This Bump #ThankfulNovember

I've been complaining a lot lately. I'm incredibly uncomfortable, I haven't been sleeping at night (an average of 3 solid hours), and I'm just super ready to be not pregnant. However, I also hope I've conveyed to the world how incredibly grateful I am for this bump. I know it's a HUGE honor and privilege to be able to get pregnant and carry full term (and a million other details that go along with that). I absolutely don't want to take this special blessing for granted. 

Proximity to my Family #ThankfulNovember

I'm thankful to have been able to move closer to my family. This weekend is being spent with my wonderful step-dad, Curtis Paul, who has been there through everything with us. He came down to visit for the weekend. We also spent time with DJ & Brittany and their two babies. We're now only 3.5 miles from them. I'm so grateful Beckett will be close to my bro & sis and their two kiddos... and only a few hours from Nana & Papa.

Avaya, Checking on Beckett

 

What I Learned in October

I had fun doing my "What I learned in September" so I thought I would go ahead and reflect again! Boy, it's been a fast month! Here's what I learned in October:

1. I went hunting with B and learned a little bit: Deer are smart... and have REALLY GOOD senses of smell. And you have to get up early... that's all I really remember. (I'm hoping to go next year when I'm not size XXXXXL).

2. I learned how to make a quilt! Soo.. what had happened was: I was reading up on the photographer who will be at the hospital doing newborn pictures. They recommend we bring a blanket with "special sentimental value." "WHAT?! I'm supposed to have one of those?!?" Of course, we've had some LOVELY friends and family make & buy us blankets, but I was suddenly struck with the guilty notion of MOMMIES MAKE BLANKEYS. I think? Anyway. Spur of the moment decision. I decided to wing it instead of asking for advice or googling it. This is what I came up with.

3. Baseball is a time-consuming sport. Did you know that there are like a MILLION games in a season? And then like twenty more just to win their Super Bowl? I know... it's a "World Series." But it means Super Bowl. You know what I mean.

I also learned about baseball that they don't have "overtime" - just "extra innings." Whatever. The whole thing is too much time anyway.

PS. Sorry about the loss, Cards.

4. The third trimester is painful & uncomfortable...
Actually, I had heard this... NUMEROUS times from all of the encouraging veteran mommies. I was forewarned time and again at how I should RELISH the second trimester because the third trimester was COMING. Thanks for the warning ladies. I guess some things you just have to experience before you realize the true beauty. I don't sleep. My whole body hurts. I want this kid out.

That's all I can remember right now... Maybe I should journal better ;)

Anyway, Happy November!

A Beckett Bumpdate & The Nursery Reveal!

Hey Family & Friends!!

So. It's almost time! Beckett is coming VERY soon -- hopefully sooner than originally anticipated! Over the last few months, we've had three ultrasounds, all declaring that we have a BIG OL BOY on our hands! As of Monday (37 weeks, 1 day), Beckett was estimated at 8.2 glooorious pounds! At .5-1 pound per week, that puts him at HUGE when November 17 rolls around.

Today we had an appointment with our doctor again (whom we ADORE, by the way). Dr. Rempe is very sweet and informative. She is also concerned with Beckett's size. Apparently his abdomen is measuring significantly larger than his head (side note: his head is considered "normal." That was a pleasant surprise for this Montgomery). Anyway, with a normal to big head to tummy ratio, they get concerned with baby's head coming through and then shoulders getting stuck. Lovely.

Anyway, Dr. Rempe says our best bet will be if Beckett arrives some time this week. If we go too long, we're at a greater risk for having to do a c-section. So all hands on deck: we need prayer that this baby makes his debut SOONER rather than later!

And speaking of debuts, we also have the long-awaited Nursery Reveal video! You can watch it on YouTube by clicking here! And if you're interested in the details and DIYs, visit my #TeacherMom blog!

Enjoy!

A #ThankfulNovember

So I've decided to jump on the #ThankfulNovember bandwagon. I love seeing the tags on Facebook. I mean, really... how often do we really stop and give thanks for the little things? Last year I started doing this, but totally forgot after a few days. Shameful. This year I've decided instead of just posting to Facebook (if at all) I will post to this blog. Mostly because as I continue to blog, I am enjoying it more... and loving the prospect of one day looking back and reminiscing on the little thing in life. So whether anyone else reads or not, I want to remember my #ThankfulNovember 2013, and all the little moments that will follow.

After this post, I'm thinking my #Thankful posts will probably consist of a picture and a sentence or two. So without further ado:

Nov 1: I'm thankful for my time at home. I've been able to spend a TON of time reading, blogging, reflecting, and preparing for Beckett! Brian and I have had awesome conversations, realizations, and time... time to just think, and be together, and be grateful for each other and our lives together. It's been good.

A Short Reflection on the Adventures of Pregnancy

It's almost time! I'm 35 weeks now and sincerely cannot believe how time has flown by. At the beginning of this pregnancy, I considered doing one of the cutie weekly journals to baby, or picture of baby bump, or some way to chronicle this journey. But life is crazy and things were busy and I decided not to try any of that. BUT, pregnancy has been quite the journey thus far, and I didn't want it to end without a little bit of a reflection on the adventures. So! My Pregnancy, in short:

Trimester ONE

Cravings: 

• Fruit anything (fresh fruit, smoothies, juice, fruity candy, etc) 
• Asian noodles, only with chopsticks, of course.

Symptoms: 

• Constant Headaches
• A couple major emotional melt downs. I even had to leave work once because I couldn't pull it together! And then there was the Texas Debacle... Poor DJ.

Major life happenings: 

• We sold our house and found out we were moving to MO. 
• We decided I would not be going back to work.
• We visited Dallas & got to see Devin graduate Fire Academy.

I'm grateful for:

• The opportunity to be pregnant. I know it's a HUGE privilege and blessing. 

Bump in Progress

Trimester TWO

Cravings: 

•  Kid foods: Peanut butter & Jelly, Grilled Cheese, Macaroni, & Milk

Symptoms: 

• A couple more major emotional melt downs
• Bloody noses
• Charlie-horse-like cramps in my tushie. Apparently ligaments are stretching. Not comfortable. 

Major life happenings: 

• Crossed off Bucket List Item: Drive the Pacific Coast Highway. With Nicole & Hector!
• For my birthday, Brian surprised me with my WHOLE Satchell FAM at our favorite, Oak Haven Resort!
• We bought a house! And moved from East TN to MO. 
• We finally decided on a name: Joseph Beckett Hill. We'll call him Beckett.

I'm grateful for:

• A fairly easy, uneventful pregnancy thus far. I'm healthy, Beckett is healthy, and I have no major symptoms. God has pampered me. 

Trimester THREE

Cravings: 

• Sweet tea, especially during melt downs. Don't worry, I learned to cut it with unsweetened tea so I wasn't COMPLETELY drowning Beckett in sugar.
• Milk
• Wine. I'm counting down the days.

Symptoms: 

• PAIN.  My body hurts.
• Braxton Hicks Contractions. EEK.
• More emotional melt downs.

Major life happenings: 

• We begin renovations on this ginormous project house
• We find out Brian is now unemployed. But we thoroughly cherish the time at home together and the excitement of new adventures.

I'm grateful for:

• Our Family & Friends. We have been showered with love and support. We have received every single item we need off our registry, plus some. We are SO blown away by the amazing support system we have. You all are a HUGE BLESSING. 
• Brian. He is seriously the BEST man I know. He has been SO GOOD to me and I cannot even express how grateful I am that Beckett will have him as a daddy. We are beyond blessed to have him.