Thursday, May 5, 2011
Maternity Pictures- Sneak Peak
A couple of weeks ago I had maternity pictures done by the amazing Amanda Chapman. I was so hesitant to even schedule them let alone shoot but I was told by other moms who hadn't made any that I would one day wish I had them. In the past when I was alone in front of a camera it was for professional modeling pictures and I was super tiny. I know, I know I'm carrying a child I'm not supposed to be thin right now...which is fine but I had no clue what angles to "work" when all the edges are round lol. I sort of held my breath and just went with it. Surprisingly, a good three years later I still felt very comfortable even in this condition. I'll be honest much of this was due to having an incredible photographer. She's such an artist with a superior eye for what she's shooting and I DO NOT hand out compliments to photographers unless its very much deserved. I've worked with enough to know and she is truly second to none. I've only seen a handful from our shoot so far but I thought I'd go ahead and share them. I'll be sure to share the remaining once she gets them to me!
Annual Mother/Daughter Banquet 2011
I always look forward to May because our church has its annual Mother Daughter Banquet. Even though all the ladies in my family usually have a hilarously good time, I really wish it was just a "Mother's Banquet" like other facilities celebrate. Some Mommies have SONS that don't want to be left out you know :) I have carried Kal-el for the past two years regardless, mainly because of Chris's work schedule. No one ever seems to mind. Super is lots of fun and generates tons of laughter. This year was a 50's theme. Everything was so adorable. The only thing missing was the fact that Aunt Vicki was sick this year and couldn't make it. It really wasn't the same without all of our family present. I also hate that I didn't get more pictures of Mom and I or her and Kal-el. I guess we were so busy trying to keep an eye on little man that we left some shots out. We still had a great time! Don't know what I'll do when I have TWO sweet little men running around..guess we'll just have to keep going anyway..maybe I'll stick some bows on them lol ;)
The yummy spread..complete with a twist and shout carved watermelon :)
Kal-el and Nannie during the service
Kal-el & Mommy
He loves watching girls put on makeup..he sees alot of that around here :)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
33 Week Check Up
Yesterday was a pretty busy day! I had my 33 week appointment with Dr. Musgrove to check on baby Logan as well as the Mother/Daughter banquet at our church that evening. I'm happy to report that everything looked great with Logan once again. His little heartbeat was 155 and he's really kicked it up a notch in the growth department. Dr. Musgrove told me once again that he will at LEAST be the same size as Kal-el noting that he had grown noticeably since my last appointment. I don't see how I will carry a 9 lb baby! For starters even with Kal-el being nearly 8.5 lbs I still managed to avoid stretch marks last time around and my tummy managed to go back to normal. If you SAW me last time I'm sure thats shocking...trust me it was to me to lol :) But thats just the cosmetic side of things. That much baby will totally and completely wear me out at the end of this journey. Not to mention the fact that he already feels HUGE and I have a little over a month to go. I always refer to him as "little Logan" I guess because he's the youngest but I suppose thats as big of an oxymoron as naming a Saint Bernard "Tiny" :) My blood pressure still looks good which is always a concern because of how it came up during my first pregnancy. My pressure is currently hanging out at the high end of normal. I still consider this a blessing because I was already on meds by this time carrying Kal-el. Dr. Musgrove is super through so he wants to start seeing me every week now just so he can monitor it closely for preventative measures. This extra precaution really puts my mind at ease! I'm so glad I chose him as my OB after Dr. Wakefield retired. I've really been happy with him. We are still looking at mid June for the arrival of baby Logan. We are getting so excited and I'm getting sooo ready! I look forward to our 4D ultrasound. Can't wait to share those pictures as well as my maternity pics in the upcoming week!
Baby Logan is roughly the size of a cantalope!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Importance of Giving Back....
As I mentioned in a previous post areas very near to our town were destroyed by the April 27th record breaking F4 tornado. This storm is now considered the second deadliest our nation has ever endured. The previous storm system that took only a few more lives then this was back in 1932. The death toll from this years storm was a heart breaking 329 lives, across 7 states, with Alabama enduring the most loss of life. We lost 238 people in this state. It hit all around us.. It's really quite unbelievable that we were missed. I feel so fortunate and grateful for this fact. I wanted to help out in some way and thank God there were so many who felt the same way. The out pour has been truly amazing. I wish I was able to do so much more. My efforts were minimal compared to some. I'm 8 months pregnant with a toddler so most physical volunteer work was out of the question for me. I have very low blood with this pregnancy so I couldn't not donate blood to the many, including children, who were badly hurt and currently spread out across our hospitals. So, I wanted to do the one thing I could do...donate items to be carried to the relief areas. I ended up having to go buy some things because unfortunately we didn't have very many extra clothes, baby items etc. I told Chris that I wished I was a millionaire for the first time in my life. Money has never meant a lot to me, never been impressed by it or the shallow people that flaunt it. However, I realized that what I had to spend on these people who lost EVERYTHING, including loved ones, bought much less than I had hoped it would. I was still happy I was able to give something. Thats why I wanted to write this post. Since I do this blog for my children I want them to understand the importance of giving back. We are not put on this earth to be self serving but to serve and help others. I've always considered myself to be a "thinker" and an "old soul" and I know one thing for certain. Of all of the highly educational philosophies and theories on what "life is about" there is nothing that outweighs helping others. It's one of the few things, such as having children, that makes this sometimes unbearably painful life worth living. It's so rewarding that in and of itself it sometimes feels selfish simly due to the fact that..yes, these people have needs, but at the same time they are fulfilling an even greater need in us. The one that causes us to grow spiritually, gain perspective and develop character by helping. These are things you can go out and buy in a store. They are in fact the givers and I want to THANK them for giving US the opportunity to help them. We are just as indebted. They are just as much a charity to us as we are to them.
Yesterday Lea gave me a ring and wanted to know if Chris and I would like to go with her and Zach to donate some items. She said they had lots of clothes to give. I was so excited to hear this bc thats an area where I wanted to give more but didn't really have anything extra and I knew people would really need clothing. I also thought it was an awesome memory to share in together since we literally weathered the storm together...we could give back together as well. We made a day of it and ate lunch together then headed over to the donation site. When we got there we were turned away because the first place we visited was already overflowing with donations. We ended up making 3 trips to get rid of all of our items. While it may of seemed frustrating at first once we reflected a little it was the best news ever. People are really making an effort to help and giving what they can. I hope these efforts will continue in the upcoming weeks because the needs of these people, who just as easily could of been you or I, will still need to be met. I will continue to pray for them everyday. I know that even with all the hard work of mankind only God can give them the kind of peace and strength they will need to pull through this horrendous situation. So happy we could help in a small way.
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Teresa
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. ~Benjamin Disraeli
Yesterday Lea gave me a ring and wanted to know if Chris and I would like to go with her and Zach to donate some items. She said they had lots of clothes to give. I was so excited to hear this bc thats an area where I wanted to give more but didn't really have anything extra and I knew people would really need clothing. I also thought it was an awesome memory to share in together since we literally weathered the storm together...we could give back together as well. We made a day of it and ate lunch together then headed over to the donation site. When we got there we were turned away because the first place we visited was already overflowing with donations. We ended up making 3 trips to get rid of all of our items. While it may of seemed frustrating at first once we reflected a little it was the best news ever. People are really making an effort to help and giving what they can. I hope these efforts will continue in the upcoming weeks because the needs of these people, who just as easily could of been you or I, will still need to be met. I will continue to pray for them everyday. I know that even with all the hard work of mankind only God can give them the kind of peace and strength they will need to pull through this horrendous situation. So happy we could help in a small way.
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
— Mother Teresa
— Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Teresa
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. ~Benjamin Disraeli
Friday, April 29, 2011
Last Day of Work
Today was my very last day of work as a staff agent with State Farm insurance. I've worked there for almost four years. Back in December I went part time with the intent of staying home full time once baby Logan arrived. I originally planned to work up until a couple of weeks before my c section but decided to leave a month earlier. Nannie and Poppa have been keeping Kal-el during the half of the day while I worked but it was beginning to be quite the undertaking for them. Super is A LOT of toddler to keep up and I'm just so grateful that they were able to help me as long as they could. They share such a precious bond with Kal-el and it has been a very special time for them as well as him. I'm also so thankful for all of my husbands hard work and his ability to provide for us. If it were not for him I would certainly not be able to come home and raise our boys. I must admit that while I worked full time I hated it...with a passion... especially after becoming a mommy..HOWEVER part time was such a nice balance for me. Part of me may even miss it but I know I have a real purpose at home. There are so many things I want to be able to experience first hand with my children and so many life lessons and philosophies I need to be able share with them. I know that their early years will go by so fast so I want to be able to cherish these times while I can. I know one thing for sure I'll be full of love and very low on energy but I wouldn't trade it for the world and I can't wait to start this chapter of my life!
Tired, 8 months pregnant, and ready to go home :)
Bye bye office...we had many interesting, frustrating, and enlightening times together!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
So Greatful...
It's no secret that I am terrified of severe weather. I knew about two days ahead of time that yesterdays storms were going to be pretty bad. Turns out that they were far worse than expected. Two different storm systems were coming through so we were predicted to have 48 hrs worth of severe tornado producing storm systems. Tuesday night was pretty calm. I expected Chis to be home with Kal-el and I bc he was a few out on the call board. I was especially grateful for this due to the fact that in the late night hours of the first round of bad weather would be comming through our area. We decided to go to the store and make some chilli. The evening was going great UNTIL Chris got his call. The worse part was that he got called for a relief job in Memphis. Basicly meaning he would be traveling in his own vechicle to the Memphis yard. This would normally not be an issue but the severe weather was already underway in that area. There was already a tornado warning in effect. My heart sank. I pleaded with him not to go. I knew that he didn't have much of a choice but I was so worried. My anxiety completely took over. I prayed for his safety the entire time he was on the road.
Soon afterwards I started watching the incoming radar for our area as well. I made the descision, after seeing how quickly the system was moving towards us, that Kal-el and I would go have a little sleep over at Uncle Zach's and Aunt Lea's. They have a basement and I knew that in my condition that I could not function staying at home with all of the trees surrounding our home and no basement. I love spending time with them anyway and really missed seeing them this Easter so Super and I made the short drive over. Soon after we arrived I got the call from Chris Bear letting me know that inspite of driving thru a 15 min hail storm, that he had arrived safe and sound in Memphis. Thank God! Super fell asleep on the couch and Zach, Lea, and I stayed up until about 12:30 and talked, laughed and enjoyed each others company. When we couldn't hold our eyes open any longer Kal-el and I said our goodnights and made our way down to the bedroom in the basement. It seems like we had just gotten asleep when the dreaded sirens went off. In actuality, we had gotten 3 hours of sleep but it certainly didn't feel that way. I remember thinking how grateful I was that I had made the decision to spend the night with Zach and Lea. We hung out in the lowest part of the basement, (which thankfully is concrete), until the warning passed. It really helped ease my fears. I was able to drift back to sleep once we returned to bed. I knew that I needed as much rest as I could get because Wednesdays storms were supposed to hit our area the hardest.
I woke up bright and early at 8am to my sweet little boy squeezing my checks, smiling at me and saying "Momma, Momma." I went ahead and got up with him. I decided that we would go home, eat, clean up, and wait on Chris before heading back over for the worst part of the storms. I called Chris on my way back and he was already home and said he wanted to rest for a bit after working all night and he would take us back over in a few hours. As Kal-el and I pulled into our drive way..I heard the worst sound ever. The tornado sirens. You have got to be kidding me?!?! To make a long story short Chris and I decided to drive back over since they only live about 5 min away in case all the bad stuff was starting early. I won't lie ....I was a baseket case spaz during that 5 min drive..in a tornado WARNING. I practically BEGGED my husband to run stop signs. He kept saying "I need to make sure we get there safely" I swear it felt like he was driving in slow motion and in my state of panic I was aggitated and pretty much hysterical. Once we arrived to safety and made our way back to the basement I had to endure Chris and Zach doing reenactments of my meltdown! I finally started laughing...I had to. I know how I can be in a crisis and they are hysterical :)
We basicly had to suffer several hours of very scary warnings. They were literally back to back. I've never experienced anything like that. We even got a call once from Aunt Vicki saying that the Colbert Court house had been hit. We all made a beeline for the basement since the court house is right down the road from us. We got behide the couch and threw cushions over us. Chris, who is not the least bit scared of weather even looked concerned. Kal-el hated being held down and had no clue why we were behind a couch. We huddled together and waited..and waited..and waited..ONLY to get a call 15 min later to tell us that she meant to say CULLMAN county court house. Chris and Zach almost instantaneously throw the cushions in the air and announced that they were going upstairs to get on the 360. When everything seemed to die down in the early evening hours Lea and I went upstairs to bake a strawberry and peach cobbler.
We sat down and started watching the tv. The areas just south and west of us were getting completely destroyed. Homes and businesses were being ripped apart. It seemed like so many warnings were popping up that they could barely get one reported before another hit. We later learned that a record was broken for the number of tornados at one given time. So scary. I watched a few reports in disbelief. When I heard that almost all of the city of Phil Campbell was GONE , an entire trailor park was blown away, and that Tuscaloosa was getting hit very hard I lost it. I stared at my child running around, happy smiling, and safe and I knew that in those areas they were probably children who didn't even make it. My greatest fear was more than likely another mothers reality at the same moment in time. The thought ripped my heart out. We still don't know the official death toll in some areas but there is a lot of loss and devastation in the areas surrounding us. I honestly don't know how it missed us. We have some damage for sure but no loss of life. I want to help with the relief effort. Not sure what all I can do in this state but God has laid it on my heart to help in some way. I know one thing for sure. I will cherish moments with my family even more than ever. They are my world and I am so so greatful that we are all safe many weren't so fortunate.
Soon afterwards I started watching the incoming radar for our area as well. I made the descision, after seeing how quickly the system was moving towards us, that Kal-el and I would go have a little sleep over at Uncle Zach's and Aunt Lea's. They have a basement and I knew that in my condition that I could not function staying at home with all of the trees surrounding our home and no basement. I love spending time with them anyway and really missed seeing them this Easter so Super and I made the short drive over. Soon after we arrived I got the call from Chris Bear letting me know that inspite of driving thru a 15 min hail storm, that he had arrived safe and sound in Memphis. Thank God! Super fell asleep on the couch and Zach, Lea, and I stayed up until about 12:30 and talked, laughed and enjoyed each others company. When we couldn't hold our eyes open any longer Kal-el and I said our goodnights and made our way down to the bedroom in the basement. It seems like we had just gotten asleep when the dreaded sirens went off. In actuality, we had gotten 3 hours of sleep but it certainly didn't feel that way. I remember thinking how grateful I was that I had made the decision to spend the night with Zach and Lea. We hung out in the lowest part of the basement, (which thankfully is concrete), until the warning passed. It really helped ease my fears. I was able to drift back to sleep once we returned to bed. I knew that I needed as much rest as I could get because Wednesdays storms were supposed to hit our area the hardest.
I woke up bright and early at 8am to my sweet little boy squeezing my checks, smiling at me and saying "Momma, Momma." I went ahead and got up with him. I decided that we would go home, eat, clean up, and wait on Chris before heading back over for the worst part of the storms. I called Chris on my way back and he was already home and said he wanted to rest for a bit after working all night and he would take us back over in a few hours. As Kal-el and I pulled into our drive way..I heard the worst sound ever. The tornado sirens. You have got to be kidding me?!?! To make a long story short Chris and I decided to drive back over since they only live about 5 min away in case all the bad stuff was starting early. I won't lie ....I was a baseket case spaz during that 5 min drive..in a tornado WARNING. I practically BEGGED my husband to run stop signs. He kept saying "I need to make sure we get there safely" I swear it felt like he was driving in slow motion and in my state of panic I was aggitated and pretty much hysterical. Once we arrived to safety and made our way back to the basement I had to endure Chris and Zach doing reenactments of my meltdown! I finally started laughing...I had to. I know how I can be in a crisis and they are hysterical :)
We basicly had to suffer several hours of very scary warnings. They were literally back to back. I've never experienced anything like that. We even got a call once from Aunt Vicki saying that the Colbert Court house had been hit. We all made a beeline for the basement since the court house is right down the road from us. We got behide the couch and threw cushions over us. Chris, who is not the least bit scared of weather even looked concerned. Kal-el hated being held down and had no clue why we were behind a couch. We huddled together and waited..and waited..and waited..ONLY to get a call 15 min later to tell us that she meant to say CULLMAN county court house. Chris and Zach almost instantaneously throw the cushions in the air and announced that they were going upstairs to get on the 360. When everything seemed to die down in the early evening hours Lea and I went upstairs to bake a strawberry and peach cobbler.
We sat down and started watching the tv. The areas just south and west of us were getting completely destroyed. Homes and businesses were being ripped apart. It seemed like so many warnings were popping up that they could barely get one reported before another hit. We later learned that a record was broken for the number of tornados at one given time. So scary. I watched a few reports in disbelief. When I heard that almost all of the city of Phil Campbell was GONE , an entire trailor park was blown away, and that Tuscaloosa was getting hit very hard I lost it. I stared at my child running around, happy smiling, and safe and I knew that in those areas they were probably children who didn't even make it. My greatest fear was more than likely another mothers reality at the same moment in time. The thought ripped my heart out. We still don't know the official death toll in some areas but there is a lot of loss and devastation in the areas surrounding us. I honestly don't know how it missed us. We have some damage for sure but no loss of life. I want to help with the relief effort. Not sure what all I can do in this state but God has laid it on my heart to help in some way. I know one thing for sure. I will cherish moments with my family even more than ever. They are my world and I am so so greatful that we are all safe many weren't so fortunate.
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