I'm 31 weeks pregnant. This is exciting, but extremely terrifying at the same time. In nine weeks or less (technically he could be late, but hopefully not! and if he is late then I hope he comes after the 29th of June. Allison Krauss and union station are coming to edgefield and I would love to go ;)


It is weird to think that this pregnancy is almost over. Next monday I will be 8 months pregnant!
So far, I have gained about 18lbs, and I have started getting stretch marks. As long as my belly gets flat again i will be happy :) I'm trying to be strict (not eating junk/fatty/buttery foods until after he is born.) but I let myself indulge occasionally.

cravings I have been having:
-powdered sugar donuts from Donut World
-mini butterfinger blizzards
-french toast
-sub sandwiches from Sargo's.
-Tangelos.

the only cravings I have really given into are the blizzards (I havent had one in 3 weeks though.), tangelos and a few subs from sargos.

Pregnancy symptoms/side effects:
-EXTREME low back pain.
-Anemia.
-Nausea from taking iron to help get rid of anemia.
- fatigue
-insomnia
-Braxton hicks contractions. If Im doing too much physical movement (like too much walking) I start getting contractions. So, I have to take it easy, although that is much easier said than done!

It sounds like I'm miserable, but its really not that bad. I'm very lucky because I don't have to be working and I can relax whenever needed. The hardest part of my pregnancy has been the last 6 weeks, just not being able to be with Matt has been the hardest thing. Although I would rather have him home, I know this is only making us stronger as individuals which in turn helps strengthen our marriage. I love Matthew so very much and I'm thankful for his dedication to provide for his family.

I started reading a book this afternoon called "Behind the Blue-Star Banner- A memoir from the home front" . It is about a woman who's husband is in the U.S. Army, and a year and a half into their marriage he is called to do a year long deployment in Iraq. When he leaves she is just 11 weeks pregnant.

I was surprised to see how much I could relate to what this woman was going through. Until now, I have had a hard time wording how I felt. I thought I would share a few excerpts from the book.


"Before deployment, I'd always been a life embracer- the type to seize the day and make the most of it, the kind to count the moments and make them last. But for the first time in my life, I found myself wasting those minutes and wishing for 9p.m. so I could crawl into bed and sleep my heartache away."

"I became a chronic time checker- glancing at the clock every five minutes to see how much time had passed so it could hurry up and be tomorrow. I found myself taking three, four, or even FIVE showers a day to pass the time and keep myself occupied."

"As long as I wasn't sitting at home alone, I didn't have to confront the fact that my husband wasn't there with me."


" God had blessed us with a child. In the middle of this lonely time, God has blessed me with company- permanent company- and company who would be a piece of Matt for me every single day that I physically couldn't have him in my life."


all of these excerpts were from the first 30 pages of the book. I'm sure as I get further into the book there will be many more.

Sunshine is good for the soul.
Today was a good day.
I just wish Matt could have been here to enjoy it with us.

Matt has been gone for four days. It seems like MONTHS! Saying goodbye was hard, in fact, it was much harder than I anticipated. It was heartbreaking. I did okay up until I had to hug him one last time, and then walk away. walking away was the hardest part, but I did it. Then this really sweet lady came up to me and said " I'm so sorry you have to do this, you are making me cry. You are a strong woman, and you will get through this sweetie." It was really nice of her. She looked like she was on a business trip, very important, but she took the time to console me...even though it was just a few words it made me feel better.

Reality really hit me hard when I got home though. My house was empty. Of course I have Riley, but that's not the same. Around 4am on Saturday Matt called me from Florida as he was getting ready to board his plane to (stupid) Cuba. We talked for about 30 wonderful minutes, but then we had to say goodbye, and again the reality hit me upside the head. I just layed in my empty bead silently crying. I couldnt sleep any longer. So, I just played on my Iphone until about 8am, then I slept for about two hours, which caused me to miss church. I think God understood though.

I sound so whiney. I shouldn't be. I have been very blessed to have many people who care about me very much. It's not the same as having Matt here, but I appreciate the concern people have for me.

Anyways, tonight has been especially lonely for some reason. I was really tired and went to bed around 8pm, but then I couldn't sleep, so I layed there for 3 freaking hours. I got too uncomfortable, so I got out of bed a few minutes ago and decided to update this thing. I hope I'm not up too late tonight, I wanted to get up early and go to fabric depot so I could start on a quilt for Jack's nursery. We will see if that happens :/

On a brighter note, Liz is coming to Oregon soon and I can't wait! I miss her so very much and I'm so excited to see her, even if its only once :)

Sunday Morning.

It's Sunday morning. we are in our new apartment. It isn't anything fancy, but it already is starting to feel very homey.

We got all of our stuff unpacked in a little over 24 hours. I'm a little OCD. I hate messiness, and clutter.

The reality that Matt is leaving is starting to sink in. my heart is heavy, and I'm starting to become an emotional wreck. I have been a little controlling and un-flexible. Mostly with moving and getting stuff done. While trying to fall asleep last night I realized why. I have NO control over my life whatsoever.

I can't control Matt leaving. I want to so badly. I want him to stay, and there is nothing in the world I can do about it. NOTHING. He is leaving in 12 short days and I can't stop it. So, I have been trying to control every situation that I can control.

I think that sounds kind of crazy, but I haven't been as crazy as it sounds. I think if things just start to deviate from how I planned them I start getting extremely anxious and snappy.

I'm thankful Matt understands. He is so comforting and understanding. He knows why I'm acting the way I am and tries to make me feel better. Thank goodness we both aren't crazy :)

I pray the next 12 days go by slow. These are the last days Matt and I have together before we become parents. The next time I see him, our son Jack will have been born, or he will just about to be born. That's such a weird thought. That seems so unnatural.

I hope your sunday morning is a beautiful one like mine. It is peaceful in my home, which is a comforting feeling. I have so much to be thankful for.

my life in transistions...

My life in Washington is racing to an end. I only have 7< days left up here. This saddens my heart. I may never visit some of the places up here that I have come to love. There are a lot of memories here.

This is where we spent our first years of marriage. I have lived here less than a year and a half, but in a way it feels like home. Not the way Oregon does, Oregon will always be home. I feel like I'm leaving a part of my heart up here.

This is where we had our first apartment, got our first puppy, had a lot of fights :), but enjoyed even more laughter. There is a lot of love up here, and that is what I'm sad to say goodbye to.

I'm thankful for the past 16 months. There are so many memories I will forever cherish. This time has taught me to be content in the moment. There are already so many times in the past year of our marriage I want to go back and relive because the memories are just so sweet.

It makes me think of the cheesy song by Trace Adkins called " You're gonna miss this". It explains exactly how I feel.

I wish these days hadn't gone by so fast, I already want them back. I was so ready to move on the the next phase of life. Now that it's here, I want them back. So, I'm working on my contentment.

I already want the next 20 months to be over. Jack will be born in June, I hope, in a way, that the time goes by slow. I want to enjoy him being a baby, because before I know it he is going to be a toddler.


The next few years are going to be an adventure, and a time of transition. My husband will be gone, and I will be a first time mom on my own (Yes, I will have help, but that won't compare to the help I would have if my husband were here).

I came across this quote a few weeks ago, and it's something I need to constantly re-read :

"'Take no thought for your life. Matthew 6:25'

Common sense shouts aloud and says, 'That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.' Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first...

What kind of mean imps have been looking in and saying--Now what are you going to do next month--this summer? 'Be anxious about nothing,' Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the 'much more' of your heavenly Father."

-Oswald Chambers

I'm so happy to announce that we will be having a baby BOY!

On Tuesday my mom, as well as Matt's mom, came up to our home to find out with us the gender of our baby.

I had to drink 40oz of water in 1 1/2 hours and I WASN'T able to pee, until about 5 minutes into my appointment. I was afraid that they just wanted me to hold it the whole time. Thankfully that wasn't the case :)

This appointment was a huge relief. It was amazing to see him moving around on the ultrasound screen, but at the same time I could FEEL him moving around, so that was crazy.

The main purpose of this ultrasound was to make sure that everything was developing normally, and to check for soft markers of down syndrome and other birth defects.

Thankfully Jack is just perfect :) He was 10 ounces, and measuring perfect for June 21st.

I'm very thankful for our happy healthy baby!

Old Wives Tales.

So, tomorrow is the BIG DAY! We will be finding out the sex of our baby! I thought it would be fun to look at the old wives tales and compare them with symptoms I have been experiencing and then tomorrow we can see if they were right!

1. Shape of Moms’ Belly
Some say if the woman’s belly is big and round it means that she is carrying a girl. Likewise, if her belly is smaller and sticking straight out than she is carrying a boy.

hmm.. I don't know I feel like my belly is just perfectly rounded, not sticking straight out, and not too small. I guess I would go with the first one big and round. +1 for girl.

2. Direction of the Ring
Many people believe in the good old ring test as a way to tell what the sex of their baby is going to be. In this test you hang your wedding ring from a string over your belly. If the ring swings back and forth your baby is a girl. If it swings around in a circle then it is a boy.

My wedding ring swung back and forth. another +1 for team pink.

3. Fast Heart Rate Tale
Some people believe that if your baby has a fast heart rate, near 170 beats per minute, then that means you are having a girl, and that if your baby’s heart rate is closer to 150 beats per minute then you are having a boy.

Our Babies heartbeat has been between 160-172, so once again another +1 for girl.

4. The Shape of Moms Face
Some people believe that the shape of your face determines the sex of your baby. If your face is round then you are having a girl, long and narrow means a boy. Along with that some believe that if your nose starts to grow or widen then you are having a girl because daughters “steal” mom’s beauty.

hahaha well, I always have a chubby face thanks to my big cheeks. My face has gotten a little bigger, but my nose hasn't gotten wider...I don't think. I do have to go with another point for pink though, because in no way is my face long and narrow :/ +1 pink.


5. The Key Test
Then there is the key test. Some say that if you can tell your baby’s sex by picking up a single key. If you pick the key up by big, round (top) part then you are having a boy. If you pick it up by the narrow part on the bottom then you are having a girl. Then, as if it isn’t detailed enough, if you pick the key up by the middle you are having TWINS!


AAAH I'm having twins according to this one lol, I sure hope not!

6. The Mayan Tale
The Mayans take the mothers age at conception and the year of expected birth and add them together. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!

21+2011= 2032, another +1 for girl.

7. Drain-O Test
So many people believe this old wives tale which is completely false. They are told to put a tablespoon of Drain-O in a cup and pee into it. If the mixture turns green you are having a girl. If it turns blue you are having a boy. Supposedly there is something in the moms’ urine that mixes with the Drain-O causing it to change color and determine the baby’s sex.

hmmm, I'm not even going to try this one! EW!

8. Acne Myth
Acne during pregnancy is caused by hormones, not the sex of your baby. However, many believe that if you have an increased amount of acne during pregnancy then it means you are having a baby girl.


MY FACE HAS BEEN FULL OF ACNE >:O +1 girl.

9.Cravings
This one sounds good and can be an “explanation” for many of moms’ cravings, but is it true? Some people say that if you crave salty food while pregnant it means you are having a boy and if you crave sweet food while you are pregnant it means you are having a girl. Does this mean that baby girls are sweet and baby boys are salty?


I always love sweets, so this is nothing new. I have been craving a lot of citrus things like OJ! another +1 for girl.

10. Chinese Lunar Calendar prediction: The Chinese Gender Calendar was supposedly discovered by a Chinese Scientist who drew this chart which was buried in a Royal tomb about 700 years ago. Most of the Gender Calendars you find on the web tell you that it is based off the mother's lunar age.

I've tried two different calendar calculators, the first said girl, the second said boy.
I'm just going to give +1 point to team blue :)

So, according to the old wives tales I should be having a girl. To be perfectly honest I don't think these things carry any real weight, so it doesn't make me think "OHMYGOODNESSIMHAVINGAGIRL!!!!" but they sure were fun to read :) It also makes me wonder who made these things up??

Anyways, let's just hope baby cooperates tomorrow and we find out if we should buy pink or blue!!!

thursday night.

It's thursday evening.
I'm in a relaxed mood.
Our home is warm and cozy.
I'm listening to The Head and the Heart.
Riley is laying at my feet.
I just ate dinner; a ham/egg/cheese grilled panini and a glass of OJ.
It was delicious.
I'm now trying to put together a list of essentials we will need for the baby,
it's a little overwhelming, but as I'm sitting here and I put my hand on my growing belly, I feel the baby moving around, it makes me smile.

The only thing that would make tonight better is having Matt here.




(p.s. only 5 days until we find out if our baby will be wearing pink or blue!)