when you don't want to make a decision ...

ever have that feeling when you don't want to have to make a decision, you'd rather it just be made for you? well that is where Gary and I are right now. my most recent doctor's appointment presented a myriad, a confusing myriad at that, of options and scenarios surrounding Owen's impending arrival. some of these scenarios require decisions to be made about induction or a repeat c-section. maybe this sounds strange (and Gary and I are both definitely "planners"), but I don't want the birth day of my second baby boy to be "scheduled" by us. it just doesn't seem right to us somehow. I know these things (inductions and c-sections) happen all the time, and the main and most important goal is a healthy baby. but I'd really rather us not travel down the decision making road ...

my prayers the last several days have consisted of the Lord making this decision and Owen arriving on his own. those prayers of allowing mother nature to take its course will fervently continue. with henry, we were not presented with these choices as he was breech, I went into labor on my own at 36 weeks 3 days, and thus a c-section was the safest and only option. we are ready for owen to be here; not because we are impatient, or I am to the point of "get this baby out of me!" (I am thankful to be feeling really pretty good; actually better than back in Nov/Dec), or for any other reason other than we would rather Owen and the Lord decide when Owen arrives, rather than getting to that point where we are forced to make the decision.

so we wait. we shall see what the next few days and weeks hold. we remain grateful to have this opportunity to bring another miracle into the world, however and whenever it happens. and we turn these concerns about decision making over to our Creator.

P.S. our apologies on the previous video posting not working correctly. hopefully the next video posting will work.

henry talks to owen

owen, owen

sweet baby owen ... here are some pictures related to him and his nursery.

I selected some fabric to have some cute burp cloths made (just can't stomach paying full price for these!) and my grandmother sewed them for Owen. she did a great job! thanks granny!

we didn't have to do much to the nursery ... in fact, I'm a little embarrassed to say it is nearly identical to when it was henry's nursery. we added his name, and after he's born there will hang a photo collage above the name, some new baskets, a couple of his "own" friends/stuffed animals, and a new picture. that's about it. I'm hoping to make it a little more "owen" once he arrives and as he grows ... I do want to make sure he always feels unique (not just with his room or clothes, but in all aspects) and that he does not have a life full of complete hand me downs and a "henry #2" so to speak.

new picture with one of my favorite verses, James 1:17.

36 weeks

36 weeks ...

The first photo is 36 weeks with Henry. The second photo is 36 weeks with Owen.

Here is Henry, 2 years, 8 days, tummy full of chicken and oranges. Here is me with a tummy full of Owen at 36 weeks. We did not pose Henry for this photo-he saw Gary taking belly photos and said "take picture of henry's tummy!" and proceeded to pull up his shirt. Yes, Owen is a growing baby! Gary keeps repeating the line from Airplane!, "and Leon is getting laaarrrrger!"

All is well Owen wise. He is definitely head down, measuring 2 weeks ahead ... and things are progressing as of my most recent appointment. I was told "he won't be a six pounder ... he's a good sized baby." So here's hoping for a successful VBAC! Dr. G is talking about inducing at 38-39 weeks if he doesn't come on his own. I'm hoping nature will take its course by then and induction (or c-section) won't be necessary. As we learned with Henry, we have zero control over any of this, really! As long as he is healthy, we will take whatever comes our way. Room is ready, bags are packed, lists are made, things are washed, car seat is in the car ... we are ready, if there is such a thing. :)

henry's room

here you go sue ... pics of henry's "big boy" room. :)

we moved henry into his new room back in october and he hasn't looked back once.

he loves it and so do we! it's a fun place we all enjoying playing in each day.

at the foot of the bed is an antique yellow toolbox - it is perfect for storing books

this is the bed as it usually is ... not made up and full of friends
here it is made up with no friends

henry's bookshelf/nightstand is made from wood from an old textile mill in south carolina

I wanted to display henry's fine artwork ... so one whole wall is devoted to his creations and the bottom part is a great chalkboard canvas for more masterpieces ...

activity table - a must have!

the round, rusty piece is an antique fire hose reel from north georgia. I saw it and loved it, but wasn't sure what the heck we would do with it. with the endless stuffed animals henry has, I decided to use it as a way to display them ... they get knocked on the floor a lot but that's okay.

and there you have it ... henry's room!

matching outfits = cute

I'm so excited about the boys' first matching outfits! okay, they aren't really "outfits" but an appliqued tee shirt and a layette with each of their initials. too cute!

and look how adorable this is ... robbie, emma and jake sent the big and little brother outfits. we love them! can't wait to see the boys in these. not too much longer-we are really excited!

i scream, you scream, we all scream for ...

ice cream! we had an ice cream party for henry's second birthday at toomer's drugs. it was lots of fun and quite tasty!

birthday invitation and party favors (ice cream dishes & spoons with some sort of topping ... sprinkles, stars, etc.)
singing happy birthday and blowing out all two candles. check out henry's snazzy turtle rain boots-thank you auntie d.!

tricia and cole

the bentleys - look at how handsome and big alex is getting! he's precious.

papa

meredith and sweet baby claire

the bendingers ... baby dalton is growing quickly too and so alert! too cute.

daddy jim and ya ya - and all the evans cousins were the first ones there too, with big smiles! and the solomons drove all the way from bham to celebrate as well.

jordan lee

chad & mel

after the party we went home to visit with the solomons and open a few presents. thanks claire, for the silly faces book!

two of my absolute favorite little ones (well three if you count owen, ha ha)

madeline gave henry this cool sleeping bag. he thought it was great!

it was a fun filled day and henry is still talking about it and saying "happy birthday henry." thanks to all who celebrated, called, sent cards and left messages (blog, email or otherwise!). henry is one lucky little guy!

fun at samford hall

henry's birthday party (scheduled for this past saturday) was two part ... first ice cream at toomer's drugs and then a walk down to the lawn at samford hall for some outdoor yard games. on friday the weather forecast for saturday was basically 100% rain ... translating into no yard games and ice cream only. so, friday afternoon after gary got off work the three of us played at the lawn at samford before the rain came into town ...

we colored with sidewalk chalk

played some basketball

threw some ring toss

he had a good time!

party pictures to come soon

2!

Good morning 2!

Before school ... thanks Grandmother for my balloon outfit.
cupcakes to share at school
at home that evening ... ready for more cupcakes and birthday gifts!

henry is having his birthday "party" on saturday at Toomer's Drugs ... it is an ice cream party (who cares if it is winter and will be pouring down rain?!? any time is ice cream time!), so we had ice cream cupcakes on his actual birthday (1/13).

his auntie and cousins came over to share cupcakes too!

he thought they were pretty darn good.

daddy even got the icing all over his face too ...

he liked his birthday hat they gave him at preschool

he received many lovely gifts ... below he is reading King Bidgood in the Bathtub from Auntie Sue, Uncle Kevin and Adam. Today is now Friday and we've read this book, no exaggeration, 7 times. Thank you Perlins!

blowing the BEST bubbles ever from the Perlins

thanks to all for the sweet birthday wishes, love and kindness continually shown to our beloved son. it is always touching to both Gary and I that Henry brings so many people such happiness and joy. we knew before he was born that he would always hold a dear place in our hearts; what we didn't know or expect is how dear he would be to so many others. our cup runneth over ... and we are eternally thankful.

happy second birthday henry!