We are thinking....

PINK! That's right we are having a girl! Natalee Louise will be making her debut in March of 2009.

We came about this exciting news in a not so fun way. I received a call from my physician last night at 6pm that one of my blood tests came back as high risk for Down Syndrome. I was scheduled for an ultrasound this morning for screening (to check anatomical features that may represent Down's) and an amniocentesis.

The ultrasound went well with no physical findings consistent with Down's. The amniocentesis, though a little painful went well. We will have to wait 2 weeks for the final results of the test. Dennis, me, and our families have been praying that things will turn out ok. However, we have both (Dennis and me) decided if our little girl has Down Syndrome that this is our challenge and the path God wants us to take. It won't be easy, but our little Natalee "Lou" is such a blessing already and we wouldn't have it any other way!

The New Addition...

No, not the baby! A few weeks ago we said goodbye to Dennis' car. His mazda had seen better days and needed to be completely retired. After much research and a couple of test drives, Dennis decided on a new car.

Since the car dealerships are overstocked with SUV's and trucks, new inventory in Memphis was hard to come by. We were looking for a crossover, which is not technically a car nor a SUV. We settled on the Nissan Rogue.

The catch was to get what we wanted at the price we had

budgeted, we needed to take a road trip. So off we went one Saturday to Savannah, TN. The 2 hour or so drive wasn't terrible. It was, however, filled with very small towns, very low speed limits, and interesting if not quirky town and creek names. This at least kept me entertained. Such as a business outside of Savannah, "short bus enterprises". I got a laugh out of that one.

Anyways, I digress (pregnancy brain). So after all the "i's" were dotted and "t's" were crossed we had our new car. Dennis is so proud. Of course, I have stolen it a time or two on shopping trips.

So here is the new addition:

I know most people are thinking to themselves and some asking me if I will be turning in my precious Mustang convertible for a more kid friendly vehicle (aka-mini van). The response is a resounding "No". Not that I am knocking mini vans. Those that have them love them, but they are not for me. And most people who know me can say I (or at least I think they would) that I am not a mini van type of gal. I can barely see the end of the hood while driving my mom's SUV (vertically challenged is a word).

I love my car. I am short. My kids, well at least the 3 year old, is not mammoth. For the one still cooking, well that is to be determined. I can still be a cool mommy even though I am a mommy. I am sure most mommies would agree! Hubby so lovingly washed my car this past weekend, so I must show a picture of it.

All in all it has been a busy couple of weeks with doctor's appointments and other activities. Nothing to thrilling or entertaining to report at this time though!

4 weeks and counting.....impatiently

I went to the doctor on Friday (9/26/08) for my monthly prenatal visit. Everything is going fine. Little owl's heartbeat was 152 and strong. My blood pressure was up a bit, but it was due to the sinus medication I have been on for about 2 weeks (got to love the weather in Memphis right now, everyone has sinus issues).

We went ahead and scheduled my next appointment for October 24th. This also happens to be when my cousin and his wife are due to give birth. They haven't found out the gender, so I am anxious to see this little one (for many reasons). His/her parents will be fantastic!

My appointment on the 24th will also include the "big" ultrasound. We will find out the gender at that time. I am very excited and cannot to see my little owl yet again on the big screen! Of course, my main concern is a healthy baby. But, I would love to find out that it will be a little girl!

So until then I am trying to keep busy (aka-shopping). We delivered a cake I made for a 1st Birthday party yesterday and then I took Dennis to see a couple of dresses I liked (thus the mention of shopping). We also went to see Fireproof last night with our Sunday school group. What a great movie with an even better message!

I got all dressed up this morning in a new outfit for our pastor to annouce our news that we were expecting. He has held off until we told our families. We have missed some Sundays due to morning sickness and general illness. The pastor forgot, so I had Dennis take some pictures of me and Landon (and baby).



So 4 weeks and counting until the "big" day....

3 years and counting...

Landon had his 3 year old check-up this past Friday. He was such a big boy! No shots this time; thank goodness! Instead of being below the growth chart curve (as he usually is) he is now at the 50th percentile for his age for height and weight!

The doctor bragged on how smart and talkative he was. She looked in his throat, ears, and mouth and he cooperated the whole time! Most kids are itching to leave the doctor's office. He didn't want to leave when were done!

Saturday we spent time with my (Lesley's) mom. Landon calls her Memaw. For those of you with infants and those approaching 1 and 2 years; yes there is a time when children are able to go to a restaurant (other than Chik Fil A and such) and be quiet and eat a civilized meal! I think we have reached that point. No, it wasn't some fancy french place, but TGI Fridays. Landon ate his meal and was quite and didn't pull everything off the table or the blinds off the window. He was so good we braved it again on Sunday afternoon and went out for pizza (Landon's choice). He was good again! I really hope this is the end of take out. Going out as a family was really nice. It was even better because I could enjoy lunch without the nagging reminder of morning sickness (for once)! I am sure Dennis enjoyed that aspect of it too!

Oh, I forgot...

So the new word Landon likes to use now is NOPE! So in our conversations, this is how it goes:

Landon, do you want mashed potatoes for dinner? "Nope"

Landon, do you want to go to bed? "Nope"

Landon, do you need to go potty? "Nope"

Oh, and he is fascinated with mommy's car. I (Lesley) am so pleased with this one!

He says, "Go in mommy's car?" and "Mommy's car, Mommy's car, Mommy's car" (he usually repeats this more than we would like to hear it, but oh well)

Just had to share. I am sure there is more I am leaving out that Dennis can remember. I guess that will be for another time!

The Good News.....

So I received a phone call from the nurse practitioner on Friday afternoon (9/5/08). I didn't have a kidney infection, but was told they thought I had over-done-it recently and needed to rest. I was already at home that afternoon because Ms. Morning Sickness decided to bother me on Friday worse than ever! I went into to work at 7am and stayed until noon. I just couldn't handle it anymore.

I am feeling a little better now. I am officially in the second trimester, so I am hoping morning sickness, fatigue, and all the lovely first trimester symptoms start to decrease.

On the flip side, I really don't have any bad news. So that's good too!

The week in review...

Well almost, it's not quite over but close enough.

I think I can almost safely say Landon is potty trained! Woohoo! No accidents and he had even stayed dry overnite a few times. I know this seems small but in mommy land this is huge. My baby is becoming such the big boy! Way to go Landon! If all goes well, mommy, daddy, and baby will be giving you another treat on Sunday (matchbox car, he loves them!)

I had an unexpected trip to the doctor yesterday. Everything is ok, but I am still waiting on the final lab report tomorrow. I may have a kidney infection (yippie for me, with sarcasm). So I have been quite uncomfortable and worried since I began having problems on Tuesday. Anyways, the baby is fine. Still measuring a couple days ahead by length at 12weeks and 4 days. They couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler so I had another ultrasound to make sure things were ok. The baby must be an acrobat-swimmer. The reason I say is because the baby was on it's head in a J-shape when we first were looking on the screen. Then the baby began kicking it's feet and moving it's arms like it was swimming. Very funny! So we will wait to hear what the weekend will bring with this possible diagnosis of a kidney infection.....

Work has been busy and I have been given some big tasks for completion by October. I am up for the challenge. I have also picked up quite a few patients. All but one are young and all are too adorable! The older one (a teen) is cute too! I am loving my job and I love working at St. Jude most of all.

Other than the normal pregnancy symptoms, fall TV shows beginning, and trying to figure out what to eat, I guess that's it!