On to #2...

Baby Starnes #2 at almost 7 weeks (our little kidney bean)

Well, it is official.....we are having another BABY! Yes, I am almost 12 weeks pregnant and due January 14th. Today was our first doctor's appointment and it went really well. We had had a little scare right around 7 weeks with some bleeding, but we had an ultrasound and confirmed that the little munchkin was doing just fine. And at our appointment today we heard the heart beat (for the second time) and it was right around 164 bpm's. Anyone know what that means? Is the boys heart rate generally faster or the girls? Does anyone remember what their kids where? I don't think I ever wrote down what Caleb's was.

I have been feeling GREAT which has been a HUGE blessing with a little "almost" 2 year old running around! I have been tired and a little "yucky" in the evenings but not really any sickness. I think I am coming out of it now too which is nice. I know many women have it MUCH WORSE so I don't complain! Anyways, that's our news for now. We are very excited and we will be sure to take "belly shots" and post them periodically (at least once a month). I have get my scrapbook going! ;) We will also be finding out the gender so there will be another BIG blog probably at the end of August announcing if we will have another boy or our very first girl!!

FUN! I love being pregnant (really I do!).

Blessings!

Water, Water Everywhere!

I wanted to share a few pictures and video clips of Caleb playing in the water on Friday. This is the first year he has liked the water and it took him a little bit to warm up to the idea but he loved it after that. He LOVES to be outside (no matter what weather) so it makes for a good afternoon. Enjoy the pictures and video!

Jumping...

Caleb learned how to jump quite a while ago, but he has just gotten the hang of jumping with TWO feet off the ground. He thinks it's pretty cool. I wanted to share these two cute videos of him jumping (or "gunking" as he calls it). He was having a lot of fun! Enjoy!

Outdoors...

Wanted to share some pictures of Caleb playing outside in the glorious weather! He LOVES to be outside!!

NOT ME Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I most definitely did not let my son run around without pants on while I tried to finish up laundry the other day. We had plenty of clothes clean....I love doing laundry!

Is it even legal to put a bare butt on a blog? Isn't it cute though!?!

I most certainly did not take pictures of these beautiful flowers that were growing by our back patio yesterday...quickly to learn from my husband that they were probably just weeds! Never....I know the difference between flowers and weeds!

AND, I would never be such a bad mom that I take VIDEO of my son going to the restroom. I was NOT sitting there giggling while he played his rendition of Mozart while sitting on the pot! What kind of mom would I be if I did that.....NOT ME!!!

Cherish every moment...

Today was my very last MOPS meeting until September and there was a speaker that was not a professional speaker but just an older mom that attended the church that hosts our MOPS. She just wanted to do a short speech about how honorable it is to be a mother.


She told us that she wanted to HONOR us today. That being a mom is THE HARDEST JOB on this planet and that we should be honored to raise our children. She went on to say that each day can be a struggle. There are new challenges that we face each morning that we wake up. We do something constantly throughout the day....whether it is laundry, read books, listen to stories, play outside, catch bugs, build snowmen, tie shoes, place bandaids, wash faces and hands, sit by the toilet with a toddler, feed hungry kids, or kiss sweet cheeks...we are always doing SOMETHING! So many of those things are what fill my day.



She told us that even through the business of life, we need to take time to JUST BE. Not be caught up in all the "little" activities of the daily grind, but take time to just be with our child with no other strings attached....no laundry staring us in the face, no dinner hanging over our shoulder, no running to the store.....JUST BE WITH THEM. That is what they really need!



For me it is so hard to JUST BE. There are "things" and tasks that consume me during the day and before I know it, the day is done and I am placing Caleb in his crib for a good night's rest. Where do all the days go?? My baby will be two in July! CRAZY! I feel I haven't taken enough time to soak it all in and just be his mom!



So, for the rest of today, I am going to JUST BE there for Caleb. In every way he needs me! I am going to turn this computer off, turn off the TV, and PLAY (once he wakes up from his nap). I am even going to order pizza for dinner so I don't have to cook! (YEAH!)



All you mom's out there....take time to JUST BE with your children. No strings or "tasks" attached! Cherish every moment you have with them and "hide them in your heart" because they grow too fast!



BE HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE A MOTHER TODAY!!! You deserve it!
Happy Mother's Day (next weekend)!




Oh and I thought I would add a picture of Caleb on Easter morning....
where did my little boy go?!?!?!?!

Some updates...and Happy Easter!

It seems like forever since I have blogged. Maybe just not a whole lot to say?!?! Not sure. Anyway, here are some updates.

Kirk has gotten a "temporary" job for now. He is working with one of our friends from church doing some statistical analysis/measurement work for a charter school office headquarters. It is a little monotonous for him right now (and he is a little overwhelmed with learning a few new software programs) but he is doing well with it. He is a smart guy! It pays more than unemployment so that is a blessing. It is possible he may be able to take a full-time job that would be slightly different with this same company in the near future so we'll see. He doesn't WANT to leave Atwell (where he currently works as a Civil Engineer) but the company is doing REALLY BAD financially and therefore he has no work. The main thing right now f0r us is income so we are trying to be open to what God has for us....whether it is Kirk doing engineering or moving onto a different "field". At least he has work for now :) Praise God!

I am continuing to look for part time work as well. Not much out there though! The hospitals around her are so large that it is really hard to get into them unless you have a "connection" with someone or something there. We are seeking God on this one too. I have always thought God wanted me to stay home with my kids, but we may be forced to look for something part time for me with the situation we are in. We are just waiting to see if God opens any doors. If not, that's fine, we just need to see what His will is for us.

Caleb is doing just fine. He is a VERY VERY active almost 2 year old! I am amazed every day at how much energy he has! He is a lot of fun though too. He has started laughing at himself and that is a riot! He will do something funny just to get a reaction out of us and then he will just laugh and laugh as he repeats his "stunts". We love it. He also has started making a "whoosh" sound every time he throws or kicks a ball. He definitely is growing into a BOY.....and too fast if you ask me! He loves to be outside and cries almost every time we have to come back in (even if its freezing outside!).

One of his favorite things right now is playing Wii Tiger Woods Golf with "dada". Kirk took the batteries out of one of the remotes for him and he stands next to Kirk and swings the "golf club". He make a classic "whoosh" sound when he does too. He also enjoys Wii Baseball as well :) I attached some pictures of Kirk and Caleb in action! So cute!

I hope this finds everyone well! I have been humbled these last few days as I remember and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice my Savior made for me on the Cross. Who am I that He would send is Son to die in my place? Christ has covered me with His blood, made me white as snow, so that I can know and serve Jesus! WOW! Thank you God for your sacrifice on my behalf! I am blessed and humbled. Thank you Lord!

He has risen......HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

-Amy

Our little "golfer"

You my be wondering why his clothes match so well (or not at all)...we had a few potty accidents in the morning and these were his only clean pants. Don't judge :)

Having fun with "dada"