12/30/05

Well...Christmas is officially over at the Pillstrom house! Today Brady and I finished taking the Christmas tree down. Now we just wait until Tony has a day off to take the lights off of the house! I've given him a deadline! The good news of the day is that we finally decorated the bare wall in the living room! Let's see...we've lived here 1 year and one wall had nothing on it for that long! Dad got us a gift card from Kirkland's to buy two pics we wanted. They didn't have them last week when we went and we were pretty sad. Then we went back today and ended up buying something totally different! We got a mirror, 2 sconces, and an iron thing for the living room and three pictures for the kitchen! All for the same amount we were originally going to spend on two pictures! What a deal! Then to top off my day I got this really pretty bunch of flowers at Walmart that were 9.99 marked down to $3.00! What a day! Now I'm just really tired and my back is hurting pretty bad!
Brady is fighting a cold this week. We're planning to take it pretty slow this weekend and sleep a lot! I don't want to start the new year off tired! Well that probably won't actually happen but it could! In case I don't get around to updating the site this weekend have a very Happy New Year!

12/27/05

Isn't this the cutest big boy you've ever seen? Can you believe I have a kid that's old enough to be riding a bike? This was his big gift from Santa and he loves it! We even had to go buy him a new helmet because the one he has on in the pic is too small. Today he spent the afternoon playing with his friend Kierra from next door. They rode their bikes and played in the backyard. The temp was around 68 today. Hello...it's December!
Today mom shared with PJ that we would be naming the baby after him. He doesn't like the name Kaden. Too bad! I love the name and it's sooo cool that Brady picked it out! This weekend marks the 25th week. That means just 14 to go and I'm so ready. I look really pregnant now and I'm uncomfortable most of the time. The baby i s very responsive to Brady's voice. He gets very active when his big brother is around! I'm sure they'll be the best of friends!

12/26/05

Well it's finally over! The big day has come and gone and Brady P enjoyed the whole thing! Today I'm posting the cutest pic. This is Jack Greer! He's my best friend's baby and this was his first Christmas. I could resist a cutie in a cowboy hat!
This weekend was fast...fun...and tiring! Mom came to town and she was sick. I'm glad she was able to be here! Brady adores her. Santa visited our house late Saturday night and left Brady a lot of fun. He got a bike, a light brite, a cd player, some movies. Uncle PJ bought him a Doodle monster. Mom gave him a Disney Sketcher. It's like a doodle pad but computer. He's been playing with that all weekend! He even slept in his big boy bed because Santa asked him too!
Oh...yeah...Candyland! We've played that a million times.

As for peanut we finally have a name that I can share with you! Kaden Patrick Pillstrom. Brady chose Kaden, and Patrick is my brother's name. I'm really excited that we finally have agreed on something. I read online that his heart beat is strong enough that if you put an ear to my belly you could hear it! We haven't tried it yet but that is really cool. We're just 15 weeks away from D-Day and I can't wait! Christmas next year is going to be so awesome! Two sweet boys and plenty of presents from Santa I'm sure!

12/22/05

Has anyone noticed that I've been putting the wrong date on my posts? My brain is slowly being sucked out by this creature in my tummy! Who by the way has been running laps all day! He's getting to be big enough that I can actually see my tummy move when he does something!
Today we're cleaning the house because Gamma comes tomorrow and of course Santa comes in 3 more days! I'm completely done with my shopping though I still have to go to Walmart tomorrow and pick up Gamma's birthday cake. Brady wanted to get her a bat man cake but they were out of the stuff for it. So instead she'll be getting a SpongeBob cake. She'll like that one much better! In case you were wondering her birthday is Sunday!
I hope you have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas. I'll be back next week on the blog letting you know how we celebrated!

11/20/05

Wow what a weekend! Saturday we had a Christmas party with our friends. Sunday a party with our small group and then on Monday a trip to Build A Bear with Brady's friends from small group! I used to think Hell would be like an arcade. I now know it's a giant Build A Bear with thousands of screaming kids! I'm just kidding but not really! By the time we drove all the way home...an hour... I was so exhausted and my ankles were so swollen. I was so stressed out that I was going to lose my kid. There were so many people and kids in there it's a gold mine for a chile molester! Also while we were there a lady walked past me with her kid and she reeked of Beer! I know that smell because it's what Rick smells like about once a week when we have to be at work early. Then I had to be at work early this morning and drive to Arkansas. Needless to say I'm pretty tired!
I'm including a pic of Brady tonight. This is his new batman costume he got at the small group party! The family that drew his name knew exactly what he would love!
Just 5 days until Christmas and I'm making it my personal goal to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone I see! No one is going to tell me I can't say that any more!

11/17/05

Tonight we went to our old playgroup Christmas party! It was a blast. The kids played some games and exchanged gifts. It's fun watching kids trade gifts. Brady got a Superman DVD and he and his daddy were really excited! Then while the mom's were exchanging gifts one of the boys hit another in the nose and we had to pause for a nose bleed! These kids have been friends for atleast 3 years and this is the first time I can recall that anyone has hurt another and drawn blood. We all new it was coming eventually!
It was so much fun just hanging out with the girls. I really miss seeing them on a regular basis!
Peanut was very active today. Brady and I went shopping and then when we got home for our nap baby was hopping everywhere! I wonder what he's thinking in there! I'd like to know that would be sooooo cool if I had a camera in my belly and could see what he was up too when he's moving around! That's what someone needs to invent!
Well it's late and I'm tired!

12/14/05

Tonight Brady and I have been making snowflakes on the computer. Mom sent me a website that you can make a snowflake and send it to someone! I'm not sure the sending part works but Brady and I have been enjoying seeing how creative we both are!
I'm suffering from indigestion. I didn't have it at all last time but for some reason when I eat I'm feeling yucky. And I'm hungry a lot. I know that happened last time because I gained so much weight.
I go to the doctor on Friday and I'm hoping to get some relief for my back. That reminds me I need to take my medicine before I head off to bed.
Only 11 days until Christmas. I'm going to finish my shopping on Friday I hope and we also have to order mom a Birthday cake. You know her b-day is the same as Jesus!
I had every intention of making tonight's blog all about the new Narnia movie but I'm just too tired. I'll get to that later!

12/13/05

12 days until Christmas and just 17 weeks until baby is born! Boy am I ready for both! I'm so tired these days and my back is still giving me fits! I go to the doctor on Friday and hopefully she'll have a solution for me other than pain pills. They aren't even working any more.
Baby is really getting active these days. He's moving as we speak and it's so cool to feel that! Tonight Tony and I are going to see Narnia. I'll give you my thoughts later this week! Brady is going to his buddy's house so we get a night with out the kid. We're meeting one of the girls in my small group and I'm glad to get the spend the time with her out side of church! She's a great kid.
I plan to finish my Christmas shopping this weekend and actually wrap all of my presents. I have the ones I bought wrapped. This is bothering me because I'm usually done shopping and wrapping by now! I guess I'll get over it eventually!
My trainer left for France today to visit her inlaws. She hasn't been there in 5 years and they haven't been here in 3. She was excited and I hope she has a great trip. Please pray for her and her husband's safety. They will be gone for a whole month!
I'm including yet another pic of Brady. He's such a cutie I feel I can't skip using another picture!

12/10/05

15 days until Christmas! Today Brady was posing in front of the Christmas Tree and I was taking pics with our new camera. Isn't he so cute in his big boy clothes? I am really enjoying this holiday season with him. He's so excited about Santa coming and Christmas shopping. He's so ready to give daddy his present that he can't stand it. Last week he told Tony what we got him. Kid can't keep a secret.
Today we went to lunch and Brady tripped over Tony's shoe and fell. He had his hands in his coat picket and hit the tile floor face first. he busted his lip and I was afraid he broke a tooth. His teeth are ok but his lip is pretty swollen. I took this picture before the big fall!
Brady actually got to feel the baby move the other night. We were sitting in the chair and he was in between my legs with his head on my tummy. Just when he got comfortable Peanut kicked him in the head. Brady sat up...looked at me...and said "Peanut just kicked me in the head!" It was so funny.
I'm finally at 22 weeks! Wahoo! 17 weeks until vacation. I say vacation...others call it maternity leave. I plan to not think about work for the whole time I'm at home which makes it a real vacation!

12/8/05

I just want to tell you today that God is good! Last night at church one of my girls was saved. She's the one that I've been praying for...for a while now! It was awesome. She was the first to raise her hand right there in front of everyone! I couldn't have been more proud. I'm so excited to see how her life will change and how she will impact others lives! Please continue to pray for her...her name is Sammy. She will be faced with a lot in the next weeks and I pray that she will have the strength and boldness she had last night to stand up the the enemy!
I also want to tell you about another accomplishment...Brady P can color in the lines! I'm so proud of him. He's growing up so fast and he's so smart!

12/4/05

What an awesome weekend! After having a terrible week at work Tony made sure to plan a weekend that was stress free. Saturday we had breakfast with Santa and Brady got his picture made. He actually sat in Santa's lap and told him what he wanted for Christmas. He told Santa he wanted a Doodle Monster and a Light Bright. The light bright is easy...The other is sold out everywhere! It's the cabbage patch kid all over again! I will find this toy if it's the last thing I do! When I was in the 4th grade the Cabbage Patch was the big toy. They sold out before my parents got one and it was 6 months later before I got my first. Hopefully we will get this toy...which will be a gift from Uncle PJ.
I'm 21 weeks and the count down has begun! Mostly because I'm ready to be on maternity leave. I'm feeling the little guy move all the time now. I love first thing in the morning when I wake up he's awake too. I just love laying there and feeling him swim around. If we only could pick out a name.
I was blessed beyond belief today at church. My girls and I are praying at the alter every Sunday. The first week one girl showed up. This week there were 5. I'm so excited. This Friday is our Christmas party and I think they will leave here blessed! A friend is sharing her testimony and we're playing games and even doing a craft! I can't wait!
Please pray for me this week that I can get through work with out having a nervous break down!

12/2/05

I had the most awesome dream last night! Pregnant dreams are so funny. I dreamed that I was at the hospital and I was holding the baby when Brady and Tony showed up. Brady was so excited to see his new little brother and he ran right over. We sat Brady in a chair and let him hold the baby for a few picutres. Brady was smiling so big and the baby looked up at him and smiled right back. Then I looked at both of them and they had the same face! Isn't that funny? I mean I'm hoping this one will look like Brady because he's so cute but they had the exact same face! Then when I got up this morning and was about to leave...i heard Brady making some noise and I looked over and he was cracking up in his sleep. Then he blew a kiss! I wonder what he was dreaming about! I'd love to get inside his head sometimes and just see what he thinks about! After a long...aweful day yesterday...this was a great way to start a Friday!

11/30/05

Well here it is...the count down until Christmas. I sit here checking my email and find one from a dear friend who sends out a weekly reflection to the girls she mentors. Today she reminds us to "Rejoice in the Lord." Isn't it funny how we get so tangled up in the world that we just forget something so simple as rejoicing in the Lord. I have been so caught up in the "why me's" lately that I haven't stopped and "Rejoiced in the Lord".
I will rejoice in the Lord while I'm pregnant for sure. I'm still suffering pain in my back but really enjoying the time first thing in the morning when I wake up and Little Pillstrom is very active. He's starting to move a lot in the day and it's great. Brady is all about being a big brother. This morning he woke up...gave me a hug and kiss...and said he had to give peanut one too! how cute is that?

11/29/05

Whoa! What a night. I just gained a whole new appreciation for one of my girlfriends. I babysat three boys tonight for one of my good friends. Ages...5...3...9months...and Brady! She is one of the most calm, sane people in he world. I don't know how she does it! Brady kept the big boys busy and I was in charge of the baby. After he got over being mad at me for trying to get him to sleep I spent the last hour holding a sweet...sleeping baby while my little one kicked and bounced around in my tummy! I love babies! So hats off to all of you moms with more than one child! You rock and have all of my respect.
Baby Pillstrom...the kid who still doesn't have a name...was mega chilled today! He didn't really get going until tonight while I was rocking baby Nate. My back...however...is killing me and so are my lower abs. I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks and I want to talk to her more about my back. I don't like relying on pain meds to get through this.
Please pray for Tony...he's going through a tough time with his family right now and he's really depressed about it!

11/28/05

It's back to the grind after two long weekends with the parents. Thanksgiving was fun and I need a day off to recuperate. Brady loved spending the weekend with his Paw Paw Jim, Gamma and Uncle PJ. He followed Paw Paw Jim all over the place wearing the boots he got him. He looked so cute in the cowboy boots and he acted like such a big guy in them. Yesterday mom and I took Brady to have his Christmas pictures taken. They were so cute. For the first time I actually got a christmas background. I usually get something neutral but I let him pick out the back grounds he wanted and he had so much fun doing it!
I think baby Pillstrom had a good thanksgiving too. He has been much more active the past couple of days and I love it. I can actually feel him if I put my hand on my tummy. Tony hasn't felt him yet but I'm not sure he knows what he's looking for. I'm suffering from really bad back pain. It's starting to go into my left leg and making it hard for me to walk. This happened last time but I think it's much worse now. Please pray for me that I will be able to continue to work during this next 20 weeks. Oh yeah...I'm 20 weeks now! Half way there! Wahoo.
I'm posting a pic of Brady and Uncle PJ from this weekend. Can you believe how much my brother has grown?

11/28/05

It's back to the grind after two long weekends with the parents. Thanksgiving was fun and I need a day off to recuperate. Brady loved spending the weekend with his Paw Paw Jim, Gamma and Uncle PJ. He followed Paw Paw Jim all over the place wearing the boots he got him. He looked so cute in the cowboy boots and he acted like such a big guy in them. Yesterday mom and I took Brady to have his Christmas pictures taken. They were so cute. For the first time I actually got a christmas background. I usually get something neutral but I let him pick out the back grounds he wanted and he had so much fun doing it!
I think baby Pillstrom had a good thanksgiving too. He has been much more active the past couple of days and I love it. I can actually feel him if I put my hand on my tummy. Tony hasn't felt him yet but I'm not sure he knows what he's looking for. I'm suffering from really bad back pain. It's starting to go into my left leg and making it hard for me to walk. This happened last time but I think it's much worse now. Please pray for me that I will be able to continue to work during this next 20 weeks. Oh yeah...I'm 20 weeks now! Half way there! Wahoo.
I'm posting a pic of Brady and Uncle PJ from this weekend. Can you believe how much my brother has grown?

11/25/05

Black Friday!
It's one of my most favorite days of the year. All the crazy people come out just to find some bargains...and mom and I are right in the middle!
Our day started at 4am when we woke up and got ready to shop til we dropped. 1st Kohl's then Target and I'm proud to say I got everything I wanted that was on sale.
Others were not so lucky. A lady behind us at Kohl's said her cousin was at WalMart where tv's were on sale for like $50. The girl was trying to get a tv and two people were fist fighting. A man punched her in the face while trying to punch another lady. How crazy are these people?
Needless to say we were done by 8am and home asleep by 8:30!
Amazing... the past few years I was able to go all day. Baby on board makes me more tired!
Tonight at Judi's house baby was bouncing around like he is in a moon bounce. Judi tried to feel him but of course...like all kids they stop performing when someone is looking! It's so weird...he pushes his head up against my belly button and you can actually feel his head if you touch my tummy!
Oh...just incase you were wondering...Brady is sleeping in his big boy bed and he got his Tigger toy today. Wahoooo!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It's finally here! Thanksgiving and Brady P is excited. Gamma and Paw Paw Jim got into town last night and Brady showed off for about an hour before he passed out! This morning we're cooking dinner and waiting for the family to get here. Uncle PJ is coming from Texas and his flight was canceled this morning after he woke up at 4am to get here on time. So he's sitting at the airport waiting for the next flight. Dinner will be delayed a little bit because we want to wait on him but that's ok. I'm just excited that he's coming! Brady and Gamma are cracking pecans for the chocolate chip cookies that they are about to start making. Mom makes the best cookies and I can never make them as good as she does. I'm cooking the dressing and some other things. But right now I'm sitting here writing and watching my favorite movie...My Fair Lady. There's just something about this movie that gets me in the holiday mood. I guess because when I was in college I used to have to work the day before and after Christmas and I would always rent this movie because I would be home alone and it's a long movie. Oh the memories!
I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving and make sure you let those you're most thankful for know they are important to you!
God Bless you all!

11/22/05

What a wonderful day! Today Brady and his class celebrated Thanksgiving with a party at school! It was so cute watching the kids tell Ms. Kim what they were thankful for. Brady said he was thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful that Brady knows who Jesus is.
Today was Brady's Grandma's birthday. Though he wouldn't sing to her on the phone he did sing in the car. We sent her flowers and Brady was really excited about that.
Also today was a great day because I'm really starting to feel baby Pillstrom move a lot. I'm really excited about that. We still haven't decided on a name. We have some great ideas just nothing for sure.

I have a prayer request tonight. A friend of mine sent me an email about her friend today. The friend was pregnant with twins. This week she lost one of them and they had to do a c-section to save the other one. He's 26 weeks and survived but he needs a lot of prayer. Thank you for being so awesome to pray for my friends.

11/21/05

Just 3 days until Thanksgiving and I thought this week I could tell you what I'm thankful for. Besides God's love, I'm thankful for my family. Tony is the best husband in the world and Brady's an awesome kid! I'm so thankful that I have been blessed with them both. I'm also thankful that baby pillstrom is healthy inside my tummy.
We spent the weekend with my dad and Brady had a great time. We went to "Ala-gamma" or as most say it...Alabama! We went to the space museum. Brady loved seeing the rockets!
I can't wait until Thanksgiving!