It's a....

GIRL!!!!

Introducing Selah Grace

Born May 6 at 6:39 am

6 1/2 pounds and 19 1/2 inches 

I would like to document how my girl made her entrance into the world. 

It started around 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 5th. I had been feeling sick all day but really was pushing through and enjoying my time with Finn. Before dinner I noticed contractions coming every 8 minutes. But that was nothing new - I had been having contractions off and on for 14 days. We went out to eat (Moe's of course for the $3 burrito deal). And at dinner, I noticed the contractions getting worse. We finished up, went to store, and by the time we got home I was really hurting. I tried taking a bath, a shower, then ended up laying down. By 10:00, the contractions were 5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute and 30 seconds. We decided better get to the hospital. Once we packed up, got my mom over, and got admitted - it was midnight. I asked for my epidural immediately. Thank goodness, because when the doctor checked me I was already halfway there. I had to wait about an hour til I got the epidural. That was a LONG hour. Once the epidural set it, the rest went super fast. And she came out very easy. 

When G announced it was a girl, I cried. I am so excited for so many things. God has truly blessed us with an angel. And I could not be more ready for this challenge of raising up a woman in this broken world. So grateful! Below are a few pictures...lots more to come!

 Just got my epidural and I'm happy!

 It was so cold in our room. Plus the IV fluids were making me shake because I was so cold on the inside. So we snuggled up - couldn't sleep. We were too excited to find out who this baby was...

 Seeing Selah's sweet face. She looks JUST like Finn.

 Welcome to our family Selah!

 Finn meeting his sister just a few hours after her birth.

Shower #3!

We have been SO blessed this pregnancy. So many friends and family wanted to celebrate this sweet baby on the way by doing showers. Last week, we had an awesome "sprinkle" shower at G's school. Thrown by the fabulous Ashley and the 3rd grade team - we got really LOADED up with diapers and wipes. When I say loaded, I mean stocked up! The whole closet in the nursery is full of diapers and wipes. I keep going in there and standing in front of it...I swear I keep hearing the hallelujah song. Again, we have been SO blessed. Thank you friends, family, and God for taking care of us!

Here are a few pictures...

The amazing diaper cake!

 Opening gifts

 Family picture

 My and Ashley - I just love her!

 Several of the ladies were so sweet and got Finn gifts too. Thanks Kim and Ashley!

 Just the nice cards for all the ladies at Vickery Creek

Thank you Ashley and the 3rd grade team. You guys are AWESOME! It was a great shower!

FULL TERM!

Well, this week I finally finished up full term. So I am ready for baby when baby is ready. And at the most, that's only 2 more weeks til the due date! Today marks the first day of week 38.

I am getting very excited. I took a picture of myself today and cannot believe how much different I look from when I was pregnant with Finn.

I've said it a million times - these pregnancies were very different.

Can't wait to find out who's being doing flips in my belly soon!!! Here's comparison pictures....

If you'd like to join us in praying for the upcoming events. Here is what we are praying...

• That Selah/Micah will come in God's timing
• That I will have an easy (hopefully quick) delivery and Selah/Micah will be healthy
• That Selah/Micah will be a great eater and sleeper
• That Finn will transition well
• That G and I will do a good job of making the transition for Finn
• Most of all - we are praying that we glorify God in the hospital. Praying that our light shines for Him!

So...what's your vote???!?!?! BOY OR GIRL!!!!

36 week update!

Baby is the size of: a coconut - the average baby is between 17-18 inches long and weighs between 4-5 lbs.


Symptoms? Still nausea from time to time. But I definitely have an appetite. My stomach must not have much room, because I get full so quick! And oh the contractions have started. This past week I was put on bed rest to keep from going into labor yet. For me being type A personality - being stuck to rest is torture. But I am resting and the resting is helping!

Maternity clothes? Love them - however, I can't wait to get back in normal clothes again.


How's your sleep? Not so great. I'm up every 2 hours going to the bathroom. Then I have a hard time getting comfortable again.

Feeling movement? Absolutely - this baby is SO active. I think they might come out running. Also, baby has the hiccups about 3-4 times a day.


Food cravings: I had the craziest craving the past couple weeks and I found a combo that is DELICIOUS! Plain hummus mixed with jalapeno hot sauce with a green olive on chips. Yes weird I know - but oh my...so yummy!

How much weight gained so far? Based on my 36 week doctor appointment I have gained 14 lbs.


Belly Button in or out? Still out, but not flat yet. Again - just like last month, I hate that you can see it through my shirts.


Favorite pregnancy moment this past month? I got to have an ultrasound today at my 36 week check-up. I loved seeing the baby. And even more, I loved seeing Finn see the baby. He's getting excited I think. Also, I had a second baby shower. I loved it! And last but not least, the house is all ready. Now we are counting down the days until baby comes!



What are you looking forward to next month? The baby being born! I can hardly wait to see who's in there. Micah or Selah, we cannot wait to meet you!!

 
And here is my monthly picture....

And just for comparison - here I am 36 weeks pregnant with Finn

As you can see, these pregnancies are so different! Don't forget to make your guess on my home page at the top right...BOY or GIRL!?!?!?!

Baby shower #2

On March 24, I had a wonderful shower thrown by my two sisters/best friends - Natasha and Kristen. It was a great time! They both did a great job putting a beautiful shower together for me. See pictures below for how wonderful it was.

I feel totally blessed to have had 2 showers so far to celebrate this miracle #2. We are getting the house ready this week. Baby is only a month away!!!

 This was a tree of encouragement for me. Everyone wrote on the baby outfits.

 As guests arrived, they put their thumbprint on the trees. This one had pink thumbprints for Selah.

 And this one had green thumbprints for Micah.

 The framed invitation - so cute!

 Little onesies going up the stairs, the theme was yellow and grey.

 Punch and mimosas. Man, I sure did want a mimosa :)

 Mason jars for cups

 The food was all my pregnancy cravings - Mexican, spicy, girl scout cookies, and apples. Kristen even made a fruit pizza bar - sugar cookies, with cream cheese icing, and all types of fruit to top it.

 This was "wishes for the baby" that all the guests filled out. So sweet!

 Me and my mom in law!

 The girls - Natasha (sis/best friend), Me, and Mom

 They prayed over me and the baby. I loved that!

 Opening gifts was fun!

 Me and my sis/best friend of almost 15 yrs!

 Nani and I are only a month apart. Wow, I'm so much bigger!

Me with my sweet nephew, Everett. This is Kristen's son. Isn't he so handsome?!

32 week update!

Baby is the size of: a small melon - feels like a squirmy melon to me! haha!

Symptoms? I still have nausea from time to time. Good days and bad days like it's been the who time. My sciatic nerve has been bothering me too. I just have to rest in the afternoons. Also, braxton hicks have started. 8 wks til the due date - but hey, who's counting?!?

Maternity clothes? Yup, and I love them. So comfy. I do still have one pair of regular jeans that I can wear - unbuttoned of course. But I can wear them :)

How's your sleep? I'm sleeping pretty good. I do wake up every 2-3 hours to pee. But I can go right back to sleep after I go to the bathroom so that's good. 

Feeling movement? WOW! This baby is so active!! Baby wakes me up around 2 or 3 kicking. I'm grateful for the movement. Just a reminder of the miracle growing inside of me. 

Food cravings: I still could eat Mexican any day or time. But other then that - it's just been salty food. I haven't really wanted anything sweet.

How much weight gained so far? Based off my 32 week doctors appt - I have gained 11. The weight is definitely all in my belly. At 8 months pregnant with Finn, I had gained 47. This pregnancy is so different!


Belly Button in or out? The belly button is out! I hate how you can see it in all my thin shirts.

Favorite pregnancy moment this past month? My favorite was for sure the maternity pictures. We had such a fun time with our awesome photographer - Jason. My second favorite moment was my first baby shower for this little angel. It was a great time and I got loaded up with all kinds of essentials - diapers, wipes, etc!



What are you looking forward to next month? Getting everything ready! We are going to use the first week of April to get everything in the house ready. Carpets cleaned, clothes washed, swing set up, etc...I can hardly wait to see it all baby ready :) Also, I have another baby shower at the end of March. I'm looking forward to that too.

And here are a few pictures...

 Just wanted you to see how I really do have a big belly - under shirts, it doesn't look like it :)

 Normal side shot pic

 Just for comparison, here I am 32 wks pregnant with Finn.

 And I thought this was pretty crazy - here I am with mom at my 2009 shower for Finn (i'm 28 wks)

And then here I am with my mom at my shower for this baby (i'm 30 wks)

A great afternoon...

This past weekend my good friends threw me a baby shower to get me prepared for baby #2! It was a great afternoon. I didn't get pictures with everyone - but here are a few from the day. Big thanks to my awesome hosts for throwing a great shower. Michelle, Ashley, Jill - you ladies are AWESOME! So blessed to have you in my life. Love you!

My beautiful hostesses (from left to right) Jill, Ashley, Me, and Michelle

 The awesome cake - seriously, so cute and it was YUMMY too!

 I was "showered" with some awesome gifts - diapers, wipes, a few cute outfits, and much MORE!

I was also "showered" with sweet words in cards from loving friends and family!

My Cambodia crew (from left to right) Laura, Me, Jill, and Ashley (Carrie and Claire - missed you!)

My sweet friend, Ashly and I

Work friends (from left to right) - Dawn, Michelle, Jana, Me, Christy, and Allison

Last but not least, me and my mom!

3d Ultrasound Pics

A few weeks ago we have a 3d/4d ultrasound done to see baby #2. I made a little comparison picture between Baby 2 and Finn. I had the 3d ultrasound the same week both pregnancies. Let me know what you think...

I think they look very similar!

28 weeks!

Baby's the size of: Baby is equal in weight to a Chinese cabbage -- about 2 1/4 pounds. (Length: almost 15 inches, from head to heel.)

Heartburn? I haven't had it too bad. Just every once in a while. And Tums smoothies do the trick :) However, the nausea is still hanging on. I had to take my nausea meds yesterday. But I still have more good days than bad days so for that I'm thankful!

Maternity clothes? I am in full maternity clothes. Forgot how comfy they are.

Weight gain? Based off my appt last week, I'm up 8 lbs. Not too bad for 7 months pregnant!

Swelling? None yet. I think the cooler temp is helping. I remember being 7 months pregnant with Finn and I couldn't wear my wedding ring anymore.

Cravings? Lately, I have been craving some weird things. I've wanted avocado, apples, and pickles. Random I know. I still can put down some Mexican food. A few weeks ago, I threw it up - so I've been a little weird with it. Not sure I will want cheese dip for quite some time.

Feeling movement? TONS! This baby is SO active. Actually, last night sweet baby woke me up around 3 am kicking around. I love those moments. Reminds me to pray for this life inside of me.
 
Tired?  Yes, I am tired. When I wake up tired, I know that's not a good sign. But I am really trying to soak in everything I can with Finn before the baby comes.

How many times are you up at night? Well, a few weeks ago I started waking up at night to pee. Right now, I wake up usually at 12 and 3. I know I am just getting prepared for those nighttime feedings.

Favorite pregnancy moment this month? Seeing my stomach move around because the baby is moving. It's also fun for Finn to see it. His faces just lights up. Second favorite memory is that my mom and mother in law got to feel the baby moving. Very special memories!

What are you looking forward to in the next month? I have a lot this next month! Maternity pictures, 3d/4d ultrasound, and 2 baby showers. Next month I will have LOTS to share :)

Where does the time go...

I can hardly believe my baby boy is 13 days old.  The days go by so fast. He is growing and changing so much everyday. And I am really enjoying my time with him. This past week my mom was here everyday helping and we had so much fun! This weekend we will have Greg's mom with me Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'm really looking forward to our time together as well.  I have really enjoyed all the help from family and friends. The meals, phone calls, and prayers have been amazing. I feel loved in a way that is seriously overwhelming! So praise God for that. 

I also can't wait for the last few weeks of my maternity leave. It will be just me, Finn, and Savannah. And I know we will have tons of fun and quality time! It's hard to believe how much I already love this guy. And it's amazing how much I have learned about him in our 13 days. I can tell when his cry is a "I need comfort" cry or a "I need food" cry or a "I need a new position" cry.  He is such a precious angel and I am so grateful to my great God for creating such a sweet boy. I know he was "wonderfully made" by the almighty creator. Each day, I thank God for this gift and pray I will raise him to be a strong Christian man. and soldier for Christ.

Anyway, I better go-I have only 30 minutes before he wakes up and I need to do a few more errands in the house.

Until next time-
Rachael

Me and my lil boy

 

 So relaxed!

 

Chilling on daddy's lap