Day 352- 30 weeks!

This pregnancy is really flying by! I just had my 30 week appointment, which marks the beginning if the "every 2 weeks" appointments. With all the holiday activities, we probably won't even start the nursery until mid-January! By that time, I'll really only have a few weeks left. Hoping my nesting instinct picks up soon, because we have a lot of things that need organizing around here! Im very thankful that although I'm tired, I am really feeling great and having very few pregnancy symptoms. Hope it continues as the time goes on!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 30 weeks
Size of baby: about 15.7 inches long and almost 3 pounds, size of a cabbage
Weight gain: about 27 lbs (holidays and vacation are NOT good for weight gain!!)
Maternity clothes: pretty much
Gender: Boy!
Food cravings: cheese, carbs
What I miss: running
Sleep: Still catching up from the trip to Maui, but doing good besides that
Symptoms: lots of bathroom trips
Best moment of the week: spending last week in the Maui sun!
What I'm looking forward to: Christmas!

Day 350- Vacay!

We just got home from a lovely trip to Maui! It was so good to escape the daily grind in a such a beautiful place and to spend time with Alan's family. Here are some pics!

Day 331- Monday meditation

"They say time is money, but that's not true. Time is life. And if I want the fullest life, I need to find fullest time. I wipe a water spot off the tap; there is a reflection of me. Oh yes, I know you, the busyness of your life leaving little room for the source of your life. I'm the face grieving. God gives us time. And who has time for God?"
Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
JRR Tolkien

Day 323- 26 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 26 weeks
Size of baby: about 14 inches long and 1 2/3 pound, long as a cucumber
Weight gain: about 20 lbs
Maternity clothes: pretty much all maternity besides a few shirts and my workout pants
Gender: Boy!
Food cravings: bread, cheese, chocolate
What I miss: bending over without squishing the baby
Sleep: Pretty good. I wake up a few minutes before my alarm most mornings, which means I'm getting enough sleep!
Symptoms: peeing every 2 minutes, a few Braxton Hicks each day
Best moment of the week: laughing with Caleb and Friendsgiving
What I'm looking forward to: our trip to Maui!

Day 311- 24 weeks!!!

Hooray!  I've finally hit 24 weeks... the age of viability.  Now, I hope I make it at least another 14 weeks before baby comes, but it is reassuring to know that at any time he decides to come, he will have a good chance of living and joining our family.  Time is just flying by!  Thanksgiving is around the corner, then a trip to Hawaii (yippee!), Christmas, New Years, and finishing things up for the baby and at work in January and February.  I'm trying to enjoy all the time and freedom I have with my current two favorite guys.  Maybe we'll be able to take a short babymoon in January or February as a final get away before things get too exciting around here!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 24 weeks
Size of baby: about 12 inches long and over 1 pound, long as an ear of corn
Weight gain: about 19 lbs
Maternity clothes: pretty much all maternity besides a few shirts and my workout pants
Gender: Boy!
Food cravings: carbs, pumpkin bread, milk *see weight gain above :)
What I miss: being able to run
Sleep: Sleep is okay.  I wake up randomly several times a night, but can always go back to sleep.  Caleb is sleeping well and that makes me happy!
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks off and on, very thirsty
Best moment of the week: spending time with friends on Halloween
What I'm looking forward to: getting the nursery ready and the Holiday season!

Day 310- Monday Meditation: Enter His courts with praise

Yesterday, I woke up to read my IPhone devotional by Joyce Meyer on YouVersion.  The one I'm doing right now is focused on Hearing from God Each Morning.  The idea yesterday was that you enter into God's presence and are better able to hear his voice when you approach him with thanksgiving and praise.  The verse was Psalm 100:4 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."  I've never really made the connection with praise and presence.  The connection is clear though... though there are many postures we can approach God with, praise is ALWAYS appropriate.  Another verse came to mind when reading this morning, "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God (his presence), which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:4-7

Later, at church, we sang the song, Better is One Day in Your Courts by Matt Redman.  Yes, the presence of God is better than any lifestyle, possession, relationship, or esteem that we could possess.  So I asked God (forgetting my devo's this morning)... "How do I come into your courts?"  "How can I be near you?"  He answered with Psalm 100:4 and in the next song that we sang, 10,000 Reasons also by Matt Redman.  As if it wasn't clear enough yet, the sermon was about Thankfulness to God for for his love and redemption to bring us near to him (based on Col 1:12-14).  Okay God, I think I have message!  Please help me learn to have a thankful heart.  I want to be near you!

I think this is the perfect season to begin fostering a heart of praise and thanksgiving for my God.  I am truly blessed beyond my comprehension!

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Day 309- Planning the new baby's room

I've been planning the new baby's room lately and will start decorating after Thanksgiving, when we won't need our guest bedroom for a while. (We are moving the guest bedroom down to the basement, but it will be a bit squished down there, as well as far away from our 2nd floor bathrooms).

I'm in the process of painting an old dresser and bookshelf navy.

I'm still waiting on figuring out name letters, but I guess we have to decide what to name the little guy first. :).

The theme is going to be "On the Go" with lots of bright colors and pictures of transportation. Hopefully Baby 2 will enjoy cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes as much as Caleb. I like the theme colors because of how well they match Caleb's stuff already. I hope to move them in together at some point, so it will be nice if everything goes together.

Can't wait to see the nursery come together in a month or two. I think it will make things seem more real!

Day 306- Halloween Party

We had an event filled Halloween, starting with Caleb's Halloween Parade at school. He did a great job marching around the gym in his dragon costume. It was really fun to be able to see him at school with his teachers and friends.

That evening, we attended our friend's birthday party/Halloween Party. This wasn't really a dress-up party for anyone besides the kids, but when I got home from work, my husband was dressed in long johns, complete with stuffing, suspenders, and flannel shirt. I then remembered that Caleb had a pair of long john pajamas. It was only a few minutes before I was able to put together a pregnant hick outfit. It's always more fun to dress up!
*Sorry the picture order is screwy.

Day 302- Glorious riches= Strength and power

I needed this verse this morning. I've been on Caleb duty all weekend, and Alan has been working 12 hour shifts. I took Caleb to church this morning to go to a girls' Bible study during the Sunday school hour. No one else was able to come, so I decided to spend some time alone with God. I got a call a few minutes later asking me to pick Caleb up because he had a runny nose. He had a cold earlier in the week, but was feeling better and I thought he was well enough to attend Sunday school. Needless to say, I was disappointed to lose my focused time with God, as well as fellowship at church (I wasn't weary so much of taking care of Caleb, but of the social isolation of the weekend). After reading this verse and having a good cry (thank you preggo hormones), I decided to take Caleb back to church during the service time and see how long he could last with me in big church. We made it the whole service, though he was a bit restless. Anyway, this verse is what I'm drawing strength from today and I hope that it is encouraging for anyone who reads it as well.

Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Day 300- 4 months to go and 65 days til the New Year

I can't believe that it is almost November!!!!  Well, the weather changed yesterday and at least it feels like late October now (instead of the 80's we'd had for a the last week).  Yesterday marked the 4 month countdown til baby's due date/my 29th birthday.  In many ways it seems like forever away, but it is also coming so quickly.  I have a feeling that with the holidays coming up, things will really fly.  I'm excited to started getting the nursery ready and reading up on labor/newborn care to refresh myself.  Caleb is learning how to be a big boy in anticipation of the baby as well.  He now sleeps in a big boy bed, has started beginning potty training, and is practicing climbing in and out of his booster seat/car seat.

I also can't believe that there are only 65 days til 2013!  This year has absolutely flown by.  I don't know if it is because of getting older, having a kiddo, Alan being in school, or all of the above.  I can't complain though, because while I don't want to wish the next year and a half away... I am looking forward to Alan graduating, getting a job, and being able to settle where ever God leads us. 

We've been extremely blessed to be accepted into community with friends from church who are in the same phase of life and who are lots of fun.  I want to live intentionally over the upcoming months, whether deepening relationships, serving others more, delighting in my children and husband, resting, living more simply, or engaging my mind with my work. 

Day 295- *easy* Chicken and rice soup

Alan has a cold, so this morning I hodge-podged a super-easy chicken and rice soup. It turned out pretty good, so I thought I would share.

Chicken and Rice Soup
9 c. Chicken broth= 4 cans (I used 6 c. Homemade chicken stock and 3 c. Water)
5 or 6 carrots, sliced
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 c. Brown rice (makes it super ricey- use less if you want it more brothy)
1 package mixed frozen veggies
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together and let cook until carrots and rice are tender and chicken is cooked through. About 30-45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Day 293- Louisburg Cider Mill!

We spent the morning/early afternoon at the Louisburg Cider Mill today! It was the perfect fall day to enjoy cider, cider doughnuts, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, and more. We enjoyed seeing the Sheltons, Grabers, and running into the Menards just before we left. Here's some pics!

Day 291- 21 weeks!

It's ridiculous how long it's been since my last update!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 21 weeks
Size of baby: 10.5 inches long, 3/4 of a pound, long as a carrot
Weight gain: about 15 lbs
Maternity clothes: pretty much all maternity besides a few shirts and my workout pants
Gender: Boy!
Food cravings: carbs, grilled cheese (I have it several times a week)
What I miss: energy!
Sleep: I'm not sleeping very soundly lately, but I've been trying to go to bed earlier and take naps when I can.
Symptoms: a headache here and there, tiredness, not much else
Best moment of the week: Alan feeling the baby from the outside
What I'm looking forward to: getting the nursery ready and hearing the heartbeat at my appt next week.

Day 288- 10 year high school reunion

So, we had a professional photographer take pics at our reunion and free access, so here are random pics from the reunion. While I'm glad I went, last weekend wasn't necessarily the time of my life. :) Yes, I did enjoy seeing a few people and finding out what they are up to. However, I think Facebook takes some of the anticipation out of the small talk, because I was already caught up with most people's lives. I had a wonderful high school experience, but it was just that- my high school experience. I think that I have changed so much and made so many deep friendships in college and lived in so many places that high school is just part of my past. People kept saying..."I can't believe it's been 10 years! It feels like just yesterday!" I pretty much feel like it was 20 years ago. While it may have mostly been awkward conversations sprinkled with a few truly meaningful reconnections, I'm glad I was able to be present and process through what my high school experience means to me.