I've been lazy! :)

Okay, so I haven't blogged in awhile...many appologies. Things have been busy around here and lately, my energy level has really gone down. Normally, I'm constantly doing things during Avonlea's naptime (cleaning the house, scrapbooking, updating my blog, getting things ready for the new little guy, etc.), but this past week I've been napping when Avonlea naps and it's been so nice. I put her down between noon and one o'clock and then I get to fit in a snooze or two. The house hasn't been cleaned as well and my projects that I really wanted to get finished have been going by the wayside, but I'm rested and a happy camper in the afternoons. I remember when I was teaching English and pregnant with Avonlea, I had a planning period at the end of the day and I would turn out my classroom lights, close the door and snooze on my couch in the back of the room. It was what I had to do to get through the day, at least the last trimester.

Today, after blogging I have some baby clothing to sort through and put into categories according to size. Newborn to 3 month clothing is going in a dresser (Avonlea's since we don't have a bedroom for the little guy yet) and the rest goes back in a storage bin for later.




Yesterday, Gail (my Creative Memories consultant) stopped by to drop of a much needed album (in black) with some pages and a mini-tape runner so that I can start "The Bates Family Album". (Ha! We'll see how far it gets before the little man shows up. :) I have every intention of organizing pictures tonight and getting them ready, but we have 6 plastic bins (the small ones) of pictures and I'm a little overwhelmed to go through them. It always winds up being a fun project though, going through pictures from the past. Rob and I have been been together (dating to present) a little over 10 years (!!!) and it's always so much fun looking back on old photos of us in high school and college. Rob always manages to bring up halarious stories that I've forgotten and we could spend the whole night laughing at dumb things we did, fun times and great memories. (There are some crazy ones!) Our 6 year anniversary is coming up this June (the 30th) and needless to say, we'll most likely be a little preoccupied with a new addition to our family. Hopefully, we'll be able to at least get out to dinner, even if we have to take Lincoln with us (hopefully he'll sleep).

The only other project I'm working on is a Christmas stocking for Avy.

I've been working on it since she was a baby and it takes SO much time (very detailed). I'm almost done with it though and hopefully I'll finish it before the baby arrives. I made Rob one years ago and I've had one I bought to make for myself, but I'm sure I'll be the last one with a stocking up since I need to get started on Lincoln's. I don't mind a bit. Ah...the sacrifices of motherhood. There are many, but what amazes me is that I never mind making them.

So, only 5 more weeks left until "the day". That's if he doesn't come early, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Avonlea was two days late. I'm excited and a little nervous about recovering with a toddler. I'm not worried about the baby so much, it's lifting Avonlea, not being able to get down on the floor with her to play and all the little things I take forgranted. It'll all work out though. I've had so many friends offer to help out that I think we'll be set until Rob's mom gets here the first week of July. (yeah!)

Well, I hope everyone has a sensational Monday and a wonderful week!!!

Picture Update!!!

Okay, so I got 2 rolls of film developed today after grocery shopping and thought I'd share since all the other pictures are fuzzy from my video camera. Enjoy!


This was the first time Rob was able to mow our new grass so Avonlea decided she would help with her own lawn mower. :)

Flower Child

Character breakfast in Orlando (1 month ago). This bear was a little freaky!!

Avonlea decided that she HAD to have her bunny during bathtime one night (she was extra sleepy) so I brought bunny in, but had no idea she was going to grab her out of my hand and attempt to give her a bath as well!!! :) Bunny did recover from her near drowning experience.

Outfit from Grandma Judy in China

Easter Sunday morning

The finished product

Avy had so much fun dyeing eggs.

Avonlea after opening her Easter basket. She loves her play bead necklaces.

Happy Easter Riley!

Avonlea loves to help play piano

He's Gone!!!!!!!!!

Rob and I watched in suspense last night as Sanjaya was FINALLY voted off American Idol. I think I shouted so loud that I almost woke up Avonlea. Anyway, I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but let's get real here, he stinks at singing! This is a singing competition.




I decided to take up my friend Jenny on her challenge of a picture a day, meaning you take one picture a day, post it on your blog and tell about it. Today, I cheated and took three pictures. The first is of Avonlea's vinyl underpants swaying in the breeze outside on our porch lights (I hung them up this morning b/c they can't go in the dryer) and two pics of the roses we have growing in the backyard (my favorite flowers).


We're officially potty training Avonlea and it's not all that bad. Granted, she hasn't gone on the potty yet so as a mommy, I'm feeling unsuccessful, but it's only been 2 days. I've put diapers on her when she sleeps and when we're out and about. I'm not the kind to hybernate in the house for too long; I like to be out in the sunshine, playing like a kid! We can usually be found playing at the park, building sandcastles at the beach (although I'm not one of those confident pregnant women to wear a bathing suit there), participating in story hour at the library, at playgroups with other kiddos, and the list goes on... I'm starting to get nervous about being cooped up in the house after the new baby gets here because getting two children under the age of 2 dressed, ready and out the door seems like the impossible challenge right now! I do pride myself on being pretty organizeda and quick moving though so we'll see. I think the c-section will have an effect on the quickness of my moving however. So, anyhow...we're potty training and I'm skipping the pull-ups altogether (too pricy and they feel like a diaper so what's the difference?). We're using regular underwear and training underwear (a little thicker to make cleaning up easier). I think that we'll try it for a week or so and see if I see progress of any kind. If not, we may wait until after the baby has been here for a few months and then try when she's closer to two years old.

Doctor's appointment went well this morning. Heartbeat was great, although I was hoping for some better advice on how to treat the aggrivating leg cramps I get during the night now. It's like a really bad Charley-horse cramp in my calves and they spaz out for a few minutes (which seem like hours!). Rob knows exactly what to do though (happened with 1st pregnancy) and as soon as he hears me whimpering, he's up and stretching out my calves just like a football coach. It's pretty funny when you think about it, but the sad part is that there's really nothing to do for it. "Drink orange juice and eat bananas" is all the doctor said to do and I already do that. Oh well. Pain is gain and I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms. This is the hard part, waiting. I have 7 weeks to go and it feels like forever. Tomorrow, Avonlea and I are going to Babies R Us to purchase the new double stroller. The three of us went a few weekends ago to pick it out and Avonlea decided she wanted to get in and be pushed around, so we did! She took a lap or so around Babies R Us and looked so comfortable in it (I was glad for that). It'll be neat to be able to put the two kiddos in it together.

Rob and I found a new show we like called "Notes From the Underbelly" all about a couple who's expecting and the comedy in it is great, especially because one of the main characters in living out what we are personally living out. Fun stuff.

Until later...Sianara.

So Cute!

Last night after doing the dishes, I peeked around the corner to find Rob and Avonlea having some father-daughter time and of coarse I had to take a picture. The two were reading books for roughly 20 minutes and as I listened, I sent up a prayer thanking God for such a great husband and father to our child(ren).

I Must Be Crazy!!

The pictures are of Avonlea putting a diaper on her baby doll, letting baby go potty, doing a shape puzzle and a counting Cheerios book where you actually put Cheerios on the book and count (them eat them-yummy!).


So, lately Avonlea has really had an interest in the potty. Her very own potty sits in our living room (although never used) and she only sits on it and puts her animals and dollies on it for fun. She was watching her Potty Elmo DVD the other day and when Elmo yells, "Hoory for underpants!" to Prarie Dawn, Avonlea said it at the top of her lungs. I figured, okay...go with the teachable moment here. I got out the underpants I had bought for her a month or so ago and showed her (of coarse they had Elmo on them!) and she kept saying, "Avonlea's underpants". I let her put them on and thought to myself, "I must be crazy!" She went for two hours and stayed dry, but then...oh then... it happened. We were tickeling each other on Rob's and my bed when she got down and looked me square in the eye saying,"Uh oh, sorry Ma ma". Yep, she had peed!!! She darted out of the bedroom (thank goodness this took place on the wood floors and not the carpet)and went into the living room. I tried to grab her and tell her that it was okay and show her her potty, but the moment had lapsed. She's definately got the majority of the signs down as far as being ready, but who really knows how much she comprehends. We may try underpants this afternoon, but while she's napping, I'm going to call a friend who recently had a baby and was potty training her 18-month-old at the same time. If I wasn't about to have a baby myself, I think I'd feel a little more secure knowing that my consistency would prevail, however I'm worried that she might regress once she sees baby Lincoln getting his diaper changed and she isn't. We shall see.

As far as what Avy is doing, gosh where do I begin. Every day there's something new and exciting. Basically as far as words, she'll attempt to say anything we say so we really have to watch the words we use around her (the other day I said "darn" and although it's not a horrible word, I don't need my 1-year-old saying it so I had to catch myself). She LOVES to count things and really knows how too. She'll put her finger on an object and count how many there really are. She can count up to 14 all by herself (which sort of, okay it really impresses me as a mom!). She knows the following shapes and will say them: square, circle, heart, diamond, octagon, triangle, circle, oval and star. She loves doing her shape puzzles and we like to color them on big drawing paper I used to use for teaching (easel paper). She knows TONS of animals (too many to list) and can label body parts very well. She knows lots of fruits, veggies and other foods. She gives me a hard time with brushing teeth, but I recently found a new light-up toothbrush at Publix and the tooth brushing has gotten better. She loves me to paint her toenails, watch Elmo DVDs (I really limit her TV watching although some days I slip and she watches more than I like), paint pictures, go for wagon walks around the neighborhood, do any kind of water activity, interact with animals (We found a frog in our backyard the other day and I let her hold it on her arm. She was so tickled and watched him for 20 minutes just in awe at God's creation) and so much more.

As far as myself, I've been feeling great lately. Sleeping has taken on a whole new meaning (tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable) and my appetite is getting worse. I feel like I'm always hungry. I've been trying to drink LOTS of water during the day though to "fill up" so I don't eat the extra calories that I really don't need. Thank goodness I haven't gained as much with this little guy as I did with Avonlea. So far, I've gained 20 pounds and I'm hoping not to exceed 30 (with 7 weeks to go). Lincoln moves all the time now and it's comforting to know that everything has been perfectly formed by God how He wants Lincoln to be. All the baby needs to do now is put on weight before the birth (hopefully not too much!). Rob's going to get out my suitcase from the attic tonight so I can start a list of things to pack for the hospital (just in case-I'm definately a "plan-aheader"). I've already got the baby clothes washed and folded in a bin (poor kid doesn't have a room since we only have two bedrooms) and ready to go. Lincoln will be sleeping in the same cradle Avonlea slept in located in our bedroom on my side of the bed. We're trying to figure out if we'll be officially moved by then (still haven't sold our house-please pray for this as paying for two mortgages is really hanging over our heads right now!!!). If we are moved in, I've picked out the bedding for Lincoln's room and Avonlea's will stay the same. Click HERE to see bedding.

Rob's knee is getting better by the day and praise the Lord for that!

I'm still working on getting Easter pictures developed and have two rolls to pick up so hopefully I'll get those up by the weekend.

The Zoo and Rob's Knee Update

Rob's doctor appointment went fine yesterday. They ordered an x-ray and an MRI, but the doctor suggested he take some antienflamatory medicine first to make sure that it's not just enflamed. He's been taking it for two days and feels much better. Thanks for all the prayers! Now we just need continued prayer for the house situation.

Avonlea and I went to the zoo this morning with our friends Emily and Stefanie (Emily is the same age as Avonlea). The two of them were a site as they were holding hands, walking along the paths at the zoo. I wish I would've brought my camera!! They had fun seeing all the animals, eating lunch together and playing in the water (there are a bunch of fountains in a "kiddie area"). We headed home around 12:30 and Avonlea is still napping, recovering from her fun morning. :) I think we're going to try the Florida Aquarium next time.

Rejoicing in Trials...

So I was at Bible study this morning and evidently God knew what I needed!!!

James 1:2-4 says:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Rob and I have known that the months of May and June would be our toughest yet, but it hasn't sunk in until now that we are about to face some really big trials and we're going to need lots of prayer, spiritual preparation and wisdom as we make decisions and go about our summer. Many of you know I'm expecting a baby in June (the 11th) and that we're going to be moving into Rob's mom's house (still trying to sell ours) at the end of May. Well, not only are those two very large things, but now we need some heavy prayer because while singing at church on Easter Sunday, Rob thinks he pulled a tendon in his left knee (he already messed up the right one playing football his Junior year of high school). He has a doctor's appointment today at 3:30 and we're hoping and praying that he doesn't need surgery. If he does, it might call for (not only anesthesia-which freaks me out!) weeks of working from home again (he had an apendectomy a few months ago) and months of physical therapy. We're really hoping that's not the case, but his knee is really swollen and he's limping pretty bad.

Needless to say, we're going to be facing some pretty crazy trials coming up and all at the same time. The good thing is that they are trials that I can plan ahead for and try to get as organized as possible ahead of time: packing for the move, wrapping up contractor bids/blueprint changes, washing baby clothing and getting other baby items out and ready, and trying to find help through friends/family if Rob does need this surgery. I just hope that if he does need surgery, it can be preformed soon so that the two of us aren't bed-ridden after we both have surgeries (I'm having a c-section with Lincoln). Wouldn't that just be a site!

Anyway, James has reminded me that I need to rejoice in my trials because they are a test from the Lord. It's so much easier said than done, but you know what? I guess I'm honored that the Lord would think of me as that strong of a woman. I don't really think I'm that strong, but I guess He does and so that's why all of this is happening at the same time. Our church family has been awesome, offering any help we need during this time (meals, watching Avonlea, etc.) so we are so blessed.

A saying in my devotional this morning said:
"A successful woman takes the bricks the devil throws at her and uses them to lay a firm foundation. We all need enough trials to challenge us, enough challenges to strengthen us, and enough strength to do our part." (Barbara Johnson)

I spent the afternoon (during Avy's nap) pondering on and reading the book of James (didn't quite finish the whole book yet). Anyone who hasn't read it in awhile or at all, I encourage you to read it. I took many of the verses and wrote them on sticky notes, placing them around the house as a reminder that God is in control, not me. God is testing Rob and I to see how we handle this time of tribulation and with all my heart, I'm going to persevere and rejoice. When this time of craziness subsides, I need to remember to ask myself, "What did I learn from this experience? What knowledge did I gain about the Lord and how He works?"

Romans 14:19 and I Peter 3 :11 tell us to seek the Father to find "perfect peace". God doesn't send e-mail (sometimes I wish He would). As Christians, our attitude towards peace should be acting upon it. I can only hope that with God's help, we will persevere through these trials and peace will be present as much as possible during this time.

God Bless and I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!
*(Avonlea's Easter pictures are being developed soon so I'll get them posted ASAP.)

HAPPY EASTER!

This morning was yet another doctor's appointment to check on little Lincoln Cole. Heartbeat was normal and all of my blood tests are coming back just fine. The little linebacker has definately dropped and is in the "ready" position which is good. Avonlea had to come with me this morning for my appointment, but she was so good and I was in and out of the office in such a short time (yea!).

This weekend will be busy, but nice. Rob has off work tomorrow and I'm very much looking forward to actually seeing my husband this week! He's involved in an Easter production at our church this Friday and then sings for our Sunday morning service, PLUS leads worship for our "Saturday Night Out" service. He's been gone every night this week and hasn't seen Avonlea hardly at all (she's in bed when he gets home). It makes for a long day too. I love counting down the minutes until he gets home. Besides being happy to see him, it gives me a little break from Avonlea. We eat dinner together, he tackles her bathtime while I do dishes and put away leftovers. Then we hang out (he usually plays the piano, we listen to music or just hang out and play with Avy's toys), we clean up Avy's toys (she LOVES helping), give her a breathing treatment and it's bedtime around 7:30. It'll be interesting to see how we're going to handle things with another baby around, but Rob is totally awesome with helping out. There's no job he won't do and we work so well together as a team.

So, this Friday night, Rob is singing at church while Avonlea and I volunteer in the nursery (the "Toddler Zone"-he he). I do enjoy having more time to volunteer at church now that I'm home. I've been helping lead a Sunday School class of
3-year-olds and it's been a blast, although this Sunday will be my last Sunday with them until the baby is born. :( I'll miss the little tikes!

I hope everyone enjoys this Easter weekend and it's festivities...the egg dying, time with family and friends, good food, egg hunts and goodies in Easter egg baskets. Most of all, celebrate the fact that we are Christians and know the TRUE meaning of why Easter is celebrated...Christ's resurrection from death!
HAPPY EASTER!

Fact for the Day

A little trivia for the day...

Today is officially "Tell a Lie Day" and "Vitamin C Day". So, drink up your orange juice, but no lies okay!

If you haven't been to the link on my blog about everyday being a holiday, you should visit it sometime. :)

Have a great Wednesday everyone!!!

18-Month-Old Photos

A Bad Day Turned Around

Okay, so Avonlea has gotten up out of her new toddler bed a total of about 10 times. The last time, I opened the door and found her jumping up and down saying, "boing, boing, boing!" while throwing these soft, foam-like puzzles around her room. I was definately close to losing it and had to remind myself..."Stay calm Bates. You're in control here." This situation has just added to the day I've been having.

First, we were scheduled to go to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at church this morning. I was supposed to bring refreshments along with another girl who's got two little boys. She called this morning to tell me that she can't make it to MOPS because her little boy is sick (totally understandable). So, I'm off to pick up her food and get to MOPS on time. Well, Avonlea was coughing really strong on the way to church so I'm thinking, should she be in the nursery? Why not. She's not contagious and I'll just go down an hour into MOPS and give her her breathing treatment. At least she can play with the other kids instead of being bored at home. Yes, so I have the whole thing planned out and then...Yep, it happened. Puke ALL over her and her carseat, not to mention "bear" (who we don't have backup of). She was so excited all morning to see her buddies (especially Zachary and Emily), but I figured it wouldn't be a good idea for her to be around the other kids just in case. I stripped her down to her diaper (this all takes place in the parking lot with everyone watching) and change her clothes (handing off the food to two friends who graciously took care of it for me). I had to hold Avonlea down in her carseat as she screamed (again, she was counting on seeing her friends) not wanting to go home. I called the doctor's office and they said to bring her right in. So, there we were, sitting in the doctor's office (have I mentioned she puked again on the way there so we're now out of clothes), Avonlea in her diaper only and we saw the doctor (for the 4th time in a few weeks). We got yet another prescription and after changing clothes and grabbing some lunch at home, managed to get back into her smelly carseat and get to Publix to get her medication. Mission accomplished! I immediately gave her her medication when we got home and after a bit of a spell getting her down, she's finally resting now. Poor thing...she can't stop coughing enough to fall asleep though. I think it stinks that kids get asthma.

I was e-mailing Rob at work earlier and I think he could sense the tension in my writing. He called to let me vent (he's good about knowing when I need a "pick me up" during the day) and you know what? I just had to look back at this day and laugh!! Looking down at my puked on shirt, the smelly car, the three puked-on outfits I had to wash, etc. I couldn't help but think, "There are so many other women having worse days than I am!!! Who am I to complain? At least I have health insurance to take my kid to a doctor, a carseat and decent car to drive, a bed to put my child in for her nap and wholesome food to eat for lunch." After that, I stopped complaining and Rob and I just laughed with each other over the phone.

What a Tuesday! :)

A New Bed for Avonlea

Assembling the new bed...go Rob!!






As Rob was opening the door to get Avonlea out of her crib from her nap yesterday, he said, "Kel, come here!" I rushed into the room to find my daughter half-way out of her crib saying "Out, out!" She just turned 18 months and I thought we would have a little more time with the crib, but that's not the case! We got our shoes on and drove right to Babies R Us to purchase her a toddler bed. I've had this on my mind for a few weeks now wondering when would be a good time to trasition her with all the changes about to happen (new baby brother, new house, possible potty training and a new bed). I've been looking at baby consignment shops for beds, but no one had anything worth buying that matched her room. So for $99.00, we got a wooden, white toddler bed yesterday and within 1 hour, Rob had assembled the bed, disassembled her crib and we had her new bed set up just in time for bed. I thought, "Here we go. This is going to be a long night." We had planned out the whole thing (according the Supernanny's techniques-have her book and love it!) on the way home. If Avy got out of her bed, we would continue putting her back in it without talking and being consistent until she fell asleep. Well, God was looking down on us because I gave her her sippy cup of milk, rocked and sang to her and after putting her down in her new bed, she was asleep withing 5 minutes and stayed there all night! I guess I need to rephrase that...the only time she did get out of bed (technically) is when she FELL out. Yep, folks! I felt like the worst mom ever, but luckily after daddy rubbed her back for a minute or two, she fell right back to sleep. As he was rubbing her back, I took the initiative of putting barriers along the sides to prevent another fall, along with lots of pillows. Now, the bed actually comes with rails on the sides, but they don't go all the way to the bottom so as Avy was menuvering around, she got turned the other way and slid onto the floor. It's only a few inches (this bed is SHORT) so I wasn't worried about any major injuries or anything, but still, I felt horrible. I just put her down for her nap and she's been asleep for 20 minutes now...Horray!!! I thought it would be a battle, but it wasn't. Depending on how this works for the next week or two, call me crazy but I might just tackle the potty training before Lincoln arrives. She says "wet" and loves her little potty (although we haven't used it yet). She's showing a lot of signs of being ready so we'll see. I may chicken out and wait a few months after she's had time to get used to her brother being around. We shall see.






Have a great Monday everyone!

Don't you just love Sundays? We were reminded in church this morning about Christ's journey to the cross. It's weird. Rob and I were watching "The Nativity Story" last night (never saw it in theatres) and being pregnant, I really felt for Mary and what she endured. Imagine no one believing you that you conceived by the Holy Spirit, you had to make this long journey into Bethleham to give birth in an animal stable with no epidural, no friends or familiy (except Joseph) and you're in your teens! Amazing! Then, this morning, thinking about what she went through as she watched her son being crucified. She had to stand back and there wasn't anything she could do anything about it! It's interesting how your persepective of things changes as you get older and become and wife and mother. Anyway, just thought I'd share that.

Friday night, the three of us went out to dinner at The Casual Clam off 9th Street. We've been there before and they've got great food. One thing Rob and I do miss is being able to take our time when we're out eating. We find ourselves rushing through dinner because Avonlea isn't entertained and loses interest in her books, coloring and other goodies I stuff in a bag to bring. We scarfed through our meal and went home to watch the movie "Blood Diamond". Let's just say that if you haven't seen it yet, you need to! You'll never want to buy diamonds again (trust me). What amazed me were some of the facts and figures at the end of the movie. The one that touched me the most was that 200,000 CHILDREN (kids under 12!) are considered child soldiers who are brainwashed, given drugs and taught to shoot innocent men, women and children at any given time. Not that I didn't know this was going on already, I was just shocked by the number (200,000!!!). I remember an Oprah (yes, I watch when I can) show a few weeks ago how she invited families to share their stories on how they adopted African children who had been effected by this. They are to be commended.

Saturday, Rob and I took Avy to The Florida Aquarium again and we didn't even walk around the aquarium. We played in the play zone the whole time. We put Avonlea in her suit and let her go to town in the water features. I couldn't help but think how fortunate we are to be able to have such a great day like that. I can't imagine what an African child (or other children worldwide) would give to have just one day like that and yet we go all the time (we even bought annual passes-totally worth the money). I only hope that Rob and I can pass on to our children how fortunate they are to live in America.






Avonlea giving bunny a treatment and then herself!




On a lighter note, Avonlea's asthma is now under control (praise God) and although she's still on two breathing treatments a day, she's usually very cooperative and the treatments are going to remain (to keep her stable) until the first week in May. She loves to practice giving her treatments to her bunny and bear. Her nurturing side is definately coming out. Rob and I had out one of her babies last night and we changed her clothes (we put boy clothes on her-oops!), socks and a diaper. I was so blessed to get a huge box of diapers from one of my students this year (newborn size) and so we have a little bag for the baby (just like we will for Lincoln), we take the baby for walks in his stroller (she has her own little stroller just her size) and we feed the baby his bottles. I'm really hoping that this will help in the transition from "only child Avonlea" to "big sister Avonlea".

I have a doctor's appointment this Thursday (they are every 2 weeks now) to check Lincoln's heartbeat. Avonlea has been having quite a fun time with her cousin Grace as I go to doctor's appointments. I'm looking forward to meeting the little guy. He's been SO active lately and I know it won't be long until our second little angel is here!