The Final Countdown?

Called my doctor's office to confirm we are all set for Monday the 11th and the response I got was not what I wanted to hear. I have spent the last 33 years doing everything necessary to AVOID surgeries of any kind. So much so that when they did my C-Section when I had Christian they had to put me under because I was so freaked out by it. So I have been quietly anxious and have really only told those closest to me how very scared I really am. Guess I'm now telling my secrets. So when I called the doctor the girl said, oh we called the hospital and they are booked already so we need to know what day you would like. I told them I would prefer to do it sooner rather than later. Once you've had a C-Section and you have to do it again they try to do it 1-2 weeks in advance of your due date so you don't run the risk of going into labor. The way they see it is, why labor if you don't have to. I can see the point. So she called me back to let me know the soonest they could do it would be May 14th. WHAT? Are you kidding me? Now I have even more time to sit back and contemplate everything. My emotions are in high gear. May 14th is only 3 days from my due date so there is a chance I could go into labor before then. I'm not sure if I'm hoping I do, cause then they would have to move up the C-Section, or if I want to make it to the 14th. Again, why labor if I don't have to? I love my doctor but this last month has been so stressful I'm not sure I could recommend his office. I'm so glad to have a wonderful support system to help me through this.

The Countdown!

So I went to the doctor again today. This is a weekly activity at this stage of my pregnancy. He, Jason and I discussed our very few options and have decided to go ahead with a C-Section. Really this was the doctor's decision but once he explained what we would be up against I can say I agree with him. I always said I would do what's best for our little girl but really it's not a question of what's best for her as much as what's best for me. This little lady is going to need a Mommy to take care of her and this sounds like the best path for us.

So, we are happy to announce our little yet to be named girl will make her grand entrance into this world via C-Section on May 11th. I'm just hoping they don't schedule it for some weird early time in the morning. I hate being up before 7!!

It's Getting Closer

I can't believe I am a month away from my due date. YIKES!

I went to have an ultrasound on April 8th and was told I was measuring right on track for a May 17th due date. My "official" due date is May 20th so that's nothing to be concerned over. On April 9th I had to go back for my now weekly appointment. My insurance won't pay for an ultrasound and a doctor's appointment on the same day. Weird! Anyway, the nurse let me know I was measuring at 36 weeks even though I was 35 weeks. She said I had been measuring a week early the entire pregnancy. Today is April 21st so I am now less than a month from my "official" due date. I had a C-Section with Christian but my doctor felt fairly confident I could have vaginal birth this time around. Then I found out the hospital doesn't allow VBACs anymore so I may have to have a C-Section after all. I'm supposed to have an appointment on Friday to talk with my doctor and see what we need to do. If I have to have a C-Section I could have a baby much sooner than expected. All of this is making me a little nervous. It's been 12 years since I had a baby in my home. I have so many emptions going through me right now. I'm scared yet excited. I'm nervous. Anxious. Happy. Tired. You name it. As Jason and I lie in bed last night I went to turn to my side (I'm a side sleeper) and it took me a good 3 minutes to turn from my back to my side and Jason just laughed at me. I looked over at him and said, I'm miserable. This belly does not seem to be any bigger then it was before we started this journey but it's certainly fuller and harder. The countdown is on!!

I was Tagged!

I've been tagged before but never did anything about it. This seems harmless enough so here it goes.....

I've been tagged. Here are the rules:
1. Go to your documents/pictures
2. Go to your 6th file
3. Go to your 6th picture
4. Post it, and blog about it
5. Tag 6 people to do the same
6. Name your picture

This was taken on our way home from Washington DC in August of 2008. Little did we know then I was about 3 or 4 days pregnant!! Washington DC was good to us!! ;) While the US Clarkson Family had a really nice time in Washington we did have a difficult time with our UK Clarkson Family. Jason and his sister didn't have a meeting of the minds on several issues so I asked him to please get along and if they couldn't we would go our own way and they could go about their business. When we left to start driving home there was an argument and it left both of us unsettled. The point in me telling you this is because we were both so out of sorts that we decided we wanted to make sure this set back didn't diminish the great time we had as a family and we would continue to make memories, even on the way home. It's no secret my husband loves the Hard Rock Cafe so with our nifty navigation system in our car we looked up Hard Rock Cafes that would be on our way home and one we had never been to. We went to the DC Hard Rock while we were there and although it wouldn't have exactly been on our way home we had already been to the one in Atlanta with Jason's parents. The only other one we could find that wouldn't be too terribly far off the beaten path and still one we hadn't been to was the one in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We detoured off of 95 and found the Hard Rock. Interesting building. It was shaped like a pyramid. So here are my two favorite boys enjoying their favorite thing. They were both having a milk shake. Doesn't take a lot to get this family refocused from a negative situation. Just add Ice Cream!

PS - Not too many people read this blog (that I'm aware of) so I will tag Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., George W. Bush, Bonnie and Clyde.

Have I ever mentioned my best friend?

Yep, that's my sister! She knows I love her. She knows she's my best friend. But does she know how much I need her?

Here are some things I love about my sister. Remember, this is a very, VERY short list. I could go on and on and on and on......

1. She has the brightest personality. Everyone who meets her loves her.

2. She is so dang funny. She keeps me in stitches.

3. She loves the Gospel and helps me to understand our Heavenly Father's plan.

4. She is the BEST AUNT EVER. My son just hears her name and gets excited.

5. She is so thoughtful. She is always thinking of others. Always serving others. I marvel at how her mind works when it comes to being in the service of her fellow man.

6. She is kind. Always with something sweet to say to brighten someone's day.

7. She is smart. I wonder if she realizes how smart she is? Some think I'm the bookish one in our family but it only takes 2 minutes of talking to Casey to see how incredibly intelligent she is.

8. She is talented. I love to listen to her sing. I know my parents do as well.

9. She is sincere. I've never heard her make a comment she wasn't 100% sincere about.

10. She is beautiful. I can't look at her without thinking Snow White. Beautiful dark hair and eyes. Her skin isn't quite white as snow but you get the picture. She can wear her hair up or down, she can be dressed for church or jeans and a t-shirt, she always looks great!

11. She is an awesome cook/baker. She makes some of the best stuff. I don't even have the guts to try any of her receipes. I stick to Chocolate Chip Cookies.

12. She is the most amazing sister. Anything I need she is right there for me. No questions. No excuses. Just a simple what do you need? Followed up with a No Problem.

I've already posted on her pregnancy and upcoming "human" mommyhood so I won't go too far into detail on that again but I know she is going to make the best mom. I'm a little jealous on behalf of my new baby coming. I'm sure when they called the spirits to the front of the line, my dauther, in true Cassie fashion, skipped ahead in line and got me. Had she kept her place she may have been lucky enough to get sent to my sister. Oh how lucky Baby Gentle is. How lucky we are to have been sent Casey. She has blessed our family in so many ways! I love you, Sister!

Family is Everything!

It's been a while since I've posted anything so I figured there's no time like the present.

Last weekend we had a baby blessing in Palatka to go to. I love baby blessings. There is so much hope and love with a new baby. This little guy is my cousin Justin's son. His name is Justin Jr. and he is the cutest little thing. I was holding him during sacrament and my dad was sitting beside me and the more my dad talked to him the more little Justin laughed and cooed and so the cycle began. I'm not sure who was having more fun but it really helped open my eyes to the love grandparents feel for their grandbabies. I hated to give little Justin back but knowing our baby will be the next one in the family blessed made things a little easier for me.

Speaking of our baby.....

We went and had the third trimester ultrasound on Wednesday (yesterday) the 8th of April and she is measuring 5 1/2 pounds with a due date of May 17th. Her original due date was May 20th so we were still right in the same range. I had my check up today and found out my belly is measuring 36 weeks which may put me delivering a week prior to my due date but I'm late to everything so why should my daughter be any different? As it is Spring Break Christian was able to go with Jason and I to the ultrasound and then again to my doctor's appointment today. He got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat. He was really excited about both.

Speaking of Christian.....

We had his first follow up appointment today and he is healing really well. They took off his green cast and took the pin out of his wrist. Not a sight for quesy stomachs like mine! He pulled through it again like a champ. They put another cast on. This new cast isn't as long as the other. His thumb isn't covered so he's able to start moving that around and the cast doesn't go up his arm anymore. It goes just to his elbow. He also got to pick his color. They had more than a rainbow to choose from. Red, white, green, blue, dark blue, orange, pink, purple, yellow and on and on. He chose red, his favorite color.



Today is also an important day for the John and Faye Gullett family. Today is my little brother, Joshua's birthday.



He would have been 32 today. Joshua was born April 9, 1977. He was a year and a half younger then me. 10 short weeks later Josh passed away as a result of SIDS more commonly known as cribdeath. Although I don't have any memories of Josh, outside of him being in his casket, he has made such an impact on this family. My mother decided she was going to be with her baby again and she knew what she had to do to make it happen. She told my dad and he was on board as well. Although not active members of the church at the time of his death on October 12, 1978, a year and a half after his passing, my family went to the Washington DC temple and were sealed. My Pap-Paw Gullett stood as proxy for Josh. I wish I had more memories of this time period. I love to hear my mom and dad talk about their Josh. My older brother and I have light hair and eyes. My eyes are brown but they are a light brown and Johnny has blue eyes. My mom, for those who don't know, has red hair and hazel eyes. My dad is the complete opposite. Dark hair, black eyes. Josh was their dark haired, black eyed baby. He was going to look like my dad's side of the family. He was a Gullett! All the pictures of him are beautiful. My mom has somewhat of a journal entry that says her favorite time of the day was first thing in the morning. Josh slept with mom and dad most of the time and when he would wake in the morning mom and dad would spend an hour in bed with him. They would play with him and watch him. Kiss him and love him. I'm sure there was a little blowing on the belly being played. He had his first "real" smile at two weeks, probably during one of these morning play sessions. To this day my parents relish that time. I'm so grateful to my parents and the example they have shown me. Every day, every where, every minute, family was the most important thing. I'm not sure if this was something they learned from their parents growing up or if it was the loss of a child that makes you realize the truly important things but family was everything. Correction, Family IS everything. Josh is a part of this family and there isn't a family gathering that happens without us thinking of him. It's not something we verbalize but I know I think of him often and if I am, I know everyone else is as well. I can look at my mother, into her beautiful eyes, and know she is thinking about my brother. I know she can't wait to see him again. I know he's waiting for her. Our Father in Heaven has promised my mother this spirit and I know he would never go back on a promise.

Family is Everything!