Looks like We Made It!

Congratulations are in order for my dear husband who after 9 LONG months of police academy at Eastfield, has passed his exit exam and his TCLOES licence in order to become a real, hand-cuffing, arresting, don't pull me over, honey, police officer! I am so proud of him! It has been a trying 9 months for both of us, but especially Bret, as he has juggled a navy career, full-time school, planning a wedding, having a new wife and daughter and dealing with the joys of my pregnancy (aches and pains included). We made it through and he is on his way to getting hired on with a department. Praise God, halleluia! Now, we have hopes of him finding a department to work for and bringing our baby son into the world. I am 30 weeks and only have 10 more to go! He "turned" last night and is in position so now all we do is wait. It won't be long, now.

Well, my darling angel has turned 5! For her birthday this year, she wanted to have a tea party with all her friends. So, 12 little ladies and their mommies came to Madeline's Tea Party, complete with tea set painting, storytime with Aunt Amy, the special tea party, a tea pot birthday cake and loads of presents and barbies. It was a hoot and so much fun! Here are some highlights of the day.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Well, Thanksgiving was a great one this year. We have many things to be thankful for. A wonderful family, an awesome and rewarding marriage, a beautiful and healthy daughter and a healthy little boy on the way. God really is so good.
Yesterday, We were really counting our blessings. As we woke up to get ready for church, I experienced a dizzy spell. I was in the bathroom putting on my makeup when it hit me. All of a sudden I felt hot and clammy but I was cold and very dizzy. I laid on the couch to try and see if it would pass, but it didn't. We called Dr. Downey and he told Bret to take me to the hospital. They ran some tests and discovered my hemoglobin and blood sugar levels were very low. The nurse said I had anemia, which I did have when I was pregnant with Madeline. We were relieved that there was nothing severely wrong, in fact the baby kept kicking the monitor the nurse had on my belly to make sure he was ok. It was quite hysterical. We were all laughing. The nurse was so sweet, she even gave us a tour of the women's center where we will deliver and showed us the birthing rooms. So, a little scare, but we are thankful everything is fine. I have a doctors appointment today to get re-checked out and probably get a prescription for iron pills to supplement my iron-deficiency.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We should all be thankful for our health, prosperity, families and friends. I know I am.


Also, here is a pciture of Madeline from November 19. She was the flower girl in her Aunt Sarah's wedding. Her Mimi said she did such a great job and was such a delight. Madeline told me she forgot to throw the flowers but that she wasn't scared. I guess my wedding was her "breaking the ice" debut as she not only forgot to throw the flowers, she shyly ran down the aisle in nervousness. Now she is a flower girl pro!

26 Weeks!

Well, I am 26 weeks now with only 14 more to go. Landon is going to be a future soccer star I just know it. He is kicking away, hard too, and will keep up his kicking antics for minutes at a time. I love feeling him, but I have to say sometimes quite painful. I have a doctors appointment next Monday, November 28. I am anxious to see how much weight I have gained. We have made much progress on our registry and have finally finished registering for everything we need. I have bought him a few little outfits and started months ago stocking up on diapers, but that is all we have done so far. It's kind of hard to get a nursery going when we don't really know where we are going to be living once Bret graduates from the police academy. He has a strong lead in Kaufman County, so hopefully we will stay in Rockwall. Well, that is all the for now. Happy Thanksgiving!

Acid is Eating us Alive!

Well, the biopsies came back from Bret's stomach tests. And it's just like we thought...a severe case of Acid Reflux disease. He'll have to take his prevacid every day while I'm downing Mylanta for my own acid reflux problems. Landon is really doing a number on me. Madeline didn't rest as high as he is and I have already secummed to sleeping sitting up. The heartburn is so severe I take Mylanta at least 4 times per day. I went and bought one of those very trendy pillow chairs (oh you know those ugly pillows with arms you had as a kid to do your homework on your bed with). All they had was orange or denim, so I chose the better of the two...denim. There will be no orange or any remnants of UT in my household. No thank you ma'am! But, I have no where to rest my head, so I am stacking pillows on top of the pillow chair to prop my head up. It's a wonderful site and I am getting great sleep (not!) let me tell ya. But, only 3 more months to go and I will have gone through all of this for my beautiful boy so it'll all be worth it. Happy eating and sleeping everyone!

Cravings, Cravings, Go Away!

Man, do these cravings ever go away? No wonder I've gained 14 pounds, I eat Wendy's every day it seems. I have been doing that for nearly one month, eating the same combo #6, Spicy Chicken sandwich, add mustard and cheese, with honey mustard for my fries and an iced tea. The lady at the window knows me now. I don't even have to ask for honey mustard anymore. When I pull up and she sees me, she just adds it to my bag. Pathetic! And then there's Bret who has been having stomach problems for months now (seemed to start when I found out I was pregnant). Is he having sympathy pains and cravings? We think so. Anyway, his stomach pains have gotten so bad it turned into chest pains. The cardiologist ruled out a heart condition and sent him to a gastroenterologist, which he saw last Friday. While doped up on anesthesia, he told the nurse all about his very pregnant wife and soon to be son, Landon Wayne Lord. Oh, yes, the nurse knew all about us...I guess I found out how to get Bret talking more...give him some valium and he's a chatty cathy. Well, the tests showed a few polyps in his stomach body (not too abnormal) but they did a biopsy and we will know results soon. Looks like a big fat case of severe acid reflux disease. I don't think the tons of spices he puts on all his food to make his mouth water from the firey hot caused it at all! Hmmmm! He sure made an impression on his nurses, though. Three different ones called today to check on him. Watch out ladies! My man is taken. Well, time to go watch CSI Miami. Another craving, but this one doesn't make me gain weight, thank God!

14 Pounds and counting...

Well, I had my monthly checkup with Dr. Downey today. The baby's heartbeat sounds great and I am doing great, too. I have gained 14 pounds since my pregnancy and my belly measures 22 inches, which is right on target with my 23 week progress. I am all baby, as my tummy is just sticking way out there. It seems to be the only thing growing, thank God, as nothing else has really gotten big. Madeline had her fourth and final Halloween event today. Little to say, we are trick or treated out! Bret is still juggling work and police academy and it is starting to take a toll on him. Dec 4 won't get here fast enough, but then of course he will have to begin job hunting. Keep us in your prayers as he hunts for a police department. The sooner he gets hired, the sooner we will know where we will be moving and settling. All this to say it will all happen around the time little Landon is due. God help us!

Halloween Carnival #2

Lake Pointe Church had a Fall Festival and of course, we were there! Little Miss Red Raider had fun with Nana, Mommy and Aunt Amy. Bounce houses, kettle corn, and pony rides made for a fun Halloween experience.

Mommy and Me...Two Red Raiders in a Pod!

Look at these two...Aren't we so cute! I have no idea where she gets her love for Texas Tech from (haha), but Madeline makes the most adorable future Red Raider we have ever seen. I guess it is in her blood...

Halloween Carnival #1

Aunt Amy took Madeline to the Wylie Fall Festival. This was Madeline's first of four Halloween events this year. Amy was a little girl this year and tried to borrow Madeline's hair bows for her girlie costume...well, Amy had to go buy her own. "How 'bout we shut my hair drawer and not take any?" said a non-sharing Madeline to her sweet Aunt. We are very possessive of our stuff these days! And of course, Madeline was a Texas Tech Cheerleader.

Here's the three of us...Mommy, Daddy and Madeline with Jack, our pumpkin friend, scooped at by Daddy, grossed out by Madeline (she was not too fond of the gooey inside) and carved out by Mommy. Happy Halloween 2005!

Happy Halloween

Look at little miss Madeline helping to make Halloween desserts. Chocolate covered bananas with almonds were a big hit!