March and April

Sorry for how random and out of order this post is...

I am just trying to get it up so I can remember all that is going on right now in this crazy time in our lives!

Easter Lunch
A sweet family hosted Liam and I at their beach house while Will was out of town.
33 weeks with Penelope Kate
Liam's Thomas cake I made, I know I am no pro! :)

Easter:

Our week was a little unusual. Wednesday night Will preached about the cross and it was awesome. Thursday morning he flew home to see his parents for the day and he drove one of their cars home to use for a couple of years. He had a great visit with them. Liam and I visited with a sweet family at their beach house while he was gone. It was so much fun! It was so good to get away. It was only a 30 minute drive but it felt like vacation. We couldn't wait to see Will on Saturday night, he got home at 1:00 am. It is so obvious Liam missed him so much! All day Sunday he wanted to hug and be held by daddy. Will's parents sent him home with tons of adorable clothes for Penelope and Liam, it made me even more anxious for her to get here so I can dress her up in all of these sweet little clothes. On Sunday at church we had a sunrise service, breakfast and regular service. A couple of really sweet families invited us over, but Will requested a family day since we hadn't seen him since Wednesday and it was perfect! I made my first Easter lunch, scalloped potatoes, ham and spinach salad. We visited Coldstone for dessert! Liam got totally spoiled by the Easter Bunny (aka the grandparents) and enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs outside. He would only pick the ones up off the ground, he wouldn't get them out of bushes or tress even when he saw them. We also all took a really long nap. A photographer friend took our picture on Easter but I haven't seen it yet.

Liam's 2nd Birthday:

We celebrated Liam's birthday as a family and he had a wonderful day! We decorated his door with streamers and hung his happy Birthday banner, which he really enjoyed. Our day was full of lots of toys sent by family. We just went to Moe's Mondays for dinner, the kid loves a cheese quesadilla.

Penelope:

I have made it to 33 weeks! Yay! Not easily though. I have spent several late evenings on my left side guzzling water getting BH contractions to stop. Thankful they always do. I have to spend several hours a day laying down, still getting my P17 shots and am not allowed to run or lift anything, etc. I have stuck to the doctor's orders except I have lifted Liam some.

If I can go to Orlando and back, have the Malko's visit and get a couple of weeks into May and to 37 weeks she will be full term.

We leave tomorrow and can't wait to see Grandcraig, Lindsey, Ashley, Troy, Chase and Brody! We love and miss them so much.

Our Family (including Penelope at 30 weeks)

Will and I were able to go to the Real Marriage Conference a couple weeks ago and it was awesome! Mark Driscoll did a wonderful job and it was nice to get away. We had a few free hours and it was a beautiful day so we went downtown and ate outside at Cheesecake Factory and walked around little boutiques. I honestly forgot what a skyline looked like! It was refreshing to be back in a big city for a weekend! haha! the picture above is Liam walking around in Ft. Lauderdale
Liam showing off his artwork with his daddy.
We took Liam to his first movie. The Lorax. It was such a cute movie and Liam loved it, he sat in his daddy's lap and munched on popcorn. We took him last minute, so it was late, I think we got out at like 10:00pm.
Mommy and Liam in Ft. Lauderdale
My guys at the beach. We live about 45 minutes from Siesta Key and my hospital and doctor are about 10 minutes from it, since I have to go weekly, it is a pretty good excuse to go to the beach. Liam loves the waves in the ocean and playing in the sand.

I had my 30 week check-up yesterday and we did have some signs of preterm labor. My doctor said "I am telling you are between take it easy and moderate bedrest." So no more running or lifting and off my feet a few hours a day. I can still leave the house, drive, do housework. I got to see Penelope and despite all of these ultrasounds I had never seen her face, she ALWAYS has her little hands up by it, but yesterday I got to see her 4D, super clear, she is precious! She is 3 pounds and 15 inches. I'll have another appointment and ultrasound in 2 weeks and hopefully there will be no more progression. I am making little goals and rewards for myself. It sounds silly, but I am such a task oriented person that I think this will help me mentally.

Once a week I get TCBY frozen strawberry yogurt with brownies.

Once a week I get to buy something that we need for Penelope, Liam, Will or myself (we got our tax return and are in need of some new shoes, camera, etc.)

I look at like I need to make it to 32, 34, 36 and 38, or look at like I need to make it through April and May.

We have a lot going on in April, but right now it should be fine. We are looking forward to Will getting to see his family, Easter, Liam's 2nd Birthday, a weekend with my family at Disney, a couple of days with Brooke, Jon and Anderson and the sweet ladies at my church hosting a baby shower for me.

We're still here

I have been a lazy blogger... and I don't even have any good pictures to post. I'll work on that.

* Liam and I went to Charleston to visit my sister in February, my mom met us there so it was great to spend quality time with them

* We got the Norovirus while we were there and I had to stay the night in the hospital one night because of dehydration and pre-term labor

* I see the doctor every couple of weeks and am doing P17 hormone shots weekly

* Penelope seems to be cozy, so we are praying she stays that way for a few more months

* I am 27 weeks tomorrow, so 13 more weeks would be ideal, but I am thankful to have gotten this far

* Liam started with a runny nose last Wednesday and it developed into an ear infection in his right ear, so we have been snuggling, watching lots of Thomas, etc.

* Penelope's room is coming along really sweetly

* Will is really enjoying his job

* We are moving in a good direction with someone interested in our house so that is great

* Hopefully we are all on our way to healthiness so we can enjoy this beautiful spring

* Liam will be 2 next month! Can not believe it. We are going to Disney the weekend after with my sister and her family and my dad and lindsey so I am excited we will get to celebrate with family, which I didn't think we would be able to do this year.

Not A One Year Old For Much Longer

We spent Will's off day today at the beach with this little guy. I don't want to forget this "almost two stage". Yes there are some tantrums and whining, but for the most part he is so fun to play with and be around all day. The tantrums and whining come from frustration when he can't get a toy to do what he wants or he has to get in the car instead of walking to the playground. He loves the ocean, he loves to play with cars. We buy him other toys but he primarily only plays with cars, books and blocks/legos. He sleeps from 8:30 or 9:00 to 7:45 or 8:00 and takes 1 afternoon nap everyday from 2-4. He snuggles with his Little Giraffe Blanket. He wears 18 and 24 months clothes. He is very independent and likes to do things himself. He has recently been telling me "no, no, no don't do dat." He also is trying so hard to sing. He likes Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC's, Jesus Loves Me. His little voice is presh.

He still has no idea Penelope is on her way, Will often says oh man she is going to rock his world.

We are so blessed by his personality!

PINK

It is so fun shopping for a girl. While we were at Target today we grabbed a few little clothes for baby girl.

I also made a baby registry for her to be organized about what I need and to have a place to direct people if anyone wants to pick something up for us.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/ref=gno_listpop_br

I have a lot we used with Liam, but I think she will need a little pink in her life and somethings I didn't get or know I needed/wanted with Liam.

December/ January

Poppy's ultrasound picture.
Pink Item telling Will it's a girl, also some fabric for her room.
Liam enjoying the ocean.
Will and I at a UofL basketball game during Christmas vacation.
Will and Liam at Disney.

Will and I were thrilled to find out our second child is going to be a girl! I found out a few hours before Will did because the gender ultrasound was unexpected at my appointment so I went to baby gap and came home with this adorable little pink bathing suit for him to unwrap. We thought and hoped it would be a girl, but we were still surprised! We were able to see her through ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great. She is growing as she should 9 inches, 10 ounces, her heartbeat was 156 and all things pregnancy look good- my blood pressure, weight gain, etc. I am 19 weeks and I have gained 5 pounds so far, so I am 145. Would love to stay under 160, so I can get back to 130 (pre-pregnancy weight with Liam) as soon as possible, but obviously want her to be nice and chunky!

We are starting to get her room ready, crib, mattress, dresser, glider and all set up. We bought pillows and some fabric so I feel like we are off to a good start.

We decided to name her Penelope Kate.

We also took Liam to Disney World for the first time. It was a great family day- all 3 of us had so much fun!

Liam also started sleeping in his big boy bed and is doing great.

He is now 21 months old. His 2nd birthday is April 9th. We haven't decided between doing a party or doing something special or just laying low.

We were able to go home to Kentucky for Christmas and visit with friends and family and it was so refreshing to be there, but it is nice to be back in our new home too!

Liam and I had a "Liam Fun Day" today because I know in 4 months we will probably be hanging around the house a lot! We went to the playground, Panera, cookie company, rode the train at the mall, went to the beach and still on the list is to go get a balloon from Publix and maybe go see a movie! We are taking a break this afternoon to rest :)

Church and Will's job is going really well. Keeping us busy. Will is taking the youth to a concert tomorrow called Winter Jam. I'm think I am going to stay home with Liam and get stuff done and relax.

Will and I were able to go on a date which was really nice. We went to dinner on the beach, Starbucks and we bought new dining room chairs!

A friend of mine here and I started a Bunco group and we had our first meeting Tuesday! It was super fun! Thankful for the sweet ladies here.

Please be praying with us that someone will buy our house. It has been up for sale for 3 months now and would really love it if by Spring we didn't own it anymore!

Will Laing

I am so proud to have Will as my husband. He turned in his last assignment for seminary last night.

In the process of figuring our where the Lord would have us, we visited several churches in several states, one church had me fill out some questions about Will and I was just so thankful I could answer the questions so truthfully and it really sums up how awesome he is! :)

Provide us a candid narrative of your marital history.

I’m trying to be as candid as possible, but we really have been blessed with an amazing relationship. We try to keep the Lord at the center of our marriage and family, along with that serve and love each other above ourselves. We also have really great relationships with each other’s families. The Lord has been so faithful to us and sustaining a strong marriage is a huge passion of ours.

Have you and your spouse always been faithful to each other and without improper sexual behavior either emotionally or physically? If answered “no”, please describe the circumstances of any unfaithfulness?

Yes, we have always been faithful to each other in every way.

Please describe how your husband has led you spiritually and contributed to your growth in Christ.

Will has hugely impacted my relationship with the Lord. He trusts the Lord completely, and goes to Him with every struggle or victory. He is just such an encouragement to me to do so as well. I often hear “Babe, why don’t you pray about this.” We have family worship time whenever possible (singing praise songs, reading Scripture, prayer time). We enjoy talking to each other about spiritual things and what the Lord is doing in our lives.

Describe how your husband has functioned as head of the home and how he has taken responsibility to provide, protect and spiritually lead your children (if applicable).

Whenever I think I Biblical Manhood I think of Will. He leads with patience, humility and love. He has been the sole provider financially for our family while in Seminary which has been extremely difficult and he has done so with strength and determination. He has spiritually lead Liam by spending time praying and reading Scripture as a family, disciplining him (teaching him obedience to us and God) as well as by example (being faithful at our church, ministering to others in front of Liam).

Please tell us what you believe are your husband’s primary spiritual gifts

I think his spiritual gifts are leadership and teaching.

Are you convinced of the call on your spouse to pastoral ministry? Describe how you came to agree on this call.

I am convinced that God has called Will to full time ministry. I just see the joy it brings him. When he preached this past weekend, I felt so proud, the Lord has gifted him and it is obvious. For the six years I have known him he has never waivered in his calling. Also, it has been neat to see his family and men in his life affirm that calling.

Describe a time when the demands of ministry put strain on your marriage or family life and how you dealt with it as a couple.

I would say on and off through seminary, working full time, having Liam, serving in church there have been times where our family time has been 30 minutes or an hour a day and that has been difficult but we have learned to lean on the Lord in those times and spend quality time together without distractions.

Other good news is that we have 2 cars again! Will's car has been getting worked on and he got it back today! Yay!

And! I think I might have turned the curve with morning sickness. I am in my second trimester, a couple days shy of 14 weeks.