Happy Love

I love Valentines Day. Chocolate. Flowers...and more chocolate!
But most of all, I love that it's all about L O V E.

My heart is filled with lots of that stuff these days.

I packed the babies up and we went to lunch with the best husband and daddy ever!

We then headed to my jeweler to get my ring cleaned and pick up a diamond necklace that I won! So fun!

The rest of the day was just me and these cute faces.

Big Sister is a ham

I enjoyed a romantic dinner for one by myself on the couch last night while my man was in class. When he got home he surprised his girls with valentines and flowers.

Kate loves her flowers, can't wait to plant them once the rain passes.

opening her Valentines from mommy!

I am so incredibly thankful for my valentine, my precious husband who works so hard for his family and never complains. He is more than I could have ever asked for and I can't imagine living a day without him by my side.

Our little valentines are amazing and the love that they have filled our hearts with it beyond what I ever knew was possible.

Hope y'all had a great day celebrating love..whatever that looks like to you.

Hi.

I'm two weeks in on this mom of two gig and I think I'm getting the hang of it! Most of our days have been spent at home but I have conquered 3 outings out on my own! I have yet to take Will out in a "public" place since he's still so tiny...we've only been to friends houses but it's a great start and I'm feeling more confident. If only I had realized how easy 1 kid was! Big sister is doing a lot better and I think the worst is over with the crazy tantrums *knock on wood*. She loves her baby brother and has never wavered on her love for him.

Our precious Will is doing amazingly well! He is eating like a champ! He weighed in at 7lbs 11oz yesterday at the doctor! Up a full pound and 2 ounces since we left the hospital. He is the definition of dream baby. His days and nights are still mixed up which has been really fun. hahaha Even though he's up a good portion of the night and I'm exhausted it's not bad because he doesn't cry. He just wants to be held and look around and let's be honest here, I'm soaking in all the snuggles. There is nothing like newborn snuggles!

It's funny as I think back to how I was so worried about having two and wondering how I was going to love Will as much as I love Kate. Our sweet boy has absolutely captivated my heart and now it's hard to imagine what life was like without him. I can't fathom living without these two treasures. My heart continues to grow and overflow with crazy love for our blessings.

It may be a little crazy over here these days but I wouldn't trade this time for the world. 

Stinky diapers, tantrums, no sleep, piles of laundry & a house that needs a good cleaning.

All of it will be gone too soon and someone recently shared this with me, 

"the days may seem long, but the time is so short"

So excuse my messy house, my overflowing laundry basket and toys that are sprawled throughout the house...I'm busy soaking in every second and loving on my babies.

Oh Happy Day!

Will and I are almost exactly 26 years apart, off by a week! I just had my "happy day" as Kate calls birthdays and enjoyed a quiet day at home with my man and kids. I was greeted with breakfast in bed and enjoyed my chocolate chip pancakes while snuggling my baby boy, we spent the morning in the backyard sipping on a carmel frap with extra carmel while playing bubbles and soaking up the sunshine, I snuck out to Target for a bit in the afternoon and did some grocery shopping and had an awesome evening with our parents up for an incredible dinner put on by my husband. He planned the whole thing and made me feel so special.
Each year keeps on getting better, my heart continues to grow and overflow with joy and so much love.
Oh yes, it's going to be a great year!

the best present ever

my joys

Life is good!

Announcing the arrival of our son

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our son, William Allan Marshall Andrews!

His arrival:
We got to the hospital around 7am on Saturday, January 21st. It was so crazy driving to the hospital knowing that when we returned home there would be two little ones in the back seat and we would be a family of four. I held my belly all the way with tears in my eyes as I felt Will's last kicks inside my belly. It was such a surreal moment. Once we got checked in and admitted they checked me and I was at a 3 and 80% effaced. A couple hours into labor my doctor came in and broke my water to speed things up. That has got to be one of the oddest feelings ever and I'm so thankful it happened in the hospital and no where else! The contractions really started to get intense so I ordered the epidural about 40 minutes after my water breaking. I had a much better experience this time around! One try and it was done! My doctor checked me around noon and I was still at a 3 and 80% effaced and feeling discouraged that I hadn't made any progress in the 4 hours. Once the epidural kicked in I was able to relax and rest. It was around 1:30pm that I started to feel an insane amount of pressure on my right side. I thought that was odd because my right side was more numb than my left but I was definitely feeling intense pressure. My mom ran and got my nurse to have her come check me and all she said was "close your legs, you're at a 9.5 and 0 station...his head is right there and Dr. has 2 others ready to push". Talk about intense! It took all I had within me to not push and to wait 30 more minutes for him to walk in the door and deliver our boy. I kept having my mom check to make sure he wasn't coming out since I was still a but numb from the epidural. My DR. arrived around 2:15pm, I pushed for a few minutes and our precious William was in my arms at 2:33pm! I can't even explain the feeling of your child being placed on your chest and hearing their first cries. It is beyond overwhelming and precious. They got him clean and placed him on the scale, he weighed in at 6lbs 14oz and 20 inches long. The same exact measurements I was when I was born! Chris and I spent the first two hours of his life doing skin to skin snuggle time, such sweet time getting acquainted with one another.

Life with Kate and Will: 
Labor and delivery was a completely different experience this time around than it was with Kate. The pain was so minimal and the recovery has been amazing. I have no pain and am able for the most part to keep up with all the demands of being a mom of two young ones. The hardest part thus far has been dealing with our sweet girl and her temper tantrums. They aren't just any tantrums, they have been out of control but I think we have finally turned a corner. I am doing my best with trying to manage my time and still make Kate feel extra special and not neglected while keeping up with having a newborn and meeting all of his needs. Will is an amazing baby, he eats (all day long), sleeps for hours, poops and burps. He's your typical guy! :) The only time he cries is when he's ready to eat, bath time and diaper changes. I am the one waking him up every 3 hours during the night to eat, he's just so content!
We are feeling beyond blessed and my heart has been completely melted by this little boy. I have turned to butter and cannot get enough of him and all his snuggles. Those fears of wondering how I was going to love him just as much as I love and adore Kate all went out the window on that rainy January afternoon when we met for the first time. It's incredible having two little ones and the love that we have for them is unlike anything else we have ever known. Kate loves her baby brother, she loves to help burp him and hold him. She's a little rough but we're working on that. I thank the Lord all day long for these two and can't wait to watch them grow up together and become the best of friends.
Thank you all for your kind messages, wishes and prayers for our family. We have been overwhelmed by all the love and support we have been shown. To all of our dear friends who have been bringing meals and are bringing them in the coming days, we can't thank you enough. It is such a lift, especially with Chris being gone 3 nights a week at grad school. I truly feel the arms of Christ wrapped around my little family.

Here are a few snapshots from Will's Happy Day!

just got admitted and settled into the delivery room

meeting my boy for the first time

skin to skin time...just minutes old

the most incredible team

they also delivered Kate together!

My boys

Proud daddy holding his son for the first time

Big sister meeting Will for the first time

This is how we slept our first two nights together in the hospital

15 hours old

Get ready for this blog to be flooded with pictures of my precious treasures!

Belly Pic Friday!

I think I'm about to POP

belly comparisons

 

 

38 weeks

Weeks: 38

Cravings: Red Lobster. I have to go before I pop this kid out.

Food Aversions: none.

Heartbeat: high 140's

Gender: precious baby BOY!

Extras: I've been slacking updating the blog and what's going on with baby boy! Hard to believe that he can come at any time. I've had a couple of false alarms this past week. I'm not the pregnant lady who calls the doctor every time I think I'm going into labor, thank God for google and friends who have experience with going into labor on their own to help get me through this waiting time. We are finally totally ready for our little man! Our bags are packed, the car seats are installed, everything has been bought, cleaned and is prepared to welcome Will into the world. Y'all will be happy to hear that my hair and nails have been done, I was even able to sneek in a little extra massage! He needs to come so I can stop shopping and cleaning! It's seriously out of control! I have two meals planned to make for the week and Chris and I have a date night planned and that's all I'm doing.. I'm totally pulling the pregnancy card and am surrendering my house-wife duties. I've reached a new low and burned myself while making macaroni and cheese. Who does that?! For those of you who like to be in the know and up to date with our exciting life (Ha) and who care to follow baby watch you can follow me on twitter {MrsNikkiAndrews} I will be updating it as much as I can and will have someone keeping my facebook up to date while I'm in labor. For those of you who think it's crazy to update while in labor and such...don't follow! I happen to love it when my friends keep all of us posted on the arrival on a new life. We are excited, anxious and so ready to meet our precious Will. I'm sure you can imagine the emotions that we are feeling knowing that his birthday could be any day now! My heart is at peace and just so excited to see his face and kiss his little nose for the first time. I wonder if he will have a head of dark hair like his big sister? What if he comes out bald? Ha, like that will ever happen! Such exciting days ahead. Please be praying for us this next week as we await the arrival of our precious son.

How big is Will?: He is about 6.8 pounds (which is what Kate weighed at birth) and is around 19.5 inches long! I pretty much have a watermelon in my tummy!

A peek inside my soul

So, here we are. Two weeks away from Will's due date and I will bet money that he will be here before then. So many things going through my mind like wondering if the contractions that I get almost daily are going to turn into the real thing or if my water is just going to randomly break and give me a heart attack. I selfishly have a list of things that I want to do/get done before he arrives and find myself quickly checking them off. The house is set, everything has been cleaned, polished, washed and cleaned again. We have everything in place for Will and have Kate set for her time away from us while we're in the hospital.
I've felt like I've had a cloud hanging over my head these past few months as we anticipate his arrival. A cloud of fear and anxiety. Fear that I am not going to handle the great task of being a mom of two young ones well, fear that Kate is going to feel pushed aside for all the demands that a newborn brings, fear of labor and delivery and the pain that goes with it. Anxiety with Chris starting school the week that Will is due and having him gone a big chunk of the time between work and school, anxiety of not having all my things done before he arrives and the list goes on with stupid things that have done nothing but rob my joy and and cause unnecessary junk to take over my mind.
I have finally been able to let it go. All of the things I mentioned above are lies from the enemy and how stupid I was to buy into them. I am most definitely going to have my hands full with being home and taking care of two little ones but what a joy and a honor it will be! I am soaking up every last second with Kate and enjoying our one on one time before her time with me is split. Sure there are going to be days where she doesn't get the attention she wants but isn't that just how life goes? Might as well learn it young! The Lord has been so faithful and has made this pregnancy easy and painless and I know that He is going to get me through labor and delivery just like he did the first time!
I've always said that God's timing is perfect and I believe it with all of my heart. I find His timing sometimes funny and not what we had in mind like with Chris finally starting grad school after he has talked about it for the past 8 years. Of course he would be going back to school the week our baby is due which also happens to be when busy season starts at the firm. You seriously just have to laugh. This is going to be a very busy season in our life and we are so thankful that we are surrounded by family and dears friends to push us through with their love, support and encouragement. I think about the military wives and them doing this all on their own and it shuts me up real quick.
This pregnancy has been a joy, I was hardly sick and it hasn't gotten in the way of me being hands on with Kate and doing the fun things that go along with having a two year old. I have so many emotions as I lay here and type this at almost 38 weeks pregnant with my baby boy squirming around in my belly. Not sure if this is the last time I will get to experience pregnancy and anticipating the arrival of our child, not sure if these kicks that I'm feeling from the inside and cherish are the last ones I will ever experience. I'm trying to soak in every last bit...the good and the hard things that come with it. There is a good chance that we will feel our family is complete once our son arrives although I know my husband is praying for one more. It will be exciting to see where God takes us on this new journey that we are about to embark on as a family of four. We are ready... even though my hair and nails still aren't done yet :)

Baby watch is on!

To Do List- December

I've been busy...

House & more...
Have rugs cleaned
Clean living room window coverings
Clean kitchen window coverings
Scrub baseboards/touch up with fresh paint
Clean out "baby" cabinet in kitchen
Scrub kitchen cabinets
Buy new drapes for kitchen slider
Clean ceiling fans/chandelier
Clean up/organize laundry room
Steam clean wood floors
Deep clean bathrooms
Buy new towels for both bathrooms
Wash windows/screens
Remodel master closet
Clean out toy chest in living room
Organize baby toys/toddler toys
Set up & wash new moses basket in our room
Stock bathrooms/storage cabinet for the winter
Replant garden for the winter
Get XTerra detailed
Get Jeep detailed
Install newborn car seat in both cars
Pack hospital bags
Pack Kate's overnight bag
Pack diaper bag

Will's Room
Paint walls soft grey
Touch up moldings
Hang letters above crib
Install new bedding
Add new accessories for baby boy
Fill his closet up
Wash baby clothes, blankets, burpies etc.
Scrub floors
Wash/set up baby swing

Kate's Room
Install crown molding
Paint moldings
Paint walls soft green
Buy big girl bed
Buy bedding
Buy a rug
Install bed rail
New window coverings
Add new accessories
Move her closet over
Scrub floors

Take one bag to the Goodwill each month to reduce clutter and clothes/items we no longer use..
August
September
October
November
December

January 
Get hair done
Pedicure
Massage 

I've been on nesting overload. Once Christmas was over and the tree was put away I went full speed ahead to get this place in shape. I spent the last 3 days at Bed Bath and Beyond buying new organizational things and replacing all the towels and drapes in the house. A quick trip to Home Depot and a couple hours outside and our gardens have all new soil and flowers for the winter! This 80 degree weather has been inspiring and also helped washing all the windows and screens not seem so bad. All we have left to do is have the rugs cleaned, steam clean the wood floors, pack bags, have the Jeep detailed and install the car seat which will all be done this week!

Then it's onto the fun things! I'm getting my hair washed and styled weekly by a good friend until our little guy arrives, made appointments to have a couple mani and pedis and then we wait!

My favorite is when Kate tells me "mommy, no more necking" (nesting).
Wonder who taught her that one..
Can't believe it's almost baby time!

35 weeks

Weeks: 35

Cravings: Chocolate. Chocolate. Did I mention that I'm eating every piece of chocolate in sight?

Food Aversions: None!

Heartbeat: high 140's

Gender: precious baby BOY!

Extras: I think it's safe to say that we're like 85% ready for this little guy. We are pretty much physically ready for him as far as his room being ready, all the clothes and accessories are washed, his moses basket is set up, the swing has been washed and is ready, the diaper bag is packed...that other 15% is me not being mentally prepared. The thought of having a newborn and a very busy 2 year old is daunting at times but I know it will end up being great. We already took the big leap of going from 0 kids to 1, so what's another one? I wish I could say that I'm feeling great but truth is, I feel like a fat pig who waddles around. I love being pregnant but I think the cuteness of having a belly has worn off and I'm over all of my maternity clothes. My mom said it best last night, I'm just a grumpy pregnant lady. I blame the dude and his testosterone. :) My weight is not pretty, I think this is the last check in where I will be sharing these numbers with y'all. 35 weeks and I'm up 26 whopping pounds of lard! I try to make myself feel better by reminding myself that Will is around 5.5 pounds right now and add another 5 pounds with all the other things in there and that's at least 10 pounds of baby. Whatever, it's all for a great cause and I know once I get to hold our boy I won't care how large I am. Next up on the things to do list is pack our hospital bag next week along with Kate's bag for the grandparents houses, get the cars detailed and install the infant car seat. Crazy!

The little dude is now about 5 pounds, the size of a honeydew!

You should feel better about yourself after reading this, don't you?

Belly Pic Friday!

Christmas Twenty Eleven

This Christmas was a little different than any other Christmas but it was blessed nonetheless.
It was my first Christmas Eve not spent at my grandparents house along with the rest of my family. We spent the evening at Mr. Stox {a family favorite restaurant} and enjoyed a delicious dinner and made lots of memories around that table!

 Christmas Eve

We spent the night at my parents house like every year on Christmas Eve and woke to a beautiful morning. 

75 degrees and sunny I might add!

Kate was thrilled to see that Santa came during the night!

 The tree was overflowing with gifts..

So much love was shared.

The girls in our new jammies

{yes, I realize I look like a big blown up Minnie Mouse}

.four generations.

We matched and didn't even plan it

My blue eyed babe

We missed sharing this beautiful time of year without grandpa. It just wasn't the same but we kept picturing him celebrating with Jesus and all of our other loved ones who have gone before us and then everything seemed ok.

We ended the day with Chris' family...opened more beautiful gifts and enjoyed an awesome prime rib dinner. I don't have any pictures from our evening but I got a new camera so rest assured there will be no more pictures with black dots in the middle of them!

Hope y'all had a great Christmas! All our decorations are down, we I am cleaning and organizing like crazy. So ready to ring in the new year and welcome our son into the world!

Many blessings.

Merry Christmas from my little family to yours!

Praying that you enjoy this sweet season and soak up time with the ones you love.

It will be an extra special time for our family as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and rejoice knowing that my dear Grandma Parker and precious Grandpa Marshall get to celebrate their first Christmas in Heaven with the King Himself. The Lord has been so good to bring comfort to our hurting hearts and we praise Him for sending His Son to this earth to save us and wash away each one of our sins. 

No Christmas card for us this year
but be looking for a birth announcement for our baby boy in the new year..

Sweet Blessings

From my family to yours...

Hugs!- Nikki

Maternity Shoot

I am so happy with how our maternity pictures turned out. They were taken on a cold December afternoon and our girl was being a rebel and didn't want to be in any family pictures but I love that shots that we got. They are sweet, silly, filled with joy and lots of laughter. I think they represent my family well... Can hardly wait to meet you sweet William! Just a few more weeks!!

Where in the world are we going?

We have claimed and booked our trip of the day prize and are headed to the beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! We thought the winnings included two tickets anywhere in the world plus tickets and accommodations in Cabo. Come to find out it's all of the above minus the tickets to Cabo so that's where we picked to use our two free tickets. Taking advantage of an all expense paid for trip! We did decide to upgrade and splurge on the all inclusive package which includes all of our meals, drinks and activities which we get to use at multiple resorts! Can't tell you how excited we are for this trip even though it's 8 months away. This is a great incentive to get in shape after our precious boy arrives! Although I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle 5 days away from my babies but we'll cross that road when we get to it.
We are so thankful for this trip to look forward to!