Serenaded by Angels

Today, on New Year's Eve, my Grandma was laid to rest beside of Grandpa.  It was sad to let go of her, she was my last living Grandparent and would have been Carly's only living Great Grandma, BUT what an amazing place she is in now.  She's already met Jesus, she's with Grandpa and her Mom and she has no more cancer, walking the streets of gold!!!  Glad to know she is at her heavenly home!

Ultrasound # 4

This 4D is blurry, but she was moving around ALOT!  Praise God, everything is still in normal range!!!  She also is estimated weighing in at 2lbs 1 ounce.  We have another follow up ultrasound in 3 weeks.  For the 5th time, it was verified, that yes, indeed, IT'S A GIRL!!!!:)

26 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: About the length of a cucumber
Total Weight Gain: Gained 10 lbs.(Holiday weight:) )

Clothes: Mostly my comfy clothes/pjs when at home, but loving maternity dress pants when I'm out and about.

Gender: It's a Girl!!! Carly Kate

Movement: She's moving around alot!

Sleep: Peculiar, sometimes I sleep well & sometimes I lay wide awake.

Cravings: Pasta
Symptoms: Indigestion & Hot Flashes & Swelling ankles

What I miss: Club sandwiches!!!

Best Moment this week: Christmas with our families.

Christmas 2010

We have had a busy couple of days but I have enjoyed getting to spend time with all our families. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas & are VERY BLESSED!!!

We started out on Christmas Eve Eve with my parents, brother and future SIL.

Angela(future SIL) gave my Mom a gag gift and ya'll, I've never done this before, but I laughed so hard I peed myself a lil.  Look at this hideous necklace she got my Mom.

Christmas Eve my love had to work, but I headed off to his parents for some YUMMY prime rib!

Then Christmas morning we were back off to his parents for breakfast & gifts. To top everything off, It SNOWED & SNOWED & SNOWED!

I'm so happy that next year, we will be a family of 3!!! We are so blessed! I can't wait until next year and the years after that when we get to spend Christmas with our little girl!

On a sad note, I believe my Grandma held on through the Holidays for us, but the Doctor today said it would be within a couple of days. She is comfortable and I pray her passing is peaceful. 

Walk This Way

I am determined to walk up until this baby is born, hopefully to make labor take less time & be easier!:)

25 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: About the size of a head of cauliflower

Total Weight Gain: Gained 8 lbs.

Clothes: Mostly my comfy clothes/pjs when at home, but loving maternity dress pants when I'm out and about.

Gender: It's a Girl!!! Carly Kate

Movement: She's moving around alot!

Sleep: Peculiar, sometimes I sleep well & sometimes I lay wide awake.

Cravings: ABC's & 123's

Symptoms: Indigestion & Hot Flashes & Swelling ankles

What I miss: Club sandwiches!!!

Best Moment this week: Feeling Carly move alot!

Who can resist?.....

Peanut Butter & Chocolate?

NOT ME!!!!! Had a craving so decided to do some baking.

My bestie, Ashley, let me in on her secret recipe for mini brownies with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

YUMMY!!!!!!!

Memories of Grandma

Today my Grandma was taken to Hospice, as her health has gradually declined over the past few weeks.

My cousin posted the sweetest comment today on Facebook and he said it best so I am copying it.

"Please pray for my grandma and the family. Brain cancer has almost over taken her, pray for her comfort and peace as she ends life's journey and goes on to her true home in the sky. God please wrap your wings of peace and love around her, I love you grandma...."

My prayer has been for God to end her suffering for some time now, it's been so sad to see her wither away.  This doesn't make it easy to let go. I've been thinking back on all the good times I had with her.  She was always a VERY strong willed & opinionated woman but very loving.  She always kept my belly full and made the BEST mayonnaise sandwiches when I was little.  I would sit in front of her on the floor and she would braid my hair.  Some of the things she would say would just crack you up as she was born and raised a country girl!  My most fond memory of her, was when my Grandpa was still living and they would banter back and forth and she would say to him, "Now Paul" when she had had enough.  Always made me laugh! 

I Love You Grandma!!!

 Picture taken Christmas of '07

Must Have!

http://www.faithbaby.com/

This store has the cutest baby stuff!!!

Bible Inspiration: For this child I have prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 1 Samuel 1:27

Makes You Want To Dance Too!

How cute is this?!?!?!?

24 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: About the size of an ear of corn.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 6 lbs.

Clothes: Mostly my comfy clothes/pjs when at home, but loving maternity dress pants when I'm out and about.

Gender: It's a Girl, Carly Kate

Movement: She's on the move!

Sleep: Peculiar, sometimes I sleep well & sometimes I lay wide awake.

Cravings: POP TARTS
Symptoms: Indigestion & Hot Flashes.

Best Moment this week: Feeling Carly move alot!

Dinner with the Caudle's

Dustin and Megan had us over to their house & made us a delicious dinner!  Afterwards, we watched Dustin & Megan dance it out on their Xbox Kinect.  Check out Dustin, breaking it down....so glad he is starting to feel better and get some energy from his surgery.  They are dog lovers as well and have 2 golden retrievers(see Chloe & Jasper in the right bottom corner), I love these dogs and have told Meg before if they ever need a home, Aunt Nay will take them:)

Sunday School CHRISTmas Party

Almost a year ago, Josh and I, decided we needed to get more involved in church, instead of just going to Sunday morning service and started going to The New Beginnings Sunday School class at our church.  I know why it is so important to join a small group in such a big church.  It's nice to have a group of people together, that have so much in common. I stole these 2 pics from our Sunday School facebook page:)  Josh had to work, so he didn't get to go:(

Erica is 5 weeks ahead of us and is having a boy!

Ashley, my bestie, praying they conceive soon:) We think it would be so AWESOME to have kids around the same age!

My Baby Boy

Oakley has FINALLY graduated to being an all the time house dog:) 

He still has a kennel(which is a 6 foot 10X10 fenced enclosure) in our basement that he stayed in when we weren't home, that we are keeping for him, just in case.

This became quite the discussion between Josh and I, but Josh finally softened on the subject and it's been soooo cold(even with blankets on a cement floor) that we decided it best & most comfortable for Oakley to just stay in the house.  He's done VERY well!  I'm sure he sleeps the whole time we are gone anyway?!?!...well, I'm sure he's happier with this arrangement!

Pregnant Ramblings

Why is it no one shares with you the aches & pains of pregnancy?  I knew things would change, but just didn't know how much:) I woke up this morning with an aching back and belly, fortunately I had a Doctors appointment today, so I got to ask about it.  I'm on take it easy orders from the Doc til this eases.  Hopefully, it's just muscles and ligaments stretching.  I was going to start my walking routine today(HEY,better late than never), but that is on hold as well.  Good news is, I can take Zantac for this rechid heartburn/indigestion that woke me up at 4AM the other morning and wouldn't let me go back to sleep....I'm sure Carly will have a ton of hair!  My next Dr. appointment is the glucose test, sounds like tons of fun! NOT!!! I'm sure I will forget about all this once she is here....the all day sickness I had for the first 3 months is even a distant memory now!  I met my favorite cousin in Statesville Tuesday evening for some REALLY cute hand me downs from her little girl!  OH MY GOODNESS HOW CUTE LITTLE GIRLS STUFF IS!!!  Carly has a nice little wardrobe started already.  I can't wait to put her room together and show you all! 

Show Your Favorite Christmas Ornaments

Blog Friends, I thought this might be fun & something different for us all to share.

I love ALL my ornaments but these are a few that are extra special to me!

 My Sis, Jen, gifted this to us, from our trip in March to Disney World

Need I say more:) Good times! 

 Pregger Girl!:)

& anything with a fireman, I love:)

23 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: She's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango)Total Weight Gain: Gained 5 lbs.

Clothes: This week since I've been home alot, so it's mostly my comfy clothes/pjs.

Gender: It's a Girl, Carly Kate

Movement: She's on the move!

Sleep: Peculiar, sometimes I sleep well & sometimes I lay wide awake.

Cravings: PASTA

Symptoms: Indigestion & Hot Flashes.

Best Moment this week: Seeing Carly on ultrasound & God's continued answer to our prayers!



It's Christmas time

in the Burgess house!

All decorations are up inside & out. The trees are decorated.

 Living Room Tree

 Mantle & Fireplace

Kitchen Tree

 

All presents are wrapped under the tree.....now it's time to relax & enjoy the season!

 

Saturday Snow Day

I LOVE fresh fallen snow!  Watching it fall is just BEAUTIFUL!

View from the front window

 View out our back door

A cozy woodstove in the den.......

 my two favorite boys.....

 a snuggled up kitty.....

makes me one Happy & Lucky Girl!

Reminiscing

This time a year ago, I was wandering the cold streets of NYC with my Mom, Mother & Sis In Love, Jonia and Lori.

 This will probably always remain my most memorable trip ever! Loved it!  Got to thinking today that I can't wait to take Carly someday.

That's the tree behind us, yes, it's unlit, who knew they turned the lights off at 1AM!

 Here it is lit though!

It was a freezing fairy ride to see The Statue of Liberty.

Night Scene(The Plaza Hotel)

Thankful Thursday!

Carly Kate's ultrasound went wonderfully well today!  The ultrasound tech told us her brain was measuring in normal range and the Doctor told us that it is the same & some people have slightly larger brain ventricals.  Conflicting news, yes, but I will take it!  Another ultrasound is scheduled in 4 weeks as they will still continue to monitor her.  Developmentally, she is right on track and she weighs 1 lb.  She was sleeping this morning, curled up in a ball, and didn't move much, but she sure is right now!  I've been crying I am soooo happy!!!! I used to not be this emotional, but pregnancy has done a number on my hormones:)  

All the PRAISE goes to God!  HE ANSWERS PRAYER! He is a LOVING God & I most sincerely THANK him! 

Ephesions 3:20

Praying for Carly

Tomorrow morning we go and have another ultrasound done. Praying that what was found before is no longer there.  I've prayed for weeks now that God would have his hands on her in the womb.  We've had some great news so far with all the tests coming back with great results but they still must continue to monitor her progress.  It is indeed nerve wracking but at least I get to see our lil girl again. There's something about these ultrasounds that make her that much more REAL and me that much more ATTACHED:)

Ephesions 3:20

22 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: Length of a spaghetti squash; weighs about 1 lb.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 5 lbs.

Clothes: Skirts are my fav to wear as they are the most comfortable.

Gender: It's a Girl, Carly Kate

Movement: She's moving much more these days.

Sleep: Tossing & turning, wide awake for about an hour during the night.

Cravings: Soup

Symptoms: Tired, Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: Spending Thanksgiving with family

She Said Yes

The BIG SECRET is now out.....my big brother is getting married!

The lucky gal is Angela!  What can I say?......She found herself a catch!

It sounds like it is going to be a Spring wedding, so it will definately be a busy Spring for our family.

Congratulations to you both!!! 

Doesn't feel like Saturday

Thanksgiving break always throws me off!  Yesterday, it felt like Saturday:)

I finally got some pics from my 30th Birthday and have posted them. Go HERE if you want to see them.

How about all you crazies that went out shopping on Black Friday?  That's major dedication & patience to save some moola.  I lack both of those things, mostly the patience:)

Josh is snoozing(snoring) away, still, at almost lunch time, he stayed up with the boys too long at the bon fire last night.

I love Thanksgiving leftovers!!!


I decorated everything but our Christmas trees yesterday for the Holidays and I was exhausted.  Josh SAYS he's going to help me today with the trees.....that is, if he ever will get up!
 
It's back to cooking for me on Monday!  We eat out entirely too much and I would much rather eat home cooked meals anyway.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  My loving husband, our baby girl on the way, wonderful family, & great friends.  A comfortable home, a job to pay the bills & food on the table.  Most importantly, God, he has really blessed us!

Praying that today goes well, as they bring my Grandma from the nursing home to my Aunt's house to visit with everyone.  She has good days and bad days.  We pray it's a good day and she can enjoy it!  My Grandma has recently gone completely blind, she has a touch or more of dementia, & bless her heart, has cancer on her face.

Josh has to work today.  It always seems to work that way, but we have planned to go and see him this evening and take him dinner. 

This should be my favorite Holiday this year with all the food....HAHA! 

21 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: Length of a carrot & weighs about 3/4 of a lb.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 3 lbs.

Clothes: Skirts are my fav to wear as they are the most comfortable.

Gender: It's a Girl, Carly Kate

Movement: I am feeling her move much more, some during the day but especially at night.  I sure hope that doesn't mean she will have days and nights confused:)

Sleep: Tossing & turning, wide awake for about an hour during the night.

Cravings: Soup

Symptoms: Tired, Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: The last of the test results came in today and they are ALL NORMAL!  Thank You God! Thank You! Thank You!

Happy 26th Birthday Josh!

26 was my very favorite year because that is when I married you!  I hope this is the best year yet, as we bring our daughter into our family.  I love you!!!

Some Ramblings

Yep, the nesting has started.  I'm making lists!  In time, everything will perfectly be in it's place & must be cleaned. I'm not completely bonkers yet....I have 4 months:)

Carly's bedding(I must say it's ADORABLE) and crib are here and the rest of her nursery furniture has been ordered. 

I'm addicted to Etsy.com!  Have ya'll seen all the cute stuff on there? Tooooo cute! 

My nesting started in Josh's chester drawers yesterday and he hasn't missed a thing yet! 

No real Christmas tree this year, just putting up the 2 fake ones.  I'm keeping it simple! 

My Christmas shopping is done...for the most part!  Aren't you jealous?! NO CLUE what to get my hubs! Men are so hard to buy for!

My brother and I have kept this tradition for years and I love it. He buys my Dad gifts and I buy my Mom's:) It works out well!

I made a Honey Do List for Josh a month ago and 3 out of the 7 things have been done, I think he's lost momentum and after talking to his buddies, he thinks it's nagging that I made a list(AS IF).  Do they not know he is dealing with an OCD pregnant woman???

Yes, I am OCD, EVERYTHING has it's place, but if you saw my house now, you wouldn't think so......I don't have the energy like I used too. I do have to give Josh a shout out, cause he vacuums for me now & he's the BEST VACUUMER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!

I believe in January, I am going to start Spring Cleaning this house, like you have never seen:) From top to bottom!

Looking forward to a Thanksgiving get together on my Mom's side of the family tomorrow.  It's been way too long since I have seen some of them.

Oakley smells like Fritos!  We can bathe him and 2 days later, he's back to smelling like Fritos!  If I spray him with doggy cologne he gets sour with me and acts scared of me:( He is one spoiled dog and just the cutest thing you have seen in the mornings when he cuddles with me in bed. 

Pebbles peed on me.  Yes, about a month ago, I popped her bottom(cats don't take to scolding very well) for messing with my new bathroom rugs!  So she peed on me(well the blanket) in the middle of the night.  Guess that means I better be extra nice to her from now on cause she hasn't done it since.

I'm keeping a BIG SECRET!  I'll let you in on it, in about a week and a half!:)  How about that.....leaving you with a cliff hanger:)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  Thank you Lord for all your blessings and answered prayers this week!

Answered Prayers

God is Good!  Carly has NO virus or infection!!!  We are so thankful and I praise God for the GREAT news!  I have felt him working in my life these past few days.  I've talked to him more, been down on my knees with and without Josh & have sincerely tried to trust in him.  I believe, I can speak for both Josh and I, in saying that our faith has been tested and this has brought us closer to one another and our Saviour! 

Bathroom Makeover

After months of searching, buying, & returning things, our hall bathroom is now complete.

Soooo glad I decided to keep my butterflies in there:) (Insert BIG smile) :)

Before

 After

After

20 Weeks

We're Half Way Through

I will spare you my belly in most of the pregger pics, but I thought today it would be fun:)

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: Baby Burgess is the length of a banana & weighed 10 ounces at our appointment on Thursday.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 3 lbs.

Clothes: Luv my maternity clothes.

Gender: It's a Girl, Carly Kate

Movement: Feeling more flutters, especially at night. Maybe a kick every once in a while

Sleep: Sleeping much better at night after a few sleepless ones.

Cravings: Soup

Symptoms: Tired, Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: Finding out we are having a girl!



Decorating the Nursery

Let the shopping begin, of everything PINK & BUTTERFLIES!!! You knew if it was a girl of mine, it HAD to be butterflies:)

We've ordered her crib and bedding. A sneak peak of her bedding is below.

I can't wait to see it all come together!!!!!

Preliminary Results from the Amniocentesis

NORMAL

Praise God!  Thank you Lord for this answer to prayer!  Josh and I are able to breathe and actually slept last night!  Thank you everyone for praying for her, please continue to pray.

The normal result means, she doesn't have an extra chromosome & she doesn't have down syndrome or some other named genetic disorders that I had never heard of.

We will get the rest of the results in about a week with the full break down & the genetic counselor said they almost always match the preliminary ones.

Then our OBGYN will be calling me within 2 weeks for the virus/infections results.

This is one HUGE blessing we received & I continue to pray that Carly is growing & thriving as she should.

We Need Your Prayers

The past few days have been a roller coaster of emotions for us. From elated to concern to scared.  

My ultrasound on Wednesday, showed some abnormalities in Carly's brain, but the Dr. didn't want us to be alarmed until we had another one yesterday in a different office with a better ultrasound machine. It showed the same, a slightly enlarged or swollen left ventrical & in addition it showed calcium on her heart. Seperately these two aren't major concerns but should be monitored, but together they should be examined more closely. We elected to do some testing, to get some more answers, which included an amniocentesis. I had it done yesterday as well. It takes up to 2 weeks for results.....it will feel like a LIFETIME!!!! This will tell us if there are any chromosome issues(it basically gives us a genetic make up of Carly) and they will also test the amniotic fluid for viruses and infections. The percentage is low that it could be something, but that percentage to Josh & I feels so much larger than it is. I am really starting to understand the love of a parent. We have prayed and will continue to pray for our little girl and ask that you please help us pray too! We want the very best for Carly and to be a happy, healty baby:)

Ephesions 3:20
God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
 
Hebrews 11:1
 ¹Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Our Baby Girl

Has been named.  I picked her first name(I've had it picked out for some time) then Josh and I went over middle names and he picked her middle name.

Carly Kate

It's a Precious Little........

 (Profile)

(Look at her hands around her face)

GIRL!!!

We are in love with her already!  I didn't know how attached I could be to something I have never even met, but once I saw her, moving around, she had me wrapped around her little finger.

Life is Precious

Last night, my mother's best friends son passed away at the age of 33.  He leaves behind a wife and 2 small children.  He did have a heart condition that he had monitored over the years, but his death was very sudden & fast.  It is comforting to know that he is in heaven, but I can't help to feel such grief for his mother, wife, and children.  It really makes you think about how precious life is, we are not promised tomorrow.  Each day is a gift!

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

19 Weeks

WHOA BELLY!!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: Baby Burgess is the size of a large tomatoe.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 2 lbs.

Clothes: Luv my maternity clothes.

Gender: Can't wait to find out Nov. 10th!.....2 days!!!!

Movement: Feeling flutters every once in a while.

Sleep: Sleeping better at night, only wake up a few times.

Cravings: Apples & Japanese

Symptoms: Tired, Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: Chicken Stew night, just hanging out with friends.

Chicken Stew

We had our annual chicken stew with our neighbor...they've started calling it a field party, because it's in the middle of no where....but across the street from our house.  My brother makes a fabulous stew, the best I've ever tasted:)  Our friends Tom, Cindy, & Mary stayed the night with us(they live in Charlotte), we had a great time hanging with them.

My brother & his girlfriend, Angela

Cindy, Tom & Mary

Our besties, Steve & Ashley

It was the coldest night of the year yet, but the bon fire was warm.

18 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Size of baby: Baby Burgess is the size of a Sweet Potato

Total Weight Gain: Gained 2 lbs.

Clothes: Luv my maternity clothes.

Gender: Can't wait to find out Nov. 10th!.....10 days!!!!

Movement: Feeling flutters every once in a while.

Sleep: Sleeping better at night, only wake up a few times.

Cravings: Apples & Soup

Symptoms: Tired, Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: Being surprised on my birthday.

30

Today is the BIG 30th BIRTHDAY! I can't believe I am out of my 20's now, it's a little sad. I won't be depressed over this though:) I have so much to be thankful for.

Took the day off of work. Slept late! Josh took me to a pancake breakfast at Battle Branch. Spent the day being lazy with the Love of my Life! Had a nap. Then to what I thought was going to be dinner with family and friends at Kanpai. WRONG!!! Josh had planned a Surprise Party for me at his Mom and Dad's. How did he get to be so sneaky??? I HAD NO IDEA & usually NO ONE can get past me on things like that! I must be losing my touch! Had a great time eating BBQ and CAKE! Couldn't have asked for a better day! I am very blessed!

 We are missing Robin & PawPaw in this pic!

TOTALLY SURPRISED! 

 My beautimous cake from Ketchie Creek

 30!

Steve looks crushed!