Week 26 Update

The weeks are flying by, and I'm sure with Christmas approaching, it'll only get worse.  14 more weeks (hopefully less) until we meet Mr. Jett.  I'm ready.  I'm tired of being pregnant. :)  Already.  

I wish I was one of those people who loves every minute of it, but unfortunately I'm not.  It's so hard on your body and I try not to complain.  But my back hurts, my belly hurts, and my feet hurt.  Just about everything hurts!!  And the heartburn is a killer.

But I suppose I'll live.  Just a few more months.  And never again.... (never say never, right?)

So here's an update:

Baby this week:

-His ears have developed enough that he can probably hear our conversations outside my belly.

-He's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which helps his little lungs develop.

-He's adding on more baby fat, weighing in at almost 2 pounds and measuring about 14 inches.

-His eyelids are no longer fused together, and he's probably getting a blurry look at his surroundings.

I have an appointment next week for the dreaded glucose test.  Although, I do remember last time that it wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be.  Hopefully this one will go as smoothly as Jase's.  I'll let you know.

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Number 7 - the final day

Today is Jase's day...

for the past few weeks, we've been making a note of things HE is thankful for.  

Keep in mind, he's 3.

If it were up to Jase, all of his feathers would be filled with toys and food items.  I had to "help" give him some ideas. :)

He's been begging me all week to let him make a cornucopia.  So I printed one off for him to color.  Maybe one year we can make a REAL one.  Wouldn't that be fun?!?!

Pretty good, huh?

I did NOT help.  This was completely his creation.  I'm so proud!!

I hope you have had a fabulous holiday week/weekend, and I hope you were able to spend some time with your family (or those who make you happy).  

Now the fun begins... countdown 'til Santa!!

Number 6

I am thankful for my church family.

I've attended a few churches growing up, and called each one "home" for a period of time in my life.

Christway is my home now.  

I am thankful for those who have become a part of my life at other churches, and those who have become a part of my life at Christway.

I don't know what we'd do without these loving people who pray for us... they are there when we need them.  I've made some great friends, and I'm so thankful for each of them.

I'm thankful that my family can worship (and laugh) together each Sunday and Wednesday night.

I am thankful for a music minister who pushes us to do our best - but most importantly, to use our talents to reach people.  We minister through song each Sunday.  And we'll never know the lives that have been touched by ONE SINGLE word, line, or phrase of something we sang.  

And we sing to lift up our Lord.  He is the reason we sing.

and I'm thankful.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What are you thankful for today?  

Have you told anyone lately?

Have you thanked Him for your many blessings?

Number 5

Even though we can't take them with us, I'm still thankful for:

-a roof over my head

-air conditioning/heat during these Alabama Summers and Winters

-clothes filling my closet

-toys in the playroom

-cars to drive

-groceries in my fridge/pantry

-a Wal-Mart close-by

... I take these things for granted on a daily basis.  But I am so blessed.

and I'm thankful.

week 25 Update & Number 4

I am so thankful for this bundle of joy in my belly!!

Some days, it hits me that our lives are about to change drastically.  And it scares me.

We've had a great little routine going for over 3 years now... and we're about to add a baby into the mix.

But then I remember, it's going to be WONDERFUL!!  

Today's thankful post wouldn't be complete without an update:

Baby this week:

-Jett is now measuring about 13 1/2 inches long and is weighing in at about 1 1/2 pounds.  

-He's developing some baby fat and his wrinkly skin will soon start to fill out.

-He's also growing more hair!  If we could see him, we could see what color it is!

Mommy this week:

I'm doing good!  Just getting bigger.  Trying to drink more water and less cokes. :)  And trying not to gain 10 pounds a day.  Staying out of the cookie jar is tough!  But I'm pretty proud of my willpower.  Willpower AND the fact that sweets give me terrible heartburn!!!

Number 3

I'm thankful for my job:  Mommy.

I'm thankful that my husband works extra hard to allow me to stay home.  I cherish these days, as I know they may not last forever.  

And that's fine.  I realize that I'll have to go to work eventually, and I'll enjoy it.

But until then, I spend everyday in paradise... washing clothes, picking up toys, entertaining a 3-year-old.  

Ah, the life.

And I'm able to have these moments with my babies.... just "us" days.

Days with my best little buddy.

I love these days.

and I'm thankful.

Number 2

I am thankful for my Lord and Savior.  

I am thankful for my salvation... that he washes me clean each day.  

He lets me start anew each morning.

He forgives me.  And He loves me.

He lifts me up when I'm down, and keeps my feet planted on the ground.

I'm thankful that he NEVER LEAVES MY SIDE (or the side of my baby).  

I'm thankful that he sends his angels to take charge over us, and I pray for that daily.  

Oh, the places I could be... but he saved me.

and I'm thankful.

a week of thankfulness

Today, Saturday inspiration day, begins a week full of thankfulness.

There are so many things that I am truly thankful for.  I thought I'd share them with you... things I stop and say, "Thank you, Lord," for everyday.

Today, it's my family... in particular, the ones living in this little 3-bedroom house.  

Over the past 2 months, I have been reminded every day that life is short.  Accidents happen.  

We aren't promised tomorrow.  

I have thanked the Lord every day for these 2 3 people.  Even the one I haven't met yet.  

They are my world.  

I wouldn't make it without them.

and I'm thankful for special friends who take wonderful pictures :)  Thanks, Jennifer.... you can find her here: Jenny Lynn Photography.

Along with these folks, I'm extremely thankful for my ENTIRE family.  I am SO BLESSED beyond belief.  From my parents (who have been there for me EVERY STEP OF THE WAY), to my sister and her husband (who act like my babies are THEIR babies), to my aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents...... all the way to my husband's family!  We are BLESSED.

and I am thankful.

Photo Op

We've been doing lots of picture taking lately.... Jase and I had a little backyard session the other day.  The weather was perfect and we hadn't been outside in a while.  So I just sat back and let him play, while I snapped a few shots. 

Nothing fancy.

Just cute.

I must add, he dressed himself for this occasion. 

our family... in pinecone fashion.

Loving these lovely Fall days.

Week 24 Update

We're doing good!  And another week has passed.... one step closer to meeting this bundle of joy.

Things are about the same around here.... heartburn, back pain, weight gain. :)  But it's all good.  Just part of the job.

Baby this week:

-Jett has put on about 4 ounces since last week, and should weigh about 2 pounds by the end of this week!

-He's stretching out at about 1 foot in length; and I can definitely feel it.  I think he lays horizontally in my belly ALL THE TIME.  Not too comfy for Mommy.

-His brain is continuing to develop, as well as his taste buds.

-His lungs are branching out and starting to produce "surfactant", since he'll soon start breathing on his own.

Just to say thanks...

Today, my inspirational post is in honor of 2 people... 2 of the most important men in my life.

November 2nd was my Daddy's birthday.

Today is my husband's birthday.

I am so very thankful to have these men in my life. 

My Daddy is someone who has ALWAYS been there, especially when I needed him!!  

And I love seeing how much he ADORES my baby boy... and the one to come.

My husband is my rock.  He is my best friend and I love him with every bone in my body.

I just want to say to these 2 special people (who will unfortunately never read my blog) that I love you.  

Thanks for all you do! :)

Operation Christmas Child

It's that time of year again... time to give!

If you've never heard of Samaritan's Purse, it's a wonderful organization that hosts Operation Christmas Child every year.  You can visit their website to learn more and find out how you can get involved.

Every year, we make 2 boxes, one for a girl and one for a boy.  Jase and I made a trip to Wal-Mart today to fill our boxes.  Some of the items that we included were: toys, crayons, notepads, sunglasses, socks, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush/paste, and a hairbrush.  Everything we purchased was less than $1.00 each.  It only takes $20.00 or so to fill a box, but you can spend much more if you want!

There's no excuse why we can't do this each year.  And if you have children, please get them involved.  It makes them feel so special to be able to help other kids have a great Christmas!

And this year, if you make your donation online, you can track your boxes to see what country they arrive in.  HOW NEAT!

I hope you'll get involved.

Week 23 Update

Yesterday's doctor's appointment went great.  I had a few things to discuss with her, but everything turned out to be normal (and nothing I can do anything about), so all is well.

The only thing I was disappointed about: weight gain.  I was doing so good, holding at 12 pounds for the past few weeks.  But yesterday, the scale said a whopping 19 POUND gain total, 7 in the past 3 weeks.  Major sad face.

But I read in my "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" book last night that this trimester, you can expect to gain 1-2 pounds each week.  I'm just going to start laying off the Cokes and salty foods, b/c I can already see some swelling in my legs and feet.  We'll see what happens over the next few weeks.

I have one more 4 week appointment, where I'll do my glucose screening, and then it'll be every 2 WEEKS!!  It's getting closer.  I know my due date is still 4 months away, but it'll be here before we know it!

Baby this week:

-Jett has a well developed sense of movement now.  Time to start playing music in his little ears!

-He's measuring approximately 11 inches long and weighing in at over 1 pound.

-He's big enough now that I can see him move, kick, and jump outside my belly.  So funny. :)

-His ears and sense of hearing are developed enough now that he can hear things like: dogs barking, vacuum cleaners roaring, and Jase screaming at him from outside his home. :)

I promise I'm going to start taking pictures of my growing belly.  But I write these posts in the morning, before I ever get out of my pajamas. :)  And it's not a pretty sight.

So I'll start taking pictures at NIGHT before I go to bed so you can see Jett growing!!  And me getting fatter!!

Boo.

We had a great Halloween....

but BOY, I sure was glad it was over.  

2 days worth of trick-or-treating was enough to kill this Mommy (or at least make me go insane).

Jase did good, considering he's a 3-year-old who was hyped up on sugar.  But we definitely got out of our routine.  

Now that everything is back to normal in our house, I thought I'd share our pictures with you!

Sunday evening, our church (Christway Church of God in Gardendale) hosted a Family Fall Festival.  We had free food, snowcones, popcorn, games, prizes, and LOTS OF CANDY!

I (along with some help from my family) entered the Trunk-or-Treat contest.  There were about 20 trunks and we WON 1ST PLACE!!!

I was so proud.  It was tough building a shark out of poster board all by myself.  But I think it turned out pretty great!

Fins Up!

Jase and his buddy, Brayden

 Jase and his girlfriends, Kelsie and Alexis

Jase and his cousin Lilly - impossible to get them smiling together. :)

And even Buzz Lightyear made his appearance.  Jason says this is probably the LAST year he's doing this... but the kids LOVED IT!!

We have some crazy husbands!  They're great sports.

So much fun.

Then, on Monday night, we went to ANOTHER festival at Jason's brother's church.  More food, more games, and MORE CANDY.  

But Jase had a great time.

Isn't that just the cutest little cowboy you've ever seen?

Complete with a "real life" cowboy belt buckle - from our Texan, calf-roping Uncle Mike.  It weighed as much as Jase, but completed his outfit perfectly!  And I must add, I MADE Jase's chaps and vest.  Jason doubted me, but I think they turned out to be adorable!

I'm glad I have a whole year to recover from this past weekend. :)