What a day!

What a day!  

We were told we needed an ultrasound b/c Edward was measuring larger then he should be based on my due date.  I was pretty nervous about this dr. visit b/c I didn't want to be pressured into anything to get him out quicker.  

Long story short my due date is off, instead of Dec 9th it should be Dec 3rd.  Which is fine, means we are that much closer to meeting our son!  She estimated his weight to be around 7lbs 10oz.  I talked to Robert's mom today and she said Robert weighed in at 8lbs 4 oz so not too different from Edward! 

A huge blessing was that I have a lot of fluid so she was able to sneak a 4d ultrasound in for us for free.  We def. couldn't afford to have it done when it was "prime" to do it.  I still can't stop staring at the picture.  He looks so much like me and his daddy!  He's adorable! 

As we near the time that the Lord has destined us to meet our son we just continually pray and ask that you pray for a safe delivery, labor, and baby!  What a blessing this is!  It's been hard, oh boy has it been hard!  Yet I know that it's all worth it and I'm so appreciative for those of you who have continued to pour out your encouragement!!! 

Can't wait to post a photo of Edward in the flesh!!!

encouraged to write...

I'm not a great writer by any means...but...after reading blogs by a few other friends I've been encouraged to write.  Sorry in advance if this is long...you know pregnant women...we are emotional!

Before Pregnancy...
We've never used birth control.  We both strongly agreed and were convicted that if we were to ask the Lord to protect us daily, provide for our needs, etc, that we should trust Him in the bigger areas of our lives as well.  We both trusted that if the Lord wanted us to have children He would allow that to happen.  After being married a year I started to wonder if maybe we wouldn't have the joy of children in our marriage, we never had a "scare".   I even had a dr or 2 tell me that might be the case-I didn't go to the Dr to check on my fertility or anything of that nature, I went for my thyroid issues.  The thought of never having children made me sad, I just kept reminding myself that God would give us children if it was in His will.  I found God changing my heart to become completely in love with it being just Robert and I-I fell more madly in love with my husband!!  Our marriage became like a dream-it's just that amazing!  I truly started to believe that it may be just us and I was 100% ok with that.  Then bam, we found out we were pregnant...we had been married 2 years and 1 month, anniversary baby! hahaha!

We're having a baby...
Sunday morning after church I told Robert I thought I should buy a pregnancy test but he discouraged the idea and said that my job was stressing me out and I def wasn't pregnant.  I ran to Target  for a few things and decided I should go ahead and buy a test just to be safe.  I thought on the way home...that was such a waste of money.  I quietly carried my purse to the bathroom to test, I knew it was going to be negative so I didn't tell Robert that I had purchased the tests.  After what felt like forever I looked at the test and saw all these lines then looked at the instructions to see what they meant.  I think I looked back and forth 15 times.  I had all these amazing ideas for how I wanted to tell Robert that he was going to be a dad.  I suppose that I thought if I ever found out I was pregnant that I could make this elaborate plan unfold before I broke the news.  So what did I do?  I screamed "Robert".  Being the attentive husband that he is he dropped everything and ran to me.  He was met by my hand holding this test.  He asked what all the lines meant, I couldn't even speak.  I went back to the bathroom to grab the instructions and I let him figure it out.  He grinned the biggest grin and said "so does this mean yes".  I shrugged my shoulders still unable to speak.  I still couldn't believe it-we both ran to the car, bought a few digital test from Walgreens, and waited for the longest 5 minutes to pass.  "Pregnant" was what they all read.  I think I tested 5 or 6 more times over the next week.  I was in complete shock.  I thought that at any minute I would wake up and it would all be gone.  My friends def made fun of me for that!

Pregnancy...
Well here we are, week 33.  I don't feel like it's flown by at all.  We found out about our new addition when I was only 7 weeks pregnant and we're about to have the privilege of meeting our new addition in (approx.) 7 weeks.  That's so bizarre to me.

The first trimester was pretty difficult, I was nauseated all the time and experienced those hilarious moments of bursting into tears and having absolutely no idea why I was crying.  It was funny until I realized that the environment at my full-time job wasn't going to work with this new stage in life.  Thankfully my husband encouraged me to quit and work on our photography business and take care of the house full-time.  Sounded like the perfect opportunity but the nausea had me in bed a large percentage of the time.  Then I dealt with the emotions of feeling like I let my husband down, etc so on and so forth.  Of course I've married an incredible and supportive husband who reminded me that all of that stuff wasn't important, just to feel better.  (pic below is 1st trimester)

The second trimester was something I was so excited about, all of my books told me it was the "best" trimester, we would find out the gender of our baby, and I would actually start to look pregnant!  I LOVED the second trimester!  I felt amazing almost all of the time!  We found out that we were having a son!!!  I watched in amazement as my belly grew just a little bit each week.  It's absolutely incredible how God designed everything.  I was able to feel my son move, I wish that I could explain how it feels but I have no clue how.  It's absolutely incredible.  When I feel him move I wonder if he's stretching or just wiggling his fingers.  It's something amazing to feel those things but it'll be breath taking to see him do what I've felt him do for so long.  When he moves I try to just stop and take it in, I know that's something I'll miss.  Robert and I have even joked about those first few months after he's born - I'm sure I'll have moments where I'll have to remind myself that's just my stomach-he's out of there now. (Pic below is second trimester)

Now in the third trimester I'm not quite so comfortable anymore.  Melon is just growing and growing!  I've got that annoying sciatic nerve that just won't let up, lack of room to take a deep breath, and I soooo miss sleeping on my stomach!  I don't feel random jabs anymore, I can actually feel him stretching after he's slept for awhile, everything is a bit more "organized"!  ha!  I'm assuming he's pretty much out of room because it'll feel like a wave in my belly.  I can watch him move from one side of my stomach to the other.  I'm sure I look crazy when I stop whatever I'm doing to look down and watch him move.  It's so amazing to me!  I'm so ready to get him out!  He's getting heavy and wearing me out!  I'm praying that he comes earlier then his due date because I can barely eat 2 pieces of pizza and I'd really love to devour some stuffing during Thanksgiving!  (Pic below is third trimester)

I'm so thankful that I've been given the opportunity to be a mom.  I'm thankful that I'm getting to see Robert become a dad.  I love my little family so very much and I'm so thankful that I'm getting to experience all of this with Robert by my side, he's an amazing godly man!  I'm so grateful that the Lord is allowing my life to overflow with these blessings...I'm constantly stopping to take them all in.

For Sale: Nikon Coolpix S220

I've used the camera maybe 3 times.  Was purchased from Best Buy.  No scratches, dings, or other issues.  The camera is plum colored (purple).

Click the following link for specs on the camera
camera specs

Camera comes with the following...
2 Li-ion rechargeable batteries(we purchased an extra one separately) - *link to spare battery specs and price we paid
battery charger
AV Adapter to connect to tv (still sealed in plastic)
(I think I still have the box in storage, I'll be looking for it)
SDHC Card - 4GB (we purchased separately) - link to SDHC card specs and price we paid
Black Camera Case (we purchased separately) - link to specs of case w/ price we paid


Selling as a set-won't separate.
Sells for approx $160 without extra batteries, SDHC card, and case.
Asking $125

Revival...

Robert and I had the privilege of going to the "Passion 2012 University Tour" last night.

Louie Giglio taught, which neither one of us were expecting at all...it was one of the best teachings I've heard in a long time!
My favorite thing that he said...
"Go into your closet, draw a circle around yourself, and start a revival."

This may seem like old news to some of you, but, to me it was refreshing.  How often we spend time praying for God to change everyone and move in everyone, but, we leave ourselves out of that.  We let our priorities rule over the opportunity to serve and fellowship.  We allow membership to dictate our fellowship.  I could go on and on but I won't.

Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.  Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.  Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving-kindness to all who call upon You.  Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications!  In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me.  There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours.  All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name.  For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.  Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.  I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.  For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.  Psalm 86:1-11

You might shed a tear w/ this one!

I was driving down the road and a song called "All of Me" came on Klove.  I haven't been listening to the radio much so I'm not sure if this song is new or not, but, I found myself completely sucked into the lyrics.  I immediately pulled out my phone and shazamed the song before it went off the radio...I HAD to buy it.  It's everything that I'd love to tell my husband and son everyday for the rest of my life.  It truly is an incredible song!  I never thought that I would love anyone like I love Robert and Edward.  It's only by the grace of God that I get to experience this love...I'm so thankful that He loved me first so I could love them.  I struggle at least once daily with the thought "what if I don't get to see Robert again today."  May seem weird but it's a constant reminder to love him as big as I can when he's here! 

I did a bit of research on this song and the writer and realized it was the lead singer from Sanctus Real-His son bowen was born with a heart defect.  You can read about their lovely family at Bowensheart.com .

I've pasted the lyrics below as well as a link so you can listen and buy it too!

Afraid to love, something that could break,
Could I move on, if you were torn away?
I'm so close to what I can't control
I can't give you half my heart, and pray it makes you whole

You're gonna have all of me, you're gonna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing every fear
You're gonna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start.

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
Trade the fear of all that I could lose, for every moment I share with you

You're gonna have all of me, you're gonna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start.

Heaven broke into this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

You're gonna have all of me, you're gonna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start

You're gonna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start
It's where I'll start 

"All of Me - by - Matt Hammitt"

Click the song "All of Me" to listen

July 24, 2011

I won't lie, registering for little boy stuff is so fun!  I'm kinda sad that the little girl clothes totally consumed the entire baby section so we really had to dig for the cute stuff...but we found it and "boy" is it cute!  ha!  My favorite part of the whole experience is that Robert spent a good amount of time with each toy deciding if he thought the toy was actually going to promote learning or a piece of junk.  Overall I will say that the toys he picked are neat!  He also managed to stay away from some of the really annoying ones! ha!

I just wanted to share 2 of my favorite things from our registry! 

I guess I'll go ahead and share that I'm decorating with Airplanes...of course Robert is extremely excited about this!  We have tons of cute little ideas and I can't wait to share the final product!  It's gonna be so awesome!  Melon will love it!  SO boy!

July 23, 2011

Well...
I can't believe that the summer is almost over.  I didn't get to see the beach this summer, I'm kinda sad about that.  Although I must say taking a summer vacation every year is foreign to me, so if you are one of those people that does be thankful.  I do think it's funny because I only like looking at the ocean, you won't catch me swimming in it unless I'm being carried by someone.  Yes that has happened once, my hubs carried me in.  :-)

In other news...
We are halfway through this pregnancy!  I'm pretty excited about that.  I don't want to rush it away but now that we know the sex of the baby it makes it harder to wait to meet the little one!  In the mean time I'm brainstorming decoration ideas.  I've got a lot of cute ones that I'm not going to share just yet!  20 weeks still seems so far away but time is moving forward!   I will say that Robert is actually excited about registering for all the baby stuff.  I remember when we were getting married it was like pulling teeth.  I guess being a "dad" just does something! 

Robert is still making his way through school.  I'm so proud of him!  He's still just as excited about airplanes today as he was when he first started.  I won't lie he'd rather be working on one then talking about one.  He's also at the beginning stages of building a new engine for his car.  I'm not really the mechanical type so this is quite impressive to me.  He looks at all the metals parts and can tell me what everything does, why it does it, and how to improve it.  I see junk and he sees an engine!  What can I say...he dazzles me!  ha!

Well I suppose that's all for now...

Mommies Only...day 2

I was going to just update my status everyday with different questions about brands and prices but I figured that I'll just write a blog about each different category on my "Essentials List".  I'm trying to have my list all together so when we register it won't take forever and I will register for what I actually need and will use!  Please tell me what brand and why you love it!  Thanks MOMS!!

Day 2:
Baby Wear Must Haves...

-receiving blankets?
-caps?
-booties vs socks?
-clothes for the baby during the day?
-clothes for the baby to sleep in?
-hangers?  Do you actually hang up anything?

*is there anything wardrobe wise that you feel a baby MUST HAVE?*

Mommies ONLY...day 1

I was going to just update my status everyday with different questions about brands and prices but I figured that I'll just write a blog about each different category on my "Essentials List".  I'm trying to have my list all together so when we register it won't take forever and I will register for what I actually need and will use!  Please tell me what brand and why you love it!  Thanks MOMS!!

Day 1:
Baby Care Must Haves...

-brand of bottle and why?  Most of you have already commented that Dr. Browns & Playtex are the best!
-extra nipples?  Stick with kind on bottle or branch out?
-bottle warmer?  Do we need one, if so which one??
-bottle brush?  Do any of you actually use one?
-pacifiers?
-breast pump?  Manual or electric?
-thermometer?


I think that about covers it for the feeding section of my list!

June 15, 2011

Well it seems it been a bit over a month since I've written last...so here's some updates.

Robert's School-he only has one course left in A.  What does this mean?  Well he has completed the general and airframes portions of his schooling!  After completing this next course he will only have power plant left.  It also means that he will be eligible to take 2 of his 3 tests that he needs to be a certificated A&P.  He will probably go ahead and take the 2 so he only has to worry about 1 test at graduation, which is in March 2012. 

Vacation-Last time I wrote I mentioned that we were going to be visiting one of the possible locations for us to move after he graduates, unfortunately we have had to push our trip back to August.  This works out well b/c we won't have to travel in the middle of summer and during the 4th of July holiday.  We are still really excited about this trip!

Photography-wowzers...our business has really taken off!  We are preparing for 3 more sessions this month, 3 weddings next month, etc.  We are so thankful for this!  We love love love photography and if it included insurance Robert would probably quit his job!  Ha!

Pregnancy-at this current point we are 14 wks 5 dys.  This has been a roller coaster.  One day I'll feel great and the next not so much.  I'm so thankful that Robert loves me and little scrivy b/c he is dealing with the tears, sniffing, mood swings, stomach aches, etc.  I read about the mood swings but oh my goodness-I'm going nuts!  Poor guy!  As I sit here I can almost feel my belly expanding, it's the weirdest thing!  I'm so thankful that we are getting this opportunity to be parents!  It really gets to me every time Robert prays for our baby, he always prays for a healthy baby and for the baby's salvation.  Really makes me feel selfish because I'm sitting there thinking, "Pray for a pretty baby, my eyes, blah blah".  We have an app. on July 8th to find out the baby's sex.  I say girl and Robert says boy...we'll see

May 10, 2011

Looks like I have a correction for where we are going in July...Dothan, Alabama is actually where we will be going.  I printed off a visitors guide today.  I'm really excited about visiting there.  I just wish that I could take my friends & family with me.  I don't want to move away from them...

And since I have the floor...ha!...I just like to say that my husband is amazing!  I was feeling really crappy last night and he grabbed the dogs and took us for a walk around the block!  It was so sweet!!!

May 9, 2011

So I'm a day late writing about our ideas with our "after Robert graduates adventures"...

I'll go ahead and tell about the job in Alabama.  It's an extremely specialized job but it pays really well!  We would have to move to Fort Rucker, Alabama, I think it's about 8 hours from here, but only 2 hours from the coast-I mean that's totally why we are considering this! hahaha!  No not really, ok maybe...
We are actually scheduling a trip to visit the area in July.  We even researched the local photographers-I think we'll be a hit!  ha!  This job def. wouldn't be a permanent one it would just provide the opportunity for us to get out of debt and secure the needs that we have so that we would able to move freely about the world, wherever God calls, and not worry about everything that seems to plague us now! 
If your my family and your reading this, don't freak out-nothing is set in stone!!

Pregnancy...
Oh gosh...this has been a rough few days!  I am past exhausted!  I just want to wake up feeling refreshed...when is that going to happen?  I woke up this morning and my pants that fit fine on Saturday are now about an inch too small and my stomach is so HARD!  So it begins!  I'm thankful that my mom bought me a Belly Band-thats the only reason I have pants to wear to work!  ha!  Ok...well I'm honestly too tired to keep this going...

I'll be back soon!  Over and out-yeah I know it's cheesy!  But my husband thinks I'm cute!

New Beginnings...

My mom kept telling me I need to write down my thoughts...I heard her but I HATE writing...so here's my compromise...I'll blog! 

There may be nothing here worth reading but I'll give it a shot anyway...We are going through so many life changes in the next year-one of those being that we are having a baby!!  The other(s) being Robert will graduate from A&P school in march 2012 and then, oh boy!  I won't drop the whole can of worms in one evening! 

But that's the purpose of this blog, to tell about our life, what we are going through, for those of you who love and support us-now you can secretly stalk us and know what is up, and for us to be able to look back and see what ALL has happened! 

I'll start with the best news of all...the baby!  We were shocked!!  But we are extremely excited.  I don't think I've heard that much screaming in a long time!  ha!  It's been a really hard 10 weeks so far, I didn't realize how absolutely exhausted I could get, no worries, I now know!  We trust in God's timing-it's perfect!!

 

Robert's school...

I don't remember all of the gooey details but I remember waking up one day thinking "what are we doing".  We were sending Robert to an 18 month school five days a week attached to an $8,000 bill!  Like every sane woman I panicked about how we would pay our bills and eat and buy clothes ;-)  I seriously thought we had lost our minds!  But here we are 1/2 way through his 18 months and God's provided in random and incredible ways!  We haven't had to pay a single dime towards Robert's education and as far as we can tell he will graduate being fully paid for!  Praise the Lord!  Now comes the truly trying part...what do we do when he graduates?  We've thrown around so many ideas and prayed over so many things only to find ourselves exactly where we started.  If you know me at all you know that I can't stand that!  I want to know what's going to happen when and why and how!  I'm a planner!

Not to worry I will bore you with all the details of those ideas tomorrow...till then...

Over and Out - Is that cheesy?  ha!