TWO MONTHS TO GO!

Reflections: 

I was reflecting today about how last July our lives were going in a completely different direction. Last July, we were planning on moving to Oregon right about this time. We announced it to our families and were getting prepared for that big move. We were ready for something new and big to come into our lives and we thought Oregon was our answer. A few weeks later, Paedn had to quit his job. This kind of irritated the moving plans but they were still in place. Luckily, he was able to start a new job that same week. A couple more weeks later, we went out and were looking to buy a car. (This is where I randomly fainted.) But buying a car ended up not working out. It  seemed the more we tried to progress with our life, the more we ran into a wall. This grew to become very tiresome and frustrating. Why was everything we wanted to do getting thrown back in our faces? A few short weeks later, we found out why. The "unexpected" new and big change that we were so desperately trying to have, was actually our little baby. Even seven months later, I am still surprised by this change. It is a miracle how everything works out and how everything happens for a reason. Everything we kept trying to do the Lord kept us from for the welfare of our little family. How blessed we are to have someone who knows the ultimate game plan leading us through life!     

How is the Little Family?

Can you believe I have just about two months left until this little lady makes her big debut?! We are so very excited. Every night when Paedn is talking to Lorelei he asks, "Can't you come out yet?! I want to meet you!" It is so precious. I am so blessed that I married such a sweet, hard working man. I know without a doubt that Paedn will be a great father. His relationship with his daughter is going to be priceless, it already is! I like to think that she has a personality already and knows what she is doing. For instance, she teases her daddy! She would be kicking and rolling and as soon as Paedn sets his hand on my tummy she stops. Then when he gives up and lifts his hand, she starts dancing again. I can just hear her now, giggling with delight as she makes her daddy laugh. Then, the other night while I was trying to fall asleep, Paedn was already alseep and had his hand resting on my belly, Lorelei was rolling and kicking just underneath Paedn's hand. It was so sweet. She was showing her daddy that she really does love him. 

Lorelei is definitely growing. I feel her move and kick under my ribs. The first day I noticed this was maybe about a week ago-she kicked and punched me both in my lower tummy and up in my ribs at the same time. Ha! I had no idea how to react to this. I just sat there and laughed. Sometimes, I can barely bend over because she is blocking me under my ribs. Poor girl, she is probably so smushed in there! She is also getting big enough for us to feel her hiccups! Even Paedn felt her!! He thought this was hilarious! The first time I noticed her hiccuping was at work. I was sitting in my chair, reading a book, and I kept having this "echo-y heartbeat" pulsing in my stomach. I text my mom asking her if these were hiccups-they were! Hooray! In just a matter of a week and a half, she has grown so much that now my tummy actually bounces slightly with each hiccup! (I noticed this today.)  

Woohoo! I made my jeans into maternity jeans!

I am becoming less scared about having a baby. When I was younger, I was never asked to do any babysitting for friends or anything like that. I watched my little brother but that was about it. Because of my lack of experience, I have never felt very "motherly" or comfortable around babies. I have three nieces and a nephew (whom I have yet to meet!) and I have been able to watch them grow up from a distance. When I do get to see them, I would try and play but didn't quite know how to associate with them. If they started crying, well, mom or dad were right there so they would take care of it. Two of my nieces are almost four years old and I feel more comfortable and love playing with them now compared to when they were newborns. So, because of this hesitation towards babies I was nervous about having my own.  I always knew I wanted kids but it was never at the top of my list of things to get done. My oh my, how the tables have turned!! Every day I grow more comfortable and actually excited about the idea of having a baby! I know, babies cry, poop, and just make messes; but I am actually anxious to hold my baby in my arms to comfort her, to change yet another dirty diaper, and then to finally feel happy with a clean house only to find my baby pulling books of the shelf. It is so strange how my perspective can change so rapidly. This precious little lady is going to be mine. I am responsible to teach her how to talk and how to walk. I am responsible for teaching her to be a lady. As scary as it sounds, I am responsible for teaching her everything! Wow.   

My pregnancy has seemed to dial down to slow mode. I have really enjoyed being pregnant, except the whole first trimester sickness deal. Other than that, I have loved it. I get to have this special bond with my child; I get to know her before anyone else does. But, I am starting to feel the weight of pregnancy bare down, ha-literally. She is growing and it is starting to weigh me down. I feel heavy, though, some days I feel bigger than others. I am growing more tired and uncomfortable and dare I may say, irritable. I am waking up more at night either to go to the restroom or just because my body hurts so much I wake up. The couch is no longer helping. Right now, I wish I had a good recliner to relax in. I think that would help. (Put that on my "To Get Before Next Pregnancy" list.)

On Sunday, we went to church and I saw people I have not seen in a long time. As soon as I walked into the building, I had friends smiling and some actually laughing when they saw me. They were like, "I have never seen you much bigger than a twig!" So apparently, there is no mistaking that I am pregnant. Finally! Only took til the third trimester!    

Nursery Update:

Her nursery is slowly, but surely, making progress. We are using my old crib and hopefully that will be set up in her nursery in within a few weeks! We found some bedding we may want to get for her-pink Pooh Bear! This was Paedn's idea when we saw it and I could not say no! (Pooh Bear was my favorite when I was little.) Lorelei already has four stuffed animal Pooh Bears, an Eeyore, and a Tigger! 

One of the flowers I made!

I still have several things I want to make for the nursery. I plan on making a changing pad cover, we need to build shelves, and I may want to eventually make a cover for the glider we have. My sister came over on Monday and taught me how to make some cute bows and flowers for headbands. We would make them and then grab her girls to model them for us. I cannot tell you how excited this made me that I am having a little girl! 

Lorelei's "Stats":

Today I had a doctor's appointment. Lorelei is now 30weeks and 5 days. Everything is looking great! I am no longer measuring big (just feeling big!). For this I am grateful because that means they are not worried about me having a big baby! But, I am  also a little sad...I really wanted that extra ultrasound!

I really like this picture I found from babyzone.com of the baby at 30 weeks! Look how big she is getting!!

Lorelei is now approximately 15.7 inches long and weighs just about 3 pounds. She is about the size of a large cabbage.