If you need to laugh today...

I read the most hilarious (and realistic) article in Parents Magazine. It allows a new mommy to share her deep and honest thoughts about how her life has changed. Here's my favorite paragraphs - this is so true!!

"I see how people look at me-with that mixture of pity and disgust-in my old nursing tank covered in spit-up and the same maternity shorts I wear every day. I'm like The Elephant Man. I put my daughter in fancy clothes to comepensate for the monster pushing her around. I see the stares. I know what you're saying. You small-pants-wearing Miley Cyrus fan. I just had a baby. I am not always this fat."

And...
"I should have slowed down and enjoyed my freedom more when I had the chance. I used to beat myself up if I slept past eight or stayed out too late. I was a fool. A fool. What did I know? Oh, to do anything at a leisurely pace - shop, eat, read the newspaper-and anything without having to wear a monitor. Waiting. Listening. For her."

But...
"I'll never be sorry for deciding to become a mother, though. There may be no going back to my old body or my old lifestyle, but having (insert child's name here) is worth everything I've had to give up and then some. But you already know that."

Definitely Brothers

We took a picture like one we took of Jake three years ago. It's amazing how similiar they are! Judson has the darker hair. Definitely brothers.

Love at first sight.

Baby Bradford is officially here and so handsome. He came out a healthy 8 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 in long. Everyone kept commenting what a big baby he was! So the perfect name was obvious...Judson Hart Bradford. Labor was incredible and I would do it again tomorrow!! We went in at 8 am and my doctor broke my water around 9. We started a little pitocin around 9:30 and the epidural was not far behind. After the epidural they cranked up the pitocin and I was ready to push by 12:30. Daddy almost missed it because he was having a hamburger downstairs. Who would've thought he would come so quick? 5 pushes later Judson was here!! Giving birth is the most incredible experience ever! It's truly a miracle of God. I am so blessed to have 2 amazing boys.

And thou shalt learn patience.

So for those wondering I have not had a baby yet! I think I got my hopes up and this little one decided he was happy right where he was...in the womb. My last doctor visit did reveal that I had dialated to 4 cm but that hasn't encouraged anyone to make his appearance. I will keep waiting!

I know my blog is soon to be filled with pictures of the new Bradford Boy so I decided to post some recent Jake pics. He is our first love and still a cutie patootie! He is way excited to be a big brother and has much to teach this baby.

The countdown begins....

So I've prayed all along to have an exciting delivery story and to have this baby early...and it just might happen! I went to the Doctor last Thursday and she said I am already dialated to a 2 and 50% effaced, which means I'm moving towards labor!!! She said to go home and pack a bag because I could go into labor anyday OR I could stay this way for the next 4 weeks. Greg was totally freaked out. He asked if we needed to tour the hospital again...um, no. I think I remember where to go! He's worried we won't know what to do and I assured him that I was in charge of pushing and he was there to be my cheerleader!
I have no idea when God will decide for this baby to come but I'm a little worried - still much left to do. I have 2 more girls' events at church, the baby's room is not done, the garage needs cleaning and where is the baby's car seat? I'm on a mission to get things done!!

If only I could go to prom one more time....

So this semester the Lake Pointe Girls Ministry co-sponsored Operation Prom Dress. We collected gently used formals to give to teenage girls who could not afford their own. We are going to sell the rest of the dresses at a community sale on March 21 at the Hilton Harbor from 8 am to noon. All proceeds will benefit orphan care in South Africa. I have 2 amazing ladies taking the lead on this and one of them prayed for 1000 dresses. I seriously thought that would never happen but.......it did! We have over 1000 dresses (both short and long) in a portable at the church. We have bridesmaid dresses, a wedding dress, 80's dresses, name brand, brand new (seriously, the tags are still on), scary-scary and more. I am AMAZED!!! Pinch me for my unbelief because this is amazing! Anyway, come shop! If you need a formal, semi-formal or just something to vacuum in then please come. The money goes to a great cause and we are pricing them from $5 to $50 (that's right - $5!!!!). The lady who prayed for 1000 dresses also prayed to raise over $25,000 - come prove my unbelief wrong again and donate!!

Dreaming of Baby Boy #2

So I found 2 of my favorite pictures of Jacob as a baby. He was such a cute baby (still is...but now he's such a BOY!). I wonder if this next little baby boy will look like his brother or be different? I think Jake is the spittin' image of his daddy. Maybe this sweetie will have some more of his momma in him. I can't wait to find out.