Tiny Wings Auction Today!

Don't forget to head on over to the Polka Dot Junkie on Facebook, and check out her Tiny Wings Auction in memory of sweet baby Maddie. The auction starts at noon (central time) and all of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Kellie & James Staats. Thanks for your support!

Guilt

I think, as women, we are loaded with guilt. About anything and everything. At least for me, that's the case.

I feel guilty for spending so much time at work, so I make a plan to leave right on time and then I feel guilty for not putting in more overtime. I make a plan to spend more time with the girls and then feel guilty for spending less time with my husband as a result. I feel guilty for spending too much money, complaining about trivial things, not keeping up with friends as well as I should, spending too much time on the phone in the evenings, letting my laundry pile up, not being a better housekeeper, and on and on and on!

Lately, I feel guilty for the child I'm carrying. And then, I feel guilty for saying that "out loud". I know some women that are still praying for children. Women would do anything in the world to hold their own child in their arms, and I'm carrying one. Last week, a college friend of mine, lost her 4 month old little girl, and I'm going to be a new mom soon. I feel guilty for wanting to share exciting baby news, while she is grieving the loss of her sweet baby.

I don't know what the right thing to do is. I have been praying and I feel so badly for Kellie and her family. I want to be supportive and let them know that I am there for their family and the more I think about it - the best thing I can do for them is love this little one inside me as much as I can. Cherish every second that I have with this tiny person. Enjoy every moment of pregnancy and then not take a second of this child's life for granted. None of us know what will happen tomorrow, or the day after so I'm going to be the best mother I can be, for as long as I can be and hope that God show's Kellie and all of the other women out there with longing and hurt in their hearts, his plan soon.

Our God is an Awesome God and I know that he has amazing things in store for these women, and he just needed little Maddie's help as an Angel, to reach them all.

Tiny Wings Auction

Megan Green at Polka Dot Junkie on Facebook is hosting the Tiny Wings Auction on Monday, February 28th, beginning at 12 noon (central time). All of the proceeds from the auction will be given to the Staats Family. So, please take some time to visit this boutique Monday on Facebook and help support Kellie and James.

In Honor of Maddie (10/14/10 - 02/17/11)

It pains my heart to write this, but today, a friend of mine and her husband are going to bury their little girl. Their 4 month old little girl to be exact. Sweet little Miss Madison Paige Staats was born into this world on October 14, 2010 and left this world to be with her Savior last Thursday, February 17th, 2011. In her very short life, she brought a lot of love and happiness to those around her. She was a joy to her parents and grandparents and brought smiles to faces of people that didn't even know her. Here are some pictures of sweet Maddie.

In honor of this little one's life - forget about the toys all over the house, the mess in your kitchen, the water the kiddos get all over the bathroom during bathtime tonight and the meal they didn't finish. Just hug them and love them and be extra thankful for them today. There are mothers and fathers all over the world that would do anything for one more chaotic, crazy, exhausting day like that.

And say a few prayers for Maddie's family. Lord knows they are going to need all of them that they can get during this difficult time.

RIP Sweet Maddie!

11 Weeks

Today, I am 11 weeks pregnant. I have to be honest, it feels completely surreal to type those words. I was getting to a place (emotionally) where I wasn't sure if I would ever get to type something like that. I am overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions - happiness, anxiety, worry, giddiness, and excitement. I am continuing to pray everyday, that this pregnancy remains healthy and that in September, we get to meet a happy, healthy baby.

Right now, Baby Fountain or "munchkin" as we affectionately refer to him/her, is the size of a lime.

Here is what's currently going on:

He/She currently enjoys a 1:1 ration between his/her body and their head and is now almost fully formed. He/she has skin that is so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. His/her fingers and toes are no longer webbed and their little hands will soon open and close into fists. Tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under his/her gums and some of his/her bones are beginning to harden. He/She is already busy kicking and stretching and his/her tiny movements are so effortless that they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as his/her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two - nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that his/her diaphragm is forming.

I cannot wait until we find out whether our little munchkin is a boy or a girl. Hopefully, just a few more weeks. I'm seriously hoping we don't have to wait until 20 weeks or something!

Gifts

I don't know if its just because all of the trouble we've had getting pregnant and now we finally or, or babies are so much fun to buy for, or we just have amazing friends and family or all of the above but we have already been given so many wonderful things for this little munchkin. I can tell we're going to have a spoiled little one on our hands!

*Just a clarification - this isn't even half of the stuff that our munchkin has been given, but I've been lazy and haven't talken pictures of everything.*

Onesies and travel pals from Aunt Bridgett & Uncle Andy

A hooded towel and washcloths from Aunt Melanie, Uncle Roy and Cousin Matthew

Sweet books for us to read to the munchkin, from Aunt Meredith and Uncle Cole

The softest blanket ever from a friend at work, Rachel.

A personalized burp cloth from The Barrows. Isn't this adorable? I can't wait for this munchkin to get here so that we can put all of these wonderful gifts to good use! Thank you to everyone who has given us anything, offered us kind words and well wishes and/or kept us in your prayers. It means more to us than you'll probably ever know!

Thanks for everything!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We were able to hear the baby's heart beat for the very first time today. Unfortunately, they didn't put sound on this video but you can see the baby's movement. What a wonderful present for Valentine's day - to get to hear our little munchkin! We are so blessed and are so in love with this little person. Hope all of you are having a wonderful day as well. Happy Valentine's Day!

Ultrasound Pictures

Because of my two miscarriages last year, I am being monitored by our fertility specialist, until about 10 weeks and then will be transitioned over to a regular OB/Gyn. Everyone has explained that I will not be considered high risk, after this level of monitoring.

I've been going every Monday morning to have a check up and ultrasound to make sure that our little munchkin is doing well and growing like he/she should be.

Here are some of the ultrasound pictures of our little munchkin!

5 Weeks, 3 Days

5 Weeks, 6 Days

7 Weeks, 6 Days

8 Weeks, 6 Days For whatever reason, my 6th and 9th week ultrasound pictures keep rotating and not uploading correctly, but you can see how much our little munchkin is growing! I can't wait for our next appointment on Valentine's Day! What a wonderful day to see our little sweetheart!

Wordless Wednesday