{Personal} 39 Week Bump Update

As of Monday, I am 39 weeks pregnant (although this photo was taken at 38 weeks and 5 days but we will pretend it was at 39 weeks)! I still can't believe how fast time has flewn yet how slow it seems to be passing by. We are playing the waiting game over here and practicing our patience because we are so anxious to meet this little girl already.

Since daddy is now on vacation leave from work, he is also going a bit stir crazy waiting for the arrival of our little girl. I'm so excited for our Levi to meet his baby sister too! We went and got him a few gifts to give him when he meets her. From Lyla to her big brother Levi. <3

Lately, we've had family come over and help out as well as "spoil" me which I haven't asked for but I'm completely fine with since I will have my hands full before I know it. I'm not one to really ask for a whole lot. I'm learning to let people help. SO incredibly thankful for my family and friends!!

Here are some updates:

Size of Baby: In terms of fruit/vegetable comparisons, she's about the size of a mini watermelon and about 7lbs (according to baby websites). My son was 6lbs 11oz and I know I look like I'm packing a basketball in there but I'm hoping she will be around the same size as my son (yes, I was pretty big with my son too).

Sleep: It's not the best but it's more than I will be getting once our little one arrives. When 3am rolls around, I'm up (it never fails) so I use that time to use the restroom and rotate laying on my other side once I get back to bed for a few more hours (if I'm lucky).

Best Moments: Although I'm anxious to meet our little girl, I really have been enjoying the quiet moments with her. I know I'm going to miss being pregnant so I've taken opportunities to actually relax and enjoy the calm before the storm (that is, labor).

Levi has also been really cute with her and will take my stethoscope and try to listen to his little sister. He also has been really helpful too! I was having a contraction and I said, "ow!" as I placed my hand on my stomach. He immediately looked at me with such an innocent yet concerned look, ran to the bathroom, grabbed a band-aid, lifted up my shirt and placed the band-aid on my tummy. It was the cutest thing!

I've also been enjoying the time I've gotten with visits from my family. They've come over to make breakfast, bring lunch (thank you Aunt Erin for my Jack Rice!) and have cooked dinner for us! I will never turn down some yummy food and time with the ones I love!

Worst Moment: That would definitely have to be the moment where I chased after my 3 year old son at the park because he thought it was funny to run away from mommy and head to the parking lot. Without second thought (after he wasn't coming back as I called him), I ran after him-huge belly and all! Once I caught up to him, I was able to grab his shirt and when I did, I fell to my knees with him (don't worry, baby is ok). Needless to say, he got in BIG trouble for that but so did mommy because I couldn't walk for 2 days! I was in SO much pain from the strain of the running and falling to my knees.

Miss Anything: I miss being able to sleep in different positions other than on my side, being able to walk painlessly & at a quicker pace (I feel like a penguin!) and carrying my son if I wanted-now it's strictly cuddles on the couch and floor.

Symptoms: Last time I went to the midwives, I was 2cm dilated and about 75% effaced. I'm having a lot more uncomfortable contractions although they aren't consistent and more cramping. Trying to walk more when I can but really, this girl will come when she's ready.

I love you so much little one. I've loved you before I heard your heart beat for the first time, before I felt you move in my womb, before I've even looked into your eyes and before I could kiss you for the first time. I pray for you just about every day. I pray that your life would be beautiful, purposeful and full of grace, hope and faith. I pray that you would love the Lord with your whole heart and follow His purpose for your life. 

You are so incredibly loved not only by your mommy but also your daddy, big brother, grandmas, grandpas, great grandparents, great aunts, aunties, uncles and COUNTLESS more!! We are SO excited to finally meet you baby girl!

{Personal} 37 Week Bump Update + Recents

As of this past Monday, I'm 37 weeks pregnant with our little girl, Lyla Rose. I can't believe how fast time has gone and we are now at the point where we will be meeting our little one almost any day now! Throughout this whole pregnancy, I've felt so ready to meet Lyla. I've had little worries and have been pretty prepared to be a momma of two...until recently. Maybe it's just the realization that she will be here soon but lately, I feel like I'm racing against time to prepare the house, nursery, baby essentials and my emotions to welcoming another tiny soul into our home. I am more than excited to finally kiss her little cheeks, snuggle her tiny body, stare into her new eyes and meet her face to face! I'm just also nervous for the new adventure ahead-becoming a momma of multiples. When I ask friends who have more than one child about preparing for another baby, they tell me that I will adjust. That's how it is-there's no real preparing yourself...you just do when the time comes & I believe it. As much as I want a solid answer, everything is going to be ok.

Thank you Jesus.

This week so far...

The little man and I enjoyed the sunshine in the hammock while we read some of his favorite books. It wasn't the best idea to crawl into a hammock being so pregnant but I did eventually make my way out...safely.

The husband and I fried up some apple fritters after I found this recipe for them on Pinterest. They were DELISH!! I've been craving sweets SO much this last trimester which is a huge change since the first half of this pregnancy, I only wanted fruit and vegetable soup. Needless to say, I've been enjoying the sweets.

I started on the redo of the crib wall. Since my son knocked down the prior decor of the nursery (see what it looked like here), I've had to rethink what I will be placing above the crib. I went a little simple this time yet detailed with this lace decor piece and watercolor print by Katie Daisy. I will share more of the nursery when it's all complete.

I created our daughter's first headbands. Believe it or not, I didn't have any headbands for our little girl which is surprising since I'm all about creating pretty pieces (especially to wear in the hair). I made her a few of her first flower crowns which I used soft stretch lace for. I came up with this idea since she will be laying down most of the time as a newborn, I wanted her to be comfortable without flowers all the way around her head. I simply love these designs and may even add some to the shop upon reopening in a few months...or hosting an instasale on the IG sales page @shoplsp.

My next task to complete is packing my bag for the hospital. I recently received my diaper bag from Seaport Stitches which I am in LOVE with!! I will be packing it for the hospital as well as our trips out of the house. I love that although it's a "diaper bag," it doesn't look like one and when Lyla is old enough to not need a diaper bag anymore, I can use it as a cute tote! I will be sharing my list of hospital essentials soon. Any advice on what I should bring?

{Personal} 30 Week Bump Update

I can't believe it's been 30 weeks already that I've cradled our little lady inside of my womb. Where has the time gone? I woke up yesterday morning realizing that I've been in my third trimester for a couple weeks now and I haven't taken very many photos during my pregnancy with our love, Lyla Rose. Time is going so quickly and although I can't wait to kiss her little face, I want to enjoy these present moments with her because I'm going to miss this.

I want to savor as many little kicks and nudges, sporadic hiccup episodes, waves across my belly and even the still moments as she rests within me. Truth is, tomorrow isn't promised to anybody and I am thankful each day that I have this sweet baby to carry as well as my 3 year old son to cuddle and my husband to hold. Life is entirely too short to let the present pass you by as you anticipate and wish for the future.

I love you so much already little lady. So much that it makes my heart hurt. I pray for a purposeful and completely spirit lead life for you. I pray you love unconditionally just as the Lord loves you and you know that you are worthy of so much more than what the world may have you believe. You are intentionally created and I will forever be grateful for your precious little being.

Daddy, Brother and I are so excited to meet you and kiss you for the first time when you decide you are ready. <3

We are having a baby GIRL!!!

A baby GIRL will be gracing our lives this coming Spring!

A few days ago, we went in for an ultrasound to "confirm" the gender of our second little love. With our closest family and friends around us, we were all so excited when we were told that the tiny baby growing inside of me is a GIRL! I cried tears of joy and so did many others...which made me cry even more (hello hormones).

Honestly, I thought I'd have all boys. I grew up with 3 brothers (now 5 including my step brothers) and with our first child being our crazy man Levi, I thought I was destined to live with boys my entire life! Deep down, I wanted a little girl though and God said yes! So thankful!

Levi on the other hand, knew he was having a sister all along. Every time I asked him what mommy was having, he said "girl." That kid has instincts!!

So in love with my little family and I can't wait to meet our little love in March! She will make our nest a home of four.

See more of our family photo shoot by Kayla V here.

Pregnancy Redefined my Resolutions-GUTS

A few months ago, I was asked by my dear friend Aurora to write a post for GUTS-Girls Using Their Strength "is a movement dedicated to women of the world making a change through transparency, truth and the love of Jesus." GUTS is curated by empowering stories from women about life, saving grace, struggles, transformations, strengths, dreams, etc. As I read through the words of real women I can relate to, it is SO refreshing and inspiring how the Lord uses each of us to fulfill His purpose!

I was asked to write about Redefining Resolutions and as I started to type, a flood of words started to appear on the screen as I began to share my heart in a way that I didn't initially expect.

I started to share my past goals and new found purpose as I received a positive pregnancy test in March of 2010. I shared the pull I experienced between choosing to be a stay at home mom, continuing nursing school and/or following my creative passion and desires as well as redefining moments.

This is a little piece of my heart:

Pregnancy Redefined my Resolutions on the GUTS blog.

My ever growing belly + our little man :)

Just about a year ago, my husband and I found out we were going to have a baby . About 11 weeks after that, we found out we were having a boy .
{Our little Levi}
During my pregnancy, I took tons of belly shots (as most pregnant women do) . I compared his height and his weight to different foods and recorded it by taking photos of the foods with my ever growing belly . I have compiled some of the photos from my weeks carrying our little man inside of me and I'm excited to share them! :)
It's funny when I think back at my early second trimester, I thought I was HUGE...& then I entered my last few weeks of being pregnant...I got HUMONGOUS...ENORMOUS...XXL! LOL
But that GIANT belly carried the littlest love of my life for 41 weeks and nutured him to become a beautiful healthy baby boy that we can call our own . :) We are so incredibly blessed .

On Dec. 2, 2011, our little guy entered the world weighing in at 6lbs 11oz and 20" long . That was the most amazing feeling in the world when my husband and I got to meet him for the very first time . It's really indescribable .
Here's little Levi...
from newborn to
now 8 weeks old :)
{Our Heart}

His {many} smiles :D

It really is completely life changing when you give birth and/or have a child . He makes me look at life differently and appreciate the smallest moments in life a little more .
I love you Levi Joseph

“Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”
― Elizabeth Stone

Those 2 Lines=Life Changing News

Well, we all know it's been a while since I have posted & although I gave fair warning a couple months back, I can't help but feel like this break has been too long! I once said that I will be preoccupied and too busy to post these past couple of months due to schooling, work, & volunteering & even though that still holds true, it wasn't just my crazy schedule that held me back--On the morning of March 30th at around 8:15 am, I found out some news that would change mine & my husband's life forever...I saw a positive & then another positive on the two white sticks I peed on that morning...We are having a baby :D

So, needless to say, I have had a lot on my mind these past couple months on top of my already over worked mind. At first it was a lot of questioning about finishing nursing school, how we are going to afford taking care of a baby, and whether or not we are ready to become parents. Then, after realizing that going to nursing school actually worked itself out for the best, finding out that our finances are pretty well taken care of, and becoming parents is the most exciting thing that has ever happend to us--other than getting married--excitement and anxiousness has overwhelmed us and the questioning has turned into baby names, how we are going to decorate the nursery, the different memories we are eager to encounter with our new loved one, and what he/she will look like.

It's funny how the Lord's plans overshadow our own even though we may try really hard to make things go our way. In the end, it doesn't matter how many times we see ourselves in the future living according to what we have in mind for our life, chances are, we will be on a different path and not exactly living how we pictured ourselves at one point. For me, I know it's even better than what I imagined it ever could be :)

Today, I am 12 weeks and 1 day

Our baby is about the size of a roma tomato.