Birthday Celebrations

We have been celebrating birthdays galore lately. Corbin celebrated his 7th birthday with his buddy Hunter at the local skate center. They had such a great time.
My nephew Eli just turned 4 years old. He is such a little character.
Ann Elise turned one month old. One month already? Wow!

My mom (aka Nana) just turned...yeah like I am really going to tell you.
I can't believe how quickly time passes now. When we were kids it seemed like we would never grow up. Now that we are grown up we wonder where our childhood went.

Corbin & Hunter

They're thinking...hurry up we want to open our presents. Ann Elise

Her bear is as big as she is.

Eli

How cute is he? Nana admiring the view.

Introducing Ann Elise Martin

Finally Updates!
Well, as most everyone knows by now, little Miss Ann Elise Martin has made her debut. She was born March 26, 2008, at 9:31 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 17 3/4 inches long.
Both mom and baby came through the surgery well. I was kind of worried about Matt for a minute. Dr. Slocum made him stand up to watch as he pulled Ann Elise from my stomach and Matt didn't say a word as I asked him if it was in fact a girl and who she looked like. After what seemed like forever he finally was able to muster out that it was a girl and that she was slimy. HA! Once he sat back down he was fine.

If ever I saw your face....

Matthew admiring his new little sister.
Corbin is head over heels for her.
Ann Elise all snuggled up to daddy.

These are a few of my THANKFUL things....

Can't you just hear the title of this entry to the tune of The Sound of Music's These are a Few of my Favorite Things? The news reported this morning that Spring is only weeks away yet we are expected to get snow this evening. I told my boys that this morning and Corbin told me I was wrong because we don't get snow around here. I sure wish it would snow just so they could see it. They would be so amazed.
Anyway, back to my THANKFUL things....
1) Matt - We have been married for ten wonderful years TODAY and I am so grateful for having such a loving, caring, compassionate man to call my husband. Thank you God for such a gift.
2) Matthew - My hyperactive, over achieving, reach for the stars son with a heart for God that is truly amazing. Thank you God for such a gift.
3) Corbin - My stubborn, rebellious son with the biggest brown eyes that when used just right can get him out of any trouble. Thank you God for such a gift.
4) Ann Elise - My unborn daughter that has touched my life in ways I never felt possible and I have not even laid eyes on yet. Thank you God for such a gift.
5) Our Parents - They are loving, compassionate, strong willed, protective and helped shape who we are today. Thank you God for such a gift.
6) Provisions - We have a house to call home, food to nourish our bodies, water to quench our thirst, clothes to keep us warm. Thank you God for such a gift.
7) Extended Family & Friends - They give me strength, love and encouragement. Thank you God for such a gift.
8) Career - My job provides me with coworkers I call friends, an outlet to the community and means to help support my family. Thank you God for such a gift.
9) Church Family - I have been blessed to find a Church Family that my family and I feel comfort, love and support from. Thank you God for such a gift.
10) Health - My family and I have been blessed with overall good health. Thank you God for such a gift.
My list of THANKFUL things could go on and on because there are just so many things in my life to be thankful for. I have been through a lot of things over the past year that I never would have thought I could survive, but God has pulled me through each and every one and has shown me that blessings sometimes come in ways we never would have expected.
We do need to remember that no matter how big the problems of this world seem that God has a plan for us and His will is going to shine through in the end.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-- Romans 12:2

It's Shower Time!

My two beautiful sisters-in-law, Holly and Colby, gave me a Baby Shower on Sunday. Ann Elise was definitely showered with tons of gifts and love. We had a great time and wonderful food.
Thanks again ladies!

Here we are posing in front of the food. (Of course)

Colby is on the left and Holly on the right.

Bet you can't guess who is in the middle. I know what you are thinking, but it's really not Shamu.

The lovely and delicious cake.
Me surrounded by all Ann Elise's gifts. Notice the cake in my hand. Hey, I am not going to pass up a perfectly good piece or pieces of cake pregnant or not.

As The World Turns

No, I am not a huge soap opera fan. I am referring to Ann Elise's world. She has turned head down and I don't think she is liking her new digs very much. She is constantly pushing and kicking like she is trying to give herself more room. And in the process she is making my pelvic area extremely sore. Ouch!
As I was getting ready for bed last night my dear husband began to laugh. I gave him the 'glaring eye' and he proceeded to make matters worse by stating that I was probably as big around as I was tall. He then took it a step further and got out the measuring tape. I mean I know he is a carpenter but does he really have to measure EVERYTHING? Anyway, he measured my belly. Guys, I am almost FOUR FEET around. YIKES! Can you picture that? I am only 5' 3" so I really am almost as round as I am tall.
Matt says not to worry though...I'll end up equalling my height before she makes her debut.
Gee, thanks Honey!

And the Countdown begins......

I went back to the doctor yesterday, had another ultrasound done and got a tentative c-section date scheduled. Drumroll please.........MARCH 26th! Wow! That is soon. Don't you think that is soon? I mean, that is only 40 days away. But I guess if Noah could withstand 40 days and 40 nights of rain I can prepare for one little baby in 40 days. Right? I mean, I'm definitely no Noah here.
Anyway, Ann Elise is currently weighing in at 4 lbs. 11 oz. She is getting so big. The ultrasound tech even pointed out to us that she has HAIR!!!!! What?! My child has hair? There must be some mistake. My boys only had a little peach fuzz. Now that I am all excited about her having hair she will probably lose it before she even gets here, but that is okay, I love bald-headed babies just as much. She is lying in an awkward position known as the transverse position, meaning she is lying sideways with her legs beneath her and her feet next to her face so Dr. Slocum said it was kind of odd. (From what I have read, most transverse babies are feet/face up not down.) Hopefully she will turn to a more normal position before too much longer.
We took the boys with us this time and they were just amazed. Corbin recognized the spine and told the ultrasound tech what it was and Matthew chimed in that it looked like an electric eel. So I guess I have a little eel squirmming around in there.

Maternity Photo Shoot

My sister, being the budding photographer that she is, took some maternity photos for me this weekend. I think Amie did an AWESOME job.
Thanks Amie-Luler-Belle, this is something I definitely will never forget. Love you.
Here are just a few of my favorites.

WHOA MAMA!!!!!

I am 29 weeks preggo now and there is definitely NO hiding the fact that I have a bun in the oven any longer. I had a customer tell me today that I looked like I was having twins. The customer was a man and what do they know any way? (Except for Matt. He knows better.)
I am very much NOT ready for Ann Elise to arrive yet. So unlike me I know, but let me explain. I cannot wait to have her here and hold her and kiss her but we are not prepared for her AT ALL. Her room is currently our catch all room. I would show you a before picture but I would be too embarrassed. Can you say disaster? We have storage boxes waist high, two computers, a desk, antique sewing machine and gun cabinet and let's not even get started on the closet....SCARY. We have ordered her bedding (turquoise, lime green and brown) but we have no idea what color we are going to be painting it yet or even how the room will be set up. All we do know is that my grandmother has so graciously offered us a bedroom suite for her room. Thanks Grandmother! So now all we need is EVERYTHING. Ha! :)
See what I mean, we are SO NOT READY!
Please continue to pray that I will stay off of bed rest and that Miss Ann Elise will stay put for a little while longer.

WHOA Mama! Look at that belly.

I feel like the fat man in Austin Powers.

Get in my belly!!!! :)

It's Christmas Time

Bah Hum Bug Everyone!
Christmas is such a hectic time around my house. We always have too many places to be and usually at the same times. Every year we vow to be more prepared for next year and to skip a few stops along the holiday trail. Then next year turns into this year and here we are again. Christmas....it doesn't seem as merry when your all stressed out and broke.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Christmas is such a hectic time around my house. We always have too many places to be and usually at the same times. Hallelujah for hecticness and too many places to be. We are very blessed to be able to run around and have all these places to be and with the ones we love to boot. God is good.
Have we forgotten what Christmas is all about? Or, do we remember and just feel as though all this other holiday stuff is more important?
I think we remember but push the real Reason aside to make time for shopping and getting ready for Santa and don't forget the complaining about too many places to be and being broke. (Guilty as charged on that one. - see first paragraph)
We all need to remember how very blessed we are. God is so good. He loves us and cares for us like no one else could possibly even fathom. His only Son, Jesus Christ, was born in a meager little manger in a stable. He allowed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live amongst us heathens. Then God's only Son, Jesus Christ, was persecuted and crucified so that we heathens could be forgiven of our sins. I cannot even imagine how excruciating it must have been for Jesus to be nailed up on that cross. To have hammers pounding individual, blunt nails into His hands and feet. And then, He was whipped without any remorse and all for us heathens. So I ask you this, " Who are we to complain?"
GOD IS SO GOOD!
Please remember those less fortunate that ourselves. Please remember to cherish the ones you love. Please remember to hold on to your faith. Strong faith can get us through anything. And please remember Romans 11:36 - "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen."
I wish for you all to have a very Merry Christmas. I hope that during all this hustle and bustle we have going on that we all remember the real Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ.

Let the Gymnastics begin.

We've done the whole t-ball, baseball, soccer, football and basketball stuff that all little boys just love to do but we are kind of scratching our heads with the thought of having to add gymnastics and dance and cheerleading to the mix. That is just WAY different from what we are used to in my household. :) And have I mentioned the PINK?
I had been having some regular contractions over the weekend and had to go in to the doctor on Monday to be checked out. I have an infection that we are hoping are causing the contractions and that once the infection is gone the contractions will go with it. I say hoping that is why because I had an irritable cervix when I was pregnant with Corbin that caused me to end up on bed rest for the last few months of my pregnancy and we definitely don't want that to happen again. So please pray for that specific need....NO BED REST!
They sent me over to the Women's Center yesterday for a couple of ultrasounds just to check on things and said that everything looked great. Yea!!!! (The whole gymnastic reference above stems from the ultrasound.) Ann Elise literally had her feet up over her head nearly the whole time. I guess she is already practicing her tumbles. She was so sweet and as the ultrasound technician was just finishing up with one last glimpse of her face Ann Elise started moving her little mouth as if to say "I love you". Talk about melting one's heart. God is so good!
Here are a few of her "Glamour Shots".
Sorry, no "It's a Girl!" shots this go round. Matt is really uncomfortable with showing those to everyone.

Ann Elise with her knee just about touching her nose. Her little leg curled up next to her forehead.

She is looking right at the camera as if to say,

"What? I meant to do that."
She is looking right at us.