It's a Boy!

I know that this is about a week overdue but we are having a Boy!!!!  We had an ultrasound on Dec. 15th.  From everything they can tell he looks healthy and is measures about 5 or 6 days smaller than my due date (which is exactly how Haven measured at 21 weeks).   Haven joined us and was very interested/opinionated.  As soon as we told her we were having a boy she said, "No!  I wanted a girl!"  Eek.  Silly girl.  Now that a week has passed she is excited for her "baby brother!"  She even tries to share her blankie with him (by lying it on my tummy), tries to wake him up (by shaking my belling and yelling at him), and told us he should be named "Baby Jesus."  I think she will make a fine big sister!

We are now trying to figure out the room situations.  I am excited to have an excuse to decorate 2 rooms since we will be moving Haven to the larger room and having our baby boy in the nursery.  Let the sewing begin!

Here are the pics from the ultrasound. He's so handsome like his daddy (maybe he will take on his more laid back personality as well!)! :)

Binkie Wars

So Haven Annabelle is in love with her binkie...or at least WAS in love with her binkie. 

Didn't I always say I wouldn't have a child who used a binkie????

Now, don't get me wrong.  Since Haven was only a few months old she has only been allowed to have the binkie and nap and bedtime.  At least I stuck to my guns about not having a two-year-old walking around all day long with a binkie hanging out of her mouth like a cigarette.

BUT, I have definitely put off taking the binkie away.  At first I said that we would get rid of it by 18 months.  Hmm, that just somehow didn't happen.  THEN we were in the process of moving so I convinced my husband that we should wait til she was well adjusted to the new home.  THEN summer just seemed to slip by without a chance (haha) to work on getting rid of the binkie.  THEN I got pregnant and have been extremely sick and couldn't even comprehend the thought of adding another complication to my life (probably my only semi-legitimate excuse thus far).  SO, now that I am feeling much better (praise the Lord!) it was decided (mostly by Adam) that now was the time.  He wanted to do it before Thanksgiving but I convinced him that we should wait til after since Haven and I were going to Chicago for a few days and then we would have a crazy weekend with all of the holiday festivities.

SO, after much procrastination we set the BIG DAY for the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Of course I had to mentally and physically prepare for this huge event in the Cline household.  We talked all weekend about what a big girl Haven is and how big girls don't need binkies.  I knew that we had our work cut out for us when I woke up Sunday morning (the morning prior to the BIG DAY) to Haven yelling, "I'm not a big girl yet, mommy!" while pointing to her binkie on the floor outside her crib.

So anyway, Monday came around and we went to Target to pick out a "big girl toy."  I told her that she could have the toy once she threw away her binkies.  So, we got home and she threw them away.  Once naptime came around Haven politely agreed to bed but then said, "I just need to get my binkie out of the garbage first!"  I gave Haven her "big girl toy" (a little baby doll) and put her in bed.  After about 1 hour and 45 minutes of going between crying/screaming, "I want my daddy" and "I need my binkie RIGHT NOW!"  she finally passed out....but only for 30 or 40 minutes compared to her usual 3-4 hour naps (yes, I'm spoiled).  She woke up balling and I went in to get her.  She balled for another 30 minutes in my arms until I finally put a movie on for her.  At this point I called Adam and told him I needed to call in reinforcements and that he got to be on night duty. 

Of course Haven was crabby and fussy all evening.  So we got all geared up for bedtime and I went to bed and said, "Good luck honey!"  So Adam laid her down and said good night and low and behold the child didn't make one peep and slept 11 hours without waking up.  I was half ecstatic that she went right to sleep and half mad b/c I couldn't believe that she didn't put on her display of emotions for her father.

Well since Monday she has gone to sleep within 10 minutes of being put into bed.  Although I have to say her naps have been a little shorter than normal, it really wasn't the huge month long process I had envisioned in my head.  If you ask Haven why she is a big girl she will even answer, "Because I don't need my binkie anymore!"

Now on to potty training and big girl bed.  Hehe.

Haven's 2nd Birthday (September 24th)

Happy (Belated) Birthday Miss Haven Annabelle!

Haven turned 2 on September 24th.  I am finally getting around to uploading pictures.  We just did a small family party partially due to the fact that I was about 10 weeks pregnant and extremely sick!  We ordered pizza, my mom made not one but two cakes, opened presents, did a craft and played of course!  Haven had a great time with all of her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandpas, and grandmas!

Haven insisted on having an Elmo birthday party.  I tried to talk her into a princess party but she would say, "No mom!  I want Elmo!"  So Elmo it was.  Of course I had to at least by her a cute dress for the party!  :)

Here are some highlights:

The birthday girl!

Doing an Elmo craft

Haven's bff and cousin, Kamryn

Opening presents!

Grammy makes the best cakes!

Haven and her Nana

Our goofy girl

Here are some pictures looking back at her previous birthdays:

September 24, 2008

Haven 1 year old:

Haven, you are our little princess!  We love everything about you.  You are such a spunky, sassy, sensitive, and compassionate little girl.  We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful daughter and we can't believe how quickly the last two years have flown by!  We thank the Lord for you daily!

Haven's 2-year Pictures

Haven turned 2-years-old on September 24th.  We took these pictures at Saylorville on Labor Day weekend.  Adam took the ones of Haven (doesn't he do an amazing job!) and my mom took our family ones.  I am so excited with how they turned out!  I guess it is easy to have beautiful pictures when your daughter is so stinking adorable. 

 This is one of the dresses that I made Haven

 Sometimes she thinks she is a monkey

 Classic Haven expression

Our little (but growing) family!  Here I was about 7 weeks pregnant!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Last Wednesday I had an appointment at my OB.  Adam came to every single appointment while I was pregnant with Haven but was unable to come to this appointment because of a meeting and due to a super busy week, I didn't want to reschedule.  So, I decided I could go on my own.  Well, of course, the doctor couldn't find the heartbeat.  As I was laying there I told myself not to panic because it is not uncommon to not be able to find the heartbeat early in pregnancy and that I definitely still felt pregnant considering I had vomited right before leaving the house for the appointment.  BUT, the fear of having another miscarriage overwhelmed me.  I prayed for the Lord to calm my nerves and give me peace while I waited in the lobby for them to call me back for an ultrasound.

I called Adam and he decided he wanted to be there 1)for in case something was wrong and 2)to get to see the baby in the ultrasound.  I was so thankful that he was willing to come.  Well of course, as soon as I get off the phone the ultrasound tech called me back.  I asked if I could wait 5 minutes b/c my husband was on the way (his office is less than a mile from our OB) but she explained that they couldn't wait.  Of course then I completely lost all of the peace I was feeling in the lobby and started panicking that something would be wrong and Adam wouldn't be there.  I started crying and the poor lady didn't know what to do.  I told her it was fine and that she could just go ahead.  Immediately I saw the baby and the heartbeat.  We had already had an ultrasound at 9 weeks and I was completely amazed that at 13 weeks, only 4 short weeks later, the baby no longer looked like a blob but like, well, a baby.  I could see it's profile and arms and legs moving all over.  The tech said that they probably couldn't find the heartbeat b/c the baby was wild and moving all over!  So then I started balling even harder because I was so thankful and in awe of the Lord and His perfect plan and design.  I think the tech thought I was crazy!  Plus, Adam walked in the room as I was balling and I am sure that he thought something was wrong which I quickly assured him that everything was fine.  I was so emotional that I couldn't stop crying all the way home.  I completely fell in love with my baby at that moment!

I think that I am even more emotional and excited during this pregnancy because I know what motherly love is and feels like.  I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms and to have that special kind of love for the baby that only a mother can have for her child. 

Thank you Lord for the blessing of life and specifically the blessing of this life that I am carrying.  Thank you for the peace and refuge I can find in you if I allow myself and thank you for your perfect plan for my life and for my child!

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:13-16

Pregnancy Brain = Thankfulness?

I suffer severely from pregnancy brain.  I seriously have issues.  I know that "pregnancy brain" is a proven fact...something about the brain actually shrinking during pregnancy or something like that (don't quote me here).  So not only is my brain smaller but I am also extremely exhausted and feel on the verge of puking most of the time.  Now, I don't say this to complain.  I am actually saying this because my "pregnancy brain" along with all of my other first trimester symptoms have brought me to be one very important thing....THANKFUL! 

Here is what I am thankful for during this time.

1.  First of all I am thankful thankful thankful for my husband!  He is so amazing.  Last night he cleaned up the whole house, did laundry, paid the bills, etc all without my knowledge or me asking for help.  He has many times made meals when my stomach can't handle it.  He has shown my affection and care when I am probably least approachable.  The Lord really blessed me with this guy!

2.  I am very thankful for my mom who has been a huge help as well.  She helped me make 15 freezer meals in anticipation of me getting morning sickness.  She helps constantly with Haven.  She has helped me with other "projects" that I get myself into and don't have the brain power to complete on my own.  She's great.

3.  I am thankful for my spunky daughter who definitely keeps me on my toes but also has shown me so much grace (in her 2 year old kind of way) and even affection when I haven't felt well and haven't been able to function as her mommy normally would.

4.  I am thankful for friends that have helped me out in various ways...sometimes just a reassuring phone call, sometimes helping with Haven, sometimes prayers.

5.  Finally I am thankful for the Lord who puts up with me and looks at me no differently no matter what state I'm in, what I look like, how I perform, etc.  He extends unending grace to me and is my refuge in this time of my "lame" suffering.  How much more did He suffer while on earth and by taking on the sin of the world?

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Birthday and an Announcement

Haven's 2nd birthday is today.  Adam and I decided to give her a special birthday present this year...A sibling!  Ha!  Yep!  We are expecting our 2nd child due on April 25th.  :)  We are very excited!

We had our first appointment today which included an ultrasound.  The baby looks good and its heartbeat was strong.  They said that the baby measured about 5 days behind my due date (Haven was exactly 5 days behind as well at an 8 week ultrasound) but that we will keep my due date since it is within a week.

So I am almost 10 weeks along.  I have to say that I have been really sick.  I was pretty sick with Haven but this has been even worse.  I have actually been put on some medication which is helping but I still feel icky.  With that said, I know that it is totally worth it and I am just praying that the sickness will subside in a few weeks!

Well that's about it! 

I will dedicate a post soley to Haven's birthday once I have some birthday pictures to put up!

Havenisms Vol. 2

More silly things Haven says...

"Mommy, here are your glass slippers!"  (While handing me my cuddly big warm slippers)

"I want to see my peoples."  (During Bible Study when she was explaining why she didn't want to play by herself anymore)

"I'm cheersing"  (While banging two cups together)

"Mommy, it's a prince!" "Mommy, see her glass slippers?" and "Where's her crown?"  (All while watching Dancing with the Stars

2 minutes

As of yesterday, Haven enjoys saying, "Two minutes Mommy."  Probably 10 times she said this yesterday.  The first time I was just driving and she said, "Two minutes!"  I didn't understand until later when she was playing and I told her I was going to go wash dishes she said again, "Two minutes."  I realized that I always tell her things like, "We are going to leave in two minutes" or "Two more minutes and you need to come help mommy."  So, I suppose that Haven is letting me know my time limits until I have to give her more attention or it could be that she is setting her own time limits.  Either way, she cracks me up.

Havenisms

Haven always says funny things and by the time Adam gets home from work I usually forget what she said and I am so mad b/c I can't share it with him.  SO, I am going to start putting some of Haven's quirky little "isms" on the blog as they happen........

I just asked Haven, "Haven, what should we do now?"  (thinking she would say go to the park, or go on a walk, or go outside and play)

Haven replies, "We should eat rice cakes."

It's always about food with her....at least I try to give her somewhat healthy snacks!  :)

23 Months

Haven is 23 months old today. 

I am aware that this is not a significant milestone...or at least shouldn't be.  However, I cannot stop thinking about how this is the last month my baby will be 1 year old.  One of my friends even made fun of me yesterday because I called Haven a "1 year old."  She was like, "Come on!  She will be two in a month!  You are just holding on to every bit of 1 that you can, aren't you!"  She is so right.  I even get teary eyed thinking about it.  Goo.  This reminds me of a post that my friend Meg recently posted on her blog about how having children makes you crazy emotional (or crazy AND emotional..ha!).  I'm right there with you sister! 

Haven Annabelle:  Although you are quickly growing up before my eyes, you will always be my little baby girl and you will always have a special place in my heart as my first born.  You are the smartest, sassiest, most adorable little 23 month old that I know!  I am so proud of you and so blessed to call you my daughter!  I would always choose YOU!  Love, Mommy

Say When

I'm no writer and definitely no theologian....BUT, sometimes I have these crazy thoughts that I want to share! 

So, the first song on my playlist on my blog is "Say When" by The Fray (quite possibly my favorite band ever).  Anyway, I am not really sure what the song is about but sometimes I think it could be a conversation between God and a man.  Sometimes, I think I have no idea what I am talking about.  Nonetheless, when I hear the song it makes me think about how so many times God is probably looking at me and saying, "Say When Nichole and I'll be there."  I know that at times I feel like He isn't there when I most need Him or I seem to look to everything else besides Him to ease my pains until FINALLY I drag my broken self to Him.  I think that God just wants us to Say When and He is there!  He is never not there when we need Him.  He is just waiting for us to surrender to Him.  What do you think?

"And my own two hands
will comfort you tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms
will carry you tonight, tonight
Say when."
-"Say When" by The Fray

“The LORD waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them” (Isaiah 30:18).

Sushi...how I love thee

Thanks to some good friends (Jason and Bethany!) I have found a new love...sushi!  Adam isn't too fond of it so Lindsey has become my new sushi buddy and every once in a while it seems that we read each other's minds and we unite in a sushi eating fest!  YUM!

Last night was one of those nights!  Although, I have to say we ordered too many spicy ones and our mouths were on FIRE!   Ha!

I have to brag that I have come a long way.  It wasn't too long ago that I refused to eat any seafood, was deathly afraid of creamy white condiments, and hated vegetables.  I'm so grown-up now.  haha

Lindsey and I at Taki

It has been a while...

Oh my goodness.  It has been a very long time since I have posted anything on here!   Eeek.  A few people have been bugging me for pictures and updates on life and Haven Annabelle.  So, here is a brief update of the last few months....

We closed on our new home on May 21st and moved in that day!  We were so blessed to have an abundance of help!  THANK YOU!  We are continually amazed at how much both our families and our church family surround us with love and support through every circumstance in our lives!  So anyway, we moved on Friday and Saturday.  The next Monday our church started a week-long missions trip to Des Moines called Mission to the City.   Adam was able to get the whole week off which allowed him to be home to help get "settled" as well as to participate in the missions trip for three days.  It was an awesome week!  The week ended with a Phil Wickham concert (amazing!).  Another huge thing that happened that week was our church moved locations to a new building.  So, that weekend was crazy busy with Adam getting sound stuff up and going as well as me getting the nursery area organized (oh yeah, I took over nursery stuff at our church!).  By the way, we also had a ton of family in town, my brother's high school graduation party as well as his graduation ceremony that weekend.  Looking back, I'm not sure how we survived that weekend!  :)

Most of June was spent getting settled into our new home, discovering our new neighborhood, and adjusting to the changes that come with moving.  I realize how much a creature of habit I am and how change is hard for me.  I was so comfortable with our routine in Ankeny, the parks we went to, the routes I always ran, the library, the pool/splash park, the places we ate, the Ankeny Hy-VEE (which I really really miss), and so many other things.  Despite all my reminiscing...I am so so so happy about our move!  Our new home really serves our family well, is a place we can better "host", and is so much more convenient to the things that we are involved in.

The beginning of July was spent celebrating our independence and preparing for my brother, Brandon, to get married.  Bud (as I always call him) and Becca got married on July 10th.  It was a beautiful wedding and Haven was an adorable flower girl!  We got to spend a lot of time with extended family from out of town which was super fun!

As we cross over the half-way mark of summer Haven and I are looking forward to heading down to Springfield, Missouri next week to spend the week with my sister, Amanda (and her hubby!) while she is on her week off between physical therapy rotations and while Adam has a week full of not only his full time job but also spending every evening working on some new sound stuff for the church.  Haven and I are pumped to spend time with "Auntie Mamanda" and to get to see Amanda and Ross' house!

We are also looking forward to September which will be a month full of celebration and relaxation!  We are heading down to Tablerock Lake with Adam's parents for vacation!  Adam and I also will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary and Haven will turn 2.  Wow.  We are getting old!  :)

Ok, now to the stuff that most people actually care about.....Haven Annabelle.  Haven is a character!  Her current favorite things are the Splash Park (she asks to go every day!), talking, dancing, singing songs with mommy, running, watching LarryBob (veggietales), and reading books.  She is also getting so smart!  She knows most of her colors, can count to ten with some help, is learning her shapes, and can match colors, pictures, and shapes.  She has started to recall things and tell stories about past occurances.  She talks constantly and in a very loud urgent voice.  Ha!  Here are some of her favorite phrases:
"Whats happen?" (what happened)
"I'm fine"
"I no like that"
"I wanna eat"
"thanks mom"
"hey honey"
"Mommy Cholee"
"Daddy Adam"
How old are you Haven?  "Two Months"
What's your name?  "Annabelle Tine" (as in Haven Annabelle Cline) or  "Miss B"  (Miss-b-Haven) 
"Loves you!"
"Hey There!"
"See you soon!"
"Bye guys"
"My tummy hurts" 
"I want my binki"
"I want my princess shoes"
"daddy's at work"
"I want Grammy's house"
"I want Grammy's car"
"Silly Mommy"
"I not funny"
"I smart"
"my do it"
"my have it"  (may I have it?)
"I want some snacks"
"I want ice water"
"Havee tired, I wanna go nigh night"

Ok, so this really wasn't a brief summary at all...but, hopefully you are caught up on life in the Cline household and I will try to be better about updating more often!  Pictures to come soon!

She needs a little color????????

Something weird happened last night! 

We decided to explore our new neighborhood by taking a walk.  We remembered that we had seen a Tropical Sno (yum!) about a mile away so we set that as our destination.  Once we made it to the stand, we were pleasantly surprised by how friendly the people waiting in line were.  One guy talked to Adam for a really long time about how wonderful the neighborhood was and asked Adam many random questions.  I bet they talked for at least 20 minutes.  A woman and her high school aged daughter started talking to me.  We quickly realized that we had a lot in common including cheerleading, church, and the daughter was even friends with my brother and had been at his graduation open house last Saturday!  Adam came over and joined the conversation and we talked for a few more minutes.  All of a sudden I noticed that the mother was holding chapstick and told Haven to smack her lips.  I thought, "Did she just put chapstick on my daughter???"  Sure enough Haven asked for more and the woman proceeded to put more of her chapstick on Haven.  I was so shocked that I didn't even know what to say.  Then all of a sudden she said to Haven, "You need a little color."  She then put LIPSTICK on Haven.  Now, I understand that we had a great conversation and that we had a lot in common, but this STRANGER was putting her lipstick on my 20 month-old daughter.  I could tell the high school daughter was super embarassed and was not sure what to say or do.  I was just so shocked that Adam had to politely tell the woman we had to go and quickly ushered me away. 

Am I totally off base, or is this really weird????

Song of the Day: Little House by Amanda Seyfried

I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks books, movies, the whole works.  Dear John is no exception.  I really liked the music in the movie and I remember hearing this song during the movie and couldn't wait to download it!  Can't get it out of my head....

YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im_ZVNX1QZM

Little House by Amanda Seyfried

I love this place
But it's haunted without you

My tired heart

Is beating so slow

Our hearts sing less

Than we wanted

We wanted

Our hearts sing 'cause

We do not know

we do not know

To light the night

To help us grow

To help us grow

It is not said

I always know

You can catch me

Don't you run

Don't you run

If you live another day

In this happy little house

The fire's here to stay

To light the night

To help us grow

To help us grow

It is not said

I always know

Please don't make a fuss

It won't go away

The wonder of it all

The wonder that I made

I am here to stay

I am here to stay

Stay

Bows Extravaganza

A friend and I decided to experiment a little and try to make bows and barrettes for our girls.  Here is a picture of Haven modeling all of the bows that Mommy made!

Sculpture Park

A few weeks ago Haven and I enjoyed lunch at South Union Bread (um...yummy!) and a walk around the Sculpture Park downtown with our friends Steph, Kamryn, and Lindsey. We of course had to take lots of pictures of the girls! What a fun time!

Some light reading...

While hanging out at a friend's house on Friday night, Haven came into the living room carrying this book, "Just Call Me Assassin."  She's advanced.

Farmer Haven

Grammy bought Haven some overalls from a garage sale.  We decided to get them out today!

Little Miss-B-Haven

I have always been told (since the day she was born!) that Haven is a very expressive little girl.  I think she wears her heart on her sleeve (like her mommy).  Well, her heart must be sassy and full of attitude these days.  All of the pictures below have been taken this month!