Joseph's monkey face.

Joseph finally getting some mommy time after not being together all day.

Joseph calls his pacifier a 'fire." Christian loves this thing!!

The Day of Christian Henry

The Day of: The day came to go to Methodist and welcome this little guy into the world. It was a quiet ride to the hospital, but a comfortable one because I wasn't really in labor. The night before, I believe I slept 4 1/2 hours. I felt extremely tired, but the entire ride I was playing the entire day in my head. We arrived at 6:20 am, got settled, answered some questions and got ready. At about 8 a.m, the nurse checked me and I was only a 2. I was bummed thinking and hoping that I had made more progress on my own over the weekend. However, that morning I kept having cramping but just thought it was nerves "gas", but when they got me hooked up to the monitor it turned out to be contractions. I received the pitocin at about 8 or 9 and was making some slow progress. The nurse had done some blood work on me and did an extra test to test my platlettes because of the blood loss from the first delivery. When the test result came back, they were considered as a 'low normal.' A normal level is 150,000- 400,000...mine was 85,000. They then proceeded to tell me that because they were so low, most doctors won't do an epidural because of the clotting factor. Most doctors don't want to blindly stick a needle in a persons back and mess around the spine and potentially hit a vessel and cause bleeding. They wouldn't know that I was bleeding and I wouldn't be able to tell them anything was wrong because I would be numb. The nurse had done a great job of taking the extra test, because it was a huge factor if I had had to have a c-section. Since the platlettes were so low and I happened to have a c-section, I would have to been put under. The anastegeologist (sp?)made his way into my room and told me his concerns and the risks we were taking, then ordered another test to be done...a clotting test was then order. Between that blood work and test result, I was so emotional. I had to fight real hard to not let the water works come on. I wasn't upset that I couldn't have the epidural, I was just thinking of all the pain I was about to endure and not having planned on it. The entire time, I just prayed some scriptures over and over that I had been reading the previous weeks before. "Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the world gives, don't let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 "Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds." Phil 4:6-7. As I continued to pray and pray these scriptures an enormous amount of peace came over me. I just kept thinking this is what I was meant to do and how it was to be done. Jeff was so amazing. He kept saying he knew that I could do it, but was comfortable with me getting the epidural if the clot test came back good. I was still hesitant about getting the epidural...I didn't want something to happen and me not be here or good for my boys. I told Jeff that I didn't want to be selfish and was willing to go through this without taking a such a big risk. We just sat and waited at that point. At about 2 p.m, my nurse came in and delivered the good news. They like your blood to clot between 2-8 seconds and mine was clotted at 2.8. She then said the doctor was comfortable with doing the epidural before 3p.m.. I immediately started praising God and started thinking this was going to be a very peaceful delivery. Then I started to get a little nervous because the doctor was to be in my room before 3 to give me the epidural and they checked me around 2:30 and I was 4 cm. I thought this man better hurry because I go from 5-10 really fast. I was starting to feel a little discomfort but it was bearable. A little after 3, I got the best drug ever!! At around 4:30, I felt a little pressure and I was checked and was at 5. The nurse left the room and I looked at Jeff pretty soon after and told him to get our nurse because I felt an enormous amount of pressure again. He said, "There's no way you have done something, she just left." Finally the nursed was reached and in ten minutes I went from 5-8 cm. She paged my doctor and then it was just a waiting game. At 6:10, I was complete and ready to push. I pushed about 3 times while my doctor got ready and then at 6:15, the doctor came over and said push and he was out at 6:19. Soooooo much faster and smoother than Joseph. I got to hold Christian right away and watch them weigh him and preform all their procedures. It was just so amazing and exciting.

How is Joseph doing with all this: He really had nothing to do with him the first two times he saw him in the hospital and it wasn't until Thursday that he would touch him and kiss him. He has been really sweet towards him but has been testing his boundaries a little. I try really hard to be the one to read to him and sit on the floor and play with him as much a possible. I try to get him to help with Christian as much a possible too. Get diapers, blankets, etc. One day I went to get Joseph from his room after his nap. He said, "Grammy," and I said, "she is in the living room" and then he pointed to my belly and said, "baby?" I laughed and said, "nope, he is in the living room too." I think he still wanted him to be in my belly. He has only tried to pick him up once and I had to tuck the handles in in the Moses basket because while Christian would be in there, Joseph would run by and grad the handle and take him for a ride. My heart has broken a couple of times because he really wants me to do everything with him...go for walks, go the park, outside, so on and so on. I feel good enough to go, but I know I need to take advantage of the help and get rest right now. He cries pretty much every time if I don't go with him. Breaks my heart.

How are we sleeping: We pretty much aren't. Christian is a major night owl. Sleeps soundly during the day and catches up on everything at night...socially and eating. Lindsay H. has been so great to have right now. Her words of encouragement keep me going at night. I also just keep reminding myself that this only last for a short period of time and I won't even remember what it was like not getting more than 4 hours of rest at night.

How is the change from one to two: The transition has been pretty easy. I have been serving Joseph for two years, so I am used to being the last to sit and eat, take a shower in the evening and so on. The only hard thing right now is that I don't feel that I get any kind of down time. Hence this post, I started typing this four days ago and will either have it posted today or not. As soon as Christian is done nursing, Joseph wants to be held, play cars with me or go outside. I refuse to tell him 'later', so I try and bless him as much as I can.

37 Week Appointment

We have progress! I was 2 cm and 50% effaced today. I was glad to hear that I am making progress on my own. She asked me today which day I would prefer, Feb 2 or 3, so I said Monday, Feb 2. They will call today and then let me know on Monday if they have room on the 2 nd. I am just so excited and we are down to 10 days. I was having some contractions this week, so maybe I will keep having them and go in on my own. I am still feeling great and surprisingly have quite a bit of energy. We just continue to ask for your prayers for peace and safe delivery. Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words and support. We can't wait to introduce this little guy to you.

36 Week Appointment

Today's appointment was full of anticipation and excitement. I am only 1cm, which was somewhat of a surprise because of all the pressure and cramping I have been having. But at least it was something. She guesstimated that he is right at about 6 lbs right now and will be about 7 something at birth. My due date is supposed to be Feb. 10, but today she told me she is going to induce Feb 2 or 3 (this would put me at 39 weeks), depending on availability. I trust that she is making the right decisions here, but I am more of lets let nature takes its course. I don't want to be just 2 cm and be induced and then labor be 10 hours. I am going to be praying that I progress a little more so he will be ready on those dates. Since I had post partum hemorrhaging with Joseph, she really wants to have a controlled delivery with this baby. She told me she is going to have everything on hand to stop the bleeding and staff on hand in case there is a need of a blood transfusion. My first appointment, she assured me that everything that happened with Joseph's delivery is more common in the first and chances decrease with the second delivery. Today, she was telling that I am at risk of having hemorrhaging again, so I was a little disturbed by that. I am really asking for prayers for peace and safety for this delivery. I am ready to get this over with and have this little guy here, safe and sound.

Here are two videos: one of Joseph counting and the other one of him saying his memory verse(with a little help from me on both). Oh, if you get motion sickness easily, maybe you shouldn't watch the second video. Joseph wouldn't stand very still, so I am having to follow him with the camera.
And honestly, is my mommy voice as annoying to you guys as it is to me? uggghgg

34 1/2 weeks

Sorry for the blurry photo, but you get the gist of what I look like at 34 weeks. This pregnancy has flown by and I have felt great through this entire pregnancy. The week of Joseph's birthday and Christmas, I could tell that I was starting to slow down a little. I was worn out and felt like I didn't have any energy. Once Christmas was over, I felt great again. I guess I had just worn my self thin from preparing and getting ready for the holidays. I go in Monday and then it should be every week after that. I should have gone in this week, but since it was the holiday's, they didn't have appointments. At 36 weeks, she will be begin to check me and I will keep everyone posted on our progress. Just to give you an idea, at my 37 week appointment with Joseph, she sent me over to Methodist to monitor me because I was 4 cm and having contractions. Nothing really progressed, so I was sent home. Then at 38 weeks, she induced. I don't know if it will go the same way, but lately I have had a lot of pressure and cramping so I feel like I will go early again. I also keep having this recurring dream that I deliver at 36 weeks. So we will see.
We have a lot to do before the baby comes, but I don't know if it will all get done. We have decided to wait on painting and getting Joseph's big boy bed for a while. So for the first couple of months, the boys will share a room.
I am so ready to see this little guy. And no, we don't have a name, but here is our list:
Christian Henry
Ryan Ellis
Ethan James
William ?
Your votes are welcomed!

'She thinks my tractor's ....'

Yea!!!! Joseph rides his tractor now! He still needs a lot of work steering...he is more interested in looking at the wheel, rather than steering or looking where he is going. One day he and I were home and we went outside. I just placed the tractor in the driveway and thought he will get on when he is ready. He did just that. He hopped on and took off. For awhile, he was not at all interested in the tractor and really didn't like it when he would press the pedal. He really enjoys it now and hops on and takes off like a pro.
(Oh, on some of the videos you will hear him say 'Joseph.' That means he wants to see himself on the camera.)

Games pt.2

The 'lawnmower game' is where Joseph gets his lawnmower and starts to walk with it. Jeff then chases him down and they run really fast. Joseph absolutely loves this game and it is pretty funny to watch.
The last video is something Joseph just recently came up with. He will go to our room and shake his car and put it on the quilt box. Vroom off it goes! Joseph will do this for like 30 minutes and laugh just as hard as the time before.

Our four years...

have been amazing. We celebrated fours years on New Year's Eve. The morning started off by Jeff making a big breakfast for Joseph and I. We then attended an A&M basketball game here at Rice. We won, and just being around mostly A&M fans was a blast. After the game, we headed down town to eat at Benihana's....so yummy!! When we arrived, they didn't have any seats available around the tables (because we didn't make a reservation), but they do have general dinning, which is like a normal restaurant, the only thing is that you don't get to see the presentation. You just order from a menu and you get your food a lot faster. As we were there, Jeff remembered that it was Benihana's that we went to after he proposed during an Astro's game. It was kind of cool to think of how far we have come from that meal to this meal.
As we ate, we just talked about the highlights of each year of marriage and how quickly your life can take off once you get married.
-First Year- Seems like you argue a lot about the littlest things, however, you just enjoy being around your best friend all the time. The first year is just fun being married. Getting to cook for your husband, go do something without really having to plan, living in an apartment (just fun to experience, but would never do again.) Just being with each other all the time was such a good time.
-Second Year- We moved into our house, found out we were expecting, falling more in love with Jeff, special trips together. Having our first bundle of joy. Still a little selfish, but have accepted some of the annoying habits that your spouse can have.
-Third Year- Watching in amazement of how great a father Jeff is. Watching our baby grow into a little boy. Not as selfish and you don't seem to notice the annoying little habits anymore.
-Fourth year- Just enjoying being around the man of dreams. Continuing to watch our little boy grow; found out about baby boy number two...we just can't wait to see him! Continuing to grow stronger as a couple and as parents. I am so used to serving my family, that I forget to do things for myself...and what annoying habits, I am so used to cleaning up a little one's mess, what is another wet towel on the wooden bed post.
Jeff is the absolute, most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me and I am so blessed to have him in my life. Who knew that night I was sitting in his dorm and he walked through the door and I silently said to myself, "I need a guy like Jeff," would come true. I love this man!!