Baby Shower and Jack's room

My Sunday School baby shower was this past Saturday. It was one of the sweetest times I have had with a group of friends. I felt so loved and blessed to have such a godly group of women take time out of their day to celebrate Jack's big arrival. They even had a special time of prayer for Jack's safety and mine during delivery and for his salvation. What a blessing to have such sweet friends in my life. We got so many wonderful things and everything seems to be coming together perfectly.

Here are a few pictures of his nursery. We aren't quite finished yet. There is still the issue of the pink gingham rocking chair but I have a plan. I am looking at a slip cover and hope it will fit well. We shall see.

Funny Annie-ism: She asked today when we were going to go to Disney World. I was explaining that her brother would be too small to go for a while and she said, "Well, Mom. I am growing impatient."

When did she get to be a teenager?

Then and Now

This post goes out to all my family who seems to think that I look rather....um......large. I just wanted to give you a reminder of what "large" really looks like. The first picture was taken this morning on the 31st week and the one below was taken right after Mark's law school graduation at 31 weeks in Knoxville, TN back in 2003. I think all of you have just forgotten how big I really was. I know, I know it has to do with the contrast in the amount of weight I have since lost and that you all think that the baby will be big but large is a rather strong word I think. Anyway, fun to look back and remember those days awaiting sweet little Annie. And no, it doesn't offend me when you say that I look big, I actually think it's funny and am enjoying getting big for the first time. I just thought you would enjoy seeing the two pictures together. Sorry about the poor quality of the 2nd picture. I had to take a picture of a picture.

P.S. Wait until you see the 38 week picture taken in 2003!! (That is unless I look similar this time, in which case there will be no cameras used whatsoever. Ha!)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....Grease!

When I got home from work this morning, Annie and I decided cereal was not going to cut it. I had a package of biskit mix and we turned them into donuts just like my Nanny always made. I think the canned biscuits work better and turn out lighter but this hit the spot. The holes were the biggest hit. Of course they had to have sprinkles! Southern Maid, we miss you but we will meet again soon.

Update to post below and other happenings

Potty training news:
Well "Operation: Sink or Swim" didn't exactly go as planned. We have decided to stop training for now due to her lack of "go-ability". The pediatrician recommended waiting another month and trying again so that she will not get a bladder infection from holding it for so long (i.e. 12-14 hours at a time). Yes, 12-14 hours. Oh, the misery. She still doesn't like to be in a wet diaper and is still somewhat holding it in. We ask for your prayers for her to overcome this fear she has and for wisdom on our part in teaching her.

Baby Anderson news:
We believe that the new baby's name will be............. JACK HENRY ANDERSON. Stay tuned though, as it has the potential to change at any time. I am scheduled for a C-section on June 17th at 12pm. Wow!! That is only 8 weeks and 2 days away. This time has just flown right by and there is still so much to do. We had our 3D ultrasound on Saturday for my Mother's Day gift from Mark and the girls. It was so much fun. I have had more fun watching the video since the appointment. There was so much that I missed lying on that table that you can see on the video that they gave us. He really looks like a real baby complete with chubby cheeks. The still pictures don't do it justice but they are sweet, too.

Annie news:
Annie will be a first grader in 5 weeks!! That doesn't seem possible. She has come so far this year. Her handwriting is soooooo much better. When the year started off, that was by far our biggest struggle and now she does so well. Her spelling is truly fantastic. She is so excited about the possiblity of being in a spelling bee next year at King's Academy. If we get into King's we should be receiving our letter of acceptance during the last week of April or the first week of May. I pray that everything works out. We have really enjoyed having her at home this year and hope to continue to do so next year. This week she has double ear infections and pink eye. Strange, because she rarely gets sick. She is feeling much better now and the doctor said by Monday she could be around other children.

Ella news:
I can't leave out little Ella. She is getting so big and yet just a baby still. I love the dimples that she still has on top of each knuckle and how her feet are still chubby like a baby's. You can still squeeze those cheeks, too. She will miss being the baby of the family I think. She is looking forward to being a big sister, though. She wants to be called "Sissy". I hear it all day long, "Mom, don't call me Ella. Call me sissy!" and she requests the same treatment from Annie. She is ever looking forward to the dance recital in May. She asks almost daily if it is time for her "puh-cital". She will be very sad when the dance year is over but they are both already signed up for next year (not on a Monday!!!!!).

That's about all the news for now with our family.

SHE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know. Two posts in one day. I just had to share our great success. I have always said that homeschooling Ella would be a challenge until I found out how she learns. Annie is easy. See it or hear it and got it. Ella is apparently "sink or swim". Well, today we learned how to "swim" (i.e. potty). HOOOOOORRRRRRAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! She did it before the new brother and before her next traumatic VCUG which will be several months after the baby is born (because he will need one too). I could dance and sing. Truth be know there has been quite a lot of that going on here since yesterday. Thank goodness for bathroom stall doors. The people at dance yesterday would have committed me if they had seen the "dance" I was performing with my ginormous belly just to get my daughter to SIT on the big potty. Enough potty talk for now (hopefully until #3 begins this wonderful journey). Just had to share our answered prayer!!!

Easter Pictures

As I said, Easter Sunday was wonderful!!! We had such a fun time with the girls and our friends. The first picture is of them making a sun catcher craft they got in their Easter baskets. They are never dressed "normally" at the same time. :)

Cold Turkey

Okay. I should have known years ago that potty training a living being was not my forte'. When it took months and tears to train the dog to do his business outside I should have had an inkling. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Annie was difficult to say the least to train but that was of my own making. I was determined to have her trained before Ella's homecoming - not a good idea since you can't physically make someone do that particular activity if they are dead set against it. She finally trained around 3 years old when it was absolutely her decision. Ella has been a whole other story. More strong-willed + loud screamer + multiple catheterizations due to kidney reflux + traumatic experiences watching sister deal with potty "issues" = one very hard to train little lady.

Today we went cold turkey. Panties were worn at all times even while out in public. I'm sure Ella will hear, "Are you staying dry?" in her sleep tonight.

Side note: The girls and I were looking at a baby name book today and seeing what each of our names mean. They are as follows:

Annie - gracious; pure
Deidre - sorrowful; wanderer ( what is that about?)
Mark - manly warrior
and the best by far
Ella - elfin; beautiful fairy woman

So the final news on the potty front is that Ella did successfully go this evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She got stickers, money and a peep. (Great parenting. Honestly, we would have sprung for a car at this point if she had only known to ask.)

Easter Sunday

We had such a wonderful Easter Sunday. The church service was so worshipful (is that a word?). We had lunch with several families in our class and the kids had a blast. It is so great to get together with others who don't have family around during the holidays because it reminds us that we are in the family of God and where other Christians are there is always family. There was much food of which I availed myself of to the point of not being able to stand up straight. Pitiful. Between baby boy and copious amounts of mac-n-cheese (thank you Dorminy's) I was out of room for another bite the rest of the day. Kristy, I need that recipe!

Anyway, it was a wonderful day and we enjoyed every minute. I'll post more pictures later, but for now - this one's for you Kristy.

Pictures as promised (finally)

Annie and Ella in Aunt Mel's yard wearing their new dresses MawMaw made.

Enjoying PawPaw so much!!

Just thought this was too sweet!

Annie has on Mark's jersey from childhood. Dale Murphy was his favorite player.
This was at the Braves Museum.

All the girls dying Easter Eggs.

Another Annie-ism and other Anderson happenings

That girl!!! Her little brain is always working overtime. Yesterday, she was coloring at the kitchen table while I cleaned house like a mad woman for company. Apparently, she was pondering how her life is about to change with the addition of a baby brother. She said, "Mom, when the baby gets here you will have 3 children!" I said, "Yes, I will." She replied, "You're going to have to work really hard to feed all of us."

Is she worried there won't be enough food to go around? As PawPaw has seen this weekend, we have no trouble getting these girls to eat. They are true southern gals with healthy appetites and the mindset of always planning the next meal while eating the current one.

As I mentioned, PawPaw has been here this weekend. We have so enjoyed his visit. The girls and Mark took him to a Braves game tonight and all had a great time despite the cold weather. We wish he could stay longer and will hate to say goodbye to him on Sunday. I'll post pictures when I have a spare minute.

Tomorrow morning is the Easter Egg hunt with our Sunday School class in a local trailer park where we have been ministering to the residents. We pray that children will come have a great time and most of all learn about our risen Savior!! I'm so glad the girls are getting to see missions in action!

Leading by example

It is no secret that I LOVE Diet Coke. I mean, if given the choice between water and Diet Coke, I'm probably always going to take the latter. I didn't know it was that evident to my girls until today. On the way to school, I decided to do a little safety teaching with Annie. Fire safety, stop-drop-and roll, 911, if Mommy can't talk and is lying on the floor, stranger safety, etc. We discussed, for example, if an adult comes up to you on the playground and says, "Hi, I've got lots of candy in my car. Would you like some?" She gave the appropriate response and then nailed me in the process. "Mom, what if a kid came up to you and said "I've got lots of Diet Coke in my car. Would you like some?" What could I say? I should be leading by example. :)