Moms have the most important & one of (if not THE) hardest jobs in the world.  And when it really counts, they know just what to say or do.  I just wanted to say thanks, Mom!  You know just what to say and when to say it.  I've appreciated everything you have done for me throughout my life, though I haven't always show it, and now as I embrace the biggest challenge of my life - MOTHERHOOD - I just wanted to tell you that I love you!  I hope that I can give to my children what you have given to me - love, patience, kindness, grace, and generosity, among many other things....

I talked to my mom last night, and informed her how much weight I've gained in the last month (see previous entry).  She kinda did one of those gasp and "oh my gosh, Beth..." things that everyone dreads.  But then I went on to explain that I have been eating well (for the most part) and exercising, and doing nothing too unusual.  She then proceeded to say, "Okay then, don't worry about it!  It's not a big deal, the baby is fine, and that's just it".  She went on to say that some women have patterns of weight gain during pregnancy, and that during my next pregnancy (ha! that's a looooooong off, far away thought) I will likely see the same or a similar pattern.  And I don't think my mom is trying just to make me feel better - she worked as an RN in OB/Gyn for 30 + years, so...from a quote I sent to someone else about their weight concerns..."Here's to tipping the scales and trying our best to continue to smile!"

Thanks, Mom!  I love you!!!!

And so....the final countdown begins....I have entered my 7th month of pregnancy!  Some days that is really hard to believe, other days, not so much.  I'm getting bigger and more and more uncomfortable - Baby has learned that it's fun to jump on my bladder & that ribs are fun to punch or kick. 

I had my last 4-week Dr. appt yesterday - we're now on to 2 week appts!  I learned that I gained 11 lbs this past month (pick your jaw up off the table, please....I know, I know, I KNOW!) The most interesting part about that weight gain is that this past month I have been doing MUCH better on eating fruits, veggies, drinking water & exercising. I'm not just saying that to make myself feel better either... I don't know what else to do?!  I am at a total of 34 lbs gained thus far.  Yuck.  I feel puffy and large - yet people keep telling me I'm "so cute".  Are they lying or just trying to make me feel better???!  :)  However, I've got to refocus my attention to the bigger picture in all of this, and just what the end result is - a Baby.  Our Baby.  To love and hug and hold, to raise and teach and guide for the rest of our lives.  Thank you, God for this precious Miracle! 

Speaking of, this Little One is active!  My favorite thing to do now is to look down either at my shirt or bare belly (depending on where I'm at!) and watch my belly move.  What an amazing experience!  I will miss this one day.  I am grateful for every moment of this pregnancy, I cannot say that enough.

We officially have a crib, mattress, dresser, glider & ottoman, and changing table (from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law).  I was surely not expecting the delivery of these items so quickly!  I ordered them a week and a half ago, and here they are!  We are just waiting on the delivery of the wicker storage baskets and changing table pad covers.  We plan on starting on repainting the nursery next weekend (3/18) with my parents.  Then we will have a space to put the crib and dresser together.  It's all coming together, YEAH!! 

I had my Gestational Diabetes screening done yesterday.  I had to drink about 12 oz of this orange-flavored drink (similar to McDonald's Hi-C Orange) in 5 minutes, then draw my blood exactly 1 hour after I finished.  The first 3/4 of the bottle were not so bad, that last little bit was rough though.  Then I felt icky the rest of the evening.  I reaaaaaally hope that we pass (we'll know by Monday) - I do not want to have to do that again for 3 hours! 

Okay, I've rambled on enough.  Just wanted to check in with everyone to keep you up to speed as much as possible. 

  Love and hugs to all! 

PS....I apologize for not having pictures uploaded yet, I can't figure out how to do it!  I spent an hour last night trying to download pictures from our digital camera onto the computer and the stupid thing woudn't let me.  I'll try again with Tim's help sometime. 

Baby Baby Baby - that's all that's on the brain recently!  It's scary how much of my time is spent consumed by this Little One - either in thought or preparation.  I guess it's preparing us (somewhat) of what's to come.....in 13 weeks, give or take!!!  Oh my gosh!  Are we ready to become parents?  I've been struggling with some anxiety & fears - all that I assume are natural - over the past few days.  I am completely unable to comprehend anything past the actual delivery - i.e. bringing Baby home.  When I think about labor, I think "hey no problem, I can do that" because millions of women before me were able to bring babies into the world, I am nothing new to this phenomenon.  BUT - how did anyone survive bringing a newborn child into their home?!  Then I take a deep breath, inhale deeply (trying all the while to imagine that sweet baby smell) and turn my fears over to God.  By His grace, I too, can do this! 

WE CAN DO THIS!!

This past weekend we ordered nursery furniture:  a convertible crib & mattress, a 5 drawer dresser, a glider and ottoman, & a couple of wicker baskets with gingham liners and matching changing pad covers.  All in all, it was a pretty good deal from JCPenny.  Not saying it was cheap by any means (kids are expensive from the get-go!) but money well spent I think! 

Yesterday the mattress, glider & ottoman arrived!  Talk about a speedy delivery!  The chair is all set up in our basement for now (we couldn't wait!), until the Baby's room is redecorated.  It is quite comfortable, and I love that I can put my feet up....aaaaaaaahh!

I had a prenatal massage last week, and I was in heaven!  It was a very nice treat.  I was, however, quite wiped out afterward.  I was pretty much useless the rest of the evening.

Since then....I've been feeling more and more pregnant each day.  Especially in the last few days - difficulty breathing, not only b/c baby is invading my lung space, but b/c of pregnancy congestion; mild swelling in my hands & feet, now accompanied by slight tingling when I sit or stand too long; and just overall feeling huge and uncomfortable.  I know that in the next several weeks, there is more of this yet to come! 

Baby recenetly has had the wonderful discovery of having hiccups.  It's kind of a funny feeling inside of me, but if I didn't pay too close of attention, they would probably have gone unnoticed.  One thing I have noticed for sure is a sharp jab in the ribs every now and then!

I have dates set for 2 baby showers - one April 8th and one April 29th.    By having two, I was hoping to allow each one to be a more intimate setting to spend time with family & friends to celebrate God's blessing of this wonderful Little Life.  I am looking forward to that time!

We are scheduled for an all day Birthing Class at my doctor's office on March 11th.  My next appt. is March 8th, for the glucose test & to schedule another ultrasound.  Please keep us in your prayers that everything is "as it should be" regarding my placenta & blood sugar. 

Thanks for continuing this journey with us....All my love to you!!!

The saying "time flies when you're having fun" is right on.  I can't believe I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant.  That's crazy!  It has been one amazing journey though, I can't even comprehend at times that I'm going to be somebody's Mom!

I love this baby so much, it's hard to even describe in words.  Baby, know that you were loved loooooooong before God created you in my womb!  He has special plans for you, Little One.  Your daddy & I have so many hopes and dreams for you; we are looking forward to being a family.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to a prenatal massage at my doctor's office.  My wonderful husband set it up as a Valentine's Day surprise!  Great work, Tim!  Baby and I can't wait.

Speaking of Baby....this Little One is practicing to be an Olympic Gymnast, I swear!  This past weekend (Feb. 18th) Tim saw my belly move from the outside.  It was a strange but amazing thing.  I am pretty sure I can tell the difference between a kick or a punch and a roll or turn (or a tumbling series, who knows?)

We are going to be ordering furniture hopefully by the end of this week -  a convertible crib, a glider and ottoman, and either a changing table or a dresser.  We've found the best prices so far at JCPenny's - hopefully their quality of furniture is as good.  Babies 'R' Us has great furniture, but they're so expensive! 

Our registries are pretty much complete at both Target and Babies 'R' Us.  We had a lot of fun looking at all of the items and scanning away!  So much different than registering for our wedding - for those of you that know me, can recall the story of the Panic Attack in the kitchen gadget aisle at Target, me thinking..."How am I going to pick out the right can opener for us to use the rest of our lives?!".  Ha, ha, ha...if I only knew then that it didn't need to be that complicated!

We've pretty much decided on paint colors for the nursery - light green (again, for those of you who know me, surprising, huh?!)  and we'll do some sort of textured paint (ragging, sponging, faux, etc...not sure which one yet).  Hopefully we'll get started on that in the next couple of weeks. 

We also have to sign up for a one-day Child Birth class at the doctor's office.  I am hoping we get in for the March 11th class, since they only hold them monthly.  In April it sounds like we'll be having 2 Baby Showers...still working on firming up the dates though. 

Whew!  We have a lot on our plate - but by God's grace, we'll get through each task ahead.  We are so blessed!

Thanks to each and every one of you for reading and sharing in our continued journey.  I am so glad you are all in my life!