You can just call me Mrs. Clumsy McGee

Do not underestimate the clumsiness of a pregnant woman! It just happens. More than usual. More than before this huge bump came along. And usually the bump is the one who gets the punishment for it.

For instance:

~For every meal there is bound to be leftovers found on the bump, usually on a very nice maternity dress or shirt, and said dress or shirt can only be hand washed--who is their right mind would make a maternity garment that can only be hand washed? Riddle me that!

~Lots of tripping takes place in these parts these days. Tripping up the stairs, tripping over things that cannot be seen because the bump gets in the way (remember, I lost sight of my feet months ago!), and tripping over nothing at all (I swear, there was something there!)

~Bumping into things with aptly named the bump. Forgetting that I have a bump there and trying to fit through small spaces (uh, huh, yeah right). Tossing and turning in the night while picking up the bump in order to actually move can be quite challenging and may lead to the occasional Braxton Hicks--it's better to just lie in one spot until nature calls for the third time.

With all this said, I'm hoping my clumsiness is just a side effect of being pregnant and doesn't actually stay around after Juice Drop comes. It would make me feel a whole lot better if I was known as the competent mother who had it all together and not the clumsy mother. What kind of mother would drop food on her child, or trip up the stairs with her child, or bump her into things?

Who am I kidding?! I guess worse things could happen, right? I can definitely see me doing all the above when she's here and it not even phase her. At least she'd grow up knowing nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes, and we all trip once in a while. Picking ourselves back up with a smile on our face is the most important thing. I'm so thankful for God's grace and mercy and I pray she feels His grace and mercy even more so!

I'll leave you with a few snapshots of our fourth and final baby shower. It was a beautiful day filled with love from our amazing friends and family here in Charlotte. We feel as prepared as we could ever be now, and it's all thanks to everyone who has blessed us throughout this pregnancy. We feel so loved!

i LOVE this!

Delish and such a beautiful display!

And here we are having Abby help me clean up the soap that got on my bump--see, always getting in the way!

Juice Drop's best friend, Kiah and Kiah's beautiful Mama, Heather. Not too long ago we were showering Heather and Kiah!

With my sister, Emily, being so close now she was able to join us! I felt so blessed to have her there.

Travis' cousins also joined us! They have been such a great support to us since we moved to Charlotte over a year ago.

Thank you Sylvia, Abby, Angela, and Kari. You sure know how to make a Mama feel special. Love you all! :)

As of Late...

The reason why I've only been posting weekly updates as of late is because all that is on my mind is this BABY! She takes up all my thoughts, all my doings, all my prayers, and I don't want to bore you with all of that. So instead I'll just post some pics of our happenings and as of late--and no, they're not all about Juice Drop...if they were, then I'd really need to get a life!

urban eagles camp.

ten hour road trip for a dear friend.

Mexican corn on the cob.

pregnancy perks.

what if I joined the Avengers? awesome.

mini golf.

best friends.

laughter.

big brush.

Juice Drop's first (and better be only!) vandalism.

best friends.

sisters.

maywedge.

bride and bridesmaid.

third baby shower.

preteen ministry days.

fishing partners.

bros and sistas.

food baby and real baby.

a little overwhelmed...to say the least

Wow, I am spent!

On top of getting anxious about Juice Drop coming in roughly 7 weeks, losing my mind and forgetting to pay bills, we are having to unpack the boxes we still have yet to unpack from moving in 6 months ago!

What were we thinking waiting until the end like this?!

And on top of unpacking boxes, these are the things that need to be done just in general and in her nursery:

Get life insurance
Find a pediatrician
Write a birth plan
Pack ours and Juice Drop's hospital bags
Sew changing pad cover, pillows, and curtains
Paint doll baby bed and little rocking chair
Buy lamps and nightlight
Artwork
Make mobile
Buy storage containers

Oh yeah, and do our job by spending time with kids and connecting with adults in our neighborhood and take a week off next week to drive to Indiana to be in one of my best friend's weddings!

Phew! Can I take a nap now?

How far along? 33 Weeks

Total weight gain: 28 lbs

Maternity clothes? Most of the time. 

Stretch marks? Nope 

Sleep: I had a great night's sleep last night! Woo Hoo!! I only had to get up once to pee and it was cool enough in our room that I could use blankets to cover up. Uh-Mazing! I realize this was just a teaser because I know my sleepless nights will reemerge very soon (most likely tonight).

Best moment this week: Spending time in Greenville and having my girl friends there throw me my 2nd baby shower! *pics below*

Miss Anything? Being comfortable.

Movement: Morning, noon, and night! Hiccups at least once a day :) 

Food cravings: Nada

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are getting stronger.

Symptoms: Back and rib pain, Braxton Hicks, peeing ALL THE TIME (even when hardly anything comes out!), shortness of breath, memory lapse, clumsiness, swollen fingers and toes (this heat is redonkulous!)

Belly Button in or out? Outie!

Wedding rings on or off? I'm trying my hardest to keep my ring on until Lindsey and Matt's wedding. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Unless I'm outside or hungry lol

Looking forward to: Getting this apartment straightened and finally finishing the nursery!

My baby shower in Greenville was amazing! I got to see some ladies I haven't seen in a few years and it was so great reconnecting with everyone. A huge thank you goes out to the ladies who were involved in putting it all together and making me feel very special! Donica, Dee, Beth, and Jayne, you all ROCK!

These cupcakes are too cute!!

 

The food was delicious!

We got a lot of great things for Juice Drop!

Ok, check out this candy-it's called Juicy Drop Taffy!!! 

I'm in love with these Mary Jane socks!

Prayers over Juice Drop 

 I feel so blessed! Thank you Beth, Donica, and Dee!

P.S. a durian looks like this: ...hopefully Juice Drop isn't as prickly ;)

My Baby Cuke

Swollen feet, swollen fingers, back pain, rib pain, heartburn, peeing all the time and sometimes uncontrollably.

What am I? An 80 year old woman?!

Nope, just 30 weeks pregnant!

What's the difference between me and an 80 year old woman then? All the movement I get to feel from baby Juice Drop! One of these days I'm going to have to film her movements because it's truly indescribable!

Forget about soccer or softball for this little lady, I think we may have a gymnast on our hands!

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: 21 lbs

Maternity clothes? Most of the time 

Stretch marks? Nope J

Sleep: Good, not great...starting to realize what it's going to feel like getting up every two hours

Best moment this week: Celebrating with family and close friends our first Baby Shower! **pics below**

Miss Anything? Being able to go through a whole day without back and rib pain

Movement: Several times throughout the day and night. My new favorite past-time is lying on my side and getting to see and feel her move--the joy of the day :)

Food cravings: Nada

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, especially when I have to pee really bad...which is every couple hours lol

Symptoms: Back and rib pain, Braxton Hicks, peeing, shortness of breath, and memory lapse

Belly Button in or out? Outie!

Wedding rings on or off? It's on but getting tight!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Our Babymoon on Amelia Island in Florida next week!

Our Baby Shower this past weekend was so lovely! 

Yes, it was 107 degrees outside.

Yes, it felt like it was over 90 degrees inside.

Yes, I was overheated, swollen, and exhausted by the end of the night.

But, we had an amazing time with family and great friends celebrating Juice Drop!

My baby pictures. I can already see that Juice Drop has my button nose :)

I can't get enough of that little cowboy sitting on a pumpkin.

Let the Baby Shower games begin! Who can guess how big I am with a piece of string?

Daddy guessed about 7 inches bigger...thanks.

    

Someone was very generous and made me feel great!


 Pops almost took the prize but my best friend Erin beat him by 1 inch! :)

Like I said, it felt like 90 degrees inside so Travis had to fan me while I opened gifts!

Best Friends. I'm so happy they could share this day with us!

Grandma Terri (along with my sister and mom) did so much to make this day so special for us!

My Family

Mami (my mom) wanted to be velcroed to Juice Drop all day.

James drove 3 hours to join us. That's a best friend!

We ended the evening with an 80th birthday party for Travis' Grandpa. I mean, just look at the guy--he's stylin' and profilin'! Juice Drop is lucky to have a Great Grandpa as great as he is!

3 Generations :)