I have a feeling...

It's going to be a LONG week....

It's only Tuesday and I'm exhausted. I blame it on the pregnancy for sure. Oh, and having a toddler at home. I told Jordan yesterday "I'm only 9 weeks and I'm exhausted!" He replied with "It's going to be a long road." I have a feeling he's going to be right. I wasn't sleeping too good so I went out and bought some Unisom this weekend. I took this with Tuff too and it never really seemed to do much of anything. But with this pregnancy, it's knocking me out. I was complaining about not sleeping and now I'm complaining about being too sleepy. I'm 9 weeks today and still keeping everything down, which is good. Especially since I'd been sick as a dog at this point with Tuff. I'm praying the minimal nausia I've been having is all I have to go through. That'd be nice. Real nice. Anyways, when we were expecting Tuff, we found out the gender early. Jordan's sister is an RN at a hospital and let's just say she's good friends with the ultrasound tech there. So we found out we were indeed having a BOY about 3 or 4 weeks before we actually found out at my doctor's office. We have big plans brewing for an early gender reveal again, this pregnancy. Except we have plans to find out 3 weeks earlier than last time. I'm anxious and excited. We are scheduled to go in February the 12th. I really will love it, either way. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my baby boy but deep, deep down inside, I'm hoping for a girly. I think it's normal though. For everyone to want one of each gender. I guess we'll be finding out soon enough. I will definitely keep you all posted.

We've got a few things going on. Tuff turned 18 months old last Friday. That's a big milestone for baby boy. He's half way to 2. I can't believe it. He's looking and acting more like a big boy every day and it makes me happy and sad all at the same time. He is in desperate need of a playmate so I think our timing on a little brother/sister was perfect. I hear some kids play really good alone and some kids don't. Well... Our child, doesn't. He wants mine and Jordan's attention 24/7. Or pretty much the whole time he's not sleeping. It's really sweet most of the time but alot of times, it makes it hard for us to get anything else done. He's really getting smarter by the day. He's saying several words (when he wants too).... Mama, Dada, PaPa, baby, juice, shoes, car-coons (cartoons), cracker, bye bye, dog, ball, cat, ding-ding (for his little boy parts), poo poo, pee pee, BaBa (this is what the grandkids on Jordan's side call his mom) and I'm sure more that I just can't think of right this minute. He's not saying as much as I thought he would be at this age, but I think it's normal. We have his 18 month check up with the doctor this afternoon so I'm sure I'll be finding out then. He's so full of energy. He's always on the go and is always looking for something to do or something to get into. He definitely keeps mama and daddy on their toes. I know he's probably not even close to being old enough to potty train but I'm thinking about introducing him to the potty soon. He definitely lets us know when he goes poo poo and sometimes when he pee pee's which makes me think it wouldn't hurt to start trying. It'd be sooooo nice (and probably non-realistic) if he was completely potty trained by the time baby number 2 gets here. I need to get out and get him a potty chair though. I've been talking about it for the past few weeks and still haven't got one yet. I know I've told ya'll in a previous post that he LOVES balls and anything that has to do with them. He has so many balls and all different kinds. The child flat out LOVES them. We got him this little basketball goal a month or so ago and he loves that thing. For one and half, he's actualy pretty good. He's got me convinced he'll be going to the NBA one day. :) We are so proud of our big boy. He brings so much joy to mine and his daddys hearts. I can't wait to see him interact with his little brother or sister. He already makes sure to take good care of him/her while growing in mommys belly by giving him/her plenty of kisses and pats... daily! Oh, and always making sure he/she is covered up! :)

HAPPY 18 MONTHS BABY BOY!!! Mommy and Daddy love you more than you'll ever know!!!!!!!

We are still working on baby names. We have a few names picked out but we keep changing our minds. I really like the ones we have picked out, but I guess I just want to keep my options open incase I think of/ hear something better. We have our middle names picked out and they are permanent. For a boy the middle name will be Blake. Blake is Jordan's middle name and I really like the idea of one of our boys to have a part of Jordan's name. The middle name we picked for a girl is Caroline. We actually have had our minds set on Mae since we have started dating BUT, we just decided to change it last week. Carolyn is Jordan's mom's name, except spelled and pronounced Carolyn. She currently has 6 grandchildren. One girl and the rest are boys. She is REALLY wanting a girl and I thought since this would be her last grandchild, it would mean so much to her if we named her after her in some way. Needless to say, she is beside herself! Haha. Jordan says we have to find out it's a girl first, though. He just KNOWS it's a boy. :) So.... that's our middle names and their stories. I'm sure all of you know that I like different (hints: TUFF). So please help me out.... Leave me a comment with some cute but un common boy/girl names that go well with Blake and Caroline as middle names. I'd love to hear your ideas. Who knows... it might even help us make a decision. As of right now, our top first names are Ty for a boy and Nella for a girl. But like I said, we're still open for suggestions.

Well, I guess I've babbled enough for the day. Hope everyone is having a great start to their week.

The Alford's

We ARE alive

Sorry about the delay in posting. The last week and a half has been crazy. We have had so much sickness in our family and on top of it, SNOW and ICE. Way too much! Especially if you have to get out and drive to work in it. Let me try to fill you all in on the last week or so....

I thought me and Jordan were in the clear of the nasty stomach bug Tuff had last Tuesday but last Thursday at work I wasn't feeling good all day. It carried on into the night and I just knew something wasn't right. Sure enough, I started throwing up about 11:30 that night. About 5 minutes after my first episode I had just layed down and gotten comfortable when I heard Tuff crying on the monitor. When I went in to check on him, he had thrown up again!!! I thought to myself, oh wonderful! Needless to say, I was out of work Friday. Friday night we stayed in and rested. Saturday morning I felt a little better but since I didn't eat much all day on Friday I was ready for something to eat. I got up, got a shower, woke Jordan up, got Tuff ready and we headed out the door for some cracker barrell breakfast. YUM. I thought I was ready for a nice big meal but while we were in the grocery store after breakfast, I was gagging the whole time. I kept telling Jordan we had to hurry up and get done because if I needed to throw up, there was no where for me to do it. We got home and took much needed naps. We decided to stay in the rest of the weekend. Sunday night they were calling for a HUGE snow so Jordan switched our car out for his mom's before he left for work since she has a 4 wheel drive. Thank God he did because the HUGE snow they were calling for, came! And it took him almost 2 hours to get home from work Monday morning. Tuff and I stayed home, again. I think most people stayed home on Monday. We got a range from 3-6 inches in our area. When Jordan got home Monday morning he said he wasn't feeling well. I thought "Oh Great!" About 30 minutes later, he was in the bathroom having his first episode. The good thing for him, he only had that one. He just felt achy and weak the rest of the day. He decided to stay home Monday night since he wasn't feeling well. Which was ok with me since the roads were still horrible.

Everyone headed back to work on Tuesday and the rest of this week has just been kind of laid back. I've started getting nauseous in the afternoons from the baby. The good thing is I'm not actually getting sick. By this point with Tuff, I was sick all day every day until I was about 4 and a half months pregnant. Being nauseous is better than actually throwing up I guess. But since it's in the afternoons it makes me feel less hungry and it's really put a stop to me wanting to cook dinner. I think last night was the first time I cooked dinner this week. The whole time I was cooking the smell was making me sick. Then when we actually sat down to eat, I couldn't eat it. Oh me. Hopefully the sickness part won't last as long as it did when I was pregnant with Tuff. I guess we'll see. Things are definitely different this time around. I barely feel pregnant but I definitely look pregnant. Where as with Tuff at this point, I definitely felt pregnant but didn't look pregnant. I'm only 8 weeks and already have a little baby bump. I did hear this was normal for anything other than a 1st pregnancy though. While we're talking about it, I forgot to tell ya'll about our crazy waiter at Cracker Barrell last week. Now, keep in mind I am ONLY 8 weeks pregnant and ever though I say I have a little bump, it's not so noticeable that people would look at me and say "She's pregnant!" Anyways..... She was trying to conversate by talking about Tuff and asking questions like "What's his name?" etc, etc.... And then she says "Oh and when is the other one due?" Then she immediately follows with "You are expecting, right?" I was thinking "WHHHHHAAAAAAT? She did NOT just ask me that!!!" I did tell her yes and she asked what it was and we told her we didn't know yet. But when she walked away I looked at Jordan and said "Seriously????? Did you hear what she just asked me!!!" Then we laughed it off but I mean come on? I don't ever assume anyone I see is pregnant unless it's just COMPLETELY obvious. I wouldn't just look at me right now and think I was pregnant. If she does that to every woman that looks like me, I feel sorry for the next one who isn't really pregnant. She just got lucky with me. Hahahaha.

Well I am so glad to say it's Friday. I know we don't have much planned for the weekend but I'll be glad to just have the weekend. Sorry for the delay of posts. Oh, and no pictures. I haven't taken much but I did take some of the snow and a few of Tuff while we were dealing with Cabin Fever one day this week. I'll try to get them posted during my next post.

Oh and thanks for all the prayers for sweet Harrison. He got to come home from Vandy last Friday and 2 days later he got the stomach virus. The next day April had it and the next day, Brandon! Harrison started to run another fever yesterday so April took him back to the doctor and now he has the flu!!! Oh my. I couldn't even imagine. Please say another prayer for him, April and Brandon. I really hope this is all the sickness they have to deal with for a LONG while.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!

The Alford's

Getting up-to-date

First of all, thanks for all the prayers for Harrison. He IS still in the hospital but after being almost 100% unresponsive and uncooperative for the past 3 days, he is finally having a better day today!!! PRAISE GOD. We have all been really worried about him and even though he's not completely out of the clear yet, it is nice to know he's starting to get back to himself. Which let's us know, he's starting to feel better too. :)

I took off yesterday so mom could go spend the day with April and Harrison. I was supposed to keep Ada while Breeann worked but she ended up not having to go in. They decided to come over and spend the day with us anyways. The day got cut short when Tuff started throwing up about 12:30. Urrghhh.. The stomach bug has been in full swing lately but I thought we were for sure in the clear of it this time. I should have KNOWN better. We never get in the clear of any sickness at our household. Poor buddy threw up consistently from 12:30 until 8 last night. When he first started throwing up, I was thinking to myself "I know I'm a good mom but when it comes to this whole throwing up and cleaning up part, I'm not too sure about it." But by 8:00 last night, I had officially considered myself a PRO. Haha. He threw up SO much. I mopped the floor twice, washed 3 loads of clothes, went through 6-8 different shirts and blankets, and changed his "bed" on the couch probably 6-8 times. It was awful. The hardest part is not knowing when he's going to do it because he couldn't tell me. I got lucky the first few times because he'd come to me holding his belly and I could get him on the kitchen floor or in the trash can but after those few times, it was down hill. Hints the 3 loads of laundry and changing of the clothes/bed. Anyways, Jordan and I are really praying we don't get this bug. We did a lot of cleaning, sanitizing and hand washing all day yesterday. As of right now (24 hours later), we are both feeling ok. But they say you have up to 24 hours after being exposed before you could get the symptoms. Please say a little prayer for us. Neither of us want/need the virus. We all had it last year and it was HORRIBLE!!! Here are some pictures of what our day was like...

His "bed"

Takin a snoozer

Mommy's pallet when it was time for bed.

I guess I need to catch ya'll up on our weekend. Friday was nice because I had it off. :) Since I just found out I'm expecting, we didn't have any major plans for bringing in the New Year. I made a big pot of soup and we had my sister in law, her kids, and my mother and father in-law over. I know ya'll know I'm a HUGE FSU fan and their bowl game was that night so I spent my time infront of the tv stuffing my face and watching football. FSU did pull off a WIN. It was a nice way to start off my New Year. The saddest part is, I was in bed before 2011 ever came. Jordan told me around 10 p.m. that he was already tired and I then proceeded to tell him "I think this is what happens when you get old!" Haha.

Saturday was my mom's birthday and we were supposed to go to lunch and then to Opryland to see the lights but she was sick with the stomach virus, Harrison had pneumonia and Breeann's mom had came into town last minute. We decided it would be best to cancel and do it another weekend. Since Sunday was the last day before they took down the Christmas lights at Opryland, we decided to load up and go anyways, just the 3 of us. We had a really good time. We had lunch at Red Lobster and headed to Opryland. Since Tuff is older, he really seemed to enjoy it this year. I was a little tired from the weather and was debating on whether or not I wanted to go but after we just decided to go ahead and go, I was glad we did. It's something I'd like to do every year with our family. Hopefully we can make it another tradition. Here are a few pictures from our night... We didn't get one of all 3 of us because it was just the 3 of us.

Posing with daddy infront of the HUGE tree

The HUGE tree

waterfall

running through the waterfall

posing with mama

again with daddy

playing in the car on the way home

Sunday we worked on getting the rest of the Christmas decor down. It took us about 2 hours and then we spent the rest of the day relaxing and preparing ourselves for the new work stressful week.

I did go to the doctor Monday morning for my confirmation appointment. They did confirm I am indeed pregnant. I was 7 weeks yesterday and my estimated due date is August 23rd. We go back on February the 4th to hear the heart beat. I will keep you all up-to-date as I have each appointment.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week. We're already half way through!!! Hallelujah!!!

This is what's helping me get through the week ;) Maybe it'll help ya'll too.

The Alford's

Prayers needed

Our sweet, fun-loving Harrison has been admitted to Vanderbilt Hospital with pneumonia and infection in his lungs. Please keep him, my sister and her husband Brandon in your prayers. April is trying to keep everyone up to date on her blog. Click here to read more.

Thanks!

The Alford's

Ready for the New Year

We are getting ready for the New Year in our household. We took down all the Christmas decor in the house last weekend. I was SO tired of chasing Tuff around begging him to leave it alone. We did leave up the tree because I am pretty superstitious and I have always heard it's bad luck to take it down before the 1st of January. Not that waiting has ever made a difference luck-wise with me. Ha. We plan to take the tree and the outside decor down later this weekend. We are planning to have some family over tomorrow night to bring in the New Year. Since I am expecting, everyone has nominated me the responsible one/ babysitter. Oh me. This should be fun :) We are really excited about 2011. Especially since we found out we are expecting our 2nd sweet baby this year. I am beside myself!!! :)

We got good news this morning!! Jordan had a consultation with the oral surgeon about his wisdom teeth being taken out. The top 2 have cut through and the bottom 2 are impacted. Since he had 2 of his top teeth removed when he was younger for braces, we knew he probably wouldn't have to have the top 2 taken out because he had room for those. Our assumption was right. But we also learned that he won't have to have the bottom 2 out either. We both agreed this was GREAT news. One, because it's expensive and we could use the money for so many other things (like the new baby) and two, because anyone who's had their wisdom teeth taken out knows it's NOT fun. (Me being a candidate) It was nice to get this news. After his consultation we headed over to TGI Friday's for lunch. We went one day last week and me and mom shared the Jack Daniels Chicken Sandwich and it was so good that I'd been craving it every since. I ate every bite while we were there. Baby was probably doing dances in my belly. :)

My mother turns another year older on Saturday. It's always another fun way to bring in the New Year for our family!!! I am truely blessed to have such wonderful mother. She is so special in so many ways. I know she doesn't hear it all the time but she truely is appreciated. If it weren't for her, I definitely wouldn't be half the woman I grew up to be. I will look up to her and her mother for as long as I live! I thank God for her often. That's for sure!!! We plan to take her out to Red Lobster for lunch and then we're headed to Opry Mills to see the Christmas lights since we never got around to doing that after Thanksgiving. I am excited to take Tuff. I think he is old enough to really be able to enjoy it this year. We usually go every year. Tuff has been every year since he was conceived. He was even there the year he was in my belly. :)

It will be so nice to have tomorrow off. Since I work for an accounting firm, we really start to get busy in the next 3-4 months. This is our last day off until Memorial day. Which is almost 6 months away!!! I think everyone around here is looking foward to this last day off.

I hope you all have a wonderful time bringing in the New Year tomorrow night. Be safe and enjoy your weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

The Alford's

Tuff's news... in detail.

Tuff was excited to share his news in our Wordless Wednesday post. :) Even though he is only 17 months old, he sure is smart. It definitely hasn't taken him long to catch on to the idea of baby being in mommy's tummy. When we ask him "where is baby?" He immediately comes over to me, pulls up my shirt, and points to my belly. Then he occassionally kisses my belly and covers baby back up. He's such a sweet boy and I have no doubt in my mind that he'll be a wonderful big brother!!!! I'm looking foward to seeing him interact with his new brother/sister.

We had originally planned to start trying in January. Not sure why I decided then. I just knew I didn't want Tuff and his future sibling to be any more than 2-2 and 1/2 years apart. My older sister and I are 18 months apart and we played great together growing up. Jordan and his sisters are all 5 years apart and they didn't play so great together. I realize that most people space out their children these days but that just wasn't in our plans. Tuff is definitely getting to the age where he could use someone to play with. Someone other than mommy and daddy to keep him busy. Anyways, I spoke with my OB doctor at my yearly exam back in August and told her of our "plans." She requested that I stop taking my birth control 2-3 months in advance and start taking a prenatal vitamin in place of it. Then she just said to use precautions until we were ready to start trying again. Well, I did as she said. Except we didn't always use precautions. It happened alot quicker than I thought it would but we are just as excited. Plus, it's the end of December. Only one month ahead of schedule. Jordan has been off work since the 23rd. He kept asking me over the holiday weekend why I was so hungry... I just couldn't get full for some reason. We joked a little about being pregnant and once I realized I was 2 weeks late... I thought hmmm... So I stopped and got a test Monday night after work. We took 2 test and both looked like this.

And then we looked like this....

Haha. Tuff's face is priceless. He looks like "Oh gosh. A brother or sister!"

We are very excited about our news. I can't wait to make our family of 3 a family of 4. Our first doctor's appointment is Monday morning at 9. I think it's just a confirming appointment because I am seeing the nurse practitioner. I am assuming I am about 6 weeks along since it has been 6 weeks since my last cycle. That's how they determined Tuff's due date. If I am correct, this baby should be here sometime in the middle of August. But I'll keep you all posted on the details.

I was wondering if anyone noticed this..........................................

In my Christmas post? Hahaha. Baby brother/sister is already sticking out there.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I know we are!!!

The Alford's

Wordless Wednesday (Tuff's BIG news)

The Alford's