3rd Trimester Baby!

Well, I just got back from my 27 week visit, and I have officially completed 2/3 of my pregnancy! Thank you Jesus! Everything looks right on track, and I only gained 3 lbs since my last visit! This was the last visit with my favorite doctor - Dr. Wiist! He is a Godly man who performed my surgery and prayed with us to conceive a baby! We are sad that we have to leave him, but we are thankful that the Lord placed him in our lives as we were going through a tough time.


(I look so sleepy in this picture!!)

I am so excited about these next few weeks. There is a lot of change going on, but it is wonderful! We know we are doing what the Lord wants us to do by moving to Nashville. I am sad and will miss many precious people here, but I also know I will see them again because Grandma and Grandpa (or whatever they will be called) live here! Next week we will be settling into our apartment, the weekend of the 14th I will be going home for Nancy's showers, then there will be Christmas, and then Chris' parents are coming to visit. January and February will be quiet months, but I'm looking forward to my processing time and getting ready for Harper's arrival!

Okay, since I havent done a survey in a while...
How far along? 27 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 25 pounds - I'm right on track... just trying to be steady from now until the end by doing no more than 1 lb a week! Walking at least 3 times a week!

Maternity clothes? absolutely! I can still do some pre-preggy shirts/sweaters. They are cute b/c they hug the big belly and make me feel good!

Stretch marks? yes! But not on the tum tum... However, I do have a faint line appearing down my belly! I love it! I feel like it is a true mark of a pregnant woman!

Sleep: LOVE IT! I still sleep like I'm in a coma, and the snoring continues.. haha! After working all day on Tuesday, I was so tired that I completely concked out and didn't even wake up to tinkle in the middle of the night. I felt like my bladder was going to explode when I woke up, but man that sleep was the best! My hips are starting to hurt though. My body is starting to adjust and prepare for birth! hooray!

Best moment this week: When my sister and mom got to feel Harper move for the first time. Nancy got all teary-eyed when Harper gave her 3 good kicks, and mom and I just sat on the couch feeling her move for about 15 minutes. It was so precious!

Movement: LOTS - especially when I eat! And she was going nuts after I had to drink the sugar drink for the glucose test this morning! On the way to Clinton for Thanksgiving I got worried b/c she hadn't moved in a while, but it was just a quiet day for her. I think the ride in the car was soothing to her. Maybe that will work on the tough nights she won't go to sleep... (cross your fingers)

Food cravings: Protein always sounds good. But I also LOVE frozen fruit - especially peaches!

Gender: ITS A GIRL!!

Labor Signs: small braxton hicks type of contractions has started - i feel like I'm in training for the big day!

Belly Button in or out? still in, but really shallow! When I make it pop out by stretching it a little bit, it is so soft and squishy! Weird!

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I am wearing a different ring that is a little bigger.

What I miss: sleeping on my tummy! and being able to exercise like I want. I will look forward to starting that once Harper arrives, and I've healed up!

What I am looking forward to: My baby shower is Sunday!

Weekly Wisdom: clean out and dejunk the house now b/f the baby arrives. I am forced to do this b/c of the move, but it is also a wonderful blessing!

Milestones:
baby has been moving like crazy! :)
Took my glucose test
All my family got to see my pregnant over Thanksgiving!
We had our first baby shower in Clinton -given by my family! We got so many great things - our two big gifts were the carseat/stroller combo and the Graco Pack-n-play!
Our house is on the market! and our lives are getting organized!

Okay, well thats about it for now. My packing break is over, and I must get back to taping more boxes and packing for Nashville! Love yall!
Mary Lindsey

PS Please pray our house will sell soon!

So much to write...

Well, we are back from our Thanksgiving travels and I am enjoying a nice cup of coffee on this cozy, cold and rainy morning. My life is about to launch into a whirlwind, but for now I'm going to try to savor the peace and quiet.

Thanksgiving was such a blessing, and a precious time with family. We were able to spend wonderful time with Johnny, my brother, his wife, Meghan,, and their two boys Kyler and Nikolas. I am so proud of this family! They are doing great!! I am so proud of them!

It was great to see other family members. They were all so excited to see the big tummy, and to try to feel Harper move. However, she was pretty quiet this past weekend. It must have been all the turkey. Our family threw a baby shower for us on Friday, and gave us so many sweet things that I can't wait to use! We got our stroller/carseat combo, a pack-n-play, a ton of cute clothes and stuffed animals! We are so thankful for everyone's generosity as we start our new life with Harper!

Moving into today and looking toward the next week, I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around the life change that is about to take place with our move to Nashville next Wednesday. Everyone keeps asking me if it has "sunk in" yet. And the answer is no. I keep waiting for it to, but it just hasn't. I think because it is moving so fast. Mom is on her way down today to help me gather and sort the things we need to take to our apartment. The blessing in all of this is we will be living in a furnished apartment, so we don't have to take any of our furniture right now! That would be just more stress! Once our house sells, and we find a house up there, then we will make the BIG move. I know I will miss so many people here, but I really am looking forward to this new start. It just seems fitting for us to make this big life change right before our family expands. I know the sadness will come and that there will be lonely days ahead, but Jesus will sustain and provide for our every need. This is going to be an adventure, and I can't wait to go through this big life change with my best friend and hubby!!!

As far as my pregnancy is going, all is progressing well. Harper moves a lot - especially when Chris talks to her each night. It is so sweet to feel/watch them interact. I cant wait until we can hold her and see her face and interact with her all the more! I think Braxton Hicks contractions have started, too. They are fake contractions that tone your muscles and get you ready (as can be) for labor. They are completely painless, just weird feeling. My stomach will get rock hard and stay that way for about 30 seconds. It just means that I am getting closer!!!

Well, thats about it for now. Once I'm up in TN, I should have much more time to update this blog. I have so many thoughts running through my head that I look forward to some down time where I can process them. I am truly thankful for the move and how it has fallen right in the middle of my pregnancy. I feel that it is going to give me time to process and mentally and emotionally prepare as best as I know how for the arrival of my daughter and my new role as mama!

The Lord is good, and He truly does make all things beautiful in HIS time!

24 weeks - 6 months!!!!!!

I can't believe I've already made it to 6 months! Harper Grace is flipping all around right now as I write this. I actually got to SEE her move on Saturday as she kicked or poked my right side - how cool!!!

I can't wait until Thanksgiving to see my family so that they can feel her and see her move, too!

Here is a little progression of belly shots - ranging from 2 days to 24 weeks. Lets see if I can do this....
2 days after postive pregnancy test (approximately 5 weeks)
10 weeks
16 weeks
22 weeks
23 weeks - my view
24 weeks














I've been feeling great, and am enjoying being pregnant. I can't wait to see her and hold her! Chris talks to her every night, and she is starting to respond to his voice. Last night we tried to put a flashlight up to my stomach to see if she would respond to light; however after only holding it there for 2 seconds, I was afraid we were going to blind her, so I decided we would wait a few more weeks before we tried that one again. :-)

Hope everyone is doing well! Miss you and love you all!