The Kate Box: August 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Multitude

I have had such a multitude of everything this week. Emotions, experiences, highs, and lows. And in the midst of it all, God has reminded me that He is not limited by time, and no circumstance I find myself in is a surprise to Him. He is sovereign, and He grants me new mercies each day. This is a collection of promises He has made, and each one spoke to me this week.

Let's start with the emotions. It's hitting me that I'm having another child, and I have just been eaten up with excitement. The moment I get to meet my son is coming soon; It's coming very soon. I get to find out if he looks like his big sister which means he will take after his mommy or if he will look like his daddy which would be so fun (and of course quite the blessing as his daddy ain't too hard on the eyes.). I get to look into his eyes and tell him about the moment I found out he was on his way. I fell to the floor in tears crying out to our Father in thanksgiving and praise. What a blessing I knew it was to get the chance to have a second child. I get to hold him and count his fingers and toes. I get to kiss him all over and swaddle him. I get to learn about him and what makes him tick. I get to introduce him to his big sister and all of his loving and doting family members and friends. These are all such incredible blessings that I am praying I get to experience in the next couple of weeks.

Another set of emotions I've been overcome with could be considered lows. I have woken up numerous times in the middle of the night wondering how the moment would go when labor begins. I think I'm realizing that I pretty much panicked when my water broke with Reese; simply put, her labor was traumatic. This time, I have a bit more to think about on top of that...I must get Reese taken care of and get to the hospital as soon as possible to get antibiotics started. I must get these things done while I'm in labor, and I had no easy moment of labor with Reese. I know very well that this time could be completely different. I may have contractions for a long time before my water even thinks about breaking, and I know that I have plenty of help being offered for the second labor begins. If I forget something at home, someone can bring it to me. If we have to take Reese with us for a little bit, we take Reese with us. If two full rounds of antibiotics aren't in before Baby arrives, they will watch him even more carefully. And again, as I stated in the beginning, God is with us. He loves my son more than I do; what more could I ask for? All that to say, I've had my fair share of anxious moments this week. However, I can tell you right now that the Lord really is answering prayers, and I'm being filled with way more joyful emotions than the opposite. Joy comes in the morning, and those middle of the night anxiety-filled awakenings are coming to a halt. I'm sleeping through the night, and I don't even have to wake up to empty my bladder. What?! Thank you, Lord.

Onto the experiences. I'm not sure that's the best word to use, but what I'm trying to say is that I've been busy. I've had a multitude of things happening this week. I have created a master to-do list, and it's awesome. It's divided into five categories. Reese's Birthday Party (next Saturday!), Baby Prep, 30 Day List (this is something we have to create for our builder/developer on our new home to come and fix any repairs we have found in our first 30 days), Grocery (of course), and Last Minute Items to Grab/Pack for Hospital. Some random things have made it onto the master sheet, but they don't fit a particular category. This weekend alone, more than half of the Baby Prep list was marked off, and what's left isn't essential. Well, except our newly cleaned car seat is now drenched with rain as we had set it out to dry before the fabulous monsoon occurred today. Oops. So, baby, please come until after it dries. Or sweet friend, please stop by the house and bring it to the hospital if we go tonight. I really think we are at least a week away from the big day, but my doctor's words this week made my eyes bug out a bit. "If you don't have the baby by next week, I'll see you on Thursday." Oh, okay. I could totally have a baby now.

This coming week will be more of the same, but I anticipate even more excitement and readiness. Reese has her 2 year check-up (I scheduled it a few weeks early!), Wes and I are going on a date, and I'm getting things ready for a party on Saturday and a baby sometime.
I'll be back soon with either pictures of a new baby, pictures of a 2nd birthday party, or the long awaited pictures of the new house that I LOVE. (BTW, It's coming along exactly the way I wanted. LOVE EVERY ROOM even though we still have lots of work left to do!) Until then...here are my new favorite pictures of Reese. I have stared at them for longer than I should admit.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

37 Weeks

Remember when I took a picture of my belly each week?

That hasn't happened in two years.

I am seriously sad that I haven't documented this pregnancy as much as Reese's, but I figure it's par for the course. I'm a bit busier, a bit more tired, and a bit more distracted. Oh, and I have something else way cuter to take pictures of than myself. Reese dances around, and I just point the camera at her. Don't get me wrong, little fella. You are PRECIOUS, but I'm hardly ever looking fancy enough to match your cuteness. This picture below? After a play date in the 95 degree heat and a crazy meltdown-infused trip to the Neighborhood Market with Big Sister, I sat down to eat my dessert when she went down for her nap, and I thought to myself I should take a picture. Wes' t-shirt and my old Gap yoga capris. Hair pulled up, no make-up. 37 weeks.

But here's a little update to go along with the picture.

I'm really feeling good but not great like I did with Reese. I was 100% comfortable with her until my water broke the day after my due date. For real. This time around I find myself tossing and turning much more at night and waking up several times with sore hips. I finally just slept on my back last night for a long stretch, and that helped. Reese LOVES babies and wants to "hold it" any time she sees a real life one. Sorry, Charlie and Rooney. She wants to hold you all the time. I'm praying this love and fascination will continue with her own baby brother. I found out the other day that I am indeed Group B Strep positive. If you were around two years ago, you may remember that Reese was born with this infection and stayed in the NICU for 12 days. I had tested negative and didn't receive antibiotics during labor, and sweet Reese arrived and delivered me the most emotional 72 hours plus of my life. We are praying against this infection and praying that I'll labor long enough to get the four hours of antibiotics in before Baby Boy arrives. I'll be talking to my doctor next week about the results and if she has any specific thoughts or recommendations.

I honestly am getting more excited about this baby boy every day. I have lots of thoughts and questions about what he will be like daily, and I trust that the Lord is keeping Him in the palm of His Hand. What a great promise.

Well, here's to 37 weeks!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Showered

Baby Boy Walker was showered last night, and I must say it was quite the wake-up call. As I opened the first gift, I looked down and saw a navy polo style outfit, and I thought it didn't look very girly for Reese. And then I remembered I'm having a baby. A baby boy. For real. A month from yesterday is my due date, and there will be two kids in this house. I got home, ate another cake ball (thanks, JB!), and then proceeded to sort the gifts because I realize I need to process this whole 2nd child thing a bit more. Wes and I pray for his heart, his health, his character, and for him to never know a day apart from Jesus. We talk about him all of the time, but it just hasn't sunk in that I'm about get to experience baby again. What an enormous blessing!

My mom and mother-in-law drove up together yesterday morning, spent the day hanging around our house, showered us with gifts and then drove back home late last night. Oh yeah, and my mom brought a fantastic home-cooked meal of grilled salmon, cheese grits, my favorite roasted vegetables, rolls, and a hot fudge pie. Needless to say, our refrigerator is full of leftovers, and we are good to go for this weekend while we try to accomplish several things on our to-do list. I think we will take a swim break a few times, too!

Thank you to everyone who has made this momma feel so loved and supported. We had another doctor's appointment this morning, and we are now waiting on the results of the GBS test. I'll be getting the antibiotics during labor regardless of the outcome due to Reese's infection when she was born, but today just took me back to her birth and first two weeks. And when Wes, Reese, and I strolled out to our cars from the hospital today, the breeze in the air felt EXACTLY like the weather during Reese's first two weeks of life--not to mention we were walking the same hospital grounds. It was crazy, and instead of being scary or nerve-wracking, it was peaceful. God was with us then, He has been with us always, and He will be with us on the day this little guy arrives. Now we just pray for a smooth, healthy, happy labor, delivery, and baby. Oh yeah, and progression on his arrival has begun. VERY slight I might add, but when I was checked today, I was at a .5 on a scale of 0-10. That's all I'll say because I just can't do details on the blog. But everything else indicated no signs of labor. I was totally fine with that news. I'm shooting for September 8th.

Entryway into the party

Food table.

Other end.

Cute little invitation there in the middle. LOVED the decor and invitation!

Momma and her food.

Morgan. Could she get any cuter?!

Just chatting and eating with some of my favorite people.

This was that outfit I mentioned. What?! That won't work for Reese. Oh yeah, I'm having a BABY BOY.

Mopsy with Morgan and Charlie.

Gran and her older girls. Reese and little guy have a pretty fun family.

For real, mom? When did you find time to make this adorable onesie?!

My little helpers.

FABULOUS friends and hostesses.

Hands down best sisters-in-law in the world.

Can't beat these friends. Seriously.

We go WAY back. And this girl is way special to me.

There aren't words to describe the character of my mom. Let's just say this was her third trip up here for ME in three weeks.

An absolutely incredible friend. Loyal as all get out, constant, faithful, and unbelievably helpful and gracious.

Four babies right here. Rooney, Charlie, and babies Martin and Walker. Doing life and motherhood alongside this friend is one of the greatest blessings.

Monday, August 6, 2012

A Beautiful Madness

It's been a week of purchases, unpacking, to-do list creations, and more, but what I think I'll remember are the visits from friends and family and the initiation of the house into what I want it to be--a place where people feel welcomed, warm, comfortable, and joyful. Where people feel the presence, grace, and love of God and can genuinely fellowship with others. Where God is glorified above all. Where the body of Christ can be experienced and where He is worshipped as our Saviour.

Last night, Reese woke up around 10, and I could tell she wasn't feeling too well. Those silly teeth again! Anyways, instead of just giving her a little medicine and rocking her for a bit, we brought her out to watch the Olympics on our new TV, and she plopped on both of us like this for a good while. I think she enjoyed the men's pommel horse finals and a few good track races. She went to bed a little after 11 without a single tear shed.

This morning, a beautiful madness entered my home. Beautiful because it was my besties from college and our kiddos. Madness because that includes four toddlers around the age of 2 and two sweet little infants. Oh, and we were all in our completely unfinished house as you can see from these pictures. Okay, but back to the beauty. It's crazy to think about where our friendships started and what our lives look like today. Three of us live here, but the other six live across the south. Whenever one comes into town, we try to get together even if it's crazy and conversations last about 5 seconds. Here is a peek into our beautiful madness that was this morning...

Some of Reese's super awesome cousins came over at the end of the party for lunch, and you can always see the love she has for Molly, Morgan, and Ty. It's pretty sweet. They love her, too.

Alrighty, I'm going to help Reese with an alphabet puzzle and then fix dinner.

I promise house pictures soon. Well, maybe I shouldn't promise. It's going to be a WHILE before everything is done, so I may do a before post and then an after for each room as it is finished. We shall see, but I will make an effort to get some pictures posted soon.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Bless This Home

(Walking out of the old house for the last time.)

I just officially cancelled our listing on ForSaleByOwner.com. That's a good feeling. We closed today on the old house, but we have been in our new house since last Friday. The move went exceptionally smooth, and the unpacking has been pleasant. I've definitely gotten my 34 week pregnancy workout each day without making it to the gym. (I'm planning on hitting Zumba tomorrow morning, and I can't wait!) We absolutely love our new home, and it's definitely that. A home. It fits us perfectly, and I love the layout and features more than I had imagined.

The unpacking and settling is quite the process being a month away from having baby #2 and having an almost 2 year old running around, but we have had some major help from family and friends. From letting us crash last Friday night at Bret and Jayme's, Jayme watching Reese multiple times, Jenny Beth and Benton bringing a fabulous meal for the guys on Saturday (and offering to do more...we just haven't assigned them another job yet!), A whole slew of guys (Bret, Riley, and 2 of my incredible high school boys) doing the big U-Haul trips, Leah helping unpack the pantry, O'Pa laying the flooring in the attic, and Mopsy coming for 2 nights to help keep me from working too much and getting through all of the random stuff that was totally overwhelming me...we are blessed. I'm sure I'm leaving out others who have helped, and I apologize. Lots of visitors have come by to say hi and offer to help, and we are so thankful.

It's going to be a longer process than usual because I'm quite slow these days, and I'm becoming more and more picky on decor and the way things are set up, but I'm fine with that. The house is totally livable, and there are minimal boxes in the house. I'll post pictures soon, but here is a sneak peek of where we went after walking out of our old house...

Wes and I are so thankful for answered prayers in having our house sold in the month of June and moving to a new house before the baby arrives. Now that Baby Boy has a room of his own, it's really hitting me that he is coming. And he's coming soon. Physically, we are getting prepared. Mentally, I have a ways to go, but part of me thinks there's not much to do in order to prepare. I could worry about how we will live our days with a toddler and an infant, I could try to plan how I will conquer the days and breastfeeding and keeping Reese entertained and growing, I could stress for lots of reasons...but God is keeping me grounded in Him, and I'm just resting. Mentally and physically. He will direct our days, and He is the one who will conquer them. He's already helping by helping me focus on the excitement of the upcoming season...baby boy, 2 year old daughter, football season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. He is good, and I pray for His continual guidance in every detail of our every day.