Lexington Life Magazine

Last Month I had the privilage to honor the life of our son, Addison Carter White, with the residents of Lexington, SC . When I was approached by the editor of the magazine to contribute to the article I did not have any hesitations. I submitted my testimony to the magazine and they used what they needed for the mothers day edition of this magazine. It was an honor to have our story featured and my prayer is that if only one person that read it that had expereinced such a difficult experince as losing a baby , they were able to see that through this or any other difficult time, there is always HOPE! Keep looking to God for strength, guidance and wisdom each and every day. He will never leave your side.  There is not one single day that goes by that I do not think of Carter, But the good news is, that I will be able to see him again one day and I thank God for letting me be his mother and for letting me expereince each and every move that he made for the 8 months that I carried him. Even though Carter never breathed a breath outside of the womb, he will be with us forever in our hearts and our lives.  Below is the link to the article that was featured in the magazine. The article is on page 10.

http://www.lexingtonlifemagazine.com/May10Full.pdf

9 Months

This post is LONG over due! I skipped the 8 month post but I am going to do my best to blog on a regular basis. Cole is now 9 months old. WOW has the past 9 months flown by! I can't believe in a few short months we will be celebrating his first birthday!  He is doing new things every day. He is now crawling or should I say power crawling everywhere. He is sooo fast! He is pulling up on everything and he is now getting brave and letting go for a few seconds before he sits down.  I do not think it will be long before he is going to be walking. We have baby proofed the house because he wants everything that he is not supposed to have ( remotes, cellphones, outlets, etc). He seems to understand the word "NO" but doesn't mean that he listens everytime we say it ( which ranges from 100-1000 times per day!)  He loves to dance when music is playing. it is sooo funny! He still isn't sleeping through the night, however he is getting better and putting himself back to sleep when he wakes up in the middle of the night.  He had to go to the Dr. this week and has an ear infection ( number 2 for him) and a viral throat infection. He has one tooth and another one getting ready to break through . He has been to the pool and loves the water. He is also starting to eat more table food and LOVES PUFFS! I think he could literally eat them all day!

I started a new job a few weeks ago. Unfortunelty I was unempolyed the month of May but I do believe it was a blessing. A blessing in the sence that I was able to spend each and every day with Cole. A friend of mine recommended a book to me, Mission of Motherhood , and I begain reading it last month. It is truely a eye opening book and I highly recommend it to any mother with any age child. It is awesome.  I am currently only working part time and get to spend two full days a week with Cole and I love it.  God knows what he is doing with our lives. Sometimes we are reminded that we are not in control and we need to "Be still and Know He is God".

Cole's First Trip to the Zoo

We took Cole last weekend to Riverbanks Zoo for the first time! It was a beautiful day! We went on the Sunday after spring break and it really was not crowded at all.  It was a great day!  Cole slept through some of the zoo but thats ok, we are planning another trip in a few weeks with his cousins Madison and Gracen.  I think Coles favorite animals were the tigers, and the gorillas( because those are mommy's favorites :) ). The zoo is supposed to get Kangroo's soon so we can't wait to see them.

Baby Dedication / 6 Months Old

Dear Time, You can slow down any time now!!! my baby is growing up way to fast!   Cole turned 6 months old last month. He has started sitting up on his own, and trying to crawl. He is army crawling and getting up on his hands and knees and rocking. it will not be long now before he is mobile ! We have ALOT of baby proofing to do.  Cole is a busy baby and loves to be moving and into whatever he can! he is also very inquisitive about things.  Still no teeth but his gums are really red and are hurting him so I am sure they will be popping through son! Cole amazes me every single day and makes me smile every time I look at him!

We also dedicated Cole to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in March at Radius Church. We were so blessed to have friends and family join us during this special day.  It was a very emotional day for me. Our pastor, Todd Carnes, dedicated Cole . Todd also preached Carter's funeral 2.5 years ago. While standing at the front of the church,my heart ached that we never got to Carter to the Lord but then I thought, Carter knows nothing about this mean and cruel world. He is in heaven with Jesus, and I can't think of any better place to be.   Todd and his wife have been such a blessing to us and helping us through counseling and chats as we went through the stages of the greif and heartache. Todd and Keri are such an inspiration to us !

5 Months Old

Cole turned 5 months last month ( gosh.... i am sooo behind)  with posting.... but I wanted to list 5 things about him that are special to me!

1.  He has started to try and sit up by himself. He is ALMOST there!

2. Still wearing some 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 months clothes.

3. Still not sleeping ALL night, but that is OK.. :)

4. Loves his Johnny Jumper and loves watching his praise baby DVD

5. my most favorite time of the day is at night when it is bedtime and I rock him to sleep. i know that i am probably creating a monster by still doing this, but I am ok with it. during this time , we read books, sing and  have quiet mommy and cole time! i love it!

Cole also got to experience his first snow last month!  We went outside for a few minutes ( just to snap a few pictures) I think he was ready to go back in as soon as we got out there! :)

4 Months Old

I know this post is a little late, but better late than never! :)  Cole is growing up so much and changing and learning new things daily! He is developing quite a little personality and when he smiles it totally melts my heart!   Below are some 4 month stats for our little man!   Thank you Mimi for this adorable outfit. It was supposed to be his dedication outfit but, due to RSV we were unable to particpate in the baby dedication at church in January. They are having another one in March so we hope to participate in that one ! not sure if the outfit will fit but it was tooooo adorable to not take a few pictures in :) 

Weight: 15 Pounds 9 oz
Length: 26 in
Size 2 diapers
wearing 3-6 month clothes
eating 5-6 oz every 3 hours
introduced rice cereal
found his voice! :)
still not sleeping through the night , usually wakes up 1-2 times
does not like to take naps during the day ( unless someone is holding him :) )
started grabbing things with his hands
Hands are usually in his mouth
constantly drooling
started playing in exersaucer
Rolls from stomach to back ( when he feels like it)
loves listening to music

RSV

We rang in the new year with a sick baby! Cole had his first sickness the week of new years. He started coughing and we thought he might have a little cold. By Wednesday night he was wheezing and running a fever. We took him to his pediatrician New Years Eve day and he was diagnosed with RSV. He is STILL trying to get over it. We have been doing breathing treatments every 3 hours and giving him tylenol when he runs fever. I think he is def. getting better but his pediatrician said it could take 7-9 weeks for his little bronchial sacs in his lungs to heal :( poor baby!  We were scheduled to dedicate him at church that Sunday but decided to postpone it since he was so sick and we didn't want him to infect any other babies.  His Mimi made him the cutest outfit to be dedicated in, but maybe he will be able to wear it in March. If not, I took some cute pictures of him in it and I will post with his four month old stats :)

Christmas 2009

I know  I am a bit behind on posting, but I am going to try and catch up over the next few days....  We had a great Christmas this year. It was Cole's first Christmas and even though he didn't really know much about what was going on , it still was alot of FUN!  He got so much stuff from Santa and family and I can't wait for him to play with it all.... We had alot of fun visiting with family and friends over the holidays and are so blessed to have such great friends and a wonderful family to be a part of.

Happy Birthday Carter!

Happy Birthday Carter! I can not believe that you turned 2 years old yesterday! I have been thinking about you ALOT  for about a week now and missing you greatly.  Alot has happened in the past two years since you left us. First and foremost you had a baby brother, Cole in September of this year. He has been wearing some of your clothes that you left in your closet. Everytime he puts on something that was yours , I think about what you might have looked like in it. I talk to him alot about you and tell him that he has an older brother in Heaven with Jesus and he will always have an angel watching over him , because you will always be mommys little angel.
Your big brother, Bailey is 9 years old and in the 4th grade now. He plays baseball and is on the go all of the time.
I can't imagine what is like to spend Jesus' Birthday in Heaven and then your birthday a few days later. I am so thankful that you are in a place where we all desire to be and since you left us 2 years ago and I am most thankful for the never ending grace that God has rained down on us since you left us to be with Him and knowing that when you first opened your eyes you saw Jesus!
I love you Carter!
Mommy

Oliver The Elf

Oliver the elf has become a part of our family the past month. Bailey has really enjoyed looking for him every morning. He has been all over our house and we have throughly enjoyed him! Bailey wrote him a few letters and Oliver even wrote back!

This was Oliver's first apperance at our house!

Mike asked Bailey to clean his room one day and Bailey decided to shove everything under his bed and that was his idea of "cleaning"! LOL Well the Oliver sees EVERYTHING so Oliver decided to pull everything out from under the bed and teach Bailey a lesson! :)

One night Oliver decided to play in the kitchen and get into the flour! :)

We are looking forward to Oliver returning from the North Pole next year! We will miss him !  :) 

Happy Holidays!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving we were so blessed to spend it at Lake Wateree at Aunt Lynn and Uncle Billy's house. We were so excited to see all of our cousins and extended family. We were also super excited about meeting one of the newest members of the family. Lily Mahoney.  Lily and Cole are 5 days apart in age.  It was such a great day spent eating a ALOT of food and catching up with everyone.  We have so much to be thankful for. Unfortunetly my brother and his family were not able to come on Thanksgiving day so on Sunday they were able to come down from Greenville and spend the day with us at our house. It was another great day of family, food and fellowship. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I find myself thinking of things that I am thankful for.  Below are a few things that I am thankful for this holiday season.
1.  A God that loves me unconditionally and never leaves my side.

2.  My husband , Mike who is a great father to our children and also a great husband.

3. My Parents who are the best parents anyone could ever ask for

4. Yvette, Mikes mom, who is a great mother in law and a wonderful grandma to our children

5. Bailey who teaches me so much each and every day. Its amazing how smart children are these days!

6. Cole  who makes me smile every time I look at him. He brings so much joy and happiness to my life.

7. My Brother, Ricky  and Sister Dona and their family. I love them so much and wish we could see each other more

8. My Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and extended family- We all live in different places now but that doesn't change the fact that they are still very close to me and I love them so much.

9. My Job and the ability to make a difference in peoples lives on a daily basis

10. My friends - the best anyone could ever ask for!

11. Last but not least I am thankful that I have a child that walks with Jesus each and every day of his life. Even though I miss him more and more each and every day I am at peace knowing that he is in a place we all desire to be one day. He is our little angel and I am thankful that God chose me to carry him for 8 1/2 months.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34


Happy Thanksgiving !

2 Month Check Up

I am a little behind with this post so I am trying to play catch up!


Baby Cole,

I can't believe that you are 2 months already. It seems like just yesterday your Daddy and I were packing our bags and getting ready to go to Baptist Medical Center eagerly anticipating your birth.  We took you for your 2 month check up this month and you now weigh 12 pounds 1 oz ( 50 percentile) and you are 23 inches long ( 50 percentile) .  You did really good with your 3 immunizations you received at your  check up but your mommy didn't. :( She hurt for you and just wanted to take the pain for you.  You are changing every day. You have now started to develop your personality. My heart melts when you look at me and smile and your eyes just shine! I feel so blessed to be your Mommy and I am glad that God choose me and your daddy to be your parents.  Your pediatrican said you are a "very busy baby" and I could not agree with her more. You LOVE attention and already have your mommy wrapped around your tiny little finger.  I enjoy spending time with  you each and every day ! I love you with all of my heart!
Love,
Mommy

Mommy's Little Angel

Cole is changing every day! I can't believe that he is 10 weeks old already. He has definetly stolen my heart. I sit and hold him and think, how can I love someone so little so much. He brings so much joy and happiness in my life. I cannot imagine my life without him. He celebrated his first holiday, Halloween last month. He didn't do any trick- or - treating but there will be plenty of time for that in the years to come. During the past month he went for his first road trip/ overnight trip to Mimi and Paw Paws house. Bailey and Mike were sick so he and I went to stay with my parents for a few days in hopes not to get sick! We really enjoyed spending time with my parents and then visiting my brother and sister in law , Madison and Gracen the following weekend in Greenville.

One Month Ago

It is hard to believe that Baby Cole is one month old. It seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital eargly anticipating his arrival. He is such a blessing to us and we are enjoying each and every day we have with him. He likes cuddling with Mommy and Daddy but Im not sure that he likes it as much as his Mommy and Daddy Do :)

COLE IS HERE!

It has been a few weeks since I posted but as most of you know, we welcomed our sweet baby boy Alexander Cole White into the world on September 1, 2009 at 2:02 pm. I went in on Monday night and they begain the induction process. By the wee hours of the morning the medications begain to work in FULL FORCE and labor begain. My water broke around 9:30am on Tuesday and I begain pushing. After 4 straight hours of hard pushing Cole was not coming. After discussing with Dr. Odom the decision was made it was best that they prep me for a c- section. I was a bit nervous but I knew it was best that we get him here as quickly and safely as possible. So, at 2:02pm I heard the most joyous sound I have ever heard. I heard by little mircle of life, cry for the first time and it melted my heart. I have fallen more and more in love with him each and every day that he has been here. He brings so much joy and happiness to my life! We had to stay in the hospital an extra day because Cole's biliruben level went high and the MD wanted him to be monitored and placed until the bili lights. We were sent home with a bili blanket but he was only under it for a few days and then we had his level rechecked and it was normal. Thank GOODNESS! We had his 2 week check up this week and he now weighs 8 pounds 2 oz :) I am going to do my best to update my blog weekly or more often :) I can not say thank you enough to every one that came to the hospital to welcome Baby Cole and also to everyone that has been praying for us through our pregnancy journey. It was a very emotional pregnancy and even though Cole will not replace my baby boy Addison Carter he definely helps fill some of the emptyness I had in my heart for my baby. I still think about Carter each and every day and I see alot of him in Cole. I am so thankful to Jesus Christ for allowing me to carry one of his children again and for us to have him safe and sound here. God is so good.

SUPRISE SHOWER

I really have been truely blessed with great friends and great co-workers. 2 weeks ago we were "supposed " to have a meeting at the Capital City Club with some physicians about hospice care. Our Medical Director was "in charge" of setting the meeting up and he was arranging getting the Physicians there. Well, this was totally not the case.... When I arrived at The Capital City Club I was met by Tiffany, our Administrator and as we were in the bathroom I was talking about how I really hoped the MD's showed up! Well, as we walked around the Corner, Tammy , our President/ CEO was standing outside the room and said that they were not there yet :( But when I walked in the room, everyone yelled "SUPRISE" . I was totally shocked, overwhelmed with emotion and was completely speechless. I felt so special ! Throughout this pregnancy I have not even thought about having a baby shower and for my friends to do this for me, was so special to me I can not Thank everyone enough for coming and being a part of this special night with me. I will never forget it :) Cole got some really great gifts and he and our family are so blessed. A very special thank you to Tammy and Tiffany for hosting such a great shower! I can not say Thank you enough :)

Ultrasound Pictures

We had an ultrasound at last weeks appointment.. Appointment went great. Baby Cole weighs 4 pounds 10 oz and his heartrate is 149bpm. My blood pressure is good and so far ( knock on wood) I have not had very much swelling. I am starting to get a bit uncomfortable at night but I truely think it is God preparing me for many sleepless nights that will occur upon his arrival. :) Enjoy the pictures of our precious baby boy :)