Things on my mind

This post maybe lengthy because I just read two very interesting blogs. One blog came from a college acquaintance of mine. We were not in the same circle of friends. She was older than me. However I went to a small school so even though you did not mingle in the same circle, you still had mutual friends and connections. I read her blog the other day and she posted about a friend of hers who had passed away. For some reason I am drawn to these stories. She posted a link to the friends blog and it was then that I read her story (and her husband's story). I do not know this couple. I have no connections with them (besides my college acquaintance), but I was drawn into their life and their story. Here is the blog in case you too are interested in what I am talking about.

http://www.bandssullivan.blogspot.com/

Reading the story of Sara and Brad is something I would never have comprehended 5 years ago...even 2 years ago...but blogging has become something that I enjoy and reading what other people have on their minds is a past time I have come to appreciate. It has made me realize people are very similar. Our stories may have different endings, but they way we think, connect to others, our hopes, joys, and even our struggles are basically the same. The underlying theme of Sara and Brad is their love for each other and for God. Brad writes about God in a friendly way. In a way that is not preachy, yet comforting. I personally feel I have a good relationship with Jesus Christ. I talk to him daily. I pray for my family and friends. Since high school I have been proud of the way I communicate with God (my communication...I don't always listen to him communicating back to me). There have been times in my life where I have put my personal self first and have forgotten to include God. Those are the times I regret the most in my life. I usually don't reflect on my relationship with God b/c I feel it is strong. But after reading the Sullivan's blog I realized I always need to reflect on my relationship because it is one that is ever changing. I know God will not let me down, but I also know that my expectations for how things happen is not always they way God has it planned.

Another reason I felt connected to the Sullivan's blog is because Sara was pregnant during her time with cancer. I can't imagine being sick and growing a baby. I am barely managing growing a baby with all the emotions associated with hormones and life changes. It was yet another reminder to me to Let Go and Let God. Sara did that many times in her pregnancy and during the fight for her life. I know I am talking about them as if I know them, but after reading their story I feel uplifted, sad, emotional and confused. I am using my own blog to sort out these emotions. Yesterday I didn't see the good in me reading the Sullivan's story. In fact I was quite sad and probably not fun to be around. But today is a new day and I am taking the approach of thanksgiving and happiness. I am thankful for Owen and our relationship. I am thankful for becoming a mom in the next 2 months. I am happy that my life has molded itself into the picture I have always dreamed. This brings me to the other blog I read today. I have her blog on my list of blogs, but today she wrote about being single and in your twenties. Here is the link to the post:

http://thebigmamablog.com/4041/the-waiting-is-the-hardest-part-of-waiting/

Being single and being twenty was by far the most challenging decade for me. Actually just 20-25 was challenging. During those years I was in a state of self discovery. Not really knowing where I fit into the world, but trying to make a spot for myself. This post is relevant to me b/c I too had a goal of being a mom and a wife at an early age. I also thought all of this would magically happen but it did not and thank God it didn't happen when I thought it should. I would be a mess if it did. Timing had to work out for me to meet Owen. But I did have to go through the struggles and life lessons to realize how to be the woman I am proud to be now.

Life is a journey and I don't always remember that. I think life is a guarantee and it is not. I am privileged to have the life I do and instead of having regrets or sadness because I don't always get what I want, I need to remember to enjoy the little happiness that life brings me. This is where I need to reevaluate my relationship with God. Knowing He loves me and He understands my deepest thoughts will get me through the challenges of life. Why is it so hard to remember that statement? Thankfully we live in a world now where it is so easy to reach out and read how other people interpret life and God. This week in particular has really helped me make sense of feelings and emotions I have been having. So as odd as it seems to some about reading blogs about people I do not know...they sure have helped me in my life this week.

Love Erin

Sleepy Ralphie

Here are two pictures of Ralphie taking a little rest on the sheets I needed to wash this past Sunday. I can't help but brag about him...I think he is too cute. It still amazes me how much I love this dog.

Comparing Pictures

Here are two pictures to compare. I wore the same outfit on purpose to get an idea of how much weight I have gained. These pictures were taken 9 weeks apart...I think it is amazing how different I look. The good news about the 30 week picture is my hair is getting longer. Something I am striving for. The bad news is I am not all baby weight and have my work cut out for me when Baby Andrew is here...


21 weeks


30 weeks

Long weeks, short weekend

Happy Hump Day!

I am glad it is Wednesday, but this week feels like it is moving at a snails pace. I am going to Starkville this weekend for the LSU/MSU game. I am going solo as well. Owen is going to hold down the fort and take care of Ralphie and the house while I am gone. It is a 11:15 am game, so I will only be gone Friday night and get home Saturday around 7 or 8. I am looking forward to tailgating with my family. I think this is the last game I will go to this season. I am getting a little too big to sit in a stadium for 4 hours. I am probably too big now, but wanted to give the season one more game before I called it quits on traveling.

I am going to buy baby hangers tonight after work and start washing Andrew's clothes so I can see what he owns and what he needs before he is born. I feel like there is so much to do, but then I feel like we have done so much as well. My mom gave us a sweet painted picture of a momma lamb and baby lamb that I got framed yesterday. We hung it up last night in his room. It is such a sweet picture. His room is coming along nicely. I can't wait to see the bedding. That should be here soon.

I think it is time for me to start counting Andrew's kicks. I haven't stared yet, because honestly I keep forgetting. Luckily he is an active baby so I feel him frequently during the day.

We have 10-11 weeks to go before 40 weeks, but I keep thinking...what if he comes early? Are we ready for him to come early? For some reason 36 weeks keeps sticking out in my mind and that is only 7 weeks away (single digit). I am full of many emotions...mostly excited. I am nervous about being a good mom. I am sure everyone is like that. I am nervous about knowing what to do and when to do it. I am told that my intuition will kick in...and to listen to my inner voice. I will do that...but again I just worry. I worry about having to go back to work. I have a feeling 2 months will go by so quickly. Will I have Andrew on a schedule in 2 months? How will I function on little to no sleep and be able to go to work? I do know things will work out, but I also know my personality and that little things really get to me when I am sleepy. I just hope I manage well and that Owen, Andrew, Ralphie, and I are all taken care of and happy during this time of transition. Luckily, I still have 2 months to get mentally prepared.

Baby Shower

This past Saturday a group of my friends threw me a baby shower for Andrew. It was such a fun party. The food was delicious and the company was fabulous. Andrew got a lot of great presents and I can't wait to organize it all. I am 29 weeks this week and feeling pretty good. I got my blood sugar results back and I don't have to worry with gestational diabetes! Yippee!!! But I do have low iron so I am taking iron supplements now. I hope taking the supplements will help with my energy levels. That seems to be the only symptom I have from having low iron.

Here are some pictures from the shower...


Blair and Jennifer (my MSU graduate school friends)
Fran, Jennifer, Lisa and Heather (my USM co-workers...now good friends)



Wanda (my mother in law) and my Aunt Kathy (my mom's sister)



The Hostesses!
Top: Deven, Jennifer and Julie
Bottom: Emily, Me, and Ann



Abby (my sister in law) and Wanda



Ann (Owen's cousin) and Abby

Again, it was such a fun day. After the shower, my Mom, Grandmother, Aunt Kathy and Aunt Ibby went downtown to eat lunch and shop. It was a good day to hang out with them and catch up. That night my Mom, Owen and I went to Owen's parent's house for dinner and to catch a little of the MSU game. Luckily MSU won which sealed the day on a perfect note.

28 weeks - start of 3rd Trimester

Here are pictures of me at the start of my 3rd Trimester...Goodness I am huge! I do think this is going to be a big baby or they have my due date wrong. I feel good. It is hard to get up from a chair sometimes and sleeping is more difficult, but other than that - I have no complaints. I go to the doctor Thursday for my last monthly visit (we start the every other week visits after this one). I am also getting screened for gestational diabetes on this visit - I think you all know my thoughts on this one...I am scared!!

Anyways, as much as I would like not to post pictures of my huge belly and well everything else...I figure I must keep documenting this pregnancy in all of its glory :)





My camera can take a good picture...but those times are becoming very far and few between. I don't know why but it loves to show our house in a very orange light.

Ralphie's new toy

Friday night/Saturday morning Ralphie woke up with a terrible cough. We had to put him in the bathroom b/c he sounded like he needed to throw something up. Poor little guy didn't sleep well at all that night. He still has his cough. We think it is a hair ball that is irritating him. Saturday we got him a chew toy to hopefully lift his spirits. He LOVED the toy!!! Ralphie enjoys a toy for 45 minutes to an hour and then starts to destroy it. Here is a picture of him enjoying his toy in Andrew's room.

Phase 2 of Andrew's Room

Owen and I completed Phase 2 of Andrew's room this weekend. We hung his Walter Anderson print and shelves. His chair is also part of phase 2. It is really coming together.

The Weekend

This past weekend was fun, especially since it was a 3 day weekend. Owen and I went to the 1st MSU game. I like going to the games, but I really like going b/c I get to see my parents. It was my dad's birthday so it was a fun day. However it rained during the game and I was wet the entire day. That was not fun. MSU won!!! so that made up for being wet.

Owen and I watched a couple of good movies over the weekend. We watched the "State of Play" on demand Sunday night. It was really good. Both of us were surprised at how good it was. I usually fall asleep during movies we watch at home, but I stayed awake the whole time. It was a conspiracy theory movie which had a lot of twists and turns all the way until the end. Highly recommend it. We also went to see "All about Steve" at the theater last night. It was good too. Definitely a movie to just sit and enjoy. I do think they showed all the funny parts during the previews, but it was still a fun movie to go to. It was a very rainy weekend, which made it the perfect movie weekend :)

Last weekend I went to Brookhaven, MS to see one of my dearest college friends, Casey and her husband Brian and new baby PJ. Casey has been in Japan for 3-4 years and they are moving back to the USA. Her mom lives in Brookhaven, which is only an hour and 20 minute drive from Hattiesburg. So I went to go visit last Sunday. It was so good to see her and her new baby.



This visit reminded me how fast time flies. Casey now has a baby and I am pregnant! Her sweet husband Brian congratulated me on getting married and being pregnant. When they left for Japan, Owen and I were dating. WOW - a lot can happen if 3-4 years. I am so glad they are back in the USA so Casey can keep up with all of us from college now.

baby Andrew moves

Andrew moves all the time. I love feeling him. It makes me feel like he is doing well and growing like he is supposed to. His moves are more intense now. I can tell he is gaining strength. It is not to the point where my stomach shifts yet, but we are getting close. Owen was able to feel him last night for the first time. I love that the daddy can be apart of this experience. I feel like I know his movements. But in the same breath he is changing his routine a little. When he "kicks" I feel like I am going down a hill or on a roller coaster. That is how I explain the feeling in my stomach. It is so amazing and again I love feeling him. I am glad he is active right now. I wonder if this is a preview for the future. Watch out Ralphie...you may have your hands full with Andrew :) Oh wait...watch out mom and day (aka Erin and Owen) you may have your hands full with Andrew. :) I love thinking about life with him. Our calm, sometimes boring every day life will soon be turned upside down. In a way I am really looking forward to the change. I really can't wait to see what Andrew looks like. To see how much he weighs and how tall he will be? These curiosities will be answered soon enough (97 days to be exact).

Game Day Doggie

Last night Ralphie got into the spirit of football season. Owen and I did not stop his enthusiasm, in fact we decided to document the fun. In all actuality Ralphie was afraid of the cowbell and was so good b/c we were bribing him with puppy treats. The first home game is this Saturday. Owen and I are going up for it. It is also my dad's birthday, so I am looking forward to seeing him and the family.

The maroon shirt Ralphie is wearing is a design my cousin-in-law created. He made shirts for everyone to wear at the first game. Maybe our shirts will get noticed and he can sell them to a retailer. It is a real cute design. The picture is of a dog skeleton head and the phrase is bad to the bone. They play that song at the beginning of the games and it is also fitting since it is a bone dog on the shirt. Enjoy the pictures.