Baby Update

So here we are - only three weeks away from our due date of November 15th...words cannot express how READY I am. Notice I said, "ready" not "prepared." Are you ever REALLY prepared? I keep telling myself that no one ever feels prepared. If any of you moms out there did, don't tell me, it might burst my bubble. The nursery may be ready, the diapers and wipes all sitting in their little basket, her clothes and blankets washed and hanging up, but does any of that really make you "prepared" for the life change that is upon you? We went to a newborn care class last night in the medical center. To be honest, there was some good advice, a lot more of it was kind of common sense. BUT at least it made me feel better to go.

37 weeks:

And Nolan thought it might be about time to update his belly pic ;-)

So I'm now on my 37th week and going to the doctor on a weekly basis. This past Monday was my second week to do that. The first visit I showed no signs of being anywhere near labor. However, yesterday, I got both good and not so good news. The not so good news is that apparently my Dr does not "like" to induce first time mommies. She says its best to go into labor on your own...says the person who is NOT pregnant and uncomfortable (don't worry I know that the dr does know best, I'm just antsy). So...she says we wont discuss induction until 41 weeks. That's a month from now!

And the good news...we hopefully won't even have to have that discussion because Ella has already "dropped" and is at the something (??) station (I forget the technical jargon - oops) and appears ready to go. And there were some other things that indicate labor may be near but I will spare you the details. Long story short - I will likely have her BEFORE my due date - per my doctor's prediction. I have to keep reminding myself that she will come at the PERFECT time - the day God ordained as her birthday. I'm just anxious wondering when that will be. My sweet mom shared a quote with me on the phone that was so awesome:

"Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle."

(If I had my life to live over, by Erma Bombeck)

So, I'm praying that over these next few weeks that I would have that same attitude. That I would cherish every moment, each kick, each little movement, each hiccup...because pretty soon I will blink and she will be all grown up.


In the meantime, here are some pics of Ella's room. Huge thanks to all of the people who've helped us get it together! My mom, Megan, and Talli worked sooo hard putting that second coat of paint on the walls after Nolan and I did the first one.

I made these!! Thank you to my sweet mom for so patiently helping me hang them and for making such pretty bows :)

And thanks to Nolan's parents for hanging the shelf and frame on the wall...AND to Ella's Aunt Megan for hauling that frame around Canton ;-)

The Raggedy Ann my mom made for me when I was a little girl. And just a FEW cute little hats just waiting for someone cute to wear them!

Gotta love www.etsy.com

Lotsa cute lil' clothes waiting to be worn. Thanks Aunt Peggy for helping me hang them all!!

Happy Birthday (belated of course)

So as always, I'm a little late in doing this, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my love, my best friend!

I'm honored to call him my husband...

and thrilled to see him as Ella's daddy - in just a couple of weeks (or less???)



Some of my favorite things about this man:

• His heart...it's truly amazing. He loves the Lord and puts Him first.

• The way that he loves me - unconditionally. He lives out God's love to me on a daily basis.

• His kindness and generosity towards others...he would do anything for anyone.

• His encouraging words - especially these past 8 months. He tells me "you're face is NOT fat" - gotta love him because, yes honey, it is. He tells me I'm going to be a good mom when I start freaking out. He talks to Ella and tells her to take it easy on momma pretty soon, let's hope she listens :-)
  

• He's an awesome friend, not only to me, but to all of his friends. I admire the way he is so intentional about keeping in touch with all of his friends, even if its just a text here and there. He makes an effort.
  

• His desire to provide for his family - he is such a hard worker and does so with integrity. He takes such good care of me on a daily basis, not to mention going above and beyond during my pregnancy! I'm sure he's lost count of how many kitchen runs he's made ;-)

• He has always been able to make me laugh - from day one. Whether it was sporting the goggles in chem lab when I first met him, or being goofy around the house...his sense of humor has never left. I love it, and would be bored silly without it.
  

• He's passionate about the things that he loves - football comes to mind quickly ;-) But its so much more than that. He is passionate about the people he loves and doesn't hesitate to show that.

• He's going to be one amazing father. I know this simply because I know him. While being a Dad will be new to him, and diapers may get put on backwards, I can't wait to watch him love our little girl. That's the part that matters. She will be the luckiest little girl ever. I've just been praying she gets all of these very same qualities that her Daddy has.

So, Happy belated Birthday, Nolan.
I'm blessed to have loved you and been loved by you for the past 7 years.
Wow how time flies.
You're the best part of my day and I love and respect you with all of my heart!