I am horrible at this whole blogging thing....

We have big changes coming soon to the Reese household. Great changes!! I was just reading the blog I posted right before Bronner's first birthday...there was definitely a reason I was even more emotional than I usually am....I was about 4 weeks pregnant!! I found out just two days after Bronner's first birthday that we were expecting baby number two. Jamie and I had just talked about trying for another at a beach trip we took in July! It happened fast this time. I was so excited when I found out.....I had told myself that I was going to be just as creative telling Jamie about the second one as I was with Bronner...but my excitement kept me from waiting. Last time I found out Jamie had JUST left that morning for a trip and would be gone for three days. So I waited until he got home to tell him. This time, however, Jamie was home. I was in the bathroom and he was laying in the bed doing work. I wasn't expecting the test to come back positive, but I knew that I just felt different. I took the test and got ready for bed....when I went back to look at it it said pregnant!! I was SHOCKED!! I walked out of the bathroom (didn't even look at Jamie). Went and wrote on a piece of paper, "Mommy says I'm going to be the best big brother ever!" Woke up my sleeping one year old and had Bronner deliver the message. So it wasn't very creative, but I couldn't keep it in! I had to tell!

This pregnancy been a bit challenging, but it's all been worth it to be able to welcome this, healthy baby boy in just 8 weeks. Since I had a PE after my pregnancy with Bronner I have been taking shots every day to make sure my blood doesn't thicken up too much. Right after Christmas I stopped feeling Parker move for about 36 hours. I tried drinking coffee (didn't work). So I called and went in just to check on him. I got a sneak peak at him through their new 4D ultrasound machine!! He was in there....safe and sound and moving around just fine. I thought it odd that I couldn't feel him. I waited in the room for the on call doctor to come in. He explained to me (very vaguely) that I had polyhydramnios (which is just a fancy term for "too much" amniotic fluid). I had to go see a specialist the next week in Birmingham to make sure nothing was wrong with Parker. We had a 1 hour and 20 minute ultrasound when we went to see him. It was pretty cool to see every little detail of his body. He has quite the little personality on him already! I'm now going to the doctor every two weeks (since about 26 weeks) for an ultrasound and check up. I love getting to see him so much!!! : )

I'm excited for Bronner to become a big brother...even though he's not too big on babies. I have a feeling he will warm up just fine to his little brother, Parker. I'm totally in love with the fact that our house will be full of testosterone! I love all three of my boys and am looking forward to bringing sweet Parker into this world. My God has truly blessed me!

Never Be One Again

Never Be One Again by the group Alabama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4nrIyaYpYI&feature=youtu.be

Minus the paper dolls and daddy's little girl part...

My dad use to sing this to my sister and I often as we were growing up. Over the past month...in planning for Bronner's first birthday party....this song has crossed my mind so many times. And I must admit I get pretty emotional about it, and my husband must think that I'm crazy. We bought Bronner a birthday card today....and tears came to my eyes as I read it! These firsts with Bronner will never happen again....and I try my best to soak it all in....take mental pictures. His goofy faces....his sweet smile....his hugs and kisses....even his cries...even the times that he wakes up in the middle of the night....taking naps with him on the couch...the way he loves the cat and meows at her...how he toddles when he walks....seeing him in a t-shirt and diaper with a binky in his mouth....little toes...chubby little hands....those sweet chubby cheeks. The fact that he is NEVER as excited as we are when he does something new.....he doesn't like to make too big of a deal out of too many things. When we get him after being away from him he wraps those chubby hands around our necks and hugs us tight and looks up at us with a great big smile and those sweet blue eyes. How he sometimes gets so lost in Yo Gabba Gabba (or Barney) that he seems to forget that we even exist. I love that he loves the Book Goodnight Moon and how he folds his little hands together to say his prayers! He is curious about every little thing...and keeps us on our toes because of it! He is such a fast learner...and very persistent! Bronner is such a sweet, kind, lovable, loving, gentle, handsome little boy. Jamie and I feel so blessed to have come into our lives almost a year ago. I can't really remember our lives before him...or imagine it without him. He brings so much joy to our lives.....and to so many around him. I just told Jamie the other day how happy it makes my heart that so many people love our little boy. He is one amazing little boy! The time goes by so quickly...I guess this is what makes it so hard sometimes. Time is one of the few things in life that can't be controlled....only how it is spent. I pray that the next year of Bronner's life is just as wonderful and that we take advantage of our time together and spend it well. Thank you God for this wonderful blessing in our lives! Happy Birthday on Saturday Bronner!!! We love you to the moon and back again!

Lots to Catch Up On

I am horrible at this whole blogging thing. The last time I blogged was right after Easter. I have to admit I am even HORRIBLE at writing down new things that Bronner does. I always say I am going to do better at recording things, but I always find myself wrapped up in something...and MUST get better at all this "stuff". I have so many pictures to post...and so many things to update about.

Bronner 8-9 months
* Bronner took his first "beach trip". We went to Gulf Shores with Buckhorn's softball team and visited the beach on our way home. This was also his first time to travel. He did great in the car, but had a hard time adjusting to sleeping in his pack-n-play away from his bed. He HATED the heat. He doesn't like to sweat.

* Bronner says: "ma-ma", "da-da", "bubba", "nana". He does the sign for "all done" and "more". he shakes his head no. He also meows like a cat...to annoy the cat. THAT is really cute!!!

* Jamie, Bronner, and I celebrated my first Mother's Day. It was precious. Bronner and Jamie made me a Mother's Day card, they also bought me a Chamilia Bracelet with four charms...so that I can continue to add charms. : )

* Bronner started crawling on ALL fours really well today....he's decided he can get to where he wants to be faster than if he just rolls or does his army crawl.

* Bronner has been pulling up on EVERYTHING for about two or three weeks now. Over the last week he has started to pull up on this and walk around it. I can tell he is on the verge of walking. He likes to let go of whatever he is holding on to until he gets just a little to scared.

* Bronner has been going through some separation anxiety over the last couple of weeks. It seems to be worse at night when we are trying to put him down for the night. He has ended up in the bed with us several times...just so we could get some sleep too. I have FINALLY worked up the courage to lay him down after his bedtime story and let him cry. It was very hard on me at first...especially since Jamie is out of town this week. We seem to be making some improvement. Last night he cried for about 20 minutes before he fell asleep...and tonight he only cried for 5 minutes. Maybe he will catch on quickly! : )

* Bronner is in SOME 6-9 month clothing, but can also wear some 12 month and some 18 month clothing. He is wearing size 3 diapers.....and size two or three shoes.

* Bronner LOVES being in the water. I think he would stay in water all day if I let him.

* Bronner loves being around children that are older than he is...he eats it up.

* Bronner usually wakes up for the day by 6:30 if not before...EVERY now and then it's later. He eats his bowl of "cereal" with fruit as soon as he wakes up. THEN he usually plays for an hour or more and takes his morning nap around 8:30. He usually has two 8-oz bottles between breakfast and dinner. For dinner he usually eats two size three baby foods (one veggie and one fruit). He LOVES fruit. I am really bad about remembering to give him juice.....I guess I'm trying to hold off on SOME things.....he's growing too fast for me to keep up!!! He LOVES eating puffs and Mum Mums...he also loves Club crackers. He likes strawberries....he did NOT like my spaghetti at all...but he will eat what comes in the baby jar. : (

* Bronner loves to play.....but he likes to play with someone....or at least for someone to watch him play.

I realize that I am Bronner's mommy...and maybe I am bias...BUT I have been around MANY, MANY babies growing up....and I have to say that Bronner is one of the MOST content, happy babies I've ever been around. He does have his moments where his temper is short....but it is USUALLY for good reason. Jamie and I are completely in love with Bronner. He's an amazing blessing in our lives. He amazes us daily. We love our boy more than we could ever describe. :)

All of my recent pictures are on our desktop...so I will be adding those soon!!! SOON...I hope!!!

First Easter

Love this one!

The girls....I love them too!


Bronner's famous serious face!

Gotta love a little boy in overalls!

She is beautiful...and growing into a lovely little girl!

Love her smile!

These two are pretty awesome!

They love each other most days!

Our little Monkey...so silly!

This face cracks me up!

Little man!

Sweet!!

Standing up like the big boy he is!

Sweet, sweet boy!

Bronner and his two favorite girls.

Sweet kiddos!

Abbie...precious girl!

Aren't the pictures great!!! Emily did a fantastic job with them! Bronner's first Easter was so much fun. The Easter Bunny came and left him some goodies. It was so fun to actually see him interested in the treats that were on the table for him. : ) Jamie was telling Bronner all about the true meaning of Easter Sunday morning as I was upstairs getting ready for church. It was so precious. I've enjoyed celebrating all of Bronner's firsts with him! This was his last "big" first holiday. I knew time would pass quickly, but you're never aware of just how fast until you actually become a parent. Jamie and I were looking at a picture the other day and talking about how little he use to be. It's bitter-sweet. More sweet than bitter though. I love seeing him explore and find new things. He gets excited and HAS to touch and play with EVERYTHING new. He just wants to see it....and see what it's all about and then he's done with it.

Bronner wore a suit that my gran parents got him just about a month before my grandfather passed away. He looked like such a little man in it!! : ) Bronner had Easter pictures taken with Gracie and Abbie on Saturday. Emily did a fantastic job with them!!

Summer is 5 weeks away, and I am more than ready for it!! I need some time with the men in my life. Especially Jamie.........it seems as though softball season has taken FOREVER!!

We just sold our house and purchased a new one. We close on both of them this Friday. Which means we have to have our house packed up for the final walk through this Thursday....which means all of our belongings will be packed in a UHAUL from Wednesday night until Friday afternoon. FUN STUFF!!! We have some friends who are coming to help us pack up Wednesday and unload Friday. Jamie and I have been very blessed with friends who are willing to serve without "needing" something in return. I think it comes with the understanding that we are more than willing to serve them when they time comes. It's such a blessing for us to serve others....I hope it comes to a blessing to them when they help us!!! ; ) I usually don't wish time away, but I am desperate for this week to be over! I need to sit down and breathe!

I am feeling very thankful for my sweet family this morning. I am so blessed!! I have a wonderful husband and the most precious baby boy. I have never been so excited to get home after work.....I've always been excited to leave work, but never to get home. : ) Bronner gets so excited to see mommy walk in the door. He jumps and smiles and even giggles sometimes. He started dancing this week. When he hears music he just can't help himself. It is the sweetest thing. He has also become VERY attached to mommy lately. When he sees me come into a room he will cry "ma ma" until I go over and pick him up. THEN he smiles and his happy. : ) I haven't spoiled him AT ALL!!! : ) He loves to sit up on the floor and just play with his toys. He likes to sit up and play with his toys in his bed as well.

Bronner loves the mornings. Mommy or Daddy sing him "The Good Morning Song" every morning. He is eating 2 jars of baby food at breakfast and at dinner. Sometimes he will have a jar of fruit as a snack in the middle of the day. He sleeps anywhere from 10 to 12 hours at night. He has a night here or there that doesn't treat him too well. He loves to play with his daddy and thinks he is the funniest thing on earth! Every time Bronner sees the cat he laughs. He is, for the most part, always very happy and easy going. I can't believe he will be 8 months old next week. He still has no teeth...and is never in a hurry to do something new. He is very content and just likes to hang out. He loves being around his cousins.....especially Gracie....for some reason he thinks she is so funny!!! Bronner is a joy to be around!!! We love love love love love our sweet little boy.

We are leaving Friday for our first road trip with him. I am kind of nervous about being on the road with him for 8 + hours. I am expecting lots of sleep in the car (he loves to sleep in the car)...and none when we reach our destination!!!! I am excited to "get away" with my family...even if it is for softball.

Jamie and I recently sold our house and are in the middle of buying another one near the New Market / Riverton area. We are very excited, but holding our breath waiting on it all to be final. God has blessed us with so much more than we deserve and we are grateful every day. What an awesome God we serve!

Update

Meeting Dani for the first time

Dani White
Bronner loves to talk......
My sweet family
Playing with daddy's glasses
Swinging with mommy
My two boys...love them both
Big blue eyes........
Chubby cheeks
Sweet Kisses
Flying baby
Jesus loves my sweet boy
Love....
I just can't get enough
Love his little face...
Life is just wonderful
He is so cute!!!!!
One of my most favorive pictures ever taken
Isn't he great!?!?
He is my buddy
I can't imagine life without him
Baseball is in his future

I knew that I would be the WORST blogger ever....and I was right.

So many things are going on.....blogging is the very last thing on my mind!! Softball season is in full swing...so Jamie is gone often. I am taking to classes right now for my masters. I decided to go ahead and get it down while Bronner is young. We are in the process of selling our house. Summer is QUICKLY approaching. I am so excited to have my life back, but I don't want to rush time. I'm loving the age Bronner is it. I love his little personality, his expressions, his sweet face when he sleeps. He is such a blessing.

What Bronner is up to:

~ Bronner starting sitting up around 5 months 1 week with assistance from a boppy.
~ He has now been sitting up like a big boy by himself for about a month.
~ He was wearing 6-9 month clothes; sometimes 12 months
~ He has such a sweet personality
~ He loves to smile and laugh...he is such a happy baby
~ He sleeps anywhere from 11 to 12 hours at night (and has for about 4 months)
~ He is teething...not one has popped through just yet, but we're working on it
~ He's getting hair!!
~ At his 6 month check up he weighed 19 lbs and was 28 inches long.
~ He loves ALL food
~ He loves to jump and stand up
~ He has learned the sign for all done
~ He says, "ma ma", "da da", and "bye"
~ He waves
~ He makes a really sad face when you say "Bronner" a certain way
~ He loves "the good morning" song to be sung to him in the morning.. (I wrote it)
~ He likes it when I sing "I've Got the World on a String" (this is our song and we sing it every day)
~ He loves to be read to (Goodnight Moon is still his favorite)
~ His favorite place to be is outside
~ He has a smile that lights up a room
~ He's just fantastic!!!
~ Bronner met his first friend that just so happens to be a girl...little Dani


Bronner is full of life and is so happy. He is a wonderful little boy and I am so excited that God chose us to be his mommy and daddy. Jamie and I are very spoiled.....he is such an easy, happy baby. Jamie and I are excited about our future and look forward to every new day!

2010 in Review

It has been so long since I last posted....about anything! So many things have happened in these 5 (short) months. Time seems to go by so quickly these days.

Bronner James Reese was born on August 13th. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long. Bronner has been such a blessing! He is an amazing little boy and has such a sweet personality already. Bronner will be 5 months old next week!! I can't believe it! He has gotten big so fast!!! There are little moments in every day that I just try to hang on to. I take a moment and really take in what he's doing. I realize that he won't always be "like this."

In the first month......

I tried to take in every bit of snuggle time and being at home with him. I took in every moment of nursing. What a blessing it was to have that bonding time with him. There wasn't a moment in his first month that I didn't cherish. Even the "poopy" diapers! I have been reminded several times in his short little life...just how truly blessed we are to have a healthy baby. Many of my friends have lost babies in the past couple of years. It made me really cherish my pregnancy and appreciate every doctor's appointment that I got a good report at. Everytime I heard his little heart beat.....I thought about how truly blessed we were. Yes, I was "one of those" pregnant women who did everything by the book. I wanted to make sure that if anything happened that I did everything I could to make sure that he was healthy. There wasn't a day that went by in his first month that I didn't thank my sweet Jesus for giving me such a gift. We loved listening to his little noises and watching his sweet smile.

In the second month.....

This second month was quite an eventful month. Around September 15th, I started feeling lots...and lots of INTENSE pain in my back and shoulder. I kept blaming it on nursing...because Bronner had gotten so big!!! ; ) I sucked it up and kept going about my regular routine. I finally couldn't take the pain...every time I would breathe or move in a certain direction the pain was too intense to keep ignoring, so I called my OB, packed Bronner up in the car and went to the doctor. I described my symptoms to him and he said it sounded like muscle spasms...which is exactly what I was thinking...that I had been straining a little much holding Bronner and trying to do too much. Dr. Wheeler sent me home with some medicine and told me if the pain wasn't gone by Monday to call him and come in.

By that night I was convulsing with every breath I took. Jamie tried massaging my back and shoulder...which only made the pain so much worse. Jamie called Dr. Wheeler right away. He was on call in L & D, so he just had us come up to the hospital. So....late that night we packed up our 5 week old baby and went to Labor and Delivery. We got there and they ran MANY tests, did a chest x-ray and couldn't find a thing wrong. He gave me some stronger meds and sent me home that Thursday morning. When we got home I was feeling a bit better...and was just going to give it till Monday like he said. Thankfully, God gave Dr. Wheeler a nudge. Dr. Wheeler called me (himself) to check on me Friday morning. He explained to me that he "didn't feel right going into the weekend without really knowing what was going on with me." He wanted me to go have a CT done right away. My sister, who by the way....was a tremendous blessing...came and helped me get Bronner packed up and took me for the CT. Jamie was at work, so he couldn't go. We went and had the CT done, by this point the pain was topping the charts. The nurse at the Medical Mall came out and said the doctor had looked at the results of my CT and Dr. Wheeler wanted me back at their office immediately. She told us not to make any stops on our way to the doctor's office, that I ,in fact, had a pulminary embolism. We arrived at Dr. Wheeler's office and one of the other doctor's who was on call, Dr. Delisle, was waiting in the lobby...with a nurse and a wheel chair. He explained to me that I was going to be admitted to the hospital to treat the blood clot. My mind was racing! I had heard of people dying from these! I've never been as afraid to die as I was in that moment. I had a 5 week old baby....if something happened to me...he wouldn't know me. He wouldn't get a chance to really know how much his mommy cherished him, wanted him...prepared for his arrival. I would have to leave Jamie a single daddy. My life has just begun...and to think that it could have all came to an end...had Dr. Wheeler not listed to God's little tug. I know this all seems a bit dramatic. For several days...I was afraid to close my eyes at night. It took a few nights of lots of prayers...and no sleep to remind myself that God was in control. He has a perfect plan and it was all unfolding.

My sweet sister and her girls left the comfort of their home....my sister took off work.....my nieces were displaced from their home...their toys....and came to stay with me and help me out that next week. I don't know what I would have done withtout Gracie's comic relief, Abbie's sweet smile and love for Bronner, and my sister's support that week. It was such a roller coaster that week after I came home from the hospital. I had to leave Bronner for the first time over night, I had to let people take care of me. It wasn't easy...but I'm stronger because of it all. I'm more thankful than I've ever been....just simply for every breath I take. Every time I'm able to wake up to hear my baby cooing...or even crying through the monitor....he's healthy...and happy...and I'm here to enjoy it. I'm even thankful for the times Jamie wakes me up talking in his sleep....I'm thankful that I wake up to him in the middle of the night...and can roll over in peace knowing that through the good times....the scary times...that my God is in control...he has a plan.

For the time being I am on blood thinners. I have to go to a clinic every so often to have the thickness of my blood checked...the next time I am pregnant, I will have to go see a specialist and take blood thinners then as well. I am healthy...my son and precious husband are both healthy.

Bronner really started to make some noise in this month....making lots of eye contact and grinning at us!!! : )

In the third month.......

October was almost just as eventful as September!! : ) I went back to work....Bronner had his first Halloween! He was a monkey...and such a cute one if I do say so myself! I have to say that I cried every day for about two weeks before I went back to work. Leaving him for the first time to go back to work was VERY hard. I knew he was going to be taken good care of by Jean and Heather, but I was going to miss being with him 24/7. I was afraid that I would miss out on too much. However, I've learned that it's the quality of time I spend with him not the quantity that matters. Bronner started really laughing out loud during this month. His coos started changing a lot. Bronner is like a new toy for Jamie and I.....we love listening to him talk...giggle....and watch him play. He is so sweet.

In the fourth month.....

Bronner had his first Thanksgiving in this month....he also had his first Christmas. The holidays were so wonderful this year. It was bitter-sweet. My grandfather, "pop", passed away December 8th. Pop LOVED Bronner so much!

I went to see Pop in the hospital about two weeks before he passed away. He told me that he wanted to get in the floor and lay beside him and just play with him. Pop never got to do that...so I make it a point to try and do that as often as possible......and to just enjoy the little things in life. Bronner really helped me through loosing my grandfather. In four months I experienced the full circle of life. I was able to witness Bronner take his first breath and I witnessed my grandfather take his last. To see the beginning and the end was so bitter sweet.

Bronner and I went to Build-A-Bear the day after Pop passed away and made him a "Pop Bear". Bronner will never get the chance to really know Pop, but he will hear about him for sure!

Bronner also started rolling over the day after Christmas!! He is becoming such a big boy. He has started to say, "Mamamamamamama"... ; ) I'm just sure he is calling for me....just sayin'. Bronner will be 5 months old tomorrow....I can't believe it!! He's growing so fast. He's starting to actually play with his toys...wrestle with toys..and hold little conversations with them...he's even starting to look more like a little boy than a baby!!!

Jamie and I are so very thankful for this gift God has given us. Bronner is such a blessing in our lives. We could have never imagined the emense sense of pure joy that Bronner has brought to our lives. My daily prayer for Bronner is that he becomes the man of God that he will be called to be. I pray for his future wife, his children, his health, his passion for life. I pray that he use his life to further God's kingdom.

My cup runneth over.....EVERY day! I love you Bronner James!! Thank you Jesus for this sweet gift you have given us.