36 weeks!

36 weeks pregnant.... what what???!!
I can't even believe it... well, when I look down, I believe it.. but mentally ya know what I mean..

Here I am in all my 36 week glory.. big o belly!! :)

At 36 weeks I'm actually feeling well!  Of course, I'm taking four different medications a day.  This is killing me because I HATE taking medicine... I can't stand the idea of my body depending on a pill.  Weird, I know.  But, I will say... I am very thankful for zofran and phenergan because I have been able to greatly enjoy the past week of my pregnancy.  It's actually made me sad because I wish I had been taking both of them the entire time and I wouldn't have "wished" so many weeks of my pregnancy away.  

Millie is still very active.  Although, now, when she moves I feel like my whole body shifts!  I am feeling a new type of back pain! I constantly feel like I need to have my hand on my lower back (now I know why so many preggo people walk around like that!).   It is quite a work out to get myself out of bed.  I am using the restroom MUCH more frequently!  When I sit down for 10 min. or longer I stand up and feel like my pelvis is locked up---there's so much pressure!  My lower legs/ankles were swelling quite a bit last week, but my BP was normal.  Saturday my hands started swelling for the first time my entire pregnancy.  I've gained 20 pounds so far! agh!

All of this makes me SO excited because I know it means we are just that much closer to meeting Miss Millie!  I keep having dreams at night of what she will look like, and then I wake up and can't go back to sleep!  

This past week was such a whirlwind because we were so busy celebrating Millie!!!  My wonderful 3rd grade team and Tracy threw me the cutest shower after school on Thursday!  My co-workers spoiled Millie so much!!--she got lots of goodies and necessities!  My mom even got to take off work so she and Mrs. Tinka were able to come!!

Saturday, some amazing girls threw Millie a shower, too at the church.  I got to catch up with so many friends I haven't seen in a while (we are seriously hermits and never do anything anymore... on top of that I feel like a big puff ball and never want to get out) and some family!!  It was the most adorable shower ever with the most amazing cake (looked good and tasted WONDERFUL).  I ate wayyyy too much lol!  Back to that 20 pounds I've gained--- I'll probably gain 20 more before she's here if I keep at the rate I'm going! :/

Thursday I start my weekly exams!  Can't wait! ha.... but really I am eager to see if I've dilated at all, yet!   

We kind of got in panic mode yesterday and decided to go ahead and pack Millie's bag and our bag for the hospital. HA.  guess we are a little ahead of the game?!

We are so ready for you, Millie Everett--your nursery is all set & we have your necessities.. plus MUCH more!  

Here's to another week of feeling great! (fingers crossed)

I Will Exalt YOU

As I lay here in bed (literally thanking Jesus for a snow day because I was going to have to take another sick day) I am worshipping my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Rock.  The past 7 days (really the past 2 1/2 weeks but the past 7 days were worse) have been so trying.  I have literally broken down every single day.  I have so many supportive people in my life, and I know they were all sent straight from Jesus to build me up.  I have said numerous times, "I hate to complain because I know there is always someone who has it worse."  While I've always believed that, it has been made so obvious since yesterday.
My body is so sore and so sick of throwing up that all I've done is cry and have pity party after pity party, and Ben has allowed me to do that.  As I was telling my sister yesterday about what's been going on, she told me about one of her good friends that is 11 weeks pregnant who just found out her baby passed away, and has now been waiting days to "pass" the baby.  The story has much more to it, but all I can think is how mortifying and heartbreaking it would be to give birth to such a tiny baby especially knowing you'd never get to see it grow when you've already developed so much love for it.  So yes, there is always someone who has it worse.   As I thought about that, and another family I know having a very difficult pregnancy (after already miscarrying last year), and then think of friends who so badly want to be pregnant I realized it is time for me to pour out thanksgiving to my Jesus.  I know I am so blessed to be carrying a healthy baby (and to be feeling her move as I type), and these trials will soon pass.

When I had to leave school at lunch yesterday, my friend, Meredith sent me this:
"So be TRULY GLAD.  There is wonderful JOY ahead.  Even though you have to endure many trials for a little while." -1 Peter 1:6
It was so encouraging that this morning I decided to read through 1 Peter.   Though I've read bits and pieces of it before, I decided to read it in its entirety.  This book of the Bible is full of such sweet promises and hope.  From talking about the joy Jesus brings, to the crown of glory, to His promise of steadfastness and strength, all the way to telling us He will lift us up when the rest of the world looks down upon us, this short book is so comforting.
Jesus placed these words and promises in front of my eyes just when I needed them most.

And more encouraging words are found in my favorite song "I Will Exalt You" by Bethel Music & Amanda Cook

(you should probably YouTube it asap)


Your presence is all I need
It's all I want, all I seek
Without it, without it there's no meaning
Your presence is the air I breathe
The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I'm not living

I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
There is no one like You God
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
No other name be lifted high

There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise
There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise

Jeremiah 32:17 33 weeks!!!

LONGEST POST IN HISTORY ;)

I am 33 weeks pregnant today, and I think it should be known that there is a mild blizzard outside.  Which, I am thankful for because honestly, I've had no desire to leave the house lately!

My belly has gotten SUPER large and tight.  Thankfully, for now, my belly button is still tucked in! ;)  My maternity pants are now very uncomfortable on my belly.  :0

Millie is very mobile these days (if it's possible to be "mobile" in such a tiny confined space).

Mommy has gone a LITTLE overboard buying clothes for Millie :/....seriously... she doesn't need another article of clothing for a very very long time, but there are some things I just can't resist--- like those cute summer bubble rompers..ohhhh be still my heart.  Can't wait for her chunky legs to fill them out!!!  It would probably be a good idea for me to delete my ETSY account for a month or two....Dave Ramsey would probably appreciate that.

Her nursery is just about complete!  There are a few minor additions before her arrival, but I'm pleased with how it all turned out!!  Our friend Dave is making a small side table to put by the chair (to hold a lamp) and I ordered tall wire lined bins to go in the bottom of the closet for toys, etc.  Also, ignore the cable--it is being removed next week ;) Here are a few pics

Ben's mom is making a blanket and pillow to match the bedding! :))


Since right before Christmas I have had the WORST acid reflux-- so bad that I throw up (everything I eat) and dry heave.  It is completely miserable.  The Sunday before Christmas we went to Mtn. Home for Ben's great grandma's 100th birthday.  I already get super care sick, but being on those crazy winding roads combined with the acid reflux was a complete nightmare!  We pulled over three times.
After her "party" (which was so cute) we drove to Jonesboro to be with my family.  I had such a good time hanging out with my nephews and enjoying them before Millie is here to take up my attention! :)  The next couple of days were fine, but we went over to my sister's on Christmas morning to watch the boys open their gifts and I was pretty much hanging over the toilet the whole time!  Blahhhhhh
Since then, there have been a few days I've gone without throwing up (though I don't remember them) but mostly it feels like I spend a majority of every day throwing up... SOOOO FUN, RIGHT?! HA... I am well aware no one really wants to read this, but I'm hoping if I type it out I can go back and relive it when I completely lose my mind and think I need another child in a year and half..PAH..

New Year's Eve was just a puking rally!  I threw up in the bathtub  (who does that???)... then the sink and then finally made it to the toilet.  So much throw up.... I don't know how, but Ben helped clean it all up (He's a saint, isn't he???!!).  Also, we had to make up a snow day on Friday and it was a pretty rough morning, too.  YIPPPEEEEE...
I had quite the break down this morning (literally laying in a ball in the bathroom floor crying).  I so want to be enjoying this pregnancy and of course there are plenty of happy moments, but this puking thing is for the birds and I CANNOT WAIT for that part to be OVER!!!


nowwwwww that I'm through with all that let's get some POSITIVE THINGS UP IN THIS POST!!!

Ben and I found out at our 20 week doctor's appointment (when they did the first ultrasound there) that Millie had a choroid plexus cyst on her brain.  The doctor assured us that since this was the only "down syndrome indicator" out of 5 that showed up she would be fine.  He said it is something that usually "fixes itself" by at least 26 weeks.  He said we would do a follow-up ultrasound at 32 weeks to make sure it was gone.  Leaving the doctor that day I had the weirdest sense of peace because when he said the words "fixes itself" all I could think was.... the Lord will heal it!  For the most part, I didn't even think about it!  Ben and I decided not to tell anyone (yet) because we weren't worried and didn't want anyone else to worry either.  I promised myself I wouldn't "google" or webMD or anything because we both agreed if we prayed about this she was going to be just fine!   A few weeks later, we did end up telling our moms....  we urged them not to look it up, too ;).  I told Dawn and at week 26 when I went for her to do an ultrasound she didn't see it.  Our 32 week appointment and ultra sound was scheduled for Jan 2.  That morning I woke up praying for Millie and praying for the outcome of the scan.  I asked the Lord to prepare us for whatever the doctor had to say, but I honestly felt as though I already knew the outcome!  I found this verse: " Ah, Lord God!  It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You!" --Jeremiah 32:17
THE CYST WAS GONE!!!!!  Hallelujah!!!!  So thankful!  The Lord has been carrying us through this pregnancy and has kept Millie so unbelievably healthy!!!

I will admit I'm getting a little impatient!  7 more weeks seems like such a lifetime (I'm aware she could be earlier or later).  I'm starting to get a little "anxious" about childbirth...but I usually just try to veer my thoughts in another direction ;).
I am trying to enjoy this time I have left with my husband as just a small family of two, but it is definitely hard when there's such a MAJOR life change coming our way!  We are so ready to meet Miss Millie.


I'll end with all of the precious gifts Millie was spoiled with for Christmas! Ha
*My mom got her Baby Book and the most adorable lamb play/sleep mat:

*Ben's parents got her a Bible with her name, some monogrammed goodies, clothes, and book about how much Jesus loves her with their voices recorded reading it :))
*The Speers got her an inch worm rocker (soooo cute.. it's up in the pictures of the nursery), some pjs and a picture frame for the nursery!
*The Ceolas got her monogrammed burp cloths and the most precious and comfortable monogrammed blanket (it's also in the pictures of the nursery on the chair)
*Emily & Grant gave her an awesome leopard blanket and small blanky---mommy loves some leopard

Ready for Millie to be here to roll around and play with her cousin Brennan!