29 Weeks

29 weeks today! 

{God is good}

Thankful...

{I am doing an extra post today, so sorry for the blog-roll over load! :) A blogging friend just started a new little link party and I didn't want to go back on my word that I would participate!}
{Linking to Thankful Thursdays at Blissfully Burton.}

I woke up this morning feeling very thankful for family, so this comes at a great time! I am so, so thankful for Matt's family for all the help they have given us in taking care of L this summer. Especially Dana, who takes on a 4th! kiddo almost everyday for us. That's love!

I am thankful for my mom. She's had one heck of a summer and still mananged to bring me lunch everyday for about the first 5 weeks of bedrest! She has been by my side helping along the way since L was born, and I have a feeling it won't change with baby Abbott either!

 And I am thankful for Matt, who I love more every single day! could I be lucky enough to have a more awesome husband?

Finally, I am thankful that we will have made it all the way to 29 weeks tomorrow! Abbott is growing strong and healthy every single little day he stays inside, and God has been so faithful to answer these prayers for our family.

Maybe you've noticed?

Bed rest has given me ample time to do many things I never spent too much time on, and also taken away some luxuries I took for granted too. I blog a lot, writing stuff on here as a sort of therapy and staying way ahead of my posts over on our cooperative blog Lemon Tree Creations, I take more pictures and have more time to learn to actually edit, I've read 3 whole books.

On the flip side, I realize some of the things I look forward to every year that I've taken for granted. I miss this productive time of the year in my classroom. (That's right, I said it, I miss the going back to school part of school. It's like they say in You've Got Mail, my favorite movie, "Don't you just love New York in the fall? Makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew you name and address..." The idea of that is like a fairy tale! (I write this a tad smaller because maybe its more of a confession that I should be making as we teachers lament the closing of those glorious summer days!?))

I've missed wasting my days away with L. Swimming, chasing her around the house, cuddling with her in our pj's all day long, pure mommy and me time. Summers and long breaks from school have always been the times when I get to steal her back from Matt for awhile. The perpetual 'daddy's girl' becomes mommy's just long enough. Hmm, we'll have to work on that!

This past week I discovered something that might link L and I together in some cosmic way though, no matter how much time we spend together or apart. Anybody who knew me in high school, or knew me really WELL I should say, might know something or other about the unicorn suit. L found it in an old bin this week and was immediately mesmerized. You can tell from the pictures that she is trying to figure out what in the world she was putting on her head, but we are pretty confident this little unicorn tale might live on into a second generation.

 

 You think about what you want to pass down to your kids, all of the good and noble things about you. In all of your thoughts of their great futures and hopes and dreams you kind of lose sight of the fact that maybe they will 'inherit some of your crazy too.' I'm okay with that. If L spends half the amount of time laughing with her family and closest friends over her days with the unicorn suit she'll be better for it I am sure.

Maybe you've noticed I have some extra time on my hands, leaving me prone to such confessionals?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

{I'm linking up again today with this kind of love: What I'm Loving Wednesday}

 

one.  I am loving that we got to see Abbott again on the ultrasound Monday. This sweet little picture of his arm and hand makes me smile! (Does it look like he is holding a little marble in there to anyone else? hmm..)

 

two. I am loving that my sweet, sweet hubby took me on a little relaxing 'stay-cation' at a nearby resort this weekend. Since I am somewhat forbidden to leave town or really a bed for that matter, it was just what the doctor ordered! (well, kind of!) We enjoyed some great alone time and I even got out of the room for a couple hours by the pool. I'll have to give more details in a post soon. I am loving him so much, as always!

three. I am loving the book I am reading, The Help. My sister convinced me it was worth my while and I am totally hooked. Such a must- must- read people! I am trying to slow down as I am on page 270-something and I just started Saturday. Do your book characters ever become 'your people,' and you know your going to be sad when they leave you? This is that kind of a book!

four. I am loving all my sweet friends and family and all there help this summer. People have been coming through the wood work to help us out, and we couldn't do it alone! A special shout out to Dana, Matt's parents and family, my wonderful mother and step dad, people who have sent emails, my co-workers, past co-workers to have offered to help me this year in the classroom! xoxoxo, I am blessed!

five. speaking of help, my fabulous old team-teacher came by for a pick me up last week, it was just what I needed! Miss YOU Katharine!

six.  I am loving the story behind this picture. You will simply have to come back and read all about it soon! :)

Happy Wednesday!

little reader

 L is just like her daddy and I now, we all three love to read. Last week she found a cozy spot, curled up with a good book, and read for awhile. I was excited to snap a quick pick of her new little hobby!

{linking to sweet shot tuesday}

Thanks to Erin and her great photo inspiration :)

Checking up at 28 weeks...

Well, we went in for our 28 week, bi-weekly doctors visit and it was probably my least favorite visit since we got the bad news about mine and Abbott's condition at 22 weeks.

The fun started promptly with the yummy orange drink that goes along with the 28 week glucose test. I hate any kind of flavored pop besides Diet Coke, so I am less than over the moon about a flattened out orange-soda-esque beverage that I have to down in less than 10 minutes! Next, we had our ultrasound. We got a good look at Abbott's hands and feet, but unfortunately he wasn't playing along for much of a face shot. We did find out that the little guy is growing well, nice and big! Anyway, I about passed out from laying down flat on my back during the ultrasound for so long. That was the first time I've had that much trouble in the last 6 weeks. After waiting in the lobby again for a nice long while, I was called back to get my blood drawn. They ended up ordering 4 different tests which resulted in 4 different tubes of blood being drawn! Then, the nurse weighed me, and yikes! I think I discovered why I had such a hard time laying on my back during the ultrasound since I have gained 4 whole pounds since last time! The news just kept getting better and better.

We came in today hoping to hear that my abruption and blood clot had gotten smaller, which is thankfully what we have heard at every other appointment. In the back of my mind I thought the clot would get smaller and I would be able to get back to work. Unfortunately, it was the opposite this time, as the clot has gotten just a little bit bigger. It's definitely not devastating news as it's still much, much smaller than it was at 22 weeks, and Abbott and I are already at 28 1/2 weeks, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear. It leaves things up in the air for us yet again for the next two weeks, and me unsure what to do about work. School starts in 2 weeks and there is just so much to be done! And more than just that, if I don't get to go back to work it is going to eventually effect us financially, and that adds some worry to my plate for sure. 

 

{little foot}

 

{little profile}

 {little arm and little hand}

So, we are just once again praying for peace over this situation. We are very happy that Abbott is still growing right on track despite the stress he is under, and are so thankful for both of our continued safety. I guess its just more of this one day at a time stuff,  weeks 7 and 8 of bed rest, here we come!

Playtime with Daddy

Laurelei,

You are a VERY active little girl! This might be the reason you have been a such a daddy's girl lately, though I think we all know you always have been. When it comes to jumping, running, chasing, hiding, jumping, jumping, jumping...daddy is definitely the one you look for.

Today we picked you up from Gigi and Poppy's and as soon as we got home you were ready to play with you daddy. You gave him a break for a minute or two and only required he read you a story.

(Don't worry, those aren't real boo-boo's, Gigi just bought you a new box of band-aids that you were very anxious to try out.)

Story time didn't last too long however, and you were ready for some real fun pretty quickly. I figured it was the perfect time to pull out the camera and capture some of your sweet memories, since my main job these days during wild rumpus time is that of 'observer.'

 Up in the air you and daddy went, over and over. You wouldn't take no for an answer! You giggled and squealed as he jumped and jumped and jumped with you. I think you should know you have the best daddy in the world. He plays with you for hours!

Daddy got a little tired, but you helped him right back up with no problem! After awhile you decided it might be time to let your baby doll play, so all three of your started 'jumping in a line.' You are very good at letting Daddy know exactly what you want to do! That doesn't surprise me, I think Daddy thinks you learned that from me.

Someday I think you will grow out of jumping around the living room with Daddy. You will probably have other things you like to do and that will be okay too. I sure bet that Daddy and I will miss these times then, no matter how tired they might make us when we participate or even just watch!

You are just so special, and we love you so much!

Love, 

Mommy

New Camera Lens!

My mom and stepdad got me the perfect birthday gift this year, a new camera lens! It's the perfect thing to distract me on these long bed-resting days. It's a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 G. What does all that mean? Well, I don't quite know what is all means, but I wanted it because of the aperture setting. Having a wider aperture lets me take some of those more professional looking, blurry background pictures and I love it!

Here are some of my favorite new pictures of L since I started playing around with the lens. (Be advised: I haven't read a thing about how to use my lens yet, so the quality is a little bit lacking still. :)

I'm not really aspiring to ever be anything more than an amateur, mommy photographer, but I've learned that a good camera and lens is going to save us a ton when it comes to family pictures. We got our Nikon D-60 right before L was born, and I never really feel like I need to pay someone to take pictures of her since she is always behind the lens of my camera anyway!

Can't quite put my finger on it, but...

I am feeling a little overwhelmed.

It could be that school starts in 3 weeks and I still have no clue where to start. Do I plan for maternity leave starting day 1, day 2, day 12? Will the doctor clear me to go back to work for awhile on Monday? Am I really looking at 12+ weeks out of the classroom? I have a ton of people and awesome co-workers offering to help with everything, and everyone reassures me that there is no need to worry about anything. That's easier said than done though, right? It's hard not to think about your full time job, especially when it all consuming sometimes the way teaching is! I'm having trouble accepting the fact that I might not get the opportunity to bond with my sweet students until November! And I am sure you all know that I am 100% type-a, so it's nearly impossible not to stress about all the details and unknown. I LOVE to be in control. :)

It could also be that I feel like I am not doing nearly enough on the home front. Granted, I know that is exactly what I am supposed to be doing, but it doesn't make it any easier. This summer was supposed to be my progress and bonding time with Laurelei. We were going to play together everyday, go on outings, prepare for baby. Now, I kept her alone one day this week and am still paying for it in exhaustion. I had a friend on bedrest recently who talked about how hard it was to watch her husband do everything and not be able to help, and now I really understand what she meant. I know Matt has so much on his plate and it's hard to watch him get a little run down and not be able to jump in. You forget how much of a team effort things are until you're taken out of the game.

 

Or still, I guess it could be that we hit 28 weeks tomorrow (yay!) and have yet another doctor's appointment on Monday. We've been getting great reports each time and I am definitely hopeful for more of the same. I think it's still human nature though that I get a little uptight around appt. time. I would say that I generally feel in my heart that things are going to be great, but we have a lot of new tests coming on Monday that make me a little apprehensive. My doctor is awesome, but occasionally has the tendency to look at me like the other shoe is about to drop, and that gets my mind going just a little. It definitely gives me something to think about on late nights like this when I can't sleep. I think I am getting to a stage in pregnancy when the size of my belly is literally making it hard to breath. When I go to sleep at night I feel like I have so much on my chest, physically and metaphorically, that I think I could just suffocate!

I guess whatever it is, I just need to keep perspective. In the end, there will be a sweet little baby, a happy big sister, and I think one relieved husband who will be happy to have his wife back off the couch. At least I have this gorgeous little smile to keep me going!

Recent Thoughts

 {I'm linking last weeks thoughts up to Miscellany Monday over at lowercase letters for the first time. Thanks for stopping by!}

...I cannot believe school starts back in 3 weeks. I mean, are they serious about that? I must plan, I must plan, I must plan...

...L has some facial expressions that I am fairly certain could kill.

{exhibit A}

 

{exhibit B}

...if we can't get pregnant again now, what should I do with all of L's sweet clothes? How many are too many to keep, just for 'nostalgia' and 'heirlooms' sake?

...when we found out we were having a boy, Matt said, "Wow, life is about to get a lot dirtier around here and I like it!" I am wondering how soon I should begin to adjust my a-type personality to that realization?

...I like our new living room set up a lot better right now. It feels more spacious and open. I think we are all just wondering how long that is going to last? I am thinking at least until the Christmas season, since I have already been scouting ideal tree locations in our new arrangement.

 

...speaking our new arrangement, I spend entirely too much time in this chair. I will say though that it definitely counts a good investment now, when less than 6 months ago I thought we might have overspent on it.

 

 ...L is a lot like me in some ways, and a lot more like Matt is others. Matt would probably say that she  inherited my affinity to be slightly 'princess-ish," love of shoes and sweet tooth. I would say that she got her ability to play non-stop, never ending energy, her love for being outside no matter what the temperature is, her smile, the tendency to role her eyes at me, her love of books, a fascination of golf balls, etc, etc, etc... from him. I guess it's a fair combination I guess. :)

...the mild summer has officially passed. L is still wanting to spend long hours on the great swing set Matt's parents got her, but I am not lasting too long in the heat!

 

...though I am fairly certain I won't, I am starting to feel that my belly might just pop at any second. Is it possible that I was this big with L and just have no recollection of it? In the past couple of days I have had at least 4 different people comment on how 'huge' my belly is. That's quite a feat since I am at home on bedrest!

{black is slimming, :)}

 

...I take too many pictures. Not necessarily pictures of too many events, more like too many pictures of the same exact thing. I think I need to get better at just knowing how to take a good picture, and less just shooting over and over again until I 'luck' into the right shot.

...I just don't think I will ever catch onto twitter, but I think it says something about our culture that I sometimes think in hashtags even though I don't tweet. Hmmm...#toomuchtimeontheinternet, #needtorejoincivilization, #sonotcoolenoughtodothis...

...we have got to break L of this band-aid obsession soon. I know for a fact that Mimi the babysitter will not understand.

 

{What I'm Loving Wednesday}

I am linking up again today with WILW!

one. I am LOVING my birthday week :). My husband got me out of the house Sunday to go see Harry Potter and it was well worth the fatigue it caused the rest of the day. (Not loving that HP is over!)

two. Loving that I got to spend an entire day with this one yesterday. I am missing our sweet summer alone time lately, so it was just what the doctor ordered!

 

three. I am loving the new Kate Spade diaper bag Matt got me for my birthday! Can we say stylish? Now I just need sweet baby things to go inside. He is the best!

four. So in love with waking up next to these two reading stories in bed this morning. (Although they seem to not be so in love with me taking a picture of their special moment first thing!)

 

five.  Loving the new camera lens my mom and step dad got me for my birthday! It's going to take some practice, but I can't wait to use this...

 to take even better pictures than this first attempt...

 

six.  Finally, I am loving having finished the baby's nursery art, (you can find it here at our Lemon Tree Blog today) meaning I am one step closer to being done with Abbott's nursery! yay!

Can't wait to see what you are loving too! Happy Wednesday!