39 week appointment

This is an appointment I will forever remember. Our babysitter was unable to watch Nataleigh this time so she got to go with us. We have tried this two other times and had a really bad experience. She's older now and I was able to give her a "pep talk" before going to the appointment :) She did wonderful and it was something I will forever cherish. The midwife really let Nataleigh get involved this time. She got to hold the doppler and put it on my tummy. We explained that she was listening to the baby's heartbeat (don't really know if she understood or not :)
Baby is great! Perfect positioning....we just continue to patiently wait. ;) I did find out my midwife is in fact on call tonight...we'll see! ;) Def. having more "birthing waves" (contractions) which is always a good thing!
I took a picture today of what I crave at the end of my pregnancies...pineapple. I think I read somewhere that it might help with birthing time (labor) but who knows how true that is. I ate this whole container last night before we ate dinner ;)
I tried this new recipe for dinner which was penne pasta with bacon, asparagus and spinach. I will def. make it again. We liked it a lot!
Today I walked a lot. Nataleigh and I walked at the mall for about an hour and then after dinner we took a family walk outside for about an hour as well! It felt so good!

Happy Easter!

We heard this passage of Scripture at church today. Such a beautiful reminder!
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Philippians 2:3-11

We enjoyed celebrating Easter today with Chris's parents and brother!
Easter Basket from Grandpa and Nona:




Attempting to get a family picture (haha)

39 weeks

Here we are at 39 weeks! I'm majorly nesting and can't stop. I don't remember nesting this much with Nataleigh....but we moved 1 month before she came into our new house so I probably was unpacking and didn't notice it as much.
I'm feeling really good. Waking up about two times in the middle of the night. Sleeping hasn't been the best but last night I did fall back asleep after each time of waking up to use the bathroom.
We keep talking more and more about the baby and trying to prepare our hearts and minds for our new little addition. Nataleigh loves my belly and giving her new sibling toys, books, zerberts, hugs, kisses...really anything :)
I am feeling more and more ready every day!
This baby will come when he/she is ready!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Today we also colored Easter Eggs. Nataleigh loved this, especially when she got to put the stickers on them!

Rooms are all finished!

I've been nesting and thankfully due to it got all the rooms finished. I just had some organizing, cleaning and a few things to put up. We have a few more things to hang up in the baby's room (the name...of course AFTER the birth) and our room also needs pictures hung up...these are Chris's jobs... :)





Baby's Room/Guest Room



Our Room

Cloth Diapers

After some thought (not too much after we saw how much we could save) we are entering the world of cloth diapering. We have close friends here that do cloth diapering so it has been great to get her input and watch her. She's letting us borrow some different brands and sizes in the beginning and then we will order from there. I probably would have gone this route with Nataleigh had I known more about it before she was born and were more settled in. We had many adjustments when Nataleigh was born (the move, new house, new job, 1st time parents...way too many "new" things) Although, I wish we would have just taken the plunge in the beginning because we would have saved a lot of money...oh well, this just means we will hopefully have a 3rd child, MAYBE 4th to also use our investment of cloth diapering. It's exciting to know we will save $1,000-$2,000 per child and be a help to our environment!!

Easter gift from Bis Nona

Today Nataleigh received a package in the mail from her Bis Nona. Nataleigh was SO excited to see what was inside this box :)

Free Ice Cream night!

For 2 years in a row we have gone to Shaker Square for free ice cream on tax day. Shaker Square is where our new church plant is going to be. Nataleigh got to enjoy the ice cream this time! She LOVED it!

I know what happend to me and I will never be the same again...

A journal entry from Friday, April 17, 2009 (1 year after our miscarriage)

A blank page...a new beginning?
It was a year go we lost our precious life growing inside my womb. So much has happened I can't even comprehend it all. It's so true that God takes times to break you so you will only be stronger. Am I sad our first child is gone, yes. Would I trade this experience? No, never I would not.
This experience in the valley has been so intriguing. Every day there was something else new to learn. It's brought me closer to my daddy, my papa-God the Father! I trust Him more-sound weird, yes, but no. Only weird in ones heart who does not know our God. You see, we live in an evil world. Bad things happen to EVERYONE. Complicated? Yes! Mysterious? Yes! Make God more confusing? Yes, but do we really know Him well? Do we know that NO MATTER WHAT, He will never, ever for a minute, second, hour, day, night, week, month ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, LEAVE US!!!!!!!? Wow! What a promise. He loves us SO much. He doesn't want to watch His children hurt. So when something goes wrong, due to the evil world we are in every day He tries to teach us through those things we get faced with. We never have to deal with our problems alone. Remember-He never leaves us!
So after about 2 days I had a choice to make-Yes, God allows us to make choices-It's "free will." I had a choice to give up completely--thoughts of taking my own life even were an option I GAVE MYSELF or I had a choice to accept a LOVE that could change me forever. The funny thing was is that I already had accepted this LOVE. But had I really? Yes, I believe so, but did I choose that for every second of the day-that I was going to Trust Him completely-even during the "greatest saddness" thus far in my life?- NO I had the choice to make and I chose my Papa, my Daddy-The Love of a Lifetime I wanted Him to be.
Today I constantly choose. It's a choice everyday-Will I "Live" or will I "Die"-I've chosen I'm not just going to "live" I'm going to "die" to all of the things that separate me from my Papa. It's not easy, but this is what I'm striving for.
After loosing our little life Chris and I grew to love our Father even more and each other too. It was something we worked through every day.
5 months after loosing our baby God gave us a miracle in my womb. Were there times of doubt, yes. Were there times of fear, yes...but I was learning to trust Him more and this, I believe was the ultimate test in my journey up until that point. There were so many times I was utterly foolish and I look back now and see how far I've come and am thankful.
Today I am 32 weeks and 6 days pregnant with what we have been told, a healthy baby girl!!!!!!! Her name is Nataleigh Love. We chose her first name simply for the fact we thought it was a beautiful name and then we spelled the "lie" part like my middle name "leigh" is spelled to make it more meaningful. Her middle name is Love-my maiden name is Love and looking back on what we have gone through in life we know we are nothing without Love-Our GREAT Love. Love is what we want all of our children to know-to embrace with their whole beings. But just like us-they too will have a choice.
Remember when I talked about evil? It's everywhere in this world because nothing will be perfect until heaven. This is why there is death. Death hurts in every way. Last night I found out that my cousin, 40 years old who battled Cystic Fibrosis for his entire life passed away from this life. Are you serious? Yet another reminder of death just one day before the Anniversary of remembering our child's death? But I'm brought back to my true Love. His promises NEVER waiver. He stays true to His word.
"But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:31

A blank page, no-not anymore. Pages full of life that have chosen to take this Journey. Journeys can be so packed full if we just take them-and one step at a time.

Always love you, little one. Will never know what happened to you but I know what happened to me and I will never be the same again!

I pulled this journal out after leading a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Esther. So many things in that study lead me back to this experience and I was blown away by how God used that to draw me so close to Him and to realize why we sometimes have to go through the things we do.
It's taken me a long time to open up about this to the world but over time I've come to a place where I can. Healing takes time and we all heal at a different pace.
God is telling me it's time to open up because there might be something someone could learn about Him through this.
As I reflect on Nataleigh's healthy pregnancy and life I'm blown away by God's blessing. And here we are with another healthy pregnancy. Praise Him-all Glory to Him. Blessing after blessing.

He gives and takes away. Blessed be His Name!

38 weeks!

The Beginning of our Journey

Announcing to our friends...

The day we found out...

First ultrasound (some commented that it looks like the baby is playing tennis!) ;)

I don't have a whole lot to say since I just posted about the baby turning on Thursday!!! I'm very exhausted, don't have much of an appetite, kinda grumpy and trying to get things all in order before the baby comes.
I think the thing I'm most excited about is the mystery of when I will go into my birthing time. Nataleigh was 2 days past her "guess" date but all babies and pregnancies are so different. My midwife is on call all next week so it would be wonderful if the baby was ready to come then!! But if not, that's fine too...I won't dwell on that fact!
I've noticed Nataleigh being very attached to my stomach (more than usual) over the past few weeks. It's very interesting and makes me wonder why. The other thing I'm equally excited about is watching Nataleigh with this baby for the first time! She is such the mother hen and it will be fun to watch her!
Until then...

Baby Turned!!!!!!!!

37 weeks 5 days
Thank you all for your prayers! The baby has turned and we are all ready to go! Our midwife is on call starting Sunday for a week so it would be really awesome if this baby decides to come then!! ;)
Please pray for a healthy, wonderful, beautiful delivery and that the baby continues to be in good position!

Fun with Kellen

Once a week I watch our friend's little boy, Kellen. Nataleigh and Kellen are about 3 months apart and love each other dearly. Today was probably the last time I will watch him for awhile. I was a bit teary-eyed...but what doesn't make me teary-eyed right now? ;) They were especially fun today. They played with a Cookie Monster play dough set that Kellen had gotten for his Birthday and they had a blast! They also chased each other around the house for a long time and found it fun to fall on the ground laughing hysterically. They are too much! I love this age!

Kellen's Birthday party

Our friend's little boy had his Birthday party this afternoon. He had an indoor pool party with all of his little friends...so much fun! (It's hard to believe I will be planning Nataleigh's 2nd Birthday really soon.) It made for a very busy day because we also had church that morning. We don't normally pack this much in a day so I was curious how Nataleigh would do. She fell asleep on the way home and I just had to take a picture because normally she would be in her bed for a nap. They are so sweet to watch sleeping!

37 weeks

37 weeks today! Feeling pretty good...sleeping a little better. I'm pretty uncomfortable, though and can really feel this baby dropping more and more which makes my trips to the bathroom even more frequent :) I think 3 during the middle of the night now :) I've been nesting a lot this past week. Chris put the car seat together and moved Nataleigh's seat to make room for the base which is now in the car. I've started packing our bags, getting the rooms all organized how we want them and cleaned and decorated the house a little bit for Spring.
This Thursday we will have our ultrasound (to check the baby's position) and our appt. with the midwife. Continue to pray for this baby's position.

22 months!!

Our sweet girl is 22 months today! It's hard to believe that in only 2 months she will will be 2 years old! This has really gone by fast!
Some highlights from this past month:
-She's a very chatty girl
-Some of our favorite words and phrases are: "thank you, mommy" "thank you, daddy" "oh, ok" "i love you" when she asks for kisses, hugs and lovies, when she asks to pray before meals and bed time.
-She's been associating names with faces a lot and it's fun to hear her "practice" the names she does know when she's up in her bed or playing
-She enjoys looking outside and seeing buses, cars, trucks, airplanes and calls them by their names.
-She has learned to put her socks on and take off her pants. She's still trying to figure out her shirts and how to put pants back on.

-She's adjusted very well to her "big girl bed" and has gotten out once during naptime.
-Some observations about her personality-strong willed, compassionate, curious, funny, quick, energetic, affectionate, friendly, social.
-She continues to learn more sign language. We are very grateful for the Baby Signing Time and Signing Time videos. These are the only tv shows/videos she is allowed to watch right now...by research and observation we weren't too thrilled about her watching any tv until she was 2 but are glad we have chosen to show her the Signing Times...we have all benefited from these!

-As far as learning goes she is doing great with her shapes, has started saying some ABC's and has started counting.
-She still loves to eat. I realized by dropping her morning snack she eats more at lunch and sleeps better for her nap because of a full tummy. occasionally she will get the morning snack if I think she really needs it.
-She's getting more teeth and has always been bothered by teething (doesn't sleep well, fussy/cranky)
-We have started SLOWLY working on potty training and she's gone a few times but my approach is not where I wanted it to be and frankly I've been really lazy about it and don't like messes so this is where I am with it. I really do want her potty trained before the baby comes but it's too late and will have to be something we work on after.
-She's very excited about this new baby and loves to read, cuddle, tickle, talk, give zerberts and kisses to her baby ___________ (which she knows how to say)



Our Nataleigh has brought us much joy and is a huge blessing! She's so much fun at this age and we look forward to this new baby and seeing how much this will change our family even more!

Turn Baby, Turn!

I'm pretty sure this baby has turned back around!!! However, we will not know for sure until April 14. If he/she has turned there is always a possibility that he/she could turn again. Please continue to pray for this last leg of our journey.

Life

Life growing inside of me-36 weeks 1 day

the newest life I've seen outside this week...

It's beginning to look and feel more and more like Spring! When I look outside I see the pregnant robins and chuckle because here I am with my belly sticking out just like the robin hopping along the grass. The miracle of life is so beautiful...from the changing of seasons to the birth of new life. I think Spring is probably officially my favorite time of year because it's a season where we can see new life all around us. For so long we had witnessed death all around us in nature. But Spring, it brings hope! Hope and Life in so many forms...the first budding of flowers, grass, trees, baby birds...the fresh new smells, more light, sunshine, more people out and about. It's also my favorite time of year because we remember and celebrate our Lord and King. New life. New beginnings (but we can always start new anytime). Sometimes we just need physical reminders as humans and I believe one way God shows us that is in the transformation of seasons. Life. Sacrifice.

36 weeks today. We get to experience new life firsthand in our family very soon. Please pray for us as we found out at the beginning of this past week that our baby has turned and is now in a breech position :( Thankfully there is still time and our faith and trust is in Him no matter what. Just pray with us that the baby would turn and be in the perfect position and remain that way!! ;)

Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:7-10 (NIV)

Opening Day!

It's feeling more and more like Spring...It's Opening Day! In honor of Opening Day we had homemade choc. chip cookies...I think Nataleigh REALLY likes Opening Day now! :) It's also the first day of April and our baby could be an April baby or even a May baby! Guess we will see when he/she decides to arrive!