Home is Where the Heart Aches

Let me explain the title. Tonight I've been thinking a lot about family, and about the impact my own family has had on my life. For me, wherever family is, that is home. And right now, my heart aches to be with all of the ones I love so dearly. In that same token, I do have my own little bit of family growing and living right inside of me which is such a blessing and a true gift from God.

I have also been thinking of how much I personally feel like my heart is intertwined with my brother, sisters, parents, husband, etc. Being a part of a family is such a blessing, and sometimes comes with its share of heart ache. When one of us is hurting, the rest of us ache with that person. On the flip side, when a family member is happy and blessed, we as fellow members of the family get to share in that same joy and happiness. I love being a part of such a wonderful family, and even though there are ups and downs, I feel extremely blessed to be a member of my family.

There is a piece of a song that has been running through my head all day. It goes something like this: ...There's a saying, that home is where the heart is, and my heart believes that it's true, but my home is so far away...I think of home when I'm tired and feeling lonely, I run to YOU, you're where my heart is. To me this speaks of the heart ache you feel for Heaven, our true home. Today, Aaron went by the grave sites of our sweet Gideon and Daniel. To think of my precious boys in Heaven stirs an indescribable ache within me to be able to join them, and I think that most people who have "lost" a dear one must feel that readiness to go home whenever the Lord calls them. I know I do.

Well, these were just some thoughts that I was having tonight. I love you, dear family of mine, and can't wait to see y'all again with the newest member of our ever growing family.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Hehe! I love you, Grandma and Mema! Have fun learning from Dad's tutorial!

Baby's Growth!

Preggo Hormones = Buying Stock in Kleenex

Normally I just need Kleenex for blowing my nose, but these days it's coming in handy to dry my eyes too. Yes, the preggo hormones are working in overdrive, and my tear ducts are trying their hardest to keep up! Today, the water works are most likely due to the fact that I'm lonely and missing Aaron. I know, I know, he's coming home soon, but someone please tell my eyes that, because they aren't listening to me...and they're red and puffy to proove it!

On a happier note, my little boy has been quite active today which has been such a comfort. It's kinda hard to stay sad when I feel him moving around in there, so that been a huge blessing! His little kicks are a reminder to me of just what I'm doing here, and they keep me motivated to stay strong and to be patient.

An apple a day...

...doesn't keep the doctor away! Okay, so maybe if I did eat an apple a day it would keep the doctor away:)

I had my 28 week appointment today with my doctor, and for the first time EVER, I actually got in and out in a reasonable amount of time. Usually I wait for hours, and today we were finished by 10:00 after showing up around 8:3o! Good thing too, because Aaron had to leave around 11:00 to travel up to Waco for an interview tomorrow.

Anyways, back to the appointment. I had the one hour glucose tolerance/gestational diabetes test done today. I am still waiting for the results, but hopefully they'll come back okay. The appointment was pretty routine, my weight is good, I am measuring right on track, baby's heart rate and movement is good, and my BP is great too.

I asked my doctor when my cerclage will be removed, and she said she'll take it out at 37 weeks!!! Yay! That's only 9 weeks away! I guess we might be having an early April baby! Aaron also asked about "catching" the baby at delivery, and if all goes well, he should be able to do that. I think it would be pretty cool for Daddy to deliver his own baby, so pray that everything goes according to plan for delivery.

Well, like I said earlier, Aaron is traveling up to Waco, and then on to Garland for his last two interviews for residency. Pray that all goes well, and that he gains insight into what the programs have to offer him. Also, pray that I don't get too lonely here at home. BoBo (our dog) is comforting to be around, but doesn't offer much in the way of conversation!:)

Hope all is well with all of you, dear family and friends. Talk to y'all later!
-Grace and Sweet Baby Boy

I escaped!

Well, after months of confinement, I finally managed to escape! Hehe! This whole week I've been "saving" my up on my feet time to be able to go to one of my favorite places, TARGET! I had been wanting to start on my sweet baby boy book, and the one that I wanted was supposed to be there. Anyways, long story short, I went with Aaron to Target, but they were all out of the baby memory book that I wanted!:( Needless to say, I was disappointed, but I did manage to get some cute baby scrapbooking stickers for later use.

The one thing that I learned from my excursion today is that I would much rather stay at home! Imagine me saying that after being cooped up all this time. There were way too many people hustling about, and I felt way out of the loop as I waddled along. So, after my 1 hr. escape, I am now happily back home, laying on the couch where I belong! It's never felt so good to lay down, and I am even more appreciative of the time I have here, safe and snug with my baby.

Ice Cream with Pickles, Please!

Even though the above phrase hasn't been entirely true for me, I am experiencing the wonderful cravings that pregnancy brings. So far I haven't eaten anything too bizarre, but I do crave things that normally wouldn't tempt me quite so bad.

The past couple of weeks my craving has been oatmeal cookies!!! I got up the strength to make a batch of my favorite "Ranger Cookies" (actually, it was a double batch!). Now, if you look in the kitchen you won't even see a trace of them. It's not that I hid them out of sight, it's that I ate them out of sight...no, those extra pounds on my hips don't count!:) Aah, the beauty of eating for two!

For the first time ever in my life, I am loving food. I always liked it before, but now just the thought of something yummy and delicious makes my day! My willpower is gone, and my sense of taste has taken over! This little baby of mine sure wants a soft mommy! And baby gets what baby wants!!!

27 weeks and counting!

27 weeks, baby, and ticking off each day as our due date gets closer and closer!!! It's hard to believe, but by this week our sweet boy weighs approx. 2+ pounds, and is over 15 inches long!!! Wow! I look down at my tummy, and try to imagine how everything fits in there, and as the days go by space is getting tighter and tighter in there! The other day, Aaron was saying how he has to share more of the bed with me since I'm taking up more room with my extra girth (my words, not his!) and with extra pillows and such. Anyways, I just let him know that it is a small sacrifice for him to make...after all, I'm sharing my body with someone, and he just has to share a bed!;) Life is good all around right now, and as I leave the second trimester and move into the third, I couldn't be happier!

Here are some pics of me and baby that I thought y'all might like to see. Thinking of you all, and looking forward to greeting you soon with our son!!!

Preggie Pics!

Remembering

As I go through each day of this pregnancy, I can't help but to remember my other sweet babies.

Gideon, our first baby, was such a blessing. Since I was on bedrest with him for 5 weeks, I was able to enjoy each second with him. I still remember his precious little kicks, and all the time and love that we were able to devote to him to try to "save" his life. In the end, Jesus took him home, and I finally really knew the meaning of what being saved really is. Gideon is safe in the arms of Jesus, and if we really think about it, that's where we all really want to be.

Daniel, our second precious boy, was a spark of hope, and a joy to be a mommy to. I can recall laying down, and feeling that first little kick of life within me. The next day, Daniel went home to Heaven, and was able to truly be free. I can imagine him running and playing with Gideon, and it was and still is a comfort to know that they are there together.

Our two "Angel Babies" are yet another reminder of the love that Aaron and I have for each other. Though I only have my positive pregnancy tests as physical reminders of their existence, they are just as real to me as my boys. Not a day goes by that I don't think of and remember all my precious children. They really are a blessing from the Lord, and I am thankful that He is watching over them and keeping them safe until Aaron and I can meet them in God's Glory Land.

Hip-Hip-Hooray for eBay!!!!!

As I was setting up my baby registry, I realized that the diaper bag I choose will most likely be used a lot, so I wanted it to be unique. I searched several sites, and finally decided on a bag that I found on eBay (by the way, I LOVE eBay). Anyways, I am soooo excited about the cutest diaper bag in the history of the world, and wanted to share a pic of it here with you. Check out all the cute accessories it came with. Adorable!!!!

We've got a kicker!

Today began like so many other days in my life as of late...full of the sweet sensations of my little baby kicking inside, and man, can he kick! As I drifted in and out of sleep while Aaron got ready for work this morning, I was startled by a huge kick that literally lifted my belly off the bed! I am totally loving this time with my precious boy, and wonder if his activity level outside the womb will keep up with what he's now doing inside. We could have a very rambunctious little guy on our hands! Whatever his personality turns out to be, I know that he'll have two adoring parents that are already in love with him.

And the best husband of the year award goes to...

...Aaron! To say that my husband is a blessing is an understatement. He has truly taken on the challenge of keeping up with work and taking care of me 24/7 to a whole new level. A typical day for him includes waking up early to get to work by 7:00, working 10 hours or so, coming home and then taking care of me (and that's where the work really starts!).

Aaron has become quite domestic around the house, and has taken on the role of house chef to the extreme!:) Hardly a day goes by that he's not on the computer "researching" some new recipe or another, and boy, can he cook! It's really amazing! He has always liked to cook, but I never realized just how good he was at it until now. It's been fun to see the variety of meals that he's come up with, and we're always adding new favorites to our recipe collection.

Besides the daily cooking, cleaning and general help around the house, Aaron has been a devoted husband in many other ways as well. In his words, he says that he likes to "dote" on me, and he is forever sensitive and attuned to my needs and wants. From running out to purchase my latest craving, to rubbing my feet, Aaron truly is the best hubby a pregnant wife could wish for.

I am so thrilled and excited to be "incubating" a sweet little boy for my husband to call his own son. As a wife, I can think of no greater way to thank my husband for all of his devotion than by giving him a healthy baby. In only a matter of months I will get to see Aaron as the wonderful father that I know he is. What a joy it will be to see him holding our son. I can't wait!

Yay for baby things!

I just love the classic Winnie the Pooh baby items! Christmas was a fun time of opening and ooh-ing and aah-ing over adorable little baby things. We are so excited for this little boy, and it's been fun to just look over all the items he'll get to use in a few short months.

Some trust in chariots...

For the past several weeks I have taken comfort in the fact that with the medical advances of our day our little boy has a chance of survival if born now. Yet, at the same time, I am consistently reminded of the verse in Psalms that says Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God - (Ps. 20:7). So, in the light of this truth, I am trying to keep my trust in the Lord, and not in the technology of modern medicine. I do acknowledge the comfort I feel in numbers though, and at 25 weeks and counting I feel reassured that God is indeed going to bring this baby into the world healthy. Each day that goes by is indeed a blessing, and I am excited for what the future holds for me and Aaron, and for our little boy.

-Grace

New to Blogging...but trying to cure my cabin fever!

Hello! As many of you may know, I've been on bedrest for 12 weeks now...and still about 15 more weeks to go! I've started to get cabin fever, so I thought I'd try this whole blogging thing out. I'll try to keep you updated on my progress, and hopefully I can get through the next few months without going too crazy! I look forward to writing on here, sharing my thoughts, ramblings, and hopes for the future. April 22nd couldn't come soon enough!

-Grace