Getting ready for baby

We are now a little over 20 weeks and we're definitely feeling like we're in the home stretch. We've been rearranging the house to accommodate a new baby. Ruark and baby #2 will be sharing a room together which will be really nice to not have my office moved downstairs until baby #3 gets here.

This pregnancy has been really hard, with the allergic reaction closing off my windpipe and the constant nausea and sickness and now contractions it feels never ending. At the Doctor's office we found out I have a type of bacterial infection that could cause premature labor and even a second trimester miscarriage. So I was put on an antibiotic and we were hoping it would clear up. Unfortunately it's gotten worse, the contractions are getting stronger and stronger and are near constant right now. I go in tomorrow for more testing to see what we can do to get it a little more under control.

As you can tell I'm in a little denial that his baby is really a boy, what with the ultrasound tech not being sure, the umbilical cord between the legs and covering the little bum with his little feet it was really hard to see what's really going on. Which is why we got, "it mysteriously looks like a boy" and "I think it's a boy". We're planning for a boy and a girl, we're going to wait until the delivery room to see if we get a surprise.

It's a boy?

Yesterday at our ultrasound we never really got a definitive YES it's a boy! Our ultrasound tech kept saying "it looks mysteriously like a boy". What does that even mean?! 8 times out of ten there was nothing there but once or twice we think we saw something. The ultrasound tech is pretty sure, however I am not. But we are moving forward with the idea of bringing another boy home. When they told me during the ultrasound, I must admit I started crying. Silent tears fell, until we were done. Then they put me in the lobby to wait for the doctor. I started sobbing when I called my mom. It got even harder when everyone kept staring at me like I just found out my baby had two heads. They kept asking what was wrong and if I was okay. I just really wanted to be alone to process.

When the nurses took me back they were really concerned about me too. The ultrasound tech came out and saw me still crying and told me that it's a healthy boy and that the day before there was a baby that didn't have an arm. I cried even harder feeling like a terrible mother. Everyone kept saying "she's just disappointed it's a boy" which really made the tears fall harder. What a horrible thing to say that I'm disappointed that it's a boy! I was a mess.

Slowly I've pulled myself out of all the tears and I am so excited to have this baby boy! His name will be Rhett, and I can't wait to have a little buddy for Ruark! I've already started planning their room and Halloween outfits. What an amazing experience to have TWO healthy boys!

A little about baby Rhett. He is a mover! For goodness sakes his amniotic fluid is full of bubbles because he moves so much. I've never even heard of that, the ultrasound tech was surprised. He is a thumb-sucker! Wow, is he ever stubborn! No matter what they did he refused to move out of his spot of legs crossed over his head. Which is what made it so hard to see that he is a boy. A boy after my own heart! I can't believe I'm going to have TWO babies to hold and love soon.

We are so lucky, Ruark already walks around saying "Rhett, Rhett". I can't wait to see these boys grow together.

Ultrasound TODAY!

In ONE HOUR we have our appointment for our ultrasound to see if it's a boy or girl! I am so excited to see him or her moving around. I feel so thankful to be pregnant again and be having my August baby! I thought I'd post a picture of me this morning, my belly seems so small this morning! I have so many hopes and dreams for this sweet baby. Most on my mind is will there be more wrestling tournaments or ballet recitals? Will there be trucks or dolls, blue or pink? I can't wait to know what we're having but I'm more excited to have another baby in my arms again! We're halfway there and we couldn't be more excited!

Is there a Daddy in the house?

People always ask me how I think Ruark will handle having a new baby...my answer? He is going to love it! He constantly talks about the baby and tell her, "night night baby". But lately he's taken to something even sweeter. He like to lay out the blanket put down one of our dogs wrap her up and carry her around. He burps her, he kisses her and rocks her back in forth. It is SO cute! I can't help thinking what a good big brother he will be. I know we are all looking forward to her coming to our home!

Girly Projects

I am LOVING the idea of having a girl! Even though our ultrasound isn't until March 15th, I still am dreaming of lace and ribbons and bows. I tried to tell myself to hold off and wait until mid-March to start projects but I couldn't! So many fun things to do and change so that I have things fit for a little princess. It started with the moses basket. I bought it so it could be used for a boy or a girl, thinking neutral was the way to go. While the idea was a good one, I'm ready to see pink in this house! So the ideas started churning and before Chase knew what was going on lace, fabric paper dolls, pink and well...MORE pink took over the office.

BEFORE:

I bought the bassinet when Ruark was 6 months old, and never had the chance to really use it more than just if I was cooking in the front room. I always wished it had a soft pillow for his head. So I made a pillow and pillow case...it wasn't girly enough!

So I added some lace and NOW I am satisfied!

This is the finished quilt. The back is minky so it's all soft and cuddly.

I can't wait to wrap her up and bring her home to something so cozy, warm and beautiful! Now everyone just keep your fingers crossed that it REALLY IS a girl! :)

My Sweetheart

Last Sunday we were so lucky to have the 5th Sunday and receive a special lesson in a ward. It was titled "Marriage and Divorce". It went along with a address given by President Spencer W. Kimball. It was such a beautiful talk and it went along perfectly with our next holiday Valentine's Day. As so many people if our family are getting divorced or are recently divorced, it has given Chase and I a lot of time to contemplate our marriage and strengthen it again.

Right now Chase and I are doing the 14 days of Valentines. Where we are doing something special for each other every day until Valentines Day. Yesterday Chase and I ran our treats to all of our home teaching and visiting teaching families. I found these adorable boxes, liners and toppers at Wal-Mart. Then Chase and I threw together some cupcakes and ran them out to everyone.

I have to share this recipe too. What can I say! I'm pregnant right now and food sounds SO good. But these cupcakes turned out so amazing and they were so fast!

All Fool's Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 cup oil

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup hot water

Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Except hot water. Beat thoroughly and then add hot water. Bake in 9 X 13 inch pan for 30 minutes at 350*. For cupcakes bake for 20 minutes at 350*.

So SIMPLE!

But then when they are completely cool (IT WILL MELT FROSTING IF IT'S EVEN A LITTLE WARM) top with my marshmallow frosting! If there was a frosting I were ever to bathe in, this would be the one.

Start with 2 egg whites stiffly beaten. Bring 1 cup white karo syrup to a boil and then pour slowly into egg whites while beating. This is most easily done in a mixer. Then add in 1/4 - 1/2 cup white sugar depending on how sweet you want it. Beat until stiff foaming peaks (about 5-7 minutes) Frost cake and top with shredded coconut!

Happy Valentine's everyone, I hope you all read that talk with your spouse this Valentine's season. What a great time to fall in love with your spouse all over again!

Potty Trained!

It's now been almost 2 WEEKS since Ruark had an accident. He is doing AWESOME! We love it! I'm so happy to not being doing diapers for the next 8 months! Let alone all the money we're going to be saving!

On Ruark's first day without accidents he was feeling pretty cool and decided he wanted to wear his leather jacket around the house all day...with no pants. He looked pretty cute and stylish :)

We celebrated with HOT FUDGE SUNDAES, and man were they good! This is my FAVORITE recipe for hot fudge and I thought I would share my family secret :)

Boil:

1 cup cream

1 cube butter

1 cup white corn syrup

Add:

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt

(Whisk all these ingredients together before you add to the boiled liquid or else the cocoa powder will leave clumps)

Boil together until you get to a "soft ball stage" and then remove from heat and add

1 tsp vanilla

BEST HOT FUDGE RECIPE EVER. It hardens when it touches the ice cream but then goes chewy when it gets in your mouth, I hope you all enjoy!

***On a side note. This is also my no bake cookie recipe so if I have a bunch of hot fudge left over I throw in oatmeal, coconut, walnuts and marshmallows and I have cookies too!