Time flies when you're expecting a baby...

I'm noticing that as time goes by, it's going by quickly! I was going over some old blog posts and read the one where we announced being pregnant. It just seems like yesterday that we found out, now we are almost 19 weeks already! For as excited as we are, I wish time would slow down a little too. We have so much to look forward to, showers to attend, registries to create, and decorating- I'm trying to take each moment and savor it! 

All my life I've wanted to be a mother and I'm so close. It brings me to tears thinking how God would be so trusting to place a tiny seed in me to want to be a mother and then to be so faithful to allow it to come to fruition. He is good and He is truly the giver of good gifts! 

As I said before, we are about 19 weeks and things are really starting to change. It seems my belly popped out over night! I notice now that bending over is difficult and sleeping at night is becoming a challenge. I don't feel sick anymore, just the occasional craving. I feel movements constantly, which is reassuring and encouraging. I have an ultrasound this week and will possibly even be able to find out what the baby's gender is! Very excited!! We will likely announce it within the next couple of weeks! 

Feeling so blessed today! Give God thanks! :)

I'll do whatever it takes...

  We are so excited at how well the pregnancy is going! I'm halfway through my 13th week now and things are definitely starting to change and grow (my belly!!). I've seen my doctor a couple times now and have had 2 ultrasounds. The last ultrasound, the baby was bouncing all over, waving it's arms. It's such an awesome reassurance to see hear that little heartbeat (160 beats per minute). 

  On January 4th, I will be going to the hospital to have a procedure done called a cerclage. In this procedure they do a little purse string suture across the opening of the cervix. Mainly precaution for when the baby gets heavier and puts pressure on the cervix. With Miracle, her weight at 17.5 weeks was just too much causing me to dilate and deliver prematurely. This time around I will do whatever it takes to go full term. 

  I'm very optimistic! My doctor has done this procedure before and she is confident that I'll respond well. When I hit 36 weeks, they'll remove the suture allowing me to deliver naturally whenever God wants this little one to come! 

  Right now, we are preparing mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially for the baby. Planning showers and talking about registering for baby stuff is so much fun! I will wait a little while before choosing nursery colors and decor, even though it's so tempting to start now! I have some fun ideas that I'm looking forward to  trying out for the nursery! (Will post pictures!)

  DJ and I are taking it one day at a time, communicating when there are odd feelings or fears. Praying and believing for a healthy, active pregnancy and child. And just enjoying the pregnancy (as Nick Canuso prayed over us in October). Thank you for all your prayers, support, and encouragement! We are absolutely excited and cannot wait to meet this little one! God bless!!

Journey to Israel

       On October 23rd, we traveled to Chicago to start our journey to Israel. With a couple long flights ahead of us, we laughed and joked and prepared our hearts for what was to come. After arriving, we met our new group of friends, people that we would be seeing day in and day out for 2 whole weeks. Our group leaders, Dennis and Tirtzah, greeted us and we spoke shortly of what was to come for our trip. I went to sleep that night with great expectation and an empty camera card! The days started to fill up with amazing sights and Bible courses spoken in German. I enjoyed learning a new culture, but there was still something missing. After a couple conversations with group members, I came into a new light about Jesus, Jews, and Gentiles and how they come together. It's still something I need to learn more of, but there is no longer a big question mark in my heart when I think about Israel. A few of the trips we went on while in Israel: 

                                                                     

                                              Jerusalem

                        

  The Western Wall (The Wailing Wall):                        

                    Sea of Galilee

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                      The Jordan River

                                                                                                            Mediterannean Sea:

Caesarea:

Our fondest memory of Israel, was finding out that we are pregnant! God truly gave us an amazing gift and feel so blessed to have found out while on the trip! This picture is the day we told the group the great news. We had traveled to Mt. Carmel (which means "Fruitful") that morning and the group lifted us in prayer and declared life and protection over the baby on top of the mountain! We are so excited and will thank Him each day for this amazing opportunity! 

God Bless you, Friends and Family! We are so blessed by your prayers and encouraging advice! :)

Annabella

Let me tell you about a little girl I got to meet a couple weekends ago...Annabella. Anna means "Favor of God" and Bella means "Easy to love". She had dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, cute little button nose, and the cutest little smile you ever did see. Something about her resembled what I imagine our little Miracle to look like. Just beautiful, sweet, innocent...

The moment I saw her little face, I felt a warmth in my heart that brought me to tears. I got to hold her for a short time and even though my unpracticed arms fell asleep, I could almost not bear to hand her back to her beautiful mother. I heard the still small voice of God say,"Please don't be sad, keep your eyes on me, I love you..." 

I've managed to be strong and trust in Him through this whole chapter, but I have days that I remember Miracle and the journey that only just started when we lost her and it makes me sad. But I am hopeful and am clinging to His promises, that He is good. And just. And makes all things new. 

Annabella, thank you for giving me that moment to hear from the Lord and relish in His love for me. You are truly a blessing to everyone you come into contact with and God uses you, even now, as an infant! Mommy, please give her a squeeze for me...love you!

Be encouraged today that God has big plans and that He has great love for you!