Pics of the Tike (ladder golf balls, bubble machine, chalk)

 

PRECIOUS! :)

 

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."- Zephaniah 3:17

Anticipating the arrive of NBC!

As I sit and wonder what it’ll be like on NBC’s birthday, I have so much anticipation about what that day will be like.

I really feel like I just am hitting the calm before the storm happens. I’ve almost exhausted everything I can do while on bed rest and am starting to get a little restless inside. My emotions have been fluctuating between anticipation/nervousness/restlessness/wondering expectations/excited feelings, but the one thing that has never left me is the peace I feel from God. I truly feel at peace with everything and though I know it’s going to be hard what we’re about to face; I know God will give me the strength to get through it.

I turned 34 weeks this past Sunday and am thankful for every week we can make it closer to 36, which is our ultimate goal (since Jr was born then, I didn’t have any shots with him, and he was happy and healthy when he came). I really do have to keep praying that God will give me the strength to get through these next couple weeks, knowing it’s the best thing I can do for the baby. No question about it, I’m tired and worn out from this pregnancy, but in the times when I get down and discouraged all I have to do is remember how blessed I am to actually be carrying a baby and how this is just another part of the mom job. I told A that I feel as if I’m going through training camp right now and oh what a celebration it’s going to be when NBC is born!

Last week Jr spiked a temp and clearly didn’t feel good for quite some time. I of course took advantage of the much needed cuddle time and rocked him while he rested his head on my shoulder. It was at that moment I never wanted to let go. I loved having that special time with him and truly just soaking up the hugs and cuddles from my sweet innocent boy. There’s truly nothing like a mother/father’s love. It’s unconditional and anytime I think of our Father up in heaven I truly feel as if I’m laying my head on his shoulder and He’s telling me, “I love you and everything is going to be okay.” It’s no wonder I have the peace I do about NBC’s situation, because I’m constantly hearing God tell me “I love you and everything is going to be okay!” God reminds us on a daily basis just how much He loves us and that He is ever faithful in all that He does!

As I anticipate the arrival of NBC, I step back to think about the day I found out he/she was just beginning to be created in my womb. I was ecstatic/thrilled/surprised/nervous and about every emotion in-between. I royally found out about the earliest you could find out that you’re pregnant. The OB I saw, did an u/s and you could royally see a black dot (you couldn’t even see the heart beat yet because it was so early). She informed me that yes I was pregnant, but only about a month or so. I was so full of joy and could have jumped to the heavens that day. I couldn’t wait to tell A that #2 was on the way! This whole journey has been full of twist, turns, a couple bumps, and will probably continue to be a roller coaster ride. I am filled with overflowing emotion as I truly think about the path we have in front of us. Most of my fears/worries/anxiety about the weeks to come are superseded by the peace/joy/thankfulness/love from the Lord. God is truly working in marvelous ways and I can’t begin to imagine how He is going to use this experience in our lives. As I enthusiastically await the arrive of NBC, I can only imagine how soft his/her baby skin will feel as he/she is nestled in my arms against my chest, who he/she will look like, and what a huge blessing this little baby is going to be to our family. He/she will understand that He places a certain calling in everyone’s life. He/she will be raised with a love for the Lord and the understanding of His saving grace.

I am anticipating each of those moments and so much more!

In my anticipation I can still here the Lord say to me, “Do not be afraid!” It’s so hard to go into the unknown, but Jesus wants us to say “I trust in You Lord,” please guide and direct me.

A friend of mine wrote something to me the other day that really touched my heart. She wrote, “Remember that Jesus had a warm, comfy cradle waiting for Him in Nazareth. It stayed empty on his birthday! Instead, He was born in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings. It was the love from Mary and Joseph that made the stable at Bethlehem a beautiful and holy place. Your love for NBC will make the NICU holy and beautiful too!”

I believe that God knits every child together in the womb, just like Psalms 139:13-14 says, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” -Proverbs 3:5

Only 2.5 weeks to go to make 36 weeks! Dr appt & u/s pics!

As the ultrasound tech called me back, I knew this was going to be my chance to finally thank the lady who spotted NBC's heart problem. I thanked her for doing such a thorough job and calling attention to NBC's heart. She told me it's her job and she just tries to make sure she does the best she can every time she is scanning babies. Like I said before, though the news is devastating to us, at least we know about the problem and have a game plan for when NBC arrives. CoArc is actually really hard to be diagnosed before the baby is born, which just make me thank God even more that we know about it before hand.

Baby is doing great and growing away. Not too much has changed with me, so we're giving thanks for no new news! Next week when I go in, they'll take measurements of the baby again and we'll have another weight for NBC. Here's some cute pics of NBC from the u/s. The tech was having a ball taking loads of pics of the lil poser. I'm getting so excited to meet this little face to face. It's weird how I'll get to see the baby every week until he/she is finally here!

What a perfect lil profile:)

The tech called NBC "The Licker" since he/she was spotted licking my placenta!

NBC has lots of hair! The tech couldn't believe for just being 33.5 wks how much hair he/she has.

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands."- Psalm 138:8

Counting to 10 with Daddy!

Jr and Daddy counting to 10 right before bed! Priceless moments:)

Pictures, The Tike at 20 months, and NBC at 8 months (our Cardiac Kid)!

Time to see if Jr thinks he'll have a brother or a sister!

Time to choose!

Looks like Jr thinks he's going to have a baby BROTHER!

Time to see if Rambo thinks NBC will be a BOY or GIRL!

Looks like Rambo thinks NBC is going to be a GIRL!

I can't believe that it was just a week ago when we found out about NBC's heart condition. The support from our friends and family has been absolutely amazing. The prayers, the encouraging words, the wisdom from others who have gone through similar situations, and the inspirational bible verses that have flooded my email, blog and facebook wall and inbox give me even more hope and peace about the whole situation. We royally have people praying for us and NBC from coast to coast; simply amazing!!! I still have a very calm feeling about everything and am very thankful I have the Lord to lean on anytime I feel down or discouraged. I really don't know where I would be right now if I didn't know the Lord or have a relationship with Him. I truly do believe that God put NBC's situation in our life for a reason. I believe that I will become a stronger person from this and that I will be able to reach out to other people and show them just how amazing the grace of God can be. For all of this I'm very thankful to have a Cardiac Kid kicking away in my belly and soon to be kicking outside my womb. NBC now has the nickname Cardiac Kid:)

Yesterday I turned 33 weeks, which means we're getting closer to our goal. I think we'll be able to make it to 34, but beyond that who knows (we're simply taking it week by week right now). I'm getting excited to meet this little one very soon. I can't believe NBC really could come any day, but hopefully he/she will bake just a tad bit longer before we finally get to meet him/her!

The Tike @ 20 months:
-Is a nonstop chatterbox. We'll be driving along and he's just sitting in the back chatting away! It brings pure joy to my heart every time he gets to rambling on! LOVE IT!
-Jr is so much fun right now. He laughs, talks, plays, sings, dances, and even does what we ask him to do (sometimes with a little prodding I must add, but he'll usually do it).
-Loves going for family walks with Daddy and Rambo!
-Has a nanny while Mommy is on bed rest. Really took to Nanny Mink quickly and loves doing activities with her.
-Loves to sign crocodile from the Row, Row, Row song.
-Has a blast doing his words at night with Daddy.
-Is a bottomless pit now days. He seems to just eat, eat, and eat at every meal.  He's funny he'll eat all that's on his plate and then hand it to A or I and ask fore "More, please!"
-Is in love with his singing balloon(s). Wasn't a fan of the Valentine's singing balloon at first, but now wants everything in the world to do with it. Daddy got him a St. Patrick's day balloon too (because the 1st Valentine's balloon was about shot). We're on #2 Valentine's singing balloon and now he walks around with both balloons in his hands singing, dancing and just having a blast.
-His new favorite book is "Brown bear, Brown bear."
-Jr loves to play in the dirt and rocks! Anytime we go to check on how the house is coming, he goes and finds the rocks and dirt to play in. He doesn't care if he gets all dirty, but if he gets food on his hands he truly can't stand it and has to wipe it off almost instantly.
-Jr loves to wash his hands with water/soap, sanitizer, or even wipes (great habit for a little boy to have).
-Loves playing with the bubble gun.
-Is doing great at day care for an hour while Daddy works out and until Nanny can pick him up.
-Loves playing with his cousin Aleah on Thursday after library.
-Celebrated his 2^nd St. Patrick’s Day by having corned beef and cabbage with Uncle Mark, Aunt Gina, and cousin Aleah. Didn't have any cabbage, but ate lots of corned beef, carrots and potatoes!
-Gives Baby (Mommy's belly) lots of hugs and kisses, while telling him/her "Hi Baby!" Can say both names we have picked out. The other we had him say the girl name and then he instantly said "No!" So we moved onto the boy name of which he told us "No" again. Apparently he doesn't want a brother/sister or doesn't like the names we've chosen.
-Thinks NBC is going to be a BOY, according to our little wives tales test we did (he simply had to choose between a paper that said It's a BOY or It's a GIRL with a stork underneath)!
-Loves playing in the backyard with Daddy and Rambo.
-Jr has a love for wheels! He loves playing with anything that has wheels and has a real fascination with how things work and are put together. He knows how to flip his 4-wheeler on its side, hold down the button to go, and watch the back wheels spin.
-Got to Skype with our friends Jenna and Jason. He was completely fascinated by there fish tank and didn't like when it was off the screen.
-Loves to brush his teeth (and to play in the water, bit on the toothbrush, and eat some of the toothpaste).
-Is wearing 3T shirts and 2T pants (he's in the awkward stage of pants between 2-3T, 2T is to short and tight, but 3T is too long and fall off his waist).
-Helps Daddy swifter the floors and do laundry.
-Loves to play with cars, balls, wheels, balloons and being outside!
-Has no idea he could be a big brother any day!
-Jr is learning to undress himself from head to toe. He’s really good at taking everything off (except his diaper, that is something only M/D can do for obvious reasons).
-When it’s bath time, he knows to get undressed, put his clothes in the laundry, and head upstairs. He knows where to go, how to turn on the water, and of course throw the toys in the tub.
-Loves laying down on his tummy in the bath tub while the water drains out. He loves pretending like he's swimming in the tub.
-Starting going to gymnastics once a week. Is one of the younger ones there, but seems to really enjoy all the different activities.
-Says countless words, two word phrases, and repeats about anything we ask him to say.
-Loves to blow kisses. When we say “I love you” he’ll blow us a kiss!

Mommy update with NBC update:
Last month I looked at what I wrote about having the name picked out, how everything is ready for NBC to come home, and how though its been a rough pregnancy thus far I had that reassurance that once NBC was born and placed in my arms everything would be okay, but oh how things have changed in just a month. Well here's to a new perspective on what I look forward to when NBC finally arrives. I look forward to finally meeting this little one that has been growing in my tummy, finding out whether NBC is a boy/girl, getting NBC's heart fixed, using this whole experience as a building block in our lives, and simply having this true blessing from God finally here in arms to hold and give lots of kisses to! 

Pregnancy update:
How far along? 33 weeks 1 day (8 months)
Total weight gain/loss: about + 16 lbs (goes up and down right now)
Maternity clothes: Yes! Love wearing my yoga pants all the time,
Stretch mark? Nope. Thank goodness.
Sleep: I still nap when the kiddo naps, which is a true blessing. I seem to be waking up a lot at night because I'm uncomfortable (in my hips mainly), have to go the bathroom, and of course my mind is getting anxious/excited about the arrival of NBC.
Best moment this week: Knowing that though we're going to have a Cardiac Kid, I have a complete peace about the situation and am just thankful to have a perfect gift from an awesome and loving God!
Movement: Is so predictable during the day and night when he/she is going to have a little party. NBC is especially active when the doppler or ultrasound wand is on Mom's belly. NBC gets the hiccups all the time it seems too.
Food Cravings: Nothing really, maybe fruit and candy but that would be it.
Gender: After our visit to the cardiac dr last week, Adam is now convinced that NBC is a boy. The Pediatric Cardiologist kept referring to NBC as a "he" even though A and I kept calling NBC "the baby." We tried to inform everybody that we don't know and don't want to know the sex, however Adam is convinced that she slipped. We did the "kid and dog" wives tales and the kid picked boy and the dog picked girl. We simply had two pieces of paper, one said "It's a BOY" the other one said "It's a GIRL" and then there was a stork underneath the saying. Jr picked, "It's a BOY" and then when we had Rambo do it, he went and got "It's a GIRL!" So yet again another wives tale that is up in the air for us. I still think boy for lots of reasons. I'm getting really excited to find out what NBC is though! It won't be long!
Labor Signs: Yes. Hopefully it'll be a couple more weeks before NBC decides to come though.
What I miss: Being a mom to my son I have now. It's hard for me having someone else take care of my child when that's suppose to be my job (however I have a bigger job at hand right now, being an incubator), but I really miss the Tike and cherish the times when it is just us playing, giving him his bath, or feeding him. I miss feeling normal and being able to bend over and tie my shoes. I can’t wait to lay on my tummy again, pick up Jr and not have to put him on top of my lil basketball (and try to explain to him to be gentle with Mommy’s tummy), not having to catch my breath sometimes and being able to workout.
What I am looking forward to: NBC's arrival! I can't wait to hold the little one and begin down a new path in our family life.
Weekly Wisdom: Rest, relax, and rely on the ROCK in my life! It is through God that all things are possible; He will be my rock and strength!
Milestones: Making it through bed rest 1 week at a time, finding out that NBC is going to have a little different journey when he/she gets here then we expected, knowing that NBC is going to have some of the best care that any baby could ask for when he/she finally arrives, and truly believing that God gave us a Cardiac Kid for a meaningful reason!

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”-Jeremiah 17:7-8