update on baby girl

Since I am using this blog as my pregnancy journal from time to time I must document things that most probably don't care about. I may have to get a little gushy on occasion but I want my little girl to be able to understand how much we loved her before she was even born.

As of about a week ago baby girl's kicks got very strong. I love it! We can see her rolling around in there and it's so exciting. She kicks quite a bit when I first lay down to go to sleep. I can wrap my arm around my belly (hugging it) and can feel her everywhere. It's so sweet to think of her all stretched out in there. I love guessing what body part that may be that is protruding.

My very favorite part of all this kicking is that she settles down quickly when I lay down to sleep and I don't feel anything all night. When my alarm goes off I open my eyes and just lay there for a little while and she wakes up also! Amazing! This little interaction makes me feel so in tune with her and fills my heart with joy!

I'm still taking vitamins and trying to force myself to eat more veggies and less sweets. It's tough to resist the bad stuff when your belly is poking out anyway!

The nursery is moving along. We have a white jenny lind crib, the bedding is in, the chandelier is waiting to be installed up, mom and I picked out a beautiful yellow and cream rug and her closet is filling up with the most precious little outfits I have ever seen.

There's still lots to do and I am aiming to get it all done so I can relax and enjoy my maternity leave to the full extent with nothing to distract me from my baby.

first shower

My first shower was this Saturday and it was amazing!! My dear friends Stacey, Carrie and Kaelin all threw this shower for myself and Krissy. Lauren is also part of this group but she's a busy bride...we will see her in May on her big day. We were all roommates and sorority sisters in college. Krissy and I are two weeks apart and are both having girls!

The girls did an awesome job and it couldn't have been a prettier day. It was at Butterfly Meadows Inn and Farm in Franklin. What a beautiful place, sweet staff and yummy food!

Baby girl got some amazing gifts...I want to take a picture of every single thing that she has because everything is so adorable!! Maybe I can round them all up for a group shot soon.

  Carrie, Stacey, Jessica, Krissy and Kaelin

 Krissy and me with our sweet baby girls. She's 26 weeks and I'm 28 weeks. Both JULY babies!

puffy feet

I am just now getting this picture up but my feet/ankles have been swollen for weeks. I admit that I am having a very hard time parting with heels at work but this picture is at the end of a day on which I wore flats.

My puffy feet and "cankles" have been the source of many laughs. My blood pressure is normal and I have no other symptoms so my doctor isn't concerned. 

Shockingly enough, I have had recent relief and the swelling has disappeared for a few days. I pray it stays at bay for at least a few more weeks!

the girl is growing

She's getting bigger and kicking harder! We are dying to meet her and it's starting to sink in that we don't have much longer before she's in our arms.

great is your faithfulness

The Lord has been overwhelmingly good to us. He has showered us with more blessings than I ever believed possible. I haven't always felt this way about God. Until Brian came along, I never really saw that the Lord does things especially for me. How sweet when we truly believe this!

In addition to giving us one another, we have always had a roof over our heads and food to eat, we have wonderful family, encouraging friends, we are healthy, and our marriage has grown tremendously and continues to do so. Specific prayers have been answered such as a church family from the beginning of our relationship, our sweet baby girl, and a healthy and very enjoyable pregnancy that is bringing us even closer.

We sang a hymn this morning that reminded me of God's goodness. Here is the chorus:

Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23