Belly Transition

I was 18 weeks on Sunday! I remember thinking the day/week (July 12th, 2010) we found out that it would take foreeever to get to 20 weeks and now it's only two weeks away! (Deep breath.) Finding out we were pregnant was so exciting and I have cherished the time I have taken to adjust to the news. I have savored every bit of the "big secret" and coming up with fun ways to tell our friends and family after waiting awhile to tell most everyone. I guess I just didn't want to rush through any portion of the process, but I did have to remind myself that just because the word may be out that doesn't mean all the fun is over with. Because really, the "fun" is just beginning....like feeling baby Dixie (our my nickname for the babe. Please forgive us if you're a boy!) move for the first time and watching my belly grow, Grow, GROW. We've been taking bi-weekly belly shots and the change is just incredible. It's truly amazing what is goin' on in there! And no, I am neither flexing nor sticking my belly out (like some have suspected.) I have wanted all of these to be "the real deal," so most were taken in the morning or awhile after I had eaten a small breakfast.

So...to catch everyone up...
get ready for the belly transition!!!

8 weeks - 8/8/10

12 weeks - 9/5/10

I think someone popped...

14 weeks - 9/19/10

I feel like I looked bigger at 14 weeks? Ha.

16 weeks - 10/3/10

And taken just yesterday...

18 weeks - 10/17/10

Isn't that CRAZY?! I really can't imagine getting bigger but I guess they say you do? *smile.

We hung out some great college friends on Saturday night. Amanda is due with her second in February and Margie is due with her first in two weeks. (Get it...I'm four months, Amanda is five and Margie is nine. We are so clever.)  I'm so happy they're going through it first it's been so fun to be pregnant and share this special time with some girlfriends. I'm so excited for both of them!

I think I like this being pregnant business. It's pretty fun.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#441...Watching Leo kick and jump out of his cage. He's pretty darn funny for a rabbit.
#442...The giggles of a 2.75 year old playing in the leaves.
#443...Helpful brothers who help move new furniture.
#444...Feeling the amazing movement of our first baby.
#445...The wonderful (but exhausting) task of deciding on a crib and glider.
#446...A full cup of perfect drinking temp chia tea.
#447...Saturday morning breakfast at the Woodbury Cafe.
#448...The random times Tom pauses and says, "you are so pretty, honey."
#449...Chatting for hours with the bro and sis-in-law.
#450...Some pick-me-up Sweet Tarts on a Friday afternoon *smile.

"I am more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe. (Yet) I am more accepted and loved than I ever dared hope." Tim Keller - Two things the gospel of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins teaches us.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#431...A week with menus - it's been awhile!
#432...Dusted ceiling fans and washed shower curtains.
#433...Enjoying the summer-like fall weather and remembering our 90 degree October 6th, 2007 wedding day.
#434...The nesting itch that makes me want to go, go, go.
#435...Having the energy to go, go, go.
#436...Riding my bike (very carefully) through the woods and unexplored trails.
#437...The 5" little babe growing strong inside my tummy.
#438...GNO (Girls Night Out)
#439...The stillness of an early Sunday morning. Just me and my tea and a book.
#440...Taking it all in...

We are judge by what we finish, not by what we start. L.P. Powers

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Three Wonderful Years!

Happy anniversary to my best friend and the love of my life! I can not even imagine traveling this journey with anyone else. With each day, I see new ways that you continue to make me a better woman. We are a solid team and I believe we bring out the best in each other. I love how supportive and encouraging you are to me and how you're always my biggest fan. Three years ago today we were embarking on an unknown but exciting journey. We had our whole lives in front of us and had big dreams to buy a house and get settled in the Twin Cities and travel and start a family. We have been to some absolutely amazing places and experienced some incredible things in our three years as husband and wife, but returning from our Scotland/Ireland vacation and finding out we're expecting tops them all. I don't want to ever forget that moment! God has blessed us so richly, provided for all of our needs and more, and is now bestowing on us the gift of a child. Wow. Wow. Wow. Five years ago we were just two friends who decided to "give it a try" and now we're going to be parents! I can't wait to see you as a daddy - I know you will be amazing.

I look back on this day three years ago and am in awe of how much more I love you today. I didn't know it was even possible, but my heart continues to grow. You are the man God intended for me, and I thank him over and over for bringing us together when everyone least expected it (even myself *smile.) He knows what we need much better than we do. You constantly build me up and make me feel beautiful. You are always making me laugh and listening to my crazy stories. You are honest, which I appreciate, and quick to say sorry or accept my apology and give me lots of hugs and kisses (sometimes too many.) I just think you are the best and I really do adore you.

I can not wait to raise our son or daughter together, and see what else God has in store for us.

Happy anniversary! I love you so much!

Lyrics to Alli Rogers, "If I Ever"

(which my sister sang at our wedding...)

I don’t have words to tell you how I’m feeling
I don’t think any language can

At times like these silence is appealing

Somehow I know you understand

And if I ever lose my hearing

If I ever lose my sight

If all my five senses leave

I know we’d be alright

Cause it seems your heart is a part of mine

So this is how it feels to be breathless

When someone walks out of the room

Stay by me, we can be timeless

Less than forever is too soon

And if we ever lose our hearing

If we ever lose our sight

If all our five senses leave

I know we’d be alright

Cause it seems your heart is a part of mine

I’ve sorted through every word I know to use

And looked for beauty to define

I haven’t found what I want to say to you

But I’ll try for the rest of my life

Lets try for the rest of our lives

And if we ever lose our hearing

If we ever lose our sight

If all our five senses leave

I know we’d be alright
Cause it seems your heart is a part of mine

Coworker News

I'm sharing some extremely exciting news with my coworkers today. I came in early to put one of these on each of their desks. Any idea what it could mean?

I'll give you one hint.

This belly was a joke, that you may remember from our big news back in June.

This belly.......................................................

...is not.

Relishing in the 16th week,

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#421...Staring out the window to the backyard and noticing how beautiful it is outside.
#422...Prepping for big life changes.
#423...Working together to accomplish goals.
#424...No weekend agenda other than sleep, work and play.
#425...Having a husband who is really good at creating business forms with Microsoft Word.
#426...Getting 50% off already 50% off at Old Navy. (Cardigan was only $5!)
#427...Hearing the door open and the sound of his voice saying, "hi honey!"
#428...Busy days that make relaxed nights all that much sweeter.
#429...Chocolate milk as a treat....
#430...The parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector, which teaches us to be humble and cry out for God's mercy.

...for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 
Luke 18:11