Relay for Life

This is our 2nd annual Relay for Life. My mom is a 2x cancer survivor (uterine and breast). She has been cancer free from uterine cancer for almost 10 yrs and cancer free from breast cancer for 5 yrs. God has been so good to take care of her during the various surgeries and treatments. My dad and I helped to take care of her through both of them. We love you, mom and so glad that God has blessed us with you for this much longer!!!!!


I made Zachary a onesie for him to wear for the walk. The front said," Relay for Life." There was a pink breast cancer ribbon on the front too. On the back it said," My Grammy is #1." This is the picture of me giving it to my mom - she teared up.

Here is the Chick-fil-a chicken and Zachary is just looking up at him and doesn't seem to be too scared. Of course, he probably can't quite tell what he is looking at either.......LOL

Here is a picture of Les, Zachary and I. I have a purple sash thing on that says," Caregiver" since I helped take care of my mom. This was after the caregiver lap with their survivors. It is such a meaning time and always makes me tear up b/c I know that I am blessed to still have my mom here.

Here is Zachary and his grammy. She wanted a picture with his onesie on him. He had a lot of fun at the walk and really enjoyed his time there. He stayed awake for the whole thing and then he CRASHED once we were leaving. I guess he knew it was over and he didn't want to miss anything; which I can't blame him for that!!! We were there for over 4 hours and I was surprised that he lasted the entire time. What a trooper he is!!

Pictures!!!

Here is Zachary's first fishing trip - he looks so excited, right?! He even has his little fishing hat on too. :)



Here he is after about 30 seconds after being hooked into his car seat - he was out! He was getting tired when I buckled him in and didn't take long for him to fall asleep.

Here is him in the bath tub last night. You can see his little belly that he is getting!!! He's so darn cute, but of course he's mine. ;)

Here is my best friend and I. She's the one who is getting married this weekend. Yay for Julie!

Here is daddy and Zachary playing on the floor last night. Les was telling Zachary that the bear was going to get his feet..........LOL

Pooping and Peeing

Oh my gosh, today was so funny. When I was feeding him earlier today I knew that he had pooped in his pants. So, after he finished eating; which was a few minutes later; then I put him in his swing for about 15 - 20 minutes to give him a chance to finish pooping. Well, I came back in and was holding him and thought that he was done, so I proceeded to change his diaper. Well, I had gotten the other diaper almost off and was wiping off his bottom when all of a sudden he started pushing again and next thing I knew there was poopy all over him again. Not only did he have poopy every where, but then he started peeing at about the same time and he got me!!! hahahaha I started laughing and was like," oh well!" So, I finished changing him and changed his clothes. Who would have thought that 15 - 20 minutes wouldn't have been long enough.......LOL

Tomorrow we're leaving for Austin for my best friends' wedding. She is getting married at Villa Antonia.

I have some recent shots of Zachary on my camera and now I need to get them on my computer before I leave. That way I make sure to have PLENTY of room for wedding, bachelorette party, lingerie party, sightseeing, etc.

If I get a chance before I go to bed tonight to do that; then I will try to post a few pics of Zachary.

Update!!!!

Today after my 6 wk check-up we went over to Zachary's pediatricans office to let them see them. Background - Zachary's pedi was MY pedi and my mom was his head nurse many years ago, so we know him and several office staff ladies very well. Anyways, while we were there they decided to weigh him to see how much he has grown. I put earlier today that I thought Zachary was weighing in at about 8 1/2 lbs, well, I was wrong, he weighs 9 1/2 lbs with is onesie on!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh our boy is getting big!! :) He has gained about 4 lbs from what he had dropped to after birth. The lowest he got to was 5 lbs and 8.2 ounces. He sure has come along way and he is currently going through a grow spurt and eating a lot!!!!!!

We have a new addition joining our family in about 2 weeks or less - I will post pictures later or you can get a sneak peek on my mom's blog at www.marshaminutes.blogspot.com.

Happy Weekend!!!

6 wks old!!!!!!!

Here are some pics that I took the other day - Zachary is now 6 wks old and loving life!! LOL He is starting to smile; which is just the cutest thing. He is weighing in at over 8 1/2 lbs and about 21 inches long (I did my best measuring him). He enjoys long walks with his mommy and daddy and playing in his swing.

Have a great day!!!

I'm sorry for the delay in posting, pictures, etc. I am working on a schedule and he seems to be taking to it pretty well. We have been only working on it though for about 2 days. He is sleeping right now and I am going to go and wake him up in 10 minutes. Poor little guy had a rough day. He went in for his blood work this morning and they stuck him in the arm and his blood clotted, so they had to stick him in the heal. He was so brave and did very well.

Zachary is now weighing in at about 8 1/2 lbs and thriving!!!!!!!! I can't believe how he is fattening up so nicely. :) I haven't taken any recent pictures, but after he eats his dinner and we're having our playtime; then I will do my best to take some pictures. :)

Know that I have NOT forgotten you all and I will post a picture when I get a chance.

Update

Hey Everyone,

It has been quite a while since I posted anything, but I have definitely had my hands full for a while.

Let's see, Zachary has turned 1 month old and that was exciting! He weighs in at around 8 lbs now. He has had his 1st transfusion and is in the process of having his 2nd transfusion today. He has been such a trooper and does so well!!!! He has a great temperament - he eats well, sleeps well, and pees and poops VERY well. The doctors are 99% sure that Zachary has this rare thalassemia trait (passed from his dad). It runs in the family on Les' side, but everything should be just fine once he starts making his own adult red blood cells; which could be a few more months. We were asking the doctor today how rare this particular trait is that he has and she said that she has never seen it before and more than likely will never see it again in her lifetime.

I wanted to let you know that you could also keep up with what is going on from my mom's blog at www.marshaminutes.blogspot.com or you can link to it from the right side of my blog where I have a list of blogs and it's called Grammy's Blog. I hope to put up some new pictures of him (they're on my camera), but I just haven't had time.

We appreciate all the prayers and know that I feel them. It is an emotional time for me, but I am doing good with the support of both my family and Les' family too.

We love y'all!!!!

Praise the Lord!

Here is a cute picture of Les and Zachary!!

Here is Grammy and Zachary - I think this was taken before his 1st bath at home.

I received a call a few hours ago from one of Zachary's neonatologist, Dr. Powell. She had exciting news to tell us! She received his newborn screening blood results back that are required by the state of Texas. The blood work tests for like 25 or so diseases and blood disorders. Zachary's results came back all negative; which is great news! She said," well, he doesn't have any of the scary things." I was very relieved to get the call as was Les.

Zachary is currently sleeping and doing really well. He has been sleeping very well, nursing well, and definitely peeing and pooping.........LOL I just love my little boy and I am really glad to be his mommy. Les is really learning a TON about taking care of babies and he is SOOO cute when he has Zachary all cuddled up to him on his chest.

I want to say THANK YOU to my mom who has been a huge help to me the last week. I don't know how I would have survived the first week at home without her. Mom, you'll never know how much you have meant to me - thank you for taking your time and spending it with us. :) I love you, mom!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures of Zachary

Hello Everyone, Boy has it been a busy week and a half. :) My sister-in-law, Jill (http://www.jc-originals.blogspot.com/) came over on Wednesday when Zachary was 1 week old. He did so well, but like she said, he definitely made us work for the shots. :) LOL I think the pictures turned out awesome and couldn't be any happier with them. Please make sure to check out her blog to see the great work that she does.

Jill, THANK YOU for the awesome shots - we can't wait to see all of them when you're done. :)

Here is Les holding Zachary against his chest - so sweet!

Here is Zachary and mommy - so adorable!!

Here is a stuffed doggie of what we used to have, her name was Kodiak. We said that this picture looks like Kodiak is watching over Zachary. In case you don't know, we had to make the hardest decision back on December 26th to put her to sleep. She was going to be 5 yrs old on Valentine's day. We still love you, Kodiak, and will never forget you!!! :)

Here is Zachary sound asleep in a hat that Jill made for Zachary. He looks great in blue - definitely his color!! haha

Here is our perfect little angel sleeping soundly - he looks so angelic!

Zachary, we love you and can't wait to show you this giant world that we live in.
You're the apple of our eyes.

Introducing.............

Mr. Zachary Dwayne Cornelius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zachary weighed 6 lbs and 2 ounces. He was 19 inches long. I ended up having a C-section on March 11, 2009 at 12:03 AM. We had a long 2 days before he got here, but he seems to have done well through it all. He did end up in the NICU on Wednesday because he went jaundice a little too quickly for babies who are only about 12 hours or so old. They were concernd about him, so they sent him from the newborn nursery to the NICU. It was rather scary, but he spent a few days there and did very well. They weren't going to feed him any formula just in case he needed a blood transfer. Well, at midnight, he would not stop screaming. They tried several things, but in the end he insisted on being fed. He has been feeding well ever since. I have been nursing him and he has been responding to that very well. This morning he came in from the nursery and he fed VERY well. I was very glad about that. He fell asleep in his daddy's arms and is now happily sleeping in his grammy's arms. :)

I hope to put more pictures up, but I have been very tired with everything going on. I am healing very well and trying to rest up too. I will try to post again soon!!

We all appreciate your prayers - they are truly working and we can see God working among us.

Zachary, we love you so much!!!!

What do YOU think?!

Okay, I completely forgot that I was going to do this!!!!!!!!! I said in one of my other blogs that I wanted to see what YOUR predictions were of when Baby C would arrive.

When I was e-mailing with my SIL, Amy, this morning, she told me her prediction of Baby C's due date. Then I thought," wait - I didn't do that blog that I wanted!"

So, this is your chance to make predictions and I will attempt to update this blog with your predictions, but NO PROMISES!!!!! hahahaha

My Prediction - March 10th (originally I put March 8th, but pushed it back a few days)

Les - March 7th

Amy - March 9th

Julie - March 5th

Christy - March 10th (originally she put the 7th)

Sarah - March 6th

Becky - March 3rd

Dori - March 9th

My mom, Marsha - March 9th

Kim - March 12th

Ailsha - March 20th

Terrie - March 17th

Marcy - March 13th (that's what you said, right?!) :)

Till later......................................:)


UPDATE #1:
Here is the latest picture of me - I don't have any make-up on, so just pay attention to the belly.......LOL

UPDATE #2:
My appt went great and I am very glad for that! She said that the bed rest is helping and she thinks that he'll hold put for possibly a few more weeks, but we'll just have to wait and see. My cervix is soft and if she said that if she did have to induce; then she thinks that I wouldn't have to have a c-section. She is keeping me on bed rest b/c he is staying in like she wants and my blood pressure is down and week #2 with no protein in my urine. YAY!!! She can tell that I've been doing like I am supposed to and she's happy with that. She did the litmus test today to make sure that I am not leaking any amniotic fluid and I would have to say that that is not the most comfortable thing - it actually hurt for a few seconds. My lower back is achey right now and a few mild cramps, but otherwise, I am doing good. I am glad to know that he will more than likely stay cooking in there a while longer, but I think that I might only change my estimations by a few days. :)

Still Here

I have been doing good this week. I have been relaxing and taking it easy like she told me too. Last night I was going to the bathroom every 20 - 30 minutes, so that was fun...........LOL

The other night Les and I were in the baby's room and I was sitting on the bed with my feet up and telling him where to put things. He was doing a good job, but I wanted to be doing it myself.

I think that I might have had my 1st real contraction the other day, but that has been it besides the braxton hicks contractions. I had a very dull achy back and pain the front for about 45 seconds - 1 minute. While it was uncomfortable; the pain wasn't bad, but I felt it. Who knows, that might have been just a stronger braxton hicks. :)

He has been very active in there and yesterday when I was just about to fall asleep, it felt like he was trying to ride a bicycle in there - he kicked continuously for about 3-4 times with each leg right in a row. Weird feeling, but cool too!

I just keep praying that God will have him come on down when the time is right and that I will continue to feel good and be patient as I wait for his delivery. I want it to be in God's timing, but at times it can be a little uncomfortable to get up and move around.

I am so excited to see how much he weighs, how long he is, and what he looks like!!!!!!!

I haven't taken any pictures of myself, so we'll have to get another picture here soon and post it for all to see. I think that I have grown some more, so I know that he's getting bigger and bigger in there!!!

Stay tuned for more updates as our journey of pregnancy is slowly coming to an end. I am planning on doing another blog of guesses of when Baby C will be born, so look out for that!

Baby C - We love you and can't wait to MEET YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Very Soon Now!

I had my weekly check-up today and all is progressing very nicely.

After talking to my doctor today - I found out that she was very worried about me b/c:
1. protein in my urine
2. blood pressure was high

So, she decided to put me on a fetal heart monitor for an hour and check his movements with his heart rate. She also took blood from me to check that and see how my liver and kidney's were functioning. She put me on bed rest and that's what I did.

THIS WEEK she could tell that I had followed her instructions.
1. my blood pressure was lower
2. no protein in my urine

But, when she did the internal exam she could feel his head and tell that he had started to engage in my pelvis. She put me on bed rest because my cervix is starting to soften like it's supposed to, but it's not quite ready for delivery yet. She said that if I went into labor now that my cervix is not quite ready and more than likely she would have to do a c-section. She said that she can see the mucus plug and that I will be losing that very soon. I'm glad that she told me that, so that at least I know to be expecting that soon. However, she said that she gives him about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.

So, today was my last day at work until after my maternity leave. I am getting SOOO excited about meeting our little guy and can hardly wait now. I'll be curious to see how Baby C and I are doing next week. I have been really drained the last few days and exhausted, but right now I am on Cloud 9!!!! LOL

Love y'all and thank you for the prayers as we continue on for the last few weeks!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. Sarah, I am going to go and pack my bags right now!!!! ;)

Measuring at 37 wks now!

I cannot believe that Baby C is going to be here sometime in the next several weeks. My doctor would like him to stay put for about 3 more weeks and then he can come on down.......LOL


This past Monday I was measuring at 36 1/2 weeks and she said that Baby C had had a growth spurt, so he's really developing and growing in there. He is moving quite a bit and it's a lot of fun to me to watch him moving in my stomach. I am getting very excited about meeting him and it won't be long now.


I have another check-up this Monday, so we'll see how I'm doing then too. This week was been different with being on bed rest Tues - Thurs and possibly tomorrow. It will depend on how my blood pressure is doing. My blood work results must be good, so I am glad about that - I'll get the full report on Monday at my appt. When I was there this past Monday she put me on a fetal heart monitor for about an hour to see how his heart rate is vs his movements. He passed with flying colors. During that time I had a few contractions that I didn't even feel. I have been having some braxton hicks contractions and they don't really hurt; just a little uncomfortable. My doc was pretty stern with me over the bed rest, so I have been a very good girl and staying off my feet and resting. Definitely taking advantage of that time of having time to myself and peace and quiet before he gets here. Soon I will be functioning with little sleep and a changed world! I am excited about the change, but it sure is nice to have a few days to myself too!!! :)


I'll end with a few pictures:

This is me tonight - you can see that tummy is getting bigger!!

This is us just a few days ago!! We were being silly, but it's cute anyways!! :)

2 Chronicles 7:14 says," If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

I got a forward this morning that has this passage on it and talks abot how we need to pray for the healing of our land. I agree, we do need to pray for our country, President, neighborhoods, etc. The world is full of sin, greed, bitterness, etc. The only way to get our country back is to pray for it.

The challenge on the forward was to send it to people in your address book, etc, but I decided to put it on my blog. I see from my link that I have people reading my blog from all over the world and I want to reach out to them too; even though I don't know them. You never know when God is going to work in someone's life and part of my blog is to be open about my Christianity and willing to talk to anyone about what I believe, etc.

Please pray for whatever country you live in; the world needs prayer!!!!

If a picture was worth a $1000.......hahaha

I thought that I would share a few funny pictures - what better way to start off the week than with a smile! :)

They have these "cups" that you can use when you have little boys. Well, I just HAD to register for it and thought it would be funny for Les to get. It says," Tinkle, Tinkle Little Star."

Here is our little stuffed dog with him showing it off instead of posting pictures of our baby once HE'S here to model it..........hahahahaha

Here is the best picture of the two shots b/c you can see it very clear from the top!!! LOL

Well, I hope that I have put a smile on your face or made you laugh.

Have a great week!!!!!!!!!

Kimberly

p.s. I have a check-up tomorrow (I will be going weekly starting this week) and I'll let you know what they do and what she says on how I'm doing. I'll be starting the 36th week this Tues!!!!! :)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, HONEY!!!!!!!!!!

Les and I will be celebrating our 2nd Valentine's together (married that is), but our 4th since we've been together!

I still remember our very 1st Valentine's and I was so excited/nervous too. Les had to work and was getting off late (around 8 PM), but we met in Frisco at On the Border for dinner. We had fun eating, visiting, etc. Afterwards, we went back to my apt and hung out & probably watched a movie or played a game. He had bought this big stuffed animal; which is in our room and a big box of chocolate! I think he actually ate more of it than I ever did b/c everytime he would come over; he would eat more!!! LOL I laugh just remembering that!!! :) He always has had a BIG sweet tooth!

On the 13th of February of our 2nd Valentine's together, Les brought up marriage. I was ECSTATIC and could hardly sleep I was so excited. I remember getting home and waking my mom up and telling her all about it!! On the 14th, we cooked dinner at his house, took a walk (it was freezing outside) and talked about our future together; completely blissful!!! He had surprised me that morning of Valentine's around 7:30 AM by showing up at my parents' house and bringing me a big penguin and heart balloon. I was in the middle of getting ready and COMPLETELY shocked to see him!

Our 3rd Valentine's together was last year and was our 1st married Valentine's. I'm sure that we went out to eat at Red Lobster (one of our faves) and enjoyed each other's company. We had a nice evening at home just enjoying each other's company and remembering the great memories up to that point.

Our 4th Valentine's together; which is this year, is still undecided as to what we will be doing, but no doubt, things have definitely changed the last few years. We now have a baby boy who will be blessing us with his presence sometime in the next 4 1/2 weeks or so. Baby C has a baby shower tomorrow with his daddy's side of the family, so that will be fun. Maybe we'll go out and celebrate tonight (I am rooting for Texas Roadhouse or Red Lobster).

I'm so glad that God has blessed me with such a wonderful husband and I'm so grateful for him. He has been so sweet throughout the whole pregnancy; even when he would laugh at me because I would be crying for no reason. Then I would realize that I didn't even know WHY I was crying and then I would start laughing too. So, that's been good to have him bring me back to earth when my emotions were a little (or maybe a LOT) out of whack. Either way, he has been great!

Les, I love you and I'm so glad that God has blessed me with being married to you. Who knew that first day that we met back in May 2005 at the Wednesday night Bible Study that it would lead to a wonderful life together and now bringing a blessing from God into this world together. I look forward to so many more years together and continue to pray for what we have. I love you, forever!!!!!!

Nursery Pictures!

Here are BEFORE and AFTER shots of the room and the curtains that were in there. It has come a long way and I LOVE IT!!!!! Thank you to Les, mom, and dad for making that happen! I couldn't have done it without y'all.

Here is a look at the room before things came off the wall to never be put up again......LOL j/k who knows, maybe some day! Anyways, here is the rocking chair that I'll be using (story below). The room has really come a great way and I am super excited to get it all completely organized and it is slowly getting there!!!

Here is Les painting the room so you can see what it looked like before we got the border up. Les painted the whole room and I appreciated him doing that! Thank you, Honey!

Here is my mom putting the border up - I helped too!!! She did a great job and I really appreciated all the help. Thank you, mom!!!!

Here is the twin bed that we have in the room (this is where my mom will be sleeping for a few days that she is going to stay with us after Baby C comes home) and the other window. The quilt is on the rocking chair. This rocking chair is very special because it was actually made for my mom when she was pregnant with my brother and he is about 4 1/2 yrs older than me. However, I remember even rocking in it when I got older with my mom, so it has a special place in my life and I'm excited to have it and be able to use it too.

Here is the valence and the diaper stacker. As you can tell in this picture - I don't have the switch plates on b/c I am working on them and doing something fun with them. When I get that done; then I will post that too. :)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!!!!!!!!!! This is me at basically 35 weeks! :)

Heartburn.........

.............is my new best friend!!! LOL I tell ya, this has been something that has followed me on and off throughout my pregnancy. There is a wife's tail that says something like if you have heartburn; then the baby has a lot of hair. SOOOOOOOO, I am excited to see if our baby boy has hair to prove this true or if he has no hair to prove it wrong. It's fun to wait and see; which won't be long now.

We're done with the room and just organizing a little here and there. The walls are painted, the border is up, the crib is made, the changing table is ready, and the bed that my mom will sleep in is all set and ready to go too. I have pictures, so once I download them (maybe this weekend); then I will post them! Till then..............Have a great night!! :)

34 weeks + more fun times!

Yay, today is 34 weeks - the time is flying. I had my doctor's appt yesterday and his heart beat was great. We're measuring at 34 weeks and doing great. My doctor said," well, you have had a growth spurt; that babies getting big in there!" YAY, he's growing like he's supposed to and definitely took every bit of energy that I could muster up yesterday. I didn't sleep much on Sunday night b/c I got sick! :( She thinks that the beef that I ate on Sunday was too greasy for me to digest (she said a lot of pregnant women can't digest beef as well when they're further along) since there is very limited space. I woke up with both vomiting and diarrhea!!!! :( I won't go into details, but know that I was not a happy camper yesterday. I slept most of the day and all I ate yesterday was about 10 crackers, 1 1/2 cans of sprite, a little apple juice, and a tiny bit of chicken noodle soup last night. I was so drained, but I tell you what, last night I slept over 10 - 11 hours and I needed that! I feel better today, but still on a bland diet. I have had oatmeal and some juice. I am staying home from work again today and taking it easy (doc's orders) and resting to make sure that I am back to myself here very soon. :)

We had a great weekend of fun! Saturday morning started out with a baby shower and we had a really good time. I want to thank the hostesses: Becky, Donna, Beth, and Lena. We had a really good turn-out and a lot of fun - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME. After that, I rested for a little while and went to our nieces and nephew (triplets) 1st birthday party. I had a really good time. I think the best part was watching them eat their cakes, so funny!!!! They had a western theme - HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, TYLER, HANNAH AND WHITNEY! We love you!! :)

Sunday was the Super Bowl Party and we were in Wylie with our Sunday School Class. We had a really good time. Go Steelers! :) I didn't necessarily care who won, but I decided to go for the Steelers not knowing anything and my team won!!

Well, I'm going to get off here and rest some more. Have a great day!!