He is the Lord's

Since Drew and I saw that pregnancy test stating we were pregnant with our dear Peyton, we knew he wasn't ours. We are fully aware that God gives us every precious gift, without Him we are nothing. Because of that, we are amazed that God chose us to take care of Peyton, for however long or short he chooses. Mother's Day (one week shy of a year from when we found out we were pregnant last year) we publicly shared that mindset that Peyton is not ours but rather God's with our church family. We dedicated Him to the Lord, praying that he will follow Him all the days of His life, and praying that Drew and I will train Peyton exactly how God wants Him to be. We sure are glad that Peyton is in His hands, and not ours!

That alone was the perfect first Mother's Day. We also spent the afternoon with our dear friends the Kings and Hayes'. As a result, Drew, Peyton and I had dinner together on Tuesday night and Drew rented a girly movie for us to watch. He also gave me an upgrade for a massage gift card I already had, which mean twice the amount of time for a wonderful Swedish massage next week.

less than a month

 The before picture was taken less than a month ago. The after was taken a week ago. It's amazing how your life can change in less than a month!

God's Perfect Time

Since finding out on Thursday that my induction would be this Wednesday, I have had a vast variety of different emotions wash over me. While I feel extremely prepared, [well as prepared as one can be having her first child] the unknown is also scary. There are just some things in life, that no matter how many classes you take or advice you get, you can't fully know what to expect until you yourself experience it. I definitely feel like this is one of those things. My nerves are here, probably to stay. I had a sleepless night on Friday but thankfully Saturday and Sunday nights I slept great! Drew keeps reminding me

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Phil. 4:6)

I love that simply stopping right when he says that, and praying, makes all the difference in the world.

What am I wondering/worrying/contemplating these days? I think any mother knows the answer to that. How labor will go. Will my baby be okay. You know, the basics. ;) I think the biggest thing for me though, is the thought of  our family moving from two to three.

 "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God" - Corrie Ten Boom

Don't get me wrong, I have prayed and am SO thrilled to be having Peyton. I truly believe God has called me to be a mom and I am so looking forward to my time cherishing this precious boy.

That being said, those of you that know me know that I am extremely in love with my husband. I am jealous of my time with him. We have been best friends/together for 8 years. (Well, February 1st it will be 8 years.) He is an amazing husband and I know he is going to make an amazing dad. There is just a little anxiety in my heart that I have to share him. ;) Adjustments. Unknowns. It's unfamiliar territory and I'm simply proceeding with caution. Praying that God will give me twice the love I have for Drew now so I can share it, because lets get real, I'm not going to start loving Drew less. ;)

I am in awe of the miracles that have come in my life. The fact I do love my husband, to some, is a miracle. The fact I am about to have a baby, is a miracle. The fact God has entrusted me with both... to love unconditionally, take care of selflessly, and pray for continually, is a miracle. I'm humbled and overwhelmed at the task before me. I'm also giddy and have butterflies with how wonderfully my life is about to change.

This is what I know:

I am about to have a baby boy that will need everything from me. Love, care, shelter, food, and knowledge of Jesus.

I have a husband that has been great throughout this pregnancy. Helpful, supportive, sacrificial, and super excited about loving this baby.

I have a God who knows every detail of my life - past and present. He knows what lies ahead this week, He knows that I can handle it because He does not give us things we cannot handle. My God has conquered the grave, and will give me the power to do everything I need to do... and when I don't feel like I can do something... maybe, just maybe, I don't need to do it. I.E. - having a spotless house, pleasing everyone, ultimately being 'super mom'.

I have an amazing support system that loves me, Drew and Peyton already. Their thoughts, prayers, and help - even before Peyton's birth day - have been the encouragement and strength that I have needed, and will need in the future! 

So yes, while I know there are many adjustments ahead. While I know that the unknown is scary. Thankfully I don't have to worry or be anxious. Because my God already knows. and HE knows I'm ready.

"This new season looms and I don't know what is next. But He doesn't need me to be ready for this season because HE. IS. READY. He just needs me to be clinging to His feet. Now. Is God's perfect time." - Katie Davis 

(Wednesday's blog-post from this girl was just what I needed. You should head over to The Journey and read it for yourself if you are finding yourself in a new season of life!)

An End in Sight

Drew and I headed to our VERY LONG Doctor's appointment this afternoon. It went well and there is in fact an end in sight to being pregnant. YAY!!

1:30 - NST went well, he as usual took his sweet time but showed us that the placenta was doing its job and Peyton is a happy little boy in there.

2:30 - Ultrasound  was fun. :) I loved seeing our little man. We had one to check his weight, and it showed he was 8 pounds 3 ounces... give or take a pound. They can't be too specific due to him being scrunched up, but it's a ballpark number! He is a cutie and had his lips puckered up, which could mean oh so many things! ;)

3:30ish we saw Dr. M. He said my sugars look decent... not great but they could definitely be worse. I'm trying, I really am! ;) He checked for progress and *heads up, TMI for some of you* I'm about a fingertip. Meaning, not much progress, but better than nothing. ;)

He then explained that he is hoping there will be some progress between now and next week, buuuuttt if there isn't I have another appointment on Tuesday. If there has been some progress I will go to the hospital at 10AM Wednesday morning (that's when Dr. M is on call, and we would definitely prefer to have him deliver our baby) for an induction! If I haven't had any progress, I will go in the hospital Tuesday night for Cervadill which is a drug that will help ripen the cervix. Then I will already be there and hopefully ready by Wednesday morning for the Potocin. Obviously, I would rather not have the drugs, so prayers for my labor to start on my own are appreciated. BUT I also know that they don't let pregnant women with diabetes go past their due date, and I'd rather have the meds than a c-section later. Sooo.... yay for having an end in sight!!

The Reveal

Many of you have been asking if Peyton's room is all ready. You want pictures and details so here they are. Peyton's room is pretty much done although some decorations still need tweaking. We're just waiting on him now!!

 Coming in the room... bags packed! ;)

 That seat sure is comfy!

 Thanks to all the hand-me-down toys! Peyton's already super blessed!

 Come on little buddy. We're ready for you!

Doctor Visit

Well I went to the Dr. again. I have been going every week since before Thanksgiving because of the diabetes. I'll definitely be glad when it's over! They are doing NSTs (Non-Stress Tests) every week to make sure that Peyton isn't in any distress due to the meds I'm on. So far they all have been fine. My Strep B test came back negative which is nice to not have to deal with that during labor. I am not dilated at all yet. My stomach is back to measuring big. (It's supposed to measure they same as the week you are on. 36cm = 36 weeks..) I'm not quite 38 weeks according to my Dr but measuring 39cm. He decided he is going to do a Sonogram next week to measure Peyton's weight. I think I've mentioned that an issue with gestational diabetes is that the baby could be bigger which causes complications with delivery and possible hypertension or other things after birth. I'm so blessed to have a Dr I trust so I know I can rest easy that he is monitoring the best he can and will do whatever is necessary. There was talk of induction, if the baby is big or my sugars aren't where they should be. He said he would talk about that in my 39th week, but only if there is some progress towards labor (dilation). He doesn't think it would help things if my body isn't ready, it would just put me through a lot of drugs and days in the hospital before Peyton came. My sugars are a little off this week. It was kinda disappointing because last week was great! I'm not eating any differently so it's frustrating when they are high, but Dr. m still doesn't seem too concerned since my fastings are always good. Oh well, a couple weeks at the most and this baby will be in my arms... YAY!

The Last Month!

- oh the waddling! - whether it's due to having to pee or being super sore, it's here
- having an achy back/hips

- acid reflux acting up like crazy

- I finally surrendered and let Drew paint my nails... yay for being OCD, he did a superb job!

- alien like movements from outside of my belly

- I started packing for the hospital

- Peyton's nursery is getting close to being done!

- No more work for me
- itchy belly due to stretching
- the strong desire to clean and be productive

- the cravings a getting bad because I want sugar and CARBS!

- laundry for baby begins

- help to put my socks on is GREATLY appreciated!
- Can't eat more than one bite of the best steak I've every eaten because there is no room in my belly after just some fries and a salad

- I finally had a 'boring' Dr appointment. Which entailed measuring my baby and checking his heartbeat.
- I get up much easier in the morning if Drew helps me get out of bed, otherwise there is much moaning
- I take back my previous itchy point... apparently there is a pregnancy rash and I've got it... red, bumpy, SUPER itchy and the only way to get rid of it is to have the baby. Oh Peyton please hurry!

- Peyton tried to claw his way out a couple weeks ago!
- comments like "you look like your going to pop" or "can't be too much longer right?" are a daily occurrence
- we have thrown out loads of trash due to our now organized guest closet, office, bathroom closet, and bed side tables
- Drew officially had a 'holy cow' moment due to us buying two boxes of diapers

- Our third anniversary included going to pick up our glider for Peyton's room, buying diapers because we had coupons that were close to expiring, and then yummy Outback where I could barely eat the best steak ever because there was no room!

Love.

THANK YOU MARY FOR TAKING SUCH AMAZING PICTURES!! SURE DO APPRECIATE YOU!

every week checks for the diabetes

I went to the doctor on Thursday. The week before I was told I needed to go on Metformin. That is a medicine for my diabetes because the low-carb diet alone is not doing the trick. This medicine isn't insulin, it is just something to help my insulin do its job better. So Thursday I went and had to take a NST (Non-Stress Test) to make sure that the medicine wasn't affect Peyton negatively. They just monitor his heartbeat, make sure he gets excited a couple times/moves around and then your done. Mine took about an hour (Some only take 10 minutes) because as we already know, Peyton doesn't cooperate for tests. After we woke him up with ice water he did much better and all looks well. :)

Then I saw Dr. M and he looked at my sugar log. They are still a little high for his liking. While he said he wouldn't be concerned at all if it was just me, the fact I'm pregnant makes him want my numbers lower. So I am not on the meds twice a day. I'll go back this coming Thursday for them to do another NST and check my sugar logs. Thankfully, they look way better so far so hopefully that will get me back on track for the rest of the pregnancy.

Dr. M did mention that at the rate seems to be growing, along with the diabetes, there is a chance of induction a week or two early but we all know that could change. All I'm hoping for is a healthy baby boy, even if he is a chunky monkey!

Side-notes:
I am getting super anxious to meet Peyton. I'm pretty giddy over it actually! We sure do love him to death already!


I'm craving so much more now that I literally can't have so many things that I love. Thankfully I have great friends that will provide me sweets once Peyton is out of my belly and in my arms. Until then, I'll admit, I get a tad emotional over not having snacks  or sweets when my sugar is high.

Babymoon [51]

 Drew and I have heard by multiple couples that getting away for a couple days is super important before you have your baby. You know, since your life changes slightly when you become a family of three. ;) Our 3 year anniversary is also in a month, so we decided to take Saturday and Sunday and go out of town. Oh my goodness was it needed!! No thinking about school, or worries. Just two friends hanging out.

Drew wouldn't tell me where he was taking me, but we ended up in Greensboro. Thanks to Expedia we ended up at Grandover Resort. Apparently Michael Jordan has hosted his golf tournaments there. It was a beautiful golf course and spa. It was delightful. :)

 Once we got settled in, we went out to a mall to walk around, do a little Christmas shopping, grab a Cinnabon (for Drew) and then ended up at Chili's of course! We went back to the hotel where we swam, well stuck our feet in the water, spent some time praying/reading the bible searching for verses we want out Peyton to grow up knowing. I was introduced to Stratego, which is a game that Drew has been begging and pleading asking me to play with him for about a year. We watched the end of the Tech game although I fell asleep pretty quick.

The next morning we slept in, and then headed to Fuddruckers (where else? Drew picks our vacation routes based on where there is a Chili's and Fudd's). It was quite delicious. We went to the Tanger Outlets  for the afternoon, and then headed home. Then we had dinner with Drew's brother Bryan and our soon to be sister in law. I'd say it was a wonderful, and MUCH needed getaway. Now to finish these last two weeks of school and then enjoy the holidays!!

Family Traditions [50]

 I am sure most would agree that family traditions are a necessity. Well I LOVE decorating our house for Christmas with my husband. A little Christmas music, cookies baking in the over (don't worry I paced myself while eating, and my sugar stayed under control), and white twinkling lights to guide our way. I think my favorite part of decorating is sitting on the couch afterwards in the dark room, only lit by Christmas lights, snuggling with my man eating cookies! I'd say that was a good way to spend last Tuesday. Right before that we had our baby class so Peyton was anticipated and massages were given. Ahhh...

32 weeks