Thursday, July 1

Book Recommendation

I love to read but find that it's hard for me to fit reading in to my life now a days. Lately I've been reading a chapter or so before I go to bed of a book. Matt is gradually building a good library of stuff that I find really interesting. I just finished up "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. It was a good interesting read and I would highly recommend it.

After finishing this up though, I moved on to a book by Mark Driscoll called "Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions." One of the first chapters or "answers" that I read from him was about the emerging church movement. VERY INTERESTING! If you are at all familiar (or not) with the missional or emerging church concepts than I highly recommend this. I knew of the "emergent church" and I had also heard of the missional church movement but I found out I didn't know much and what I did know was incorrect. It brought in to light a very interesting perspective on the "emergent liberal church" and some of its main leaders. I knew that there was faults with this movement/belief system but I didn't know what they were and to what extent they were until I read this chapter. I'm grateful for a better perspective on this now and also the un-Biblical traps they are falling in to.

Well.. that's my rant on my reading as of late. If you have any good book recommendations, pass them on!

Tuesday, June 29

38 weeks and the girls rooms

I had my weekly check-up today. Everything was great. I weighed in at 136 and blood pressure was good. My cervix is 1.5 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and baby's head is at -1 station. My belly measured 37 weeks. Dr. Wilkes is still thinking I'll have a shorter labor... hoping that's true!
Since week 38 hit, I feel like time has drastically slowed down. The entire pregnancy has gone by really fast until now. In some ways I'm ready to just get this show on the road but other times I feel like I'm not ready yet! I've been praying that God would make this adjustment a smooth one for our family.

The girls rooms are finally done, well almost. :) I am still waiting on the other curtain rod to be delivered for Lily's room and then her room will be complete. Feel so good to finally have their rooms just the way I wanted them! Here's a few pics I took:

Thursday, June 24

lily things

Lily says the cutest things now. Sure wish I could remember a lot of them! One of the most adorable things she's been saying to me now is when we're laying down together she says "mommy, we're best friends." Melts my heart! Of course, I have to cherish it now because I'm sure several years down the road she's NOT going to be saying that!

Don't know if I said this in the last post or not, but we took Lily to see Toy Story 3 last week. She loved it and loved the popcorn even more I think! During the summer, AMC theaters show kids movies at 10am on certain days for FREE! And in the 100 degree heat we had today, it definitely called for an indoors activity. Lily and I went with Nana and Aaron to go see Curious George. Cute movie! Then we had lunch together at Panera Bread.

Lily is also already so sweet with her little sister in my belly. She loves to give my belly hugs and will talk in this really sweet voice to her. Usually the one sided conversation goes something like this "I love you baby. It's okay baby, I will take care of you." Here's hoping that she loves her just as much when she finally arrives!

Monday, June 21

hodge podge

Today I went for my 37 week check-up. Everything was great. Dilated 1 cm., 70% effaced, -1 station. I had gained 1 pound since last week so I'm at a total of 134.5. I had to see another doctor today since Dr. Wilkes didn't have any appointments for this week but she was really nice.

This morning Matt left with the youth group for missions trip. They are going to Hillsville, VA to do some work at Joy Ranch. Having him leave while I'm not pregnant is hard enough but it's been much harder being 37 weeks pregnant! I'm trying to stay busy so I don't get lonely or worried. I'm praying that the trip goes really smoothly since this will be Matt's first time being THE leader of a missions trip. I'm sure he's going to do a GREAT job!

Yesterday was father's day and I was going to post pics but Matt has the camera with him. We had a great day despite the many things he had to do to get ready to leave. Lily made his day by telling him that he was a "really great daddy" while putting her to bed. What a sweetheart! I have to agree that he is the most incredible amazing loving caring dad to our little girl. The love he has for Lily makes me so happy! We had church in the morning and then later on in the day was able to go out to dinner for father's day.

We've been spending lots of days at the pool lately because it's been so hot! Storytime for a short summer session started again today and Lily was very excited. She loves that so much! I've also been busy getting things finished up at the house and ready for baby. The girls rooms look great - I love the paint colors and my mom is now working on the final touches, the curtains. I'll post pictures once they're finally completed.

Saturday was our baby shower for #2 hosted by our friends. It was nice and relaxing - a pool party/bbq at Matt's parents house. We got a few things that we needed including some diapers! Now just have to pick up a few more things at the store this week that I still need. I really want a moby wrap this time but I hate that you can't buy it in an actual store so I'm trying to decide whether to spend the money or not.

Wednesday, June 9

35 week check, painting, funny lily

Went back again today for a weekly baby belly check up. Seems like I'm there all the time now that I'm going every week! Things looked great. Heartrate was 142 and belly measured 33 weeks. I weighed 132.5 (gain of a pound) and blood pressure was good.

They did the swab test for Group B strep today. I didn't have it with Lily so chances are it should be negative again. I was about a fingertip dilated (less than 1 cm) and the baby's head has come down and is low in my pelvis. All in preparation for D-Day! It's coming very quickly now and I'm starting to get the freak out moments that I think all parents get before they have a baby!

I'm still trying to finalize my choice for a paint shade for Lily's room and baby girl's room. I know I'm doing a green in Lily's room and a coral/peach in baby's room but have had a hard time determining the right shade I want. Want to paint by the beginning of next week though. Then I still also have to order blinds for both of their rooms (doing room darkening roller shades) and have my mom make curtains. All of this which I'm hoping to get done in the next week or two.

I don't know if any of you have seen the SNL skits with the character "gilly" in them. But Papa has taught Lily how to do the "Gilly..., Sorry" thing in almost the exact tones that they use. It's hilarious! If you haven't seen the skits you should look them up on the web.

Having a good week. Monday (our family day) was lots of fun. We took Lily to the zoo, went to Macarthur mall for lunch, played putt putt that afternoon, and got slurpees. Yesterday we met Mary and her girls for a playdate at the children's garden/water play area at Botanical Gardens. Lily had a blast and wore herself out!