Baby #2- Crunch Time!

So with just under 2 and 1/2 weeks to go before our precious second child is born, the crunch is on to get things around here ready for another child. The baby's room has been mostly set up for a while now, with the crib and other furniture ready to go. It is BLUE only because it was previously a little boy's room. We just decided to wait until after the baby is born to make any changes. If we are blessed with a little boy, it will be ready to go, and if we have another little girl, we will make some changes at that time. However, a big change is that this room has been our "storage" room for so long now, so we have had to rearrange EVERYTHING to make room. Putting things in the closets means cleaning them out first...storing things in the garage means reorganizing to make more space...you get the picture. SO- we have done some much needed cleaning/organizing in the last few days. It is always a lot more fun doing something like this when you have something, like a baby, to look forward to and motivate you. (I am convinced that without that we wouldn't be getting as much done....ha!) So, we have been busy! It was a blast to pack a baby's bag so that it is ready for the arrival. It is hard not knowing if we need pink or blue, so we packed a little of both! I can't wait to see and find out what this "little peanut" is! Of course, it would seem ideal to have a little boy for variety and for Kyle to "get his boy" but having another girl makes me smile as well. Since Payton and the baby will only be 16 months apart, they will be close and having a sister to share those memories with would be so much fun. I find myself in stores looking at boy clothes wishing to buy "blue" this time around, but then look through Payton's clothes that she grew through so fast and hope to put another baby girl in them someday. So- my emotions are all over the place and I just can't wait to hold my baby and love it, no matter boy or girl!! :)

Along with the cleaning- we are also shampooing all our carpets (Twice in some places...) This was brought on by an eventful evening 2 nights ago. Payton had taken a later nap, so she was still up around 9-9:30. She was getting sleepy, so I was holding her. The next thing I knew, she was projectile vomiting, and not just a little, A LOT! She covered my parent's dog, got our dog, covered herself, and got it on Kyle and myself too as we tried to figure out what to do with her while she was doing it. We took her right to the tub, followed by both dogs and Kyle. The smell alone was TERRIBLE! You know you have "arrived" in parenthood when you just have to "deal" in a situation like this...trying everything you can to comfort your child while trying not to add to the mess of your own. Payton was scared so I cuddled her until she finally fell asleep. About 20 minutes after laying her in her crib....we heard her coughing and crying once again. We ran upstairs to find her covered...AGAIN! This time it was all over the crib, her special blanket, and herself. So, bath #2 took place, as well as a complete bed change and laundry started. I once again just cuddled her and she fell asleep. I held her for a while and decided that she probably had NOTHING more in her little tummy and that we could try again to lay her down. Kyle took her upstairs and just as he tried to lay her down...the coughing starting. He ran her to the bathroom and held her over the tub. Yes, throw up #3. At least she missed getting everything a mess, so once we got her cleaned up, I decided that was IT! I would hold her. So, once she fell asleep in my arms, Kyle helped get me set in the recliner in her room with a blanket and I just held my baby. At about 12:30, the coughing started up again (#4) but Kyle rushed in with a bowl at just the right time. So...clean up and back to sleep in the chair for my little one. At 2am, after dosing off at times, I decided that my back (which is already in bad shape with this pregnancy) could not possibly take any more of the chair. So- with one last attempt, I tried to lay Payton in her crib. This time, she made it till morning- thank GOODNESS! I was exhausted, but it sure is amazing what you are SO QUICKLY willing to give up to make your child feel better. Payton was so precious as she looked at me with tear-filled eyes, wanting me to hold her, and just like saying, "mommy, make it better..." It just reminded me of times growing up (and really, still today) when I am sick or not feeling good that I just want my mom to make it feel better. It is amazing that just having "mom" there makes a world of difference. I want to be that mom, like mine was, to be available whenever my children need that lap to sit on or arms to fall asleep in.

So- excitement is building in our household as things are getting done and we are preparing for our family to grow! We wonder daily how Payton is going to deal with a new baby around, knowing there will be ups and downs in the adjustment process, but we are really excited to see her as a big sister. The countdown is on... come little one...whenever you want now!! Mommy, Daddy, and sissy are VERY excited to meet you and love you! :)