Long Time, No Post

I am the lamest blogger out there. I really did a good job blogging when we were working to adopt Max. I felt like I had so much to share with all the people who were praying us through the process, so I blogged often to keep everyone updated. Then we adopt him, and my blogging slows down. We get pregnant and it pretty much stops completely. It has been almost a year and a half since I have written a post. I am lame!!!

I have more time on my hands now that school has started, so blogging once more has been on my list of things to accomplish. I am going to work really hard to blog often. Perhaps I should add it on to my list of weekly chores! But it truly isn't a chore. It is a blessing to have this avenue to share our life with people all over the place. So be ready-the comeback tour has been scheduled and is on it's way!!!

Movement

All three kids got to feel the baby kicking last night. Analiese is a very active baby and I feel her often, but so far the kids hadn't been able to get there in time to feel her kicking.

Last night she began her dancing and the kids were all sitting around me, so I told them to quickly get their hands on my tummy. Lo and behold, it actually worked this time! Abby got the first big kick and she was absolutely thrilled to feel her sister for the first time. It was so sweet to see the look of amazement on her face as she felt Analiese moving around. Both Max and Madeline got to feel her too and loved it.

It was a tender moment and one I am truly looking forward to repeating over the next few months.

Random Pictures

I am going to post some pictures from the past 6 months just to give you a glimpse into our crazy family!!

Fall Fun

notice Madeline's face!

Daddy took a turn, Mommy didn't!!!

Halloween

Max Skywalker and Raggedy Ann

Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz)

Christmas

Picking out a Christmas tree from tree farm

A Christmas Program at Max and Madeline's preschool

Madeline made this face every time she saw us
watching her during the program

Christmas Eve sweetness

Fun with cousins (notice that Abby and Madeline
are the only girls)



Late Winter

Abby's first baby tooth to fall out

Jason took Abby to a Daddy/Daughter Dance. It was
a magical evening for them both

Freak Snow Storm

Freaky snowman (arms compliments of Jason)

Update

It has been far too long since I have posted anything on here. So sad to admit that, since so much has been going on. I will do a long post to catch everyone up and then make the fruitless promise to blog more often..It is a well-intentioned promise, but life so easily gets in the way. I truly do want to blog more. It is a wonderful way to share the happenings of our family, as well as document them for ourselves.

The biggest update is that we are expecting another baby! I am almost 5 and 1/2 months pregnant and thrilled to be so. We were so devastated by the turn of events last summer. I was so afraid I would not be able to get pregnant again, and if I did, that the pregnancy would end in the same way. So I am so hopeful for this one-I am 25 weeks along which is a good place to be.

It has been an interesting pregnancy, to say the least. Bleeding and cramping sent us to the E.R. at 15 weeks where we discovered that I had placenta previa. My placenta is low-lying and there was a piece that had broken away, which all led to the bleeding. I was put on bed-rest for an entire month to get the bleeding to stop. My parents graciously came down to help out. Thank goodness, because it was chaos here!!! I am off of bed-rest and have had no more bleeding since being released. I am so hopeful that the placenta is moving up and that the situation will resolve itself. We will know more in 2 weeks after another sonogram to check the progress.

Because of the placenta previa we had a sonogram at 18 weeks to check if it had moved at all. During that time, we were able to determine the sex of the baby......Drum Roll Please..................

A Girl!! Another Girl!!! We were laughing so hard. Apparently we can only produce little girls. Max is going to be so tired of girly things by the time he grows up. He is excited, nonetheless. So are we! Little Analiese is due August 21...It is going to be a long, hot summer.... I will try to post some pregnancy pictures soon.

Patience

Most of you already know, but considering the previous post, I realize I should make sure that all are aware....We had a miscarriage a week after announcing the pregnancy.

As miscarriages go, it was merciful. Not an event I would like to repeat, but it could have been much worse. I have received many encouraging words from people regarding having babies after miscarriages, so we know that our desire to have one more child is not over...just delayed.

News.....

The next Paredes' baby will join us around April 24th, 2010...The kids are all thrilled (as are Jason and me!!!). When we told them that I was pregnant, Abby looked at me and said, "Are you telling me the truth? Are you kidding????" It was adorable. She comes up to me all day, rubbing my tummy and kissing it for extended amounts of time. So sweet. We are so happy and can't wait for next year!

Madeline is 3!!!

Happy Birthday Madeline!! I cannot believe that my little baby turned 3 today. It blows my mind that she is so big! When I woke her up this morning and told her happy birthday, the first thing she said was, "Where is my birthday cake?" She is such a hoot.

Here are some pictures, giving a glimpse of Madeline over the past 3 years.

Her first laugh-and she still looks like that when she laughs!

She was such a chubby baby!

The ever present thumb-sucking.....

Turning 1.

Such a typical Madeline face!

Turning 2.

Happy Birthday Baby!!!!!!!