24 Weeks

Sorry I haven't been on my a-game with the chalkboard... We've been so busy that all I have time to do is take a picture and walk out the door. Maybe next week?

Miss Winnie is 24 weeks, 2 days shy of 25! She is the size of a Cantaloupe, and is probably weighing in around 1.5 pounds. Her skin is starting to become more opaque and has a new pink glow. :)

At our latest visit, we found that she is head down [wooohoo] and hopefully going to stay that way until her debut. Mommy's belly is now measuring at a whopping 22 inches. I probably won't keep that up to date, because you can see I'm getting bigger.... it was just cool how we are now starting to measure my belly.

Winnie received this cute outfit in the mail-

Thank you, Kaitlin!!  

Last, Taylor and I got to meet my cousins newest addition. He is SO cute!!! We forgot to take pictures with him because we were soaking his cuteness up! And may I just add, Taylor looked so good holding a newborn. :)

Stole this picture from my cousins FB.
Look at all his hair!! 

How far along: 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 11.6 lbs
Maternity clothes: I bought myself another pair of jeans and a few new shirts. I think that'll be it for now...  I went through my entire closet this past weekend and removed all the shirts and pants that don't fit. Sad day.
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: I am sleeping great through the night except when I wake up from getting charlie horse cramps in my legs and feet.
Best moment this week: By far the best moment was seeing Winnie again. I wish they gave ultrasounds at every visit. She fills us both with so much joy!!
Miss anything: No :)
Movement: Lots and lots
Food cravings: Last week, I craved junk food and Greek salad. This week, homemade spaghetti sauce. And it's on simmer right now and I keep going to the pot and taking spoonfuls of it. It's so good!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Felt a little nauseous the other day when I took my prenatal in the AM without food. Bad idea people. Thankfully a Starbucks bagel and green tea lemonade helped!
Have you started to show yet: I officially look like there is a cantaloupe under my shirt.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Abdominal crampy pain, leg and foot charlie horse cramps in the middle of the night- the worst!, and back pain. 
Belly button in or out: In-ish
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!! Though, I had a few emotional moments this past weekend about not fitting into a few of my shirts and being too tired. And I got super teary-eyed when I got home from work one night this past week and hugged Taylor. I missed him so much!! [hormones]
Looking forward to:  Our babymoon. Is it April yet??? I'd like to go away with my hubby!

My little Papaya

This week marks 22 weeks. And our little June bub is the size of a papaya. I didn't even know what a papaya looked like, so just in case you're wondering...

Yup, there it is. It sure is pretty, and big!

It's hard for me to believe I am in the 6th month of pregnancy. SIXTH ! I was talking to my gym instructor about how far along I am and it really hit me with amazement. It hasn't felt like I've been pregnant that long. We only have a few more months until we meet our little. I. Can't. Wait.

Winnie now has eyebrows, eyelashes, and
some hair on her little head. 

She has developed a sleep pattern as well. I am
starting to sense it more and more.

How far along: 22 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 9.6 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yeah. Mostly pants.
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: It's been going well. :)
Best moment this week: Taylor and I were watching The Phantom of the Opera and we both felt Winnie give a hard kick for the first time. She did it for both of us which was nice. Sometimes I think she knows when I tell Taylor to feel, cuz then she doesn't move as much. Silly girl. We decided that the kick meant either she loved Broadway and dancing and singing or hated opera and all of it together. I am going to say no to the latter because between her mommy and her Aunt Julie, Broadway will be liked! ;)
Miss anything: No
Movement: So much movement. It is wonderful!! :)
Food cravings: Soda and Candy... does that even count? I need to be careful! haha
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Have you started to show yet: Yuppers!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Back pain here and there, leg and hip cramps, and a few stress headaches.
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time. ;) I've had a few moments this past week. Bless my husband!!
Looking forward to: My next appointment and seeing her again!

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I know I have mentioned this before, but will you pray for Taylor and I with house hunting? That is the biggest thing on our to-do list before Winnie gets here. It has become a little overwhelming this past week [hence my stress headaches mentioned above]. This is a big decision and a very expensive one at that. So, we are choosing to trust God. And fight the temptation to be anxious and worry. I know God is on our side and has the perfect home for the 3 of us. He has our best interest at heart. So I am digging deep into God's Word and leaning on His faithfulness. He is restoring my faith and I am being blessed through this process. Oh and Taylor has been awesome through it all too. Praise God! :)

A Cheerful Hope

While praying this morning the Lord lead me to read and consider His faithfulness. It isn't hard to see or find God's faithfulness, just open the Bible. He is a good God, a kind God, a compassionate God. So tender and patient. This morning was very sweet. And the verses I read have brought me so much peace. I hope you find peace in them too. 

"Only thy restless heart keep still, and wait in cheerful hope; content to take whate'er His gracious will, His all-discerning love hath sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known to Him who chose us for His own." - Georg Neumarck 

Here are some verses that spoke to me this morning on God's faithfulness:

Lamentations 3:21-24

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

1 Corinthians 10:13a

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability... "

2 Thessalonians 3:3

"But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." 

2 Timothy 2:13

"If we are faithless, he remains faithful." 

Psalm 91:11

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

Psalm 92:1-2

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night." 

Sing praise to His name! 

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

"O God my Father,

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!"

Week 21

Winnie's taste buds are developing more and more
this week, and she can now taste what I eat. :)

How far along: At the end of 21 weeks... it's going fast!
Total weight gain/loss: 8 + lbs
Maternity clothes: Some here and there.
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: Much better :)
Best moment this week: [And this past week] We saw our baby for the first time since 8 weeks. That alone was glorious! But then we found out it's a GIRL!!!!! Revealing the gender to our family, registering, buying Winnie a Christmas dress, and feeling her move around inside of me. :)
Miss anything: Nope
Movement: Oh yeah!!! And what's cool since we saw her, we know where her little head and feet are. So, unless she turns, we have an idea what's making that movement. How cool!
Food cravings: Nothing this week. I'm actually not as hungry as I have been.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Have you started to show yet: Yeah. Winnie is 12 ounces! Almost 1 whole pound!!
Gender: GIRL!!!!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Some serious back pain this past week, but everything else has been feeling good.*Thank you, Lord!!*
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Overjoyed!
Looking forward to: My next appointment, seeing the baby again, registering some more, and starting to plan out her nursery!

Taylor and I may have found our 'babymoon' spot at Tybee Island!!!! I am still working out the details, but it's looking promising. I am very ready to relax on the beach! Doesn't this look so nice?

Picture taken from google images.

Winnie's Gender Reveal

June bub is a GIRL!!!

We sure have been waiting for this moment. Finding out the gender of your baby is so exciting!!! Honestly, I don't know how people wait until the end?!

Taylor and I went last Thursday to my appointment. I drank sweet tea, had a little chitchat with the baby, and prayed a lot. Annnnnnnd little miss modest didn't want to open her legs. Which I am certainly okay with, except when we're wanting to find out what the gender is. Our Dr. said she was about 95% sure it is a girl. :) And our OB said he would give us another ultrasound on my follow up appointment (in 4 weeks) to double check and confirm. 

We are ecstatic!!!

Saturday we did our big reveal at the Browns with the whole family on skype/facetime. You can check out the video and pictures below.

This is us revealing it to our families 

This is my family's reaction to our announcement :)

I love how Cami tells Bumpa, "It's Pink and Purple" haha!!

Our reveal box filled with pink or blue balloons??!! 

Here we go...

Team PINK for the win!!!!! 

Bring on the tutus and ruffles!! 

Here are some photos from our ultrasound.

 The heart shape is her stomach. :)

Winnie is breech and face down. 

One hand holding her upper arm with her knee up.  

Her tiny little foot.

Ooohh I love this :)

Left side: Her feet were crossed. 

3D: Laying face down snuggling.

Holding her arm with her knee up.
[Curser pointing to her knee]

The lady said she will be a cuddler because she was face down toward my spine and holding her arms and curling up her knees. She did not want to move. SO CUTE I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!!

We named her after both of our dads moms. She'll be our Winifred Ann. It's old fashion and cute and we love it! And Taylor said he's getting a gun before she's born. haha!

Oh and now that Taylor has met the Doctor, we have decided to stick with him as my OB. :-)

Happy days!!!!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - James 1:17

Sold out for Christ

My time with the Lord this morning was so good I needed to share. I pray this blesses you and meets you as richly as it has me. God is so faithful to meet each of us, he just asks us to come. 

Matthew 20:16

"So the last will be first, and the first last."

ESV Study: A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her worth by comparing it with the accomplishments and sacrifices of others, but should focus on serving from a heart of gratitude in response to God's grace.

Isaiah 40:30-31

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Joy in Rejection by Lydia Brownback

"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." Acts 5:41

     "'She's one of those Christians,' we might overhear after rolling our grocery cart past neighborhood acquaintances in the canned goods aisle. What about us stands out as distinctly Christian so that others know it about us, even if they do not know us very well personally? It's good to be singled out as a Christian because we exude joy. It's not so good if we are the only ones on the block who darken our homes and refuse to answer the door on Halloween. Too often we get caught up in trying to look Christian rather than trying to be Christian. Even when we do stand out for reflecting Christ in a winsome way, not all our neighbors are going to like us. Some will hate us all the more, as Paul made clear: "We are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Cor. 2:15-16). 

     The most joyful women I know are those most involved in serving others. No matter who likes or hates us, joy comes from living for something [someone] beyond ourselves. That's why, all through the book of Acts, we see the apostles rejoicing in the midst of horrendous difficulties. Their joy in life wasn't contingent on how well things were going personally or on how much people liked them; their whole reason for living was to spread the good news of God's love in Christ Jesus. In Acts 5 we read that they were arrested for preaching the gospel. The council decided to beat them and then let them go. Afterward, we are told, "they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." 

     When was the last time we rejoiced at suffering dishonor for the sake of our faith? Sooner or later, we are going to be rejected for our faith by a neighbor or a family member or a friend. We might lose a job because we bear the name of Christ, or experience ridicule at work because we believe. We understand such rejection as the persecution Jesus promised all who follow him, but to rejoice at it like the apostles did? That's another story. How were they able? It wasn't because they were super-Christians. It's because they were so completely sold out to Christ that nothing mattered except him. Suffering? Great, so long as it meant they were associated with Jesus. Blessing and prosperity? Bring it on, so long as it meant God would be made more visible in their lives. God was their overarching purpose, which is why the apostles were always joyful. 

     The extent of joy we know is the measure of how sold out we are."

I hope you all have a blessed day! 

Week 19

Our little June bub is the size of a mango this week. Babes brain is developing and working on his/her five senses. We are just a few days away from our half way point and next week we will hopefully be revealing if it's a boy or girl!!!

How far along: Back end of 19 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5.4 + lbs
Maternity clothes: Still the same. I've been wearing my maternity jeans, but they are starting to get baggy... I think it's time to wash them. ha! My shirts still fit for the most part. Soon enough I'll be going through my closet to eliminate what doesn't fit.
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: It has been great! Only waking up once to go pee. Sleeping through the night is such a gift from God that I used to take for granted... not any more!
Best moment this week: This has been a good week. Taylor and I are enjoying our times at home together resting and having fun. Every moment with him has been my favorite!
Have you told family and friends? Yes
Miss anything: Taking baths.
Movement: Yes yes and yes! Mommy and Daddy have BOTH felt movement!!! Teeny kicks! :) :)
Food cravings: Turkey and Ham sandwiches and Werther's Originals.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing!
Have you started to show yet: Getting bigger!!
Gender: Only 1 more week and we should find out!!!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: I have more energy these days, starting at 8pm lasting anywhere from 10-11. Which is not normal! Leg cramps have become more frequent. Thank you, Christina for my Ted stockings! Less headaches, except one bad migraine this week. It is what it is right? Last, I think I've developed a pet allergy. When I'm in a house with a dog my nose and eyes go crazy. I don't like it. I feel for all you [my Hubs especially] who suffer from this daily.
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy this week. Except one night... oh my! I couldn't breath out of my nose and I started crying... wailing is more accurate. Taylor and I couldn't do anything but laugh. It was hilarious! Taylor said, "I think we need to start a pregnancy book and THAT needs to go in it!" Lol. Whoa hormones!!!
Looking forward to: Finding out if it's a BOY or GIRL?????

My dearest Tricia sent me this diaper bag. She always said, "Once you're pregnant I have the perfect diaper bag for you." And she did! *THANK YOU, PHO!* I love it!!!

Taylor and I are reevaluating our babymoon plans. Our original plan was to go to Nashville and tour around, but we decided that resting on our babymoon was the best idea and Nashville wasn't the place to do that. So, we are looking into beaches. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. :)

My fabulous mom is visiting in April. Which means we will probably be either packing up boxes in the apartment or unpacking boxes in a house. Craziness!!

Please pray with us as we move forward in searching for a place to call home. We are so excited to see what God has planned!