Lately... {24 Weeks}

The past few weeks have been a real trial period. We have officially overstayed our estimated time in Central City and Truman's job is still up in the air. Being the planner and control-freak that I am, I've had to truthfully answer the question of "do I really trust God?". Once I get past my complaining, I look back at the past two months and realize how blessed our time has been.

I have been fortunate enough to work few hours and live a relatively stress-free life (which is SO important for the baby), we have had the opportunity to catch up financially, Truman's had a break from school, and we've been able to spend a lot of time together. I've also been able to devote time each day to spend in God's word and it has made a world of difference.

It's funny that when I stop my wining about how things don't go the way I plan, I see that God is actually giving me exactly what I need--time with Him and time with my husband.

We spent some time at the Barista's reading on the patio one day. Definitely one of my favorite things to do.

I've been reading "Becoming God's True Woman" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and a few other women. It's a great book and I highly recommend it. A book like this is so important in a world where women are less concerned with how God created them to be and more concerned with how the world thinks they should be.

The fields are starting to get nice and fluffy. I still go out and sit in the tractor with Tru from time to time.

I've been enjoying my free days roaming around the antique stores of Grand Island. I don't consider myself to be a great bargain shopper but I recently purchased this reading chair for $25...I think I deserve a high five for that.

We started out the wedding season at Babel's Barn this weekend where we got married a year ago. It was fun to be back and re-live those memories.

24 Weeks!

 Truman's wonderful photography skills.

 Loving my growing bump--is it crazy that I feel more beautiful with a big belly?

Pregnancy updates:

-Cravings lately have consisted of Carlos O Kelley's salsa and queso and ice cream cake from Dairy Queen...which is strange because I hate DQ ice cream and I've always thought their cakes were nasty.

-I wake up early every morning really sore and it takes a while to adjust. However, Baby P is usually most active at that time so it's impossible to complain. This morning her feet were completely stretched out to my side and I could feel the little things kicking. There's no better way to start my day.

-We go in for our next appointment this Wednesday and I am so excited to see how much she has grown. I also have to take the dreaded Glucose test and I'm kind of psyching myself out about it. Someone lie to me and tell me it's not that bad! (I get to eat jelly beans instead of drink the orange bottle of death so that helps).

Can't believe I'm 6 months. Trying to enjoy every single day of this bonding time with my gal.
Cheers, J.

Summer Sounds

Summer is where I always create my favorite music memories. 

I don't know what it is about this season.

The music is more piercing, more influential.

Lately there have been a lot of great album releases (or news of up-coming releases) and I just wanted to share what Baby P and I are spending these summer days listening to...

Willie Nelson : Heroes

 The Welcome Wagon : Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices

Trums and I have been fans for years, but I've always struggled with their borderline Sufjan Stevens wackiness. However, I'm happy to say that this is my favorite album to date and I always get excited about musicians who use their talent to glorify Christ. Nothin' better.

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors : Through The Night

My favorite album of the summer so far. Never been a huge fan of their stuff (except for Ellie Holcomb's solo album) but this record has completely won me over. They cover some of the best-- Patty Griffin, Bob Dylan, John Prine, U2, Tom Petty. It's seriously good and your ears will thank you for purchasing it.

The Tallest Man On Earth : There's No Leaving Now

The Lower Lights : A Hymn Revival Volume 2

I can't even tell you how excited I am for this album. It releases June 26 and I am just itching to have a listen. I've expressed my love for quality worship music many times and I think The Lower Lights are the best. I cringe at the modern day remakes of hymns on the radio and I can breathe easy knowing that these guys are doing them justice. You can hear a few sneak previews on their website here.

I made a little playlist for my girl of a few new favorites.

We have been communicating a lot more these past few weeks and I can't tell you how excited that makes me. She responds when I rub my tummy, play music, and do my yoga stretches. The other day when Truman came to kiss me goodbye before he left for work Coco started barking and she even responded to that! Needless to say, we're already having a lot of fun together.

You can have a listen (or subscribe to) my growing playlist here...

{For My Girl}

Cheers to warm days and great tunes,

J.

Baby P

I have been dreaming about our girl for over four years.

Dreaming of what she will be like, what her interests will be. I always envisioned my first child being a daughter and Truman admits he was picturing a girl, as well. (Even though he says she's going to be a stinker like I am...which is probably true.) 

She has also had a name for years.

Many friends and family already know (I'm terrible at keeping secrets) but we plan on keeping the full name a secret until she's born. Thankfully Truman likes the name just as much as I do so I don't have to pull the "I'm-delivering-this-baby-so-I-get-the-final-say" card. 

We came home from the doctor's office with a sealed envelope in hand. We had plans of waiting until dinner to find out but I couldn't stand the suspense. I made it all the way to the house but I begged Tru to rip it open the second we walked in the door. I shrieked like a child when I saw "it's a girl!" and started to cry and smother Truman with kisses. We went to dinner to celebrate and as we were discussing what we think she'll be like Truman shyly says "can I tell you a secret? I secretly hoped for a daughter." *Heart melted*

 ***

 I dream of who my baby girl is going to be. 

Kind and patient like her father. Creative and strong-willed like her mother.

Having the ability to be silly and weird like us both. 

I can't wait to help her develop a love and appreciation for music and overlooked beauty. We'll take her to shows so she can experience the joy of live music. 

Most importantly, I can't wait to teach her about her Creator.

I pray that she comes to know the love and grace of Jesus Christ and finds complete value in that alone.

 We had so much fun taking these pictures with Blue House Fotos. Rutheah did an amazing job and we can't wait to take more pictures with her as my belly grows! You can "like" her on Facebook and see more of her creative work!

{21 Weeks}

My sweet baby girl at 21 Weeks.

We took another unplanned trip to Lincoln this past week due to some questionable test results. I didn't care so much for the stress of bad news, but watching my girl via ultrasound for 40 minutes was pure heaven. I love her so much. I think of what it will be like to snuggle her and watch her sleep and it brings me to tears. I'm amazed at how much love I have for someone I don't even know yet. Where our only communication consists of a few kicks in the morning and evening (the highlights of my day). I lay in bed, hands on my tummy, and thank God for choosing me. Me. A Mother. What a blessing.

 

 The little stinker has her hands up next to her face every time we go in for an appointment. The doctor spent a good ten minutes trying to wiggle her around to get a better look at her head but she just wouldn't budge! I'm thinking this will be her go-to position once she's born which means she will hate the whole swaddling technique for bedtime!

After our appointment we (mostly I) needed to do something lighthearted to relax so we went to the first Jazz in June. The band was quite awful but the atmosphere was fun and the weather was perfect. Watching the community come together for one giant picnic gave me a thankful heart.

Spent some time at The Mill on 48th. 

 Our girl doesn't usually kick in the afternoon, but she was going to town. It was the perfect moment. Silence on a summer afternoon, a tiny little breeze to make things comfortable, and some nudging from my gal to let me know she's there.

 Bean loves to sneak her way into the driver's seat during car rides. It's very annoying, but how can we say no to that?

My favorite memory of the week comes from yesterday. It was my first day back at work for a while and I could no longer fit into any pants I owned (which is frustrating and exciting at the same time). I was hustling around all morning when all of a sudden baby girl gave me a pretty powerful nudge. I leaned against the counter holding my side and forgot anyone else was around. And then it hit me-- here I am standing in the exact same spot that I fell in love with Truman 4 years ago and now I'm carrying our first child together and more in love than I thought possible. 

God's grace and beauty appears in miraculous ways.

Blessed beyond words,

J.

Little Mister or Pretty Lady?

After three weeks of cringing while I call my baby "it", carefully crafting my sentences, and avoiding the traps my friends and family set trying to get me to spill the beans, the truth is finally out!

We're having a baby GIRL!!

Poor Tru is going to be outnumbered for a while :)

More gender reveal pictures coming soon!

***

A special thanks to Rutheah from Blue House Fotos! Check out more of her work on Facebook and at http://www.bluehousefotos.com/

{Weeks 19 & 20}

I lay here in bed (alone because Tru is on a guy trip) with a heavy and thankful heart.
These past few weeks have been so rich...full of fear and pure joy.
Fear of labor, the fragility of life, motherhood, my lack of grace and patience in times of chaos.
I envision myself clenching onto the sides of my seat like I do in an airplane when it hits a pouch of wind. I have no control. And I find it comforting that the more I just sit still and give these fears to God, the more peace I find.

The joy that comes from carrying a life can't be described. (I have friends who are very talented who could probably do it justice, but I won't try.) I'm enjoying every little twitch and kick like it's the first. When Truman kisses my tummy goodnight I get tears in my eyes thinking about how great of a father he's going to be. I feel so blessed to be at this stage of life...totally unprepared...but blessed :)

Did a little golfing during week 20 with the fam.

I apologize to anyone who is scarred by this photo, but I just HAD to share. Anthony finally gave Truman his secret Santa gift over the weekend and it was an XL Forever-Lazy...didn't even know such a thing existed, but it provided many laughs/tears for the evening. We belong on that awkward family photos website, no?

20 Weeks

Getting a ton of headaches this week. I never get headaches so I've kind of been a baby about it. The doctor said I was a little dehydrated so I've been constantly chugging water...hope it doesn't last long! My cravings this week have consisted of Starbursts (so weird) and this Parmesan Pesto salad from Bonzai in Grand Island. Oh. My. Gosh. It is so good. I daydream about this salad.

Only one more day that I have to keep baby Faeh's gender a secret! So excited to celebrate with friends and family.

Cheers, J.