Blessed Christmas!

This time of the year is so much fun. It is so easy to get stressed with all the buying of gifts, and places to visit and such, but when it's all over I can't help but think how blessed we are. I love being with family and friends... it really makes you grateful for what you have.

A bit...overwhelmed

It seems as if life is being thrown at us suddenly. Lately my head has been a jumbled mess thinking about all it means to have a baby and how it is going to effect our life. I also tend to keep a lot of things to myself which doesn't help either. With Christmas literally around the corner, and a vacation in the new year, I am concerned that we're gonna be knocked upside the head come March when we deliver. Also, I recently found out that I might not have enough paid time to take a whole 12 weeks off with the baby. This was a HUGE blow to me and really upset me. On top of that Drew and I are trying to figure out the housing market and see if there is better re-financing options out there for us.

Sometimes I feel as though things are being fed into my brain but nothing is leaving and soon I'm gonna blow up! I'm hoping all this is normal 'worrying' that comes with being a mother. I've read in my pregnancy books that this does happen, but I definitely didn't think it would be this big of a deal! Behind all of this 'worrying' and stress I do know deep down that our Lord and Savior is walking right along with us in this journey. It's comoforting to know that He is watching over us and although it does seem stressful and difficult, that He is in control. Whew! Thank goodness I'm not...because we'd surely be in trouble if I was. I just have to remind myself sometimes to stop and take a deep breath and know that it will work out, that He will guide us every step of the way. He will guide us every step of the way...

25 Weeks!

We're at 25 weeks! I was reading one of my pregnancy books and it said if the baby were born now, it could survive with all the technology and machines we have available! That's sort of exciting news except I work with babies that are born this early and sometimes it doesn't work out so well... it certainly would be a hard road for him/her. I'm just fine with them staying in my belly for the time being! Drew thought he felt the baby kick from the outside last night! I keep waiting and waiting for that time, this little one must be waiting to strech out on the outside.

Thinking that the time is coming nearer for this little one to be born is making me VERY nervous! I am beginning to think about all the things we need to do BEFORE they are here let alone what is to come after! It's been a busy couple of weeks lately and with Christmas coming, and vacation after that it will be here in no time...wow!

Growing...

Here's the most recent pic of the bump! Our lil boy OR girl is growing inside! In the past week or two I have definitely felt the baby move a lot more. I even think I felt a 'kick' one day! I am looking forward to when Drew will be able to feel on the outside!

Thankful

I have realized more and more lately how blessed I am to have this man in my life. He is an amazing husband, but better yet, he's such an incredible best friend. I never knew I could have this kind of relationship with someone. One of the neatest things about it is: he's not perfect! Nope! We both make mistakes all the time, little ones and big ones. I've found though that no matter what, I love him, and he loves me. That's what it's about right? I just pray that he will know how much I care for him and how thankful I am to share this life with him.

Boy, or girl?

So we've made it to the half-way mark! Our 20 week ultrasound is next week and we're so excited to get a peak at this lil guy or girl growing inside of me! Nowadays it would be time for us to find out the sex of the baby, but unlike many couples today, we're not finding out! We've gotten mixed comments when we've told people that we decided to not find out. Some...mostly the older crowd who couldn't find out what they were having when they were having children, applaud us and tell us they think it's just great. Most people our age can't fathom not finding out what they're having mostly because of the 'planning' they're able to accomplish once they do. I've always imagined, since I was a little girl, being in the delivery room and hearing the doctor yell out, "It's a...." when I had my children. It's been a dream of mine forever and I am so thankful that Drew feels the same way. But as they say, to each his own. I can totally see why some couples would want to find out the sex, I mean, who wants tons of yellow/green clothes to start right? And you can buy the appropriate bed linens and such. I figure it will all come together.

With that said... I'm sure many of you have heard about our little nudges from God... we've had a couple of instances where it seems like God has tried to point out that we might be having a girl. The first one, and probably the hugest nudge was the day the big wind storm hit. Drew and I had been at the funeral home all day (oblivious to all the damage going on). When we got back home, Drew told me to look over on our back porch next to the grill. I did, and there lay a deflated mylar balloon. No big deal right? Well, the balloon was baby pink in color and said, "It's a girl!" I immediately looked at Drew and said, " I think God is trying to prepare my heart!" (because I've said I want a boy to start). So that's was the first. Secondly, just about everyone who has their feeling, tells either Drew or I they think we're having a girl. Lastly, my dad was performing an accident report the other day and when he asked the woman where she lived, she stated, " Kerrington Way" (Which is what we want to name our little girl). So dad is now convinced it's going to be a girl.

Either way, boy or girl, we're going to love this little baby with all our hearts. We feel so blessed that God is bringing him/her into our lives although we know we don't deserve it. We just pray each day that He will give us the wisdom, and ability to raise them in the light of the Lord!

I just realized that I didn't have any pictures posted of my lovie.... Ollie! He's a big part of our life, kind of like our lil baby right now. I'm wondering how he will do once there is competition in the house, I guess I'll just have to learn how to spread all my love out :)