23 Week Check Up

I am 23 weeks and beginning my 6th month. This is the last month for the second trimester. Hard to believe that come January, I will just have three months left and Miss Madalyn will be here and our lives will be changed completely, but for the better. We are getting very excited. Tuesday, December 7th, I went to the doctor for my 23 week check up. We got another ultrasound. They wanted to check out the heart and other major organs. Everything looked good. She is measuring where she should and so am I. Madalyn weighed 1.4 pounds, which is normal according to my book I have "What to Expect When you are Expecting". However, 4 weeks ago she was 11 oz. and has gained 9 oz. My doctor laughed at me, and told me not to worry about that and focus on how much she was gaining. She was doing what she should. My book also says that she will really start to gain weight faster now. This time our DVD worked and so we can watch the ultrasound session on the computer or TV, which is cool. Madalyn was moving around just a little more than last time. She was moving her mouth and her hands. And once, both hands were in a fist and her right fist, she held up her first finger as if to say, "I'm number one". It was cute. I actually missed it in the doctor's office, Kevin, Mrs. Katie (Mrs. Katie wanted to come with us the last time when we found out it was a girl, but she was out of town with Mr. Tim doing a compost convention. So she came this time), and the ultrasound lady saw it, but I didn't see it until I watched the DVD later. My next visit will be Dec.29th. I have to do the sugar test then. Since I can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight, I have to come in for an early appointment. My doctor said that so I didn't have to take off work, I could schedule my appointment for a week earlier when I'm on Christmas break. I thought that was nice of him. I'm trying not to take any days off unless needed because I know that I'll need them in the spring.

Changes that have happened lately:

*The past few weeks my lower back has really been aching (which due to the growing Madalyn is doing and my body stretching out).
*My belly has really grown and I look pregnant now, not just a little pudgy around the middle.
*I can still wear my regular clothes, however, maternity pants are so much more comfortable.
*I have gained 2 pounds now. (Trying not to worry about that :0)
*I am really feeling Madalyn move around more.

23 Weeks: Saturday, Dec.4th


Madalyn: Dec.7th (she has both of her fist at her mouth)



Remember, any of my pictures on my blog you can click on to make them bigger.

Christmas at Grandma Thelma's

This Saturday, we met at Kevin's grandmother's house; Grandma Thelma; which is his mom's mom. There were about 30 of us there. It was nice to see some of Kevin's family that we don't get to see too often. We had plenty of good fun, the kids enjoyed playing football outside with the bigger kids, and plenty of presents to unwrap. Brantley took a family picture as you see below. Not everyone was in the picture, just Grandma Thelma's two children (Katie and Wanda) and their families. (I thought that all in all this was a pretty good picture of everyone. Some of the kids needed to smile, but hey when you have that many kids, you are lucky to get a picture with all of them at least looking in the right direction and not crying. Which after this picture was taken, there was some crying because they didn't want to take another.)

Back Row: Grandma Thelma, Mr. Tim (Kevin's dad), Mrs. Katie (Kevin's mom) Katelyn (Kevin's sister), Hunter, Ryan, Houston, Aunt Wanda (Mrs. Katie's sister), Uncle Jim

Front Row: Heather (Kevin's sister), Michael, Kayla, Geoffrey, Eric, Evan, Nicole (Brantley's sister), Georgia, Tori (Kevin's sister), Jared, Lily Kate, Kevin, Jill, (and Madalyn as you can see is really showing off now)

Very first row in the middle: Richard and Brantley (Nicole's sister)

Sunday

For the most part Madalyn moves around in the afternoon and late evening; however this morning either she was awake or annoyed. We went to church and were sitting with Kevin's parents, and my sister-in-law, Katelyn, Ryan, and Hunter. I was holding Hunter during the first couple of songs that we were singing; which were Christmas songs. As soon as I gave Hunter back to Katelyn, Madalyn started to really move around. Then during the time where they collect the offering, the praise band played this really jazzy Christmas song, and as soon as the music started, Madalyn started moving around again. I hope she was enjoying the music, but it also could have been that she was trying to sleep and the music was keeping her awake.

As we are coming into the Christmas season, we focus on the birth of Jesus. This morning the pastor talked about how Jesus's birth was prophesied many, many years before He was born. In Isaiah 9:1-7 is Isaiah prophesying about the coming birth of our Lord and Savior. I wanted to share with you part of those verses.

"(2) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of shadow of death a light has dawned. (3) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice. (6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end."

You know I was thinking the other day as I was listening to a Christmas song, being pregnant at Christmas time, I have a different perspective of Mary and what she went through. Last year, I watched this movie about Mary and Joseph and the struggles they had. But I was just thinking about Mary, and wondered what she was thinking about bringing the Lord into the world. As moms, we all know our child or children will be special just simply because they belong to us. But imagine knowing that the child you give birth to is not your own, belongs to God, and will be the Savior for the world. Which I think most of us know that our children really belong to God and it's God who gave us the pleasure of our children in the first place. I have already told God that this little blessing He has given us, belongs to Him and that we will do everything we can to bring Madalyn up in a house that shows God's love and teach her all we know about Him. So that one day we can rejoice in her coming to know Jesus as her Savior. It's such a special time in my life and Kevin's, and we are lucky to get to share this together with family and friends. Looking at Mary's life has been my new prospective this Christmas and the burden of knowing her child was God (imagine that pressure) and the joy of knowing the same thing. Maybe this Christmas you will have a new prospective and have your eyes opened to something different; and really celebrate in the miracle gift that has been given to anyone who wants to receive it. All you have to do is ask. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

Thanksgiving Day, Kevin and I headed to Greer; we drove separately because Kevin was coming home Friday afternoon and I was staying to Saturday afternoon. We ate lunch with my family, which was very good. However, I was getting sick and things didn't taste the same. We spent all afternoon with my family. They surprised me with some gifts for Madalyn.

Friday, we went shopping, my mom wanted to shop for Kevin and so he went with us for a little bit. Then we continued to do a little more shopping. Friday night, we met my dad's side of the family, Susan, Dan, Tim and Amanda in Anderson to eat. Saturday, my mom and I went to do a little shopping for me some maternity clothes. I did find some jeans, black pants, khaki pants, and a black dress that I could wear to church or a few up coming weddings we have after the first of the year. I got to feeling so bad after that we headed home so I could get pack and drive home. I felt so bad, was coughing and everything. It was a long drive home. I called my doctor Saturday and Kevin went Sunday to Wal-Mart to pick up some medicine. My throat hurt so bad Sunday morning, that I just wrote notes to Kevin and didn't say anything until lunch time. I called in sick yesterday and Kevin's mom rode with me to the doctor. I got some more medicine and was going to go to school today. I had a bad night with coughing and at 4:30 this morning I couldn't control my coughing and ended up making myself sick. So, Kevin said I didn't need to go to school today, so I called in sick again. It has been 3 years since I have called in sick for work and I have never missed 2 days in a row. However, I was reminded that I have never been sick and pregnant before and my body needed more time to heal. I hate having to take all this medic ine because it worries me with Madalyn, but I can not, not take something that would be worse for us I think. And I just have to trust my doctor that he would give me something safe and pray that God helps my body to heal soon and take care of Madalyn's little body and protect her from all this medicine and my sickness. She has been moving a lot more lately. I go back to the doctor for another ultrasound next Tuesday. I'm excited to see her again. I did get to hear her heartbeat yesterday, such a wonderful sound to hear. 157 beats a minute. I am planning on going back to school tomorrow. Not that it's my favorite thing in the world to do, but being home sick like this, school is a little more fun. Not looking at the sickness, we had a nice time with my family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know it's not Thursday yet, but since I will be traveling Thursday, I decided to post early. I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I hope that you are able to spend your time with those you hold dear to your heart, whether it is family, friends, or both. Kevin and I are lucky to spend it with our family and each other. We have been so blessed this year of 2010 with the farm and in our personal lives, as well as our growing family. We are beyond blessed and in awe of this little person that is growing inside me. It's so amazing how creative God is and that each baby really is a miracle of love. We are thankful and blessed to have had a good pregnancy so far and a healthy baby growing like it should so far. We are also thankful for our family and friends that have supported us and share in our joys. I am very thankful for my sweet husband. He is the best! I just hate that he has to spend his Thanksgiving holiday cleaning out chicken houses, but last year it was Christmas. It's the one time a year that he really, really doesn't like his job. He will have many late (9:00pm) nights this week and up at work at 5:30 am. He works so hard and has been so good to me. He's going to be an awesome dad; he's a super uncle, and a wonderful husband. Again, we wish you a Thanksgiving of being truely thankful for the blessings you have received. I think we all know even in our bad times, it could be worse and there is someone out there that has it worse than you. We are blessed to have a nice warm house, enough money that we don't have to worry if we will have money for food, nice clothes, etc.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Pslam 100:4

21 Weeks Update

There have been four changes that have happened over the last week or so.
1. I have been feeling Madalyn moving around. It feels like a gas bubble, but I have never had this feeling before and it's been a consist since we found out she was a girl. It also comes around the same time each day.

2. I noticed Friday night; I was standing straight and looked down at my feet and I couldn't see my feet anymore. Well, Kevin thought that was so funny. He came up behind me and looked over my shoulder and looked down and was like "I can't see your feet either". Then he stood and looked at his feet and was like "I can see my feet". But he thinks its very funny.

3. I was putting on my socks and tennis shoes yesterday and I had to take a few breaks. If I bent over, it was hard to breathe. Kevin was like, "what are you going to do, once your belly really gets big". I was like "I don't know, I guess take more breaks or you will have to put them on for me."

4. I have had about three nights of my legs aching and tingling, not really cramping, during the night. They have told me to make sure I am drinking enough water and eat bananas to increase my potassium intake.

*I guess the next change to come and will probably be sooner than later; maternity clothes. My regular clothes are just now starting to get a little tight some things are. So I guess for Christmas, maternity clothes will be on my list or gift cards to buy them.


Friday we got out of school early...the football team was playing for the upper state championship in Grenville, SC. So the kids left at 1:00 and we could leave at 1:30. So just as soon as it was 1:30 I pulled out of the parking lot and headed to Aiken. I wanted to finish my Christmas shopping; which I was able to do. I just have a few small things left to buy, but I am basically finished. I was at Target and I had been watching this doll and set of clothes ever since I found out I was pregnant. See, all along I thought the baby would be a girl, so I was excited when I was actually able to buy these. So, I went ahead and bought the doll, bibs and matching oneies. The doll is very soft and I thought the zebra was too cute. The outfit is 0-3 months, which is what she will be this summer.



Then on one of my other stops, I went to Tractor Supply. I found this John Deere jean jumper and just had to get it. This was 6-9 months, it will be fall when she is this age, so I thought the jumper would be cute with some leggings or tights.



Last night, Kevin was hot, so he turned on the fan. This was the first time I guess the ceiling fan has been on since we have had Roxy. She discovered it last night...she was taking her paw and pawing at the fan I guess trying to reach it. Then, I was in the kitchen fixing dinner and I had left a glass of water sitting on the table by the couch. I heard Roxy knock it over. I scolded her and used a towel to mop up the water. Wherever I would press down to get the water up, she would take her paw and do the same. I thought that was very cute. We have a nickname for Roxy...we call her "Foxy Roxy". Kevin started that.

Kevin's New Truck

With all the excitement of finding out the baby was a girl....we also had some other excitement around here. (I was waiting on Kevin to wash it before I took pictures). Kevin finally got a new truck Wednesday night. Kevin has been looking since the start of summer for a truck. He knew what he needed and wanted and the price range he needed the truck to be in, the hard thing has been finding it. He had to have a truck to use on the farm, so many people have trucks like he needs and all they do is use it around town every day. But Kevin's truck has to be a work truck. He has looked on every lot from here to Spartanburg, down to Georgia and online too. I never thought I would see Kevin use a computer as much as he has to find a truck. We have had other people looking as well. Kevin and I both have prayed and prayed for God to lead us in the right direction for a truck. Each time we thought we had found something, it either fell through or something was wrong with it. So Kevin began to change his search. Monday night Kevin was on autotrader and found this truck in Columbia. He called about it Tuesday and Wednesday as soon as I could get home from school, we headed to Columbia. Kevin drove the truck and within about an hour, we were coming home with the truck. I am so happy that he has a dependable truck now. His red Ford has been just used around the farm but for the past year, he has driven a Toyota that his dad had and at the end of the summer a wheel feel off when Kevin was driving. He fixed it, then a little while later the wheel on the other side fell off. Then the heating coil broke and it sprayed water in the floor when Kevin would turn left. Then the wheel fell off again, that was a few weeks ago. When that happened for the third time, Kevin realized the truck was not safe to drive any more. Thankfully, each time the wheel did come off, he was around the farm and on dirt roads. I really like his new truck, it rides good and has plenty of room for our growing family. Kevin is very tickled over it and is loving the truck.

The truck is a Dodge Ram 2006, 4x4, 4 doors, navy blue


As you can see, Abby was ready to go for a ride.