Bet you would have never guessed this news (At least for a couple months)

I have been holding off until it was confirmed by a doctor, but it is now official.  Baby #2 will be here in November.  We are very happy.  I am so excited to see LP's interaction with her new baby sibling.  For those of you that knew me during my last pregnancy, it wasn't very pretty.  I have decided that my body completely rejects being pregnant.  My body protests for the entire 40 weeks in one way or another.  I pray that this time will be different.  Although I have to say that it's not looking so promising.  I threw up in the bathroom at work twice last week and on my way to work one day, I had to pull over in a parking lot and vomit (my condolences to anyone I might know that works at the insurance company whose parking lot I tossed my cookies that morning).  Nausea has pretty much moved in and decided to hang around.  This really sucks.  I told myself that I was really going to try to enjoy this pregnancy because I have so many friends who really seemed to enjoy being pregnant and I had convinced myself that maybe I was just being a sissy the first time around.  The farther you get away from something, the more fuzzy the memories become. 

Nope, I wasn't being a sissy, this really sucks.  I pretty much feel like I have the flu all the time.  I have the nausea sweats all day long.  Last pregnancy, I got carpal tunnel and had to deal with that for the last 3 months.  There were also some weird things that happened to my body that are too personal to mention on this forum, but you get the picture.  Not to mention the fact that I swelled to the size of a small spaceship towards the end.  I do believe that God creating a life inside a person is a beautiful thing, however, the beauty is lost on me while I am experiencing it. 

All complaining aside, I am so grateful to be pregnant again, even if my body hates me for it.  Chris and I are both scared to have a second child.  Will the new baby be a tiny cyclone of energy like LP?  Can we handle 2 LPs?  I am banking on the fact that everyone tells me that their children are all different.  I just pray for a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy, even if I give birth to another Tracy tornado. 

Here is a 3D pic of our little peanut. 

Don't worry, baby #2 doesnt really have 4 arms, doctor assured me of that. :)

XOXO
pregnant Stacey (This Stacey is much different and quite irritable)

city dollar city

We went on a family trip this weekend to Silver Dollar City.  It was a great time.  I could have done without all of LP's tantrums, but overall it was a fun trip.  When describing my weekend to one of my friends and mentioning that I lost count of how many spankings LP received, she told me that strong-willed kids become leaders if they survive their childhood.  I have to say that this statement will be etched in my memory the next time I find myself counting to 10 when she is being naughty.  LP is so funny though because she is just as sweet as she is stubborn, so you only stay angry at her for a short time before she does something that melts your heart.  She kept saying we were going to City Dollar City to ride rides.  I love this girl.  Here are pics.

cousins :)

LP and her papa

Caylen and LP being daredevils

XOXO
Stacey

outside sleeping and other things

Leighton asked Chris if they could sleep outside tonight.  I'll let you guess his answer.  My husband would sleep outside every night if I would let him, so they are outside in the back yard as we speak.  I'm interested to know what is going on out there.  I imagine not much sleeping is going on.  She has already come inside once and told me that she can't close her eyes because she has to pee pee.  I love 2 year old logic. 

We spent the day at my mother and father in law's house today for Chris' Grandma's birthday party.  Enjoy the pics from the day:

It was very windy  lol

love this one

precious

she's a climber

And my favorite photo of the day:

Yikes! :)



XOXO
Stacey

A day of tests

We had to take LP to have some tests run at St. Francis on Friday because of her seizures.  I wanted to share a few stories from the day.  She was so brave and such a good girl.  I was very shocked considering her orneriness.  As we sat in the waiting area, an African American lab tech walked in and waved at Leighton.  Leighton waved back and the lady walked closer.  Leighton said, "You're black." 

I wanted to shrivel up in a ball and die.  I was so embarrassed.  The entire waiting room full of people died laughing.  The lab tech was so sweet and said, "It was just an observation, she's very smart."  I wanted to apologize and explain why my two year old is not politically correct, but I realized the ridiculousness of this.  Of course it was an observation.  A funny observation in our world of hyper sensitivity to this sort of thing.  However, it was a good observation, and I am grateful that the lab-tech understood this.  She even went back to get some of her friends to show them Leighton because she thought it was the funniest thing ever.  I have a feeling that this is the first of many embarrassing moments that I will experience raising this girl.

The first test LP had to endure was a test of her kidneys which required a catheter.  Ugh.  Leighton calls her private parts her "lady" (I know this is funny, but my mom called it this when I was growing up, so I thought I would continue the tradition.  Chris thinks this is the funniest name ever, but I digress)  Once the test was over, LP looked up at the tech with a very serious face and said, "You hurt my lady."  :) 

During the EEG they had to wrap LP up like a burrito in order to keep her from pulling the sensors off of her head.  She whined a little while they put on the sensors because she said they were cold.  At one point, since her arms were restrained, she said, "Mommy, you have to wipe my tears off." 
My heart melted.  I love her so much. 

my brave little girl

XOXO

Stacey

busy and sugaring

I have not updated in a while because LP has been sick.  She is doing much better.  When she had a fever, she would start shivering and say, "Mommy and daddy, I'm cold, I'm sugaring."  Of course, we laugh when she says it, but sugaring is our new word for shivering.  It's funny how a little person can change your whole vocabulary.  A few days ago, she was spinning around in the living room and fell on the ground because she was dizzy.  She said, "I'm so busy."  She brings so much laughter into our lives.  I am so grateful for her. 

She can be so sweet, and immediately turn into a hell spawn in the course of a few seconds.  Although this drives me crazy, I adore her personality.  I hope that her persistence and stubborness will help her to do fantastic things with her life.  Right now though, I just want to make it across town without her climbing out of her carseat or make it through the grocery store without her throwing a tantrum.  I don't think this is too much to ask.  She doesn't understand when I tell her that mommy WILL get arrested if she doesn't stay in her carseat.  She doesn't respond to bribes in these moments either.  Believe me, I have tried.  I am just trying to suck up every moment of her being a baby, but at the same time I cannot wait until this time passes.  I have actually felt this way since her birth.  Since she cried constantly for about 12 weeks, (Chris says it was her whole first year, but I must have blocked it out)  I have been trying to savor the sweetness of her being a toddler while hoping that whatever phase she is in will pass at the same time.  It's weird really, and maybe normal too.  Regardless, it is hard to parent, and whatever feelings I have at this moment about it will probably change tomorrow.  I did start reading a book that my friend told me about.  It's called "Boundaries with Kids" by Cloud and Townsend.  I have read some of the Boundaries series for adults, but had no idea they made a book for parents.  It is fantastic so far-especially if your kid is strong willed and persistent.  Here is the link in case anyone is interested:   http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Healthy-Choices-Children/dp/0310243157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299717056&sr=8-1
   
P.S.  Is it normal for a 2 year old to sneak things in the basket at the store already?  This question is rhetorical of course. :)  I told LP she couldnt get bubble tape and it mysteriously was in my grocery bag when I got home.  Little stinker. 

Yes, I did it, I snuck the bubble tape.



She likes to close her eyes while swinging, it must feel good. 



Happy Birthday Aunt Sarah!  Here is your present.





love this girl



XOXO

Stacey