37 weeks....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 37 weeks!!! (FULLTERM!)

Size of Baby: According to Baby Center, Baby Tippins "weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel" (although, when they measured baby last week, he/she already weighed 6.12lbs and they suggested that he/she might be another "chunky" Tippins Baby :)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am within the healthy/recommended limits of weight gain - and that's as much as I'll disclose ;)  If it's any indiction of my size, here are a few comments I have heard this week (all from stangers): "Woah, you look like you're about to pop!" "When are you due.....today?!" (to which I sweetly responded, "nope, yesterday!") I had one kind man tell me he was nervous riding the elevator with me today - ha!  And the ever popular, "you look like you're SO ready!" (which basically means, holy cow, you're huge!) I know it's terrible, but I find myself wanting to pretend to have a contraction and double over just to see these people sweat. :)
**And another funny story....today when I went to Target, I parked right next to the little station where you drop off your cart.  Apparently, I misjudged my size, because I couldn't get out of my car!  I wasn't even parked that close to the metal edge of the cart collector, but once I opened my door, there was no way I could squeeze through.  I had to back out and pull back in making sure to leave plenty of room - haha!

Maternity Clothes: yes, please! :) Pretty much everything I wear is maternity, except for a few dresses/tunics.  To be honest, I wear mostly dresses or pajama pants.  Those are about the only things that come close to fitting these days....and they're even a stretch most of the time.

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....most people (again, strangers!) guess boy.  Jeffrey thinks boy, Libbi thinks girl, and I flip-flop back and forth between the two.  

Movement: All the time.  I mean seriously, all.the.time. I know they say the movements tend to slow down at the end and become less frequent because of the lack of space, but I have yet to notice this.  Boy or girl, this little one is definitely a mover and a shaker.  

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) Unfortunately, the bigger I get, the worse I sleep.  I feel like I am carrying this baby all out front and my stomach is SO tight all the time.  No matter which way I lie down in bed - I feel like I'm lying on top of a baby - which feels just about as awful as it sounds!

What I miss: This week has been different since I was supposed to be on "modified" bedrest.....I have missed doing all the things that I want to and being able to freely move around.  It's frustrating when there is so much to do and I can't do it.  Plus, even though I know it was the doctor's orders, I have a hard time not feeling lazy just sitting all day or asking Jeffrey to do everything for me.

  

Cravings: Blueberry muffins, fruit, and anything cold.  Lots of ice cold water!

Symptoms: insomnia, shortness of breath, and some irregular and regular contractions.  Also, I guess you can count my recent heart issues as a "symptom" but the medication seems to be working and I have been asymptomatic since my hospital venture.

Best Moment(s) This Week: 
-Seeing Baby Tippins on Monday and reaffirming that he/she is doing great!
- Going for my appointment on Friday and learning that I have already made some progress and that more than likely we will induce next Friday (so the cardiologist can be present) unless I go into labor on my own before then....which my doctor says is pretty likely!!!
-Getting everyone's hospital bags packed (mine, Libbi's and Baby's) and feeling MUCH more prepared than i was this time last week :)
-Finally, when I went to my appointment on Friday, they did another non-stress-test on the baby.  He/she was not moving very much, so the nurses decided to take matters into their own hands.  They brought me a peanut butter cup ice cream cone!  It was great!  I was lying in a room with the lights dimmed, soft music, and an ice cream cone....sounds like heaven to me! ;)  
I sent this picture to Jeffrey just to prove how great my appointment was going - ha!
(please disregard my "pregnant face") ;-)

What I'm Loving Wednesday....

It's time for another edition of...

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving this sweet girl.....even though she is NOT loving having her picture made these days :)

she got a "boo-boo" on her knee yesterday....she is all too proud to show it off! :)

I'm loving this recipe I found for a watermelon "punch"....doesn't it sound SO good?!?! It seems like it would just taste like summer!

I'm loving that come Friday, I'll be 37 weeks and after my appointment, we just might have a definite BIRTHday for Baby Tippins!!

CHEESE!

I'm loving that it's just a few weeks (at the most) before we know if Libbi will have a baby brother or a sister.  For the record, every time we ask her, she says the baby is a "girl"....

the ever popular "pose" ;-)

I'm loving that Libbi's newest habit/hobby/talent/favorite pastime is "digging for gold...." ....NOT!!!! :)

I'm loving this new blog, Before Meets After, that I've recently been introduced to.  She's a friend of a friend, and she's really talented!  Plus, I just won her first giveaway!

Finally, I'm loving our lunchtime laughs (even if they are "fake laughs" - ha!)

Don't forget to check out Jamie's blog for more What I'm Loving Wednesday posts....

and if you want to see my WILW posts from the past - click here!

Happy, Happy Wednesday! :)

tuesday....

This morning I had my doctor's appointment with the maternal fetal specialist.  I was kind of nervous, because I didn't know what to expect, but fortunately, Jeffrey was able to go with me!  Of course, Libbi woke up around 6:30 (as she always seems to when I have to get ready to go somewhere....) but she was in a good mood, so at least our early morning was pleasant. :)  She had tee-tee'd through her diaper so I went ahead and got her dressed and she waited excitedly for Mimzy to get to our house.

My appointment was at 8:15 and they did an intensive ultrasound and some tests to check the baby's movements, oxygen levels, fluid, blood flow, etc as well as all his/her parts (kidneys, heart, pancreas, etc). Praise God everything looked great!  I will go to my OB on Friday for a regular check-up and hopefully to schedule a date for Baby Tippins to arrive!  Thanks again for all of your prayers and sweet emails, notes, comments, etc. They mean so much to me!! :)

Believe it or not, we still don't know if Baby Tippins is a boy or a girl!  I have had my willpower tested quite a few times, especially since we have had multiple ultrasounds over the past few weeks, but I have made sure to tell each and every doctor, nurse and ultrasound tech that we do NOT know the baby's gender; nor do we want to.  I haven't made it this far just to find out a week or two before we deliver!  

When we saw Baby Tippins last week, we learned that he/she has LOTS of hair!  Crazy!! I didn't even know you could see those kind of things in an ultrasound, but the tech showed us tons of hair just "blowin'" around in all the fluid - ha!  She also said that the old wives tale of "if you have heartburn, your baby will have hair" is one of the only ones she believes, and I guess I am now a believer, too, because I have had terrible heartburn/indigestion with this pregnancy.  

Today we got to see our sweet baby's face, and he/she has some serious cheeks!  It is very evident that Baby Tippins will not be a tiny little thing - ha!  The ultrasound tech commented on his/her "round belly" and "full cheeks"....we're so proud. :)  If I can get our scanner to work, I'll try to scan the pictures since we didn't get them on a CD - just a hard copy.  

just relaxin' ;)

It does make me SO excited to see what/who this baby will look like.  I would have never thought that Jeffrey and I would have a light headed, blue-eyed, fair skinned baby, but lo and behold - we have Libbi!  I always imagined us to have olive skinned babies with dark features.....and we still could!  It's just exciting to think that this baby could look like Jeffrey, me, Libbi, or any combination of the three of us!

Libbi had a great time playing with Mimzy while we were gone and she was sad to see her go.  Especially since I'm not nearly as much fun these days. :)

We played with all her toys for a while, constantly switching from one thing to the next.  Her latest "trick" is to throw everything.  It drives me bananas...especially since I am not too keen on bending over.  She literally just picks things up and chunks them.  Play food, babies, crayons, blocks, books, you name it - she throws it.  We're working hard on breaking this little habit.  

She's also had quite the short fuse lately.  It's funny, but at the same time, it's not.  For instance, she tries so hard to sit all her stuffed animals up in a circle so she can "feed" them.  If one of them happens to fall over or be the least bit uncooperative, she immediately throws herself on the floor, screams, cries, etc, etc.....sometimes, she'll even run into the living room screaming and waving her arms over her head, then throw herself on the floor in there, just in case we weren't aware of the fact that she was upset.  Again, this is something we're working hard on.  We are constantly practicing how to say, "please, help." ;-)

At the same time, she can be so sweet and just the cutest little thing.  She LOVES to be chased or even the chance of possibly being chased.  Since I'm not too light on my feet right now, I'm not exactly the ideal "chasing partner" but she squeals just the same if I even give her a look and pretend that I'm about to get her.  She laughs and screams and runs for her life.  I love it!

After many games of (pretend) chase, Libbi took a nice long nap and woke up so cuddly and sweet.  I love when she will just sit in my lap and talk to me.  We have some fun conversations. :)  She decided this afternoon that she was going to "feed" the baby some of her animal crackers, so she lined up three or four of them across my belly and kept saying, "awww, baby.  eat!"  If I even tried to move them, she would get very angry with me and make sure I knew that they were for "BABY!"

haha....i couldn't resist this one :-)
Libbi was thrilled with the delivery of her diapers today.  It's the little things :)

When Jeffrey got home, we ate supper and then made a family trip to Bruster's for some ice cream.  I forgot my camera, but Jeffrey took a few pictures with his phone that I will have to get, because Libbi was hilarious eating her ice cream cone.  She fits right in with our family, because we are definitely an ice cream loving family!  After ice cream, we all went home with a little extra pep in our step and got ready for bed. Libbi watched an episode of "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and then went to bed.  I am so thankful for our sweet girl and our little family.  I'm thankful to God that all looked good with Baby Tippins today and we're trusting Him to bring us all safely through delivery!!  

Happy Tuesday, Friends!!

Easter, etc....

Libbi had an egg hunt at school a few weeks ago.  I went to watch and have to admit that I was really pleasantly surprised!  She is our sweet girl, but at the same time I can't deny that she is a wild woman, so I was not really sure what to expect out of her at school.....

waiting patiently for the egg hunt to start (and yes, i added the "disguises" to her little friends ;))

When I showed up, she was totally shocked to see me there and kept staring at me and saying, "Momma....Bye-Bye!" (she definitely does not like me invading her space - ha! ).

I was so impressed (and proud!) that she listened to her teacher's and followed all the directions.  She knew just what to do and it really solidified the fact that we made the right decision to let her go to "school" this year.  We love her sweet teachers and are so thrilled that she will have them again next year in her two-year-old class! 

she sat herself at the head of the table.....that's my girl! :)

She is our little miss independent.  A few of the mom's (and her teacher) even commented on how "nice" it was that she just let me leave without even batting an eye....um, yeah....I guess.  It would be "nice" to be missed just a little. ;) 

Libbi's easter bag that she made at school

The next Monday, they had their "Easter Party" since school would not be in session on Good Friday.  I took a couple of pictures of Libbi in her little bunny dress before school.  I think it's the cutest little dress, but of course Jeffrey says she looks like a pilgrim with the big collar - ha!  I couldn't go to the party because I had a dr's appt, but she had a great time....and as much as I hate to admit it, I don't really think that she minded one little bit that I wasn't there. :)

Even though I haven't been feeling too great, we really wanted to go to church on Easter Sunday.  My doctor had told me that as long as I didn't do anything too strenuous or anything that would make my heart rate elevated then I could leave the house (and as long as I wasn't the one driving).  

this is one of the only ways we can get her to take a picture with us these days....
and there are a few of me and libbi,
but my face is incredibly swollen
and i am too vain to post them - ha!

Obviously, she doesn't know that sometimes staying indoors all.day.long with an almost two-year-old can make my heart rate go up MUCH more than leaving the house to go to church- ha!  Especially when that certain almost-two-year-old is still detoxing from being spoiled by grandparents for the majority of a week. :)

We made it to church on Sunday morning and it was exhausting (for me) but I just sat down a lot and that seemed to help.  At one point, I asked Jeffrey if he thought it would be inappropriate for me to prop my feet up on the chair in front of me while the girl occupying it was standing.....he said, "yes" and gave me a look - ha! :) 

I was disappointed that we wouldn't be able to go to MawMaw's house for Easter lunch and be able to see all our family, but it just would have been too much for me to handle.  Church was enough to tire me out for the rest of the day.  

When we got home, Libbi got to go through her Easter Basket. (*confession: more than half of the items in it were things that we either A) already owned; B) gave her last year; or C) came from my leftover kindergarten stash - does that make me a bad mom or just incredibly cheap frugal?*)

so excited to see what the easter bunny brought, she can hardly stand it!

HEY!  this isn't my easter basket!

the official easter basket :)

she LOVES her some stickers...unless of course, they're wrapped in cellophane :)

she shuffled around in her bunny slippers "drinking" from her empty water bottle all morning....

my very own chocolate bunny?!?!

the "easter bunny" put this little chick ("duck" as libbi calls it) inside the cup to save some space in the easter basket, but she now thinks that it belongs in the cup and refuses to put it anywhere else :)

After the Easter Basket festivities (and a failed attempt at a nap...again with the whole "detoxing") Jeffrey hid some eggs outside for Libbi to find.  She has now figured out the the eggs have candy in them, so the "hunt" was slowed down a little since she kept trying to open each egg. She enjoyed it and loved calling out all the colors and running all over the place. She wasn't too into the "basket" idea, but would much rather try to hoard as many as possible in her arms.  I had to convince her to drop them in the basket (I think she was afraid that if she put them down, someone (me? Jeffrey? who knows?) might eat her candy!)

mmmmmmm......candy!

Even though we missed spending time with our family on Easter Sunday and it was not our "normal" holiday routine, it was nice to spend our last holiday as a family of three together at our house. And, most importantly, it was a nice reminder that it's not all about the egg hunts, the big lunches, or the festivities, it's about spending time celebrating our Risen Savior!

**side note.... if you have a chance, please say a little prayer for me and for Baby Tippins.  I go to the Maternal Fetal Specialist first thing in the morning and we are praying for a good report!...Thank you!!**

The Father's love for us....

"How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed to hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that kept Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom"

"He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed."
~1 Peter 2:22-24

"The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?"

~Luke 24:5

Happy Easter!!

22 months and an update....

22 things about my sweet girl on her 22nd month of life....

1.  You weigh 26 pounds, are around 32 inches tall, wear a size 5 diaper, and mostly 24 month/2T clothes.

2.  You talk ALL.THE.TIME.  sometimes it's in your own language, but we are starting to understand you more and more :)  It's crazy how one day you are saying "na-now" for minnie mouse and then all of a sudden you start saying "ninnie" clear as day.  you are learning so much every day!

3.  You can recognize the colors red, blue, yellow, orange, black, green, purple, and pink.  Your favorite is "ye-woah" unless it comes to m&m's...then you always want "boo!"

wearing your hat that you made at school for the letter "V"

4.  Some of our favorite things that you say are, "hi yow!" (hi y'all), "wuv voo" (love you), "yesh" (yes), "woah, woah, woah" (whenever you are off balance or about to fall), "moo me" (excuse me) and "bite back" (right back....everyone and everything that leaves will always be "bite back!") ;0)

I love this dress, but Jeffrey says she looks like a pilgrim with the big collar - ha!

5.  Your hair is still out of control and we still love it :)

6.  You love to slide - and still kiss your slide goodnight every night.

7.  You could eat your weight in chicken nuggets and cookies.  

8.  You are so proud that you can put on your own shoes and try really hard to dress yourself completely.

9.  You LOVE to sing.  Your favorite songs are "wheels on the bus", "itsy bitsy spider", "thank you jesus" (an old preschool song that i know), and "who let the dogs out" (no, i'm not kidding.  you love for us to change up the animals, too - "who let the pigs out?" oink, oink, oink, oink, oink.....)

10.  you would stay outside all day if i'd let you.

11.  you are still a pretty good sleeper - although you wake up a little earlier now.  you nap from around 1:15 - 3:45/4 every day and then go to bed at 8:15 and will typically sleep until 7:15/30

12.  You are VERY opinionated and make sure that everyone knows when you are pleased or upset with something.

13.  You love to have tea parties with minnie mouse and daisy.  you serve everyone tea :)

14.  one of my favorite things is to listen to you name all the colors of your bows when you're lying in your bed before nap time.  your bow hanger faces your bed and you will list all the colors that you know one by one.  

15.  you still LOVE school and are so excited to go every monday and friday.  

16.  because of some recent issues with my pregnancy, you've had to spend the night out quite a bit, but thankfully you love it!  you are a little social butterfly :)

17.  when we're riding in the car you love to yell, "GO! GO! GO!" especially when i'm stopped at a red light :)

18.  you try to copy everything your daddy does.  everything!  

19.  you are a pro at the iphone...you love to watch youtube videos and look at pictures on it (especially pictures of cousin Blakeley!) 

20.  lately, you have been really into coloring and always want to "waw" (draw).  You have a big coloring book that you color in or a small magna doodle that you like to draw on. You typically request for me to draw certain things on the magna doodle (i.e - "dog!") and love to tell me, "no, no, no" and erase it when it doesn't look like you think it should. :)

21.  we cannot believe that it has been 22 months since you came into our lives - what in the world did we do before you!?! ;-)  we cherish every minute with you, knowing that by the time you reach your 23rd month, you will be sharing the spotlight with a baby brother or sister!

22.  you bless our lives every minute of every day and we are so thankful that the Lord chose us to be your parents!!  We love you, sweet girl!!

**And, an update.....

First of all, thank you all SO MUCH for all the sweet comments, facebook messages, and emails - it is such an awesome blessing to know that so many are lifting us up in prayer!  I went this morning for a non-stress-test on the baby and everything looked good!  My heart rate and blood pressure were also in a normal range, so we were very thankful for that.  I am still having contractions, but nothing too urgent at this point. I will see the maternal fetal specialist on Tuesday to assess the baby once again and then I will see my OB on Friday to decide when we will deliver!  Please just continue to pray for the health and safety of Baby Tippins and for the medications that I am on to continue to keep things under control.  It is hard not to be able to do all that I want/need to do, but I am SO lucky to have a husband that will pick up the slack, and parents, in-laws, and friends that are willing to help us at the drop of a hat!  Thanks again for your prayers!**

XOXO

Romans 12:12
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."