Oh The Places You Will Go!

I woke up in the early morning hours today having to use the bathroom. Then, I couldn't get back to sleep, so I went downstairs and turned on the TV. The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate was live on most of the channels.

As I watched the wedding, where Kate was absolutely stunning, I thought about you, my growing little girl. God has plans for you and knows exactly what you will be what what you will do when you grow up. I have dreams for you, too...dreams of the things that we will do while you are growing up. Your daddy and I love to travel and I know that we will take you so many places so that you can experience many of the different cultures and landscapes of the world.

I want you to know that there is more to this world that the town that we live in. There are bigger places and smaller places. There are places with amazing architecture and food and places with superb natural attractions like oceans and mountains. All of the places are wonderful and unique in their own right. And, one day, if God leads you to move someplace else, then that is what you should do. However, God have extraordinary plans for you right here in our home town.

One thing I know...Oh The Places You Will Go!!!! (and, your daddy and I get to take you there!)

Movement

Day before yesterday was the first time that I was able to actually see a kick in my belly.

However, last night, my husband and I spent a significant amount of time watching my belly move. It was definitely amazing to watch. Awe-inspiring. It was wonderful that we could share those moments together. My belly would pop up in different places and then, all of the sudden, one side of my stomach flattened and then it immediately popped way up to be bigger than the other side. There was no better feeling than sharing that moment and experience with my husband.

People often say that the husbands feel left out during the pregnancy because it is all about the woman and the baby. Knowing that he got to experience this with me was perfect. Thank You, God, for that wonderful experience of watching our baby move together!

God is so good! Thank You, God, for our whole, healed, healthy, perfect baby girl! We are looking forward to the next 3 1/2 months as well as the rest of our lives. Thank You, God, for giving us this miracle!

I love you more than syrup!

My diet has seemed to have taken over my thoughts these days. I think about making sure that I'm getting enough carbs, protein, calories, etc. No question that I'm one of the few women who is almost 24 weeks pregnant and has lost a significant amount of weight in these 24 weeks...17-20 pounds, depending on the day. I know, I know, I was overweight to begin with, but it still seems crazy. It's also weird to watch the scale go down and I can't wear my non-maternity clothes.

However, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm in love with this little girl that I know is growing inside of me. I love every single movement that I feel. I love hearing her heartbeat. I love dreaming of what she is going to look like, what her personality will be, and the plans that God has for her. I know they are good plans, they are plans to prosper.

So, whenever I have a craving, like frosted mini-wheats or pancakes or waffles or oatmeal, I think about how much I love this little girl and I can "just say no" to the cravings. The motivation of keeping her healthy and doing what I can do to help her is the best motivation I've ever had to stick to a diet. My blood sugar numbers have been good and I know that she is healthy and growing. Thank You, God, that I am healed and that my baby is a whole, healed, healthy baby girl!

Kicks and Twirls

Our baby girl is just over 22 weeks.
She starting to move around and let her presence be known. On the day that we turned 22 weeks, she kicked my hubands hand. It was so exciting! He didn't have to wait very long, almost as soon as he placed his hand on my stomach, he felt a kick.

Last night was the first night that her movement impacted my sleep! I got up to use the bathroom and then when I came back to bed, I couldn't get to sleep. She was moving so much. It was wonderful! No matter what position I moved to, I felt her. I loved it! She kicked me, twirled around, and continued to move. I was on my left side, then right side, then back. I felt her in every position! I absolutely loved it!

Can't wait until my husband can feel her more!

I love my husband!

I've been thinking today about how much I love my husband and how much I love being married. He is a wonderful man, who is perfect for me. God gave me the perfect man for me. Below is a short list of just a few reasons that I love him...in no particular order...

1. He loves God. I mean he really loves God. He looks to Him for guidance and answers. He spends time with God and enjoys it. He longs to be closer to God and wants to have the decisions in our household be in-line with God's will.

2. He doesn't judge me. I am not the world's greatest housekeeper. Not even close. Yet, he doesn't yell at me or get upset when I flounder in the house cleanliness department. He accepts me for who I am and doesn't try to change me.

3. He lets me be upset. Even when it's over something stupid. Even when it doesn't make sense why I'm upset. He holds me when I need to be held and lets me cry when I need to cry. He doesn't make fun of me because of it (at least not until I'm in a better mood later and I can laugh about it).

4. He likes to travel. I love to travel and he likes to be on the go, too. He likes to experience new places and new food. He enjoys road trips and plane trips, boat trips and train trips. He likes travelling in the US and in other countries. He likes going on short weekend trips close to home and on longer vacations.

5. He enjoys hanging out with me. Whether it's doing porch sitting or going out to dinner or taking walks. He just enjoys being with me, which is so nice.

6. He's good with money. He doesn't spend friviously or extravagantly. He has priorities and follows those. He works and provides for our family and is good at what he does. He is satisfied with the things that God gives us and doesn't need to go into debt to try to keep up with others.

7. He loves my dog. He took my dog in when we got married and treats him as his own. He loves playing with him and enjoying him. He doesn't make me feel bad for spoiling the dog or taking him to the vet multiple times.

8. He takes the garbage out. Without being asked. Without making a big deal about it. He just does it. He doesn't expect to be thanked or acknowledged. He just does it.

9. He puts the toilet seat down. Every time. Without question. He just does it.

10. He's excited to be a daddy. He'll make a great one. He has so much love to give and is thrilled that we are having a girl. I know she's going to be a daddy's girl and there is no better man for her to look up to.

I have a whole lot more reasons...these are just the one's that came to the top of my mind as I'm writing this. He is awesome and I am so thankful to God for giving him to me!

Grilling

It's grilling season! I love it! I love the smell of the food on the grill, all of the summer foods, and everything that goes along with grilling season....buds on the trees, porch sittin', fresh flowers, garden vegetables, etc. We grilled burgers this weekend and then chicken last night. It's grilling season! This means that it's a brand new season! It's time to say good-bye to winter and hello to new life!

It's grilling season! Yeah!

Hungry

With this diet that the doctor has put me on, I'm supposed to eat 6 times a day, 3 small meals and 3 snacks. I just finished my afternoon snack and it was a doosey! I was so hungry after eating lunch and for my snack, I had a banana with peanut butter, milk, popcorn, and Girl Scout cookies. Now, I'm feeling overly stuffed. Where is the middle ground? I stopped eating after the banana and milk, but I was still so super hungry that I just couldn't imagine not eating something else.

We are officially 21 weeks today and I've been reading how the baby's tastebuds are forming and that she can taste the things that I taste. Maybe that has gotten me thinking about food more than normal.

Plus, I'm getting bigger. I haven't gained any weight, but my mid-zone is definitely getting larger. Maybe I think that since I'm getting bigger, I need to be eating more. I know that doesn't make sense, but I'm trying to make sense out of why I just pigged out. Why did I do that when I've been doing so good lately? What's going on?????

Friends

Tonight, we are going to have dinner with some friends of ours that we haven't seen in a long, long time, probably a year. I miss them. They are the couple that we are going to ask to be our baby's godparents. Even though we don't see them as often as we see some of our other friends, this couple seems to be on the same page as us with regard to a number of very important issues, including our Christian beliefs.

Yesterday, I went to lunch with a girl who I met through church, but have never really spent much time with her. I found out that she is a very, very strong individual. I'm not sure that she realizes quite how strong she is, but it was very evident. I hope to get to know her better in the coming months!

Tomorrow, we are going over to a friend's house for dinner. They are an answer from God. We love hanging out with them. It's definitely a God-thing when we find a couple where my husband likes the guy and I like the girl. I never knew how hard that would be when we got married. I guess it's hard enough to find one person that you like, but to find 2 who 2 people like seems to be like finding a rare pearl.

I had been praying for friends and God is definitely delivering. Thank You, God, for answered prayers!

Baby Boys

Two of my friends just had little baby boys. One was born at 31 weeks and one at 36. The one who was born at 36 weeks just got to come home. He is doing so well and I am so excited for his parents. They are going to be just wonderful parents and are so excited to have him. He is definitely a gift from God!

The one born at 31 weeks is still in the hospital. He is so tiny. So much has happened to his parents during this pregnancy. Their apartment burned down due to arson. They lost pretty much everything except the clothes they were wearing. Praise the Lord that they weren't home when it caught on fire. The baby is a fighter and the doctors have great hope for him to make a full recovery and be a normal, healthy child. That is awesome! I look at his pictures and he is so very tiny. This little fella is also a gift from God and we know that every perfect gift comes from above! He has parents who adore him and are spending as much time as possible holding and loving on him. How wonderful!

One of my husband's co-workers is expecting a little boy about a month before I'm due. This will be their third child and their first boy. Their 2 little girls are so sweet. I think their oldest child may be the sweetest little girl that I have ever met. She is simply adorable! They are excited to have a little boy and we are excited for them.

It seems that there are babies, babies everywhere. Each one of them is a gift from God and each one of them is very, very special. Thank You, God, for these babies and the amazing and wonderful things that You have planned for them. They certainly are gifts from You!

Spring Fever

Last week, we had 3 beautiful days! They were absolutely gorgeous! I was wearing short sleeves, saw people in shorts, and, in general, just enjoying the weather. Then, yesterday, we woke up to snow and sleet. It was horrible! So cold and made me want to curl up under a blanket and just sit on the couch. Fortunately, my husband came home from work yesterday and told me that we're supposed to have weather in the 60s-80s through the weekend. It's supposed to rain, but I don't care. Rain is acceptable, as long as it's not freezing rain. I'm ready for Spring! Ready for beautiful flowers, leaves on the trees, green grass, sun shining, walks with the dog, etc.

Plus, over the past few months, I've made a new friend. I'm very thankful for her and her family. She is so sweet and so much fun to hang out with. I love having friends that are accepting of me for who I am and don't try to change me once we have gotten past the initial getting-to-know-you phase. She is definitely a gift from God for my life. I needed a friend and He gave me a very, very special one. I'm looking forward to spending the nice weather hanging out on the porch, chatting with her. She is wonderful!

Thank You, God, for the wonderful blessings You have given us! Including Spring!!!!

Half Way

We're half-way there! I must say, the past 20 weeks seem to be the longest 20 weeks ever! Hopefully, the next 20 will go much faster.

We had the anatomy ultrasound and the baby is growing just perfectly. It's a girl! She was breech when they were doing the ultrasound, so all of the pictures that we have of her are of her skull and she looks like an alien (although my husband keeps telling me that I should quit saying that). The doctor said that she is in the 81st percentile with regard to weight and length, so, as we all knew, she is going to be a big baby. Praise the Lord that she is healthy!

My blood sugar numbers are staying consistenly low, so that is more good news! I've lost a little more weight, but the doctor says that is a good thing. She said that since I had weight to give, she is fine if I don't gain any weight during the entire pregnancy. That seems odd to me, but I totally understand her rationale.

I've started having some odd cravings. The other day, I ate spinach with popcorn and then, yesterday, I had baby swiss cheese with a banana. I had wanted peanut butter with it. When I told my mom about these meals, she said that the baby is going to want to get out so that she can have some good food. I thought those were good meals! We are still having tacos weekly, although my husband says that they are on a 5-day rotation. Of course, that doesn't include taco pizza, taco salad, etc. Anything Mexican just sounds so yummy!

We have a name that we really like, but we are open to other names. My best friend called and said that she liked Katherine Elizabeth, which is a very pretty name. A few hours later, she called to say that she didn't think it would be good because then her initials would spell KEG! Ha Ha! So, no little KEG for us!

Here's to a quick and healthy 20 more weeks!