Q & A

I get a lot of the same questions over & over. I want to remember the questions and my thoughts/feelings at the time. And its my blog so I get to record it here.

Answers to the typical questions:

Was it planned?
We took the pregnancy tests on May 20th. I will never forget that day. It felt like my whole world changed in an instant. To say it was a surprise is an understatement, especially once we realized we were 5 weeks pregnant. I was a complete basketcase until June 25th, when we heard our baby's sweet, little, and strong heartbeat for the first time.

How do you feel?
Health: Now that we're at week 15, I feel great. Other than a few food aversions and tight fitting clothes, I feel completely normal. The first few weeks were a little rough due to somewhat constant nausea. Luckily, it turned out that I just wasn't eating enough which was causing nausea so once I changed my diet a little, I felt great. I am grateful that I never had morning sickness and never threw up. I pray that all of my pregnancies are this easy.
Emotionally: Once I heard that sweet heartbeat, I was sold on motherhood. But the month leading up to the heartbeat was honestly really difficult. Only Brad & I knew about the pregnancy, I was nauseous and tired, and I didn't know a thing about pregnancy.
I am an extreme Type A personality. I thought we'd have a baby in year and a half or two. I thought by that time we'd be living in a bigger home, we'd have a newer car, both have full-time jobs, and we'd have our ducks in a bit more of a row. I had a lot of difficulty accepting that this life-changer was happening and it did not fit into my life plan that I had for Brad & I. I'm totally aware of how ridiculous, selfish, and immature that sounds, but its the truth.
On one hand it makes sense that it was hard for me to accept, as I am Type A, but on the other hand, my reaction was surprising. I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I remember coming home from pre-k and running straight to my room to feed, burp, and change my babies. I made them little bassinets out of cardboard boxes. I made formula out of water, cornstarch, and flour, and even tested it on my wrist to be sure it wasn't too warm for my babies to drink. The only other thing I 'practiced' that much as a child would be teaching. But when I saw those positive pregnancy tests, I was afraid for many reasons.
Now I can say that the Lord has completely changed my heart. I am thrilled that we're having a baby! I have complete peace knowing that this wasn't our plan. It was God's plan and His plans are better than Brad or I can understand. I'd rather be in his plan than mine any day and I'm grateful that God has already used this baby to teach me and refine me. It doesn't matter that we don't have it all together and don't know anything about bottle types, swaddling, or tummy time. We'll learn and God will be with us for each uneasy step of the way.

What kind of birth?
We are having the baby at a birthing center here where we live. We have 3 midwives that we are working with and a doctor at the nearby hospital that we will go to in case of emergency. We plan to bring our baby into the world naturally. Yes, that means without an epidural, other meds, an IV, and multiple doctors and nurses. Yes, that means that we have the option of having the baby in a birthing pool, although that's not my first choice. Some say I'm crazy but I really think each family has to choose what is best for them and their new baby. And that is our choice.

How does Brad feel about all of this?
The guy has been through-the-roof excited since he saw pregnancy test #1 (that would be 1 of 3, in case you were wondering). He immediately started spouting off why parenthood is going to be so awesome, things he hopes to do with our kids, and types of strollers we need to look at. When he heard the heartbeat, his face was priceless. I haven't seen that face since the first look on our wedding day. I know every soon-to-be new mother says this, but He is really going to be the greatest dad. It'll be a blessing for me to watch for the next many years.

When will you know if it is a boy or girl?
September 17th!

Will you go back to work after the baby?
Yep, its just reality for us.


In other news, we leave for Guatemala tomorrow! We are super excited. Please pray for the people we will be sharing with to have open hearts to the Lord. Please also pray for our team, specifially for Brad, myself, and the baby to stay healthy while we are gone. See ya in a week internet!

This duo is becoming a trio!

Brad & I are so happy to announce that we're having a BABY! Our little baby has been growing and developing for 108 days now. Holy cow. This duo is becoming a trio in January!

I still can't believe it. Even though I've heard the heartbeat twice (there is nothing else in the world like that, wow), my stomach is larger than ever, and pepperoni makes me gag, I just can't believe that the God who created the universe would give Brad and I a baby. Completely humbling and mind blowing. We are so blessed.


After we heard the heartbeat, we immediately told our families and slowly began telling our dearest friends. We have been blessed with support, encouragement, and excitement.

The next 3 pics are how we told our parents.



Titus cracks me up in this one. He isn't much for standing upright.

1 of the 3 pregnancy tests it took us to believe it.

Now for the growing belly pics...

This picture is at 13 weeks. We planned to start pics at 12 weeks but I didn't feel so well that week.

Our pregnancy app compares the baby's current size with a fruit or vegetable. Brad decided that if I get my picture done weekly then he should too. This is 13 weeks, lemon.

 14 weeks

14 weeks, peach

15 weeks...huge

15 weeks, orange. It just changed to an avacado though. They grow up too fast.

Last time we heard the heartbeat, we had added an app to our Ipad that let us record it. I've listened to it at least 30 times. Its so cute & sweet (add that comment to the list of things only a mother would say). A baby's heartbeat is an incredible reminder of the detailed, loving, and generous God we serve. Our baby, according to the development schedule, can already hear my voice and has its own unique finger prints. I know I have a lot of hormones going on, but just thinking about the love that is put into developing my sweet baby makes me tear up with gratefulness.

A baby changes a lot of things (I know the moms out there are rolling their eyes b/c the changes have hardly begun). But one of the biggest changes is perspective. A few days ago I was reading through a familiar passage of the bible about God sending his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. This is a basic truth that Christians hear over and over. It should never get old or lose its value. But I think for me, although still very grateful for this sacrifice, I had become so comfortable and used to the idea that when I was reading, it didn't stand out to me or make me re-read. It wasn't until a few minutes later that the weight of that sacrifice hit me. I was writing a note to our baby in a journal that we plan to give to him/her one day (one of Brad's ideas that I love). I was describing how much I love him/her and how I'm sure that love will only grow. I also wrote that there is nothing he/she could do to lose my love. In fact, when I think about the baby, I can feel my heart swelling with love so much that there is a lump in my throat and the seams of my heart may tear. Then God brought those same simple words I had read back to my heart. I cried, overwhelmed with gratitude that God loved his son more than I can even fathom, and still sent him to die on a cross so that me, you, and my sweet little unborn baby could spend eternity with Him. He loves us more than I love this baby. What mighty God we serve!

Well, all of that to say, we're having a baby! I didn't mean to get all "preachy" but how can I tell you about this baby growing inside of me and not talk about God? Not possible. Praise Him!

It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent. ~Dave Barry

Well, that quote turned out to be quite true for our most recent camping trip. It hadn't rained in weeks until we arrived at our campsite. Within minutes of setting up our tent and starting our dinner, the skies opened, the wind blew, and the raindrops fell in mass amounts. But we weren't going let it rain on our parade! Obviously, we sat it out in the car because that's what any good camper would do, and then enjoyed the cooler weather the rain brought with it. Luckily, it only rained for about an hour, our food was still able to cook, and the rainfly works! The rest of our time was perfect.

After my own personal Boy Scout told me that real campers don't sit in their car through the rain. Was I just supposed to sit in the rain and stare at the car? I think not.

Someone recently asked what we eat when we're camping. Here is meal #1. Its a foil pack- just chicken, potato, mixed veggies, and your seasoning of choice, all cooked in foil. We also had breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and chicken burritos.

Our little tent post-rain. All 3 of us slept in there. We're officially in need of a larger tent.

We were the only tent campers there so we picked the best spot ever and were the only people with access to this trail and private "beach." Basically like a resort...but not really at all.

Its safe to say that even our littlest camper had a lot of fun. He is a really great camper but a little too protective. He barked and growled at every moving sound he heard throughout the night. We may not have slept well but at least no bears attacked our tent?

7am besties

Just a dog and his cigs

Until next time, Lake Eufala....we're coming back for you in October!