Baby Sharkey

Ok, so I have done a horrible job keeping my new years resolution. I'm not in denial so I can admit it. Let me try to catch you up on what's been going on in our world.

First of all baby Sharkey. Yes I am 32 weeks pregnant with a boy and he still doesn't have a name. Poor #3 is already neglected. I think Mark and I have narrowed it down and may actually have one selected but I'm not ready to commit just yet. Anyway, back to the name Sharkey. In October we took a trip to the beach. Somehow on that trip Grayson decided he wanted to name the baby Sharkey Fish Stallings and it has stuck. I think that is part of the reason we have been so slow on picking a name. We have called him Sharkey for so long it seems as if he has a name. Mark's cousin, Samson, painted the nursery yesterday so now I'm ready for the boys to move the furniture in there and start getting it ready. The bedding came in last week. Grayson is disappointed because he had picked out one that was polka dots with animals. The one I went with is polka dots but no animals. I told him he could help me pick out animal pictures to put on the walls. We'll see what we end up with :-) On Friday we took the kids to see an ultrasound with us. Grayson was very excited...Reagan not so much. Grayson really thought it was funny that Sharkey kept showing us his weenie. We really didn't get a good look at his face. His hands and his feet were in front of his face. I guess it will have to be a surprise who he looks like.

The pregnancy has been pretty uneventful until the past month. I have a HORRIBLE itchy rash on my forearms and belly and it's not getting any better. In addition to that every 5-7 days I have had some major stomach issues...to the point I have to miss work. I won't go into details but I bet you can guess. Not fun anytime, but especially when you have a huge belly. Last week the Dr. took about 1/2 my blood to run some tests so I'm hoping when I go back tomorrow he has some answers. I'm tired of itching and making bathroom visits. Keep your fingers crossed that I find out some answers.

I'm going to go for now. I will post again soon and give you more updates about what's been going on and hopefully some pictures!

still lacking in the blogging world

Ok, I know I said I was going to blog a lot over the weekend but I'm having technical difficulties. Our router is not working properly and needs to be replaced. Hopefully this will be done by this weekend. I hope everyone is staying warm!

Neglect

My poor neglected blog. I did so well maintaining it for so long but not lately. I guess my new years resolution is to do a better job. The next few days will be a hodgepodge of posts, not in any certain order. I hope that all are doing well!

Halloween

Muscle Man and Minnie Mouse

Frustration and a bad mood

Lately I have had a lot of frustration and have been in a bad mood. It's not just one part of my life that is causing this but many areas. For those who work with me you understand part of that frustration. Anyway, today was another one of those days. I was so thankful that I didn't have a Dr.'s appointment because I probably would have been in trouble for my blood pressure. I'm sure it was sky high. After work Mark, the kids, and I met up for dinner and then picked up some pumpkins from the local fruit stand. We came home and Mark took the kids upstairs to play. While catching up on some blogs I found this video. Talk about calming someone down...this did it for me. The setting, the talent all I can say it is glorious. So take about 5 minutes, tune EVERYTHING else out including everything running through your mind and just absorb this video.

Snot in the ear

What a title for a post but it's pretty accurate. Reagan has had one of the worst ear infections I have ever seen. We do know her tube is doing it's job because of all of the "snot" coming out of the ear. Disgusting I know but that's what Mark and the kids have been calling it. I stayed home from work on Friday with her. Her temperature that started late Wednesday night/Thursday morning didn't break until Saturday. I think we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but it can't get here soon enough!

The Big 4

I'm a little bit late with this post. I thought I had posted it, but I guess it I didn't. Oh well, here goes.

On Wednesday (16th) my precious little boy turned 4. I cannot believe that my first born is 4 years old. These years have been so precious and we have had so much fun. At one point in time during the pregnancy, and right after birth I was unsure if we were even going to get to have 4 years with him. I can still remember the neonatologist telling me hours after giving birth that she didn't know how long you would be in the hospital it could be months but that her goal was to make sure you lived to come home (not her exact words but close to it). I don't like to think about those moments but prayers were answered and we now have a healthy, active, caring, sweet 4 year old boy. Below you will find some pictures from the past 4 years.

Grayson you were our first child and we have loved every minute of knowing you. You bring smiles and laughter in our lives everyday. I love hearing you sing your songs and when you are helping your sister. You are full of such wonderful ideas and you care so much for others. I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and mature as you turn into a young man. I love you so much!

Here are some highlights of the first 4 years. Please ignore the dates on the pictures, especially all of the hospital pics. It was off by a day.

Mommy, Lucy, & Ginger the night before Grayson's arrival.

Moments after birth. Look at those frog legs (breech baby).

Mommy seeing Grayson for the first time.

Daddy holding Grayson for the first time.

Grayson in the NICU

Mommy's first time seeing Grayson after birth. He is one day old.

Mommy holding Grayson for the first time. He was 2 days old.

Grayson already attached to the paci. The nurse rushed us in to snap the picture before we even were scrubbed in. :-)

Grayson's first birthday.Grayson meeting his baby sister for the first time.

Grayson and baby Regan watching TV.
Grayson's 2nd birthday. Still recovering from surgery to have tubes put in.

Grayson's 3rd birthday celebrated in Disney World!Grayson with Mickey for his 3rd b-day.
Enjoying the beachProud to be an American
Handsome Young Man!