26 weeks and the Half Marathon

My countdown says 98 days to go. Um, is that right? Stores have 90 day return policies. That is not long people! I am so excited to meet Jeremiah, but I also feel like there is a lot to do! I know it will all get done, not going to stress over any of it. I plan to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy. I love feeling Jeremiah move and kick, I love praying over him and talking to him in there and I love how he seems to come to life as soon as Al speaks. I think I will have a daddy's boy on my hands. Not that I can blame him, his daddy is pretty fantastic.

Speaking of...

Al completed the Music City Half Marathon on Saturday. I am so proud of him. The temperatures were at record highs and it was so crowded. So very crowded. Jeannie and I were able to cheer him and much of the New Song team on around the 2 mile mark, but after that I didn't see Al again. Not even at the finish line! I am trying not to beat myself up over this fact. It was impossible for me to have gotten there any sooner, too many people! Did I mention that it was crowded? Al completed the race in 1 hour and 52 minutes! An incredible time for a first time runner. He answered the call God placed on his heart for this run, set his sights high on a good time and finished well! 

Jeremiah has some new friends waiting for him to come play! The Grabers & the Kellums each welcomed healthy boys into their familes last week. Jennifer and Garner's new baby boy, Eden in this top picture. Congrats guys! 

25 Weeks!

Normally I am pretty computer savvy, but I can't make the lines disappear from this post or get the color to stay black... except on this first line apparently! =) 

Week 25 has brought with it busy, but exciting times! Jeremiah is moving lots these days and still loves to hear his daddy's voice. Al talking to him will get a kick out of him every time. I feel really good. I am so thankful for such an uneventful pregnancy. Once we got past the constant nausea in the first trimester, its been pretty easy breezy. As you can see, my dove tattoo hasn't even stretched! (insert gasp from those of you who didn't know I had that hidden on my hip =)) 

We are so excited for a trip to Tulsa at the end of next month. My sister and wonderful friends are hosting a baby shower for us while we are there. Angelique is going to take some maternity pictures of me that I am confident will be much better than the belly shots I have been taking with my computer and those that Al has been taking at home. I don't feel "big" yet, but when I look at the pictures I am shocked to see how big my belly is getting. 

Al is running the Country Music 1/2 Marathon on Saturday. He is really excited, but would appreciate your prayers. Its going to the 85 degrees on Saturday and he'll be running with 35,000 other people. He is ready for this and has trained well, I am very proud of him and can't wait to cheer him on.

Garner and Jennifer are welcoming a new addition to their family this week. Eden EdwardGraber was born yesterday morning. I can't wait to meet him! The birth mother allowed Jennifer to be in the room for the delivery, I was so excited for her. We've been praying that she would be allowed to witness the birth of her son. Eden should be coming home tomorrow and I will post a picture as soon as I meet him. Big brothers, Jaymin and Jericho are excited to meet Eden. 

24 Weeks

I am 24 weeks! I went and saw Dr. Presley yesterday and had my glucose testing done. It was a piece of cake! I know some hate it, but these taste buds thought it was actually pretty decent. Not something I would order again, but not gross. Everyone is different though and everyone reacts differently so I am glad to report, the glucose test was easy for this momma. I will get the results today or tomorrow, but I am not concerned about it. I am thankful that things have gone so smoothly this pregnancy. I know its not like this for everyone. I think my biggest complaint is the acid reflux/heartburn, (now is the time to take out stock in Tums, I am going through them like candy!) and that is tolerable. 

Jennifer Graber went with me. She adopts her sweet boys so I knew she would enjoy experiencing a prenatal appointment. It was fun to share with her. We got to listen to Jeremiah's heartbeat and of course, it is the most beautiful heartbeat I have ever heard. Dr. Presley said Jeremiah and I are both measuring right on for 24 weeks. 

 I took this picture this morning with my computer. I think it makes me look bigger than I am, but those of you who see me everyday can vote on that. ;) 

23 weeks and Easter Weekend (pictures)

23 Weeks and Easter Weekend

I will combine the 2 since I never posted for my 23rd week. We had a fun, but full Easter weekend. I was off work on Friday for Good Friday and it was a full day of errands and preparation for my little sister, Becky's arrival. 

Becky and her friend Liz came into town about 2:45am on Saturday morning so I woke up to greet them and get them settled. Becky and Liz met at church and soon discovered they both had friends/family in the Nashville area. In fact, Liz's friends go to church with us, small world! Saturday morning started with Easter egg coloring. Trish & Aubrey, Gina, Jeannie, Carina and Lars all came over to join the fun. Olivia joined us as well. Olivia is the master egg colorer. She has skills. Aubrey (19 months) loved playing with the eggs, but after 2 she wasn't very interested in dipping them in the dye. I had to take her very cracked egg away after she tried to put it under my couch. Thanks, but no thanks. =) Saturday was so fun. Full of egg coloring, friends and shopping! Sunday was Easter and it was such a sweet day. We joined the annual Pfaender picnic and ate too much then hunted Easter eggs! Thanks to Bill, Karen and Trish the adults were treated to an egg hunt with eggs filled with Chick-fil-a coupons. Yeay! I won the big prize by finding the special egg containing 2 free combos meals and 2 movie tickets. 

Becky and Liz left this morning for their trek back to Tulsa. I will miss my sister, but am so thankful for the time we had together. I will be in Tulsa in May for our first baby shower so I will see her again soon. 

Jeremiah treated us all with a little surprise last night. He was moving enough that Al and Becky could see his kicks. It was so fun to share with Becky. I have my Glucose testing on Wednesday, I am taking my sweet friend Jennifer with me so she can hear Jeremiah's heartbeat and be my driver in case I feel like passing out after my sugar dose. ;) 

Enjoy the random array of pictures. I have yet to figure out how to post the pics within the blog post under each paragraph so at the top they will stay. The sweet blanket was made by a woman that works with Al named, Miranda. I haven't met her, but she has prayed for our boy and was so sweet to give us this fun gift. 

22 Weeks!

Al had his first pregnancy craving "run" this weekend. I have had cravings, but nothing has been so overwhelming where I felt the need to make anyone go anywhere for me. Now, I have made a couple of random Kroger purchases while at the store, but haven't sent Al for anything. Until Sunday. And really, he offered. I really, really wanted some Oreos. Since Al is training for the 1/2 Marathon this month he was contemplating a run. He just combined the two! He emptied out a backpack, threw in the iPod and off he went! He did a few miles and came back to my rescue with not just regular Oreos, but double stuff Oreos! Jeremiah and his mommy were happy! And I got my calcium for the day with the glass of milk I dunked them in. It was win-win for all involved. 

Praying to the One we know, knows us

Do you ever find yourself praying mindlessly through your "grocery" list? Tuesday night I was in bed, had read some word and was praying through my list. I felt the Holy Spirit say, 'Why are you talking to me as if you don't know me?'. Yikes, I was. I had my list of things I am praying for, but there was no faith or relation behind it, just stating my list. It is like calling AT&T to make a change to your service. You call, state what you need and wait for it to be fixed. What if you called and it turned out your best friend was on the other end. You would talk to them, relate to them and listen. 

This has been my challenge this week. Talk to Him like He is who He is. He is my redeemer, my Father, friend, companion, counselor, salvation, the God who sees me, heals, answers me when I call Him, my maker and so so much more. 

And just to leave you with a bit of Jeremiah for your day, he kicked Al hard a couple times this morning and when Al laid his head on me to talk to him closely he got a swift kick in the face. It was funny and sweet.