Lots of updates...

A lot has been going on - hence the lack of my blog posts. Some sad news and some happy. I'll start with the sad.

Jeremy's dad has been in and out of the hospital for the past month. It started when he suddenly had to have surgery on his foot due to a severe infection. From there other problems developed and he's been in and out of the hospital. He came back home yesterday and we believe has turned a corner and starting to do better. We've been praying for the nausea he's had to reside and for him to start having an appetite again and God is helping! He is now off the antibiotics due to them harming his kidneys (too strong) and that was also the main cause of the nausea. Along with dehydration. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have been following my facebook updates and praying for him. We really appreciate it and I know Ray does as well. Thank you!

Also, Jeremy's 94 year old Papa passed away a couple days ago. He lived a long life - which we are thankful for but of course that never eases the pain of losing someone you love. I have yet to experience loss (other than my miscarriage) of someone close to me and I know it's not going to be easy. My mom's parents are both in their 80's now - and their health is failing in different ways and it's very hard to think about losing them. I'm very close to them and my Grandpa has been like a dad to me in many ways.

We are thankful to have had many memories with Papa when we would take trips to Florida. The last time we saw him was when Ethan was 10 weeks old - it was Papa's first and last time meeting his first great grand baby. It's special that we have these photos to look back at and remember the good times with him. I would always laugh because every time we came for a visit and he saw me he would try to greet me with a smooch on the lips. Totally normal in many cultures - but very foreign to me! Ha. I would politely (and quickly) turn my cheek :) Jer and I always joked about this. He would always take us grocery shopping as soon as we got there and pay for whatever we wanted. He took us out to dinner throughout the week and always paid for us. Our favorite spot with Him was Don Pablos and we would laugh when he would get the 2 for 1 Margaritas. They were huge.

This past year as his health was failing he moved from Florida to Connecticut to be close to Jeremy's uncle who could help him more and get him into a home. That is where he passed away. Papa was a great Doctor and also a veteran so he will actually be cremated and buried here in Holly, MI at the Veteran's Cemetery. I think it's neat that he will be buried just minutes away from where Jeremy's parents live - and close to us also. He was a great man and he'll be missed. We love you Papa!



On a happy note, I had my baby check up on Thursday morning and Lincoln is doing great. Strong heart beat of 146, is moving all the time and I'm feeling great! I'm so thankful. I'm almost 22 weeks and am getting excited to meet this little boy of ours. Time is starting to go by quickly!

We ordered Lincoln's crib last week and I anxiously check my email to get the notice that it's in and ready for pick up. I can't wait to get it set up :) Jeremy likes to tease me about getting the nursery ready so early each time but I'm a planner and organizer and like to have things in place and ready to go. It's just who I am :) Hence why I don't think I could ever wait to let the gender be a surprise! I looked at cribs for days and finally decided on one and to get it in black. Ethan has a rich brown cherry colored crib, Gracelyn has white and so Lincoln will have black. I thought it would be nice for them to all have their own color furniture. Special thanks to Jeremy's parents for giving us money towards the crib - we really appreciate it! I'll be sure and post a picture of his crib once it's up :)

Today is going to be a good day! My girlfriend Bonnie is coming over to have a scrappin' day and see our new house. Right now I have Lincoln's room set up as my scrappin' room also so we will have our own space to hopefully get some pages done. My goal is to get caught up on the kids albums before the baby comes. I'm at about 2.5 in Ethan's (8 months behind) and at just 7 months in Gracelyn's. I have a lot to do if I want to be caught up before Lincoln's arrival but I'm determined to do it!

Today is also one of my very best friends (and long time friends) Baby Shower. My girlfriend Joanna is pregnant and expecting her first baby this June. They decided not to find out the gender so it was fun picking out some gender neutral gifts. I decided to get her some of my favorite things. Some handmade super cool burp cloths a friend of mine makes, my favorite baby lotion, travel wipes, the fun soaps I like to bathe the kids with and an outfit from my favorite store, Baby Gap. Joanna lives in Florida and is home for her baby shower so I can't wait to see her! Last time I saw her she was just 3 months pregnant and had no bump so I can't wait to see this girl and her baby bump! I've been told she doesn't have much of a bump - even at 32 weeks pregnant. We'll see :) Bonnie, Joanna and I grew up together at Bair Lake Bible Camp so Bonnie and I will take a break from our scrapbooking today to head to the shower and then back afterwards to keep scrappin' away. I can't wait for today!

Now, I saved my most happy news for last.

I am switching back to my awesome midwife, Jeanne! I won't be delivering Lincoln at Genesys (where I had Ethan) but McLaren Regional Medical Center where I had Gracelyn. When I was pregnant with the baby we lost - I found out that Jeanne no longer took my health plan. I was so sad about it. She made my experience SO MUCH better than my experience with Ethan. So when we got pregnant again in December I knew I would have to find a new doctor through Genesys. While the doctor I have been seeing is nice - she's just not Jeanne. I received a letter in the mail this week stating that May is open enrollment month and that I am able to switch health plans if I would like. I completely forgot about this even being an option.

So I talked to Jer about it that night and he thought it was a no brainer. He said how I loved Jeanne and how she made the experience so much better for me. Totally true. I didn't have a good experience with Ethan. There are a lot of plus' with my midwife:

- I don't have to get hooked up to an IV the minute I walk in. I don't need one until I decide to get my epidural.

- Up until I get my epidural I can walk the halls of the hospital, use the birthing ball, get in the shower, tub to help labor progress.

- I won't get an episiotomy. Jeanne uses a natural method to help when it comes to pushing that doesn't involve an episiotomy.

- All the nurses at McLaren are fantastic.

So, I called yesterday and switched my health plan. It won't be in effect until June 1st but my next appt. wasn't until May 24th anyways so it shouldn't be an issue. I left a message at Jeanne's office yesterday and am waiting to hear back. I can't wait to be back with her! The downside is her office is farther away so I will have more of a drive for my appts but it's worth it.

That's about all folks :) The kids are healthy and doing great. They are both getting so old, especially Gracelyn. It's hard to believe she is just 5-6 weeks away from being 2! It's really flown by. I so love being their momma :)

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Momma Keri ♥