Indiana Baby Shower

On December 26th we had our Indiana baby shower. It was held at the Sheridan United Methodist Church and hosted by many of Justin's female family members. They did a wonderful job and everyone had a super time! We are so thankful for the love shown to us and our baby girl! White cake
Chocolate cake

Diaper cake :)

Mommy and Daddy

Guess the baby game

Gifts

Each table had an ADORABLE centerpiece

Cousin Kelsie won the "how big around is Tara game"--she is wearing the ribbon around her neck :)

Guessing who each baby is

LOVED this outfit from Auntie Lauren

Peeking around the swing--thanks, Grandma Deanna!

Unpacking my new Vera Bradley diaper bag :)

One of the gift tables

Clothes from Nana Evoy--all of them!

Me, Aubree, Lauren, Kelsie, Allison and Kylie

30 Weeks 1 Day

We took our 30 week photo a day late as we were traveling to Indiana on Thursday :) This picture was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Stowers house on Christmas Eve.

Michigan Baby Shower

We had our Michigan baby shower on Saturday, December 18th. My cousin Tennille and sisters Chandra and Juliann hosted the party and we all had a great time! It was wonderful to catch up with friends and family! We appreciated everyone who made it to our shower on the Saturday before Christmas :) All pictures were taken by Tennille's daughter, Taylor--she did a great job! Baby girl decorations

Pink and green party punch :)

Kids playing games

Cousin Jen and her daughter Danni

The three lovely hostesses :)

AliJanna and Madison

Opening gifts

Mommy and Daddy to be

Baby girl got a lot of great gifts!

Playing games

Addasen

Cake

Mommy cutting said cake :)

Tennille and I

Belly shot--29 weeks 2 days

The photographer Taylor and I

29 Weeks

Here I am at 29 weeks! Only 11 more to go??!! I remember thinking 40 weeks was an eternity...

We haven't forgotten about you, Indian babe

It's something that people have been asking us--whether or not we are still adopting now that we are pregnant. The answer is yes, of course. Our decision to adopt has never been about infertility issues, although we have come to discover that this is most peoples' assumption. This used to sort of offend me, but now I am using it as an opportunity to educate. Infertility, although a great reason to adopt, isn't the only reason people choose to adopt. For us, the reason to adopt is simple. There is a need for families for children without them. It really is that simple. Justin and I strive to live out our Christian walk and believe that God has called us to adopt.

Of course adoption is not the ideal situation, but it is a necessary one. Ideally, all children would stay with their birth families and in their birth countries. Unfortunately, this is not the reality. There are many reasons that this is not possible--but in a vast majority of cases, it is NOT because the birthparents don't love their children--most times it is exactly the opposite. There is a major need for those of us who are able to be the hands and feet for Jesus. To love and reach out to others, just as He did for all of us. We are beyond excited, albeit nervous in some ways, to grow our family through adoption. We are not naive in thinking everything will go perfectly smooth--but neither will raising our biological child. But we will be a family who is up for the challenges that are ahead. I love the truth that is, "if God is with us-what can stop us"?

To our baby in India--you probably haven't even been conceived, but already we love you. We pray for your birth parents and for you daily. Things won't always be easy for you, but we can promise you this: we love you and will be the best parents we can be for you. You will likely be born in about a year and if it is God's will, we will be united as a family the year after that. You are always a part of our thoughts, prayers and conversations, just as your big sister inside my tummy is. Looking forward to the day we get to bring you home!

Love always, Mommy and Daddy

28 Weeks

Here I am at 28 weeks (last Thursday)--only 12 to go! I know I've said it before, but this pregnancy is flying by! I am beyond excited to meet our little girl, but in a way I will miss feeling her little kicks in my belly :) I have been so blessed to have had a pregnancy that is enjoyable--I've heard the horror stories!

I got my haircut earlier in the day and before leaving the salon I scheduled my next appointment. And then it hit me, I'll only have one more haircut before my daughter is here!! I better also schedule a pedicure and manicure because I know there won't be much "mama time" after she arrives :)

After we took this picture Justin and I went to a Chris Tomlin Christmas concert--it was amazing! We loved thinking that baby girl could hear everything and hoped that she felt the presence of God in that place like her mommy and daddy did. Next Christmas will be so special with her here!!

The Latest on Baby Girl

This is what we learned at our 27 week 4 days ultrasound today:

1. She weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces--46th percentile
2. If she continues to grow at this rate, the doctor estimates she'll weigh 7 1/2 pounds at birth
3. She is STILL head down...here's to hoping she is super comfortable and stays that way :)

27 Weeks

Woo hoo!! We've made it to 27 weeks and the THIRD TRIMESTER!!! We are so excited to have made it to this milestone :) I continue to feel pretty great--but am feeling more sleepy during the day because I am not sleeping as well at night. The lack of sleep is just preparing me for life with a little one, right?

People have been telling us lately that they think baby girl is going to be born a little early. I guess we'll see. I prefer she stays right where she is for as long as she needs to be ready for the outside world.

26 Weeks

On Thanksgiving day we hit the 26 week mark. We have so much to be thankful for! We are so excited to have less than 14 weeks until baby girl's due date! This pregnancy continues to fly by, but I am aware that the 3rd trimester is right around the corner and have been told time is about to stand still. Last week we interviewed a potential pediatrician for our daughter. It was our first "parent" thing we've done. We really liked the doctor but daddy wants to interview at least one more, just to be sure :) Justin and I had a great time shopping on black Friday. We laughed as we realized just how different our lives have already become--our first stop Friday morning was Babies R Us!

The Final Four

Justin and I have been talking about baby names for a long time...really for about 10 years. We have been asked quite frequently about her name. It's such an important decision. If Frogger was a boy, we would have named him Jackson Reid--although Justin insists that it would have been spelled Reed :) Our boy name was pretty easy to decide upon. Girl names, not so much. That being said, we have (we think) arrived at the final four. Here are our final four contending baby girl names:

Lauren Ryleigh

Emerson (Grace, Nicole, Ryleigh)

Payton (Ryleigh, Nicole)

Camden (Scout, Grace, Nicole)

I know we'd be happy with any of these names. At this point we are going to wait to meet her before we settle on a name for sure.

25 Weeks

We have made it to the 25th week of pregnancy! 15 weeks left :) Justin, and his mathematical self, says that we are about 63% done! At our appointment this week our doctor said everything looks great and baby girl is already head down. She is between 13 and 14 inches long and weighs over 2 pounds.

Despite my love for our baby and my thankfulness for a healthy pregnancy, I am struggling with my weight gain. As I look at this picture I am amazed at how heavy I look. I absolutely know the weight gain is part of the pregnancy journey--but it doesn't make it any easier. I will be just fine...just venting :)

Baby Girl's Room

We have made some progress on our daughter's room! I enjoy spending time in her nursery thinking about her and what life will be like once she is here. Justin and I got her a lamp shade and some baskets today. Her daddy cleaned the glider up and took the curtains down to wash. We'll post some more pictures once the nursery is complete. We are hoping to get her crib mattress soon--I can hardly wait to get her adorable bedding set up! This is where our sweetheart will sleep

This is where we will spend hours rocking her...the doll was made by a friend in North Carolina

Her dresser with changing table on top--stuffed animals from people who love her already

Her closet...look at her clothes already! I love the diaper bag Melissa got us and the little sign above the closet from my parents

Another shot of her clothes, mostly clearance finds and some from friends!

Sigh of Relief

Yay! Today was our appointment with the ultrasound doctor. She (and the tech.) found no other fluid in baby girl's body! There was still a small amount of fluid around her heart but the doctor wasn't concerned. We will follow up in two weeks with the pediatric cardiologist so he can take another look. We feel super encouraged after our appointment and are so thankful for your prayers!

Frogger is 1 pound 7 ounces and right on track! The tech. said she is in the 50th percentile. During the ultrasound, like all the others, her hands stayed near her face almost the entire time. Justin said it was good that she likes that position because space is about to get pretty limited for her :)

23 Week Check-In

Here I am at 23 weeks. I am now seeing my ob/gyn every two weeks. This week at my appointment I asked about the soreness I am feeling in my abdomen and ribs--he said everything is normal and the soreness is related to my tummy continuing to stretch. Making room for baby girl is worth the soreness :)

Our Little Pumpkin

Baby girl dressed up as a jack-o-lantern this year! We so look forward to spending Halloween with our little pumpkin next year!

North Carolina Baby Shower

Last weekend Justin and I traveled to North Carolina to visit friends. While we were there, Anna and Melissa threw us an awesome baby shower! So many of my friends were able to make it and it was wonderful to catch up! Frogger is loved already by so many! Thanks to Melissa and Anna and to all of you who came!! Anna made us a "frogger" diaper cake!

There was lots of yummy food

We received so many nice gifts

Benton Heights friends--Jo and Kay

Molly, Anna and I

Mrs. Austin, Melissa and Rayna

Laura, baby Alayna and I

Robin, little Anna and I

A former student (Rayna) and her mama, Anna

My sweet friend, Erin

WBEC friends--mama Sharon, Janet and Carrie

We didn't take enough pictures--but these give you the idea. We had a wonderful time with some wonderful women! Probably the highlight of the shower was our gender reveal. Melissa's mom, Nana, made a beautiful cake and made the inside of it pink. When I cut into it everyone knew that we are expecting a baby girl--it was so much fun! Thanks, Nana!!