Happy Turkey Day!

We are leaving town tonight for my hometown in Decatur, Indiana. The original plan (there I go trying to plan things again) was to leave at 2pm. It is now 5:30pm. I have a valid excuse. I woke up sick. I've had a sore throat for the past few days, but when I woke up this morning it was full-scale nasty cough, complete with colored mucus. Yum. So, as soon as the clock struck 8am I was calling my OB to get a prescription. I have avoided Rx medication the whole time I've been pregnant, but I knew this wasn't going to get any better with Robitussin. This is my 3rd cold since I've been preggo, and it keeps coming back for a reason. I took my first dose of a Z-Pak this afternoon, along with Robitussin DM, and Mucinex. Yes, all 3! That's what they told me to do, and I'm doing it. I hate the idea of popping all these pills and medicated liquids into my body with my little guy down there, but I think it's better that I get healthy than cough myself into pre-term labor. I can't mix my Z-Pak with Tums....so hopefully the heartburn I've been getting lately will be nice and stay away for the next 5 nights.

I should be packing right now.....................................................blaaaaaaah! I just want cheesecake and another nap, that's all! There are 3 Cheesecake Factories on the way up to my mom and dad's. Hmmmmm...

Ok, so I had my 28 week check-up at the Doctor on Tuesday. Doc said I am right on track with my weight gain and I measured 29 inches from top to bottom on my uterus-I think it's called fundal height? Hudson's heartbeat was 158 and he kicked the sonogram when she was listening to his heart! Little kicker! I failed my glucose test, which means I may have gestational diabetes. I have to go back to the lab next week for a 3 hour test which will determine that or not. I can't eat for 10-14 hours before the test and then I have to drink some nasty sugar-filled liquid. During the 3 hours I'm there I STILL won't be able to eat. I'm gonna starve! They have to prick my finger every hour to test my glucose levels...ouch. It does hurt; I feel sorry for people that have to do that everyday! If I do have gestational diabetes it will go away after the baby is born. I don't really know what I'll have to do if I do have it. I think I take a vitamin supplement...that's what Ashley, my best friend had to do. They also gave me a shot in the butt because my blood type is A- and it's a precaution in case the baby and I's blood mix...then my body would attack him as an intruder if his blood isn't A-. Can't have that!

Must get up and pack. Ugh. Have a happy turkey day! Eat lots of pumpkin pie! I will...

Much thanks to Nathan, who will be helping us tremendously on the farm while we're out of town! We couldn't have left unless the job was covered, so thanks, really.

Congratulations Mark & Caitlin Pike!

The Fantastic Four! ;)

My brother-in-law got married today! Mark has been living with us pretty much the whole time we've lived here in Kentucky. Last year it was just for the summer because he was attending college and living on campus, but this past summer and into this fall he has been here everyday and and every night. I cried like a baby when he moved out on Sunday because he's such great company. Caitlin snagged herself a great guy. So...without any further ado...here are the pictures! (They asked me to take the roll of the "professional photographer" for their wedding and I was all over it! Loved it! My first wedding job! =)

The Pike Valley Farm Crew

YAY!

Unity Candle

Caitlin picking out last-minute scripture.

Brothers! We missed you Daniel!

Mark with his Dad and Mom

Real Quick

I have lots of pictures to post...I feel bad for the delay. It'll happen one of these days. Just wanted to give a quick update on stuff.

Aleah Corrine Bowman was born on Sunday November 16th at 10:08 a.m. weighing 8 lbs 3.5 oz and 19 inches long. She is at home with mommy and daddy now in San Antonio, Texas! Congratulations Kyle and Sarah, I love you guys!

Grace turned 2 on Friday the 14th! I have pictures of that...to come later.

I am almost in the 3rd trimester! Sunday the 23rd I will be 28 weeks pregnant. I have gained almost 20 lbs now. He's kicking all the time and this weekend he tried to put a fist up my esophagus! Ha! I got heartburn for the first time last night and took some tums. I despise people that tell me I look bigger than I should. Bite me. I could gain another 15 lbs in the last trimester and still be in healthy range...so we'll see.

I want chocolate frosted doughnuts and may ask Jennifer if I can take Grace to the bakery with me today once she wakes up from her nap.

I want to take a nap when I'm done blogging.

My nephew, Ezekiel, is on his way in an ambulance to Houston to see a specialist about his eyes. Because he was premature he has problems in that area and he could go blind if it's not taken care of. I spoke with Kristin, his mommy, this morning as they were following the ambulance to Houston. If he needs surgery they will have to stay for 2 weeks. Pray/Hope for them please.

Mark and Caitlin are getting married next week! November 25th. It will be very small with close family by their sides. I'm so excited for them...it reminds me of when I married Josh almost 3 years ago now. Our anniversary is on December 11th. Caitlin is due to have London on the 8th of December!

We are leaving in a week to head up to Decatur, Indiana, where my family lives-for Thanksgiving and 2 baby showers. We will be back Sunday night- the 30th. It's almost DECEMBER!

I am soooo excited about Christmas-I want a tree YESTERDAY!

Tomorrow, November 20th, is the 3 year anniversary of when Josh proposed to me in Indianapolis. Sigh. I still love him so much!! And now we're about to have a baby! Crazy that we've only known each other for 3 years and change. I'm looking forward to the rest of our life together. I want to die old and white haired, in each others arms, while we're asleep. That's my perfect way to die...in his arms, peacefully, together. I'm such a sap. Hehe.

I got my hair cut and colored! I love it! And, no, there is NO proof that coloring your hair while pregnant is harmful. I'm practically in the 3rd trimester anyway, I held off. You would think that women who have already had children know the rules of being pregnant--what not to say to another pregnant woman. Don't you remember all those annoying, advice giving family members telling you what you can and can't do?! Grrrrr. I'm ok. The worst is from a girl I don't even know! She went to college with my husband and has the nerve to question me about stuff. I'm stopping now.

There are a couple of people who have really been by my side during my pregnancy. You have been the most helpful and comforting....so thank you Kim Goodrich and Jennifer Allen. =) There are many other people who have been wonderful, they are just the 2 that I have gotten the most support from.

Doughnuts....mmmmmm.

Go Sarah! Go!

Our friend Sarah Bowman has been in labor for 2 days now and is finally pushing! Go Sarah, go! She is going to be a mommy today! How EXCITING! Her hubby, Kyle, has kept me posted via text messages and by calling me and letting me know how everything has been. Thanks Kyle, and early congrats Daddy! =)

Happy Birthday Grace!

I meant to post these almost 2 weeks ago on Grace's Birthday! I thought I had lost this post, but found it in my drafts folder...so here they are! A day in the life of a 2 year old! Happy Birthday, Grace!


At Gymboree on her b-day!


Diving for the gymbo dolls.

This was a scary concept.

You mean I can squeeze this thing?

Grace and her friend Amelia!

Panera rocks!

Waking up from nap. A little pouty.

Drama Queen

Give me the camera!

Hey, you're making me laugh & I'm throwing a fit here!

So sweet...

How old are you?

So sad...

And we're happy again!

Is there anybody out there?

Where are all the blogs? Am I the only one writing, guys? Come on! I need stuff to read and laugh at! Pictures and videos and more...bring it! We should have a contest....what do you all think?

Ugh...I don't really like rainy days like this. It makes me sleepy. I should be curled up beside a fire somewhere with my hubby, reading a book, and drinking a latte. What an image...aaaah. =)

Cause I Aint No Holla Back Girrrrrl

26 w. 3d

I just randomly had that song in my head. It's by Gwen Stefani. I just wanted to post a picture of my belly that Josh took tonight. We are getting giddier by the day...88 days to go! He's kickin' right now! Actually it's a punch/kick simultaneously! Saying hello! =)

Josh & I last night; chillin' on the kitchen floor, petting our puppy.

Veteran's Day

I would just like to thank all the veterans, young and old, for serving in the military for the United States of America. This morning I feel especially grateful because I am a mother-to-be, knowing that our little boy will grow up in a country where he can say he is free because of the people who fought for him and us. =)

I watched the sky turn light this morning for the first time in a long time. I like to sleep in if at all possible. Instead, I was up at 6am with my hubby. He was getting up to go to a livestock convention, conference--whatever--in Louisville and I just couldn't get back to sleep. I am becoming more and more uncomfortable when lying down with this big ole baby in my belly! But, of course, I still LOVE being pregnant. It's such an amazing thing. Sigh. =)

You guys--I got up and folded clothes and cleaned. What?!! I know, right. I don't EVER put my clean clothes away. My clothes are lucky if they get washed, let alone into the dryer and if they make it that far it's into the basket they go, and stay. Well, we hosted family dinner at our place last night so the cleaning sprint began early in the day. I have a wonderful husband who helped me clean most everything! He put his own clothes away (threw my baskets of clean clothes in my closet), swept the floor, cleaned up the bathroom, took out the trash, helped cook dinner, and ran over to the farm to get a few things for me. He is so GREAT! We made chicken and dumplin's; Teresa brought homemade honey buns with honey butter and Jordan brought homemade oatmeal pie cookies! YUM! The recipe for C&D is VERY simple. I found it on allrecipes.com

Chicken & Dumplin's [Jamie style]

Serves 12 people

2 whole Pike Valley Farm organic chickens =)
1 can cream of chicken soup ------
2 cans cream of mushroom soup -----you can use any kind of [cream of soup] for this recipe
1 can cream of celery soup -----
1/2 chopped onion
4 or 5 cloves garlic, diced

1 frozen bag of mini biscuits

Boil chicken with skin and bone on chickens for about 45-50 minutes. I cut up the chicken and boil in 2 pots because I don't have one big enough to hold both. This works out, though, so I reccommend the seperate pots for each chicken. Save the broth from both pots! Set cooked chicken aside and measure 6 cups of broth into one of the pots. I run the chicken under cold water to pull it apart because I never leave myself enough time to let it cool. Pull chicken apart and put into the pot with 6 cups of broth. Once that's done (it takes forever!) you can add the 4 cans of soup to the mix, the onions, and the garlic. Stir all together and heat on medium for 45 mins or so. Get out that second pot you used and fill with remaining broth. Pull apart and drop your thawed biscuits into the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. These are your dumplins and they don't steal all the chicken "soup" liquid!

All done! This process takes about an hour and a half to 2 hours. Scoop some dumplins and chicken soup into a bowl and enjoy! Kids and adults love this! =)

With love,
Jamie Pike

Little ones.

This is my nephew, Ezekiel Solace Pike. Born August 6th, 2008, 2 lbs 2 oz. My sister-in-law, Kristin gave birth to this adorable little guy 3 months premature. He is doing well in the NICU in San Antonio, Texas. Daniel & Kristin hope to take him home this month! We hope so too. I can't wait to meet him someday! This is a picture of him attempting a bottle from his mommy, Kristin. (Correction: that's a nurse! lol)


This is my beautiful niece, Alexis Rose Marie Evans. She will be 4 years old on January 8th, 2009. My brother Jared and his ex-girlfriend, Chelsea, created my first niece and I have experienced nothing but complete love for her! What an amazing thing to be an Aunt. I just love her like my own. This is a picture of her in Spring of 2008 trying to pick flowers off a bush at my parents house in Decatur, Indiana, where she lives. Well, she lives in that town anyway.
Josh's youngest brother, Mark, is on the countdown to becoming a daddy as well! Him and his soon-to-be wife, Caitlin are expecting their little girl December 8th, 2008! They are naming her London Avery Pike. =) If you look at my previous post you will see photos of her and her cute belly.

So, that covers all of our siblings having their own babies! I just have my one brother Jared and he's got Lexie. Josh has his younger brothers Daniel and Mark who have Ezekiel and soon to be London. We're all grown up! I will say, though, that Josh has more siblings through his step-mom, Teresa, but they are NOT old enough to be having their own babies yet! lol. Let me list them off for you:
Todd-age13 (Correction: Todd is 15!!!) Holy Crap!
Martina-age 11
Jasmine-age 3
Sophia-age 2

Daniel and Kristin: You guys need to get back on the farm soon, all these girls are taking over! Hudson is going to be a stud! He needs his cuz to help him hold down all the estrogen flying around here!

I would also like to mention close, close friends of ours expecting: Kyle and Sarah Bowman are awaiting the arrival of their little girl, due THIS Friday! November 14th. I can't wait to see pictures of her! They live in San Antonio, Texas. Kyle and Daniel work in the Army there together.

Also, Kim and Jordan Goodrich, who live on the farm here in Kentucky. Jordan works full-time with Josh. They are expecting a little girl December 31st, 2008! These are all first-born for all of us!

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for lookin'.

The 1st week of November

Sorry I've been slacking on posts this week! I've been really busy and tired...and growing a baby...ya know. ;) Here are some new pics.

Me & Caitlin (26 & 36 weeks)

Kim, Caitlin, and I watching the guys process ducks.
A beautiful, but windy and chilly day in Kentucky.

Love it.

Mark and Josh cracking up at something.

I took some photos of Mark and Caitlin-she's 8 months pregnant now!

This is my favorite one!

Go Obama! Yay! =) Now we just need gay marriage to be legalized. Boo California. Shame on them.

Halloween

For Halloween I got to take Grace to her Gymboree class and she was a dinosaur. That night Josh and I didn't know what to do. He wanted to go to a party, and then he realized I wouldn't really have any fun in that kind of environment being 6 months pregnant and all. We stayed home and watched tv all night. We felt old and bored. Halloween is our favorite holiday and it wasn't all that exciting this year. Sigh.

So today we painted my belly like a pumpkin! I didn't want to paint it last night and then have to take another shower. It was too funny. Josh got half the smile done and I started cracking up! I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes and he just laughed back at me. Here are some pictures for y'all.

Kim & I at family dinner 10/30/08

Sophie not being shy of my trigger happy finger.

Teresa lookin' cute with her new hair-do!

Me & Sophie

Grace in her dinosaur costume for Halloween.

(The little girl I nanny for.)

Josh cutting up a duck he just slaughtered.

My pumpkin belly!

My artist! Thanks for painting my belly, baby! I love you.