~Our Little Angel~

(I found this poem and it just stood out to me) I am so excited to meet our little girl and I am anxiously awaiting our special day where she will be in our arms and the 3 of us can continue our journey as a family together!!

Like the warmth of a loving hug, I feel you everyday.

Tossing and turning about you move every which way.

At first you were a tiny seed in my womb that grew more and more each day.

Now your Dad and I are anxious because we know that you are on your way.

We will wait ever so patiently to see your loving face,

For we know that it will be filled with wonderful loving grace.

You are our little miracle sent to us from up above.

God just knew that we would be the ones for you to love.

I thank the Lord for giving you to me,

for choosing us as your Mommy and Daddy to be.

I want you to know now loving child of mine,

That I will love you from now until the end of time.

Today we had our Dr. Appointment again. Hard to believe that I am 32 weeks and 3 days today! It truly has just flown by!!!

Dr Rappleye was excited to see me again and said that I am glowing and looking amazing. He said my weight gain and my health are at amazing levels (that just goes to show I guess I know where to hide the candies, donuts, cheesecake, ice cream, and everything else I am shoveling in so that the Doctor doesn't see it ;) hahahaha )

I was laying on the table and thinking that its not going to be long until I am on the table delivering her. WOW!! We got to hear her fast beating heart again. Sounds so strong and so healthy. She kicked Rappleye while he was examining my belly. He said her movement is also another great sign of her great health! She is currently measuring at 15-15 1/2 inches long and a little over 4 pounds! :D Our "Little Peanut" isn't such a Little Peanut anymore, but I am so happy to hear of her progress. She already has me wrapped up in her finger, she is going to be spoiled. I just know it. As much as I want to say I am going to be the boss, I feel like she is going to be in charge. I currently am her carrier and she is in charge, which is fine by me.

The poem to the right of me stood out to me soo much. I know we know we are having a girl, but "My Hands Can't Wait" truly explains how I am feeling. I feel as though my hands are aching to touch her, my arms aching to have her in them. My heart aching to know what that level of LOVE is truly like. The first time I gaze down on her and that overwhelming feeling of love and patience hits me, I cannot wait! She is going to be "JUST PERFECT"!

The housework is coming along great. What started out as a tiny project has turned into a full on RENOVATION!!! We were initially only going to put in new carpet in her room, hahahaha now let me list for you what we are doing!

1) painting her room

2)installing carpet in her room

3) installing a new closet

4) her furniture is getting custom built

5)her crib is being hand sanded and stained to match the furniture (Thanks so much Brittany)

6)Painting our room

7)Installing carpet in our room

8)installing new closet in our room

9)Tiling the kitchen floor and in front of the back door

10)painting living room, hallway, stairs, kitchen

11) installing carpet to living room, hallway, stairs

Tonight we are off to Lowe's to pick up more paint. We need about 12 gallons of white paint and we will begin painting the rest of the house. I am going to pack up all our shot glasses and shelves that sit behind our sink and get the other shelves packed up! Everything else is packed up and moved out of the basement. We will start painting tonight and will be tearing out more pieces of carpet tomorrow night. Jason has completed the tiling of the kitchen and in front of the back door. Our stove and refrigerator are back in the kitchen and it looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! (GREAT JOB J) Saturday we are installing the new carpet in the living room, stairs, hallway, our bedroom, and her room. Our room and her room are both painted now. Once we get the carpet installed in the bedrooms we can get the new closets installed and begin filling her closet with clothes, shoes, toys and more! :D We are so excited to get her room going as its just another sign that she is getting so close to arriving! =D My heart is racing just thinking about it. I will post pictures when its all completed and we have "unpacked" again! hahaha.. It is a lot of work, but the project really is keeping me busy so I am not sitting around with idol hands going crazy!! :D

~ Update ~

Fetal development in pregnancy week 31: fetus in seventh month Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

MY BABY'S PROGRESS: WEEK 31
Only 9 more weeks to go!
Great. Just what I needed. Now I'm going to have even MORE weight to haul around as my pudge-rific baby is now gaining a 1/2 lb a week. My baby's immune system is going to be quite dependent on my breast ...

And how's mom doing? Have you felt anything you suspect might be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions, these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any remaining shreds of dignity you can salvage shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in your vaginal discharge, call your healthcare practitioner right away.

As for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any remaining shreds of dignity you can salvage

As your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back, get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!

~ Break Time ~

So I have tried to make it a point to get some walking in everyday since being pregnant. Some days it is easier than others, but still AT LEAST I AM TRYING, right? Usually my walking during work is with Danielle, Andrea, Jodi and my cousin Roberta.

Danielle, Jodi, Andrea, and I decided to walk rather then drive today and we were off!!

Well today kinda "canceled out"! I Yeah I went on a walk at my break and yeah I will be going on my exercise time soon today as well, however on break this morning I defeated the purpose of being healthy when our walk took us to 7-Eleven! Bad start right there, you might say. Well I was planning on not buying anything, but when I went in, these happened to catch my eye and I clearly was NOT going to be able to just WALK away, YEAH RIGHT! I mean that would be just rude to turn my back on something that was CLEARLY calling my name!! Like they were MADE for me! We have been to Maverick Countless times and they do NOT carry these delicious treats, so when I saw them on the shelf (and right next to each other I might add) I knew I couldn't pass them up! So of course I grabbed a King size one of each and quickly proceeded to the check out. Danielle grabbed them from me and bought them for me. THANK YOU SWEET GIRL, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!!! My heart actually began to race in anticipation of eating them. I know (I am acting 5 years old right now) but I couldn't help it. I had expressed to Danielle, Andrea & Jodi previously how much I wish they would make both strawberry and banana laffy taffy in the big size bars so that i could enjoy them together. I barely made it back to my desk and sitting before I was tearing into the wrappers and twisting the 2 taffy bars together in order to enjoy as one! (Now I know you must be thinking I am NUTS by now, but I have been craving this for MONTHS now) Let me just say it was HEAVEN on earth (in a candy) I was literally "mmmmm-ing" every single delicious bite of it and was becoming saddened that I only bought 1 of each. Knowing well that if I had bought 2 of each it would have gone just ask quick as these 1st two did! Well after a while I was just feeling kind of bored and happened to find online that they make them mixed together!! WHAT????? Yeah I know.. I have NEVER seen these twisted bars, but NOW I AM WILL BE ON THE LOOK OUT! Perhaps I will just have to go online and treat myself to some of my favs.. It would be MUCH less sticky If I didn't have to personally twist them before enjoying!

I know what you must be thinking.. An entire blog to a craving of sugar? Well people-- I am pregnant after all, if that doesn't excuse this behavior then let me just say. If you know me well then you know that it doesn't take a lot to get me excited! I am a pretty happy person and I find it oddly amusing that a little candy bar can put a smile on my face!

Special thanks to the makers of LAFFY TAFFY- I am a LOYAL AND PROUD CUSTOMER!!!!

~ 1 Page at a Time ~

I have been reading so much lately. Since I opened that cover and began the 1st page of Twilight last year it seems I cannot keep myself away from books! It makes me happy to be so interested in reading again and I have been fortunate enough to remain intrigued by 99% of the books I choose! That being said, there have been, on rare occasion, a few that I cannot seem to get interested in or remain interested in. I had just got done reading another series "The Hunger Games" (GO GET IT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT ALREADY) and was searching for the next big thing to grab my attention.

Finally I had remembered my cousin Roberta reading a book called "The Shack". I decided I would give it a try.

So of course, I ventured to the Library ( I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE LIBRARY). I checked it out and made it home. Decided to give it a try and for some reason I couldn't get "into" it at all. I would end up texting, playing a game, watching tv, doing laundry, or cooking dinner. Seems I was making excuses rather than giving it a chance. So I returned it to the library and check out another book but it had remained in the back of my mind so I thought "Let's give it a 2nd chance"! I am SOOO Glad I did! This book is absolutely amazing. Still, to me it does start out slow, but GIVE IT A CHANCE! Keep reading. It takes off and though it goes in a dark direction at first when you turn that last page you can't help but feel overcome with peace. When you put the book down you feel "at home" and so "blessed"! It is the kind of story that can "reach" every single person on this planet, to some level at least! I recommend this book to EVERYONE who is capable of reading! I truly feel you will walk away from this book wanting to be a better person!
Here is the link to the website- take a moment and check it out, see if it is something that would strike your interest, if so CHECK it out! You will NOT be disappointed!

http://www.theshackbook.com/

Thanks Roberta- for the recommendation- I am so thankful I came across this book! It is one I can see myself reading again down the road!

Another great book that I just recently read was "For One More Day"

This book was referred to me by another cousin, Caitlyn. This book is "moving" and again makes you feel at ease with the idea of getting that chance to have a "DO OVER" with someone you lost.

For One More Day by Mitch Albom is the story of a man who gets the chance to spend one more day with his mother, who died 8 years earlier. In the vein of Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day takes readers to a place between life and death in a story of redemption and one man's struggle to deal with his ghosts.

I began the book and was hooked right away. We all have those people in our lives that we have lost and miss so dearly. There was a part in the book (in the beginning) that said something like "What if you got the chance to go back, to see that person again, one more conversation, one more embrace, would you do it?" That was all it took for me, I was SOLD. I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to see what happened to this character, where it took us as readers.

So if you know of any books you loved, please send them my way! I am always open to new ideas. I am not a 1 genre kind of reader. I jump ALL over the place. So chances are if you loved it, it would give me that personal connection to at the very least "give it a shot!"

~ Almost there ~

Well my sweet little girl has been "in the oven cooking" now for 30 weeks and 2 days as of today! It is insane to me that its gone this quick! I know that I am counting down and have been since I saw those lines on that first pregnancy test I took! I am overjoyed and cannot wait to a mommy! I am so in love with her already, I cannot imagine loving her more than I do at this second in my life!

For the past 12 hours now she has kicked and wiggled more than she EVER has before and I couldn't be more excited! I place my hand on my tummy and just feel her moving and love watching my tummy wiggle along with her! She loves playing at my belly button, she will push and it will "pop out" then I will lightly push back and run my finger across my tummy and watch and a moment later she is mimiking me and doing it right back! I swear I have seen her hand and foot a few times! She has been hanging out on the Right side of my tummy a lot lately too.. Sprawled out in there while she still has a little room to sprawl out! hahaha! The thought of 9 weeks left feels like an eternity but I am excited. It will be time before I know it and we still have plenty to do before her arrival, so 9 weeks will be perfect timing for her arrival!!! Until then we continue talking to her, singing to her, and playing with her! She makes me feel happier than I have ever been before! :D We have the names narrowed down to 3 but still unsure on EXACTLy which one we will choose! We will wait to see what she looks like out of those 3 and then decide. I mean should could come out and look like someone completely different too, but we are pretty sure we have it narrowed down and I have my favorite ;)

Some projects to keep me busy

1)We are getting new carpet in the entire basement, so that will be a project. We have to get everything packed up and MOVED out of there and off the floors in order to get it all installed. So I can get things packed up in boxes and unpack when its completed. 2) We had a closet get built for her and Elliott is done with that so it will be ready to put in once we get the carpet! =D HOORAY!! 3)My friend Lynne (bless her heart) sent me an e-mail telling me to get her pictureso f outfits I would like bows made for to match! Oh man. I told her I am unsure how to choose and she said to just atke pictures of EVERYTHING and she will make them.. hahaha! She is amazing, I am so excited though to see all these precious bows in person. She is super crafty and couldn't be more excited!! 4) Elliott is also custom building her furniture for her room, so it will be UNLIKE anyone else's which makes us really excited. It's going to be stained to match what we want EXACTLY! 5) Our good friend Brittany is sanding and staining our crib for us as well, we are SOOOOO excited to see it finished. She is going to have the stain match her furniture EXACTLY!! :D Thanks again Brit- we love you dearly!

Halloween is coming up and I want to dress up, although I am not sure what to do! I don't want to have my belly hanging out and painted cause I don't want to get sick. So perhaps we will paint my belly and take a picture and then figure out another idea for the night! :D Should be fun either way, but a costume that goes hand in hand with being pregnant would be really fun!!! We have a few parties we have been invited to, but we are also excited to see all our nieces and nephews and family dressed up, the children's halloween party is always SOOO MUCH FUN!!!

~ 30 Weeks ~

Hard to believe how quickly it all is going. I am officially almost done! Today I am 30 weeks 2 days along. She is growing and wiggling now more than ever before. I still poke at her and play with her constantly and Jason tells me I am "picking on her!" I just love feeling her move around. I love running my finger across my belly and watching her copy that same pattern. I have yet to determine if its a hand or foot for sure, but I am noticing it so much more lately! Recently she has had the hiccups a little more often, but not a lot!

Also the past 12 hours she has moved SOOOOOOOOOO much! she is roling and wiggling and kicking and waving around in there and I enjoy it ALL!! I am so sure I will miss feeling her move after she arrives, but I am so excited to meet her, kiss her, hold her, hug her, and JUST LOVE HER UNCONDITIONALLY FACE TO FACE!! It still blows my mind that this is happening. I mean, I KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED- hahaha! Just that we are blessed with this opportunity. SO man try their entire lives to have children and for us, she happened when we were planning for it to happen! I am so blessed and Thank our Lord everyday for giving us this precious angel to love! She is going to be sooo spoiled! :) But that is half the fun, right?

~Remembering a Hero~

Milo Lynn Doxey

December 30, 2008-- October 8, 2009

Sam has written this and it was in the Newspaper. She is so good with words. To those who didn't know precious Milo you get a glimpse inside what it would have been like to know him. Her article paints a vivid picture.

We love you precious Milo! You are in all of our thoughts today and tomorrow and every other day as well!