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. 

Mothers

Mother's Day was such a blessing. We got to spend Mother's Day with both sides of the family. I feel so blessed to have been raised by such a God fearing woman who instilled the values that I will pass onto my own children. My mom has turned into my best friend and has been a huge support and constant in my life as the past year has brought its struggles and heartache.

Each holiday brings an overwhelming array of emotions, and this Mother's Day was the same. I am celebrating each day and cherishing every second this sweet baby is growing inside of me, but a part of me is still aching to love on our sweet baby boy. The Thursday before Mother's Day I got to fellowship with my Hopeful Hearts Group ladies at Mimi's. We got to talk and celebrate exciting news and talk about open heartaches. I love that I have a group of ladies who understand my path and every emotion, even if our walks are different. Each struggle and ounce of sadness I have experienced makes each day a celebration, and that much sweeter.

At the Village Church, the Mother's Day sermon was exactly what I needed to hear. I love that on a day that celebrates mothers our pastor acknowledged woman who are struggling to become mothers and those woman in waiting. A verse was shared from Genesis that states, The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. Genesis 3:20. He spoke about how each woman carries the nurturing spirit of Eve like a mother. And even if a woman is in a period of waiting, they still obtain that motherly spirit. I absolutely loved this! It gave me such hope although my period of waiting is different now, waiting anxiously for each appointment and each look at a healthy, growing baby.

In the same sermon we were working in the book of Romans talking about suffering; Romans 8:17 We suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. In a period where suffering still comes and goes I am able to look back on last summer and see God's mercy in those awful days. We talked about how God's sole purpose is not to make you happy but to give us eternal joy. Sorrow now, but a life of eternal joy. Oh, how I am waiting anxiously for that day, where there is no more sorrow. I loved hearing this, "It is not cruel for God to let something happen to you that destroys your own self reliance. It is not cruel, but an act of mercy." In my lowest moments this may not have been what I wanted to hear, but now it gives such hope. There is such freedom knowing that I am not in control. I am celebrating God's mercy, each day! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers in waiting. 

Announcing

 

We are very excited to announce.... 

  That we are PREGNANT

 I surprised Mr. H with the news on our 3 year anniversary. It was the best give I could give him.

3  Balloons for 3 years... (thank you pinterest)

 The sweetest gift :)

 Here is his reaction... PRICELESS!

We are very excited, very anxious about this new journey. Or not so new. It seems so familiar; each step, and the milestones that each week brings for our baby bird. With our first pregnancy our due date was November 17th and this time the estimated due date is November 27th. After our first appointment and upon hearing this news I didn't know how to feel about the similarities between the two pregnancies. Yes there was sweet joy knowing that we were blessed a second time to become pregnant, but the fear and doubt crept in, would this be like the time before? I did not like that the due dates were the same. To be honest, I struggled with this for days. After stressing too much I began to pray about these feelings. God changed my heart and I began to see what a sweet blessing this truly was. No, nothing will ever take away the sadness or feelings of loss on each November 17th. I will always yearn to celebrate that day with my baby boy, but now each year a few days following we will be able to celebrate the birth of our second child. So yes, there will be sadness and tears but just for a little while, because shortly after there will be tears of joy. Yes somedays the similarities still bring the doubt and fear but I am choosing to believe in God's perfect timing, for all things.

So for the now, we are celebrating each day feeling grateful that God entrusts us to grow and love on this baby.  For this story has already been written.

Springtime

Awake, thou wintry earth-
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
Thomas Blackburn An Easter Hymn

I don't know what vernal flowers are... but if they are anything like the flowers blooming in Texas they are magnificent! There is something about Spring that is so encouraging to me. The newness of each day, new birth and all the green. Each day holds new promises and chances.

It seems like anything is possible in the Spring. I definitely was not sad to say goodbye to Winter! Happy Spring Y'all! :)

A Defining Moment

Okay by the title of this post you my have thought there was going to be some profound post but let me assure you this is just the opposite.

So I took this picture of myself right after I died my hair to surprise the hubs. Well needless to say I DID NOT send it due the huge bags under my eyes. An 11 oclock dye job on a Friday following a week long adventure in Kindergarten will do that to you folks.... And staring back at me were the dreaded forehead lines.

Don't act like you don't see them....

It's not just my mid twenties catching up with me, I have had these babies for a while. I show A LOT of emotion in my face. Truly, I have my eyebrows lifted 99% of the day... and it shows! Well this picture was the final straw.... I did it.

I bought my first bottle of anti wrinkle cream. Eeeek!

This is the defining moment I speak of. And my question to Tom, "Can you tell a difference?" And his response.... "Well they don't look as deep!" Ouch! Well I guess I set myself up for this one.

Happy Aging Folks! I will just say that they prove I am a happy person.


(Two posts in the past week... I know. This week's fast is from TV and Movies. So there may be more :)

My Favorite Things

Hola! No time, no posts...

I promise I will get better one of these days again.

I would like to say that our lives have been so busy and filled with lifechanging events to catch you on... but I would only be lying. The truth would really be my life has been filled with night of scrolling mindlessly through pinterest and eating cocoa covered almonds!

Which leads me to a few of my favorite things. (Really just an easy post to get me back in the blogging world... so bare with me. :)

1. What is up with this Texas weather?!? 80 degrees in the middle of February? Now I absolutely LOVE being able to workout in shorts again but if you remember this time last year we were living through Snowmageddon 2011. A week off from school would be so nice! The beautiful weather may be a curse for this housewife this weekend. The words "cleaning out the garage" have been thrown around.

2. I really have found a new love. COCOA COVERED ALMONDS. Now, I usually avoid the bulk aisles at Sprouts... yeah you know what I'm talking about the barrells of pure goodness! Most of them are filled with little to nothing Paleo friendly so I try to steer clear. But after my first day of fasting through lunch, my cart made its way down that aisle on Monday. I stumbled upon COCOA COVERED ALMONDS! I think angels sang when I popped one of those stinkers in my mouth. You really should treat yourself.

3. I may have a crossfit girl crush. Juli from PaleOMG is so stinkin' funny! Her ability to rock an awesome headband and love for nut butter is purely amazing! I so badly wish my head was shaped to hold onto a workout headband like her. This girl is an amazing athlete and makes delicious mouthwatering paleo recipes. You will never know you are eating healthy food. She is histerical and I may have facebook friended her and I have never met her. But the good news is she accepted.... haha. Go check her out!

4. PINTEREST! Ohmygoodness. Since they accepted my request this summer I have been mildly obsessed with Pinterest! I mean I reference its name multiple times in conversations throughout the day. I definitely have a problem... but you can find anything on here. I am getting some great ideas for my Kinderbabies on here. Week 3 of Lent at our church calls for fasting from social networking. This will definitely be harder than this week of no lunch. How sad Katie.

4. Take a look at this little pretty!

I got her after my last $6 purse fell in the rain puddle when the strap snapped. Yes, that was fun. But on my next excursion to Target later that day :) I found her! It just screams Spring. I love it! I know Spring isn't here yet but with this weather it might as well should be.

P.S. I'm no longer a blonde! Now Tom would tell you, no amount of hair dye would change that but I beg to differ. I finally got brave and box died my hair. I needed a change... this is what I got. Light brown for me means red! I like it.

Love y'all!