This Miracle...

I finally had the opportunity to write a post on my personal blog. This pregnancy has been one of the most faith building experiences of my life, and the Lord is using it to draw me closer to Him daily! You can read about my journey here,  http://lovingmylord.wordpress.com

"And the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing..!"

                                                                  Romans 15:13

Twenty Three Weeks...

How far along: 23 weeks


Size of baby: Little Miss Londyn should be around one pound now and her face is fully formed! She’s the size of a grapefruit!

Total weight gain/loss: We were supposed to have my monthly appointment with my midwife this week, but she ended up at a birth during our appointment time so I’ll find out how much more I’ve gained this Tuesday when we try again!

Maternity clothes: Found the dress I’m wearing in today’s picture for $12.50 on clearance at Target this week! :)

Gender: it’s a girl!!!!! ... Londyn  Grace

Movement: She seems to be moving more every day and she let her Daddy feel it this week! I wait anxiously every day for her movements! I love her little reminders that she’s there and getting closer to being here with us!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well this week! The heat has been rough though!

What I miss: After looking at old pictures this week, I'm missing getting my hair colored! I am in desperate need of highlights!

Cravings: Mozzarella sticks from Burger King! I’ve only had them two or three times this week! Good thing they’re on the dollar menu! (I know, I know, so not good for me, but they’re yummy and cheap!)

Symptoms: Feeling so blessed to be feeling so good! I’ve tried to be conscious of my water intake with the temperatures being well above ninety degrees this week, and so far I have been able to keep swollen ankles and feet at bay! I did have some really bad cramps in my calves in the middle of the night this week, but thankfully they were only a one night deal!

Best Moment(s) this Week: 

*Number one was definitely when Daniel felt Londyn move for the first time! It was priceless! He’s going to be such a good Daddy! He already loves her so much!

* Being less than 1 week away from our summer vacation to North Carolina! We’ll get to spend time with my parents and my dad’s side of the family at our reunion there! I’ll also get to see one of my best friends for the first time since the wedding!

* Wandering through the baby section at Target and getting to look at the adorable clothes! Can't wait to dress up my girl!

* Getting to grab a quick picture with my handsome hubby since his brother is staying with us this week and was gracious enough to take one for us before church this morning!

Twenty Two Weeks...

How far along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: Our sweet babe is getting close to one pound! She’s the size of a papaya!

Total weight gain/loss: I’m finding that I bump into things with my belly if I’m not careful! 

Maternity clothes: My choices are getting fewer when it comes to finding something to wear!

Gender: it’s a girl!!!!! ... Londyn  Grace

Movement: I’ve been feeling her movements more each evening, but every time her Daddy tries to feel it she stops! One night she moved so strongly that you could actually see my belly move! It is one of the most amazing feelings in the world!

Sleep: I've been sleeping well, but the crazy dreams have returned!

What I miss: Other than my energy and sleeping on my back nothing at all! 

Cravings: I’m back to enjoying chocolate again. I knew that the fruit thing wouldn’t last forever! :) My sister brought me a bag of Cadbury mini eggs she got for me several weeks ago, and I’ve been snacking on them all week!

Symptoms: Still feeling really good, with the exception of a little bit of acid reflux at night! I’ve also been a little more tired lately. I’m praising God for a healthy pregnancy so far.

Best Moment this Week: There were SO many!

*Getting to find out that our little girl is on her way and sharing that moment with our precious family and friends at the party.

*Announcing her name! 

*Starting Londyn’s registry!

* Hearing her Daddy talk to her! It almost brings me to tears every single time!

*Realizing I now have fewer weeks left in this pregnancy than I’ve already finished! I love being pregnant, but can’t wait to meet our daughter!

Her name...

Agreeing on names was a challenge for Daniel and I because I like names that are unique while he likes names that are more traditional. One night we were discussing names and found that we agreed on a name that is both of those things. Different (but not too different so it got Daniel's approval!) with a touch of traditional! We are both really happy with our choice! It is so exciting to finally be able to refer to her as "her" rather than it!

So without further ado our sweet girl's name is...

Londyn Grace

According to thebump.com we only have approximately 122 days until we meet our precious daughter! 

Gender Reveal Video...

If you read my last post, you already know what our sweet baby is, but my sister took this short video for us as we cut the cake on Saturday and I wanted to share it with you! I still tear up every time I watch it! This is a priceless memory I'll cherish forever! Thanks, Sissy!

 It's hard to tell what color the icing is in the video, so scroll down to the pictures in my last post for a closer look!

Waddle it Be?

Saturday, June 9th was a day I had been planning for and dreaming of since we found we were expecting back in February! And it proved to be everything I hoped and prayed it would be!

Several of our family members made the three and half hour drive from Maryland to be here for the BIG reveal and we had lots of dear people from church celebrating with us as well.

I've been working for the last month or two on the little details that brought our theme together.  I had so much fun with it!

The picture I used for the front of our invitation came from a vintage children's book published in 1942 called Darling Ducklings that my Mama had, and I built everything else around the duckling theme!

This wreath greeted our guests!

Our main colors were red, yellow and white with accents of pink and blue.

I copied pages from the book and hung them on the table.

According to the Old Wives Tales, it should be a girl!

Our menu consisted of ham and cheese sliders, chicken ceaser sandwiches, veggies and dip, pasta salad chips, and pretzels. 

I made cupcakes for the guests and had the bakery make the small round cake in the picture above for our reveal!

We also had pink lemonade and blue raspberry lemonade!

Are you tired of my stalling yet? :)

I requested on the invite that everyone wear pink or blue depending on their guess and had little pink bows and blue ties for them to clip on!

My Mama found the perfect shirt for my Daddy because he couldn't decide! It had pink and blue stripes!

I wore blue voting boy and Daniel wore a pink bow clip voting girl! I couldn't convince him to wear a pink shirt!

We waited awhile to cut the cake to make sure that everyone made it for the reveal!

The anticipation in the room was so neat to watch! I just knew the filling would be blue! 

When I cut into it the piece was not coming out easily! Daniel said "I think I see some pink!"

When it finally came out, this is what we saw...

  It's a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are SO excited!!!!

I am so glad my Aunt captured the moment on film! My sister also got an awesome video of the priceless moment that I'll post when she emails it to me!

Then we opened the envelope from the bakery that the ultrasound technician sealed tightly on Monday! The note she added was so sweet! 

I think I'm still in shock! I can't wait to go shopping and start her nursery! :) I was convinced it was a boy because of how busy this baby is, but I guess we just have one busy girl! We are so thankful for this precious gift and the privilege of being parents to our sweet baby girl!

Twenty One Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks 

Size of baby: Our sweet babe is the size of a pomegranate! I've included his or her newest picture below! :) 

Total weight gain/loss: Still gaining, but that means baby's growing!

Maternity clothes: My  Momma gave me a few new things when she came last weekend! 

Gender: I had my ultrasound last night! I have been praying that we would get a tech that understood the whole gender reveal thing. The Lord definitely answered my prayers! She was sweet enough to turn the screen as she was determining the gender so we couldn't see. I was also anxious that the baby wouldn't cooperate for her, but it did and she is 99.9% sure of what it is! She sealed the answer in an envelope I'm taking to the bakery this afternoon! Daniel is convinced it's a girl because the tech kept checking just to be sure. He said if it was a boy she would've known right away! We shall see! Only four more days until our party! I am so excited!

Movement: This baby moves constantly! It was flipping and moving so much on the screen. I think we're in for one busy little one come October!

Sleep: I've been sleeping well this week!

What I miss: Other than my energy and sleeping on my back nothing at all! 

Cravings: Still nothing really specific, but I haven't been able to make it until 12:00 to eat lunch. I'm starving by 11:00!

Symptoms: Feeling really good this week, but my growing belly and this busy baby are proof that we're moving right along!

Best Moment this Week: Getting to see our baby again! I was surprised at how much it has changed since our ultrasound at eleven weeks. We could see it's little mouth opening and closing, and it even had it's arms crossed at one point. Our sweet tech showed us where it's spine was and we could see the little heart beating. The heart rate was a healthy 147 bpm! It's feet were kicking like crazy! I feel movement but don't feel the kicks yet. She said I'll definitely start feeling them soon! We could even see it's toes! I am so grateful for a healthy baby. I feel so undeserving of this precious gift!

Twenty Weeks...We're halfway there!

How far along: 20 weeks 

Size of baby: Our sweet babe is the size of a banana!

Total weight gain/loss: Lost a little from being sick last week.

Maternity clothes: Finding that even some of my maternity clothes are  getting a little snug, but that means baby's growing!

Gender: I had a dream that it was a boy! Daniel's still thinking girl!

Movement: Moving A LOT especially in the evenings.

Sleep: Sleep has been SO much better this week. I am so grateful!

What I miss: Other than my energy nothing at all! What an amazing blessing to be carrying this baby!

Cravings: No specific cravings this week. I'm finding that I'm not eating as much at mealtimes, but still constantly snacking. My midwife recommended six small meals versus three large ones.

Symptoms: Thank the Lord the back pain is gone! I get very tired easily.  I usually do one chore then have to take a break.

Best Moment this Week: Getting closer to my ultrasound, reaching the halfway point of this pregnancy and having our tent meeting at church! My family came for Sunday's service and we were able to sing together for the first time in awhile! The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather and challenging messages from God's Word!