HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Today is Lauren's birthday!!! She had a great day. We were able to go out to eat at Famous Dave's (BBQ) where she had ribs. Most of her birthday celebration happened last weekend, so today has been a pretty slow day. Lauren is doing great as usual and she looks better than ever. We found out that our baby is the size of a banana, about 10 inches long, that is just crazy to think about. Our child has almost doubled in size over the past couple of weeks. Be sure to check in on Wednesday night, we will be revealing the gender of our baby!!! We are so excited... thanks to all of you who voted on baby names, keep them coming. Love you all.

We just wanted to share photos with you of all the cool baby stuff we got last week. We are so grateful for the blessing that Connie poured out on us. Thank you again for your wonderful posts, keep them coming. We will be posting another poll soon, so stay tuned in. Love you all.

I am Free!!

As my belly has continued to grow, I have come to the realization that I need to start wearing maternity clothes. My sister gave me several shirts when I went to visit her a few weeks ago, but recently my pants have become a little snug. Yesterday my mom took me shopping for my birthday, and I bought the most amazing pair of pants! They are "below the belly" maternity pants. So I don't have to have a huge belly to keep them pulled up, and there is no extra material under my shirt. They also have the elastic waste band, the type you would see on a pair of pants for a young child. So far they probably sound dorky, right? Well I wore them to work today, and all day I couldn't help but smile! My belly felt free!! Free to be growing, free to expand instead of being constricted to a normal pair of pants, free to be whatever size it wants! Too bad I cannot wear them everyday.

Since I am writing, I figured I would take a moment to praise God. Last Thursday, Tre and I were invited by a friend to a large consignment sale in Franklin. In case you don't live in TN, that is where people who have lots of money live. ;) A woman, who is a friend of my friend, was working the sale and invited us to come and purchase items when only other workers or invited guests could come. The place was HUGE and filled with tons of items . . everything from clothes, games, and furniture to everything you could need for a baby! For the first thirty minutes, Tre and I walked in circles being overwhelmed. Then we took one section at a time, and began to make some selections. We found a crib, changing table, jogging stroller, regular stroller and infant carrier car seat, vibrating chair, swing, and a few other small items. Not only had this woman invited us to come early to the sale, but she paid for $150 of our total price!! It was such a blessing and left me without words to express my gratitude. I know that our little baby is a blessing from the Lord, and I am constantly filled with Joy just to be carrying him or her. However, to receive a blessing from a woman I don't even know . . . well words cannot describe. Praise the Lord! He is good and faithful to those who serve Him.

Oh and one more thought . . . Tre has finally felt the baby kick!!! Crazy that this little one is constantly moving around, I notice it more and more each day. Thanks for reading . . LOVE YOU ALL!

The Belly Update: Week 18

We have reached the 18 week mark and the baby has grown to the size of a bell pepper as you read in the previous post. The baby is not the only thing growing... Lauren's body has begun giving way to the growing fetus and beautiful belly has started to grow. She looks amazing and I cannot keep my hands off the belly. She is doing great and she has even felt the baby moving more frequently. I still am amazed that there is a child growing and I am just blown away by the awesomeness of God's creation. It is hard to believe that people still question His existence. Love you all and we look forward to your comments. Pratt and Lexi, try not to cry this time!!!

Pepper Anyone?

Lauren is now 18 weeks and the vegetable of the week is a "Bell Pepper." She looks AMAZING!!! When Lauren came back in town the other night, I went to pick her up from the airport, she officially had the "Baby Bump," and it was such a cool moment seeing her walk down the terminal, so proud that she was an aunt to a cool kid, Kieren, but also that she too would soon be a mother. I always thought that she would look gorgeous as a prego lady, but I didn't know she would look this great. I love her more than words could ever express and I am so blessed and excited that I get to raise our children alongside her. I cannot keep my hands off her belly, it is awesome that there is a baby in there... "Holy crap, there's a baby in there?" For those of you who don't know that is a quote from, "Baby Mama." You should go rent it, very funny!

I am so blessed!

So I am sitting in the airport drying my tears, and yet still smelling the spit up on my shirt. About a half an hour before I had to leave, Kieren decided to spit up all over me. So much so that she got it all over her face, priceless! Knowing that all my clothes were packed, I decided to take it like a champ and just keep wearing the shirt I had.

I have been fortunate enough to spend the past five days with my sister, her husband, and my niece in Raleigh, NC. Kieren Joy is one month old and already a bundle of joy and energy!! She has gas constantly and pretty explosive farts. However, my favorite thing she does is stick her tongue out! It is so cute to watch her discover different things about her body. She also started using her hands more: wiping her face, pushing things away, or cuddling with her hand by her ear. Seriously, the most precious gift from God I have ever beheld.

As my sister and I were walking today, I was telling her that this trip has been so different from what I had originally planned. I was supposed to help with Kieren and support Sarah in any way possible. Even though I did, I got so much more in return. Last week was so hectic and emotional that I was behind on much needed sleep. Being here with them helped me relax and catch up on some quality Zzzzs. In addition, I was able to spend some great time with the Lord through my devotions that my spiritual soul was also refreshed. As if that was not enough, Sarah was such a gracious teacher. I have never really been around babies, especially infants. She taught me everything from diapers, changing clothes, bath time, feeding, burping, and all out soothing an infant. She talked me through her labor and the first month of being a mother. I am now going home with so much knowledge and more importantly confidence that I can actually do this. Helping take care of Kieren has given me so much excitement about having my own baby. I am even more energized emotionally, spiritually, and physically to continue to strive to be the best mother I can be!!

As I said earlier, I just feel so blessed to have the family that I do. We are not perfect by any means, but the Lord has transformed our relationships to the purest love you can have for another person. My sister, my best friend, and just an amazing woman of God has blessed me more these past five days than I could ever repay her. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to love and be loved by some amazing people.

Awesome Story... You NEED to Watch This!!!

This is an awesome story. When you think you cannot do anything, just remember this story. J-Mac is the man!!! Enjoy.