We're going on a strawberry hunt...

This past Saturday Vanessa and I went strawberry picking! This was a first for me and it was very enjoyable. It wasn't as intense as I had imagined (for some reason I was envisioning a tractor ride, an aching back, and lots of sweat). Perhaps my farm roots have tainted my vision of anything involving crops and the spring. We merely took our baskets and walked along chatting about life while we picked out the best berries we could find!

Vanessa was going to make a strawberry pie and chocolate covered strawberries, which I am sure turned out excellent. As for me, I could never find the motivation to make anything special so I have just been eating mine for snacks all week. Yum, yum, yum!!! Summer is right around the corner!

Top ten...

Ten reasons it is no fun to have a husband deployed and be 8 months preggo at the same time...
1. No free back rubs.....I now pay a massage therapist
2. I have to make my own dinner (and breakfast and lunch too, for that matter)
3. I feel guilty watching my neighbor mow the lawn for me (I am preggo, not disabled, but the neighbor and Andy insist on this scenario)
4. I worry that I will have issue with giving half of the bed back upon his return...the cat, a plethora of pillows, and my preggo self have taken it over quite nicely
5. I have a bit of anxiety everyday as I struggle to get my own shoes tied
6. The ladder is too heavy to get down off the wall in the garage and I again had to bother my neighbor
7. I cringe at the thought of something bad happening to the baby or going into preterm labor and him not being here
8. I just plain miss him at times
9. The thought has crossed my mind that I will need to hold up a sign on the day the squadron returns so that Andy can recognize me in my new "blossomed" state....27 lbs can change you into a much larger version than what he remembers
10. It is sad to think of all of the changes and baby movements that he has missed along the way

And just to keep a little perspective in my life,

Ten reasons why it is not so bad after all...
1. I have the entire bed to myself
2. I don't have to compete with the X-Box or Guitar Hero for attention
3. I can choose from two vehicles every time I go out into the garage....sort of like being rich, right?!
4. I get to experience a fun little heart flutter each evening when he calls to check on me and wish me goodnight
5. There is plenty of time for ME and all of the things that I find fun
6. I didn't have to watch him mope around after Duke got beat in the tournament
7. There is no guilt when I let the dishes pile up, don't fold the laundry right away, leave the bed unmade, or do any of the things that I don't let him get away with
8. My mom is coming to visit because she thinks I need some company!
9. We spend a lot less money.....and have you ever heard of a tax-free?!?!
10. Each day we spend apart makes me appreciate him and our awesome relationship just a little bit more

Sweet co-workers...

My great co-workers put together a shower for me so we could celebrate Baby Girl with the nurses and other staff at work. They put a lot of effort into planning and it was great! We had cake, "dirty diaper" chocolates, good conversation, and fun. It was nice to actually sit down and relax at work for a little bit (we have been very very busy lately & "sit" & "relax" are not in the vocabulary there).

How blessed I feel for their thoughtful and giving nature.

The therapy gang (minus three)....such a wonderful group to work with.

Posing for the camera before we cut the cake!

Wendy (one of the dieticians) knitted Baby Girl a super soft and adorable pink blanket!!

One of the useful and thoughtful gifts we received.

helpful friends and a growing belly...

The nursery is painted thanks to two thoughtful friends (Christina and Kacey!). I love the color and am happy that it looks just like the Pottery Barn picture that I am modeling the nursery after. I think Andy will be happy when he sees it (or just happy that he didn't have to paint it himself!). Thank you, Kacey & Christina, for helping me get one more thing checked off my list!

Kacey was the master roller!!

Christina did all the edging by hand...no taping necessary!

Blessings continue to come our way as Baby Girl keeps growing as she should. It amazes me that we are beginning the eighth month of our pregnancy! Actually, it freaks me out a little bit (or A LOT!). Before I know it, Andy will be home from deployment and we will be in the home stretch.....unbelievable! Pregnancy continues to be a pleasant experience for me and I love feeling her move around inside, which she does a lot. I pray daily for things to continue to progress as they should and for her health once she is born. If the heartache my family has endured the last month has taught me anything, it is most definately to cherish each moment because we never know what God has planned for us. Enjoy the most recent belly shots. I have resorted to the self timer with the camera on the mantle, but I believe they have turned out okay. Only four more weeks and my personal photographer will be back home;)

A shower for Baby Girl

Baby Girl was blessed with love, prayers, and gifts from family and close friends in Indiana this past weekend. My sisters (Kelly & Cathy) and friend (Julie) hosted the shower and I am so thankful for the time and energy they put into making the day so special.

Julie opened up her home to everyone and was a fabulous hostess! Look at the cute diaper cake she made. Also, you can see part of the prayer blanket for Baby Girl that matches the ones her cousins in Oklahoma have! It says 'The LORD Bless You and Keep You" Numbers 6:24

4 generations if you count Bay Girl in my belly! Mom, Grandma, and me =)

Garrett searched long and hard for this musical bunny! Oh, how Baby Girl will love it. And look how grown up Kaylynn looks in her beautiful dress! She was a great assistant during the shower.

The babies...

I am home from Oklahom and have experienced the entire gamete of emotions over the past few weeks. Elation at the birth of the triplets, fear for Brady's health, relief as he started to get better, hope as I watched his baptism in the NICU, deep sorrow as his life ended, resolve as I tried to remain strong for my sister and brother-in-law, and uncertainty as I realized that we must move forward with each day without him. He was such a strong little boy and I know that he touched so many lives in his short 13 days with us. His twin brother Drew and his sister Jordan are doing great and are blessed to have their brother watching over them from heaven.

I was sure to take a few pictures before I left them on Friday. It is hard to believe that the next time I see them they will be out of the hospital and that Baby Girl will be here to meet them!!

Drew all snuggled up and looking cute!

Jordan with her eyes wide and impossible not to love!!

Updates from Oklahoma

The trip continues here in Oklahoma with ever-changing details regarding Brady. We were very hopeful yesterday as his urine output levels were increasing each time. However, through the night and this morning they have decreased and were at zero this morning. They have another check at noon, so we will see what comes of it. We are still holding faith that God wants Brady to grow and be here with us, but we are ready to accept his will no matter what it may be.

I have put a few fun pictures up from the visit. Eli keeps us all smiling, which is very much needed at times. Thank you for your continued prayers for Brady, Drew, Jordan, and the rest of the family.

Papa and Eli enjoy a late night ice cream cone!

Playing in the sunshine with Eli

Mom was kind enough to take my 28 week belly shots. I was conveniently wearing the same outfit as in the last belly pictures you saw ;) Baby Girl keeps growing and continues to be very active. Cathy has gotten to feel her kick, but she has been stubborn each time Mom and Dad try and feel her!