More pictures from this week

This is Rylie sitting on the floor of the kitchen (the floor that we are planning on re tiling someday) making her Daddy's Birthday cake. She kept asking me "can I taste it now?" Doesn't she look big?!
I went through her winter clothes from last year and none of them fit. For her whole life so far, she's worn hand me downs from her cousin, Abby, but now she has caught up. They are now both in the same size. So, that means, shopping! (and saving up money so we can go shopping)
The other picture is of my new comforter cover. We've been wanting a new one, but the ones we liked were out of our price range. I was so pleased when I found this one at Bed Bath and Beyond. My sister in law, Elisa, had given me a $20 gift card there for my birthday. I found this on clearance, down from $100 to $20! I don't know if it's the colors on my computer or on the camera, but it's not showing up quite the same. It's all fall colors, which are my favorite.

A week of celebrations

These pictures are from Ryan and Aaron's birthday celebration. Ryan's birthday was Wednesday, and Aaron's is today (Happy Birthday!!!). Becky made us a great dinner and then we had yummy icecream cake.
We have had a whole week of birthday celebrations. Monday night, we went to a Chinese Buffet to celebrate Ryan's birthday with his Mom, sisters, and our nephews. Afterwards we went back to his Mom's house for a Baskin Robbins cake. It was great fun. I love watching Rylie with her Nana and Aunties. She loves them so much. And, of course she loves playing with her cousins. They are rough and tumble boys, but they can also be very gentle with her. Ecspecially Bryan. Those two have a special bond.
Then of course Tuesday, we went to Aaron and Becky's. Wednesday, Rylie and I made him a spice cake. Rylie was so excited to make him a cake for his birthday present from her. She kept saying, "I'm making it myself for Daddy". Our neice and nephew had surgery (tubes and tonsils, so we took dinner to them. Last night, we had cake and ice cream with our friends, Dan and Sara and their three kids. Tonight, Ryan and I are going to have a special date night, just the two of us.
We still are going to have a celebration for him with my side of the family too. I love birthdays!
Oh, and for his big present, everyone pooled their money and got him an Ipod! He loves it!
Happy Birthday sweetie! I love you very much!

Wordless Wednesday! (Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!!)

Heartbeat

I had a doctor's appointment today and we were able to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time! It was loud and strong and fast! It sounded very healthy! What a praise and a relief! Rylie thought it was pretty neat too. My doctor said we could schedule my ultrasound (to find out the gender) in six weeks. It's getting closer! I think it will seem more real once we can call it by name and know how to plan. I have been having several heart palpitations every day, so my doctor wants to send me to a cardiologist to have and EKG. He's not concerned about it, but he just wants to be safe.
I was doing my devotions tonight and read Psalm 68. I was reminded of how powerful , Almighty, and awesome God is and yet He still cares for us personally. Verse 32-33 say, "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to Him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with a mighty voice." Can't you just see the power in that? Earlier in that same Psalm it talks about how God, "daily bears our burdens", and is a "father to the fatherless, a defender of widows". It seems like a dichotomy but rather it is an awesome blending of God's incredible power and His compassion and love for us!
I was reminded of the following attributes of God from this Psalm: joy-giving, compassionate, powerful, Almighty, worthy to be praised, just, a provider, sovereign, protector, comforter, strong, majestic, awesome, and loving towards His people. That is quite a list! The Psalmist is continually exhorting us to give God praise and rejoice in Him. I can see why!

Yay! Second Trimester!

I'm so happy to be in the second trimester now! My risks of miscarriage have decreased and I should be feeling better soon. I haven't thrown up now in three days and I do feel like I'm a little less tired. This little alien baby picture (I know it's beautiful, but you do have to admit, they look a little funny at first) was taken from www.babycenter.com . They have great week by week pregnancy information. Thanks to my pregnancy buddy, Becky M. for telling me about it! Off to get ready for church now. My darling hubby is preaching and I have an Awana meeting and Rylie has Sunday School so I can't be late!

Camping Photos

We're home! Me and my girl made it back home from camping today. We had a great time and are very tired. I'll post more about it later, but for the meantime, here are some pictures if you would like: http://community.webshots.com/album/560423586psgMHv?vhost=community

Wordless Wednesday! (I love my Man!)

I miss my girl!

I miss my little girl very much! She and her cousin, Abby, went camping with my parents yesterday. I (and my bro and sis in law, and nephew) am going to join them tomorrow, but for the time being, I feel as if something is missing. It is- part of my heart! I think it has been harder because where they are camping, my Dad doesn't get cell service, so I have no idea how she is doing. I'm sure she is having a ball, but I don't know for sure... what if she's crying because she's missing me, or is waking up scared because she's in a strange place? What if my parents forgot to put her sunscreen on or her mosquito repellent and she's miserable? Or what if she's having the time of her life and isn't even missing me at all? The latter is probably the most likely. Her cousin is her best friend (except for those times when she tells me I am her best friend!), and she adores Grandma and Grandpa, and they adore her right back. They are very capable, and I'm sure they are taking great care of her. But, my house is too quiet and my arms are empty. Half of my heart is sleeping in the woods by a beautiful lake tonight. Tomorrow, come quickly!
(Side note: I broke my three day no throwing up streak tonight! Fun!)

Here's what's going on with my baby! (taken from babycenter.com)

How your baby's growing:Your fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his gums. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As his diaphragm develops, your tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups. Because he's still so small, though, you won't feel any of his workouts or intrauterine gulps until sometime between weeks 16 and 20.

New Haircuts!

Ryan's sister, Elisa, is in cosmetology school. She was kind enough to come over and give us both haircuts! It was so nice to not even have to leave our house and go to some stranger. She did a great job and I'm going to have her color my hair soon. She cut about six inches off of mine. It was fun watching her cut Ryan's hair. I love the brother/sister interaction. Rylie thought the whole experience was great. She keeps telling me my hair is "beautiful". She asked if Aunt Elisa could cut her hair short, but we told her there is no way. We love her long hair, it is so pretty! We might not cut it for a long time. I'll try to get a picture of my hair to post later.

The Infidel

I recently finished a book by Joe Musser, entitled, The Infidel. It is a novel based on the life of John Newton. I'm sure you all know, but he was the author of that great hymn, Amazing Grace. I highly recommend this book. I knew some things about John Newton's life prior to his salvation, but I had no idea what a wretch he really was. I was shocked at what a horrible person he was. He was always drunk, he purposely blasphemed God as much as he could, he made it his mission to cause others to loose their faith, he was very promiscuous with white women, he was disrespectful and dishonest. But the part I had the hardest time with was the way he treated slaves. He was a captain (and a sailor before that) on slave ships. He raped countless slave women and girls! Yes, even young girls! He also beat the men and treated all of them deplorably. He cheated on his fiance, etc. . . . If I was God I would never chose a man like that. But, God has infinite grace and mercy! God spared John Newton's life on several occasions because He called him to Himself. God had great things planned for Newton. He loved him despite of all his horrific sins. When Newton penned that God's grace is "amazing" you can see how much he understood this truth.
After Newton humbled himself and surrendered to the Lord, he (through a long process of events) became a preacher and an author. In addition to over 300 hymns he wrote several books and pamphlets. Some were autobiographical, some theological in nature, and some on the abolition of the slave trade. He testified before Parliament and was instrumental in the eventual abolishment of the slave trade in Britian. He led many souls to Christ and spurred others on to greater spiritual growth. All because of God's amazing grace!

Is it a boy?

My Dad has been telling the church that we are going to name our baby after him, girl or boy. I don't know about you, but, "little Frankie" just doesn't have that feminine ring to it. I have been thinking lately that it may be a boy though. I never threw up when I was pregnant with Rylie. I have thrown up four times in the last two days!!!! What is the deal with that?! I thought as I neared the second trimester (one week away!!!) I would be feeling better, not worse! Oh, well, it's worth it!
In other news, Rylie has become Miss. Independent! She has been learning how to get dressed/undressed by herself, now she has to do everything by herself. She gets upset if I start doing something for her and says, "I forgot, because I have to do it myself! I do it myself!". She is being a very big girl, except in the potty training department. We have hit a standstill in that area. It's partially my fault. I've been feeling so lousy that I haven't had all of the energy that potty training requires.
Rylie just leaned over and told me, "I'm getting big right now, soon I'll be a Mommy Doctor". When I told her to wipe her hands on her napkin, she said, "But, I like to have them dirty".

Wordless Wednesday!

Cute New Book

I love books and I love pictures. Put the two together, that's just great fun! My friend, Stephanie (Creaturebug) did a review for Parents Blogging Network on a new book series from Imagitales. You log onto their site and download a picture of your child (or whomever) and they put it into a story. You can then download it and print it for $2.95 (the first ebook is FREE!) or have them make it into an actual paperback book and mail it to you for $9.95. They have several topics to chose from. Stephanie did an adorable one of her daughter, Sydney in a book about colors. I did one of Rylie and the potty. Rylie was enthralled! She had me read it to her five times in a row! Here is the link to Rylie's book so you can see a real life sample:
https://www.imagitales.com/ViewBook.html?bid=1349&seq=QC9GPB57D9QH69WVUSRMKDFF5URYVR4MGD

Fantasy Football Widow

It's starting already! I'm becoming a fantasy football widow! If you look on our DVR right now, there is no less than 7 (!) pre-season games on there, not to mention the fantasy football shows. Yes, people, they have hours upon hours of special shows dedicated to fantasy football! Then there are the blogs, the websites, and of course the two different leagues my husband is in. Last year he was the Superbowl champion, so he has quite the rep to keep up this year.
Football season hasn't even officially started yet, and there is already football fever in my house. I had to wipe the drool off his face when they showed his man crush, LT! (sorry hon, it had to be said!)
I figure I have about a week of semi reprieve until his draft next Saturday night. This is the one he's really looking forward to. This is the league made up solely of friends from church. You would be surprised at the amount of smack talking a Pastor can do!
My friend, Keren is the girl power for the league. She's getting revved up for the season by listening to Matt Hasselbeck's autobiographical song, "I'm Matt Hasselbeck"! That cracked me up Keren! (He did pass for a touchdown tonight.)
Will I ever get my computer and tv back again? Ahh well, Go Hawks!

Pregnancy Emotions

I haven't been doing a very good job posting lately. I feel like I have pregnancy brain! I am sooooo tired and my brain feels foggy. This pregnancy feels different than when I was pregnant with Rylie. I feel guilty that I'm already not paying as much attention to it. When I was pregnant with Rylie, I prayed for her all the time. Even before I could really feel her, I was talking to her. I was preparing things for her.
This time, I don't have that much preparing to do. I don't need to buy things other than diapers and other practical things, and right now that seems silly to spend the money on. I keep forgetting to pray for this precious little one. I haven't been talking to him/her yet much either.
Rylie talks to him/her some though. This morning she said she wanted to talk to the baby about "things like Grandpa and nails". I think she's referring to when she was helping Grandpa make the playhouse. She has a tender heart towards the baby and towards me. She asks me everyday if I'm feeling ok and says she will take care of me. She is such a sweetie.
I'm having so many mixed emotions too about Rylie and the baby. It makes me so happy when she talks to the baby or about the baby. But, then I feel sad because I feel like I'm betraying her when I think about loving the baby as much as her. Then I feel guilty for the baby's sake.
uggghh! Have any of you ever felt like this on your second child? I'm sure some of it is hormones too. Last night Ryan and I watched Bridge to Teribithia and I bawled! I was shaking the couch! I think I frightened Ryan!
In other news, Rylie has now learned to pray by herself. It is adorable and it makes my heart so happy to hear her talking to Jesus!
She continues to say that she wants to be a "Mommy Doctor" when she grows up!
She's starting to say embarrassing two year old things, like: "What's in your nose? Buggers? My Dad wears underwear. Do you go on the potty? My Mom goes potty on the potty". All of these things (and more) were said last night at a Pampered Chef party!
I found her a Cinderella doll and a Pablo doll (from the Backyardigans) at a garage sale for 25cents each! I also found her a new winter coat for only $1! I love garage sailing!
Well, off to feed this little baby growing inside me! (It's 1.5 inches now and is growing bones this week!)

Wordless Wednesday! Happy 3rd Birthday Abby!!! (the link below is to more pictures from her birthday party)

http://community.webshots.com/album/560207611Attnur?vhost=community

Church Campout

We arrived home last night from the church campout. Our little Rylie proved to be quite the camper; She loved it! We borrowed my parents tent trailer and camped with about 25 other families from our church. We ate smores, sang by the campfire, visited, and even had some competition. The picture below is of Rylie and her friend Keegan getting ready for the three legged race. (Daddy wasn't too happy that a boy had his arm around Rylie or that after the race, the two of them ran into Keegan's tent to jump on the bed!) It was so nice to be able to relax with our friends and church family and not feel so rushed, like at church.

We did go back into town on Saturday for our friends Justin and Chantal's wedding (Congratulations!!!!). Chantal looked just like a princess. Rylie kept hugging her and hugging her. She was in awe of her!

Here is a link to all of the pictures for those of you who have been asking for them:

http://community.webshots.com/album/560188289jATljF?vhost=community

Wordless Wednesday! (The First Portrait Of Our Little Peanut!)