the bedding and other fun!

So we received the peanut's bedding in the mail last week...and I LOVE IT! So stinking excited to start working on the nursery, only we have a little bit longer before we start that. It's coming..I know it..just not there yet. Anyways, I keep promising pictures so here we are. They aren't nearly as pretty as they will be once they're in the crib but you'll at least get an idea. This week I found three little mirrors that are the perfect orange color..I think maybe we'll hang them over the crib and then when he gets a little bigger he'll like to look at them. Hopefully.



Here is a picture from online to get an idea of the finished product...we will actually have a white crib too so I was glad to see it looked ok with that. I don't think we'll go with the nautical theme..but I just love the cheerful colors.



I need to post pictures of when Mom and Dad were here...I'm a terrible daughter and I'm pretty sure we didn't take one picture together while they were here, but I have pictures of what we accomplished! But they were awesome! We had so much fun with them! Poor Dad wasn't up to shopping with Mom and I every day, and Brad had to work..so instead Dad kindly repainted our back hallway, and the whole front hallway and front room. I love how it looks! I can't post quite yet because we're still slowly putting things back together in there. Brad is working on repainting the trim in the house..he's doing an amazing job. I know it's really tedious work for him and not the most fun job ever...but it means so much to be! Anyways, while they were here we took them out for some good Texas food, introduced them to more of our friends, washed our windows, weeded our yard (even though I really thought I had already done that), and overall just had some nice quality time together. Seriously, I love when our family comes to visit. I'm so excited for when the little man is born and we have both our families here at the same time..it will be crazy and awesome!

This weekend we went to Houston with some friends for the Chiefs/Texans game. I had never been to an NFL game, or to Houston for that matter...it was so cool. I mean the stadium seemed huge..and it was so clean. It was military appreciation day and they had servicemen parachute which fascinated me. I will say it was sad that the Chiefs didn't end up with the win...especially since as a Colts fan I kinda hate the Texans. It was still totally worth the trip! We had a great time!





In other news..this week we received an umbrella stroller in the mail from Brad's sweet aunts and cousins! I LOVE IT! Brad put it all together for me and I wheeled it around the kitchen..you know just to practice. Anyways, it's so cool. Next weekend I get to head back to Lafayette for showers with friends and family. I'm so excited I can't even tell you. I think it makes this all seem so very real. I mean I realize that the growing belly, and the constant sweet movement in there should probably seal the deal for me...but this does it instead! I'll be able to celebrated this little man with our sweet friends and family! Just have to work 4 out of the next 5 days and then I'm off!

One AMAZING AWESOME ONLY GOD COULD DO moment of this week I have to share! We have neighbors who have four sweet little kiddos. Well last week on Thursday I was leaving and there was an ambulance in our cul-de-sac and our neighbor said his 5 year old had been having seizures and they were headed to the hospital. We were so worried! I didn't get to get an update for a couple of days as we were super busy and working. On Saturday we got an update, and the little guy had a severe bacterial meningitis. I went up to see him on Saturday and it was just devastating. Anyways...we prayed hard over the last couple of days, and I know there were many many people lifting him to the Lord in prayer. On Tuesday they were able to take out his breathing tube and off all the IV medications, and when I went to see him yesterday he was out of the PICU and into a normal room. He looks amazing! I just feel like it's such a miracle...I know how sick that precious child was...and now they think they might get to take him home on Monday. It will be a long road to complete recovery for him...but I just know our Lord healed that child. It's amazing!

So on we go! Hope you have a great week! We reached week 24 today! That's just crazy!!! We're just under a month away from the THIRD TRIMESTER! WHAT?! Here's a picture from last night. I'm not gonna lie...it's becoming incredibly apparent that this little guy is truly in there! We're so so so excited to meet him!

My new best friend

Backstory:
Lately I've had a little difficulty sleeping. It's a bit frustrating..especially since I used to be one of those who could fall asleep ANYWHERE! The problem is strange too...it's that my left leg and hip go numb. Not like tingly numb..just like annoyingly feels kinda numb to touch numb. It's weird. Also weird..it mainly happens after I've worked that day. So basically I toss and turn all night and it's tiring, especially when you have to work the next day.

Enter guest bedroom:
So in our guest bedroom we have a bed with a mattress that I've only slept on a handful of times. Brad's parents let us bring it with us when we moved to Texas, and after we ended up getting a queen sized mattress for us this one has been in our guest room. We've never really slept on it because being so soft I always felt like my back was arching because I'm normally a belly sleeper.

Enter pregnancy:
And then I was pregnant. As the belly has grown I've really tried to sleep on my side..because they tell you to do that...and I've struggled with this now with the leg cramps and numbness and all. It's strange. But the other night I decided I'd give the guest room a try..I begged Brad to join me and he did...that wasn't the best idea since it's a full bed and it's pushed up against the wall. Brad has major allergies that night and he had to climb out the end of the bed. Anyways...I tend to wake up every 2 hours or so either to run to the ladies room or just simply because I'm awake. Last night...I couldn't get comfortable for the life of me...I was starting to feel like I might throw my pillow across the room, so I asked Brad if he cared if I slept in the other room that night. He very sweetly did not mind...so I went to the guest room and I slept for 7 hours straight! I only woke up one time and that was after 5 1/2 hours! OH MY WORD! It was like heaven. It's totally made for side sleepers..it's like a cocoon for my body. Sad part was that Brad wasn't there. So...I think I may see about if we can both try it on the nights after I work if my legs are doing the weird thing. Either way..I'm so thankful for Brad's understanding and for a bed that I can finally sleep in! My new best friend. I love it! I may even start taking naps in there! :)

Other good news:
The little guy's bedding came in this week! We love it! I'm so excited! Can't wait to get things started...but currently it's just sitting in his little room waiting on us. The nursery is a little bit further down on the to do list. So for now..just enjoying staring at it.

Here's some bummer news:
We just found out that my doctor who I LOVE is going to be leaving Austin in January. We've been seeing her since we got married and I have been so appreciative of how she has made everything so easy during the pregnancy. She's incredibly relaxed and yet very thorough all at the same time. We're super excited for her...but yet so sad because she'll be leaving in January just before the baby is due. I guess this just goes to show us that we're never in control. So now we have to choose whether we'll be sticking with my awesome doctor until she leaves and then just stay with the doctor who takes over for her come January, (Who happens to be my current doctor's best friend) or if we want to switch doctors now. I really dislike that idea but at the same time we can understand how that might make sense that the new doctor would get to know us a little before baby boy enters the world. There is a doctor at the same practice who goes to the Stone..I feel like if we decided to switch then we might see if he has openings. Might be strange to see a man for that but Brad goes to all my appointments with me anyways...so we'll see.

So that's my story. LONG WINDED! Going to go make some soup for Brad for dinner. I made some the other night for some friends and he liked it and asked if I would make it again...you better believe I'm game for that! Have a great week!

Update

We now have four completely organized closets...one which is empty in preparation for little boy blue...and one very happy Rachael!

10 hours of work = Pure Satisfaction!

To Do:

There is so much to do...seriously..before the arrival of this sweet little man.

#1 on my list...become a mature adult. I have a ways to go on that one.

But really...we do have a ton to get done! Two weeks ago I sat down and wrote up a list of everything that needs to get done between now and then for both Brad and I...but each day I come up with things I need to add to it. We're steadily checking things off the list, thankfully!

I have so much on my mind these days...it's just like it can't be stopped...probably another blog for another day because that could take FOREVER just to type out.

Today though...I have to admit that nesting has kicked in. I have spent the whole day getting our closet all rearranged and organized so that it can be used for storage and all that good stuff. It's a little sad how much I like organizing things. Maybe I let things get a little unorganized so that I can take a whole day just to redo it! Sad to say..it could be a little true!

My plan for the rest of the day is to finish the other three closets. If I can finish all the closets then that's another thing to mark off the list. Woo to the Hoo! I know it may seem I have a fascination with this list..however..the issue is my mind -as previously stated - is going what feels like 100 mph and I feel like I can't focus on the actual really important aspects of preparing for parenting while these little small details need to get worked out. So instead...I'm taking some time to read and pray and prepare while getting all the little stuff worked out. My goal is then to have the last bit of pregnancy to spend just quiet and focused on this new little creation God is blessing us with and all the amazing things that go with him. I'm really hoping that the Lord will just grow us both over these next couple of months as we prepare more and more to raise one of His children. The enormity of that kinda shocks my core.

In other news...I'm thankful for the second trimester and the renewed energy! I finally feel like myself again. I think this is also LARGELY due to having three weeks off, spending time with family, and having a chance to relax with friends. However..being in the second trimester doesn't hurt at all. I feel like a whole new girl! LOVE IT!

And that's it...hope you have a great day! An update of the belly is below taken last Friday when we reached 22 weeks. I feel like the belly has maybe been on hold for a few weeks...most of the most recent poundage has found it's way to my facial area. Oh well! :) Little man kicks and moves and it's pretty cool. I can watch my stomach move which is strange but amazing! Ok seriously..that would be all for today!

How I love time with family!

That's it..it was awesome. So awesome in fact that if I don't have to work tomorrow I intend to write a blog about the last two weeks and all we got accomplished. So stinking happy! I went back to work today and it was great to be back. I missed it but I sure did love having time to spend a whole week with Mom and Dad and then to head back to Indiana to see my family and Brad's family. That was the first time Brad had been home since Christmas so it was especially nice to be back in Indiana with him.

Want to hear another pretty sweet thing...I have been begging Brad to take us on a cruise before Baby Noah comes to play..but that didn't look as if that was going to happen. Well...while we were hanging out with Brad's family this weekend Carl and Rosemary asked if we would be willing to go on the Disney member cruise next September. Um what?! Yes please! They totally made my month! We so appreciate them being willing to allow us to join them on the Disney goodness and we know we'll be super thankful for that come September!

And for the coolest thing ever...well timeout:
This is the coolest thing ever, so cool it made me forget the whole point of this blog but OH WELL!!

So last week I was pretty sure I was starting the feel baby boy move around a bit in there..but wasn't certain. it kinda felt like someone was running a finger along my skin on the inside of my belly...weird But I just wasn't positive. Well last night after what felt like the LONGEST flight ever we were just ready to get home. While we were on the shuttle to our car I started feeling a very distinct flipping in my belly. So I put my hand on it and I actually felt the tiniest movement through my hand. WHOA! Then today I've felt that same thing a couple of times...so I told Brad to come over and put his hand on my belly to see if he could feel it. The next thing I know I felt the little dude kick and I looked up at Brad and his eyes were huge. HE FELT HIM TOO!! Amazing. Seriously. Period. That's it.

Alright I'm sure there's more to write..but I'll hit on that tomorrow with what we've been up to for the last two weeks. Like how I'm already planning on not working? We don't have patients..which while this is great for the patients...not so great for those of us who require patients to work. I'm totally planning to take advantage of that though and have a list of things we need to get done over the next weeks and months.

Have a great week!

AND we have a....

BOY!!!!


**I realize this picture doesn't show that he is in fact a boy...but I feel kinda weird posting a picture of his teenie weenie on the internet**

HOWEVER!! He is precious! We love him so much! We love that we know he's a HIM! He was kicking, and moving his hand, and crossing his legs up, and moving his mouth. I mean it was amazing. Hands down the coolest thing I've ever seen. Still hard to believe he's really in there but it's true. I was feeling worried because I haven't felt him move yet, but my doctor informed me that his placenta is anterior..which basically means he's just kicking around at his placenta all day long but as he gets stronger I'll start to feel it. Can't wait for that day!

Anyways...can't explain how happy we are! Brad was so adorable with his big smile...it's so neat to just know what is in there!

That's all our news this week! Have a great week! We've had an amazing week so far with Mom and Dad being in town! We're so thankful for all they've helped us do to the house this week! We've just loved having them here and hanging out. We get to head home here shortly and we'll get to see Brad's family too! We love family time!

And I'm out..have a great week!

Clumsy. That's me.

So yesterday...part of my cleaning was mopping all the floors. I love mopped floors. I love that they are so clean! Makes me so very happy...BUT THEN....we were having friends over for dinner last night. So I finished up the cleaning, ran some errands, came home and started making dinner. Well, I was tired, and I tend to be a bit clumsy anyways...and last night was not my night!

First...I was running behind because I took too long running errands...which is really because I took too long getting the day started but who's judging...so I got home and I was in a rush. At this moment, I decided this would be the best time to refill our pepper grinder (which literally has not been refilled in a year) so that I did. Well, after I refilled it..I reached for something quickly and knocked the whole grinder over with the lid OFF. Out poured all those evil little peppercorns onto our freshly mopped floors. Then I tried to just use the remaining peppercorns I had to fill the container so I could put the lid on...and spilled those all over the counter..and again...onto the floor. I was not pleased with this obviously...but again was trying to hurry so I decided I would sweep them up after I had cut up my butternut squash I was using for dinner. Well, as I was seeding the butternut squash my hand slipped and I threw a big chunk of that on the floor. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!




Anyways...I always thought I might grow out of my clumsy ways..but apparently they only get better with time. Yay.

At least they were easy messes to clean.

Have a great day!