98 and Counting...

Officially under the 100 day mark! WOO HOO! :)

And guess what... We (meaning Patrick) have painted the nursery!

These pictures snapped from my cell arent the best quality, but they're all I have for now.

The Crew

So excited "Modern Family" is FINALLY back on TV!

Not sure who's crazier.... :)

Or...

Slowly... But Surely

• Time is ticking on by! Hooray! I'm finally the BIG 6 MONTHS PREGO! And loving just about every minute of it! According to my countdown... I've got 107 days left to go! I'll be sure to report back when that number drops below 100. :)

• The nursery is taking on life! Patrick's been working hard assembling all the furniture even with his hurt foot. Pup's been right there in the middle of it all too, usually getting in the way. But I'm sure he's just trying to figure out what's going on. :) He'll have another thing coming to him, that's for sure!

• Baby girl is still growing according to plan and doing her best to be as spunky as possible when the doctors are trying to get a look at her. For the past few months, everytime we've gone in for an ultrasound, she's been upside and manages to "hide" exceptionally well (usually in my lower right hip - ouch!). But all is well - praise God! She's a skinny lil thing tho still. She needs to put on some lbs before her big debut. She weighs just over 1 lb now. So tiny!

• We are still completely entrenched in the "name game" and taking all sorts of suggestions from anyone who offers. :) Names are hard! I envy other mothers who so quickly and confidentally choose their baby's name.

Here's a sneak peek of our evolving nursery for your viewing pleasure. I'll be sure to update as we go. I'm thinking of possibly painting the dresser/changing table as well as the walls. I'm thinking stripes are a possibly. But we'll have to see.

Worry Wart

Remember those tea cups from way back?

Well, there back. :(

This pregnancy has been such a roller coaster of thoughts and emotions. From day one of learning I've really struggled to keep the "what if's" at bay. Throughout the first month or two of my pregnancy, I was a mental basket-case. One day, I'd be panic-striken at the thought of eating something on the "do not eat" list and harming my child and the next day, I'd confidently regain my inner strength. And back and forth it would go. As my pregnancy has progressed and I gained what I envisioned was my own self-confidence, I've been able to defend myself from these mind-bombs.

But as of yesterday morning, I'm officially back on the worry wagon and despite all my "old tricks" which had once provided mental stability are rendered useless. As crazy as this may sound, yesterday morning at church a nice young guy got up in front of the congregation to give his personal testimony on how the home groups have really helped to heal his wounds and deepen his walk with the Lord. The only problem is that his story revolved around the unexpected loss of his unborn child just two weeks before his/her due date. Apparently the umbilical cord had gotten wrapped around the child's neck and it didnt make it. I could physically feel the worry and discomfort welling up within myself at hearing this story of his loss. Of course, the story actually has a somewhat happy ending - he and his wife now have a lil baby boy born perfectly healthy and a deeper walk with God. However, all I hear is the little nugget was THIS CLOSE to making it and didnt....

To make matters worse (sort of - at least in my messed up mind), at the doctor's office this morning, the doctor made a simple statement that I'm sure no other normal preggo would even notice, but I of course cant seem to shake from my mind. After hearing a normal heartbeat and grabbing our things to leave the office, the doctor mentions, "This is a critical time in your pregnancy. If anything changes, let me know." Uhhh... there I am again - on the bottom of pile of bricks. I can tell myself, "Everything is fine. She's got a strong heartbeat and I need to trust God," but the truth is I'm SCARED!

As if all of this isnt already too much! I get to work this morning and hear a co-worker's tragic story of how she twice carried a baby nearly full term (for eight months) only to give birth to not one, but two still borns.... How does all this pile up in 2 days? At this point, I just want to curl up on the couch and have a little pity party for myself, but really - how productive is that?

I just keep thinking of these women, who like me, want a lil perfect bundle of joy more than anything in the world! But only came home to an empty nursery and a world of hurt. I cant even imagine how much pain that must've been!

Well now that I've brought everyone else down today - I just want to ask that any of you who are fellow believers - please, keep me in your prayers today. I feel I'm in over my head with a mental battle with these negative thoughts. I know the Lord himself was the one who came to my rescue early on in my pregnancy and saved me from the deep whole your own mind can create. My plea today is that He'd do the same again. I need to be revived.

Esty Love

I dont know what I love more... finding/experiencing new things online or doing the same in real life! :)

This whole baby business has opened up a world to which I've never known. I'm still wholy and completely and new-be at all things baby, but the gems I've found so far have been so inspiring!

Check out some of my new found favs!
...And yes, I've been staying up all night on Etsy... :( But I'm addicted!

Adorable flower headbands

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55413458/pink-and-cream-double-dainty-flower-in

ABC Sunflower print (in a variety of nursery-matching colors!)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53617823/8x10-alphabet-sunflower-art-print-custom

 Pastel ABC Print (perfect for lil girl's nursery)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51948782/abcs-and-123s-nursery-art-print-8-x-10?ref=cat1_gallery_17

Pink Ruffly bloomers!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54979601/sissy-britches-ruffle-bloomers-diaper

 

HOW CUTE ARE THESE!?!? Seriously!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55212832/joli-petal-baby-shoe-linen?ref=cat3_gallery_16

And these!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54555904/little-wool-shoes-midnight?ref=cat3_gallery_31www.etsy.com/listing/54555904/little-wool-shoes-midnight?ref=cat3_gallery_31ry_16

And of course a girl's gotta have some comfy casual shoes too! ;)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53285454/organic-cotton-little-button-loafers?ref=cat3_gallery_25

Gotta keep those lil ears warm!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55335018/ships-for-one-dollar-shabby-chic-cream?ref=v1_other_1

Really cute and customizable "Birth Print"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55006634/8x10-birth-print-for-girls-custom?ref=cat3_gallery_38

Hope you enjoyed my lil Etsy show.

Please feel free to send on any great websites, blogs, must-haves for the nursery/decor ideas, anything! I'll share some of the ideas I have for her nursery with you all later. :)

Enough with the Suspence!

We are having a GIRL!
Here she is!

Look at her cute lil face!

Our super skinny upside-down lil pumpkin

Ok, now for the money-shot. View at your own risk. :)

But she's definitely a girl.