The Phone Call

We were already having an off morning.  Haylie got out of her room at 5 AM and wandered all the way to our room in complete darkness (well, by the light of our awesome doorbell - don't ask).  She just stood there for who knows how long before she coughed and I woke up to find her. Justin offered to lay with her until she went back to sleep (which she did) and then he pretty much just went to work.  I felt bad and offered to lay with her, but he was kind of adamant about doing it.

Thinking she would sleep in since she awoke so early, I didn't hop out of bed this morning (I'm not doing much hopping anyway) and she came and found me again before I was ready.  A little bit later, I snuck off to the shower while she watched a video and missed the call from my dr.

The nurse left me a message and said that there is only one opening for an induction this week if I wanted to do that and it was tomorrow at 7:30 AM.  Otherwise, I'm going to have to wait until next week!!  Well, I'm not waiting another week.  So, panicking, I call Justin who doesn't know what to do.  I say a quick prayer begging God for an answer right away, then call my mom, sister, Amy, anyone I can think of to get some sort of advice!  Everyone pretty much says it's my decision but I do feel better just talking things over.  It's just so...sudden.  I mean, I know he could come at any point.  But to plan it out for a specific time - yikes!  Especially TOMORROW!

I finally call the nurse back and get some more info, which is what I should have done in the first place.  She checks for me and finds an opening for Thursday (my actual due date) at the same time.  I take it!  I feel much calmer about having a few extra days to do final preparations.  The dr says that it won't take much for me to get in labor - but I'd still prefer my body to show me when than force him out.  Unless it takes longer than Thursday. Then get. him. out!!

Watch, now that I've stressed about it and have something on the calendar and think I have a few more days, he'll come tonight.  Well, that's fine.  I'll just stress about it then. :o)

The Second One

Meet our second duplex! Thankfully we finally closed on this bad boy today.  It is just as adorable as the first one, maybe cuter! It needs some work, but what doesn't in our life??  

Hopefully Duplex #1 will be renter ready by the end of the weekend. (Fingers crossed)  Then we can set our sights (and a super cheap repair guy Justin found) on this one to work on.

Now that we have signed on the dotted line, I'm allowing Jace to come.  No more hurdles in the way!!

Her New Recliner

This week I am trying to lay low.  And since that means that nothing is really going on, I have plenty of time to take ridiculous pictures of Haylie - in her new favorite recliner.

I just hope she doesn't get too upset when Brother arrives and actually has to use it.

Baby update: I'm 39 weeks! I'm going to the dr on Friday to see what progress has been made.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few days by hanging out with Haylie, cleaning my house so I won't be overwhelmed after the hospital stay, having last girls nights out, and trying to stay ahead of the lack of sleep soon to come.  Tomorrow we are closing on the second duplex so once we get that taken care of, Jace is allowed to come!

The Final Checklist

I finished up Jace's room today.  I really like how it turned out. I mean, it's not straight from a Pottery Barn ad, but it's cute to me!  Things will be moved a bit once he is actually here.  Right now it's wall to wall "stuff" that we don't want to pull out until we have to.

Walking in the door

Turning to the left - this is the guest room section

Turning back around into the nursery section

Our good friend Dusty made us this shelf! Love it!!!!

My friend Brandie is a genius and bought us this closet organizer not knowing how little closet space I had to use and how perfect a gift it would really be!!

One of the final things on my checklist in prep for his arrival is to get the car seat out, clean it up and get it ready.  Haylie was really into helping me.  So if you ever need a good idea of a newborn baby size for the straps - well, Elmo to the rescue.  I love that she looks so proud!

She is going to be a great big sister!

Jace's room done - check

Hospital bag packed - check

Car seat out and ready to go - check

Uncomfortable and feel as big as a house - check.

Let's do this, baby boy.

The Man on the Side of the Road

During bible classes and studies, usually at some point the topic of homeless people on the side of the street comes up.  Do you give them money not knowing where it's going to go?  Do you just pass them by and pretend they aren't asking for help? Do you offer to take them to McDonalds or buy their dog food?

Well a few weeks ago, our small group talked about the excuses we make when we see these (or others) asking for help.  My excuses are usually that I don't have automatic windows and can't reach over to open my window (because they are standing on the right side of the car instead of left), I have my daughter with me and I don't want them to do anything to her, I don't have very much cash left and need to buy milk, I don't trust them, I don't have time...my list could go on and on.

So today, while running a few thousand errands while H was in school, I made a wrong turn and ended up at a light where a man was standing there, holding a sign, asking for money.  Here I am, annoyed that I am once again faced with this situation, keep my eyes averted.  But as I sit there for a few more seconds with my Christian music playing, my stomach full from the lunch I just purchased while out, and my other excuses obliterated (my side of the car, without Haylie to worry about), I felt I had no reasons not to give to this man. So I pulled out a few dollars and gave it to him.

His expression was amazing.  He was so grateful.  Whether he is going to buy booze or food for the first time in a few days, it doesn't matter.  It's not my decision what he does with it and hopefully God will put it on his heart to use that money for good instead of something destructive.

Now, I'm definitely not saying I'm a saint for this act...because I still struggle with the knowledge of how much money people can make on the side of the road or what they might possibly do with it.  Instead, I chose today to trust this man to make a good decision...and hopefully God can touch his heart and help him out in his journey.

In the mean time...

I wish I could say that we are laying low in anticipation for baby Jace's arrival, but that is definitely not the truth. I feel like every day gets busier and busier! 

We are making our 2 year old work late down at the duplex...she needs to earn her keep. :)

We are taking awkward pictures of the cat because someone is obsessed with the camera.  Thank goodness for  digital cameras.

We are trying to control our unbelievable bed head and rearrange the spices all at the same time.

We are spending rare 70 degree days at the zoo with our awesome, energetic friends...

And pretty much just being sassy.

We are getting closer and closer to our baby's arrival.  I went to the doctor today and my progress is good. He honestly could come any day.  In the mean time though, we have another duplex to close on, repairs to finish on the other, renters to find, to-do list for baby to finish, thank you notes to write, my dad's birthday to celebrate and friends to continue freaking out with said progress (Amy, that's for you.)

I know everyone says this is the time to catch up on sleep and just be calm, but oh man.  Who has the time for that?!

A new adventure in real estate

Welcome to our new home!! 

No, we are not moving, thank goodness...but today we just closed on this super cute duplex!  We might be a little insane for purchasing something this close to the baby's due date, but who doesn't like a little adventure thrown in their life?  Both sides are 1 bed, 1 bath and will be adorable once we get a few things fixed!  The hubby plans on spending some quality time down there this weekend (with hopefully a few friends to help) with a paint brush and tools to get it renter-ready!


We actually are closing on another duplex next week.  We got a ridiculously awesome deal since both duplexes were being sold by the same guy.  He wanted to just be done with them so that meant a win-win for us!!  But that home needs a few more repairs - that and the lending company are acting like complete idiots.  I do not recommend this company. At all.  Lesson learned for us - go with who we trust.  And that would be our good  friends at the Bank of Oklahoma.


Either way, we are super excited about this new adventure!  We have prayed hard about it and feel it's a good direction to go.  We shall see I guess...bring on the (good) renters!

Becoming a Sibling

These last few days I have been hit hard with the fact that H will soon not be an only child.  I don't know why this is coming as a shock because we were planning on getting pregnant and then have had 8ish months to digest this news.

I think it's because it's coming up so SOON.  We now have about 3 weeks (give or take) until this little man comes into our family.  I just want to soak up every moment I have with H because I know that time is soon going to become a hectic, "go find Daddy/Mimi/Grandma/Ava/Elmo" time so I can handle the baby.  I want to enjoy her and remember life with her before becoming a mom of two.

Justin had a work party Saturday night and we had a babysitter lined up - I couldn't do it.  I just wanted to stay with my little girl.  When she asks for things, instead of being the strict parent, I'm finding I'm sliding a little bit. Sure, here is chocolate before breakfast.  Yes, you can stay up late and take a bath.  Let's go to a friends house and play until 9 pm.  Just because it makes you happy.

This might be destructive in all that we have tried to put in place these last several months but...I can't help it.  I love my baby girl and hope that she will always be my baby.  Who cares if that costs me extra kisses and later nights?  I'm going to enjoy her as much as I can.

Jace's Shower

We are so blessed!!  I have a wonderful group of friends who threw an awesome shower for baby Jace!!  I am just overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and support.  It was fabulous! 

The food table - check out that diaper cake!!

And of course the edible cake - made by the wonderful Chellie!

My wonderful hostesses.  I love each and everyone of these girls dearly!

Amber and I doing the ceremonious (word?) first cut

Justin's mom made this awesome diaper cake!

My mom made this really cool quilt!!

I'm telling you - great, great shower.  I spent a long time going through everything again tonight and organizing his space.  We are ready now for his arrival.  Thank you to everyone who came and was so generous in gifts for our baby. We love you!!

Learning Through Elmo

It might be a bit weird that I talk more about Elmo and his bathroom shenanigans on this blog than anything else.  Remember his diaper change?  Well, to me, I just love seeing Haylie start to really understand the whole potty process.  Our pediatrician has recommended not pushing her to potty train...and I'm all for it especially since a baby brother will be here in less than a month.  I can handle two in diapers...I think.  Anyway, she has become fascinated with the potty but still refuses to go on it.  But Elmo sure can!

Potty...

Wipe...

And flush...

 And boy, does he go.  I was worried about him yesterday when he sat on the pot for over an hour.

Reunited!!

And it feels so good - especially in princess outfits while holding hands.

Let's not go this long without seeing one of our BFF's again, shall we?

Ho, Ho, Ho - Part 2

We were blessed to spend 5 days with Justin's family over the break.  We had a good time!!  It was great spending time together with his parents, brother & sis in law, nephews, aunt Janet, cousin Victoria, uncle Paul and cousin Jett.  All the cousins got along really well.  

Cousins on Christmas.  Already changed out of our super cute Christmas dress...

Merry Christmas from 3.5 Cornells

Excited about stockings!

The best past-time with cousin Jett. 

Family time, Bingo style.

The brothers, entertaining themselves.

Her new tu-tu and friend Duck.

Hmm, what should I do next?

A big thanks to the in-laws for letting us stay so long!  We had a great time and looking forward to more time together!