30 Weeks

Here's my baby bump at 30 weeks prego. Even though my weight-gain has been significantly less this time around, I still feel like my bump looks full term! I guess that's what I get for not building back my ab muscles in the last year. :-) I've only gained three pounds in the past month, so that wasn't bad for over Christmas (I don't want to talk about the month before though... Thanksgiving was not kind to me).

This week I'm feeling an amazing amount of pressure from a VERY low baby. Pelvic rocks (Bradley exercise) are my friend, since that helps to adjust Kimber's position and make Mommy more comfortable. I'm thankful to say that the hard contractions I was having a few weeks ago have stopped, thanks to some help from my chiropractor. I fell down a flight of stairs about a month ago, and began having very painful, very long contractions whenever I "overdid it" in the weeks following. A few hip adjustments have made a huge difference. Now I'm back to having normal, painless, short Braxton Hicks contractions. Ahh... relief!

Kimber is still an incredibly active baby. I love to feel her movements throughout the day. I can't believe how close it's getting to her arrival. Please pray with us that this baby will be late, as she is due the first day of her Daddy's exam week.

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Mondays are for puzzles...

This evening as I waited for my tilapia to finish baking (blog post about that new recipe to come later this week!), Kyle and I had some fun with puzzles.

Here he is with his new car puzzle. I wish I could have caught the expression on his face when he put the piece in correctly. It's priceless!

Here he is figuring out his new "big boy" puzzles. He did great!

And of course, eventually we ended up under the table with Quest. Everything is more fun with Quest along after all. :-) 

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2012, here we come!

It is truly hard for me to believe that 2011 is over. This year has seen so much change in our home, yet to me if feels as though the year began yesterday. This might have something to do with the fact that I’ve been pregnant for half of this past year… and yes, time takes on an entirely new feel when you’re carrying a little one.

As New Years Day approaches, I have done more than my usual “planning” and “brainstorming” and “resolving.” This is probably because my nesting instinct is in full swing. It also has to do with my own feeling of inadequacy to raise two children at the same time. J I want very much to remain close to the Lord, keep a clean and organized home, keep up with my reading, and try some of these lovely pinterest projects during the chaos that is about to descend on my life!

Another big goal of mine is to branch out of my cooking rut this year. I want to begin shopping at Trader Joes, and try at least 4 new recipes a month. For me, that’s a daunting task! I love to cook… but I hate trying new things. Weird isn’t it? I hope to be able to share some of these adventures with you all over the next number of weeks and months.

For now, wish me luck as I dive into these (and other!) lists. We’ll hope to see you a bit more frequently over the upcoming year. 

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Introducing Kimber Janelle

This is me at 21 weeks prego with baby #2.

And today we found out that we're having a....

healthy, beautiful, 

GIRL!!!!

Daddy and Mommy could not be more excited. Kyle? Well, he has no idea what he's in for... and thankfully still seems to love talking about "baby." I'm looking forward to teaching him to say "Kimber" now that we know she's a girl! 

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The Best Apple Pie

This is my Mom's recipe. The. Best. Ever. 

Jan's Apple Pie 

1 Pillsbury Pie Crust (yes, brand is important!)

5 or 6 Macintosh Apples 

1 Stick Butter

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

1 Teaspoon Allspice (this is the "fall" taste, and so amazing!)

3 Tablespoons Sugar

Peel the apples, and cut into the thinnest slices you can manage (if you can see through the slice, you're really good at this!). Fill the bottom pie crust with apples. Combine white sugar, allspice, and cinnamon. Shake spice mixture over the apples evenly. Cut together (using a knife or pastry cutter) the stick of butter (straight out of the fridge, don't use soft butter) flour and brown sugar. This is the hardest part and takes a while. When your chunks of butter are around the size of your pinky fingernail or smaller, you're done. Pile the butter mixture onto the apples. Cover with top pie crust and cut slits into the top. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

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Flat on my face

In the past month, my son has completely changed. I always knew that he had a sin nature, I even saw it at times, but in the past month rebellion, stubbornness, and direct disobedience have all become clearly evident. First they were evident in his actions, then in his words. I’m not shocked at this fact, but I am shocked by the responsibility! This soul that I treasure, while not mine to save, is mine to guide.

Parenting--- I’m afraid I’m going to fall flat on my face!

Suddenly, it occurs to me. Being flat on my face is exactly where I need to be

Bowed in anguish before my God

Pleading my inability and HIS ABILITY

God, keep me flat on my face as I raise my children!

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16 Weeks

What's going on this week:

I'm feeling the baby move a lot. This child is far more active than his brother was, and I have to wonder if we're in for a big personality surprise!

My sickness is gradually decreasing. We turned a real corner around 11 1/2 weeks, and I am so thankful! I still throw up during morning diaper changes, but that's all.

I. feel. huge. And I know I'm only beginning. So far I have lost 5 lbs, and gained them back. I'm still at my start weight for this pregnancy.

Kyle is a champ. We're teaching him to say "baby" and touch my belly gently. I wonder how much he will understand before this little one arrives? I'm praying that my labor will be shorter this time, so that time spent away from Kyle will be minimal. I'm thankful that we're using a birth center, and will be able to return home the same day that this baby is born. I know it will make the transition much easier for him!

I feel much more exhausted this time around. I'm thankful for a 1 year old who naps well, and I'm taking advantage of those afternoon naps to sneak one in for myself. What a blessing! One I probably won't have next time around... :-)

While I'm not one to "love" pregnancy, and talk about it as the best 9 months of my life, I am trying to enjoy it for what it is. I love this baby so much already!

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