To those still waiting...

To you, the woman struggling with infertility:

I know your pain. I know how bad your heart aches. I know more than anything you want to tell your husband that he is going to be a daddy. I know you want to be the best friend, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, and wife you can possibly be, but it's hard to feel your best when you feel like a failure. I understand that emptiness you have in your heart. Although you live a happy life with your sweet husband, you still have that hole in your heart that awaits the day it's filled with a blessing from God.

 

At times you forget the big picture, you forget that God trusted you with this journey. At times you feel like you're being punished, but I can reassure you that this will only make you and your husband stronger. It's ok to be weak at times. Being weak does not make you a bad person, nor a bad wife (friend-daughter-sibling, etc). Not everyone will understand what you are going through. Not everyone will know how to comfort you. Cling to your husband, to God and let them be your comfort in your time of need. && Know that God always keeps his promises!

 

Here's proof:

 

 

This little horsie got into the sweet potatoes!

Best Apple Cake

Wesley's Favorite
~ Apple Cake ~

Some Favorite Things for Anna

Just some of Anna's cute things!

36 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Highlights-34 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 34 weeks and 2 days

Baby's size? 5.25lbs according to a baby website


Gender? Still a baby GIRL, I hope! :)


Weight Gain? I will be honest. I have gained 40lbs now. I am honestly not concerned with that at all, but some other people seem to have their own comments/thoughts. My doctors are not concerned, so neither am I! Ready to start weight watchers this spring!


Maternity clothes? I basically wear yoga pants everyday, unless we are going somewhere, I throw on my maternity jeans, but they are getting a little uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? Showed up around the 25 week mark. They are getting more red, deeper, and itchier every day, but they don't bother me.


Belly button in or out? It's almost level to my belly now, which is crazy because I had a really deep belly button!


Sleeping? Well, let's see...this is how it usually goes....I stay awake at night until about 1-2am, and then I wake up any time around 7am-9am... I eat breakfast, watch TV, get on the computer, and then take a nap from about 11-1.


Foods I'm loving? Still pretty much anything, except BBQ. I can't stand the smell of it.


Foods I'm hating? BBQ smell, I don't know why?


Best moment this week? Saturday we had our birthing class at the hospital. I guess the best moment from that was watching Wesley put on the empathy belly and feel for THREE whole minutes how I have been feeling for a long time, haha.


What I'm looking forward to? Well, tonight we have a breastfeeding class that I am looking forward to, but other than that...I am looking forward to my doctor appointment that should be around Feb. 22. I will be 36 weeks and some days at that point, and I will be getting checked for dilatation and effacement every week until delivery!

What I miss? Right now I really miss hanging out with friends and being around people during the day. Don't get me wrong, I totally enjoy time by myself, but it gets really lonely some days, especially when I know other people are doing stuff together and I'm not invited for some reason....I mean, I may be big and uncomfortable most of the time, but I still want to have fun, too.

Symptoms? some back contractions, pelvic pain (known as SPD), getting out of breath easily, and I'm also still dealing with this sinus infection, although I am fairly certain I am at the tail-end of it...


Weekly Wisdom: This week I am going to try to remind myself that, even though I AM uncomfortable most of the time and sick right now, that I am almost done with being pregnant. I know I need to enjoy these last few weeks and there are a few things that I am enjoying right now (Anna's movements, although sometimes hurtful, etc)...I need to remember that I may never get pregnant again, so I need to try to relax and take it day by day & TRY to enjoy what I can :)


Milestones: Birthing class is over with, Breastfeeding class is tonight. At my next dr. appt. (Feb 16) I will have the "Group B Strep" test, hopefully it's negative...the next milestone I am looking forward to though is the 36 weeks appt.


Emotions: Oh my...so many emotions. I am really excited and anxious to see when labor starts and how it goes and how the birth goes, but I am also very nervous about it at the same time. I am very excited to finally meet our daughter, but I am also very, very overwhelmed with the thought of Wesley leaving on March 29th. I am starting to really get worried about postpartum depression. It would have been super-super hard on me, not being pregnant, for Wesley to leave for 6 months, but to throw in postpartum & a new baby....I am getting very worried. I know people will be here to help, but you can't replace your best friend, husband, & father to your new baby girl!

Nursery Pictures

32 weeks

Yikes...a big belly! 32 weeks pregnant.

Just some cute Kitty Pictures!

"White" Chicken Chili

Stephanie's version of not so "White" Chicken Chili



INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut up into small chunks
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium-sized onion, chopped (I always use frozen chopped onion, so much easier!)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 cans of Great Northern Beans, drained & rinsed
1 (14-1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, undrained
1 (32 oz) container chicken broth
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 packet White Chicken Chili Seasoning Packet

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In dutch oven , heat the oil over medium heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, until browned.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion is tender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the chili thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.








This soup is so easy & so delicious! A lot of flavors (especially if you add the seasoning packet from McCormick's)

Can't believe it's been 7 years since he passed away...

I can just hear him saying "We've got it made, sissy!"


My high school graduation day, May 2003.

June 2007 with my dad's truck.

Updated Pregnancy Photos

Wesley and I (27 weeks pregnant)

(27 weeks pregnant) A new haircut!

30 weeks pregnant

Baby Shower 1-Solsberry UMC

30 weeks and 1 day pregnant!

Pregnancy Highlights

*I saw this on another blog & decided to fill in my own answers :)

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 29 weeks and 4 days


Baby's size? I think we'll get a good guess at our next appt. on January 18th. If I could guess...probably about 3lbs.


Gender? Still a baby GIRL!


Weight Gain? 30lbs (oops) but trust me I am so ready to start Weight Watchers in May! You have to wait about 6 weeks after birth to start actively trying to lose weight, I heard.


Maternity clothes? I've been wearing maternity for a long time now. I was so excited to finally wear the maternity clothes I had been storing for years!

Stretch marks? Yep, those came at about 25 weeks. They are really itchy!!


Belly button in or out? It's still in there, but a lot more shallow than it was. I doubt mine will pop, because I had a really deep belly button.


Sleeping? Not the greatest, at least at night. I can take a nap just fine! Anna likes to do jumping jacks at night, so it's pretty hard to get comfortable.


Foods I'm loving? Pretty much everything! :)


Foods I'm hating? Anything with an extremely strong smell, nothing specific though.


Best moment this week? Going to the doctor's office on Tuesday morning & hearing our baby girl's heartbeat again! She's doing wonderfully!!


What I'm looking forward to? My first shower on Sunday at church!


What I miss? Just my hubby when he's at work & Cherry Coke, lol.


Symptoms? Breathlessness, rapid heart beat, this weird fatigue/insomnia thing...


Weekly Wisdom: Put your feet up & drink a lot of water!!!


Milestones: Only 10 more weeks!


Emotions: Crying at pretty much EVERY-thing lately...It's so much fun, haha.