29 weeks! Happy Birthday, Al!

We are at 29 weeks! I can't believe how fast each week is going by! Al is 33 today and we celebrated with Chris, Carina and baby Lars last night. Al and Chris have the same birthday, we call them the twins. :) Do you think they look alike? They are actually a lot alike in random things they say, do and like, but at the same time couldn't be more different. This was our second year to celebrate their birthdays together and we look forward to many more! Al is getting his gift from me and Jeremiah while we are in Tulsa this weekend. (shhh, don't tell him, but his family and I got him a video camera!)

We are heading to Tulsa first thing in the morning for a weekend visit and my first baby shower! I am so excited, I am sure I will have a bunch of pictures to post when we get back on Tuesday night. Our house is about to become over run with baby items and I can't wait! 

Many have asked about the wall I take pictures against. It is in my office at work. This week I started a paper chain countdown to mark the number of days until my due date. (Melinda, I remember you did that for you and Peter's wedding) It will be fun to watch it shrink. I am still working out the details of my end date here, but I am so excited about being a stay at home mom! I know it will be an adjustment, but worth every moment I've waited for it. 

I will see some of you this weekend and I can't wait! Becky, Tiffany, Suzanne, Angela and Mandy have put a lot of thought and effort into this shower and I can't wait to celebrate with them! Angelique will be taking maternity pictures afterwards, I am so excited for our full weekend!

28 weeks!

Here I am at 28 weeks! Jeremiah's arrival is getting closer and closer! We will be in Tulsa next weekend for my first baby shower and I am so excited! I can't wait to get his room set up and ready. Mom is working on his bedding and I have a few people with projects for his room. We are so blessed to have so many who want to help. 

I had a visit with Dr. Presley on Monday. Everything looks good! I am having an ideal pregnancy and Jeremiah is healthy and growing like he should. He is riding low, low, low which means no room in the bladder, but I can breathe easy becuase he's not up in my lungs. :) 

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there, mommy's to be, those who want to be moms, adoptive moms waiting on their precious little ones to come home and everyone in between! I am praying your days are full of joy and peace. 

Last year at this time we had just lost our second baby and I was heartbroken on Mother's Day, this year I couldn't be more excited to celebrate the gift of Jeremiah. Things don't always happen in our timing, but I know God has a plan and purpose in the wait. 

I have been very blessed with an incredible mom! I love her dearly and I am so thankful for the example she is to me and so many others. I am also blessed with a mother-in-law who serves the Lord with her whole heart and a handful of women God has placed as spiritual mothers in my life. I love you, ladies! 

This picture was taken on a visit back to Taos, NM where I was born. I am in the yellow shirt glaring at that baby. :) I think I was about 7. My mom is the beauty in blue. (l to r Dianna, family friend and her daughter, Becky on Dad's lap, Peter, Mom, Josh holding friend, me and Sarah)

27 Weeks

27 weeks and counting down the days to Jeremiah's arrival! Not because we are ready or have everything we need, but because we aren't ready and we don't have everything we need. :) I am feeling great, seriously blessed to say I have no complaints. I am a  bit more tired than usual, but giving myself grace for that. This time has flown by and I can't believe we are in the third trimester! Here are some of my current favorite pregnancy things: 

Smoothies: I make one every morning for breakfast. They're delicious and good for me and baby boy so its a safe thing to be hooked on. 

Strawberries: I am buying Kroger out and freezing them for smoothies and eating them with yogurt for a snack. Good thing they've been on sale!

Apples: These have been an all pregnancy favorite for me. Apples, applesauce, apple juice... 

Chocolate: So you don't think that I am choosing all good things for me, I will be honest. :) I have never been one to buy a candy bar and eat the whole thing except for the occasional Aunt Flow craving. These days nearly every afternoon or evening I want something chocolate. Haven't given in too many times, but will now and then.

Coffee Frappuccino: Starbucks Coffee Frozen Frappuccino's are so yummy to me right now! They are not only packed full of caffeine, but sugar as well. Trying to keep them to once a week and early in the day so I am not awake all night. 

Mac & Cheese: I want it nearly everyday for lunch. I have been trying to substitute it for a more adult choice of broccoli cheddar pasta, adding some real broccoli to it, but really there is no substitute for the blue box. 

Last, but certainly not least... Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. I love the Juicy Pear, always have. I have now introduced some new flavors to the mix. Yum! 

OK, this list is making me hungry so I will stop now. 

I am going to try and head out to the National Day of Prayer time at Spring Hill City Hall today.  Remember to pray today for our world, nation, neighbors and families! 

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. ;)