December 2010

I hope that this will be the first of a few more updates. We are getting closer to when our next girl will be born. We also cannot ignore that it has been 3 year since we lost the triplets Amanda, Andrew and Katelyn. We certainly do miss them, but know they are happy with Jesus. We look forward to the birth of our 4th daughter, and know that God has blessed us beyond what we believed He could.

It does look like this first week of December will be a tough one for our family. On December 8, Amber will have the cerclage removed so we could have our next girl sooner than we think. December 7, my mother, Grammie will have surgery for a mastectomy. A small lump of cancer was found in her just prior to Thanksgiving. We pray for successful surgery, and a speedy recovery. We hope that Grammie will be well enough to travel here for New Year’s and to see the new baby.

I wish I could have a more joyful update now, but we keep praying and trusting God will pull us through these trials. We just want healthy grandparents (parents) to share these good times with, and the joy of another child in the family. I hope that you will read the other posts from our past year's happenings. I've been bad about blogging, but that is due to Facebook taking more time and attention. We also find it easier to post updates on Facebook than on this blog.

Picture 1 - Family at Bass Pro to visit Santa. This was the best picture.

October – November 2010

October was busy with me going to Tuscon, AZ for the 2010 NWA conference. I was able to present my poster on some recent research. It was good to meet people and do a little networking which can be tough to do. It was good to see the latest research projects and what new technologies were tested for future use. It was good to meet with other NWS forecasters and discuss common interests and issues. Amber took Emma to visit Nana and Popa for the week so we had no worries about them being alone while I was gone.

The other big thing in October was our garage sale. This was a major effort in order to make room for the new baby. We need to free up space in the house and move Emma to her own room. We then made her old room the new baby room. This meant getting rid of some furniture and othe things that were just taking up space. The garage sale ended up being a big success as we made about $550. What we did not sell, we donated to our local Christian re-sale shop.

November was fairly low key as we continued to prepare for our next little girl. Our main problem is that we do not know what the name will be. The middle name will be Faith. The first name will either be Natalie or Addison. With the baby due in January, we need to decide on a name. We also learned that the cerclage will be removed on December 8. So really, the baby could be born any time after that. Our doctor also said the baby was measuring a week ahead of time so we may need to induce labor on December 21. So it looks like we will have our baby girl in 2010, not 2011. I like the tax credit, Amber is just happy to be done with the pregnancy.

We had a low key Thanksgiving holiday. I finished my last midnight shift. We watched Texas A&M beat up on the Longhorns in football. We had a good turkey breast cooked in our rotisserie, and had a family dinner just the 3 and half of us. We look forward to more family Thanksgiving dinners, and a bigger family.

Picture 1 – Emma just looking cute.
Picture 2 – Emma in her Dora the Explorer Halloween outfit.

August – September 2010

August was a bit slower month for our house. Amber improved her condition and we found what we could do. We also found out what it was like to over extend our activities. It was good to have Grammie and Popa visit for about 5 days. It was good to have them help around the house and help us take care of Emma. Emma had rapidly learned to walk, run, and climb anything and everything. It was fun to watch her play and we got to take her out on the swing outside. We got to show Grammie and Popa the water table they bought Emma for her birthday. It was a good visit and we had not seen them since Easter. We missed them.

About a week later, we had some more ultrasound tests done and it was confirmed, we are having another girl!

September was busier for me than it was for the rest of the family. I was finishing up a couple of projects for work, one of which included attending the 2010 National Weather Association (NWA) annual meeting in October. I worked to put together a poster and presentation for the conference. I was also finishing up editing a manuscript on some research I had been working on for the last 4 years. The paper was accepted for publication and look forward to seeing it completed in the next month or two. Uncle Todd, Aunt Julie and cousins Allison and Ian came to visit for my birthday. We had a good time playing at the Kemah Boardwalk, eating at T-Bone Tom's, and Todd treated me to a round of golf. It was a good birthday visit and fun with the family.

Picture 1 – Emma in moma's shoes.
Picture 2 – Emma having fun in her chair.

June – July 2010

Before we knew that Amber was pregnant, we planned a daddy/mommy get away to New Braunfels, TX and Emma would have a couple of days with Nana and Popa. We were going to spend a couple of days at Schlitterbahn Water Park, but with Amber pregnant, water rides and roller coasters were out of the question. So instead we used some Marriott rewards at a hotel in Shreveport, LA. We did some shopping and of course a little gambling for fun. Amber had a good time with the slots and digital roulette. Most of all we enjoyed our time together and got some good sleep without having to worry about Emma. And Emma had a good time with Nana and Popa. It only took us a couple of weeks to undo the spoiling of Emma during those couple of days.

The rest of June was spent watching World Cup Soccer from South Africa and taking it easy in preparation of the cerclage procedure for Amber. The US soccer team did well, but should have gone further in the tournament. After the soccer matches, I was more calm around the family, but got my thrill of top notch soccer. The cerclage procedure was done to make sure the baby would stay put and not have any complications like what Amber had with the triplets. It worked with Emma, and the doctor thought it would be the best thing to do. The procedure was done on July 6, and there were not any problems. The doctor was glad the procedure was done as Amber was slightly dilated already, about 1 cm.

The next couple of weeks were touch and go for Amber. We only had one minor complication that was taken care of by some bed rest until Amber could see the doctor. We then got the okay from the doctor that Amber was good and everything was good with the cerclage. We were also able to obtain a handicap parking permit since Amber was limited in walking and lifting heavy objects. This made taking care of Emma difficult, but we got to do what we got to do. The handicap parking permit paid off as Amber and I were able to attend the MLS all-star soccer game at Relient Stadium. The game was against Manchester United of the English Premier League. It was good to see a famous soccer team play against the MLS, only the MLS stars were not ready for the game. Manchester United won 6-2. It was good to see that many goals. It was a good date for Amber and I.

Picture 1 – Picture of Amber and I at the MLS v. Manchester United game.
Picture 2 – Our view of the pitch at Reliant Stadium for the MLS v. Manchester United game.
Picture 3 – Emma climbing on the step ladder.

Picture 4 - Night time on the river walk in Shreveport, LA.

April – May 2010

April started out busy and slowed down and then got busy again. We got back from our Easter trip to Waco and had to get Emma more shots. We then had a second good zoo trip. We got to see more animals but we also rode on the Hermann Park train. Emma liked riding on the train the best and it was a lot of fun.

The end of April and beginning of May proved to be a stressful time for us. Amber and I had been praying about what to do next as we continue to build our family. We had given a year to take care of Emma, but we wanted to have another child. Whether we conceived naturally or adopted, well we left that up to God. Emma was such a miracle and a blessing from God. We just wanted to continue to see what God had. We both believed God could use us in adoption, but we also knew that God could choose for us to conceive again. We were getting more stressed about the situation the last week of April when we shared our prayers with our small group at church. We wanted a clear answer from God. In the past, we had not had such clear answers. Sure enough, five days later we had our answer from God. Amber took a pregnancy test and it was positive.

So the first week of May, Amber went to the doctor for more testing and also to get some medicine that our doctor prescribed for her the last time when Amber was pregnant with Emma. The week after that, assuming all was good with Amber’s hormone levels, we would get an early ultrasound to check for a heartbeat. This would be when Amber would be about 6 weeks pregnant. Amber was going to go on a trip with Emma to see family and friends in Tulsa, so before she left, we had the ultrasound done. The only problem was that the ultrasound did not show a heartbeat which is not all that uncommon, but Amber’s hormone levels were high. Not only that, there was no sign of a baby anywhere. The doctor thought it might be too early to see a baby, but with Amber’s hormone levels, there should have been something. We are devastated and think it’s the worst – a miscarriage. With our history, it was easy to think this. The doctor did not think it was an ectopic pregnancy, but we may need more tests. The doctor did think Amber could still go on the trip, but to be cautious, Amber waited in Nacogdoches for the results of the tests before going to Tulsa. So the next day, Amber is about to leave but the doctor wants her to go to the nearest ER for a high level ultrasound. Amber had time to drive back home with Nana, and Amber and I went to the ER. Four hours later, at midnight, we got to get the ultrasound. The technician could not tell us anything, but I did have a view of the screen. While I am not a doctor, having seen quite a few ultrasounds, you figure out what to look for. This time I did notice a sac for a baby where it should be located. So I at least had a little hope. The doctor later confirmed the sac, which ruled out the ectopic pregnancy. The ER doctor said it was too early to tell if there was a baby there or not. Our doctor wanted to come back another week for another ultrasound and for Amber to keep taking her drugs.

So a week later with Amber 7 weeks pregnant, her hormone levels still rising, we go to the ultrasound. We had been praying with our small group and family that there would be a sign of a baby. So as I looked on with the doctor and nurse, we found a sac with the baby! Not only that, there was a heartbeat! And it was a strong heartbeat! So through 3 weeks of waiting and stress, we saw God work another miracle. We had a baby that finally decided to appear healthily in the womb. The due date is January 4, 2011. The last week of May, we just took it easy and enjoyed watching Emma walk all over the place and even run!

Picture 1 - Amber and Emma in front yard.

Picture 2 - Amber and Emma on train at the zoo.

Picture 3 - Scott and Emma before small group party.

February - March 2010

For much of February and March it was watching Emma crash into everything as she learned to crawl, pull up and walk on anything and everything. She also fought off several cold and ear infections. We took Emma to the zoo for the first time in March. She got to see lots of animals but mostly just liked watching all the people. Emma and the family celebrated her 1st birth day during March 18 through 26. First there was the birthday party with friends as well as Nana and Popa, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Jennifer and cousin Allie. We got pizza and had a birthday cake and cup cake for her. She had not quite figured out how good a treat the cupcake was, but still enjoyed making a mess. Her tow main presents were a Little Tikes shopping cart and a wooden rocking chair. The chair was her favorite and enjoyed pulling up into it to sit. She was up and down, in and out of the chair all day long. Then the week after the first party, we had another party with Grammie and Popa. They bought Emma an outdoor swing and a water table to play with in the summer heat. Towards the end of March and first week of April, we drove to Waco to visit Uncle Todd, Aunt Julie and cousins Allison and Ian. Grammie and Popa were also there to visit and was the first time our family had all been together in quite some time. We celebrated Emma’s birthday again, but also celebrated Todd turning 40. While there we went to Emma’s first Easter egg hunt which she seemed to enjoy. At first she was not sure, but finally got the hang of getting eggs. She had just started to gain balance and walk on her own. She just was not quite ready yet. Next year I think she will be roaring to go and have a blast. We all went to the Easter service at Todd and Julie’s church. We then had a family Easter lunch/dinner, and the next day we left to come back home. We had a good two weeks visiting lots of family and friends.

Picture 1 - Emma eating cake.
Picture 2 - Happy Birthday!
Picture 3 - Fun with a ball.

January 2010 - Can we all be well for once?

After having a good Christmas with Nana and Popa, I learned that I was not the only one that was hurt. My brother Todd broke his arm sledding at my parent's house in North Carolina. He's had a tough recovery with some plates in his arm, but for the month of January, he is making progress. Not only that, but for New Year's I decided to take a good week off for vacation to get some stuff done around the house and to have some good time with Amber and Emma. It turns out that Amber got bronchitis, so I watched Emma for a good 2-3 days straight until Amber's Z-pack antibiotic worked. Well, Amber got well just in time for me to go back to work. Certainly not what I planned, but life happens. That seemed to be a common theme around here too. The next week we noticed that Emma had not been feeling like herself and pulling on her ears. This usually means an ear infection. Since we needed to see the pediatrician for Emma's 9 month check up, it worked out that her appointment was on that Wednesday. So we waited a day or two and since Emma was not doing better, it was good we could go to the doctor. Sure enough, double ear infection for Emma. So Emma was on a 10 day dose of amoxicillin. We found that quickly that Emma is not allergic to penicillin which is good, but her body does not handle antibiotics very well. Blowouts galore! Still, the medicine seemed to be working, but we noticed she was still not quite herself about a week later.

So when you think it could not get worse, it does. Amber's grandmother, Nanny, had another stroke while Amber's mom was visiting in Tulsa. This time, it was not good, and it looked like she would pass away in the next week or two. It ended up being sooner, and on January 19, Nanny went to be with Jesus. This meant us packing up and driving to Tulsa on Thursday. The memorial service was on Friday the 22nd (Happy Anniversary to my parents!). We had a good visit in Tulsa and I left to come home on Sunday. Amber and Emma stayed with her mom a couple of days longer. But again, on Sunday, Emma started acting up, so Amber took her to an urgent care. Sure enough, the ear infections were not gone. So now Emma is on a Z-pack antibiotic for infants. So far this past week, it seems to be working. So, January has been a rough month trying to get well and healthy for the whole family. We are also saddened to see Nanny go to be with Jesus, but we know that she is in a better place and no longer suffering from Alzheimer's. During our week at Tulsa, Emma had decided that she may want to try walking. Right now she has a push cart toy that she loves to walk with. We'll see how long it takes, but I do not think it will be long. She is growing up quick!

Picture 1 - Kline/Overpeck family.
Picture 2 - Emma at memorial service with Popa.
Picture 3 - Nana and Popa and Emma.