Happy Birthday to Daddy!

Saturday was Daddy's 29th birthday. Caleb has been SO excited about celebrating daddy's birthday. He has been working on singing Happy Birthday all week!!! Daddy decided he wanted a cookie cake, and so Caleb and I went to the store to get everything we would need. Caleb picked out red icing and blue candles. He was SO proud!!! We decorated the cookie on Friday night, and someone couldn't WAIT to eat it on Saturday. He tried for breakfast, that didn't happen, but we couldn't hold him off after lunch. Abby was the ultimate party pooper - she slept through all of the birthday festivities!!! Overall, I think daddy had a great birthday, and is ready to enjoy his last year in his twenties!

So proud of "his" cake!

The finished product! Publix has nothing on us! :)

Caleb's special day...

Before Abby was born, we took Caleb to the Yellow River Game Ranch. It is in Lilburn, and Michael and I went there a good bit growing up. Caleb LOVES to zoo, so we thought we would take him to the local zoo, the Game Ranch! :) We had a great time, and Caleb LOVED it! We will be going back this summer!

Abigail Susan arrives!!

This weekend began like any other weekend. We had our usual birthday party on Saturday morning (I swear we go to a birthday part every weekend), and the the rest of the day was consumed with laundry and other weekend activities. :) Sunday morning I woke up around 3:30 to go the bathroom (again, nothing new there), and when I laid back down I felt kinda funny. I quickly realized that the cramps where actually contractions, and they were coming about every 5-7 minutes. That's when I decided it was time for Michael to join in the fun!!! :) So, I woke him up, and he started timing the length and time between. They were a steady 5 minutes apart, and lasting about 50 seconds to a minute. This lasted for about 45 minutes. For the sake of TMI, I will leave out other details, but I ended up calling the doctor after about 50 minutes of contractions, and he said for us to head on over to L&D. So after a phone call to my mom to come sit with Caleb, we were off to the hospital. :)

Last Monday when I went to the doctor, I was barely 1 cm and 50% effaced, so when I got to the hospital I wasn't expecting anything too exciting. Well...I was 4cm and 90% effaced when I got there! I was shocked -- I never made it past 2cm without meds with Caleb!!! At this point, my doctor wanted to me to walk for an hour and then they would re-check me. At this point, my contractions were getting very strong and much closer together. Let's just say that this was not the best hour of my life. :) After the hour walk, it was time to re-check. I was at 5cm and almost completely effaced. I was begging for the epidural at this point, and my doctor OK'ed it, but I had to have the bag of fluids first. They started that, and said it would be about an hour before I was comfortable. To make a long story short, the doctor came in about 15 minutes later and checked me again, and I was at 8 almost 9! He then ordered the the epidural because it was almost too late!!! So I got the epidural and about almost immediately I started having pains in the backs of both of my thighs, so I told the doctor. He wasn't too sure about it, so he said he would check me and see what was going on. Well, he sat down, took 1 look at me, and said, "Well, that is because she is right there. It's time to push!" 10 minutes and 3 pushes later, Abigail Susan Anderson entered the world at 10:12AM, weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long. She has a head full of black, wavy hair, and looks remarkably like her big brother, Caleb. Our new family of 4 is doing well, and we feel so blessed to have this baby girl with us!

I don't have many pics of my camera, but here are 2 to get you started. Most of the pics are on Michael's camera. I'll post those soon!

The Anderson Family
Abby is about 8 hours old here

Abigail "Abby" Susan Anderson

35 Weeks and 35 days to go!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. My computer has been on to fritz, and I have pictures that I have been wanting to upload, so I have been waiting on it. Well, I still don't have it. And, I am feeling the effects of being 35 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old and working. :) I decided I needed to go ahead and do a post...I am thinking the next post will be just a picture post. :)

Here is the latest pregnancy update....

How far along: 35 weeks today! :)

Size of baby: According to Babycenter.com, Abby weighs about 5 1/4 pounds. That is the equivalent of a honey dew melon.

Totally weight gain/loss: 6 pounds....crazy, I know!!! I am going to the doctor every 2 weeks, and the last time I went (2 weeks ago -- I go this afternoon) I had gained 4, yes 4, pounds in 2 weeks!!!! I was horrified...but I guess a total of 6 pound weight gain isn't bad at all. I think it has something to do with the cravings I have had! ;)

Maternity Clothes: I am in all maternity pants, and almost all maternity shirts. However, there are a few sweaters, dresses, and tops that I can still wear -- crazy, I know!

Gender: A baby girl, Abigail Susan "Abby"

Movement: All the time....it is more stretches than hard kicks -- much different than her brother. In the past few weeks she has had to hiccups a lot.

Sleep: I am sleeping pretty good.

Symptoms: I have started to swell a little at the end of the day. It is more on my right side. I also had an issue with my siatic nerve last Friday. That was awful -- hope it never happens again! :)

Cravings: My newest craving is Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies. Oh, and Tagalong Girl Scout cookies. Basically, anything that is bad for you with chocolate! :)

What I miss: Being able to bend over.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing my CHILDREN meet and love each other. I am also looking forward to my shower this weekend, and finishing her nursery -- pics to come soon of her room and Caleb's room! :)

Week 31 highlights

Pregnancy Highlights

I know this is a little late this week, but I am still dealing with this horrible cold and it was conference week. :) Better late, than never, right!!


How far along: 31 weeks and 3 days

Size of baby: According to Babycenter.com, Abby weighs about 3.3 pounds. That is the equivalent of carring a bag of navel oranges.

Totally weight gain/loss: 2 pounds, which is totally crazy to me. I went to the doctor this week and looked back in my file to my pregnancy with Caleb. At this point with Caleb I had gained 15 pounds!

Maternity Clothes: I am in all maternity pants, and almost all maternity shirts. However, there are a few sweaters and tops that I can still wear -- crazy, I know!

Gender: A baby girl, Abigail Susan "Abby"

Movement: All the time....it is more stretches than hard kicks -- much different than her brother.

Sleep: Sleep is so last year! :)

Symptoms: I still have the cold, however, my OB is sending me to my general practitioner today. Hopefully it will be gone soon. I am still having morning sickness a few days a week.

Cravings: My newest craving is Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies. Serioulsy. They are the best thing I have ever tasted here lately. :)

What I miss: Being able to bend over and tie my shoes. Michael thinks this is so funny!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Caleb with his sister and completing our family. I am also looking forward to finishing up Abby's nursery. Can you say PINK?

Week 29 Highlights

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: We had an ultrasound on Monday, and baby Abby weighs 2 pounds, 13 ounces. She is right on track, if not a little ahead of the game.

Totally weight gain/loss: I have gained weight at the last 2 appointments, but I am still 1 pound below my pre-pregnancy weight. Thanks, morning sickness that is still going on!

Maternity Clothes: I am in all maternity pants, and almost all maternity shirts. However, there are a few sweaters and tops that I can still wear -- crazy, I know!

Gender: A baby girl, Abigail Susan "Abby"

Movement: All the time....it is more stretches than hard kicks -- much different than her brother.

Sleep: Sleep? Who needs sleep?!?!!?

Symptoms: I have had a cold since the day I found out I was pregnant -- seriously it's not that far off. I am also still have nausea and morning sickness. Oh, and I have this giant belly...

Cravings: I have had some serious cravings this week. Like, on Tuesday I HAD.TO.HAVE a Big Zac Snack from Zaxby's and a chocolate milkshake. And yes, I ate every bit. :) My cravings this entire pregnancy have been nothing but bad food. Well, besides apple juice.

What I miss: With this cold, I miss being able to breath when I sleep. My belly is getting bigger, so I also miss cuddling easily with Caleb.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my daughter! Seeing Caleb with his sister, Abeeeeeee, as he calls her. :)

Caleb-isms

This week, all week, we have pretty much been stuck inside the house. Michael's office was closed for 3 days, and school was canceled all 5 days, and so mommy, daddy, and Caleb had lots of together time. I love that boy, and he is SO funny! Yesterday Caleb turned 27 months old. Not that this is a significant number, but it is hard for me to believe that he has only been here a short while. I hardly remember life before him. Our lives are so much richer, and hold so much more meaning, with Caleb in them. It is amazing for me to watch him grow and develop before my eyes. Everyday he is learning something new and doing something else to impress us. He is talking up a storm right now, and usually what he has to say is pretty funny. Here are just a few:

This happened around Christmas, but I still have to share. It's classic!
Mommy: Caleb! Do you want to help mommy bake some brownies?
Caleb: YES!!!!! (said while jumping up and down)
Mommy: OK, well first we have to crack the eggs and put them in the bowl. (Mommy then cracks the eggs, and puts them into the bowl).
Caleb: OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! You killed them!!
At this point Caleb climbs down off the step stool and leaves crying. And he would not eat ANY of the brownies.

We are preparing for little sister, Abby, to come in 11 (AH!) weeks. This week I put her new bedding on the crib, and took Caleb's bedding off.
Mommy: Caleb, do you like baby Abby's bed?
Caleb: Ohhh...it's pretty mommy. Just like you.
Whose heart would that NOT melt!

Caleb got some small bootball, or football to most, players for Christmas from his grandparents. He loves them. We take them everywhere. There are UGA players, as well as other schools. His personal favorite, besides the bulldawgws are Kentucky, aka, Tucky. The play football, but mostly they tackle each other.
Caleb: Mommy, my bootball player is hurt. He need to go to the doctor.
At this point he brings the bootball player to me. I pretend, I mean, I take him to the doctor.:)
Caleb: He all better, mommy?
Mommy: Yes, I gave him hugs and kisses. He is all better and wants to play football.
Caleb: He's a baby. He has to go home.

This also happened around Christmas, but again, too classic not to share. When I was pregnant with Caleb, his Great Aunt Ann gave him a Little People Nativity Set. He loves it. Actually, obsessed would be a better term. So I set them up in his room with all of the other Christmas decorations. We talked about Joseph and Mary, baby Jesus, the Wise Men, the angel and all of the animals. Caleb listened very closely.
Caleb: Is this (pointing to baby Jesus) baby Abby?
Mommy: No, that is baby Jesus.
Caleb: Oh. (long pause) He's cute.
Mommy: Yes, he is.
At this point we put Caleb down for a nap. When he wakes up I go into get him. And all three wisemen are in his crib.
Mommy: Caleb, who is in your bed with you?
Caleb: These are my men.
Mommy: No, those are the wise men that go with baby Jesus.
Caleb: No, they're my men. They tackle.
At this point he begins to slam them into each other. For some reason I think this can't be a good thing....