Oh Babies!

We are blessed with a great community of believers that live close by to us here in Fountain City.  There are 8 families total that get together every Thursday night for dinner.  Before a couple weeks ago, 6 out of the 8 of us were pregnant! I'm not sure, but I think we must have all drank something at the same time :).  Allison had her sweet baby girl Blair a couple weeks ago, so one down, 5 to go!  I am very thankful for these women (and the others who aren't pregnant).  They have made me feel super welcomed here in Knoxville and they are for sure a gift from the Lord.  One of them, Lori, happens to be an amazing photographer and had the brilliant idea of documenting this very pregnant and newborn season of our life :)

 

L-R-Allison, Annie, Emily, Allie, Me and Lori--in line according to due dates :)

kicks

Feeling my baby boy kick is the best feeling in the entire world!  That's all.

24 weeks is the best

24 weeks and 1 day

Yes this has probably been my favorite week of pregnancy yet.  Pretty much all due to the fact that I am feeling him kick his little feet at least a few times every day! Yesterday I felt him a lot in the morning and evening. He is kicking harder now and Lanie has gotten to feel him a few times which is just the sweetest thing in the world.  Lanie just loves him so much and is so excited to be a dad.  He's already a great one.  Last night Lan even got to see him kick and watch my belly jump.  I've been telling him this is happening but it had never happened while he is home.  Another great thing about being 24 weeks is it being oh so evident that I am pregnant.  I really do love it.  I'm sure as I get closer to the end, I will be more uncomfortable and not love my growing belly quite as much.  I'm just going to enjoy it right now though! I love my little boy and love that he is with me all the time. I absolutely can not wait to meet him face to face and give him endless kisses and snuggles.  I know its going to be really hard and really life changing but what a blessing he is and will be.  We still don't know his name but I know that the Lord knows it already and we are asking Him to reveal it to us.  I hope that will be really really soon! :)

Wears Valley

Wears Valley, TN

This past weekemd, Lan and I went to the mountains with lots of couples from our Sunday school class (and some of their cute little ones). One of our leader couples has a couple of beautiful cabins beside each other in Wears Valley and were so kind to open them to us.  The view was breathtaking on both sides (see above pic).  It was such a sweet time to just hang out with new friends and get to know others better.  Friday we had a great dinner and time of fellowship and a fierce game of pictionary.  Saturday was a sweet time of breakfast, devotions, cornhole, and sitting on the porch!  I could not be more thankful for this group of people that God has put in our lives.  They love Him so much and are committed to having community with each other. What a gift. Below is a pic of my friend Laura and her husband Jared.  Some of you have heard me mention her name. She is a part of my small group and has quickly become one of my best friends here.  She is a blessing.

23 Weeks!

I haven't taken a belly pic this week.  I will get back on that next week I guess!


How far along: 23 weeks & 3 days
Baby updates: Baby Britton is about 11 inches now and weighs over a pound! He is starting to put on a lot more fat so he'll be putting on some serious lbs here in the next few weeks (as will his momma, I'm sure!) He is hearing us and other things more clearly now.  Still no name...but we are going to work on that!
Momma updates:  Overall I am feeling really good! I do have some days when I get really fatigued for no good reason (except for the fact that I'm growing a human).  I definitely can't complain though.  Thankful to feel well! 
Things I miss: Cuddling easily with my sweet husband in the mornings. (sorry if thats TMI) I have had to use the enormous snoogle (pregnancy pillow) for over a month now and I don't like that it serves as an unwanted barrier between us!
Cravings: Chocolate, Chickfila, Oh wait...that is no different than before I was pregnant.
Weight:  Well I don't have a scale so I don't know for sure how much I've gained but my belly is feeling heavier so I think its safe to say I've put on a couple more lbs...I go back to the doctor next week and will know for sure then! Also, just this week I've had a number of complete strangers ask me when I'm due...so I guess I'm looking big enough to where people feel safe to ask :)
Best moments of the week:  Actually just now I had such a sweet time of feeling our son moving around a lot. Because of my anterior placenta, I haven't been able to feel him much at all.  I've been praying that I would have the reassurance of being able to feel him more and he was just so busy for a solid half hour this afternoon! One time he kicked so hard, I could even see my belly jump a little. Oh man, this little boy already has my heart!

21 weeks

Still growing...still thankful...still no name for our little boy... And still growing more and more in love with him! Only 18 1/2weeks left until his due date.  I know it is going to fly by...lots and lots to do :)

I think this is known as a selfie.

Easter in SC

It was a beautiful day to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! It was a really fun, really short weekend but I was thankful to get to spend time with  my family and even see some friends! I really hope we will get back to SC very soon!