Pregnancy Update: Week 38

We made it through Christmas but still no baby. I had a number of contractions on the evening of the 23rd but they stopped after a few hours. Then on Christmas Eve, I noticed I was having them again. I started timing them and they seemed to be occurring every 20 minutes. However, by the time we went to bed they had stopped. We saw Dr. Staud on Tuesday rather than Dr. Ramos since she was on vacation. Dr. Staud said I was measuring almost 2 cm and 70% efaced. Brooklyn has still not engaged, but is normal with second pregnancy. She also mentioned my placenta looked more like a 32 week placenta than a 38 week placenta, which means my amniotic fluid looked great and that baby Brooklyn may want to hang out for a while since things aren't breaking down. I guess all we can do is wait and see.

Carroll Christmas...makes #4

Christmas with the Carrolls started on Sunday evening. We met downtown at Manny's for dinner after John arrived at Love Field. Great food and fun!

On Monday Chris, Steph, Caleb, and Kathy joined us for the day. Grammie and Gramps were still with us from the weekend. We had a great time catching up and hanging out. Marcus and Amanda arrived during the late afternoon. We had a great Christmas dinner of Turkey (Thanks to Grammie for not letting it over cook!! Yikes!) and the fixins. After dinner, Christmas gifts were shared with all.

Makena became very entertained with Garrett's carseat.

Rebecca saving the Christmas ornaments from Colten. "But Mom, it's just a ball."

Caleb helps Uncle Don hand out gifts.

Uncle Marcus and Aunt Amanda with Emma.

Makena talking to Daddy about her new Scout "Ruff Ruff" phone from Great Uncle John.

Caleb showing Uncle Chris his new gifts.

Grammie and Gramps enjoying time with their kiddos and grandkids.

Great Uncle John, Uncle Marcus, and Aunt Amanda opening gifts.

Makena rocking Garrett in his carseat.

Great Aunt Kathy and Makena...fun times.

Makena loved Bailey and Emma.

The Carroll girls...Steph (expecting twins February 27), Amanda, and Tianay (expecting Brooklyn January 12th).

Great times with the family. Looking forward to more fun in 2011.

Worship with Family

All bundled up and ready to go to church with all the grandparents and Uncle Tyler. My two special people...soon to be three!

Our little family...

Makena cooking lunch after church. Isn't her dress so cute?!? Thanks Grammie and Gramps!
Teaching Daddy how the oven works. She figured things out so fast. She even knew she was supposed to use the hot pads with the oven. Too cute!

Great picture of Grammie and Gramps!

Here is "B" and Papa with Makena.

We loved having everyone together for church. Family is so important to us and we are glad we were able to share our Christmas with them as well as our precious church family with our parents.

Christmas Morning makes Christmas #3

First things first...Christmas Eve:

Makena helps Granny B with the dishes. Even though she had to stand on her tiptoes, which is so cute, Makena had a blast. Still loving the stool from Uncle Tyler.

Consultation with Granny B..."is this dish clean?"
Snug in our new holiday PJs awaiting the arrival of Santa. Again she is happy to be standing on the stool so she can be a part of the action.

How many men does it take to get the safety hinges working on the toy box? Evidently, 3 and a supervisor. Thanks again for the toybox Uncle T.

Santa's helpers were left with a job on Christmas Eve. What will it be?

Adding the final touches...

CHRISTMAS MORNING...a moment to remember! Santa was good to us. We have too many blessings to count. Makena loves her kitchen!!

Uncle Tyler, Papa, and Granny B opening gifts...fun times!

Daddy must have been a good boy this year!

Grammie having her Christmas morning coffee and enjoying the festivities. (Gramps was with us too, but the picture I have is bad. Sorry Gramps! We love you too! I think I do have some video of Makena serving Gramps coffee from her new kitchen.)

Mommy and Makena (and baby Brooklyn) snuggling after gifts were open. Crazy to think there will be two little girls celebrating Christmas 2011.

The Don Carroll Jr. family as of Christmas morning 2010. Joyfully blessed.

My cute girl with her pretty bow ready to enjoy Christmas Day!

It was a marvelous morning full of fun and laughter. Mommy was surprised with a beautiful diamond cross necklace from Daddy. I love it! He spoils me, what can I say? God, thank you for the overwhelming blessings you bring to our lives. We have amazing relationships, both family and friends. We love you all! Merry Christmas! Remembering what was sacrificed for us to have the opportunity for eternal life.

Christmas #2

Technically we started celebrating Christmas at Thanksgiving, so I guess this marks #2 for 2010 or at least #2 for Makena. Granny B, Papa and Uncle Tyler arrived at our house on the 23rd. Because there was going to be a number of days of gifts for Makena, we decided it was time to start the Christmas festivities. So Makena broke into her gifts. On the first gift, she proved that she knew exactly what to do with the wrapping paper as Granny B supervises.

Then Riggins gets in on the action.
And the paper is off...

Then she gets to enjoy her gift. As you can tell, she loves her chair! Thanks Granny B and Papa. FYI. Granny's name changed to Granny B by me in order for her to hear the difference between Granny and Grammy. She has since shortened it to B. And now anytime she mentions B, Papa and Tyler are soon to follow in the conversation. As well if you mention Papa, Tyler and B are soon to follow. She knows they all go together which is amazing to me.Uncle Tyler made her a toy box and painted it to match her room. Isn't it great?!

This was my attempt to get a picture of the toy box with Tyler and Makena. However, Makena and Riggins did not want to cooperate.

Then back to her chair for more presents, which included some beautiful clothes...

Alphie, the learning robot (I had one of these when I was little and B thought Makena needed one too)...

waiting for her next gift...
playing with Alphie.

It was a fun evening. The chair required a little discipline because she wanted to stand up in it and I don't like the combination of hardwood floors, a rocking chair and my daughter's head. I removed the chair from the room for the evening which appeared to make an impression on her. She hasn't done it since then. So we'll see if it continues that way or she decides to try again later.
It was a fun evening with many more nights with family to come.

Pregnancy Update: Week 37

As we completed week 37 of this pregnancy, we spent the week trying to get ready for family to join us for Christmas. We also had a doctor appointment on Tuesday, the 21st of December. Dr. Ramos was kind enough to make sure everything was in line before she left for the holidays. She checked me and I was 1 cm and 50% efaced. By her measurement, Brooklyn was about 6 lbs 6 ozs, which would put her on track to be about the same size as Makena. There was more conversation about the birth plan but nothing changed. I was very emotional for whatever reason, but I just chalked it up to hormones and moved on. Our prayers continue to be that God will make it clear as to what decisions need to be made and that our baby girl will get here safe and healthy.

Visiting Santa

Our visit with Santa ended in tears this year, but she seemed to like him from afar. Maybe next year.

Pregnancy: Week 36 Update

The week brought some stronger contractions. They are moving from the top of my tummy to the bottom, which is good. They aren't really painful just uncomfortable. Makena helped Daddy put together Brooklyn's bed. I still have some touch up to do on the paint but things are coming along slowly. It was so cute to see Makena help turn the allen wrench to help Don put the crib together.Riggins seems bored by the process.Here is the crib and dresser/changing table.

We went to the doctor on Thursday and we got to see her little plump cheeks. I am only slightly dialated (less than 1 cm) and about 50% efaced. It is hard not to think about how this delivery will go. I know God is going to take care of us and guide Don and I as we make decisions. Can't wait to see my baby girl.

Seeing Santa with Daddy

This year Makena and I were able to join Daddy at his office for a visit with Santa and lunch. Makena wasn't quite sure of Santa but she loves her "ruff ruff" sleeping bag. We are blessed over and over. Thank you God for our precious little girl.

First taste of peppermint.

The Night Before Christmas with Santa.