Hooray, We Ordered our Crib Set!

We finally found our crib set! And what a relief, after months of meticulous searching and debating. I never imagined it would be so hard... Thanks to GG, we didn't have a strict budget. So it was really just a matter of choosing a set with the style and features we wanted. Sounds pretty simple, right? NOPE. Not for me at least. I've probably stared at every crib and crib set on the market. I spent countless hours shopping online and went to all the big baby retailers as well as the small independent ones. It was always the same- if I found a crib I loved, it didn't come in espresso. If it did come in espresso, the matching furniture pieces weren't great. (We wanted a set with real furniture that our kids would be able to use all growing up, nothing too specifically "baby"). If I found an entire set that I liked, it turned out to be made of really cheap particle wood or had bad reviews. We thought about getting a high-end set with two pieces (rather than three), but the thought of buying baby furniture that was fancier and more luxurious than our own adult furniture was just too absurd. And of course we wouldn't have felt right about stretching GG's pocketbook that far. Anyway, long story short, here it is! As far as the look and the quality, it was the best overall value out there. And whether or not we eventually convert the crib into a full size headboard, our kids will be able to use the dressers until they've fallen apart- which hopefully won't happen for a long time!

Also, we finally decided on a Pack 'n Play rather than a regular bassinet or co-sleeper. It's a bulkier piece than I wanted, but it should be great for long-term use. Especially considering that we'll probably have a bigger than average baby if genetics has anything to do with it.

Can't wait to start setting up the nursery!!! Up next: infant car seat, cloth diapers, breast pump, baby carrier, and more.... Oh boy, here we go again! :)

Thanking Jesus for Thanksgiving

Just as I ended the last post; we're driving to Virginia this evening! What a blessing it is to be able to get in the car and drive home for Thanksgiving. It'll be a short weekend trip, but just the fact that we're able to do it and see our family again after only a months time from the last visit is wonderful. Coming from the tiny dot located in the middle of the Pacific ocean, (commonly known as Hawaii), we certainly appreciate the east coast. We really do have so much to be thankful for, and let me be the first to admit that I am not nearly as thankful as I should be on a daily basis. I'd like to say that I am...but if I'm really honest with myself, surely I take for granted much of what I have. Partly because I've always had it and partly because of this selfish, fallen nature that I have to live with in this life. But let me take this chance to remind myself of just how blessed and I am, and how much I truly have to be thankful for.

First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus- for His indescribable gift of grace and life, despite how much we deserve just the opposite. And to be able to know Him and walk with Him, as though He weren't only our Lord and Savior, but also our brother and our best friend. He's brought Thane and I on quite a journey this past year. It's truly been life changing- incredibly sweet at some points, incredibly bittersweet at others- undoubtedly worth every step. The desire of our heart is to grow closer and closer to Him, through His word, through the people and friendships He puts in our path, through His constant presence in our daily lives. And also through diligent repentance and obedience, which is where we find some of the hardest yet sweetest fruits of growth. We're absolutely thrilled for our friends, family, and acquaintances that know Christ in this way- what a joy! Praise the Lord. For those of them who don't, it is our deepest and most urgent desire and prayer for them.

Which brings me back to the long list of things we are thankful for- for all those special people in our lives and the time we have with them on this earth. For the wonderful love and friendship between Thane and I that grows stronger and sweeter every day. For our little boy, who gets bigger, stronger, and more fiesty with his kicks. For the amazing new church family that God lead us to here and all of the fellowship and new friendships that have come from it. For the Hawaii friends that were already here, waiting to give us a warm welcome to Georgia. For the stable job Thane has, for the beautiful home we've been blessed with on Fort Benning. For Thane's call and desire to serve God by entering the chaplaincy- we're so excited!- and the education that will mostly (if not entirely) be provided for by the army. For the wonderful, wonderful blessing it is for me to have a husband who's passionate about sharing Christ's love and truth.

And of course the list goes on and on...the home on the ranch we still hope to move to in a year's time, the fact that we have all the food, clothing, and comforts that so many people in the world consider luxuries. The little things, like maternity pants (ahhhh...) and my favorite new foods- cheesy chicken noodle casserole, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, and chocolate milk- all the southern comforts a girl could ask for! Being able to snuggle up with Thane each and every night and wake up together each and every morning. Feeling the baby kick and being able to "poke" him back. Thank you Jesus, it's all a gift from You...

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Goodbye Second Trimester...I'll Miss You!

I have to say, I'm a little sad that my second trimester is over... I always looked forward to the second, and not so much to the third. But today's the big day. I've heard a lot of stories about sleep becoming incredibly uncomfortable and sporadic. Well, luck would have it that I experienced this for myself the very night I crossed over into the third phase of pregnancy. Thane received a "timely" text message at 1:30am, and I was then wide awake until 5am- the night before our big drive to Virginia for Thanksgiving. Of course! I think there's an unwritten law of nature that says I will by no means get a good nights sleep the night prior to traveling. Haha, but praise God I'm blessed to be a stay at home wife and I have the luxury of sleeping in and napping just about any old time I need to. So, no complaints here- I just couldn't help but notice the prompt timing of the welcome into the third trimester, classic symptoms and all! I have to admit, I was less than chipper while cooking Thane breakfast this morning. But despite my tired grumpiness and frustration at realizing we had almost no breakfast food left in the house, he insisted on going to the store before work to buy milk for me. We'd been out for a couple of days and I hadn't gotten more knowing we'd be going out of town. But alas, I got to have a nice bowl of cereal and I'm already looking forward to one of my other favorites, chocolate milk!

And, despite last night's fiasco with insomnia, it really is wonderful to only be a few short months away from meeting our little boy. Does anyone want to guess what I did for four and half hours I was awake? Thought about nothing but decorating the nursery! Haha, it's all so exciting, I can't wait to order the crib set and to get around to some little art projects for the walls. I love to plan it all out in my mind and picture what it'll look like when it comes together, complete with baby and all. And now that I've (fairly) successfully finished one sewing project- a bible cover- I feel that much closer to sewing some things for the nursery. Now I just need to convince Thane that we "need" the Joel Dewberry sparrow fabric that I'm basing the theme on... :)

But first thing's first, we're driving to Virginia for Thanksgiving weekend tonight!

Warding Off Stretch Marks...

Thanks to a great recommendation from Andrea, I started using this coconut oil as my "stretch mark prevention plan". It's still early in the game, as I'm not quite in the third trimester, but I haven't gotten any new stretch marks yet. And seeing as how I have them in certain spots already just from normal, pre-pregnancy life, I thought that for sure I'd be plagued with them by now. But so far so good! The thing that's great about the coconut oil is that it's totally organic and even edible...which means I'm not rubbing lots of chemicals into my skin on such a heavy basis- a good point Andrea made that I hadn't really thought about before. As long as it's not in a really warm area, (like a hot car), it stays in a solid form and is very easy to rub on. And of course it smells great too! So, we'll see how things fare over the next few months. It's probably all genetic, so who knows how effective my efforts will be. But hey, if I end up with a belly full of new "mommy marks", at least I'll know I did what I could and won't have any regrets.  :)

"Baby Bargains"; Eureka!

Finally, some clarity! This is by far the most helpful tool I've come across to figure out what to buy to get ready for the baby. If it weren't for our great new neighbor that lent it to me (who coincidentally just gave birth a couple of weeks ago- a girl!), I'd still feel totally and utterly lost. My usual experience with baby shopping starts with high hopes of progress and ends with total overwhelm-ation (no, not a real word, but definitely a real feeling). I have to admit, I was a little skeptical of whether or not it would really help me make sense of everything. After all, the concept of a book that you have to "buy to figure out what to buy" doesn't strike me as a great deal. But I'm oh so glad that my neighbor not only told me about it but also lent it to me.

All the major baby product categories are covered, as well as extensive reviews on each brand and item. The items get an A-F grade based on consumer reports and reviews from parents, and there's ton of advice on what is needed when. There are also lists of must-haves and money wasters, as well as pros and cons to the varying product models in each category. There are pictures and diagrams that show you what each item looks like, so it's very user-friendly for a new and inexperienced mom like myself. After spending a couple of hours going through and taking notes, I feel so much more confident in knowing what I need to buy, what I don't need to buy, and when. I feel much more equipped to prioritize and plan a reasonable budget. So, needless to say, I would highly recommend the book to any other ladies in the same spot. I'm even considering buying my own copy for all of the great tips and advice that will come in handy those first few months after the baby's here; vital safety information, laundering and bathing methods, appropriate gear for winter babies like mine, etc.

One more thing: for free baby items and coupons, go to www.babybargains.com/freebies. Is this great or what?

Georgia Life

Can I just say that it is oh so nice to be in Georgia! The last five or six weeks have been great- a whirlwind, but great! After going from our condo in Mililani, to a hotel in Waikiki, to family on the ranch, to family in Virginia, to a hotel in Georgia, and now, finally, to our permanent residence, it's wonderful to almost be settled again. We feel so blessed to have been provided with such beautiful base housing in such a nice neighborhood, right down the street from one set of Hawaii friends and a short drive from another set! There's even a mile-long track that runs the perimeter of a sports/event field that is literally steps from our home. (I've already "broken it in", haha.) So, praise God, He's really given us a special place to live and to start our family. And talk about space! After living in such a small condo for two and half years, we feel like we finally have the room we've been missing. Thane will be able to have a gym in the basement, and I'll be able to have a painting studio in one of the two attic rooms, wohoo! Not to mention a dining room, nursery, and guest room/office.

Speaking of getting settled, we're definitely coming along. We've found a wonderful, wonderful church, and have already met so many caring and genuine people. We've moved into base housing, had internet installed, purchased and received our new washer and dryer, made the trip to Atlanta to pick up the car, and registered in OB here. Thane's finished his in-processing and met his soon to be co-workers, to include a couple of strong Christian men- always a blessing. The only thing we're waiting on is our household goods. And unfortunately, if they arrive when estimated, we've got about another two whole weeks to wait... Guess that's the charm of moving from Hawaii to the east coast, but we're hoping and praying that it'll get here sooner. But, if not, it's a good time to practice a little patience...afterall, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1Tim 6:6), and accordingly, we're supposed to be content with nothing but "food and clothing" (1Tim 6:8), which we certainly have. So, while we're not used to living with just an air mattress and two lawn chairs, we're doing our best to keep our heads up. And we're so thankful that we have friends here who've been so generous in lending us their things. Another big thank you to the Swans and the O'Malleys!

A couple of fun pictures; the baby's closet and my 24 week bump. I have to say, I love to walk into the future nursery and just look at all his little items...it makes it so much more real now that we're in the place we'll bring him home to. Ah, can't wait!!!