due dates, schmoo dates

So Tuesday was the little man's estimated due date.

Good thing it's exactly that...

an estimate

I mean really? Who thinks they can use the same formula and apply it to every single pregnant woman, 

and it turn out to be true?

Some guy did.

I have issues with that guy.

Just kidding.

We've been taught in our Bradley Method classes that the average pregnancy for 

a first time mother is 41 weeks and 1 day.

That would bring us to this coming Wednesday, March 27th.

I had a Dr. appointment on Tuesday where I did a Non-Stress Test, 

really for peace of mind, 

because I hadn't noticed the little man moving as much anymore 

and they always say to let them know if there is a decrease in movement.

However, he passed with flying colors and the tech said he is "one happy baby!"

He really must be happy in there, 

so happy he doesn't want to come out!

We scheduled an appointment for Monday, where we will have to do another Non-Stress Test and an ultrasound. 

It's just standard procedure for those "overdue" 

to make sure the baby is still sustained by the amount of room/fluid he has in the womb.

Also, standard procedure is to induce at 42 weeks.

We are most definitely wanting to avoid chemical induction, 

so please pray with us that this little guy will come on his own, and soon!

Even before the Monday appointment would be great!

In the meantime, 

I will keep walking and reading.

I need a hobby.

My mother-in-law taught me to knit at Christmas, but I've already forgotten! 

I was so sure I'd have a baby to tend to by now,

but the Lord has other plans!

"Any day now."

If I had a dollar for every time I was told that in the past few weeks!

People everywhere say it to me.

At work, at the grocery store, getting gas, on a date.

My favorite comment has got to be, 

"Whoa, that is a super pregnant lady!"

Yes, thanks for noticing.

39 weeks pregnant today and all we can do is wait.

It's nothing we have control over.

We wait, 

and wait

and wait.

Friday is my last day of work.

Part of me wants to make it until then and have a few days 

of rest and to get the house ready for his arrival.

But part of me just wants labor to come.

This pregnancy journey has been incredible. 

We praise God that our little guy has been healthy all along the way

(and me too)!

It's crazy to think I've been doing this since June.

And now we're so close to our prize.

Our bags are packed.

The car seat is installed.

Any day now we will finally meet him and our world will be changed forever.

On Saturday Jonny and I had just the loveliest day.

We planned to go for a walk in the park and then clean out the car and install the carseat.

But we ended up walking along a nearby street, 

window shopping and rummaging through flea markets

(my favorite).

Then we went out for what will most likely be our last dinner date as

just the two of us.

Last night we were reading from Richard Baxter's 'Christian Directory' and

he was imploring that husbands and wives should love and cherish

the company of one another over all other company.

It is a great blessing that we can say this rings true in our marriage!

I'm not sure what ends the newlywed stage of life... 

Your first anniversary? Your first child?

If it's either of those we're soon to be disqualified.

But we know that God has not called us to live for ourselves, 

but to give our lives for others. 

For each other.

For our children (however many we are given).

And for the world, 

that we might show the great love with which we have been loved by God.

the waiting game

We're so close it's almost unbearable!

It's like looking forward to something you've heard is amazing

but never actually experienced for yourself.

So while you're excited, 

there's this huge unknown to it.

I remember the same feeling in the weeks leading up to our wedding.

Knowing that marriage was going to be a wonderfully good gift, 

and all the while knowing nothing about being married at all.

And on that note, 

I'm realizing that with each day we are one day closer to meeting the little man, 

but we are also one day closer to no longer being only the two of us.

So I want to cherish all the moments Jonny and I are given together as we finish this waiting game.

the bumps of week 36 and 37

Forgot to post last week's bump so here it is.

But this is today and we are officially full term!

Don't know if it's just the outfits, but he definitely does look lower this week.

I can only hope!

I'm having some not so pleasant feelings in my low back pretty much anytime I move.

This makes me think he has started to lower and is putting more pressure on the area.

The doctor confirmed yesterday that he is head down and not breech!

Which is an answered prayer.

I don't know why but I was nervous he wasn't. 

Don't think he'd have enough room to flip around before he arrives, even if he wanted to!

In reality we could still be a month away from meeting him, 

but we are both so eager.

Jonny wants to install the car seat.

And he is on my case about packing a hospital bag.

I just figure, if we'll be laboring at home for a long time (like we've been told to do)

I'll have something to do in between contractions.

Maybe it will keep my mind off of it??

Ha.

We'll see about that.

cookies and plans

Jonny thinks the whole 'love languages' thing is a crock.

But I'm convinced if he had one, it might be cookies.

So...

Cookies are in the oven.

In just a little while I'll be going to pick up Jonny from his first day of a new job at Dillards.

He has been at work since 6:30 this morning.

He's worked two different shifts at two different jobs today.

This is on top of taking a full load of classes at seminary,

taking a Physics class in order to become an accredited physical therapist in America 

(which is a long, complicated and mostly unpleasant story),

and being an incredible help to my tired, sore and heavily pregnant self. 

I am continually amazed at the man I married.

He works so hard and so diligently at all the tasks he is given.

He can get frustrated, but he doesn't complain.

And his plea?

To see this season as the loving-kindness of our God.

To rejoice in His plans for us, even though they are quite different than the ones we had.

The heart of man plans his way, 

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Jonny is such an undeserved gift.

How blessed I am to have a man who desires to lead our family in righteousness.

How blessed our son is to have such a father as a role model.

My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for bringing me this man!

strolling smoothly along, 35 weeks

See what I did there?

Stolling...smoothly, 

with pictures of our new stroller

and a yummy smoothie.

Ha, I'm so cheesy.

But really, these are two things I'm excited about.

Picture #1

Last week, we received a huge blessing from our parents in the form of the stroller you see above.

This thing is awesome!

It is 'travel system' which means a car seat is included.

It took all of ten minutes to take out of the box and figure out.

Which is such a relief since I've experienced a few 'travel systems'

in my day that have been nothing short of a headache.

We are incredibly thankful! And so excited to stroll our little guy around.

The next morning, while I was getting ready, 

Jonny was just wheeling it around the apartment.

We'll just call it practice.

Picture #2

I've never been a fruit person.

Ask my mom.

Ask my dad.

Ask my husband.

I just don't really care for the food group.

And people have looked at me funny all my life when I've told them so.

But in our birthing class, the Bradley Method

we were given nutrition trackers to...well, track our nutrition.

Long story short, I was most certainly deficient in the fruits portion of this worksheet

and in need of an intervention!

So this smoothie has changed my world.

Well, ya know what I mean.

It's so simple.

*Toss a good handful of frozen fruits in the bottom of a blender.

(You can find mixed frozen fruits in the freezer section of the grocery store.

I use a combination of tropical fruits and berry blend.)

*Cover the fruit with plain non-fat yogurt.

(You could use greek, or vanilla or any flavor really, but I'm just boring)

*Top the yogurt with a handful of spinach.

(You don't even taste the stuff, talk about a sneaky way to eat your greens!)

*Just a splash of OJ...that is orange juice.

I then blend mine for a bit, before adding

*Chia seeds

*Flax seeds 

(That is until I dropped the glass container I had holding my flax seeds, 

which then shattered into a million pieces 

and left billions of flax seeds all over my carpeted kitchen. 

So I'm omitting those for now.)

*Unsweetened Coconut flakes

(I didn't start adding this until I no longer had flax seeds but boy am I glad I made this discovery, it's yum)

*Top with honey, to your own taste.

Obviously you could omit all the seeds, 

but they're good for you so check them out!

And if coconut is not your thing...that's okay too.

Today I had lunch plans elsewhere, and I'm not gonna lie, 

I kinda missed my smoothie.

Which is why I'm about to have one for dinner.

Picture #3

This needs no explanation.

Tuesday was 35 weeks.

I'm not sure if it makes me a bad momma to want him out already.

What I've read says he's developed now, 

and will just spend the rest of his time in the womb putting on weight.

So, ya, I'd love to meet him anytime now.

But I guess we'll just wait patiently.

in all circumstances

For behold, he who forms the mountains

and creates the wind, 

and declares to man what is his thought, 

who makes the morning darkness, 

and treads on the heights of the earth-

the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!

Amos 4:13

This week God has been so kind in reminding Jonny and I of his power from his word.

His power and his sovereignty and his grace.

Nothing catches God by surprise.

He is never caught off guard.

So when we are, which is often,

for we know not what tomorrow brings, 

it is an amazing to comfort to know that God is in control.

And not in a cliche sort of way.

Like really, truly believing that our circumstance is no accident.

Or even unfair.

Even when everything is seeming to crumble. 

Where is your hope?

Where is your security?

Where is your joy?

If your hope is found in your circumstance.

You will be let down.

If your security is found in your lot.

You will know no peace.

If your joy is dependent on anything apart from God and the love he has shown in Christ,

you will be continually disappointed.

If your joy comes from knowing you've been saved, 

that your sin has been paid for,

purchased on the cross of Christ, 

you can approach all circumstances rejoicing!

Because of our sin, death is what we all deserve; 

death and a eternity separated from God.

But God is merciful and has made a way.

But God, being rich in mercy,

because of the great love with which he loved us,

even when we were dead in our trespasses,

made us alive together with Christ. 

Ephesians 2:4-5

Having been made alive in Christ, Jonny and I have every reason to rejoice! 

In all circumstances.