Merry Christmas from the elves!

Click and have a laugh!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1395095514

My Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Today we are in a downpour of rain! I was so thankful that we had gotten a carseat snuggly for Isaac! That was the best $15.00 we've ever spent. I was soaking wet by the time we made it into Aunt Chrissy's house, but Isaac was warm and dry in his carseat. Preston County Schools are getting dismissed early today - Morgantown has several roads closed because of flooding and the Cheat River in Albright looked fierce. So, I just got to Preston High as they decided officially to release the students early - that always happens. I tried to stay at Bruceton as long as possible because it is only 15 minutes from Isaac, but I knew that I would get all the way up to Kingwood before they decided. Oh well.

My husband was supposed to be doing his high-speed pursuit qualifying training today at the academy. I wonder if the rain is as bad down there?! Last night when he called he sounded very homesick - I think that it is almost making it harder to be there knowing that he is so close to the end. They have all their priveleges including TV time in the evenings and they are allowed to go to bed as early as 9:00 pm. We are so close!

Everyday is sunny, though, no matter what the weather when my little baby boy smiles! Really, he is the cutest baby in the world, really. Just ask his daddy - he'll agree with me! I now understand how parents are bias about their own children, wow! Anyway, here is a video clip of Isaac - he has smiled bigger, but I can never catch it on camera. Enjoy the sunshine!! (The video is dark, so you may want to turn off the lights in the room to help you see it better.)

Isaac is smiling!

This past weekend, my husband was talking to Isaac and he smiled his first really big smile for him - several times in a row! He has smiled before, but they were so few and far between that I wasn't convinced that they were on purpose. These smiles were so big and purposeful!! I was glad that Daddy got to be on the receiving end of the first big ones. Now, Isaac will smile when you talk to him or tickle his cheek. I have video, but I couldn't get it on my jump drive today, so I will have to post it another day.

It is a pretty day. It snowed last week enough to get us two snowdays and this week was really rainy. Today is nice. If it remains warm and if it's not raining when I get home tonight, I will take Izabel for a walk and put Isaac in the sling. Poor Izabel has been such a good pup, but I think she's definitely feeling the effects of the baby. She is no longer the center of my attention especially because Daddy isn't home. When it's just me, it is so hard to get everyone's needs met. She hasn't misbehaved, though, she just seems sad and once in a while she will start chewing on something she's not supposed to because of her repressed energy. She'll be just as happy to have 'daddy' back as the rest of us.

I have a new respect for single mothers and military mothers! At least I get my husband on the weekends, but single mothers and military mothers don't get that break. Being solely responsible for everything in the house is exhausting with a new baby! Even thinking about maybe having help putting out the trash seems like a luxury let alone someone to help with midnight feedings, bills, or house cleaning! If you know a mother doing it all on her own - take a minute and take her dinner! It is definitely one of those things (just like motherhood in general) that you really don't understand until you've actually done it!

Anyway, this weekend Daddy and I are taking Isaac to a Christmas puppet show in Deep Creek with Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Andy, and Ingrid and Rowan. This is our first outting centered around Isaac. It will be fun to do something with other moms and dads. It's like we belong to a club now - it's funny. I feel very 'at home' in this club - I love it!

News From the Academy

My husband is in the last weeks of the academy and we have officially given ourselves permission to be excited that it is almost over. We have been holding our excitement at bay so as not to make the last weeks drag on and on (you know how that works). So, he will be home for good in 2 1/2 weeks, but it sounds better when we say that after this weekend he only leaves one more time!!! We have two different counts going - my count is 2 1/2 weeks, but Brian isn't counting the last week because the only thing they will be doing down there is practicing for graduation. He says that because that week will be exciting, he's not counting it. He is not home that week, so I am counting it. Whatever, no matter how you look at it, the light at the end of the tunnel is nearing - THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Last week and thus far this week, my husband has been allowed to call me every night. They have moved into stage 4 which means that they have earned all their priveleges (coffee, soda, juice, unstructured workouts, tobacco use, and phone calls every night - there are more, but I don't know them). He only really benefits from a few of the priveleges, though, because he doesn't use tobacco, drink soda, drink caffiene, and doesn't mind working out. We both, however, are VERY thankful for the phone calls.

When I talked to him last night, he asked me to guess why yesterday was the best day of the entire academy. Erik Estrada from CHIPS spent the day at the academy! He said that he got to spend the day with the "policeman" he watched growing up. It sounded like it was a nice break from the monotony that is the academy.

He spent the day with his old friend Ponch!

Thanksgiving...A Lot to Be Thankful For!

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year! My husband was home for Wednesday through Sunday and I was off all week from school. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning Isaac and I spent up at Granny's and Grandad's farm with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and Grandad. Granny was in China this year over Thanksgiving we really missed her, but we were all very excited for her. On Thanksgiving day, we went to Aunt Chrissy's for my husband's side of the family lunch - yummy! Aunt Chrissy had the spread so beautifully arranged and we all ate until we thought we'd bust! Then Mommy, Daddy, and baby left for my side of the family dinner at Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Andy's house. Again - yummy! By the end of the day, Mommy, Daddy, and Isaac all had had too much turkey and were really ready for bed (Isaac had turkey indirectly, of course)! All in all, a wonderful Thanksgiving was had by all. Life is just so full of blessings and we are so very thankful!!


These are the boys' fall pictures - such handsome little devils! During dinner, everyone was predicting what kinds of trouble they would be getting into next year at this time. Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Andy better not eat any turkey! We'll need all the energy we can get!

What a morning...what a wonderful baby!

This morning I heard the alarm go off at the usual 5:00 am. In my sleep-deprived mind, I was sure it was only 4:00 am, so I pushed snooze - for an HOUR! I usually need the full 2 hours to complete my routine of getting the baby, the dog, and myself ready and out the door (minus the dog, she stays home :). Well, I took a shower (I have to wash my hair unless I want to scare people), did my hair and makeup, and got dressed. I rushed downstairs sure that a half an hour had elapsed. I was feeding the baby while running around like a mad woman. All the while, Isaac and Izabel were looking at me perplexed. When I checked the time, it was only 6:00 am - I had gotten ready in 10 MINUTES! I took a deep breath and sat down to feed Isaac, took Izabel out, and had time to fix my coffee. I even had time to take out the trash and I wasn't late for work! Maybe I should do this more often - I got 7 full hours of sleep!! Isaac is sleeping more at night and is more awake during the day. He eats at around 10:00 pm and sleeps until around 1:00 or 2:00 am and sleeps until 5:00 or 6:00 am. He's such a good baby - it's too bad his mother is a looney toon!

Witnessing a Little Miracle

Since I learned how to post videos, I went home last night to take some video of Isaac during his most awake time of day (7:00 pm to around 9:30 pm). As I taped him looking around, he got really relaxed and settled in for a very short rest. He was so beautiful that I decided to capture some video of him falling asleep. As he drifted off, he gave me the biggest smile! Watch the video and around the 2 minute mark, he smiles so big that you can see his dimples. His smiles are so fleeting that when you catch one, you feel as if you've witnessed a little miracle. I can't wait until he is smiling as part of interaction. I know at this point his smiles are a result of gas, but I say it is because he loves his mommy and daddy (mommies and daddies are allowed to lie to themselves about these sorts of things, right?).

I have tried to upload this video all day with no luck! It is a large file, so maybe it won't work - I hope it will, but I'll have to try it another day. Take my word for it, his smile makes your heart melt and it makes you giggle because it is such a happy smile. If this video doesn't work, don't worry. There will be a million more smiles to come!

Video!

This video was taken about 4 weeks ago, but I just figured out how to post it. He's so cute! Now that I know how to do this, there will be more video to come, so keep checking!



I know the video isn't the most exciting, but at the time it was taken, it was just exciting that he was awake. The next video will be a current one.

Isaac and Mommy Played Dress-up!

Last night, Issac and I played dress-up! Isaac was so patient as I changed his outfits, positioned him, and put his hands where I wanted them. I kept getting ideas and when I finally went to bed at 11:00 pm, I realized that I had taken over 200 pictures in one night! That's how you get the good ones! I have a very patient little boy - and very photogenic, if I do say so myself.

Mrs. Davisson, a secretary at Preston, made an adorable sweater for him!





Aunt Yvonne made Isaac a beautiful (and comfy) blanket.

Sherry, a teacher at Preston, bought him this sports sleeper and then Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob got him this plush sports blanket. Isaac is holding a ball from Landon's Library.

Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Scott got him a jungle blanket and Domonick gave him the giraffe he is holding. The camo outfit was a gift from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Roger. The other animals were gifts from our church family from the baby shower (that Isaac got to attend)!

Can you tell that Daddy's away and I have to find ways to amuse myself?

Day-By-Day, Oh Dear Lord...Help Me!

As Thanksgiving and Christmas get closer, our family gets more excited for what is just around the corner. This Christmas brings lots of blessings for us. My husband will be finished with the academy in December - thank the Lord! At the end of the fall semester, I will have my graduate studies certification in deaf and hard of hearing education pre-k through adult! And of course, we will be able to enjoy our little one together as a family at home! It's hard not to get impatient for all of the "lights at the end of the tunnel," but allowing ourselves to think about them too much makes the days drag on and on. Living in the present makes the days much more bearable, but it is truly a challenge. The lesson learned if we can live in the present, though, will build our character (that's what I'm telling myself to stay focused on today - it's really stinkin' hard!).

Daddy had Veteran's Day home from the academy, so we had a nice three-day family weekend - refreshing! We had to take Isaac to the doctor for a check-up and you'll never believe the update! Our little boy is now 19 1/2 inches long (that's 2 1/2 inches since he was born) and 7 1/2 lbs (that's 2 lbs 10 oz since he was born!)! His cheeks are getting chunkier and he is outgrowing most of his preemie clothes and is definitely in newborn diapers!

My husband is in his 11th week at the academy! 5 to go! He has a short week this week because of Veteran's Day and he is home Thrusday, Friday, Saturday, and returns Sunday next week for Thanksgiving! After that, only three weeks left! We can do this! Keep praying that the weeks go quickly for all of us! Isaac and I are so excited to go to Daddy's graduation and we will post pictures immediately following the event.

Until then, I am concentrating on living in the present - "I think I can, I think I can...)

Family Fun!

A couple of weeks ago, Isaac and I spent the day with Aunt Chrissy and Grandma and got crafty. I thought it would be nice if all the aunts, uncles and grandparents had a picture and a set of baby Isaac footprints to have. So, Aunt Chrissy, Grandma, and Mommy took advantage of naptime in order to get the footprints. Grandma watched and felt sorry for baby Isaac while Mommy and Aunt Chrissy had perhaps a little too much fun painting his little feet with black paint and pressing them onto paper. Poor Isaac has no idea what he's in for - welcome to the family little boy.

After Grandma cleaned Isaac's feet, he rested on Grandma comfy as can be. Grandmas are always a comfy place to sleep.

Trick or Treat?

For Isaac's first Halloween he dressed up like a treat. It is so fitting because Grandma Camra (Uncle Andy's mother) made him a bag for Halloween just big enough for our little treat to fit in. Thanks Pam!

He is awake for longer in the day and he likes to look around with those big eyes. Sometimes we lock eyes and it seems as though we have an entire conversation and we just "get" each other. His preemie cry has become stronger and he tells me when he's hungry. Daddy likes it that he has a temper - we'll see how much he likes it when he's old enough to talk. It is actually nice that I don't have to set my alarm clock for every three hours during the night now that he's able to tell me when he would like to eat. I can get a hour or so extra of precious sleep.

We were up at Granny's and Grandaddy's house for cousin Elijah's birthday party the other night and cousin Rowan and Isaac posed for some of the cutest pictures I've ever seen! They romp around already and seem to enjoy bopping each other in the noses and locking arms. Rowan is now close to 10 lbs - what a bruiser!

It is just going to be so fun to watch these two grow up together! We always wonder who will be the one to suggest their mischief and who will carry it out. If they follow in the footsteps of their mothers, Rowan will suggest and Isaac will willingly execute the act - and usually fall on his head.

Mommy and Daddy are enjoying each moment with this sweet little boy. Time just goes by too fast.

Update!

Our little boy is growing! As of Thursday October 26th, Isaac weighed in at 6 lbs 2 oz! His cheeks are getting chunky and are more fun to kiss now than ever. He is reaching the end of the preemie diapers and the preemie clothes are actually fitting. I now understand why everyone always told me to "put a brick on my head" when I was growing up. Every ounce gained is bitter-sweet. I'm happy to see him healthy and growing, but mama gets a hint of nausea to think of her little boy growing up. You really have no idea about so many things until you have your own - it's so true.

I head back to work on Monday October 29th. Although I am sad to have to separate myself from the little guy, I will definitely be a better mommy if I work at least part-time. I'm a little nervous about getting out the door on time and then having enough energy to make it through the day after taking all of the midnight feedings since Daddy isn't home during the week. I am forever grateful that Aunt Chrissy is going to be watching little Isaac everyday. She is always willing to help in any way so generously - Thank you, God, for such a wonderful and loving family!!!

Daddy is now in week 9 of the academy and on the downhill stretch. He dislocated his shoulder this past week in his last physically demanding training, but is on the mend. He is ready to be finished - and we all are in agreement about that! Leaving every week has not gotten any easier for any of us, but on graduation day, it will all be worth our perseverance.

So we will all keep trying our best day-by-day. Daddy on the front lines of the academy and Mommy and Isaac on the home front. "Our family doesn't quit", Daddy reminds us.

Keep us in your prayers and we'll keep you posted! We love you all!

Surprise! Isaac decided to arrive early!

Sunday 9/23/07 I sat down with a bowl full of honeydew melon and prepared to watch Desperate Housewives. I felt better after days of feeling uncomfortable and huge. My husband had just called at 6:00pm to tell me he loved me and he made it to the academy. At 8:30 pm I experienced a strange pop and realized my water broke! I called PJ and Joanne Carnes to take me to the hosptial, my mom and sister, and the academy to beg for Brian's return. They released him without incident - whew! PJ got me to Mon General safely (running red lights and yelling to oncoming motorists). I was transported to Ruby because Mon General would not deliver a baby under 35 weeks. My husband arrived in time to see me enduring active labor without drugs - yet.



Finally, I asked for an epidural when I wasn't progressing. Thank goodness I got one because only minutes later my contractions spiked and didn't come down. The baby's heart rate dropped and a team of doctors came into the room, flipped me around, and mentioned a c-section. After giving me a medicine to space out my contractions, the baby's heart rate stabilized and the c-section was cancelled. I calmed down. Then, scare #2. The team rushed in again, c-section was mentioned again, and they pumped amniotic fluid back into me to give the baby some room to get off of his cord, which was decreasing his heart rate. The baby stabilized again and the c-section was cancelled again. Then, from out of nowhere, it was time to push! I was wheeled to the O.R. in case of an emergency. I began pushing. The doctor said "The baby's sideways!" and he began yelling for anesthesia to "put me out." Anesthesia never came and I remember everything! The baby's heart rate dropped for 6 minutes and c-section was mentioned again. Finally, with the help of forceps, Isaac was in the world and whisked away to a nearby room with my husband by his side. Seconds later, I heard the most beautiful sound - a cry.


Hours after his son was born, my husband had to return to the academy. Besides childbirth, convincing himto go back to the academy was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I told him that someday Isaac would want to quit baseball and if he finished the academy, he'd be able to be an example to his son and truly be able to say "Our family doesn't quit. We finish what we begin." We can't wait to go to Daddy's graduation!


I was released on Wednesday and Isaac had to stay until Saturday, which worked out well for Daddy. He was home to drive Mommy and son home from the hospital and stay for another day.


Everyone is doing great! Isaac has gained 4 oz since he's been home making him a whopping 4lbs 14 oz! His bruises are slowly disappearing and he has begun crying to tell me he's hungry. We thank everyone who has prayed for us and helped us these past 2 weeks. We love you all and we'll keep you updated!

Getting Ready for Baby Isaac!

We are now on week 33 (and 6 days) in our waiting for baby Isaac! Mommy is feeling fine, although I am now understanding why pregnant women always seem ready to be pregnant no longer! I've just now become uncomfortable most of the time, but all-in-all I have enjoyed every minute of this journey. The nursery is coming together, but we still need the staples (mattress, stroller, car seat). I keep telling myself that we have time, but nesting has begun and it seems that time is flying. That's just my OCD kicking in - I know everyone feels this way and we're not the first ones to do this.

I'm missing my husband so much that it hurts since he is in the academy. He's in his 3rd week and he has a total of 16 weeks. That means only 13 weeks to go...:( This of course is not helping either of us be patient for anything. It is so hard for him to leave us every week (even though Isaac is still in my belly). I'm very thankful that he is able to come home every weekend, but I don't know how he will leave us after Isaac is here. Daddy is doing so much to give his little boy the best life he can by making these sacrifices now. When I married him, I knew that I would always be provided for and taken care of and this responsibility and sacrifice he's making right now is just another confirmation that I was right. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm trying to organize finances, the house, the cars, the puppy (our child with fur Izabel), and our community responsibilities. Not as much as he's doing, but with my last class in grad school and my jobs on top, I'm sleeping very well by the time I make it to bed. The biggest thing I'm trying to figure out is the logistics of getting my husband up here in time for the birth without calling him too early. He is only allowed to miss 16 hours of instruction before he is required to start over from week 1 at a later time --- NO WAY!

We have an ultrasound visit on October 1 to estimate the Isaac's size. No concerns, but I opted for the ultrasound because the numbers 9 lbs 8 oz (my husband's birthweight) and 12 lbs (my grandfather's birthweight) keep ringing in my ears. The midwife said she would make it "medically necessary" so that the insurance would pay for it if I wanted to do the ultrasound. I will probably find out that there is nothing to worry about, but what wrong with knowing that, right? My mother will be there since my husband will not be able to be and he'll see the pictures when he comes home on the weekend.

Pictures and other fun stuff will be coming soon - I promise! Love and prayers to all the family and friends who are reading this. We'll keep you posted!