It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ah, I love this time of year! :)

24 Weeks!

Today I am 24 weeks!  Only a month away from trimester 3.  Can't believe it!

Baby G's size: About a foot long.  He weighs a little over a pound.

My size: I've gained about 9 pounds.  I feel like most of that weight is in my belly but I can also see my face starting to look a little chubby..ugh!

Most excited thing: Still loving feeling his kicks!

Most annoying thing: Welcome back morning sickness.  For the past few days I have been feeling REALLY nauseous.  At first I thought I had the stomach bug that's going around, but I think it's more or morning sickness than anything.  Yuck!

Cravings: Still no weird cravings right now.

Sickness: NAUSEOUS!

Next appointment: I go to the doctor Monday to get my blood sugar tested.  Prayers for a healthy test would be appreciated!

Big Weekend!

This weekend has been an exciting one!  On Friday Duane's brother and sister-in-law welcomed a sweet baby boy into their family.  Korbin Daniel was born at 10:08 p.m. on November 19.  He is pretty cute and looks just like his big sister!  Duane and I were comparing pictures of Korbin to Haylea's newborn pictures and it was unreal how much they look alike!  

Here are a few pictures of our new nephew...

The Gibbs family with it's newest addition!

Can't believe in a few months Duane will be holding OUR baby! :)

After meeting Korbin I went to Petsmart with my sister Jill.  Jill has been wanting a puppy for quite sometime so we went to see if there were any puppies she'd like to adopt.  She just happened to find the cutest, sweetest puppy to adopt!   Jill adopted Sally, a 4 month old boxer mix.  Sally is SO calm and has a great temperament!  She was quite terrified of Kaia (wouldn't you be?!) but I have a feeling in a few months, they will be great friends! :)

Meet Sally...

Kaia meeting her new cousin

After all of that excitement we headed to Baby's R Us to register.  It was a long, overwhelming process that I'm glad to have out of the way!

This weekend has been a busy one and has this pregnant girl worn out!  I am SO thankful that this is only a 3 day work week.  I hope you all had a great weekend! :)

Seeing Blue

Okay, maybe I'm not literally seeing blue, but I'm definitely seeing lots of cute boy stuff!  I know I posted some of my etsy favorites a few weeks ago, but since we found out that Baby G is a boy, I've found some other cute things I wanted to share.  Enjoy these cute boy items!

Find it here!



Find it here!



Find it here!

This next one isn't Esty, but I LOVE this website!  My friend Karrie has one of these outfits for her new little guy and I think it's so cute!  I am definitely ordering one of these cute little onsies for Baby G.  I can just see his name on it! :)



Find it here!

I'm a HUGE fan of all things pink, so I am glad to be finding lots of cute boy things.  I'll keep you updated as my search continues! :)

Fingerprints

I stumbled across this website earlier this year when I was looking through my long list of blogs.  I always said that one day, when I had a baby, I would definitely like one of these.  Little did I know..that "one day" would come sooner than we thought!  

The website I am referring to is http://www.shop.tinasteinberg.com.  It's a website that has lots of neat, original jewelry.  I am absolutely in love with the Love Touch Fingerprint collection.  There are lots of necklaces and bracelets to choose from that have a fingerprint indented in them.  I for sure want one of these when Baby G is born!  It's my understanding that after you order the necklace they will mail you an "easy" kit that allows you to make the fingerprint impression.  I think it's such a cool idea and can't wait to see Baby G's fingerprints on one of these! 

My personal favorite...

Just wanted to share this website with you!  I'm sure there are lots of mamas out there that would love one of these! :)

22 Weeks!

Today I am 22 weeks!  These weeks are flying by!

Pregnancy Updates:

Baby G's size: About 11 inches.  He finally weighs about 1 pound!  Yay! :)

My size: I've gained about 8-ish pounds.  At 112 pounds..this is the most I've ever weighed!  Yikes! 

Most excited thing: I'm still loving being able to feel the little guy kick.  I can actually start to see what his routine is like by the times of day he kicks.  Duane is able to feel him almost every day which freaked him out at first!  I think he is finally starting to come around...:)

Most annoying thing: I'm trying to remain positive and not be a complainer but this back pain is horrible.  I actually went to a chiropractor this week and he said that my lumbar (lower back area) is really swollen.  I go back this week so hopefully that will help.  I just can't imagine what my back will feel like in February when Baby G weighs more!  Someone better buy me a wheelchair now!

Cravings: Still no weird cravings right now.

Sickness: Feeling pretty good.  Just tired!

Next appointment: I go to the doctor Wednesday.

Lesson from an 11 Year Old

Sometimes I am amazed at the lessons my sixth graders teach me.  I knew that teaching would be a rewarding profession, but I don't think I really understood that concept until this year.  One of my students today taught me a lesson that I have been trying to make myself understand for the past couple of months.  I'm sure she has no idea at the impact she had on me today.

I have mentioned before that the girls in my small group are currently reading Shane Clayborne's Irresistible Revolution.  It is a very challenging book.  Not challenging to read, but challenging to apply to my life.  He challenges us as Christians to literally give up everything we have to the poor.  It's what Jesus commanded us to do, so therefore we should do it.  Talk about a struggle for this middle class, everything - handed - to - her girl.  Obviously I am still working on this.  I am still working on giving my time and talents (along with money) to people whom need it.

Teaching is an area that I feel like I make a difference.  It's an area where I feel like I am using my talents to help others.  However, sometimes I think God puts kids in my class to show me how to live my life.  In Irresistible Revolution Shane talks about his experiences working (and living) with homeless people in different parts of the world.  He talks about their willingness to share everything they have with others.  People that have nothing (in America's standards) willing to share the little they have..what a concept.  Puts my "sharing" into perspective.  After all, I live in America and have been taught that anything I earn is mine.  Period.  

I am still trying to work on and grasp the concept of sharing everything I own.  Everything I own truly belongs to Jesus so why should I not be willing to share.  Easier said than done.

 Today, one of my students showed me what it means to share even when you have little.  When I walked into the classroom after greeting students in the hall there was this on my desk...

I know what you're thinking "Cool, a stuffed animal that says it's a boy.  What's so life changing about that?!"  A pretty legit question, unless you know a little bit about my students.  I work at a school that has a pretty high poverty rate.  Most of my kids don't have a lot.  This girl in particular that gave me the gift doesn't necessarily have a lot many material possessions or money (she is a very generous girl with lots of talents to offer).  That is why this gift was so important.  She is literally SO excited about Baby G, that she felt it necessary to get me a present and card that told me how excited she was.  She told me that she should have given it to me a while ago, but didn't have the money until now.  And she chose to spend it on me and Baby G.  

Giving to others at it's finest.  From an 11 year old.

Sometimes I question why I'm so selfish with things I own.  Why am I so selfish with our money?  Why am I so selfish with my time?  Why am I so selfish with my material possessions?  And most importantly, what am I doing to change how I live my life?  I'm sure Jesus is asking the same questions as he looks at my life.  I think Jesus was trying to show me what sharing with others looks like today.  I don't think this girl has any idea what she taught me.  Something much more important than I could have ever taught her.

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

will himself call out and not be answered. *Proverbs 21:13*