My baby is growing up!

Where did my baby go??  I can't believe Payton is almost 2!  Although it seems like forever ago that we were bringing her home from the hospital- I still can't believe how fast she has grown!  So Payton starts "school" on Thursday.  She will be going to Fielder Road's ECC.  I am a little sad but mostly excited for her!  I think she is gonna love it.  And its only 2 days a week from 9-2.  We had parent night Monday and then meet the teacher today.  Her teachers are really sweet and she already loves playing in her classroom.  She has been walking around the house all day with her backpack on her back.  It's super cute.  Hopefully, the drop off will go smoothly and there won't be much separation anxiety.  She has been with me, my mom, or my brother everyday since she was born so we will see how she adjusts!  Im excited for all this semester is going to bring :)  And I am a horrible picture taker so this is all I got of her meeting her teacher- not great but here they are:  

27 Weeks.

I am 27 weeks today!!  That means I am a week away from my 3rd trimester!  I am feeling pretty good these days.  The nausea and headache days seem to be in the distant past- Praise Jesus!  Got to hear our sweet baby girls heartbeat today.  She sounded great :)  Also had my glucose test this morning.  Everything looked great!  She is pretty active- mainly at night when I am trying to sleep :)  We still don't have a name for our little girl but hopefully it will come to us soon.  We are open to suggestions :)  Can't wait to meet this little girl!          

Today we went up to daddy's work to eat lunch with him.  I love Payton's face in this picture- pure joy!  She loves her daddy so much and loves spending time with him!  It was such a treat to see him during the day!!

What's going on with Baby??  Your baby's lungs and brain are beginning to mature. Although he'd have a good chance of survival if he were born now, he could use a few more weeks of growing. Added layers of fat are continuing to form. These layers will help your baby regulate his temperature once outside the womb and help keep him warm.

What's Next??  Baby Shower :)

Stats:

Baby's Size:  Cucumber (15 inches and 2.2 lbs)

Baby's heartbeat:  151 bpm 

Momma's weight: 134

Weight Gain:  6 pounds!!  

Days to go:  13 weeks!!!

Child like Faith

Since becoming a mother the Lord has grown me in ways I can't imagine.  Given me a deeper understanding of what His love is (though we will never be able to fully grasp it).  Through Payton, I have learned so much about Gods love and grace in my life.  Daily I am reminded of His blessings, forgiveness, peace, and presence.  Not only am I reminded of these things but God uses being a wife and mother to teach me and convict me- daily.  Today I had one of those moments.  After playing at the park and eating lunch, I put Payton in her crib for her nap.  She immediately sat down put her hands together, said "ray" (pray), and closed her eyes.  Man did my heart swell with pride.  She sat there with her head bowed and eyes closed as I thanked God for the park and nice weather.  Once I said Amen she threw her hands up in the air and said "Amen" and then laid down and closed her eyes for her nap.  This has been the 3rd or 4th time in the past 4 or 5 days she has reminded me to pray (wether before dinner or bedtime or just because she wants to).  After leaving her room, I started thinking about my time with Him this past week.  The Lord was convicting me about my lack of time in prayer and reading of His word this past week.  How easily I have been distracted with everyday life and getting things done.  Thankful for my sweet 21 month old daughter who reminds me to pray without ceasing- to pray in all things.  Thankful for teachable moments through simple things.  Thankful the Lord draws me near to Him when I am unfaithful.  Thankful for forgiveness and grace.  God is good to me indeed :)  Just gonna leave ya with a little bit of Scripture I meditated on today:

"Praise the Lord.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  Wealth and riches are in their house and their righteousness endures forever.  Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.  Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.  Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.  The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing."  Psalm 112 

  

            

Park Day

Is it really August??  Man this summer has just flown by!  And the weather today feels like fall...  I love it!  I can't wait for fall/holidays.  Today is a beautiful day!  It hasn't reached 90 degrees yet :)  So me and Payton hit up the park this morning.  We have only been to the park a few times this summer because the heat is unbearable and I haven't been at my best the first months of my pregnancy.  Thankfully, I am past that!  Payton LOVES being outside.  We spent almost 2 hours at the park.  Then we came home and ate some lunch and she was ready for her nap.  So I thought I would blog real quick to post these precious pics.  Here are some other pics: 

She is such a big girl.  She can do it all by herself now!

She just melts my heart

She was so happy

Payton starts her "school" next week so we plan on doing some fun things and scratch some more things off our summer bucket list.  Payton will be going to Fielder Road's school/mothers day out program this year.  She will only be going Tuesday/Thursday for the day.  I think she is going to really enjoy it and it will help me be able to get some work done as well.  

Enjoy this beautiful day that the Lord has made :)    

Friday Night

Last night we went with our friends to the circus to celebrate Sara's birthday.  It was weird being at the circus without Payton but it was a lot of fun!  It's always nice to go out and hang with our friends!  Payton stayed the night with Nana and Papa.  She loves staying with them!  Be sure to check out the video of Pay Pay at the end of the post!    

Can't tell from this pic but we had to sit in a hail storm for 10 minutes before moving.  People had stopped under the bridge so we were stuck :(

But we finally made it.  I only had my phone so my pics aren't very good.

Lions!

And....  I am almost 26 weeks and you can finally tell I am pregnant :)  I swear my belly grew over night!  And with the bigger belly comes the lovely heartburn!    

Payton at Nana and Papa's!  I love this video!

24 Weeks

I am 24 weeks today.  I can't believe I am already 24 weeks- time is flying by.  And I know it only goes faster from here on out.  The past few days haven't been the best.  Saturday, I woke up with a sore throat.  Nothing too bad but then Sunday I woke up with a horrible cough, sore throat, runny nose and a lot of congestion.  I felt terrible.  I went to my 24 week checkup today and it turns out I have bronchitis :(  I have zero energy and can barely get up without feeling like I am gonna pass out.  I know God would give me the strength if I had to do it all on my own but I am so thankful I don't have to.  I am so thankful for my amazing husband who has been taking care of Payton, cooking dinner (well going to get dinner) and serving me so much.  I am so thankful for my lil brother and parents who have been keeping Payton during the day so I can rest.  I don't know what I would do without them.  The Lord has been good.    

What's going on with Baby??  Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is your baby a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there's no pigment yet.

What's Next??  Glucose test- fun fun :)  

Stats:

Baby's Size:  Ear of Corn (8.5 inches and 1.5lbs)

Baby's heartbeat:  153bpm 

Momma's weight: 131

Weight Gain:  3 pounds!!  

Days to go:  16 weeks!!!

Four Years

Thankful for 4 years with this man.  He is a great husband, friend, and daddy.  I love him more than words can say.  He is the greatest thing (outside my salvation in Christ) that has happened to me.  And he has given me two of the greatest gifts in this world- my baby girls.  Can't wait to see how God is going to move, stretch, and use us in the years to come.  Here's to many many more years together :)