Garage Sale!!!!

There was a huge garage sale in the mall parking lot this morning. After I nursed Tyler at 6:30am I went up there to see what was going on. It opened at 7am and it was packed! But I came out only spending $26 and we got a bunch of clothes for Tyler (pants and a few shirts) and all of this:

The famous POPPER and baseball striker.

Pedicure Spa treatment...only been used once (looks brand new) and it will be sanitized. We have something similar but it sprang a leak, so it's going in the trash. For only $5.
And a push golf cart for $4!

Tyler crawling up the stairs...

Roseola and 1st tooth coming!

Two nights ago Tyler was making some strange noises in his bed...Scott was watching him closely on the baby monitor and asked me if there was something he could have been chocking on in his crib. I went to check on him and he was BURNING UP! Just an hour ago he was fine. So being this is the first significant fever (thank the Lord) we were a little nervous. We stripped him down and let him crawl around while we researched the fever on the Internet. I could not find the ear thermometer so Scott got out his commercial take a temp in 1 second....the result 103! So we gave him some Tylenol dressed him in light clothes and Scott gave him some water and rocked with him for about a half an hour. He slept for about 3 hours and was up again. He wasn't really fussy, just making some strange noises and tossing and turning. I let him lay by me for an hour or so and then gave him another dose (the fever hadn't really changed) then put him back in bed. He woke up around 6am...I nursed him and he slept until 7:30...with no fever at all! We were very thankful. He was fine last night and then when I was out doing errands today I noticed he had a rash all over his legs and arms....and then everywhere! He is fine and just as happy as can be....as soon as I saw the rash I remember a couple of my friends that have experienced this with their kids. So just in case you are unaware of Roseola here is a good website describing what it is. The worst part is the high fever and making sure you can break it. Unfortunately it is spread when there is no symptoms so no mom can ever be at fault. It's just a part of life.

THEN today as I was nursing Tyler before his 2nd nap he started biting me (OUCH) and I stuck my finger in his mouth and felt a tiny sharp piece of tooth just breaking through! I don't know if I'm excited about that or not...but it's going to be cute...another milestone for Tyler!

Very Blessed Week

(this picture was taken by my friend Elisa when she was over helping me with Tyler)

We are very blessed to have so many great friends, family in Savannah, and awesome neighbors. Everyone has helped us out so much this week, it has been amazing. We had food brought to us for every meal, Tyler even got some cereal and puffs, there was fruit, tons of flowers and chocolate, and best of all lots of prayers and support. Thank you to everyone and to God for always being there with us.

Last night Scott and I were able to go out on a date night: dinner and a movie. We really treated ourselves. Our friends came over to relieve us of our nightly routine with Tyler and we headed out. We went to Tangerine's and then saw Ghost Town...which had us laughing a few times and that felt really good. We had good conversation about the last week and I am ready to move on past all my sadness and my body is coming together, I'm still a little slow and the 3 places they entered my body are a little itchy, but over all I'm doing great!

Scott is out on the golf course this morning, which he deserves...he's been working so hard this week and has helped transport Tyler and watch him in between my rest periods. Tyler is working on settling down for his nap...I love our video monitor! It is so fun to watch him, he's growing up so fast!

This is Daddy and Tyler playing...

Ectopic Pregnancy

Well, the last few weeks has been a roller coaster of events. Aug 26th I had a positive pregnancy test! We were so excited and was even more excited to keep it a secret between us until 12 weeks or so...just to enjoy the excitement of it all. Sept 3rd I had some spotting and because of my past (2 miscarriages before Tyler was born) I went in to give blood to check my HCG levels. I went back on Friday and the numbers decreased meaning that sadly I was having a miscarriage. The next few days were tough. The strange things started when I never started bleeding anymore so I called the Dr's office and made an appointment to see what was going on. The whole time I was praying that my body would do it's thing and naturally miscarry. The ultrasound didn't show anything good or bad but we decided to give blood again and then would follow up a month later to make sure everything returned to normal non-pregnant levels. The next day the Dr. called and said my levels increased, meaning that my body was still supporting a pregnancy. We scheduled another ultrasound for the next week (tomorrow). Saturday night while Scott and I were watching a movie I started having really bad cramping and it never let up and bleeding started again at 4am. I called the on call Dr and explained to him everything and he gave me warning signs for an ectopic pregnancy. I waited it out until yesterday at 2pm and decided that the pain I was feeling was unlike my previous miscarriages and I wanted to make sure everything was OK.

It turns out it was an ectopic pregnancy in my Right Fallopian Tube. Last night I had surgery and all is well. The surgery was a success and I even got to see pictures of my insides. They saved my tube and the Left tube is free and clear. The Right tube should heal and we can start trying again in 3 months. My chance increases for another ectopic (from 2% to 15%) so everything in the future will be closely monitored. I am doing OK, I was able to vent all my "pity me" thoughts yesterday and thankfully my sister-in-law Amy was there to set me straight. I still have a good outlook on our future family. I told the Dr. 100 times that I want more children and to take care of my stuff!! It's been a hard couple weeks, but Tyler has kept me busy and smiling and reminding me how blessed I am to have him. I also have a wonderful loving husband, amazing family, and awesome support from our church and small group...and most of all I know that God is always with me and he is always good!

God only gives you what you can handle and the best part is, I can feel my faith just getting stronger and stronger. I love you Jesus...thank you for everything! I know you are taking care of my 3 precious babies in heaven and I will see them someday!

A friend of mine sent me this verse: Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Captain of the Boat

9 Month Check-up

Tyler is growing and sitting on his new push toy (bought it for $7.50 at Once upon a Child)!

Height= 30 inches (92 percentile)

Weight= 24.6lbs (92 percentile)

No teeth yet, and as you can see on the video he is cruisin' along the couch and coffee tables trying to get into anything that is NOT his toy. He also giving air kisses on demand. Very cute! He loves going on errands with me and being pushed around the grocey store. He is the biggest flirt in the store! However he did have a little stranger anxiety with Dr. Stone yesterday and screamed the whole time he was in the room. But as soon as the nurse came he was all smiles again (at lease until she gave him his shot).

We both have a little cold right now...I'm learning how to suction the gunk out of his nose...he HATES it....but I know in the end I am helping him. He did sleep a lot better last night. I only had to go in and reinsert paci and pat him twice. Once at 1am and again at 3am...then he slept until 7am! I was even up at 6am and was able to do my bible study!

The Shack

Here is the way to get me motivated to do something:

Conversation with my sister-in-law.

Amy: "I just read The Shack...you should read it."
Me: (in my mind I'm thinking about Shaquille O'Neal) Oh really, what is it about?"
Amy: "Can't tell you, it will give it away."
Me: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Some days pass, I'm at a MOPS retreat, everyone that walks in says, "Have you read, The Shack?" "NOPE, but don't ruin it for me...I'm getting it on Sunday!"

Tuesday night, finished The Shack! It was awesome. This is a book that I needed in high school before I "got it", and also when I first "got it" (the relationship with Jesus)! I loved the book, like Amy said...can't really give a summary...you'll just have to read it for yourself! It didn't take me long to read it...it's a page turner. FYI-It is Fiction.

This is a quote from the back cover, "In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant THE SHACK wrestles with the timeless question: Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?

Here is the website to check it out for yourself. http://www.theshackbook.com/

You can believe in Jesus, go to church, read the Bible, but if you don't understand the relationship that God yearns to have with you and don't accept that He is always with you...none of the above matters. If you work on your relationship with Jesus and accept him as the Lord of you Life...you will be changed and you will fill that empty void in your life!

Tyler eats some puffs

The danger to teaching him to chew and eat puffs is that every small thing goes into his mouth! He is just growing up so fast. He'll be 9 months old tomorrow! He's already grazing across the couch, saying baba and ga. He's very busy and doesn't like to be held much...just wants to GO!

We also are having to put up gates...he's not too fond of them yet.

I'm having the time of my life with my little man!

Pantry Drama

A couple days ago I was asked to bring desert to dinner with some friends. So I thought, what do I have all the ingredients for? Oatmeal cookies of course! So, I'm making my cookies and I go to get some flour out of the pantry (we had A LOT of flour, from a previous baking kick I had 6 months ago that ended after one day) and there was an infestation of those little weevils! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! So gross...I opened another, yep and another...all of the flour was ruined! Then I thought, I'm throwing everything out, but yesterday I thought surely this brand new pancake mix will be fine....NOPE! So, completely disgusted I emptied out the entire pantry peeled off contact paper...scrubbed the shelves, had Scott spray for bugs...reapplied easy non-slip shelving paper from Dollar Tree, and now we have a pantry that I am hesitant to put any food in. I don't think I'll be shutting the door, new house rule is that nothing goes on the floor of the pantry so the bug man can spray...so on and so on. But talk about getting motivated to clean! We also got those airtight sealed containers to put only 1 bag of flour at a time. I will NOT be stocking up on anything again (grocery store is only 1 mile down my street!).

and by the way, I did the classic "borrow some flour from the neighbor" to finish my cookies, which were AWESOME!

All in all it was a VERY productive day...add 4 loads of laundry and a trip to TJ Max, the Dollar Tree, Wal-mart, and back to Dollar Tree with a 9 month old! (to find shelving paper and containers!)

Happy Birthday Grandma! From Tyler

We love you and miss you. Can't wait for you to come back to Savannah next month!

Love,
Carrie, Scott, and Tyler!

Tree for Tyler and some babble

This weekend Scott and I attended his best friends sister's wedding and their party favor was a tree to plant. So we've decided since we don't have a good spot for the tree...and we didn't think the neighbors would like us planting a tree in their yard, we would ask JohnE and Jenny if we could plant it at their house. And of course they didn't care. So this tree is for Tyler...hopefully we'll be able to watch it grow while JohnE and Jenny live in Savannah and then long after they leave we will always remember where the walnut tree is and drive by to reminise Tyler's first year of life. I just hope it grows!!!

Tyler is babbling away these days. We are trying to turn the bababa into dada/mama...but not yet, this is all we get so far. What do they say, "You spend the first year of their life teaching them to stand up, walk, and talk and the rest of their life telling them to sit down and shut up!

Happy Birthday John-E!

It's my brother's birthday! 1/4 of a century old! Let's see, he's getting married next year, he's a home owner, he's an uncle, hmmm...you could say I'm pretty proud of my little brother! Love you John-E, hope you have a wonderfuly birthday here in Savannah!

Love,
Carrie, Scott, and Tyler!

Two weeks ago Tyler started crawling and he's already pulling up. I thought we'd have a few more weeks of crawling but I guess he just got bored. I think he's still a few months away from actually walking on his own...he's pretty wobbly. The firt time he pulled up on his own was Saturday August 2nd...and here it is on video from today!

Tyler Laughing

Tyler has been giggling for awhile now, but today I heard a whole new laugh come out...so I thought I'd share what I captured. It's sure to make you smile and maybe even giggle yourself.

Love,
Carrie

10 YEAR REUNION

The "Prom" picture...Scott gets one too (you know the picture that my mom always took of me and my date on the way to a dance in front of the tree in the front yard?)! Anyways, we are on the way to the reunion reception.

Can you find me?

The girl gang! (Me, Jill, Rachel, Paula, Stacy, and Kelly)

So, I survived my High School reunion this week. It felt like the first day of school all over again. It was great to see everyone...everyone that showed up anyway. I would say about 25% of the class showed up. Friday night we had a family night picnic. I think the kids out numbered the adults! It was cool to see everyone's kids and matching them up to each other. It was tough to have any meaningful conversations though because everyone was chasing around their kids. Saturday morning was the golf outing. Scott and I went and had a blast. Only 5 other guys showed up. Our team won the best shot competition with a 3 under par. I even scored a birdie all by myself on a par 3. Then we all (all 7 of us) went out for lunch. Saturday night we had a reception, which included a small slide show of pictures and memorable songs...oh and Superman showed up, Brandon Routh (B.J. to us). Yes, he graduated with us and is my cousin Jimmy's good friend. Scott said he really enjoyed seeing a blast from my past. Unfortunately I didn't get very many pictures, but everyone is compiling all the pictures together so everyone can view them. I'm glad I went and hopefully we will talk the people that didn't come into coming in 2018.

Grandma and Great Grandma babysat Tyler all day on Saturday! The day before Tyler pulled Max's (older dog) hair and got nipped at which was very scary, but Tyler's fair skin makes everything look worse than it is. Thank God nothing bad came out of it, other than a scared baby and a few red marks!

We spent Sunday at my Aunt Carla's and Chuck's farm house, pulling up it looked as though a tornado went through with trees and branches thrown all over the yard. They had a storm last weekend that destroyed their trees once again. Carla gave me a tour of the garden and we pulled out a yellow squash the size of my calf and a zuccini squash the size of my forarm. We grilled them for lunch...it was yummy. It definitely motivates me to start trying a garden of our own. I would really love it, but can I do it????? Everything seems to grow really fast and intense here in Savannah so it can't be that hard...can it? We'll see...updates later!

On the way home from the farm there were some intense storms rolling through Des Moines. At one point I made Scott turn the car around and go the other way. We ended up going completely around the storm and only had sprinkles on our windsheild, which was pretty amazing.

We made it back safely to Savannah, but not before we took these photo's of Tyler with his Grandma and Grandad. We'll miss you!

Bye Grandma and Grandad!

Tyler meets the Dogs

I don't know what I was so afraid of...Bert is a little hyper but both him and Max LOVE Tyler and Tyler gets SO EXCIITED when they are around. Tyler LOVES them! Here are some pictures to prove it!
Yesterday Grandma took us to Target and bought us a new diaper bag and a new Baby Einstein. A Day on the Farm! We will test it out today! Here is Tyler in the car seat that my Grandma's freind Helen lent us for the week inside her car with her license MABURT. My Grandma's friend also lent us the really cool old fashioned high chair too. I love it!

Tyler is Crawling

Back from Iraq

Welcome Home Greg and Jeff!
We hosted a party yesterday for two friends that are back from a 15 month deployment in Iraq. Greg and Jeff and their wives Elisa and Bethany are in our small group and each week we all prayed for their safe return. We are so thankful they are back and our small group is whole again! We spent the day enjoying the water, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding, kayak skiing, and grilling out. It was a gorgeous day and not too hot with some overcast sky's. Tyler did great hanging out on the dock playing with toys and drinking water. It was really a great day!

Two guys (Kenny and Derek) chilling in the kayak's banked up on the sand bar.

Tyler hanging out with everyone on the dock in his new hat with a strap.

Napping?

Yesterday was the first time Tyler sat up all by himself....in his crib. He was supposed to be napping. This picture was taken this morning when I caught him NOT napping! It is still yet another milestone in his 7.5 month old life!

Still no teeth yet and not crawling forward. He's quite the scooter though! He scoots in a circle and backwards. Very soon....Tyler "Scoot" will be off.

July 4th Weekend

We had a great weekend here at the End St resort for the 4th of July weekend AND finals of Wimbledon tennis tournament. Tyler has to be sick of hearing a tennis match in the background all day long for 2 weeks straight. Breakfast at Wimbledon finally ended around 5pm on Sunday with the Nadal upset over Federer who was trying for his 6th straight. I was a little sad but truly exhausted from the 8 hour marathon of watching tennis.

We spent the weekend on the water and walking back and forth from all of our awesome neighbors. We really have a great street and everyone is so nice and funny and entertaining. We got to watch 8 different firework displays across the river plus 5 of our neighbors mini firework displays right off of our dock! It was truly amazing and I can just imagine years to come will get even better.

Sorry we didn't do very well capturing pictures, I claimed all weekend that I was on vacation and what a refresher it was! Here are a few that I snapped though, random ones of Tyler and Daddy spending time together.

Oh and last week Scott caught his first true fishing pool catch off the dock.

And here are Tyler's newest toys from Wal-mart and his $1 Dale Jr jumper onsie.

6 Months Photo (May 25th, 2008)

Jenny took these bathtime shots. This was the winner. I have some ordered and will send some to family and any other friends that email me their address. (as long as I have some left!)

Isn't he a cutie???? I know, I know, but I can't help myself. I am so lucky I get to stare at him all day long! I just can't get enough!

Hello!

Tyler wishes everyone a great week! He's also sooooo close to taking off crawling. We'll keep you updated!

10-S N E 1?

Great Birthday

Today was my birthday and it was GREAT! We celebrated last night with "the household." We all went to eat at a Japanese Steakhouse, which for me always comes with consequences but so worth it! Tyler loved all the ruckus that went on and squinted at the fire. Then we had a K-Factor Tennis cake and opened presents. John-E and Jenny got me a 25 piece knife set and a marble cheese board cutter. Scott and my family in Iowa pitched in and got me 2 new tennis racquets (K-Factor/K-Blade 98 to be exact)! I'm really excited because I've been playing with the same racquets for 10 years! Scott's parents got me a "too small for her" golf glove, which was PERFECT for me, a kitchen towel that she put "God loves Stay at Home Mom's" it is so sweet, and gift certificate to Target (my favorite and it helps that it is exactly 1 mile from my house!) My sister-in-law gave me an early gift of Bare Escentuals starter kit a few weeks ago, which I love! My friends called me all day and brought and sent flowers! It was really great! Thank you to everyone!!! I will post more pictures later! Tyler tried to steal my tennis racquet and Scott has some cute pictures from the restaurant on his camera!

Happy 1st Birthday Ava!!!

We are so honored to be able to celebrate with Pat and Kristen for their daughter Ava's first birthday. She was the first baby born of all of our friends in Maryland. We had a great day introducing Ava and Tyler, opening some presents (a new outfit and her first purse that included keys, a cell phone, and mirror).

Then we had lunch, nap time, then we headed down to you guessed it...River Street. Tyler and Ava were amazing and were having a great time in their strollers checking out the beautiful scenery. There was a Latino Festival on River Street so we saw some dancing and heard some great music and then Pat treated Ava to some cotton candy, she wasn't so sure about all that cottony sugary fuz. Next we took the ferry across the Savannah River just for fun. We then headed up to Lady's and Sons and toured the Paula Deen store and then over to City Market where we saw the chariot horses and ate at Wild Wing Cafe. Like I said Tyler and Ava were champs but you could tell they were pretty exhausted by the end of the night. Once we got home it was time for Ava's birthday cake, so we stripped her down and let her go to town on her cake.

She was so adorable! I am so glad that they are here visiting...just giddy. Here is how Scott describes my excitement in an email to them earlier this week...

Dearest Pat and Kristen!

The simple thought of the possibility of having friends from Annapolis visit has Carrie in a childish grade school rage. She was so excited last night she peed the bed and then couldn't sleep from pure hysteria. You would have thought Mickey Mouse was coming to town. You'll be surprised to see how homely Carrie has become now that I keep her barefoot in the kitchen and pregnant. Not only that but since we have moved to Georgia she has developed a tremendous southern draw and sometimes needs to use sign language to communicate with northerners.

From Columbia it is a very easy drive if you take 26 to 95 to 204. After 204 it would be the 5th traffic light (Rio Rd). Got swim suits? We will have the help make up the guest suite on the west wing of the property for you.

What will make your visit even better is the sad fact that I will be at a meeting in Texas; so the ability for you all to keep Carrie occupied and entertained would be legendary. I'll be sure to leave a cake, a high chair, and a water hose for Ava.

Scott

You are so funny honey...I love you!

Happy Anniversary...3 Years!

I love you more and more each and every day! I can't wait for many more years to come in this wonderful adventure!

Happy First Father's Day!

Also happy 27th Father's Day to my Dad back home in Iowa! I love you DAD! Miss you!

And happy Father's Day to Scott's Dad...we both love you and I am so blessed to have you as a Father-in-law! Thank you for all you do for us!

Baby Dedication Pictures

Bath and Rinse

Just to keep up with the other people that always get at least one shot of the kitchen sink bath I have attached the bath and rinse from our 1952 Boaning Queen kitchen sink. Just another example of the many pictures that will one day haunt Tyler.

Scott

Swim Suit BUG

Every woman hates swimsuit shopping, am I right? Well, now I have a whole new perspective on swimsuit shopping and why I hate it! It also doesn't help that I had a baby in the last year either...but anyway. Friday I tried to go to Target to find a suit, but Tyler was a little too restless so I decided to wait until maybe mommy could go alone. Well, then Scott offered to go with me Friday night. Perfect now he can help me out. I was in search for a two piece with a short mini skirt bottom. Finally found some a Macy's...like 100. So I tried on 15-20 it seemed. I bought 2, both on sale. Friday night come home, try them on again to decide, no decision not really happy with either. Scott and I decide to go out to the dock...it was beautiful and no bugs! As we were coming in...I was feeling a little nauseous. And then it hit me and hit me HARD! I threw up everything for the next 2 days, with low-grade fever, and you guessed it diarrhea. I couldn't do anything! It was horrible. I don't know how I could have gotten it except the swimsuit dressing room. It couldn't of been food poisoning because everything I ate Thursday and Friday Scott ate as well. I can't remember the last time I've been that sick let alone breastfeeding and taking care of an infant. It was a good thing it was on a weekend and Scott was amazing...we even hosted our small group from church for a full day of fun on the water. I stayed in bed. Monday I was a little better...but still weak from not eating for 2 days. Today a little better...but talk about a crash diet ladies!

Dedicating Tyler...

We are dedicating Tyler to the Lord on June 14th at our church, Savannah Christian Church. This means that Scott and I are dedicated to living a Christ-centered life and to help guide Tyler in the ways of the Lord so that one day he will accept Jesus as his Savior. Scott and I were baptized by his father on June 19, 2005 (the day after we were married) in the Gulf of Mexico side of Key West. I was also baptized as a baby by method of sprinkling in the Lutheran Church. I was also confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 9th grade. I am glad I went to church growing up, but nothing ever stuck in me until I moved and found a nondenominational church and every time I went there the message really hit home. It was great...however every time I went I got tears in my eyes, probably knowing that I needed to make changes in my life, but didn't want to, but then I realized the message was so true and I just wasn't being honest with myself, let alone to God. So, not until I met Scott, we started dating, and I started being around his family did I start to get it. Wow, it's not just about believing in Jesus, it's about having a relationship with Jesus...every minute of every day. It's not about going to church 1 day a week, it's about walking with Jesus through everything in life, from doing the dishes to working on your marriage. It's about putting all your trust in Him and being obedient to his word. And to make this quick and to the point, not until I started obeying His word have I started to become completely content. I worry less, I stress less, I'm more happy....because when you focus on eternity and being with Jesus FOREVER, does this short little life really deserve anything less than your best? I'm not saying that I don't have my bad days but what I realize now is that when I do have bad days, bad thoughts, and I sin...that it is not God...it's Satan trying to get me off track. God is ALWAYS good. I pray every day that Tyler will accept Jesus and walk with him through life, but ultimately God gave us free will to choose. Tyler will have to make that decision for himself when he is old enough to not only understand that Jesus is his Savior, but that we are ALL sinful and we ALL need forgiveness and because Jesus died for our sins, we are saved.