Just Saying Hello

It's been awhile since I posted on this blog and since I am sitting at my computer right now (a rare thing these days), I figured I'd write something just for kicks and giggles.

Speaking of kicks, the baby boy is kicking me like crazy right now. He is very, VERY active in my tummy, and he seems to be more active than PJ was at this time. But who knows? I could really feel her moving a lot, too. I just consider his activity a good sign. Also, I keep telling myself that he is developing and growing so rapidly, which causes the occasional nausea STILL to occur (it seems to be at least a weekly event). That is me trying to stay positive and focus on the GOOD of the situation and not the negative fact that I often feel sick (ugh)!

We are 28 weeks and the due date is 82 days away! Although, I do not put much weight into that date considering PJ was 12 days late...I'm not expecting him to be "on time" either. It would be GREAT if he came a little early but I'm not really expecting that! Let's just pray for a smooth labor and delivery no matter when it happens.

Payton Joy is truly living up to her middle name - a SHEER JOY of a child! I seriously cannot believe how precious she is, how fun, how smart, how sweet, how affectionate, how...oh, the list goes on and on. I wish you all could experience the PJ that WE know on a daily basis. I just cannot thank God enough for giving us the sweetest little girl in the whole wide world! Parenting Payton has been a pure blessing in every way. She has set the bar quite high...I know our son will be different but I hope parenting him will be just as precious.

Michael is already treating him differently in my tummy! He says endearing statements such as, "That's MY BOY!" or "Don't poke around on MY boy!" (usually when I'm complaining about the baby hurting me and I try to move him around). It's so much fun to see Michael's excitement about his upcoming son. I love it. We truly cannot wait to meet him!

I am heading home to Springfield one more time next weekend to attend my 15 year high school reunion. I'm looking forward to catching up with high school friends and, of course, spending some time with my family. My sister-in-law is throwing a baby shower for me before I leave so I'll have the chance to see hopefully MOST of my family at that event. This will be my last trip home until next summer! We will have our hands quite full once our son arrives mid November...so everyone will have to schedule visits to come meet him. Only one family at a time, please, because we only have the bonus room for sleeping accommodations. :-) But I truly DO hope everyone can come visit eventually.

It is well past my bedtime and I need a snack. It's good to write again. This is something that I miss but just have very little opportunity to do these days with little PJ running around. She doesn't really like it when I'm on the computer for very long. Oh well, these years fly by...and then I'll be back at my computer in no time...probably missing my "babies."

Take care and God bless you all!

And the gender is...

A BOY! Yep, that's right. PJ is going to have a baby brother! Michael and I are so very excited to anticipate the arrival of our second child who was confirmed as a BOY today at our ultrasound. Michael was so excited, he said his heart was beating really fast as the technician started to announce it to us. What a blessing to have a girl and a boy! Below you'll find the ultrasound images. First, you'll see his feet! Then his boy parts, and finally his beautiful full body profile!



NOW, I get to focus on decorating the BOY'S room! We don't have a name picked out yet so don't even ask. We'll be sure to announce it when we do make the decision. :-) Thanks to everyone for your love and support and PRAYERS. We love you!

The Ghaffari Family

Payton Joy is going to be a big sister!

I figured it was fitting to make this great announcement on Mother’s Day. Michael and I are going to have Baby G #2! We are 12 weeks along and the baby is due 11/21/10, which is about one month before PJ turns two years old. They’ll be 23 months apart! I know it will be challenging to learn how to juggle the responsibility of two children but I sincerely believe God has given us the ability and the GRACE to handle it as it comes. We are very excited and looking forward to welcoming this new baby into our happy life.

We definitely welcome your prayers for us as this pregnancy matures. We’ve had two appointments and heard the heartbeat last week! We also want to pray for Payton’s transition from only baby into big sisterhood…and Momma’s transition as well! It’s hard to think she won’t be “our baby” anymore…but this is life and it’s a wonderful blessing that we’re happy to accommodate.

Any advice you mothers/fathers wish to share with us about transitioning into parents of a toddler AND a newborn would be appreciated! We humbly welcome it (you can post your comments on this blog). Thanks again for your prayers for our family. We love each of you!

The Ghaffari Family

Just chillin...and dancing?

We were listening to praise music this morning, and PJ laid on the couch to eat her cheerios...and I captured this on video. PRICELESS!

Valentine's Date 2010

Michael surprised me with this special belated Valentine's date...and it just so happened to be Eric & Leah's ONE year anniversary celebration, too. Dinner at Flyte and then Harry Connick, Jr. LIVE at the Ryman. What a night for all of us!

Walking in...Nashville (close to Memphis!)

Little Miss Payton Joy decided to walk all by herself today! Michael was playing with her and goading her to walk from him to the couch and then, all of a sudden, she stood right up from where she was sitting (without our help OR our suggestion) and balanced on her own two feet! Michael saw her and started chanting, "Go, PJ, go!" and off she went! Up...step, step, step...down. Then up again, five or six steps, then down again. After about 20 minutes of that same activity, she realized just how strong and capable her sweet little chubby legs were and she gained loads of confidence! We caught it all on video...so here you go. PJ's first day of walking in...Nashville!

P.S. Today is Tenley's birthday - so happy birthday, TRH! PJ decided to give you a special birthday treat today just by walking all alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYrO4MZXSpI

Flu Season...pptthh!

Well, PJ has contracted her first REAL viral infection (or so I'm assuming that's what type it is). She started coughing and having a runny nose on Saturday. This morning, her temp spiked to 100.9 - apparently, that's not high enough to warrant a doctor's visit. My pediatrician's nurse was super helpful over the telephone with me and told me that I was doing everything right (yay, me!). It just really hurts your heart when there's *nothing* you can do for your baby once you've done everything...ya know?

She is a trooper, though! Once the baby ibuprofen kicked in this morning, she attempted to push around her stroller or play with her toys for about 45 minutes. That was all she could handle, and then she was back in my arms. We've been reading a lot of books over the past few days because she doesn't feel like being active. It's a nice break for me since I don't have to watch her like a hawk, however, it means I cannot get anything "done" in the house. I told Michael last night, "She's only sick for a few days (God willing) and then life will go on...everything else can wait if my being here for her (to hold, to cuddle, to read, to suction her nose countless times) is what she needs then that's what I'm going to do!" He just mumbled in agreement as he nodded off to sleep...and then today, I sent HIM the grocery list. HA! :-)

So please say a prayer that our little PJ gets better sooner rather than later. Thanks!...oh, and I want to send a big shout out to my pal, Tenley Hardin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY on February 5th! :-)