Oh Nursery...

Oh nursery... my very favorite kind of nursery....

While other "expectant" mothers are dreaming up and creating their little one's nursery... I'd much rather be dreaming up my future flower beds and taking in all the beautiful and bold colors of the plants in the local nursery... it's just what it is dear friends. 

Loving Her Love

I have such an adventure seeker... usually the first thing Charlotte wants to do when she wakes up in the morning, is head outside. Doesn't matter if it's rain or shine, pajamas on or off, breakfast ingested or not... the girl is READY for something. We're working on getting grass in our backyard in Oklahoma, but for now, these last 3 weeks, she's really enjoyed all the grass she's been able to play in here on the east coast. We even had a first the other day... she found a worm, and had tons of fun torturing the poor little thing. She definitely wanted it to "fly" when she was all done playing, and flung that little creature, fairly far.  I love her love for the outdoors... I don't think she'll ever tire of it.

Visiting Trout

Even rainy days are fun when you're not stuck at home all day with Mommy... who wouldn't have fun visiting the trout at the Bass Pro Shop? I'm pretty sure what made the trip, was hanging out with Papa "D" (and Aunt and cousin, not pictured)!

I Need You

2 years ago, I was getting SO nervous about motherhood. We received confirmation of "travel" to Ukraine the last day in April, and 2 weeks later (around today), we landed in Ukraine, ready for our "journey" of adoption to officially begin. Yes, this journey technically started the moment that our hearts were open to adoption, the moment we started the paperwork process.  But the moment we touched feet in Ukraine, it became THAT much more real. Even though we didn't even know Charlotte for that Mother's Day, she was in my heart the whole time.  She is who we were praying for up to that point.  She is who made me a mother... my official first, and I couldn't be more thankful.

Being "mama" to Charlotte has refined me in such a way I never knew was possible. Motherhood is crazy like that... shows you struggles you have that you never knew was a struggle... and what's crazy, is that each child refines in a completely different way, because each child is completely different. I'm excited/nervous to see how this new little one is going to refine me in a different way. One constant that I have, is my reliance on God... He's ALWAYS there, and ready to hear from me. I just need to rely on Him... need to remember to lean on Him... and not on myself.

"Teach my song to rise in you, when temptation comes my way. And when I cannot stand I'll fall on you. Jesus you're my hope and stay. Lord, I need you, Oh I need you... Every hour I need you.  My one defense, my righteousness. Oh God, how I need you."

Back To The Dirt



You know what the best adventures are? The ones that are not just for adults... or not just for kids... but for kids/adults alike. Charlotte had a little "special" adventure with Grammy and Papa "D" the other day... and we made our way to Longwood Gardens, near Philadelphia. All the spring blossoms/colors were popping and we certainy enjoyed the stroll through the gardens. This garden is even for little ones. All the running around they can do, children's gardens, fountains galore, etc. Such a super fun outing. Now, I want to get home to Oklahoma to get my hands/fingers back in the dirt. 

 

29 weeks { bump }

I'm a couple days passed my 29 week update... not too much to report. I've been back East spending some time with family/friends before this little one comes along and I have to add her to the travelling mix. I'm not quite sure what's going on with my belly... it gets bigger... which I'm sure means I'm doing my job. It hurts thought... I have this spot on my right hand side just an inch above my rib area, where I'm completely "bruised" feeling. I have some serious tender skin there... and I get sharp pains. Not sure if it's from the little one kicking up a storm on my ribs and trying to get "cozy"... or if she's "pinching a nerve"... it comes and goes... and is worse when I'm sitting... so I stand and walk... and rock this baby to sleep as much as I can (minus me sitting on my butt while I write up this blog post!)

I ended up failing my 1 hour and 3 hour glucose test... right before I left on the plane I had a meet and greet with the dietitian. She was a bit baffled as to how/why I could fail... but she says plenty of healthy young ladies, even yoga instructors, etc sometimes fail, because of hormones. She arranged a plan for me to eat more frequently (5 small meals throughout the day), including a high protein snack before bed. I've been pricking my finger, and all seems to be going well. Just increased my protein intake, whenever I eat a natural sugar... you all know how much I love my fruit. Seems to be the proper balance for my sugar levels, and so for now, I'll keep up with it. I'm sort of hoping that at my next appointment, after checking all my written down levels for the past 3 weeks, that my midwife will allow me to discontinue pricking my finger... but I suppose that's not my choice to make. 

Cravings: I still LOVE munching ice... and my iron count is PERFECT... so it's not a pica... just what baby loves.

Turn Offs: There's nothing this baby doesn't want...

Daddy's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: Daddy's silent... he's had over 2 weeks without his girls... so hopefully he'll be fresh with energy for us when we get back... or maybe I should say, fresh with energy for Charlotte when we get back.

Charlotte's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: As Charlotte and I were showering not too long ago, she washed my belly for me, and announced, "Now baby is nice and clean." Also, she thinks that baby wears clothes in the womb... and asked how she "changes her outfits" each day.

Melting Heart

Oh how my heart just melts when I capture my little muse on my camera...

May always seems to be the month of reflection for me... not that I don't reflect during the other months... but because this month marks our 2 years of "meeting" Charlotte for the first time, I become a little more pensive... and lets not forget how hormonal I've been from this pregnancy. I can't believe how big she is. How she's grown leaps and bounds. And somehow my mind keeps retreating back to when Charlotte was a little one... as in, as little as this baby in my belly is (size wise), and was born sooooo early and super small (somewhere under 3 lbs). I couldn't even imagine... I feel this sweet little one move around in my belly, and couldn't even imagine if she was "born" right now... how she would survive... which makes me look at Charlotte, and see her as such a fighter.... such a survivor... created... destined for amazing things. Her story amazes me... and unfortunately it truly isn't my story to share. I hope one day she'll want to share it with others... but what I do know...

this little one was created to melt my heart.