2-5 weeks to go!

I look like a Weeble-Wobble in those overalls... but they are nice because they don't put pressure at my waist line!  Cory and I are trying to prepare ourselves for the big changes that are soon to take place.  I don't think either of us will REALLY be ready.  And I don't know how I'm going to leave Eloise for a couple of days!  That will be the worst!

Poor girl doesn't know what is going to happen... 

though when we talk about bringing a baby home, she is genuinely excited! 

We are praying each day for peace, comfort... 

and sanity!  :)

Thanksgiving is over... but there are always things to be thankful for!  

Sometimes we need a reminder of that. 

It can be so easy to get caught up in what we think we want or need...

instead of being grateful for what has been given to us already.

One of the very reasons I don't go Black Friday shopping.

Not only do the crowds deter me... 

(I am a very impatient shopper, ask my sister!)

But, there is nothing I truly can't live without when it comes to

all of those "great deals".

One of the things I am most truly grateful for is the opportunity to stay home with Eloise.

We are by no means rolling in the dough, but we live within our means

and it has been such a blessing to be able to be there every 

step of the way in Eloise's journey so far.

Last Saturday was the first time I was away from Eloise for more than 4 hours.

It was a stressful time as I was in the hospital for dehydration,

getting fluids pumped into an IV for 2 hours.

(Oh my... if you could have been a fly on the wall seeing the first attempt at getting the IV port in my arm.  I guarantee you would have been laughing hysterically.  I was so embarrassed - let's just say, I passed out.  I'll leave it at that!)

The baby and myself are fine.

Another thing I am grateful for!

Eloise had a rough time of it when my mother-in-law put her down for a nap.

(We have a daily routine that rarely gets interrupted)

But the reaction Cory and I got from her when she woke up made it all better!!

Though I did feel guilty for being away so long!

So, now I am drinking 80-90 oz of water a day trying to stay hydrated.

Sloshy Sloshy!

Thanksgiving was spent part of the day at my parents and then the evening at Cory's folks.

I'll leave you with some pictures!

Walking up to see Grammie's horses...

Heading back to the house for lunch!

 

 Hanging out with Uncle Chris.

Sitting with Pop Pop.

 

The week before Thanksgiving, my stomach really popped out!

I'm 34 Weeks!

(My husband is not on drugs, he just looks like it by his expression!  HAHA!)

The "Light Up Night Parade" took place last evening in my parents town.  

Eloise and I came to help decorate... sort of!  

My sister and her kids did most of the work!

 I didn't get to stay for the finishing touches... I believe my sister has those pictures.  

We had to drive the hour home and didn't get to watch the parade.

Yesterday also was a milestone for Eloise!

22 Months!

 So many things and people to be thankful for!  

At Thanksgiving and all year round!

So Thankful

 I am so thankful for a husband who truly spends time with his daughter... every. day.

I will never tire of seeing these special moments.

And I am thankful for a genuinely happy child.  

What a blessing she is to many!

God has blessed me more than I ever imagined!

And So It Goes...

My hormones must be all out of sorts these days. 

I keep having one melt down after another.

Except... 

I'm having melt downs about my cat, Weezer.

I know, I know...

GET OVER IT ALREADY.

But, like I said... it must be my hormones or something!

Yesterday I saw the vets phone number written on the calendar.

I had written it there when Cory and I made the decision to have Weezer put down.

For some reason...

Seeing it yesterday just made me break down.

I've seen it a million times.

Eloise often talks about Weezer.

She even ASKS to wear her "Weezy Neck[lace]"...

EVERY DAY.

Sometimes those moments trigger my tears.

Or of course, looking up at her picture on the wall.

I just get this big ball of regret in my chest...

and I pretty much lose it.

Today, I used a big fat marker to scribble over the vet's phone number.

But... that big scribble will probably set me off at some point too.

It's been 3 months.

Still just feels like yesterday.

So forgive me as I write about her AGAIN.

I never expected to feel such a loss.

Writing about it helps me to get my feelings out.

It truly does make me thankful for what I have though!

My family, my husband, my babies.

And I can always hope that there will be pets in heaven!

What a JOY that would be!

 

 

Real Quick...

Here's my plan... 

Post my 32 Week picture... 

Run (ok, I'll walk... I'm too embarrassed to run in public!) to the mailbox...

Grab my current read (A Garden to Keep by Jamie Langston Turner)...

Read myself into a sweet nap...

All before Eloise wakes up!

Hope you're having a great day!

6-8 More weeks to go! 

WOOT!

Comments...

Unfortunately I have been targeted by Spammers.... so I turned on the word verification option for commenting.  It's a pain... but hopefully it will cut down on the Spam.  You'd think people would have better things to do with their time!

Who wouldn't want to vote for this face?

Right now, I should be sewing.

Hence my lack of posting!  

I have been sewing out the wazoooooo to finish custom baby shoe orders.  

AND, I'm still not done!

(The orders seriously keep on coming... 

which I can't complain about because the extra little bit of $ is nice!)

But as the iron heats up... 

I thought I'd take a moment to share some pictures from the past week or so.

This almost really happened.

I think she would have been a little upset if she would've actually taken a bite!

We stopped over at Cory's folks so El could "Trick or Treat"...

And... these two wouldn't cooperate for a picture!

 We visited my hometown on Friday so that El could wear her costume for my family and also for a little (late... due to storm "Sandy") Halloween party at the old folks home where my grandma used to live.  

Of course, I forgot to take my camera in for that!  But she was a hit!

Then we took off the costume so Eloise could run around and play with my sister's kids... 

she also got to sit in Pop Pop's new truck!

And... a rare shot of El with my dad. 

I don't get many of those!

 

He goes in for gall bladder surgery tomorrow... 

so we are praying for a smooth surgery and recovery!

And lastly... another rare photo... me and my daughter!  

(I only get these every so often when my husband thinks of picking up the camera!) 

Do I look 8 months pregnant in this picture?

Weird!

I better get back to my ironing board!

Have a great week everyone!!