Baby Sister Update: {31 Weeks}

Yesterday I had my weekly doctors appointment...I see my OB every two weeks and my perinatal specialist every two weeks on the off weeks so I end up going in weekly...anyways...all looked GREAT and at 31 weeks Baby Sister is measuring right on track!  My BP is awesome (it was 105 over 60 something yesterday) and I have gained just a bit over 25 pounds at this point.

We talked to my doctor about if/when I would need to get some steroid shots like I did with the boys to help with the baby's lung function should she come early.  At this point my doctor said things look so great that hopefully we'll be able to get by without it.  If I can make it to 35 weeks my doctor doesn't think we'll need to have them at all!  Also, we asked about when he would want to schedule my c-section...we never got to set a date with either of the boys since they both decided to make early arrivals, so potentially having a date "set" is exciting to think about.  My doc schedules his surgeries about a week in advance, so once we reach 37 weeks we'll have it scheduled...and my doc doesn't want me to go past 38 weeks because of my past complications.  So y'all, that means that baby sister will be arriving in 6-7 weeks...YIKES!  That seems so soon!  We can hardly wait!

Here are a few belly shots from the last couple of weeks to keep you updated on Sister's growth!

We can't wait to meet this precious little baby!  And we're so excited about how she will enrich our family!

*Grace*

Thoughts on Honduras & Having a Baby

As many of you know, Aaron recently returned from a missions trip to Honduras.  It was a missions trip like no other, completely unprecedented in size and scope.  2,000 missionaries converged on the country of Honduras from July 14th - 20th in a massive movement to bring the Good News, help, hope and healing to the nation of Honduras during the 1Nation1Day missions event.  The national government allowed (invited) the missions team to go into all the schools and thousands of students were brought to Christ that way.  Food and aid was distributed to the needy and medical care was provided free of charge to those needing healing.  In the clinic that Aaron worked in they saw over 2300 patients within 5 days and several of the patients experienced the miracle healing power of Jesus Christ and walked out of the clinic free of the pain and physical limitations that they had been living with for years.  Saturday, July 20th was a national crusade day, and the good news of Jesus Christ was shared with the entire nation via 18 live crusade locations held in each state in soccer stadiums, and shared via the web and television to the entire nation.  It was truly exciting stuff, and I am so proud that Aaron was able to be a part of this incredible event.

There is however a back story to this missions trip that not many people know about that I thought I'd share.  Last fall Aaron and I first heard about the 1nation1day missions trip.  Our church was excited to be able to be a part of reaching people and building lives in the nation of Honduras the following summer.  When Aaron learned more about the trip from various people he felt called to go on the trip.  When I heard more about the trip I felt complete trepidation...we had just started talking about growing our family again...which I was already terrified about...and this missions trip just was not on my agenda of things to do in the summer of 2013!  Whenever Aaron would bring the subject up I would immediately dismiss the thought that God would actually call Aaron to go on this trip...how could He?  We were planning to have a baby then (if we could get over the fear of what pregnancy could bring), and I was terrified to let Aaron leave me during a high risk pregnancy...he had already missed Eli's traumatic birth and he was just 45 minutes away at the time things started going downhill...how could he leave the country???   There was just no way God (or I) would let Aaron agree to go on the missions trip...right???!!!  WRONG!

One night during yet another discussion about Aaron feeling led to go on the missions trip we had a complete blow-up...and when I say "we" I really mean me.  I was so mad...at Aaron...for "wanting" to leave me during a potentially delicate time, pregnancy wise...and at God...I mean, how could He desire for me to feel scared and afraid and left alone?  I was convinced if I held out that I would win and that Aaron and God would have to agree to my terms.  Yeah, things don't work like that, and no matter how hard I tried to run away from the prodding in my own spirit that this was indeed the right choice for us to make, I could not hide from the fact that Aaron leaving on the missions trip was truly the right choice, and that we both needed to follow the Lord's direction in this matter.  So, late that night Aaron and I decided to take a leap of faith, and I remember saying "Well, I guess you're going on the missions trip and we're going to have a baby!"  Both decisions brought equal amounts of fear, and trust is something that hasn't come easy for us.  BUT, we've both learned this last year that fear doesn't mean you can't trust, and faith is putting your heart knowledge into action.  You can still "feel" afraid and trust at the same time, emotions don't need to run the show and God is faithful.  He does want our good.  

So, when Aaron came home and brought me back these precious little shoes I felt like it was the perfect picture of what this past year has meant for both of us spiritually.  God's faithfulness to bring us to the point of relinquishing our own fears in order to follow His direction...for His mercy as He brought Aaron back home safely from Honduras...and for His protection over this sweet baby girl who (in His perfect timing) is due in two months...not smack in the middle of July as she would have been if she would have come according to our plans!  I guess God does have things under control!  Imagine that!!!  ;-)

So that's been our journey over the last year or so.  We're learning to much about the Lord and about each other as we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to what the Holy Spirit is teaching us.  Here are a few pics from Aaron's trip...and lookie who also got to go...Grant!  That's a whole other story in itself.  I know Aaron was more than blessed to have some quality time with "Brosky J" during the trip.  It was one of those once in a lifetime type things!  Although, the missions organization that put together this incredible trip is already planning on going to Peru in two years, so who knows what's in store!  :-)  

 At the airport in Miami...worship & training day for 1Nation1Day team. 

Doctors in the medical brigade for Choluteca, Honduras. 

Aaron doing his thing. 

Medical visit with translator helping out. 

Grant sterilizing dental equipment in the clinic. 

Dr. Aldape with sweet lil Honduran boy. 

This is so Aaron...posing with the security detail that was with them the entire trip!

Crusade day!

The guys...back home safely!

*Grace*

Summer Splash {2013}

This past Friday I enjoyed a fabulous evening with my mother-in-law, Mom and 4 of my 5 beautiful sisters at our church's Summer Splash...the ladies event that our church puts on each summer.  IT. WAS. SO. FUN!!!  There was a wonderful worship service by our church's worship team and a convicting message by Charlotte Gambill.  Then we had a blast at the after party.  Photo booth.  Food.  Music.  Dancing.  It was awesome!  :-)  

I sure cherished my time with each of you special ladies!  

*Grace*

The Faces of Summertime

We're enjoying summer here at the Aldape hive.  Lots of sunshine and happy faces!

Baby Sister at 26 weeks...sweetest little profile ever!

Summertime freckles, gotta love 'em! 

Happy boy after a day at the Splash park with Mommy and Johnathan! 

Sunshine+Water+This Boy = A good time!

All tuckered out after an afternoon of kite flying. 

Too cool...and too tired!  :-)

 My little brown baby. 

Nothing like some nice, yummy ice cream to cool ya down on a warm night. 

 Spoon tricks!

We can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has to offer!

*Grace*

Baby Girl News!

I feel like it's been too long since we had a Baby Girl update on this blog!  So here is what we're up to recently!  :-)

I am still going weekly to the doctor.  I see my OBGYN every two weeks and my Perinatal Specialist every two weeks (they are each of the off week of the other which makes for weekly visits).  

At my OB visit my doctor checks my weight (I'm up about 18 or so pounds at 25 weeks), he monitors my blood pressure (still good, and we're hoping it stays that way!) and I get to pee in a cup, heehee!  :-)  Oh the joys of obstetrical visits!  I also get to see our sweet baby on the sonogram at each visit.  My doctor does a free courtesy sono for his pregnant patients at each visit...how awesome is that!  I would have to get them anyways regardless since I'm high risk, but I still love that all the other ladies that go to my doctor get to see their little ones a lot more often than the average pregnant patient.  Baby Girl always looks so cute in the sono and her heart beat is almost always 155 bpm at my visits.  She's pretty predictable!

At my Perinatal Dr. visit the doctor checks on the baby (more sonos!) and makes sure that everything is measuring accordingly.  At our last sonogram she was sucking her little thumb during it...SOOO, SOOO PRECIOUS!  The Dr. also checks my cervix (I know most of you don't need this much detail, but I'm writing it more for my own reference!  My cervix is still measuring great (it was about 3.3 cm before my cerclage at 14 weeks and now it's about 3.2 cm at 25 weeks, so that is awesome!). 

Here is a *sort of* recent preggie pic...I think this was at about 20 weeks or so...I seriously need another one! Since it is about 5 weeks behind where I am right now!

Ooh...I forgot I had this one...isn't this group of cousins/cousins-in-laws so cute!  We are (left to right) Rachel-at a little over 24 weeks, Me-just one day behind Rachel!, Tirzah at about 16 weeks and Molly at 8 weeks!  4 precious little babies, cooking away in their mama's bellies!  :

We've also started shopping for Baby Girl.  She's already getting prepared for next summer!  The boys had fun picking out these outfits.  After we brought them home I had them sitting on my desk in the kitchen.  I walked in there one day and found Johnathan staring wistfully at the little dresses.  He had the sweetest look on his face and said "Mom, I just can't wait for my baby sister to be born.  I love my baby sister so much."  Aww...heart melt moment!

And this week I started a few little projects for Baby Girl's room.  I painted one of our old TV trays to use as a little side table by the nursing chair.  I also repainted an old lamp and recovered the shade in the fabric that I'll be using throughout her room.  

Isn't this print the cutest fabric ever?!!  I love the colors and can't wait to finish up her sweet little room. 

So that's what we're up to these days regarding sweet Baby Girl.  Oh, and just a quick note regarding her movements...she is not nearly as active as the boys were in the womb.  I feel her moving around in the morning (while I'm sitting at my desk or eating) and in the mid-afternoon.  And then at night (usually around 10 or 11) she moves like crazy!  I don't know if this means she'll be a little night owl or what, but her little kicking schedule is pretty predictable.  I think that when I'm up and about during the day she is lulled to sleep by all the motion...so hopefully she'll be a snuggly little baby and like to be held! :-)  I can't wait for Baby Girl snuggles!

*Grace*

Be Anxious For Nothing

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

-Philippians 4:1-9

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It's fair to say that I've been feeling a little anxious lately.  I think it's the combination of both our boys being a little sick this week (nothing bad, but not a lot of good sleeping for this mama), lots of those crazy preggo emotions, and the fact that in a month my sweet hubby will be leaving to go on his mission trip...out of the country...for 9 days...while I'm big, fat & pregnant with fragile emotions!  :-) 

However, I was reminded this morning, in the middle of a tearful episode, that even with all these crazy emotions and nagging worries that I can find peace, through Christ, and that I can give my worries over to God.  It sounds so good in theory, and putting it into practice means letting go of my fears and just trusting God...still a struggle for me.  Which is why I know that Aaron going on his trip will be a good thing for me.  I feel like I'm constantly put in situations where I have to trust God.  I guess He knows that on my own, in my own little perfect world that I'd like to have, I might not do it so easily on my own!  ;-)  God is good like that, always stretching us, and being right there to catch us when we finally learn that we can't walk this life alone.  We need Him. 

So today is a trust day.  Just like every day should be.  

*Grace*

My Papa

My Papa.  He's the kind of man that you want your sons to grow up to be like.  Faithful, married to the same  (lovely) woman for over half a century.  A good ol' boy with deep, Christian values.  The kind of man that makes you laugh, gives good hugs and always lets you know how proud he is of you...just for being you.  My Papa is the kind of man that will go out of his way to bring something by your home...just because he was "in the area" and thought you'd like what he had found for you.  The kind of man that opens doors for ladies and warms up the car in the winter for his wife.  My Papa is the kind of man that will go back into the grocery store to give the cashier girl a piece of paper with encouraging words on it.  Just because he thought she needed that little extra breath of hope in her day.  That's my Papa.  He is also the kind of man, at 80+ years old that will get down on his hands and knees, kneeling, and will gently clean off the graves of our two sons...because it's Memorial Day weekend and the family will be visiting the grave site...to pay respect and honor to the men and women who have given up their lives for our country...and to remember the littlest of lives that have impacted our hearts so deeply.  That's My Papa.  And I love him so much.

Papa, thanks for taking such tender care of my babies, it means the world to me.  

I love you more than words can say.  

*Grace*

Happy {3rd} Birthday, Precious Eli!

It's hard to believe that it's already been three years since our sweet Eli entered the world.  3 years since I heard that whispered, yet very distinct  "still small quiet voice"...and boy am I glad I listened!  Our precious boy was spared by the grace of God, and though he started out life quiet, without a cry, and needing medical assistance, he is now a rambunctious, LOUD, healthy little boy!  And we {LOVE} him!  He brings a lot of joy, energy, love (and noise!) to our family!

Happy Birthday, sweet Eli Robert!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

All my love on this wonderful day!

*Mommy*

It's a GIRL!!! Our 3 Little Birds Gender Reveal Party!

This past Saturday we had our gender reveal party to share our sweet news with our families and friends.  Our theme was 3 Little Birds since this will be our third little bird added to our nest, and because the song, 3 Little Birds (by Bob Marley), is one of Johnathan's very favorite songs..."three little birds sit on my doorstep, singing sweet songs, melodies pure and true, saying this is my message to you...don't worry about a thing, cuz every little thing is gonna be alright."  Our subtle Jamaican theme also had special meaning to Aaron and I since we spent our honeymoon in Jamaica...you might say that Jamaica is where our quest to add to our nest actually began!  ;-)

So many awesome people were able to help us celebrate (I think we had 40 people here!) and the quick version is this...It's a GIRL!!!  Woohoo!  Another boy would have been just great to add to our family, but a GIRL?!!  We're beyond excited that God chose to bless our family with a little bit of sugar and spice this time around.  AND, being the 8th grandchild (on my side) with only big brothers and cousins above her I know this little girl isn't going to lack for protection!  

We had a blast hosting everyone for this fun reveal.  I wish we would have taken more pictures during the course of the evening, but we were too busy having fun to do that.  The sequence of events was fairly simple...we ate lots of yummy food including fruit ka-bobs, apple slices with brown sugar cream cheese dip...YUMMY!!!...fresh, crunchy veggies with dip and of course Jamaican Jerk Chicken (something we loved eating in Jamaica!).  We played a few fun games and then headed outside to do the reveal.  

Aaron, the boys and I had all helped to make some cascarones which we used to tell everyone whether we were having a Boy or Girl.  We made a few dozen eggs with green confetti inside of them, and inside of just 1 of the eggs was the correct colored confetti...PINK!  

All our guests headed outside with the instructions to crack the confetti eggs open (on other guests heads of course, ha!) to find the ONE egg that held the correct color for the gender.  NO ONE knew at this point except for Aaron and I what the gender was, so it was pretty fun seeing everyone scramble (egg humor!) for the right egg.  It was pretty funny because almost all the eggs had been cracked and still just the green confetti was falling out.  Finally someone yelled "PINK" and I looked over and saw that the Gender Reveal Egg had been cracked and pink confetti was floating down!  Then it was just a chaos of hugs and everyone yelling, "PINK" & "It's a GIRL!"  Pretty fun stuff!

We did actually make an extra pink egg for a photo op...so here's the "official photo" of our gender reveal (gotta love Aaron's Jamaican dreads!)...

We had a BLAST telling everyone this way, and now we can't wait to start planning for Baby Girl!  Woohoo!  It's going to be awesome!

Thanks to everyone for sharing our sweet night with us!  Love y'all!

*Grace*

We've Moved!

We have officially moved!...well, sort of!  :-)  We're still in the process of moving over some smaller things from our old house, but all the big stuff (i.e. furniture) is at our new place, and we're so happy to be in a home of our own!  You can see some of the house in the post below from Johnathan's birthday party.  AND after we're somewhat settled I'll show you the official pics of our new place!  Right now though just going through boxes unpacking them, taking care of our daily needs and getting in a bit of rest here and there is taking up all of my time.  So hold tight folks, you'll see it soon enough!

ALSO...a HUGE...thank you to those of you who were able to help us move...we are SO thankful for all the help we've received.  Y'all were AWESOME!!!

Last night Aaron and I were talking about how this place really does feel like home already.  You know how when you move it takes a bit of time to adjust and to feel like the place you live is your home and not just your house???...there IS a difference.  Anyways, this place completely feels like home, and we've only lived here for about 4 days!  Maybe it's because it's our first home purchase...maybe it's because we've already hosted a party here and have started to make some memories...or maybe it's because as soon as we got our house keys I ran over and began decorating it (that's normal right, to decorate before unpacking?!!)...but I kind of think that it's because this is the place that God had picked out for us, and if you're where God wants you it can't help to feel like home!

That's all for now, folks.  I'm off to unpack some more!

*Grace*  

Johnathan's 5th Birthday Bounce House Party!

Thanks to all the sweet family and friends who made it out to Johnathan's 5th birthday party!  He had a BLAST!!!  Here is how the day progressed!  We love you, precious little buddy!