Oh, Babies!

Well in my last update I said I hoped the next time I blogged Jude would be here..and he is! He's 2 months old now..but oh well! Now I have lots I can discuss. :) I thought I'd share some questions I get the most after I've had Jude. 1) How is Jude doing? 2) What's it like with two babies now?

To answer the first question, Jude is doing pretty good. He's my sweet baby and he really does like me a lot! He looks a lot like my brother when he was a baby...which I guess all my babies are going to look like my brother...and Justin! Oh well..I like them so it's okay. I tried nursing for the first time with Jude. I didn't nurse Luke and I thought I would give it a try this time. The first week seemed to be going pretty good. He was doing great eating and latching on, but soon I was in lots of pain (I won't give details but I was super sore) I tried lots of things, including exclusively pumping, but that just became exhausting and with a two year old I didn't have the time for that. At the third week I decided I just couldn't do it and we switched to formula. I will say this..I really did love nursing Jude. It really was such a sweet experience and I do wish it would have been easier and not so painful for me...and yes I know it may have got easier but I just could not handle that at the time.  But I hate the guilt that I felt afterwards. I told myself when I starting trying I would not feel guilty if I did have to stop..but I did. I hate that women have to feel that way about not breastfeeding. It's unfair...of course I want the best for my baby! And not breastfeeding does not mean that I don't. Jude is nice and healthy and gaining weight on formula. I do miss nursing him at times (I don't miss the pain) but I do hope maybe with our next baby it will turn out differently...but I have no problem going to formula if I have to. I feel that God has given doctors the wisdom to know what to put in formulas that our babies need. Anyway...enough of that. Jude has been struggling a little bit with his reflux. He's been on two different prescriptions and we had to end up changing him to a special formula. He's doing lots better with that. Luke had reflux bad too...but he was never in pain like Jude is...poor baby. Jude sleeps great at night...7-8 hours now. He actually has slept good at night since he's been born..usually going a 4-5 hour stretch. But there are some days where he has problems resting during the day..and wants to be held. And that can be very difficult when you have a two year old. He's doing lots better now though...he seems to make progress every week. Luke is getting use to Jude a lot more now. I think he's figured out he's here for good. He seems to like him...most of the time he doesn't even pay attention to him.


Now for the second question...what's it like with two babies?  I'll answer this one with some advice and things I've learned over the last few weeks.

-In the beginning you may not get a shower...for a day...maybe two (sorry it happens)

-You may realize at the end of the day you didn't brush your teeth...then you go brush them..or just go to
sleep.

-Sleeping is such a wonderful thing!

-Cry when you need to...and you will need to..for no reason at all. Just do it..you will feel so much better..trust me!

-You will forget what day it is....month...maybe even year. I couldn't believe when April was over...really..I was so shocked. I still can't believe it's May.

- There were and still are some days I feel like all I did was feed a baby and spank and get on to the other one...which is probably true.

- Take a nap when your babies do! (if you can get them on a schedule when they both are..thankfully I was able to do that) I needed that nap during the first few weeks.

-You may go a week or so without cleaning or doing laundry and you start to feel that your house is gross...but it's okay. Which leads me to my next point:

-This is advice that I'm still learning, but don't overwhelm yourself with house work...laundry, cleaning..etc. Those things can wait...rest if you need too..play with the kids. But seriously I still need to work on this...I've been better over the last week or so...but I do get overwhelmed with the things that need to get done..I just know eventually they will!

- Make sure you try to make some time with the first baby, even if it's just for 10 minutes. I could tell a huge difference in Luke if I hadn't sat down and paid attention to him or done something with him. As long as I got a little time in there he would do good the rest of the day. It was really hard in the beginning but lots easier now!

- I have never been more thankful for my husband than in these last few weeks...seriously. I don't know how I could do it without him. He's such a good Daddy and help for me. I like him a lot.

- I am also super thankful I live close to my Mama. I so need her during this time and so thankful she loves my babies and loves to help and keep them. She's great...and I love her dearly. And I'm also thankful for my sister...she's been lots of help too. I just love living close to my family.

-Have a friend that you can talk to that you can relate to/complain/cry...whatever! Seriously..this helps so much. I am so thankful for my sweet friend Kim. We have such similar lives and I know I can just call and talk to her and she knows exactly how I feel. If you don't have someone you can call and talk to...you can talk to me! I would love that..really.

-Make time to spend with the Lord...reading the Bible/praying. This is something I am still  working on myself as well. It is really hard to find a quite time during the day..I know...except for nap time and in the early weeks you are so exhausted you need some sleep! But I know my days are so much better when I do sit down and at least get that special time in with the Lord. It helps so much. Luke will usually leave me alone if he has a movie on or a TV show he likes.

-Try and get a babysitter or a family member to watch your kids every now and then so you and your husband can go out. I know I am blessed to have my mom and sister close and I know they love keeping my babies, so Justin and I can spend some time together. It really helps our relationship so much when we can get away...and it's okay to do that! Don't let anyone make you feel guilty...your baby doesn't have to be attached to you all the time...I promise. He/she won't even know you were gone...sorry but they won't.

-Ask your husband for help if you need to. This is something I struggled with in the beginning. I know Justin was willing to help me, but I felt so guilty asking him sometimes because I felt this was "my" job to take of our kids. And while yes, I do stay at home and I am the primary caretaker of our children and love it..Justin and I are also a team and we are here to help each other. And he is a great helper, by the way.

-This is something that I now try to do..in the beginning I wouldn't worry about it so much, but making a schedule helps me a lot. I try to work out what days I clean what...Mondays: clean floors Tuesday: clean bathrooms...etc. I never try to clean everything in one day...if you can..great..but that would make me crazy! I try to spread things out. This helps so much.

I think that's somethings I've learned and I am still learning over the last 8 weeks. I am no expert at this Motherhood thing..it's hard..extremely hard some days, but it is so rewarding and I love taking care of these babies...and my husband!

One more little note...I've started Weight Watchers again and working out. I'm starting my goal of losing this baby weight. The working out part I enjoy and actually hasn't been too hard. But staying within my set amount of points is hard! I know it will get easier as I go along..I'll keep an update on my progress. :)

It's Baby Time...or I wish it was.

So, I realize I'm probably the worst blogger ever. I usually think at some point during the day I need to sit down and blog about something, but then I obviously don't. I wish I was better at it...but oh well. I'll try to sum up a few things over the last few months..nothing too exciting. We got all moved into our new house and we love it! There is so much room and it really is such a pretty house. I just love it. It's taking me a while to get everything set up the way I want it, but we are pretty much there. I'll post some pictures once I get it looking the way I want...which will hopefully be soon. We love our church..they are such sweet people and we have enjoyed getting to know everyone. I love having Justin working just across the yard and having him home for lunch and dinner every night and helping with Luke...makes me wonder how I did it so long with him being gone! God timed everything so perfectly...which of course he always does, but I don't know how I would be making it if Justin was still working two jobs and gone all day and at night...ahh...it makes my heart feel weird thinking about it. So I'll stop.

So my main reason for posting it to say...we are about to have baby! (or I really hope it's soon) I'll be 38 weeks at the end of this week...which is just crazy...but I'm so glad. This pregnancy has gone by fast and actually has not been bad, I think having a two year old to take care of really helps the time go fast and makes me almost forget sometimes I'm even pregnant. But the last week or so I have not forgot and I'm so ready to have this baby. I hate being limited in the things I can do....being tired all the time...and also having to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes...really...not fun! So, yes I"m tired of being pregnant now and I am just ready for little Jude to be here. I went to the doctor Tuesday and was told I'm not quite dilated yet...but I was close...whatever that means....I think he was just trying to make me feel better. I'm hoping when I go back this Tuesday I'll have made some progress...I feel like I have....I can feel that my body is changing and he has dropped (which would explain the going to the bathroom constantly!) I had Luke 10 days early..so 10 days early would be the 17th (Saturday!) But we are hoping he comes before then or after that. My mom and Julie are going to my cousins wedding in Malvern, AR this weekend. I wanted to go, but we (Justin and I) and my doctor decided that would be way too risky...I really don't want to go into labor at a wedding...that would not be fun at all. Of course I know he will come when he's ready...just hope that's soon!

So, here's hoping next time I update Jude will be here! (which by the way I update I'm sure he will be!)

Such a Big Boy

We hit a milestone today with Luke. Some of you may not think it's a big deal...but it is to us! He starting sleeping in a big boy bed tonight (twin size bed).

Justin taking down the bed...and Luke helping.

I love this picture (below)...he really thought he was doing something. :)

 He was getting so excited while we were setting it up. I was actually started to get a litte sad and worried at the same time. I didn't know how he was going to do. I know I've heard it can be really difficult for some. But Justin laid down with him for a little bit and read him a story...see below.

We didn't hear anything else after that. We waited about an hour and went in there...

Sound asleep!! 

I couldn't believe it...he didn't get up once! I was thinking he may have a few spankings tonight..but no. I was so proud. I know it may not be this way every night, and he may get up at 6 in the morning and want to play...but right now I'm happy. I think it helps a lot that Justin was here...he seems to listen to him a lot better. I guess it's a dad thing! I just can't get over how he's sleeping in that big bed...or it seems so big with him in it , when just two years ago, this is what he looked like:

Ahh...I just want to squeeze him. Yes, I know soon I'll have one in that baby bed...but it's not Luke! I usually don't get sentimental about things like this...I'm blaming it on the pregnancy...:)

Speaking of that...I have about 11 weeks left and if Jude happens to come two weeks early like his big brother Luke did...that would make just 9 weeks...whoah! Crazy...it's gone by fast. I can't wait to hold and squeeze him and kiss those (hopefully) fat cheeks.

In other news, packing is going along good. I've got a lot done this week. Justin says I'm doing too much too soon...but I am determined to not be a crazy person the week of our move...I'm hoping to finish almost everything by the end of next week. I'm pretty sure I can do it! We love our church family...they are so sweet to us. I can't wait to move there and get to know everyone (and their names!) better.

Today I went to Kohls and used my gift card that my wonderful mother in law gave me for Christmas...I love Kohls..it's my favorite place to shop, but not for maternity clothes! I was thinking I would save the card and use it after the baby was born and buy really cute new stuff..but I needed a couple of warm things to wear the rest of this pregnancy...so I made myself use it. Let me just say....buying maternity clothes is not near as fun as buying "regular" clothes. Especially when the store has hardly anything to choose from! Do retail stores not realize when your pregnant you like to dress cute too? I have seen several really cute stuff...but then you have to pay a billion dollars for it...(okay so that was an exaggeration...but you get the idea) Then you find something that you think is going to look really good...put it on and you look like a big piece of fruit or something...or at least that's what I feel like. Anyway, I did eventually find a couple of cute things....but I can't wait until I can wear cute stuff again...after I lose all of my baby weight!

Well, I'm hoping Luke stays in his bed the rest of night...and doesn't wake up in the middle of the night and come in our room and scare me really bad...that's what I keep thinking about...it would really freak me out if he did that.

A New Year Will Bring New Things

After waiting patiently and praying lots the Lord has graciously blessed Justin (and I) with our first church! First Baptist Church in Tyronza, AR voted yes this morning to have Justin as their pastor. We are so excited and thankful for this opportunity. Justin went and preached last week and we got to spend the day there and meet the sweet people. And they were just that...so sweet and welcoming to us! We can't wait to get to know everyone better and begin our ministry there. Justin will preach his first Sunday there as their pastor on January 1. We won't move until the end of January though. I need time to pack! But also Justin is a part time manager at Lifeway and he wants to stay there until the end of January. 

There are many reasons why I'm so thankful and excited. The obvious is this is what we have been waiting for a while now for this to happen and this is what the Lord has called Justin to do. Also, I'm pretty much moving back to my "home". Trumann is only about 25 minutes away and I miss living in Northeast Arkansas...really I do! I love small towns. When you live in Memphis for almost three years...you will miss it to! (unless you're a city person...which I"m not) I'm also looking forward to Justin being home more. This is has been a tough year with him working two jobs. There are several days where he is gone from 9 in the morning until almost 10 at night...it's been rough. He will actually be able to be home for dinner...and lunch! The parsonage is right beside the church...which is great! I'm not saying he won't be busy...but he will be able to be home a lot more than he is now! I will also be right in between my mom and sister...only 25 min. from both. Yay! I'm so glad we will be close to Jonesboro again too. I miss going there. I know that sounds silly but really..live in Memphis...you will appreciate "smaller" things...at least I do. :) Oh and I get to live in the same town that one of my best/oldest (not age wise!) friends teaches in. I can't wait to see you a lot more Megan!! But, yes in the midst of all this excitement is a little nervousness. I don't feel like I'm ready or adequate enough to be a preacher's wife. I"m sure every woman goes through that..or at least I think so anyway! I have things to learn and I know I will. Thankfully I have a Lord who will be with me every step. And a mom who I personally feel is one of the best pastor's wives I know, who can give me some great advice and help along the way. She made it look so easy...but I'm sure there were things I didn't know about! 

Here's a picture of the house will be moving into real soon. It's three bedrooms, two baths and has lots more room than our apartment! It's actually a really nice house. The second one is the house but you can see the church to the left...yes we are in walking distance. I love it. 

Well, in other news my brother is coming home Christmas Eve!! I can't wait to see him and I can't wait for him and Luke to spend some time together. I'm looking forward to spending time with all of my family. I'm sad we won't get to see our family in Oklahoma but we will be making a trip in January for a few days..and we are looking forward to that! 

Baby Jude is growing and moving around a lot! And he is making me grow a lot...hehe. But I'm okay with that. I'll just have a lot of work to do after he's born...I got to get in pre-baby shape before Julie's wedding!! I did it once I can do it again. :) 

Thanks to everyone for the Congrats and prayers for our family as we begin this exciting new stage in our lives...it is comforting to know we have such great support from our family and friends. The Lord has truly blessed us. 

It's Another Boy!

This little person is Jude William Heck...and he's a boy! I think he's just precious. Sorry for the blurriness of the picture...someone in our house chewed on the printer/scanner cord and now I am not able to plug it into the computer..oops! It was probably Justin. So I had to use my phone. Anyway, I was so excited about having an ultrasound. I didn't think I was going to on Friday. I honestly had no idea if it was going to be a girl or boy...for some reason I had this feeling it was a boy with Luke. I will say there was some slight disappointment when she said it's a boy...but it was gone real fast when I thought about having two boys who hopefully will be best friends! Maybe one day we will have a girl..and if not..I"ll be okay with that...Julie will just have to one! Plus I get to babysit a sweet little girl a few days week. My cousin's baby girl...her name is Maddie and she is so sweet and has chubby cheeks that I kiss all the time. So I get my baby girl fix. :)

Which brings me to more news...Julie (my little sister) is getting married this summer! Yay! I'm so excited. I love weddings...and I"m so glad I get to help plan one that's not mine. She's also getting a new house next year as well..so 2012 is going to be a big year for the Henderson family. I love it!

Pregnancy is going great so far...no sickness at all! I'm thrilled about this. Now I'm just hungry all the time...like really hungry...as in I just got done eating dinner and still feel like I could eat another meal..not good...but I won't! (maybe I'll have some ice cream later..hehe) Also, it's really hard to consistently workout while you're pregnant..geeze! I really want to...but all I want to do is not do that. I've got to be better at it. But I've done a lot better than last time...I don't think I walked or worked out once..and it showed! I have noticed I feel lots better when I do though.

Some sad news happened recently...our best friends moved away. :( It was a sad day. They have lived under us since we moved here and Kim has become my best friend. And of course her son Malachi and Luke were best friends too. It's pretty lonely sometimes. But thankfully they didn't move too far...only about 40-45 minutes from here. So we will still get to see each other..but of course it's not the same. I think I would be a lot more sad if I knew Justin had 3 more years of school and we were going to be living here a lot longer. But hopefully we will get to move soon..(maybe close to them..who knows!) Justin is ready to pastor..and we are ready to begin our ministry wherever the Lord puts us...we are just patiently waiting for that door to open. And we know it will eventually. So, if you think about it pray for us during this "waiting period". It can be a little frustrating sometimes...I've had to pray for a lot of patience!

It's like a brick in your pocket....

I'll start by saying this post is going to be a little sentimental and some senseless ramblings...so you can't say I didn't warn you. And I'm pregnant so my hormones and emotions are a little crazy right now...(I love getting to use pregnancy as an excuse for my emotions...but seriously it's true!) Anyway, a few weeks ago I was watching an interview with a widow of one of the victims of 9/11. She was asked how she feels now 10 years later after her husbands death. I loved her explanation and it has stuck with me since. She said it's like having a brick in you pocket. When her husband first died, that brick was so heavy...she felt it everyday...it was hard to do normal everyday things. But after a while she got used to it, she could go on with her daily routines/events...but there would be times when that brick would become heavy again and the weight would be overwhelming...(like on the anniversary for instance). She said the brick will always remain, the weight may not be as heavy as it use to be, but it will always be there. And you could see that in all the faces of the people that were interviewed...and as the people looked at the names of their loved ones on the memorial in New York...yes, it's been 10 years, but the pain and emotions of losing someone will always remain....you will never forget.

 I can relate to what this lady described as death being like a brick in your pocket. Monday will be 8 years since I lost my dad to cancer. 8 years...I can't even believe that. Anyway...within the first days/weeks/years of his death that brick was heavy...very heavy. The weight of the emotions and sadness from his death was so strong it was overwhelming at times. As the years go by I got use to that brick...the pain wasn't as strong. But there are times that brick does become heavy again...for example..graduation from high school, college, my wedding, having Luke, every time I go visit Maple Grove (his last church he pastored)...and now being pregnant with this second baby. It goes to show that , yes time does heal the intensity of the pain...but the pain is still there. As long as I'm living on this earth, there will always be reminders that he's not here. I'm sure anyone that has lost someone so dear to them can relate to this. 

Well in other news..pregnancy news..I'm feeling much better. The sickness is starting to subside...not sure if it's the drugs my wonderful doctor gave me or just the end of the sickness time...who knows...I'm not going to stop taking this medicine to find out though. I like being able to eat without wanting to die later. Also, Justin doesn't have to work on Friday nights anymore and he only works one job on Saturdays...so the weekends are much more enjoyable than they use to be. And tomorrow is...Friday! So I'm excited...it has become movie night and Taco Bell night...yeah I know it's lame...but my cravings for Taco Bell have started again and to avoid eating it every day (like I did last time...and why I gained a gazillion pounds) I get to treat myself to Taco Bell on Friday nights now...so needless to say I'm really looking forward to tomorrow...it's the little things in life. 

Before I end this really long post....I have to share a cute thing Luke does for those who care...I think it's adorable. Every morning he wakes up and says "befast" (that means breakfast..duh.) and then he says "juice" and gets really excited. So when he wakes up from his nap he starts saying "befast" "juice"...I think he maybe a little confused. I try to explain we only have breakfast in the morning...he doesn't get it though. 

Scarves, Boots, and Football

I wasn't sure what to title this blog...because it's going to be pretty random. So I just titled it the three things I love about fall..so there ya go! (and I really do love football) I may not know everyone's name that is playing or understand it all..but I really do love having it on our TV and hopefully we will be able to go to a Saints, OU, or Arkansas game this year.

Anyway, I got to have my first doctor's appointment yesterday. It went great...I liked my doctor and I got to have a surprise ultrasound and look at this cute little lovey:

That's a pretty cute baby right there. He (I don't really think or know if it's a he but I just want to call it something...so we will go with he) was moving a lot...waving his cute little nubby arms and legs. It was adorable...my eyes got a little watery when he was doing all that. I just love having an ultrasound...it really is an amazing thing to watch. Also, it makes the pregnancy so much more "real" and it gives you that "boost" you need to keep going! And I needed one...since I've been having some sickness. It's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago..I'm actually able to eat better and not rush to the bathroom 3-4 times a day! But all the things I was eating before (healthy things) make me feel icky to even think about eating them...as in wheat bread, grilled chicken...some fruits...which is really frustrating because I want to keep eating those things. Of course the only things that sound good are carbs and fattening stuff...but it's been fun eating some of them at least! :) My doctor gave me some drugs to help with the sickness, so I'll be back to healthy eating...but occasionally eating some fun things!

We finally were able to go out to the zoo today. It was such a beautiful day and the boys (Luke, Malachi and Isaac) seemed to have a good time. I'll put some pictures up soon. I'm sure we will be making many more trips.

That's all the updating I've got for now...and yes I know it wasn't much. I've got to go make myself look pretty for my husband...we have a hot date tonight. :)