worth it

Love's not a feeling
Love's not convenient
But I know love will change your life
Love takes sacrifice
Love cuts like a knife
Sometimes love will make you cry
Love's not easy
But it's worth it

Love is a hunger
But love won't leave you empty
See it's the language of the heart
Love can steal your pride
But love won't let you hide
It takes everything you've got
Love's not easy
But it's worth it

I heard this song on the radio today, love it!!!

the bedding issue

I had my heart set on a crib set from Target, called Sweet Safari. My favorite thing was a monkey on the bedding that had a pink bow behind her ear, I was thrilled when we received the bedding from Josh's dad and step-mom. I got the bedding out and began to set up Ava's crib because I was ready to accessorize her room. When I tied the bumper on to the crib was when I realized that the slats on our crib were too wide and blocked the faces of the adorable animals, right down the middle. It was then we knew it wasn't going to work. I was shattered, everything I had pictured for my little girls room revolved around this bedding. I no longer had a vision.

So I was back to the beginning... a blank canvas. I searched the internet for baby girl bedding with a pattern instead of characters with a focal point on the bumper. I found a set, ordered it and prayed that when it arrived I would like it as much as I did online. It arrived in a couple of days and I was in love. I again set up Ava's crib, stood back and smiled.

showers

Last week, Josh and I went to North Carolina to visit our family. While we were there our mom's had a couple baby showers for Ava. We had a shower from Josh's stepmom and dad at their church. Then we had a shower from Josh's mom at her house. Finally we had a virtual shower from my mom at her house, we were able to skype with other family members that were unable to attend. We are so blessed to have so many people that are willing to do things for us.

One big change for us has been that we no longer have Petee. We were able to give him back to the lady we adopted him from. We realized it would be selfish for us to keep him. Our lifestyle is changing and we can no longer accommodate all of Petee's needs. Josh talked to the lady that took back Petee this morning. She said that she will be keeping him and not adopting him out, She commented on how well behaved he is and that issues she had with him before no longer exist, I guess we took care of him pretty well.
Another change is that Josh has started grad school. Last night we went out to dinner at BW3's  with a group (about 50) people from the program Josh is entering into. It was awesome and so nice for Josh to really feel a part of something so great. We have some challenges ahead of us but we are very excited about them. God has blessed us graciously and we are ready to take on whatever comes next.

Cake from our first shower

My mom wanted to have everything pink :)

Everything from the showers

The unpacking begins...

wordless wednesday

20 down 20 to go

On Saturday, I reached a milestone in my pregnancy... Half-way! Josh was not here to take a picture so, you will have to wait for a later time. People still say that I don't look pregnant and can't believe that I am 20 weeks. A lot of my students parents have no idea, which is kind of nice. I have felt really good the past couple weeks with the exception to an increase in heartburn. I currently have no cravings and no aversions. Last night, as I was laying on the couch watching tv, feeling Ava kicking all around, I began to wonder if I would be able to feel her kick by placing my hand on my lower abdomen. Ava is sitting really low, at times i have to give her a nudge because she is laying in a position to make my left thigh fall asleep. Anyways, I pushed my hand in a little and was quickly kicked, I had invaded her bubble. I laughed so hard, it is an extraordinary thing to feel your little one moving around. I can't wait to see Josh on Friday and let him be "kicked" by his daughter :)

ava's christmas stocking

I began working on Ava's Christmas stocking in June. I have done cross-stitching before, when I was a little girl. My mom cross-stitched our stockings, so it is like a tradition that as a mother I felt should be carried on. My mom had a theme with our stockings: teddy bears. David's stocking has 3 bears in a gingerbread house like scene. My stocking has one bear on a rocking horse surrounded by presents. Alex's is covered in tons of bears and Adam's has a boy sleeping, holding a teddy bear. I decided to do a theme with snowmen. After searching all over the internet to find a stocking that wasn't to complicated and that was suited for a girl or a boy, Josh and I finally agreed on one: Trimming the tree. I have been spending majority of all of my free time working on her stocking especially now that she may be here for Christmas. Not that she will know, but I will.

Here is the progress so far:

I have to complete 2.5 more snowmen, the top decoration, Ava's name and all of the outlining. Then it will be ready to be sewn into a stocking!

dresses, ribbons, bows... and cute shoes

We will be expecting a baby girl around my new due date, December 24th! Here are a couple of baby's first pictures.

Her fingers

Already head down

top view of her head and legs

profile shot

3-D shot of her feet (thigh, knee, calf, ankles crossed, little toes)