Hunter's Thankful List

I saw a commercial on TV today and at the end it said "What are you thankful for?" So I asked Hunter, and explained to him what it meant and all about November and Thanksgiving. He really enjoyed the story, so I've decided that I'm going to ask him one thing everyday that he's thankful for for the rest of the month...and I'll keep the list updated here!


Nov. 5th - "Mommy"
Nov. 6th - "Grammy"
Nov. 7th - "Daddy"
Nov. 8th - "Aunt Kim"
Nov. 9th - "Hayden"
Nov. 10th - "G.G."
(I'm beginning to think he thinks he can only be thankful for people...lol)
Nov. 11th - presents
Nov. 12th - sandwhiches
Nov. 13th - "nakie time"
Nov. 14th - chips
Nov. 15th - horses
Nov. 16th - cake ("hey, I want to eat cake!")
Nov. 17th - "basketti" (spaghetti)
Nov. 18th - paper
Nov. 19th - belly buttons
Nov. 20th - basketball

Bed Rest...day 3

Well, I just decided this would be a good way to journal my thoughts and feelings for the last 11 weeks of my pregnancy. I got the idea from my friend Martha, who has one of these lovely blog "thingys" too. Everything I read online tells me that it's healthy to keep a journal when you're on bedrest. "They" (whoever that may be) say that your child will enjoy reading it one day...not sure she's really going to care what TV shows I watched or which magazines I read...but whatever, I'll give it a try. At least it gives me one more thing to do everyday right?! Don't feel bad if you start to read this and then never want to return for an update, I wouldn't either, trust me! :0)

So...I got a call from my OB's nurse on Friday (Sept. 28th) and she told me that I was to go on bedrest....until delivery. Yuck! I have low amniotic fluid, and it has been fluxuating for 3 weeks now...unstable, up and down, so they decided it was safest for me just to sit in my bed day and night. I am allowed one shower a day, to go to the bathroom (gee, thanks!), and to make myself a sandwhich if I'm home by myself. Friday was terrible, but I decided there really wasn't anything else to do but suck it up, so that's what I did. I think it's going to take lincoln a lot longer to adjust to the idea than it has me. My mother has been AWESOME this weekend getting me all set up and taking care of Hunter.

Here's the list of things that I'm already depressed about missing out on:

1. Watching the fall leaves change colors and getting to drive down toward Meremec Springs and look at all the pretty colors
2. Taking Hunter to the Halloween party that my friends are having.
3. Going to the pumpkin patch
4. Taking Hunter Trick-or-Treating
5. Christmas shopping at the pretty decorated malls
6. Helping to prepare Thanksgiving dinner

Of course there's teaching at The Dance Studio, Color Guard, going to MOPS, Bible Study, Church...all the daily / weekly things that I enjoyed doing so much.

I'm doing pretty well as far as my emotional state is going thus far...it's not been too bad yet actually, but I think in 3 weeks I might be going crazy...I am just remembering the 10 days in the hospital before Hunter was born, and it was pretty bad.

Well, I guess I'm going to start my "in bed scrapbooking adventure". I've got about 2.5 hours hours before my boys get home...so I'm going to try to pass the time! :0)

Ash

March of Dimes Walk

Hello everyone!

I wanted to let you all know that Hunter and I will be doing the March of Dimes Walk in Rolla this upcoming Sunday, May 6th. I feel very connected to this organization because of their mission to help premature babies. I’ve done a lot of research on the March of Dimes organization since Claire was born, and I am a firm believer in their work.

I also believe that it is very important to get Hunter involved in giving to charities and helping others in any way that he can early on. Thus far it's just been giving to the Bell Ringers at Christmas time, etc., but this will be his first charity walk! He and I are both very excited about it! We want him to develop a life long habit of helping others!

I have created a personal fund raising website off of the March of Dimes homepage. If you feel led to donate to this organization, but would not like to donate online, I am more than willing to pick up cash or a check from you sometime before the walk on Sunday. I promise that you will be helping families just like mine who have suffered the loss of a child.

Thank you and God Bless,
Ashley and Hunter

What a guy!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Lincoln is the best husband EVER! :0) I had a TERRIBLE day on Saturday and when I got home he surprised me with a hot bath with candles and brought me in my favorite ice cream! It just doesn't get a lot better. It meant so much to me that he took into consideration how stressed I was and wanted to do something to make it better! What a guy!

Claire's Birthday

Well, Saturday (the 10th) is Claire's birthday. It's amazing to think that my little girl would be a year old already! With her birthday coming up, I have really done some soul searching...it's been very good for me.

I try to stop for a few minutes every day and remember all the blessings that God has given me. It's absolutely amazing. I have a wonderful husband, a perfect (okay in my eyes he's perfect) 2.5 year old son, two children waiting for me in Heaven, we have stable jobs, own our own home, and have huge supportive families. Life really couldn't get a lot better! I think everyone should try to take a few minutes everyday to thank God for everything He's given them.

I hope that in whatever situation you may find yourself, you are able to find the good in it. Know that God is working for a bigger picture. Our family picture!