Momcation 2013

Yes, I said a few weeks ago that I was calling in sick. Taking all my personal days. Taking vacation days. I did just that. Three of us decided to drive down to Panama City Beach and stay for a few days at a decent priced place. In the end, there were four of us and we flew. You can't pass up Southwest Airlines and their super cheap flights--not to mention skipping the drive with a 30 week pregnant chick ( with baby #4). We stayed at a condo on the beach, I won't go into details about it. It served its purpose for a place to sleep, eat, and go to the bathroom. It came with 2 chairs on the beach with an umbrella and had a closet fully stocked with beach chairs. There was also a good pool with a little bar and a small menu of lunch options.But there apparently were 'issues' with one of the walls after we had left. We didn't do it. There were also dirty pots and pans, blankets, and a few other small issues. Maybe I did go into details. But on with the trip!

 

We flew out Wednesday evening, got a rental car ( New Tahoe with like 20 miles on it), and headed on to the condo. We just stayed right in the area to eat, and had a horrible meal at Back Porch =( But we made it better by driving over to target {it didn't close until 11 PM} to stock up on ( too many) snacks and drinks and breakfast items for the next 3 days.

Oh yeah, I took my trusty pump along. I had the BEST time going up to the room every 4 hours to pump for my precious baby Ella ;) Once I realized there was a plug on the deck where no one could see from other balconies, it wasn't so bad to sit and look at this view: 

 

We had fun laying out, swimming in the ocean( a little), walking down to pier park for lunch, & driving down to 30A for dinner. We also somehow got onto a kick of things that annoy us on facebook (i.e.: food pictures, duck face, eyebrows raised up & an open mouth like all middle/high school girls do, selfies, #amillion #hastags #aftereverypicture #oninstragram, the #nofilter {who cares?!?!} ) and then we proceeded to do every one of them WAY TOO MUCH. I really felt like I needed to explain after the fact so people didn't think I was 'one of those'.



 

#vacation #yummy #bestfoodever #George's #30A #momcation #shrimp #selfie #beach #ocean #PCB

 

 

I even got some text messages making sure we were OK, because when you scrolled down my Facebook we had all posted the same thing, tagged each other, and liked each other's status. And it involved the word stalking. We were fine, laughing and having a wonderful time. Did I mention that between the 4 of us, we have 15 kids(& 1 on the way). Thanks mostly to the mom with 7 herself! I saw several groups of women at the beach. Large groups! There was even a group at our condo that had to make an ER visit, and one lady has to have surgery on her foot when she returned home. She was on crutches and a splint/cast. No fun!.We didn't get that crazy! They told us in the elevator that it just snapped in the sand. hhhmmm

It was a great time to get away. I wouldn't say I was ready to get back, but it was back to reality on Saturday night. We had church (and nursery duty) to get up for on Sunday, Luke had to get back to work on Sunday afternoon, and life keep on moving!



 

 

To the beach and back!

My last post was FINALLY about our last day at WDW, and now we've already been back to Orlando again. My aunt her her little baby #3 ( Stella) about 3 weeks ago, so we had to go see her. We also didn't get to spend much time with family during WDW trip, so we stayed with my grandparents & visited family.



Sweet sleepy baby



Before we went I had my 16 week Dr appointment. Blood pressure is still great--as expected. All of the blood work and ultrasounds have come back negative for Trisomy 13 & 18 , down syndrome, and Spina Bifida. So, we are set for July 27th for the full anomaly ultrasound. We're praying for a nicely progressing baby, all body parts to be developed where they should be, and a healthy strong heartbeat! I'm not quite sure if I want to know yet if baby is a boy or girl! Luke will see, but he might end up telling me later.

The belly is growing, the pelvis constantly feels out of place--until it loudly pops--, the headaches are ridiculous, and the bathroom visits are out of control. Maybe I'm drinking more this time around, because I never had to go to the bathroom ALL THE TIME with the other two like all moms talk about. I had a little dehydration day a few weeks ago and had to stay in bed all day, drink water, and sleep.

I'm trying not to think about an early delivery--early as in only 10 more weeks of pregnancy like Lucy--, but am keeping in mind that Pre-eclampsia is ugly and can strike at any time. Every day past October 1st, we will count as a blessing! We know the latest we will carry this baby will be until December 5th @ 39 weeks. Yep, 1 day after Landon's birthday :)

We do NOT have a name decided on. We did not pick 'L' names with the kids, we just liked 2 names that started with he same letter. So, this baby will most likely not have an 'L' name. I don't really like any L names right now. We have a boy named picked out, and have loved it since Landon was born too. I had a girl name I liked, but it is ALL over the place now. And I really thought I was going to be like the only one with a kid that name. We still have a while to get it figured out!

Knee deep in the water somewhere. . .

Got the blue sky breeze blowin' wind thru my hair

Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise there's a fire in the sky

Never been so  happy

Never been so high

and I think I might have found my own piece of paradise

I took the kids back to Orlando ( 3rd trip since the 1st week in May) last week. I actually rode along with my parents and niece. We had a great time with family eating, going to the beach, playing with cousins, swimming in some pools,and just being away! My kids travel great, I think. We have to stop every few hours to feed Lucy, but it gives Landon a chance to get out and run around, milk an enormous fake cow,play checkers at cracker barrel, look at gators at a rest area, watch a kid have a seizure in the play place at chick fil a, get peach ice cream at an orchard-- you know the normal road trip things ;)

After 3 trips to Florida, an Atlanta trip to watch my cousin play basketball, and a few trips to Louisville or the farm, we are done for the summer. Well, except back to Louisville this weekend for a HS reunion.

Mind on a permanent vacation

The ocean is my only medication

Wishing my condition ain't never gonna go away

If I die young....

A few weeks ago this song came on, so I decided to talk 'funerals'. I had never brought this subject up before. You always hear that story of the couple where one passes away, and they think it's so ironic that they had JUST been talking about death, family, & how they wanted their funeral. No, I don't believe in jinxing things or superstitions, but that's just not something I wanted to happen. After my parents drove as quickly as they could to Nashville anticipating their daughter being dead,  after Luke and Amanda witnessed the nurses/doctors asking each other if anyone had found a pulse on me yet, and after Luke had been pulled into the hallway by Dr. W. letting him know I'd most likely have brain damage the rest of my life, I figured maybe we should discuss funerals.

I asked Luke what clothes he'd dress me in, what songs he'd have sung/played, who he would have hold the service, where the funeral would be, and where I'd be buried. He had some thoughtful answers.


Music Playlist at MixPod.com

This isn't my typical running song, but I did add this to my play list when I ran in Louisville the other week. It got me over the first big hill in the park. Running gives you  plenty of time to think and clear your mind. It also gives you time to pray. I'm so thankful, especially with everything that happened, that I am still here and am able to enjoy my sweet babies. I probably won't forget any of the Dr.'s faces that I saw that day, even though I don't remember too much. I can't imagine my kiddos having to grow up without me. I know their Daddy could take care of them & love them, but I want to be able to love on them too as much as I can! The first time we took Lucy to the pediatrician after she was released, he was speechless. He told us he had read through my Dr. report again, and was just so happy things turned out the way he did. He stammered and stuttered a bit and finally got out how bad it could have gotten & we could have even lost Lucy too. I enjoy having Christian doctors. He came back to check on Lucy for the first few days, and even came in my room to see me. He came in right after all the 'excitement'. I always try to look decent when I do to Dr. appointments now, because I feel bad at what they had to look at those few days ;)

On another note, we took a family vacation to Orlando a few weeks ago. We spent Mother's day with some of  my mom's family. Here are a few pictures:

So HAPPY to be a MOMMY to these 2!

Family beach picture! (I'm still working on getting back into shape).

Mini-Vaca

We had a wonderful long weekend trip to the beach! It was very relaxing, even with Landon. Luke let me get a lot of laying out time to get a break from my 'job' since we took it with us. And since he takes a 3 hour nap ( and it was longer from being SO worn out while we were there), Luke got to sneek in a nap each day too. On Sunday afternoon we both layed out, read, slept, and relaxed outside by the pool while Landon napped. We were on the 4th floor ( pool level), so we could lay right by our patio.I'll add a few pictures and 2 videos, but have a lot on facebook.

Daddy and his sweet little boy!

Landon and his Mommy on the beach.Sharing some superman icecream. He loved the water, and playing with his Daddy all day.

I love Tuesdays!

Since I've become a Stay At Home Mom, I really don't have a 'weekend' to look forward to. I don't wake up every Mon. morning, and dread the work week, looking forward to Friday. WHICH, by the way, Really annoys me. I hate to read on people's facebook that they can't wait until Friday afternoon. I understand how jobs are annoying and not always where we want to be, but I really believe in enjoying each day, being thankful for another day to be alive, not wishing my life away, and making the best of it. A few months ago, Tuesday became my favorite day. I started doing a cycling class at the Y--which I LOVE. I also really enjoy watching The biggest Loser, and I also REALLY love $.45 wings at BW3's!

Today was Landon's last Tuesday swim lesson. We finish his lessons on Thursday =( Last week was NOT a fun week at lessons. I believe that most of it had to do with the 2 new teeth he has, and the 3 that have broken through. YES, 5 new teeth in the last week and a half. Just about 2 weeks ago, he only had 4 1/2 teeth-the regular 1st 4 that come in, and a 1/2 of another. He has added a full molar up top, another tooth on the bottom, and his other 3 molars are poking out! He was doing everything wonderfully in the pool, except for kicking his feet and moving his arms.(The main purpose for this class is to get the acquainted with the pool)FINALLY today he laid over the noodle, kicked his arms and legs, and smiled the entire time. He had a great attitude today, and it made me very happy =) I love that during his lessons, there is a class in the other end of the pool. It is mostly seniors. Half the time during class, they are focused on their instructor, and then the other half of the time, they are looking at Landon and smiling. I love that he has like 50 'grandparents' who enjoy watching his swimming lessons. When they are done, some of them get into the hot tub, and Landon will climb out on that side of the pool to tell them all "Hi!". And then after lessons, so many of them talk to him,say how adorable he is, how well he did in class, and how they could tell how much he enjoys swimming. It's so fun, and I'm glad he can bring joy to other people's morning!

Luke had his review and rating this week for work. We have been praying about this for a long time now. We are so grateful for everything we have been blessed with, Home Depot being such a great company for Luke to work for, and for me to be able to stay home with Landon. Like most couples (I hope), this was an issue we discussed before marriage. There was never any other thought besides that I would stay home when we had children, and most likely go back when they entered school-- to pay for their Private schooling. We were a little hesitant for me to stay home once we finally got to the point, and I did go back for about 4 months. It was the best decision for me to get tenured, get summer pay, and have another chunk of one of my loans paid off. After that, we took the plunge into living off of one income, knowing that God would provide all of our needs, and never doubting our decision. It has been an adjustment, but we love it and believe it is for the best for us! And all this to say that Luke got the highest rating he could get at his review. This means he is eligible to take the test that will allow him to interview for his own store =) I'm so happy and proud of all his work. When he started with the company as an hourly associate, he made a goal to be a manager in 5 years.....well it's been about that long, and he is as close as he can be now!


This sign is from Pineapple willy's last summer. And in 24 days, we'll be back on the beach! Luke has 2 weeks of vacation left he has to use by August, but he can't use them in the spring. So we'll just go for a long weekend like we did last year--Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night, and come back Monday afternoon. He is going to use 1 of his weeks to work on the flooring & deck on the house, and use the other the first week in August to go back to the beach. We found a place last Spring, stayed there in July, and LOVE it. Luke talks ( and stalks the Internet) weekly about moving to a store down there, and buying a 3 bedroom condo there. If you know me at all, you know it Sounds Great to me!!!! We stay at the Origin at Sehaven The beach works out great with us, even having Landon. Luke enjoys a few hours in the sun, beach, and pool. but at some point, his idea of vacation--relaxing in a bed or watching TV-- works perfectly with Landon taking a nap, and mommy getting to lay out in peace and quiet. I love that he always tries to squeeze in little trips like this! He knows I LOVE the beach and sun, and it keeps us sane to get away for a few days. The weekend we are there, is my long run of 10 miles. This makes me a little bit nervous, but I am glad there are treadmills if I get bored running it all outside. I'm doing good with my 'late' training. Once I get past the first 2 miles, I'm good to go! This is all mental for me, and I WILL meet my goal! I am excited though that I will get to run to and around Pier Park. I have been using www.mapmyrun.com to find different routes for me to run during the week or for my long run when I don't use the treadmill at the Y. So we won't have to drive around and around the beach until we find a 10 mile route I like.
This was a long and random blog, but now it's time to go to the park with my Landon! Luke will be home shortly after, and then I'm off to lift, cycle, and tan!