New house,no post! :(

So here's a little update on whats been going on in our life..

    We finally moved into our new house that we've been waiting on since May! :) Very very exciting for us! The only downside is we only moved in two weeks ago and we don't have internet OR cable yet. We were going to get our first months bills in order first then worry about getting the rest later.. But I think thats changed and I'm hoping to get both, internet and cable this upcoming week. I'm pretty tired of watching the same old DVDs, we also have VERY little service unless we're in the living room so we're investing in a cell phone service booster too here pretty soon.  All this is the reason my blog has been behind on posts!

We also went to the doctor January 14 and saw our sweet little wild man! Everything is great with him, 15oz! Almost 1 pound, mommas big little man! I go back Feb 11th for my glucose test, I dread it. I've heard the drink is disgusting BUT I'm ready to get it over with and I'm happy we've made it this far! I'm currently 23 weeks and 1 day..

Last Sunday we got a new puppy! A 6 week old Golden Retriever/Boxer mix, she'll end up being HUGE and probably an outside pup but right now she's in and very sweet, LOTS of energy though. Precious as can be. Maximus loves her but get annoyed if she wont settle down while hes trying to get his beauty rest.. Before she came along everything was so laid back and routine, she came in and stirred things up!

1/23/13 I felt Mason Drake "swoooosh" across my tummy! I'm pretty sure I could literally almost feel toes lol. I screamed seeing as how that was the first time he's ever done that, I immediately told Curt to feel my belly and sure enough- Mase done it again! I was so so excited, we were crying and laughing, etc.. It was magical. No other words can begin to describe it- magical, blessing. He hasn't went for more than a few hours without moving since Thursday night. I'm loving it! He loooooves singing time, as soon as I sing an upbeat song he starts moving. Words can't begin to describe how much I love my crazy little frog boy. I'm so blessed to be his mommy! I thank God every single night.

Q & A- Living with Harlequin Ichthyosis.

I've been asked to do a video answering questions about living with Harlequin Ichthyosis. I've also been asked to write an article on being pregnant with H.I seeing as how I'm literally the first person whose ever been pregnant that has this skin disorder. I'm honored to be an educator on this topic but in order to answer questions, ya'll have to ask me questions. I've already received more than I expected but I'm always welcoming more. I've said a billion times, I'd rather someone ask vs. assume.

So ask any question you'd like! Personal is fine as long as its respectfully asked and not vulgar. Aslo, Curt will be answering questions as well. Questions for him? Ask away!

To ask us questions click on our:
Formspring anonymously or add your name. 
Stephs twitter, Curts twitter,
 YouTube Channel, Facebook or as a comment on this blog! 

A mothers love begins before the child is born.

"A mothers love begins before the child is born." I've often heard this quote, liked it but never knew what it truly meant... Until now.

September 21, 2012- My life changed completely. The way I thought, looked at life, loved, appreciated life all changed in an instant. It was almost like God grabbed my face and said "You're gonna be a mommy now, in control of someone else's life. They're gonna depend on you and need you.". As I've said many times, Curt and I both wanted a baby SO bad and we were taking the needed steps to have a baby but it was still such a shock when the two pink lines showed up.

I loved my sweet baby as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I remember asking my momma if it was normal to love someone so soon, we're talking hours after finding out. I fell even more in love with him after going to my first doctor appointment and seeing his bean-butt on the screen. Then my second appointment was even better, I heard his heartbeat! The best sound I've ever heard in my life... So strong, healthy, loud. I wanted to record it, put it on a CD and listen to it constantly, forever. No words to describe hearing my sons heartbeat for the first time. Last visit was my third one, I was 17 weeks. We heard his heartbeat again which was just as wonderful as before but this time we saw him. He went from bean to boy in a few weeks! He's the cutest 17 week old (Currently 19) fetus I've ever seen. No mistaking either, hes all boy. He made sure we knew that! Lol.

I never knew it was possible to love someone so much. I worry about him constantly if hes not moving or if I get a weird feeling then as soon as I get to the point where I'm almost in tears, he'll kick or move and make sure I feel it. Hes already rotten! Kinda like saying "Gotchya momma!" lol. I'm only halfway done (or a week away from being halfway done) but I feel like I know him. Is that normal? I mean, I feel like a really know him. I dont know how to explain it, I guess just really really bonded with him.

He's so funny cause my momma is crazy about him and he'll kick for his daddy, momma and aunt (my little sister) but when my mom puts her hand on my belly he'll quit instantly. I'm telling you, he's a butthead! haha!
Curt will sing to him and talk to him forever... He's an absolute wonderful daddy! He makes sure I'm eating right and often. He gets us whatever we want (or whatever I'm craving), he's amazing! But I knew that before I even got pregnant. :) As soon as we went to my 3rd check up, the nurse took us back to the ultrasound room and we saw his sweet face, hands, feetsies, theeennnnn I heard Curt scream "ITS A BOY AINT IT!?" lmao! Funniest thing ever! The nurse said "Yep, he's a little boy!" we were all crying and laughing.

Little Mason Drake Turner makes me the happiest mommy ever and he doesn't even know it yet. I'm so blessed that God chose to put two of them sweet Turner boys in my life. What would I do without them?

 Meet Mason Drake 9-17 weeks. :)

3.2.1 get ready

Lately I guess I've lost the reason and "umph" that I had to post videos and/or blog. I became so busy with my own life that I quit doing what I enjoy.. I've always wanted to make a difference even in the smallest of ways. When someone new learns about Harlequin Icthyosis because of me, I feel SO accomplished. I don't just mean the basics of H.I but the fact that people with it are just as likely to live a "normal" life as anyone else. Sure, it may not be as easy but who said life was easy? Anyway.... I've always enjoyed putting my life out there hoping someone new (or my dedicated subscribers) view it as a positive thing. Like "no matter what obstacles you're given, you can stay positive." by no means am I saying I don't have bad days or that I have the worst life ever. I have a great life and I definitely do have bad days!

I lost my "umph" until I was on facebook this morning and saw Harlequin Ichthyosis moms ranting about a picture of a H.I baby posted on facebook for "likes". We have enough critics in life without ignorant people exploiting us. I didn't see the picture myself nor the comments but I'm sure they're horrendous, just watch YouTube videos and look at some comments. It's all completely ridiculously ignorant, selfish and just cruel. That picture was someones baby, grandbaby, sister or brother put out on display without any purpose at all  other than to gain attention. The majority of it was negative especially since no one had any information to go on.

Luckily an  extraordinary momma of an extraordinary little girl has a popular blog that she updates regularly. As soon as some people saw that Facebook picture, they commented directing other people towards Blessed By Brenna. I'm SO glad she has that blog and educates so many people. People were saying how they're glad too since thats where they got their information from after they saw the picture.. She's not the only mom who has an educating blog on H.I, De has a great blog as well that talks about her two year old son Evan.

If these women didn't have a blog and weren't up for educating people on they're babies condition, a lot less people would know about it now. Which brings me back to my point, if I up and quit videoing and blogging what am I helping? Nothing AND I'm missing out on doing something I love.

So yall get ready for some blogging and videoing.. Ps. I got a new laptop & that doesn't hurt either. ;)

Sweet Ev-man :)

Ho ho hat Monday

Today I woke up, rushed to get  ready so I could run errands with my momma. I got ready in about an hour which was pretty quick for me, I was getting it! As I was putting lotion on, I realized I left my hair in Curts truck backseat. Betchya hadn't heard that many times? Since it was in the truck, Curt was an hr away at work & I rushed like a mad woman to get ready I wasn't about to just stay in all day. I decided to throw on a hat and go on about my day.

Everyone in my town knows I wear a wig & I'll post pics on social sites without any hesitation but going out in public without it is new for me!.. As a matter of a fact I hadn't done it since 1st grade when I first started wearing wigs.


The day is just starting out, I'll update tonight or tomorrow morning and let yall know how it went. :)


My "ho-ho-hat". :) Pink Realtree camo!

Vlog vs. Blog. (& an update!)

I've said it a million times, "I just don't have the time or energy to vlog today".. (Vlog; video blogging)
It seems I say that daily. I want to keep ya'll updated with everything but more people watch my videos than read my blog. I've come to realize its about quality not quantity. I knew that before but I've always wanted to reach out to as many people as possible. Here lately I've been under so much stress and I've just been plain ole lazy & tired. Recording and editing videos ain't as simple as it might seem like.  I've decided that I'm just going to keep my blog updated since I can do that from my phone or anywhere, really. Plus I can post pictures & keep up with other people w/ Ichthyosis or "mommy to be's"!

All about my pregnancy! 

We found out September 21st that Curt & I were going to be mommy & daddy! I found out pretty early, the first week of my missed period. I was 3 weeks pregnant. We called my dermatologist the following Monday so we could find out which high risk OBGYN she recommended. She set me up an appointment in Little Rock at UAMS with a WONDERFUL doctor who I love so far.

I went in to see my sweetpea at 9weeks exactly. Everything looked great! At 7weeks my butt was already becoming wide and my belly was getting bigger as well as my boobs. I went from a B to a big C (possibly a small D if I wanted). I haven't wore jeans since my 7th or 8th week. My feet are also too fat for my Ariat boots so I'm wearing house shoes everywhere. Looking real classy. 

My pregnancy symptoms were real fun at first! I became super sick the very week after finding out that I was pregnant. I was throwing up everything every time I ate and when I wasn't throwing up my stomach was tore up. Very dangerous since I lose so much nutrients through my skin already... Luckily I stopped getting so sick after my 6th week, the dizzyness lasted my whole first trimester though. 

Last Friday I noticed I am urinating alot more frequently, now I'm to the point where I'm convinced my baby is line dancing on my bladder. At night I'm steadily making trips to and from the bathroom and it seems like I can never get enough to drink! 

I'm currently 14 weeks 5 days (as of 11/28/12) and my skin is stretching great so far! No skin problems at all other than the usual drying out quicker since its cold outside. No cracking or infections at all so far. We're all pretty excited about that! My skin is sore more since the weather is ranging from mid 60's to 27 degrees within  less than a week. I also haven't gotten my flu shot yet, I'll be getting that Dec 17th. 

Last time we went to the doctor Nov 15th, we heard the heartbeat. It was absolutely the best sound I've ever heard in my life. The feeling I felt when I heard how loud and strong is was, is unexplainable. To know that my own little miracle is just hanging out, growing and living in my belly is crazy! The heartbeat was 159, the doc said that it was perfect! December 17th is when we go in to find out the sex of the baby. I honestly don't care what the gender is as long as its healthy and happy. 

The only problem that has happened so far is the fact that I'm losing weight pretty rapidly. We're talking about a little over 7lbs. My tummys getting bigger, my butts getting wider but I'm losing weight. I've cut way back on drinking cokes which canceled alot of incoming calories but I really haven't had an apatite. Plus I lose alot through my skin too.. I'm supposed to be gaining a pound a week but first I've got to keep my weight steady! I'm trying to eat more though and snack too. High calories and healthy. 

 I took this yesterday!

 Maxman always cuddles up on my belly! 

Already protecting his little bubba or sissy. :)

Everyone has a story..

Do you ever question your faith? Do you ask yourself how do you revolve your whole life around someone you've never seen? I have. Honestly, I think all Christians have. The way we keep revolving our life around God is by having faith. Faith to me is knowing God has a plan and in the end good will happen. Jeremiah 29:11 says; "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". 

I was raised in a Baptist church until I was about 6 or 7 years old then we slowly strayed away from going. As I reached my teen years my life was desperately seeking Jesus. I was 14, I started dating a boy who wasn't Christ-like at all. He stated many times that he believed in God but then he'd listen to awful music about molestation, killing, pedophiles, etc., he was a very dark and sad person. I was very impressionable at 14 and I was very glad he thought so highly of me, which I knew he did because he so often told me. He started talking about how the world was out to get us and made everything seem so scary and sad. Soon I was contemplating suicide. I had it all figured out, how & where. What stopped me? My curly haired 5 year old sister. I knew she looked up to me... What would she do if she came in my room and saw me? How would that change her life? How would it effect my mom? Plus we fought all odds just for me to survive, God took his time to put thought and effort into creating me then I'm gonna put an end to it all? No. He made me, gave me the life I have and helped me overcome all my struggles since birth for a reason. I know that now. 

15 years old was a pretty hectic time in my life. After seeing a counselor for a while and finally getting on depression medicine and getting stable, I guess I figured it was time to rock the boat a little more. After being on the internet constantly and watching YouTube videos of people and killing time on chat sites, I decided I was gay. So my mom brought supper home and she gave me my food, I handed her a note. It basically said "Mom, I'm a lesbian. I've prayed about it but nothings happened. I know you're gonna be disappointed in me but I can't change who I am." She wrote back "I love you no matter what and I'll pray for you."... Was I really a lesbian? Of course not. I was so wrapped up in wanting a place to fit in and be accepted especially after the whole suicide ordeal. The LGBT community is a great place to feel like you belong somewhere! I was trying to "find myself". I believe its hard for any teenager to know where they belong unless they have a boat load of high self esteem, I obviously didn't. I met my absolute best friend in my time of self-searching and made a few more good friends! I'm not knocking the LGBT community, I'm impressed by how accepting they are. But when it came down to it, I knew it wasn't right for me. That just wasn't what God had planned.  

 At 16 I was reunited with a guy who I dated previously and had very strong feelings for. We started dating again and soon fell "in love". After about 9 months of seeing each other on a daily basis he proposed. It wasn't the fairy tale proposal that little girls dream about by any means.. Actually, it was over the phone(even though he lived less than 10 minutes away from my house). I said yes. We were great for a while, even attended church a time or two! We got an apartment together and planned on getting married the weekend after my 18th birthday. As time went on we quickly fell apart... Fighting constantly, lies were slowly building up and a wall was formed. After a year of being together we were over in an instant. Suddenly we had a fight that ended us completely.. I thought my life was over. Our first Christmas, Christmas tree, Thanksgiving, family get-together's, rainy nights watching movies in our very own apartment, I really liked his family, I assumed he liked mine.. All that was gone. I dropped out of high school because he was 4 years older than me and when he was off work he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend/fiance` and I was in school or sick. Granted, he never told me to drop out but I didn't want him finding someone else to spend his time with. I thought we were in love and was meant to be. Now I know that I loved him as a person but was never IN LOVE with him. I know what love is now.. I was so used to him being there and it was comfortable to be with him. It wasn't anything like I'm experiencing now with my husband. At the time our relationship ended I was sure I'd never find anyone else and that my whole life would never be the same, I'd always be miserable... Boy was I wrong! 

I met an amazing man at 18 years old. He was shockingly sweet right from the start. We met up on New Years Eve, I was a little under the influence and he was sober. He didn't try anything inappropriate at all even though I put myself in a potentially bad situation. We left the party we were at and went back to my parents house, he, my family and I were sitting around the fire talking and cutting up. He instantly warmed up to my crazy family and they loved him! As the night went on and I sobered up little by little things steadily became better, more fun. I was crazy about him from night one.. We saw each other every weekend for a few months then we ended up living together. Three months into the relationship he picked me up a gorgeous diamond ring, took me out to the land where his family was raised and lived for a long time and got down on one knee and said "my family's life began here and ended here... I want mine to begin here too." I started up the water works and he was so shaky but managed to put the ring on my finger. As soon as the ring was on, it started pouring down rain so we ran back to the truck. That was the happiest day of my life!... Until two months later we randomly got married in the courthouse without warning anyone. I was wearing my Mossy Oak camo sweatpants, Ariat boots and Arkansas Razorback tshirt. We were an hour away from either of our home towns and I was exhausted from planning our dream wedding, making budgets and what not. He asked if I wanted to get married then and there so two hours later we were Mr. & Mrs. Turner! It all happened so fast but if you know you've found the person God intended you to be with, why wait? We're young but we're completely head over heels in love! No doubt in my mind he is my soulmate. 

After things got settled down and we got our new apartment fixed up and he got a great job, things seemed great! Our love was only getting stronger, financially we were doing alright and we had the cutest puppy ever.. What more does a person need?...A baby! We eventually started discussing kids and if it was even safe for me to have a baby since I have this skin disorder. Of course there was no way of knowing since I'm the oldest girl one in America with Harlequin Ichthyosis. No one else has ever been pregnant according to doctors. We talked about it millions of times, prayed about it constantly. We talked to our families, friends, doctors, each other but mainly God. We decided we were gonna go for it! I've never let my skin hold me back.. I went to public school, was a cheerleader for 4 years, was a girl scout, I go to the lake in the summer, I have friends, go out, hunt, fish, I do anything any other girl does. I've proven statistics wrong my entire life with the help of God, momma and doctors. I told Curt this and he agreed that if I felt that strongly about it and knew the risks and were willing to take them then he'd be behind me every step of the way. Afterall, he wanted to be a daddy too! 

We began to pray every night that God would let whatever he wanted to happen, happen. Whether that meant getting pregnant or adopting. Within the first month I had missed my period! I was so nervous because before we tried getting pregnant, we had been irresponsible before and we had a pregnancy scare but then a few days later I started my period. Even though we weren't trying then I still couldn't help but get a little excited.. This time, I realized I missed it so after I was a week late I took a test with only my momma knowing and it came back POSITIVE.... All seven of them did, haha! Curt and I were both overwhelmed with excitement, both crying like crazy, kissing and hugging. 

This all sounds great and probably doesn't sound too odd to you. But add this into the equation; after my I had unprotected sex with my ex fiance and I got a little wild after we broke up. Never did I get pregnant. I also had unprotected sex with Curt for a little bit until we came to our senses, never got pregnant. It took praying, being in love and getting married for God to bless us with our little miracle. It happened at just the right time!... Almost. 

I became very sick, puking all the time, head hurting and dizzy. I was expecting it to be an awful pregnancy. Turns out there was mold in our apartment so we had to move out quick! We had no choice but to move back in with my parents, which is no fun. I love my momma with all my heart but I'd much rather just live with Curt and my pupdog. Weeks went by, hormones are getting crazy, I've become a big ole baby and ended up getting pretty depressed. We always seemed to be broke even though Curt had a great job and I make money myself. We didn't have a house, every single one we looked at in our price range was pretty bad and everyone seemed so on edge plus Curt and I were fighting more. I began to pray like crazy... Praying for the baby, praying for my marriage, praying for my family, praying for everything. I talked to Curt about going back to my old church, he was more than willing! We started going to church, we started praying and one night while I was crying, my phone rang.. It was my grandparents telling us a trailer that we previously looked at, loved and could afford came through! We should be moved in my Christmas. 

Theres no doubt in my mind that God rewards them who follow him. Them who make a point to have God in their lives. God has always been there for me even when I couldn't see it or wasn't even asking him to be. He knew I needed him, I always need him. You always need him. I hope and pray that my story has a positive effect on atleast one person. I felt like I needed to share it so here ya go! 

Luke 10:27   He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”