I got lucky today and found some really cute decorations and an awesome painting for Addison's nursery... Here are a few photos... Once I finish, I will do a walk through video for you.. :)




Much love

That is the number of lady bugs I sucked up in the vacuume today.. JUST IN THE LIVING ROOM!!!! I stopped to take them out of the canister (across the street) and when I got back inside, there were more...

We are being invaded.... just thought I would share.. :)

Hello everyone!

We have lots to post about today so lets get to it!

Last night we decided to tackle the new changing table we ordered for Addison's nursery... Annabelle is still using hers so we thought we would get a second one that will grow into a dresser.. It came yesterday and I documented the process. I thought I could edit the 8 short videos but I haven't figured out how to do it. I will try to youtube it so you can see it.. It looks just lovely now but it was work to get it together.

Not only did we get and assemble the changing table but I FINALLY decided on a theme for Addison... It was a bit more challenging than Annabelle's Bee theme but I am really happy with what we are going to go with... I thought with the beautiful Southern Rose bedding I have that I would do a Garden theme.. complete with a white picket fence.. Christy, Andrea and the long time readers will appreciate why I had to have white picket fencing in her room!! I did try to use what we have but was afraid of the splinter possibilities so I bought a section from the Home Depot! I am really happy with how it turned out.. and I didn't have to paint! I must add that I LOVE the staple gun... what a wonderful tool for us non-crafty people! :)

Today was Annabelle's first preschool party and it was so cute... She dressed like Nemo and they had a parade of all the kids in their costumes.. so so cute.. I will attach some photos. You will see many of her in the Nemo costume after tomorrow. She looks so stinking cute in it. Halloween here on post is quite the experience. I invite any of you to come join us as last year we had over 350 kids come by! This year we are going to take Annabelle early in the evening, then come back and hand out the goodies! I have a huge tub of candy and every morsel will be gone by tonight, unless I decide to hide a few smarties! (my favorite)


Last but not least, we have a few new pets to share with you...

If you can't see what exactly you are looking at let me help you.... they are ladybugs... we have HUNDREDS OF THEM! John vacuumed at least 100 earlier TODAY and this is a sampling of what we have moving in now.. Lucky they aren't harmful and the cats, as well as Annabelle, really enjoy watching them fly around.. John and I, not so much... I don't know if we are all having this issue but it seems to happen when the cold comes and the lady bugs want to stay warm.. Gran would love it!

I must go put Annabelle to bed... Much love to you and please keep the prayers for Amber and Odaddy coming!
Carolyn

Happy 33 weeks!! YEAH! we are that much closer to the big day and what makes it even more real is seeing the new Baby Lulu bedding I got for Addison! OH MY GOSH it is beautiful. Here are a few photos of just how gorgeous it is.. YES it is official ...it ROCKS having girls.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! :) I know, just wait until they are teenagers but for now, I am the happiest mom on earth!

Considering we have done nothing else to the nursery and probably won't due to our moving next summer, the color is a much needed addition!

Yesterday we had a fun filled day from going to the pumpkin patch to the hockey game... I have photos from the pumpkin patch but none from the hockey game.. Annabelle was great... she had no nap, just fell asleep in the car on the way from the farm to the game and slept a grand total of 20 minutes... (she is more accustomed to two to three hours of nap time) We got to meet another mom and dad via surrogacy at the farm.. She was there with her husband as well her surro! It was really nice getting to meet others who share our challenge of third party reproduction.. They are expecting a boy this January and have a wonderful relationshop with their surrogate... She is a traditional surrogate where the egg is her own opposed to what we did with an egg donor... regardless, we are kindred spirits!

We were very concerned that the hockey game wasn't going to be fun for anyone but she had a ball! There were about 20-25 of us, command teams and families, and one of Annabelle's favorite friends, Mac.. she was so cute with him.. We also got to see two of my favorite people Tori and Alan (miss you guys so much) for just a minute but it was nice to do some short term catching up... We ended up leaving just after the 2nd period and listened to the Preds win on the drive home.. Annabelle fell asleep about 15 minutes from home and reacts about as well as I do when she is awakened before she is ready to be awakened.. it was unpleasant to say the least.. She told daddy to "go way" while we were trying to put her down and then after insisting on having her "moon" (aka goodnight moon book) she not so kindly told me to go way too! gees.. but she ended up sleeping until 8:30this morning.. well deserved (as did we) ...
Here are some photos from the pumpkin patch! Click on any photo to see it in the full shot.. Blogger cuts off part of the photo when I load it for some reason..


We also have decided to do some forward thinking and bank Addison's cord blood.. who knows what they will be able to do with stem cells in the future and you can't get them back once they are gone.. Addison will be a 100% match of course but Annabelle will be a 50% match as well.. From someone who has had cancer, it seems like the right thing to do.. we also consider it doing our part to stimulate the economy.. haha:)


Today we are just hanging out watching NASCAR (not me, but John) while we make a huge batch of Chili and more shredded beef for the deep freezer.. yep, prepping for when Addison gets here...


Love to you all!
Carolyn

Happy 32weeks and 6 days!

Amber had her regular op appointment yesterday and all is well... baby is growing well and all of Amber's vitals are just perfect! :) Dr Rogers did go ahead and do the test that can indicate if you are going to go into labor in the next two weeks... (don't know the name of that test though) so we'll see if I need to head west or not.. :) Amber has had a few contractions already but nothing rhythmic or constant... just the natural process of her body getting ready for show time. I am going to start packing a bag for AJ just in case I need to get on the next flight (or start driving) to Kansas... Keep the prayers coming!

Back to the name game... we have decided to name AJ Addison! John will most likely call her either "AJ" or "Addy" Her stocking will be ordered as soon as I find the others as to not duplicate!...

Today we are heading to a pumpkin patch/hayride/corn maze/mini SMO GTG/ Pred's hockey game! yes, we have a busy one ahead of us.. Annabelle is just going up for a short nap and once she wakes, or we wake her we will be heading out! I am certain we are going to wish she had a longer nap tonight...

Thank you all for the prayers and we cherish each of you and your friendship!
Love
Carolyn

Hello all, today we had our follow-up appointment with the high risk OB regarding the abnormal AFP blood levels (you remember, the one that had us all freaked out that baby AJ might have spina bifida) and AJ looks just perfect! oh glorious God! I really wasn't worried but it is always nice to have a specialist tell you all is well...

We got some bonus photos of dear AJ (thank you Amber for asking for them, they will be attached to this entry) and you'll see what chubby cheeks she has already! Today her belly measured 33 weeks 1 day and her femur 32 weeks 6 days.. so she is just a little ahead of schedule... she weighs 4 pounds 12 ounces and is 16 2/3 inches long.. she is in the 69% so we are fast on track for Dec 14! Amber is still uncomfortable but I think that is to be expected this far along.. keep her in your prayers anyway! :)
Here she is!! :)

One other bit of information is we found out Mitch is deploying for 6 months just after the new year and AJ's birth... Please keep both Amber and Mitch in your prayers and thoughts.. (as well Bailey and Meghan) I know it will be hard on them...

We have to decide SOON what AJ's "A" is going to stand for... We need to order her stocking (with her name on it) so I have given John and I until FRIDAY to decide... then let the embroidery ordering begin!! haha.. I have been putting this off for some time now and it is time to get the name on some cute items.. So look Friday for the news!

That is it I believe.. thanks for all your support and cheers! (as well prayers)
Much love to you all...

Carolyn

WOW... we are getting so close to baby time!! I can't wait to see her face for the first time... :) Please keep Amber in your thoughts and prayers.. I know she is getting more and more uncomfortable and could use comforting prayers from you all...

Today I had my oncology appointment in Nashville and got the all clear... for those of you that don't know, I have had cancer twice and I go every 6 months for check-ups... this was just a check-up... It has been almost 17 years now (OH MY GOD! 17 years?) since the second time so I feel pretty confident I will be OK each visit but you just never know...
I did learn something this go around... in fact a subject mom and I just talked about... I have been on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for 17 years and have had concerns being on them for so long... like what kind of long term issues am I going to have as a result of HRT.. so much so that I looked into not taking them a few years ago but do to the risk of heart disease and stroke I decided it was better to stay on them... My attitude has always been lose the boobs to breast cancer, keep my heart! I can live without boobs (or just buys some bigger ones if something were to happen) but I can't live without a heart... well, my discussion with mom got me thinking.. she was told by her cardiologist NOT to take them as she, the Dr, doesn't take them nor does mom's friend who works for this Dr... I was stunned and asked my PA (Dana) about the pros/cons of HRT.. she told me a study 5 years or so ago found that taking HRT INCREASES your risk of heart disease and stroke.. INCREASES!!! WHAT??? The ONLY reason I have been taking the stupid pills was to reduce my chances of heart disease and stroke! YIKES ... I was just stunned... the only negatives of not taking the HRT are the side effects.. you know, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings.. (like John isn't use to that already.. ) and osteoporosis... (only if you have a family history of it) so I have decided to ween off the pills and see what happens... If you notice that I am a total b*tch... tell me !! haha.. and know it is the pills or lack there of that is the problem... I will probably do some natural supplement to help with the "issues" but I think this is the best thing for my body.. I am THRILLED that I can stop taking them!! I think John is a little worried though.. he wanted me to do more research!! haha... funny... don't worry honey.. I won't be too evil.... just remind yourself it will end once my body adjusts... and besides, you will be gone most of the time... haha.. :) Who knows, I might be nicer off the synthetic hormones I have been taking... it could happen.. and I could probably stand to be nicer anyway..

So, I guess I can count this as "what I have learned today" .. not too bad...

No one know what we have water towers for but dad? really?? is no one reading the blog anymore? I was amazed at their use and really had no clue nor would I have ever guessed... (I guess I missed that day in school!)

OK.. I have a headache and need to rest while Annabelle is in her room not napping... based on the conversation she is having with something in her room, she is in no way napping. Day 4 of no nap for darling Annabelle..

Love to you all!! pray for our country.. I am VERY worried where we will be lead come Nov 4th....

Carolyn

I have been meaning to post a list of things I learn... daily because it seems I do still learn something new each day... one thing that has been on my mind is the things children make you aware of... The moon in the daytime... train tracks... flags... and water towers...

Who knew just how many water towers there were? I mean really?!?! Annabelle can spot them a mile (or more) away and is so excited and proud to announce to me WATER TOWER!!!!!! when she spots one in the distance... It has gotten me thinking, just what is the use for all these water towers? I mean, I can see having them in farming areas but there are plenty that are in towns and in the suburbs.. What do we use these water towers for? Does anyone know? Emergency water? I doubt it... I know I could do a search on Yahoo or Google but that isn't any fun. ... so you tell me, what are water towers used for and why do we need so many of them... :)

Tonight we went to Ally's birthday party in Nashville... she turned 6 or 7, depending on who you ask... haha kidding, she turned 7 and we all went to the Hermitage.. the home of President Andrew Jackson... We all really had a great time.. they have ghosts roaming around, a hay ride, pumpkin painting and lots of other things to do.. I will post photos once I download them... Annabelle as did the other kids wore her costume, nemo... she was tooo cute and got many comments on how cute she was... (no I am not bragging! haha) she really is just adorable in this costume.. you'll see... :) We ended up leaving earlier than the others due to my drive home and Annabelle was about maxed out.. Thanks to Cerae for the wonderful evening.. I really enjoyed it..

Annabelle fell asleep on the way home and once we got home and she woke, the first word out of her mouth was "GHOSTS!!!" and some mumble.. too funny, it seems the spooks in the garden had an impact on her.. I had no idea she knew what "ghosts" were or to be scared of them... interesting..

Tomorrow John gets home.. yeah!! as of now, Annabelle thinks he is sleeping when she gets up and he isn't here.. she always tells me to be quiet "shhhhh" so I don't wake him.. it is very cute... we are looking forward to him being home for a few days!
Tomorrow is 32 weeks! that is a big day in my book... AJ should be weighing about 4 pounds and is running out of room... I hope Amber is able to sleep and isn't too uncomfortable..

Ok... it seems I am rambling... I need to go to bed..

Love to you all... prayers for Odie, though he is feeling better and as always for our soldiers..
Carolyn

I logged on ebay today to look for baby crib bedding and I found exactly what I have been looking for!!! It is Baby Lulu Southern Rose pattern and it is sooooo cute!!

I LOVE IT and it is actually here in TN !! AHHHHHHHH... oh happy day.... :)


Just had to share..

So, if memory serves me correctly, it takes 7 days to break a habit and I plan to do so... the habit, my frequenting SMO... (the message board for surrogates and where Amber and I met!) It seems there isn't much there anymore for me and tends to be more clickish and drama based than supportive... I don't need drama nor do I really fit in any clique (no, I don't want to either) I am in no real need of "support" as I am one of the few that have "been there, done that" already! Not to mention the constant bombardment of political views that personally I get more of daily on the news than I care for!


So... wish me luck... I started yesterday afternoon and we shall see how long I can go without looking to see what is going on... I'll keep you posted on my sucess..

XOXO

Hey all... I just had to post a video of Annabelle saying my three favorite words... Yellow, noodles and umbrella! It is just too cute!

Enjoy

Which photo belongs to Annabelle and which photo belongs to AJ?

While looking at Amber's photos last night we compared AJ's ultrasound photos taken at 30 weeks and 5 days to Annabelle's ultrasound photo's taken at 30 weeks 2 days...
Initially, I thought AJ had big lips but looking back, it seems Annabelle did too!
Here are the two...


I'd say they look like sisters!! :)

We are getting ready to go eat breakfast and so shopping for a new purse for me .. mine broke and a woman just can't live without a purse (unless you are Sharon)

Love to you all

Carolyn

Hello everyone! I just wanted to make a quick note to let you all know we are having a great time here at the lodge! Grammy, Annabelle and I hit the water yesterday (no photos) while we waited for Amber and girls to arrive... Bailey got poked in the eye at school so they had to go to the doctor to get it checked out so they were unable to pick us up at the airport... After some "getting used to" the water, Annabelle decided this place was cool and she had lots of fun... once Amber arrived, much to the girls chagrin, we had to have some dinner ... No pool... we walked to a bbq place where the girls just had a ball... goofing and giggling and being girls.. it was really cute...

Today, we had breakfast... not the best I have had but it was food and then headed to the ultrasound... Baby A (I am calling her AJ) didn't really want to cooperate but we did manage to get some cute snap shots of her face... and interestingly... she has big ole lips!! Angelina Jole lips?!?! I call them ED lips.. (egg donor lips!! haha) AJ is just beautiful and I can't wait to meet her!!


Annabelle is napping right now... Thankfully.. makes for a boring time for mommy and grammy but it is more important that she naps than I am entertained.. :) She'll nap for maybe two hours then we are going shopping... Then dinner.. and of course the pool!!

Tomorrow we are hanging out all day here at the pool.. I am sure the kids will be super happy to hear that.. and then Steph and Kristin (and family) will be here for a mini SMO get together.. that I am sure we will take plenty of photos...

I do have a prayer request for odie... He hasn't been feeling that well and could use some prayers...

Love to you all!
Carolyn

Today is our day to once again get on a jet liner and head out of town only this time we are heading to Kansas City meeting Amber and girls for a long weekend of fun as well get a sneak peak at our darling baby! Yes, I will post photos as soon as I can... we are also getting to meet some of the other surrogates and parents from the surrogate board we both frequent... we are very excited and can't wait to spend some time with others that know, really know what it is like to be in our shoes...



We are staying at the great wolf lodge in KS and couldn't 't be more excited... it is kind of like being at the beach without the sand and salt water!! haha.. perfect....



Annabelle and I stayed at my parents last night to avoid being cooped up any longer than necessary and hope to avoid a reply of our flight from Raleigh... I also invested $90 bucks in a portable DVD player to break out in an emergency!! Always be prepared!



We are hanging out right now, waiting for our 1 o'clock departure... but wanted to jump on and give you a short update!

Love to you all

Carolyn

Annabelle has hit her terrible twos...

OH MY GOD.... Please pray for me...

It started with the plane ride home yesterday with her being just horrible (in a cute way of course).. refusing to listen, sit still or be quiet... THANK THE LORD the flight was only 1 hour 20 minutes... Granted the week was totally off her schedule and she didn't get the rest she is used to.. not to mention the 4 hour drive to the airport... I am sure this was part of her issue but I do see that the storm is nearing.. I have SO MUCH more respect for those of you that have and travel with more than one child... OH DEAR GOD.... I do NOT know how on earth my parents did it.. God bless you both...

This evening, we were having dinner... Annabelle had chicken nuggets and peas.. both of which she loves... she refused to eat any.. and just started crying for yogurt... I wasn't going to give in without a fight so I told her she could have yogurt after she ate her chicken and peas... well... after about 20 minutes of this one sided discussion I told her she couldn't have her yogurt and she flipped out... I mean totally lost her mind... threw herself on the floor (over and over) screaming for yogurt... to the point she was losing her breath.. Initially I thought it was funny... (yes, in a sick kind of way) and thought it was a tantrum but after being unable to calm her down I started to worry... I took her outside to see if that would work, it did.. She wanted to hold my hand while she walked but asked for daddy's too which I thought was strange... we walked just a little bit and I tried to get her to go one way (away from the playground) and she flipped out again.. just like with the yogurt.... so I carried her inside like a football because she was doing the stiff as a board impression and asked her if she wanted some yogurt... It didn't register... no response.. she wouldn't really even look at me or when she did it was if she had no clue who I was... and it didn't matter that I was mommy ... the one who fixes all boo-boos.... hmmm... that worried me...

My plan ... distract her from her yogurt fit by going outside then give her some once she calmed down so she wouldn't relate fit throwing = getting what she wants....

I put her in her chair, kicking and screaming.... latched her in all the while she is still screaming and throwing her head back hitting the back of the seat (it is padded thankfully) ... I am totally freaked out now... I get the yogurt and show it to her.. nothing... spoon some out and try to feed it to her, nothing.. it wasn't until she tasted the smear on her face did she start to calm down... she ate three yogurts before it was all said and done...

I really was concerned... so much so I called my bud Andrea and she confirmed that it was probably exhaustion, maybe getting sick as well as being almost 2...

needless to say, Annabelle went down EARLY tonight and did so with no fight... (other than wanting to "rock baby" ....

I have to say, I am not liking the terrible twos.. but then I would rather have a tantrum than be a pushover and give her everything she screams for... I could have avoided the whole mess if I had just given her the yogurt to start with but that just didn't seem right.. I know she ended up having yogurt for dinner anyway but I really don't think she will see it as "I won" ...

So, John is gone again.. we got home last night and he left this AM... He will get home while I am gone to KS to see Amber (and baby A) but we will get to see each other Sunday and Monday.. maybe by next weekend we will get Annabelle back on a schedule and she will recuperate from our time away...

Speaking of baby A... as it stands today, Addison is the top name... we both like it but we also agree that we haven't decided for sure... Personally I think she will be Addison but who knows..

I am going to go take a much needed bubble bath and hit the sac early!

Much love to you all and thank you for all the prayers..

Carolyn

I spent the other day walking along the beach and did some good thinking.... and I have come to a conclusion about a few things...

~ I really dislike sand and salt water...
~ Annabelle just amazes me... everyday...
~ A family of 13 can not stay in one house for any amount of time without a disagreement.... regardless how much they love each other...
~ Spending too much time in the sun is not good for you...
~ I really hate sleeping in a bed smaller than a king...
~ I could go the rest of my life and be very happy never putting on or being seen in a bathing suit...
~ As much as I firmly believe I am grossly fat and disgusting... and possibly one of the fattest people on earth... it is VERY OBVIOUS I am not...
~ That I have one of the most amazing and loving extended families. I have to be one of the luckiest people to have an in-law family that I get along with so well and truly love!
~ John is a wonderful, hands-on daddy...
~ December 1st can not get here soon enough!
~ Dr Seuss had to be on drugs when he wrote MANY if not all of his books...
~ and last but certainly not least, Annabelle is the most wonderful, fun, funny, energetic, loving, sweet, smart, adorable, angelic, fascinating person on earth! She completes me... and is going to make a great big sister!

I realize many of you may scratch your head at some of these comments but they are all true, at least in my eyes... they are just ramblings and thoughts but ones that I wanted to jot down if only for me to be able to go back to in a few years....

We are having a really good time here..(despite my dislike of sand and salt water.. haha) the men had all the kids yesterday while the ladies all went shopping at the outlet mall... I am certain we had more fun but putt-putt and going to the aquarium does sound like fun... Gran takes us shopping each year and lets us get 3 outfits for each child.. Annabelle got some cute outfits and I couldn't pass on shopping for baby A, so she got some outfits as well... including a "baby's first Christmas" outfit, it is very cute ....

I have taken some very cute photos and videos of Annabelle and Jackson, the two youngest.. they are just about the same size, they look like they could be twins! I will post them once we get home...

It is time to get suited up (ugh) and hit the beach/pool! I hope you are all well and know we love each of you...
Please keep Amber in your prayers.. she is having some heartburn issues (maybe this time the baby will actually have hair!) and is unable to sleep so please prey for the heartburn to subside..

Love to you all
John, Carolyn and Annabelle!