Baby girl's name

In June of this year, we discovered that we were expecting our second child. Shortly after, it seemed apparent that a miscarriage was inevitable, and were told by our medical service provider that there was nothing that could be done. “Nothing” however, did not include prayer, and it was the Lord who answered these prayers and has allowed us to continue carrying our “little girly” to date almost four months later. To this end, the name, Jenae meaning, “God has answered,” was selected to memorialize this and honor the One who answers prayers.

Jenae is also Lauryn’s middle name. This stimulated the idea of providing a unique combination of her parent’s names for our daughter, which seems to be an uncommon tradition. We have therefore chosen to give her the name:

Jenae Danielle Falkenstine

Having sustained this small fragile life through such turmoil to date, we firmly believe that the Lord, by answering these prayers has a special purpose for the life of this little lady. Jeremiah 29:11-13 was chosen as the verse to go with her name, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Daniel, Lauryn and big brother Shelden

It's a...

We found out this morning who our little one is. I made a cake in the color to fit the gender and this evening we had a reveal party for our family. We had a lot of fun. Mom and Dad were here as well as Daniel's family that was in town (Uncle Stephen and Uncle Tom). I had everyone choose a napkin in either blue or pink before we cut the cake. You have to look at the pictures to see the color of the cake and find out what we are having. :)

Our little girl!

Play area

I have been trying to do some organization and a little rearranging. One of the things I have done is to fix Little Man a play area. His toys have been scattered around our living room making it seem more like a playroom. Yesterday I got the idea of fixing an area between our couches, so I moved the bookcase and set him up with a few more little baskets so his toys aren't all piled into one. Now he has little baskets for his blocks, balls and books as well as the two (one for his stuffed animals and one for all the other toys) he had before. Hopefully now toys won't be the first thing that hits you when you walk into the house. So far he seems to love it, he always has liked that corner anyway :). I don't mind him playing in the middle of the room either, but I am hoping to contain it a little.

My china

At one of my bridal showers a dear friend of Daniel's family had given me a place setting of her china (which she had had for many years), with the intention of giving us all of her 12 place settings as well as the serving pieces, but her caregivers found out and put a stop to it. So, I had given up on ever receiving the rest of it. Then this past week I had a wonderful surprise! I received the china, her lawyer went to the judge and obtained permission for me to have it. It was such a blessing and reminder to me that the Lord cares even about small things.

A picnic

Daniel sprayed for ants this morning before leaving for work. Since Little Man and I had to be out of the house for awhile. I packed up his cereal and we headed to Starbucks, where mommy was going to get her breakfast. I brought his little chair along, and figured it would be easier to set in the car and eat rather than trying to find a place to feed him inside. So, after pulling through the drive thru and ordering my breakfast I parked the car and got Little Man out of his car seat and set him up in the front. He seemed to love our little "adventure" and have fun on his first picnic.

Little cuddle bear

Labor Day

Our Labor Day was relaxing. We decided to try the paddle boats at Hermann Park. We had a lot of fun, Shelden just wasn't sure what to think of his straight jacket... er I mean life vest. But, he did enjoy the ride all except for when we went under the fountain, which he wasn't a big fan of. I thought it was cute that whenever the wind would blow he would say "Ahh" :)

Ready to go! With his sunglasses from Mimi and Granddad :)

After our ride, Daniel surprised me and took me to a little shop called the British Isles. I think I have a new favorite store. :) They had so many pretty teapots and china tea cups, they also had some British food. I had a lot of fun looking around. Shelden also enjoyed it as they had display of Peter Rabbit things (which he loves to watch).

Our day was finished off at T.C.B.Y. where Daniel and I enjoyed some good frozen yogurt and Shelden had his Yogurt Melts.

16 weeks

So, I am now 16 weeks. Lord willing we find out on the 23rd what we are having. Anyone want to take a guess? You have a 50% chance of being right. :)

18 months!

The 27th of August was our 18 month anniversary. It is hard to believe how much has happened in that short time. We have a precious 9 month old and Lord willing before our second anniversary we will have another sweet little one. The Lord has blessed us so much!

To celebrate our first 18 months as husband and wife, my sweet husband brought me home the prettiest miniature rose bush.

The lighting doesn't do it justice

He also took me out for dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. Mmmm! I think I almost ate all the Spinach Dip by myself. :) After dinner we went over to Borders bookstore and walked around looking at all the clearance stuff.

Before we left for dinner.

Grandmommy and Uncle Thomas came over to watch Shelden.