Third and Final Semester

28 Weeks Pregnant

Update from BabyCenter.com:
"By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world."

Last days of summer...
This is my final week of summer break. Next week teachers go back to work in preparation for school beginning. When I think about this summer I say to myself "what summer?" Usually I am all organized and have summer goals and have a set schedule for each week. This summer however was a bit of a whirl wind. It is surreal to think that next summer I will be planning baby dates with my little man. Cant wait!

Humbled...

 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."-James 1:12

Humbled is the one word that comes to mind when feel this little man move. You see, many of my loved ones long for the blessing of a child, or long for the lost child they once had within. I am not sure why God does what he does, but I know He does everything for a reason. I pray for desiring parents often and pray that God would give them the child they long for. At times I feel guilty, why am I more deserving than her? Yet, I am reminded that God wants to bless ALL of his children who love Him. I once called his kicks annoying and then I promptly apologized to him. Because you know, each kick, each rumble, each cartwheel, or summer-salt means there is life. Life means blessing. Thus, I feel humbled to have this blessing when others out there long for it.

So go ahead little man, kick away. 

p.s. Do you see the pretty floors Mike installed in this photograph?

My God dont make no accidents!

I am not all about diaper advertizements. In fact, I plan on using cloth diapers. However, this commercial just got me thinking...

The title of this post is "My God don't make no accidents!" I believe this to be so true especially with life. God has purpose for every living thing he creates. Isaiah 44:2 says “I am your Creator.  You were in my care even before you were born.”  Another scripture is Psalms 139:16  ‘You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.  Every day was recorded in your Book.” Talk about purpose! God has us in his care before we are born and he has each day of our lives in His Book.

Speaking of books, I started a baby book for the little man. I write down little stories about his firsts... like the first time we heard his heart, or the first time we saw his profile, or felt him move. I try and write sweet little notes. My hope is that one day he will read through it and be filled with joy knowing about himself before he even takes his first breath. (Although, I am not going to hide that in reality he will probably read it and say "my mom is a dork.") So, I write in this book maybe once a month. But Jesus, has each and every day recorded in his Book. That is a love that knows no limits. God knows us and he loves us and he cares about our every moment of life. What a loving Father!

So, in conclusion, God don't make no accidents! He has purpose for every life he creates and He truly does knows us!

Last week of 2nd Trimester

27 weeks pregnant

Update from BabyCenter.com:
"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

This is a video that summarizes the whole second trimester! It is truly amazing how so much happens in that "secret place."

"My frame was hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. I was woven together in the depths of the earth." -Psalms 139: 15

I wonder, did David know about all these cool technological advancements that would allow us to see inside of the womb? I love thinking about the secret place that God is forming this baby. Psalms also talks about the baby being woven together in the depths of the earth. What a sacred place! Depths of the earth, that sounds intense! This makes me feel humbled to host this secret place of woven together-ness action! I am humbled and awed that God picked me... He chose me to be the mommy to this little man. So, watch that video and think of how glorious our Father in heaven is for creating such a masterpiece in the "secret place."

Two Digits!!!

26 Weeks Pregnant- Ice Cream! WE SCREAM! We both want Ice Cream! NOW!

Update from BabyCenter.com:
"The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days."

I think the most important part of that update was the bit about his testicles. Speaking of testicles, this week God has taught me something about His will and being thankful... and testicles.

It all started when I went to the grocery store. The woman checking me out asked me how far along I was, then she came over and asked if she could touch my belly. Like I brat I responded "well since you asked..." She then began to rub my belly as if I were a buda and would give her eternal luck. She was completely focused on my belly. She looked up and asked me if I knew if it was a boy or a girl. I responded (again like a brat) its a stinky, smelly boy. She then looked up at me with a huge smile and tears in her eyes. She said, "my husband and I tried six times to have a baby boy. We have all girls. You are very lucky to be having a boy." I smiled and said "thank you" and gathered my items to go. She said as I walked away "please come back so we can see your sweet boy."

This got me thinking...

Yes, I wanted a girl but clearly God had other plans. God truly knows me and he knows the desires of my heart. He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me! He purposely gave me a boy. Why must I be a brat and communicate what I wanted? Why must I always refer to my gift from God as stinky, dirty, rotten, or smelly?

And then I got another kick in the face... just to test my thinking here... its like God was saying are you really listening here and clearly the answer is not quite.

A few days later I was in the teachers lounge with a lovely school counselor and we were eating our lunches together. She asked when I was due and if I was having a boy or a girl. Again, I responded "a stinky, dirty boy!" She smiled a gracious smile and said "wow girl, you are really blessed... there are 16 girls in my family and 0 boys." I said back to her "you are right, I am blessed." And then promptly changed the subject.

I realized that I am blessed to be a mommy to a boy. That means God has equipped me to raise a Godly Man! What a challenge worth living for!  A challenge that I am thankful to have Jesus right beside me in. So go ahead, test me, ask me if I am having a boy or a girl and I will tell you...

I have a miracle growing inside of me. According to pictures, this miracle is a boy. I am excited about my boy and excited for the plans that God has for our whole family.

Amen!

2-5, 2-5, Feeling alive at 2-5!

"I think it should be called concreating; all they do is suck the money from you" -Mike

Ha ha, Mike is funny!

25 Weeks Pregnant:


Update from BabyCenter.com:
"Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture."

 Well, there he is in all his glory!

Little Man's First Baseball Game

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

 Play Ball! Look at the belly!

 Martin and I got to get a backstage tour of Mike's work. This is his spacious cubicle!

 Okay, this was HORRIBLE! This lady took her shoes off and put her gnarly feet right next to my face! I mean seriously, WHO DOES THAT!?

 Uncle Martin and I at the game! Nats lost but it was fun and we ate yummy cheeseburgers!