The Last Week of My 2nd Trimester

Yep....Another week!  Really, what keeping track of the weeks is telling me, is not only that my pregnancy seems to be going quickly, but it tells me that the time passes right before us.  So many things in life occupy our thoughts, time, actions, etc., I realize the old cliche' more and more....Stop and smell the roses!  I know that I'm a BIG culprit of being on the go and and being impatient with almost everything in life, but more and more I realize to stop and enjoy the moments.


The top five moments that I'm stopping to enjoy now are:

1. I actually appreciate feeling L.L. move.  Honestly, perhaps too honest, I would sometimes think...please be still, you are moving A LOT!  Now, I thank God for the movement!  One of my friends in Cleveland said she could only vaguely remember feeling her baby move once while she was pregnant!  I didn't think that was possible, but it was another affirmation that I should appreciate every kick, turn, flip, hiccup, etc!
2. Waking up in the morning just to look into the nursery.  Realizing that very soon, and at all times of the night, I will soon be walking in there to feed her, rock her, play with her, read to her and the list goes on!
3. Updating my blog!  I know it won't be this easy to just stop to pick up the computer and chronicle my thoughts and experiences!  
4. Saturday cleaning.  Who knew this could give me such a since of accomplishment these days??  Well now, I think that the hours that I spend cleaning will be more peaceful and uninterrupted now more than later!  I can't even imagine how loading the dishwasher will soon be interrupted by feedings and changings!
5. Dinners out with D.L.  Daddy L always told me that I took going out to dinner with him for granted.  I never really considered that as a date, because we're just eating.  But NOW...I appreciate our date nights because I know that very soon, they will not come as often, as easy, and so peaceful!

According to the Storknet:
During this week, the brain continues its rapid growth, and the lungs continue to grow. Eyelids begin to open, and the retinas begin to form. The baby will grow over 1/2 inch this week and will be about 1 1/3 feet long (from crown of head to the toes or 9.6 inches from crown to rump)!

Mama Picasso

Purple and Charcoal Gray Flower Paintings

Don't ask what gave me this inspiration...okay, well I can tell you!  I record the HGTV Color Splash episodes and I admire the artistic skills of David Bromstad and months ago after watching one of his episodes, I went out to Michael's and bought paint and canvases!  Yes, impulsive and perhaps out of boredom, but when you see the prices some of these "so called" artists charge for paintings, I thought...I can do that!

So as you can see, I'm no Picasso, but I thought for a child's room...MY child's room, these pictures will hang with lots of love!  I even signed them, Love Mom because I want her to know that I painted these for her!

More progress pics...here's the flowering tree decal D.L. and I put up.

Gray walls and Lavender border

The tree branches are up

And now for the flowers

All complete!  Tree, flowers, birds and butterflies....

If you haven't noticed, my original nursery idea is SO out of the window.  And I went much more girlie than I ever imagined!   Oh well....it will all come together.  Besides, all I really need is for L.L. to be in the room and she'll make it beautiful!

A Milestone Day

Well today marks a couple of key milestones as we plan for the arrival of our baby girl.  Today, Daddy Lav (D.L.) and I celebrate our 1-year anniversary!  This day last year, I was absorbed in the planning, preparation and the celebration of two becoming one!  Where does the time go because it really doesn't seem like a year ago.  What's amazing is that while we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary, today marks the milestone of less than 100 days (99 days) left until my due date to deliver L.L.

My smile today is as big as it was this day last year!

I would never have expected to be exactly 1-year later planning, preparing and ready to celebrate the birth of our first child.  But nonetheless, this is the blessing that God has placed in our life.  With less than 100 days to go, I feel L.L. more than ever.  At 26 weeks tomorrow, she moves around, sits on my bladder and responds to the D.L.'s voice as if she already recognizes the bass in his voice.  When I wake in the mornings or sometimes when I go to sleep, D.L. calls for her to wake up and tells her, "this is your Daddy"!  Shortly after, I begin to feel her move around as if she understands everything he's saying.  I thoroughly enjoy when he puts his hands on my belly to feel her move.  Just to look at the fascination in his eyes is fascinating to me.  When I see his expression, it makes me less affected by the fact that she's kicking me in my bladder and I feel like I'm about to explode...with love that is!  :-)

To L.L....

An Anniversary Message for YOU!

One year ago today, your father and I became one.  

We knew we had hopes and dreams of planning a family 

strong enough to lift a million tons!

Though that type of weight may sometimes feel like it's too much to bear,

When you recognize the love that we have for you,

That weight will feel lighter than air!

You are such a blessing to us and we've never seen your face.

So all we can do is thank God for His little miracles 

as we prepare to welcome you to your new space.

UPDATE ~ 24 Weeks

Time really is passing very quickly and I've been SO blessed to have a pain free, morning sickness free and   so far issue free pregnancy.  I'm still praying for a healthy little girl, but I must say that carrying this little one has been smooth sailing.  Yes, it's still early, but I'm glad that up to this point anyway....everything has been wonderful.  At this point,

• The baby gains about 6 ounces this week as the body begins to fill out. This weight is in muscle, bone mass and the growing organs and tissues. The weight could top 1 1/3 pounds by the end of the week.

The facial features are developing and according to the fetal picture imagery, you can see the profile.  I wonder who she'll look like?  Me or D.L.?  Well we'll soon see because I plan to take advantage of the 3D sonogram technology!

I don't have any specific cravings to where I'm pestering D.L. to go out and get what my desires are requesting...as a matter of fact D.L. tells me I should eat MORE!  I eat three meals a day and don't have a desire to be greedy.  I know it's "supposed" to come with pregnancy, but up to this point, I haven't had many

'out of the norm' gluttonous episodes.  It's funny because now more than ever, I love a good salad and fruit!  Any Panera Bread run makes me smile!  I even wanted Panera Bread so much that I attempted to replicate their broccoli cheddar soup and Frontega chicken panini...I even went out and bought some spicy chiptole mayo to make it as exact as possible.

I can't say that all of my choices have been FDA-healthy mom approved, because earlier in my pregnancy, I really enjoyed a great Five Guys burger.  I haven't indulged there in quite some time, but who knows....when the urge is upon me, I may be ordering my Little Burger with all the fixins' quite soon!