Countdown: 7 Days

Seven Days.

{So, obviously, I completely let, like, 5 weeks or something go by since my last countdown post. It's been busy in our house!}

So, I'm crazy, apparently. In my 37th week of pregnancy, I made the decision to switch to a new OB/GYN. I was seeing one that I liked ok, but didn't really connect with. She was always in and out of appointments really quickly, and rarely took the time to really answer the questions I had. A couple of weeks ago, I was forced to see another doctor in the practice because my doctor was out sick. No big deal...except that I completely loved this new doctor! She was so friendly! She sat and discussed all of my questions with me, and was in no hurry to leave. After thinking and praying about it for a few days, I called to see if she would accept me as a new patient. I was so excited when it all worked out!

Last week, when I went in for my now weekly appointment, she moved our sweet boy's arrival up by a full week! If he doesn't decide to make an appearance before then, I'll be induced next Tuesday, April 10th! Now that I've had a few days to process this big change, I'm really excited. At first, it was a bit overwhelming to think he'd be here so soon!

I shopped today for the last few things we needed: nursing stuff, infant medicines, a nice new robe for the hospital. Now that I have those things taken care of, we're ready to meet Wyatt!

Countdown {7 Weeks}...and a word from God

So, as I've written in previous posts, I have battled a lot of fear surrounding the arrival of this precious baby boy. For some reason, the Enemy continues to take hold of my thoughts, causing me to continually think about all of the challenges: no sleep, still taking care of Allie, finding time to spend with family, the challenges of getting out of the house with 2 little ones, no sleep, no sleep, no sleep.

I have begun praying specific scriptures over myself and sweet baby Wyatt to combat all of these fears, and it has been amazing to see how God has transformed my thoughts! One day this week, while in the shower, I was praying, and God so clearly spoke to me, saying, "In these next weeks and months, I will SUSTAIN you. I am your SUSTAINER. However, I am the God over ALL things, and I will not only SUSTAIN you, I will cause you to rise up and FLOURISH in this new season. Trust me."

Wow. I'll take it!

I'm about to get ready for Baby Shower 1 of 2 this week! So excited! I'm sure I'll have lots of fun things to post in next week's countdown about the fun showers! We are so blessed to have precious family and friends who want to bless us and our sweet boy!

Countdown {8 weeks}

Eight Weeks!

This week, my goal was to get our master bedroom a little more settled, so that we can prepare to have baby Wyatt share our room for awhile after he arrives. I accomplished nothing in this area, to be totally honest.

I've been shopping for two things: sheets/pillowcases and curtains.

1. WHY are sheets so stinking expensive?! What in the world?! Even just to buy a pair of king-sized pillow-cases for our bed would be $30 most places! And that would only cover 2 of our pillows! Sheesh. I'm looking into making a trip to Anna's Linens, because it looks like their prices are more reasonable. Anyone ever been?

2. WHY do I have to special-order curtains over 84" long? Annoying.

What I did accomplish this week, however, was spending lots of quality time with my sweet Allie girl.

We got to have two fun play dates at friends' houses, and even spent half of Friday at the zoo with our Mommy Group from church! It was so fun!

I know that there is still much to be done, but it will get done. We'll get there...

Countdown {10 Weeks}

{10 Weeks}

I have previously blogged countdowns to both my wedding, and the birth of our first baby, so I'm here to continue the countdowns.

It's 10 weeks until my due date with our sweet baby boy! Here's the {short} list of what we've actually accomplished:

• Bought furniture. {CraigsList is basically amazing in this department. We got amazing solid wood furniture for an amazing price.}
• Bought 8 Boy-ish Onesies.
• Dug out all of the newborn things that we might be able to use for our little guy. {Changing table pad, Bumbo seat, and soon, the car seat, swing, bouncer, and stroller.}

That's it. That's IT. 10 weeks to go, and much left to accomplish.

This week, I'm enjoying feeling lots of baby movements just about all the time. Little feet underneath my right ribs, hiccups several times a day, and big movements all over.

Having seen 2 good friends deliver their little ones in the past week, the reality of this baby's upcoming arrival has become much more real! Though I dread the sleepless nights (and days), I am so looking forward to meeting our little man, seeing who he looks like and what his personality turns into, and finding out what Allie will think of him.

10 weeks. 70 days. It will be here soon!

0

So, today is day zero....ish. We are scheduled to be at the hospital tonight around 8 to get things started. The past 24 hours have already been so emotional and full of anticipation, I can't imagine what the next 24 hours will be like! Just about every time I even think about Allie actually being here, I tear up. Adam is equally excited, and we are both showing a fair share of nerves, too. With neither of us ever having been admitted to a hospital before, it will be a whole round of new experiences. I am praying that my perspective will be that this will be an amazing adventure to go on together, and that I can remember that the way has already been prepared before us and paved with God's gracious hand. "He hems me in behind and before..." Psalm 139

It is so amazing to try and wrap my head around the incomprehensible fact that this wiggly baby girl inside me was the same little gummy bear we saw on the sonogram screen so many months ago. How anyone could see life come from nothing and not turn to God, I'll never understand. This pregnancy has been many things: exciting, fun, stressful, exhausting, emotionally draining, challenging, uncomfortable, amazing, joyful, annoying, unpredictable, and most of all, full of God's grace and faithfulness. We have learned so much over these past 40 weeks about ourselves, about one another, about little Allie, and about our good, good God.

I could not have made it through without the amazing help-mate God gave me in Adam. He has such a servant's heart, and has really put it to use in serving me in every way possible through the pregnancy. He has fluffed pillows, brought me countless bottles of water (since I am endlessly thirsty), listened to my daily complaints, patiently waited to feel the baby move, lifted laundry baskets when I couldn't, forced me to rest when I needed to, and a zillion more things I can't even think of. It has been eye-opening for me to see, even more, the ways God chose us for one another and fit us together perfectly. I am so thankful for my Godly husband and leader!

Yesterday, we learned that we had to stop saying "this is the last...", because I'd start to cry at every one. This morning is my last morning to sit alone at my computer, alone in this house, laundry running, music playing. This is the last day that I will sit and wonder when Allie might be here, what she will look like, whether she might have hair, what color her eyes will be. It is the end of 2 years and 9 months of our family of 2. I wanted to have a baby so much sooner, but I am so thankful now for all of that time I had with just Adam. God's timing truly is perfect, though we sometimes don't want to hear that.

In many more ways than they are a "last", these next hours and days will be full of firsts! First hospital visit, first baby, first grandbaby in my family, first great-grandchild on both sides. First time to see her, first time to hold her, feed her, bathe her. First time to be parents. First time to ring in the new year with an infant. First time to put her in a cute pink hair bow, first diaper changes, first time to be awakened in the middle of the night. With all of the things we leave behind in the previous chapter of our lives, we look so forward to all that God has planned for us in the next couple of days, and for our life with miss Allie Joy!

2

TWO more days!!!

I think we actually finished our baby shopping today. Just in time, right? We just needed one or two more things: play yard sheets, and a special mirror for the back seat to watch Allie since she has to be rear-facing for awhile. I'm so glad to have officially checked those last two things off of the list!

I think we've finally recovered from Christmas. Christmas day was busy, and so fun! We enjoyed our annual Christmas breakfast at Memaw's, followed by one-at-a-time gift-giving. Then, we went out to Adam's Dad's place for a late lunch and more fun presents! It was a great day! Adam and I got one another new watches, and neither of us even knew it! Mine is so fun! It's white-faced with a white band, and rhinestones all around the face. I love it! We were definitely blessed this Christmas. I think the most popular gift at our house, however, is Jack's hamburger. I bought dollar-store plush burgers for our dogs to tear apart on Christmas morning, and our youngest dog, Jack, has yet to let his out of his sight! He carries it everywhere, squeezing the squeaker inside all the while. Best dollar I ever spent!

We were actually able to get all of our Christmas decor put away this weekend, so we won't have to worry about that once we get our precious girl home. I always get a little sad throwing out the Christmas tree and putting away all of the festive ornaments and stockings, but it sure is nice to have everything cleaned up. A trip to Home Depot yesterday even brought about a new living room rug! We needed a new one so badly, and I love things like that that can bring so much change to a room. There are a lot of changes going on around here, so it only seems fitting that the house should look different, too.

I've been blessed to be able to sleep really well the past couple of nights, and I pray that continues this week. I know I probably won't be able to get much rest Tuesday night since we'll be in the hospital already, but I am trusting God to be my sustainer and helper, and to provide every ounce of energy and strength I will need to be able to get Allie here safe and healthy! He has been so abundantly faithful thus far, and I will continue to trust his unchanging faithfulness!

3

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Ours was wonderful!

Blake came over and stayed with us again this year, which is always so fun. I'm so thankful to have such a great relationship with my brother, and to have a sweet husband who enjoys spending time with him, too! Our 'white Christmas' started early Christmas Eve morning with extremely high winds swirling big snowflakes all over the metroplex. Adam had to work a half day, so when Blake woke up, we took a brother/sister trip up the snowy street to the Waffle House. It was an experience to say the least. The waitress thought it would be a great idea to reach UNDER the table and rub my pregnant belly. That is NOT okay, people. Don't do that! What would you do if someone walked up and started rubbing your belly?!

We enjoyed a couple of 'All Star Specials', and then made our way over to Walgreens to grab Blake a new toothbrush, since Scout chewed his up as we were leaving for breakfast. Silly Scout...he LOVES a good toothbrush. Who knows why...

Blake and I spent the rest of the morning watching the snow fall, watching Home Alone 2, and wrapping Christmas gifts. Adam got off at noon, and finished up some last-minute shopping before heading home. Blake had to leave soon after that to go to the rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service. I enjoyed a short nap, and then Adam and I went over to his brother Erick's house to spend some time with his family before heading to church for the Candlelight service. By the time we'd made the 40 minute drive to Erick's, the roads were really getting icy!

We left Erick's (just a few miles from church), and it took us over 20 minutes to get to church because the roads were so slick! It was still snowing when we got ready to leave church! I have never seen it snow all day before like that! Adam warmed up and "de-iced" the car, and Blake followed us on the slow, slippery drive over to Dad's apartment for a yummy Turkey dinner and presents. It was so nice of Dad to host this year, so that we wouldn't have that added stress before baby Allie gets here. We enjoyed a fun time of fellowship, got great gifts, and had lots of left-overs to bring home.

We'd already had a great Christmas, and it wasn't even Christmas Day yet! I'll post about that later on...

5: Christmas Eve

So now, for the 2nd night in a row, I didn't get much sleep at all. I fear this will only get worse as my anticipation grows and I wait for the induction date to get here. She will be worth it! I am trusting God as my sustainer. He can sustain and energize me better than any sleep, and I am definitely trusting Him to do just that through the next days and weeks. Hopefully, a week from today, we'll be making plans to bring Allie home from the hospital! That's a merry Christmas Eve thought!

6!!!

You may notice that my countdown skipped a few days there...we are now in the single digits, with only SIX days until Allie's arrival!!!

At my weekly doctor's visit yesterday, she informed me that my body is showing no signs of wanting to cooperate and get this little baby out, so I will be induced next Tuesday/Wednesday! I say "Tuesday/Wednesday" because we will be admitted Tuesday evening, spend the night in the hospital, and they will start the induction Wednesday morning. If all goes well, which I am sure it will, we'll be holding our baby girl on the 30th, only one week from today!

Now that we have a deadline, it is becoming even more real. We have lots of loose ends to tie up before Tuesday, and Christmas in the mix, too! Tomorrow, we'll meet with Adam's mom, our niece Libby, and Adam's brother Erick to exchange gifts. After that, we'll head to church for our Christmas Eve service, then on to Dad's place for Christmas Eve dinner and presents! It will be a full evening, but lots of fun with family!

Christmas day, we are scheduled to be at Memaw's house for a blissful grandmother-cooked breakfast by 8:00 a.m., followed by presents. We open one at a time, there. I love getting to see what everyone gets! After Memaw's, we are planning to come home for a short while so I can rest a bit before journeying out to Azle to be with Adam's dad's side of the family. We will be home late Christmas afternoon, and hopefully be able to enjoy a quiet night by the fire.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas celebrating the greatest gift ever given: Jesus!

14 - Two Weeks!

I am continually learning (and re-learning) to submit my emotions to God in these last weeks of my pregnancy. If I thought it was impossible to become more emotional than I already was...I was wrong! My tender-hearted husband puts up with me graciously, whether I'm crying over a broken teapot (which I dropped last night, and he promptly super-glued back together to halt my tears), or crying over the seemingly zillion phone calls I get each day just to "check in and make sure I'm not in labor yet." No, I'm not. I have to constantly remind myself that Allie's due date is still two full weeks away! She's not finished yet. Though we've thought she'd be an early arrival all this time, that doesn't have anything to do with the reality of God's time table for her birth, and He always knows best.

I was reminded this morning, laying in bed and praying for little Allie, that this timing is what my good, gracious, loving God, in His great mercy, has chosen for us. It isn't some horrible punishment or vengeful choice, it is what He sees as best, through the eyes of His grace. I am so thankful that I can know beyond all doubt that my God is sovereign and in control of this and every circumstance!

We will make the trek out to Mesquite today, about an hour's drive, to be with all of my mom's family for our annual "weekend before Christmas" lunch. I say "lunch" loosely, as it has been pushed back to 2:00 so that Blake can be there. Not a complaint, just a note. I get fairly uncomfortable in the car these days, but I am continuing to trust God for the "glory-strength" he keeps pouring out on me.

I am so, so thankful that He has changed my heart attitude. I can say that with confidence, because I know how stubborn and unwilling I was to change it myself. I pray that, as we count down the days to Christmas, and then to Allie's birth, that God will keep tight reigns on my emotions.

When I get to the end of this road, and look back at the past few weeks, I want to be able to say I walked in God's grace, by His grace, and because of His glory-strength through it all. All glory, all honor, all credit, and all praise to Him alone.

16: Glory-Strength

I realized sometime during the night, or in the early morning hours, something very important. I've been so extremely focused on how to get baby Allie here over the past few days. So focused, in fact, that I've neglected to ask God about it. I've neglected to pray, to seek, to listen. I sometimes feel so emotionally led these days that I think, somehow, it's a good excuse to push Him aside. "He'll understand. He created me! He created pregnancy! He knows what I'm going through right now." Yes, He does understand, and He is in control, but that in NO way excuses me from continually submitting to His sovereign authority and grace...and from simply talking to Him about it.

This is the verse He led me to this morning:

Colossians 1:11-12 (The Message) "We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us."

That's the strength I so deeply desire to have within me, and to display, as I walk with God through these last days of my pregnancy: Glory-Strength.

This song is one that has been on repeat this morning in my house...

'While I'm Waiting' by John Waller

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Takeing every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

17: Nesting

Okay, so all through my pregnancy, I've heard about this "burst of energy" that comes at the end of your pregnancy when you're nesting. It hit today!

Today, I...

• Went to the gym and completed 1.6 miles on the elliptical, along with doing leg weights and arm curls.
• Got ready and went to the dermatologist. (I have a spot on my leg that Dr. Kolar was concerned about...no big deal.)
• Left from there and went to Babies R Us to pick up a few things we've been putting off: 1) A first aid/grooming kit for Allie 2) Some ahh-mazing smelling Dreft detergent to wash a few of Allie's blankets and clothes in before she gets here.
• From BRU, I headed to Hulen Mall to purchase a couple of last minute Christmas gifts. Yes, a week before Christmas feels "last minute" to me.
• Around 1:00, I finally made it home for some much needed lunch, and enjoyed some tasty Taco Soup.
• The house was in crazy disarray, and I somehow still had a good bit of energy, so I decided to get some cleaning done.
• Made the bed, cleaned up all of the dogs' blankets and beds, did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen countertops, cleaned the table, put away all of the Christmas gift-wrap that has been littering the table for several days, then looked to the living room.
• I cleaned up 3-4 water bottles that have been lingering on the coffee table, did some dusting, and then made my way to the computer nook.
• There, I took everything off the shelves, dusted with the Swiffer duster, dusted with a rag, threw some things out, then re-arranged everything on the shelves.
• Finally, I made it to Allie's room. I did a load of her laundry (some receiving blankets and clothes that were stiff and needed to be washed prior to use).
• I finally cleaned off her armoire, set up the little basket with diapers and wipes ready to go, folded the laundry, and put it away.
• About that time, Adam got home. I started dinner about half an hour later, then we cleaned up, and then I finally sat down.

As you can probably tell, I'm still (somehow) wide awake! It's nearly 10:00, usually my bedtime, and I'm typing away.

I'm so thankful for this energy, whether or not it's a "sign of labor" like so many say. I haven't felt this accomplished in a long while!

20

TWENTY! Twenty days! (Please be less than 20 days, Allie!)

Yesterday, we went with Memaw to the annual 'Christmas at Birchman' production. It's a fun little tradition we have with her, and she always enjoys it so much. It is getting more and more difficult for me to sit for long periods of time like that. This baby girl stays busy and active! I'm pretty sure she's convinced that she's going to be able to exit out of my ribs, but she's going to have to find another way out!

I've got almost all of my Christmas shopping done. I haven't yet decided if that's a good or bad thing, though. Part of me wants to have everything squared away in case she does arrive before Christmas, and another part of me wants to save up some last-minute things to do to take my mind off of waiting for her to get this show on the road. I guess, in the long run, I'd really rather be prepared just in case.

Tomorrow, I go back to the doctor...praying for some progress!

22

The past couple of days have been pretty busy! We went to see Shane & Shane in concert with some friends Thursday night in Keller. It was a great show! I was pretty tired afterward, but the music and fellowship was well worth it.

Friday was filled with lots of sewing, as I worked on my last order of the year. I have a little more to do, but it's a fun project, so I don't mind it! If I weren't pregnant, I'd be busying myself with lots of other deadlines, and adding in creative gifts for family and friends. Maybe next year!

Tonight was, most likely, our last regular church service at Milestone for awhile. Next weekend, we have special Christmas services. The following weekend, there is no service because everyone is taking some time off for Christmas, and then just a few short days later is little Allie's due date! I will miss being in church while we're home adjusting to life as a family of 3 for a few weeks, but it will be worth it. I also heard that they're about to begin video podcasts of our services, so that will be a huge blessing!

This morning, I awoke feeling VERY dizzy. The dizziness hung around until after lunchtime, so I pretty much spent the entire day on the couch. Adam and I played video games together, wrapped Christmas gifts, and were just plain lazy. It was blissful (aside from the dizziness). Now, here it is 11:09 p.m., and I'm wide awake after a day of rest....

In the morning, a milestone: 37 weeks! Full term! God is SO good!

24

So I missed a day again. Oops!

24 days until Allie's due date! Yesterday (25 days), was a super-busy day of fun stuff. I spent the morning at Hayley's baking and decorating cute Christmas cookies. (Ok, ok, we ate a few, too.)

After almost 4 hours, we'd each completed around 10 cookies. It might not sound like much, but we worked hard on those cute cookies! After our morning of baking, Hayley was gracious enough to come with me to Target to stock up on everything left on my list for baby Allie. It's so nice to have sweet friends who impart their "motherly wisdom" to me in things I have no idea about!

I got home a little before 4:00, and I can't remember the last time I was that tired. My feet were a little swollen, so I was glad to prop them up for most of the evening. Adam built a beautiful fire in the fireplace, and we watched some TV by the light of the Christmas tree and fireplace. We even cooked hot dogs in the fire and ate them for dinner! So fun!

26: Last Sonogram Today!

Adam and I got to the doctor's office this morning at about 10 minutes 'till 9. We finally went back for our sonogram after about a half-hour wait. It was quick, and pretty uneventful, but still good to see some bits and pieces of our baby girl! The technician pointed out a femur (random), kidneys, the "abdominal cavity" (random again), and even humored me by verifying that Allie's feet what's been nailing me in the ribs on my right side!

Even better, we learned that she is in position, ready to come out! So thankful not to have to worry about her being breech or transverse. According to her measurements, she's right at 5 pounds now, and will probably be around 7 pounds when she is born. Perfect! Since she's already dropped so low, we didn't get to see her sweet face on the screen, but that will just make for an even better surprise when she gets here.

The sonogram technician estimated around 2 weeks, so we'll see!

27

I can't believe I already missed a day! Yesterday (day 28 in the countdown), we got up and went to Home Deopt, then Lowes, to pick out a Christmas tree. It was so very cold, but after much deliberating, we chose this tree. We came home and I basically watched Adam trim, set up, and decorate the tree. I was able to help with lights and a few ornaments, but the tree shopping alone wore me out! We watched Adam's early Christmas gift, 'A Christmas Story', while we decorated the house. Our brand new stockings are hanging over the fireplace, and they're so pretty! Initially, I put up mine, Adams, and Allie's, but I felt like it was cheating to put Allie's stocking up when she's not here yet, so I took it down for now. Tomorrow is our 36 week doctor's appointment and sonogram! So excited to learn her positioning and the estimates on her weights and measurements! (She must know I'm typing about her...she's hiccuping all over the place.)

The Christmas tree we picked out in the frrreeeeezing cold yesterday morning.

My "belly picture" at 36 weeks. Everyone keeps kindly telling me how

"tiny" I am. This picture clearly proves otherwise!

When I was a kid, we had a tradition of taking a family snapshot in front of the Christmas tree as soon as it was decorated. It's a fun way to commemorate the kick-off of Christmas for me. This picture will be fun to look back at and say we were already a family of 3, even though Allie hasn't arrived yet.

29...Hopefully Less

Today has been a day in which I've had one phrase cross my mind about 50 times: "I'm so done being pregnant." Clothes don't fit quite right, Allie's growing body seems to continually roll around trying to find a comfortable position, and tonight, my back started hurting so badly during church I couldn't bear to stay seated any longer.

Thank goodness the women's Christmas event last night and Pastor Jeff's sermon tonight were both focused on an important and relevant topic for this season of my life: Joy. Not only is it our Allie's middle name, but it is an important part of what Christ has called me to as His child. One thing Pastor Jeff discussed in the service tonight was how our joy can sometimes become based on external, circumstantial things rather than being based on our walk with Christ. My joy (or lack thereof) today was definitely circumstantial. I pray that from now on, each time I think of my sweet Allie's middle name, I will remember the true source of real joy, and strive to count my blessings. One of my favorite things said last night, and repeated tonight, was this:

"The thing you magnify most in life will become bigger and bigger."

If I continue to magnify my discomfort, impatience, I will see it as growing bigger and bigger...worse and worse. However, if I magnify Christ and keep my eyes on Him, He will become greater while everything else in life becomes less.

Hayley, Mom, Me, and Kristen at the JOY event at Milestone last night.

30 Days and Counting

Today is my first day off work! Yay! I'm so excited to accomplish the ever-lengthening list of things to organize and clean out before Allie gets here! Nerdy, I know, but I've been looking forward to getting these things accomplished for a long time. I suppose it's all part of "nesting". There is no way I'll accomplish everything on the list before she arrives, but that's okay. Once she's here, those things won't matter....at least for a little while.

It's the coldest day of the season so far. The wind chill this morning was 24 degrees! So cold! We were supposed to see some ice and snow this morning, but it all ended up south, for which I am very grateful. I hope it's not icy when we bring little Allie home, that would make me so nervous! That's probably just one more of those uncontrollable things that I shouldn't worry about, but I do anyway.

30 days and counting...

Let the Countdown Begin...

Our precious baby Allie is due to arrive one month from today! I hope to write at least a little each day from now until she arrives, so that I can look back and remember this immeasurable feeling of anticipation.

Since it's hard to make sense of all of my thoughts, expectations, and crazy emotions right now, I'll just list a few of the things bouncing around in my heart and head as we wait for Allie's birth.

To Do:

• Make some cute burp cloths. (We only have two right now!)
• Buy a baby monitor, crib skirt, and other finishing touches.

Other musings...

• This month will be full of lots of "lasts". Depending on Allie's birthday, this will be our last Christmas season as just a "couple".
• There will only be 4 or 5 more weekends Adam and I have to laze around the house together...just the two of us.
• Though she is quickly outgrowing her space, and kicking me in my broken rib often, I will strive to enjoy this season.
• Allie has the hiccups 1-3 times every day. Poor baby.
• Today was my last day of teaching sewing. Such a sweet season of my life, but I'm excited about what's next: mommying and monogramming!