Mighty Monday

Babbling Abby had an idea to begin a Mighty Monday post, and it looked like fun. Here is my shot at it.

I might have woken up a million times throughout the early morning hours to use the restroom

I might not have been able to fall back asleep and tossed and turned until I awoke for my next restroom trip.

I might have been woken up by my dog crying to go use the restroom.

I might have tried to go back to sleep afterward with no success.

I might have tried to watch abc shows online, only to find my computer freeze each time.

I might have cleaned my entire house, and done 5 loads of laundry.

I might have layed in the pool for a solid three hours on a float.

I might have contemplated what I am going to do with my life the next six weeks without work, all the while awaiting a baby.

I might have sat in Caleb's room and imagined my baby being here.

I might have cleaned out my disgusting car with my hubby.

I might have been really upset that one of our dogs shed, and that the fur would not completely clean up out of our car.

I might have covered the backseat with a sheet in an attempt to make it easier to clean before the baby comes.

I might have given my yorkie a bath because she decided to go swimming in a dirty pond and then roll in mud.

I might be counting down the days till my baby arrives.

I might be washing work clothes for my husband as we speak.

I might be hoping I can sleep tonight.

I might like mighty Monday's and continue this each week.

Why A Baby Needs a Mommy

"Hubby if it were not for me what would you put in the nursery?"

"A crib"

This was a recent conversation that I had with my hubby the other day. Guys are so funny when it comes to all of this baby stuff. They just do not have the desire to go all out and nest/decorate an ellaborate nursery that the little baby will never remember. However, to a mommy a pretty nursery is a must, and that is why baby's need mommies :).

This past week has actually kept me busy. I was worried that with no work I would be bored and the weeks would just tick by. However, my grandmother came into town and we began the glorious task or decorating/organizing the nursery. The first three days of her visit were spent washing all of his clothes, blankets, towels, socks, bibs, hats, booties etc. That took forever!!! We then had to organize them by size and style of course, hang them up, put them in drawers etc. We then moved onto shopping. I had ideas of things I wanted for the nursery. Some ideas we changed a little when we found other things we liked, and some ideas I actually made myself (with grammy's help of course). One thing you need to understand is that momma Sarah is NOT a crafty person. However, I did recycle an old picture frame, and paint it myself, and I am happy with how it turned out. I told my grandmother about ideas I had for the nursery and she helped to make them a reality. In fact she is still working on some items at home that she will bring back on her next visit. Hubster and I spent a lot of time last night hanging different wall art/curtains. Well he hung and I gave moral support. I will include a few glimpses into the nursery. However, the finished product will not be completed for a few more weeks. I still have one more baby shower, and I have the perfect spot in the nursery for the glider (I hope I get). My grandmother is also on the hunt for my round table that I want to place beside of the glider, and she is making the wall art for the wall that the glider will be on. I still need to get a few lamps, a diaper pad, a basket to place diapers in, and a few more little details that I will grab as I go along. I was so excited to add on to his book collection with the book "I love you forever". Grammy bought it for him, and she was crying as we read it haha. She is bringing a huge box of my childhood books back with her when she comes in town again. I am so excited to read to my little Caleb (only 6 more weeks..fingers crossed). My grandmother also made the curtains and I loved how they came out. I made the picture frame containing his ultrasound pictures, and it is being hung above the dresser.

I am hoping that along with the few big items we still need that I recieve a lot of the neccesary items as well at my next shower. This baby needs diapers. We have not bought a single pack yet, and that is scaring me. We also do not have a bottle or binky to speak of. If he were to come today I would feel so unprepared.

A Special Birthday

This year has definetely been a rollar coaster ride for my cousin Matt. Matt is my first cousin who was involved in a really bad car accident on Christmas Day, and who has been recovering ever since. It is amazing to see how far he has come considering the doctors told his parents the day of his accident that they believed his scans showed that he was brain dead. Thank heavens my uncle did not give up on his son, and forced the doctors to try everything they could think of to save his life. They were able to save him and Matt came through with flying colors in many aspects. He is able to remember up to September/October of last year, can still spell (well he was never really good at that), move his left side, eat, say a few words etc. He is still in rehabilitation at Shepherds Hospital in Atlanta. Recentely he has been able to travel, and they have been going somewhere at least every other weekend. He has even been able to go swimming, boating, and jet skiing at his grandparents lake house in Tennessee. After all of the happenings of the past year we were all so grateful to have Matt with us to celebrate his 24th birthday on Saturday. On Christmas day none of us were sure if Matt would ever celebrate another birthday, and I can honestely say I have never been so scared. Matt has always been more like my brother, and I can not imagine not having him around. On Saturday his mom brought him back to HIS house in Lexington for the first time since the accident, to celebrate with HIS friends. It was so bittersweet for all involved. Matt kept spelling out "It's good to be home" on his spell board, and we were all grateful to have him there. We spent the day eating delicious Aunt Libby food (I think I had 9 roles), playing rook, hanging out, and finishing the night with fireworks (well what fireworks you can legally shoot in Lexington). Every birthday Matt had when we were little would end with a big firework show. We would all be sitting around in our bathing suits from the water fight we had just finished, and then watch a firework show. It was so great to have those memories and to have Matt sitting there with us. I have included pictures or Matt and I, Matt's brothers and I, and all of us with Grammy. Matt was wearing a pin that someone had brough him that said "I've survived Damn near everything" haha. Please continue to pray for his recovery.

Here are some specific pray request

Pray for movement to improve in his right side. He will not be able to walk on his own until his right legs movement improvents.

Pray for his vocal cords to strengthen so he can further communicate. He can say a few simple words and sounds right now, but his throat muscles were damaged and have to regain strength.

Pray for him emotionally. I know that it has to be tough to be completely mentally there, but to not be able to do things you once did. I know it gets frustrating for him, and that breaks my heart.

Pray for his mom, dad, and brothers. His mommy has not left his side for one day since the accident, and her entire world is taking care of Matt right now. Pray for them all in this valley of life.

Working Hard for the Money

Up until this point of my pregnancy I have been working a decent amount every week. I worked for a preschool until 25 weeks, and I was scheduled Monday-Friday. I then began working at a restaurant, and have been working at least three days a week ever since. I like to work. It gives me something to do while my hubby is working, and it allows me to socialize/makes the days go by faster. However, as noted before momma Sarah has not been gaining the recommended amount of pregnancy weight. I went for my 33 week checkup this morning, and even though baby Caleb's ultrasound looked good my weight gain did not. I had gained 4 pounds but that took a lot of effort on my part. I have been making sure that I take in extra calories daily, drinking milkshakes, eating when I am not hungry etc. However, I have still been working and burning off calories as fast as I put them on. Therefore, the doctor gave me the cut from working this morning. She said that even though I had gained 4 pounds, and that the baby's ultrasound looked fine I was still measuring only 31 centimeters, and it was time to pack on the pounds. So, after I left the appointment I stopped by work and let them know that I was cut off, and now I am sitting at home with no reason to rush to get anything accomplished. That is a weird feeling because I am so used to having a job or something to do. For the first time in a long time I have absolutely no responsibility except to take care of my baby, gain weight, care for my dogs, spend time with my hubby, sleep in if I want, not get ready if I don't want to, lay by the pool, and take in my last few weeks of me time before Caleb comes into the world. Though hubby and I were planning on me working for few more weeks, and it is a little scary financially to go from two incomes to one, I know that it will be okay. I mean after all Caleb is who we are thinking of now, and we both want him to enter into the world safe, healthy, and strong. Keep us in your prayers as we learn how to budget on one income. Any advice on how to stay entertained when you have absolutely no responsibilities?

The Scare is Over

I had posted previously that at my last visit the doctor was concerned about baby Caleb's and I's growth. She was predicting (aka by pressing on my stomach) that baby Caleb was measuring 3 WEEKS behind. Talk about freaking a momma to be out. So after worrying for two weeks about my baby and making sure that I ate at every moment in order to try to pack on pounds Nick and I headed for our ultrasound this morning. The ultrasound began and measurements were taken and baby Caleb is measuring at 32 weeks 5 days. I am 33 weeks 1 day..which makes a grand total of 4 days difference. Not 3 WEEKS. The ultrasound tech looked at Nick and I and said "I don't know where the baby was hiding a couple weeks ago when doctor ***** took your measurments, but he sure isn't as tiny and she predicted". AKA she had no idea what she was talking about because she did not even use a measuring tape like all the other doctors in the group that I am going to. We have our official visit with another doctor tomorrow morning to verify that everything is okay, but I feel reassured that Caleb is growing fine. Now I never want to see that certain doctor who made me worry for no reason again, and I am soo worried that she will be the doctor on call when I actually go into labor. I will freak because I do not trust her at all. I am going to speak to the other doctors and see what can be done to assure that she is not the one delivering my sweet baby. Caleb is estimated to be about 4 1/2 pounds, and he was so bunched up in my belly. However, my amniotic fluid is measuring perfectly, and everything appears fine.

In other news I have been having pains in the lower part of my stomach. They have been occuring for the past couple of days now. A sharp shooting pain. I am wondering if these are Braxton Hicks. Has anyone had something similar happen to them? I am going to ask the doctor about it tomorrow.

I also pre-registered Nick and I for a birthing class. I almost forgot to sign up for one, until I found a pamphlet about it the other day when we were organizing more of the nursery. Nick and I are registered for a 5 week class from July 1-29.

Let the Nesting Begin

Yesterday afternoon was suppose to be spent organizing the living room and main living area of our new apartment. However, about an hour before Nick returned home from work I began sorting through baby Caleb's clothes (as seen on side), and organizing them into piles by age. The picture shown are only his clothes up to three months. Given they all still have to be washed before they are ready to place on his precious body, but I wanted to see what all we had. This in turn resulted in Nick and I neglecting the main living area and travleing into organizing the nursery!! FINALLY. We had planned to wait to do anything with the nursery until next week, but we are both way to excited to wait. Nick began the tedious task of putting together the crib, while I took my stab at construction and tried to put his Graco bouncer together. Did you know that the entire instruction page is written in Spanish, except for like five words the entire page??? I was soo convinced that I could put it together myself, but I found myself stuck and in need of a man's hand. Men can some how always figure out the picture that you have been staring at for 20 minutes and which you are sure is a mistake. Nick would smile and have the problem fixed in like 2 minutes. So, anyway I halfway did it by myself :). We also began to play with the bedding. I am still trying to figure out how to make the bumper fit just right, and tie the perfect bows for my little baby's bed. I am not crafty and bow tying has never been a talent of mine, however, I am stubborn and trying hard. I still have to wash the bedding, so for right now I am trying a bunch of different things with it to see how I like it best, and what it still needs. I am also still in search of a mobile to hang. The one that matches our bedding like like fifty dollars, and to me that is retarded. Therefore, I am trying to find a cheaper mobile that will still match my little baby's room. My grandmother is coming up next week to help me with the curtains and a little project I have planned for above the crib. Hopefully, I will recieve the glider we registered for at my next shower, and I am on the lookout for a cherry wood side table (preferably round). I am soo excited to have this little room finished.

On a funny note I thought I would mention our two baby girls. Nick and I have decided to not allow Bella and Sydney into the nursery. We are trying to help them understand that the baby has dominence over them before he arrives. Anyway, the task has been a hilarious one. Bella is actually doing surprising well considering she has never not been allowed in a room with us. However, Sydney does not like to be away from her daddy at any point in time and she is having a real problem with it. She will stand outside the door and cry, try to sneakingly crawl in (like we can't see her), jump over barriers etc. Last night they both sat/stood outside of the room watching the action.

It was so fun/surreal to be sorting through my baby's things, and knowing that in eight short weeks he should be here in my arms. I am praying so hard that everything with him checks out okay at our ultrasound on Monday. I am so in love, and I would give my life for him to be born healthy. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and pray for my nerves. Sometimes I let the worries get the best of me.

Our New Home

This past week/weekend Nick and I moved into a new a place. We had gone back and forth trying to decide whether to rent a house or an apartment. A house seemed like the better option so Sydney would have room to run, but we never could find one that we felt comfortable with. However, we found brand new apartments that were avaliable to immediately move into, and that is the move we decided to take. We are holding off on buying a house for a few years, simply because we do not know where careers will take us for sure. It is so exciting to finally be in the home that we will bring Caleb into. However, moving as always is overwhelming. I did not participate in any heavy lifting (or lifting at all) during this move, but organizing the clutter is another story. Nick and I have spent two full days going through clutter, organizing, and throwing out/donating to charity things that we no longer want. However, we are still not finished. Pray for us as we continue this process. I am so excited to have everything else in the apartment organized so we can finally start putting Caleb's room together. The first couple of pictures are ones that we took in Caleb's room. Sorry about my appearance, but I was not getting fixed up for moving day. I can not wait to have my little baby in here. So far our closet is the only organized room in the new apartment. We are getting there slowly but surely. I will be sure to post pictures of the finished product.

Baby Ashton's/Momma Blair's Shower

This past weekend I attended a shower for one of my life long friends Blair. She as I have posted before is expecting a baby two weeks after I am, and we are both having baby boys. The shower was thrown in Lexington, and Amanda did a wonderful job setting everything up. The food was soo yummy. I think that I ate the entire time I was there (hopefully packing on those pounds). Blair and baby Ashton received so many gifts, and it was such a great time to share with her. Blair was one day shy of 30 weeks and I was one day shy of 32 weeks. I really feel as though our little boys are going to come closer together than we think they are. It would be so crazy if they ended up being born on the same day.

8 Simple Things

I saw this on another blog and thought I would fill it out!!

8 Things I’m Looking Forward To:
1. Caleb's birth
2. Moving to our new home tomorrow
3. Finally starting to put my little baby's nursery together.
4. My hubby and I's 1 year anniversary July 26th
5. Blair and Beth having their little boys
6. Caleb playing with Blair's and Beth's baby boys
7. Visiting Mealy in South Carolina when they move.
8. Having a Frozen Strawberry Margarita after Caleb is born

8 Things I Did Yesterday: (nothing exciting)
1. Worked
2. Took a long nap with my puppies
3. Hung out with my hubby
4. Played with Bella outside
5. Thought about Caleb :)
6. Ate a lot of food in an attempt to gain weight
7. Prayed for my baby boy and for things that I am concerned about in life, and for others who I know need some prayer.
8. Talked to my daddy and grandmother

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Move to another state/country
2. Win a ton of money so we could stop working and travel the world
3. Hold my little baby boy
4. Know when my little baby boy is for sure going to be born
5. Gain weight to keep my baby healthy
6. Have artistic ability (it would really help with nursery decorating).
7. Have all of my friends together in one place forever.
8. Have a margarita

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Baby Story
2. Deliver Me
3. Birth Day
4. College Life
5. House Hunters
6. My First Place
7. Income Property
8. Army Wives

8 Places I’d Like To Travel To (that I have never been):
1. Aruba
2. Europe
3. Ireland
4. Bora Bora
5. Hawaii
6. California
7. Camen Islands
8. Dominican Republic

8 Places I’ve Lived:
1. Pikeville
2. Lexington
3. Grayson
4. Daytona
5. Northern Kentucky
6. n/a
7. n/a
8. n/a

Goodbye Bro. Greg

This past weekend was also a very emotional weekend. My hometown church music minister is following the call to change locations. He has been around since I was 11, and our church family has grown very close to him over the years. When he first came to our church I was in my last year of elementary school, and I had an acting role in the first play he ever directed at First Baptist. Since that time Greg has helped with various youth group events, directed many plays I have been a part of, and has traveled with myself and the youth group all over America. One of my favorite trips with him was to Orlando, Florida. I think there were only a total of 10 students on that particular trip and we had soooo much fun. He is a very comical guy with a strong testimony of faith, and a broadway voice. My heart was broken when I heard he was leaving. I went to his final service on Sunday morning and cried the entire time. Every time he would begin singing I would start crying. He has had such an impact on my Christian life, and for that I am forever grateful. It is soo hard to let him move on, but I know that he is following God's call. He is moving to a church outside of Louisville, so I will actually be closer to him now. At the end of the service on Sunday everyone had a chance to say goodbye. We stood at the end of the line and made out way through. I was stopped by a former Sunday School teacher to chat and momentarily lost my spot. My grandmother made it up to Greg, and he asked her to tell me that he loved me and that he missed me. She smiled and said you can tell her she is right back there. He looked and screamed "MY Sarah". By the time I arrived at the front he was hugging on me, and telling me how much he loved me and was so thankful for the time he had to watch me grow up. We talked about the baby, and where he was moving. We hugged a few more times, said our goodbyes, and I promised I would come see him at his new church. I miss him already but I know that God has great plans for him, and I will always be thankful for the memories, and advice I have had and recieved from him over the years. I wish that I had some photos loaded on my computer of the past years with Bro Greg, but they are all in my hometown.

The Past Week

Wednesday June 3rd was the day that my little sister Kat graduated from high school *tear*. I still can not believe that she is all grown up. My sters and I did not go to the same high school due to the fact that my dad stepmom and sisters lived in a different town. However, I have always been very close to my family, and I spend time with my sisters anytime I get a chance. Her graduation was great, and afterward we went to dinner. She decked out her cap.

This past weekend my grandma also threw me a baby shower in my hometown. It was not a huge affair, but mostly included family, and it was at my grandmothers house. I made the menu because I do not really enjoy typical shower foods. We had sandwiches, fruit trays, veggies, cake, banana pudding, and amazing fruit dip. I think I ate all day long. Caleb receieved a lot of clothes, his crib, his dresser, two bouncy seats, movies, wipes etc. It was a great time. I am going to include some pictures of my friend Blair and I at my shower. She was one day shy of 29 weeks and I was one day shy of 31 weeks. I really feel as though our babies are going to come super close together. My nieces took turns bringing me the gifts to open. My sister Randi had fun taking emabarrasing photos o f me opening gifts. There are some hilarious ones, but I did not want to post those.

31 Weeks

Hello bloggers. Sorry I have been out of touch. I traveled to see my little sis graduate from high school, and to my hometown for my first baby shower this past week. I will be sure to post pictures of both events in my next post.

Today, Nick and I went for our 31 week appointment. The doctor was a little concerned with my weight gain, because she says that I am not gaining enough. Until this visit the doctors had informed me that my weight gain looked good and that the baby was measuring correctly. However, today she said that I should have gained at least 5 lbs in the past couple of weeks and I have only gained 1. I began the pregnancy at 103 and now I weight 116. Total 13 lbs weight gain. She scheduled me for an ultrasound for my next visit to make sure that the baby is measuring correctly because she feels he may be measuring at 28 or 29 weeks. I have to admit that even though she told me not to worry I am. I have come so far in this pregnancy and it seems like it will be so soon when I finally get to hold my little miracle. I just do not want anything to be wrong. I am so attached and in love, and I just want my baby to be safe. The doctor asked if I was eating a lot and if I was exercising. I told her that I ate all the time, and that I waitress so walking is my only form of exercise. I am worried that if I have not gained enough in a few weeks that she may reduce my activity or even place me on bedrest. AHH I am so worried. Any mommies have any advice about how much weight they gained throughout the weeks of their pregnancy? Also, I am suppose to pig out the next few weeks. She said lots of milkshakes. Any flavor recommendations? I just want little Caleb to be happy and healthy. Keep us in your prayers.

10...9...8...7...6........Birth Day

I am starting my countdown from 10. 10 weeks that is. Caleb, Nick and I are now at 30 weeks. I can not believe it. I remember it seemed as though 30 weeks were a million years away when I first found out that we were expecting. However, here we are, and I know that the next 10 weeks are ones to be cherished. The next 10 weeks are both exciting, scary, do not seem like much/seem like a lot etc. I am so anxious to see my little baby boy in life, hold him, kiss him, and have him grab my finger. I can not believe it is actually only 10 weeks away.

Caleb has muscled up this week, and his kicks are beginning to hurt. He has been kicking me in the ribs, grinding what feels like an elbow or knee into my stomach, and fluttering all over. His kicks to this point were so cute and sweet, but now he has some muscle behind him and there have been a few that have taken my breath away. He is a strong little booger :). I am so thankful for his painful kicks however, because it assures me that he is safe and healthy.

This week he is about the size of his sister Bella about 4 months into her life. She was 1 lb when we first brought her home and about 3 lbs at 4 months (she is so stinking cute). I was excited when the what to expect website compared baby to a yorkie :). His fat is developing, his eyes are completely open when he is awake, and he is shedding the white fur that has been covering him to this point. He is so big :). OMG I am so excited to meet him.

I thought I would include some pictures of me at 30 weeks. It is funny because my belly is still hidden in certain outfits that I wear (at least from the front). My work uniform used to completely hide my belly and just in the last couple of weeks co workers have commented that they can tell my belly has grown a little. Today I had a baggy T-shirt on and I swear it was hard to tell from the front. The side however, is a whole other story.

This picture is just thrown in because I found it and it made me laugh. Look how tiny she was :).