Dr. "Hugs" a Lot!

Took Christa Kay to the pediatrician yesterday for her 2 month check. She is a porky little princess weighing in at 13 pounds and is 22 inches long...3 inches longer than she was just a few short weeks ago! Wowza!



Our pediatrician is Dr. Amy Huggins. Her practice is Pineywoods Pediatrics in Nacogdoches, TX. We absolutely adore her! She has taken excellent care of our babes.



One of the best things about Amy is that she genuinely cares about her patients..she's also very smart, great at diagnosing, pretty, sweet-spirited, a Christian, and an Aggie. I didn't attend aTm, every doctor I see is an Aggie and they have all taken excellent care of me.


Have I mentioned that I LOVE our pediatrician? She's also very conservative with handing out medicines. She understands that less is more, and does not just prescribe antibiotics all willy nilly...only if absolutely necessary. I like that... a lot.

Dr. Huggins works with Mariah Riggins. She has more initials after her name than a lawyer...which means she is certified to do just about anything: lactation consultant, nurse practitioner, free sample giver outer..etc. We love Mariah, too. She has also shown much love to my princesses.

So, if you are looking for a pediatrician in the East Texas area, I highly recommend Dr. Amy. We drive over 80 miles one way to see her, and will continue to do so, 'cause when it comes to the health of my girls, this mama ain't messin around.


P.S. Not a paid advertisement for Pineywoods Pediatrics. I just love these gals. Over and out.

First Day of Domestication

I have taught school for about 14 years now. This year shall be different. I am staying home with my new baby (who is due SOON) and my 3 1/2 yr old toddler (who will be going to preschool 3 days a week, can we say, "Hallelujah?")

My 8th graders 2010- 2011

Let's back track a little. This summer has been WILD. We have been looking for a house for over a year and finally found it. We found a home out in the country that fit the bill in every way. We experienced first hand the joy that is home buying and I hope you can detect the facetious tone in my voice. Paperwork, banks, loans, signing millions of papers, accounts, inspections, surveys, and more red tape have been floating in our brains for 2 1/2 months. We finally closed on the house on August 13 and a load of heaviness was lifted off of me. We are homeowners, at last.

Syd and her Daddy

Now the hard work begins. Every where you look there is something I want to fix up, do, redo, or overhaul so I can make this place truly ours. I have a baby room to set up. I have a den with nothing in it but junk. There is stuff everywhere and the yard needs major love. At 8 months (nearly 9) months pregnant, there is a limit to what I can do and that is totally cramping my style. I am a tad OCD about my house, and just seeing boxes makes me nauseated, but I letting that go, or at least I ma trying to let that go.

Today is the first day of school. I am usually very excited about the first day of a new year as I enjoy teaching more than a bowl of ice cream, well most days. I was born to work with kids. My little one is here with me today, and it has been challenging to say the least. We are both trying to find our niche in this new life of  "stay at homeness" and it is a struggle right now. New house, new "career," and a new baby on the way is a lot of NEW to deal with at once. Analytical and philosophical as I am, it is tough for me to process my recent change of mental address. It will get easier and @ 3:00 in the afternoon, I am looking around wondering, "Now, what do I do?"

The rain is falling gently now, so swimming in the pool is out. I got stung by a wasp yesterday, so I can check that off my list. A nap was attempted earlier, but a miserable failure. So, I guess I will enjoy my first day of domestication by brewing a cup of decaf and playing Angry Birds with Syd. That should keep me busy for today.

Summah Time

It's 12:08 PM.

So far, I have

1. Made breakfast burritos
2. Gone back to bed
3. Listened to it thunder and rain
3. Watched "Lady and the Tramp" with Sydney Lou Lou

And those are 4 wonderful reasons why I love Summah Time.

Much to Our Surprise

We have another little girl coming our way.

7 Quick Updates

1. The house was a no-go. It's tough when you have your heart set on something and then the other party does not get the message. The seller was asking about $25K more than the worth of the home and wouldn't bargain with us. They also asked that we pay double option fees. What?

2. Today is THE DAY we find out about our little bundle of joy. Boy? Girl? My dad is going with me to the ultrasound appointment. I know it will be very special for both of us.

3. Summer has officially started. I am home. all. day. by. myself. with. a. 3. year. old. Enough said.

4. I have turned in the keys to my classroom. It is cleaned out and organized. I cried a little.

5. Sydney is enjoying swimming lessons. She love lessons....but had a little bit of an emotional day yesterday, but she got over it.

6. Our 11 year anniversary is this weekend. We are going away for a couple of days, listen to jazz music on the patio, eat at my favorite restaurant, and just hang out. I can't wait!

7. My child has a future in demolition. This morning, she has: shredded paper, drawn all over the place, tore off her bedroom door (I am not kidding, she literally tore it off the hinges and it won't even close), poured dirt everywhere, thrown clothes all over the place, taken the pillow cases off every pillow in the house, and completely annihilated the cat's scratching post.

And it's only 10:55.

A step of EPIC proportions...well, for us at least!

My husband and I have been married for 11 years (well on June 9 in about 4 weeks, it will be 11).

We have lived in 4 places in those 11 years, thus, buying a home was not terribly appealing to us. The market has been so weird lately. We've seen houses just sit on the market for what seems like forever and have watched friends struggle to sell their homes. Let's face it, our economy is at best, bearish.

So, we have happily rented. We've rented duplexes, condos, 3 BDRM houses, and even a historical home. We've been super blessed with finding decent looking places for decent prices. We are eternally grateful to the Lord for leading us to safe, affordable residences.

As our family is expanding, the need for a new home is blatantly evident. We are out of bedrooms in our current place, so finding a house is of utmost importance. We have decided to buy a home.

Now, to some folks, that's no big deal. But to us, it is MAJOR. That means, commitment. My hubs and I are commitment-phobic for so many reasons (thankfully not in the marriage department) and this has caused mondo stress in our household lately.

We have looked high and low for a home within the last year. When I say high, I mean, we have seen some DREAM homes, but with nightmarish price tags. Now, some folks will buy a house that is so gorgeous and deluxe that they can barely afford their note, much less groceries and gas for the car. WE are not like that...at...all. We are not about appearances. As long as a house is clean and comfortable, it does not have to supremo-deluxo. If you don't like it, don't come visit.
We're not going to live month to month and wonder how we're going to buy school supplies. Stupid.

As far as low goes, we have seen some of the most pitiful abodes you can imagine. It would take SO much money to make it inhabitable, that it's not even worth the asking price. Some folks are outside their minds.

I've been a little stressed lately about our luck with finding a house. I have asked the Lord to give me peace and help me to trust in Him and His timeline, and not mine. I prefer to move before the baby is born so I don't have to help stress as much with lifting and packing.

I stumbled across this listing the other day. Now, what is strange is that this company is based out of Beaumont and Houston, not our area. So, it was completely a coincidence miracle that I found it.

kitchen (obviously)

I could spend some chilly evenings in front of this baby.

(I am OBSESSED with wood burning fireplaces...not gas, mind you. That is heresy.)

6 Acres of gorgeous land

A sun room for, uh, whatever!

This picture I have of the front of the house does not do it justice, or I would post it. It is set WAY off the road and has a long paved driveway, a 2 car garage, and lots of green grass to roll around in. Yes, we would like to add a couple of rooms and a contractor has already told us how to do it. It is not perfect, but, is definitely workable, and we put a bid in on it today!

Signing my name to all those papers gave me a major dose of heartburn and Chris nearly stroked out, but, we are going to make ourselves do this. After all, baby Chambers deserves a bedroom, not a linen closet.

So, I am praying for God's will to be done. Thanks for agreeing with me!

Nesha

Tough Decisions...But Not Really

This ultrasound pic was taken 2 months ago, so I know for a fact that Dill Pickle does NOT look like this anymore, but it is for Dill Pickle, that I have made a decision.

I am going to stay home next year with Dill Pickle and the Sydinator.

Let me stop here and say I have NOTHING against working moms. My mom worked when I was a newborn (cause she had to for financial reasons), I worked a contract job when Syd was an infant (cause I needed to), and I have many mama friends that work (because it is a necessity). So, let's get that said right here and now. No hate mail, please.

Our current situation is conducive to my staying at home. I am 35 years old and have been in the education business since I was 20. You do the math...I've had the career thing in place for a while now. I've taught many different grades in 4 different districts and have loved every (well almost every) minute of it. I have spent countless hours worrying over, babying, praying for, nurturing, loving, working with, and pouring into OTHER peoples' children. It is my calling. I am unashamed.

But now, I am going to pour into MY children.

I am going to worry over, pray for, baby, nurture, love, and work with MY children.

I am going to sign up to send cookies, plan parties, chaperone trips, and volunteer for MY children.

It is my duty as a mama.

Yep, we may have to cut back in some areas.

We may not get to go out to eat much.

We may not be able to afford EXTRA stuff.

We may even (GASP) have to do without cable/satellite TV

(which we have NEVER had in 11 years of marriage.) Talk about a WASTE of money.

I have been asked, "What about your teacher retirement?"

Uh, what about it?

I have been asked, "What about the kids that want you as a teacher next year?"

Uh, I am not the only caring teacher in the world.

I have been asked, "Aren't you going to get bored?"

Uh, no.

So, there you have it an easy, yet tough decision and I thank God everyday that he has blessed us with the financial means to make this decision.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

17 Weeks Pregnant

17 weeks Pregnant.

I have been completely silent (on my blog) regarding my pregnancy until today.

I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I have been so tired, so busy, and so sick that I have neglected to blog in the first place. Yep, that's it.

Maybe it's because I have such a bad memory lapse that I forgot how to log in and post anything. We'll just say that.

Here are a few things I want to remember for posterity's sake:

January - Received prayer for complete healing of my body so I could conceive again. God touched me.
February 14 - Found out I was pregnant.
February 15 - Drove to Lufkin in one of the worst storms of the season to get blood work done to confirm and check progesterone levels.
February 16 - Found out I was indeed pregnant and my progesterone was fine. (RELIEF)
Beg. of March - Heard the heartbeat. Saw the peanut.
End of March - Heard the heartbeat. Saw my dill pickle.
February 17 - April 12 - Threw up, laid in the bed, wished the Lord would take me home to glory, threw up some more, and then went back to sleep.
April 13 - Began to feel better.
April 20-22 Endured the worst headache of my life.
May 29 - Woke up with an inner ear infection that kept me from walking down the hall. Nauseated with monster headache.
May 7 - TODAY. Woke up feeling good, yet fat, and so happy that we will find out soon (about 3-4 weeks) about our baby's gender. Hoping for a boy, pretty sure it's a boy, 'cause only a boy could do to me what this little dumpling has done to me. Sydney was much kinder, albeit, I had preeclampsia and toxemia in my 7th month.

Only 4 weeks - 16 days - of school left.

Between now and d-date (late September, early October), I plan to

move into a new house
set up a new house
furniture shop
car shop
set up a nursery
buy new baby furniture
..and..
find a large body of water in which to soak my Shamu sized self in during a Texas summer which is prophesied to be BRUTAL. Brutal as in over 100 degrees on a regular basis.

Yippy.
Skippy.

It Thrills My Soul

to read this book

and this book

to my girl.

Maybe I'm a little strange, but I actually made up a little tune to the words in this story and instead of simply reading it, I sing it to her. I love making these memories and it simply thrills my soul to see her giggle and smile when we get to her favorite parts. She's pretty talented with sound effects, you know.

10 Reasons I Love Working Part-Time

1. I can eat lunch at home.
2. I can spend time with my daughter.
3. I can grab an afternoon nap, iffen my daughter grabs one.
4. I can catch up on old sitcom reruns on Netflix.
5. I can do a load of laundry or two before the weekend hits.
6. I can leave work at noon, which just happens to be the precise time my productive/effective portion of my brain wears off anyway.
7. I can go grocery shopping before the masses.
8. I feel like I actually have a life outside of my job.
9. I can grab an afternoon nap...wait...that was # 2.
10. I have ample time to prep and prepare a nice dinner for my family.

I love working part-time. I am blessed to have this gig.  Thank You, Lord.

Mine to Love

Loved this song the moment I heard it today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLXK-C08hps

Reminds me of my girl and my buddies who are pregnant for the first time after struggling with infertility.

God's timing is perfect.

It Could Be Worse

Ever have a do over day? A day where you thought, "Okay, this is not working for me. We need to rewind the footage and start this puppy over and MAYBE things will turn out better."

Ever had a "never want to relive this day again day?" A day where the very thought of a "do-over" sends chills of dread and sweat trickling down your face? Well, bruthas and sistas, today was one of those days.

As I took my troubles to the Lord, I began to realize my God was bigger, stronger, and more powerful than the obstacles facing me. I focused on the promise and not the problem, and I really struggled with this at first...

And God answered prayers. He came through. He made a way where there seemed to be NO WAY.

And now, I think, well...it could have been worse...

I could've been this fella

getting an exam from this girl...

and receiving a shot..in the gut..

*sigh* 

It's Night O'Clock!

I'm a little persnickety when it comes to bedtimes around here. We folks here at the Chambers' household believe in  REST.

And especially when it comes to the little person that lives here. She goes to bed at straight up 8 o'clock if not earlier.

I am OCD about getting her to bed because a rested child is a happy child, and a rested mommy, is a happy mommy, and a rested husband is a rarity.

So...on those occasions when bedtime is delayed, I fight feelings of irritation and find myself hollering, "Syd! It's nearly nine o'clock...you have GOT to go to BED!"

So, this evening, as I was cajoling Syd towards the bedroom, she stopped, looked at me and said, "Mommy, I know...it's night o'clock. I gotta go to bed."

Yes, dear. It is night o'clock and we ALL need to go to bed.

Words with Nerds

I haven't blogged in so long I am plumb embarrassed.

So, in the spirit of the "blame game," I must tell you that my blog negligence all started with what seemed to be nothing, but it turned into a BIG something.

I FINALLY joined the masses and upgraded to a smart phone in September and what to my wondering eyes did appear but a whole new fantasy land of time wasting games, apps, and smart phone gotta haves.

So, in all the spare time that I USED to blog, I am being a word nerd, or blowing up defenseless pigs, or trying to sink peoples' ships, or checking ever-present email, facebook, and pinterest pins.

For that, I am ashamed, deeply apologetic, and downright abashed.

But, it all stops here. I have too many things I want to remember that I gotta get on this blog for posterity's sake!

I need to remind myself of:

the way Sydney says, "Oh, mama, you silly goofball!"

and the way she prays, "Dear Jesus, I love you, be my friend, live in my heart, help me to listen and obey and stop cryin all the time, and I want to live for you always..."

 the fantastic Christmas we had with Uncle Rick,

the night classes Chris is taking so he can advance his therapy degree,

and the way Syd says, "Mommy! Clause it! Clause it! I gotta go to potty" as she is watching cartoons...

and the feelings of hopefulness that are flooding my soul right now because I KNOW God has heard my heartfelt prayer for another child even though it has not happened yet...

how Syd turns 3 in Febuary. How did that happen? She was just an infant that I held in my arms a few minutes ago. My baby is growing up.

and that she is 99.9% potty trained, which is a HUGE blessing and took a whole lot longer than I expected.

And now, a completely random photo.

I want to live here and receive my mail here.

Yes. I do.

And if you've never had a full body lemon grass scrub while laying on a table in the outfit God gave you under a waterfall, well, baby, this is place to get one done. Good thing my modesty went out the window with the whole giving birth to a child thing 'cause you can't have any shyness during this treatment.

Please. Let me go back to the Mokara.

If you listen closely, you will hear it calling my name.

And my pocketbook.