Mother's Day

We had a beautiful, fun, full Mother's Day!  I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to be a Momma!  The Lord has taken Chris and I through so many transitions during our married life, probably none quite so stretching as parenthood.  It has brought out wonderful aspects of my husband's personality and shown me God's love for us in a whole new light (and my parents' love for me).  I have a hard time comprehending that someone loves me MORE than I love Ebenezer (and am coming to love Evelyn) - but God does!  How beautifully overwhelming is that?!?

Thank you Ebenezer for being such a wonderful son.  Evelyn, I can't wait to meet and hold you 'on the outside' and get to know your wonderfully unique personality.  Thank you Chris for helping me give them life.  Thank you Lord for leading, and providing on this wonderful ride!

Here are a few snapshots of my boys - I've got to learn to take more family photos on days like this!

30 weeks! Only 10 to go!

Again, this has been going so so fast!  

In the last two weeks I took the glucose screening... and failed by one point.  One point!?!?! Why is it always one point?  I was advised to go for the three hour test to see if I really have pregnancy diabetes, but after some serious research we've decided to opt out of that test.  Honestly after my research I doubt I will even bother with the first test in any subsequent pregnancies.  But more on that later.  Since my blood type is negative I also had my Rh shot during the same visit (fasting, drinking yucky orange stuff, drawing blood AND getting a shot all in the same day? Yep, you can bet I wasn't a very happy camper.).  I am happy we have this particular advancement and can't help but wonder how many miscarriages and stillbirths were caused by this mother/child blood incompatibility - but why does it have to hurt so much? 

During my 19 week ultrasound we discovered that my placenta was attached rather low.  This could be cause for concern during delivery if the placenta were to detach before Evie was born.  So at this most recent appointment we had another ultrasound to see if it has moved - and it has!  The placenta has moved well out of the way for delivery!  She also looked great, weighed close to 3.5 pounds and has hair!!!  She is already head down (like the good little girl I know she will be), and her butt is right under my ribs (which makes perfect sense with the movements I have been feeling).

Braxton Hicks have started up a lot sooner this pregnancy than last.  I've been having some on and off for the last couple weeks but this week they have been particularly intense - probably because I've been overdoing it :)

Cravings have also kicked up this week! I cannot seem to get enough Snickers or strawberries!  Strawberries are still a little high in this area but fortunately they should be going down in price soon, that just means I need more Snickers, right?!

Evie's tiny foot from the side!

Hard to see, but that curly line down the middle is hair!

Playing with Granddad!

Dad doesn't have as much time as he would like to play with Ebenezer, but when he gets the chance he is good about getting down on Eb's level and playing along with whatever Eb is doing at the time - even if that means getting his face decorated with teethers!  I love seeing my parents enter this new stage of as grandparents and the joy they receive from my son!

My little dreamer...

I love watching Eb dream and wondering what makes him smile...

Puppy Love

Ebenezer has started making his opinion about clothes known - well at least a particular article of clothing.  He LOVES these slipper socks!  If he isn't wearing outside shoes he wants these on!  He gets upset when they fall off or get turned the wrong way and immediately asks me to fix them!  I'm just happy his first preference is so cute!

Our home in Bloom!

While Winter and Spring have been odd this year, watching the world burst into new life has been so exciting - especially since its been so long since I've experienced a true spring.  I have especially enjoyed the Spring bulbs.  Last Fall I was able to put out daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus, grape hyacinth, and dutch iris.  I was afraid they had rotted with the wet winter we had since they weren't coming up while other bulbs in the neighborhood were blooming, but to my delight they were just late!  Something I've always wanted to have, but haven't until now, is wisteria.  It has amazing, purple, dripping blooms and smells delightful!

Spring really is wondrous to me - it is such a tangible reminder of the renewing power of God, the new life we receive in Christ.  It is also fun to see the whole world transform and don its festive cloak for the fresh new year.  It is not hard to see why the Psalmist spoke of nature as though it had a conscious.  You can see the earth rejoicing as it dons the colors of Spring!  Oh how I hope my joy can be as beautiful and the flowers that bloom today and will be gone tomorrow!

Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy!  ~ Psalm 96:12

Speed of Lightening!

Ebenezer has discovered a super secret speed mode!  For the last couple weeks he has been throwing his arms behind him when he wants to go faster!  It has been impossible to catch on film, but this is the best I've gotten so far!  Speed of Lightening caught on film!