Pregnancy #2 at 11 Weeks

1. My belly button already sticks out. This happened with Reese at no surprise (as I normally strut a belly button that can fully be seen instead of the typical innie), but THIS early with #2? Wow.

2. A small bump can be seen when wearing fitted shirts. And the bump grows as the hours tick by in the day. B Dub #2 is making himself/herself lots of room to grow in earlier than Reese did.

3. The tiredness is slowly diminishing. It's been my only constant symptom since about 6 or 7 weeks. I still want a daily nap, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to pregnancy.

4. I wish I was more "real" in my blog with Reese's first few months of life. Everything was just hunky dorey according to what I wrote, and I know it really wasn't. I find myself thinking of the newborn stage, go to my blog to read what it's like and see that I just wrote about her sweetness. Don't get me wrong. She was and is as sweet as pie, but she was NOT the easiest baby.

5. I think about double strollers a lot. Inline? Side-By-Side? Jogger? No jogger? I really like the Baby Jogger City Select and the Britax B-Ready right now, as well as the City Mini by BJ and a few others. Thoughts? Do I even really need a double in the beginning?

6. So, we are trying to sell our house, and Wes and I made a deal that if we are in the process of selling our home and see that there is no house on the market we like by April (our ultrasound date), we won't find out if it's a boy or girl. We would probably build a house in that case, and I'm sure that won't be finished by September. If I don't have a nursery to decorate, why find out, right?

7. I was a bit queasy this round, but that's definitely gone. I had one bout of it for about 20 minutes yesterday, but that's it.

8. I crave cheese, savory down home food, and I still eat a ton of chocolate. Same with Reese...thus, that's why I think it's a girl. And the Chinese calendar says so.

9. Wes and I can't agree on a girl name to save our lives. I LOVE my name idea, but Wes isn't too fond of it at all. Oh, and his girl names make me stick out my tongue. We think we may have a boy name, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

10. I took one belly picture the day I found out I was pregnant, and that's it. I was weekly with Reese, so I'm hoping to at least be monthly this time. I missed 2 months, but 3 is next Sunday.


And to close, I'll post the most recent real camera picture. Reese looked so cute at church yesterday, so I wanted to get some real pictures. Wes grabbed the camera before naptime, and this is what he got. She even had a sweet little bow in her hair for a few minutes, but it clearly didn't make it all the way to this point.

Happy Presidents Day! As a former history teacher, I hope you at least stop for a minute to be thankful for people willing to lead this country. It's a job I definitely would not want to do. Have a happy week!

Our Love Story

It's almost Valentine's Day, so in honor of the holiday, I'm sharing Our Love Story. One of my besties Lauren copied the idea from another blogger, and I am copying it from her. Feel free to do the same. Just copy and paste the questions at the end of the post.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

The answer is fairly self-explanatory if you look at the two pictures below. Wes and I started dating at the end of my 10th grade year and the end of his 11th. So, we have been together for a little over 11 1/2 years. 

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

Let's get a few things out there. I had definitely noticed Wes before our first meeting, and apparently he had noticed me. Wes was a major stud and was part of this group of guys who were just idols to my girlfriends and me. (Idols in a very healthy way of course.) They were great guys who loved the Lord and were also pretty easy on the eyes. Okay, so our first meeting took place at the K-Life barn at our weekly club. We were all packed in and singing some crazy song (Breakfast at Stoby's, maybe?) when all of a sudden this guy bumped into me. He stuck out his hand and said, "You must be Kate." (What?! Wes Walker knew my name?!?!) We met, and I'm pretty sure nothing happened then besides the typical transitions to a skit to slow worship songs and then to a great talk by one of the leaders. During the months to follow, we would acknowledge one another and smile. Wes' opinion of me was that I was a cute, bubbly cheerleader, and I caught his eye. A favorite story during this time period came at our high school sorority Winter Formal. My date was a good friend of mine, and Wes had come with a friend of his. You know how loud those dance floors are, right?! Well, when a song came on, Wes was nearby and came over to me. All I heard was "wanna dance?" but all that was actually said was "how are you?" Oops. We danced, and I heard the true story months later when our relationship had actually started. Without going into the longest love story ever, I'll just say that after several car rides to K-Life and lots of get togethers with friends, it became official. He asked to kiss me a few months later. We dated through the rest of high school with only a couple of hiccups and then dated through college. I am his first and only girlfriend. Wes treated me with a respect and admiration that I had not known and did not expect. I have always looked up to him, and I'm so happy to say that I still do. We have a great love story.

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

Married since 02.04.06.

4. If you are married, where did you get married? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married at Greene Chapel on the campus of Hendrix College in Conway, AR. It was a big wedding with people standing along the sides of the packed pews. The love I felt walking down the aisle was pretty amazing. 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

This makes me laugh. I read Lauren's answer to this question and just giggled. Ditto. We call each other "babe" all the time. Hey, babe! is probably the most commonly said sentence in our house. What's odd is that this did not start until after we got married, but it just seemed to happen so quickly and without even noticing it. 

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey. 

Wes is wise, thoughtful, and family-oriented. And he uses these three things incredibly well.

7. Tell us how he proposed. Or your ideal proposal?

It was his 23rd birthday, September 28th, 2005. He was living with his oldest brother and his family for the time being, and he had been at work all day. Benton, JB, and Ben were all gone to Bible study, and I was making Wes a very intricate birthday dinner. Apricot stuffed chicken and strawberry pie for dessert. We ate, we talked, we almost cut into our second pieces of pie when Wes said his office had given him a gift that he hadn't opened yet. I told him he needed to go get it, and we sat on the couch to open it. At the bottom of the bag was a box. I totally thought it was his new business cards or a pin of some sort. Well, he opened the box, and showed it to me. "I think this is for you." He got down on his knee and asked me for the best birthday present ever. I gave it to him with a resounding "yes!" Here's where the fun part came in...NO ONE knew (besides our dads). Wes had held onto the ring for over a month and no one knew it. Benton, JB, and Ben came home, and we shared it with them. We got to call parents and grandparents. We drove around Fayetteville telling all of my friends in person, and that was SO MUCH FUN. I kept reminding my friends to wish Wes a Happy Birthday, too. Great job, Wes. It was perfect for us.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? 

This is interesting. He did give me a teddy bear once back in high school, but that was a one time thing. He gives flowers for some holidays and as surprises on random days. I love that.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

A sunset dinner on the beach SOUNDS fabulous and would be wonderful, but I am a total movie and relaxing on the couch kind of girl. 

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

We LOVE to travel. I want to go back to lots of places we have visited before with just my husband and no agenda. Explore? Yes. But a million things on our must-see list? No. However, I have ALWAYS dreamed of an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora or a stroll along the beach in the Seychelles. 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

In all honesty, we haven't talked about actual plans. We have talked about how we want to celebrate the holiday as a family in general, but no specific plans for this year. I am going to guess we will play with Reese until 7, get take-out from one of our favorite restaurants, and watch a movie. Perfect night in my eyes. Having our anniversary just 10 days before, we always make that a much bigger holiday than V-Day. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

No. Just love. That's what we want this holiday to be about, and that doesn't really include gifts for us...especially the kind that you ask specifically for in advance. Although, I must say that Wes is an EXCELLENT gift giver, and I totally think gifts can symbolize love.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Team work. Work as a team, communicate like a team, love as a team, etc.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

This is from September 18th, 2010. Those hands never left my side during my crazy labor unless they went to grab ice chips for me. (Just looking back at pictures from that day makes me emotional. Especially now that we are anticipating another day like that this September. Here. We. Go.) But seriously, the love he showed me that day was unparalleled. Lauren used a picture from her twin boys' birth day as well, and I know exactly why. 

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

To Those Who are Waiting

I have some really great friends. And some of these friends write with such beauty and eloquence that I could only dream of writing myself. They put my thoughts into words without even knowing it. One of these friends is Stefanie, and yesterday, she wrote to those who are waiting. I could start to explain feelings and what was shared, but I want you to read it if you have time.
http://carryingapearl.blogspot.com/2012/02/to-those-who-are-waiting.html

Have a happy Friday and a great weekend.

Growing

It started December 29th when I woke up and figured I would take yet another pregnancy test. It came out a little hazy, so I looked to see if I had one more test. While I was waiting on the result of test #2, I sat on our bed and did a short devotional. I felt an overwhelming peace from God and totally didn't go back into the bathroom with the expectation of a positive test. Well, I looked at it, and it was the kind where it just plainly said "pregnant", and I fell to the floor in tears. I cried out to God praising Him for giving us another life to care for and prayed for health and joy for this sweet baby, along with a longing for God to reveal His Will for us in how to parent our two children. Wes was already gone to a Bible study that morning, so I had all day to think about how I wanted to tell him. Yeah, lots of extremely creative ways came to me, but I didn't have the resources to make those happen. So, I took a couple of pictures, made them our home screen on our new iPad Wes had gotten us for Christmas, and when he got home, I told him I had been playing with our new toy and to take a look. 

This is what he saw...

He saw this one, too.

We had been ready for baby #2 but really just knew it was up to God when and if that would happen. I had to take several steps to get pregnant with Reese, and we were going to discuss some of those at the end of this month. Well, clearly, we don't have to now. I had some crazy weird symptoms during January that sent me to get lots of tests done. An EKG, an abdominal ultrasound, blood work to see if I had hyperthyroidism. All came back normal, and the symptoms ended up going away on their own. We were blessed to see a heart beat a few weeks ago, and then just this Tuesday we heard it. And oh, hearing that heart beat is pretty phenomenal. However, Wes was wrangling Reese out in the waiting room and beyond, so he didn't hear it. (Next appointment Reese will be playing with her cousins at their house.) Wes and I are beyond excited and grateful for this new life, and we pray daily for health and strength for all FOUR of us. 

If you were with me this time two years ago, you may recall how we announced our pregnancy with Reese. We went to Conway right before Valentine's Day and met both sets of parents at US Pizza. We gave them special Valentines that said "Be Mine" on the front and "this September!" on the back with a picture of the ultrasound. Well, the timing is VERY similar for B-Dub #2. He/she is due September 9th, and Reese was due September 17th. (Yeah, the first picture in this post shows 8/29, but that's wrong. I have an unusual system, and without going into details, baby is actually due a week and a half later.) Anyways, we went to Conway this past weekend for our 6th anniversary, and this time Reese gave her grandparents a very special Valentine. Here it is in pictures...

This is Valentine 2010.

 Valentine 2012.

Valentine 2012.

Our little family.

Mopsy, Popsy, Reese, and B-Dub #2. (I predict GIRL.) 

 Gran, O'Pa, Reese, and B-Dub #2.

I slowly got the word out to friends and the rest of our immediate families, and after telling my high school girls last night, I let Reese show everyone a Valentine she had for them.

She's already practicing her big sister skills, and clearly, she has more work to do.

But she's getting the hang of it. 

I definitely already have some aches and pains and a little bump that were not present at this time with Reese. Plus, my outie belly button is totally wanting to pop out EARLY. Yikes. However, praise the Lord that morning sickness has stayed away again, and the only real symptom I have is tiredness. I nap when Reese naps these days, so it's all good. 
We don't take this blessing lightly, and we want nothing more than to glorify God with how we raise our children. We want our children to never know a day apart from Jesus, and we are so thankful to have friends and family around us who are and will continue to help us in this desire. Thanks for celebrating with us in the growing of our family!

What. A. Day.

What a fun and BUSY day. I haven't had a day like this in a LONG time. I was away from Reese most of the day, and I drove from Bentonville to Lowell to Bella Vista to Rogers to Bella Vista to Bentonville to Rogers and back to Bentonville. That never happens during my stay-at-home days. We go places, but we don't put that many miles on the car each day. 

The day started with my Beth Moore Bible study at Fellowship. Reese played with friends and learned about god's love for her while I studied and listened to the life of David. I took Reese to one of my DEAREST friend's house for Reese to nap and play for the afternoon with Kari, Sarah, and Caroline. That deserves a post in itself. I got pictures while I was away of Reese playing and riding around in SJ's toy cars. Oh, and I watched a video once I picked her up of cheerios being dumped EVERYWHERE by my little sweetie. Sorry, Kari. Anyways, while Reese was there, I was off to RHS Color Day assembly to see two of my cell group girls on court. They were both STUNNING, and I am so proud of them. SO PROUD. I hustled over to my old school after that to help throw a baby shower for an old classmate and old co-worker. I loved getting to catch up with everyone and celebrating the upcoming arrival of Miss Audrey. Then it was back to pick up Reese, go by the house to let Emmett out of the crate (oops. He had been in there since 8:30), and then Reese and I headed to the basketball game. We stayed for almost an hour, and of course Reese started hamming it up when she saw her favorite girls (my cell group girls, her babysitters, and the cheerleaders who also happen to have really fun, sparkly poms), but it had been a long day, and it was time for home. And bed. 

Like I said, days like these don't happen, so I want to document them when they do. I loved the busy-ness, but it made me really appreciate and love the laid back time I have with Reese on a daily basis. 

Happy Tuesday night to everyone.

Sydney, Alex, Me, and Frankie. We love our girls. 

 Oh, Brenna. LOVE that girl.

Pretty baby shower. 

The mom-to-be brought her own board of her nursery in progress. LOVE it! 

 And back to RHS with this little one in tow.

She kept her eyes on the court. Go Mounties.

Ready to Par-Tay!

This afternoon is going to be one heck of a party. FOUR Walker birthdays have occurred in the last 21 days, and it's now time to celebrate. Cousin Ty turned ONE, Cousin Marion turned ONE, Cousin Molly turned EIGHT, and Aunt Jayme gained a year but doesn't look a day over 21. 

After Reese had her messy breakfast, I went to get her dressed for the day. O'Pa brought her this dress from one of his mission trips to Nicaragua, and I've been dying for her to have the chance to wear it. Today is the day, and of course we had a little photo shoot to document it. We are ready to Par-Tay! (After a nice, long afternoon nap)

Don't Forget

THINGS I DON'T WANT TO FORGET ABOUT MY 16 MONTH OLD:
1. Reese went 16 months without any teeth, and now she has gotten 8 within two weeks.
2. Forget the normal order of teething patterns...Reese is more interested in getting her top teeth than the bottom ones. Only the tips of the bottom two are poking through, but SIX have broken through on the top.
3. She LOVES books. All day she walks over to her book box, brings me one, asks to sit in my lap, and then we read. Repeat.
4. She has just started the leg grab. Holds on to my leg and pats it. I love it.
5. Morning nap is gone and in its place is now "rest" time. She gets all suited up like it's time for a nap, but I put a few books in her crib so she has something to do if she doesn't want to sleep. This morning, she has been horizontal for a good period of time, but then she sits up, reads, stares, talks, and then rolls around for a bit. It only lasts 30-45 minutes on a normal day, but it's great...and I hope to transition it to room time at some point.
6. Reese has decided she does not like her stroller or car seat right now, and I'm not sure why. Maybe she just wants to walk around or something, but strolls don't last long, and mega screams can be heard after about 5 minutes in the car.
7. She weighs 24 pounds 10 ounces.
8. Sweet Girl points to her ears or feet when I ask her where something on her body is. She will get it figured out soon. She knows animals and different objects and can point to them in books, but body parts are a bit more complicated.
9. Peek-A-Boo and Pat-A-Cake are her favorite games.
10. Oh, and she LOVES clapping for herself.
11. She totally likes church nursery and gym child care now. She walks right in and finds big kids to play with or toys to explore.
12. Reese has started helping pick up toys. It's definitely a long learning process, but we have begun it, and it's going well.

Needless to say, I'm more in love with my girl than ever. She's getting curls and personality to go right along with them. Oh, I just love her. I'm going to get her from "rest" time. Nope, I just looked at the monitor, and she fell asleep after being in there for 50 minutes. Hmmm...let her sleep or get her up so she will nap this afternoon? Let her sleep for just a little bit, right?