They say it tastes like orange sunkist pop...

DUNT DUNT DUUUUUUN! The week of the glucose test has finally arrived!! I haven't been looking forward to the test, but I am pretty excited we are at 28 weeks! I don't know if people who have gone through it really think it tastes like flat orange pop, but we shall see! I think I've been pretty determined to not have gestational diabetes, so I've watched my sugar intake. But when you crave something sweet, you have to eat it!! :) 

In all my magazines and books, they've announced the final decent of the pregnancy: THIRD TRIMESTER! For the past two trimesters, I have coasted on good reports and ultrasound pictures showing me glimpses of my baby girl. And now, all of a sudden, we are almost done! Exciting, but a bundle of nerves. Watching and paying total attention to how I feel with every braxton hicks contraction that passes. I've registered with the hospital, made my hospital/baby bag list of things to pack, and have learned a little bit about how to breathe during labor. Because we've chosen to have baby showers after Baby Steen is born, I think it feels like her arrival should be later. But we only have 12 weeks left!!!

We are all moved over from our house and DJ continues to finish little projects there to be ready to show it to potential buyers! When all is said and done, we are glad we moved. BUT transition is difficult, especially when I don't do particularly well with changes. Momma just wants to NEST here people! :) :)

Thank you to everyone who has visited and sent cards and goodie bags! It has really made this time pass by a little more quickly than I anticipated! When Baby gets here, watch out, cuz we'll be knocking on your door! No laying around for this Momma!! :) 

BLESSINGS!!!

You are my hiding place...

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" Psalm 32:7 & 11

I was reading this morning and this scripture really ministered to me. I feel like sometimes I can get down and feel sorry for myself about being on bed rest. But knowing what I'm fighting for encourages me and gives me that much  more gusto to get through one more day! I've been trusting in the Lord to give me strength and comfort each new day. It's not easy, but I will continue to press on :) 

I can't believe it's been 8 weeks already! We are between 26 and 27 weeks now and baby is measuring right on and weighing 2 lbs. She has been very active! I just love feeling her move around! Visitors have been able to feel her movements as well, which is fun! 

We are moving this weekend to a new home. It has been kind of hard not being able to help, but I have AMAZING family that help selflessly! I can't even imagine what we'd do without them! I'll be posting pictures as I can take them!

We are very excited to start this new leg of our journey together!

Be blessed today! 

My cup is full!

3 WEEKS DOWN!! AND INTO WEEK #4!

We are into our 23rd week now! Bed rest has been going well. And surprisingly I've stayed pretty busy! I've had several visitors, two who have brought their babies! It filled my baby cravings! Thank you friends! 

I appreciate everything that has been provided for my never ending entertainment!! What a blessing to have such amazing friends and family!!

Things I have begun to appreciate more:

1) A full water bottle

2) A warm shower

3) Clean comfy pants

4) A chocolate stash within arms reach

5) Internet- that is always working!

6) A charged phone (phone calls, texts, and Words with Friends tends to drain it!)

7) Clean comfy pants! (Did I already mention that??)

8) Friends/Family visits...means more than you know!

9) Pinterest & Netflix

And last, but surely not least...

10) My husband!! Over the last month he has acted selflessly to make sure that all my needs are met, like the cravings that require him to leave the house even when he has just arrived home! I am so blessed!

We have a doctor appointment next week! We'll have an ultrasound to see the baby and will also be scheduled for the steroid shots for the baby's lungs development. Please be praying that this week goes by with ease and that I'll remain peaceful and joyful! Each day is a gift and I'm treating it as such...especially when this little one is bouncing inside of me! 

Thank you for reading! Blessings!

Definition of Bed Rest..

Rest: Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

Before being pregnant, I would think about what it would be like to be on bed rest..."Time off" or "I could catch up on so many things!" or "I can sleep in every day!!". As I lay here (one week and one day having been on bed rest), I feel as thought those answers have changed quite a bit! 

I went in for a routine checkup and ultrasound, baby cooperated and was able to show the tech if she were a boy or a girl and I was ecstatic! The doctor came in and said that my cervix was shorter than she'd like to see and that I would need to start bed rest as soon as I arrived home. BUMMER!!! None of those feelings of having time off or being able to sleep in every day crossed my mind! In fact, it was quite the opposite. I began thinking about everything that I would be missing because of being laid up at home. Coffee dates, pedicure/lunch dates, and possibly even my own baby showers! I had to have some time to process everything and it came down to this: DJ and I would do anything for our baby, and that even meant being on bed rest for the entirety of the pregnancy! My quiet times since then have consisted with prayers of protection and life. That I would keep my gaze fixed on Jesus and continue to steward an atmosphere of peace and love. And that I would take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 

Last Saturday we had our family over and partook of the amazing cake pops (Made by Crystal Lynn!!) to reveal our baby's gender...we are having a baby GIRL!!! It was such an amazing experience finding out that way!

Since then we've been praying and anointing the belly mostly every day and just watching it grow and grow! She has been VERY active, moving around all the time. It's one of the coolest feelings---I can't wait for the kicks!!

So, is bed rest all that bad?? No. I am still able to enjoy friends and meals. And I do get to sleep in some. Ultimately, I am a mother and I will do whatever I have to keep her safe and sound until it's time for her to come out! 

You can be praying for extra miraculous results of our ultrasound next week and a good report! We believe in a BIG God and are trusting in His promises!! Be blessed!!