Getting Ready for Baby B!

 Bryce was measuring 6 pounds and 15 ounces at my last ultrasound  (week 36), and everything looked great! I delivered his sister on Week 37 and she weighed 2 pounds less than that! The only disappointment was that his face was down, so we couldn't see that sweet profile or face! We did get one picture showing he has some hair though! As long as he is doing well, I can hold off on seeing that precious face! 

She may not know it yet, but Avery Elizabeth is going to be an awesome big sister! After 3 years of sleeping with her Mommy and Daddy, Avery has been sleeping in her big girl bed (which was my bed that my Papaw made me growing up) for about 2 weeks now. She may be a night owl, but she is staying in her room throughout the night, and I couldn't be more proud of her! I slept in the room with her the first few nights, and we had to work out some kinks, but she is in there on her own now. Avery has only slept without me for 2 nights since coming home from the hospital when Jake and I took a couple of nights away for our anniversary 2 years ago. It was probably more difficult for me than it was her, but I know this is what is best. With a newborn in the room with us, Avery will need to be in her room to get the rest she needs. After all, we have a small house, and she is right across the hall! She is getting to be a big girl, so it is time. I've always woken up in the night to listen to her breathe and feel her chest. When you start off with a sick baby who could stop breathing at any moment, it is just something that you do as a Mommy. She is my special blessing! There may be a lot of change going on, but I will adjust and all of these changes are good ones. 

37 Weeks and Counting...delivering on January 16th via c-section around 8:00 A.M.! I can tell Bryce is in position, and he doesn't mind making me a little uncomfortable, bless his heart! I can't wait to hold him! 

After church last Sunday, Avery decided to sneak into Bryce's room while I was in the kitchen. She grabbed the blanket and pillow Ms. Lou made for Bryce, and took it into the living room. Avery then decided to strip her clothes (down to a Pull-Up) and get comfy on the couch as she at "my cheeseburger" with "my blanket" and "my pillow." What am I going to do with this little mess? 

Mrs. Linda made the pretty bedding, curtains, and window covering for B's nursery! I love the blue and gray! We got it all put up this weekend. Other than that, everything else is either something we already had or was hand-crafted by Mommy and Daddy! I think the only "new" in this room is the fabric! Daddy made the wall shelf and stained the spool stool and "B". I made the frames, the baseball wreath and cross, the mobile, and covered the spool stool. Avery helped paint her little canvas for him, and that is about it! It may be made on the cheap, but it is sweet and special to us. 

On another sweet note, Miss Avery modeled for the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital calendar a couple of months ago. She did such a great job, and I was very excited to help her give back to a place that has literally saved her life so many times. The calendars are given to donors, and the rest are sold to benefit the hospital. Ms. Amanda was kind enough to mail me some along with a CD of some of the pictures taken during the shoot. 

Amazing

I wonder all the time why God loves me so much. He loves me so much I can feel it, and He does specific things when I need them most just to show me He is with me. I admit, nearing the end of pregnancy, I have gotten overwhelmed in moments and been emotional. I've been nesting, driving my husband crazy, and praying for lots of different things with my mind all over the place. The other night, I told Jake I was beginning to worry about where Bryce would stay when it was time for me to return to work. I hadn't been overly concerned until lately, because I've learned to trust God and know that everything will fall into place. After all, He's been faithful in showing me that constantly over the past 4 years. Jake said he'd ask Avery's daycare director once more just to see. He asked her yesterday morning, and as we thought, there was still no opening. We were set for August, but she was unable to take him until then. Exhausted after work, I headed to pick up Avery. When I arrived she was outside playing. The director came up to speak with me to ask how things were going. She told me how Jake had asked her that morning about a spot for Bryce and that she told him she just didn't have one. As I began to respond to that, she said that I wouldn't believe it but a few hours after speaking with Jake, she had a call from a parent. The parent told the director that her child would be staying at home with his grandmother in a few weeks! I am sure I looked rather surprised! She proceeded to tell me that Bryce could have that spot. As she looked at me smiling, I told her how I'd been trying not to worry about it and praying that something would just happen. I could have jumped the fence and hugged her! All I could think is - once again you provided Lord! I excitedly got in my car thinking my afternoon just perked up, but then, it got even better. Usually, I have to pull things out of Avery. She is not one to begin conversation nor tell me what she has learned. She is usually a "repeater"- she repeats whatever I say, rather than coming up with her own answers. This afternoon was different. Avery began to tell me about what she did with her speech therapist that day with no prompting! Closer to home, she began to count to 10 perfectly and tried to get to 20 too! To top things off, I had spoken with my mom before picking Avery up, and she was telling me how Dad's speech therapist was surprised he is doing so well. He maintained his weight the past week, and is making it okay with no feeding tube. Dad's throat is coated with ulcers; however, due to his last surgery, he hasn't regained total feeling in that area, so it is actually helping him to be in less pain. Dad has lost around 60 pounds through this treatment, but thankfully, he had weight to lose. He has only one chemo treatment left that I know of, and should finish up with radiation by the 25th of January! They should be able to head back home that day to meet their new grandson!
It's funny that our pastor spoke about recognizing all the amazing things God does daily last week. There are so many times we overlook them. Since my pregnancy with Avery, I've had a mindset to take notice every day, and it has changed my way of thinking and made me so grateful for this incredible God who is in control and with us through every little (and big) thing that comes our way.
Jake woke up this morning with the stomach virus, and Avery has had sinus junk with some fever. Sometimes, I just want my mom, and she is not here. Things haven't completely been worked out with my replacement at work yet either. At this point of pregnancy, I would love to sit in a corner and cry! There are so many emotions and fears that pop up as I think about having Bryce this Wednesday. I would love to say that I am just sitting here, soaking in a normal pregnancy as I excitedly await his arrival, but I am not to the fullest extent. It takes constant prayer and reliance to keep myself on track! God is good and he is blessing me beyond measure- I just have to trust and focus on that!

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matt 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Pet 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Josh 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”