Pity Party

Do you ever have days where you think if one more thing goes wrong, you might just crawl under a rock and never come back out? Yeah, well, today is one of those days. I would seriously depress everyone if I went into ALL that is not right around these parts, but let me just say in the way of a prayer request that my dad and step-dad are both in the hospital right now. My step-dad is having some bleeding in his stomach and we're not yet sure what's causing it. He's not well at all. My dad totaled his semi truck yesterday and is in a hospital somewhere in Kentucky. I found these things out within two hours of each other today. Not a good way to start a day.

Here's a picture update for everyone.

This is Poppy meeting Porter for the first time. He thought Porter was pretty cool.




Rachel and Tanner decided to play in the leaves that Daddy raked up. They had a ball!!!




Rachel loves holding her brother! He really enjoys watching her and listening to her.



Rachel had her first dance recital at church last night. It was so stinking precious seeing all those girls dancing for Jesus!! It was enough to bring a tear to your eye. Rachel has rhythm, too, let me just tell you! She may not stick with ballet, but that little toot will be able to dance!



This is my little poser after the recital. We didn't bring any flowers with us for her since it was just a mini recital, but our friend Peggy had some that she shared with Rachel. That was so precious of her to do that and as you can tell, Rachel loved her flowers very much. About as much as she loves posing for the camera.

Wisdom Beyond His Years

I just got an email today with this on there. I thought it was so precious that I just had to share.

http://www.valenciahills.com/Logan

Bachelor Prediction

After watching the previews for next week's Bachelor, my prediction is that our bachelor is going to choose Deanna. The reason for this prediction is simply based on the sun. Not like astrologically or anything. When Jenni is with Brad, it's pretty sunny. It looks like late afternoon. When he's with Deanna, either a big ol' cloud cover has come up or it's later in the day, closer to sunset. Given those details and the past history of the show, he usually says goodbye to the first girl earlier in the day and then "proposes" to the next girl later in the evening. So based on that 2 second little clip, I'm going to go ahead and have to say it'll be Deanna. Based on the entire season and who my preference would be, I'd say Jenni. I like her. I think she's cute and I think she and Brad have good chemistry. But the sun's not showing it in the clip for next week's show.

Things That Are Frustrating

Today Rachel, Porter, and I went to Sam's. I got the few items I needed and as is our usual treat, we went over to the snack bar to get a pretzel. I started to check out after telling the clerk what we wanted only to discover I did not have my wallet! I had no cash. I had no debit card. I had no license. No nothing. Thankfully I had another checkbook from a different account floating about in my purse, so I had that to at least pay for my food, but then the dude had to go ahead and ask me for my ID, which was in my wallet at home. I have no idea what my license number is. I know my social, but since they changed all that and gave me a different number for my license, I have never memorized the darn thing. I tried calling my husband about a hundred times in a row to get his license number so I could at least have that to get checked out, but I couldn't reach him. The clerk went ahead and used my social and I was able to get through the checkout and get my beloved pretzels. Then I realized I couldn't check out with my other items because I didn't have my membership card. It, along with my money and license and everything else, was in my wallet at home. They issued me a temporary card so I could at least take home the items I came for. I got out to the parking lot and my poor husband called me back nearly in a panic because he'd seen the hundred missed calls from me and of course he was thinking the worst. No, we weren't in wreck or anything, I just didn't have my wallet. UGH!!! Man, that was so frustrating!!! I feel like I'm loosing my mind these days!!!

Another thing that's frustrating is the amount of leg hair I currently have. When I was pregnant, the stuff barely grew. Now that I have my son, apparently all the leg hair banded together and decided to make up for lost growth. And finding the time to take a lengthy enough shower to actually shave my legs is a complete joke.

The fact that we still have 3 of the 9 puppies left in our sunroom is a good thing because we've sold so many, but frustrating because we still have 2 to sell. One of the ones we have has been spoken for, but we're having to house him, which means we're still having to feed him, water him, and clean up his poop - along with the poop of the other two. I feel sorry for them because it's all I can do to take care of the bigger ones that are already house trained. At least they get to come inside for a while and get what little affection I can spare for them. The poor puppies need to go to their new homes ASAP so they can get the attention they deserve. If anyone knows of someone that would like a boxer puppy, please let me know!! No reasonable offer will be refused at this point.

I'm frustrated that I still have a big ol' belly even though my baby is no longer in it. I can't actually button a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans to save my life. I mean, maybe I could get them buttoned, but then I enjoy breathing a little too much to actually keep them buttoned.

A consolation to all this frustration is that today, my son is smiling!! As soon as I can actually capture that on the camera, I'll be sharing. It's the cutest thing!! He really is a doll. I mean, a lot of people say their kids are cute, but my kid really is cute!

Oh, and I'd like a maid...... for free. If anyone knows of someone that just loves to clean houses for the heck of it, send them my way. I'd be glad to bless them with a dirty house that I have no desire to clean because watching my baby is WAY more satisfying than cleaning!!

Halloween Fun

This was when I first put on Porter's Halloween outfit. He was none too happy about it. I think he maybe doesn't like orange? He might have thought he looked a bit too much like a Tennessee Volunteer or something. Next time I'll know better - the boy needs to be in PURPLE!!! (or red for the Hogs)


This was just before we went out doing our Trick-or-Treat thing in our neighborhood. He slept the whole way...... and then decided it would be oh so cool for him to be wide awake from 4am-6am. Darn that candy!!


Katie was a bumble bee and Rachel was a lady bug again this year. Her costume from last year still fit and she was cool with wearing it again and Mommy's budget was oh so happy. :)


Yeah, she knows she's cute. Little stinker.

More Pics of Porter

Here are a few new pics of Porter.

This is one proud Daddy, I have to say. I don't know if I've ever loved my husband more than the night that I gave birth to our son. It was certainly one of the most special moments of our lives. He was so wonderful to me during the whole labor and delivery process. I couldn't have asked for a better partner than him. I love you, Baby!!



This is Charlene, my nurse. And can I just tell you that I was super blessed that she was there. She was great at her job and on top of that, she made us laugh. And if y'all have ever seen Grey's Anatomy....... here you have Dr. Bailey in the flesh!! She was awesome!



This is one of my favorite pictures. Rachel was really excited to finally see her little brother. It was really awesome to watch her experience this along with us. She was glad that Porter "came out of my belly" too. :)


This is my little man just a day or two ago. He'd just eaten and was ready for a long nap. I just can't help kissing those sweet cheeks! He's just amazing.

He's Here!!!!!!

Porter Allen arrived on Friday, October 12 at 11:07pm. He weighed in at 8lbs. 13oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long.

We went into the hospital on Thursday night and started some meds to get labor started. I took my first dose of medication at 10:30pm and labored through the night with contractions really getting going around 5am or so. By 7:00am, I was more than ready for my epidural! All I have to say is "Thank you, Jesus for anesthesia"!!! Once I was totally numb from the belly down, I have to say, I was more comfortable than I had been in WEEKS!! Of course, getting the epidural apparently was enough for Porter to say, "Hmmm..... I think I'll hang out in here a bit longer." I labored all day without much change. Then about 9-10pm, something happened when they upped the pitocin and I started feeling contractions again. NOT GOOD!!! So, while I breathed through some pain that was not nice, I guess Porter decided it was about time to come out. By the time they got some more meds for Mommy, I was about ready to deliver. They called in the nurse, the nurse called in the doctor, and after about 10 minutes of pushing and some of the most uncomfortableness (is that a word?) I've EVER felt in my life, Porter Allen was born. Seeing him and knowing that he and I were healthy and everything went well made every bit of pain and every minute of being uncomfortable totally worth it. He is the most beautiful boy I've ever seen and I'm falling more in love with him every minute.

Rachel got to meet him on Saturday morning and she was so excited to see her new baby brother. She hasn't acted too terribly jealous yet and is always eager and ready to hold him and to help Mommy or Daddy with anything we need for Porter.

Tanner was such a huge help on Saturday while she was with us at the hospital. She was totally taking care of me and right there to help with anything Porter needed. She loves her new baby brother and is going to be an AWESOME big sister to him! She wasn't sure how much fun a little brother would be compared to having a little sister, but I think she's decided Porter is pretty cool and that a little brother is going to be just great. :)

As for me and Daddy, we are very tired, but so very grateful that Porter is here and that he and I are doing well. He is such a wonderful addition to our family and we couldn't be happier. We are so blessed!!!

Friday is the day!

We go into the hospital on Thursday night to start on some medication and then will start Pitocin on Friday morning to get this little kid out of me. Apparently, my body does not want to let go of my babies without medical intervention. At least this time we're not 3 weeks past the due date like we were with Rachel. I don't know if I could take it. Thank goodness for sane doctors!!

So, this will likely be my last post before the big arrival of our baby boy. Look for pictures on my next post........ whenever that may be. :)

40 Weeks and No Baby

40 weeks as of today. That's should be it, right? Not for this mama. No, apparently my children do NOT know how to come on time or early. I did go to the doctor today and at the most, I do only just have one more week to wait. If my little linebacker doesn't decide to come on his own between now and then, we'll check into the hospital either Thursday night or Friday morning and begin this process called birth. I'm just ready. I'm tired and ready to get this little guy out. Not that I won't be tired when he gets here, but at least I'll have my baby OUT OF MY BELLY!!!!!!!

New Puppy Blog

Check out our new puppy blog at http://langhamboxerbabies.blogspot.com/.

We thought we'd start a place online that everyone could visit to keep up with the puppies.

Bellies

Whose belly is bigger?

Me at 38+weeks pregnant.....

Or my dear husband..... at..... well......

Questions

I hate to title this blog "Dumb Questions", but really, that's kinda what I'm thinking.

Ok, I'm 2 weeks away from my due date. Since we've found out that this little bundle is a boy and have been sharing the news, some people upon hearing the fact that this baby is of the male gender ask, "Are you excited?!" Even if they just had found out I was pregnant, they could still ask "Are you excited?" Seriously? What other answer do they expect besides yes? I would just once like to say, "No, we're not excited. In fact, we're pretty pissed." I mean, come on. Of course we're excited. And the other question is "Are you ready to have the baby?" To which I sometimes wish I could answer, "No actually. This is quite comfortable being the size of a cow and having my insides kicked to pieces. I think I'd like to stay this way for the rest of my life."

And just in case anyone is interested, the new season premiers start next week and at the top of my list on Monday is Dancing With the Stars and of course, the Bachelor. And Lord help us....... this new Bachelor is a sight to behold!

Hot!!

I'm hot. I'm just saying. It needs to hurry up and be about 60 degrees or I need to have this kid. I don't care which one comes first, but one of them needs to happen in a hurry because I'm sweating just sitting here!!!

Two more weeks (and 2 days) until my due date. Anyone have any sure fire tips to get this kid out?

10 Little Bundles of Joy

Copper had 10 puppies in the wee hours of this morning. She birthed 11 total, but one wasn't too lucky. However, we still have 10 beautiful boxer babies at our house. And human mama is worn out!! I am off to take a nap now. Just wanted to share our good news. :)

6 Weeks To Go

It's now 6 weeks until this little linebacker is due. I swear, I feel like he's a prisoner who's trying to dig a hole to escape out of my belly. Either that or he's practicing being an offensive or defensive linebacker. We don't have a kicker or a soccer player in here, folks. Oh no. We have a big ol boy pushing away at the inside of my stomach. He's already in training. We went to the doctor today and all is well. My weight gain is doing ok. I could cut back on the sugary products that I ingest, but where would the fun be in that? My blood pressure and measurements are all well. They say my belly is growing right on target, but I think they might be just telling me that to be nice. We all know I'm an absolute cow. Or I've swallowed a pumpkin...... because seriously, my belly is about that size. It used to be the size of a basketball. We passed that a while back.

Our dog, Copper is expecting puppies any day. Yes, we are crazy. Let's just clear that up right now. But, crazy though we may be, puppies are on the way. I do feel sorry for Copper, though. I only have one rambunctious little dude to contend with. We don't yet know how many Copper has. It feels like an army in there! And she has to deal with them moving all over the place. I know she's miserable as well and won't we be glad when we can have our bodies back? Oh yeah.

Last night, I had Mike take a picture of me and Copper. In this one, you can see how big her belly is. I'm sort of hidden. All the better. I may take another picture of the belly so you can appreciate just how huge we're talking here.

Once the puppies are born, I'll post pictures. They will be for sale, so anyone wanting an AKC registered Boxer, let me know. They will be available about 7-8 weeks from the time their born (which like I said is any day). The actual human baby will be here by then so we'll for sure be ready to let them all go to a new home!!

Third Trimester

I'm starting my third trimester today and it really hit me - I'm going to have a baby really soon! I'm in a little bit of a panic mode now. Not that I haven't had a growing belly for months now, but all the sudden it's getting toward the end and I'm freaking out a bit. I don't have much to worry about with the baby being in my belly now, but when he actually gets here, oh my goodness. AAHHHH!!!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Grandpa and Rachel dancing at a recent wedding we went to in Kansas. My kids have one of the coolest grandpas ever!



And here is Rachel with who she thought was "The White Cinderella", which was really our new niece, Amber. Rachel gasped when she saw her walking down the isle and said, "Mama! It's Cinderella!!" Then during the reception, Rachel was seiously star struck when she saw the White Cinderella again and still when she sees this picture, she tells me that she got to dance with Cinderella. I think it made Amber's day to have someone so seriously buy in to the fairy tale that all brides dream of.


And here is a picture of Daddy and Mommy (great with child). I'm not quite sure who it is that's pointing in the corner of the picture nor do I know for sure what they are pointing at. You would assume that it's my monster of a belly, but who knows.


I'll post more later and update a bit more. For now, this should keep those family members of mine pleased for a little while.

It's a ...........!!!!!!!!

Boy!!! I'm still in shock with the news we just found out this morning! Within minutes, the ultrasound tech said "it's a boy!" and I know I did a double take at her, amazed that she knew so quickly. I was expecting some sort of wait or build up or something. No. She just came right out with it. I just started crying and said, "Are you serious?! Are you sure?" Oh, she was sure, alright. It was quite obvious that this little guy had the stuff! Now, what on God's green earth are we going to name this kid? That is the question. And Lord knows I don't have one stitch of boy clothing, so it'll be time for shopping for sure! Holy cow. What in the world am I going to do with a boy?!

"Why" is her new favorite word

With one simple statement coming out of my mouth, it can lead to 20 “Why?” questions from my daughter.

A conversation I just had with Rachel:
“Who was that?”
“It was Daddy.”
“Oh Daddy! What’s he doing?”
“He’s working.”
“Why’s he working?”
“Because.”
“Why because?”
“Because his boss says he has to be there from 8 o’clock to 5 o’clock.”
“From 5 o’clock to 8 o’clock?! Why?”
“Because that’s just how it is.”
“But why?”

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does this question just automatically hit when a child turns three?! If only I had a dollar for every time the word why has come out of that child’s mouth, I would be a stinkin’ millionaire already!!!

And just as I'm finishing this post, Rachel calls from the stool “Why’s he at work? Why? Why? WHYYYYYY?!” Oh my LORD!!!!!!!!!!

I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but as we all know, life gets busy. And even as I type this, there is a pile of laundry screaming at me to be folded and I'm having to ignore it long enough to get this online so my dad will stop hounding me. :)

Here is a picture from our recent trip to Disney World. We had an absolute blast!! All of us are anxiously awaiting the time when we can go back for what will be our family's third trip. I would go at least once a year if finances would allow. If I had all the money in the world to go anywhere in the world, I think I'd still pick Disney. No matter how old you are, the magic is still there. This is one of my favorite pictures of Rachel as she was on the carousel. As you can tell, she was having fun.



Some more exciting news from our casa is that we're expecting again in October. I'm in the deep throws of the "morning-noon-and-night" sickness, but am not complaining. Because I know, as my husband would say, the baby is still percolating. We're hoping for a boy, but if it's a girl, I'll get to use all Rachel's stuff again, which will be nice. If it's a boy - well....... it'll be either time to shop or time for showers.

I'm feeling the need to purge my house as well. I need to get rid of all the unnecessary stuff. We are already planning for a garage sale in the next few weeks and hopefully will be able to get rid of a lot of our junk and I'm sure someone else may think it's treasure.

Having said that, as I have today off, I'm going to first fold all my laundry and then continue (or actually really begin) the purge process..... starting with my closet.