Baby Bird: 18 weeks

At 13 weeks my new doctor sent us back to the specialist we went to last summer. There are no concerns, they just work closely together and my OB was out of the office. It was so special to be able to visit her and the office again for a celebratory appointment rather than going with the haunting thought that our baby wasn't going to survive. Dr. Hickman is amazing! She remembered us and was so happy to see us again and celebrate our exciting news.

We were so anxious to go into this appointment because the doctor told us they may be able to give us an early gender prediction. Excitement was at an all time high, until I sat down to get my blood pressure taken. Then the memories from that exact office from last summer came into the forefront of my mind. Especially when we walked into the sonogram room, which I swore to Tom, was the same room. (I still believe it was, he would call me crazy!) I prayed for calming peace. 

All nerves ceased when this sweet face appeared on the screen! :) This was such a special moment, because it was Tom's first time to see our baby. He had SWAT school on our 8 week appointment. I would say it was true love... I love seeing pregnancy though a father's eyes. Although he can be pretty tight lipped sometimes :) 

After hearing that we may be able to see the goods for a gender prediction, my close friend told me to drink a sugary drink before our appointment so the baby would be moving around a lot. So I did just that... I chugged a large glass of orange juice on the way to the Dr. Well it worked, sweet baby was standing on its head when the image appeared on the screen. As a Crossfit Mom, I'd like to say they were merely handstand pushups in the womb. It was the neatest thing to watch that little body move all around, because with Baby H. we didn't see this at all. So our dreams were coming true.

 Check out this Jumping Bean.

                                  

After showing us the good news, that so far we had a healthy baby, the sonographer and Dr. Hickman predicted that we will be having a (this far: HEALTHY) baby.............

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

GIRL! 

Of course Tom's response... what is the percentage of your prediction?

Dr: 95-96%

Tom: What is your batting average on your predictions?

Dr: 94% I keep a spreadsheet....

Love it!!!! It was so fun to celebrate a positive appointment! 

So of course they told us, don't buy anything. It's just a prediction.... yeah sure.

It has been so fun to imagine and plan for a daughter. I just can't help myself. Tom has been there to pull in the reins. But with help, or inspiration from Pinterest, he has little power.

  

A few finds for the nursery. LOVE 1/2 Price Books! 

My sister has helped fullfill my lifelong dream of learning how to sew, and we have been going a bit crazy hunting down JoAnns and Hobby Lobby coupons for fabric to make the adorable burp cloths. She made some "manly" girl burp cloths so Tom wouldn't feel too left out. Megan is going to be the best auntie! :)

 

Just a few bows to decorate that sweet baby head! Some flowers are pre made and bought but I have been working to make some of my own. The felt flowers are home made. (Again, LOVE Pinterest)

I fell in LOVE with this onesie set above from Carter's, pinned it on Pinterest....

and then almost peed my pregnant panties when I saw it hanging in Buy Buy Baby. 

A must have... the other onesie says Mommy Loves You. 

Do you see that heart on the butt?!?

 

                            ************************************************************************

 18 Weeks Pregnant:

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain: up 6 lbs. (hadn't gained any weight between my last two appointments, one month apart)
Maternity clothes? a few pieces, still loving the Bella Band and "Pre Weight Loss Clothes"
Sleep: training myself to sleep on my side still, I am usually an on the back snoozer
Best moment this week: Feeling her kick for the first time. 17 weeks! She usually is moving, or I am more aware, after dinner when I relaxing on the couch! So fun :)
Miss Anything? Iced Coffee... it was my summer go to last year. Red Wine. I'm sticking with decaf and sonic drinks!
Movement: First Kick- 17 weeks! Sweet tapping. Hoping for more soon.
Food cravings: I don't have too big of an appetite, eating because I need to. I am craving crunchy though. Tacos & chips. Definitely not Paleo but I'm trying to get better.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw meat.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & EXCITED to say the least!
Looking forward to: Tuesday's appointment. They will tell us for sure if it is a girl or not. Starting to set up the nursery. Tom is reining me in, keeping me distracted until Tuesday's appointment. After Tuesday, we are hitting the ground running

 Check out that baby bump... 

(after a fun filled baby shower for a friend and dinner out)

growing WAY faster than last time, and we couldn't be more excited!

We love you Baby Girl!

************************************************************************

And next on the crafting agenda.... a bow holder like this beauty!

Do y'all love Pinterest as much as I do?!? 

It has seriously revolutionzed my world.... well atleast my plans for Baby Girl's nursery.

Bittersweet

This Father's Day we are celebrating a healthy pregnancy, a growing baby and the many happy days we have had so far this go round. But June 17th last year was a day of great sadness as we said goodbye to our baby boy much, much too soon. It is hard to believe that one entire year has passed since we got to meet our son, and tried to grasp each second we held him before he went home to heaven.

The past 365 days have been some of the hardest of my life and the most trying days in our marriage. While there have been many tears, questions asking "why?" and wrestling with the acceptance of God's plan it is undeniable that God has been with us every step of the way. Our God is so rich in mercy and has never left our side. Grieving is messy... it is not smooth. There is not one day where I have felt the same as the day before. There are lows, lots of lows, days where I feel almost guilty for enjoying myself but I have a peace in knowing that I can't hide any of these feelings from God. He knows it all, if I can't find the words to pray He knows and He is faithful.

He has put so many people in our paths that have had a specific purpose in our healing. Whether they have acted as a friend to listen, a home group to pray for us, a church body to worship with and in some intentional situations or people's circumstances we have been able to see a glimpse of God's indescribable power. And although I long to hold that sweet baby I know that His intentions were clear, to draw me closer to Him. The past year has been hard, it has made me a member of a club I would wish on no one. But being in the "club" you experience a love so powerful, grace so rich in mercy that I have felt lucky to have the opportunity to feel that connection. What a completely different place we are in than June 17th last year.

Each day still brings a mix of emotions, but today I feel blessed. Singing praises in church and longing for the day with no more tears, where Tom and I will reunite with our boy. What a sweet, sweet day that will be.

Worshiping God does not require that we understand or approve of what God has allowed into our lives; it simply requires a heart that desires to trust God and a will that is bent toward obedience to God regardless of our feelings.     One Year Book of Hope; Nancy Guthrie

***********************************************************************

In Memory of Baby H. 

June 17th, 2011

 

After losing Baby H. our families had talked about doing something to remember our son. There was talk about it then as the grieving began it didn't resurface for a bit. My mom and I talked about how a tree would be nice to plant in our yard, since we had just bought our first home. I have always loved Magnolia trees. There blooms are beautiful. So about 2 months ago my mom and dad surprised us with a small Magnolia seedling. Before the Texas heat was turned on full blast Tom and my dad planted that beauty in the ground. 

I wanted there to be purpose behind the location of our tree, somewhere we would see it often. A daily celebration and remembrance. We decided to plant it on our side yard, outside our kitchen window where we look out multiple times a day. It now makes doing the dishes a bit more enjoyable, thinking about our sweet boy. 

 Just a baby tree here...

I had never researched our looked into Magnolia trees, I just recognized their beauty and had seen them flourish here in Texas, which meant they could survive the summers. After she was planted in the yard I googled the symbolism of a Magnolia tree... 

 Well of course we think of Julia Roberts in the movie Steel Magnolias which then stated; a "steel magnolia" is a popular phrase denoting the strength a Southern woman possesses. This past year has made me realize and truly believe that I am strong, and God's strength lives in me. I never felt like I was strong before. A Magnolia tree's energies help to strengthen and activate the heart, it is the center of idealism, love and healing. A Magnolia reminds us to be true to our ideals and our heart, no matter the pressure upon us. 

I love everything about this. Those words are a perfect testimony to our past year. 

So as we look back on the trying times, this tree, our Baby H reminds us that God is God.