Home Sweet Home

.......right where I want to be!

Just a few things....

Just a few little (or huge!) victories to share with you....

*Last night Uncle Clay & Aunt Tammy brought Carter & Lilah to the hospital for a visit! YAY! To say that their mom & dad are missing them would be the understatement of the year! I can't tell you how many times Kyle has reminded me that he hasn't seen them since Saturday morning, except for a brief time Sunday night. Their daddy is missing them more than he would ever admit!

*During their visit last night we attempted something that could have very well gotten us all thrown out of the hospital. The NICU has very strict visiting policies. ONLY parents and grandparents can visit. NO siblings. Not EVEN if they are my babies. (I know, right?) Well, during one of my visits with Walker yesterday I looked away from him long enough to realize where we were in the building and notice that there was a door just across from his bed that led outside. I asked his day nurse about bringing the kids up to the door in hopes that they could see their baby brother....she was all for it, but didn't know if they'd be able to see through the dark tint on the windows.

Well, Aunt Tammy & Uncle Clay brought the kids by and were up for my plan, so Daddy went around the parking lot with them while I went back to the NICU to start Walker's feeding and plead my case (insanity?) with the nighttime nurses. (disclaimer: I may have had a bit of a hormonal "episode" in front of them the night before so I was afraid they wouldn't go for it...but they did!) They had the attention of the entire NICU as they pecked their little fingers on the door and there wasn't a dry eye in the place (or outside that door) as we all watched a big brother and a big sister see their baby brother for the first time! As of right now, I believe that ranks right at the top of my favorite Mommy moments!!! Carter & Lilah had the biggest most precious smiles on their faces and were so very excited to see their long awaited Walker! Preccccious!!

Thank you Clay & Tammy SO MUCH for braving the remnants of Ida, the dark, cold, and rain, and making this moment possible!!!

**And! to top off a very near perfect NICU day, Walker opened his eyes for me for the VERY first time at his 12am feeding!!!

This mama is going to sleep one happy lady!

p.s...have I mentioned that Walker has Hair?? Our other two babies had none...for a long time!

Baby Mine....

We are so excited to introduce you to the newest member of our family!

Walker James Pike made a surprise appearance on Sunday, November 8 at 7:44pm cst!

He weighs 6lbs 8oz and is 19 inches long. My awesome Dr came in on his weekend off, immediately after his family arrived home from vacation to do a c section. Have I mentioned that we think he is awesome???! I was a nervous wreck as it was, had I been left in the hands of anyone else, I'd have lost it for sure! A HUGE HUGE thank you to Dr Harnsberger (and his family) for sacrificing the last hours of their weekend for the sake of delivering our baby safely!

Since Walker was still 4 weeks early, he had to go directly to the NICU because of some problems with his breathing. He has since been taken off the vent, and is breathing really well on his own. Hopefully, he'll be able to come home in a day or two!

At this point, I have only gotten to hold him twice and I just fed him for the first time this morning! We are having to do bottle feedings right now to measure how much he gets, but hopefully he'll be able to nurse in a couple of days.

So far, he is an amazingly calm baby boy, and seems to be oblivious to all the loud noises going on around him in the NICU. (this will most certainly come in handy when he comes home!)

Carter and Lilah still haven't gotten to see their baby brother since only parents and grandparents are allowed in the nicu. Carter is really bummed about it, and Lilah isn't sure exactly what's going on, but she knows she doesn't like it! I'll be glad to get everyone home together so we can get into some sort of routine as a new family of five!

Kyle and I have both been really shaken by all of this. We are so thankful for healthy children and while it is so hard to leave Walker behind when we exit the NICU, we know that he is healthy overall and pass by many beds of babies who are so much sicker than ours. We are so blessed!!

Thank you for all the calls, texts, visits, flowers, food,housecleaners, babysitters, and especially for the prayers! I'd also like to give a big thank you to Jason, Amber, & Loren for the fabulous Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice they brought me yesterday! SO GOOD!

I can't tell you how much we love and appreciate you all!

Update...

My doctors appointment yesterday was a sobering thing.

My BP was higher than it was on Friday.

I was almost as surprised as Dr H. was.

He has doubled the medicine that he put me on last week, and given me strict instructions to REST.

Dr H has 5 children of his own so he knows that there isn't a lot of rest to be had with a 3 yr old and an 18 month old in the house. However, his intructions were quite clear. Rest. Come back Thursday. If BP still high, he will admit me to the hospital to try to manage it in order to give this baby every opportunity to develop as much as possible.

So.

I have been in bed.

I will be staying there.

So, if you wondering why my connections, (ie: email, blog, facebook) are so quiet...that's why. I promise to be back up and running as soon as it's safe for me to be. Until then, I know you understand.

In the meantime, our church family, our families, and friends are loving on us in such a huge way! I can't tell you all how much you mean to us, and how much we appreciate it!
We honestly could not have made it through this last week without you!! Our children don't know exactly what is going on, but they know there has been much wonderful food, super fun playdates, and an AWESOME aunt who swooped in and cleaned house. They feel like they have won the lottery!

Thank you to everyone who has (or has tried) to check on us! We turned the phone ringer down so I could rest as much as possible, and promise to return any calls or emails asap.

Thank you most of all for your prayers. As someone who waited for so long to have babies in our home, we know just what a miraculous blessing we have been given and have no intentions of taking that for granted. We love our children so very much and look so very forward to meeting our new little addition.......

......but not before it's ready!

No Whining Allowed.

I'm fast becoming a slow blogger. I'm enjoying the quick status updates available on Facebook and neglecting my blogger buddies. I like FB. It's quick, I can check on friends and family quickly and then get on with my day and off my computer. It's working for me right now. But! I read over my last couple of status updates and cringed a little. They sounded.......whiny.

I don't like whiny.

At all.

I especially have a low tolerance for it when it's me who's sounding whiny!

SO! I thought I'd give a super wordy detailed update while trying to be as un-whiny as possible. :)

I don't sleep much at all while I'm pregnant. The whole time. I don't know why, I just keep telling myself it's getting my body prepared for the sleepless nights of round the clock nursing that are just around the corner. I think that mentality keeps me from stabbing my husband as he snores through every single night of the postpardum party. (is it just me or did that sound hormonal?)

I am also experiencing some of the same "issues" with this pregnancy as I did with my other two. Lots of swelling and my bp is rising. Which with the other 2 pregnancies wasn't a huge deal since it basically didn't get too bad until 38 weeks so Dr H just delivered the baby.


This time it's happening earlier. I'm between 34 & 35 weeks now and yesterday when I went for my appt my BP was 150/100. (which I'm pretty sure is a record for me...at least the bottom number) anyway, we spent last Monday night on the Labor & Delivery floor because I had another symptom that I've had before...but never as bad as that night. I was seeing lots of spots and had zero peripheral vision. That was scary. Thank goodness I don't have full blown pre-eclampsia yet, but it's looking like things are headed that way. (fyi... full blown preeclampsia requires immediate delivery)

So. Dr H reviewed my test results from Monday night, and from yesterday and decided to try putting me on medication for my blood pressure and putting me on bedrest. He doesn't want to mess around with my health but also doesn't want to deliver the baby this early until he's tried his best not to. I don't want that either. I just keep thinking NICU NICU NICU...ugh! I don't want that! (even though I know that realistically baby may not have to go to icu at this point) I'm already a little freaked about having a baby right smack in the middle of flu season.

He wants me back on Monday morning and if my BP isn't better, he said we may talk delivery.

Gulp.

I think my BP is better today. I haven't checked it yet, but I know for sure it wasn't better after my appt yesterday. I'm also pretty sure I was not my usual sunny self, and may have been a tad over the edge and possibly even grumpy. Possibly. I may have even gotten a smidge upset with my husband a time or twenty.

But at least I didn't whine.

lol.

So I'm laying low for the weekend. I had a full day of fall portraits lined up for today, and had to cancel them when the "bedrest" word came up. It's raining though, so I don't feel too horrible about that anymore. I kept my babysitting arrangements so I could rest and Kyle has mysteriously disappeared (I can't imagine why after the hormonal explosions of yesterday:) so it's just me, HGTV, my laptop, & photoshop. At least when my puffy little fingers will cooperate.

How's that for non whiny?


p.s...the 4d ultrasound at the top is a picture of our little bundle of joy! Wanna place a guess?

Harper or Walker?

Because I'm generous like that.....

In honor of the fact that it is cooohold (and windy and wet) here today....and the fact that I am very close to coveting a large steaming mug (or 5) of this myself today. I thought I'd share my fabulous recipe for Better Than Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider.

Here ya go!

Caramel Apple Cider


¼ c heavy cream
¼ c brown sugar
3c apple cider (get the good fresh kind if you can…it makes a difference!)
½ c water

Combine cream & sugar in saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add cider and water and raise
Heat to medium high. Heat only until cider starts to steam. Stir almost continually.

Whipped Topping:
½ c heavy cream
1 tbsp brown sugar

Chill bowl & beaters. Whip cream & brown sugar until soft peaks form.

Drizzle with caramel syrup.


**Quadruple this recipe for a large crock pot full**

Send your outpouring of thanks and undying appreciation to:
Deedra Pike

(OH YES!! It’s THAT GOOD!)

You're Welcome.


p.s....if anyone local is going to Crow Mtn...(or sees it at a roadside stand) please bring me some cider! (seriously!)

Fabulous Fall

I love fall, don't you? I love it when the leaves start changing. I love it when the corn gets picked, and the pumpkins are ready to be harvested. LOVE it! It probably helps that I love all things "comfort food". The first day it was remotely cool & rainy I jumped at the opportunity to make Loaded Potato Soup. Yum! I've also made Taco soup, and rest assured as soon as I make it to the grocery store again, there will be homemade chili in my crock pot!

This fall in particular I'm loving the cooler temperatures. I have never been pregnant during the heat of late summer before and I must admit I herded my little ones outside many mornings super early so we could get in our outside time before it got too hot for mom. We are all loving the weather so much we can rarely be found indoors during the daytime now.

A few days ago I was even inspired enough to attempt flying a kite with them on a particularly windy day. If this baby decides to hang out in utero longer than I like, I might try that one again. I seriously thought I would give birth right in the front yard after that little bit of fun.

I forgot how much (ahem) running was involved in flying a kite.

I'll pause now while you experience the full visual of that moment..................



As for what's going on around here, I'm staying pretty busy with my photography. The first round of Fall Portraits is this Saturday.....and I'm SUPER excited about that! Then I have a few appts scattered through next week and another round next Saturday, then a few here and there up until delivery. I have lots of ideas that I can't wait to use over the next few weeks. God is really blessing us with this new venture!


Baby is doing great, rolling and moving. I'm going to the Dr every 2 weeks now and probably after this Friday's appt every week. This Friday I have a 4D ultrasound scheduled so I'm hoping he/she will cooperate and we can get a good face shot! I have good ones of both Carter & Lilah and will treasure them always!


On a side note, since Kyle was laid off in May I have dealt more with insurance than I care to and learned something that didn't shock me, but did further convince me of the awesomeness of my OB. I hear a lot of people say their insurance doesn't pay for ultrasounds, or only pays for 2, or won't pay for 4D ultrasounds. Get this. My Dr does an US at every single visit throughout the entire pregnancy, but they only bill for 2.....and! if your insurance doesn't cover those, they don't bill for any of them!! How is that for fabulous care??!


So, in honor of the rain I can hear hitting the windows now (which has been hanging around here alot lately, but who can let a little rain keep them indoors?), I'll leave you with some of my latest fav pics of my little ones. I so love them and have them ordered to hang in the playroom which is super colorful.

50 Days.....

Have you noticed the little baby ticker on the sidebar? Have you noticed that it now ticks right at 50ish days?

I have to admit, that makes me a little nervous.

Okay, a LOT nervous.

I'm super excited to meet this new little baby, I'm excited to see Carter & Lilah's reaction to it. I can't wait to see which name we will get to use (yes, brace yourself, we have them picked out!!!).

I'm just a little more nervous this time about the c section. I don't even know whether or not I blogged about the last one, but it didn't go exactly perfect. We thought it did...until a nurse became alarmed by some problems that I was having shortly after being brought to recovery. I don't even remember all the details other than there was much puking, and a blood clot, and I was pretty much unconscious for the majority of the day and night.

My awesome Dr assures me that it was a freak thing and I have no reason to be concerned, so I'm not too concerned.

But I am nervous.

So, if you think of it, would you please send up a prayer on my behalf regarding this nervousness? ...and maybe one for my husband and dr who have to deal with me and this "nervousness"?

Thank you!

Now, on to the good stuff! We are going to meet this baby in 50ish days!! Did I mention we have names picked out? Wanna hear them?

In the event we have a girl: Harper Sydney

In the event we have a boy: Walker James

Either way, the middle name will be after my husband's father.

Now, I really have to get my rear in gear and get some "nesting" done before baby's arrival.

I'm going to start on that right now.

Really, I am.

Right now.

Follow The Leader....

I saw this church sign today.

.....and it was possibly the most powerful one I've ever saw. Definitely worth an entire post all by itself.

It said:

"You're leading someone. You're either leading them to Heaven or to Hell."


wow.

She Blogs!

Where to begin? I haven't really intended to neglect my blog (or yours), but it seems as of late that we are busier than ever and every spare minute has been spent lounging in the hot tub (yes..hot tub, set at 104 degrees....safe for a pregnant woman for 15 mins or so) nursing my back, legs, and ever present sciatic nerve. Ahhhhhh!

Also, in our teeny little town, football season has begun. Now, I'll be the very first to admit that neither my husband or myself are huge football fans when it comes to the college level or above. During the weekly Alabama/Auburn games we are likely to be found sound asleep on the couch, playing outside with the kids, or completely oblivious to what time the game actually begins or what channel it comes on, or like this last weekend, at the Bull Bash (bull riding rodeo type event) just down the road. Which by the way, was SUCH fun!! Anyway, we're just not that into football.

Unless, it's high school. These kids work so hard and pour their hearts into the game....every week, with little to no recognition. In our almost 13 years of marriage (and before) we haven't missed many games. In the beginning we went to watch his younger friends who still played, then to watch the kids from church play. I fell in love with these kids all over again when they'd exit the field house just after the game to see who'd come to watch them play. Kyle & I worked with the youth during this time and I always left sticky after sweaty football player hugs from our boys.

THAT is love people.

We don't work as closely with the youth these days, you know, since we are birthing our own personal youth group and all, but we do still love on them every chance we get.....and in this town, football is the language of love. (which is fine by me...too much gushy mushy love mess, and I get all kinds of uncomfortable.)

Our boys have started this season off with a bang! After so many heartbreaking seasons they are 2 & 0. The first time since 2001 this has happened, I asked the coach. Also after the first week's game, our team won Team of the Week from THE radio station of high school football (first time since '96..I looked on the station's website), and one of the players won Player of the Week from the same station. All of this excitement was celebrated with a massive pep rally last week on the football field with at LEAST half the town in attendance. (yes, I went...ahem..my kids were dying to go:) While all this in itself is a huge deal around here, as I was gushing and mushing Saturday about how great they were doing and how proud I was of them, the coach's reply to me was humbly simple, "I just want to give everyone something to be proud of."

Isn't that the kind of coach you want to have influencing your kids? Wow.

So! Tonight is a whole new ballgame. We play THE most dominant team in our area. They have dominated for as long as I can remember. Win or loose, our town is alive with hope and determination and our football teams are too, all of them! From the pee wee, to JV, to the varsity.....anyone have a movie camera? I feel a blockbuster coming on!

So, I'm off to charge my camera batteries and find Carter's official "game day jersey" (A big thank you to his big cousin Matthew for that!), but first I'll be starting my day off in the hot tub....I know I'll need it!

I'll leave you with some pics from the past couple of weeks events.....

Charging onto the field for the first game!

Team of the week!

Hayden T with an awesome interception during the JV game!!

My nephew Matthew charging the opponent in the 11-12 game!! (#98)

Can't wait until tonight!! Go Team!!!

Morning Visitors

Almost daily we have spotted this pair in the hay field beside our house, but I've never managed to get a picture of the baby until today, at least not one where you can actually tell what it is....spots and all! These are through a dirty upstairs window ( I was afraid to open it on the chance they might hear me and run away) Carter squeals with delight every time he sees them! The first place he goes when he wakes up is to the window to see if our morning visitors are making an appearance.

Public Service Announcement

Is your house always in need of a good cleaning? Do you have one or more children/husband/friend/pet/etc making a mess in your home? Do you mop every single day? (me either, but I totally could and still have a barely clean house) Well, if you answered yes, no, or maybe to any of these questions then have I got a deal for you!

I'm starting my very own cleaning service!

LOL! Yeah right!

No really, I found this SUPER DUPER relatively inexpensive cleaning machine! Let me start by saying I am a total Oreck fan. Let me also say that this love affair with all things Oreck started back when I had a real live job that deposited real live money into my bank account on a bi-weekly basis. Oh, and my husband had one too...(job, that is) lol. Anyway, all that to say that our budget no longer allows for trips to the Oreck store. I don't even buy their cleaner for my floor machine...I use a lovely mixture of vinegar & water (which by the way works perfectly and is SO cheap!)

However, during the last 3+ years in which I have been mostly pregnant, recovering from a C section, &/or toting a newborn, I have desired a more lightweight alternative to cleaning my floors (at least on a daily basis...the floor machine still comes out every other week or so, and the vaccum is still pretty much a daily thing).

I tried the Swiffer mop... blah.

I tried the plain old mop with the soapy wood cleaner. ..blah (and kinda stinky)

I tried the Shark Steam mop. Closer to what I wanted, but not my dream machine.

......and then, then the mail lady delivered the answer to my cleaning prayers. An Oreck mailer complete with a sale and a promise of a free product. I half heartedly flipped through the pages until I laid my tired eyes on THIS little tidbit of cleaning heaven.

AND it was on SALE for $149.99...AND I had a coupon for $20 off THAT!

Let me introduce you to the Oreck Steam-It. It's a steam mop and oh so much more!! I believe they call it the all purpose steamwand. It not only steams your hardwood, tile, vinyl, ect floors. It also steam cleans your rugs, carpets, upholstery, drapes, mattresses, pillows, countertops, sinks, toilets, stove,crown moldings, ceiling fans, and WINDOWS ......with water!!!!


I figured that by the time I did all that during my (hopefully) upcoming nesting phase, this little dream machine would pay for itself in cleaning supplies alone in no time flat!

I kid you not the first time I used it, I cleaned while wearing a very large, possibly even beaming, smile on my face.... I know, right?

Run, don't walk to your nearest Oreck store...don't order it online, you don't get the salesperson who will actually demo it and answer any questions you might have should you do that. (This from the queen of online shopping).

Now, I really must go. I must get my proposal sent in for Oreck's newest ad campaign. I have a couple of ideas for them, actually.

One: Fab pregnant lady wearing her Sunday best and stilettos with a 16 month old on her hip and a 3 yr old on her heels smiling while cleaning her already spotless house with the Oreck dream machine.

Two: Haggard pregnant lady sitting on the couch with her feet propped up while 3 yr old uses the Oreck dream machine and 16 month old totes the cord and refills the water.

Either way, I'm a shoo in!

Pray.(Updated!)

(Update) I received these emails from Nick's Aunt earlier today, and I couldn't possibly begin to say it better!

"It's not MS! How do I type a miracle in an email.

PRAISE TO OUR SAVIOR!

I am busting in song and praise for a miracle.

Thanks to all you for fasting and praying.

Judith"

a thank you from Melissa's mom:

"I want to add my thanks to all of you for your prayers and fasting
for our children today. There is nothing comparable to the power of
prayer.

I grabbed Andrew up and walked back and forth through the house
crying, thanking God and telling him daddy's wonderful news.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!

Marcella"

....and a thank you from Nick's mom. I have to tell you, I said many many special prayers for Nick's mom as well as for Melissa's. While I don't know Nick's mom, I do know that no matter how old my babies get, they will always be my babies, and to see them hurting and scared will always tear my heart out.

"I still can't get over the awesome power of God. Some of my co-workers
have never experienced seeing God work in such a powerful way. God has
given them something that they should never forget. But I know that we
are just like the children of Israel who saw many miraculous things yet
seem to forget. Thank your Esther women for being courageous. May they
always know God's power. I'm not worth a flip at work this afternoon."

Praise the Lord!! PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!



Original Post:
I ask that you please pray for a sweet family in our church. Nick is in his late 20's and is facing a diagnosis of MS. They have an appointment at 11:00AM today (Thursday) for a full report and to discuss possible treatment options. Nick and his wife, Melissa, and their son Andrew are precious and they serve a big God.


Please spend time on your knees for this family today. I know my God works miracles and I pray that he touches Nick's body with His healing power.

Welcome, Precious Baby....

I had the sweet privilege this week to share in the birth of a new baby girl. You may remember seeing her mom's maternity shots a few weeks ago. This baby girl is just absolutely breathtaking.

This first picture stopped me in my tracks when I started editing. You can't see much of mom's face, can't see much of baby's face, neither were looking at me, no perfect background, just stark white sheets and pjs...but you can't miss the pure joy and happiness of this first time mom holding her baby girl.

The very last picture is of a letter that was given to baby's mom, Holly, and dad, Kody. The letter is from Holly's sister, Jill. Jill lost her 5 year battle with breast cancer almost 2 years ago at age 30, and a friend of the family wrote this beautiful letter to baby Jillian from her guardian angel, Aunt Jill. So beautiful!

Sixteen Months

Dear Lilah,

A few days ago you turned 16 months old. You are such a good baby. Yes, you are still a baby to me. You love to laugh and smile, and you have most certainly perfected your "little girl squeal" and love to use it at every opportunity. You are working really hard on your vocabulary and it seems like you add a new word every few days. You have mastered Mom, Dad, Carter, Papa, Paw Paw, & Maw Maw, just to name a few. You can ask for a "drink" or your "cup", and of course "bite" was one of the first ones you said perfectly. You crack me up when you want attention and get right up in my face and say "heeeey" and flash your biggest smile.

I thought you might never learn to walk. You still do it sparingly since you can crawl at the speed of light. Your big brother wants to hold your hand while you walk so bad...but your not having any of that. He slows you down. Your favorite mode of transportation is your ride on princess car that Papa & Gran got you for Christmas. You wheel yourself around on that car like nobody's business.....and you love it so much that no matter how much the Disney Princess music that constantly streams from it gets on my nerves (and Dad's & Carters) , we have resisted the urge to take out the batteries.....so far.

You are so sweet, but you do have a serious mischevious side. You never miss an opportunity to pull your big brother's hair, and if he ever does anything to make you mad you don't cry....you just smack him and go about your business. I have a feeling that he won't always think it's as funny as he does now, so we need to get a handle on that pretty quick.

You love to dance and sing. Any time music comes on you dance and sing along. You and your big brother never miss a chance to turn on the country station set on daddy's clock radio and have a dance off on our bed. It's so funny to watch you two dance and giggle at each other.

You love to be outside and rarely have time for a quiet moment, but when you do, you love to look at books. Whether I'm reading them to you, or you "read" them yourself, you love it and chatter your way through each book. You don't care much for TV, but you do have a deep love for Blues' Clues. The Intro song can flat stop you in your tracks. Anytime you get fussy in the car your big brother can calm you down, get you to sleep even. He just starts singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to you and you listen intently for as long as he'll sing...or until you fall asleep.

You bring such a sweet joy to our lives, Lilah. I can't wait to watch you become a big sister in a few short months. I can only hope that you will love your new baby brother or sister as much as your big brother loves and adores you. I am so very blessed to be your mom.

Love,

Mom

Did I mention you currently enjoy eating dirt?