26 Wks and 2 days

I can not believe where time has gone. We have been very busy here at the Taflinger house. Since starting back at school for the semester I have been more tired and busier then ever. Chad has done such a great job in doing more around the house. Other than a few interesting dinners, he has really helped out. The first Tuesday of February we started our Child Birth Prep. class. We have really enjoyed the class and the people there. It is fun to talk about funny stories to the other pregnant women. I also think the class has enlightened Chad. :)

At our last class this past Tuesday, we took a tour of the maternity ward. Although, there were a lot of nerves among our group, you could also see the anticipation. After talking later with my mom, I realized that most women in my family labor really quick. So I have already ordered my mom to start getting prepared by packing a bag for her and my dad in the car. I know, we still have a while. But you just never know! :)

Landen has become more active. I love the feeling of him moving around. I think he is going to be a past pace little boy. (he gets that from the Taflinger side) haha :)

On a different note, I found out that I do not qualify for FMLA. Which means that I do not get a paid leave and that it will only be 6 wks. My boss realizes I want to take more time off, however, they are not able to work with me to do so. She also let me know that I will not be able to come back part time. So, I've been pretty bummed at work. I am looking into other possibilities to work somewhere part time. I can't imagine working full time and going to school on the weekends. I would never see my little man. And the thought of leaving him already makes me sick to my stomach. So please pray that something will come up. Although my dream would be to stay at home full time, Chad and I would not be able to afford that. So, if you hear of anything, let me know! :) :)

Here are a few pictures. We celebrated Chad's 25th birthday this past wkend. We went to the Loon Lake Lodge Restaurant where we met the Taflinger family for his birthday dinner.

Here is Chad and our nephew Caleb!

Chad and I!

25 wks and 4 days!

This past week I got really sick. It was awful. Thought this was a cute picture though. Not staged, Buster decided to come lay down with me and he brought his blanket since I had mine!

Until later, we love you all. Keep little Landen in your prayers. We can't wait!!!!! :) :)

22 Wks and 4 Days!!!

Today we are at 22 weeks and four days. As I am getting very excited for little Landen's arrival I love knowing that he is safe inside of me. When his little foot kicks its always a wonderful feeling knowing that he is moving around. I'm starting to see what his schedule will be like when he first arrives by how often I awake because his moving. However, I wouldn't change it for the world!

As you all know, I was raised in a pastors family. I loved being the PK and all the fun adventures my family went through. Since moving to several different churches I always wondered what it would be like to have a church to call home where I wasn't the PK anymore. East Side Church of God has became my home. I can't wait to share Landen with my church family. Last Sunday, Pastor Mark read a verse that I have heard many times before. However, I looked at it in such a different way. This prayer is for our son, Landen.

"We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives." -Colossians 1:9

We can't wait for his arrival!

Here are some random pictures:

Here is me at 21 wks and 4 days!

Sky is already taking over the baby toys. My nannie would not approve of this. I promise, I will clean it spotless! :)

The nursery! You can't see all the cute stuff we have. We haven't gotten all the stuff up yet. It's coming along. :)

Until later ~ we love you all! :)

"One Awesome Woman"

Dear Sunshine, my wonderful wife. I am so proud of the get job you are doing caring for our little Landen. I am blessed to have a companion like you and Landen will be more blessed to have you as his mother. I am proud that you have worked so hard through school and are continuing to work hard at work, even though it isn't easy. I know there are many frustrating moments, but things will get brighter. Some day all your hard work will pay off and all the people that you have influenced will show you their gratitude. As we enter into the final 4 months of the pregnancy I hope that God will give you rest and that patience will come over you. Words cannot express the excitement that I am experiencing with you and I know that Landen will be proud to be a part of our family!!!!!!!!!!

"Daddy Class"

So, I attended my first and only Daddy Only class this past week and man did I learn a lot. It was fun to sit around with other first time dads to ask and answer questions. We talked about everything from breast feeding, crying babies, the man-cave (sweet room for men to relax in during birth), SIDS, immunizations, up and down times, what to give Landen to help when he is crying, and much, much more. I found out that babies will lose a little weight after pregnancy because milk intake is very limited. I also found out that hand-sanitizer has been proven to be more effective than washing hands with soap and water. I learned that the hospital is open from 10-2 at night to sneak away and get food (that is great to know). I discovered that some white-nosies such as static from bad FM radio stations can calm a baby to sleep. Supposedly crying peeks at 4-6 weeks so I have a little time to prep before then. And surprisingly a newborn only needs changed once on day 1, twice on day 2, and so on until the are 6 days old. Lastly, I found out that diapers are roughly $80 a month with formula being $125 a month, unless pumping (only $35). You can guess what I am shooting for!!!!! Well, after the meeting I have been energized and I am incredibly anxious for Landen to join our family on the outside. I love you buddy and I can't wait till your in my arms!!!!!

20 Wk check up

We went for our 20 week check up last Friday. My parents were able to come up and go with me and see an ultrasound for the first time. It was a good check up. Doctor reports things are moving along good. She said that he is 11 oz, which is a little small but he is growing. When doing the ultrasound our baby did a couple flips. He is VERY active. It is such an amazing feeling when that little foot hits. My dad was so funny. He just couldn't figure out where the baby was. Here are some pictures from the visit:

Look at that sad face! :(

When my dad saw this one he said, "it looks like an alien." haha

His little leg and foot!

Waving hi again! :)

This past week has been pretty hard. I talked with my boss again about going down to part time after the baby comes. She told me that they will not be able to becuase they need a full time person for my job. With going to school and having to work full time, I would never be at home. Please pray that something will work out so that I can stay home more.

On a good note. The name is offical. ~Landen Mitchell Taflinger~ We love it. Chad is going to take a daddy prep class this coming tuesday. And we start our birthing classes next month. I know time will fly by, but it just seems so far away still! Can't wait! More updates soon!

Chad, Angela, Buster, Sky, and baby Landen :)

Christmas and Fun

It has been a very eventful and busy last few weeks. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas at my parents house in Ohio. We spent time relaxing, making food and spending time together. When Christmas day is all over and done with it always brings tears to my eyes. We have to wait a whole year to do this all over again. The time I spend with my family is very special because it seems like are not able to be together as often any more. Lets just pray that my parents can find amazing jobs just a little closer to us so that they will be able to take part in the lives of our children. So overall, Christmas was a great time. Thanks to mom, I finally got the one thing I have been craving, Gobs. They tasted wonderful! :)

Christmas came and went since I had to be back to work the day after. However, we were able to go to Florida with the Taflingers over new years. Although the weather was awful (when i say awful, i mean awful) it was nice to get away and take off of work for a week.

Here are some pictures:

Christmas tree at our house! :)

Two things our my parents Chistmas tree on behalf of our baby boy!

Chad and I at the dog tracks in Florida. Best night! :) Chad's dad even won 272 dollars.

The prettiest night in Florida was our last. Although you might not be able to tell, my belly is getting bigger! :)

We go back to the doctor again this Friday for another update and more pictures! My parents are going to come for this appointment. They are really excited because they have not been given the opportunity to see the baby with the ultra sound in person before. So it should be exciting. More to update then! God bless! :)

Update

We went to the doctor last friday for another ultrasound and update on how little baby is doing. The doctor approved and said that everything looks much better so they are allowing me to be more active. However, since then I have continued to have some difficulties so they are wanting to continue to monitor the baby and make sure it is doing good. So that means more pictures! I love that. Mentioning pictures I love the pictures we got friday. Look how cute. The first one is of the baby's leg and foot. Totally going to be a soccer player! :)

I think this is so sweet. If you look to the right of the picture you can see the side profile of the baby's face. And then in the middle is 3/4 of its fingers. For about 2 minutes the baby was waving at us. CUTE!

Such a growing baby. The doctor said that the baby is almost 8 inches. That seems incredibly long. Going to be a tall kid! Definitely not from me. :)

The baby's heart beat was a strong 148. Doctor reports that everything looks good and approved me to go to florida! :) Yea!

Oh yeah, almost forgot. . . . ITS A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!