36 weeks

36 weeks with Lily and Little Man

I think the two pictures are the most similar they have been this whole pregnancy! Lily had dropped by this point.

I been feeling a lot more tired this week, but it could be from all the rain we've been having! One concern that I've had is that I've only gained 18lbs (so far) with Little Man and I gained 25lbs with Lily. Even after two big Thanksgiving dinners I didn't gain anything. I mean, I'm ok with not gaining a lot, I just want our little boy to be getting enough nourishment! If I hadn't lost all my baby weight from Lily before I got pregnant again, I wouldn't really expect to gain as much, but I started at the exact same weight with both pregnancies. Anyway, I talked with my midwife, and she reassured me that everything is ok - that the baby is growing and doing fine. 

I'm busy this week getting out orders from my Etsy shop's Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sale and then I've got to get busy on Christmas shopping, goody baking, baby clothes organizing, and many other Christmas/Baby preparations!

Christmas Photo Cards

I have always loved getting Christmas cards and letters in the mail during the month of December. It's so fun to see how family and friends have grown up and changed. Last year was our first year to get photo cards printed of our little family. I loved sending them out and I can't wait to do it again this year!

So...Shutterfly has a huge selection of Christmas photo cards! I think I've been through them like three times to try to narrow down my favorites. Here are three of my favorites:

Which one do you like best?? I have the most trouble deciding on things like this, so if you have a favorite, please let me know!! ha.

Shutterfly also has awesome wall calendars which would make great gifts for grandparents or out of town family. I'm going to have to keep their super cute birthday invitations in mind for Lily's birthday next year - they are adorable and such a fun way to personalize a birthday party!

**Disclosure - I'm participating in Shutterfly's offer to bloggers for free photo cards in exchange for promoting their site. All opinions are my own. :-)

Thankful

These pictures were taken on a recent family getaway at a state park. Enjoy!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

God has truly blessed me beyond measure. My cup runneth over!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

35 weeks

35 weeks with Lily (on left) and Little Guy (on right)

In case anyone noticed, I missed doing a 34 week picture and update. Oh well, life happens! I'm doing really well and feeling great! I'm having a lot of contractions, but nothing out of the ordinary. Thankfully they aren't painful, just kind of annoying.

I can hardly believe we'll meet our little boy in 5ish weeks! This pregnancy has gone by so quickly! 

Rough Weekend

Please go check out my sister's blog and find out how you can help a crisis pregnancy center in great need! It's a fabulous opportunity to give during this time of year!

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So we had big plans this weekend of Jacob's mom keeping Lily so I could go to the symphony concert Jacob was playing in. We were all so excited about it, oh, and I was going to get to see a friend in the orchestra who is due with her first baby the same day I'm due with Little Guy.

But...

the lovely stomach bug hit...

like a freight train!!

It went through my sister's family, another couple from church, my Dad (amazingly my Mom and two brothers at home never got it!), Jacob, then me, then Lily. Thankfully by the time the bug got to my little family it was not as strong so we were not nearly as violently sick as those who had it before us! We were thankful for that!

So instead of pictures from the concert and with my pregnant friend and with Lily staying with her Grammie, here is a picture of my sweet, sweet Daddy who came over to keep Lily while I was sick. Since he'd already had the virus he wasn't spreading anything or getting anything. Jacob was busy with rehearsals (thankfully he only had to miss one) and it was such a blessing for my Daddy to come over so I could get a nap!

Praise the Lord, we are all feeling better now! Lily even loved the "green" smoothie I shared with her - in an effort to get more fresh fruits and veggies in us both.

I hope ya'll had a great weekend!

Miss Lily

My blog has sadly been missing pictures and updates of my sweet little girl! I've got to get better with this...especially since my blog is like a journal of our lives.

Lily has been quite busy growing up lately. Oh my! How much she has changed in such a short time! Here are some pictures from the last few weeks. Please excuse how most of them are "action" shots...but she is rarely still enough for a picture these days. ha!

 Lily is a pro at getting into things, but she is learning how to pick up after herself. 

 We've been enjoying some beautiful afternoons outside this week!

 Lily loves playing with "her" pumpkins! 

 I know these aren't the greatest pictures, but I had to show ya'll Lily's latest accomplishment - letting go and standing alone! Oh yes, she claps for herself too! So funny!

Yes, those are plastic containers and lids all over the floor. While I cook supper, Lily plays with them or pots and pans or other kitchen stuff. It keeps her occupied and I can get supper ready quickly.

Lily is the queen of funny faces! She squinches up her nose and grins, which everyone thinks is hilarious. Silly girl!

Ya'll have a great weekend!

33 weeks

33 weeks with Lily (on left) and Little Guy (on right)

I am carrying so low this time! Most of the non-maternity sweaters that I wore when I was pregnant with Lily are like belly shirts this time around! Ha. 

Only 45 days until Little Man's due date!!

Lily's Latest Video

She really can say "Bible" but I guess she was just distracted or something. Ha!

32 weeks

32 weeks with Lily and Little Guy

Only 8 weeks to go!! So much to do ... so little time! :-)

10 months

Where have the last 10 months gone?!? I have no idea, but today we are celebrating our sweet girl's 10 month birthday! My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for giving her to us. I just love being her mommy!

 So Miss Lily, what have you been up to lately?

• Walking along the furniture and sometimes letting go and standing for a few seconds
• Crawling at least 4 feet per second! LOL
• Trying to repeat everything Daddy and I say. It's crazy how many words she can say!

• Developing into quite a goofy little girl
• Making funny faces
• Eating everything that's put in front of her. She normally eats whatever we are eating and thankfully she hasn't shown any picky-ness, yet at least! 

• Wearing mostly 9 months size clothes but still some 6 month stuff here and there.
• She doesn't really like a sippy cup, but we're working on it.
• Playing a lot by herself.

• Reading books is one of her favorite things to do. 
• Exploring everything and everywhere (add that with her insane crawling speed and you know what this mommy is doing most of the day! ha)
• Teething - she now has 4 teeth on top and 4 on the bottom!

It's so hard to believe that in just a few short weeks you will be a year old! Daddy and I love you darling girl!