Easter Extravaganza

Sunday morning we woke up to a monsoon outside.  What a way to start out Easter right? Emma enjoyed all her goodies that the Easter bunny brought for her while mommy and daddy got ready for church.  After we were in our Sunday best we drove the 50 mile drive (through the horrible monsoon) to my hometown to attend the church I grew up in.  WOW, did it bring back some great memories and it was so great to see some familiar faces.  After a great church service we headed to my great aunt and uncle's house for some yummy grub and family time.  We don't get to see everyone very much so we really had a great time.  After a great meal and an Easter egg hunt for the kids we all got ready for our First Annual Softball Extravaganza (created by yours truly and my sister).  We weren't sure people would actually be excited to play but they were! It was a HUGE success.  Score one for the home team.  After two and a half hours of ball we were all beat and definitely ready to make the hour trek back home.  Overall, a great Easter Sunday.  Emma was too cute in her dress and I could have just eaten her up all day!

[caption id="attachment_347" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="All the kids waiting patiently to hunt eggs. All but my nephew (far right) that is. He looks like he could care less."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_348" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Warming up (because we are pro's and everything)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_349" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Check out that form people!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Emma and my mom looking unimpressed at our softball skills."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Me striking out my hubby :)"][/caption]

Now for some family pics!

[caption id="attachment_352" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="They match :)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Pretty Girl"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_354" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Love these two more than life itself."][/caption]

Baby's First Easter

I am tickled pink that this year I get to prepare an Easter basket for my baby girl! I went and bought lots of cute little things that she can use instead of going with the prepackaged baskets.  I hate those things.  It's a lot of money for nothing in them.  Much better to do your own.  This is what the Easter Bunny brought goose.

[caption id="attachment_338" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="This girl racked up!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_339" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Monkey Bibs!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Chocolate bunny and Caburry Eggs (for me of course!) and some Paci's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Monkey Security Blanket"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Rattle and Chew Toy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_343" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Two cute outfits!"][/caption]

Overall, I think her basket turned out great.  That Easter bunny didn't do too shabby.

I love Easter, it is my second favorite holiday, Christmas being first.  I love getting all dolled up on Easter Sunday for church and eating tons of Cadbury Eggs but besides that I LOVE hearing the story of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on that cross.  It gives me chills just thinking about it.  What he went through for you and for me....it's unimaginable.  Tonight I did Resurrection Eggs with Emma (yeah yeah, it's never too early to teach her!) and my niece and nephew.  They loved it and so did I.  Picturing all the steps that took place before Jesus took his last breath brings me to tears.  The amazing, unselfish sacrifice he made means that one day when I leave this world I will spend eternity with my Saviour.  Do YOU know the love of my Saviour? I pray you do because you will never find another love like it.  With out him I am NOTHING.

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior.
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.
Up from the grave he arose.
With a mighty triumph o’er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever with his saints to reign.
He arose, he arose, hallelujah, Christ arose.

Sunday Sunshine

Emma loves church. She did so good today. She really enjoys the music. It put her right to sleep and she never made a peep. She'll be singing right along before I know it!
I just love our church and all the wonderful people we have met in the last year. The message Jason preached today was so powerful. We all have to remember to not live in the past but instead live in God's vision.  We have to know that his plan for our lives is the right one and quit trying to create our own. He will lead and guide our hearts. I'm thankful for the Lord's sovereignty. I am proud to say I've been saved by GRACE through CHRIST alone.
What a beautiful sunny day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I think a walk with my sweet family is in order.

Miracle Worker

After two terrible nights with an extremely fussy baby we have finally figured out solutions! We took her to the doctor yesterday and she has been diagnosed with Acid Reflux.  She's now on baby Prevacid.  I am so thankful to finally have some answers and relief.  I know all moms go through hard nights but I honestly think I was reaching the end of my rope.  God has given us relief and I'm so grateful.  On those long, sleepless nights I would just cry wishing there was SOMETHING I could do to take her pain away and now I can.  Along with the acid reflux medication I have found another miracle product.  Last night she was extremely upset.  I mean, uncontrollably crying, turning red, bloodshot eyes, shaking her whole body UPSET.  I told Dustin there was no way I could handle another night with no sleep and that until this acid reflux medicine gets in her system we have to do something.  At midnight we put her in her car seat and took her for a little drive and BAM! calmed her down immediately, but knowing as soon as we took her out of the car she would start crying again we decided to head to Wal-mart and buy what many parents call a "miracle worker".  This is the best stuff ever...



 

 

 

 

 

A word of advice to all expecting moms and new moms.  Stock up on this stuff! I don't know why we didn't buy it earlier.  It's all natural and helps relieve colic symptoms.  Now, we have only given it to Emma one night so I'm hoping it wasn't just a fluke that she just decided to sleep well on her own and the water did nothing.  I really think it had an effect though.  We should really be able to tell in the days to come.  I am just really thankful that we got some great sleep last night, because I was really about to lose my darn mind!! I'm sure Emma is happy as well because she would prefer a SANE mother.

Oh and by the way my baby is for sure a chunk.  She gained 2.5 lbs in three weeks! She's 9.15! The doctor even asked how many ounces she was taking at her feedings and when I told him 4 ounces he seemed surprised that she's eating that much.  She is also in 0-3 month clothes now and SIZE ONE diapers.  My baby is growing up too fast....

Getting anxious!

It is January and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a sweet baby girl named Emma.  It's so hard to believe that almost ten months ago we were blessed by the grace of the Lord with this pregnancy.  I am still in amazement of how God is all-knowing.  After five years of marriage and some pretty rocky times through our relationship we were finally able to truly find each other and connect on the deepest level possible and through that we were blessed with a growing baby in my belly.  It's so exciting to see how anxious even Dustin is.  He's been excited but quiet through this whole pregnancy but here towards the end he's almost giddy.  He asks me everyday is she's coming and my same answer is "in her own time".  I think he's as "ready" as I am.  We have been trying our best to keep busy until the big day.  We aren't home much because we can't stand just sitting here waiting and wishing she was home already.  We have been spending a lot of time at my parents house, playing games, dinner, visiting with family, staying up late, sleeping late and cuddling.  We know that all those things will be a distant memory for quite a while once she arrives.  Everything has been marked off our TO DO LIST.  We met with a pediatrician today and just loved him.  We are so thankful that we found somebody that we like.  I bought a bookshelf today for the nursery (the last item for her room!).  Now we just need to assemble it and put all her books, picture frames and toys on it.  I finished packing the hospital bag this afternoon.  I can't wait to be putting the bag, diaper bag and pillow in the car and head to the hospital! I also bought my breast pump.  I set it all up and I really like it.  Seems comfortable and easy to use.  I went with the Avent Breast Pump.  We are using Avent bottles so this just seemed like the perfect fit.  Has anyone used this pump before and do you have any good or bad comments about it?

I have truly enjoyed this pregnancy even though it is an absolute emotional roller coaster.  I've been blessed with a healthy pregnancy and I am praying for a healthy baby to arrive.  I will probably post once more before Emma arrives.  Tomorrow we have a doctor's appointment where hopefully we will get lots of information on potential induction, progress in dilation (crossing my fingers!) and he's also supposed to strip my membranes to get things a moving.  Who knows, after that maybe I will just go on into labor! I can only hope right? After that post, I may be MIA for a while until I can get home with baby and get settled.  I just can't believe we are at the end....or should I say the beginning now.  The beginning of a new life as a family of three! Soon soon soon! :)

O come, let us sing unto the LORD

I grew up in church my whole life and gospel and christian music have been apart of my family since I was born.  I grew up singing in my children's choir and adult choir in church.  My mom sings and plays the piano and both of my sisters sing.  It's always been a huge part of who we are.  In my teenage years and after, I fell away from Christian music and didn't think much of it.  In the last year I have recently found my way back and I can't believe I ever stopped listening to it.  I had forgotten how wonderfully amazing it is.  It just makes me feel GOOD.  If I'm bummed or upset all I have to do is turn my radio on Way FM or pop in a Selah, Sanctus Real or Third Day cd, just to name a few.  I stopped in our local Family Christian Bookstore today for a Beth Moore Bible Study and came out with two cd's.  Even if you don't have a close relationship with Christ and have been pushing him away or have never heard of the wonderful love of Christ, I highly recommend purchasing the new WOW 2011 cd.  The music on it is incredible.  Also, for the holiday season I recommend O Holy Night by David Phelps.  It will bring tears to your eyes, make you smile and give you chills! It's a great deal too.  Not only do you get a cd but you get a dvd as well!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalms 33:1-4


O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalms 95:1-2

To be honest...

This pregnancy is beginning to wear on me.  I never intended for this blog to become my pregnancy/baby outlet but I don't do anything but sit at home these days and dwell on baby clothes, baby room, baby cuteness, baby weight, baby hormones and baby's arrival.  I guess I just can't help it, plus this baby is the biggest part of who I am right now which results in baby posts.  I never wanted this blog to bore people but honestly it's just the biggest part of what's happening in my life right now so until baby arrives these will be my main posts.  Then I suppose it will be posts about baby is crying constantly and I'm exhausted, baby cuteness, baby's first bath, baby rolls over...somewhere in there I will just have to make time for posts about other things.  Plus as long as I'm doing this for me as an outlet it doesn't really matter, right?

Today I need to vent.  Lately, I have been feeling really guilty because I'm not enjoying this pregnancy as much as I should.  When I was young, my dream and ultimate goal in life was to be a wife and mother.  I couldn't wait to be pregnant.  I would play house and have a big pillow under my shirt pretending I was pregnant.  I can now say that it's definitely not what my 10-year-old mind thought it would be.  When I found out I was pregnant I was immediately over the moon happy.  I started thinking about what it was going to be like and if it would be anything like what I'd dreamed it to be.  It didn't take long to realize I would be wrong.  I have no reason to feel this way which makes it even harder to understand.  I have had the EASIEST pregnancy of all time.  No sickness whatsoever, no medical issues and a very healthy and perfect baby growing inside me.  I do not take that for granted and am so thankful for it but I just wanted to be this jolly and glowing pregnant lady.  It has literally made me feel like a completely different person.  Almost like I don't even know who I am sometimes.  I look in the mirror and don't even recognize myself.  The weight gain is a part of this, I know that, but it's hard for me to accept.  I've never been a small girl anyway and adding an extra 25 to 40 pounds is a lot for me to carry.  Rolling over that 200 pound mark really hit me hard and made me feel even worse about myself.  I have not one single stretch mark on my stomach, which is awesome, right? Well, the ones on my legs and sides make up for it and it's just so frustrating.  Stretch marks and I go way back so it's not like they are a shock to me.  When I hit my senior year of highschool I started to get them on my inner thighs and a few on my sides but I was still in shape.  I assume I got them from playing soccer but they have caused me to be self conscious ever since.  Now they are triple what they were and it makes my hate for them even stronger.  I look at pictures of just a year ago and thing I wasn't skinny but I felt good and thought that Hey! I'm pretty in that picture, but now ugly is not even the word for what I feel.  I just feel like if I can't change my thinking and attitude that these last nine weeks are going to drag and I'm going to be miserable.  I have heard of women that absolutely love being pregnant and that is what I always wanted.

Along with image issues, I'm starting to get nervous about birth, breastfeeding and everything that comes with parenting.  With her arrival coming up fast I realize that she has to COME OUT.  I really am praying hard for a smooth labor.  I do not want a c-section.  I would just be so disappointed if that happened.  Surgery does not sound like any fun so I'm hoping that I can push this baby out on my own.  I also plan on breastfeeding but am worried I won't be able to do it.  My mother did not breastfeed and my older sister only did it for a short time before switching to formula and I really want to be able to do it.  It's so much better for her and cheaper so I'm really praying that I am able to bear the initial pain of it and become a pro.

One last thing to discuss is probably just a woman topic but my libido is at a negative 10 and has been since the beginning of this pregnancy.  I've read books and talked to other woman and I know each pregnancy is different and that some women are extremely active intimately and others could care less.  I'm the later of the two and man does it make me feel guilty.  It's not even that I don't want to it's more that I can't without wanting to cry because it's painful.  I can't even imagine having to get a baby out at this point.  I'm even nervous for my 36 week appointment for when they start checking me for dilation.  I feel totally and completely sorry for my husband.  I feel like I'm a terrible wife for being so distant but it's not on purpose! I just keep reminding myself that it's only nine more weeks and that this will all be over in the blink of an eye.  I am trying my hardest to enjoy these last weeks but it's really not easy.  I am definitely ready to meet this baby and finally start feeling normal again.  I need to give this to the Lord and trust in him.  I know he will get me through this and that I will look back on it and wonder what I was so worked up about when I'm staring at a beautiful baby girl.  Faith and belief that it will all be ok is what I need to focus on and not all these petty things.

Does anybody else out there feel this way or did you feel this way when you were pregnant? I feel alone in this.  Like an alien has taken over my body.  If you have any advice or support it would be great!  Also, prayers would be very much appreciated.

And just to make 31 weeks official here's a belly pic...



 

Pregnancy Emotions

Why is it when you are pregnant, there is no controlling your emotions? For the past two days I've been a wreck.  Moody, touchy, tearful, emotional, angry and so sensitive.  The smallest things can set me off.  And big things really get me going.  When I get upset I try calming myself down because I really shouldn't get myself so worked up but once I start crying I just can't stop.  Being an emotional wreck is one of the symptoms I've figured out that never goes away.  I've had it since I found out I was pregnant.  I just don't know how to control it.  It's really making me depressed.  I also feel extremely cooped up in this house which makes me even crazier.  Fortunately, we are leaving for a trip to Virginia this weekend so hopefully two days away will help.  This week is just really getting to me.  I need to remember that I can't fix everything and that God is in control.  I need to turn these emotions over to him and put him in control.  Hopefully, the remainder of the week goes better than the first part.  Crossing my fingers...

Sorry for the ho hum blog today.  Just really needed to vent and release some tension.

Flu shots aren't so bad afterall!

So as you can see I've been M.I.A for awhile.  It's mainly due to the fact that I'm lazy.  In the Salyer household we are keeping it pretty calm these days.  Dustin of course is at work most of the time but on his days off we are spending our time preparing for Emma's arrival, housework, date nights, yard work, family time and church.

I got my Flu shot today! I was a nervous wreck.  I have never gotten a Flu shot before and have heard stories where they make you sick and can even bring on Flu symptoms so it took some guts for me to sit down and allow them to stick me with that needle! Thankfully, my sweet husband was the person who gave me the shot.  I was nervous at first but he made me very comfortable and he did an amazing job.  I hardly felt a thing! Good job babe! Besides a somewhat sore arm and a slight headache I'm fine.  So hopefully no Flu for this pregnant girl this winter! To any pregnant ladies out there you should definitely go get your shot.  They say that the number one person that should get vaccinated is pregnant women.  You can see Dustin at Kmart pharmacy for your shot, he did an amazing job and you won't feel a thing!

In other news, we recently joined a Small Group at church.  Since the church we go to is so large it was definitely a must to sign up to meet with a Small Group (which is 4-6 other couples in our age group that meet twice a month for fellowship and a Bible study).  We have been attending Living Hope since February and finally decided it was time to step out of our shells and make it a point to meet others and really get active.  Dustin is also taking initiative in getting active with all the men of the church and certain volunteer tasks that are going on right now.  It's great to see him opening up and stepping out of his comfort zone.  I think we all tend to make excuses for ourselves to avoid stepping out of our comforts zones.  This church has really opened our eyes to the possibilities out there to witness to others and fellowship with other believers.  It's something we have both wanted for so long.  A church we can call home and the opportunity to become the Christians we have been longing to be.  I look forward to what is in store for us at Living Hope.  I'm really looking forward to find where I belong, whether it be working with the young girls, or the nursery or the choir or all of those, who knows! I am so proud of where me and Dustin have come in a year.  Every couple experiences difficult times but we were able to push through them and put in the hard work and it's really paid off.  God has blessed us tremendously and we are forever grateful.  So many people in this world are non believers but I'm here to tell those people you aren't truly living until you live by Grace and the love of God.  Every time I see love in my husbands eyes, the joy of family and friends, the kicks of this precious life growing inside me, the sun shining in the sky, the rain that quenches the thirst of this earth, even the hardships put upon us to bring us closer to him and the feeling inside my soul because HE lives in me, I KNOW there is a God and he will forever be my Lord and Saviour.

I am very blessed and can't even  fully explain the joy I'm experiencing lately.  Last night Dustin finally got to feel Emma kick for the first time.  We layed there for thirty minutes just feeling the kicks get stronger.  How amazing is that? I mean, there is really a BABY in there! We had an ultrasound last Friday and she's as beautiful as ever.  We go back on the 27th for another ultrasound and my Glucose testing.  I get to drink a delicious orange pure sugar drink so they can make sure I don't have Gestational Diabetes.  Crossing my fingers that goes well.  Our ultrasound on Friday still didn't show Emma's entire face so once again we will have another one at our next appointment.  She is really cozy in her spot and hasn't seemed to want to budge.  Although, last night with as strong as her kicking was, I really think she has changed positions.  I'm feeling her almost all the time now and her kicks are very strong so maybe that means we will actually get some good pictures of her next time! We hope so anyway!

Ok, now it's picture time!

23 weeks :)



I think she's gonna be a big baby!





Yay me!

19 Weeks, Whoa!

I cannot even believe it.  This pregnancy is half way over.  I remember when I first found out, time was just creeping by and now I can't remember where the weeks have gone.  I only hope the next part of this pregnancy goes as fast.  The sooner we get to meet this little bundle of joy the better.  I told Dustin the other day that I'm on pins and needles to hold a precious onsie covered baby butt and kiss its sweet hands and feet :) I also informed him as soon as this baby starts growing up on us it's going to be time for another! We don't even have the first baby popped out and I'm planning the second already.  Crazy right? We have both always wanted a pretty big family, Dustin more than me actually.  I always said two was my max but now you just never know! I have felt for the longest time that our home was missing something and lonely at times and now I know it's the presence of kids.  The pitter patter of little feet, cuddling with our kids and just the plain joy of raising and watching our children grow.  So here we are half way on our way to adding our first little one and we couldn't be happier.  All the praise and glory goes to the Lord.  This is such an amazing blessing and experience.  I'm so thankful he's protecting this baby and myself.  God is good!

Next Tuesday the 31st we have our 20 week ultrasound.  We will be able to find out what we are having.  I hope this week doesn't drag!

19 weeks!!

Why I love Sundays.

I could probably write a book on why I love Sundays.  It is probably my favorite day of the week.  In bullet point fashion here are my reasons why:

• We found the most amazing church ever and I can't wait for Sunday mornings to arrive.  Looking forward to what the future in this church holds for us.  I really could stay there all day on Sundays.


• Sunday lunch! Whether it's a home cooked meal or sitting down at a restaurant, nothing is better than a great Sunday lunch.


• Nap time...Oh what is better than getting home from church and lunch, turning on some TV and snoozing the day away.


• Cleaning (sounds crazy right?).  I am quite a cleaner anyway so Sunday cleaning is actually very therapeutic and relaxing for me.  It's a great way to start the new week fresh and clean! Today I even went as far as cleaning out boxes, photo albums and yard sale items.  That could maybe be super early nesting setting in because that much in-depth cleaning isn't really like me.


• Nascar racing and NFL.  I am tickled pink that football is back.  Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year.  One reason being football.  Go TITANS!


• Spending quality time with my sweet husband.  Nine times out of ten he doesn't work on Sundays so we get to spend all day together.  Definitely cannot beat that.


• Also, Sundays always mean one more week down in this pregnancy, Woot Woot! Which means 17 weeks pregnant, 3 weeks until we find out whether this precious baby is a boy or girl and 23 weeks to go! I've gotten to the point where every time I see a baby in public it melts me and I'm almost tempted to steal it!

So there you have it people...the reasons why Sundays are so darn amazing! I mean do you not agree? Sundays are the most fabulous day of the week.  If you disagree, just try my list and I promise you will be a fan soon enough! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  Happy Monday tomorrow.

Welcome To Our Story

It has been a little over a year since I quit my last blog.  After a crazy year I've decided it's time to start writing again.  I'm so excited to share my story again.  I hope to use this blog more often than my last one.  I think I was writing for all the wrong reasons last time.  I looked more forward to the people reading and leaving comments than actually writing the words.  It became a chore rather than something I enjoyed.  Over the past year I have definitely grown as a person, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and soon to be parent.  I've learned many life lessons in a year and fell in love with the man of my dreams all over again.  I'm excited to share my faith, my love for life, my love for my family and excitement for a new baby with the world and I hope that whomever reads this blog, if anybody even does, that they enjoy it and learn something from it.  I'm writing this time for myself and that is all that matters.  I hope that people who read this will laugh with me, give advice and encouragement, cry with me whether happy or sad and just plain enjoy what I write.