What we have been up too...

Central Coast Railroad Festival 2009

Pumpkin Patch

two more pics...

Just like daddy!

TWO YEARS

Today at his 2 year well check
The day Kate was born
Mother's Day 2009
4 months old
3 weeks old

Two years ago today, my life was forever changed by the sound of YOU crying as they placed your slippery body on my chest. You looked directly into my tear filled eyes as I held you in disbelief. Your Daddy and I kept saying, “He’s ours! Can you believe it! He’s finally here!”

The two years before you were born, our hearts were heavy and longed for a baby. After two miscarriages, I started to accept and embrace that God’s plan for us to become parents might look different than I had expected. I had no idea how it would all play out.

THE BROKEN ROAD

Two weeks after our second miscarriage Eric was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I can remember the numb feeling that came over my entire body when the doctor told us that surgery was necessary. Our entire mindset changed in an instant as we realized that our focus needed to be on getting Eric well. One night while we were lying in bed just a few days before the surgery, I told Eric that maybe God was allowing this because we weren’t supposed to have biological children. Eric said that it might God’s plan or maybe God was allowing this trial so that when we did have our own children HE would get all of the glory. Eric reminded me of Gideon’s army in the Bible and how God may be reducing our army as well. After surgery our chances of conceiving were literally cut in half.

You can imagine the shock when TWO pink lines appeared on the pregnancy test only 3 weeks after Eric had the cancerous testicle removed. We both laughed out loud as I dreamed about the possibility of a baby in 9 months. With my history of miscarriages I was obviously NERVOUS and was monitored closely throughout the first and second trimester.

THE MOST WONDERFUL SOUND IN THE WORLD

It was rather humorous those first few months of pregnancy. Eric was feeling the effects of the radiation killing any cancer cells that may have been left behind and I was feeling the effects of my body nourishing your tiny life. We both spent the evenings on the couch exhausted and nauseous. One thing was for sure, we were thankful. We had our first ultrasound scheduled when I was six weeks pregnant with you. We waited as the doctor started to examine me with the ultrasound machine. It was so quiet I thought I could hear my own heart beating until the doctor said, ‘That’s the sound of your baby’s heart beating.” He pointed to your tiny heart as it pumped blood through your body. Your daddy and I both started to cry as we heard a sound we had never heard before…the sound of OUR baby’s heart. You’re heart.

FOREVER CHANGED

Two and a half years later our house is filled with the sound of your sweet voice singing the Firetruck song or laughing as we all wrestle on the floor. I love that Daddy is your best friend and you love emulating everything he does. I love the way you still cuddle me in the mornings as we watch Sesame Street and sing the Elmo song together. Your name means rest and comfort NOAH PAUL You have brought us much comfort and although I am more tired than I have ever been in my life, my heart finally rests. Thank you for changing our lives! We love you more than words can express Noah. God will use your story to bring Glory to Himself. It is my prayer that you will seek HIM and follow HIM all the days of your life.

Summer Fun

Noah and Eric hiking Bishop's Peak.

The new "big boy" haircut! We cut it a little too short!

The top of Bishop's.

Dress up time! Over the top but so cute!

Here are some recent pics of the kiddos. We are doing great, but I have a hard time finding the time to post. That said, ENJOY! Oh, and if you check our blog, let us know!

One month as a mama of two!

We are still here and doing well. I think I forgot how hard it is to live on little to no sleep, but we are hanging in there. Kate is a sweet baby and doing very well. She had her 1 month check-up this morning and weighed 10 lbs 8 oz. She is in the 90th percentile for weight and height. She can be fussy at feeding time, but other than that, she is very mellow and easy. Noah is a great big brother and has adjusted quickly to his new role. He learned how to give Cake (his name for her) her pacifier and then proceeded to do a 1 minute celebration dance while singing, "I DID IT!". We love our little family and are so thankful for God's gifts to us!

She's Here!

Kate Lauren Soderin

May 26th 2009 at 5pm

8 pounds 13 ounces 21 inches long

Everyone is doing great! More pictures and the birth story to come. We are praising God for this miracle of life.

No Baby Yet...

Still Waiting!!
My due date is Tuesday. We'll let you know if anything happens. Please continue to pray for a healthy delivery and baby...and my patience!

Ready for baby!

I found this pic of Noah from the week we brought him home from the hospital. I cannot believe that he is 20 months old and is going to be a big brother! It goes by way too fast!

This is what Katie had brewing. So cute!

37 weeks

With my friend Cole who is due any day!

I am officially full term and officially uncomfortable! I am ready for this baby girl to come! My wonderful friends threw me a sweet shower last Saturday. I was blessed with the most adorable little girl clothes! Washing and putting away all of her new goodies made me so excited to meet her. My friend Katie had been planning on hosting my shower at her house but the shower had to be moved after her son came down with a nasty stomach flu the morning of the event. My friend Megan stepped up and with only a few hours preparation, had the shower at her house. Megan put up a few pictures of what Katie had been planning to decorate with. So creative and cute! I seriously couldn't have felt more loved by the efforts of both Katie, Megan, and all of my friends who helped and attended. Thank you ladies! On another note, our doula will be out of town the 19th through the 30th, so PLEASE pray that this little one decides to come before the 18th! I have a doctor's appointment this Friday so we'll see if any progress has been made. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

36 weeks

I guess I can say that I am officially in the home stretch! I am 36 weeks according to an early ultrasound, but after my calculations as well as the fact that the little one measured almost a week ahead at our 31 week ultrasound, I am guessing that I am closer to 37 weeks. We had an interesting week to say the least, but we are happy to report that the baby is doing great!

I was covering for my partner teacher last Tuesday at school when I starting feeling "weird". I felt nauseous and dizzy and was having contractions that were pretty uncomfortable. It was also a scorching 100 degrees in SLO. Not what my body was used to or liked. After trying to lay down and see if I felt better, I decided that I needed to go home to Los Osos where I was sure to get some relief from the heat. I kept Noah at daycare and thought I'd take a nap. As I was driving home, I started to feel even more nausea. Luckily I made it into my house before I "lost" everything I had eaten that day. I laid down and no matter what position I was in, I was having lots of "uncomfortable"contractions. I tried to eat or drink but couldn't.

On my 12 minute drive to the babysitters house to pick up Noah, I counted 3 strong contractions and realized that maybe they were becoming more regular. By 6:45 I was feeling horrible and having contractions every 5 minutes. I decided to call my doctor. He said it would be a good idea to go to Labor and Delivery and get checked out. I threw some things in a bag while Eric got Noah ready for bed. Our dear friend Holly came over and we set out for the hospital. When we got there, the nurse got all the monitors set up and sure enough I was having regular contractions and some that I had to breath through. The nurse checked me and I was 1 cm. The doctor had the nurse give me IV fluids to see if re-hydrating me would stop the contractions. We waited about an hour, and although the intensity of the contractions slowed down, I was still having them. They decided to give me a shot of Terbutaline to make sure the contractions stopped. The shot worked and after a few hours of observation we were able to go home.

I had a doctor's appt. and Non-Stress Test on Thursday. The baby looked great and my contractions had stopped. I was also starting to feel better from the stomach flu I must have had. The doctor checked me again and I was 2cm. He said the baby may come early, but at this point I am far enough along that they won't stop labor.

We are so excited to meet our little girl, but I am hoping that she stays put for at least another week.

Top 10 Things You Shouldn't Say to a Pregnant Woman

33 weeks

10. Are you sure you aren't having twins?

9. You look "done".

8. You must be due any day!

7. You look like you are ready to POP!

6. Any pregnancy horror stories are also off limits.

5. You are going to have your hands full.

4. I'm glad it's you and not me.

3. You probably can't see your toes can you?

2. How far apart will your kids be...wow, you guys didn't waste any time.

1. Are you REALLY sure you aren't having twins.

Just a few pics!

Noah loves to help in the garden!

I finished the bird for our girl!

I'm not sure why my ticker says 27 days left. It is more like 6-8 weeks! Close enough!

31 Weeks and Counting!

Here is a picture of her face with her hand over her nose.

We had another ultrasound today with the specialist and everything looks great. The doctor said our baby girl looks perfect. He said that she is "above average" size at 4 lbs. She has assumed the "head down" position too. Yikes! I have plenty of amniotic fluid and because of the size of the baby, he said my placenta is functioning perfectly. Praise God! I am borderline for having APA, but with both pregnancies, my body hasn't shown any signs at all! The doctor even said he doesn't need to see me again. We got a few good looks at her in the ultrasound but unfortunately she wouldn't cooperate when the doc decided to get a few pictures. As far as I could tell, she looks like Noah, but who knows! I truly can't believe that in a matter of weeks our family will be expanding. I am so thankful and cannot wait to meet this little one.

Our little Artist

29 weeks!

Noah loves to draw! He is quite the artist and is very serious when he creates! I am taking him to get his first "real" haircut tomorrow. I'll post more pics later!

24 weeks

Here is a profile picture of our little girl at 24 weeks. Everything is going well and she is growing perfectly! I promise I'll post a few belly shots in a few weeks.

A Quick Update

I need help deciding where I should put the pink bird for baby girl. Any suggestions??

22 weeks in my pajamas!

Our little man.

Here are a few pics of Noah within the last month. He is talking so much and it seems like he learns a new word every other day. He is like a sponge and I am really enjoying this age. We are all getting ready for our baby girl to arrive. Eric is drafting a plan for a closet organizer and I am getting ready to incorporate a few "girl" elements to the room that she and Noah will share. I am saying "she" and "her" because as of now, we haven't decided on a name. I have a few that I like, but nothing that has grabbed me yet. We are also thinking we may keep the name a secret until she is here. It's always fun to have some element of surprise. I am feeling more connected to her and a few nights ago a feeling of love came over me as I felt her moving inside of me. It has taken a lot longer to connect with this pregnancy than it did with Noah, but I am slowly starting to feel a sense of anticipation for our little girl to come and join our family. Only 18 more weeks!