Loving life

Just a few pics of what we've done today. A enjoyed a cupcake, L sat in the floor to read a book, and AB enjoyed playing with Dad. I, on the other hand, visited my midwife to have my staples removed (what a joy...ugh).

The first 24 hours

Today is our first day together as a family of five (well, Mitch needed to go to the office so he wasn't actually here all day with us but my mom was so she can count as the fifth person!). A and L played outside in the water while my mom and I watched. AB decided she wanted to sleep most of the day. It was also due time for her first bath so below is a picture of her fresh out of the tub.

Going Home

It's good to finally be home after giving birth to our daughter, who'll I'll begin referring to as AB since I already refer to baby #1 as A (baby #2 is L). Here we are being transported out of the hospital down to our car. What a wonderful weekend this has been. However, I am heartbroken for my friend, C, who's father passed away shortly after we welcomed AB into the world. As I am celebrating the new life of this covenant child, C is kissing her father goodbye. C, I am thankful you know Jesus....He is dancing with your father now & celebrating his new perfect body.

It's me...

Hey, everyone. Mitch typed the last post and put up the pictures. I am having "computer withdrawal" so I just had to take a few minutes to post my own words. Our daughter is in the hospital nursery right now having her daily routine checkup with our pediatrician. Mitch is at church with our boys so I'm actually alone right now. It's kind of freaky! I'm watching the Wimbledon men's championship as I type.

My stay in the hospital has been fantastic. I love having my babies here and have always received the best care. I am in no pain (thanks to the wonderful drugs I've been given) and am enjoying this time. After undergoing a section, a mother has to stay four days and three nights so I've got one more to go before I enter back into "the real world". Our precious daughter is just that....precious. I can't believe I have a little girl.....oh my gosh, I have three children! Both of the boys favor me and my side of the family but I definitely think that our newest addition looks like her daddy's side of the family. Who would have guessed that I'd give birth to a black haired baby? She doesn't have the fair skin like the boys so maybe she'll be the one in the family who can enjoy the sunshine without getting burned. It's sweet to watch Mitch with her. He is the best father in the world!

After my doctor finished my surgery, he told me that the cord was wrapped around our daughter's neck three times so even if I had attempted the VBAC, as I had so desperately wanted, it would have eventually led to the OR due to probable fetal distress. She hadn't even dropped into my pelvis due to there being no slack in the cord for her to do so. That explains why she was always sitting so high as well as why I made no progress in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Also, the midwife told me that my uterus was so thin that it was transparent - not good. I asked if that would matter in regards to having more babies and it was recommended that I only have one more. The more sections a woman has, the thinner her uterus gets. Did you learn something new today? HA! So, I'll never get to try the VBAC like I wanted but I believe in the sovereignty of God. This delivery happened just as it was predestined to occur. The providence of God is a glorious thing. He is good.

Most of my family....I wish the boys had been present for this picture as well as my sister and her family and my brother.

Abigail Arrives!

Abigail Rayne made her appearance at 1:03 this afternoon (7/6/07).

She has a beautiful head full of black hair, weighs 7 lbs. 11 oz., and is 20 inches long.

Jawan and Abigail are both doing well (and finally getting a little sleep at 10:15 p.m.)

BUT - I know that you really just want to see the pics:

Here's the fam just before Mom and Dad departed for the hospital.

Mom and Dad in the delivery room getting their first close-up look at the sweet baby.

Here she is - in the midst of getting her first bath!

"Hey sweetheart, welcome to the world."

Finally - another girl in the house!

The Grandparents

"Dad, does Abigail like nuggets and fries?"

Abigail meets two of her cousins.

Luke says, "Hey wait a minute. I'm the BABY!!!!"

C-section

It's on the calendar. Our sweet baby #3 will be born sometime tomorrow early afternoon. We can't wait to meet our new addition and neither can A and L! What an exciting time. Look for pictures and stats to be posted sometime tomorrow night.

House Prayer

I love the Bryson family. Peggy is so real and makes me feel so normal. Every conversation I have with her is one full of encouragement. She is authentic. As I was walking down the hallway in her home this afternoon, I saw this prayer hanging on her wall. I just had to type it out and make a copy for myself to frame for my own wall. I love the words as they are what my heart sings...

House Prayer

~ Dear Lord ~
Never let this house become too elegant to house the laughter of children.
Never let the objects that enhance the tables and shelves become
more precious than the small clumsy hands that reach out to touch them.
Never let the upholstery be too fine to hold the weary bodies of little children.
Never let the picture or paint on the walls become
more beautiful than those little hands prints in the corner.
Never let me become so busy making the rooms beautiful
that I forget to guide toward inner beauty the tiny souls that live here,
for you have always kept your priorities straight.
Don’t let me forget the only things in this house that are eternal
are the souls of your children.
Amen.

Fourth of July celebration

We spent the fourth of July with our church family. We all gathered to swim, grill hotdogs/hamburgers and chat until it was time to depart to see the fireworks. What fun!

Frustration

I am so frustrated. Today has been a hard day. Much disappointment....

I went for my 39 week checkup today only to find out that I've still made no progress. I've been stuck in a rut for three weeks. Baby #3 is comfortable where she is. My midwife is on vacation so I saw one of the physicians today. She said that since I've made no progress in the past three weeks it would be best to go ahead and put a repeat scheduled c-section on the calendar. She doesn't want me going past my due date with a third baby. I was disappointed but I agreed.

The nurse said she'd call me late this afternoon to tell me when the section would take place. That call came at 4:30 p.m. She told me it would be another seven days (my due date) until my section because the hospital was jammed full until then. I asked if I could have a specific doctor perform it and she said he wasn't available that day. I then told the person on the phone that I had already talked to a friend of mine (who is a nurse at Hospital B where I want to give birth) who told me that they were not booked up for the next three to four days. That's when the nurse on the phone realized she had spent all day trying to book me at Hospital A when I was actually registered at Hospital B. She said my chart read Hospital A.....I just don't get it. I have followed all the rules....I went to my consult back in January and wrote down in my chart that I wanted to give birth at Hospital B. My husband and I, together, went and registered at Hospital B when I was 28 weeks so they would have all my insurance and paperwork info ahead of time. So, how is it that now I have to wait another two days to find out when I'm gonna have a c-section (tomorrow is a holiday so the office is closed and it will take all day Thursday before they call me back, I'm sure)? I need to shut up, confess, and repent. We've all made mistakes.

A is still screaming and crying when being placed on the potty to poop. I just don't get it. I am trying hard to parent him to the glory of God. My sin runs deep and is rampant. Please pray for me. I never knew potty training would be this hard. I think I'll start soon with baby #2.

*Sigh*

At the library

My sister-in-law and I met up at the library today for our kids to experience "Rhyme Time" in the children's reading room. A had fun playing with his cousin E, along with a few of the puppets that made their way around the room.

I've been tagged!

My friends, Amber and Kat, have both tagged me. So, to keep from having to do this twice, here are my answers to eight questions about me that some people couldn't care less to read:

1. What were you doing ten years ago? ...in 1997 I had just graduated from college

2. What were you doing one year ago? ...enjoying time with my family by going swimming, visiting friends, and playing at the park.

3. 5 snacks you enjoy: ...Fruity Pebbles cereal, any flavor ice-cream, honeybuns, Snickers bar, and trail mix.

4. 5 songs to which you know all the lyrics: ...Ice Ice Baby, Amazing Grace, And Can It Be, The Star Spangled Banner, Happy Birthday, and any nursery rhyme you can think of.

5. 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire: ...pay off debt, buy a house, put some in college savings for the children, give to the church, and hire a full-time chef (I hate to cook).

6. 5 places I've lived: Thomasville, GA, Valdosta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Columbus, GA, Moody, AL

7. 5 things you like doing: ...taking a relaxing shower, going for a walk, watching a great movie with a friend, spending time with my husband, traveling, and singing.

8. 5 things you would never wear again: ...panty hose, twisty-bead necklaces, two different colored socks, banana hair clip, anything neon in color. The 80's were not fashionable.

Very little progress with potty training

I have to use many distraction techniques while A sits on the potty to do "the duty". L is always interested...especially when we use the toilet paper stick as a microphone. Here, we're singing Amazing Grace. I sure do need lots of that!

Marannook friends

My sweet friends, Nikki (with Sarah Ann), and Lelia (with Jonathan). I became close friends with Nikki and Lelia ten years ago while on staff together at Camp Marannook. We've remained close over the years and try to get together as much as possible. God is good to give friends!

Yard sale

Had a yard sale today...on the hottest day (it seemed) of the year. I am disappointed with the amount I made but it's more than I had going into it. By the time you take out the money you spent on the newspaper ad and the money in change to start with, you expect to still have a good bunch left....well, not this time. My sister tells me I don't charge enough for my junk. I am an 'el cheapo. I just want to be rid of the stuff. Oh well....off to Goodwill I go to drop off all the "unwanted items"! I did save a few things to list on ebay since I tend to make more money there - it's also a lot more tedious work on my part but usually worth it. As for the yard sale, at least I got it done before the baby makes her debut.

38 weeks update

My pitiful attempt to write a "cheesy" poem at almost 2 a.m. -

Another weekly routine check today;
No progression has been made.
Not surprised - I am the typical case.
All the walking I've done this week, I'm in a race.
The ultrasound performed today
Showed she's measuring at seven pounds, they say.
Membranes were stripped - no comment to add
Haven't had the first contraction since, too bad.

Colossians 1:11

Colossians 1:11

May you be strengthened with all power,

according to his glorious might,

for all endurance and patience with joy

I HATE POTTY TRAINING.......I am trying not to pound too hard on my keyboard as I type. AHHHHHHH!

What we've been doing this morning

We've been playing HIDE-N-SEEK this morning. The boys like to pretend they are plumbers by hiding under the bathroom sink.

While I was busy....

While I was out of the room for a few minutes, L managed to find the baby powder. His older brother showed him how to open the top. When I returned, the couch was covered in powder. Needless to say, I need to buy more now.

A welcomed the challenge of vacuuming the couch and floor after the powder spill.

L has also found his brother's rain boots. He likes trying to flip over and looking underneath his legs.

Desiring God bookstore

All books in the Desiring God online bookstore (John Piper's ministry) will be $5 Wednesday and Thursday of this week only. Check it out here.

Little red wagon

Just taking a wagon ride around the neighborhood with the parents.

Cereal Inspectors

A and L both like to eat Fruity Pebbles (we buy the generic kind). Here they are inspecting the package just before bedtime to make sure there's plenty inside for breakfast in the morning.


Remember when we used to "rock the pool" when younger? We would walk as fast as we could from side to side of the pool or walk really fast around the inside edge of the pool to get a wave of some sort. A and L have learned the technique.

This week's checkup

Visited my midwife again today. Small progression has been made.....I'm now 2 cm dialated (1 cm last week). I hope I dialate more than that over the next three weeks or I'm in trouble. She advised me to take some Evening Primrose Oil to speed things up a bit so we'll see how that affects me over the next few days. She did say that the baby seemed a bit small so she wants me to have an ultrasound next week to get a fetal weight check as well as measure the amniotic fluid. She didn't seem concerned so I'm not concerned. However, she is going on family vacation the week before I'm due so that DOES concern me. I must admit that I'm praying for my water to break next week before she leaves (or wait til my actual due date when she'll be back).

Anyway, enough of that....no one really cares about my cervix......ha!

Enjoy these cute photos:

Weirdos...

Need I say more?

Weird....kind of like this game.

Canon in D

You've got to visit my friend's blog.....Erick Erickson (what a cool name!) is a friend of ours and his wife and I have become great email buddies. Anyway, he posted a really funny video about Pachelbel's musical piece, Canon in D, on his blog today. Click here to view it.

A video for MOMS

Ok, this video is hilarious....especially for mothers. Click here to view it. Thanks to the gals at Girltalk.

Airline troubles

I'm so used to posting about every other day...I feel "out of the loop"!

We're back home but it took a lot to get here.

- arrived at the Memphis airport at 11:30 a.m. to check in for our 1:30 flight.
- checked our bags, got our boarding pass
- went through the security check, took off our shoes, had our belongings scanned, and exited the area.
- checked the departure schedule and saw that our flight had been cancelled.
- turned around to reschedule only to be booked on another airline with a flight leaving two hours later than we had scheduled.
- retreived our bags from first airline and rechecked them with second airline.
- got our boarding passes
- proceeded to security check AGAIN
- was told that I was randomly selected for a "pat-down" with a female assist (the male TSA officer yells this when he needs a female for the pat-down. Did I mention I was almost 37 weeks pregnant? By the way, no one from the airline asked to see my doctor's excuse that I carried with me in my pocket just in case. Guess I could fly anytime I wanted to, huh?).
- looked to my right to see that Mitch had also been randomly selected for a "pat-down"...what are the odds?
- when all my belongings were scanned, shoes dusted for illegal residue, and the lady finished feeling my very pregnant stomach, I gathered myself and proceeded to the boarding gate with Mitch.
- we sit for an hour when told that our flight had been cancelled.
- we turn around, retrieve two of our three bags from the second airline, and reschedule on our original airline for a flight leaving six hours later than our original plan.
- we get a bite to eat, give up on finding the third bag (the airline can't locate it, either), recheck our bags, and get new boarding passes - all for the third time.
- go back through the security check
- find our boarding gate and wait for several more hours.
- loaded the plane on time and arrived in Atlanta where we finally found our third bag, which had arrived on another airline carrier....weird.

We were at the Memphis airport for eight hours yesterday. We could have rented a car and been home by the time we finally got on a plane. However, it was time that I got to spend walking and talking with Mitch, even if most of our conversation was full of "stupid airline" venting. I am thankful we didn't have the children with us! We pulled into our driveway at 1:30 in the morning and our biggest disappointment was that, after four days, we weren't able to see and hold our children before they went to bed.

Beale St

"Walkin' in Memphis..." We ate some good BBQ along Beale St. tonight for dinner. Motorcycles, loud music, smoke, and food everywhere. If L was with us, he would have danced his booty off! We're having a great time!

MEMPHIS

We're here.....the journey has been somewhat normal, boring, and uneventful....exactly what any traveler would want. However, there was a mix-up with our hotel room when we got here so we are not staying where we thought but rather many blocks away, relying on the trolley to get us back and forth. Fortunately, there's not a real reason for me to actually leave the convention center so I will probably just tag along with Mitch whereever he goes, if I'm allowed (sometimes they hold closed business meetings on the floor discussing matters only to be discussed amongst elders).

The airline stated on their website that I was to have a doctor's excuse with me when checking and boarding, but no one asked me about my pregnancy when I approached the gate. I don't think they would have until I whipped it out to make sure they knew I was cleared. One of the boarding attendants squinted her nose and took in a large gasp of air and said, "Oh, I don't know about this....you're in your ninth month and we certainly get nervous when women fly this late in their pregnancy." It scared me a little to think that I might not be able to board but she said, "I'll let it slide this time" (Oh, thanks......).

We've already had a wonderful worship service and seen many friends. I'm excited to see more tomorrow as well as attend another women's function and craft. It's totally overwhelming to be in the assembly hall singing with over 1000 other voices in praise. Tears come to my eyes as we lift our eyes to God. I love being here...but I sure do miss my children. I called home tonight to check in with my mother and sister who are keeping A and L. They were in the middle of bathtime and once A heard my voice on the phone, he lost it. He cried, "I want you to come home now, Mommy!". I'm counting the days.

More posting tomorrow, I hope.

OB Check today

Visited the midwife today to get clearance to fly tomorrow. She checked me and I am only 1 cm and showing absolutely no signs of labor. I was glad to hear this but I hope things change quickly when I get back....I'm so uncomfortable! It was also confirmed that the baby is in the CORRECT position, head down, so no planned c-section for me! YEAH!

Interview with Spelling Bee Winner

Click here to watch the interview given to this year's spelling bee winner by Fox News. You can't help but feel sorry for the lady as she's "talking" to the boy. I'm not sure what to feel as I listen to him.

Thanks to Justin's blog for this link.

Coupons

TODAY.....Don't you hate it when you've clipped all these great coupons, put them in just the right "coupon place" where you'll remember and easily have them when needed, only to walk out of the store realizing you could have used them but forgot? AHHHHHH!

VBS is over!

I have really enjoyed this past week of directing VBS. It was fantastic! But, honestly, I am worn out and so glad it's over....that is, until next summer. I've co-directed VBS for the past three summers and I am tired. I am praying that someone will rise up and volunteer to do it next summer before I have to start begging.

Just remembering...

I was going through some of my photo files tonight and found these pictures to share.

Can you spot the boys playing in Dad's closet?

Ok, this one is a little freaky!

"What, Atlanta says I can't water my plants during the day? What about watering my pool?"

Tranverse or Oblique?

Apparently, Abigail is in a difficult position. She is either lying transverse or oblique inside of my tummy. Either way, she can't be birthed how I had hoped. Looks likes another c-section for me unless she turns soon. Since I'm 35 weeks, my midwife and nurse tend to think she's made up her mind and won't turn. I occassionally see Dr. Thorne (he is awesome!), who is notorious for being the best at "baby turning". Maybe he'll help Abigail when I go in for an exam on Monday. If not, look for another McGinnis baby to be born around July 4th.

What the World Eats

I found this to be very interesting. Look at the cost of food per family and then spend some time looking at the specific items on the table.

Only 5 more weeks!

I'm officially 35 weeks pregnant. Only five more weeks to go. Not that I have a real choice in the matter but I would like it very much if Abigail waited just two more weeks before making her appearance. Selfishly, I have much to do before she arrives. I want to finish this week of VBS, travel on our planned trip to Memphis (Mitch & me only - my mom is driving up to keep the boys), and do the last minute touches to her room (tidying up her drawers & closet so I can get a handle on where her things are located). However, my biggest prayer is that, if she does indeed come early, I hope she doesn't decide to do so when I'm up in the air on the plane to Memphis next week. Fortunately, it's only a hour and a half flight. That might make a cool news story but I'd rather be another boring, yet healthy, hospital statisitic.

WHEN WILL IT END??? AHHHHHH!!!!!!

It has almost been a year.....a year that has brought no improvement in the area of putting Andrew to bed at night. HE STILL SCREAMS AND CRIES AT THE DOOR WHEN WE TELL HIM GOODNIGHT! It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrating! He tells us things through the door that we know are just tactics he's using to get us to open up and let him out:

I need to go pee pee!
My toe hurts!
My eye hurts - I need ice!
Why you close the door?
I want you to hold me!
My milk is all gone.

All the while, Luke is in his crib (in the same room) going to sleep. He has grown use to Andrew's nighttime routine. I wish I knew WHAT ELSE TO DO. Do you ever get tired of praying? It's been ALMOST A YEAR! When will it change? When will I be able to leave the room without him chasing me to the door, only to have me have to "push" him back in to keep him from coming out? AHHHHHHH! He's three years old. Maybe I'm expecting too much. Maybe I'm comparing him to ALL the other three year olds I know whose parents have told me they have no trouble at night. Maybe I rocked him too much when he was little. We do all the loving and reassuring we can before turning out the light. We have THE SAME routine everynight, too.....sit on the floor and pick out two books which we then read, sing a few songs, pray and then turn lights out. I have been rubbing his head for only a few seconds but he never relaxes because he's squatting in his bed, waiting to leap out after me towards the door. Once I've closed the door, either Mitch or I stand in front of it holding the doorknob still so he can't get out. He thinks we've locked it but then he is quick to kneel down and peek under the door to see our toes. He KNOWS we're there, but it brings no comfort to him. He usually ends up sticking his fingers out from under the door in effort to get our attention. We just stand there and make ABSOLUTELY no noise until he finally gives up and retreats to his bed. I have no trouble standing firm but it still breaks my heart.

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dancing with frogs

Our friend, Kacie, has been collecting frogs that she's won when playing a game at an amusement park. Since getting married, she's decided to give away her collection. So, Andrew and Luke each got a spotted frog that hangs around their waist and neck. They love them! So much so that they like to put them on and dance around the room to music. Thanks, Kacie!

Overwhelmed

I'm deep into the planning process for VBS. We're expecting around 70 kids to attend and I'M IN CHARGE.....ahhhhhh! Therefore, posting may be light over the next week.

Help from Chrissy

Our sweet friend, Chrissy, helps Luke fill up the water balloons. Chrissy might be Andrew's teacher next year....let's pray she is!

Memorial Day 2007

How did you spend Memorial Day? We spent it relaxing at home with one another and then headed over to Chad and Chrissy's house to grill steaks and have a water ballon fight. The boys were being naughty!

Practicing

Andrew is potty trained, for the most part. Doing #1 is no problem....he rushes to lift the lid, flush, close the lid and wash his hands. However, performing #2 on the potty is still a struggle. Pediatricians, midwives, mothers, advice-givers all say pretty much the same thing - that it's scary to see a "part of themselves" go down through the hole in the toilet. Oh well......we'll keep trying. We've done all we can to intice him -candy, choo choo trains, stickers, trips to ChuckeCheese, etc. Nothing is working. Prayer is more powerful so I'll stick to that.

Luke has been curiously watching his older brother use the potty so he has become quite interested in doing #1 by himself. Tonight, he let us know that it was his turn. I caught it on camera. He wasn't successful but it was cute and we're gonna encourage him to keep trying, even though he's only 18 months old. Don't you appreciate the vibrant color I caught on film???....sorry!