I'm offically a mom

I realize that the minute I got pregnant with Henderson that I was really a mom, but I just went through our first stomach bug with my little buddy and THAT makes me feel like a mommy.
Stephen and I had a big weekend planned. Kathy offered to keep Henderson overnight so that we could go on a date. We had also planned on going to Jacksonville today to take care of various errands that we needed to do (yes, J'ville is one of the closest good shopping places around here... about 2 hours away) I honestly can't even tell you the last time that the two of us have gotten out together when it didn't involve a preplanned "event" that we had to go to. Anyway, we ended up going over to his parents house and hanging out there a little while. I put Henderson to bed there before we left. We went to dinner and came home. We were literally getting in bed (how sad - it was a little after 1o) when I hear various phones ringing. I got up and saw it was Steve calling and I immediately went into panic mode. Henderson had thrown up. I decided we were going to get him right then. Luckily we did because even on our way out to the car to bring him home, he threw up again. It was a long night and he was sick almost every hour. He finally stopped throwing up around 6 am. He has been drinking water and even wanted a few bites of apples sauce. (So sad because he really wanted his milk and basically begged us for it.) He went back to sleep at 11 and has been sleeping ever since (it is now 1:30). I have done about 7 loads of laundry. I pretty much held my sick baby all night. I changed his clothes and mine about 5 times. I have washed my hands until they are raw and been through a can of Lysol. Yep, officially a mom!

Please say a prayer for Henderson - that he feels better and one for us - that we don't get it!

PS. Thank you Mom and Dad for the million times you got up with me when I was sick. Whew. Not fun. Now, how do we manage this with TWO babies?!?

18 Month Doctor's Visit

I took Henderson to his 18 month doctors appointment this morning. He has actually had a slight fever over the past 2 days so I was glad that this appointment was already scheduled. It turns out that he has an ear infection. This is our first one so I am glad that it didn't get too bad before the doctor saw him. He really has been acting fine - eating and playing - thank goodness!
He was due for one shot, but they are going to wait and do that one at his 2 year appointment (or they said I could just bring him with me to one of the baby's first appointments...crazy!)
He weighed 26.5 lbs (down from the last time he was there around Christmas) which put him in the 53rd percentile for weight. I can't remember how tall he is, but he is now in the 45th percentile for height (sorry, buddy - your just going to be short!) Praise God for our (overall) healthy, sweet little toddler!

Lucy Lindenbaum

On Friday, Mary Louise "Lucy" Lindenbaum was welcomed into the world! She weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz. We had made a trip to West Point this weekend so Stephen and I were able to drive up to Atlanta to see the new family on Saturday. Lucy is absolutely perfect in every way. Children are truly gifts from God and I was reminded what little miracles they are. Thank you Lord for a healthy little girl for the Lindenbaum family! Congratulations to Lauren and Mark!

Sweet Lucy

One huge bonus was that we got to see Rob!!! Great to see you Rob - we miss you!

me, Lucy, and her Mommy

Lucy and me

Lauren was looking awesome. I remember that I couldn't get out of bed and totally cut myself off from the outside world. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I am always so impressed by new moms who seem to bounce right back! (That will be me this time :)

We somehow didn't get a picture of Lucy with her daddy! Shame on us!

This was by far the quickest trip that I have ever made to Atlanta. We literally drove up to the hospital, saw the Lindenbaums for a short visit, and drove home. It is such an easy drive from West Point (just over an hour, straight up 85). Stephen still managed to practice a little of the Atlanta driving that scared me to death, but I can't complain at all. He did drive me!

Waiting on Brother

We went ahead and purchased a double stroller. We thankfully don't have hardly any new purchases to make for the new baby, but knew (well, I knew) that we would need a double stroller. I debated, read reviews, and tested a bunch of them out. The Baby Jogger City Mini Double was our ultimate pick. I really like it. It is very lightweight and folds up easy (and almost flat!) The seats recline almost flat, so it works well for a newborn. I had been combing the internet for a good deal and finally found one last week. Henderson loved it and I strolled him all over the house. He didn't want to get out of it. Stephen finally made me put it away because the TWO seats were "freaking him out!" To tell you the truth, I was a little freaked out too. This baby will be here SOON! I am almost more nervous this time than I was with the first!

A few of our favorite things

I know, I know every mother says this, but it is so hard to believe that Henderson is 18 months old now. Stephen and I have both noticed some changes as he becomes more mature and independent. He amazes me everyday with the things he learns and can do. He continues to be so busy and into everything. He really tries to imitate so many words and talks more and more. He is great and identifying things and even surprises us sometimes at things he knows.
He currently LOVES Sesame Street (not a big fan of the "Abby's Flying Fairy School" part if you are familiar with Sesame Street). Elmo is still his favorite. I have seen him become a little more interested in other things on TV (all PBS Kids stuff) like Super Why (Super Readers...? I am learning) and dare I say, Barney. I try not to let him watch too much TV, but he definitely loves it. We have noticed that he really likes playing with other kids around his age now. I have also had to deal with some snatching, pushing, etc. which I know is going to happen, but sometimes it is so embarrassing! He has started to really seem to enjoy his daycare class. He never cries anymore when he is dropped off! What a nice feeling (took long enough!) He is still the best sleeper ever. He never fights us at bedtime and sometimes he will even go in his room and point to his bed when he is ready to get in. I say prayers constantly that little Lincoln will be the same way! He, like most kids, loves being outside and it has been so limited lately do to the weather. Henderson looks at books constantly and I love reading to him. He has so many that we ready over and over. I guess some of his favorites are Knuffle Bunny, Icky Sticky Frog, and Goodnight Moon. He really likes these recordable books that my mom has given him too (where she is the one reading the story). He is really great about playing with his toys in our playroom. We have been lucky to have some real winners in the toy department. These are some of our current favs... of course there are more, but to be honest I got lazy.

I seriously don't know what we played with in the bathtub before cousin Frank gave Henderson this for Christmas. I am going to be buying some of these for birthday gifts (so if you have a child that is a friend of Henderson don't go buy one of these!)

Henderson got these for his birthday back in July from the Brown family. They are the most adorable eggs (the brand is Tomy) and Henderson has never lost interest. I can't tell you how often the tops get put on and off in a day. Don't tell Henderson, but I actually use these in a lot of my therapy sessions too. I haven't met a kid that doesn't take interest in these).
We haven't even gotten to the water part of this table yet, but if it is half the fun of the sand side then we are in for a fun spring and summer.

Loves to ride, but still can't steer! He is just so darn cute on it. Way cuter than the kid in this picture...hehehe!

This is a great alternative to getting a kitchen set. (Not that we were apposed to that, but this just takes up way less room.) We also use it indoors and out!

This is actually supposed to go on your fridge (hence the name), but since we have stainless steel this thing is housed on our washing machine. GREAT toy!

These last two are ones that we hear all.day.long! Whew! Very entertaining!

Glucose...over!

I had my glucose test today. I am glad it is over and praying for good results so that I don't have to go back and drink that stuff again. I remember with Henderson thinking it was awful and thinking I was going to throw up (which the nurse quickly told me "don't throw up or you will have to drink it again!"). This time, as I took my first sips, I was thinking to myself "this isn't bad at all." By the end of the cup, I changed my mind. Yuck! Anyway, during the hour wait, I did see my doctor. She said that all is well and I am measuring right where I should be. I asked her if I had gotten huge all of a sudden, but she said "no" and that my weight gain was right on track.
In four weeks, I will have my next ultrasound!

After the hour was up, I had my blood taken. This usually isn't a big deal for me, but oh my, this time it HURT. I think I got a newbie nurse or something. Ouch!

Shameless Plug

This is for anyone who lives in Valdosta or anyone who is interested in coming here for this event...

I am now a member of the Valdosta Jr. Service League and each new class is responsible for a project. Our class is hosting a Casino night to benefit the Haven. The Haven provides emergency shelter and services for victims of family violence and sexual assault. This is an amazing organization. They recently had a fire at their current facility and are working to build a much larger home that will serve more women and children in the area.

"Full House for the Haven" is being held on March 12 at the Valdosta Country Club. The tickets are 25 dollars per person. With your ticket you also get 2500.00 (I think) of play money. You can also buy more play money throughout the night if you need it. At the end of the night, you can use your play money to buy chances to win various prizes. There are TONS of great prizes including trips and gift certificates. There will be many different games to play including slot machines, black jack, etc.

I really think this will be a fun event (even though I am going to be HUGE at that point). It will be even better if there is a great turn out. Please contact me if you are interested in going!!! I would LOVE to sell you a ticket!

*On the home front: There is nothing new going on here. It has been pretty cold so we have spent a lot of time indoors. It rained all day today. We have been able to get together with a few of Henderson's buddies. I wish I had him on video when his friends come over to play. It is like someone has wound him up at set him loose. I seriously think he was trying to "show off" for his friend Julia today. He was bouncing off the walls. I am not kidding. He was running around and was so "busy" that he ended up in a full sweat. Other that that, my parents have just returned from a trip and I am so happy that they are home. It is so hard when I can't just pick up the phone and chat with them!! I also have my glucose test on Wednesday...yuck! Besides those things, I have nothing new to share. I just keep growing daily...