goings on

I thought I had updated here about our daughter, but apparently I did not.

It's true: Having a second child takes up a lot more of your time! Especially when said child is colicy and doesn't like sleeping much.

Madison was born at the end of May and, aside from the first six weeks be r.o.u.g.h, is a total joy. She reminds me a lot of Kasen, who adores her. The feeling is mutual, too. She just thinks he is the coolest thing since sliced bread. (He's currently singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to her and showing her what to do with her hands.)

She's now a master breastfeeder, master sleeper and such a blessing to us!

As far as adoption stuff goes, it's sort of on hold indefinitely at this point. I have some medical issues and family issues we are dealing with and I honestly can't handle more on my plate at this moment. Jumping back into actively searching for a birthfamily and all that entails just isn't in me right now.

I woke up this morning with complete peace at how our life is right at this moment, but also with the feeling that maybe when Maddy is about 3, it would be time to start either seeing if by some chance we are able to get pregnant on our own again or hop back on the adoption bandwagon.

Honestly, I can't imagine going through another pregnancy though. This last time was hard on me, though I think part of it has to do with the medical issues I'm dealing with. I see a specialist in two weeks and will hopefully finally have some answers and start getting things straightened out.

That being said though, if someone approached us and we felt the situation was right, we'd definitely move forward with it.

I do know one thing though: I love being a stay-at-home mom and wife. It's totally my calling.

Just thought I'd do a quick update since I haven't said a word since November... and it's May!

I just finished scrapbooking 2010, which included a whole section on the adoption fundraiser yardsale we did. Made me wonder what if... though we haven't had any leads since the one in November. Fate, I guess.

This pregnancy - geez. I have pretty much been sick since I got pregnant. For awhile there, if I got a week of being healthy, it was a miracle. Then I went an entire month (yay!) and got sick again. Still getting over that one. (Nasty cold virus that led to a sinus infection and bronchitis. Neal, Kasen and both of my parents got it, too.)

Not counting the constant nausea (still having that!) and your normal pregnancy pains, plus PUPPP again (a fun, extremely itchy pregnancy rash), I've had bronchitis three times, the flu, pink eye, pharyngitis, my first ear infection, two sinus infections and I have no idea how many colds. My immune system is apparently completely shot this time around. I've lost track of how many times I've been on antibiotics.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to not being pregnant. I've been too sick to really enjoy this pregnancy like I did Kasen's. Add still being nauseous all the time, and I'm just ready to have this baby. Thank God I discovered Unisom. The kind with only Doxycyline in it is safe during pregnancy, helps you sleep AND takes care of nausea! I don't take it during the day otherwise I'd be sleepy all the time, so I deal with the nausea using Tums and food. I went two nights without it recently and spent most of that time running to the bathroom or carrying/sleeping with a bucket, just in case.

But - the end is near! I'm scheduled for a c-section on May 31, which means I've only got about 3 weeks left. Or less, if I go into labor before that. (Is it selfish that I'm kind of hoping I will? You know, after 37 weeks when I'll be considered full term anyway...) She's dropped - wait, I don't think I posted about that - IT'S A GIRL!!! - but I'm not dilated at all.

No name picked out. Just can't decide, so we're taking a list of our favorites and she'll get a name once we meet her. :)