.

- Chances Are - early 90's movie with Cybil Shepherd, Robert Downy Jr, Ryan O'Neil. Alyssa and I used to love this movie. I rewatched it....it is a little weirder than I remember.

- Cosby Show reruns - Cliff gets the award for Physician of the Year, but Theo gives the speech. Touching.

Where are Wonder Years reruns? Dawson's Creek reruns?

Onto more important things, my coworkers had planned a diaper shower for me on Wednesday. Even though I was on bed rest, I was allowed to go up there for lunch if I stayed in my chair. They were so sweet and I got a lot of diapers, wipes, and goodies for Corey.

Also, several people have brought us meals while I have been resting, which has been SO nice and helpful. One friend, Ann, brought these cookies over for Carley with her meal. What a cute idea!
Only a few more days till Corey comes!

Bed Rest, Finishing Up, and September

Well, I am on bed rest. Baby Corey is still doing great and I am doing pretty good. Dr. Owen is just trying to make sure he stays safe and snug until the 9th. It was hard to leave work today, I am not quite ready for a break, as far as I have some loose ends, but I want to do what is best for Corey and that is for me to hit the recliner, so there you go.

My friend Laura sells the PRECIOUS boards. They are too cute. She and Tara gave me one for Corey and one for Carley. How cute are they? You have to check out her ETSY store and see all the cute things she made. I especially loved the Scripture we picked for each one. My crafty friend, Marcy, also made super cute signs for Corey and Carley. Carley loves her dragonfly so much. She wants it hung so she can see it when she is laying on her bed and where it reflects in the mirror if she flips over. Seriously, are the buttons not SO cute on Corey's puppy.
And now, how can I post without posting about Carley. She thinks she is SO big. Because this is our last week of just having Carley, I want to document a little about just her.
- Carley is REALLY imaginative and is always having pretend conversations with herself and with inanimate objects. She loves puzzles. When she puts them together, she talks to each piece saying stuff like, "You missed your brother, I will put you with him. " "Don't worry, you will be the next piece I pick". - She loves to be a princess and dress up like a princess. Sometimes it is in princess clothes, other times it is just in a blanket around her.
- This pictures sums up a lot of things she loves....playing on the computer by herself, she loves her hair in a ponytail, and playhousedisney.com.

- She loves to write her name and write other words that I spell for her. She loves to text Cody on my phone. She also loves for me to open a word document on the computer and help her type in different colors.

- Also, Carley is obsessed with baptism. Every day she asks if she can be baptized and if she can have communion. She is so funny about it all. The other day she yelled at me because I was eating a marshmallow. "Marshmallows are for people who aren't baptized during church service and not for baptized people. They only get crackers. "

Thanks for hanging with the Nelsons through this journey. Please update your blogs so I have stuff to read on bedrest.

Negative Pregnancy Tests

I hate negative pregnancy tests, when you want them to be positive. Most ladies out there have had at least one. Several of us have had way more than we can almost count and more than we could have ever imagined. Clearly, I am not talking about a negative test for me at this time. However, I told my dr on Tuesday that I am SO thrilled about getting my tubes tied during my C-Section because I should never have another negative pregnancy test when I want it to be positive.

I have 6 friends right now that are praying for positives and only getting negatives. One is deep in infertility, 2 are doing little infertility things, 1 is still having to wait for 2 more negatives before she gets sent to a specialist, and 2 are tired of trying to time everything themselves. It is a weary process. (By the way 3 of the 6 aren't bloggers so you don't know them)

I had a friend give me a card the week of our second miscarriage and I want to repost the words. They have really spoken to me over the past year. In fact, I posted them on 8/29/08 - almost exactly a year ago. These are words of encouragement for anyone who is waiting....waiting for what they want....waiting for hope to fill their heart.....waiting for relief...waiting to see the plan for their family. This week, I encourage you all to pray for those who are getting negatives when they are longing for positives. Even if you don't know anyone personally, pray for those out there. And to those of you who are, please read these words and know that you are loved (even if you are not known) are you are being prayed for.



Don’t wish upon a shining star
Or put your trust in another,
But daily place the cares of your heart
In the hands of your Heavenly Father.

For He has heard your prayers
And He knows your heart,
And His answer’s a whisper away.
So don’t give up, don’t doubt His love,
But hold on in faith one more day.

And while you wait, keep your eyes on Jesus
Let your hope be in Him alone.
Let His Word give light to encourage your soul
And His Spirit give your heart a home.

Just like everyone else - behind on blogging

Man, I can't believe it has been so long since I blogged. It feels like yesterday! I guess I am just like everyone else, getting ready for school and fall and wrapping up summer.

Things are good here. I am just really tired. I go to the dr three times a week for either an appointment, a Non Stress test, an ultrasound, or a combination of the three. Seeing Corey so often is so special. I can't believe we are 2 1/2 weeks away from being a family of 4. I can honestly say I have never been as tired as I am right now. I know it will be more when Corey comes, but this is the max I have hit. Dr. Owen is really on me to conserve my energy and stay off my feet when I am not at work. I have missed lots of fun things over the past two weeks, but I am trying to do what is best for Corey.

So here are the highlights from the past two weeks:

1. Carley is still doing pretty well at her new place. Drop off in the morning has been rough. I am not going to lie. She says and does lots of things that break my heart and make me cry about leaving. I can see her on the video and approximately 2 minutes after I leave she is happy and has a wonderful day. She loves it there, she just doesn't like being left. I think a lot of it has to do with the baby and the fact that we were together so much over the summer. I cannot say enough great things about the place and the care she gets while she is there though! Here she is on her scooter on the first day.
2. She is back in dance/gymnastics as well and still loves it. She is so cute and proud in her class. I love watching her. Here she is on her first day. She wanted to wear the tutu from the dollar spot at Target on the way. Thanks to April and Kyler for the leotard. It is her FAVORITE! This is also another day that her teacher redid her hair at school. You can also see she wanted to pose for one of the picts.

3. I start teaching at LCU on Monday nights this fall. First session is Monday. I am looking forward to it. It is about 2/3 online and 1/3 face to face and this is my 4th time to teach the class. Hopefully I am not insane for doing this during the fall that Corey is coming.

4. I just finished a book called "Firefly Lane". It was a great read. Thanks Kristen for letting me borrow it. It is a great read that feels like a chic flick.

5. I am ready for good TV to return. I am tired of reruns and reality. Bring me back to my favorites.

6. Did I mention I am tired?Hope you are all doing well. Sorry I am behind on your blogs and catching up with you.

That time of year again....back to work

I started back to work on Monday. Baby Corey is coming a MONTH from tomorrow. Life is insane.

Those three sentences say a lot about my life and heart right now.

It was good to start back to work. I like adult interaction and routine. I know that is weird, but I really am my best self when I have outlets and a plan. I have slept better, been more productive, and been much better about not wasting time. This year is a little different for several reasons.

1. I am 8 months pregnant, which means I am hot and tired.
2. Carley is not going to go to Granny's this year. She has been at Granny's since she was a few months old. Even though we weren't related to Granny, she felt like family and there was comfort leaving her in a home. Last year we added preschool at Sugar N Spice two days a week. Overall, this was a good experience for Carley. This year Granny doesn't have a spot for Corey and I want them to be together each day for my sanity, so the Nelsons moved to a full time day care. More on this in a minute.
3. We got a really great new Superintendent. He is a great man, charismatic, energetic, and all about change. This has brought a whole new energy to our district. The hard thing is all of our jobs and descriptions are changing to some extent. Trying to figure all of that out this week has been a little crazy.
4. I have Nonstress tests for Corey twice a week an ultrasound once a week, and starting weekly appointments just to check him. So far, all is good, but, as my principal says, "We want to land my disastrous Apollo 13 pregnancy successfully". We would really appreciate prayers that these last 4 weeks are smooth. It is really stressful trying to schedule all of this around working full time and Carley.

My camera is broken so I can't post pictures, but Carley has had a GREAT week at her new place. They do the coolest stuff and the accountability is great. Here are my favorite or the funniest things about her new school.

1. There is an indoor play center at the facility that has a huge roller skating rink, ball pit, and climbing gym with slides. Carley thinks this is awesome. Twice a week they get to ride their scooters around the rink. She got a new princess scooter and loves to ride it.
2. I can log onto the Internet at anytime and see her class. I can see them on the play grounds too. It is awesome to be able to check on her.
3. They provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks. This is SO nice for me in the mornings. She has already had two servings of fruits and veggies by the time she gets home.
4. Carley's teacher is Hispanic and has taught Carley some really cool stuff. One funny thing happened the other day. She asked me if I care if she plays with Carley's hair. She loves to do little girl hair and sometimes after rest she puts the girls hair in matching pigtails/ponytails/braids/etc. I told her that was great, but Carley barely let me brush her teeth so I wasn't sure how it would go. On Wednesday I picked Carley up and her hair was in CORNROWS!!!!!!! 12 little braids and then a bun in the back. It was so funny. I will post pictures very soon. Can you imagine?
5. They are working on counting to 100, tying their shoes, and associating sounds to all their letters. Carley can do some of this already, but it is nice to see her challenged some academically. Last year at preschool the learning time was shapes, colors, and numbers to 5. It is amazing the difference in 5 day a week care.

Being a mom is hard. It doesn't matter if you work, stay home, or do part-time, it is hard. You want to make sure you are doing the best thing for your child, your family, and your sanity. Daily I am glad I work full time and daily I wish I stayed home. Daily I am glad Carley gets so many cool opportunities and daily I wish she was home in her pjs. Daily I think Cody and I have made the best decision for our family and daily I second guess myself. I do know I am doing my best and Carley is adjusting great. The only tears this week were by me. She loves her little world is able to have fun all the time, with me or away.

So here's to another year or fun, challenges, and blessings. I am glad we are all in this together.

VBS

I am way behind on blogging! Carley's first VBS was a week ago. We had so much fun learning about Paul and being a christian. It was so cool that she was old enough to go and I had fun working there. Cody and I had a Carpentry shop. The nights that he was at the station, Jennifer and my mom filled in which made it lots of fun. Carley also was able to bring her friend Elise with her which made the week more fun for her. They were really cute.

The part of VBS that cracks me up is the music. Carley loves her VBS CD and you know how funny they are. It is cool that the kids learn the music so well and it teaches them such great things. It is just funny.

The funny part was Paul talked to the kids about telling people of God's love and things like that. Carley took it to heart and randomly asks people all the time if they are Christians. I am not sure what to do about this. Here are some people she asked 1) our waitress at IHOP 2) the greeter at Walmart 3) a little girl at the swimming pool 4) my parents. I just think it is cute and sweet. I am sure some awkward moments will come from this but haven't too bad yet.

Corey's Baby Shower

On Sunday some friends threw me a baby shower for Corey. It was so sweet. I had a great time, enjoyed seeing so many friends, and loved celebrating Corey's upcoming arrival. It is hard to believe I am 6 weeks out. Everyone was so sweet and kind. My favorite part was reading the cards (which normally I barely skim). So many people wrote that they had prayed for Corey before they ever knew he was really on the way, or that he was an answer to many prayers, and other things like that. It is so true for us.

Carley and me before the shower

My hostesses: Nicole, Jenn, Barb, Kim, Michelle, me, Ashlie, Heather, and Traci

My diaper bag!

My little helpers before the shower
It was firetruck themed. Aren't the dalmatian cupcakes cute?

My sister, Alyssa, me, and My mom

lots of people brought presents for Carley too, which was super sweet
These pictures of Camryn and Carley drinking the punch are just funny.