Baby and Such

Wow. So much life. So much that I haven't written about or documented. This has been a tough pregnancy, but an experience I'm so grateful for. What a wild ride. I've learned my need for Jesus in a whole new way these past few months. I've come face to face with moments of extreme weakness, fear, worry, sleepless nights and physical sickness. But I'm so very thankful for these. I've met my Lord in an entirely new way. He's calmed my fears, whispered comfort, and replaced those with immense peace and joy. Only our Father. Only He can give in that way.

Whew, I can't imagine the growth/learning that will occur once Baby actually gets here!

I'm 29 weeks today, leaving us just 11 weeks until Baby's ETA! Now that I'm not sick anymore, it feels like this pregnancy is flying by. He is moving and kicking like crazy all the time these days - a feeling I know I will miss after he is born. We had a Dr. appointment yesterday in the AM, and here are his latest stats:

He's still a boy (good thing, since his nursery is almost complete!)
He's measuring 15 1/2 inches long, and weights about 3 lbs, 2 oz
He's currently in the 73rd percentile for length and weight, so we have a big boy on our hands!
He has a full head of hair, which oddly, we could see in our sonogram yesterday

Here he is sucking his thumb. Can you see it? Ah, I just can't WAIT to get this little guy in my arms and kiss his face!

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Last weekend, four of my Nearest and Dearests held a shower for our little guy! It was so so wonderful, and we were so incredibly blessed. This baby is already so loved.

Kyle and I have had so much fun this week organizing all of his things in his little room. There is nothing sweeter than preparing for a baby's arrival! Kyle has been the greatest help in getting the room ready. I seriously think every night this week he has tackled the assembly of something "baby". This is not always an easy task! Who knew something for someone so little could be so complicated? Our crib finally came in last night, so it's almost complete. I'm waiting on a couple little odds 'n ends and then I will post some pictures.

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Holidays were wonderful. It's hard to believe we had a white Christmas last year seeing as it was in the 60's and 70's right up until Christmas Eve! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at the lakehouse this year (I'm still mourning the loss of my once-a-year breakfast in a cup at the Hennie's) and drove to in to town mid-morning to spend the rest of Christmas Day with the Roman clan. I can't quite wrap my head around the idea of having a 9-month-old next Christmas. My, how different things will be!

We celebrated Kyle's birthday on the 31st and enjoyed some fabulous company over at our house for the evening. We must be getting old... we barely made it to "ring-in" 2011 - even with a house full of guests! Pathetic, I tell you.

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Been camped out here the past couple of weeks:

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces will never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him

And saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,

And rescues them.

O taste and see the that LORD is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O fear the LORD, you His saints;

For to those who fear HIM there is no want.

The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

-Psalm 34:4-10, 19

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And lastly, because I've done such a terrible job of documenting my pregnancy, here's a (not so great) belly shot at 24 weeks. I'm substantially "rounder" now. :-)

P.S. It's snowing outside as I write.

That's all. :-)