A few more pictures to catch us up . . .

Yes, I realize there are a couple of weeks missing.  It's been a little busy around here!

An Actual Current Post

A couple of people have asked me if I've given up on blogging already.  I promise that's not the case, I've just been trying to get pictures together and such.  Oh well, you've heard all the excuses, right?  I am currently confined to the recliner due to a cold, so I'm making an effort to catch up.  There are several new posts below, with a couple more coming with pictures. 

October 14 - 25 Jason and I travelled to California for Northern California Tres Dias #1, as well as a few days of sightseeing.  The trip definitely earned a couple of dedicated blog posts, so those will be coming soon.  We got home Monday night, and jumped right back into the week.  Now it's Thursday, and I have a cold.  But I'll NOT complain, as I'm so thankful to have stayed well (in the midst of a lot of sickness) and felt great the whole trip. 

Baby-wise (the figure of speech, not the book) things are going great, and I'm thankful to not have much to report!  The trip really came at the perfect time for me to feel great and still be able to walk all over San Francisco.  The consensus is that I'm showing a lot more since coming back, and I'm enjoying the maternity clothes loaned by Robin, Allison and Natalie.  Thanks again, girls!  I did successfully purchase a pair of maternity jeans last week.  While in San Fran, I spotted a 3-story GAP, which I knew was likely to actually carry maternity clothes in-store.  Good news - I found a pair of jeans that I actually felt were flattering (definitely a first in maternity shopping).  Bad news - they were a horrifying price.  Definitely more than I've ever paid for jeans, and it about made me sick to pay it.  Thankfully, there was an Old Navy a block down the street, and I found an equally acceptable pair for half the price!  I marched right back to GAP and returned them, with a much more peaceful feeling.  I decided to wear them the next day, and Jason was excited to see them as I pulled them out of the bag and put them on.  Let me digress for a moment - I have realized that full-panel maternity pants are much more practical for me than low-rise.  I am carrying quite low, so anything that's supposed to go under my belly sits very low on my hips, therefore making keeping them up a rather full-time job.  My grandmother used to say "there will be a great meeting when your shirt and pants come together" and I've certainly felt that way wearing the low-rise pants I have.  So I was for full-panel all the way when jeans shopping.  Back to Wednesday morning - I'm putting the new jeans on, and I notice Jason staring at me with the MOST perplexed look on his face.  When I inquired what was wrong, he hesitatingly answered "what IS that?".  Why, it's a pair of actual maternity pants, my dear.  I didn't realize it was his first time seeing anything with a panel!  "I just expected there to be a zipper" he answered.  Once I reminded him that any shirt I wore would be long enough to cover up that part, he jumped on board quickly with telling me how good they looked. I wish I had a picture of that face, though!

The biggest news is that our 20 week ultrasound is this Monday!  We have been so busy since the last appointment, that I really haven't thought about it too much until this week.  It's definitely true that the closer it gets, the more anxious I am to find out what this baby is! And kudos to all my friends who wait until birth to be surprised, but honestly, there's not even a tiny part of me that wants to do that.  To each his/her own, I suppose.  All along, I've felt like it was a boy, but now I'm less sure.  Pregnancy buddy Alison found out 3 weeks ago that she's having a boy, and as much as I know that every pregnancy/woman/baby are completely unique, I can't help thinking that means maybe I"m having a girl.  Our pregnancies have been about as opposite as can be, and after seeing her today, I still feel like we are carrying and looking completely different.  We shall see!  Anyone who hasn't already levied their prediction, you have a few more days! 

Do we have names picked out?  We're hearing this question pretty often these days.  We agreed long ago not to tell names until we knew what we were having and had made a final decision (there tend to be a lot of opinions around here).  If it's a boy, I believe we are settled.  A girl name is proving to be more elusive.  We thought we had one, but after a frank discussion about how to spell it, I'm reconsidering (the spelling I like doesn't meet my requirement of "rational spelling", as it turns out).  So I do not know that there will be a name announcement on Monday, although I know I'll be anxious to make a final decision. 

Do we have nursery plans?  Second most common question.  Answer: somewhat.  Long ago, I knew I wanted the bedding to be neutral so we could use it again.  Not the whole nursery, but the bedding.  In order to be truly neutral, I wanted to pick it out before we knew the gender.  Finding something proved more difficult than I expected.  I found one I loved right away, but took several weeks to think it over, and it sold out.  I spoke to stores from Daphne, to Denver, to St. Louis, and NO ONE had or could get any more.  So we went back to the drawing board and found this:

Actually, my mom found it online and sent me the link, and I remembered that I had a swatch of it at home.  Jason and I ran in RichTex one Saturday to see it in person and make sure they still had it, and it happened to be the last day of a 30% off sale.  So we took the plunge.  It has two different shades of green, blue, and pink, so I think it will be pretty easy to match with some coordinates.  Besides this, we're waiting to make any further plans.  Step one is cleaning out the garage so we can combine the guest room and office, and we're hoping to start those projects now that we're back in town for a while.

So that's the real, current, update - and I'm back to blogging - for the time being, anyway!

"There is an appointed time for everything.  And a time for every event under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

16 Week Appointment

This appointment was rather uneventful, as it should be.  I came prepared with hours of reading material (based on previous experience of waiting) and didn't have to wait at all.  The nurse found the heartbeat right away with the Doppler.  It averaged 140 beats per minute, lower than in the past.  Dr. Phillips asked a few questions, we discussed the quad screen (which we declined), and basically I was on my way!  I was so thankful to have no serious side effects, symptoms, or concerns to report.  Next month, ultrasound!

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. "
Psalm 7:17

Pictures . . .

We really do take picutures.  Unfortunately, we have a bit of a disconnect between the camera and my computer, so I'm blaming that on why I've gotten so behind on blogging.  On our recent 4 hour flight to California, I talked Jason into transferring pictures for me.  Hopefully we can work out a more effective system soon.  Meanwhile, here you have the last few weeks.

12 Weeks

At 12 weeks, we had a bit of a  . . . surprise, which turned out to be great!  I won't call it a scare, because I was honestly at perfect peace the whole time.  I had a bit of bleeding one night.  After consulting my many trusted books, I was convinced it was nothing because I had no other symptoms, but we agreed I would call the nurse the next morning regardless.  That morning was Thursday, and Jason's car was in the shop.  We were planning to leave at noon for Birmingham anyway, so he took me to work and then headed back home to mow the yard before we left.  I was completely sure the nurse would say it was nothing to worry about as long as it had stopped.  Instead, the response I got was that Dr. Phillips likes to bring you in for an ultrasound in any case of bleeding.  Um, ok!!  So she made me an appointment for that morning.  Jason wound up barely having time to take a shower before heading back downtown to pick me up.  By the time I had gotten to work, called the nurse, waited for the return call, gone to my morning meeting, explained to everyone what was going on, wrapped up what I could, and headed out the door to the doctor, I didn't even have a chance to contact my family to tell them what was going on.  I sent a quick text from the waiting room.  This turned out to be a good thing, as my mom and sister were rather worried.  Fortunately, they didn't have long to wait - I think my appointment was at 10 and we were back in the car by 10:20. 

Our first ultrasound was at 7 weeks, and this is what we saw:

Awww . . . but, admittedly, a bit of a blob. 

So imagine our joy, 5 short weeks later, to see this:

A baby! Head, body, arms, legs, hands!!  Of course, we had been reading the weekly emails about the development of the limbs, etc, but there is just nothing like seeing it for yourself.  What a miracle!!  The baby is about 2.5 inches long at this point, about the size of the picture.  And yet so formed.  How great is our God?!

All this happened in the middle of the "be here now" revelation, and what a great example of that principle it was.  The night before, getting the lawn mowed before we left town seemed like such a big deal, but this sure put it in perspective!  We were even done at the doctor in enough time to run across the street to the hospital for a visit with the Bagwells and sweet baby Campbell, whom we had thought we would not get to see for another week or so. 

What a nice surprise this turned out to be!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

Be Here Now . . .

I've been meaning to post this for several weeks, because it made such an impact on me.  After a crazy-busy August, Jason and I were sooo excited to have Labor Day weekend at home.  He had not had a day off in the month of August, and we looked forward to going on a date, watching football, and not doing much else.

The weekend turned out even better than we hoped - wonderful, enjoyable, relaxing.  We even got to spend a few hours with family celebrating Paul J's new job at the University of South Alabama.  It was everything we hoped for, and Monday night we were so relaxed and peaceful.

And then something happened.  Tuesday, we went back to work.  And life hit again.  He was preparing to leave for Tres Dias on Thursday, I was preparing to spend the weekend in Birmingham, work had just piled up while we were out, and all the stuff we had escaped over the weekend came right back.  Several times, I caught myself thinking, "I shouldn't have relaxed all weekend.  I should have been working on this or that.  This is what I get."  I shared with Jason that I just felt like the most important things in life weren't getting my attention like they should.  He agreed.  It was a very stressful week and struggle to find peace.

As He has done so many times, God provided me with some direction from one of my college girls.  We weren't even talking about my stress when she shared this:  "Quite possibly the best thing I ever got out of counseling was the idea of being here now - I was almost never in the now - I was always regretting something from the past or planning something for the future.  And the worst part was {my daughter} was always in the now, as all children pretty much are.  So it was like I was never really connecting with her because she could tell when I was there physically and not mentally.  I would encourage you to start eliminating everything that is not essential and top priority until you start to feel like you can live in the moment.  Try to be here now as much as you can."

Wow.  That made such an impression on me.  And the other girls, I know, so I thought some of you readers might need to hear it too.  When I really started praying on this, God was faithful to help me eliminate some things right away, even though I didn't necessarily want to.  I am definitely still seeking some further clarification and answers on some of the busy-ness that seems to consume my time.  The Bible tells us that the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6) - that is the mind I want!

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds.  They don't plant or harvest, or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care of you.  Why do you have so little faith?
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat?  What will we drink?  What will we wear?'  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
Matthew 6:25-34

11 Weeks

I'm not promising to post a picture every week. In fact, I'm rather horrified by these first two. But I feel like 11 weeks deserves a post for a couple of reasons:

1. I have a doctor update to go along with it.

2. This is the week I felt like I really started showing.

Week 10, I was breezing along, definitely knowing I had gained a couple of pounds, but still wearing SOME of my "skinny pants" for the last time . . . well, maybe ever. Then I wore dresses for a couple of days. Then, on Friday, I pulled out a pair of pants to wear to work. They were too tight. Uh-oh. Another pair. Same problem. Another pair - they were workable. But by the end of the day, I definitely knew it was the last time I'd be wearing them. All of the sudden, my closet seemed full of clothes that did not fit. I did get confirmation from some friends that no matter how grateful and excited you are to be pregnant, not fitting into your clothes is an emotional experience. I ventured into the maternity store on Saturday . . . oh my. So overwhelming. The belly that promises to add 3 months would seem to be perfect - if I ONLY gain weight in my belly! Which hardly seems like something I can count on (upon which I can count, if I'm being grammatically correct, but I feel like the blog should have a more conversational tone, don't you?). I did come home Saturday afternoon and reorganize my closet; separating the stuff I already can't wear so it's at least not at eye level anymore. And I am the proud owner of a Bella Band (well, the Target brand anyway) which seems will be very helpful. This last week, I've just worn skirts, since those fit so much more easily. When we finally took the 11 week picture, I expected a huge difference from the week before. I can't believe you can barely tell!

My doctor appointment was Tuesday. I was not entirely sure what to expect, but I was prepared with a list of questions. Jason had to be at work, but we didn't think he would miss too much. I finally now understand the difference between an ultrasound, a doppler, and a stethoscope. When we had our ultrasound, I was surprised at how fast it was - as soon as she turned the machine on, we could immediately see the baby and see the heartbeat. I was expecting a waiting, holding our breath, are-we-going-to-be-able-to-hear-it experience. Now I realize that comes from the doppler, which is similar to a sound-only ultrasound. The nurse still rubbed the wand over my belly, but with no picture, she's just searching for the heartbeat. And it took a few minutes to find it. And a few more minutes for me to be able to recognize what she was hearing. But at 11 weeks, both she and Dr. Phillips said it's great to be able to hear it at all, so I was very thankful. It was pretty fast - around 155 - 160, I think? I didn't think of that as being a detail I should write down, but so many people have asked me, I guess I should have! Otherwise, the appointment was uneventful. Dr. Phillip's says everything looks great. I asked my list of questions, and was on my way. Next appointment, Oct. 4!

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful." 1 Peter 3:3-5