The Simpsons

Jekyll Island

2009-04-12T10:29:00.003-04:00

Our recent trip to Jekyll Island...

Helping Mimi in the yeard

2009-02-07T22:12:00.005-05:00

I took these a couple of weeks ago but never got around to posting them. Caroline was helping Mimi pick up pecans and pine straw in our yard. I don't know how much help she really was because she was taking the pecans out of the bucket as fast as Mimi could put them in.

A new job

2009-01-26T16:48:00.002-05:00

Starting Monday Sean will once again be working in Brunswick. He just accepted a job with Tires Plus on Scranton Landing. We are excited about this new opportunity which should bring more money and insurance. Please pray for Sean as he starts his new job.

Good news...

2009-01-20T12:05:00.005-05:00

For those of you that might not have heard... we should find out if Sean will get his job back with CSX in the next couple of months. They are going to make a decision on February 24th and we should hear something by April 1st. This means that one way or another the holding pattern that we have been in for the past year will be over. We will either get our lives back or be able to start over and hopefully move to a more lucrative area (like, maybe... Knoxville).

We greatly appreciate everyone's thought and prayers over the past year. God has definitely provided for us. It seems like just when we think we won't be able to pay a bill someone will call with a much needed auto repair.

I have to say that I am unsure as to which way I want this decision to go. On one hand, I would love to have our life back and everything return to the way it was. On the other hand, it would be nice to move from Waycross and be closer to my family. Sean would love to work for the railroad again and I think that would make him very happy, so maybe I should pray that it goes that way. My own selfishness would like to move home! I guess we should just pray that God puts us on the right path. Please continue to prayer for our little family!

Revelations 3:8
God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!

Our trip to Knoxville

2009-01-04T18:12:00.007-05:00

We went to Knoxville for Christmas this year. It was hard as this was the first one without my Pops. Overall, our family did very well. My grandmother is an amazing woman. She has been an amazing source of strength for our entire family. I can't imagine losing a spouse after more than 50 years. But on a lighter note... Caroline got lots of great presents and had a lot of fun. She loved playing with Nana, Poppy and Aunt Kelly. She was also fascinated by my parent's dog Tasha. We all had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone.

Three generations together!!

(sorry couldn't get this to rotate)

With Grandmom at Market Square

Playing in the "swimming tub" at Nana and Poppy's house

Playing in her highchair

Christmas morning

In the Christmas dress Aunt Kelly got her

I love my baby girl!!

Aren't I cute??!!

Playing with Aunt Kelly

Our next trip to Knoxville will probably be in May. My sister will graduate from The University of Tennessee College of Business with a degree in Finance. She will finish her years at UT in their new James A. Haslam Business Building. This new building is amazing!! You have to check out the pictures. I am so proud of my sister.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!

Pictures

2008-11-22T13:46:00.004-05:00

Caroline had her one year pictures and Christmas pictures made on the same day. The Christams pictures turned out better than the one year pics but they are all good.

Happy Halloween!!

2008-11-01T20:34:00.007-04:00

Caroline went as a lion for her 2nd Halloween. Last year she was only 4 weeks old so I put a cute little pumpkin shirt and hat on her and took her picture. This year she was a little older and could enjoy it a little more. She doesn't quite understand why I made her wear the costume or why I took like 947 pictures of her, but she seemed to enjoy the attention.

This was the last picture. Can you tell she is soooo over all of this???!!!

(and yes, I see the sticker on the pumpkin. Walmart put extra sticky stickers on their pumpkins this year and I couldn't get it all off. Needless to say, this side was covered up by the other pumpkins!)

1 year old

2008-10-25T16:46:00.007-04:00

My little angel recently turned one year old. I can't believe she is a walking, talking little person. Here are some pictues of my toddler...

Playing in her carrier

Playing on her swingset that Nana and Poppy got her

Watching tv from her castle

Taking a nap! (She just woke up but she had been asleep for almost an hour)

Her birthday cake at Mimi's house

Nana and Aunt Kelly came down for Caroline's party

Her banner

The birthday cake at her party

The "before" of her cake at the party

The "after" picture.

She didn't do a lot of damage to her cake. She enjoyed the pick icing!!

Walking

2008-09-08T18:30:00.003-04:00

It was brought to my attention recently that I had not put anything on the blog about Caroline walking. Her first steps were taken on August 8th. Since then she has started walking everywhere. I can't believe my baby is almost a year old and is walking like a little person. My baby is growing up so fast!!! Now, if we could just get her to keep her shoes on...

Pictures...

2008-09-06T12:00:00.006-04:00

These are some pictures, mostly of Caroline. I apologize for not posting any pictures in the last month. It has been quite busy around the Simpson house. I took a new position at work, Caroline is walking pretty much all the time now and Sean is trying to build his business. Hope you enjoy these pics.

Tasha, Yolanda and Yours Truly at Cavagnarros Restaurant

These are two of my former coworkers. They have moved on to bigger and better jobs but I enjoyed working with them while they were at Head Start.

Caroline prefers to play inside the box

The face of someone making mischief

Playing with one of her favorite toys (yes, that is a snot sucker and yes it is clean)

Playing behind the end table

The cutest face in the whole world (not to mention the most beautiful eyes)

Caught in the act!!

Taking a nap after a long day of running errands and grocery shopping!

Playing in the Jump-n-Go

Isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen!!

2 Years and counting...

2008-07-22T21:24:00.003-04:00

Our 2nd Anniversary!!!

I thought I would write one blog entry that was about something besides our little princess. So I thought our anniversary was as good a time as any!! I can't believe it has been two years!! Has anyone else noticed how well-rested I look in these pictures???? Just thought I would put two of our wonderful wedding pictures up for everyone to look at and remember what a fantastic wedding we had!

Pictures...

2008-07-12T15:12:00.007-04:00

Some random pictures of Miss Caroline

Playing in her swimming pool that Aunt Kelly got her
Caroline decided she would have turtle for dinner!

Playing in the laundry basket!
(She is not using the bathroom, I promise!)
She had a busy day

playing with her toys

Daddy and his Mini Me

Playing under the end table

What a sweet little face!

(or maybe mischievous is the word I'm looking for)

Better late than never...

2008-06-22T18:23:00.009-04:00

Ok, so I'm a little late posting these pictures. Like, maybe a month late! Anyway... here are some of the pictures from our Knoxville trip over Memorial Day Weekend.

Aren't we cute together??!!

(My teeth are NOT really that yellow!)
Caroline sleeping on Grandmom
Pops and his girl

My chair at Nana and Poppy's house

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

These are some other random pictures that I was going to post. I just thought I would combine all of them!!

8 months old

2008-06-05T10:39:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday my little angel turned 8 months old. I need to put new pictures up but have been quite busy lately. Caroline is very close to walking. She is pulling up on furniture and crawling everywhere. She pulls up on furniture, gets turned around and tries to let go and take a step but ends up falling on her behind. She has learned how to open cabinets and drawers, knock picture frames off the end tables, turn over the laundry basket and throw her toys. I guess she is a typical 8 month old!!

I just can't believe this was 8 months ago!!

(Caroline less than 1 week old)

You have to crawl before you can walk

2008-05-16T20:05:00.004-04:00

Caroline has reached several milestones in the past week! On Monday Caroline waived bye-bye for the first time, on Tuesday she started pulling up on furniture and Thursday night she started crawling!! My little baby is crawling!!! She is growing up so fast!! I will put up some pictures soon.

6 month pictures

2008-05-10T21:42:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I had Caroline's 6 month pictures made. She was almost 7 months, but what can I say... I'm behind. Anyway, I have been waiting for the lovely people at Sears to put them on their website so I can share them with all of you. So, finally, here they are!!

7 MONTHS OLD!!!

2008-05-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

Miss Caroline is 7 months old today!! I can't believe it!! I thought you all might be interested in how she is doing for her age. According to the American Pregnancy Association-

The Seventh Month:
--Sits without support, may lean forward on both hands (she had this like a month ago!)
--Bears full weight on feet
--Bounces when held in standing position (yea, for like 2 months now!)
--Bears weight on one hand when lying on stomach (she is up on all 4s and trying to crawl, thank you!!)
--Transfers objects from one hand to another
--Bangs objects on surfaces (like sippy cups!)
--Able to fixate on small objects
--Responds to name (umm... she really doesn't know who this Caroline person is, but Princess or Wittles will get a response every time!)
--Awareness of depth and space begin
--Has taste preferences (definitely not turkey or chicken baby food! but, she does love ice water with lemon- go figure!)
--"Talks" when others are talking (can we say CONSTANTLY)
Caroline can say "bye-bye," "da-da," "daddy," "ma-ma," "uh-oh"

What can I say, my child is well advanced and quite possibly a genius!! I guess she takes after her mother :)

You can check out the APA website- click here

My two front teeth

2008-05-02T12:22:00.004-04:00

A couple of days ago I made a wonderful discovery. My daughter has two teeth. Her bottom two front teeth have made an appearance. They have broken through her gums and you can see them if you can get her to keep her mouth open and her tongue out of the way. They look so cute!!! Just thought I would share that with all of you! I promise I will put some pictures up soon.

New jobs/daycare

2008-04-18T20:47:00.008-04:00

The last month has brought about a lot of changes in the Simpson house. I got a job, Sean found two shops to work at and Caroline started daycare.

I have been working for Head Start (click here) as a Data Entry Clerk (what can I say, I'm a poster child for higher education!). **I had originally taken another job, but this is a permanent job with slightly better pay. Basically, if you don't want to work, can't speak English or are raising your 8 grandchildren under the age of 5 that all have different fathers you come to Head Start to sign your kids up to get them out of your house for six hours a day. Oh, I mean, so that they can learn something so they will be ahead when they go to Kindergarten. I thought that working with the public since the age of 16 that I had pretty much seen and heard it all, I was sooooooo wrong!! This place takes the prize!! Geez!! These are some pictures of my place of employment.

Since Sean and I are once again part of the workforce, Caroline had to go daycare. Sean and I visited several in town and decided on Kids, Incorporated. She is in the Infant 1 room with kids ages 6 weeks until they can walk. Pretty much all of the kids except one are Caroline's age or younger. Sean and I took Caroline the first day. I cried in the parking lot, on the way to work, at work, at lunch... well, you get the idea. I have cried every morning that I have had to leave her. The funny part of this story- Caroline loves it!!! The director told me when we went to visit the daycare the first time that it isn't the children that have the problem it's the mommies. So true!! She loves watching the other children and playing with all of the toys. Miss Crystal is her primary caregiver while she is there. Caroline loves Miss Crystal and Miss Crystal loves Caroline (who wouldn't!!). I have to say that even though the situation isn't ideal, I could not have asked for it to go any smoother. Plus, I can sit at my desk at work and see her on their webcam. The problem is that I don't want to do any work, I just want to sit and watch her.

Oh, and just to update you all on Caroline's vocabulary- she can say "bye-bye," "da-da," and "uh-oh."

A new adventure

2008-04-05T19:23:00.005-04:00

At our last checkup the nurse told me to start trying to get Caroline to drink out of a sippy cup. She said the easiest way was to take the spill-proof part out so that the juice would flow freely and Caroline would know what is in it. This was when I put the spill-proof thingy back in Caroline would suck on it to try to get the juice out. I thought that this seemed like it might be kind of a mess, but decided that she is a nurse and I'm just a first time mom that knows nothing about how to raise a baby. So, I went to Walmart, bought a sippy cup, came home and put it in the dishwasher to make sure that it was nice and clean for my little one. I put juice in it and showed her how to use it. Well, after she about drowned from the large stream of apple juice pouring out of the cup she turned it upside down and soaked her clothes, her highschair, me and my floor. It's amazing how far a couple ounces of juice can spread. So I changed our clothes, filled it back up and tried again, this time with the spill-proof thingy back in. This time Caroline decided the traditional way of using it wasn't much fun and that it was much more fun to bang it against the side of the highchair a few times and throw it on the floor while laughing hysterically and waiting on me to pick it up. This was followed by me sticking it in my mouth to "clean" it and then giving it back to her. After about a half dozen times the sippy cup exploded and apple juice splattered all over my kitchen and me. I have a permanent sticky spot on my kitchen floor. I think I might give up for now and just let her drink juice out of a bottle! And I thought life was interesting before I had a baby!!

Bye-Bye Baby

2008-04-01T22:35:00.003-04:00

Another milestone was set in the life of Caroline Lois Simpson. Today she said her first word! She said "bye-bye." She was staying with Mindy and Evan while I was at work and when Evan waived to her and told her bye-bye she said it back to him. Isn't that cute?! It is clear as day that she is saying bye-bye, no mumbling or whispering for this little girl. She says it loud and proud!! She is going to be a loud mouth like her daddy (ha, ha, ha, ha... ok, I couldn't resist!- you all know that she gets the loud mouth part from me). She has said it several times since then except when I was on the phone with my mom and dad and wanted them to hear it. I can't believe my baby is starting to talk. She is almost able to sit up by herself and is trying to get up so she can crawl! My baby is growing up!! Before I know it we are going to be sending her off to college.

Knoxville Trip 2008

2008-03-22T22:08:00.008-04:00

Taking a bath in the kitchen sink at Nana and Poppy's house

Me and my Nana

Isn't this how you're supposed to sit in a highchair??

Practicing my jumping on Nana's lap

Pops and his girl

Great Great Aunt Grace

I love you Nana

Look into my eyes...

Posing for the camera with Grandma Judy, Aunt Wanda, Aunt Mitzi and Aunt Faye (Nana's work posse- the Burkhart girls)

Aunt Wanda and Aunt Mitzi

Visiting with Aunt Karen and Nana Fran (More of Nana's work posse)

Nana Fran

Aunt Karen

Caroline decided it was nap time

Hanging out at Helen's house with Steph

Kelly and our cousin Mozart

saying goodbye to Nana and Poppy at McDonald's in Atlanta

This is what Nana and Poppy ran into on their way home from driving with us to Atlanta!

They got caught in the middle of the storms that ripped through downtown Atlanta last weekend. They had to pull over and go into a hotel for shelter! We love you Nana and Poppy!!

Random Pictures

2008-03-19T21:14:00.000-04:00

This has been a crazy week!! I started my new job and had to leave my baby at home. Ok, so she is with Sean, but that's beside the point- I still cried. Besides, I'm pretty convinced that no one is capable of taking care of my daughter like I can. (I've been a mom for 6 months, I'm kind of an expert!) Ok, stop laughing! I promise to post the pictures from the Knoxville trip soon. These are some random pictures I took before I left.

Chillin' on daddy

Wearing daddy's hat

Taking a shower with mommy
practicing for her modeling career

Planes, trains and automobiles (well, ok 2 out of the 3)

2008-03-04T19:05:00.003-05:00

Caroline and I will be embarking on yet another journey to Knoxville. This time by car. She has made this trip by airplane and did remarkably well but a car is a whole other ballgame!! It will be me and Little Bit in a car all by ourselves for 5 hours. Yes, the trip to Knoxville is apx. 8 hours but my wonderful parents have agreed to meet us in Atlanta for lunch and then one of them ride the rest of the way to Knoxville in the backseat with my little pumpkin. I have the greatest parents in the world!! How many people would offer to make a 3 1/2 hour drive only to have lunch and then drive back?! Caroline and I will be staying for a week before I start my new job.

Which brings me to my next topic...

I got a job. I will be working at the Southeast Georgia Regional Development Center. I will be working in the Aging Division. As soon as I learn more about the job I will let all of you know!! I start on March 17th. Say a prayer for me!!

Video

2008-02-27T12:27:00.004-05:00

Sean made this video the other night while Caroline was eating. She makes these noises all the time. It doesn't matter if she is eating or not. It moves around a lot, he needs to work on his video skills!! We thought you all might enjoy seeing it.

Feeding time and other random pictures

2008-02-24T21:16:00.011-05:00

These are some pictures of us feeding Caroline her baby food. She loves the veggies and hates the fruits. Kind of backwards from most kids. She is naked in most of the pictures. After we ruined 4 or 5 onesies we decided to feed her naked. It makes for easier clean up (except for the carrots up the nose, those are still tricky). There are also some other random pictures.

Daddy's first time feeding her baby food (check out that serious look- talk about concentration!)
What a stinker!!

Yum... carrots
Sweet potatoes
peas...
peas again
squash

Sitting up like a big girl
Aren't I a cutie?
Sleeping buddies (the pillow cases are in the washer)
Isn't this cute???
Sam!
watching TV
sleeping on daddy
naked baby
sleeping on daddy, again
Happy Valentine's Day Mommy

Sleeping beauty

2008-02-23T15:37:00.002-05:00

I am a little late in posting these, but given the current circumstances I think everyone will forgive me! At Caroline's last doctor visit she weighed 14.2 lbs and was 24 3/4 inches long.

Her new favorite activity is putting her feet in her mouth, well... putting anything in her mouth. If she is sitting in your lap and you have your shoes off she will want to put your toes in her mouth. But it doesn't have to be feet or toes. Burp cloths, blankets, sheets, clothing, pillows, etc. are just as enjoyable.

She really spreads out when she sleeps- what you can't tell is that she is lying sideways across the bed.
She takes after her dad and likes to sleep on the couch

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T21:19:00.001-05:00

Comment Graphics at pYzam.com

Definitions

2008-02-13T21:42:00.005-05:00

Trust- reliance on the strength, integrity, ability, surety, etc. of a person or thing; confidence; the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed.

Faith- belief that is not based on proof; confidence or trust in a person or thing.

Karma- bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad

Good- morally excellent, satisfactory in quality, hornorable or worthy

Bad- of poor or inferior quality, inadequate or below standard, faulty

Life- the general or universal condition of human existence; the period of existence

Love- a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person; amour; a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend

Aqua Chi part 2

2008-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I finally did it! A couple of weeks ago I tried the Aqua Chi footbath and it was everything I hoped and more!! I sat in a darkened room while soft music played and stared at the water for 40 minutes. I could have read or slept or whatever, but I couldn't stop staring at the ever-changing water color. It was well worth the $40. I ca't say that I felt like a new person or had amazing amounts of energy, but it got rid of a lot of the mucus that had been clogging up my head. Had I not been so stopped up I don't know how I might have felt. You should try it!!

The following could be found in my water-

Black flecks: heavy metal
Brown: cellular debris, liver
Orange: joints
White cheese-like particles: yeast
White foam: mucus from lymph system
Yellow-green: kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, female/prostate area

Home Sweet Home

2008-02-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

What a couple of weeks!!! These past 3 weeks or so have been the craziest ever. Some of you know why and I thank you for your prayers and support. We still need them!! Moving on... These are some pictures after we got moved in. We are still shuffling through boxes and at least half a dozen times a day Sean or I one make the comment of "do you know where (fill in the blank) is?" We are getting there slowly. VERY SLOWLY!! I have made one decision- the next time I move my child(ren) will be more than 4 months old. Oh and for my friends reading this and considering having children... come spend an afternoon with me and Little Bit. Her new favorite passtime is to squeal at the top of her lungs every 30 seconds or so. Apparently she likes the way she sounds. Good grief!!!

Have you noticed the 20 dirty bottles by the sink?
A Fisher-Price bouncy seat makes a wonderful addition to any dinning area! Not to mention the cute baby sitting in it!
In case you couldn't figure it out, this is Little Bit's room.
(Thank you Uncle Justin for painting it purple)

I would like to say that our living room normally looks better than this but that would be a lie. We spend most of our time in here so it pretty much stays this way. Oh well, as far as I know St. Peter doesn't offer a cleanist house prize at the Pearly Gates!!
This is the spare bedroom. Anything we couldn't find an immediate place for ended up here.
For my East Tennessee friends and family- this is a well. Before our street was put on sewer everyone had a well. I had never actually seen one until now so I thought I would share it with you!

One of these things is not like the others! In case you didn't notice- Sam is sitting with all of Caroline's stuffed animals in her crib. The stuffed animals were supposed to keep Sammy out- worked well didn't it!

Our new favorite place...

2008-01-22T09:02:00.001-05:00

Our new favorite store! In the last 2 days we have made 3 trips to Lowe's. We have purchased 2 gallons of paint, 1 gallon of primer, returned 1 gallon of primer that we forgot to use, 6 roller sponges, 3 rolls of paper to go down in the cabinets- whatever you call it, 9 light switches, 11 light switch covers, 19 plugs/receptacles, 19 receptacle covers and 3 ceiling fans. The problem with this is that we need much, much more!! The house is totally ready to move in. None of this needs to be done right now. But it is much easier to do things when there is no furniture to get in the way. On our 3rd trip to Lowe's Sean and I made a wish list of things we would like to do. I think the grand total came to be somewhere in the neighborhood of about $15,000. I don't think I could even begin to make a list of everything we would LIKE to do to this house. It isn't a bad house, in fact I rather like it. The thing is there are just so many things you can do to a house. Lowe's makes it way too easy!! Hopefully we will be all moved in and have all small projects completed before the end of the month.

Another day older and deeper in debt...

2008-01-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

As of yesterday Sean and I are officially homeowners!! And to borrow a title from Heidi- only 360 more payments and she is all ours!! That's right, our final payment will be due February 1, 2038. Ahhh, to be further in debt!! At least this is good debt, if there is such a thing. I am very glad that we are no longer paying rent. The Tysons (our landlords) have gotten enough from us over the past couple of years. And the really good news... our house payment is less than our rent! Beginning March 1st we will be paying $63.90 less on a house then we have been paying on this apartment! Thank God for small houses!! We start moving on Sunday, we're painting Little Bit's room on Monday and we should be completely moved in by the 31st. We're in for a crazy couple of weeks!!

Our new addition/ house update

2008-01-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

The newest addition to the Simpson house is a 52" Phillips flat-screen LCD television. (Pay no attention to the packing mess to the side of the TV!). My darling husband and I agreed that he needed a television in his bedroom so that he too could watch TV while he drifted off to dreamland. When I agreed to this purchase what came to mind was a 20" old fashion TV with a large casing behind it so that the screen itself set about a foot and a half away from the wall. You know- THE KIND I HAVE IN MY ROOM! Not that my TV is that old or old fashion, in fact it does have a flat screen, but the area behind the screen is rather large. In fact- it is probably much like the TV you all have in your houses. And I don't think I would be going out on a limb to say that you probably enjoy those televisions. They work, they show you the exact same programs that this TV does, just a little bit (OK, a lot) smaller and with not quite as much detail. No, what my husband had in mind was this monstrosity that now resides in our living room (the old living room TV, which was the biggest TV in the house is now going to his room). I have to say that the picture is fantastic, it is great to watch movies on and it shows everything in great, maybe too much, detail (Matt Lauer had a nose hair that was driving me bananas...), but come on!!!! How much TV does a person need??!! I do have to say that Baby Einstein looks great on it! I'm worried that Caroline might be afraid of the Sesame Street characters seeing as how they are now life-size!! I am getting more and more used to the TV. It doesn't seem quite the eyesore that it did when he first brought it home. It is going to be mounted on the wall at the new house which should help out some. Oh and last night he had the nerve to ask about surround sound! I'll tell you what he can do with the 52" and the surround sound... An update on our house... the closing date has been moved. We are now closing on January 17th instead of the 24th. I really need to finish packing!

Milestones

2008-01-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

All by myself...

My first outing- October 10, 2007

Smiled- November 12, 2007

Giggled- November 15, 2007

Slept through the night- December 13, 2007

Discovered my hands and feet- December 31, 2007

Rolled over- January 7, 2008

In three short months Caroline has accomplished so many things and is growing so fast!! It seems like I just brought her home from the hospital last week. She is such an amazing little girl and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things she is going to do.

My baby is three months old...

2008-01-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

Miss Caroline is 3 months old! I can't believe it has been 3 months, this is flying by! These are some random pictures of my 3 month old princess.

Sleeping with daddy

Like mother like daughter
Me and mommy
Aren't I cute?????
Eating the dress Nana bought me for Christmas

Watching Baby Einstein

(her head isn't as big as it looks in this picture)
Chillin' in my pajamas with daddy
Sleeping on daddy's leg
I love Evan's swing!
Me and Daddy
Practicing sitting up
Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match...
Look at my beautiful blue eyes

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T12:58:00.001-05:00

More Comments at pYzam.com

Christmas 2007

2007-12-25T19:43:00.001-05:00

Caroline had a wonderful 1st Christmas!! She got so many wonderful gifts and can't wait to play with all of them (or wear them). She actually slept all night Christmas Eve- that was her Christmas present to Mommy!! We had lots of fun in the living room that morning and went to Mimi Susu's for lunch. All of the family was there for a few minutes then had to go their separate ways. We missed Uncle Justin, Aunt Mindy and Evan!! I can't wait till she can actually enjoy her presents next year. Thank you so much for all the wonderful presents that all of us got for Christmas !! We are truly blessed with the best families!!

Caroline with her Uncle Alvie, Aunt Heidi and her cousin Scarlett
Showing off the dress Nana bought me!
Sammy loved the boxes and tissue paper from Caroline's presents
smiling for the camera
2/3 of Susan's handsome sons and their families
(missing: Alvie and Heidi's son Reagan, Justin, Mindy and Evan)
This is the closest they could get to a family picture!!

Caroline and Mommy all dressed up
A very sleepy Caroline with her Mimi and Bubba

Caroline and Elmo on Christmas morning Chillin' in the sunglasses Aunt Kelly bought me!
Hi-ho Silver, Away!!
My Angel bear Nana and Poppy got me
Mommy and Me on my 1st Christmas morning!!

2007-12-22T18:08:00.001-05:00

More Comments at pYzam.com

our house, is a very very very fine house...

2007-12-21T13:26:00.000-05:00

This is our new house!! The owner accepted our offer yesterday and as long as it passes inspection we close on January 24th. We are actually going to be homeowners!!! I love the big, fenced-in backyard- there is plenty of room for Little Bit to have a swing set. I'm so excited, I can't wait to move in!!!!!

My poor Christmas tree...

2007-12-15T15:08:00.000-05:00

My poor Christmas tree! I took this picture because it is somewhat rare that all the lights are working at the same time. I got a pre-lit tree last year thinking it was foolproof, but I should have known better. When I put the tree together this year some of the lights wouldn't work. They do work from time to time, but usually not all of them at the same time. We have tightened all the bulbs and messed with it, but we finally gave up!! My ornaments are crooked and the angel keeps leaning to one side. And if you will notice the bottom of the tree doesn't have ornaments because of a certain fuzz ball. It really isn't entirely the tree's fault, Sam does play a large part in our tree's problems. He sits on the window ledge and knocks ornaments off that side and plays with the limbs, he eats the "needles" and sleeps on my tree skirt. I think his goal is to knock the angel off the top of the tree, he really seems bothered by the angel. For the first few days i put her back upright several times a day, but then I got over it and just let her be crooked. Any of these would cause a tree to be slightly off center, so with all of them put together I'm amazed the tree is still standing!

SAM!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-08T18:18:00.001-05:00

It has come to our attention recently (well, ok over the last year) that we could have given Sam a more suitable name. We were thinking Mischief or Trouble. For starters, the other day he managed to get his head and upper body wedged into the top of a box that had a very small opening. The problem- he couldn't wedge the rest of him into the same hole! He hung there with his back legs and bottom stuck up in the air, meowing, until one of us found him and got him out! He knocks the ornaments off my tree and plays with them all the way down the hall. A few weeks ago he was playing with a gift bag I had received a baby present in. He got one of the handles stuck around his neck and ran through the house twice before we could catch him to get it off. Unfortunately we were laughing too hard to get the camera-it looked like a bag with a head! Sunday night when we dropped him off at his Mimi's for the night he decided he wanted to be an outside cat, he just forgot to tell Mimi. He ran outside when she wasn't looking. So for 2 days we all looked and called and looked and called some more but no Sammy! Finally, he showed up at the house looking for food! Thank God he's such a pig or he might have been gone longer! I can't even begin to tell you how much trouble this cat is! He is definitely one of a kind!!! But, I love him and couldn't imagine him not being around!! I could just kill him sometimes!

Maybe his cousin Mozart won't be such a stinker, but I doubt it!! :)

My baby is two months old!!

2007-12-03T23:36:00.000-05:00

Doesn't Elvis look relaxed??!!

Two months ago today I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl the world has ever seen! Well, second to her mother (ha, ha)! I can't believe that it has been two months!! It seems like only last week we brought her home. I can't believe how much she has grown and started developing her own personality and quirks. She laughs and smiles and coos. She is holding her head up and trying desperately to sit up all by herself. I love it!!

Over the past 2 months of being a mom I have learned many, many things and been given more advice then I know what to do with!! These are the top five:
1) A baby girl, even if dressed from head to toe in pink must still wear a sign around her neck announcing to the world "I'm a GIRL" - they do make babies that aren't boys!!
2) If the temperature is below 80 it is "too cold to have that baby out!"- It was November in South Georgia Ms. random lady at Walgreens!! It's 75 degrees- THE BABY IS FINE!!!
3) If you don't breastfeed you are a failure as a mother. Buying formula is the 8th deadly sin. Apparently you will go straight to hell. Your baby will be sickly for the rest of her life and it will be all your fault because she didn't get to build up her immune system with all the goodies from the breast milk (source: another random person at Walgreens). OK, this is a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. P.S.- I have quit going to Walgreens!!
4) Cats kill babies!!- OK, so in the middle of the night Sam is going to go into the kitchen, grab the butcher knife and go after Caroline. I don't think so!! He hasn't tried to suffocate her or harm her in any way. He is wonderful around her and makes an excellent foot prop for her little legs when she is eating! So there- HA!!
5) If you are going to have a baby- learn the words to songs. I always thought I did pretty darn good with lyrics. I could sing along with just about any song that came on the radio. But, in the dark of night with my little bundle of joy in my arms I can't remember more than 10 words to any song. I don't care what song it is- I can't remember anything! I end up singing a lot of hums and la, la, la, la, las. It's a good thing she doesn't know the difference or that her mother couldn't carry a tune in a bucket! She loves it! :)

It's been a crazy couple of months! I can't wait to see what the next two months brings!!!

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...

2007-11-28T03:58:00.000-05:00

Ok, so its more like over the mountains and through the swamp, but needless to say we made it to Nana and Poppy's house for Thanksgiving. After 1 long car ride, 2 plane rides and 3 airports we made it to Knoxville. I have to say that for Little Bit to have only been 7 weeks old she did remarkably well. She slept in the car, ate and pee-peed at the airports and slept on the planes. Could I have a more perfect child?

We had a wonderful trip!! Caroline got to meet her great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, a great great aunt and even a few cousins. I'm sure she remembers all of them! Caroline had fun playing with Poppy. She found my dad incredibly amusing. He didn't even have to do anything and she would start smiling and laughing if she saw him. Nana had a mini-boppy (a neck pillow) that Caroline slept on several times. She helped Nana, Poppy and Aunt Kelly put up their Christmas tree and make their lunches for work. Aunt Kelly fed and looked after her (and let her finally hear some "good" music) while Mommy showered. Nana pushed her in the stroller through the mall while we shopped for after-Thanksgiving bargains. Caroline got to swim in their swimming tub (that would be Nana and Poppy's whirlpool tub that Caroline got to take a bath in and then go "swimming" in). She loved spending time with Grandmom and Pops. She loved Grandmom's pumpkin pie and managed to poop each time Pops held her (I think she planned that- she still laughs about it!). She thought Helen, Russ and Steph were very entertaining and can't wait to see Mozart again. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back!!

Her first plane ride!!

great grandfather "Pops"

Caroline helped Nana and Poppy make their lunches
NanaPoppy

Aunt Tasha (my parent's other child)
Caroline and Nana in their pajamas!
Great Uncle Russ & Great Aunt Stephanie

great grandmother "Helen"
great grandmother "Grandmom"

Caroline in the Charlotte airport
Nana, Poppy and Aunt Kelly

Aqua Chi

2007-11-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

I have been going crazy to try Aqua Chi. It's where you sit with your feet in a tub of stimulated water for about 30 minutes and let it detox your body. I have wanted to do this for quite some time but had to wait till I wasn't pregnant. Now, that my body is baby free I think I'm going to try it. You have to check out these links. If you don't want to read about it at least check out the water color chart. It is soooooo gross what comes out during the detox. I think things like this are so cool! Aqua Chi Information and the Water Color Chart. Let me know what you all think!!

Sweet Child O' Mine

2007-11-18T22:03:00.000-05:00

She's got a smile that it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories

Where everything

Was as fresh as the bright blue sky

Now and then when I see her face

She takes me away to that special place

And if I stared too long

I'd probably break down and cry

Sweet child o' mine

Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies

As if they thought of rain

I hate to look into those eyes

And see an ounce of pain

Her hair reminds meof a warm safe place

Where as a child I'd hide

And pray for the thunder

And the rain

To quietly pass me by

Sweet child o' mine

Sweet love of mine

Where do we go

Where do we go now

Where do we go

Sweet child o' mine

**Nothing like a little Guns N' Roses

She's a model already!

2007-11-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

My little munchkin is a model already! The lady that took Caroline's baby pictures wants to use some of her pictures for advertising (website, etc)! The black and white picture of her face is probably going to be on her business card. She also wants to use one of the pics of Caroline with her mommy. I guess I make a good prop for the princess!! I knew she was gorgeous and now everyone in the Waycross area will be able to see her.

Caroline is getting ready to make her first big trip. She and I are flying to Knoxville on Tuesday and spending Thanksgiving with her Nana, Poppy and Aunt Kelly. Yes, that's right, me and a 7 week old infant are flying 500 miles BY OURSELVES!! Thank God she is such a good baby. Maybe she will be a good baby at 30,000 feet! :) Pray for us!!!!! Big brother Sam is going to spend Turkey Day with Mimi and Bubba. (Sean has to work, don't think we are just leaving him here to fend for himself! He has to work Thanksgiving and the 3 days after so he will be sleeping while we are gone!)

Since this will probably be my last entry before I leave for Knoxville...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

My little baby is one month old...

2007-11-06T14:10:00.000-05:00

This is a couple of days late, but what can I say, I have an infant to take care of! On Saturday my little baby was one month old. I can't believe it. I feel so sad. I feel like I just had her a couple of days ago. I can't believe she has already been with us for a whole month. Anyway... to commemorate her one month birthday I have more pictures! I'm sure all of you are saying "it is about time Lauren finally made a picture of that darling baby! They just aren't going to have any pictures of her as a baby!" YEAH RIGHT!!! I have only taken like a thousand pictures of her in the last month! I have never been a big picture person, but I guess I just haven't had anything this cute to take lots of picture of! So without further delay, more pictures...

Sleeping on Daddy
Chillin' on my boppy
Ok, mom and dad, you guys take the pack-n-play and I'll sleep in the bed! (Can we say spoiled rotten??)
My Halloween costume!

(It's the one and only shot she would sit still for)
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

Caroline's baby pics

2007-10-31T21:28:00.000-04:00

Caroline had her baby pictures made yesterday. They turned out so great!!!! We had them made in a park down the street from the house and I am so happy with the way they turned out. This is the link to the pics. http://www.flickr.com/gp/95001586@N00/B4wWD6. Let me know what you all think!

Can we get a professional down here please??

2007-10-29T00:43:00.000-04:00

Caroline protests her amateur parents and requests the assistance of a professional!

My cute froggy outfit

Sleeping beauty

Mommy trying to stay awake

I always knew that having a baby would change my life in many ways. But I never imagined how much it would change me as a person. I have to admit that over the last 25 years I have been selfish and somewhat self-absorbed. My problems were always bigger and my accomplishments were more important. But now... my entire life revolves around this little girl's happiness. Nothing I have done in the past seems to matter or seems significant. And love? I love my family, my husband, my cat and my friends but there is a whole other level of love that only those special enough to have had a child seem to be privy to. A love that can't be explained except from one parent to another. A love so amazing that at times it seems to leave me speechless and bring me to tears. I am a mommy and have a wonderful family. I don't think I could be happier!!

More pictures...

2007-10-16T23:11:00.000-04:00

My first bath!!
Thank God for pain medicene!!
Aunt Kelly was worn out!!
Daddy loves me!!

GO VOLS!!!

(The bow and pom-poms came off a build-a-bear that Aunt Kelly made!)

Nana was so sweet to help us out! She hadn't slept in over a week and still looked fantastic! Now that's a real mom!!
Princess Caroline in her robe
burrrrrrr...
One more bath pic

Introducing...

2007-10-07T18:14:00.000-04:00

Caroline Lois Simpson

October 3, 2007

5:55 pm

7 lbs. 15 oz.

20 1/4 inches

Caroline and her family...

2007-10-07T18:04:00.000-04:00

Uncle Justin, Aunt Mindy and EvanMimi Susu
Nana
Poppy
Mommy and Daddy

2007-09-24T13:23:00.000-04:00

I wasn't kidding when I said that pooping is a luxury and should not be taken for granted! I wonder if maybe they aren't wrong about the weight of the baby. It might be that Miss Caroline is a very small baby and the rest of the weight is coming from things I ate 3 months ago that have yet to make their exit!

Update and "Things no one tells you about being pregnant"

2007-09-21T12:26:00.000-04:00

Caroline's weight: 7.0 lbs.
My weight gain: apx. 12-13 lbs.
Dilation: 1 cm
Well, I'm not breaking any speed records for being dilated. Hopefully I will continue to dilate over the next 2 weeks and won't have to go in the hospital the night before the induction.

Things no one tells you about being pregnant
1) The "pregnancy glow" is sweat.
2) I can smell things only dogs should be able to smell and at a considerable distance
3) Pooping is a luxury and should not be taken for granted
4) The jokes about having to pee all the time are TRUE!! I'm afraid my bladder is going to up and leave me before the baby comes!
5) You will be broke before the baby ever makes her arrival
6) The house you live in no longer belongs to you, it belongs to your new baby and all of her stuff

The big day has been set...

2007-09-11T21:44:00.000-04:00

We have finally set the big day for Caroline Lois Simpson's arrival. She will be making her big debut on October 3rd. That means in exactly 3 weeks Sean and I will finally have our little bundle of joy.

2007-09-08T17:11:00.000-04:00

Things I know (and don't need to be told 30 times EVERY DAY by total strangers)...

2007-09-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

I know...
1) that I should enjoy my sleep now because I won't get any once she gets here
2) that I will look back at all of this (the pregnancy) one day and laugh
3) that I should be ready in case she comes early
4) that this is my first and I shouldn't expect to go early (I'm being induced but thanks for the input Mrs. Perfect Stranger)
5) that if you haven't ever had kids DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO HANDLE THE REST OF THIS PREGNANCY!!!!
Just excuse my little rant. These are things I have been told numerous times daily by people I have never even met. I don't know why total strangers feel the need to give advice to pregnant women. People seem to have plenty of advice to give even if they have not had children! This list is a work in progress, I will add to it as I think of things to add!!

35 weeks...

2007-09-05T12:21:00.000-04:00

Miss Caroline is weighing in at 6.2 lbs. and I have gained 11 1/2 lbs. We are going to schedule her arrival date next week. She is doing great and responding very well. She moves quite a bit during the day and night- I don't think she ever sleeps. Supposedly they sleep in 15-30 minute cycles, but I don't think she goes that long without kicking me. I'm getting pretty uncomfortable and not sleeping much at night, but other than that I'm feeling pretty good. It's getting closer all the time!

Goodbye old friend...

2007-09-02T02:02:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago my cat Mosby passed away. He was a member of our family for 16 years and will forever be in our hearts. Here's to you Mosby... I love you and miss you very much!

Your favorite chair is vacant now...

No eager purrs to greet me;

No softly padded paws to run

ecstatically to meet me;

No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry

will say it's time for feeding

I've put away your bowl

and all the things you won't be needing;

But I miss you little friend

For I could never measure

The happiness you brought me

the comfort and the pleasure;

And since God put you here to share

In earthly joy and sorrow

I'm sure there'll be a place for you

In Heaven's bright tomorrow.

You ain't kidding...

2007-08-26T13:38:00.000-04:00

This is pretty much how my life is going right now. Not only with the baby but the lovely stomach bug that I had TWICE last week! Thank goodness it is back to just baby bathroom trips now, not that those aren't bad enough! And from what I hear it only gets worse! Great, maybe I'll just set up camp by the toilet for the next 6 weeks!

A work in progress...

2007-08-22T22:05:00.000-04:00

A preview of Caroline's room! It is still a work in progress!!This is her crib and changing table. Don't you love the diaper bag??!! It was a present from her Nana and Poppy.
This is her dresser and the other half of her crib. The bunny was given to me as an Easter present from Sean but is being passed on to our heir.
This is the part of the room that wasn't going to be in pictures. This is the stuff that will eventually spill over into the living room and fill the rest of the house.

Update...

2007-08-17T19:25:00.000-04:00

My weight gain: 9 1/2 lbs.
Caroline's weight: 4.8 lbs.
Caroline is weighing about 1 week ahead. Doc says she will take me sometime between 39 and 40 weeks. At this point she doesn't want me to go past 40 weeks. So, unless something major happens or unless Caroline quits growing for the next couple of weeks, I will be induced around October 5th. I will know for sure in about 4 weeks. The 36 week meaurement/weight will let us know for sure. It looks like we could have a baby 'round here in just 7 weeks!!

Caroline's stuff

2007-08-11T00:37:00.000-04:00

When it is all said and done Miss Caroline is going to be the prettiest baby with the prettiest clothes and the prettiest room in all of south Georgia! I am doing her room in pink gingham. I don't think anything says little girl quite like pink gingham. If you want a preview you can look at www.babiesrus.com. Most of her toys, etc. are at www.target.com (just in case you wanna look). I do have some more ultrasound pictures that need to be put on here. I will do my best to do it this weekend. My most recent pictures went to Atlanta with Sean, but I have some from about a week ago.

Weekly update...

2007-08-08T21:24:00.000-04:00

Weight gain: 8 1/2 lbs.
(Yes, I lost half a pound- this ADA diet is good for that!)

They will weigh Caroline again next week. Hopefully the little angel hasn't gained a lot of weight. I really don't want to give birth to a 12 pounder! The good doc said that as long as everything keeps going well that she will induce me sometime after 39 weeks so that my family and Sean can be there. Right now it looks like the big day will be Oct. 4th or 5th. We will schedule that in the upcoming weeks.

The Furniture

2007-08-05T14:18:00.000-04:00

I finally picked out (and ordered) Caroline's furniture. Do you know how hard it is to find a pretty drop-side crib? IMPOSSIBLE!! I finally gave up on that. I know I will probably regret that once she is here, but, hey- she can't sleep in an ugly crib!! I actually stressed out more over the mattress than the crib itself. I'm sure Sean is ready to kill me for asking him 1001 questions about which mattress, crib, dresser, changing table to pick. I can't wait to start putting everything together. It is actually going to start looking like a nursery instead of a storage room!

30 weeks and counting...

2007-08-01T12:27:00.000-04:00

Pregnancy update~
30 weeks
Weight gained: 9 lbs.
Caroline is doing VERY well! She is coming right along and is going to be the most beautiful baby EVER!!! An ultrasound picture did reveal Sean's worst nightmare- it looks like she is going to have my feet! God love her!!

As I was lying on the couch last night (unable to sleep yet again!) a crazy thought occurred to me- I only have 10 weeks before Caroline makes her big debut! Then an even crazier thought almost sent me flying off the couch- after she's born, I HAVE TO BRING HER HOME! I have been concentrating so much on being pregnant, labor and delivery that I haven't really given much thought that at the end of all of the above mentioned activities I'M GOING TO BE A MOM!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! Why didn't someone tell me. Someone is actually going to be 100% dependent on ME. Holy crap! I don't even depend on me 100%. What the heck do I know about raising a child. All of the babysitting and "practicing" on other people's kids has nothing to do with bringing home a child of my own. I have to say this is one of society's cruelest jokes. There are books and magazines galore about being pregnant but nooobody hangs a sign in front of you that says "hey moron, anything you give birth to must be brought home!" Maybe the OB should tell you on your first visit "yes, you are pregnant... did you know that he/she will be going home with you after you deliver?" I think that would be a better approach to the whole pregnancy thing for people like me who really hadn't given it much thought.

A "sink"ing feeling...

2007-07-28T22:55:00.000-04:00

DO NOT THINK YOU ARE GOING CRAZY... YES, THAT REALLY IS A CAT IN THE SINK!!

I know that in a couple of months Caroline will be the center of attention around here and Sam will probably get very little blog space so I thought I would give him his 15 minutes of fame before it all hits the fan!! I know that I talk about how funny he is and about all the funny things he does that no one else ever gets to see. Well, I finally caught him in the act and managed to get my camera before he took off on another wild adventure. This is Sam's favorite place to sit while Mommy gets ready. If you are ever around him and are thinking that he looks like he has toothpaste in his fur, don't think you're crazy, he probably does!! He sits there while I brush my teeth, dry my hair, put on makeup, etc. I have to say that I have had A LOT of animals, but I have never had one that stuck to me like glue! Sam really is my shadow when we are here together. He has to be in the same room that I am at all times and always wants to know what I'm doing. He really is a special cat!!

My first blog appearance!!

2007-07-28T10:28:00.000-04:00

This isn't the best ultrasound picture, but I thought I would put it up anyway. I'm hoping I will get some better pics soon! This is Miss Caroline at 28 weeks, so about a week and a half ago. She is coming right along. She kicked me really hard a couple of days ago and I saw my stomach jump a little bit. WEIRD!!! I feel her move and kick all the time, but I hadn't ever actually seen my stomach move. This just keeps getting weirder!!

My baby!

2007-07-26T22:34:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!

Well, the Simpson's are getting ready to celebrate a first birthday- our kitten Sam!!! Most of you have seen my precious Sammy Sam, but I thought I would post a baby picture so that those of you who haven't seen him can appreciate how cute he is!!

Update

2007-07-24T19:56:00.000-04:00

Caroline is weighing in at about 3 1/2 lbs. The doc says it looks like she is going to have long legs- definitely not taking after my side of the family!! A couple of weeks ago my blood sugar was borderline, so now I have to watch what I eat for the next couple of months. It's not much fun but I guess it is for the best. I have to go to the doctor every week so they can do an ultrasound and check my blood sugar. All this mess and I have only failed one test in the 3 hour glucose test by 1 point. Every other test has been just fine. Seems like much ado about nothing to me, but I'm not the doctor! I guess better safe than sorry huh?! Oh yeah, did I mention that she managed to turn herself all the way upside down and is now breech? Geez! This baby is killing me!!

2007-07-06T22:29:00.000-04:00

After spending 3 weeks in Knoxville I am finally returning to Waycross on Sunday. I have to say that Caroline made out like a bandit on this trip. She is going to be the best dressed baby in South Georgia! Everyone has given us the best stuff!!! Caroline has a new little cousin. Sean's brother Alvie and his wife Heidi had Scarlett Grace on June 28th. She is sooo cute! I am so glad that all the grandkids will be so close in age.

It's a...

2007-06-12T21:11:00.000-04:00

GIRL!!! We are actually having a little baby girl! Her name is going to be Caroline Lois (Lois after Sean's grandmother). I think Sean is still in shock, but is coming around to the idea that it isn't a boy!!! Only 17 weeks to go!!!

2007-04-12T00:22:00.000-04:00

This isn't our baby, but it is an ultrasound picture of a baby at 14 weeks. It's the best one I could find. My next ultrasound will be May 8th (I will be 18 weeks)- this will be when I find out the sex of the baby!

A strong heartbeat...

2007-04-12T00:15:00.000-04:00

There is a strong heartbeat... it must be a boy!! I can't tell you how many times I have heard this in last 24 hours. I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon. I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time (totally exciting and crazy for a first time mom!) and the doctor said that it was in the 150's which is really good at 14 weeks! Great, I thought, this is terrific news! Little did I know this would forever (well, for the next 6 months) set in the minds of those around me that I am in fact carrying a darling little boy. One lady even told me to not worry about another ultrasound because she could tell by looking at my back, that it is going to be a boy! I didn't know my large behind was a good thing when it came to predicting the sex of my unborn child (now, about these hips...?). I have heard a strong heartbeat, not a lot of weight gain (weight gain as of today- 0 lbs.), carrying low, craving pickles and mustard (I haven't craved either of these) are all signs that the stork is delivering a baby boy. Well, I don't know about you all, but I think I'll wait for the ultrasound before I start buying everything blue!

Nothing to see here folks!

2007-04-01T19:32:00.000-04:00

I now know- for certain- that the baby is 5.81 cm. This knowledge comes after an unexpected trip to the doctor on Friday for an ultrasound. I started having some major cramps while at work and the doc thought it best if i come in just to make sure everything was OK. It was. It turns out that I had a cyst on my ovaries that had ruptured. Not fun I can tell you, but Sean and I were both super relieved that it was nothing to be alarmed about. Talk about a heart-stopper. It's funny, I don't sit around all day everyday and think about this little thing inside of me, but when something doesn't feel quite right it's the very first thing that pops into my mind. I guess that's only natural. Well, Sleeping Beauty is up from his nap, so I guess I need to get dinner before he goes in to work (hello... Pizza Hut...).

How big is it???

2007-03-27T21:43:00.000-04:00

I have been reading all the pregnancy books and literature people have been so generous in giving to me over the past couple of months. I have discovered that I have read some conflicting information. For instance... how big is the baby? One book says that my baby is as big as an apple, the Internet says my baby is about 2 inches long and weighs about 1/2 an ounce, yet another piece of reading material tells me by baby is about 4 inches long. So my question in all of this rambling is this... How big is it? If my baby is already as big as an apple, hold on to your hats because I' m gonna have a baby that will qualify for Guinness Book of World Records. On the other hand if my baby should be the size of an apple and it is only about 2 inches long then I'm gonna give birth to a fidget (that's midget for those that don't get the joke)! So at this point in my pregnancy, how big is the baby supposed to be? Does anyone have any idea?

2007-03-18T13:54:00.000-04:00

Hooray for Hot Dogs!!!!!!!!

Right now I have to say that my absolute favorite lunch is hot dogs and Sour Cream and Cheddar chips! I can't tell you how much I look forward to this meal! I start craving it about 9:00 in the morning and have to wait 2 1/2 hours till my lunch break at work before I can partake of this scrumptious combination. I haven't really been craving anything else. I guess because most of the time I am still too sick to eat anything. I do, however, do my darndest to fit in the hot dogs and chips for lunch!Everyone says the second trimester will be easier- I'll let you know in about a week and a half!

Just visiting

2007-03-11T18:20:00.000-04:00

My family has been here this weekend. They bought me some of the cutest maternity clothes. My mommy also bought "peanut" a couple of outfits that are too cute for words. They have to leave tomorrow and I am so sad! I hate we live so far away from them, it's not fair. I don't know who all of you I have told, but "Peanut" as he or she is now known, is due October 10th! We are very excited. We can't come up with a name that we can agree on, but we have plenty of time! If any of you have any good boy or girl names we are always open to suggestions.

Maybe?

2007-03-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

Well, ok, according to the Chinese Birth Calendar we will be having a BOY! I guess we will see how accurate it is! Let me know if it was accurate for you all! http://www.obfocus.com/calculators/gender.htm

Nothing much...

2007-03-05T21:52:00.000-05:00

Well, I am going to the doctor for my first ultrasound tomorrow. Sean is going with me. I will get a picture of the baby! I will scan it so everyone can see it. I will finally get a due date! My family is coming down this weekend, I can't tell you how excited I am! I can't wait to show them this wonderful town of Waycross! I miss my family so much! It's hard to be pregnant and away from your momma! Especially when you are as big of a baby as I am. For those of you wondering- I am still very nauseous! I consider a good day as being able to keep down 2 meals. Hopefully this will pass soon!

Oh boy! or girl?!

2007-02-24T16:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, I promise I'm going to get a scanner soon so that I can put pictures on this for everyone! Our little Sammy is growing like a weed! He is up to 8 lbs. (as of the last vet visit). For those of you who saw him when we first found him, you would not believe how big he is! He is still growing too. Well, my sister-in-law Heidi is having a girl! You have no idea how shocked the Simpson men are about this. They have all reassured everyone that the doctor is wrong and that it will be born male. Denial! The rest of us are so excited for her. They already have a little boy, Reagan, so this will make a well-balanced family. I also think this has put a small amount of fear in Sean! But don't worry- Sean has already informed me (and everyone else) that we will be having a boy.

Chinese Birth Calendar

2007-02-20T19:33:00.000-05:00

This is for my sister-in-law Heidi- I used the Chinese Birth Calendar from your blog and put in the possible dates... I'm having a boy or a girl! Thought you might like to know! :) Can't wait to find out what you all are having!! For everyone else, my sister-in-law in Alabama is pregnant also! She is due in July! We love and miss the Alabama Simpsons very much!!

"Little Delmer" and Phenergan

2007-02-20T19:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I have this to say... I love my mother and father-in-law! After spending the weekend dreaming of being able to eat... well, keep down... solid foods, my husband's wonderful parents brought me some Phenergan. I don't think a new car would have made me as happy as that bottle!! I am happy to report that today I was able to eat solid foods (although I was slightly non-responsive at work and had to be awaken from a couple of short naps beneath my desk, but other than that...!) Just kidding Mom! I'm sure the girls at work are very ready for me to have "Little Delmer" (as my Dad calls it- being that the due date is around my grandfather's birthday!) I started off the day thinking they were all morons that shouldn't be allowed to think or speak out loud and then about 5 minutes later I was ready to sit around a camp fire and sing "Cum-By-Yah!" Good luck girls, is all I have to say! I promise to start adding pictures very soon! I have some cute ones of Sam!

My first blog entry

2007-02-19T18:34:00.000-05:00

This is my first ever blog entry! I have started this so my fam around country can keep track of the baby and Sam! I hope you all enjoy the blog!