Life Lately

Written by Shannon Leigh

This was a series of text messages that I sent to family on our way to Christmas, the day after we moved into our new house.  Things were a little crazy.
I felt as though it needed to be shared on a larger scale.
Enjoy.


So just to give you a little glimpse into our trip so far…

Ruby wants to wear her stupid purple dress, like she does every day.  I put her in something else and she threw a major fit. So I finally gave in and put some tights on her and threw her in the car.  

We leave the house 2 hours late (mostly because Matt is OCD and mopped our entire wood floor and he can't find any of his shoes).  This lead to him to searching through boxes and leaving footprints on our freshly painted basement floor that we spent HOURS painting.  He didn't find them which leaves him grouchy.  We get in the car as fast as we possibly can.

About 45 minutes later Ruby, in a panicky voice says "I have to go potty!" We both looked at each other.... "Did you take her to the bathroom?" we say. In the chaos of leaving the house neither of us took her to the bathroom and we know once she tells us she has to go we have a very small window. 

So we stopped on the side of the interstate.  We don't have our potty chair, so we tell her she gets to pee in the grass like Izzy (she thinks this is great).  Matt takes her around the side of the car and helps her pull down her tights and undies.  She starts going and pee starts to trickle, no stream down her leg and gets absorbed into her freshly laundered tights.

So we strip her down in the freezing cold only to realize the fresh undies and tights are in her suitcase conveniently located at the very bottom of our trunk.  We finally get her changed and she throws another massive fit because she doesn't want to wear her seatbelt.

We get back on the road where Matt promptly takes  55 NORTH when we were supposed to take 55 south!

And now Max is stirring... Oh well, I pumped a fresh bottle for him to give him on the road.  The bottle that is currently sitting on the kitchen counter, in Mahomet.

Mister Bliss

Written by Shannon Leigh

"You know, your blog still thinks you are 39 weeks pregnant."
Yes, I realize I am about 6 weeks behind in posting about our darling boy as I was kindly reminded by my dear friend Betsy a few days ago.

My sweet little mister has arrived and boy have we been happy and busy.

As I write, Mister is taking his morning nap swaddled in his woombie and Ruby is happily watching (and dancing to) a Charlie Brown Christmas in her purple sparkly dress.
We have settled into a nice little routine around here despite the absolute craziness going on around us.

We are moving into the new house at the end of the week.  We are living out of one kitchen cabinet with food and essentials and every spare minute has been spent packing and NOT napping like I would like.
We have a tiny little Christmas tree tucked into the corner of the kitchen perched on top of Ruby's table.  With all of our Christmas decor packed away we bought purple lights and some cheap colorful ornaments to Ruby's delight.  I was nervous that Ruby would somehow be disappointed with the lack of decor but she thinks it's awesome!  I'm not sure what I was worried about.

Although things are crazy, life is good.  Max in wonderful and Ruby is a rockstar.

After meeting our little man in the hospital we decided to name him

Maxwell Wade Anderson

It was a tough decision but he came back from his first bath with a mohawk and we just knew he was a Max.

I was a bit nervous about having a baby boy after having a girl first but let me tell you- I'd have 12 more boys if the Lord allowed (okay, maybe not 12).

They are just as precious and there is something really special between a mommy and her little boy.
Everyone told me it would be an instant and different kind of love but I was skeptical.
And boy does it happen, and it happens IMMEDIATELY- the second they laid his chubby body on my chest.


All the fussiness of girls (the bows, the shoes, the clothes, the accessories) is stripped away with boys and I just get to love on a precious little bundle without all the stuff.
It's kind of nice.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more precious than a pair of pint sized ballet flats and a giant bow but I am loving the simple striped sleepers and fuzzy, non-accessorized head.

Thankfully my recovery was laughably easy this time.  I didn't have any stitches and let me tell you it's a completely different experience as far as recovery goes.  Nursing has been pretty simple too, aside from some major overproduction in the beginning.  The Lord was kind to me and thankfully within 48 hours I was making decisions out at the house and meeting with our contractor.  Plus Max slept for the first 3 weeks of his life.  It was quite the blessing.

Max is a big boy with a smaller than average head.  We have already put away his newborn clothes, which about killed me.  He likes to be swaddled and loves tummy time.  He is super smiley and loves it when we talk to him.  He is like clockwork when it comes to eating and sleeping.  He generally gives us one 5 hour stretch + another 3 hours at night.  He isn't as great of a sleeper as Ruby was (yet) but we really can't complain and we are hopeful that the 8 hour stretch is just around the holiday corner.

Although our days are crazy, they are wonderful and I am soaking up my baby boy and my precious 2 year old as much as I can.
I'll be back to post his birth story and the meaning behind his name soon!  Stay tuned (I hope it won't be another 6 weeks before I post again but I'm not making any promises).

-Shan

Week 36-39

Written by Shannon Leigh




The end of this pregnancy has been kind of strange.
I am pretty nervous this time around.  I mean I am excited to meet the little man but I'm nervous too.  Life is just going to change so much. Last time I just couldn't wait to hold my new bundle.  This time, I already HAVE a bundle at home and I don't want her to feel neglected or not important… you know, it's that tremendous amount of mommy guilt.  I still can't imagine loving another one the way I love my Ruby.  I am sure I will but I just can't picture it.

Besides being HUGE I have developed a multitude of random pregnancy symptoms this time around.  Oh the joy.
Like pregnancy induced carpel tunnel.  Really?  Thankfully I didn't develop it until about a week before my last wedding (around week 37) but my poor achy hands, especially at night. I finally broke down and bought some wrist braces to wear at night and that has helped tremendously.  You should see me in them, they're sexy. I am just so cool.  I am hoping this symptom will resolve itself shortly after delivery.  My work kind of depends on my hands.

The house has actually become a house in the last few weeks too.  It's been a pretty great distraction from the long hard days that accompany any pregnancy at the end.  We have paint, floors, and siding.  It's coming together nicely.  It's pretty nerve racking to see all of my choices coming together.  This whole thing has been SUCH a long process with SO many choices.  I just hope we made the right decisions.  So far, so good.  I am sure there will be things that we wish we would have done differently but we have been pretty pleased so far.

Last Saturday I had contractions all day, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes apart.  We finally decided to go into the hospital in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep through them.  Sure enough I was having contractions but I seemed to stall out at 4.  They sent me home with some Tylenol PM and I slept until noon.  Since then I have felt fine.  I guess that's why they call it false labor.  It certainly FELT like real labor. BLEH.
We're still hoping that Mister decides to come this week but clearly he isn't in a hurry (and truth be told neither am I).  I would love to soak up these last few days of being a family of 3.  One more weekend would be nice.  The midwives seem to think he is big (no kidding).  They think he will be well over 8 pounds if I make it to my due date.

Whatever happens I am trying to remember that God's timing is better than mine.  Le sigh….

weeks 33-35

Written by Shannon Leigh



Man do I feel pregnant.
It's actually kind of crazy how much more pregnant I feel this time around than last.
This whole pregnancy thing is crazy tough on a girl's body, especially the 2nd time around (Dear Mrs. Duggar, you're nuts).

It's no secret that I am not a big fan of being pregnant.  It's a means to an end.  You get a baby at the end and that's awesome, but truth be told the getting there kinda sucks.
I know it's beautiful and a miracle and all (which it really/truly is) but it just feels to me like a big fat inconvenience with a side of discomfort. I know I sound like big fat ungrateful baby.  I know I am blessed.

Truthfully I have enjoyed being pregnant more this time than last time and I will slightly miss the alien movement I feel in my tummy when he's out.  As far as pregnancy goes, it appears that I have great ones, so really it could be much, much worse.  Although I hurt- ALOT- especially after a shoot (weddings are even worse) I feel decent most of the time.  The contractions seem worse after a busy/physical day but maybe they'll make labor a little quicker this time?  They have to be good for something, right?  They're too uncomfortable to not be doing anything.

My poor house has been so neglected as far as cleaning goes.  Photography is such a physical job that I haven't had the energy to give her a good scrub down in quite awhile.  I have looked into getting it professionally cleaned before Mister comes but man I just don't know if I can justify the cost.  I have light fixtures to buy… for  a house that I don't live in yet.  Come on people.

The bigger I get at this point the more real "getting him out" is.  I guess that's why the end sucks so bad, so you'll have the motivation to push the little booger out.  That part really isn't easy.

Now that we are getting so close I am feeling a bit insecure.
Will I know how to raise a boy?  Will I do ok?
How on earth can I love another baby the way I love Ruby?  My heart feels like it may explode sometimes because I love her so much, could I possibly love another one the same way?
Will a boy feel different?
How will Ruby react?  Will she feel neglected?

The insecurities get me down sometimes but then I remember how sufficient and abundant God's grace really is and how fully he loves me.
No matter how much I love my babies, my Jesus loves me infinitely more.  The plans he has for me are so much better than the plans I could have made for myself.  Remembering this in the moments of chaos is key.

I'll be "full term" in a week and a half.  YIKES…. but We'll see when Mister decides to make his appearance- I am betting at least a week after his due date:)

Stay tuned!

Family Photos 2012- Waiting on Mister

Written by Shannon Leigh

Yes we are waiting on Mister… but enjoying our family just as it is too.
You can check the rest HERE.

Week 31 & 32

Written by Shannon Leigh



Is it really true that Mister and I only have 7 weeks left?  AHH, I'm so not ready.  I'm pretty ready to not be pregnant any more but I am really not ready to have 2 kids…ha.
 Without having a baby room to get ready I feel kind of strange.  There is only so much I can do without a crib, and walls to paint, and art to make, etc.  Plus the fact that I am insanely busy with building a house and working.
My body is a bit worn down but I am still feel pretty good for the most part.

I started having contractions during week 32.  They are pretty annoying but they aren't the real thing and only come occasionally.  I didn't have a single contraction with Ruby until I was in active labor so MAYBE that means the baby will come more on time this time?
Probably not.

In house news we are completely framed and shingled.  We have exterior windows and doors and and amazing clawfoot tub sitting in the master bedroom just waiting for my aching bones. Plumbing and electricity are supposed to be in this week!
Both my body and the house are coming along as they should (mostly).
We'll be back soon with more news!

Week 29 and 30

Written by Shannon Leigh



Since we are now well into week 31 it's hard to remember the happenings of 29 and 30.

I know I am starting to feel really pregnant now and I still have a LONG WAY to go.  That's kind of depressing but we are now into the single digits as far as weeks go.  THAT feels good, at the same time I am not sure if I am quite ready for 2 babies.
I am kind of focused on making it through my last 6 weddings and countless shoots. September is crazy.  
I like to pretend that I'm not pregnant and it works most of the time.  I'm staying mentally strong, that's what I keep telling myself anyway.  Mind over matter.
Mister is really growing now and my belly has finally popped out there.  ha.
He has the hiccups 19 thousand times a day and rolls around like crazy.  We are still not sure if he is head down or breech. I personally think he flips all the time…  if they aren't sure in a few weeks we will do a scan.  I'll do whatever it takes to flip him if he is breech but only time will tell.

With Ruby I couldn't WAIT to go to the doctor every few weeks now I just find them annoying, can't I just tell them when I go into labor?  We've got plenty of time… trust me.

The house is mostly framed now!  It should be finished by the end of the week.
Now we are starting to get to pick out the finishing touches!  Yikes, talk about pressure. SO MANY DECISIONS!