8 more weeks & 13 more days...

I can't believe I am 32 weeks pregnant!
The doctor told me that we will be "out of the woods"
in three weeks. At 35 weeks, Rowan should be able
to breathe on his own and do well.
Am I ready in three weeks, no, but I don't think
he will be making an early appearance.
But I realize I can't control this either...
and we will welcome our little one whenever he is ready!
He also thinks Rowan's head is already down.
Of course he still has room to move around...
so he could flip, but without a doubt the time
is drawing near.

Isn't it crazy how God creates the baby

and then things occur naturally in preparation

for a baby's arrival. It's truly amazing!
I go back to the doctor on June 16th.
Then I think we start going every week.

I have been having extreme heartburn.
It wakes me up at night and I fight it during the day.
I am trying to stay away from medication for it.
I just keep picturing Rowan as a hairy little monkey baby!

13 more days until our official move in date!
Can I just say I am about to explode with excitement!
The chair for the nursery is in!
The bedroom suite was shipping from Atlanta yesterday!
So they will be able to deliver it as soon as we get in.
How perfect did that turn out?
I am ready to get in that nursery and play!

We are headed back to Alabama for the weekend.
My Maw-Maw is turning 80 on Saturday!
We are throwing her a Brunch Birthday Celebration
tomorrow morning from 10-12.
We have been planning it for many weeks,
so of course we are excited that it is finally here.

Well, I better get going.
I have errands to run!

overflow.

Shelli, a friend of mine from work, wrote in one of my cards today...
"You will love being a momma to a little boy. Your heart will overflow."

It stuck with me...just thought it was so sweet!
(And I'm already finding that to be true.)

But, there are other parts of my life, right now,
where I feel like my heart is overflowing...

- realizing I will be a momma in less than 2 months.

- looking forward to June 10th...the first night

I will get to sleep in my bed in Warner Robins, GA!

- learning that grace in marriage goes far.

-learning that humbling yourself in marriage takes guts,

but has great rewards. (note: this was Alan, not me)

- being so overwhelmed today as my co-workers showered me with love and gifts today!

- being reassured at the doctor today as he told me my 3 hour GTT was normal.

- being reminded that God really does have it all under control.

Why can't I just get out of the way?

- hearing Rowan's little heart beating away.

- my husband going to my doctors appointment with me,

along with making all of our moving plans, e-mailing people,

getting documents faxed, etc.

He totally provides a sense of security and provision for me.

- And God putting the puzzle of our lives together...

one piece at a time.

He is good!

Now, I think I'll go to bed!

but don't get crazy...

three posts in one day...

i know i'm getting crazy!

more baby stuff...

We made a trip to Motherhood this weekend.
I picked out this gown and robe to wear
when we are at the hospital when Rowan is born.
I liked it because it is baby blue.

I bought Rowan's baby book last week.

I didn't think I needed it before he was born,

but then I was reminded about

having his footprints done when he is born.

Also, there is a page for visitors at the hospital to sign!

This is the same book I bought for Gage.

Libby also has this baby book for Luke!

It is adorable...inside and out!

My Paw-Paw and his wife gave Alan
and I some money to get some baby things
we wanted...so...
I ordered this adorable diaper bag from
Land's End.
I got it for about 65% off and free shipping!
I got his name put on it too!

I also ordered this Lullaby SoundSpa.
(This is what the company says about it...
because I am having a hard time describing it...)
Click on the sentence above.
Gage also has one of these and loves it...
so Rowan had to have one too. :)

I never imagined I would be so excited about baby stuff...

it just makes it feel so real!

in the past two weeks I/we...

(for those of you who are wondering where I've been)

got a new cell phone.

got a new cell phone number.

took a trip to Alabama.

had my first baby shower. So sweet!

continued helping with the planning of my Maw-Maw's 80th Birthday Celebration.

took my Glucose Tolerance Test.

found out I failed my GTT.

took the 3 hour GTT.

celebrated our 4 year Anniversary.

realized our house isn't going to sell in time.

looked for a place to live.

found a place to live.

signed a lease on a place to live.

took a trip to our house, possibly for the last time, (with our stuff still in it).

decided what goes to the apartment.

decided what goes to storage.

asked my sister and her family to be a long term pet-sitter for
Dixie while we live in the apartment.

prayed for my Paw-Paw who had a mini-stroke last Thursday.
He is doing great!

cooked dinner two nights in a row...at home!

worked my regular scheduled hours.

made lists like this one...except they say "to-do"!

Yes, we have been very busy.
Yes, I am beginning to feel very tired.
Yes, we finally have a move-in date... JUNE 9th!
I still feel very overwhelmed with all that we have yet to do!
But I am so EXCITED that we are finally going to
have an address of our own again!
The apartment is a spacious 2 bedroom/1 bath on the ground level.
(The only ground level apt. they had available...
I will be so thankful not to climb stairs with a baby/stroller/carseat in tow!)
It is only a 1 1/2 years old.
The living room/kitchen/breakfast area/sunroom are
open to each other.
We have figured out that all of our bedroom furniture,
living room furniture, and our kitchen table and chairs will fit.
Rowan's furniture should be in the week we move.
So it can be delivered there.
I think Alan and I both are most excited about his room!

This weekend I did alot of sleeping, laying around, and relaxing.
(Momma is feeling a little worn down.)
Alan took Friday off so we headed home and we didn't get
back until tonight. I enjoyed spending time with my honey.
I can't wait till it is just the two of us again...
It's been a long time coming!

So, things don't always exactly turn out exactly how you plan...
but in the end it is all working out...
I think...
Just check back with me in about two more weeks!

baby shower...

May 16, 2009. 11am.

Thrown by my momma and my sister.

Family and very special friends from Alabama attended.

We had pimento cheese crossaints,

chicken salad crossaints,

grape salad,

Asian slaw,
cupcakes,
and yummy lemonade.

Momma made this seersucker table runner!
Those carnations are in my momma's
glass bottles from when she was a baby!
I loved the table decorations!

My sister and I have these plates!
We love to change out the message
for the occasion!
I didn't want them to erase this little
message!

Gifts! (sorry, it's blurry)

Cupcakes with sweet little "R's" for Rowan!

A great time was had by all!

We got lots of goodies!
We are so blessed to be showered so
graciously by our family and friends.

Two more months...

monograms and more...

Our doctors appointment went great today.

We should know the results of the GTT

by the end of the week.

Rowan's heartbeat was good and strong.

I am measuring right on target.

I start going every two weeks now!!!

Our next appointment is May 27th!

Everyday I can't believe it...

After the appointment I went to pick

up the stuff I dropped off to be monogrammed.

I think it all turned out very cute!

I love, love, love, the pillow!

I bought this bib! Thought it was too precious to leave behind!

This afternoon Alan and I are going to the eye doctor for eye exams. My glasses have been broken for years, I think. I CANNOT see anything but outlines without my contacts in! I realized the other day that this would make things difficult with a brand new baby arriving soon since I will be the one nursing him several times a night. I dare not think I will be putting my contacts in every time he wakes up! So, I'm off to get new glasses today.

Another door closed with the house...Praying for another one to FLY open!

prepared childbirth...

My thoughts tonight as I stood there
looking at that empty Labor and Delivery bed...

Holy crap, we're about to have a baby...
and I gotta push him out...
possibly in this room,
right here,
in this very room...

Whoa...its becoming very real!

73 more days!

House update, Mother's Day, baby update...

My last post sounds so whiney and depressing.
I knew it when I wrote it, but now a week later it
sounds even worse. :(
Some days are good, some days are bad.
That's life I suppose.
Hopefully this will be behind us soon!!!

No news on the house.
We are working on something that will hopefully
help us get our house sold soon!
Don't want to say too much...
and honestly...
I feel like we (I) are beating a dead horse here.

Today has been a great day.
Alan gave me a card when I woke up
with a sweet note in it (my favorite part).
He also gave me a gift certificate for a manicure
and pedicure.
The perfect gift for a "30 week" pregnant girl.
My feet are swollen up like marshmellows!
We went out for Chinese after church for
the second day in a row.
Our waiter was the first stranger to notice that
I'm pregnant!!! I have really just started to show!

I really can't believe I will be a momma in
about 10 weeks now! Time is flying by.
I go back to the doctor on Tuesday for
the GTT and a regular check up.
Then I guess we will go back at 34 weeks...
then every 2 weeks...
then every week...
Did I mention that time is flying!
We continue to be thankful for good
health for Rowan and me.
I feel wonderful, despite the swelling.

This weekend is the starting of our baby showers!
Mom and Paige are doing a luncheon at Mom and Dad's
house for family and family friends!
I am excited about seeing everyone.

I have been on call this weekend...so I didn't get to
see my "mother dearest" as I used to say when I was little.
I can't wait to see her next weekend...
and take her the rest of her gift!
The older I get the more I realize how much
she loves us and how much she has done for us!
Alan and I gave our mom's a Rowan brag book!
I printed some of our 3D/4D pictures to go in it for now.

Happy Mother's Day all of you Momma's and Momma's to be!

Love you Momma!

feeling forgotten...

So, our house has been on the market for almost 365 days...
that equals 1 WHOLE year for those
of you who didn't know that.
And that also means we have been waiting, praying,
and hoping for a year.
And living here for a year.

READY is an understatment of how I feel right now.
Ready to have a place of our own.
Ready to nest.
Ready to finally feel "at home".
Ready to get ready for our baby boy.
Ready to spend lots of quality alone time with Alan.

Alan's sister and her husband have had their house on the market...
for not very long at all...and guess what...they have a contract.

A friend of mine that lives in Kansas had their house for sale by
owner for, get this, ONE day...and guess what...they have a contract.

Now I'm not saying that they weren't ready to sell their homes,
because obviously if you have a house on the market you want it to sell.

I just feel like we are SO MUCH MORE ready.
Neither family is expecting a baby in 11 weeks...
and neither family has been living with their in-laws for almost 10 months.

It's so hard to not be envious, or bitter, or angry.

What are we doing wrong?
Or what did they do right?

It's hard not to question God's plan for us...
Doesn't He know what we are going through...
Doesn't He know that we want to be good stewards of our money...
Doesn't He know the desires of our hearts.

It's so hard to be positive. Optimistic. Hopeful.
It's so hard to NOT worry. not stress. or not be overwhelmed.

Most days I am positive and I sleep well at night.
But some days I just gotta be real with myself.

I'm tired, I'm anxious, I'm frustrated, and I am losing hope.

I can't wait for the day when I can get on this blog and post
the news that our house is under contract...I'm praying it's soon!

And I am mature enough in my faith to know (in my head) that...
God isn't punishing us,
that He is still in control,
that He can still work miracles,
that His promises for us are true.
that He has us here for a reason.

Pray that I can believe all these things in my heart!

Does anybody feel me?
Does anybody have a similar situation?

photo albums, bibs, and onesies...

Very productive weekend on the homefront...
Unfortunately I need a bunch more of these
to do the rest of the things
I want to do before Rowan comes!

A friend of mine from work, Tara, just found out she is
having a little girl in September!
I am so excited for her!
I made her a cute little photo album for her
pictures of her sweet little one!

I made one for myself as well!

Last weekend I made this bib...

You can see that I really like this fabric.

Rowan now has a shopping cart cover,

bib, and burp cloth that match!

Aunt Paige made this precious little
pieced bib out of leftover fabrics.
She whipped it up in minutes I tell you!

We found these cute little onesies at Wal-mart.
Mom, Paige, and I just loved them!
They will be perfect for our little summer baby boy!

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.