Baby Bump - Weeks 31, 32 & 33

32 weeks, 4 days (with sweet Baby Leighton)

Weeks 31, 32 and 33 all seem to blur together! Time is going by SO fast and Keith and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our sweet baby boy. Other than feeling pretty sick last week, I have been doing wonderful...and if it wasn't for my big belly I'd almost forget that I'm pregnant. ;) Week 31 was my birthday week and I attempted to fly a plane (attempted is the key word). The weather did not allow that to happen, and at this point I don't feel comfortable rescheduling before Gavin is due. :( So, that'll wait until later. My energy level has been great and I've been able to stay on top of my crazy Biology class and my Criminal Evidence class (which I love). As for cravings, I am addicted to oranges and as of yesterday I've had a killer craving for Girl Scout cookies...although I've yet to find any. I am still hogging the bed and apparently I tend to snore...but that husband of mine doesn't have any evidence of this! :)

Everything has been looking great at my doctor appointments -- Gav's growth and my weight gain are both right on track. We did discover at our 32 week appointment that Gavin's head is in my ribs (which makes a lot of sense), but we're hoping that he'll turn. I mentioned that some major changes have deeply impacted our health benefits, but everything is getting worked out. Thank you, God!

31 weeks, 3 days

32 weeks, 4 days

33 weeks

Refreshed on a Rainy Monday

~ I am beyond thrilled to report that last week's sickness is gone! I'm pretty sure it was just our sinuses, but with me being pregnant and Keith being...well, being male (you know how men get when they're sick!) it was a rough week. But, that week is gone and we are back to normal. YAY! 

~ For the past few days it has been pretty rainy in Atlanta. Our maternity session on Saturday was pushed back to Wednesday...but it looks like it may rain then, too! I am praying for sunshine and also for any water retention to hold off until after these pictures are taken. :) So far, so good...but I am 8.5 months pregnant and who knows when that hits. I am so excited about this session because a) we're taking our photos in Piedmont Park and b) our photographer is awesome. This is a picture from her last session at the park and I love it! :)

  via 

~ Living in Atlanta without any family and friends can get rough, but thankful we have been blessed by visits over the past week from some very special people! Yesterday, our dear friends Chad and Melissa flew into Atlanta for the day and we had such a good time. It was a very relaxing day and we enjoyed their company so much! Then, two weekends ago we headed to the mountains with one of my oldest friends Kim, her husband and sweet baby girl. We went to Ellijay, GA and it was only an hour drive from our home in Atlanta. The trip was very relaxing and it was nice to get away from the real world and hang out in the North Georgia Mountains with these sweet people. 

Our lovely friends! 

My little family!

~ Last week, I applied for a fee waiver from the Law School Admission Council. (I am preparing to take the June LSAT, or if need be October) My request was initially denied, but I've appealed the decision and sent in supporting documents and an essay on why I think I should be eligible. I've only been waiting a few days, but I have been stalking the goodness out of my LSAC account. I know that it takes at least two weeks for a decision, but I just can't help myself! I can only imagine how crazy I'm going to be on LSAT score release day... :) 

Happy Monday, Readers! 

Ouch.

  via

My husband is sick. 

I am sick.

Our weekend trip to the mountains sure got the best of us!

Regular blogging will resume once this sickness leaves my home. 

:(

We Will Overcome

 via

Have you ever had a completely-out-of-left-field event happen to you that leaves you speechless and gasping for air? A few weeks ago, Keith and I had a major one fly in and absolutely blindside us. 

I'd rather not discuss the specifics, but it has something to do with his job and therefore drastically impacts our health benefits. We have faith that everything will work out, but for now it's a bit stressful. There are many things that are uncertain, but the answers are only a few days/weeks away. I've always been mediocre at praising Him through the storm, but this time it's been different. This time, through each bout of tears and overwhelming feelings of defeat, it has stayed in the front of my mind that we are still blessed, God is still good, and He is still in control.

So while things are a little complicated, I am vowing to keep my eyes on Him and focus on what's important -- my faith, my husband, and my son. This bump in the road is nothing when I think about everything that's going on in the world. When it comes down to it, it's all about perspective. The clip below is one that I've been playing over and over the past few days. The song is called Overcome and it is sung by Jeremy Camp.

John 16:33 states "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 

 

If you can relate to this post, then I want to encourage you that in the end, everything will be okay. God is in control. Just hang on. It'll get better.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him

Romans 8:28

What the Heck?!?

(The following post is what some may call a rant. Consider yourself warned)

 via

I don't know about you guys, but I thought last night's game was a freaking joke. LSU, you played like crap! Plain and simple. More specifically, Jordan Jefferson....what were you DOING?!?! Were you hungover? Sick? Did you just choke? Regardless, it's not your fault that you were left to play in the game. That would be LES MILES' fault. Les, buddy...why didn't you give Lee a chance? Did you think that Jefferson and the OL would eventually make a first down? (You guys made 5) Or maybe that they would cross the 50 yard line? (You did this once) No? Okay, well if you were confused about what to do then maybe you should have gotten on facebook. There were only 3204732 people begging for you to put LEE in. 

You guys didn't deserve to win. 

And you sure as heck didn't show up ready to play the #2 team in the country. 

And you know what? BAMA deserved it. They fought hard. Their defense was solid (but then again it's easy to be solid when your QB can't throw a pass to save his life), QB was on-point, and their kicker actually performed well this time. So, congratulations to Alabama. You guys played well and deserve to be #1. Saban, great coaching. Les, you're an idiot!!!

End rant.

(Side note: I have never claimed to be an LSU fan, however being from Louisiana and having lived in SC/GA, I feel a fondness for them that never existed before. I do support LSU and all Louisiana teams for that matter, but when any team performs on such a craptastic level, this is my reaction. I am not disowning them nor am I a bandwagon fan. I just can't stand ignorant coaching when it's time to be clutch. That is all.)

A Sporty Miscellany Monday

~ Tonight is the BCS Championship game and this Louisiana girl is so pumped! LSU will be taking on Alabama (again!) in New Orleans, and while I think it's ridiculous that Alabama even made it to the championship game, I am looking forward to watching LSU beat them again. ;) For argument's sake, let's say Alabama does win. So, LSU beat them once, they would have beaten LSU once...this win would not make them the best team in college football. There was no playoff system to put Alabama in this position, and therefore Nick Saban's whole It's-just-like-when-the-Patriots-beat-the-Giants-in-regular-season-but-the-Giants-beat-the-Patriots-in-the-Superbowl analogy is invalid. :D

LET'S GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!

via

What's harder than beating Alabama twice?

Beating LSU once.

(I heard this on facebook and couldn't resist sharing... :) )

~ In other sports news, did anyone watch the Broncos/Steelers game last night?!?! While I'm not a fan of either team, I am a fan of Tim Tebow. And that game last night was seriously ah-mazing! 

 via

I am SO happy that the Broncos won and I sincerely hope they do well in the rest of the playoffs. I'd love to see a Saints/Broncos Superbowl, and even though I do love Tebow, this Who Dat would be cheering for BLACK AND GOLD! :)

~ Speaking of the Saints...can I just say WHO DAT?!?!? I am SO happy that we beat the Lions and are heading into the next round of the playoffs! Brees, Sproles, Graham and the rest of the guys did an awesome job on Saturday and I am so proud. It truly was the perfect end to my birthday! :) On our immediate to-do list is 1) We beat the 49ers 2) Brees is named MVP, which he so rightly deserves!!!!

The footage is old, but the chant is the same. LOVE.

~ Saturday was my birthday, and just like last year my Discovery flight was cancelled. :( Legally we could have flown, but it was a very cloudy day and our visibility would not have been great for my first time up. We're heading back to the flight school on Thursday so (God and weather willing!!) this prego can finally fly a plane! :D

 Planes :)

My doctor's note. I love how he states "as long as there is another pilot on board", then I can fly the plane! Lol well duh!!! LOVE my doc. :)

 Me, my sweet man and Baby Gavin on my 26th. 

(That little black fur ball at the bottom is Abigail)

I'd wish I could say that I'm sorry that this turned into a sports post, but I'm kinda not.

I love sports. 

:)

Happy Monday, readers!

Twenty-Six

 via

We turn not older in years, but newer every day.

Emily Dickinson

Tomorrow, I will turn 26 years old. The big 2-6. A quarter century + 1 year. I am now entering my late twenties. 

Goodness gracious. 

I thought that hitting these numbers would make me sad, but I am surprisingly ready. I'm ready to see what this next chapter in my life brings. For starters, my twenty-sixth year will introduce me to motherhood, my final year of my undergraduate studies and my second year of marriage. God willing, this year, I will give birth. And these are just the things that I know of! Without a doubt, my 26th year will be filled with many laughs, smiles, tears (both good and bad), and learning experiences/accomplishments. I am so thankful for where I'm at in this point in my life and sincerely pray that the Lord will use me this year to actively pursue the cry of my heart. 

To all of my friends and family, thank you so very much for being in my life and supporting me. You guys truly bring so much joy to my life. Keith, thank you for being an amazing man of God and loving me. You inspire me to be a better person. Gavin Josiah, mommy loves you so much and I cannot wait to meet you. And Lord, I will never stop thanking you for never giving up on me. I love you. 

Twenty-six...heeeeeeeeeeeere we go!

Baby Joe Visits Atlanta

Last Tuesday when Keith and I left Charleston, we brought our 2 year old nephew, Joseph, back to Atlanta with us. Joseph (aka Baby Joe, JoJo) is my sister Lauren's son and is such a precious little boy. When he was 6 months old, Lauren and Joe actually lived with us in Charleston. Keith and I got a lot of practice taking care of an infant/toddler and really bonded with this sweet boy. 

While Keith was a bit hesitant about having Joe with us for a whole 4 days, I was excited! Joe is such a happy kid that it's impossible to have a bad day with him. Now I will admit, it wasn't easy taking care of him. Kids are needy...especially ones who are sick! Joe woke up on Wednesday with a fever and was very congested, so that made things a bit difficult. But, I did enjoy the time with him and it definitely makes me more and more excited for Gavin's arrival. 

Smiiiiiiiile

Like our booster seat? :)

Sweet boys eating breakfast

Such a little ham!

Coloring with Addy :)

 How stinking cute is he??? :D

One of the things I love so much about him is the names he calls us. Keith is Guncle Keith and I am Addy. He even knows that Baby Gavin is in my tummy. :) 

Baby Bump - Weeks 29 & 30

Christmas morning -- 29 weeks, 4 days

For weeks 29 and 30 there really isn't too much to report. Everything is still going great and my only complaints are the random heartburn and nosebleeds. My complexion has taken a major hit as well, but I figure it's a nice trade-off since I've experienced zero nausea. I've been sleeping through most of the nights, however I am finding that bathroom breaks are becoming more frequent. My belly and I are now hogging about 80% of our bed, and my poor husband is stuck being squished. (Sorry babe!) I'm currently on a cucumber and tomato kick and eat them everyday. I've had cravings for fried pickles and my own homemade version of Coldstone's Cheesecake Fantasy. (It's strawberry cheesecake ice cream, frozen blueberries and graham cracker crumbs...SO GOOD!) Mr. Gavin has been very active and I am constantly watching my tummy move. He is very high I'm often getting jabbed in the ribs, but I really don't mind. :)

We are now going to the doctor every 2 weeks, and our appointment during week 29 went great. Gav's heartbeat is strong, my stats are great and I actually lost a pound! Not sure how that happened, but I'm not complaining. :) He is definitely a growing boy and I can't wait to meet him! 

29 weeks

30 weeks, 2 days

The First Miscellany of the Year

~ Today is January 2, 2012. And while I am filled with all of the hope that a new year brings, I can't help but feel anxious and nervous. In approximately 9 weeks, my son will be born and life as I know it will change forever. So many questions fill my mind and it amazes me how much impact one tiny person can have. But whether we are ready or not, Gavin Josiah will be here soon...and I am thankful that Keith and I were blessed with the miracle of life. For all you new moms out there -- How did motherhood change your life?

~ Today is also the first day of school for the spring semester. I am only taking 7 hours, with 4 of them being Biology 101. Ladies...I am absolutely dreading this class. I have never been good at sciences, and this class is extremely intimidating. We are expected to devote twenty hours per week to classwork, and week one includes an original 500 word post, two responses, three quizzes, and a lab. Lord. Help. Me. 

~ On the bright side, I am also taking Criminal Evidence and am SO pumped about the layout of this class. Written assignments are given in a law school final exam format, and I can't wait to see how I'll do! It's definitely perfect timing since I'll begin studying for the LSAT in a few months. 

~ One of the most special gifts I've ever received from Keith was a bracelet that he gave me for Christmas. It is a James Avery charm bracelet, and while I've never been a big fan of charm bracelets, this one has completely stolen my heart.

I love the charm and how it shows the embrace between a mother and her child, and Gavin's name engraved on the back truly makes this bracelet perfect. Thank you to my sweet husband for this wonderful gift that I'll treasure forever.

Have a lovely Monday, readers!

Happy New Year!!!!!

via