Big Surprise!!

We were very surprised at the end of our doctor's appointment today, because we found out what we're having!!!  We're 98% sure we are having another boy!!!!!!  We are so excited to add another precious little boy to our family!  Here's the story of why we found out today... 

We weren't scheduled for an ultrasound today, but the doctor couldn't find the baby's heartbeat (for what seemed like an eternity).  He said he was going to do an ultrasound down the hall, since he couldn't find it.  Immediately he found the baby, and the baby was very active, jumping the whole time, and thankfully looked normal and healthy (and a bit like an alien!).  I asked him if we'd be able to see any boy/girl parts and he said, "Probably not at this point."  THEN, we got a perfect shot, and he said, "Oh, well nevermind!"  I said, "Are we having a boy?" because it was clear as day, and he said, "Yes!"  Josh asked him how sure he was, and he, being very conservative, said he was 98% sure.  I was shocked!  We were in disbelief and couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces!!  

I am soooo thrilled that we are going to have a house full of boys.  Josh is so proud to have another Satterfield boy, and I've loved seeing the wheels turning in his head of all of the fun this will be!  

Oh, and we already have his name picked out, too!  His name is Jack Michael Satterfield!  I love how James and Jack sound together, and we had to go with the "J" tradition on the Satterfield side.  Michael is my dad's name, Josh's dad's middle name, and my brother's name, and JMS will be his initials, which is the same as Josh's dad (Joe Michael Satterfield).  

Anyways, couldn't wait to share the news!  Here are his ultrasound pictures!

I rotated the pictures to where it you get an upright position (like he's standing up). In the first picture, you can see his face...two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, with his abdomen underneath. In the second picture you can kind of make out his body, seeing his shoulder, arm, and a little bit of his legs. I saw a better picture of his whole body right off the bat (when I saw him jumping, his knees bending, arms flailing, etc), but we he didn't go back to that for the picture.

MDO Program!

Tonight was our Mother's Day Out end of the year program.  I was SO excited when I learned that James' class was going to participate in it!  I caught glimpses of him practicing on the stage over the past few weeks and teared up at what a big boy he was!




Each age group did a few songs (video to come later) , including my niece, Mary Beth, and then my sweet, adorable class had their graduation! I, along with a few parents, got choked up as each child walked on stage and the director handed them their diplomas and said what they were going to be when they grow up. Each child has a little bit of a hold on my heart, and it's so sad that I might not see them again, since they are all off to Kindergarten next year! I am not going to teach this summer or next year, since I'm pregnant and will have a baby halfway through the year. I will continue to send James and actually use it as a Mother's Day Out next year, which I'm excited about, but I know I will definitely miss teaching! Notice in the second picture of James' class how his hands are over his eyes.  He was overwhelmed with excitement at that point, mixed with a little shyness.  Below pictures of James and Deedah being silly. Only Deedah can get James to do his big smiles for the camera like this! The last picture is of my with a couple of my kids after the performance.

Weeks 1-10

This is going to be a overview of the first 10 weeks of my pregnancy.  I'm starting with week 1, because that's when I actually felt my first symptoms!  

About a week into the pregnancy (after conception), I started having some heart palpitations.  I noticed that it was happening all throughout the day, almost every day.  I called my mom and she said it could actually be a symptom of pregnancy!  I used to have problems with palpitations, so I'm very aware of them and knew I hadn't had them in years like this.  

Those died down, but then about 2 weeks into my pregnancy, I started feeling very faint.  I clearly remember hosting a church class lunch at our house and feeling not so good while we were doing the dishes.  That's also when I started feeling a little extra tired.

About 3-4 weeks into my pregnancy...just before I was able to test, I started to head out somewhere but had to turn around and buy a smoothie because I was blacking out.

When it came time to test, I had a very strong feeling that it was positive, and so did Josh.  We, being very impatient with this, took several tests that were negative.  We decided to wait a few days before taking another one.  

On Friday, April 4, we took a test and saw that beautiful pink line!  We were ecstatic, giddy, and just oh so joyful!  We were also excited because we were scheduled to fly to Atlanta that day, so we could tell all of Josh's family in person.  

We tested around 7:15, so we decided to drive over to my parents' house and tell them before work.  My dad answered the door with a very puzzled look on his face.  I said," James just wanted to come tell you that...he's going to be a big brother!"  I got the dad laugh with the huge smile that I love!  I then went back in their bathroom and told my mom.  She was thrilled as well.  We then went over to Elizabeth's house and told them the news.  It was such a fun morning!!  We then called my brother and sister-in-law, because we couldn't wait until we saw them in person.

That day, we tried to fly to Atlanta, but it didn't work out, so we went the next day.  We had so much fun making our announcement to each group of people we were with.  Aunt Jo Anna said that she knew I was and that she knows it's a girl (Aunt Jilinda said the same thing).  

I started feeling nauseous around week 5, and that continued into week 6 and 7.  Week 8, it started to get a lot better.  I hardly notice it now, except every once in a while.  That is pretty similar to what happened last time, but I think this time has been worse than last time.  With James, I threw up a couple of times a week from taking a shower for work in the morning.  My saving grace this time has been that I don't have to get ready right away.  Josh has been staying a little later  in the mornings, getting up with James, and getting me cereal every morning while my stomach "wakes up".  

I was very very tired those same weeks, 5, 6, 7, and 8.  Around halfway through 8 weeks, I started to feel a little more like a normal person.  Those were some hard mornings, when I could hardly keep my eyes open and James was being his normal active self.  Some days, he would let me doze while he would play and watch tv, which was wonderful, but some days he was more grumpy/fussy.  We've made it through, though, and I'm happy to be on the way out of that!!

Some differences from last time are that I am getting heartburn.  I think I got heartburn one DAY with James, but I get it frequently now.  I am also have a lot of back pain, where I'm limping at times throughout the day, which didn't happen until much later with James.  Someone told me that your back remembers and gets worse faster with the second.  Another difference is that I'm already not sleeping well.  I am usually the best sleeper, but every night I'm getting up several times to go to the bathroom, having nightmares like crazy, waking up hot, then cold, then hot, then cold.  

I would have to say that something I've really noticed this time is how incredibly HUNGRY I am.  I don't remember this last time, but I get to the point of my body almost shutting down DAILY because I'm so hungry.  I've been ordering big meals at 4:30 a couple of times a week because I can't wait and no snack will do.  It's the biggest pain, especially with a toddler.  

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because for the most part, I've been so happy and excited that this is all for our second baby.  It's amazing how much you can put up with knowing it's just the pregnancy and that it will go away!

More on the food topic, I have been wanting lots of pasta (fettucini alfredo kick for a while), chicken (which repulsed me last time), Mexican food, and sweets (which I usually can do without).  I have to have a sweet drink every day.  I haven't missed coffee at all (big for me), although I did enjoy my first cup of decaf last week.  Josh has made some runs to Rosa's for me for queso and tortillas, Sonic for water with lemon, and a few others.  He loves catering to my pregnant cravings and for some reason thinks it's really cute.  I'm so glad, because I will literally drool over these cravings and obsess until they're in my hands.  

That leads me to the next topic, my belly.  I showed early with James, so it's no surprise that I'm already showing.  For the past few weeks, I've been looking preggo at night, but not in the morning.  Just this past week, I started waking up with a belly.  I got my first comment from a friend at church on Wednesday night that she could see my bump when I walked in.  There's no hiding it now with my more slim fitting shirts on.  My jeans that I bought this past winter are my new best friend.  I accidentally bought them a little too big, and now, I wear them almost every day, since I can't fit into my tighter pants, and I still feel like I can wear my jeans!  I recommend it to anyone who's going to try for a baby in the near future.  It is a small joy in my life right now! :)

At week 10, I'm still in need of a nap almost daily, I barely feel sick at all during the day, and I'm getting more energy (especially in spurts).

James and baby brother or sister:  I get SO excited thinking about James and this baby together!  I think James will absolutely love having a baby in the house.  He might take it out on me, but that's okay.  His teacher told me that a baby came into their room about a month ago, and he got so excited and ooo'd and awww'd over the baby....more so than anyone else.  We laugh because every time we ask him to kiss the baby, he gives it a zerbert.  He's being a big brother already!  When we told him there was a baby in mommy's tummy, he lifted his shirt, pointed to his tummy, and said, "Baby you".  Ever since then, he lifts his shirt and says, "baby you".  I know he knows what he means, but I sure don't have a clue.  

Well, that's all for now!  I still try to update on the pregnancy sooner, so it won't be so long next time!

Mother's Day 2008

1st Mother's Day, 2006

2nd Mother's Day, 2007

3rd Mother's Day, 2008!

Being James' mom has been one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. While rocking James this afternoon for the nap that he never took, I became reflective and thought about the enormity of how much I love him, how much joy he brings me, how much I love being the center of his universe, and just how much I love being his mom. I really can't find words that will do it justice. I've thought back over the past two years and how our relationship has changed, and how I know it will continue to change in ways that I really look forward to.

Being a mom to two-year-old James has been the most challenging, but rewarding at the same time. Some moments I feel like he's giving me a run for my money as a mom, but then he turns around and melts my heart the next moment! There is nothing like seeing my handsome little boy in his school clothes drop whatever is in his hands and run to me with his arms open, with a huge smile, saying, "Yaaaaay, Mommy here!!!!" in his deep voice when I pick him up after Mother's Day out. There is nothing like him crying for me to put my hand back on his leg while riding in the car, stopping as soon as I put it back, and him slipping his hand into mine, leaving it the whole ride home. There's nothing like hearing his adorable/hilarious and loud singing voice as he belts the ABC's or Wheels on the Bus at the TOP of his lungs. There is nothing like being missed when I leave the room and hear him calling, "Mommy....ya you?"

It's hard to believe that I will love the next one as much as I do James, but everyone says you do! I have a mixture of fear and excitement about #2 coming, but today I got really excited about having two little chicks in our house. We heard a great sermon on parenting today, and I thought about how I want so badly...more than anything...for our children to love the Lord with all of their hearts and live for Him. Then I thought about ALL of the MANY prayers that I know have been and will be said over the years of their lives, and how thankful I am that He is here for us and for the comfort of knowing that He listens to my prayers and guides and will continue to guide me as a parent. When I try to do it on my own, I realize very quickly (sometimes quicker than others) how inadequate I am and how scary it would be without Him!

I also want to give a shout out to my mom, who is the most beautiful woman I know.  How could I possible thank you enough for all you have done for our family?  To the woman who I'm so blessed get to call Mom, Happy Mother's Day!

I will stop here and let all of you mothers who read this blog know how wonderful I think you all are and how thankful I am to have you to watch and learn from! Happy Mother's Day!

Excitement in Waco!

There has been excitement in the air this weekend in Waco, Texas.  I have had my eyes and ears out the past couple of days for anything having to do with the Bush wedding that happened tonight (is still happening).   I am a huge sucker for stuff like this, and Josh has gotten a big kick out of all of the comments coming out of my mouth, for instance, "I can really just see George W. as a father of the bride!"  I usually hear fighter jets, see the three helicopters, or see secret service people out and about when he's in town, but I was bummed this evening when I realized I hadn't seen a thing (besides hearing the fighter jet once on Thursday).  SO, I asked Josh if after dinner we could ride out to Crawford to see some of the commotion!  He is not as spontaneous as I am, so I didn't think he'd be up for it, but much to my liking, he was!  We drove out there, saw news crews, saw people sitting around watching, and then we decided to go ahead and drive out to the ranch for fun!  We got really close to the ranch, and got stopped by a road block (very tight security that told us to turn around quickly), but that satisfied me!  Then, we decided to have some more fun and stop at the McGregor Coffee Shop (Bush's favorite place) on the way home.  Way before the show Newlyweds ever came on, my dad, sister, and I were eating there for breakfast one Saturday morning and ran into Nick, Jessica, and Jessica's grandparents, who live in Waco.  I thought we might see some media there, which we didn't, but I was still very much enjoying myself.  We got decaf coffee, complimentary wedding cake in honor of Jenna, and I got a rose!  James was being so good, too!  It was definitely a moment and night that I won't forget. They seem like such a great couple, and I'm so happy for them that they had a warm, but beautiful wedding day!

James' run

I've been needing to do a blog on James' run for quite some time now. Since he runs everywhere he goes (even if he's two steps away from where he needs to go), he has gotten a lot of practice with his running skills, and I believe he has figured out how to run the most efficient way possible. He keeps his arms out for balance and takes off as fast as those little legs could possibly take him. It is quite funny seeing this two-year-old, so low to the ground, run like he does. The funniest thing is the way he can run full speed around corners and narrowly miss the corner every time. I always flinch because it looks like he's going to run right into the wall, but he has not done it one time!

Can you see the hustle in his step?

He does this frequently, too. Looks back to see if we're running with him, while still in a run.

This is all so a part of his personality, too. Doesn't want to waste any time!

James and his running partner

 

James all worn out and ready for bed!

James has an announcement!

James says, "I'm going to be a big...."





















Introducing...
James' little brother or sister!

This baby will be an early Christmas present for James, due to arrive December 13, and we are thrilled!!!

Pictures of the past few weeks

Here are the not-so-good bluebonnet pictures that we took a few weeks back. I really didn't have the energy to try again, so this was what we got for this year!

























Got to see two Suzannes that I don't usually get to see! Suzanne Seidel came for a baby shower at my parents' house...always a treat to see her and catch up!
Suzanne and me























And, I got to see Suzanne Steece, one of my best friends since 6th grade and amazing mother of quads now! I was in awe of them. They are 4 of the cutest babies I've ever seen, and I thoroughly enjoyed loving on them this weekend!




























My little monkey