My Birthday

I can't believe it's been a year. It seems like I was just blogging about my birthday trip around Missouri from last year. In comparison to last years 800 mile journey- this year was very very very low key. And that's just what this momma needed!
We kinda celebrated all weekend- but didn't do anything huge! On Friday night we went to dinner, because Brandon and I have both been wanting Minsky's pizza. We walked around the shopping center that it's in for a few minutes and then ran an errand to the mall.

On Saturday, I was able to sorta sleep in. We promised Lincoln on Friday night that he could sleep with us, which was fine until Daniel came in the bed around 3am. At 6 am our beagle was whining to go out, so I let him out, grabbed a blanket and headed to Lincoln's bed until 9:40. When I woke up Brandon made me waffles and milk and we watched the Chipmunks movie with the boys. For lunch we met Brandon at the local Tea Room at the boys request. It was a 45 minute wait, so we walked around and looked at the antiques and then ate a yummy lunch. We went home to rest for a bit until it was time to take the boys to my parents house for the night! We dropped them off and headed to Springfield for a yummy dinner at Cheddars. I have been craving spinach dip this entire pregnancy so I of course pigged out on my two favorite menu items! Brandon was frustrated since I never told him what I wanted for my birthday- truth is, I didn't want anything. I just wanted a simple date night. We were going to go to a movie, but I backed out and opted for walking around the mall and a shopping center instead. After the mall, we headed to Coldstone for some ice cream and ended the night searching for a good redbox movie, and using some coupons for some band aids! ROMANTIC! ha!

Our plan on Sunday was to sleep in and skip Sunday school and just go to service, but we were both up early with a sick dog. It was nice though being able to shave my legs and paint my toe nails and drive through McDonald's for breakfast. We headed to church and then went to my parents afterwards for a homecooked lunch. My mom speically made me a strawberry cake that was to die for and a mexican casserole that I love. We hung out and played for a couple of hours and then headed home for afternoon naps! Brandon and I finished the evening watching a movie that we rented and eating my all time favorite movie snack- hot popcorn and milkduds!!! YUMMO!

eating cake is serious business!

Family Shot! (1 day shy of 23w)

I'm happy that I was able to be around my family, and to relax. Our lives are about to drastically change in the next few months, so it was so nice to be able to enjoy each other and every moment of the day!

We're such a serious family!

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks (July 4)

Total weight gain? 2 lbs total

Maternity clothes? All pants are maternity, it's just more comfortable. I can still wear some regular shirts and dresses.

Stretch marks? I've had twins, so yes of course!

Sleep? I am tired all the time. I pass out at night, but am getting more and more uncomfortable during the night.

Best moment of the week? hmmm..

Food cravings? steak and salad

Movement? yes! I love feeling the little kicks and sommersaults!

What I am looking forward to? Vacation is coming up. I cannot wait to get to Florida

The Big Day

Today was the BIG day. Ultrasound day! What color do you think we will be buying pink or blue???

Let me tell you a little story, before getting to the details of the day. Back in either February or March, a choir group from Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee came to our church to sing in both the morning and evening worship services. I was teaching a ladies discipleship class at the time, so I decided to take some time for myself and stay to hear the choir. *THEY WERE AWESOME!*

After singing a few songs, the leader/professor took a minute and gave a short testimony about the choir program and what he has learned while being at Bethel. Little did I know how much what he was saying was going to stick in my head and change my way of thinking. He was talking about how if we delight in the Lord, no matter what is going on in our lives, he will take delight in us.

I went to bed that night, knowing that no matter whether it was a baby boy or a baby girl growing in my belly, that I would be just as happy. God knew the desire of my heart, but he also knew that regardless, I would take delight in what he was blessing Brandon and I with. So for months, I was in perfect peace. I didn't worry, I didn't try to rush the day, actually June 6th arrived, and I was completely calm.

Completely calm until I went to sleep. I had been talking to Brandon about the plan for the big day, and apparently that was what was on my mind when I fell asleep. I dreamed a dream that was completely opposite of calm. When morning came, I called my mom and asked her to say a prayer for me, for my emotions and for my reaction. She reassured me that no matter what, I would be excited and love on baby H.

Fast forward a couple of hours.

I arrived at the dr's office almost a hour early. For those of you that know me, you know that I am never EVER early. Here's the really impressive part... I had all three boys with me, lunches packed, and backpacks packed with activities to keep them busy while they sat in the car with my dad. So as we sat in the parking lot, I had a few minutes (it was more like 60),to breathe, say a prayer and overload my phone with face.book.

Brandon and I were able to walk right in to the ultrasound room. The ultrasound tech was super friendly, asked tons of get to know you questions (she seemed like a long lost friend!), and was pregnant too. As she scanned my belly, we were able to look at a 42 inch flat screen tv mounted on the wall, watching for what we could see. I'm no expert, but after having 15 ultrasounds with the twins, and 3 with Greyson, I kinda know what I'm looking at. But this time, I didn't know what I was looking at. After seeing three little dots, I gave a puzzled look and asked, "what are those three dots?" With nothing but a smile on her face, our ultrasound tech gave me the news that I've been waiting my entire life to hear. I couldn't hold back the tears. Don't get me wrong, I didn't do the ugly face cry. But I had tears running down my face, and as I looked at Brandon did too. He was laughing trying to not let me see though!

We finished the ultrasound and couldn't wait to start calling people. The first person we told my my dad. My dad has the heart of a child, so I instantly knew what his reaction would be. I told Brandon, I bet you 10 bucks my dad starts crying! When we got to the car, we let the boys spell out the letters GIRL, and instantly my dad was smiling ear to ear, and had to lower his sunglasses to cover his eyes! When we called my mom, who was at work, she let out a little scream, and even left work early to go shopping with me!

Now, we just have to pick out a name, bedding, and figure out hair bows!