Prayers needed please

Just a quick request. I started having contractions this morning around 1 am. They became regular around 3:15, we headed to the hospital to get things checked out around 4:45/5:00ish. I was there for about 3 hours getting fluids and some meds to slow down the labor. I am still having contractions, but they are not progressing. Because I am not full term yet, they won't do anything to speed up the labor process, but because I am not far from being ready they won't do anything more to stop the process. We were sent home around 8:30 this morning and Spence's mom has been here keeping Zeke while I have slept. (Oh and in other news I had to go to the courthouse for a ticket I had gotten, but that's a whole other story and really shows how redneck I am- Yes I was in labor at the courthouse today, go ahead make your comments)

So, why I am writing this? I am asking that you pray that Spence and I will have peace with whatever happens. Pray that we will feel God's hand through this entire thing, I know He is a big God and He knows when Ben is supposed to be here. Pray that while I am not contracting I can get rest. Pray also that we cherish these few hours/days/weeks we have left as a family of three. I realized today when I got home that it was going to be really hard being at the hospital and not seeing Zeke and then coming back home and not being able to do as much with him for a little while. Silly I know, but I missed him this morning...


We love ya'll and are so appreciative of your prayers.

1 month

Just thought I would give a quick update. I am 36 weeks today! WOOHOO!! I am so excited to meet this kiddo that thinks my insides are a jungle gym. I am pretty much over being pregnant. Spence figured out the other day that I have been pregnant for 19 of the last 24 months. We covet your prayers over the next few weeks as we prepare to become a family of 4. I am excited, but anxious about the transition.

Head banger

With walking comes falling. Zeke totally face planted on the kitchen floor the other night. Of course it was as I was opening the door to friends coming over to eat. He immediately swelled and got a bruise, like as in from the time Spence carried him from the kitchen to the living room. These are the best pics I have gotten seeing how he doesn't really stay still for long. You can see over his eye the bump and bruise.

Sweet Sweet Husband

Even though he doesn't get why I want my toes painted when obviously I can't see them. Isn't he awesome!?

Hard at work

Yeah, I took this picture so I could see the results

Happy Birthday Blog!

Dear Blog and blog readers (all three of you). It has been a great year. We have traveled quite a bit together through this year. Let's recap:

From having a newborn to now having a toddler.

From having gained and lost and gained again over 100 lbs.

From having sleepless nights to preparing to have more sleepless nights.

From never having been to the ER (Courtney)to having visiting twice in a year

Thanks for taking this journey with us. We know that it is about to get even crazier around here. Be looking for even more fun times with Zeke and of course our new addition of Ben when he joins us.

Happy Birthday AAA!!!!

Amber we are hoping that you are having a most fabulous day!!!!! I know that some people may think that Zeke and you haven't been able to share in special moments since you have been in Africa, but I think we need to let the truth out. Zeke and you have been busy...

Hanging out before you began your trek...

Zeke talking to you at his bday party

Zeke hanging out with you and a friend

Zeke helping you into his car

You even took him on a safari with you!!

And Zeke showed up most recently at a Girls club (those girls love him, check out how one even has her hand on his head)

Thanks for sharing fun times with Zeke. I know he has had a blast sharing them with you!! Hope these pictures make your bday a little more fun! We love you and miss you! We are praying for you. Enjoy your day!!

Portrait Innovations edit

Here are the pictures that I played with from our favorites. I only cropped some and turned some black and white, but they look pretty stinking cute I think.

cropped in you can really see that sweet smile

He was on his way out of the chair

Still can't believe he is one!

Such a boy!

Tarheel born and bred

Spence is a little worried about the obsession...

Black and white are my fave!

LOVE THIS ONE!

"WHY? WHY?" is all I can think he is trying to say

Life is so hard!

Kids Everywear Sale

I love this twice a year consignment sale at the Morrisville Outlets! I have never participated as a consignor (I still need everything that we have...), but I am excited to one day. I went one day on my own and spent about $50 on some things for Zeke and Ben, and then my mom went with Zeke and I on the 50% off day and she spent about $75. (But she bought for Zeke, Ben, Maddie, and a friend's baby, oh and two things for me) We really got some great steals. Thanks, Mama/Yaya!!!

Here is a run down of the goods:
Courtney: 2 maternity sweaters
Zeke: 6 pairs of pants, 1 pair of overalls, 1 thin fleece jacket, 1 thick fleece coat, 6 shirts, 4 footed pjs, 2 pairs of Robeez-type shoes
Ben: 1 fleece blanket, 1 MIRACLE blanket ($30 new),4 pairs of pants, 4 long sleeve bodysuits, 1 fleece shirt, 5 one piece outfits, 2 footed pjs

Most of stuff was originally bought from Gap, Old Navy, Carter’s, and Children’s Place

My sweaters (the really cool thing about these is that I saw them when I went and decided to wait and see if they would be there on the 50% off day, and they were!!)

Very, very strange to buy 24 months/2T clothes
The blankets, I am so excited to try the Miracle Blanket

We just needed a few things for Ben, and I think he is totally set now!

1st haircut

After we had Zeke's pictures made Friday, we had his first haircut. He had started getting a minimullet in the back, it was begining to grow over his ears, and I'm not really sure what was happening in the front. We decided for this first cut to go to one of those kiddie haircut places that do a special first haircut thing. It was pricey, but I think it was worth it. For one thing, he totally didn't know anything was happening because he just sat there spinning the steering wheel on his plane seat. He sort of watched Dora, looked in the mirror at himself and the lady cutting his hair, and of course played with a ball. Overall, she didn't need to cut a whole lot, but we did get a baggie with some of the hair, a first haircut certificate, and pictures. Zeke did a great job and is now sporting a big kid look.

Before picture
First cuts

Driving his plane

Donna cutting Zeke's hair

Great smile when he was finished

After picture

One year pictures

We finally went to Portrait Innovations today to get Zeke's one year pictures made. Yes, I know his birthday was over a month ago... Here are some of the pictures that I narrowed down to share. I have not edited these at all because I wanted to go ahead and get them up. Be on the look out for edited ones soon. This was not our best picture session. Zeke was in a weird mood, and wanted to hold onto his UNC balls the entire time. We were fortunate to get pictures with out them. He did really give us any great smiles either, but we were able to get a few. Carrie, our girl that we LOVE there, did an amazing job!

Name stacked up

I love that you can tell he is walking in this one

About to flee the scene

Just before he knocked the whole thing down

YAY!

Rocking

He looks like it is a bucking bronco

ONE YEAR OLD!

More name blocks

Checking out the blocks

Happy

Our favorite picture!

Standing up at the block

Carolina Boy

Tarheel!

He only threw the apples and pumpkin that were for decoration

You have to look closely, but his eyes are totally saying

"if you come near me, I will CUT you!"

This one makes me laugh

No clue why he began crying

Throwing a fit

Not sure about this car

Smiling at his dad

Hooray for a smile!

Another of my faves!