Celebrating 31 weeks of Bekham and 2 years of Marriage!

Well what a weekend we had! I love nothing more than quality time spent with my husband. This past weekend truly made me realize how little of it we have! 3 whole days together was bliss! Date nights just don't add up to the quality and length of time spent together on vacation! We didn't do any wild partying or sight seeing- but we did everything together, and that's really all that matters to me! It wasn't so fun being pregnant at the beach. I felt like a whale in my bikini and was embarrassed to be seen at the resort in that get-up. I also didn't feel too attractive in my clothing for the evenings. The belly is getting a little large! However, it was fun to be asked by so many when we were expecting and hear congratulations from them as well! Here is the Boardwalk Inn, where we stayed! We had a HUGE king-sized bed with white pillows and white sheets. I requested extra pillows and built my pregnant self QUITE the fort :) It was bliss!!

This was the entrance to the Inn

These doors led to the 4 pools and boardwalk to the beach!

We got to Isle of Palms extremely late Thursday night/early Friday morning. Not much sleep came to us that night and we were back at it around 7am. I was working and Nick had to get ready to go out to see some customers. Oh, real quick, here was a view from our balcony!

We went to a cute little shop for breakfast where we both got bagel sandwiches. The strip pictured below had shops up and down both sides. The spa, the fitness center, a couple restaurants, some shops etc. Our favorite breakfast spot was here: Hudson's Market.

After Nick left, I spent the majority of the day working. We did grab a quick lunch at a fun spot called Dunes Deli, and then back to work for me! We got a little pool time in on Friday just before a rain shower struck! Then we headed in to shower up for dinner! We ate at a restaurant called the Lettered Olive, right next to our breakfast joint! It was delicious!

We decided to go on a frozen yogurt hunt. I'm sure Bekham will love soft serve yogurt as much as we do! We found a true gem. TCBY yogurt bar. I've always said TCBY has the best yogurt, if only you could "top it" yourself. Well, someone heard my wish in Mt. Pleasant, SC!

After ice cream, we retired early for the night. Saturday morning, I slept in until 8:00am. Anyone who knows me knows, this is HUGE. It was so nice to truly rest that long- uninterrupted! With nowhere to be! No stress on my mind! Once we rallied, we went down to the hotel restaurant to eat a sit down breakfast.

We both ate huge omelets and then went for about a 2.5-3 mile walk around the resort. Here are some shots we took along the way!

Entrance to the strip of shops/restaurants

The large fountain up in front

This was me in front of the whole complex before I was a sweaty mess for the rest of the day!

We got back and headed straight to the beach/pool until lunch time! This was the lovely walk to the beach on the boardwalk

A view from the pool

My man on the beach

This was the view looking back from the beach onto our resort

Too many pictures?! Sorry! We ended up walking about another 3-4 miles getting to and from our lunch spot. It was called the SandBar and it was located at the golf course clubhouse. It was a nice walk. The paths are covered with huge trees and there are villas and condos and houses to look at all along the way! We loved it. Daydreamed about what it would be like to bring Bekham back, or one day own a second home (HAH). Doesn't hurt to dream, right!?

In baby news, Bekham is doing very well! I've never known him to be so active! It's almost constantly that I feel him moving or jerking. He pushes out pretty strong against my belly and that's always pretty crazy! Nick and I constantly try to guess what body part we might be feeling, but we never can quite tell! He's an active little peanut and we love it!

Here's the 31 week belly shot. He certainly is growing. I must say, I'm so ready for him to get here. Bending over to shave or put on shoes is quite the task and I could really handle a smaller belly pretty soon! Or at least a less firm one that allowed more movement :)

We have a doctors appointment coming up this Thursday which will mark 32 weeks! Feels like 40 weeks is forever away, but, we can do it! I love this little boy! We also have another 3D appointment on Wednesday evening. Also pretty stoked about that as well. Another sneak peek at this guy? Yes please!! This time we are getting a 30 minute session, so hopefully he'll move around enough to really get some good profile or face shots! 

I feel rushed to finish this post. My day was absolutely INSANE today at work. I didn't get home until about 6:15 - rushed to put dinner on the table- and now I am rushing to wrap this up so that I can get a couple more things done!

My verse for you this week baby boy: 

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Your daddy and I love you so much already and pray for you daily! We can't wait to meet you and kiss and love all over you!

30 Weeks and Counting Down!

We made it to 30 weeks! This pregnancy milestone seemed like it was years away when I first found out I was pregnant and now here we are! Almost 20 pounds heavier, but otherwise doing just fine! Baby is moving and jerking in ways that can often be quite uncomfortable. However, I do take comfort (despite the irony) in knowing his movements mean all is well and he is healthy!

We had our 30 week appointment on Thursday and everything went fine! I measured perfectly. His heart rate was perfect. No complaints! The midwife explained the way that the hospital shifts work with my practice. I may or may have a familiar face in the labor and delivery room, but that's okay. The only familiar face I need is Nick's anyways! The midwife did suggest that I stop jogging. I listened, as many will be shocked to find out. I have only been doing the elliptical which is actually quite nice. I am reading books at quite a rapid pace now!

In other news, we had our hospital tour on Saturday afternoon and honestly, it was exhilarating. I loved every minute of it! I pictured myself from the very first step we will take inside the hospital in a couple of months to the moment we walk out with little Bekham and it was all so real. I feel ready! The tour guide showed us how the beds can break apart to allow you to squat or do whatever position you feel is necessary during contractions. They have a huge shower/tub where you can stand if you need the warm water running on you during labor. The room is HUGE for walking around and pacing. We have a TV with a DVD/CD player if we want to bring music or even DVD's to watch to take my mind off the pain. I realize this will be no walk in the park. I have no intention of popping in a season of friends and having a baby in my arms by the time the credits roll. However, I do think it will be a good distraction rather than to be sitting/standing/squatting/ in total silence while everyone is staring at me! After delivery, we move up to a family room that is significantly smaller. The tour guide explained how there will be 2 times a day where they take the baby to the nursery. Once in the morning for a check up with the pediatrician on staff, and once again in the evening to weigh him. Other than that, we can have him with us as much as we want. She also explained how they are huge proponents of skin to skin time right after the baby is born. I guess when a baby is placed on mom's skin, everything regulates. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing. They generally stop crying. WHY WOULDN'T A MOM DO THIS!? Anyways- it was just reassuring to know that there was a staff of employees who want whats best for the baby, not just want the baby out- whatever it takes. It seemed like they won't push an epidural on me until I'm ready. They encourage patients to walk the halls and let labor progress naturally. Well, I'm sure you've had enough mental pictures from this paragraph!

I did want to share this one photo my mom took of me Friday. I had been craving this frozen yogurt called KEMPS for a good month or two. She finally found the brand at Kroger and snapped a photo of my first scoop! It was everything I had imagined... and more! Yes, my stomach is quite large!

I wear the same thing every night. Those gray shorts, and either a white or gray maternity tank. Not a feast for any husband's eyes- but a girl's gotta be comfortable when she's got a stomach the size of a cantaloupe!

The rest of the weekend was chaos. I went to one of my friend's baby shower as soon as we got back from the hospital tour. She made out with some great stuff! Really made me excited about my shower in October! After that, I raced home and then we went out to eat with Nick's aunt at California Pizza Kitchen. I ate my whole pizza. Solo. Thats right. Sunday morning started entirely too early as we had host team at Church. After Church, we met some friends for brunch which was DELICIOUS! Then after some grocery shopping and fabric shopping, it was finally time to relax and do nothing.

Here is the photo update. Technically 30 weeks 3 days:

I cannot imagine waiting 10 more weeks for this little peanut. I am so ready to meet him TODAY. Bekham, as soon as all systems are a "go"- you feel free to come on out! We can't wait to see your face and every other single inch of you!!

Last week of the "20's!"

I can't believe I am 29 weeks along! In 11 weeks (possibly even less!) we will be welcoming this baby boy into our lives! That day truly cannot come soon enough! I feel so ready, with the exception of labor. I have a ways to go (mentally) to prepare for that grueling process! We don't officially start our child birth classes until October, but I've been trying to read as much as possible beforehand. I'm sure there is really no way to prepare for what I will experience, but I want to have as much knowledge about the process as possible. Knowledge is power, right?! I think that's the saying! I've spent a lot of time the past couple of days praying that God would prepare me for that day. I know that having this baby without medication is not something I can do on my own. I will need the Lord to give me a peace during the pain and the ability to just relax and let this natural event just happen as He created it to happen. It will be far out of my control, and if I do try to control the situation, I know I will end up on that epidural! I also have been praying that the Lord would use Nick in a huge way during the process. I have a hard time saying NO to anything. I will need him to be the voice of "NO" when the nurse or doctor asks me to do something I may not want to do quite yet. He probably thinks he'll be able to kick up his feet and chill for the majority of the process but I have other plans for that daddy to be!

As far as baby progress goes, he is about 3 pounds and 16 inches long. I guess he weighs about as much as a spaghetti squash! And my belly is showing that spaghetti squash, for sure!

Nursery/Nesting news is minimal. My mom did buy us our first box of stage 1 pampers! It was fun to put that right in his changing table cabinet!! She also bought me huge bottles of baby magic soap/lotion and the Johnson Johnson goodnight baby soap/lotion. I am obsessed with both of these baby soaps! She knows me too well! Speaking of bathroom accessories, I finally bought a shower curtain and bath mat for Bekham's bathroom. Since this bathroom also happens to be a guest bathroom, I decided NOT to go baby theme crazy, but instead settled for this:

I am so thankful for TARGET! I also purchased a towel bar while I was there .. so I even bought a matching towel to accent with! I just need to work on some kind of window treatment now. My mom, of course, will be the one to assist with that! I'm hoping for something sheer to keep the room bright!

This weekend, we celebrated my nephew, Jackson's, 3rd birthday party. It was so fun. I am definitely ready to be a mom that takes their kid to birthday parties, or hosts her own with cupcakes/cakes/goodie bags/games- I have waited for these kinds of events for so long! It was so much fun knowing that was just down the road for me and for Bekham! I got to see some old friends that I never get to see and that was wonderful as well!

Here is the belly at 29 weeks. I can only imagine what the next 10 or so weeks will have in store for growth! Y.I.K.E.S!!! That will just about wrap up this post. Another short one! But lots to come in the weeks ahead! We go to the doctor this Thursday for our 30 week appointment, and then we have our hospital tour on Saturday! I'm sure you'll hear all about both events by next Monday!

Our Last Trip to "Sunny" Florida before Bekham!

Well, this has been a great week. Bekham has been moving/kicking and rolling up a storm. It's been crazy! I can usually feel him whenever I want to (by pushing on him and disrupting his space!) We went to the doctor for my 28 week appointment and glucose test. Well- the drink was disgusting, and the blood draw left my arm with a massive bruise. Apparently it was hard to puncture my vein this time. Praying that I won't have to go back for the 3 hours test after that experience. I will say, however, that due to the sugar rush of that gag inducing beverage, the baby was extremely active. When the nurse came to check his heart beat, he kicked at the doppler so hard. She just laughed at him. He's predictable. Anytime I lay on my back, its guaranteed he will start to go crazy. Anyways, I measured perfectly. My weight and blood pressure were perfect. Somehow, despite the massive amounts of food I've been consuming- everything seems to be going just fine.

This week, Bekham is supposedly 2.5 pounds and about 16 inches long. His lungs should be fully mature at this point and he is about the size of an eggplant. I guess over the next 12 weeks, I will be expanding the most. Oh joy. I already feel like a whale! But grow Bekham, grow!

Thursday night we went to the Maroon5 concert. Bekham had quite the reaction to such loud music. He was thumping around the entire time. I can't imagine what he must have been thinking. Usually, the loudest music he is exposed to is on Sunday mornings and that only lasts about 8 minutes. This was a good 2 hours of LOUD bass. We will see if he has any reaction to Marron5 music later in life!

In regards to the title of this post... No, it wasn't sunny. Tropical Storm Lee ruined my last chance for a sun tan before fall. Oh well- at least my skin was spared the sun damage. We headed down to Destin on Friday afternoon just as the storm's outer bands rolled in. Never saw the sun south of Auburn, Alabama the rest of the weekend. Sometimes it was just cloudy and windy, but other times the rain was flying sideways. Waves were huge. Going outside wasn't really an option this trip. In fact, it was avoided like the plague. Luckily we had college football to entertain us on Saturday! WAR EAGLE! Loved seeing so many upsets so early on in the season!

The one outing we did make on Saturday was to the Carter Outlet. Everything at the store was 50% off! Mom bought a lot of goodies for the boy, including, a sweet coming home outfit. See below for pictures! It was the first time I got to pick out NEW clothes for Bekham. I have made some good finds and had some awesome donations from friends and family, but sometimes it's fun just to pick out and buy something new for that baby that no one else has seen or worn yet! We got him a super snuggly little outfit to go over his clothes during winter. We got him lots of footie outfits. We got him some long sleeve t-shirt onesies and some sweet little sweat pants. He got his first pair of socks. He got a sweet stuffed monkey to match his bedding. I just cannot wait to see him in these outfits! November seems too far away right now!

Here is his coming home outfit:

And here is the rest of the stash!

So that was Saturday. Sunday was a lazy day, again, so Nick and I made a brave trek to the movie theater to see The Help. 100% worth it! I had read the book and knew I wanted to see the movie. I was slightly afraid Nick may not like it, but he did! It was such a great film. Made me laugh, made me cry. It was wonderful. Getting in and out of the movie was a BEAR. The line to the ticket window was a good 100 people deep and we had to wait outside in the pounding rain/whipping wind. Then, on the way out, no rain, but probably a steady wind gust at about 20 mph. It was INSANE. Saturday night ended with dinner and a discussion of my future job opportunities. I wish there was a magic answer as to how to work from home with a baby. Unfortunately, not many people are trying to help me get there, but rather convince me its impossible and suggest alternate solutions. If I were smart enough to be an entrepreneur, I would come up with a business that let new mom's stay home somehow and still work enough to make an income that was significant enough to live on. But, I'm not that smart, nor is there probably a job that I'm trying to create. Bekham- if you read this one day- just know that I tried REALLY hard to come up with ways to stay home, and if I can't, it's not because I chose otherwise!

Well, here is the belly at 28 weeks:

Psalms 28:7- The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

That one is for you and me both Bek!