Relief

... that is what I feel right now. The past week and a half has been crazy! We started off last Saturday with Josh waking up not feeling well. By that evening he was in so much pain we went to the emergency room to have them release him at 3 am with no diagnosis. Sunday was horrible for him so on Monday we got in to see his DR. They immediately admitted him to the hospital with an infection that required IV antibiotics. So he was in there until Tuesday night.  They let him come home but he was ordered to rest for the week. 

He went back to the DR this past Monday and they released him to head back to work this week. Today is his first day back. It was a really scary couple of days for us. I am SOOO happy he is ok. 

This picture of G.G. just kind of sums up the week in our house. Josh not feeling well and resting, me nursing a baby and Sophie started middle school. The toddler had free reign. 

Let me just say I can't believe my little Sophie is in middle school. She switches classes every class and has a locker. This has been a huge deal for her and her friends. She was even quizzing Josh and me about when do we think she should go back to her locker. After every class or every two classes? It is really cute how new and exciting everything is for her. I love it. I miss her so much though. I wish I was brave enough to homeschool, just to have her with me all the time. I'm sure she would have none of that though. She's a very independent, social girl.

The two little ones are doing well. Just growing and growing every day. I can't stand it. G.G. is really into identifying all her colors right now. She talks all the time and just makes me laugh every day. She loves to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in this really funny voice because she knows it cracks me up. She is also running, climbing and jumping constantly. She had a couple of big falls off the couch the other day, so we'll see if any lessons were learned there.

Little Shep is just my precious baby boy. Nurses like a champ and sleeps all night. A couple of nights ago he woke up at around 11 pm and then again at 4 in the morning. I think he is beginning to teethe. He's been a little cranky lately. He just rolled over from back to tummy a couple of days ago.  He smiles all the time and we are just enjoying every moment of his babyhood. The milestones are exciting but I'm sure not rushing them! :)

On the mend

Well, G.G. and I are on the mend I think.  She slept a little better last night and hasn't been as cranky today. 

This is her not wanting to be a part of the pictures I was taking of all of them. She's a rebel.

Her sissy takes such good care of her. 

She was not having it this morning. This was before she went and got on her ladybug chair. 

Sophie and Shep 

Ready for a nap

The Whiting Girls

The Kiddos

Sophie

- She is anxiously awaiting her trip to Washington D.C. ( & so is mom, but not for the same reasons:)).

- She has aced every one of her spelling pre-tests for the past several weeks, meaning she doesn't have to take the big tests on Fridays. She is very happy about this.

- She is going to church camp this summer and she is thrilled about it.

- I can't believe how tall she is getting. In September she was 5' 2", I believe, and she has definitely had a growth spurt since then. It's crazy.

- She amazes me every day with her sweet spirit.

G.G.

- She gets funnier and funnier every day.

- She is beginning to put two words together. She says "mama's juice", "G.G. juice", "bye sissy", "bye, bye G.G.", " down bath" ( after dinner). 

- She can identify her eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, head, arm, leg and now neck. 

- She refers to animals by the sound they make. If she sees a cat she says " a meow" , if she sees a dog she says " a ruff".

- She LOVES her sister. If Sophie is down in her room, she walks around yelling in a loud voice " SISSY!". It's really cute.

Angel baby #3

- Kicking and moving like crazy.

- I think I've gained about 18 pounds so far. Monday is my next appt. and I know I've gained this past month.

- I can't sleep at night anymore. Not only do I have to go to the bathroom about 42 times every night, I'm having crazy pregnancy dreams when I do sleep. I'm sooo uncomfortable! 

- This poor baby doesn't have a nursery yet. We are just going to get a bassinet for our room and not be too worried about the room just yet. 

- We just can't wait to meet our newest little blessing!

Sunny Days

We enjoyed a wonderful family day at the park after church on Sunday. We took a picnic and the kids played.

I try to steer G.G. to other parts of the park before she finds the sandbox. Once she's there, she really doesn't want to leave.

Since Sophie was with her, she was more interested in playing on other things.

Sophie is such a good big sister. She really enjoys playing with G.G. and takes such good care of her.

I'm a lucky momma.

A Picnic at the Park

Saturday we decided to have a picnic. My mom is in town so we had a girls day. It was cloudy but felt really nice. This is in a section of our town called "Old Town". It has a creek that runs through and a waterfall. We had a really good time.

Grama and granddaughters

mmmm lunch

It's a whole new world

At least it is for Sophie. She can see now! Poor thing has been telling me for a while she had trouble seeing the board at school. I finally made an eye appointment and, sure enough, she needed glasses.



She loves them.

I think she looks absolutely beautiful in them.
And more importantly, she can see!

Sisters

G.G. is a toddler on the go. She never really slows down. I never get cuddles like this.
She saves them for her sister.
It's ok though because seeing this makes my heart melt.
I love how they love each other.

What's new with the girls?

1. Sophie is very excited about the holiday season coming up. She's doing some things with her youth group at church like the Samaritan Shoe Box donation that she's really happy about.

2. G.G. has really started liking to read books. Instead of flipping through the pages really fast, she'll take her time and look at pictures and talk.

3. When we change G.G.'s diaper, she says " Ewww!".

4. Sophie is WAY into American History right now. It's great. Her teacher is really passionate about it and it is rubbing off. She'll take a class field trip to Washington D.C. in April so she's gearing up for that.

5. Instead of saying " bye bye" G.G. now says " Bye!" in a really high pitched, drawn out southern accent. So cute.

6. It's amazing to see how much they love each other. G.G. calls Sophie 'Sissy' and says a big " Hiii!" whenever she sees her. Sophie is very sweet and affectionate with her and loves to twirl around the living room and dance with her.

As far as the new little one, I'm feeling a little better. I think I'm about 4 months along. That sounds horrible, but with a 14 month old running around, I don't think about being pregnant too much yet.

We are also trying to buy a house right now. I'm so hesitant to talk about it but we are so excited. Supposed to close next week, so say a prayer for us please!

Happy Birthday my Sunshine

Today my Sophie Sunshine is 11. Eleven. I can't believe it. It doesn't seem like it has been 11 years since you were growing in my belly. Since I first heard your cry. Since I first held you in my arms and fell so completely in love with you. More than I ever thought I could love someone. You have changed my life in so many ways.

I want you to know how completely proud we are of you. You are the kindest, smartest, funniest, most artistic, craziest ( I mean that in a good way :)) kid I know. You make me laugh every day.
My prayer for you on your birthday is that your life will continue to be blessed. I pray that you will grow into a kind, smart, funny, artistic, crazy ( in a good way:)) woman. I pray that I will be able to witness that.

I am so proud to call you my daughter.

I love you with all my heart!

Love, Mom