HOME OWNERS!!

     Well, we FINALLY made it to closing. WE ARE BUYING OUR FIRST HOUSE TODAY!!!!! Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited? :-)  Anyways, didn't have time to write a whole lot this morning. My grandparents are coming over in a little while and my Mom will be over a bit later. They are going to watch the kids for us while I go to my prenatal appointment and then to sign the papers. Please pray for us this weekend as we move everything in. I really won't be able to help during much of the moving process as I don't feel comfortable lifting anything too heavy. I had a mini scare yesterday where I fell down some stairs and was freaking out that I had hurt the baby. Turns out, I'm just covered in bruises and doing my best to be more careful. I don't know what it is about pregnancy that makes me feel like a total klutz. :-)
     

Excitement

     Sorry I've been a bit absent in my blogging recently. We found out on Monday that we will be moving THIS WEEKEND into our house! We were scheduled to do the final walk through last night but the seller still wasn't ready for us to do it, soooooo we are waiting until tomorrow evening at 5:15. And all I'm going to say is she better be completely moved out because we are scheduled to sign the papers on Friday at 2pm. After that, the house is OFFICIALLY ours!!!! 
      Friday is also the day of our next prenatal appointment. We get to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time and I am oh so excited. It's hard to believe I will be fourteen weeks on Saturday but I'm thrilled. This pregnancy seems to be going by much quicker than the first two did, but maybe that's because we've been so involved with buying our first house. :-)  
     The kids just woke up so I'm going to get off of here and fix them some breakfast. Then, later today, my sister in law is coming over to hang out for a while. YAY!  Hope each of you has a blessed Wednesday...only two more days 'til FRIDAY!!!

Packing

     The worst part about packing is running out of boxes during a burst of energy. I've been packing items into boxes all day in preparation for our big move. We aren't sure of the exact date yet, but the longest it will be is three weeks...shortest will probably be two weeks. I had forgotten how difficult it is to move during a pregnancy, lol, but hopefully if we decide to have anymore kids after this one, we at least won't have to move during the middle of it. :-)  
     The kids finally decided to take their naps this afternoon. Noah has been a handful these past few days and I'm chalking it up to the terrible twos. It is so frustrating for me at times because I feel like I am dealing with a completely different child. My sweet little cuddly toddler now has a monopoly on the word NO, as often as he says it on a daily basis. He has been hitting, yelling and whining over every little thing. I know it's all part of the growing up process but from the parenting end of things, it is HARD. For those of you who have already been through this stage, you totally ROCK for making it through it!!! Anyone who would like to offer some terrible twos advice, it would be most welcome. 
     I just had a thought occur to me...I really should be cooking dinner. I know that was totally random but it reminded me that I need to quit blogging and get to work, lol. Anyways, hope each of you is having a blessed Wednesday...only a couple more days left to go during the work week!!! 

12 Weeks

    I haven't really posted many belly photos for this pregnancy. Soooo, now that I'm actually showing a bit I figured I would post a few. 
Here is baby Bella or Lucas at 12.2 weeks..

BABY NAMES

     After months of much discussion, Hubby and I have finally came to an agreement on baby names. Before we had children, we decided that we wanted each baby to have a name that had family significance. Noah was named after the Irish family name (Chuck's mom's maiden name) the Whately's. Haleigh's name has a tie to my Mom's middle name, which is Leigh (in the way her  name is spelled) and she was given my Granny Jones' middle name, Marie. 
     Charles Lucas is after our Dads (Charles for Caleb's Dad, and Lucas for mine..well, my Stepdad, but I think of him as my Dad...his name is Luke). Isabella would be given her aunt Rebekah's middle name, Jane. Hopefully this wasn't too confusing. We are just so excited to be able to explain to our children as they get older the importance of each of their names. :-)  And we wanted each of them to feel a special connection to their elders/ancestors. 
     We had a really amazing weekend but I will save that post for another time. After going on a two hour hike and starting Noah on the "three day potty training" endeavor, I am worn out! Ready to cuddle up with my love and watch Celebrity Apprentice before heading off to bed.  

Here, There, and Everywhere

     I posted on my Facebook page a while ago that I was going to try to get to bed early tonight. Seems like I have too much on my mind, though. I've been trying so hard not to be stressed out but so much is happening so fast right now. First, there is the whole house buying situation, Hubby has been applying for new jobs, and we've got baby number three on the way.
     Don't get me wrong. I am THRILLED at the prospect of this house. But the waiting game is extremely stressful. I feel like we're not going to know anything until the last minute and will have to be in a hurry to move. And for someone who likes to plan ahead (and I mean, WAAAAYYYY ahead) this just doesn't jive well. I know I shouldn't worry but it's insanely hard. 
     We are doing fine with our current financial situation but Hubs is just getting a bit, how shall I say it.....bored? Yes, I guess that's the right word. He LOVES his job, but has excelled at it and now is looking to move into a higher position. Not only would this help him to continue to like his work, but it would also be a good raise, which would help if we get this house. I'm so thankful for his current position, but it would be an incredible opportunity if he was able to advance up the career ladder, so to speak. 
      And yes, I am getting super nervous about the newest Johnston's arrival. I am very excited but I know how hard it was after having Halebop. I am required to have another c-section because I've already had two and trying for a VBAC would be very risky. Caleb and I have discussed it and the thought of potentially losing me or the baby in the process isn't an option. Sooooo, a few weeks of major pain and discomfort is what has me nervous. Not the baby so much, lol...that's always the best part of everything. Sure, I have to deal with pain, but it's worth it knowing I've got a little baby to cuddle. Well, make that THREE babies to cuddle. WOW, God sure is blessing us more and more.
     And that's what I have to keep telling myself..."in the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed!" So very true. Anyways, I know this has been sort of here, there and everywhere, but I felt like writing. It sort of came out stream of consciousness style, but that's alright with me. :-)  I really hope all of you have been doing well. Will try to post again soon.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY HALEIGH!!

    Mommy is a few days behind in posting this, baby girl, but a very Happy 1st Birthday to you. I prayed to God that He would bless us with a healthy little baby girl, and then you came along. :-)  I can't believe how much you've changed over this past year and watching your personality develop has been such a joy. I love that you get so excited over the smallest things and your squeals of delight are something I will always cherish. I love that you adore your big brother and even the little ways you try to pick on him. As you become an older sibling in a few months from now, I know with my whole heart, you're going to be a great big sister. I love you, Haleigh Marie.

2 Weeks

One Year