new blog
This blog is no longer updated.. please visit our new blog at www.makingafamily-surrogacystyle.blogspot.com
Our surrogate journey
jcevans.easyjournal.com
| TN United States |
21 Jun 2008
10 Jun 2008
New location
Please go to our new blog... http://makingafamily-surrogacystyle.blogspot.com/
we will no longer be updating this web site!
Carolyn
we will no longer be updating this web site!
Carolyn
8 May 2008
urgent prayer request
Please pray for my dear friend Steph.. Please pray for her health, strength and spirit.. for her family to have strength and guidance... For the Lord to comfort her and her family, bring them strength when it seems there is none and for His grace to embrace them when they are at their weakest... Our prayers are powerful and our God is powerful.. please send glory to His name..
Second Ultrasound!! and journal move news!
Ultrasound update today!!
We have wonderful news to share with all of you… Amber had her second ultrasound today (two weeks after the initial one) and found both babies to be just perfect!! Two babies with two heartbeats and looking like little tad poles, what a glorious sight! Baby A measured in at 8week and 6 days with a heart rate of 173 and Baby B measured in at 8weeks 4 days with a heart rate of 180!! May not be boys like some of you speculated with the last 128 heart rate! Haha…
It was wonderful to be on the phone while Amber had the ultrasound done. I could hear the Doc and hear the heart beats, albeit not very clearly with Annabelle trying to pop her popcorn popper at the same time!
Poor Amber was totally stressed out and not sleeping with worry.. I hope now she will rest easy and sleeps like a baby, or two! Please keep her in your prayers. I don’t want her to worry so much… God will take care of her and the babies!
One of John’s cousins had a baby Wednesday at 1230am! A beautiful baby boy named Marcus Stewart; please keep them in your prayers as well! Congrats to the happy mommy and family!
A side note about the journal… I have created a blog (same thing as a journal) on blogger.com.com and have moved all of the entries from easy journal there. I will try to post at both locations for a while but will soon move only to blogger. The link to the new journal is www.makingafamily-surrogacystyle.blogspot.com
This blog site is much more itnteractive with the ability to add videos and music, I just created ours last night and am really excited about really making it personal to our family.. There is a video of one of Annabelle’s first steps on there now if you want to check it out.. For those of you that check the journal regularly, DAD RUPPEL, make this new site a favorite of yours now!
Please keep all our soldiers and their families in your prayers and bring them home safely. God bless you all and we love you!
Carolyn (John, Annabelle and the doodlebugs!)
We have wonderful news to share with all of you… Amber had her second ultrasound today (two weeks after the initial one) and found both babies to be just perfect!! Two babies with two heartbeats and looking like little tad poles, what a glorious sight! Baby A measured in at 8week and 6 days with a heart rate of 173 and Baby B measured in at 8weeks 4 days with a heart rate of 180!! May not be boys like some of you speculated with the last 128 heart rate! Haha…
It was wonderful to be on the phone while Amber had the ultrasound done. I could hear the Doc and hear the heart beats, albeit not very clearly with Annabelle trying to pop her popcorn popper at the same time!
Poor Amber was totally stressed out and not sleeping with worry.. I hope now she will rest easy and sleeps like a baby, or two! Please keep her in your prayers. I don’t want her to worry so much… God will take care of her and the babies!
One of John’s cousins had a baby Wednesday at 1230am! A beautiful baby boy named Marcus Stewart; please keep them in your prayers as well! Congrats to the happy mommy and family!
A side note about the journal… I have created a blog (same thing as a journal) on blogger.com.com and have moved all of the entries from easy journal there. I will try to post at both locations for a while but will soon move only to blogger. The link to the new journal is www.makingafamily-surrogacystyle.blogspot.com
This blog site is much more itnteractive with the ability to add videos and music, I just created ours last night and am really excited about really making it personal to our family.. There is a video of one of Annabelle’s first steps on there now if you want to check it out.. For those of you that check the journal regularly, DAD RUPPEL, make this new site a favorite of yours now!
Please keep all our soldiers and their families in your prayers and bring them home safely. God bless you all and we love you!
Carolyn (John, Annabelle and the doodlebugs!)
5 May 2008
25 Months ago today...
Nerves were fluttering all around. We were approaching the beginnings of life with Trust, Faith, Hope, and a Friendship that would bring more than new life.
On that day, we stood hand in hand as two precious begginings in life we carefully placed in my womb for safe keeping. How amazing to think that on this day.... Nearly 2 full years later, 2 hearts beat a flutter. We have done it again. Bringing forth new life with Trust, Faith, Hope, and a Friendship that has yeilded more than new life!
I LOVE YOU CAROLYN, JOHN, and ANNABELLE!!!
Auntie Am
On that day, we stood hand in hand as two precious begginings in life we carefully placed in my womb for safe keeping. How amazing to think that on this day.... Nearly 2 full years later, 2 hearts beat a flutter. We have done it again. Bringing forth new life with Trust, Faith, Hope, and a Friendship that has yeilded more than new life!
I LOVE YOU CAROLYN, JOHN, and ANNABELLE!!!
Auntie Am
24 Apr 2008
Today is the day!!
We finally have news... and as I expected we are pregnant with two!!! Both looked wonderful.. Baby A was measuring 6w4d and baby B measured 6w5d... (we are 6w4d pregnant) both babies had heartrates of 128!! The RE said it couldn't look better and that we are right on target!!
Thank you all for your prayers but keep them coming as we know all too well just because we are pregnant with two now doesn't mean we will deliver two babies.. Give it to God!
A side note, our friend Steph is doing well, her heart is beating well and her body is recovering.. She should be out of sedation today or tomorrow but will need continued prayers..
Love to you all!!! and just think.. we may be a family of 5 in 8 months!! WOW
Thank you all for your prayers but keep them coming as we know all too well just because we are pregnant with two now doesn't mean we will deliver two babies.. Give it to God!
A side note, our friend Steph is doing well, her heart is beating well and her body is recovering.. She should be out of sedation today or tomorrow but will need continued prayers..
Love to you all!!! and just think.. we may be a family of 5 in 8 months!! WOW
22 Apr 2008
Surgery info
John is home and recovering.. all went well, actually better than expected. He had no torn rotator cuff so they only had to shave off the bone spur! Wonderful news for his expected recovery time...
We feel very blessed to have John and Carolyn here to help with Annabelle (and John) as well for the time mom and dad got to spend with them as well..
Thank you all for your prayers..
We'll update the end of the week regarding Amber and the ultrasound results!! we are all VERY excited to see what our future holds..
Love you all
Carolyn
We feel very blessed to have John and Carolyn here to help with Annabelle (and John) as well for the time mom and dad got to spend with them as well..
Thank you all for your prayers..
We'll update the end of the week regarding Amber and the ultrasound results!! we are all VERY excited to see what our future holds..
Love you all
Carolyn
21 Apr 2008
Surgery for John
Some of you know that John is having surgery tomorrow AM but some don't so I am sending out a message to all of you to let you know. He has a bone spur, possible torn rotator cuff and an impingement in his left shoulder. All of which have restricted his movement and his ability to carry around dear Annabelle... He is scheduled to be there first thing tomorrow, 630a and the plan is to be released by noon! YEAH... Please keep him in your prayers... in addition please pray, down on your knees, for a dear friend who is in need of a heart. She may have one but they are still waiting to see if it will be a match. I will update you all as soon as I can about both situations..
As always, please keep all our soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers...
Love to you all
Carolyn
As always, please keep all our soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers...
Love to you all
Carolyn
14 Apr 2008
Third and final beta
Well this has to be quick as Annabelle wants to play (and not nap).. we finally got our final beta... to recap
10dp5dt = 322
12dp5dt = 951
17dp5dt= 9689
WOW!!! We are doubling around every 24 hours (a good thing) and the clinic thinks we have two baking!
We are very excited but of course we won't be comfortable until after the ultrasound on the 25th and after we get out of the 1st trimester!!
Thanks for all your prayers, now I need prayers to keep me from going nuts with twin infants and a 22 month old!!
My oncology appointment was today as well and I am free and clear!! (Thanks for the prayers)
Love you all
C
10dp5dt = 322
12dp5dt = 951
17dp5dt= 9689
WOW!!! We are doubling around every 24 hours (a good thing) and the clinic thinks we have two baking!
We are very excited but of course we won't be comfortable until after the ultrasound on the 25th and after we get out of the 1st trimester!!
Thanks for all your prayers, now I need prayers to keep me from going nuts with twin infants and a 22 month old!!
My oncology appointment was today as well and I am free and clear!! (Thanks for the prayers)
Love you all
C
11 Apr 2008
Beta
Hello Journal faithful... it seems Amber's Doc for the girls had his own schedule this morning and due to the time spent sitting waiting for him to see the girls, Amber was unable to make it to the clinic for the beta draw... It isn't a big deal as we know we are pregnant, but seems to be a protocol for the clinic to go in three times. She is scheduled to go in Monday for the third and final number. So instead of a 14dp5dt we will have a 17dp5dt and it will probably be a monster of a number... I will most certainly post it when we get it!
Annabelle is sleeping soundly as I type and giving me precious time to get my act together for tomorrow.
Thanks for all the well wishes and love to you all!
Carolyn
Annabelle is sleeping soundly as I type and giving me precious time to get my act together for tomorrow.
Thanks for all the well wishes and love to you all!
Carolyn
Annabelle
well.. it seems our little one is prone to ear infections.. she has yet another and apparently it is pretty bad... so.... she is going on a ZPac and we will schedule an ENT appointment for her to see if she needs tubes... (laurie, I might need advice here!)
Thanks for all your prayers!
Carolyn
Thanks for all your prayers!
Carolyn
Quickie post
Hello everyone... so sorry I have been away and unable to really get on line to post... We are home now but Annabelle is sick (currently with John at the Doc) and I have a social event here at the house that I have to prepare for so ... not to mention I have to run to the doc to be seen so I can get a referral for my other appointment Monday!! whew.... needless to say, there isn't much time!
I did want to update you all on our news.. and will probably post again this afternoon once we have our third and final beta numbers in... so far we have 10dp5dt beta = 322, our 12dp5dt = 951 (I am going by memory here so Amber feel free to correct me) haha.. and today we will have our 14dp5dt!! Our doubling rate is just over 30 hours.. they hope for 48 hour doubling rates so we are doubling very well... with Annabelle we were doubling around 35 hours keeping in mind we had two babies in there at this point.. so not to jinx us but I am going to assume we have two once again and this time maybe both are healthy unlike last time... we will have our ultrasound on the 25th and that is when we will find out for sure!!
Sorry to be so to the point here but I really have more to do than there is time in the day... I will post our final number this afternoon so look for it...
Please keep Annabelle in your prayers.. as well me on Monday (my oncology appt) and my dear friend Steph... Big hugs to you honey..
Love you all
Carolyn
I did want to update you all on our news.. and will probably post again this afternoon once we have our third and final beta numbers in... so far we have 10dp5dt beta = 322, our 12dp5dt = 951 (I am going by memory here so Amber feel free to correct me) haha.. and today we will have our 14dp5dt!! Our doubling rate is just over 30 hours.. they hope for 48 hour doubling rates so we are doubling very well... with Annabelle we were doubling around 35 hours keeping in mind we had two babies in there at this point.. so not to jinx us but I am going to assume we have two once again and this time maybe both are healthy unlike last time... we will have our ultrasound on the 25th and that is when we will find out for sure!!
Sorry to be so to the point here but I really have more to do than there is time in the day... I will post our final number this afternoon so look for it...
Please keep Annabelle in your prayers.. as well me on Monday (my oncology appt) and my dear friend Steph... Big hugs to you honey..
Love you all
Carolyn
7 Apr 2008
We have a number!!!
Well..... John and I are in DC but that would never stop us from letting our family and friends know that we are for sure pregnant!!.... Amber and Kelly (the clinic) called and let us know the wonderful news... Our number is 322 and that could be one or it could be two... we won't know for sure until the 25 when we have the ultrasound. Amber will go back to check her beta again Wednesday and Friday... to make sure all is going and growing as it should.. we will of course let you know what we find out!!!
It is still VERY early.... but go ahead and tell, we are gonna have another baby !!!
love to you all...
Carolyn
It is still VERY early.... but go ahead and tell, we are gonna have another baby !!!
love to you all...
Carolyn
2 Apr 2008
Easy read
for those of you that coudnt see the positive line... this might be easier.. this was taken today 5dp5dt.. and to keep things in perspective, we didn't get this result until 6dp5dt with Annabelle... remember, she was a twin!!! YIKES...
GUESS WHAT!!!!!!
WE DID IT, WE DID IT!! or should I say Amber did it.. I know many of you didn't realize we had transferred again but we didn't want to shout it too loudly after our last failed transfer... so here we are... We transferred two beautiful blasts last Friday (March 28th). Amber decided it was just painful for us all to see negative test over and over so she was going to wait until today to test but after hearing me tell her I was already having pregnancy symptoms (crying for no reason and the likes) she decided to test last night.. AND GOT A POSITIVE!! a very fait positive but a positive none the less!! This morning she tested again and got not so faint positives.. John can actually see the line (I will attach a photo)
Today we are 5dp5dt (5 days past a 5 day transfer) which puts us 24 days pregnant.. the math is such... the day of embryo creation = two weeks after ovulation, ours are 5 day blasts (which means they grew for 5 days prior to being frozen. so that = two weeks + 5 days. today is 5 days after transfer so we are now at 2 weeks plus 10 days pregnant = 24 days pregnant! I know it does seem like rocket science. haha...
I am sure Amber will continue to test until Monday, April 7th when we will get our "official" positive test via blood beta levels of HCG... If the blood work is positive she will have another the 9th and then again on the 11th. There is a % of multiplying that is supposed to happen (go back and read wayyyy back in June of 06 here in the journal and there is probably great detail there) so the clinic will monitor how well her levels grow.. if all is well with that, two weeks later, she will go in for the first ultrasound to see how many stuck around and how well it/they are doing!! Very very exciting...
We do realize we are VERY early and anything can happen.. We all know though that all of this is in God's hands and we will relish in the joy for as long as that may be.. if only weeks for a full 9 months... God is good..
Thank you all for your support and cheers!!! we feel so very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and we love that you share so much in our joy...
ANNABELLE IS GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are the embryos from this transfer! (which by the way the embryologist said she would never have thought they were ever frozen they looked so good!
and the positive tests.. Keep in mind this is VERY VERY early and there is only a faint line.... it isnt the very dark black line but the faint one to the left ... trust me, it is a positive.. some of the surrogates can see farrrr more faint lines..
Today we are 5dp5dt (5 days past a 5 day transfer) which puts us 24 days pregnant.. the math is such... the day of embryo creation = two weeks after ovulation, ours are 5 day blasts (which means they grew for 5 days prior to being frozen. so that = two weeks + 5 days. today is 5 days after transfer so we are now at 2 weeks plus 10 days pregnant = 24 days pregnant! I know it does seem like rocket science. haha...
I am sure Amber will continue to test until Monday, April 7th when we will get our "official" positive test via blood beta levels of HCG... If the blood work is positive she will have another the 9th and then again on the 11th. There is a % of multiplying that is supposed to happen (go back and read wayyyy back in June of 06 here in the journal and there is probably great detail there) so the clinic will monitor how well her levels grow.. if all is well with that, two weeks later, she will go in for the first ultrasound to see how many stuck around and how well it/they are doing!! Very very exciting...
We do realize we are VERY early and anything can happen.. We all know though that all of this is in God's hands and we will relish in the joy for as long as that may be.. if only weeks for a full 9 months... God is good..
Thank you all for your support and cheers!!! we feel so very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and we love that you share so much in our joy...
ANNABELLE IS GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are the embryos from this transfer! (which by the way the embryologist said she would never have thought they were ever frozen they looked so good!
and the positive tests.. Keep in mind this is VERY VERY early and there is only a faint line.... it isnt the very dark black line but the faint one to the left ... trust me, it is a positive.. some of the surrogates can see farrrr more faint lines..
4 Feb 2008
Beta day...
Well today was our beta test and it came back negative... for non IVF'ers, we are not pregnant... I know God has a plan and regardless we know His plan is what is best... Sometimes things don't go the way you hope but we really had no control over all of this anyway!
We truly believe we have been blessed beyond words to have Annabelle and that a second child would just be icing on the cake.. not to say we won't try again but if we don't, we are far better off just having Annabelle... Looking back just a few years ago I would never have thought I would be here with our darling little girl.. and here we are with her just turning one!! Life really can't be better..
John returns this week and for that I am so thankful... not only so I don't have to worry about him but also so I can stop being a single parent! Why on EARTH would anyone elect to be a single parent?? they must be crazy...
I need to run and enjoy my hour or so of peace...
Love to you all and pray for all our soldiers and families!
Carolyn
We truly believe we have been blessed beyond words to have Annabelle and that a second child would just be icing on the cake.. not to say we won't try again but if we don't, we are far better off just having Annabelle... Looking back just a few years ago I would never have thought I would be here with our darling little girl.. and here we are with her just turning one!! Life really can't be better..
John returns this week and for that I am so thankful... not only so I don't have to worry about him but also so I can stop being a single parent! Why on EARTH would anyone elect to be a single parent?? they must be crazy...
I need to run and enjoy my hour or so of peace...
Love to you all and pray for all our soldiers and families!
Carolyn
30 Jan 2008
Testing Testing Testing
Well... Annabelle and I are here in Kansas with Amber, Mitch and the girls.. Annabelle is really enjoying playing with the girls.. they sure keep her entertained and thankfully she sleeps very well because of this. (mommy is very happy about this!!) She doesn't really play with them but she watches and learns.. (good for Annabelle, bad for mommy, haha) and giggles watching them play.. it is very cute..
Today is Bailey's big day (the big 5 birthday) and tomorrow is Annabelle's 1st! we have a few days of happy girls.. I will get to the point so y'all don't yell at your computers, haha... As you know, we transferred last Friday (the 25th) and as of last night we weren't getting positive tests.. at least we don't think they are positives.. (after looking at them for hours and the number we have looked at it is hard to tell if we are seeing anything correctly) but it was only 4 days past transfer... just for comparison, we got positives around 4 days past transfer with Annabelle but then we did have twins.. and every pregnancy produces different amounts of HCG.. I do think Amber is a little more stressed about about not having positives yet. I have given it to God and we either are pregnant or we aren't.. bottom line and nothing I can do will change that... but we will of course keep you all posted as soon as we know anything for sure.. worst case, we will know Monday as that is our beta day!
Side note... Annabelle isn't very happy right now that I wont let her type so forgive me if this misses point on occasion.. screaming child syndrome..
Annabelle and I are heading home tomorrow afternoon.. a change of plans in order to not have a three hour drive (plus a rental car) on top of a flight. So we opted for the shorter flight (4 hours) but more $$.. but really, my sanity is worth about any amount of money.. haha
One thing I have noticed while visiting KS is that they have wacky weather too.. Monday it was 60 degrees and we went to the zoo.. it was very windy but 60 degrees... yesterday, it was 18 and white our snow conditions!! I think the wind chill was probaby 0 or less... no wonder 1/2 the country is sick..
ok, back to point..
John is doing well, he called last night and will call again tomorrow to talk to Annabelle on her big day... He is doing well for those that are wondering, really enjoying this deployment (AKA action) but really missing his little girl.. Mom and I just talked about how every day she looks different so it will be interesting for him to see the changes.. He will be home before we know it!!
I need to run... all three are down here with me and well.. I can't think when I have little girl voices asking me 1000 questions..
Please keep all our soldiers and their families in your prayers.. Keep Christy and Elizabeth (and baby) as well and Craven who has the sniffles in your prayers too... and I suppose I can ask for prayers too for this pregnancy..
We love you all and I will try to update tomorrow!!
Carolyn and Annabelle
Today is Bailey's big day (the big 5 birthday) and tomorrow is Annabelle's 1st! we have a few days of happy girls.. I will get to the point so y'all don't yell at your computers, haha... As you know, we transferred last Friday (the 25th) and as of last night we weren't getting positive tests.. at least we don't think they are positives.. (after looking at them for hours and the number we have looked at it is hard to tell if we are seeing anything correctly) but it was only 4 days past transfer... just for comparison, we got positives around 4 days past transfer with Annabelle but then we did have twins.. and every pregnancy produces different amounts of HCG.. I do think Amber is a little more stressed about about not having positives yet. I have given it to God and we either are pregnant or we aren't.. bottom line and nothing I can do will change that... but we will of course keep you all posted as soon as we know anything for sure.. worst case, we will know Monday as that is our beta day!
Side note... Annabelle isn't very happy right now that I wont let her type so forgive me if this misses point on occasion.. screaming child syndrome..
Annabelle and I are heading home tomorrow afternoon.. a change of plans in order to not have a three hour drive (plus a rental car) on top of a flight. So we opted for the shorter flight (4 hours) but more $$.. but really, my sanity is worth about any amount of money.. haha
One thing I have noticed while visiting KS is that they have wacky weather too.. Monday it was 60 degrees and we went to the zoo.. it was very windy but 60 degrees... yesterday, it was 18 and white our snow conditions!! I think the wind chill was probaby 0 or less... no wonder 1/2 the country is sick..
ok, back to point..
John is doing well, he called last night and will call again tomorrow to talk to Annabelle on her big day... He is doing well for those that are wondering, really enjoying this deployment (AKA action) but really missing his little girl.. Mom and I just talked about how every day she looks different so it will be interesting for him to see the changes.. He will be home before we know it!!
I need to run... all three are down here with me and well.. I can't think when I have little girl voices asking me 1000 questions..
Please keep all our soldiers and their families in your prayers.. Keep Christy and Elizabeth (and baby) as well and Craven who has the sniffles in your prayers too... and I suppose I can ask for prayers too for this pregnancy..
We love you all and I will try to update tomorrow!!
Carolyn and Annabelle
21 Jan 2008
Early bedtimes and hot bubble baths... ahhhh
The title says it all... there is nothing quite as relaxing as a sleeping child and a tub full of bubbles... Life was good last night... the house was quiet and I got to relax. Funny thing, though... I know some of you will understand... When John is gone I get really tired of being a full time mommy. All day with no break (other than the hour nap if she decides to take one). So once bed time comes I am thrilled... rushing to get her fed and off to bed... In fact when John is gone we go to bed at 7:00 opposed to 8:30-9:00 when he is home... So why is it that once she is asleep and I am in bed watching TV, I want to go get her and put her in the bed with me?? or last night I actually considered sleeping on the floor in her room?? What on earth is wrong with me? Maybe it is because I am lonely and miss John? Maybe she is just becoming such a part of me that I really, deep down inside, don't EVER want to be apart from her... I don't know.. it isn't like me though.. Y'all know I really dislike sleeping in the same room as her because she keeps me up with moving and making noise.. It all is quite the odd in a good way sensation...
On a side note, Amber had her last appointment before the transfer on Friday, and maybe the last as a non-pregnant woman!! Everything was perfect and we are scheduled for our transfer Friday, Jan 25th at 11:00!! Amber gets here Thursday evening and we will be off making our little bee a big sister!!! Technically, if we get pregnant... as of today we will already be 15 days pregnant and at the transfer will be 19 days pregnant!! WOW... After all the waiting and waiting we had to do last time, it seems as if this transfer snuck up on all of us.. I know John is still not believing that when he gets home we will be (we hope) over a month pregnant!!
Ahhhh.. let the fun begin..
As all of you know, Annabelle's birthday is the 31st and John will not be here so she and I will be heading to Kansas to be with Amber and family for the official big day but when we get home and John gets home we plan to have the "official" party!! I found the most adorable cake pan, shaped like a bee hive, at Williams Sonoma and am baking it right now (I need to know how hard it will be to decorate before the big day) .. I also got some adorable sugar bees to put on the hive.. I am soooo excited... We hope that Amber will be here as well as her Gran and O'daddy... Grammy, Papa, Uncle Randy, Sharelle and Craven will be here for sure and I think Uncle Kurt and kids will be in town too.. What fun!! I cant wait to see her eat the cake.. I don't do well with messes (yet) so I may have to work up to letting her make a mess at Ambers!! hahaha Kidding...
Ok.. Cake is done!! I need to go decorate!!
Love to you all ... please, as always, keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers.. as well my dear friend Christy on the 30th and Elizabeth (y'all remember she was pregnant with Connor last time we were pregnant) with her second pregnancy!!
Carolyn & Annabelle
On a side note, Amber had her last appointment before the transfer on Friday, and maybe the last as a non-pregnant woman!! Everything was perfect and we are scheduled for our transfer Friday, Jan 25th at 11:00!! Amber gets here Thursday evening and we will be off making our little bee a big sister!!! Technically, if we get pregnant... as of today we will already be 15 days pregnant and at the transfer will be 19 days pregnant!! WOW... After all the waiting and waiting we had to do last time, it seems as if this transfer snuck up on all of us.. I know John is still not believing that when he gets home we will be (we hope) over a month pregnant!!
Ahhhh.. let the fun begin..
As all of you know, Annabelle's birthday is the 31st and John will not be here so she and I will be heading to Kansas to be with Amber and family for the official big day but when we get home and John gets home we plan to have the "official" party!! I found the most adorable cake pan, shaped like a bee hive, at Williams Sonoma and am baking it right now (I need to know how hard it will be to decorate before the big day) .. I also got some adorable sugar bees to put on the hive.. I am soooo excited... We hope that Amber will be here as well as her Gran and O'daddy... Grammy, Papa, Uncle Randy, Sharelle and Craven will be here for sure and I think Uncle Kurt and kids will be in town too.. What fun!! I cant wait to see her eat the cake.. I don't do well with messes (yet) so I may have to work up to letting her make a mess at Ambers!! hahaha Kidding...
Ok.. Cake is done!! I need to go decorate!!
Love to you all ... please, as always, keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers.. as well my dear friend Christy on the 30th and Elizabeth (y'all remember she was pregnant with Connor last time we were pregnant) with her second pregnancy!!
Carolyn & Annabelle
16 Jan 2008
Annabelle photo
I just had to share this... she did this Monday night and did it again tuesday (this time I got photos of it) She kept kissing John and then Me back and fourth for about 5 minutes.. it was sooo cute...
14 Jan 2008
The countdown is on!!
Well, here we are.. 11 days from the beginnings of our next journey... it really seems surreal especially with John gone but come January 24th I know it will hit me.. this is the day Amber gets here!! So our plan is January 25th we do our second transfer and we hope to make dear Annabelle a big sister!! If all goes well and as planned then John will be getting some really exciting news for his birthday! There is a sad note and that is John will be away for Annabelle's big day.. BUT she and I will be traveling to Kansas to be with Amber (what better place to be for her big day than with her surromom in the place she was born?) and family to celebrate!! Once JOhn gets home we will have a party here but we both are really looking forward to being with Amber for that special day... lets hope they dont have the same weather they had this time last year! I huge snow storm... Keep your fingers crossed that all goes welll over the next few weeks and I will be sure to keep you all up to date!
On a side note, Annabelle has been sick (but is well now) with all kinds of issues.. Starting with a chest/nose issue.. I guess that would be considered an upper respratory infetion which lead into an ear infection, which as you read send us to the ER on the 30th of December with a high fever.. she was on ammoxicilin first (over the Christmas holiday) which didnt do any good, next she was on augmentin which after a few days really didnt help either... Thus our second trip to the ER with fevers of 103.7 and so fourth.. this time they suggested ruling out any other infection and dear Annabelle got to be cathed (yes, that is how they take a urine sample from a baby) and a chest x-ray... Loads of fun was had by all... well... bad mommy didnt get the chest x-ray due to my impatience and refusal to wait more than 1.5 hours to get it.. so that afternoon, back to the ER we go... more fever and this time they sent us directy to the radiologist for that x-ray (shame on me) and the results were looking like pneumonia but the ER doc said he wasnt a radiologist and we wouldnt know for sure until it was read. They now offered roseffin (pardon the spelling of these meds) which is an antibiotic shot that you get in three doses over three days .. we went home with a zpack for me and for her (didnt kwow they had such a think) and thought all was well... well, she spiked a fever again.. and it was all I could do to NOT go back to the ER.. so I called and spoke to the nurse... and she calmed my fears.. treat the fever and give it a day or two for the roseffin to kick in... I did and by the next day she was fever free! Day two of her shots I saw the PA at the clinic and she said she didnt hear anything in her lungs and that she might have MONO!!! ahhhh... and that the ER doc tends to over diagnose.. (this really bothered me that a PA would talk bad about a doc, arent they on the same team??) anywho... so day three (john's turn to take her) she got her shot and he talked to the PA (the same one from the day before) and she said it WAS pneumonia but the roseffin would knock it out.. by day two of the shots, she was back to normal and today you would never know she was even sick..
Right now we are at my parents for a few days killing time until Amber gets here and then John gets home.. It is nice to not be totally alone in a house for more than a few days at a time.. I tend to go stirr crazy... Lucky for me, Annabelle and I both love to window shop so we do lots of window (and sometimes not window) shopping while he is away..
Oh, I wanted to share the cutest thing... I showed Annabelle a photo (8x10) of John and I from our wedding and she took the photo and started kissing each of us... it ws so cute.. back and fourth kissing me then John... she did this for about 5 minutes.. I wish John could have seen her.. now our photo is covered in baby kisses..
Ok.. I need to get showered and geared for my day!!
love to you all and please continue to pray for all the men and women in harms way ... in addition those families that are left behind to carry on... I do believe it is tougher to be the one back home..
God bless
Carolyn (and Annabelle)
On a side note, Annabelle has been sick (but is well now) with all kinds of issues.. Starting with a chest/nose issue.. I guess that would be considered an upper respratory infetion which lead into an ear infection, which as you read send us to the ER on the 30th of December with a high fever.. she was on ammoxicilin first (over the Christmas holiday) which didnt do any good, next she was on augmentin which after a few days really didnt help either... Thus our second trip to the ER with fevers of 103.7 and so fourth.. this time they suggested ruling out any other infection and dear Annabelle got to be cathed (yes, that is how they take a urine sample from a baby) and a chest x-ray... Loads of fun was had by all... well... bad mommy didnt get the chest x-ray due to my impatience and refusal to wait more than 1.5 hours to get it.. so that afternoon, back to the ER we go... more fever and this time they sent us directy to the radiologist for that x-ray (shame on me) and the results were looking like pneumonia but the ER doc said he wasnt a radiologist and we wouldnt know for sure until it was read. They now offered roseffin (pardon the spelling of these meds) which is an antibiotic shot that you get in three doses over three days .. we went home with a zpack for me and for her (didnt kwow they had such a think) and thought all was well... well, she spiked a fever again.. and it was all I could do to NOT go back to the ER.. so I called and spoke to the nurse... and she calmed my fears.. treat the fever and give it a day or two for the roseffin to kick in... I did and by the next day she was fever free! Day two of her shots I saw the PA at the clinic and she said she didnt hear anything in her lungs and that she might have MONO!!! ahhhh... and that the ER doc tends to over diagnose.. (this really bothered me that a PA would talk bad about a doc, arent they on the same team??) anywho... so day three (john's turn to take her) she got her shot and he talked to the PA (the same one from the day before) and she said it WAS pneumonia but the roseffin would knock it out.. by day two of the shots, she was back to normal and today you would never know she was even sick..
Right now we are at my parents for a few days killing time until Amber gets here and then John gets home.. It is nice to not be totally alone in a house for more than a few days at a time.. I tend to go stirr crazy... Lucky for me, Annabelle and I both love to window shop so we do lots of window (and sometimes not window) shopping while he is away..
Oh, I wanted to share the cutest thing... I showed Annabelle a photo (8x10) of John and I from our wedding and she took the photo and started kissing each of us... it ws so cute.. back and fourth kissing me then John... she did this for about 5 minutes.. I wish John could have seen her.. now our photo is covered in baby kisses..
Ok.. I need to get showered and geared for my day!!
love to you all and please continue to pray for all the men and women in harms way ... in addition those families that are left behind to carry on... I do believe it is tougher to be the one back home..
God bless
Carolyn (and Annabelle)
4 Jan 2008
Yet another first!
Well.... we made it through the holidays.. almost... We ended up going to my parents for the Ruppel Christmas on Dec 29-30th. planning to head home on New Years Day... that was until Annabelle woke Sunday morning with a fever of 102.6... we watched her and she seemed ok for the most part but gradually slowed down and started acting like she didn't feel all that well... so not wanting to make Craven sick (he was sick over Christmas in Texas) we decided to head home after dinner Sunday night.. She normally just hangs out in the car and falls asleep after a few minutes but not this time.. or I should say she would doze off only to wake and cry... a very sad cry like she really didn't feel well... I felt her head and decided we should head to the ER on post instead of head home (our plan was to wait until Monday and see how she was doing.. good thing we didn't). Neither of us had visited the ER (for any reason other than to see someone that was there) so I was thankful he was home when we got to enjoy our first visit! on a Sunday night between two holidays none the less... we walked in and it didn't seem too bad.. maybe 20 or so people in the room waiting, mainly children.. so we settled in and watched the Titans on TV (GO TITANS!!) John thought it would be a good idea to see where her temp was so we checked in and it was now 103.3.. (103 was the magic number for a trip to the ER so we just saved ourselves a trip home) .. we continued to wait and realized it had been 6 hours since she had any Motrin so I asked if we could give her any, they said to wait until we saw the nurse.. well.. the lady sitting next to me said no way.. to give it to her anyway.. especially since we checked her temp again and it was 103.9.. so I gave her some Tylenol.. two hours later and we are seen.. not too bad considering there was a life flight issue and they stopped seeing anyone... (I really feel fortunate) so... we are seen by the nurse and she is now running a fever of 104.3!!! and her face is purple.. she was acting fine, kind of sluggish but not fussy or crying.. the others in the room waiting kept commenting on how bad she looked and that she sure looked sick.. looking back, she did look the worst in the room.. (next to the poor kid that apparently broke is toe or ankle) So the diagnosis was she still has the same ear infection.. and is now on a stronger antibiotic (which she hates) ... I am not so sure it is working either because we are on day 5 and she is still snotty nosed and has a cough.. (Keep her in your prayers please) but hasn't had any fever and acts happy most all the time.. who knows.. I will post more if it isn't gone in 5 more days..
So... I have more to say but will save it for another day..
Here is a photo just as we were going home.. fever down to 101.5 and feeling much better!
By jandcevans
Love to you all! Keep those prayers for the soldiers and their families!! (and my hubby here in about 6 days)
Carolyn
So... I have more to say but will save it for another day..
Here is a photo just as we were going home.. fever down to 101.5 and feeling much better!
By jandcevans
Love to you all! Keep those prayers for the soldiers and their families!! (and my hubby here in about 6 days)
Carolyn
25 Dec 2007
Annabelle's First Christmas
We all woke about the same time, 7:00am Est and to much joy the 5 children sprung into action with their new toys left by Santa..!! Haley and all her Barbie items, Daniel with his Spiderman figures... Samuel (who I think liked Jackson's toys better than his own) with his pirate ship and construction trucks, Jackson with Thomas the train tracks and dear Annabelle with her little bug that lights up with different shapes and sounds!! it was crazy but everyone seemed to be good all year as Santa was nice and brought them plenty to play with!
After the frenzy of toy playing, Gran prepared a large breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash brown casserole and fruit! It was delicious and reinforcing my need to get back to the gym.. Today Jer, Tina, Sam and Jack are heading back to their house for another Christmas gathering so it will just be Jason, Ginny, Haley and Daniel here with us.. :) we are looking forward to spending some time with cousins Haley and Daniel!
We will stay here until Thursday or Friday and head home for the Ruppel Christmas on December 30th and New Years with the Campbell Clan of the Herrera's, Black's and the Leamon's! Thank you all for the prayers for Stephanie! her surgery went well and she was able to be home for Christmas!
As always please keep our soldier and their families in your prayers..
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
John, Carolyn and Annabelle
After the frenzy of toy playing, Gran prepared a large breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash brown casserole and fruit! It was delicious and reinforcing my need to get back to the gym.. Today Jer, Tina, Sam and Jack are heading back to their house for another Christmas gathering so it will just be Jason, Ginny, Haley and Daniel here with us.. :) we are looking forward to spending some time with cousins Haley and Daniel!
We will stay here until Thursday or Friday and head home for the Ruppel Christmas on December 30th and New Years with the Campbell Clan of the Herrera's, Black's and the Leamon's! Thank you all for the prayers for Stephanie! her surgery went well and she was able to be home for Christmas!
As always please keep our soldier and their families in your prayers..
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
John, Carolyn and Annabelle
17 Dec 2007
Another First!! (not a good one though)
Yes, we knew it would happen at some point but today confirmed it. Annabelle has an ear infection from her stuffy nose and congestion... She is just fine, in fact hasn't been fussy much at all but has been under the weather for more than a week and running an on again off again fever just as long. I decided to take her to the clinic today just to make sure and to have her well for our trip to Gran and Odaddys. After a short visit to the doctor, for those of you that know what it is like to sit in a clinic on post, it really was a short visit to the doctor (30 minutes start to finish). After I got her meds sent to the pharmacy at the hospital I picked up my number and realized there were 42 people in front of me.. no, you did not read that incorrectly. 42. So I went to visit a friend for about 45 minutes and went back down to the pharmacy and still had 30 people to go.. needless to say, I went back to the clinic, got a written script and took her prescriptions to wal-mart and paid my 21 bucks... Gees...
I hope you are all well.. Please say a prayer for my friend Stephanie (a faithful reader and good friend) for a speedy recovery.. John and I are thinking about you and know God is looking over you and your family. As well Ambers sister who is going through a tough time. As always, keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers over the Christmas Holiday...
We love you all
Carolyn
I hope you are all well.. Please say a prayer for my friend Stephanie (a faithful reader and good friend) for a speedy recovery.. John and I are thinking about you and know God is looking over you and your family. As well Ambers sister who is going through a tough time. As always, keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers over the Christmas Holiday...
We love you all
Carolyn
11 Dec 2007
Dedication
This is a short post which I promise to follow up with a longer one. Thanks to all our families and friends for their support of Annabelle's Dedication on Sunday. It was great to see so many people make it to the church considering the inhospitable weather. A special thanks to Gran and ODaddy for making the trip from NC to babysit while we were out of town and then attend the Dedication. It was a special and blessed day for each of us, and we are so happy that we got to spend it with so many of the special people in Annabelle's life!
God's continued blessings on you all, and please remember our men and women in the service as they spend their Holiday Season away from loved ones!
John (and Carolyn and Annabelle)
God's continued blessings on you all, and please remember our men and women in the service as they spend their Holiday Season away from loved ones!
John (and Carolyn and Annabelle)
9 Nov 2007
FIRST STEPS!!!
Hello Journal Faithful,
Dad gets to make this post. I had been a bit glum lately with the realization that Annabelle was gaining balance and coordination so quickly that she would likely take her first steps while I am deployed in the near future. No so! We can proudly proclaim that as of last night (November 8th) she took her first unassisted steps!! As one of the quintessential milestones of baby development, we were simply awestruck to see her standing unassisted and then taking that first tenuous step. She stood for 5 to 6 seconds, looked at Daddy, and then put one foot in front of the other. She was able to stabilize for a few seconds longer before inattention and gravity toppled her, but she was no doubt WELL aware of her achievement by mine and Carolyn's clapping and shouts of excitement. Later in the evening she actually took 3 small steps without falling, then this morning she repeated her feat of last night and took two steps towards her waiting mother as we cheered and encouraged her.
We knew that she was close to her first steps based on her ability to pull up quite easily, but it is a very special thing for me to be present for this important event. I can leave town next week knowing that I will not miss this special milestone. If what we hear from our friends is true, the confidence she has gained from these first few steps will turn quickly into Mom and Dad chasing her everywhere. I think the Ruppel clan will get a great opportunity to chase her around at Thanksgiving, and the Evans clan had better put up the baby gates for Christmas!
God's continued blessing on each of you and remember our troops everywhere this holiday season!
John (and Carolyn)
Dad gets to make this post. I had been a bit glum lately with the realization that Annabelle was gaining balance and coordination so quickly that she would likely take her first steps while I am deployed in the near future. No so! We can proudly proclaim that as of last night (November 8th) she took her first unassisted steps!! As one of the quintessential milestones of baby development, we were simply awestruck to see her standing unassisted and then taking that first tenuous step. She stood for 5 to 6 seconds, looked at Daddy, and then put one foot in front of the other. She was able to stabilize for a few seconds longer before inattention and gravity toppled her, but she was no doubt WELL aware of her achievement by mine and Carolyn's clapping and shouts of excitement. Later in the evening she actually took 3 small steps without falling, then this morning she repeated her feat of last night and took two steps towards her waiting mother as we cheered and encouraged her.
We knew that she was close to her first steps based on her ability to pull up quite easily, but it is a very special thing for me to be present for this important event. I can leave town next week knowing that I will not miss this special milestone. If what we hear from our friends is true, the confidence she has gained from these first few steps will turn quickly into Mom and Dad chasing her everywhere. I think the Ruppel clan will get a great opportunity to chase her around at Thanksgiving, and the Evans clan had better put up the baby gates for Christmas!
God's continued blessing on each of you and remember our troops everywhere this holiday season!
John (and Carolyn)
10 Oct 2007
More news!!
I just have to share with everyone that Craven too has many first but a big one just happened the other day, maybe the same day as Annabelle... He got his first TWO teeth!! Way to go Craven!!! Pretty soon we are all going to have big grins full of pearly whites!
I have been trying to take a photo of Annabelle's tooth but... well.. you can imagine how that has gone over.. hahahahahaha... I have just managed to really tick her off...
Another thing is our sweet Auntie Amber is going to be here in a few weeks!! we are all so excited to see her, it has been WAY TO LONG and we all have been missing her so much!!
YEAH YEAH YEAH !!
I just HAD to share the big news!!
Love to you all
Carolyn John and snaggle tooth Annabelle...
I have been trying to take a photo of Annabelle's tooth but... well.. you can imagine how that has gone over.. hahahahahaha... I have just managed to really tick her off...
Another thing is our sweet Auntie Amber is going to be here in a few weeks!! we are all so excited to see her, it has been WAY TO LONG and we all have been missing her so much!!
YEAH YEAH YEAH !!
I just HAD to share the big news!!
Love to you all
Carolyn John and snaggle tooth Annabelle...
9 Oct 2007
One more 1st for Annabelle
Hello everyone.. I realize two posts in a week is pretty good for me these days!! There are so many new things with dear Annabelle I really could post daily it seems but just don't have the time.. Today, however, I do because John has a horrible cough and we are up at 4:30... AB isn't thankfully but I am so I thought I would fill you all in on her latest 1st...
Drum roll please..............
Annabelle got her first tooth yesterday... well, we discovered it yesterday... It is a little, sharp, nip poking through the skin... She was less happy than normal yesterday with John (like screaming all the way to the Zoo when she normally would have been napping) so I thought I would check... Sticking my fingers in her mouth isn't something I do very often so it could have been there a day or so but I'd say yesterday was the big day!!
It is so amazing thinking about what she is going to look like.. her smile, her expressions... now we just need hair!! which is growing but oh so slowly...
All right coffee is calling me..
Love to you all and God bless our troops
Carolyn (John and Annabelle)
Drum roll please..............
Annabelle got her first tooth yesterday... well, we discovered it yesterday... It is a little, sharp, nip poking through the skin... She was less happy than normal yesterday with John (like screaming all the way to the Zoo when she normally would have been napping) so I thought I would check... Sticking my fingers in her mouth isn't something I do very often so it could have been there a day or so but I'd say yesterday was the big day!!
It is so amazing thinking about what she is going to look like.. her smile, her expressions... now we just need hair!! which is growing but oh so slowly...
All right coffee is calling me..
Love to you all and God bless our troops
Carolyn (John and Annabelle)
7 Oct 2007
A week full of firsts
A week of firsts for Annabelle
Well as many of you know, we went to the beach last week with the Evans clan. All 13 of us and we had a blast!!! But for us it was even more special because Annabelle got to experience many things for the first time ever! The first 1st was her very first plane trip! Not only did she fly in a plane but she few in her mommy’s favorite, a prop plane! Oh the joys… She was wonderful (I will attach photos below) She slept on the first leg from here to Atlanta but was wide awake for the three hour layover and for the last 90 minute prop plane leg to Myrtle Beach. Mommy was VERY stressed over the whole ordeal but it really was no big deal… yeah….
So we arrive in Myrtle Beach and O’Daddy was there to pick us up… her second 1st was getting to ride in a big girl car seat (facing backward, don’t you worry) she LOVED it because it had a much better and bigger view of what was going on. We got in late in the afternoon so we didn’t get to go to the beach that day but we hung out with the family and ate dinner together (which is quite interesting when 13 people are in one tiny room trying to eat and keep the bigger kids from running over the two smaller ones) This day was when we celebrated Daniel's birthday so we all had cake and really enjoyed ourselves. No cake for Beebelle but she did have a little icing…
The next day (Sunday) was her first time on the beach… At first she wasn’t so sure about it, it is noisy, the waves are kind of strong and the sand isn’t very soft… BUT IT SURE TASTES GOOD!!! Yes the next 1st was eating sand…. Lots of it (and let me tell you, going in is MUCH more fun than coming out, she has quite the diaper rash or should I say sand rash on her bum, poor baby) Every hand was full of sand and even when it wasn’t she was sucking on her fingers loving the salt of the ocean… Mommy had to get over the grossness of it all and realize there really was no way to “beach” without her eating it… But not only did she eat sand, but she had sand in places I didn’t know you could get sand…
We also had a pool, heated to the point it was more like a huge hot tub, at the beach house and Annabelle loved it as well… Her 1st time in a big pool but more importantly her first time to actually swim… no kidding… she is a natural and pushed herself out of our arms to swim around with us holding her, kicking and just having a ball! We worked the courage up to dunk her and she did a great job holding her breath! Then we started dunking her and pushing her a few feet underwater to the other and she did a great job with that too! She really loves the water and by the next day or so even started to enjoy the ocean!
We found some really nice wading pools in the beach and Annabelle crawled and splashed (while eating sand) all around having a ball! She eventually worked her way to the oceans edge and crawled around all the while the waves were pushing up against and around her… We were all so thrilled she enjoyed the water and warmed up to the ocean… It certainly can be a scary place for a little one…
Another 1st was Oct 1st (Monday) when we were all gathered for dinner (which we did all but one night) and out of the blue, Annabelle started clapping… so we, the proud Evans’ clan joined in!! Every time she clapped the other 12 did as well cheering her on!! It was so funny watching her watch us clap and cheer every time she clapped… so from then on, clapping was her thing… she clapped about everything… and still does.. It is very cute…
Another 1st came when Dad decided he wanted to fish so Annabelle and I went for a walk and when we got back, I took the rod while he went to get the other rod (Annabelle on my back) and we (Annabelle and I) caught the biggest fish of the week (I think) so Annabelle had her first fishing/catching experience this week!
Let me recap
1. Plane ride
2. Big girl seat
3. Sand eating
4. Ocean
5. Swimming pool
6. Going under for real in the pool
7. Clapping
8. Fishing
Ah, but there is more!
I forgot to mention, while waiting at the airport, we got to ride the subway to get to one terminal to another so we’ll count that as a first! 1st subway (or Metro) ride...
Dad got adventurous and fed me different things and one was flounder… so another first was eating fish/meat! She really liked it and ate quite a bit…
One night we decided to head to the pier, so this was Annabelle’s first trip on the pier!! Ha-ha, I know y’all are getting sick of this, no one enjoys it as much as we do I will not mentioned all the other little 1st like, first time to South Carolina, or her first time to an aquarium or her first time to touch a sand crab or a live fish, or her first tiny sunburn, or first trip through airport security, or her first “souvenir” …. I won’t bother you with things like her first time to wear an outfit or her first time to watch the sun rise and set or her first time to move from one couch standing to another without falling, or her first time to really play with her cousin Haley… I won’t bother you with all those things... ha-ha, honestly my fingers are getting tired of typing…
So we are home and had a great time! All of us… and we are counting down the days ‘till we are back again!!
Below are photos in order (I hope) of the entry plus some extras of the week...
We love you all
Carolyn, John and Annabelle
First leg of plane ride with mom
Second leg of plane ride with dad
By jandcevans
Eating Sand!
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
Enjoying the Ocean
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
Swimming pool time!
By jandcevans
Fishing with Mom
By jandcevans
The pier
By jandcevans
Cute shots of Annabelle
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
Well as many of you know, we went to the beach last week with the Evans clan. All 13 of us and we had a blast!!! But for us it was even more special because Annabelle got to experience many things for the first time ever! The first 1st was her very first plane trip! Not only did she fly in a plane but she few in her mommy’s favorite, a prop plane! Oh the joys… She was wonderful (I will attach photos below) She slept on the first leg from here to Atlanta but was wide awake for the three hour layover and for the last 90 minute prop plane leg to Myrtle Beach. Mommy was VERY stressed over the whole ordeal but it really was no big deal… yeah….
So we arrive in Myrtle Beach and O’Daddy was there to pick us up… her second 1st was getting to ride in a big girl car seat (facing backward, don’t you worry) she LOVED it because it had a much better and bigger view of what was going on. We got in late in the afternoon so we didn’t get to go to the beach that day but we hung out with the family and ate dinner together (which is quite interesting when 13 people are in one tiny room trying to eat and keep the bigger kids from running over the two smaller ones) This day was when we celebrated Daniel's birthday so we all had cake and really enjoyed ourselves. No cake for Beebelle but she did have a little icing…
The next day (Sunday) was her first time on the beach… At first she wasn’t so sure about it, it is noisy, the waves are kind of strong and the sand isn’t very soft… BUT IT SURE TASTES GOOD!!! Yes the next 1st was eating sand…. Lots of it (and let me tell you, going in is MUCH more fun than coming out, she has quite the diaper rash or should I say sand rash on her bum, poor baby) Every hand was full of sand and even when it wasn’t she was sucking on her fingers loving the salt of the ocean… Mommy had to get over the grossness of it all and realize there really was no way to “beach” without her eating it… But not only did she eat sand, but she had sand in places I didn’t know you could get sand…
We also had a pool, heated to the point it was more like a huge hot tub, at the beach house and Annabelle loved it as well… Her 1st time in a big pool but more importantly her first time to actually swim… no kidding… she is a natural and pushed herself out of our arms to swim around with us holding her, kicking and just having a ball! We worked the courage up to dunk her and she did a great job holding her breath! Then we started dunking her and pushing her a few feet underwater to the other and she did a great job with that too! She really loves the water and by the next day or so even started to enjoy the ocean!
We found some really nice wading pools in the beach and Annabelle crawled and splashed (while eating sand) all around having a ball! She eventually worked her way to the oceans edge and crawled around all the while the waves were pushing up against and around her… We were all so thrilled she enjoyed the water and warmed up to the ocean… It certainly can be a scary place for a little one…
Another 1st was Oct 1st (Monday) when we were all gathered for dinner (which we did all but one night) and out of the blue, Annabelle started clapping… so we, the proud Evans’ clan joined in!! Every time she clapped the other 12 did as well cheering her on!! It was so funny watching her watch us clap and cheer every time she clapped… so from then on, clapping was her thing… she clapped about everything… and still does.. It is very cute…
Another 1st came when Dad decided he wanted to fish so Annabelle and I went for a walk and when we got back, I took the rod while he went to get the other rod (Annabelle on my back) and we (Annabelle and I) caught the biggest fish of the week (I think) so Annabelle had her first fishing/catching experience this week!
Let me recap
1. Plane ride
2. Big girl seat
3. Sand eating
4. Ocean
5. Swimming pool
6. Going under for real in the pool
7. Clapping
8. Fishing
Ah, but there is more!
I forgot to mention, while waiting at the airport, we got to ride the subway to get to one terminal to another so we’ll count that as a first! 1st subway (or Metro) ride...
Dad got adventurous and fed me different things and one was flounder… so another first was eating fish/meat! She really liked it and ate quite a bit…
One night we decided to head to the pier, so this was Annabelle’s first trip on the pier!! Ha-ha, I know y’all are getting sick of this, no one enjoys it as much as we do I will not mentioned all the other little 1st like, first time to South Carolina, or her first time to an aquarium or her first time to touch a sand crab or a live fish, or her first tiny sunburn, or first trip through airport security, or her first “souvenir” …. I won’t bother you with things like her first time to wear an outfit or her first time to watch the sun rise and set or her first time to move from one couch standing to another without falling, or her first time to really play with her cousin Haley… I won’t bother you with all those things... ha-ha, honestly my fingers are getting tired of typing…
So we are home and had a great time! All of us… and we are counting down the days ‘till we are back again!!
Below are photos in order (I hope) of the entry plus some extras of the week...
We love you all
Carolyn, John and Annabelle
First leg of plane ride with mom
Second leg of plane ride with dad
By jandcevans
Eating Sand!
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
Enjoying the Ocean
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
Swimming pool time!
By jandcevans
Fishing with Mom
By jandcevans
The pier
By jandcevans
Cute shots of Annabelle
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
By jandcevans
28 Sep 2007
Ready for the Beach
Hello Readers,
I have a few minutes at work this morning so I thought I would offer a quick post. Tonight we will head to Nashville to spend the night with Grammy and Papa (they have graciously agreed to get up early and take us to the airport on Saturday). Carolyn and I are both a bit nervous about Annabelle's first flight. We are happy to be exposing her to air travel at an early age, but concerned about decompression during the decent (that's generally the time that all the kids start crying while they try to figure out why their ears are hurting). I think she will be fine and I have assured Carolyn that I will hold her if she gets too fussy (yeah, fat chance - when she's fussy she generally wants "mama" and no one else!).
We are very excited about spending the week with the family at Myrtle Beach. The last time her little cousins saw her, Annabelle was just a bundle that cried from time to time. Now she is smiling and laughing and crawling and pulling up on things. I think her cousins will be facinated by her (especially cousin Haley). Annabelle really enjoys other kids, and though she still can't interact or play very much, she always watches with rapt attention as they play around her.
We will be sure to post as soon as we get back to let everyone know how things go. I know Gran, in particular, is very excited about seeing her youngest and most geographically distant grandchild. We know that "Gran-Time" is always at a premium when the cousins get together at a family gathering, but we will try to make sure she gets some one on one time with Annabelle.
As for myself, I am looking forward to getting away from the office for awhile. The pace stays pretty busy here, but I have a talented supporting cast that ensures the Battalion operates smoothly in my absence (perhaps even SMOOTHER in my absence!). Carolyn is out "Yard Sale Shopping" this morning - her newest Friday morning activity (Christy, Haevenly and Andrea - you are bad, bad people!). It will be interesting to see what she comes home with today!
Our prayers and blessings on all of you. Please keep our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in your prayers daily, and remember our Fallen. Sunday, 30 September, is National Gold Star Mother's Day. If you know someone who has lost a son or daughter in combat, say a prayer for them or perhaps give them a call to thank them for their boundless sacrifice. Our best to everyone! God bless!
John (and Carolyn and Beebelle)
I have a few minutes at work this morning so I thought I would offer a quick post. Tonight we will head to Nashville to spend the night with Grammy and Papa (they have graciously agreed to get up early and take us to the airport on Saturday). Carolyn and I are both a bit nervous about Annabelle's first flight. We are happy to be exposing her to air travel at an early age, but concerned about decompression during the decent (that's generally the time that all the kids start crying while they try to figure out why their ears are hurting). I think she will be fine and I have assured Carolyn that I will hold her if she gets too fussy (yeah, fat chance - when she's fussy she generally wants "mama" and no one else!).
We are very excited about spending the week with the family at Myrtle Beach. The last time her little cousins saw her, Annabelle was just a bundle that cried from time to time. Now she is smiling and laughing and crawling and pulling up on things. I think her cousins will be facinated by her (especially cousin Haley). Annabelle really enjoys other kids, and though she still can't interact or play very much, she always watches with rapt attention as they play around her.
We will be sure to post as soon as we get back to let everyone know how things go. I know Gran, in particular, is very excited about seeing her youngest and most geographically distant grandchild. We know that "Gran-Time" is always at a premium when the cousins get together at a family gathering, but we will try to make sure she gets some one on one time with Annabelle.
As for myself, I am looking forward to getting away from the office for awhile. The pace stays pretty busy here, but I have a talented supporting cast that ensures the Battalion operates smoothly in my absence (perhaps even SMOOTHER in my absence!). Carolyn is out "Yard Sale Shopping" this morning - her newest Friday morning activity (Christy, Haevenly and Andrea - you are bad, bad people!). It will be interesting to see what she comes home with today!
Our prayers and blessings on all of you. Please keep our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in your prayers daily, and remember our Fallen. Sunday, 30 September, is National Gold Star Mother's Day. If you know someone who has lost a son or daughter in combat, say a prayer for them or perhaps give them a call to thank them for their boundless sacrifice. Our best to everyone! God bless!
John (and Carolyn and Beebelle)