Abram: 33 Weeks

Hey there Mr. How is it going in there? Hopefully well.

All I can tell you from out here is that you are incredibly active, more so than your sister if I remember correctly. You also get Hiccups like crazy.

I had an apt today- I only gained another two pounds so we are doing a good job! You are head down and measuring right on par.

I have to be honest with ya Abe, I am incredibly uncomfortable already. I still get sick rather often after eating (nothing specific, just food) and sleeping is difficult. I have been having Braxton Hicks since 24 weeks and they are getting stronger and more frequent. I am also experiencing pain in my lower that my Midwife says are my ligaments and bones stretching and opening up (you know, just preparing for your journey down the chute). On top of these normal pregnancy inconveniences, my Lymph nodes have been swollen and bothering me for a few weeks now. I don’t know what is causing it but I don’t feel well and I can’t exactly rest with your crazy sister running around. None of these things are your fault and I am not complaining, just letting you know everything I have to go through for you. Ha-Ha.

I just want to sleep for a whole day. And have someone cook meals for me. And sleep.

Your Dad has been working like crazy lately (adding to my exhaustion). I am so grateful for all of his hard work because I am able to stay home with you guys. It is not an easy lifestyle but we are a happy family and I am excited to finally have you here apart of it. Lucy talks about you everyday and is eagerly anticipating your arrival. She loves coming to the DR with me to hear your heartbeat. She thinks it is loud… she hasn’t heard anything yet!!

Almost finished your bedroom. It was very hard for me to paint over the turquoise color we had for Lucy but I couldn’t really see my little boy in a room that color. You’re welcome. I hope you like sports because, well, that is what you are getting stuck with. There are good athletic genes on both sides of the family so I am fairly certain you will have some interest… hopefully…

Well Bud, I love ya! 7 weeks until we get to meet face to face! Make it a smooth one would ya?! =)

something to keep you coming back

I can’t see myself really posting too much these next few weeks. I gots lots to do to get ready for our little Rugrat and I’m tired.

Whoa is me.

1. Lucy is completely potty trained. She does not even wear a diaper to bed. I don’t know how it happened and it was the easiest thing ever (way different from my last post about it, huh?!). One day at Target I let her pick out her own undies and she has refused to wear a diaper ever since. It has been three weeks and we have had 3 or 4 accidents. Thank you Lord for your grace. I never thought I would be ready or patient enough to do it before Abram… good thing she made me do it!

2. Congratulations to my good friend Mary. She is now Married. Woop-Woop. It was a beautiful day and she looked amazing!

3. We just came back from vacation. I need an extra day off to re-coop from my vacation. Ryan didn’t come with us, he stayed home and worked so I had money to spend on vacation. Isn’t he da sweetest?! ❤

4. Lucy went home with my Mom on Friday and I stayed behind with some friends for the weekend. Going out as a giant pregnant person really gets you involved in some interesting, awkward and funny topics of conversation. I was given several name suggestions. I was told to go home and take care of my “baby”. I got lots of surprised eyes when I turned around on the dance floor- “That’s right buddy, back off!”. It happened to be Senior Week and because I look so young I felt the judgement. No, I am not here for my Senior Week thank you very much. “Ohhh, you look so young, how old are you?”

5. Lets hear it for a 2lb weight gain this month! I am not sure if I revealed the ridiculous amount of weight I gained at my previous check-up but 2lbs is amazing! I have gained a total of 15 lbs so far at 31 weeks prego. 9 weeks to go. What?! Ah! My stomach can not possibly stretch any further. Hello stretch marks.

6. Lucy’s Dance Recital was perfect. She did such a great job. She is the smallest and youngest in her class and she really hung in there! It was equal parts funny and cute. I was so nervous for her. I will post a video soon when I get it together.

 **Mary & Rob **

Lucy’s Dance Recital

❤ Kisses for Daddy! We miss you!!

Beach Babe

Abram at the beach. 31 wks.

* I do not and would not normally wear a bikini with a giant baby belly but I did for an hour. Just trying it out because it was so dang hot. I went up and changed because I was uncomfortable. Not that you care or are judging me but I feel funny so I had to explain. I did however think this was a cute picture so I wanted to post it. =0)

PEACE OUT HOMIES!!!

 

 

i’m busy and my brain doesn’t work

Three days in a row I have tried to drive somewhere that I visit quite regularly and either went the wrong way or totally forgot how to get where I wanted to go. #Momnesia. Yes, I am “hashtagging” on my blog. Get over it.

The next two weeks are going to be the craziest ever. I think I might go into labor because of all the stress and anxiety. My body hurts. My stomach keeps stretching. My cheeks are probably getting bigger. Lucy keeps throwing stuff on the floor and it isn’t funny.

The next two weeks may be crazy but they are crazy for really exciting things.

Abram has the hiccups right now.

My sister is graduating High School this week. Hooray for Emily!

I may have mentioned that my husband redid all of our front gardens. He is amazing.

Two things to remember this week. 1. Lucy needs to wear pants at all times to keep from getting mosquito bites or further scrapes/bruises on her legs (Mary’s Wedding). 2. Buy mouthwash. I keep forgetting.

Good-bye.

We fed the ducks. We ate lunch on a hill. It was beautiful. Lucy passed out.

 Mary is getting Married!!!

Growing boy. 11 Weeks to go. What the What?!

Flower Child. Helping Mom & Dad pick out flowers for the garden. Wearing her favorite shoes.

 

 

The Little Things

It is the little things that Ryan does that really displays his love for me. Sure, it is nice to hear the words “I love you” every now and then but when he does something that I know he is only doing because it will help me or because I like it, that is when I really know he loves me. It is those little selfless acts of kindness and compassion that make me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Cheese ball, I know.

After preparing dinner, cooking for an hour and finally sitting down to relax and enjoy it (the best you can while serving a husband and a child), it certainly is nice when Ryan says that he will clean up dinner. I’m sure he wants to do it just as much as I but he does it anyway because he wants to serve me and that speaks miles.

You guys know how much I loathe doing the dishes so really anytime I hear Ryan in there putting them away or washing them I love him a little more.

Last night I heard Lucy on the intercom and without thought or discussion, Ryan jumped right up to go check on her (when Ryan has to work all day I kind of feel like it should be my duty for midnight calls because he wakes up so early and my schedule is a little more flexible). When he got out of bed I remember thinking “wow- that was really nice!”. That doesn’t happen all of the time, most of the time it is I that has to run to her rescue but when he does do it, it really blesses me.

On Saturday Ryan dug up all of our landscaping, re-trimmed the gardens, planted all new garden things (you know, like plants and flowers) and has been non stop watering them (I didn’t know you had to water things so much- no wonder everything I plant dies). I’m sure the condition of the exterior of our home matters a little bit to him but really he did it all for me. Hours of intensive work because I wanted a nice garden (what man honestly really cares about color coordinated flowers?).  All of his hard work brought me so much joy. I really love it. He did a great job.

There are plenty of other things that he does for me on a daily basis that just says “I love you” without actually saying it (like calling me everyday at lunch time, hanging up his towel after the shower, taking out the trash, making extra eggs for Lucy in the morning and putting them in the fridge for when she wakes up…). When I stop and think about them, instead of all of the things he is NOT doing, it makes life a little sweeter.

I am feeling so blessed  by him this morning. Thank you Lord for such an amazing husband (flaws and all…).

* This post is not intended to make you jealous of my life or discontent in yours (trust me, my life and marriage are NOT perfect). I’m sure some of you are thinking “my Husband, Fiance, Boyfriend doesn’t do that”. I bet if you really think about it, there are things that you don’t even notice. You should go tell him/her right now how much you appreciate those things. I better go do that too before he leaves us for work.

Good-bye!

300 MEMORIES

This is my 300th post! Please forgive me for not having written sooner but I was waiting until I had something else besides complaints and baby news to write about. It turns out that in the season of life that I am currently in… baby news and complaints is all I’ve got.

I have decided to dedicate my 300th post to the two people who have inspired almost everything I write about; Ryan and Lucy. Without these two crazies in my life, I wouldn’t have the crazy, fun, silly, serious, frustrating…. things to write about.

My life may seem mundane, lonely & boring to most of the outside population (I would indeed agree on most counts on most days) but behind all of the chores, child training & other endless domestic responsibilities I have- there is so much love and joy shared here.  It is the simple things (like my loving family)  that make up for everything that we don’t have. I hope you have seen that through my writings.

Heres to the people who give me everything. I love you guys. Thanks for the memories. Can’t wait to record 300 more!!

Almost 2 and 1/2

I don’t have a lot of time but I have been wanting to record a few things about Lucy before I forget. Sorry I have been MIA buuuut… I’m busy. Kind of nesting. Child training and tired.

There have been a few major milestones that have happened within the past two weeks. What a big girl.

1. She is starting to recognize smells. She, for the first time, commented that something smelled “stinky”. In a particular situation, someone had tooted (in public) and she totally called them out: “I smell poop”. Oh so funny. It was a stranger. They didn’t pay attention.

2. She is starting to button her own buttons. She successfully buttoned one of her sweater jackets all by herself. I was so proud of her! She was so proud!

 

 

 

3. She has been asking me if Abram can come out of my belly. Every morning she hugs and kisses him and says “I love Abram so much!”. It is so sweet and makes my heart melt.

4. She moved herself into her new bedroom. I was not ready for her to make the transition yet (the room is not totally ready either). When we bought her “big girl” bedding she wanted nothing else but to play and sleep in her big girl bed. It is sad and exciting at the same time. We have no problems at night or keeping her in the bed or room. She has only fallen out once. Her toddler bed had a little rail but we didn’t put one on the new bed and I was a little nervous that would happen. We are in the process of getting a bedrail but like I said, we can’t really keep her out of there until we get one.

5. This morning I asked her to get pick out a pair of shoes (she LOVES shoes) and put them on so we could leave. She came down stairs and said: “Look at deez (these) shoes Mom, they are booful (beautiful). Aunt Dessi (Jessi) got dem for me”. What a girl.

kind of like these

 

 

6. I started Potty Training and then I quit. My MIL (whom I personally think is the child raising encyclopedia) told me she thinks Lucy is ready so I decided to try it. Truth is, I am not ready. I have SO much going on in my mind and in my house right now that I am not 100% committed to doing it because I feel like I have too many things that I am in the middle of. Now that I tried for about a half of a day, I know what to expect and what it will look like for me when I have decided that I am going to do it. I think she is and could be ready… Mommy is not. I’m thinking sometime this summer. Late June or early July.

 

Ok. Gotta run. I just wanted to get all of this down before my seriously crazy case of “momnesia” forgets all of this fun stuff.

Byeeeeee.

 

 

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Ryan and I had our first Wedding dance choreographed to the song Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. It was really fun and surprised all of our guests. This was before choreographed dances started becoming popular so it really was shocking and unique at the time (especially if you know Ryan at all).

This is my favorite rendition of our “First Dance”.

I could watch it all day.

It makes me smile.

4 Years & Counting…

This week Ryan and I are celebrating our 4th Wedding Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Ryan.

There are four things I want to tell you on our Anniversary. I should probably tell you all the time but why not wait for a special occasion?!

1. In case you didn’t know, you are quite the stud. I’m pretty sure you are better looking then when we first met in High School and  I thought you were God’s gift to High School boys back then. God has been even more kind to you in the years recent. Oh man!

2. “…Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way…  (1 Peter 3:7)”

“Understanding” speaks of being sensitive to your wife’s deepest physical and emotional needs. In other words, be thoughtful and respectful. Remember, you are to nourish and cherish her (Eph. 5:25-28). ” –Adapted from Divine Design by John MacArthur

You love me in an understanding way everyday. I know that it is not easy. I am stubborn, “needy” and many other things. You have grown to become very understanding, something that has taken time and I am so grateful to God for this in your life. I feel like a better wife, mother and woman because of the way you treat me with your words and your actions.

3. I’m sorry that I am crazy when I am pregnant but it is half your fault.

4. My favorite thing and maybe the best gift you have ever given me is seeing you with our beautiful daughter. Again, this is not always an easy task but you easily love and care for her. It makes me so happy to see the two of you together and I love how much she adores you. I always thought that it would make me jealous, one of our children having you as the favorite, but it doesn’t… it makes my heart melt (I’m not saying you are her favorite but she really does like you. =P ). I can only imagine how much more joy when we have another little one running around the house- and seeing you teach your son all of the things that boys should know… I can’t wait. Yes I can. I can’t. You know what I mean.

*Sorry the music isn’t working.

Abram: 23 Weeks

Can’t believe it has already been this long, and I can’t believe how quick it has been and is going to go… it is long but short at the same time. =0P

First thing off the top of my head is “man- my eating habits are ridiculous!”. Meat. Meat. Meat. And ice cream. I can’t say that they are “terrible” cravings but it certainly explains the weight gain I have experienced this past month. I have 17 weeks to go and I can only gain 12 more pounds to weigh what I ended with when I was pregnant with your sister. As long as you are healthy, that is what is important ( though I would rather not have giant cheeks in all of your newborn pictures)! Also, just reminding you that I will only have a month and a half to get into good shape for your Uncle Josh’s wedding and the more weight I put on the harder I will have to work out and as you are well aware… I HATE working out! It is love hate, but more hate.

You like to work out. You move around the most at bed time. I don’t mind actually because it is like our own little private bonding time. I would like to sleep and you do keep me up but I am aware that this is how it will be when you “arrive” so I’m just getting used to your schedule a little earlier. Your Daddy has felt you a few times and Lucy isn’t patient enough to keep her hands down but you will get her eventually.

Lucy is the loud one that yells at you. She also rubs you, kisses you, hits you, messages you and asks if she can come in and see you. She and I got to hear your heart beat yesterday at the Doctors office. She is excited to meet you. We have been reading lots of books about how to be a good big sister so I think you are going to be in pretty good hands. You lucky little thing.

That is all the update I have for you at this time.

Yes, I talk a lot. Get used to it.

Love,

Mom

—

Dear Lord, thank you so much for blessing our family with this child. He has already brought us so much joy and we haven’t even met him yet. I pray that you will continue to help him grow big (not too big) and strong and keep him healthy and from complications of any kind. I know this may seem superficial but you tell us in your word to “ask” so I am asking that he will not have red hair. I would also like to request that he has good skin. Ryan would also want me to ask you to make him a great athlete. An athlete that not only brings joy and pride to his team but glorifies you in all that he accomplishes. I know you have great plans for this child… even better than anything I could ever ask or imagine. Help me to see and to remember and trust you in that promise. Help us to trust you through any difficult trial or circumstance that we may encounter. I have never had a boy before but if I look at my brother and my brother-in-laws… I think I’m going to be on my knees a lot and I am asking that you will meet me there.

Another thing that I have been praying is that he will have a love and passion for your word. I pray that he will love to read the Bible and that he would find no greater comfort. This is something Ryan and I struggle with so how encouraging it would be for us to see him have such a gift. We have already seen fruit in Lucy, as I have been praying since her conception to be a prayer warrior. It builds my faith and encourages me to pray when my little two-year old folds her hands. If you would also like to gift him musically, that would be cool too. Thank you Father for hearing these prayers. Do what you do.  In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Oh right, one other thing. I have been having some serious anxiety lately about finances (I know, I know. You will take care of it) and about possibly having to have another C-Section. Oh Lord please spare me from such an experience. I do not want to have to go through that again. I know whatever happens you will walk me through it but man did that suck. Forgive me for being anxious about these things, please give me peace.

Thank you!