Thankfulness

What more could you ask for????

I have SO much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!!!

Typical day...

...in my life as "MOM."

Around 5:30 or 6:00 AM my little alarm clock awakens me for our first of several feedings for the day. (I love waking up to Jeff on my right and Charlie on my left...in his bassinet...soon I will put him in his own room, what a sad day this will be! I feel like that is his first step to "growing up") Then if I'm lucky he goes back to sleep until around 8:30! Next is my favorite part of the day....Charlie wakes up and is ALL SMILES!!! I LOVE IT!!! We talk for about thirty minutes and he just smiles and smiles...I've yet to see him wake up in a bad mood. The rest of the day is filled with naps, bottles, swinging, smiles, diaper changes, etc. Then at 9:30 it is his favorite part of the day...bath-time!!! He is so funny how he splashes and flairs his arms all around, he loves it! He eats one more time and then snuggles into bed. I lay down and can't wait to do it all again the next day! Best "job" in the whole world! I am so glad that I am able to stay home with my baby! I have a tremendous amount of respect for moms that work, but I wouldn't trade the time and precious memories I experience everyday for all the money in the world!!!

I recently left him for the first time for about 10 hours, and there is no doubt that I won't be able to do that very often! I can't imagine his first day of Kindergarten!!!! I know I'm already more attached to him than he probably ever will be to me :-)

No Words

There are truly no words to express how I feel about Charlie and his arrival....I think that is why it has taken me so long to post the "Life Now that Charlie is Here" blog.

Well on August 22nd at 1:19 pm, my life was forever changed. For the better, I might add. After a fairly quick (and not nearly as bad as I had let my imagination lead me to believe,) labor, I heard the sweetest cry. Before I could even wrap my mind around what had just happened I was holding MY SON! Those next moments feel like a dream....and I still have a hard time comprehending that he is really ours to keep!

Charlie does what most babies do...eat, sleep, need a diaper change, cry a little here and there, etc. But he already has the ability to GRIN....not just smile, but give you a full out grin. (Check this out for proof: http://www.youtube.com/user/fswalker417#play/uploads-all/0/iVvGqT3pHek ) This has been not only funny, but a blessing in disguise for me...you see, I am a worrier BIG TIME. I didn't sleep for about 36 hours after he was born because every possible thing that could go wrong ran through my mind so I felt the need to stare at him all night :-) Anyway, these little smiles really take the edge off and it kinda seems like God's way of telling me to "chill-out" he's a happy baby!

People ask me "what is one thing you didn't know, expect about having a baby?"

I think the main thing I have realized in the past two weeks, aside from being tremendously blessed, is that I couldn't have asked for a better husband! Jeff has been wonderful from day one, but seeing him with Charlie takes my love for him to a different level. He was there for every "push" sometimes working harder than me, I think :-) I wish I could have captured the look on his face when he saw Charlie for the first time! Priceless! Again, there are no words to describe the love I feel in our house right now, but I am so SMITTEN to be a part of our new little family!

Just a taste...

Charlie Allan Britton

8-22-09

8 lbs 1 oz 21 1/2 inches


FINALLY!!!!

Until further notice....

I will not blog again until I can include a picture of my son...

39 weeks tomorrow and I cannot think of anything to write. I'm tired and ready to get this show on the road!!!

:-) and for those of you who kept up with the "what size of fruit is he now" weeks/ months, I have one word for you...

WATERMELON!!!!!

Ugh...

Still pregnant...............



(my patience is wearing thin)

Pros and Cons

Week 37 = Full Term

Pros

* We are almost there!!!
* Showers, cute clothes, etc.
* He is fine to come at anytime!!! (Did you hear that Charlie??? ANYTIME)
* I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!!
* I can't wait to watch Jeff. He is going to be a GREAT dad!

Cons
* Feet in ribs...which may be causing internal bruising:-)
* Very little sleep...SO UNCOMFORTABLE

* Possibility of still having 3 weeks left...AH! (patience is a virtue, right?)
* Even my "maternity" (aka fat clothes) are getting snug...ugg!
* Labor is right around the corner. <-- pro & con

It feels like 37 weeks have taken an eternity, but what an answer to prayer that he has made it healthily to this point! I know I sound like a broken record but....I am so excited!!!!

35 down....

...5 (oh my can I make it?) more weeks to go!

We are SO SO excited!! I find myself just standing in Charlie's room looking in his bed or at his teeny tiny clothes and imagining what he will look and be like. The wait is almost over! One more month! 36 days...if you're counting :-)

HB MOM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

I LOVE YOU!

Honeydew

This is one squirmy honeydew....

What in the world?!?!

So I'm 32 weeks same ole same ole......

I got the strangest comment on my last post. Yes...I own a Wii, but me a "gamer"...I don't think so :-)

I found your blog online and noticed that you live in the Denver area and enjoy video games. I would like to personally invite you to a video game competition I am hosting in Denver on Saturday July 18th. The event is called "Retro Game Championship" and it will be loosely based on the movie "The Wizard" with Fred Savage. Basically we will have 10 TV's setup with original NES consoles. 5 TV's will be playing a rare Nintendo cartridge called "Nintendo World Championships" which gives each gamer 6 minutes and 21 seconds to get 50 coins in Super Mario 1, finish 1 lap in Rad Racer, and get a high score in Tetris. The other 5 TV's will be playing an even more rare game (there is only real copy in existence) called "Nintendo Campus Challenge". This game gives you 6 minutes to get 25 coins in Super Mario 3, 100,000 points in PinBot, and a high score in Dr. Mario. The championship should be a great time. It gives you a chance to show off your retro gaming skills, hang out with some local gamers, and play some very rare video games. I hope you can make it. Here are the full details again: When: Saturday July 18th 2-9 PM (you can come during any part of the event) Where: JJGames Store | 7975 E Harvard Ave, Ste G | Denver, CO 80231 Website With Directions: http://www.jjgames.com/page/retro-game-championship-2009 I will be giving away prizes through-out the night and will be sure to save a free t-shirt for you if you RSVP and let me know you are coming. Feel free to bring some guests along with you too. I look forward to seeing you on July 18th.

H.O.T.

31 weeks and it is HOT!!! Pool or in the air-condition have been the only options this week!

(I'm a little late posting this week...where does the time go?)

Jeff and I are getting SO excited!!! In the past few weeks we have gotten to go to the hospital for the arrival of two "bundles of joy." (Cora and Stella)....And we are so anxious to meet our little Charlie! I've been reading the books...one minute I'm excited....the next terrified!!! Time is going fast and dragging on...if that makes sense????

The BIG 3-0

That's right folks....we've hit the 30 week mark! (3/4 of the way there!!!)

This is one of our favorite things that Charlie will be wearing in the near future...thanks Aunt Mandy and Uncle Brad!

June 12

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

I love you more than words can say!!!
You have been by my side through every "up" and "down"!
Enjoy your day!!!

*We will be out of town on his birthday....so had to post a little early!

7

Time is flying by.....can't wait!!!

28 weeks later

Oh what a day....I spent over 3...yes 3 hours at the doctor today! Not to worry, everything is fine, just a little pokey in the office today!

I had the pleasure of getting to drink this "potion" that tasted like Crush from three years ago... a good size cup full within the 5 minute time frame. Followed by an hour of waiting to be pricked and have blood drawn.

About 35-40 minutes later I got to hear the "thumpity, thump" of Charlie's healthy heart! (After about five minutes of the doc trying to hear it before my "very active son" (in the words of my doctor) would be still enough to get a good listen!!!)

And I wrapped up the afternoon with a lovely shot...raising my arm may be a challenge in the morning!!! (Thanks to Jeff having positive blood and me negative)

Week 28 is off to a good start!!!! What more could you ask for than a "everything looks great" report??? (That makes every prick and prod worthwhile)

Mini Me, Jeff, or combo??

I often find myself wondering what little Charlie is going to look like????
I am in week 27...which marks the first of the 3rd trimester!! Time is flying by and he'll be here before we know it!! AH! Am I ready??!?! :-)

Under 100

That's right folks...if Charlie comes exactly on his due date (August 26th) we only have 99 days left! 99!!!!!!

He is also apparently about as long as a large cucumber...and still as active as EVER!!! I love feeling him move! ;-)

P.S. We put his crib up tonight! (By we ...I mean Jeff, Brad, Matt, and Aaron...Thanks Guys!!!)

Eggplant...

Our little "Eggplant" is more like a jumping bean! Always on the move...unless of course I would like someone else to feel him move. Maybe he's shy :-).

A Day Late....

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!

I am so blessed to have you as my mom and one of my best friends!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun....

...And we've been having fun!!! Can you believe we've been married for a year already?!?! I can't!!! But, what a wonderful year! I have been so blessed, SO BLESSED! Looking back to this time last year, I think of how excited I was to finally be becoming MRS. BRITTON and if I would have know it was going to be this good...I would have been so much more excited! I knew I would loving getting to spend everyday with Jeff, but had no idea it could be this fun! I LOVE LOVE LOVE being married to my best friend and look forward to the next 75 years or so (maybe even longer).

Happy 1st Anniversary Jeff!
I love you!

24 and only 16 more

This is Charlie's crib!!! I can't wait for it to come in and get serious about decorating his room! 24 weeks down! He is about 12 inches long and 1.5 lbs! This is so fun!!!

That's really all I have to say for now :-)

Not a piece of fruit...

This is not actually Charlie, but it is a picture of another baby at 23 weeks....AMAZING isn't it???

I can't believe he already looks so much like a "real newborn!" I do, however, know that he is extremely active and needs to straighten out his days and nights in the next 17 (give or take a few) weeks :-)

99.99%

We are 99.99% sure our little papaya's name will be...

Charlie Alan Britton
(spelling may vary for the middle name)

So...what do you think????

Oh, and I'm a little annoyed that the website I've been using has now skipped to a month by month basis! I'll try to keep posting weekly!

Banana!

This week the size comparison for "most" babies is that of a banana. We were told he weighed 13 oz. last week...so we are a little ahead of schedule, by a few whopping ounces!!!

His name is close to being decided...maybe I'll tell you next week!

To you a blurry blob....

To me, the most AMAZING thing I've ever seen! As you can see in picture one, we had no trouble identifying what to expect on August 26th!

Yesterday morning was like waiting for Christmas morning as a little kid (X 1,000,000!). I was so anxious I could hardly stand it! When we (Jeff, Mom, Mandy, and I) FINALLY got called back in to the ultrasound room, I was freezing cold and sweating at the same time! (my typical symptoms of nervousness). Within in what seemed like seconds the technician was asking us "So do you want to know the sex...this is a cooperative baby." Of course we said yes....and as soon as she said BOY I started to cry! I was so overwhelmed! All of the sudden everything became real to me. (After we left I hoped it didn't seem like I was disappointed because I honestly couldn't be happier! Even though I did cry through the entire ultrasound...tears of joy OF COURSE!)

I know the pictures seem a little blurry and hard to distinguish, but on the screen everything was so crystal clear! We could see everything from his tiny little fingers (10 to be exact) to his perfectly beating heart! I could have sat there all day and watch him squirm around! ( He is definitely a "mover").

Now I cannot wait to name him, get his room ready, get cute little BOY clothes, and MEET him!

*** God is so good! Just another reason I'm a "smitten britton!"***

1/2 way there!

Cantaloupe week!! We already 1/2 way there...oh how the time flies!!!

and... in FIVE hours we will know if pink or blue is in the future!

Life- Changing (period)

As many people know, I had the opportunity to go to Guatemala last week with Operation Security Blanket. You've seen the hundreds of pictures floating around on blogs and Facebook, but to me, pictures and even words fall short when it comes to how this trip impacted my life.

(We had a couple of "group meetings" on the trip to share how we felt, what we had seen, etc. But I never could find the words...and public speaking, even with people I know has never been my forte....so here is my answer...)

1.)I have seen the slideshows at Missions Conferences, I watch TV, I do fairly well at keeping up with the news...I knew I was blessed. BUT I had NO IDEA how blessed I am! I have not one, but two loving and Godly parents in my life. (Not to mention the slew of other relatives that have helped along the way). I live in a mansion compared to these people! (Yet complain about having to clean the bathroom or sweep the floor) I have never ONCE worked as hard as the people of Solola work in a day...just to survive. I have HOT water anytime I turn on the faucet...CLEAN hot water. I can drive to Walmart (not a smelly, crowded market) get anything and everything I need, drive home (not walk for miles, on steep rocky roads with cars carelessly speeding by...while carrying my purchases on my HEAD!!!!) I am not bent over for hours a day weaving or gardening.

I could go on and on and on about all the luxuries in life that we enjoy...but that's not what "got me." These people are (for the most part) content! They greet you with a smile (while carrying 75lbs of onions on their head walking up a cliff!) They are PROUD of their shacks and market. They don't NEED the internet, or hot water for that matter. They are content....content. Am I ever content? Yes, I know I have more than one person could ever need, but I can always find something to complain about or a "need" that hasn't been met....embarassing.

2.) We had the chance to help out with a church activity/ worship service....
AMAZING! We complain about whether or not the songs are too old, too "new,"
fast, slow, long, short, loud, soft,....etc, etc, etc!!!! Not them....they sing at the top of their lungs! (No matter the song...on key or off) They truly worship....the song was between them and God. It didn't matter what the pace, pitch, speed, age of the song was... I couldn't understand a single word, but I knew it was from their hearts. The poor kids sitting next to me probably thought I was "LOCO" (crazy)....I blubbered and cried the whole time. I need to learn how to worship like that!

3.) The babies....where do I begin??? The little boy in the picture is Walter...I want him SO BAD!!!! I can't get over it! I fell in love with him...and ALL THE OTHERS last week! We need to pray continiously for these precious children! Adoption in Guatemala is basically at a stand still right now. Larry and Claire and all the workers give the children a great place to live (better than the majority of kids in the area, for sure), but it is still not the "ideal way" to grow up! They need Christian families!

Everything from nap time to eating was a joy to help in! And who knows...maybe someday Jeff and I will get to go back and get a "Walter" of our own!

**I left out SO very much, but I loved every second of the trip and I'll never be the same!

Mango

Week 19: Mango (sorry I missed last week....it was a sweet potato!)

Will my breath be bad????

Baby is now onion size....couldn't they find something that was a little cuter and smelled better?


By the way I am so excited to go to Guatemala THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!
This is my very first mission (or does sound better to say missions?) trip and I can't wait!!!

Talk(...or type) to you next week!

March 12, 1983

Twenty-six years ago tomorrow, my parents were announced as Mr. and Mrs. John Yates for the first time. Married in the chapel at High Street Baptist Church, where they met.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I love you both more than I could ever express! I am so thankful to have you as an example in my life. You have truly shown me how to make a marriage work, with a lot of love and fun along the way!

Avocado...

This week (16) is avocado week! I can't wait to find out what we are having and start decorating...getting cute clothes...seriously figuring out a name, etc. So much fun!

Orange???

i found a website that shows the relationship of an between an unborn baby and a different piece of fruit (size comparison) each week... interesting huh???

this week little britton is the size of an orange!!! growing like a weed, or a nice piece of fruit :-)

p.s. april 7th we will know if it is a mr. or miss britton...CAN'T WAIT!!!

Music to My Ears!

(I'll get to this picture in a minute...)

Today was one of the most nerve-wracking days I've had in a while...to say the least. I woke up after a rather sleepless night to find ice and sleet STILL falling! You see, I've been excited for and terrified of today since December 15th, 2008 (around 1:00pm to be exact). Anyway, Jeff comes home today around 12:45 to pick me up and our car gets stuck in the driveway...STRESSFUL!!! I am supposed to be at my appointment at 1:15 and we are NOT moving. We finally get unstuck (Thank you Chad Watson!!!) and this is when my heart rate begins to rise, for the first of many times.

Back to the picture. It is a Fetal Doppler Heart Rate Monitor. (Just a little clue)

I get to the doctor after trekking through snow, sleet, and ice. As I walk in the front door and go up the elevator again my heart rate rises...to the point breathing is not easy. They call my name and I find myself in a FREEZING room...thump thump, thump thump...After the routine height, weight, etc. I see this dreaded piece of equipment. (I had a bad experience about six months ago with this thing and the sight of it nearly sends me into a state of panic) The doctor starts to listen for a heart beat...and begins to laugh. She says, "I think I heard it but you really need to relax." Apparently MY pulse was so fast and loud it was masking what we were really listening for. A couple minutes later it was loud and clear...MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!!

....and to think around August 26, 2009, the Britton family will have one more member!

A Day (or week) as a Substitute Teacher

For the past two weeks I have been extremely busy as a "substitute teacher." Everyday is definitely an adventure!!! Here are a few things I have seen, heard, been asked in the past days...


(**Keep in mind I have been in classes that range from Special Ed. to 8th grade science....during the "human reproduction unit.**)


1. Watched the first 45 minutes of Ratatouille...SIX times in one day!

2. "Are you even old enough to teach?"

3. "What are ______?" -fill in the blank with any body part that you would be extremely uncomfortable discussing with a 13 year old.

4. "So you just got married?" Yes "So your pretty serious with the guy...???" -of course then the rest of the class burst into laughter!

5. "Are you actually from Britain?" No...it's just my name.

6. Had to remind a student to keep her mouth closed and swallow....so she wouldn't constantly drool on her desk (I am in no way making fun of the student! Sometimes I just look back on a day and I'm amazed with something I did all day and it didn't even faze me.)

7. Peeled an orange for a girl and got yelled at by her aide..."Now she'll be expecting something ELSE from me during lunch!!!!"......my blood began to boil. "THAT IS YOUR JOB!!!!"- I wanted to respond, but instead bit my tongue.

8. Played with play dough.

9. "Are you our sub?" Heard that a million times.

10. Had a birthday party for one of the MR girls! So fun to see the special ed kids with their party hats and noise makers. (They constantly remind me to find joy in the little things)

11. Caught my self talking loudly to a deaf student....it didn't help :-)

12. Trying to remember everything I knew about To Kill a Mockingbird

13. Had my seat saved for me in the lunch room everyday for three days straight....I just couldn't say no, the little girl was so sweet! (Other teachers may have given me funny looks, but I had fun!)

14. Harassed by eighth grade boys during "sex ed." I was so proud of myself....I don't think I even blushed once!

...the list goes on....many more in the months to come!!

thisiswaytoolongandcomplicatedtobeanemailaddress@something.com

So it's been a while since I've blogged...a lot has happened, I just can't seem to condense the highlights into a good blog!

I had SO much fun in Disney World! Thanks Tootie!
Christmas was great, as usual! I am so blessed to have wonderful families to share holidays with!

Anyway...I've started coaching club volleyball again (my fifth year...makes me feel old).
I always ask for the girls emails along with their phone numbers because it's easier for me to write a group email than to call 9 different homes and the 9 more cell phones....
So last night I sit down to get organized and put all the addresses into a "contact group" and I NEVER knew how long and "creative" 15 year old girls get with their emails?!

Here are some examples:

omgitstaylor2338@____.com
chihuahua_luverlol@___.com
diskochik3789@___.com
hfergie_catnip21@___.com
sorrydad93@___.com

**If you ever need help coming up with a quirky screen name, account name, or email let me know. I've got just the girls for you!