Belly Pics

More pics of my growing belly!  Our baby girl is getting bigger and making her presence more known.  She's moving, squirming and kicking lots... but I love it.  I love it a little less when it's keeping me up at night, but I still wouldn't trade it for the world.

29 weeks - at our doctor's office

33 weeks - with an excited daddy

Here's an updated sonogram of Baby Girl at 33 weeks (it's her head & she's facing up and to the left)

Pretty pretty pantry

I posted recently about John building me a pantry in the stairwell leading down to our basement.  He did a great job and the shelving looked awesome.  He then decided that since we'll be finishing the basement sometime in the near future, he should cover the pantry shelving somehow to make it look "prettier".  So he did!  Here's the before... 

And here's the after!  He attached doors to each of the 3 units, and installed push-to-close hinges so there's no handles or knobs sticking out.  I love 'em!  

Adele and Dachshunds

I'm not a huge celebrity fan... I don't get star-struck and don't care a ton about the lives of artists or actors.  I definitely have some favorites though, and Adele is one of them- fo sho.  And I have to admit, the more I've found out about her, the more I LOVE her.  I think she is genuinely talented and one of the things I love most about her is that she needs no frills or thrills to perform.  No dancing, no trashy outfits or crazy theatrics.  Just her and her voice, captivates all on its own.  Ok, anyway... I love her. 

So a couple of weeks ago, we were watching Adele's interview on 60 minutes and John's teasing me the whole time... he can tell that I'm enamored with her and am definitely "starstruck".  He was right.  And then, it got worse.  They cut to her and Anderson Cooper walking through her yard (with her AMAZING house in the background) and trotting alongside them is this adorable little dachshund, who I find out is  her dog, Louie.  (Of course his name is Louie... can you get cuter?)  

I think dachshunds are the cutest dogs on earth.  They crack me up everytime I see them.  (We had a dachshund when I was younger... her name was Heidi  :)  and I've loved them ever since.)  So yeah, needless to say, I adore Adele even more now... and am convinced we should be best friends.  

I found this pic of Adele and Louie online - he's in a doggy hooded puffy vest.  Ohthecuteness.

And just for added, bonus cuteness... this puppy hot dog dog in a hot dog bun.  I have no idea who this dog is, but this pic rotates on my screen saver alongside my family and friends, like it's my pet or something.  It always makes me laugh!  (Much gratitude goes to AddieJo for this introducing me to this pic)

How can you not love this?

This video makes me happy in 25 seconds flat... 

Handy Hubby

We've been busy getting things around the house, ready for baby.  Just 10 weeks to go, which I can't believe!  (Although I'm trying to plan like we only have 8 weeks to go, in case she comes early.  We'll see how that all pans out.  Could backfire on me.)

John has been so helpful through my pregnancy and now that we're getting our home ready, it seems like he's constantly working on something to make everything perfect for our Baby Girl.  This pics are just from the last week!   

Assembling our crib!

He did this so quick, I barely had time to snap a pic

Putting together the swing - a early gift from Grandma Shaida!

Oh the cuteness.  It not only has a birdie mobile, but also bunny ears and feet where baby lays :)  

And a big job that John's been working on is building me a "pantry"

He's added shelving to our stairwell that leads down to our basement - I LOVE IT!

Fresh Hope

I've been thinking a lot about Hannah from the Bible lately.  Her story of barrenness, hurt and trial is so moving.  And her dedication and faith, even more so... in her hurt, continuing to ask God for a son who she would surrender fully to Him and His work.  Then of course, God answering her prayer by giving her a son, Samuel and the beautiful commitment we see from Hannah.  She faithfully follows through on her promise to surrender Samuel for the Lord's work.  


There's a lot to unpack there, but really, I just wanted to share this small verse that I read in The Message version of the Bible.  It's from 1 Samuel 2, in the midst of beautiful praise that Hannah is giving to God.  I was struck by it's depth and truth... what a perfect picture of God and His redemptive power.  Even in times of trial and hurt, we don't have to grieve like those who have no hope.  Whether we're poor literally/financially or in our spirit because of unanswered prayers or a heart full of hurt, there is always fresh hope.

"He puts poor people on their feet again; 

      he rekindles burned-out lives with FRESH HOPE."

1 Samuel 2:7-8