Is it fall yet?

Welcome to September!  The weather here in Georgia is finally beginning to cool down...well, at least it's not as hot!  We have had a fun few weeks since my last post.  I passed my first trimester mark, and I'm feeling much better...yay!  I'm almost 15 weeks now.

Zeke is enjoying telling me there is a baby in my tummy (as you can see above).  He also pretty much thinks any belly can have a baby in it, even if it is flat, which provides for some embarrassing situations for mommy!

We have enjoyed a couple of get togethers with his Georgia cousins.  One rainy day we went to the mall play area, then shopped a bit (interesting with 3 kiddos, 2 pregnant mamas, and a Wynna who is in high demand)!  We had fun, though!

My mom and I got to celebrate baby Harper again with Jami at a shower thrown by her friend, Crystal.  It was nice to spend some time with just the girls!

On Labor Day, we went to my parents' house to swim and have barbecue.  Zeke was a little shadow to his cousins and had a great time!

Zeke continues to be enthralled with music, basketball, and words.  He loves to read and learn new things.  He still enjoys "working out" with Mama!  When did he turn into a little boy instead of a toddler?  He is taller than Sophia now!  He weighs about 35 pounds and is 2 years 8 months old!

Praise the Lord, he is partly potty trained now!  It was hard for me to accomplish this task with Gregg out of town, but with the campaign season upon us, I knew there was no good time.  He is an expert at going peepee on the big potty while standing on a stool, but we are still working on the other (if you know what I mean!). 

I am sure I am leaving something out, but I wanted to get a post out to update you all.  Gregg and I will go next week to try to see the gender of Baby A.  Please pray for Gregg's safety as he travels.  He is working hard to provide for us and we thank God each day for him.

Blessings to you all!

August visits to Alpharetta!

How is it possible that we are almost halfway through August?  I'm 11 weeks pregnant now, and having some better days (evenings are still rough).  I'm so thankful for my patient husband who has had to put up with an irritable and irrational wife!  Hopefully things will improve even more over the next couple of weeks.

We had fun going to Alpharetta to swim with Kariss and Sophia at the beginning of the month.  My mom, Jami, and I took the kiddos to the Atlanta Athletic Club.  They had a blast in the kiddie pool and Kariss even jumped off the diving board in the big pool.  My friend Katie and her son Lee came to join in the fun too!

The following weekend we made the trip back over to Alpharetta and the AAC, but this time to enjoy brunch for my dad's 66th birthday!  We got him a Kenny's key lime pie, which is his favorite.  It was nice to all be together.  I can't remember the last time we were because of Gregg's busy work schedule. 

This weekend, my mom and I had the opportunity to honor Jami and baby Harper at a baby shower.  We titled it, "She's about to Pop!"  She really has about 7 more weeks, but I know she's getting ready to meet Harper.  The girls helped her open presents and enjoyed all the yummy snacks.  It was a fun afternoon spent with the "Beach Babes" (my mom's dear Bible Study Fellowship friends).  Notice all the little "pop" references we tried to include (popcorn bar, soda pop, blow pops, pop art, balloons, and we played 90's pop music):

Lastly, I wanted to share an image that goes along with my current memory verse.  I am attempting (it has taken me longer than expected while dealing with this nausea) to memorize Psalm 91.  I'm currently getting ready to start on verse 5, but here is an image that coincides with verse 4.  I love the mental imagery of myself as a duckling sitting protected under my mother's wings.  God is my refuge and I thank Him each day for His grace!

 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
  will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
  my God, in whom I trust.”
 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
  and from the deadly pestilence.
 He will cover you with his pinions,
  and under his wings you will find refuge;
  his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
(Psalm 91:1-4 ESV)

Humbled

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

8 Weeks!

Over the past several weeks I have seen Jesus' hands and feet through my friends and family.  This pregnancy has caused me to feel much worse than I did with Zeke.  Right after my mom and I returned from New York, I became almost bedridden I was so sick.  The nausea was overwhelming all day long.  Gregg stepped in and gave Zeke baths, put him to bed, etc. when I just couldn't get up.  He has not complained or made me feel guilty for falling behind on my household duties.  I've never felt so helpless.  I feel like I can't properly care for my husband and son, which is my primary role.  It is humbling to receive so much help...and I thank God for it!

Gregg, my mom and Teresa have stepped in.  Friends like Dena and Christy offered to allow me to stay at their homes when Gregg went out of town.  Thankfully, my mom was able to come one night while Gregg was away, then Teresa left her husband and life to stay with Zeke and me two separate nights.  It was hard to be cared for, but I knew I needed the help, and I was (and am) so grateful.

Auntie Tessa

Doing what he has seen Mommy do a lot lately!

I have found several things that help the nausea, including drinking lemon water, chewing fruity gum, and eating every 2 hours or so.  My nutritionist taught me that beans (soluble fiber) helps bind the extra bile that is carrying out the excess hormones. So...I've eaten a lot of beans, and now I eat beans every two hours.  It honestly helps.  It sounds crazy, but if you want to read her explanation, you can find it here: http://www.karenhurd.com/pages/healthtopics/specifichealthconcerns/ht-shc-morningsickness.html

In the midst of all of this, we went to have another ultra sound and the heartbeat was a strong 140 bpm.  Praise God!  We got to see our little peanut, a.k.a. Baby A.  I am 8 1/2 weeks along now, and will check off another week each Saturday. 

Zeke continues to make me laugh and bring such joy.  His latest "hobby" is dressing up in Dada's clothing as you'll see below.

He still loves to "read" books and tell us his letters wherever he sees them.  It has been so hot that I haven't taken him outside much this summer.  I'm really looking forward to some cooler weather and feeling better this fall.

God has certainly sustained me and blessed me during this time of "joyful sickness."  I am thankful to be carrying our second child and give all the praise and thanks to our Lord, Jesus Christ!