Cletus is an APPLE

Well, I am guessing that I am right around 15 weeks, which according to babycenter.com makes my little baby the size of an apple. My dear father says that we don't refer to babies as "it" in this family, so until we know if it is a boy or a girl, he/she will simply be "Cletus". This is no joke. He even prays for "Cletus". Not "the baby" or the "boy or girl" he actually refers to the baby as Cletus. :-) I find this amusing since Cletus is obviously a male name. Hoping for something Dad?

We go to the doctor on Tuesday to begin my round of progesterone shots. Once a week for 20 weeks. This is due to the fact that Grayson came so early. They want to try to keep my cervix closed as long as possible. This, I am not looking forward to. Two weeks after that is the big boy/girl appointment. Yes, I know, it would be nice for it to be a surprise. I am, however, a planner, and the thought of not being able to prepare terrifies me. If it is a boy, we are set, but if the baby is a girl, I have a LOT to do.

We are still trying to sell our house. We have already outgrown it with only one child. I cook a lot, and desperately need more kitchen space as well as another bedroom, more storage, the list could go one and on.

We are doing well here in NC. Benji is still loving his job, and is super excited about child #2. I feel like I have found my place as a full time wife and mother. I have kept a neighbor's little boy off and on for the past couple weeks, and that has been a good experience. To have 2 children is very different than one, but we cannot wait for it to be our own.

We love you all and hope the Lord blesses you in this new year.

Grayson=1 year Fetus=3 months

Wow! I really thought I had posted since finding out we are expecting baby number 2. I am doing a terrible job of keeping you up to date.
So, yes! We are expecting our second child in late June. We will just have to see if Grayson's early arrival will be duplicated with this one. We don't know what we are having yet, but do have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, three days from now. I think we will probably find out boy/girl at the one after that.
This pregnancy has been very different. Grayson was a breeze. I went about my business like I wasn't pregnant. Other than a great big belly, I felt terrific. This one has been less comfortable. I have not been sick, but have lost all energy and have a love hate relationship with food. I get hungry, and that makes me feel bad, so I eat to counteract that, and then I feel worse. Luckily, I am right around week 13, and some of that is starting to get better. My energy is picking back up, and food and I seem to have an understanding. :-)
We are very excited! The kids will be 19 months apart if I last until my due date. I have been watching a neighbor's little boy for a couple days, and he is one month younger than Grayson. It has been a good experience to have 2 small ones in the house. It has actually gone quite well. Benji and I are convinced if we can get the sleep thing down, then the rest is smooth sailing...at least that's how it was in Grayson's case. I am aware that all babies are different, but sleep is going to be our number one goal.
We just had a big birthday party for Grayson on Sunday at church. Lots of family and friends came, and it was so nice. Grayson got some very nice gifts and much needed clothes. We still cannot believe it has already been a year. He is "chattering" with us quite a bit. Most of it is babble, but we can pick out things like "ba" for ball or bottle...although he uses "ba" for his milk cup too. He does say "dada" although it is usually mixed in with some other stuff too.
Benji loves it when he comes home in the morning because Grayson gets very excited, squealing and clapping his hands. It is heartwarming to watch. He is pulling up on all the furniture and I am convinced he will be walking within another month.

We are just very happy right now. My life as a full time wife and mother is extremely fulfilling, and I just wouldn't trade it for anything. It helps to be married to a man that is such a strong Christian and so supportive.
Please keep in touch. I will try to be better about keeping this thing updated. Have a wonderful week!