Furniture...

The crib came in a few weeks ago!

We have the mattress and the bedding.

Tonight we ordered the chair and the furniture!

Won't that sweet little pillow look

so cute sitting there!

but...we still need a place to live!

I can't believe we only have

12 more weeks till we finally get to meet

our sweet little Rowan!

My coming home outfit...

Sunday night Mom and I went rummaging through

her cedar chest for my coming home outfit...
And we found it!

I am gonna put Rowan in it when he gets here...at least for a picture!

more baby stuff!

(Remember the extra twin sized bed skirt I ordered...)

I had a picture in my head of the pillow I wanted

for Rowan's nursery.

I wanted it to be rectangular with chocolate brown piping

and his name monogrammed HUGE on the front.

Well, Momma made the exact pillow I wanted!

It looks very professional complete with the piping

and a french seam in the back.

I thought I was gonna need to order a

pillow form from Restoration Hardware, but

we found the perfect pillow form at trusty old

Wal-mart for 6 dollars! It looks great!

I dropped it off this afternoon to be monogrammed!

Here are a few more burp cloths I made this past weekend

while I was in Alabama.

Well, I gotta run...we are going to order Rowan's
furniture and the glider this afternoon.
Then dinner afterwards!

I have more to share later...

"The" shopping cart cover...

this is the cover stretched over my sewing machine case lid.

Two weekends ago I headed to Alabama
by myself to spend the whole weekend.
One of the goals of the trip was to make a shopping cart cover

for Rowan. Now we all know that my sewing skills are less

than perfect. So, I enlist the help of my big sister

Paige for complicated projects.
She is more than willing to help...especially if it's for Rowan.
I had already bought the supplies, prepared the pattern
and washed the fabric.

So we started working on the "project" on Friday morning.
Paige told mom it would take us 2 hours...
Well, in all actuallity it ended up taking us probably 8 hours.
The pattern was terrible. I'm throwing it away.
We had to basically figure out how the thing went together all by ourselves.
After all the blood, sweat, and tears it turned out precious.
We took it to the store and tried it out.

All it needs is a precious little boy sitting in it to make it complete.

Paige, thanks for helping me!

We love you!

precious.

it's way too late.
past my bedtime.
11:18 pm.
gotta work tomorrow.
the house is quiet.
everyone else in bed.

sitting here.
thinking about my baby boy.
Rowan Alan.
13 more weeks.
our precious little boy.

thinking about...
his looks.
his hair.
his face.
his eyes.

how much i will love him.
how much he will change me.
how i can't wait to hold him.
how i can't wait to kiss his cheeks.
how i can't wait to see Alan as a daddy.

pondering...
those last few days of just Alan and i.
labor.
that first glimpse of him.
breastfeeding.

excited.
overwhelmed.
anxious.
hopeful.
never will be prepared.
really overwhelmed.

probably why i am up way too late.
past my bedtime.
thinking about our little boy.
Rowan Alan.
our precious little one.

coming home outfit...

Here are some pictures I took

of Rowan's coming home

outfit and matching blanket!
The pictures hardly do it justice.

I noticed today that my pregnancy ticker

now says..."Only 96 more days"!

YIKES!

We are so excited to meet our little boy,

but a little anxious about all the details

that must be worked out by then!

Keep praying!

quick update...

Our doctors appointment this morning went GREAT!
Rowan's heartrate was 151.
Dr. Harper told me I was boring, because I had no questions,
concerns, or issues.
I say Praise the Lord for that.
I am so overwhelmed when I think about being a momma!
Only ~15 weeks to go!

We had a lady look at our house yesterday afternoon! YEAH!
She loved it, and we should know something from her in 2 weeks...
as she has some decisions to make.
We have some MORE people coming to look on Sunday afternoon.
We have been trying to lower our price all week...but roadblocks have
been going up everywhere. I guess God thinks the price is fine where it is!
Today our realtor told us to hang tight where we are with our price.
Tears fill my eyes every time I think about these people coming to look...
Oh, me of little faith...
I just told Lauren the other day that I have decided to take my hands
out of it...and just allow God to be God with our house.
I have gotten to the point where I know I can't "help" Him.
He doesn't want or need my help, just my dependence on Him.

I just picked up the book "Miserly Moms" from the Christian bookstore.
I am planning to read it with an open mind this weekend.
We still don't know what we are gonna do with Rowan.
Will I continue working or will I stay at home?
Praying for wisdom and guidance in this area too.

I had brunch with some of my favorite girls this morning.
It was a "LaWillNuBill" reunion and the additions
that have joined our families in the past three years.
2 baby girls 2 baby boys...and soon another baby boy!
LaWillNuBill is a combination of our last names (prior to getting married).
We had a great time!
So thankful to have these girls in my life.

Our crib was sitting on the front porch when I got home!!!
We ordered it Monday and it came Friday!
I can't wait to have it set up soon!

As I was driving this morning I was wondering what
the sky looked like on this day many years ago when
Jesus died on the Cross for us.
What it must have felt like to be Jesus' momma?
And how I couldn't imagine giving my child up for anyone or anything.

I'm grateful for the Cross, for salvation, for God's perfect
and complete grace.

Happy Easter and have a great weekend!

not really a BIG deal...

Some people are begging God for a child.
Some people are begging God for their child to live.
Some people are begging God for salvation for their children.

Some people are praying for God to cure their mom from cancer.
Some people are praying for God to cure their husband from cancer.

Some people are rebuilding their homes that have
been destroyed by floods, tornados, and fires.

Some people are asking God to save their marriage.
Some people are asking God for their husbands just to say "I love you".

Some people are begging God to save their home from foreclosure.
Some people are drowning in debt and completely hopeless,
asking that God would grant them mercy financially.

Some people are battling health conditions that have
been labelled "terminal".

Some people are asking God for a job.

And here I sit tonight...
With a precious baby boy in my belly.
One who is actively kicking me right this second.
Who is healthy in every way.

With a sweet, husband in the next room watching
Fox News just like he does every night.
Who tells me he loves me more times than I can count each day.
Who is healthy, and loving, and patient...and the list goes on.

With a house that has been perfect for us for the past three years.
A great starter home.
One that is waiting for the perfect buyers.
One that I hate to say good bye to...

With two healthy parents who raised me in a Christian, home...
One where God is doing amazing things.
And they love me more than I probably know.

With finances that are taken care of by my husband.
Who looks out for us and makes wise decisions for us.
Who yields to God's way of handling money.

With a great job...and even Alan has a great job.

I (we) have so much to be thankful for.
All I (we) am really asking God for our house to sell...
but what it all boils down to is...
it's not really a BIG deal.

Right now I am counting my blessings...not my worries.
Trusting that God works all things together for the good to those who love him.
Trusting that He has the master plan for us.
Trusting that in time we will know why we were here.

coming home outfit!

It came today!

It's absolutely adorable!

Exactly what I wanted to bring our little bundle home in!

I don't have time to grab a picture...maybe tomorrow!

Only 16 more weeks until our due date!

Now...on to the the "home" part...you know...

having a home...
I guess that's a crucial part to bringing a baby home?!?
Please pray!

catch up...

Rewind to March 20-22...
I spent two nights in this lovely cabin with
6 of the girls I work with!
Lots of good conversation, food, laughs, and fellowship.
I feel very blessed to work with other Christian girls
that share the same morals and values.
I have prayed for Christian co-workers since
we moved to Athens. I used to feel so alone there.
God answered that prayer when he brought us back to Macon.
I thank God for the friendships we share!

I wanted to share a recipe that I made for our trip.

Apple Toffee Dip

(2) 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
(1) 8 oz. pkg of Heath Toffee Bits O' Brickle

Mix together first four ingredients with a mixer until well blended.
Add pkg of toffee bits. Mix well.

Serve cold with Granny Smith Apple slices.

To prevent apples from browning sprinkle slices

with pineapple juice.

The Pampered Chef apple slicer/corer makes perfect slices!

Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon and evening

sewing little Rowan some burp cloths.

Here they are!

My plans are to leave them plain.

Meaning I don't plan to add ribbon or rick-rack.

I feel like these will wash easier and hold up better.

Plus they are much easier to sew!

The one pictured below is my favorite.

It was especially challenging to make.

Trying to get all those pieces of ribbon straight and

pinning them individually.

I want to get this one monogrammed.

(Side note: I found some heavier weight burp cloths

at Target. They didn't "ball up" when I pre-washed them.

Plus they seem more absorbant. They are a little

more expensive than the others, but totally worth it.)

Mom, Paige and I made these a few weekends ago. We monogrammed them too!

We also monogrammed a set of three little layette gowns. This is my favorite.

It's navy blue and kelly green (kinda hard to see).

It's going to the hospital with us!

I picked this newborn outfit up when we were in

Alabama. Inside the little square is a frog that is embroidered.

I bought these cards plain and monogrammed

them myself. I will be using them as thank-you's

after Rowan is born.

And finally...

today is my mother-in-law's birthday.

I made this springy arrangement for her front door as

part of her gift.

I have been feeling great other than some swinging moods. My poor husband. I can't believe tomorrow starts week 24! It is flying by! I have so many more projects I want to complete before Rowan arrives.

We ordered his coming home outfit last week. It should arrive tomorrow! I will take pictures when it arrives...until then you can click on the link!

Still waiting and praying for our house to sell. Trying to be content in the waiting!

Hope

Continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
For surely there is a future,
and your HOPE will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:17-18

Today I'm...
So thankful for this baby in my belly.
So thankful that Alan and I have good jobs.
So thankful we have a house we are trying to sell.
So thankful for loving friends and family.
So thankful for a warm sunshine-y day.
So thankful for a pedicure and new sandals.
So thankful for health.
So thankful for my husband.
So thankful for a God that loves me no matter what.
So thankful for peace in economic hard times.
So thankful for blooming flowers and springtime.
So thankful for the Cross.
So thankful that God is still in control even
when I doubt Him. Everyday.
So thankful for Hope.

These past few weeks I have started asking
God to teach me what He wants me to learn from this
stressful time. Honestly, I have become angry that
we are here. That our house hasn't sold.
I know God has a plan, but I am so frustrated.
I cry alot. I feel overwhelmed everyday.
I pray for understanding.
I pray that God will help us endure.

Our "problems" are so small when it comes
to what other people I know are going through,
but right now they seem so BIG!

Please pray for us.
That God will give us wisdom to make
the right decisions when we are faced with them.
That I will have understanding about why I'm here.
That we won't lose hope when everything seems so gray.
And that through all of this we will grow to be better.
That my attitude will be positive.

He promises to never leave us or forsake us...
I'm clinging to that.

That is the ultimate hope.

added to the collection...

We bought Rowan this precious little gown this weekend!

It will definitely be going in the "hospital" bag with us!

Not saying I'm crafty...

I just thought this was hilarious when I saw it!

I always tell Alan I am manufacturing a baby

and I never get a break!

No news on the house!

Still praying...hoping...and praying some more!

another great report...

at our doctors appointment this morning!
We had our 20 week ultrasound and
everything looks great.
Baby, fluid, and the placenta!

Rowan is indeed still a boy and he already weighs 1 pound!

SO thankful that he is healthy!
It's still just a miracle to me.

Alan took the pictures to work but I'll try to
scan them in later!

Alan's "birth" day!

Alan texted me today when I was at work.

"Do you know what today is?"

I say to myself...March 1oth!
And then I remember...

Alan got saved on March 10, 2002.

I appreciate that he remembers that day!
And my, how God has changed him!
He is a very different person than he was B.C. (before Christ).

So thankful that my husband is saved.
So thankful for His amazing grace.

what's going on...

Home sweet home...it should say "buy me please"

Really, really wanting our house to sell.

Just tired.

Ready to be at home all the time.

Praying that this is the week!

Having some serious heartburn.

TUMS are my friends!

Our bumper came in today!

It is so cute!

Got a letter in the mail today...

"To the mom-to-be"...

Who me?

It still doesn't feel real!

We go to the doctor on Thursday.

Going to Alabama for the weekend.

Cade is turning 8!

It was lovely driving home from work tonight.

It was still light outside.

Karen Kingsbury is my new favorite author.

Read Summer in its entirety last Tuesday.

Fabulous book with lots of lines that were

written just for me... i.e.

"For who can add days to his life by worrying?"

"God is still God when things don't go your way."

Rowan now has a cradle mattress, cradle sheet

and a cradle bumper. It's creme and chenille.

So soft, I want to lay down with him!

Thanking God for...

Good health.

No nausea.

A healthy baby.

Lots of energy.

Good sleep.

Endurance.

His provisions.

Each tumble I feel in my belly.

Our JOBS!

Longer days.

Grace.

Night!

good customer service is hard to find...

Just want to say that I have been more than pleased with
the customer service we have recieved from
Restoration Hardware Baby and Child.

They have been very professional and friendly.

They personally called me to let me know the
date the bumper would be available and confirmed with me
that I still wanted the item.

They send shipping confirmations through e-mail,
even if you call to place your order.

They use UPS which has a fabulous tracking system.

Not only is their customer service awesome,
but their products are too!
The bedding is very high quality and very reasonably priced.

If you are looking for baby bedding,
look at Restoration Hardware Baby and Child first.
(And no I'm not getting paid to say this.)

I did e-mail them a thank you note though!

Also, the cradle we ordered is made by
Million Dollar Baby.
The board that goes in the bottom of the cradle
was cracked a little bit when we recieved it.
Alan didn't feel comfortable putting the baby in there
since it wasn't perfect.
So, he e-mailed them to tell them about the situation.
Without question and very promptly they sent us another board
free of charge.

Good customer service is hard to find!
When you do find it I think it deserves to be shared.

So thank you RH Baby and Child and Millon Dollar Baby!

Halfway there!

We are officially 20 weeks! Cannot believe it!

We are going to look at cribs this weekend.
Planning to order the glider in the next few
weeks as it could take up to 8 weeks to come in.

There is a store in Athens that carries

the adorable Pixie Lily clothing line!

I want to get Rowan the gown and blanket to match
for his coming home outfit!

Rowan is getting more and more active as each day

goes by. I'm looking forward to Alan being

able to feel him kick!
Yesterday we looked at him when I was at work
and he was sucking his thumb!

Can't wait to meet him!

a great weekend and nursery ideas!

Alan and I spent the weekend with Lauren, Chris and Gage.

We had a wonderful time.

Gage is an absolute joy.

He loves to smile and "talk".

I still marvel at what God has already done

in his short little life!

He will be six months old on Wednesday!

On Saturday night, Lauren and Chris hosted a

get together for their Sunday School class.
Which means...we got to see and visit with alot

of our old friends!
It was great to be around people who "know" us and love us.

Those are the people who celebrated our

salvations, our engagement, our wedding,

and who are now celebrating the arrival of our baby boy!

And alot of them read my blog! :)

When we left Milledgeville we left a great

church family! One that I miss dearly these days.

I'm praying for another church family like Sinclair!

Lauren always has some sort of surprise for me...

And on this visit she surprised me with

the Grobag Egg and a precious matching bib and

burp cloth that are both monogrammed.

Love them!

The Grobag Egg is a fabulous room thermometer

for the nursery. Gage has one too.

Lauren and I have thought they were the coolest

things since her mother-in-law got one for her.

It changes colors with the temperature so at

a glance you can tell if the room is cool enough for the baby.

A cool temperature decreases chances of SIDS in babies.

Lauren and I were laughing at Wal-mart

on Saturday as we ran into people we knew from

college or church.

We said they were probably thinking

"Those girls are still inseperable!".

She is my bestest friend.

At one time during the weekend she looked

at me and said I wish we could be neighbors.

Me too!

I consider myself so blessed to call her friend.

Lauren is an amazing person.

She has a great sense of humor.

She is so thoughtful and organized.

She really listens and can almost make

anything that's wrong, right!

On to nursery ideas...

So I had this dilemma about what to do about

curtains for Rowan's room.

I don't have a clue about where we will be

in a few months. I have no clue how many windows

will be in the nursery or how big.

The curtains that match the bedding are a

little pricey for my taste.

So guess what I did...

I found this bed skirt that matches the "child" size

bedding of our crib bedding.

I ordered a twin size bed skirt last week.

It was on clearance...

and I got an additional 10% off.

And...I am going to be making a curtain or

covering a cornice board with the fabric from the bed skirt.

I am also going to make a cute little monogrammed

pillow to put on the glider.

I am so excited about it!

For the light fixture in the room...

I'm going to buy a similar chandelier as the

one below and paint it blue or khaki (haven't decided).

I have already found 2 at an antique store in Byron.

Then I want embellish cute little white shades
with blue or khaki grosgrain ribbon around the top

and bottom rim of the shade.

Hopefully it won't look too girly!

I have always said that I wanted to paint our baby's

initials/monogram on the wall rather than

using the wooden letters to spell the baby's name.

I just want something different.

So I found this idea on HGTV's website Rate my Space.

I am gonna paint Rowan's initials on the wall...

and then frame them with a big chunky frame.

I'm not fond of the block letters shown in the picture...

I just love the frame idea.

Below...

Be still my heart!
I saw these on the front of the Belk sale paper today.
I love them all!
I cut out the 15% off coupon and
I will be making my way to Belk's on Tuesday
to buy some of this cute stuff!

Oh to have a house again...
I CAN'T WAIT!

Have a wonderful week!

quick post before bedtime.

Worked today. Let me just say that I work with some
of the most hilarious people in Macon.

Outrageous couple did not counter or accept our offer...
In the words of their realtor "They REALLY love the house, and
they may be back in a couple of weeks."
Are you kidding me...
They have officially lost their minds!

I have felt Rowan kicking yesterday and today.
There's no denying there is a baby in my belly.
It weirds Alan out.
I find it totally awesome.

A few of the ladies at work were asking me
if I am sure I am pregnant...because I'm still not showing.
Then they said...Well, we have seen the pictures so we know its true. ;)

Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, and Thin Mints.
Enough said.

The crib sheet and crib skirt came in the mail today!
Bumper is on backorder, but should be here soon.

Gage is battling his first little cold.
Pray he gets to feeling better!
We've got some playing to do this weekend!

Would you look at that ticker...19 weeks!
Less than 5 months till our due date!

I found the most precious song tonight by accident.
It's the 1st one on my playlist.
(Baby Mine by Alison Kraus)

Ok...gotta get to bed.

happy things today...

~ Lunch with Boo at Subway. Lovin' the BLT since I can't have
processed lunch meat!

~ My friend Sarah sent me some Pampers diaper coupons! Thanks Sarah!

~ I also received a precious birth announcement from
my dear friend Laura in the mail.

~ Sleeping in with nothing to do today!

~ Went by to look at the house above. We love it.
Is it the one? Who knows?

~ Ribbon burpcloths and a monogrammed blanket for Rowan.

~ A free subscription to Parents magazine for 2 years.
Don't ask me how I got it.

~ Gifts to Grow points at pampers.com.
You accumulate points and then you get to order "free" stuff.

~ A new Southern Living magazine.

~ Looking forward to spending the weekend with Lauren, Chris and Gage.

~ The crib skirt and sheet will ship this week.
Bumper should follow soon.
We ordered the one from Restoration Hardware.

~ Finding out that Kroger carries Stoneyfield Farms yogurt.
I love it! It's in the organic section.
Thanks Laura! They have 6 flavors too!

~ Buying baby wipes that are on sale + a .50 cents off coupon!

~ Staring at pictures of Rowan. Wondering what he is doing today.

~ Nursery ideas.

~ An e-mail from Lauren.

~ The ladies at Subway telling me what a good "man"
I have and telling me he always tells them about
his "pregnant wife". And telling me that Alan makes their day!
He frequents Subway for lunch if you couldn't tell.

~ Alan telling me not to stress.

Some days are rough! It's refreshing to make a list of things to be thankful for!

Stress is pretty high right now due to the couple who made the

offer on our house last weekend. They came back to our open

house yesterday.Made another counter offer today.

They are still being VERY unreasonable.

And their realtor is being a "hardball" and a "stick-in-the-mud".

(Those are the words of our realtor.)

Supposedly they are VERY interested in the house...love it

...and blah, blah, blah, but their offers are just simply unreasonable.

We are trying to meet them in the middle

and it seems that they won't budge.

I am trying to stay patient, stress-free, and calm.

Alan is helping me.

Please continue to pray that everything will work out.

What are you thankful for today?

baby blue...

Let the fun begin!

sleepless nights and a little boy.

Monday was a sleepless night for me.

I layed down at 12:00 and was up at 3:00am.

Wide awake.

Ready to talk.

Go to work.

Whatever...anything but continue laying in bed.

I showered at 4:00.

Thought maybe I could go to sleep after I showered.

Nope.

Got out of bed again at 5:30am.

Got ready and went to work.

While laying there I was having daydreams...or "night-dreams"

about the sweet little baby boy who is about to rock my

world in less than 5 months!

His beautiful lips that look just like his momma's.

His sweet little hands that I pray will grow to help and serve people.

His little head that I can't wait to rub.

His little cheeks that I can't wait to kiss.

His little ears and the twists and turns of them.

His cute little button nose that is perfectly planted on his precious face.

His arms and legs that will probably be long like his daddy's.

His round little belly that I can't wait to tickle.

I am truly and simply smitten by this little boy.

All these thoughts lead me to pray for specific things in his life.

Praying over him from head to toe.

After finding out he is a boy I feel a bond with him

that hadn't really happened yet.

The past two days have been filled with tears.

I am overwhelmed with love for this child.

Indescribable.

Yesterday morning on my way to work,
I was listening to a praise and worship lullaby CD.

I listen to it when it's just me and him...

One of them is called You are Good. (it's actually on my music player)

It talks about God's goodness no matter what is happening

in our lives.

And how we don't have anything to offer Him

but a love song. To tell you I'm grateful for holding

my life in your hands.

It makes me think about God's goodness for us.

And how he really does hold us in His hands.

How he gives us what we need when we need it.

You can ask Alan...

I was so sad and shocked the night we found out we were pregnant.

While I "knew" that it was God's plan for us and that He would

provide for us...I was still so upset.

As I was talking to Alan...these thoughts came out of mouth.

It won't be just me and you anymore.

We don't even have a house.

How could this have happened? Now?

This is just great. Happy Birthday to me.

I wanted to be married for 5 years.

I'm not ready for this.

Boy was I wrong that night.

As each day goes by...

and the excitement continues to grow...

I can't imagine our lives any different.

The way Alan and I have grown in our marriage.

How we are literally waiting and expecting a miracle with our house.

The way my thoughts are more Christ-focused.

The absolute love I have for this child.

I think I am even more sensitive to others now.

He is definitely good all the time!

And he gives us what we need when we need it!

I can't wait to meet our little baby boy.

Our little Rowan Alan.

So happy to say...

"What a joy, it's a precious baby...

BOY!"

Below are some of my favorites...

Classic profile shot!

He's signing "I love you"! Awwww...

Look at that precious hand!


Look at that little face!
So perfect, so detailed!
Can't wait to kiss him!



Hi Mom and Dad!
Look at his arms and his hands!
My little sweetness!



We had a great time tonight.
I feel so full of love and joy!
So blessed!
It is truly a miracle...
to see the way God has knit him so perfectly
together in my womb.
How can a person not believe in God?

I am simply overjoyed.

Our little baby boy.
Our little Rowan...

Boy or Girl?

Less than 2 hours till we get to find out!

I CAN'T WAIT!

We will be updating the blog as soon as we
get back from the sonogram and celebrating!

lazy sunday...

We went back to Second Baptist this morning. So good.

Praying about where we need to join.
So ready to get involved somewhere!

Haven't heard from our realtor today.

Waiting...

I've spent the afternoon on Facebook chatting

with friends. I love it!

Also, been browsing HGTV's Rate My Space.

Found 2 really cute ideas for the nursery!

Thankful for another day off tomorrow.

Listening to Pandora Radio.

All you do is enter the name of an artist...

and they pick songs in the same genre for you.

Can't WAIT till tomorrow to see if this baby is a boy or a girl!

Wishing I could see how all of this is going to come together.

Trusting and knowing that God already knows!

Looking forward to spending next weekend with my bestest

and this precious boy!

It's amazing how God brought his whole life together!