Sneak Peak on Baby #3

Monday was my first OB appt. for baby #3. It was a good visit as I was able to see my favorite doctor and nurse. They both told me that I didn't have to be pregnant to come see them! Ha ha.

So baby #3 is due August 23. And it sure was moving around a lot during the ultrasound. It was pretty awesome to see little hands and feet moving around. In two months, we will know the gender of our baby and can start referring to it as a boy/girl. The concept of being surprised it great, but not something I can handle. I've never been good at surprises....

Oh yeah, and to make the week more interesting, now Landon AND Taylor have RSV. Ugh!

Take Two

I'm so glad that I had some of Taylor's neighborhood friends over on her actual birthday because her other party was limited to just family due to Landon's RSV. The plan was to have a few of Taylor's close buddies over and all of our family as well to celebrate with dinner and a birthday cake. In the end, Taylor's many grandparents were there to celebrate. And that was just as good.

Taylor really enjoyed the special attention from everyone, the opening of gifts, stuffing cash and coins in her new piggy bank, the yummy cake, and Grandpa Lou letting her drive his car. She had a great day with all of her favorite people.

One thing that has been awesome is that you can now ask Taylor yes and no questions and she'll answer you honestly. It's been awesome to communicate with her and understand what she really wants. It's still hard to believe my baby is 2.

Rest Wanted

So much has been happening in the past few days, I'm going to write three different posts today.

There has definitely been a lack of rest lately in the Schepe house. I ended up rushing Landon to urgent care in the wee early hours Sunday morning. Thank the good Lord for Good Night Pediatrics. Landon and I were in and out within an hour. Unfortunately, Landon tested positive for RSV and has an ear infection. So we are treating him at home with antibiotics and breathing treatments.

Due to Landon's respiratory distress at birth and the fact that he was on a ventilator, I've been told that his chances of RSV are higher. I've been keeping him away from grocery stores as much as possible. But RSV is highly contagious and it's easy to catch.

The above photo is day 5 of RSV. Landon has not been able to sleep for long periods of time due to this nasty cough he has. Please pray for a quick recovery.

Well Checks

Took the kids to the pediatrician this morning and the doctor was pleased with both kids' health and demeanor. Here are their stats:

LANDON
20 lbs. 13 oz. (50th percentile)
31.5 inches (100th percentile)

TAYLOR
26.5 lbs. (50th percentile)
3 ft. (85th percentile)

Now I knew Landon was tall, but I didn't realize he was top of the charts tall! Landon caught a cold so he's fussy and not eating great. But other than that, they are in great condition.

I'm so thankful that my grandma is here. She is so willing to watch the kids while I escape for a nap or play on the computer. I wish she could stay here permanently :-)

Can't wait for Monday to finally see how baby #3 is progressing. If he or she is anything like Taylor and Landon, this baby will measure long too.

My Baby Turns 2

Yesterday was Taylor's second birthday. I can remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It was a cold and rainy day, and I was facing 30 hours of labor. The long wait and heartache that Hank and I endured to conceive was all taken away the day she was born. Hank and I were so excited that God had finally blessed us with a child.

And Taylor is just that, one of the biggest blessings in our lives. I love my daughter deeply and hope she will know how much her family loves and supports her no matter what. It makes me sad that the time is flying by, but I know it's part of life. We will look forward to the many memories that we can share in the future.

Yesterday some of Taylor's neighbor friends came over to play. It made Taylor's day even more special. She's having another birthday party on Sunday so the lucky kid will have a week-long celebration. She's worth it!

Great "Nama" Arrives

Today Hank picked up my grandma from Canada. I've always called my grandma "Granny" and so I was telling Taylor to call her "Granny" too but that didn't fly. So Granny is now "Nama" -- short for grandma. Taylor remembers "Nama" from her last vist right after Landon was born. She spent most of the evening cuddled up with her on the couch even though she wouldn't give her a hug or kiss when we asked her to.

And Landon likes "Nama" too. Now he has another person to talk to and someone to hold him. "Nama" was amazed at how much he has grown in the past nine months! Aren't we all! He's a big baby.

So tomorrow my baby girl turns 2! I think back of the 30-hour labor process and think God surely blessed me double-fold with my beautiful, playful daughter. I know my life wouldn't be the same without her (or Landon). Happy early birthday pumpkin!

Change is in the Air

Oh where do I even begin.... Let's start with yesterday. Yesterday was a gloomy day for me. My trash can and steam mop broke and Hank came home telling me he won't be getting a paycheck this week as business is slow. YIKES! This hasn't happened in a long time, and I know it's only the beginning of another hard year economically.

So I started stressing a bit, but always telling myself that the Lord will provide for our needs. Maybe not to my standard, but He will provide the necessities. I tell myself all the time, "Rachael, trust in the Lord." That thought is as common as my breathing.

Well today a new possibility opened up. I will be going back to work at CCV for a day and a half a week. I'm really excited because 1) it's the best job I've ever had and 2) it will provide some extra funds during the tough times and 3) it's temporary. The job could last anywhere from 2-6 months...although I do see myself there until I have baby #3 this summer.

The kids will be in great care with Hank or Hank's mom, and I will have one last crack at the job I love. God is working out all the details, but we are still going to cut back drastically on spending. This year we have to buy a different car to fit three kids seats. Crazy!

Some other great things that happened today include Taylor taking the biggest dump of her life on the potty and she's no longer using a pacifier. She's gone 3 days straight without it even though she asks for it constantly :-)

God is good ALL the time!

Catch Up

It's been awhile since I last posted and so much is happening, yet every day seems the same. This past weekend, both kids spent two nights at Hank's parents house. I cried like a baby when Hank drove away with them, mainly because I was sick and I tend to get emotional when I am feeling bad. The two nights without the kids was wonderful though. It was good for everyone...the grandparents, us and the kids. So by Sunday afternoon, Hank felt rested but I still felt tired. Baby #3 is literally sucking the life out of me. I'm hoping that I will only have a few more weeks of this.

Anyway, I swear the kids changed over the weekend. Landon was way more animated and appeared to turn into a little boy. Taylor's independence and strong will is showing itself more and more. She's still so sweet, but oh so sassy.

Today was Taylor's first day of dance class. I don't know what was with her today, but she refused to listen or participate. Her little meltdowns caused us to leave the class early. I decided to switch her out of the dance class, as it is really suited for older 2 year olds, and transfer her to a class where she will learn silly songs, dances and play with crafts. Maybe next time she'll be ready to dance.

Just Hangin' Out

What have we been up to lately? Just hanging out around the house. It seems to require too much strength and effort to get us out these days and with me feeling sick almost all of the time, well it just isn't happening like it did a few weeks ago. Poor kids are probably getting tired of being cooped up like little hens.

Good news is Hank's parents are back in town and we all missed them greatly. Now the kids can have their one-on-one time with Grammy and it gives me a little relief to just have one child. Lots of good things are happening and I look forward to the "little" things in life that keep me encouraged while I physically feel sick as a dog.

Last night Hank surprised me with an hour-long massage. This coming weekend Hank's parents are taking the kids for a night or two so we can rest (and catch a good concert). Sometime in the next month, I am going on a spa date with my mom. And sometime in the next several months, I am going on a girls weekend getaway. Very soon Taylor will be turning 2! And next week she starts mother-assisted dance lessons. All of these things are wonderful in my eyes and keep me going when the days are endless and rest is a rarity.

Here's a photo from the other night and Grammy and Papa's house playing the piano which both kids love.