Baby Update {7 Months}

Today was baby check-up day.

Everything is still looking great and so far, no problems for Sadie or me.

According to my initial appointment, I am 31 weeks and 4 days today.  Which would make my due date April 12, 2013.  My stomach has been measuring a week ahead of that and so have my ultrasounds.  My stomach measured 32 weeks today and the ultrasound measured the baby at 32 weeks 1 day.  That would make my due date April 8, 2013.  I'd like to think that April 8th is my real due date.  Those four days might not seem like a lot to some folks, but that means I'd be at least 4 days closer to meeting my baby girl.  My blood work has been good so far and even though I had a little scare after my glucose test last week, my doctor (and the ultrasound) assured me today that there isn't anything to be worried about.  The nurse called me last week after my glucose test and told me that I was not consuming enough calories because my glucose level dropped too low during the night.  So, I've been eating like a crazy person (not that I wasn't already) every since.  My doctor told me not to worry about that because my numbers were within normal range and as long as I'm not dizzy and the baby is moving, we are both fine.  This is kind of a ramble, so I'll post the details from today's visit below.

*Baby is measuring 32W 1D.*

*Baby's estimated weight right now is 4.5 lbs.*

*Blood pressure is better and as long as it stays where it is, we do not have anything to worry about.*

*My weight is good (Can't believe that!)*

*Sadie's heart, brain, and the fluid surrounding her looked good.*
*Heart rate was 169 in the exam room when Sadie was bouncing around, but 139 (I think) in the ultra sound room.  She was over her burst of energy and was resting, face down.* 

My next appointment is in two weeks on February 25th.

These are a few of the pictures from today's sonogram.  They aren't very clear, but I love the one of her hand,  lips, and nose.  If you look closely, you can see the cutest pouty lips!  She was waving in one, too.  Also, we also have definite proof that Sadie is still in fact a girl.  I typed a description on the pictures so everyone could see what I'm talking about.

Daniel and I made a little progress on the nursery this weekend.  We still have a lot to do, but at least the queen bed has been removed and there are some baby things in it now.   Even though it isn't finished, it is looking so pretty and girly.

I've been eagerly awaiting the app on my phone to say "60 days remaining," and it finally says that today!  Just two more months to go.  After today's visit, I'm hoping that she will come even soon than that.  Not too much earlier though, because we want her to cook as long as she needs to in order to come into this world healthy! =)

Lily Lamb

Lily Lamb came home from school with John McRae over the weekend.  He was over the moon excited about it, too.  Some of the sweetest moments in my life have taken place while picking JMc up from Pre-K in the afternoons.  He immediately tells me about his day (good or bad - the kid has no filter).  Then, he can't wait to get home and tell his Daddy (Many times it can't wait and we have to call him on 10 minute drive home.  Thank goodness for bluetooth so that he can just talk through the speakers).  We also had to call Grandma on the way home to tell her about Lily and to ask if she and Papaw wanted to see her.

Here's a picture of John McRae as soon as he got home and was allowed to get Lily (or Lamby as he called her) out of her bag.  Just prior to this picture, he said, "He can cuddle with me and sleep in my bed."  Over the course of the weekend, JMc accepted that Lily was a she and not a he.

  Isn't that the most precious smile, ever!
(And yes, we still have our Christmas cards hanging in the kitchen.)

Lily and John McRae played in his room with his toy animals and blocks Friday night.  Before the lights went out, I read The Crippled Lamb that came home with Lily. (Picture this: I was laying on the futon, Daniel was laying beside John McRae in his toddler sized race car bed, and Bubble Puppy was laying on the floor between us.) I didn't really know what to expect with a title such as that, but it really is a cute little book with a great message.  I won't spoil it for those who are yet to take home the book with Lily.  Just know, it isn't as depressing as it sounds.  Quite the opposite, actually.  When it was time for bed, Lily slept with John McRae.  You know, for that 2.5 hrs he spends in his bed each night before coming and climbing in the bed between Daniel and I each night. 

On Saturday morning, John McRae watched the DVD that Lily had in her bag in his room.  Lily and John played at Grandma & Papaw's house while Daniel and I went to Hattiesburg to do a little nursery shopping for baby sister, Sadie.  Lily took a nap with John, too.

Saturday night, Lily and I helped John McRae with his homework sheets.  John McRae tried really hard to do a good job and stay in the lines.  He is doing so much better and is getting really good at writing his name (with no assistance at all).  He sometimes writes J O H and then puts the N in front of the J...but it's usually because he runs out of room on the paper. =)

 
During the time we were home on Sunday, John McRae and Lily played in his room.  He took very good care of her to ensure that Bubble Puppy didn't "play" with her, too.  That would have been ugly for more reasons than one.

John McRae stated over the weekend that he did not want to take Lily back to school, but he didn't hesitate this morning.  He was excited that, "Noah will get his turn and then Kinsey will get her turn and everybody will have a time to get their turn."  When I asked him what his favorite part of having Lily come home with him for the weekend was he said, "Playing in the zoo (his room) with my animals and blocks."

XOXO,
Stacy 

Busy Boy

This kid is busy!

Like, he never stops.

This is a glimpse of his doctor's appointment

 from a couple weeks ago.

It helps that he is so durn cute!

Sadie better get ready to be a tough little girl who can sleep through lots of noise.  Daniel and I better start stock piling 5 hour energy drinks to keep up with a busy toddler,an infant, and a spoiled rotten dog.

XOXO,

Stacy

 

Baby Update

Yesterday, I went for my 29 week check-up.  Thankfully, my blood pressure was down from my last appointment so the medication must be doing its job.  Thank God for that.  I was up 3 pounds, which isn't bad considering I had an endless supply of food (including sweets) over the weekend at C4C.  I really think that drinking more water helps. Imagine that. Maybe it isn't just a myth. ;)

I did not have an ultrasound, but there was a strong heartbeat and my stomach measured exactly 29 weeks.  My doctor's exact words were, "You are measuring perfectly."

I had to go in early for a glucose test.  It wasn't bad at all.  Folks had told me it was horrible, but it really wasn't a big deal at all.  My cousin's wife is pregnant, too, and I'm very thankful for her honesty and advice.  She told me it wasn't going to be a big deal.  Just more verification that she doesn't sugar coat or give false information.  =)  I did get a little hungry toward the end of waiting, but that worked out fine, too.

I hope and pray the glucose test results are fine, but I'm trying my best not to worry about it.  Everything else has worked out just fine and no amount of worrying has done me any good thus far.

My appointments are now every 2 weeks so I'll go back on February 11th.

Not a lot to share after this appointment, but I'm thankful it was an easy appointment and that my blood pressure was down from three weeks ago.  It's hard to believe that I'm already in the 7th month of this pregnancy.  In a way it seems like I've been pregnant forever, but then again, it seems like that due date is approaching mighty quickly!!!  29 Weeks & 4 days down & 73 +/- days to go.

XOXO,

Stacy

C4C 2013

Above, you will see my view from this past weekend.  It was much cooler than the Mississippi temps that I'm used to, so that was all of the exploring and looking that I did.  Mikki and I did see people running and walking the trails from our sliding glass door, but we are more of sleepers than exercisers.  I'm sure that they all really loved having such a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors.

While I missed my fellow Korea mamas, the retreat was wonderful.  Only knowing about three people (out of 450) there, made me take the initiative to meet knew people and find out about some of the other countries' programs.  Very interesting to say the least.  There are so many strong women who attend Created for Care.  I struggle many days with parenting one child, keeping up with house work, my job, and being a wife and these women are super heroes with 10+ kids.  After talking with many mothers to big families, I better understand how it works.  You do without more material things, but the love you experience on a daily basis makes up for all of that plus some.  Your routine and lifestyle is different, but as they prove, it is doable.  I will say that I believe God instills in those ladies and gentlemen a special ability to handle big families, especially those with children who have significant special needs.  Just like many people do not understand why anyone would want to adopt, many of us do not understand how big families work.  I'm glad to have a better understanding of all of this now.

Since being pregnant, I hear the following so many times, "You must have thought you couldn't get pregnant."  No, just the opposite.  We did have some trouble before deciding to adopt, but we were never told that.  Just the opposite, in fact.  Just yesterday in the doctor's office, I was asked that very same question.  Followed by, "I just couldn't love a child that was born to a dead beat mom."  Meaning, "I couldn't love a baby that I did not give birth to."  I guess Jesus was still with me strong from the weekend and I did not get mad at her or say anything ugly in return.  I just followed with, "Adoption isn't for everyone.  It is certainly something that has be be placed on your heart."  She agreed and seemed to understand what I was saying without me lighting into her like the mama bear we can all sometimes be.  You see, she wasn't trying to offend me or make me question my family's decision.  She was only being honest with me.   There are so many things in this world that people do that we do not understand.  This is a perfect example of why we should not judge others for their decisions in anything they do.  We do not know what is placed on their hearts while we are thinking "I could never do that" or "why in the world would they do that" or "they are ruining their family by doing that."  Things that seem so routine and easy for one family, might seem like the biggest hardship in the world to other people.  Many times we will never understand why, but we don't have to.  It isn't our place to and it really isn't any of our business.  Love, support, and prayer that God will continue to provide others with what they need to keep going is all we should be concerned with.  (By the way, I thought I'd be the only pregnant lady at the conference and stick out like a sore thumb, but we were everywhere!)

So, be careful with your words, people.  Just because you do not understand something, doesn't give the right to question it aloud in a hurtful way.  Questions are okay, but it is never okay to question with a tone of disbelief, disgust, or anger.  Humans are sensitive creatures, whether we want to admit it or not, especially when the topic is something so personal and close to the heart.

Here are a few things I took away from the weekend:

Anything that is ignored, disappears.

This can be your relationship with God, with your husband, with your friends, etc.  It can be hobbies, traditions, or anything else that we can get too busy and ignore.

Think God.

Jesus didn't die for religion.  He died for a relationship.  Take time with Him every day.  If only for 5 minutes while you are blow drying your hair.

Proverbs

A gentle answer will calm a person's anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.

The Lord's eyes see everything that happens.  He watches both good & evil people...but he is pleased with the honest person's prayer.

Happiness makes a person smile, but sadness breaks a person's spirit.

It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be wealthy and have much trouble.

A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish person hates his mother.

**A person may think up plans, but the Lord decides what he will do.**

Do not criticize.  Do not cause others to sin.

In relationships, get intentional - not defensive or offensive.

Live your own story, not in everyone else's.  Take time away from social media!  Give that time back to the ones you love.

Be on the same page/team as your spouse.

"You are a small woman, who is love by a big God, who is for your family, for the world, and for eternity" - Susan Hillis

It is easier to heal or fix a young child rather than to fix or heal a grown man or woman. - S.H.

It is only our job to love BIG.

Do not be afraid.  Fear is always from the enemy. Never from God.

Every day, choose joy.

Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow is not here yet.  We need daily bread and today's light.

Valuing marriage - Trust based parenting begins with a connected marriage.  Provide an example of healthy, connected relationships to your children.

Learn to value relationships AND the value of relationships.

Confront the enemies of connection.  (SAFE) Shame, anger, fear, and embarrassment

Anger - It happens, but in your anger - do not sin.  It creates distance.

Let things go.  When it is over, let it be over.

Learn to say you are sorry.  Be humble.  Do not hold grudges.  Make amends and fix things that are wrong.  We do not always get it right, but we can make it right.

Until next year's retreat.

XOXO,
Stacy

 

 

Total cuteness

Going through Sadie's gifts has been so much fun.  I'm certainly nowhere near done putting it all away yet, but I have gotten everything out of the gift bags.  Here's a few pictures of the total cuteness I'm dealing with!  Sorry in advance, but there are more girly posts to come!

And while these girly pics are adorably cute, they just can't compare with this picture I took this morning of my sweet, sleepy boys. =)

...Be still my heart...

XOXO,

Stacy 

Sadie's Baby Shower

 

Yesterday, the three lovely ladies above hosted the sweetest shower for our already greatly loved Sadie Elizabeth.

 

Every where you looked, there was something pink and beautiful. They put so much work and time into making our day so special.  The food was delicious!

Just look how pretty.  The picture really does not do it justice.

My yummy strawberry owl themed cake.  John McRae had a piece last night and said it was the best flamingo cake, ever!

 This is the sign in table with the cutest parting gifts.  Little cokes, cosmo brownies, and fun-dip.  These ladies know the way to my heart!

Gift, gifts, gifts.  Our girl is already so spoiled!

As you can see, it took both Charlotte and I to get that first piece cut.  You can see the cute owl in this picture. 

My mother-in-law and I (aka the photographer for the day - Thanks!).

My best friend since the 6th grade.  Thanks Jennifer for being with me on this special day and recording the gifts!

Auntie Em checking out the goods from my mom.  Thanks Mama for the goodies and thanks to Emma for driving all the way from North Carolina!

Thank you to everyone who came and shared this special day with me.  It was a great day filled with family, friends, fun, laughter, and delicious food!  There are just no words to express how thankful I am to all that came or sent gifts.  My hostesses worked so hard to make the day perfect and I just love them to pieces!

XOXO,

Stacy & Sadie