So much to write…

Well, we are back from our Thanksgiving travels and I am enjoying a nice cup of coffee on this cozy, cold and rainy morning. My life is about to launch into a whirlwind, but for now I’m going to try to savor the peace and quiet.

Thanksgiving was such a blessing, and a precious time with family. We were able to spend wonderful time with Johnny, my brother, his wife, Meghan,, and their two boys Kyler and Nikolas. I am so proud of this family! They are doing great!! I am so proud of them!

It was great to see other family members. They were all so excited to see the big tummy, and to try to feel Harper move. However, she was pretty quiet this past weekend. It must have been all the turkey. Our family threw a baby shower for us on Friday, and gave us so many sweet things that I can’t wait to use! We got our stroller/carseat combo, a pack-n-play, a ton of cute clothes and stuffed animals! We are so thankful for everyone’s generosity as we start our new life with Harper!

Moving into today and looking toward the next week, I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around the life change that is about to take place with our move to Nashville next Wednesday. Everyone keeps asking me if it has “sunk in” yet. And the answer is no. I keep waiting for it to, but it just hasn’t. I think because it is moving so fast. Mom is on her way down today to help me gather and sort the things we need to take to our apartment. The blessing in all of this is we will be living in a furnished apartment, so we don’t have to take any of our furniture right now! That would be just more stress! Once our house sells, and we find a house up there, then we will make the BIG move. I know I will miss so many people here, but I really am looking forward to this new start. It just seems fitting for us to make this big life change right before our family expands. I know the sadness will come and that there will be lonely days ahead, but Jesus will sustain and provide for our every need. This is going to be an adventure, and I can’t wait to go through this big life change with my best friend and hubby!!!

As far as my pregnancy is going, all is progressing well. Harper moves a lot – especially when Chris talks to her each night. It is so sweet to feel/watch them interact. I cant wait until we can hold her and see her face and interact with her all the more! I think Braxton Hicks contractions have started, too. They are fake contractions that tone your muscles and get you ready (as can be) for labor. They are completely painless, just weird feeling. My stomach will get rock hard and stay that way for about 30 seconds. It just means that I am getting closer!!!

Well, thats about it for now. Once I’m up in TN, I should have much more time to update this blog. I have so many thoughts running through my head that I look forward to some down time where I can process them. I am truly thankful for the move and how it has fallen right in the middle of my pregnancy. I feel that it is going to give me time to process and mentally and emotionally prepare as best as I know how for the arrival of my daughter and my new role as mama!

The Lord is good, and He truly does make all things beautiful in HIS time!

24 weeks – 6 months!!!!!!

I can’t believe I’ve already made it to 6 months! Harper Grace is flipping all around right now as I write this. I actually got to SEE her move on Saturday as she kicked or poked my right side – how cool!!!

I can’t wait until Thanksgiving to see my family so that they can feel her and see her move, too!

Here is a little progression of belly shots – ranging from 2 days to 24 weeks. Lets see if I can do this….
2 days after postive pregnancy test (approximately 5 weeks)
10 weeks
16 weeks
22 weeks
23 weeks – my view
24 weeks

I’ve been feeling great, and am enjoying being pregnant. I can’t wait to see her and hold her! Chris talks to her every night, and she is starting to respond to his voice. Last night we tried to put a flashlight up to my stomach to see if she would respond to light; however after only holding it there for 2 seconds, I was afraid we were going to blind her, so I decided we would wait a few more weeks before we tried that one again. 🙂

Hope everyone is doing well! Miss you and love you all!

23 weeks

Just a quick update… Chris felt Harper move for the first time this weekend! It was so cool to see him actually connect with his little girl! His eyes lit up when he felt her kick. He felt her about 3-4 more times that day.

An Update Finally… 22 weeks and 3 days

Hello Friends and Family!

Sorry it has been so long since I’ve updated! We have been quite busy around here lately, and since I’m not feeling sick anymore, time is flying by!

Hmmmm… lets see what I can fill you in on…

1st… we have a name!!! Harper Grace Blanton… Chris was laying on the couch one night and the name just “came to him” No family history or anyone that we know with that name. We BOTH like it – which was a first, so as we mulled over it the next few days, we definitely knew that was her name!

2nd… here is the update for almost 5 1/2 months along….

How far along? 22 weeks and 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds

Maternity clothes? In full swing! Just received a TON from my next door neighbor! Now at least I’m not wearing the same things over and over and over again!!!!

Stretch marks? hmmmm… a few have developed, but not on my tummy! 😉

Sleep: well, sleep is wonderful right now. I sleep like I am in a coma! I don’t hear anything, and Chris says I have picked up a new little hobby… snoring. Oh how delightful! I don’t want to be a snorer! That is gross! Hopefully, it will go a way once Harper arrives! He says I only do it every now and then… so maybe there is hope!

Best moment this week: shopping for my little girl on Saturday at the outlet mall, i got sooo many cute things – her crib dust ruffle, a bumper pad, 2 cute little outfits I couldn’t resist, and a shadow box frame.

Movement: TONS!!! I’m trying to start keeping a kick count, but its hard! I just make sure she moves some every hour. She really goes to town when I’m eating. 🙂 She must like food like her mama!

Food cravings: Cinnamon rolls or muffins

Gender: Its a GIRL!

Labor Signs: none thank goodness! Although I did have a little scare about 2 weeks ago. I had some cramping all across my abdomen, but it turned out just to be her growing and stretching me out! That happened Friday, and Sunday I had so many people coming up to me saying – oh my gosh, you actually look pregnant now!

Belly Button in or out? in, but shallow!

Wedding rings on or off? off… only b/c they have been giving my finger a weird rash! I’m going to have them cleaned and see if that helps at all!

What I miss:eating a good hot dog. Weird, I don’t really even like hot dogs all that much, but since I can’t have them, I just want one.

What I am looking forward to: Chris feeling her move, AND starting to do stuff for the nursery! I will post a pic of what we are hoping for her nursery to turn out like!

Weekly Wisdom: start collecting stuff now! Especially diapers! I try to buy 1 pack every time I go to the grocery store. I’m collecting all sizes so we will have some back ups. I know we will go through them so fast!

Milestones: Finally choosing a name – Harper Grace! Going shopping for Harper, and feeling her move all the time!