Fun things about the weekend...I'm on a roll :)

Nothing riveting or exciting here - just us being us ~ enjoy...

Breakfast Burgers



Fresh ground coffee via our own Sat. morning barista



Feet up @ every chance - taking mental pictures to remember what they look like :)



Celebrating 33 weeks!
(text on shirt, "Ugly Truth", is no reflection of current state of mind - pretty funny, though!)



Enjoying the view :)



Marveling @ our lil' Picasso's color palette - brush, water, color, paper - if only we could get the order down!



Tackling and ultimately defeating Mt. Pile'O'Laundry
(notice all the pink in pile #5 - scored big @ Friday's consignment sale)



Discovering new book nooks



Relaxing in the peace of an at home, altogether kinda weekend



Soaking up the laughter of our lil' man - laughed himself right out of a couple of time outs (how can we be serious amidst all that charm?!)



Beautiful azaleas



Man-time in the bed of Deddy's truck



I stretched out on the floor w.John last night after dinner. Seth, bless his soul, had total clean up b/c vertical was no longer a position I could handle. As I was laying there, playing animals w.John - him often distracted w.his new Ice Age Movie (watched it 23 times this weekend), I found myself rubbing his feet. Specifically, I was running my fingers over the pads of his lil' toes...marveling at the lil' human Seth & I created. His beautiful skin, his 10 lil' toes, his ever-spinning mind...God gave us such a beautfiul, bright-hearted child. In looking at his 10 toes, I smiled to myself thinking of 10 more growing inches away from him in my belly. Pretty soon there will be 40 toes in our house - I couldn't help but wonder...when all is said and done, how many toes will fill our family :) As I'm typing I'm almost shaking my head at the silliness of that thought - but I'm counting the blessings in it too...

After John went to bed last night, found ourselves upstairs on the couch chatting...
I told Seth how I thought a picture on the wall (the big one of me & John - his head in the palm of my hand @ 7 wks old) was leaning left. That or all the pictures were slightly tilted left - he confirmed that it was in fact, only the big one. Good to know :)

That 7 weeks wasn't much older than this:


More importantly, we talked about the # of Saturdays between now & Ella's due date - six to be exact. That number seems so tee-tiny. I talked some about selfish prayers I've been praying...praying that Ella will be a lil' girl - that the ultrasound tech got it right and praying for her health - that she be as healthy as John. Not that a variation in either of those would make me love her any less, but I'm human & those are the thoughts that cross my mind. I do a pretty good job of trusting those things that are out of my hands to God - but I have my moments...I, like any mother, want the best for my children and my family.

Brings me back to the verse that puts it all in perspective:
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Feeling blessed to see my future in the love I have wrapped around John and Ella. Knowing hope b/c I have a heavenly Father that lovingly gives me more Earthly blessings than I deserve. Those "heart be still" moments I find myself in so often - I know they're God's loving arms around me, his whispers of "I Love You".

Hope everyone has a blessed week - Happy almost-September!

Open Heart
He told me one time he forgot himself & his heart opened up like a door with a loose latch & he tried for days to put it all back in proper order but finally he gave up & left it all jumbled up there in a pile & loved everything equally.

~Story People~

Fun things about the weekend...mental pictures :)

Been a while since I've done one of these - w.this ever-growing belly I'm finding less and less "script" in living at times. Life's on the cusp of forever being changed again and the reigns seemingly get looser and looser. Depending on what day you ask - this is either freeing or terrifying...today its the former :)

Went to Winston this weekend - Seth went to Wilmington. I was not anticipating any solo trips to Winston this late in my pregnancy...no need to hash out the anxiety in choosing to be here by myself w.a spirited 2 yr old or making a solo jaunt w.same spirited 2 yr old, 32 week old baby constantly toe-twinkling my seemingly shrinking bladder and Salem Belle. Despite the anxiety of both choices and the heeming & hawing right up until friday afternoon, I chose the road trip. Feeling blessed that I did. Because I'm the queen of not picking up the camera these days (something I plan to work on once this belly goes down), here's the weekend in mental pictures :)

**John breaking Seth's heart when leaving Friday evening. Saying our good-byes, looking up at Seth confused, w.those baby blues, "Deddy not get in car?" I could only give Seth a sympathetic grin - what a loaded question for a Deddy packing up his family for the weekend**

**John refusing to go to sleep the 1st hour of the car ride - busy looking around the seat & out the windshield, "Pappaw's house?" so afraid he was going to miss it if he finally gave in to those yawns**

**Sitting at the kitchen table w.my mom till way past my bedtime - having one of our talks. There's been a million talks in that kitchen w.my mom. Some used to find me sitting on the kitchen cabinet, some have found me stretched out on the floor, some have been filled w.tears, many with smiles and laughter. Friday's was me, tired feet up in a chair - her hands on my belly feeling Ella's sunshine**

**Waking up Saturday morning (long before the sun thought about shining) and enjoying the quiet of the morning w.my lil' early riser. Holding hands to pray before eating breakfast w.my parents & John. Breakfast burgers :) John's favorite**

**An early run to the "big-store" silly bandz for John, comfy pants for Mama and good (even better cause it was cheap) hand soap for Nana**

**John's persistent attempts to avoid nap time - lots of arm loaded trips w.his doggies up & down the hall. Gettin' caught by Nana trying to sneak out the front door w.his doggies. No verbal resistance w.each failed-attempt...just a quiet about-face and back to bed**

**Sunning on the back porch w.my mama - been a lot of that in my lifetime. After a futile attempt at napping amidst a lot of "booping" from Miss Ella, I was quick to put on my bathing suit & plop my happy butt in the wading pool warming up for John**

**Watching John make the trek across the grass countless times to Granny & Pappaw's house. The heart swell at knowing the miles I've traveled through that same grass in my lifetime and seeing my son running just as quickly as I probably did 25 years ago**

**The smiles seeing John brought to my Granny & Pappaw's face w.those countless visits. My granny saying, almost laughing "He talks all the time doesn't he?!" Me shaking my head in proud agreement, "He sure does!"**

**The great shoe hunt and discovery (under the couch cushion will be a first place they look from now on, I bet). The mental picture of the weekend - my Pappaw (Big John) sitting on the side of the bed, my Deddy (Johnny Boy) and my John sitting on the floor in front of him helping him put on his shoes. 3 generations of John's and a full circle of life all in one picturesque moment**

**Watching episodes of I Love Lucy in kitchen Sunday morning w.my mom - full belly laughs early in the morning. Another breakfast, more good coffee and another family meal - earmarks of good weekends**

**A visit from Mimi & sweet Griffin. John negotiating balloons, green was obviously not a color for sharing. Seeing how much our lil' nephew's growing - such a sweet, sweet baby. Hugs and sugars from Mimi - oh, and a sweet treat from Bojangle's :)**

**A final trip across the yard to say bye to Granny & Pappaw - some of the best hugs of the weekend. Promises to see them soon - leaving w.smiles on both their faces**

**Packing up the car, ready to leave, John affirming from Pappaw's boat, "I not go home!" (repeat 8 times). John still chanting this as he's being strapped into his car seat - waving his goodbyes and blowing sugars as we backed out the driveway. Feeling blessed that he aches to be there w.his Nana & Pappaw the same way I do**

**Finally pulling in the garage at 1601 - out of the pouring rain, Deddy opening the door - the amount he missed us all over his face. Laying on the couch together watching John's new movie (thanks Mimi) - legs/arm all tangled, enjoying being home & together**

**A good end to the weekend - sharing Chilly Willy's on the front porch. John couldn't get off his lil' motorcycle fast enough when cutting it back into the driveway when he spotted me having a treat on the porch w.out him. As he's smiling running down the sidewalk, coming up the steps saying, "I have some?" - his some, meant most**

A full and blessed weekend. Good to feel grass between my toes, good to sleep in what will always, in my mind, be "my room" and good to rest knowing my baby and my parents are footsteps away. A peace in that I can't explain. Blessed to have a safe trip back to our home and the apple of my eye & John's there to greet us. Keeps me coming back to something a former co-worker said to me recently..."you're just blessed and there's nothing you can do about it!" That couldn't ring more true :)

Dear Ella ~ 31 Weeks...

Hey there sweet girl. Been meaning to write for a while...kind of finding it hard to know where to start :)

We're at 31 weeks now - hard to believe. Went to the dr. yesterday. I found they are most efficient w.keeping to their appt times when I schedule around lunch (apparently they get hungry like the rest of us). At any rate, had already peed, weighed in, checked BP, talked to the dr., listened to your heartbeat and was sitting up when your Deddy finally got brought back. His defeat at having missed the whole show was quickly apparent & the dr. said she'd goop me back up so he could hear your lil' heartbeat. She scored big brownie points w.that! You measured fine & your heart rate was good - right on track!

My blood pressure was "slightly elevated", which didn't surprise me. Campus is abuzz w.the arrival of all the munchkins this week, so my lil' world's been much busier than usual. Combined w.all this looming heat and a lil' anxiety here & there - again, just not too surprised. This made for a good seigway to talk about our "late ultrasound" promised to us in one of our 1st pre-natal appointments. In looking back at my chart from John - his size & the high BP at the end of my pregnancy w.him...the dr. said we'd schedule an ultrasound at 38 weeks & discuss possible induction at 39 depending on how the BP's looking. She said your size would not be good reason for induction - going into labor on my own would be the ideal. But if my BP jumps up in these later weeks, we might not be waiting on you to get the ball rolling!

I was a ball of I don't even know what after that appt. yesterday. These week #s beginning w.3, the time frame est. for that far & away "late ultrasound" discussed months ago, the imminence of it all - just a tad hard to swallow. The reality of pulling in that parking deck w.an overnight bag, bypassing the door to the dr's office and making that curve around the sidewalk into the "Birth Center" - still trying to swallow. I can't believe in a single digit # of weeks - you will be in our arms, we will feel your 1st breaths on our face, we'll hear your 1st cries, we'll look into those brand new eyes, we'll count your lil' fingers & toes and we'll plant these building kisses head to toe - soaking up every inch of our sweet lil' girl. Heart...Be...Still...

Bought the 1st lil' pack of diapers for you yesterday (thank you Target for the $3 off coupon) and I emphasize the lil' part. Couldn't help myself & busted them open last night during John's bath - your Deddy & I both were in awe. As we were watching John "wimming" around in the bath tub, trying to find the spiders hiding under the bubbles, looking a his lil' tushy & back at that tee-tiny diaper...disbelief. We asked John what it was & he didn't even have an answer right away (which for him is shocking). We explained that it was a diaper for you - confusion washed over his face as he looked back and forth from that diaper to my belly. I don't presume to know what he was thinking, but I interjected with a "for when she gets here" to help clarify :)

On their way home yesterday, your Deddy asked John who's in my belly. John said, "my sister" - that's the 1st time either of us heard him use the word sister. Getting better, when asked your name, he said "baby Ella" & to top it all Deddy got him to say "I love you Ella". I got my 1st unprompted, "I love you Mommy" the other night...let me tell you, you're already making an impression w.your big brother :) His lil' love for you is growing each day and I think he's going to be the butter to your bread when you get here. I finally finished up your lil' book box this weekend, but when I started it the other week, John asked his famous, "Mama, what you doin'?" I told him I was fixing you a book box like his. He looked at the box, walked away, only to return a couple minutes later w.a book from his box "for baby Ella!" Heart...be...still

Don't get me wrong - John's as proprietary as anyone I've ever seen with what's his & not yours. He will gladly remind you of this w.a "mine" or a "no touch, please". However, given that you will be his sister, you'll probably rank right up there w.his cherished dinosaurs :)

Your lil' room has seen some final touches and is pretty much ready for you. Made you your very own compilation Praise Baby CD last week. Will be working on your Bedtime w.the Beatles one sooner than later. Your lil' radio is plugged in and ready to go. Been testing out your glider some evenings after putting John to bed. I plant myself there and rock while gazing around - fading daylight coming through the blinds. Many nights find your Deddy stretched across the floor, Salem Belle curled up at his side. Chester usually meanders in too looking for a nuzzle. You will never have to be alone in our house :) This time is usually spent dreaming of you, remarking how much our lives will be changed and counting our already present blessings - the biggest one currently being that bright little soul that will sleep down the hall from you.

We are so thankful and humbled that God is multiplying our blessings by giving us another child. Our anticipation far outweighs the doubts and fears this time around - your brother is a shining reminder of all the joy you are going to bring to our family. We are so excited to meet you sweet girl - your family already loves you so much...

Continue to grow and thrive - I know it won't be just me & you much longer. I admit, this part does make me a lil' sad - like John, I'm kinda proprietary too (he gets it honestly). I know the time where I have to share you w.this world is quickly drawing near. I won't be the only one to really feel & know all your lil' sunshine. I won't be the only one who gets quiet moments w.you filled w.whispers of love and all the wonderful people and life that await you. I know that those moments of reaching down and knowing you're right here, close as my heart are also going to be a sweet memory in a short time. Heart...Be...Still...

You are loved sweet girl - continuing to pray, await patiently & give thanks for the promise of you...

Growing each day...my heart with you ~ Mama

look at the little feet, look at the little hand - there is something there only I can understand...need to protect you, keep you from harm...you could live your whole life, wrapped up in my arms...