Big Sister, BIG Mommy

 

Well, I am at that stage in pregnancy that some people loving refer to as the "growing" stage.  For those of us not foolish enough to believe its as sweet as that, we recognize it as the stage where you are just plain big.  I think I was hoping to be around 34 weeks before I really felt as big as I feel, but the other day my daughter brought to light the fact that I am already there.  We were all driving in the car and Bob asked her about the playground.  She said she went down the slide so Bob asked if Mommy went  down too.  She instantly replied, "No Daddy, Mommy BIG!"  No pretense, no hesitation, just pure hard facts, yes, I am BIG.  Now to many I still look small and frankly am a smaller woman in general, but even 25 extra pounds on my frame feels like 50.  I now turn backwards on the scale when I go to the doctor.  I just don't need to know the number anymore, trust me, I am "growing." Whew.....7 or 8 more weeks to go (please Evie, no longer!).

Lily has started to take her big sister role very seriously and has taken to kissing and hugging my tummy on a regular basis.  She says "I wuv baby Evie!" and is only too quick to point out that "Baby Evie's kicking!"  She is just so precious and simply loves this mysterious little sister of hers.

This past week we had our final ultrasound to follow Evie's growth and Lily was my little companion.  She stood on the chair next to me all the while telling the ultrasound tech all she knew, including everything about horseys, Evie Frances and tickles and throws.  What a talker.  Evie has been growing like a weed (Praise the Lord), and is now weighing in at around 4.2 pounds and about 19 inches long.

Her head is down, WAY down, and her feet are lodged somewhere between my ribs and my right hip bone.  Evie is so low that the ultrasound tech checked me vaginally to see if I was dilated (I'm not) while telling me, "Boy, she is knockin' at the door, huh, you must be feeling a lot of pressure?"  Um, YEAH.  I am ultimately so grateful that she is in the right position.  Call me crazy, but I am still targeting a drug free natural birth.  I am not as die hard as I was last time about it though and no longer fear the epidural.  That little thing is like heaven in a needle delivered by a smocked angel.

For those of you anxiously wondering, I am still sicker than sick.  In fact I threw up yesterday and the day before.  Oh the nausea is just never ending, but I have learned how to manage it.  When in doubt...EAT..... and when I eat, eat simply.  Sandwiches are wonderful these days, fried foods and super spicy foods are like death.

I am craving dairy of all kinds right now.  I told my midwife about it considering that I can only get my prenatal down 1 in 7 times right now and she said that it was absolutely the right time to crave calcium.  Evie's bones are in their "get strong" stage.  A nice cold glass of milk sounds amazing, mmmmmmmmm, and I NEVER crave milk.  We only ever have milk in the fridge for recipes.  My fridge is now full of cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt and milk.  I refuse to stock up on ice cream, but every Saturday Bob takes Lily and I out for frozen yogurt.  Yummy.

The Lord is blessing us richly right now, I know its a cliff hanger, but they are blessings for another post on another day.  Today I am just relishing the joy that Evie is growing (with a full head of hair I might add) and looks simply perfect.  Relishing that my little Lily has the most beautiful heart and how I simply cannot wait to see her in the big sister role, and that even though I am BIG, I am beautiful.

A Witness to I Do

This past weekend, Bob and I got to watch as our dear friend Bryce married the woman he has been waiting a long time for, sweet and beautiful Rachel.

I met Bryce almost 11 years ago when I was dating Bobby.  Bob grew up with this family!  They are most known for their volleyball playing and trouble causing antics.  I didn't know Bob without knowing the Hickerson's in short order.  The first thing I remember learning about Bryce, his brother Ryan and his sister Kimmy is that they are tall.  And yes, taller than Bob.  I was dwarfed almost instantly!  The most precious thing though, is that the day I met them I instantly got hugs and became a best friend too.  I just love the Hickersons!

Well, within the year of meeting them Ryan got married, and then Bob and I.  Bob stood with Ryan at his wedding along side Bryce and both brothers stood at our wedding, side by side.  That was nearly 9 years ago.

Bryce took his time, and let me tell you, he lived.  Travelling, playing volleyball internationally, moving to Nebraska, and just enjoying that precious time of the single life.  He is a GOOD guy, and all of us have been praying for the right girl.  We all knew she would have to be special and boy is she!

I met Rachel over Christmas and simply fell in love with her.  Such a sweet heart, such a tender spirit, and an exquisite God-fearing woman, Bryce's perfect counterpart.

Time doesn't change true friendship and Bob was asked to stand up with Bryce on his special of days.  Even 7 months pregnant we wouldn't have missed it for the world!  To have the guys together again after more than 6 years of separation was simply special.

Plus a chance to have a brief, yet enjoyable, toddler free babymoon was delightful!

I was sure that Lincoln Nebraska was going to be at least Springy, but sadly it was windy and chilly.

 

I think the only time that the sun actually came out was during the wedding ceremony.  Thank you Lord!   We had a great time at the rehearsal and dinner, however, and I simply loved catching each and every moment especially this one of a sweet stolen kiss.  These two are simply adorable!

Bob was all smiles when he realized that he was paired up with Kimmy Hickerson.  I know that Bob has always looked at her like a little sister and it was sweet to watch him walk with her.

Once we all rehearsed and found ourselves numb from the cold we headed over to dinner which was simply scrumptious.  Let me just say, I LOVE all things wedding food!  Especially now!

The next day was the big wedding day and we could not have asked for a better setting.

Sure, it was windy, but the island, sunshine and bubbling joy made the day extra special.  I ended up having the very high pressure job of holding onto the "unity" sand that they would pour together.

Wind and sand are not a good mix and we could just see the little open jars tipping over and sanding the entire audience.  That's one way to become unified.  No sand was spilled though and it worked perfectly!

Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Hickerson were pronounced and we all headed inside the amazing Wilderness Lodge for some party!

There is something about that first husband/wife dance that just makes everyone smile and swoon.  I love these two.  They just look so happy!

We may not be newlyweds anymore, but now these similar moments are even more precious.  Living life with the one you love has a way of drawing you even closer.  With baby Evie rocking away inside of me I found my dance with my hubby to be even more special.

We were able to catch up with so many people that we haven't seen for a while and it was great to eat, sit, dance and eat again well into the evening.  On top of cupcakes, they even had a s'mores bar.  YUMMY.  Baby Evie was doing jumping jacks by the time the night wore down.

I unfortunately, crashed before the newlyweds headed off to their bliss, so my wonderful hubby took me home and put me to bed.  The wedding was absolutely wonderful, but do you know what was the best part of the weekend?

I slept till 9 the next morning.  AHHHHHH wonderful!

In the Mist

I just love the snow.  After being gone for 8 years to places that rarely if ever see snow, it is wonderful to experience the white stuff again.  This past month has been wonderful because we have had snow every week.  It's beautiful!  The past couple of days have been snowy, foggy and chilly.

Lily and I spent the time up in the mountains since Bob has been out of town.  There is something about the fog that I found myself just loving.

Its cover.

When you are in the fog you simply feel like the world doesn't extend beyond what you can see.  It's simple and for a brief time you feel totally safe, cocooned in mist.  I found myself grateful that fog came rolling in after the events of the Boston Marathon Bombing this past Monday.  So tragic and even though I wasn't there, I am a runner.  It felt personal and I will admit, fear threatened to overwhelm me.  

But then the fog rolled in and under a halo of mist I found some refuge.  Then I took Lily outside and found myself smiling and enjoying the snow.

 God is good.  I will tell you, Lily is simply impervious to the cold.  I had nearly 4 layers of clothing on me and she was happy with her snowpants and fleece jacket.  Gloves you say? No way!  A Hat? Well that's just silly!  In fact, once she made it into the swing her boots and socks came off too!

Snow, freezing temps, no problem for this barefoot lady.

Once we finished with the swing we headed out to the horses and even amidst the falling snow and cold temps Lily was convinced we needed to go riding.   So after grooming, spraying the horsey tail and comb, comb, combing she sat up on Bon Bon like an ole pro and we took a ride in the snow.  What a confident little horse lady.  Too confident if you ask me.

I am grateful for the snow and even more grateful for the mist.  In a big and often times scary world, its wonderful to know that the Lord still covers us.  We have no need to fear, we are His.