Micah and Daddy's Weekend

While Reid and I were off in Florida a couple of weeks back, Micah and Christian has quite a fun-filled packed weekend galavanting all over the place!

First stop was Lincoln Park Zoo.  Christian went to this zoo growing up, but being that it's in the city, it just hasn't been conducive to take our children there when dealing with nap times.  Micah's at an age where he can deviate from a nap more easily than before, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to visit the zoo!  After they dropped Reid and I at the airport, off the headed to the zoo.

Micah looks so long and lanky here!  Such a change from my short, chubby baby.

Christian said Micah was loving the gorillas.  I love this picture of his sitting and listening so intently to the zoo staff's presentation!

Apparently 4 1/2 hours at the zoo with no nap can wear a boy out :)

And being woken up to eat dinner at Ed Debevic's was not appreciated!

Not even a milkshake could snap Micah out of his mood.

That was until he finally decided to try it...

And now all was good ;)

The next day after a good nap, Christian took Micah back out to the apple orchard that we went to as a family a few weeks back because he loved it SOO much!  

The corn box was his favorite!!

And another dinner out!  Daddy was sure spoiling his big boy :)

Monday brought along Micah's first sleepover at a friend's house.  Christian had tickets for a concert that just happened to be during our trip so I wasn't around.  Thankfully my friend (and neighbor) had no problems taking Micah for the night!  She even had plans for them to make their own pizza faces for dinner.  So fun :)

Micah did well at Kalik's house, although he was up at 5am for a bathroom break and didn't go back to sleep.  Jennie said he was just so excited about Mommy coming home that day that he couldn't help himself.  Aww...feels nice to be loved! 

All in all, I'd say Micah had a pretty good time while Reid and I were away.  I can tell you we haven't done anything remotely that fun since we've been home, haha.

Faith needed, prayers welcomed.

Here we are again.  In what should be a very exciting time of life, but instead a place that stirs up an incredible amount of emotions.

Yep.  I'm pregnant.  VERY early on (like 5 weeks!!) as I just found out last Friday, but pregnant nonetheless.  And while I'm excited, I'd say my overwhelming emotions are feeling guarded, cautious and subdued.  That's not because I'm sad about the pregnancy.  It's actually what we were hoping would happen, and I know what a blessing it is to be able to conceive.  I've realized however, through this parenting journey, that my road is a bit atypical.  At least from any of my close friends and family (that I know of).

I know this announcement is a bit atypical as well, but seeing that that is my journey, I felt it would be fitting.  As a reminder for some of you who read, this is my 6th pregnancy.  I have 2 amazing boys from 2 of those pregnancies, but I also have 3 little babies that were not meant to be on this earth.  While the journey hasn't been easy, the 2 boys I have are truly miracles and I'm in love with them as much as I've ever been.

Truthfully, as the time has passed from my miscarriages (the last being in Spring of 2009) the heartache and pain associated with them has lessened as well.  Time, as well as having 2 healthy boys have been a big healer.  Close to a month ago my sister-in-law, Deanna, posted a link on facebook about how to mourn with the parents of stillborn and miscarried children.  After reading the article, I was amazing at how spot on it was.  I don't think I could put in to words what helped me when I was grieving, but reading the 6 thoughts the author listed in the post spoke truth and really hit home with me.  It was a realization that THIS was what helped; THESE thoughts were exactly what I couldn't summarize, but what helped me through my heartache.

Reading this post also created a small bit of anxiety in me, as we were currently in the trying phase again.  We had done everything we did with both boys, used the same doctor and same medications required to help us conceive and sustain a pregnancy.  But there is still the fear that it might not be enough.  It might not be God's plan for a viable pregnancy.

Fast forward a little bit, and it's time for me to take a pregnancy test.  Lo and behold, it turns out positive and my heart is pounding.  I want to be excited.  I want to be happy.  But all I'm feeling is anxiety.

First step, I have to ensure it's really a valid pregnancy test and not leftover HCG from the shots I had to do throughout my cycle.  After my blood work comes back and I'm told I am indeed pregnant, I was hoping to feel a little more at ease.  Well, my numbers came back a little on the low end from where I was at with both boys so of course I'm not comforted.  The nurse didn't seem concerned, however, so I'm doing my best to be at peace.

Let me just say, it's during this point in my life that I truly rely on prayer and my faith in Christ. Jeremiah 29:11 helps, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  I know He is in control, and I am praying I am at peace with whatever the outcome.  I also try and live by Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  This is really put to the test right now.

My second blood draw didn't ease my mind, and has had me contemplating a lot.  It was actually this second draw that made me decide to write this post.  I figured that those who read my blog are most likely people I would share my struggles with anyways (ie, if something went wrong with this pregnancy), and it would be a way to sort out some of the emotional roller coaster I'm on right now.  So know that this announcement via the blog does not mean it's an official announcement for the general public.  It's my way of reaching out to my closest friends and family, asking for prayer for me.  Asking for peace and ultimately faith in the Lord's plans.

I will keep you updated through posts with good or not-so-good news and appreciate in advance the body of Christ standing by Christian and I as we walk this road again.

Love you all.

Silly faces

Micah and I have a history of creating funny faces, so I had to post these to keep them going ;)

Lumineers, Fall Fest and more

Two days after Reid and I were back from Florida we all packed up the car and headed down to St. Louis for a few days.  Christian had bought me Lumineers tickets for our anniversary back in June and the concert happened to be in St. Louis.  It's become one of our favorite bands and it was such a fun date night with my man!

The next morning we met up with my brother Mike and his little guy Luke at a fantastic little donut place.  It's a tradition that Mike and Luke do every Saturday and we were happy to be able to take part!  We have been getting lots of great cousin time in the last week, and it was fun to watch my boys interact with Luke.  Reid is right in the middle of Luke and Asher, and I think it will be fun to watch the boys as the grow up.

This was the best picture I got of the 3 boys together after about 10 attempts, lol.

After breakfast Micah, my mom and I headed with Mike and Luke to a Fall Fest their old neighborhood had put together.  It was a really fun time (and we also were able to meet up with a pregnant Deanna :)).  We stopped by Mike and Deanna's place first before dropping Reid off to go home and nap.

Then onto the Fall Fest!

Love this pic of Micah!  My little "Woody" cowboy :)

Luke with his balloon dog on a leash.

The boys playing bags.  

Painting pumpkins.

Sweet boy ;)

And getting their face painted!

Micah much preferred his sucker over anything else, but I think the little pumpkin is pretty cute on his face.

Luke is hanging on to Mike's legs as they got ready for their hay ride!

Then it was off to cookie decorating.

What a fun afternoon.  Thanks, Mike and Deanna, for inviting us along!

The next afternoon we headed out to the St.Louis zoo, one of our favorite things to do when visit the area.  You can't tell from the picture below, but there was a family of 2 baby elephants.  So cute!!

Reid's been quite a grouch lately - I'm pretty sure it's because he's teething, but it makes things a bit trying at times.  This has been his face much of the day, but we get glimpses of our happy little boy and know that this too shall pass!

And how adorable is my big boy??  Love him!

I also love the below two pics of Micah and Luke.  It's fun to watch the two play together more and more as they get a little older.  So sweet.

Great weekend and great time with family.  And due to Christian's traveling over the next month, we're actually going to be making one more unexpected trip down to St. Louis at the end of the month, so more to come :)