Emma and Jacey

Soon, I will not be the mother of just one daughter. In fact, there will be two. Emma is so excited. She really grasps the concept of the new baby quite easily. She seems to fully understand that there is a living child within my belly who will be coming out "some time after her birthday." I told her that in February. Yesterday, I told her we were having a party for Jacey and Emma thought Jacey was coming out of my belly for it. I explained that she couldn't be there yet and Emma said, "But, you said she was coming out after my birthday." I was impressed she remembered that.

Because I had a C-Section with Emma it has been easier for me to explain how Jacey is going to come out. I'm going to try a natural birth with Jacey, but to save Emma's innocence a little longer, I just showed her my scar and told her Jacey would be coming out from there.

I got a couple new stretch marks with this pregnancy on my belly. Emma likes to look for Jacey's kicks and talk to her. She always sees a kick that I never felt. ha ha I think she sees my breathing as Jacey kicking and I let her believe that. I tell her Jacey is saying hello. Emma saw my stretch marks the other day and said, "Oh, no! Jacey scratched you!"

Emma is super excited to be a big sister. Between her teachers, Karen (Jason's mom), and us here at home; she is getting a lot of insight as to what it means to be a big sister. Karen visited over Easter and was a big help in getting Emma prepared for the new baby. She talked to her about the things Emma could do to help out. I've been doing a lot of nesting lately and Emma has been helping me. When we put some of Jacey's clothes in a drawer she talked about how she would help get her dressed. When we folded some bath towels, she talked about how she would give Jacey a bath. Emma said once, "Oh, no!  I don't know how to hold Jacey." I told her not to worry and that we would practice with her doll. Since then, she has named her doll Jacey and often times puts her doll in her little grocery cart and tells me she's taking her daughter to the grocery store.

Karen bought Jacey a play pen (which I'm using as a crib) and a couple tummy time toys. Emma gets so excited for all the things that have been arriving for Jacey. First, it was all the clothes from Kim. Emma couldn't stand it that I didn't open the boxes for several days. One morning while I was eating breakfast, Emma came in carrying the un-opened box (bigger than she was) and I couldn't resist. I had to finally open it for her. My worst fears about opening the box came to life as Emma took EVERY last piece of clothing out (showed them to her dad who was webcamming with her at the time) and even tried to put on the little shoes. It was pretty cute and I didn't have too much trouble organizing the outfits again. Emma wasn't around when Karen's gifts arrived. After calling on my friend Christin (the play pen expert), I was able to figure out how to set that up. Emma came in my room that night with a bad dream. In the morning she saw the play pen and started choking on tears as she said, "But, I wanted Jacey to sleep in my room." I know that's probably not a great idea, but I couldn't help telling her that it wasn't a permanent set up and that we could move it into her room later. Emma hopped out of bed after that, got her doll and put her doll in the play pen with some toys. Couple days later she wanted to open the other toys Karen had sent and she laid them on the floor next to the play pen. She tried them out for a while, but I think the infant level bored her. Now she talks about how she is leaving them there for Jacey. However, they are right in the middle of the floor so I'm going to have to do some rearranging.

I'm very excited for Jacey to come into our lives and I know Emma is too. I hate the thought of having to work again. I'm ok with going back to school as that still leaves me some time at home with the kids. But, if I have to get a job I'll never see my precious children, the joys of my life! I'm praying that the money I get from the GI Bill and child care from Jason will be enough to keep me from having to work. I can't imagine not watching Jacey grow up. I remember hating that when I was working while Emma was a baby. I can't imagine leaving it up to someone else to be with my kids through out the day, raising them up and teaching them right from wrong. God intended the man to work and the woman to stay at home. But, unfortunately, I don't get that privilege now. I'm not complaining. I'm just praying and trusting that God's perfect plan will be shown to me and I know he'll take care of my daughters.

Emma's 4th Birthday

Sorry it took me so long to get her birthday posted. I'm lazy about doing posts that require pictures. She had a great turn out of all her girl-friends and teachers from school. To this day, she still thinks the pink unicorn can be seen at Pantano Stables. I still have the horn so maybe someday I'll take her back to see "Miss Kitty" - the horse actress.

 I felt a little sorry for Miss Kitty. She looked a little clownish. But all the kids loved her!

 Was a hot and sunny afternoon. We had colored sprite and you can see her cake on the table. The food didn't go over too well in the heat.

 Bubbles and balls while we waited for Miss Kitty to come out.