Crushing Idols

I know that every single parent out there will say the exact same thing and I've heard it 1,000 times, but pregnancy really does go by in the blink of an eye! I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow and I'm not sure where the past 30 weeks have gone. I just had my midwife appointment today and I was measuring 31 weeks. Little Peanut still has a strong heartbeat and she must have some long legs too!

I'm learning new things about her and what it means to nurture someone else whose life is dependent on mine daily. I guess the few years that we wanted to get pregnant and couldn't, I envied every pregnant belly that I crossed paths with and wondered when it'd be my time and why it couldn't be this very moment! Now, I know that it was because God wanted me to care for the little gal that's growing inside of me right now. And no matter the pain (ahem...the excruciating rib pain), I'll already do anything for her or say no to things I may have once said "yes" to, because her well-being is my number one priority.

And in the midst of caring for this little Peanut everyday and having her on my mind every second, I realize that it's not the big picture. The big picture is still Jesus. It's not that my journey in the valley is over and I'm free from pain and suffering (hellllo labor pains...just kidding...well, partly). The point is that this miracle should be pointing me more and more towards my Creator and some days, regardless of seeing the miracle, I forget that this child is about Him. It's to show me His love, His mercy, His grace, His unfathomable care for me as His child.

I, as a mother-to-be, should imitate His unconditional love for this child He's knitting together in my womb. Of course I'll make mistakes and embarrass the heck out of her at times, but I need my eyes on the bigger picture and not just the miracle. The miracle is ... well... a miracle and an amazing one at that! But, if I take my eyes off of Him and just focus on this miracle, the miracle will become my idol. An idol is something I definitely do not want to show my daughter. I've made too many in my life! She'll make mistakes and make her own, but I need her to see that Jesus is the only one who is precious and worthy enough to be made our idol. My prayer is that my idols fall like the leaves off the trees. Let them wither and be crushed under my foot. This isn't a time I need to be letting idols of everything baby and parenting into my life. It's a time when I need to surrender and call out to God on a daily basis for His help and wisdom.

In 10 weeks, one of my biggest challenges (dare I say the biggest) will enter my life and I need to be on a solid foundation. For myself. For my husband. For our marriage. For our daughter.

                                                                             

And a few pictures to update you guys on this little gal's progress!

Looong Time No See

So...This post is looong overdue. I'll cut straight to the point, so there's no wondering. Since my last post in March, we became pregnant!! We found out April 2. A day I'll never forget. That night, we went ahead and shared the news with Kevin's parents and sister. We had a nice dinner out with them celebrating their anniversary, so nothing was suspected. We gave them a bottle of wine with an Easter egg tied around the top. Kevin's dad politely said, "thanks." So, we had to nudge the two of them to open the egg. Inside was a pacifier that said "coming December 2014." His mom screamed and his dad was thrilled. Our little nephew at the table was still a bit confused, but he's definitely come around!

Then, that weekend we already had a trip planned to see my parents in South Carolina. Totally unsuspicious. We packed them a little gift bag with two Easter eggs. One saying, "you'll need this soon..." and other saying "this big." The first one had a pacifier just as Kevin's parents' egg. The other was filled with poppy seeds, because at that time baby Williams was only a speck! My mom doubled over in tears and excitement. My dad smiled and congratulated with warm hugs!

It was such a great experience. That first trimester was tough, though. And I'm not talking morning sickness! I actually never had one funny feeling (thank the Lord). I was terrified of losing this little person we had just created. Around 10 weeks, my cousin gave me a used heart rate doppler. I cannot tell you how many times that little piece of technology put my mind at ease. It was definitely three months of fully trusting the Lord with what He had blessed us with.

The first stick! Taken at 5:30am. In shock.

First belly picture!

How "big" our little peanut was on that day.

Just wanted to see it written out...insurance :)

And the first picture of our little peanut. God is good.

Now, at 6 months pregnant, we've found out we're expecting a baby girl on December 4th! She's starting to kick, and play, and has already found my ribs (yes, they are bruised). We're thinking she may be a soccer player! 

From that little peanut to the 2 pound girl she is now....

12 weeks

13 weeks

14 weeks

15 weeks

16 weeks

17 weeks

18 weeks (in Paris)

19 weeks

20 weeks (gender reveal party!)

21 weeks

22 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

And we're 27 weeks tomorrow! Throughout these past weeks, we've put the size of the baby (compared to a fruit or veggie), length, weight, weeks, and milestones (which I don't think you can see from the pictures). It's been crazy watching the bump grow. I can't wait to show her one day!

This is the little face I keep in my heart and mind until the cold day she decides to make her entrance...

Love that sweet little peanut