Times Like These

Ten years ago today, we were celebrating my mom's last birthday. Nine years ago today, she celebrated her first birthday dancing the streets of Heaven. Today, my heart aches a little extra as I miss her and wish we could be celebrating with her. I had written this blog entry several weeks ago when words flowed easier and haven't had a chance to post it yet, but I thought it was fitting for where my heart is on this very day. Sure do miss you, Mom!

Times like these really make me miss my own Mama. As we near meeting our daughter and beginning life with her, I am ever-so-aware of my aching heart. I think about how she would have just loved Dan and thought the world of him being a Daddy to her grand-daughter; how she would have been calling me every day to see how her Grandbaby was doing throughout this process; how her eyes would light up at some of the doctors’ appointments that she would go with us to when she got to see Baby squirm on the ultrasound screen; how she would have loved to take big girls trips to go shopping for this Little One; how we would go get celebratory pedicures together before the big day; how she would  have already made plans on how she was going to be at the hospital that very first moment to meet her; how she would have been staying at our house that first week and teaching me her own parenting tricks; how she would be telling stories of us when we were little over late night feedings or diaper changes; how she would always be there when I needed a shoulder to cry on when our lives change so quickly; how we would laugh and cry together about all of the memories we had growing up; how we would dream about all of the birthday parties and holidays that would be so much more richer because of our baby girl; how she would light up my girl’s eyes when she heard that “Grandma was coming for the weekend” just because she could; or how she wouldn’t miss my girl’s first birthday party, dance recital or prom.

In times like these, I pray for strength -- to be able to be fully present and thankful for the family that God still gives us special moments with and not yearning for what I no longer have. I am praying for strength that first moment I see my daughter’s eyes that I am not heart-broken because my own Mom isn’t there to share those moments with. But I am comforted by the truth:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).”

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).”

I am thankful for the short 16 years that I had with my Mom, and I am ever-so-grateful for this Baby Girl of my own. I can only pray that I would leave as much of a lasting legacy on her life as my own Mom did on mine. I am a better person because of her, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Looking forward to the glorious day when I can be with her again, when tears are never shed, and when our hearts don't ache missing someone so near and dear. What a beautiful day that will be. We love you, Mom!

Baby Girl's Second Shower

On Saturday, November 3rd my sisters hosted our 2nd baby shower back in Cambridge. They did such an awesome job putting it all together. I had a great time catching up with friends and even family that I don't get to see near often enough. Many of the women were dear friends of my mom's so they are extra-special to me. So here are pictures from the shower!

Party favors made by Aunt Kilah.



Diaper cake made by Aunt Roo.

Amy Lee and her son, Ryder and Sherri Edgerton.
These are 2 of our very special childhood friends - Sherri was a very dear
friend of my mom's and Amy and I were like sisters growing up.
It was so good to see her and finally meet her little man!

Playing the first game of the shower - everyone cut their piece of
string to the length that they thought I was as big around.

Great-Grandma Deaver seeing how she measured up.

Pretty much everyone was quite a bit longer than I actually am. Gretchen was the
winner and was pretty much exact! 2nd place was Jeanie tenBensel!

 

The 2nd game was everyone writing down what they remember
was all on the diaper cake. From left to right: Trisha Moore,
Sherri Edgerton, Great-Grandma Wert, Madi Wert and Great-Grandma Deaver.

And here are just a few pictures of some of the gifts that we received. We are SO spoiled, but we are very, very grateful for the love and gifts that everyone gave us.

 

I hate this picture of me, but this is an adorable bible from Great-Aunt Lori
Hunnicutt. It has a soft fuzzy bear on the front and each page is
a very short bible story. We are going to absolutely LOVE
reading these stories to Little Miss!

This is a giraffe/safari blanket made by Sherri Edgerton. SO cute!

Other gifts included: wipes warmer, bottles, bottle liners, diapers, lots of adorable outfits, crib bumper and skirt, several blankets (many handmade!), burpcloths, bibs, formula dispenser, bottle cleaning brush, tu-tu and butterfly wings, baby monitor, piggy bank, bath toys, swing/bouncer combo, rattles, teething rings, sleep gowns, sleepers, a subscription to Parents magazine, nursing pads, changing pad, breast pump accessory set, and lots and lots of books with special messages written inside that we will cherish forever!

 

I am overwhelmed by the love and generosity from our friends and family. I cannot thank each of them enough not only for the gifts, but for coming to our shower. It meant so much to me!

 

And here are just some other pictures from our weekend back home that I couldn't resist putting up.

  

My 2 favorites. You girls are the best sisters a girl could ever have!

 

 

Saturday afternoon golfing with the family.

 

My dad was given this buggy from a patient of his, and he
uses it as his "golf buggy." Typical Lennie Deaver style.
My dad and Joyce, and Terry (my dad's youngest brother)
and his son Bryce Deaver.

Roo and I hanging out while everyone else golfed.

 

Justin and Dan.

Some very special cousins with Kilah and I. We sure do
love these sweet girls!

 

Kilah and I with Karlie, Bryce and Kendal.

Kendal Jo - She is a cutie!

Dan and I with Uncle Elrod. Couldn't shut up
long enough to snap the picture :)

 

We had SUCH a great weekend with him!

We must have taken 100 pictures, but this one is
an all-time favorite. Love you, Kilah!

What a great weekend! Sad it is over, but looking forward to Thanksgiving!

Kilah's Musical

Friday evening we made it back in time to watch my sister's senior year muscial. I cannot believe she is graduating this year, but I am looking forward to her being in Lincoln with us. Here are some pictures from the evening. Beware of picture overload!
 

Kilah with some of the Deaver cousins - Bryce, Karlie & Kendal.
We were SO excited to get to spend all weekend with these
special kiddos!

The Deaver girls with our second mom and one of my most
special friends, Suzanne. She babysat us for a large part of
my life and her and I have remained close over the
years, now as friends. She is like another sister
to me because she knew my mom so well and spent so
much time with my sisters and I.
We love you, Suzanne!!

2 of the best soon-to-be aunts of all time!

 

 

Madison and Riley came back with Grandma for the musical
and shower. These two are two peas in a pod!

 

Couldn't forget a picture of these two! :)

 

 So proud of you, Kilah, and all that you are and will accomplish your senior year.

You have always made us all so proud with everything that you pursue.

Keep up the great work, sister!

We love you!!

34 Weeks!

-- 34 Week Belly Bump --

How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain: 26 by our MD's scale
Baby is the size of a: Butternut squash
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. Still wearing pre-maternity pants!
Stretch marks? Still the same
Sleep: Not too bad...as long as it is cold! Poor Daddy is freezing since we have yet to turn on the heater.
Best moment this week: Going back home for the weekend for our 2nd shower and spending lots of time with family and seeing friends from back home.
Miss anything? Pretty content this week.
Movement: You bet!
Food cravings: Chocolate chip cookies. And I'm overdue for Cake Batter with a brownie from Coldstone...
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing particularly
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Just more braxton-hicks
Symptoms: More heartburn, lots of swelling, just a bit more tired but not worse than before.
Comments Solicited from Others: The only thing I hear now is how I am too tiny to be having a baby in 6 weeks. Told Daddy I was about to start getting a complex about it!
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Still off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty content, and enjoying our last few weeks!
Looking forward to: This weekend we have our last shower, which is basically a "Girl's Night" shower with friends. I really haven't seen many of them in months and have been having withdrawals so this weekend is much overdue. Can't even wait!

At our doctor appointment last Friday, I wasn't able to see the doctor because he was doing a surgery so I just saw the nurse. Heartrate was 142 and by her measurements I am measuring 31 weeks, which she said was normal (I'm anxious to have him measure again on November 19th to see if he is concerned or not). Everything looks good, but she did have me see their APRN regarding my swelling in my legs and the paresthesias in my feet. My blood pressure was 100/65 and I had no protein in my urine so we aren't concerned about preeclampsia but it is definitely something they are watching closely. She said we would just watch my paresthesias still to see if they worsen as they could be worsening from swelling. At our next visit we will do a group B strep test and he will also check to see if I have dilated at all. Things are about to start getting more fun and exciting!

Love and Prayers in Week 35, Sweet Girl!