Christmas Puppy and Pickles

I thought this was too funny and cute not to post!

We put up our Christmas tree this weekend. Gracie has never payed any attention to it. I got a new tree skirt to go with this new cheap tree we bought (another story for another time) and she loves it.

Here is where I found her Saturday for about half the day:

Mind you, this is the cheapest tree skirt out there. It is felt material that I got at Target for like $5. She has made herself a little spot there.

Last night Jason heard her in the living room playing. She got her little Santa toy stuck in the tree and got it down. So sweet!

Beth, this picture is for you (but especially Ben! ha!) ! We had lunch after church yesterday at our favorite place in Boiling Springs NC. Jason and I dominated this plate of fried pickles. We were about to eat the last 2 when I stopped him so that I could get a picture for my friend Beth who loves them too, and her husband who does NOT love them. 

I hope you have a great start to this special Thanksgiving week. We had a great sermon yesterday in which Pastor Terry reminded us that being thankful isn't determined by our circumstances. We always have a hope in Christ and the assurance of our salvation (and the cost of that salvation) to be most thankful for. 

 

24

Well, we have hit the 24 week mark! LESS than 16 weeks to go!

This picture is funny. I was holding my dress back because you really can't tell just how BIG my stomach is without me pulling my clothes tight! It just looks weird in clothes that fit a little loose. 

Everything is great! I started doing a prenatal yoga dvd at home this past week. I have had some bad sciatic pain and just general stretching/pulling/aches/pains. I read that yoga helps with stretching your muscles so I thought I would give it a try. It has helped! I have been trying to drink a ton of water also. 

My mom and grandmother and I went Christmas shopping on Saturday. I knew that it would be challenging this year carrying around extra weight . . alot of extra weight! I did really well until late afternoon. I finally just had to go sit in my car to get some support in my lower back. Luckily we went home after about an hour of me sitting. It was nice to be off my feet. Sunday, I could not move! My body was just screaming rest. So, that is what we did. . . ALL day. I felt better by Monday. 

Our little boy has been very active the last couple of days. Jason has actually been able to feel him and see him move from the outside. I laugh each time he makes those drastic movements. It is truly amazing. Jason says it won't be near as fun when feet are in my ribs. I told him I would wait and see before I commented.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Long Overdue Update!

Well, it has been a few weeks! No excuses, just life!

 We have made the half way point!! YAY! When I first found out I was pregnant, my best friend told me that there were certain milestones that would mean so much. The first one was making it to 12 weeks. The risk of miscarriage goes down significantly after this point. The second was getting past the first trimester because all your sicknesses and ailments should slow up (not in my case, but close enough!). The third was the half way point (20 weeks) - just because you are half way there! The forth was 24 weeks because at that point the baby has a fairly good chance of survival if something should happen and you deliver then. The fifth was sometime during the 30 week period because if you deliver at that point things would not be as critical with the baby. The sixth was actual delivery because he is here!

Here we are this morning at 22 weeks and some days :

I got so tickled at this photo this morning in comparing to my last update at 15 weeks. I really thought my stomach was big then! HA!

We are doing really good. I have hit the point that I feel good, have SOME energy back and am really starting to get excited (and scared). I feel him moving a pretty good bit now. Mostly from the inside and occasionally from the outside if I am quick enough. Jason has not felt him yet. He really just enjoys what I call swimming at this point. It really feels like he is just making laps down there. I would not trade that feeling for anything in the world.

We have had a couple of ultrasounds. The most important was last week when we had the anatomy scan where they check the sizes and makeup of all his organs. Praise God, we have a healthy baby. He is also alittle bigger than most his size at this point in pregnancy, but we somewhat expected that. His daddy is no small man. Here is a sweet little shot of him all curled up:

I have to tell you, ultra sound pics freak me out alittle bit. I mostly enjoy watching him move when we have them done. I am excited that I have scheduled his 3D/4D ultrasound in December! We can't wait to see his little features in detail. These black and whites are just alittle scary to me! I have one with his eyes open that really looks weird. Ha! 

We have the nursery done - well, all except for accessories! Things are really starting to fall into place and the reality that a little person will be joining us in early March is starting to settle in. Very surreal! 

It's good to be back! Hope you all have a great Thursday! November is here and that means that the crazy holiday season is short to follow. I can't wait :)!