Thankful! Thanksgiving 2008...

Our little family (me 36wks with baby Jake)

races (Haley and Luke)

Aunt Lissa, Courtney, Gran, Mom

Luke and Lissa racing

Sisters (and me looking huge next to them!)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with our family. We spent it eating delicious food, playing Mexican Train, playing volleyball (net set up in backyard), running races, and playing hide-and-go-seek in the dark on my parent's two acres. We had our three cousins here, Courtney home, and Gran, Lissa and Jon in town also. We had a great day!

I am of course thankful for God and His son Jesus, my Freedom, my family, our friends, my home, my country, and all of the wonderful things we have surrounding us.

However, this year I have two things (read: people) that stick out in my mind that I'm especially thankful for.

First, my Daddy Joe, who left this life this year and who is always in my heart. We miss him, his humor and his personality so much! Thanksgiving wasn't the same without him.

And second, our sweet baby boy who is beginning his life this year. I can't wait to see and hold him and wish he would've known his Grandaddy Joe face to face. Someday...

I love them both so much and am so thankful for their place in my life! Thank you, God, for placing these precious guys in my family!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!

Bring on Baby Jake!

view as you walk in the door to his room

dresser/changing table complete with all of the goodies from our showers

cute lil dirty clothes hamper- I'm sure we'll fill it up often!

comfy chair and a soft blanket. i know that it will be nice to have both of those for late night feedings and daily book reading!

expression on his wall...

toy bin! I LOVE it...

puppy stuff on top of hutch

"always kiss me goodnight" and nightlight

We are officially ready for Jake. Not only did we complete the nursery today but we attended our childbirth class. We learned a lot but were so glad that it only took up one day.

I am loving the nursery! We got so many neat things at our showers! It was fun adding it all to his three toy bins. I'll have to later post pics of his closet once it's organized. The boy will be the best dressed baby ever and he has tons of toys stored in there too! It's crazy.

I can't believe I am already over 35 weeks and Jake is supposedly around 6lbs. It is really sinking in that he'll be here almost any day now. I have another Dr appt Monday, they are every week now! I feel like I live there but love going since I get to hear Jake and check up on him.

Until next time! :)

Baby Advice

Ok, so everyone (not necessarily you guys) has been very generous in this area since I got pregnant, so y'all don't be shy now! ;-) Speak up and help a new mom out.

1.) Hospital bag. When do I pack it? Anything important I need to remember that I might not think of? Anything people didn't tell you about beforehand that you wish you'd had once you were in the hospital?

2.) Which were your favorite brand of diapers? We mostly have pampers, but I'm wondering if we've gone wrong by buying almost all pampers. We've stocked up slowly on sizes 1-3.

3.) (Getting a little more personal) What type of nursing bras did you like and how do you know what size to get? Do you buy them after the baby was born? Also, a couple of friends have told me that the tank tops were wonderful...any opinions on those?

4.) Anyone had a prenatal massage? Know of a reasonable priced place that does a good job? Would you recommend bothering with a prenatal massage?

5.) We are looking at getting a video camera for this new, exciting time in our lives. What brand do you all have and how do you like it. Where is the best place to purchase them and who has the best deals on them?

6.) Pediatricians. Who in my area LOVES their pediatrician? Who is fine recommending them but doesn't love them but has nothing bad to say about them? (Not that I don't want the best for Jake but maybe no one loves their pediatrician, and I still need somewhere to begin my search. Jeremy has really been on me about this!)

7.) I know I'm forgetting things I wanted advice on so any other advice or tips you think might help us out in the coming weeks feel free to share.

Thanks in advance for your responses! :)

An Interesting Day!

Well, this has proven to be a memorable day so far! (Well it is 12:47am so hopefully this is the end of my day)

For the first time ever I was so uncomfortable last night that I was up for several hours in the middle of the night with shooting pains in the sides of my stomach. I have yet to really be uncomfortable, so this little hint of it lets me know that I am getting close to the end, and to meeting baby Jake (approx 6 weeks left!). Thank goodness I usually don't have anywhere to be in the mornings so I can cope well! I LOVE not working, especially right now. Have I mentioned that? No regrets for me.

Secondly, my mom and I went shopping today. We headed over to the Cypress area around lunchtime because my brother had a 4pm game...or so we thought. When we got there we found out they weren't starting until 5, which was very disappointing because we both had to be somewhere so we had to leave before it even started! We still had a fun afternoon of shopping, though!

Also, my parent's got us a really cute bassinet from Pottery Barn Kids. My mom cut out a picture of it from the catalog and I opened it up (the picture) at my second shower. Well, I found out it came in today! It's at the Woodlands Mall waiting to be picked up. I was so excited! I am not a fan of the plastic looking ones now-a-days and so this very nice wood one was such a nice surprise. I can't wait to see Jake soundly sleeping in it...or screaming his head off waiting to be picked up. Either way- I can't wait!

Below is a picture of it, except that is espresso instead of white! I LOVE it.

Tonight we had our last Tuesday evening Romans Bible study with our preacher. We've met at his home for about 11 weeks now. It has been life changing and such a blessing to us. We've learned things are not always what they seem, or what you are taught. He gave us some very good advice to not swallow what people tell you so easily, even what he tells us (as certain things are left up to interpretation and are not 100% clear like other things are). But also to hold on to what you believe, until someone can take it away from you (or prove you wrong). Mainly I have learned that we have been given an amazing gift of Jesus dying on the cross for us, and that it was just that-a gift. All we have to do is accept it. We do not have to earn our way into Heaven, and, in fact, cannot earn our way into Heaven. We are saved by grace (God's), through faith (ours). And our works here on earth are part of our faith but have no role in our salvation. They are just a result of our faith and love and obedience but do not make us righteous, Jesus does. I believe I have understood that I am part responsible for my salvation, and that I can earn part of it. That is not true! I cannot earn it, for it is only Christ who can do that...and He did it for me. I am so thankful and it is so liberating to know that it is not on my shoulders, but is already done for me. I am not perfect but because He is perfect for me I do not have to be, I just have to believe in and obey Him the best I can. I can do that! This has brought a whole new meaning to people saying that Christians are hypocrites. I have said that also. But, I have also said that we are Christians not because we are perfect but because we are flawed. This proves it...we seek him because we are lost! If we were/are perfect then we would not need Him at all. But we all do, and He is there willing and ready. Isn't that great?!? I think so!

I will be thankful for this in depth study and new and improved understanding of exactly what He did for me (and all of those who love Him) the rest of my life.

Now, to conclude an already memorable day, I hear (in the background noise of the TV a weather bulletin) as I am checking my usual sites that there is a Tornado warning and that a Tornado touched down just miles from my house! So, I type in my zip code at weather.com and it has Tornado Warning at the top so it is confirmed. But, Jeremy is sleeping next to me and doesn't seem interested to talk about the tornado when I wake him up. Anyone remember our Honeymoon cruise during Hurricane Claudette when our toilet water was splashing out of the toilet and he told me to go back to sleep? (lol)) Anyway, I guess I am in the safety of my home so I am OK just sitting here listening to the beautiful sound of thunder and watching the lightning flash outside my window. I know I'm weird...but I am thoroughly enjoying the weather right now!

It will be a wonderful sound so fall asleep to. So, on that note I'm off to bed. I hope to have a less eventful day tomorrow, even though today was a great day! :)

Happy Birthday Court!

My younger sister Courtney turns 24 today!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Jeremy, Amanda, Baby Jake, Sadie and Cassie

How We've Grown!!

8 weeks

15 weeks

20 weeks

27 weeks

32.5 weeks

I was organizing pics on my computer and found these and thought I'd compare. So neat!

I'm feeling very large these days! But Jake is now between 4 and 5 pounds! Since he usually measures big, I'm sure he's closer to 5. I am still feeling major kicks to the ribs and sides and sometimes back, but have read that movement will slow a little from now on as he's running out of room.

My bellybutton is still "in" and for that I am so thankful! I've also not yet gotten a stretch mark! Let's hope that they hold off for good. I still feel wonderful and love being pregnant. The third trimester is not near as bad as I've heard!

I LOVE you baby Jake and am getting SO EXCITED to meet and hold you!

It's a Sad Day...

I am kinda shocked right now...and a little bit sad!

I believe in Democracy so I will have to come to terms with the results of tonight, Election Day 2008. I did vote, so I can complain about the results a little bit. (You can't complain if you didn't vote!)

Here are some random thoughts on why I think this is a sad day...and I'm mainly doing this just to vent and to record my feelings on this day so that I can look back on them later!

-People aren't considering whether or not Obama is the right man (or black man) for the job- they are just thinking that he will make history as the first black president so he should be voted for. Sadly, many people that have never cared in previous elections (between two white men) are suddenly showing up in masses to vote for their candidate. Is there a worse reason to vote for or against a candidate than skin color? Not in my book.

-A black woman on the radio earlier actually called in saying that she's so excited that she won't have to pay her mortgage or other bills ever again. She said, "I scratched Obama's back so now he'll scratch mine!" Do people truly believe that? If they do they are truly ignorant.

-I can't stand the share the wealth philosophy. I can share my wealth by giving where I see fit. I don't want my money going to useless pests of society.
Speaking of useless...This morning at 9am on my way to a weekly bible study Jessica and I stopped to get a coke at the gas station. There were two women in line, bellies hanging out, buying beer. Ok....so that's already gross in and of itself as it's 9am on a Tuesday. The woman then asks if the gas station accepted food stamps. Not to mention that she smelled of cig smoke and was ONLY buying beer! Are you kidding me?

-I saw a few minutes ago that McCain heard that 50% of people who support him were scared of Obama being elected. McCain did not like that people were scared and believes we have no reason to be. I am not scared in that I think he's a terrorist or anything. I am scared in that his preacher and friend of 20 years is an absolute radical freak! I am scared in that I want my kids to value work and earning your own things and not getting handouts. I am scared in that John McCain had great experience with foreign policy and protecting our nation and Obama most certainly does not. I am scared that other countries know that he's weak in that area and that our country could be vulnerable. I am scared in that his values are nothing like mine....at all.

I also tried to put myself in McCain's shoes. I don't think he's perfect, but I felt for him tonight. I thought that his speech was amazing and touching. I thought if I were him I would be mad at our country. Whether it's right or wrong it's true. I think I would be thinking..."You people just voted for a guy who has served this country in the Senate less time than I was held as a prisoner of war." I spent 5.5 years being held captive and love this country. This guy can't even put his hand over his heart..has never served our country, and identifies more with his race than being an American. I loved that John McCain said he feels no stronger affliation in his life than that to his country. That's powerful, and true. I wouldn't have my freedom of religon, family, friends, husband, home, freedom, that I have without this country...and that is what I want to be in the heart of the person who runs this country. I will NEVER vote for a woman just because she is a woman. Just like the men I've voted for, she'd have to be the RIGHT woman.

-I absolutely detest Obama's speeches. They are like Martin Luther King wannabe speeches. They are flowery and insincere and I can't hardly listen to them. So he gives a good speech so I guess he should be our next president? Hitler was a persuasive speaker, too. I can't believe he is known for his speeches and after listening to both of them tonight there was a hands down winner when it came to sincerity, grace, dignity, and respectfulness. I thought John McCain's concession speech was one of the best speeches I've ever heard!

I have SO MANY MORE THOUGTS ON THIS SUBJECT...but one last note before I'm off to bed (it is 12:30 am afterall and I'm 8 mos pregnant). Jesse Jackson crying after they announced Obama President elect was just a joke. Who still takes him seriously?!?

Sorry spellcheck isn't running and I'm too tired to proofread, so I am going to have to risk looking ridiculous in that area for tonight...

Goodnight!

These are the days...

I have had a wonderful time off of work. I have been super busy and don't know how I would've continued to work and been this productive and gotten so much rest at the same time! I used to have to choose between one or the other!

Since my last day of work (3 weeks ago) I've had two showers, gone to a birthday party, gone to the pumpkin patch, attended a ladies bible study every Tuesday morning, cleaned our house from top to bottom, had a thyroid biopsy, had a 32 wk Baby Jake ultrasound, attended my first playdate, made several exchanges on things we had multiple of, and attended more Dr appts than I care to remember! Plus tons of time sleeping in and hanging out with friends and family. I am enjoying it and soaking it up....as it will end in just a few short weeks. It's hard to believe I'll be 33 weeks this Thursday! Jake is as cute and active as ever and is a big boy- weighing over 4lbs so far (last week) and always measuring betw 1/2 week and two weeks big every time we go to the doctor.

Speaking of the thyroid ultrasound.... my doctor found a lump on my throat about a month ago when I was sick. He wanted to be cautious even though he thought it was a lymph node and had me get a thyroid ultrasound. I was not worried about it at all. But, a few days later it came back that there was a 5cm mass in my throat! That is huge at 2.5 inches. I was then referrred to an endocrinologist who decided to order a needle biopsy. I finally had the biopsy last Wed and will get results this week. I am not too worried about it but pray that it is not cancer. It would be hard to find that out 7 wks before our son gets here. The endocrinologist has already decided to take out part or all of my thyroid after Jake arrives. If it is cancer the whole thing will be removed and if it's benign the mass and the left side of my thyroid will be removed. Not looking forward to having surgery right after Jake arrives, but am thankful my doctor found it before it got any bigger (it's already making it hard to breathe!).

Well, the nursery is almost finished and I will be posting pics soon. but a 32 1/2 week belly shot will have to do for now. :)